The tea industry has expressed concern over the possibility of exports to Iran taking a hit in the wake of spiralling tensions between the US and the Persian country. Iran's Major General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone attack on Friday, which ratcheted up acrimony between the arch-enemies and sparked fears of a new war in the Middle East. "There will be an impact if there is a conflict between the US and Iran. Orthodox tea exports will suffer," Tea Board Chairman P K Bezbaruah told PTI. Iran has emerged as the single largest importer of Indian orthodox tea after the CIS countries. Till November 2019, exports to Iran stood at 50.43 million kg, while shipments to the CIS block was at 52.80 million kg, Tea Board data showed. "Last year, the orthodox tea exporters switched over to the Iranian market in a big way because of higher value realisation," he said. Former ITA chairman and MD & CEO of Goodricke Group Atul Asthana said, "If there is a conflict, there will be no exports of tea to Iran". Officials, however, said that if exports to Iran do suffer, then the industry can take a relook at the CIS countries, but at a lower price realisation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith affirmed that the 42nd meeting of the Vietnam Laos Inter-Governmental Committee is a success. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith at the press conference in Hanoi on January 4 During a press conference held in Hanoi on January 4 followingthe meeting, PM Phuc said the meeting saw the presence of representatives fromthe two countries 40 ministries, agencies and localities. According to him, Vietnams total development assistance toLaos increased by nearly 19 percent last year while five works joint effortbetween the two nations, were inaugurated and put into operation. Vietnam has invested over 5 billion USD in Laos. Two-waytrade surpassed the target to 1.25 billion USD. Over 16,000 Lao students arestudying in Vietnam while nearly 100 Vietnamese students are in Laos. The two PMs expressed delight at the effective andcomprehensive development of bilateral ties over the past years. PM Phuc said both sides agreed to realise set agreements anddeepen bilateral political, external, national defence security ties, towardsachieving the growth of 10-15 percent in two-way trade in 2020. They will enhance connectivity between the two economies,including in transportation, energy, sustainable use and management of waterresources and other natural resources. The two sides discussed building a 10-year cooperationstrategy, particularly encouraging ministries, agencies, localities, businessesand people to expand ties and offer mutual support. Vietnam and Laos will work closely together at regional andglobal forums such as ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, among others, he said, adding thatnine cooperation agreements in various areas were signed during the meeting. Nine cooperation agreements in areas were signed at themeeting, PM Phuc said, adding that the Vietnamese government will directministries, agencies, localities, businesses and units work closely with Laopartners, thus creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms toeffectively do business in Laos. The Lao PM, for his part, said the meeting reflectsVietnams appreciation of cooperation with Laos to foster each sidessocio-economic development. On the occasion, he asked the two countries ministries andagencies to effectively realise agreements reached by the two governments./. VNA Eagles strong safety Malcolm Jenkins and linebacker Nate Gerry sack Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during the fourth quarter on Sunday, November 24, 2019 in Philadelphia. Read more Its win or go home for the injured Eagles, and the team may need to use everything in its bag of tricks to fend off a healthy Seattle core led by Super Bowl-winning QB Russell Wilson. Later in the newsletter, we chat with opinion writer Abraham Gutman, who gives us some insight into how opinion writers blend data, reporting, and perspective to elevate the conversation on issues that impact the Philadelphia region. Tauhid Chappell (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) The week ahead While the odds may not seem to be in the Eagles favor given their long list of injuries, we cant forget that when they played the Seahawks earlier this season, the Birds turned it over six times, yet only lost by eight points. As our beat writers report, the Eagles have gotten a lot better at protecting the ball, and their winning streak should give fans some hope that this could be a closer game than it looks on paper. At least four banks will reissue thousands of debit and credit cards to customers following the expansive data breach that exposed Wawa customers payment card information for roughly nine months. Philly will be looking for a new head of its Office of Property Assessment. Mike Piper, the citys chief assessment officer, has resigned. Piper, along with the office, faced ongoing criticism from homeowners and lawmakers over residential reassessments. Pipers fate had been sealed when City Council signaled last year it would not support his reappointment to another term. This weeks most popular stories Behind the story with Each week we go behind the scenes with one of our reporters or editors to discuss their work and the challenges they face. This week we chat with Abraham Gutman, who gave us some insight on what it means to be an opinion and editorial writer. Can you describe your job? I am an opinion and editorial writer. That means I write commentary pieces that are signed (bylined) by me, as well as pieces that reflect the consensus opinion of the editorial board and are signed by the board. I usually write about two or three editorials a week and a bylined piece every other week. The editorial board is a group of writers and editors who are tasked with defining the institutional point of view of the paper. The team includes former reporters, columnists, and editors. The board operates separately from the newsroom, which means that while we talk often with our news-side colleagues, we are editorially independent. What are some differences between the work you produce as an opinion writer and the work produced by news reporters? News reporters and opinion writers use the same methods to produce a different type of product. Like a news reporter, I either pitch my editors an idea or get assigned a topic. Then I report. That might include going to events, doing research online, interviewing people, or doing data analysis just like a news reporter would. At the end, however, I am allowed to include my informed opinion in the piece. That doesnt mean I am not bound to all the ethical rules of journalism and facts. It just means that I have room to give my own personal perspective on the set of facts that I uncovered in my reporting. How do you incorporate data into your writing, and why is that important? Opinion pieces vary. Some are personal perspectives and essays, others are reported columns. Personally, I like anchoring both types in data. For example, for Fathers Day, I wrote about the reactions I get as a new dad from strangers. It was important to me to make the piece about something larger than my own experience, and one way to do that is data. So I looked into statistics on the impact of becoming a parent for men vs. women. My personal observation that I am being celebrated no matter how little I do, while my wife gets criticized regardless of how much she does, matched the statistics. One study found that after becoming a parent men get a pay bump while women get a cut. Using and anchoring my work in data is a reality check that Im not just sharing an anecdote, but am exploring a genuine phenomenon. What are some top issues that capture your attention as an opinion writer? The issues that interest me most are gun violence, criminal justice, and drug policy. Those are the issues that I researched before changing careers from an academic track to journalism. I am also interested and often write about racism and the manufacturing of racial inequality through policy. For example, this week, following a string of anti-Semitic attacks in New York, I wrote about the importance of responding to anti-Semitism in a way that is deliberately anti-racist. As a Jew, I felt it was important for me to share and I feel privileged to have a platform through the opinion pages of The Inquirer. Fill in the blank: Reach out and contact me if ______________. you have ideas on how we can curb overdose deaths and gun violence. You can connect with Abraham on Twitter at @abgutman or by email at AGutman@inquirer.com. Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly It was foggy out there this weekend. Thanks for capturing the mood, @d_smoove. 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! #CuriousPhilly: Have a question about your community? Ask us! Have you submitted a question to Curious Philly yet? Try us. Were listening to our readers and doing our best to find answers to the things youre curious about. Our readers latest question: How many women were killed in Philadelphia last year? The answer: 49, all but 15 were killed in shootings. Nearly 80% of those killed in shootings were black women and the majority of people killed in the city were black, according to year-end statistics from the Philadelphia Police Department. What were Eating: Korean fried chicken at Oori, a 40-seat BYOB joint that serves crunchy fried chicken, ramen, and a plethora of spicy dishes for those who like a little bite in their food. Trying: different lotions to combat dry skin during the winter. Viewing: Posing Beauty in African American Culture at the Delaware Art Museum. This traveling exhibition that features 104 works has helped to establish an A-list of black artists in the early 21st century. Reading: Such A Fun Age, written by Fishtown resident Kiley Reid. Set in Philly, the book explores class dynamics in tiny microcultures, with themes of race and class anchoring the novel. Comment of the week I hope everyone in attendance brings their dog masks so we can show Seattle what Beast Mode really means.... Gbru412, on Wild-card weekend: Eagles-Seahawks scouting report and prediction. Your Daily Dose of | The Upside Ryan Manion lost her brother in Iraq in 2007, but after connecting with a widow who had married her brothers best friend, the two worked together to write a book that describes the unique experience of losing a loved one to war. Early Friday morning, a U.S. airstrike killed General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force and among the country's most powerful figures. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei quickly warned that "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the U.S., and analysts and experts started suggesting the ways that retaliation could take shape. Joyce Karam, a reporter for The National in the United Arab Emirates, pointed out locations and U.S. strongholds overseas that Iran might go after. Where could #Iran retaliate? Gulf states: US bases Gulf waters: tanks, US ships Iraq : US bases, Emb., oil companies Syria: US bases At Israel Lebanon: US embassy, at Israel Africa or Latin America or EU: through Hezbollah Again, uncharted territory Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 3, 2020 Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis told Bloomberg that Iran might "attempt an assassination of a very senior admiral or general." "But the one I worry about the most," Stavridis said, "is cyber," which Iran is "quite capable" of launching. Iran is capable of "significant" cyber attack retaliation, says Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis https://t.co/ULYuLMBp4r pic.twitter.com/CFeBG0NNPb BSurveillance (@bsurveillance) January 3, 2020 Americans were told to leave Iraq at once, suggesting Iranian militias might have been suspected of planning to kidnap them, The Washington Post's Josh Rogin noted. Story continues Sources tell me the U.S. government was given intelligence that Iranian militias were planning to kidnap Americans in Iraq. That might help explain why State Dept ordered all U.S. citizens to leave immediate. Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) January 3, 2020 New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio meanwhile said he'd work to ramp up security to protect the city from a possible attack by Iran, though other analysts and reporters haven't suggested a strike on U.S. soil is likely. 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 Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 14:31:41|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Six people including a girl were killed and six others injured after an under-construction boundary wall collapsed in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said Sunday. The wall collapsed in Laxmanpura village of Jhansi district, about 324 km southwest of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. "Yesterday a boundary wall of a stone crusher collapsed, following which several people sitting close to it were trapped under its debris," a police official said. "Five people were killed on spot, while as one person succumbed during treatment inside the hospital." Six others pulled out from the debris in injured condition were sent to hospital. Police have registered the case and started investigations. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the deaths and expressed sympathy with the bereaved families. The scientists who cloned Dolly the sheep are now targeting grey squirrels in a bid to rid Britain of them altogether. Researchers at the Roslin Institute want to use DNA modification to make all female grey squirrels infertile. They are looking at creating a 'gene drive' for male greys that would spread to females when they mate. Experts claim this would eradicate Britain's grey squirrel population completely in the most humane way possible. Researchers at the Roslin Institute want to use DNA modification to make all female grey squirrels infertile so they die out in the UK in a bid to protect the endangered red squirrel They want to decrease the number of greys in a bid to protect the few-remaining red squirrels left across the British Isles. How is the grey squirrel killing the red squirrel? Red squirrels are native to the UK and spend most of their time in the trees. Grey squirrels, however, were introduced to the UK in the late 19th-century from North America. Initially introduced as an ornamental species, they soon spread throughout the UK. Grey squirrels carry a disease called squirrel parapox virus, which does not appear to affect their health but often kills red squirrels. Grey squirrels are more likely to eat green acorns, so will decimate the food source before reds get to them. Reds cant digest mature acorns, so can only eat green acorns. When red squirrels are put under pressure they will not breed as often which has amplified the initial problem of the grey squirrel. Another huge factor in their decline is the loss of woodland over the last century, but road traffic and predators are all threats too. Currently, it is estimated there could be as few as 15,000 red squirrels left in the UK. Advertisement Greys were imported to the UK from the USA in the 19th century and have contributed to the near-eradication of the Britain's red population. There are currently two million greys in the UK, but just 140,000 reds, which are restricted to remote locations such as the Isle of Wight, Anglesey and forests in the north of England and Scotland. The science used to modify grey squirrels could also be used to get rid of other pests, including minks, ring-necked parakeets and muntjac deers. Gus McFarlane, a researcher at the Roslin Institute, told The Sunday Times: 'We are investigating strategies that could humanely control the UK grey squirrel population. One is spreading female infertility.' Experts at the institute are also looking at the possibility of changing grey squirrels' genes so they are more likely to give birth to male babies not female. This would mean less of them reproduce and numbers would eventually dwindle. The Roslin Institute is partially funded by the European Squirrel Initiative, which is a charity dedicated to red squirrel conservation. It was behind the first ever clone of an adult mammal, when it cloned Dolly the sheep in 1996. A spokesman for the charity said: 'The aim would be to create a few thousand gene-edited greys and then release them so the gene spreads, slowly wiping the species out in the UK.' Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon's Iran-allied Hezbollah movement, said during a speech Sunday that only U.S. military assets, not U.S. civilians, should be targeted in retaliatory attacks for the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, according to the Washington Post. "It is the U.S. military that killed Haj Qasem, and they must pay the price." Hassan Nasrallah, using an honorific for Soleimani Why it matters: President Trump tweeted Saturday that the U.S. military has 52 Iranian targets in the event that Iran or its proxies strike American assets, including cultural sites. The threat prompted outrage from Iranian officials, who accused Trump of advocating war crimes. What he's saying: Nasrallah said targeting non-military Americans would benefit Trump, according to WashPost. "There are many U.S. civilians in our region engineers, businessmen, journalists. We will not touch them. Touching any civilian anywhere in the world will only serve Trumps policy." When calling for retribution, "we do not mean the American people," he said. "The true, just retribution for those who conducted this assassination is an institution, which is the U.S. military. We will launch a battle against those killers, those criminals." Between the lines: During the speech, Nasrallah avoided mentioning Lebanon as a potential site to launch retaliation attacks and distanced the country from Iran, saying "we are not tools to be directed by Iran." Lebanon has been shaken by protests against political elites, including Hezbollah leadership. The big picture: By interfering in a conflict between Iran and the U.S., Hezbollah could squander the political benefits it will gain from forming a new Lebanese government with a Hezbollah nominee as prime minister. Go deeper: Open source The Polish Embassy expressed outrage over how Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kateryna Zelenko substantiated the reverence of Stepan Bandera in Ukraine, as well as other personalities who collaborated with the Nazis. The position of Polish diplomats was outlined by Polish Radio 24. The Polish Embassy in Kyiv emphasized that Zelenkos comment was not published on the MFA website and therefore cannot be considered an official statement. It is hard to believe that such words could come from a Ukrainian diplomat. They have not yet been posted on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. If this were so, it would mean that Ukrainian diplomacy ranks ideologists of integral nationalism among national heroes, because of whom tens of thousands of Poles, Jews and thousands of other nations representatives fell, "the Polish embassy said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:57:15|Editor: zh Video Player Close JAKARTA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Floods and landslides in and around the Indonesian capital of Jakarta killed at least 60 people while rescuers are endeavoring to retrieve people buried under soils, officials said on Sunday. Torrential rains which triggered rivers to break their banks have resulted in natural disasters in Jakarta and nearby provinces of West Java and Banten. Spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency Agus Wibowo said that the number of displaced persons has decreased but scores remains missing. In Banten province's district of Lebak, two people were reported missing after flash floods struck the district, said Agus Wibowo. In the meantime, Ramli Prasetyo, spokesman of the Jakarta Search and Rescue Office which is also responsible for the city's peripheral areas pointed out that the number of fatalities was likely to rise as rescuers along with soldiers, police personnel and villagers are searching for the missing persons believed to be buried under mud after the landslides in Cigudeg village, Bogor district, West Java province, "Our personnel are now attempting to recover the victims under the soils. We got a report that four people are buried there," he told Xinhua by phone. Poor access to the scene has hampered the efforts, making heavy machinery equipment fail to reach the landslide-impacted areas, so that rescuers are only using water pumps to remove the soils, he said. President Joko Widodo has ordered disaster authorities to reopen access to the isolated six villages in West Java province's Sukajaya sub-district, a statement from the presidential office said on Sunday. Landslides have cut off roads heading to the areas. Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency on Sunday refreshed its warning over the possibility of an extreme weather, it said in a text message. The flooding hitting Jakarta and its surrounding areas during the New Year's Eve is the worst since 2007 which claimed 80 lives in 10 days. T Muruganandham By Express News Service CHENNAI: The occasional murmurs were so far confined to social media or talks within the power circles. Ever since the union government bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories by bypassing the State Assembly, there had been speculation that Tamil Nadu, may also be split into smaller states. While it was so far only in the realm of speculations, a little known association called Vada Tamil Nadu Makkal Munnani revived the demand for creation of a new State of North Tamil Nadu. The association recently petitioned the President, and organised a meeting on Thursday in Chennai. The map proposed by the association for the new State covers the industrial northern districts, including Chennai, agriculturally fertile delta region and in the western parts covering the Stanley reservoir and the Bhavanisagar reservoir in Erode. The revival of the old demand is seen as the bud of something that could bring a paradigm shift to the political dynamics in the State and nature of the identity politics. Ever since the dawn of the dominance of the Dravidian parties, the politics in Tamil Nadu revolves around the Tamil identity and assertion of the rights of the States with the Centre that is dominated by the national parties. From the past experiences, political leaders, analysts and activists fear that dividing Tamil Nadu into different states is fraught with many uncertainties. Azhi Senthilnathan, coordinator, Tamil Language Rights Federation, says that the demand to divide Tamil Nadu in the present political scenario is dangerous. Tamil Nadu remains a political challenge to the BJP and it wishes to at least trifurcate Tamil Nadu as North Tamil Nadu, Kongu Nadu and South Tamil Nadu. This party wants to break the Tamil identity and give the State to three dominant castes in these regions - Vanniyars, Kongu Vellala Gounders and Mukkulathor. But the real intention of the BJP is to break the Tamil identity.A theory that some in the States political circles have put forward is that if the state is divided into three, BJP could hope to make electoral in-roads into Tamil Nadu by tying up with the parties or outfits that represent the dominant caste in each of the regions and effectively challenge the dominance of the two Dravidian majors. The saffron party has thus far had limited success in increasing its footprint in TN. However, BJP State Secretary Professor R Srinivasan flatly denied any ground for such a move. The need for bifurcating Tamil Nadu does not arise now for three reasons: First, Tamil Nadu is not such a big State to be bifurcated. Second, Tamil Nadu is one State which creates more number of districts and taluks aiming at efficient administration. Even our neighbour Kerala still has 14 districts while Tamil Nadu has increased its districts to 37. Third, Tamil Nadu is a developed State which gave opportunities to all sections of the society and it is not a backward State. Professor Srinivasan further said, Though BJP has long favoured smaller States since growth rate is higher in smaller States than in the bigger ones, the party has no view on this in TN as of now. Maybe after 50 years, there may need to bifurcate the present Tamil Nadu State. The future generation will take a call on that. Asked about the charge that BJP was trying to bifurcate Tamil Nadu on the lines of Jammu and Kashmir and make dominant castes in charge of the newly created States, Srinivasan rubbished this allegation and said BJP opposed bifurcation of India on the basis of religion and as such, how can it support bifurcating a State on the basis of caste? It is a charge being levelled against the BJP just to defame the party and there is no truth in it. The main reason cited by Vada Tamil Nadu Makkal Munnani for creation of the new North Tamil Nadu state was that the backwardness of the people in the region, despite the industrial growth in the region. The outfit blamed it on lack of political power in the hands of the people of the community. Though the Vanniars are in majority in the State, they are made to meekly surrender and be a slave to the minority 1% population... the petition submitted by V Vasan, general secretary of the organisation read. In the meeting held by the outfit in Chennai on Thursday, most of the speakers stressed on the need to assert the rights of the Vanniayars and creation of a separate North Tamil Nadu state is a sure way for it. Speaking to Express on such demands, Dravidian Historian S Thirunavukkarasu said they are malicious. The motive is to create domination by a caste group, not the welfare of the region. The states were created only for the betterment of a particular region and people speaking particular language. The idea and demand should be condemned and nipped in the bud itself, he said.In 2002, PMK founder S Ramadoss demanded bifurcation of Tamil Nadu and the formation of separate State out of 15 northern districts where Vanniyar community is concentrated and the party has some support base. The then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa put a stop and termed the demand as casteist and separatist. Since then the party never again raised the demand. When the party contested alone in 2016 assembly polls with its leader Anbumani Ramadoss as chief ministerial candidate, the partys manifesto instead promised to make Tiruchy the second capital of the state and division of Tamil Nadu into five zones in order to decentralise the administrative powers. When asked for an opinion on the issue, PMK president GK Mani said, Any demand will succeed only if it emerges as a massive demand of the people. Besides, only if the demand emerges from the people, it will be welcomed and there will be support for it. Most of the other major political parties were unequivocal in opposing the idea of dividing Tamil Nadu. VCK general secretary D Ravikumar said, At present, there are 39 MPs representing Tamil Nadu in Parliament and hence the views of the State has a bearing on the Centre on key issues. Even now Uttar Pradesh determines to a large extent which party captures power in the Centre since it sends the largest share of MPs to the parliament. When the next delimitation exercise happens, the share of UP may further go up due to increase of its population. At this juncture, if Tamil Nadu is bifurcated, we will further lose the bargaining power on key issues.He said the plan to divide Tamil Nadu into separate states belongs to certain casteist and communal forces. AIADMK spokesperson Avadi Kumar said demands for dividing Tamil Nadu into new states will only create restlessness among people. There is no need for bifurcating the State since already, in the existing set up, all sections of society are getting their opportunities. Just by bifurcating the State, no new opportunities will be created for anyone. The demands are made only for the benefit of certain individuals or organisations, he said. The most common reason cited for disturbances during creation of a new State is the sharing of the resources, both natural and industrial. For example, when Telangana was created, the biggest concern was the loss of revenue for the residual state of Andhra Pradesh since the revenue from the industries in Hyderabad would go only to Telangana. Even more problematic areas will be sharing of the river waters and control over the dams. This at a scenario where the river water sharing disputes with neighbouring states itself have not been settled even after decades of efforts. Also, from the examples of Telangana-Andhra Pradesh and Bihar-Jharkhand, the influential regional parties get restricted to one of the newly created state and thus has command over lesser number of MPs. Denouncing the idea as unwarranted, advocate V Kannadasan said Tamil Nadu can instead have a second capital for administrative convenience. He is a spokesperson of the DMK, which, along with it allies, has 38 MPs from the State and third biggest party in the Lok Sabha. Dividing Tamil Nadu will only hinder the economic growth as well as the development of the State. There were much cultural differences between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh (for creation of new state). But among people of Tamil Nadu, there is not much difference, he said. However, political analyst Tharasu Shyam looks at this issue from another angle. He says Tamil Nadu had historically been divided into three kingdoms of Chera, Chola and Pandyas kings. Dividing the state will not take away the Tamil identity. He said, though people of Puducherry consider themselves as Tamils, they will never want to merge with Tamil Nadu. In late 1970s, the then Chief Minister MG Ramachandran proposed merger of Puducherry with Tamil Nadu and the AIADMK subsequently faced electoral rout. What history says? 1In 1976, another Vanniyar leader SS Ramasamy Padaiyachi demanded bifurcation of the State and organised a conference at Thittakudi. At that time, a case was filed against him and he was arrested. 2 In 2008, All India Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam led by N Sethuraman and Vanniyar Peravai president AK Natarajan launched a movement - North and South Tamil Nadu Movement demanding bifurcation of Tamil Nadu. They also demanded a second State reorganisation committee. 3 In 2002, late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has denounced the demand when PMK founder S Ramadoss made a demand for carving out a separate State with 15 districts thickly populated with Vanniyar community. 4 In August 2008, there was a demand for creation of Senthamizhnadu with the districts below Cauvery river In August 2008, with Madurai as its capital. Again, the demand was renewed after nod was given for processing the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2009. 5 During the tenure of former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, he took efforts to shift the capital of Tamil Nadu from Chennai to Tiruchy citing the difficulties faced by the people in reaching the Secretariat which is 800 km away from Kanniyakumari. But the plan was given up Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddys decision to shift the states administrative capital from Amaravati to Visakhapatnam, making Amaravati the legislative capital and Kurnool the judicial capital, has snowballed into a major controversy. The decision is a blow to Telugu Desam Party president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who visualised Amaravati as a world-class capital. It is a mad decision and Jagan will have to pay a heavy penalty [for it], Naidu said in an interview to Hindustan Times. Excerpts: Building a world class-capital at Amaravati has been your dream. Do you think your dream has been shattered? Yes, my dream is completely shattered, because of a mad decision taken by an insane person, who senior journalist Shekhar Gupta referred to as Tughlaq. When I was the chief minister of combined Andhra Pradesh, I had visualised a modern city in Hyderabad that would generate a knowledge economy. The result was the development of Cyberabad, which emerged as a hub of information technology. It resulted in the development of a financial district and subsequent infrastructure facilities like the outer ring road, international airport etc. Nobody could dare make any changes in it, including my successor YS Rajasekhara Reddy. That should be the spirit. It is missing in Amaravati. Jagan Mohan Reddy has come to power with huge mandate. Dont you think he has the right to shift the capital? No, he cannot do that. The people have not given him power to change the capital. We have chosen Amaravati not because we had the power. After bifurcation (of united AP to create Telangana state), we needed a capital city of our own and we selected Amaravati after studying all aspects. It was endorsed by everybody and it was a collective decision. Telugus from across the world had contributed to Amaravati. Holy waters from all rivers and soil from all parts of the country were brought to Amaravati to take a vow to develop it as the capital city. Now, how can you go back? What is the problem? Visakhapatnam also has all the qualities of a capital city. What is your objection to it? Visakhapatnam is naturally developed and it was the TDP government which had introduced major projects like international airport at Bhogapuram, Adani Data Centre, Convention Centre by Lulu group, IT companies etc. The issue here is Amaravati has already been chosen as the capital city and it has been functioning for the last four years. How can it be shifted now? If Jagan has so much love for Vizag, why did he cancel land allotment to Adani Data Centre and Lulu convention centre? Do you think it is because Jagan Mohan Reddy is seeking personal vengeance against you? Not just vengeance. It is because of his madness. Just because he has a grudge against me, why should he punish the people? Why should people travel for nearly 900 km from Anantapur to Visakhapatnam to get a work done by the government? What will happen if Jagan Mohan Reddy goes ahead with his plan to shift the executive capital to Visakhapatnam? It is not so easy. But if he is still adamant on doing so, it will be the end of his political career. You are going to see it happen. The government says the three capital plan is essentially to bring about decentralisation of administration What we need is decentralised development, not decentralised administration. Nowhere is there such a concept of decentralised administration. The economy and employment have to be decentralised. What kind of role you are going to play in preventing the shifting of the administrative capital? I will continue to fight along with farmers for retaining Amaravati [as the capital]. I will see that the capital shift does not happen. Not only me, all the parties, except the YSR Congress Party, are with the farmers. Dont you think there will be a political backlash in north-coastal Andhra because of your stand on Amaravati? I dont think so. In fact, even people of north coastal Andhra had supported me when I chose Amaravati as the capital. If I change the stand now in favour of Visakhapatnam, they will question me. The government has ordered a probe against you, saying you had resorted to insider trading in the land pooling in Amaravati. How do you respond to it? It is sheer nonsense. They dont know the meaning of insider trading, it happens in the stock market, not here. If somebody purchases land by paying money, how can it be called insider trading? Let them probe it. It will only expose their foolishness. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Ukraine to supply Turkey with over 500 cruise missile engines worth over $600 mln (Photo) 20:17, 05.01.20 15041 The supplies will take place from 2021 to 2030. New Delhi, Jan 4 (UNI) Members of the Sikh community led by Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, on Saturday held a massive protest outside the Pakistan High Commission here against vandalism at the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev ji in Pakistan. Raising slogans against Pakistan Prime Minister and his government over vandalism at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara on Friday, the protesters requested the international community to put pressure on the neighbouring country for taking immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community, visiting pilgrims who regularly visit the holy shrine and Sikh families residing in Pakistan. The al-Shabab extremist group attacked a military base used by US and Kenyan troops in coastal Kenya early on Sunday, with US aircraft and vehicles destroyed, Kenyan authorities said. Kenya's military said the pre-dawn breach was repulsed and at least four attackers were killed. The US Africa Command confirmed the attack on Camp Simba in Lamu county. Spokesman Col. Christopher Karns called al-Shabab's claims, including of inflicting severe casualties, grossly exaggerated." There was no report of US or Kenyan deaths. The camp has under 100 US personnel, according to Pentagon figures. An internal Kenyan police report seen by The Associated Press said two fixed-wing aircraft, one US and one Kenyan, were destroyed along with two US helicopters and multiple US vehicles at the Manda Bay military airstrip. The report said explosions were heard at around 5:30 am from the direction of the airstrip. The scene, now secured, indicated that al-Shabab likely gained entry to conduct targeted attacks," the report said. Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaida, is based in neighbouring Somalia and has launched a number of attacks in Kenya. The group has been the target of a growing number of US airstrikes during President Donald Trumps administration. The attack comes just over a week after an al-Shabab truck bomb in Somalias capital killed at least 79 people and US airstrikes killed seven al-Shabab fighters in response. By Associated Press TEHRAN: The body of General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike, arrived Sunday in Iran to throngs of mourners, as President Donald Trump threatened to bomb 52 sites in the Islamic Republic if Tehran retaliates by attacking Americans READ | US will hit 52 vital targets, cultural sites in Iran if Tehran attacks Americans: Trump Soleimani's death Friday in Iraq further heightens tensions between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that put the wider Middle East on edge. The conflict is rooted in Trump pulling out of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers, an accord likely to further unravel as Tehran is expected to announce as early as Sunday it will break another set of limits. Iran has promised harsh revenge. Already, a series of rockets launched in Baghdad late Saturday fell inside or near the Green Zone, which houses government offices and foreign embassies, including the US Embassy. After thousands in Baghdad on Saturday mourned Soleimani and others killed in the strike, authorities flew the general's body to the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. An honor guard stood by early Sunday as mourners carried the flag-draped coffins of Soleimani and other Guard members off the tarmac. Officials brought Soleimani's body to Ahvaz, a city that was a focus of fighting during the bloody, 1980-88 war between Iraq and Iran in which the general slowly grew to prominence. After that war, Soleimani joined the Guard's newly formed Quds, or Jersualem, Force, an expeditionary force that works with Iranian proxy forces in countries like Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. Authorities also plan to take Soleimani's body to Mashhad later Sunday, as well as Tehran and Qom on Monday for public mourning processions, then onto his hometown of Kerman for burial Tuesday. READ | Fury, tears as thousands mourn Iranian general Qasem Soleimani killed in US attack Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional policy of mobilizing militias across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, including in the war against the Islamic State group. He was also blamed for attacks on US troops and American allies going back decades. Though it's unclear how or when Iran may respond, any retaliation was likely to come after three days of mourning declared in both Iran and Iraq. All eyes were on Iraq, where America and Iran have competed for influence since the 2003 US-led invasion. After the airstrike early Friday, the US-led coalition has scaled back operations and boosted security and defensive measures at bases hosting coalition forces in Iraq, a coalition official said on condition of anonymity according to regulations. Meanwhile, the US has dispatched another 3,000 troops to neighboring Kuwait, the latest in a series of deployments in recent months as the standoff with Iran has worsened. Protesters held demonstrations in dozens of US cities Saturday over Trump's decisions to kill Soleimani and deploy more troops to the Mideast. In a thinly veiled threat, one of the Iran-backed militia, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or League of the Righteous, called on Iraqi security forces to stay at least a kilometer (0.6 miles) away from US bases starting Sunday night. However, US troops are invariably based in Iraqi military posts alongside local forces. READ | Trump stirs tensions in Middle East despite talk of taking US out of 'endless wars' Iraq's government, which is closely allied with Iran, condemned the airstrike that killed Soleimani, calling it an attack on its national sovereignty. Parliament is meeting for an emergency session Sunday, and the government has come under mounting pressure to expel the 5,200 American troops who are based in the country to help prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group. Also Saturday, NATO temporarily suspended all training activities in Iraq due to safety concerns, Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said. The US has ordered all citizens to leave Iraq and temporarily closed its embassy in Baghdad, where Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters staged two days of violent protests in which they breached the compound. Britain and France have warned their citizens to avoid or strictly limit travel in Iraq. No one was hurt in the embassy protests, which came in response to US airstrikes that killed 25 Iran-backed militiamen in Iraq and Syria. The US blamed the militia for a rocket attack that killed a US contractor in northern Iraq. Not three days into the new decade and already we have our first international military crisis. I am speaking, of course, about the killing in Baghdad, via targeted air strike, of Iranian Major General and Quds commander Qasem Soleimani, by US forces early last Friday morning. News of Soleimani's death created a lot of noise online, with global Twitter trends comparing it to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 and decrying the prospective outbreak of World War III. Twitter, however, isn't known for level-headedness, so what does this really amount to? In short? A lot. This is bigger than Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Bigger than Osama Bin Laden. It is a legitimate act of war if the Iranians are inclined to interpret it that way, and a war which would be decidedly harder for the US to win than rump state Iraq was in 2003. Whether war actually results is an open question. I'm tempted to bet against it, but any expert claiming to know exactly how this plays out is lying. It's such an unexpected development in US-Iranian relations, fraught as they were to begin with, that nobody has done the work of really planning for its eventuality. Whether Iran does or doesn't retaliate in kind, however, this clearly stands as the moment where its long-time Middle Eastern strategy of proxy war and terror sponsorship ceases to be tenable. For better or worse, the US has called Iran's bluff and irreversibly altered the Middle Eastern military landscape. For the longer version, we need to understand who Soleimani was. Born into a peasant farming family in 1957, the Iranian spymaster was diverted into a military career at the age of 22 by the outbreak of the Islamic Revolution. He made his name as a gifted soldier-commander during the Iran-Iraq war, but it was not until 1998, when he was appointed commander of the Quds Force, that his influence really began to grow. The Quds Force is a hard group to pin down. Long considered a terrorist organisation by US intelligence, there is no direct analogue to it in the military structure of any Western state, but to call it a more militarised version of the CIA would be a start. Although nominally a unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the Quds Force exists in a sort of extra-legal capacity, at the direct command of the Ayatollah, and specialises in unconventional methods of asymmetric warfare aimed at spreading Iranian influence throughout the Middle East. Under Soleimani's leadership, Quds' power grew enormously, establishing tactical alliances with numerous Islamic terror groups, particularly Hezbollah, and forming the backbone of a Shiite counterweight to Sunni state dominance of the Middle East, alongside Lebanon and Syria. During the US campaign in Iraq it backed a number of key militia groups who did battle with American soldiers and flooded the country with deadly EFP explosives. However, Soleimani was no mere ideologue, and often oscillated between support for and hostility to the US cause. When civil war broke out in Syria, he once again emerged as arguably the key figure conducting Bashar al-Assad's war campaign. For 22 years, then, Soleimani has been everywhere and nowhere, aggressively pushing proxy wars and insurgencies with just enough plausible deniability that the US couldn't risk direct pushback. During these decades of shadowy warmongering, he emerged as the most connected and untouchable US antagonist in the region, not to mention the most powerful person in Iran after the Ayatollah himself. This is far more than can be said for renegades like Bin Laden and Baghdadi, lacking state protection and driven into hiding as they eventually were. Soleimani, by contrast, has essentially defined Iranian foreign policy in the 21st Century. His slow but relentless revisionism has been the engine behind the ongoing Saudi-Iranian cold war and the reason for continued but never quite acted upon hostilities between Iran and the US. But why is it all coming to a head now? Recently, Iran has been operating across the Iraqi border with increasing impunity, going so far as to storm the US embassy last Tuesday under the guise of popular protest. This came only four months after its unprecedented bombing of Saudi oil-processing facilities, and seven months after the shooting down of an American drone. There are a few reasons for this increased aggression. For one, pulling out of the JCPOA, as US President Donald Trump did back in 2017, hit the Iranian economy hard, producing much domestic unrest. It is possible the Iranian regime saw these actions as a necessary palliative, providing a revitalised revolutionary cause to rally the public around. This ties in with the perception many Iranians had of Soleimani as the continued spirit of the revolution incarnate; the man who was finally meant to deliver on its promise. This, more than anything else, is what makes him irreplaceable. Also crucial was a perception of declining US commitments in the region. There were times, during the latter days of the Iraq war, when action against Soleimani was considered, but ultimately the US wavered and afterwards fell into a pattern of putting out his proxy war fires wherever they were ignited without ever trying to get to the root of the problem. The stark US pullout from Syria handed Soleimani a big victory in this regard and it was probably this sense of momentum, coupled with the above mentioned urgency, which produced this most recent push. That Soleimani was killed while riding in the same convoy as his leading man in Iraq, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, is testament to how little fear he must have had for their safety at the time the attack was launched. What happens now is anybody's guess. It is inconceivable that any country, much less one with Iran's regional ambitions, could take the assassination of such a significant state official by a rival power lying down, but short of war it's hard to see what retaliation available to Iran could hope to match the significance of this blow. Tokyo, Jan 5 : Ousted Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosns escape from Japan to Lebanon was unjustifiable, a Minister said here on Sunday in the first official comments from the country's authorities. The criminal justice system in Japan protects the basic human rights of individuals and there is no room to justify the defendant's escape, Efe news reported citing Justice Minister Masako Mori as saying. There is no record of his departure and he probably left the country by illegal means, she said. The Minister also confirmed that Ghosn's bail had been revoked and an Interpol red notice had been issued at the request of Japan. Mori added that Tokyo would collaborate with related authorities, countries and international organisations involved and will take all possible measures to ensure criminal proceedings in Japan are properly carried out. Prosecutors are to conduct investigations along with relevant organisations and Mori said she would do everything possible to bring the circumstances of his escape to light. Tokyo prosecutors said in a separate statement that they will carry out their own investigation into Ghosn's departure. Ghosn's escape "is regrettable as it ignored our country's legal procedures and is equivalent to crime", Takahiro Saito, deputy chief at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, said. Ghosn, 65, had been under strict house arrest on bail in Tokyo, awaiting an expected April trial over alleged financial misconduct. The former chief of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance left Japan clandestinely on December 29 from Osaka and reached Beirut in a private jet with a stopover in Turkey. In a statement from Beirut on Tuesday, he claimed to have left his country to escape "injustice and political persecution". Japan does not have an extradition treaty with Lebanon, therefore Lebanese law will be applicable in Ghosn's case and hence the possibility of the businessman being handed over to Tokyo is unlikely, justice minister Albert Serhan said in interviews to Japanese media. As well as the Japanese investigations, Turkey has also opened a probe into whether Ghosn violated Turkish laws during his departure to Lebanon and has detained five people suspected in being involved in his escape. Ghosn, born in Brazil to a family of Lebanese roots, is expected to hold a press conference on January 8 in Beirut, the first since his November 2018 detention. The next six months, as I see them. Jan. 18, 2020. Gov. Ned Lamont appears at a news conference with legislative leaders to announce that all toll proposals are dead and that efforts to drum up revenue will be redirected to Electronic Swear Jars. Swear Gantries, with sophisticated lip-reading software, will be erected around the state, and persons caught saying bad words will be billed. Jan 23. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces she has lost the articles of impeachment. She names Marie Kondo as a one-person grand jury to locate them and get rid of anything that does not spark joy in her, starting with Mitch McConnell. Sign up to get Colins newsletter delivered to your inbox, for free Feb. 3. The winner of the Iowa caucuses is Josiah Edward Jed Bartlet. Iowans report being unfazed by the fact that Bartlet is a fictional character. Exit polling shows a strong trend of voters becoming gradually bored with and disappointed by the existing Democratic candidate field. Feb. 10. At 5 a.m. Capitol Police find former candidate Bob Stefanowski asleep in Lamonts office desk chair after a long night of pretending to be governor. The police ask him not to do it again, adding, Weve been nice about it the first four times. Feb. 11. Bartlet wins the primary in New Hampshire, his fictional home state, with 57 percent of the vote. Andrew Yang is second with 20 percent. March 2. An unexpected storm dumps 4 feet of snow across the street. A pack of mountain lions descend from the Berkshire foothills and seize the town of Winsted. March 3. All of the snow melts in the blistering heat of an 85-degree day. Amid mass flooding, Branford slides into Long Island Sound. March 4. Marine biologists at Yale report that, first the first time ever, fish have asthma. March 5. The General Assembly votes to extend the term of the Connecticut Working Group on Whether to Form a Roundtable to Discuss the Possibility of a Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Change.. March 14. Pelosi appears on prime time television alongside Nugget, a large dog who, she claims, ate the articles of impeachment. March 28. Winsted is liberated from its mountain lion overlords by a strike force of genetically engineered laser vision snow monkeys from Jackson Labs. April 4. President Trump, weary of waiting for his impeachment trial, pardons himself of everything except being a perfect president. He simultaneously announces a shakeup in his cabinet, naming Scooter Libby as secretary of state, Joe Arpaio as director of the FBI, and Dinesh DSouza as national security advisor. Former Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher turns down an offer to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff because it would require him to give up his job as host of Who Wants to Be a War Criminal? April 11. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz announces she is endorsing Bartlet. April 20. Connecticut House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz and Senate President Pro Tem Marty Looney announce that all crucial legislation is stalled by partisanship, infighting and political cowardice. They appropriate $117,000 and send state Rep. Josh Elliott to Northampton to buy as many cannabis products as he can fit into a borrowed Toyota Sequoia May 12. Actor Martin Sheen appears as Jed Bartlet on all major networks and cable channels. He announces he is dropping out of the race to spend more time trying to get his daughter Zoey out of Scientology. May 13. Yang, the new frontrunner, gives a major policy speech in which he uses U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal as an example of A.I. taking over a paying job that formerly went to a human. June 1. In a televised address, Lamont announced that the Swear Jar Initiative has already collected $5.1 billion, effectively erasing the states debt problem, with enough left over to pay off the student loans of congresspersons Chris Murphy and Jahana Hayes. I had no idea you were all such a bunch of foul-tongued, potty-mouthed hotheads, the governor says. As such, I thank you for contributions to our state. Lamont makes special mention of Enfield and Ansonia. Your citizens are unusually angry and profane, spewing invective at other drivers, your own loved ones, me, the Red Sox and God. As such you have performed a great service. June 2. In a joint news conference, Looney and Aresimowicz, looking rumpled but happy, blearily announce that every single bill proposed during the session was passed by unanimous consent, including one that replaces state hero Nathan Hale with Jerry Garcia. June 30. Lamonts budget director Melissa McCaw reports that the legislature appears to have spent $10.7 million on Ranch Flavored Doritos. Colin McEnroes column appears every Sunday, his newsletter comes out every Thursday and you can hear his radio show every weekday on WNPR 90.5. Email him at colin@ctpublic.org. Sign up for his newsletter at http://bit.ly/colinmcenroe. by Fern Siegel , January 5, 2020 Consider it Vogue Italias push for sustainability. All seven of its January 2020 covers were illustrated by either well-known or emerging artists. Emanuele Farneti, editor-in-chief of the magazine, stated the challenge was to demonstrate that it is possible to tell the clothes without photographing them. Thats a first for Vogue Italia. In fact, its the first time since 1932 that any Vogue cover is absent chic color photography. Participating artists include David Salle, Vanessa Beecroft, Cassi Namoda, Milo Manara, Delphine Desane, Paolo Ventura and Yoshitaka Amano. A key upside to using illustrations is lessening the magazine's environmental impact. Vogue Italia also plans to revamp its packaging to a more sustainable, 100% compostable plastic wrapping. The savings on travel, shipping wardrobes, photographers and models are considerable. The magazine is donating what it would have spent on production to the restoration of the Querini Stampalia Onlus Foundation in Venice, which was damaged by a flood in November 2019. The January issue underscores Vogue Values, a recent rebrand that guides its global team. It states Vogue is committed to practices that celebrate cultures and preserve our planet for future generations." All 26 global editor-in-chiefs have signed on. Fashion illustrations once dominated Vogue's pages until high-end photo shoots, often with provocative imagery, pushed it to the background. By returning to its aesthetic roots, if only on occasion, Vogue Italia salutes the beauty of a singular art form. US assassinated Soleimani while he was guest of Iraqi govt.: Iran's judiciary Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 11:14 AM Iran's Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili says the US assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani is a flagrant violation of international law as he was targeted while being in Baghdad as a "formal" and "high-profile" guest of the Iraqi government. Speaking to Radio Tehran, the spokesperson said that the killing of an invitee of a sovereign government by "a foreign country illegally present" in Iraq constituted a "blatant instance of government terrorism". "This was a barbaric act which goes against human rights and violates all international laws," he said. "As the judiciary, we will pursue this crime through international bodies alongside the Foreign Ministry and the High Council of Human Rights," Esmaili added. Esmaili's remarks also echoed those of the deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Ali Fadavi, who stressed that Soleimani had been assassinated while formally visiting Iraq. "Iraq's government authorities regularly invited Soleimani to meetings regarding various subjects, this is why he had been constantly traveling to the country," he said. Soleimani, leading the Quds Force of the IRGC, was assassinated in American airstrikes in Baghdad early on Friday. The Trump administration has sought to justify the killing as an act of self-defense, hyping up baseless accusations against the former commander. "We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war," said Trump on Friday. Legal experts and rights investigators in the US have, however, noted that Washington's assassination constituted as a violation of international law. Assassination among 'worst crimes' targeting Iran On Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited the home of Soleimani and expressed his condolences to his grieving family. The president also congratulated his household on the martyrdom of the renowned commander. "Soleimani was not only a military commander who planned major operations but also a politician and an exceptional and capable strategist," he said. Soleimani's services to the country and the region's security, specifically in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Afghanistan are "unforgettable," the president added. He noted the assassination will be remembered in history and among the Iranian people as one of Washington's major crimes against the Iranian nation. "The Americans have not understood what a big mistake they have committed; they will face the consequences of this criminal act not only today but also in the future," he said. Rouhani added that "without doubt, the US is hated by the Iranian and Iraqi people today more than before". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has said the National Population Register (NPR) will be updated in the state from May 15 to May 28, daring West Bengal and Kerala not to allow the exercise in their territories. Modi, a senior BJP leader, also said action would be taken against officials if they refuse to carry out NPR. "The NPR process in 2020 will be carried out between April 1 to September 30 in the country. In Bihar it will be done between May 15 and May 28, 2020," Sushil Modi told reporters on Saturday. The process of preparing NPR began in 2010 ... Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. LOS ANGELES -- Wilmar Mejia stood behind his pickup truck in the hills of Malibu, watching a hawk soar overhead. Ahead lay the job, a mid-century ranch house with a glittering aquamarine pool and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Moments later, he shimmied into the house's low-slung attic, crawling through tufts of white insulation studded with fresh rat droppings. "You've got tenants and they're not paying rent!" the exterminator said with a grin. Mejia has been evicting vermin from Malibu for more than a decade. In lieu of brodifacoum blood-thinners _ ubiquitous poisons so effective that hawks regularly bleed to death after eating mice that have eaten them _ his new boutique pest control company, Tree of Life, uses snap traps and steel wool to keep rodents in check. "It's about controlling the problem without the use of poisons that affect everything else," Mejia said. "That hawk flying around, that's what we're protecting." ADVERTISEMENT If the city of Malibu gets its way, Mejia's methods will soon be the rule. Earlier this month, the City Council approved a sweeping chemical ban that could pave the way for other coastal cities looking to protect wildlife by limiting toxicants. But state officials say it runs afoul of the law. "We passed a ban not just on rodenticides but on all pesticides," said Malibu Mayor Pro Tem Mikke Pierson. "Of course, the Department of Pesticide Regulation said absolutely we can't do it." California is one of more than 40 states that restrict how local governments can regulate pesticides. For decades, the state's food and agriculture code has preempted municipalities like Malibu from limiting their use in almost any way. "We believe (Malibu's) action exceeds their authority and the proposed ordinance would be preempted," state Department of Pesticide Regulation spokeswoman Charlotte Fadipe wrote in an email. But Malibu officials say their ban skirts that law in a bureaucratic pas de deux with the Coastal Commission, a state agency not subject to preemption. The commission is expected to approve the anti-pesticide measure as an amendment to Malibu's local coastal program early next year. If successful, it could be a model for scores of other cities in the commission's area of responsibility. "We're basing our local coastal program amendment on what (unincorporated LA) County did in 2014," said activist Joel Schulman of Poison Free Malibu, the group that spearheaded the initiative. "I actually went to the Coastal Commission meeting and asked them to help spread the same kind of prohibitions up and down the coastal zone." Activists say pesticides of all types threaten California's wildlife, from the iconic monarch butterfly to the endangered San Joaquin fox. But the fight against brodifacoum and other similar rat poisons brought their movement mainstream _ particularly after they were linked to the deaths of local mountain lions. ADVERTISEMENT "This year we had two adult males, big adult males who just dropped dead in the middle of Topanga Canyon State Park," said Dr. Seth Riley, a wildlife ecologist with the National Park Service. "(One) had five liters of blood in his abdominal cavity." These substances _ known as second generation anticoagulant rodenticides _ work by inhibiting vitamin K, a micronutrient critical for blood clotting; without it even a small injury can cause a massive hemorrhage. Other rat poisons kill wildlife, too, but brodifacoum and its ilk are singularly deadly because they remain potent for months. Vitamin D3 can kill a mouse within hours, but won't kill a cat that eats that mouse, even though it is highly toxic to cats, experts said. Brodifacoum, by contrast, can kill a mountain lion that eats the liver of a coyote that's spent weeks eating rats that gorged themselves on the anticoagulant for days before they started to hemorrhage. "The first thing they do is go for organs like the liver, and the liver is where these things get stored," Riley said. "A mountain lion that eats a coyote could get a huge dose of these toxicants all at once." The poison's fatal climb up the food chain is what led the Environmental Protection Agency to restrict its use to professional exterminators in 2011. Those restrictions have led to a surge in pet poisonings with other, fast-acting rodenticides still available at big box and home improvement stores, many of which can be harder to treat. "We've seen a tremendous spike," said Dr. Ahna Brutlag, senior veterinary toxicologist at the national Pet Poison Helpline. "There was very good safety data on anticoagulant rodenticide," which is easy to detect and easy to treat with vitamin K. "But bromethalin (a neurotoxin) could be a problem." At the same time, new laws have done little to stem the flow of anticoagulants into the wild. Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) sponsored a bill that would have banned the toxins across California, but it stalled in the Senate appropriations committee this fall. "Anticoagulant rodenticides are just one element of the larger problem of long-lasting poisons introduced to our coastal environment that place biological resources and sensitive habitats at risk," state Sen. Henry Stern (D-Canoga Park) wrote in a letter supporting the Malibu ordinance. "I ... encourage you to take the necessary steps to protect our cherished natural habitats and wildlife." ADVERTISEMENT Hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes _ all are threatened by the proliferation of poisons that inhibit vitamin K, scientists say. But the link to California's most celebrated predator may not be so clear. "Cats _ whether they're wild like a mountain lion or domestic like the tabby in the home _ are relatively resistant to anticoagulant rodenticides compared to domestic dogs or wild canids like the fox," said Dr. Robert Poppenga, a professor of veterinary toxicology at UC Davis who has studied a wide range of wild species poisoned by rodenticides from illegal marijuana grows. Any big cat that bleeds to death has almost certainly died from rodenticide exposure, the expert said. But scientists like Riley believe brodifacoum is also responsible for the deaths of scores of wildcats that succumbed to mange, and those are the numbers politicians and activists touted in support of the pesticide ban. "I'm looking at what's known about how these rodenticides actually work, and it's a little hard for me to see how they're having a significant impact on the immune system," Poppenga said. "I have my concerns there's not a true cause and effect that's been proven at this point." Like others, he warned the dangers posed by rodents were also significant, and well established by science. "Vector borne disease control is very important to safeguard public health," a Los Angeles County Department of Health spokesman wrote in an email. "If needed, rodenticides can be effective at controlling rodents that might spread diseases like flea-borne typhus or plague when used by licensed pest control operators." But Mejia, the exterminator, said there were better ways to protect public health in places like Malibu. "Believe me, we need to keep the population of these vermin under control, by all means," Mejia said. "But there are alternatives to poison, because poison is killing everything else." ___ (c)2019 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. A man, 37, was shot dead by police officers in Germany on Sunday evening after he 'ran towards them with a knife while shouting Allahu akbar'. Believed to be a Turkish citizen, the man was shot at around 7.40pm in front of the South Police Station in Gelsenkirchen in the west of the country. It comes after two similar attacks in France in as many days. The man was shot at around 7.40pm on Sunday evening in front of the South Police Station in Gelsenkirchen in the west of the country According to German publication Bild, the man, also from Gelsenkirchen, was previously known to police with a history of violent crime. A police spokesman said: 'Two police officers were in front of the station in a patrol car. 'A man ran past the patrol car and suddenly hit the car with an object. The officials asked him to stop. The man attacked the officers with his arm raised and the object.' In the other hand, according to police, he had a knife that he tried to hide behind his back. He ignored orders from the police, continuing to threaten officers and using the phrase 'Allahu akbar'. Earlier, police in France shot and wounded a knifeman who rushed at a group of officers shouting 'Allahu akbar' just one day after another attacker left one dead and two hurt. Local officials said the incident in the city of Metz was being monitored closely and that a probe had been launched to determine the motivation of the attack which saw a 28-year-old man attack officers in the Borny district. 'The man was known to be radicalised, and to have a personality disorder,' said Christian Mercuri, the Metz public prosecutor. Mr Mercuri said police had fired shots at the man so as to overpower him soon after midday, because he was threatening passers-by with a knife. Scroll for video Police officers were pictured on the scene today following the attack in the French city of Metz Police officers rushed to the scene where they managed to get the suspect on the floor (left and right) The man was on an 'S-file' in France, which means he was considered to be a serious threat to national security because of his obsession with radical Islam, including groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda. It comes just days after a man went on a knife rampage in the suburb of Villejuif just outside Paris on Jan 3. The attacker killed one person and wounded two and was subsequently shot dead by police. The Metz local public prosecutor's office said it was in contact with the French anti-terrorism prosecutor's department over the incident, while French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner added he was monitoring the situation closely. 'I praise the quick thinking of the @PoliceNat57 (Moselle police force), which intervened to apprehend the individual. A probe is underway to determine the precise motivation and circumstances behind the act,' Castaner wrote on Twitter. The attack happened in Metz (stock image above) just days after another attack hit France The Metz local prosecutor's office said the suspect suffered gunshot wounds to the thigh. He was then taken away. It added that the suspect, whom it did not name, was on an official list of those monitored for links to militant groups. Paris has suffered major attacks by Islamist militants in recent years. Co-ordinated bombings and shootings in November 2015 at the Bataclan theatre and other sites around Paris killed 130 people - the deadliest attacks in France since World War Two. Iran will be patient in planning crushing anti-US response: IRGC commander Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 11:36 AM A senior commander in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said Tehran will be "patient" in setting the right "time and place" for its response against Washington's assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani. "We will set up a plan, patiently, to respond to this terrorist act in a crushing and powerful manner," said Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi on Saturday. "We are the ones who set the time and place of our reciprocal response," he said. The IRGC commander said Tehran openly announces that it will defend the "axis of resistance" with all its might. He added that Iran's response to the United States will incorporate offensive strategies beyond defense measures. The remarks come after Soleimani, leading the Quds Force of the IRGC, was assassinated in American airstrikes in Baghdad early on Friday. The attack also led to the death of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has vowed "harsh revenge" for the perpetrators of the attack. Speaking on Saturday, Shekarchi said the assassination "removed the mask" off the face of Washington and its support for Daesh terrorists which have been largely defeated due to anti-terrorist forces led by Soleimani and al-Muhandis. The IRGC commander added that the resistance against US aggression will not be weakened by the assassinations of the commanders as "their thought" has spread among the people of the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday led the partys door-to-door 10-day campaign to spread awareness about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act with top party leaders reaching out to people across the country, amid a wave of protests against the contentious law since it was passed in December. Shah visited homes in Lajpat Nagar and talked to people about the benefits of the amended citizenship law. He also distributed literature on the subject and urged them to go through it. The BJP has launched a Jan Jagran (public awareness) campaign to contact three crore families to counter the oppositions campaign against the CAA and inform the masses about its features. While Shah was in Delhi, other top party leaders like Rajnath Singh, J P Nadda and Nitin Gadkari were in different parts of the country as part of the campaign, which will end on January 15. Earlier, BJP president Amit Shah, during his rally at the national capital, accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of instigating riots by misleading people on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and sought to reassure Muslims, saying the law has no provision about taking away citizenship of minorities. Addressing a meeting of Delhi BJP workers, Shah, also the Union home minister, attacked Pakistan for terrorising Sikhs as he referred to a recent attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib by a violent mob in Pakistan and asked opposition leaders to open their eyes to atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country. This is an answer to all those opposing the CAA. Tell me if these Sikhs who were attacked the other day in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib will not come to India, then where they will go? he asked. Opposition leaders were spreading a pack of lies over the CAA, he said, asking BJP workers to carry out an intensive campaign to inform the masses about its features. Its beneficiaries are largely Dalits and poor and those opposing the law are against these people, Shah said, calling Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Gandhis anti-Dalits for questioning it. (Arvind) Kejriwal has misled people. The Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, has instigated riots by misleading people. Do you want a government in Delhi which incites riots for politics, he asked. The opposition was inciting minorities against the CAA by alleging that they will lose their citizenship, he said. I want to tell brothers and sisters from the minority that none of them can lose their citizenship because the CAA has no provision about taking it away, Shah said. The BJP leader also claimed that Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had extended her support to rioters by saying that she will visit houses of those who carried out riots. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who had arrived in India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh due to religious persecution. Opposition parties have called the law against Indias Constitution for making religion a ground for citizenship. The country has been witnessing protests against the amended citizenship law, with protesters arguing that the CAA in combination with other citizenship measures like NPR and NRC can be used to discriminate against people. The Modi government has asserted that it has so far not discussed the proposal for National Register of Citizens. Shah said opposition parties have become habituated to the politics of opposition and vote bank and referred to their stand against measures like the law against triple talaq among Muslim men and nullification of Article 370. They also opposed construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said, noting that a recent Supreme Court order had paved the way for building the temple. He asked people to give missed calls to a toll free number put out by the BJP to show their support to the CAA and slammed rumours that the number belonged to Netflix, a streaming service. This number belongs to the BJP, he said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The visitation panel set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration in Lagos State over series of crises rocking the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, is set to hold a public hearing next Thursday. Less than two weeks after PREMIUM TIMES published an investigative piece on illegal arms purchase, murder and harassment of innocent students, visitors and workers of the institution, and other allegations of corruption and incompetence levelled against the Samuel Sogunro-led management of the school, Mr Sanwo-Olu in October, 2019, announced the composition of the 11-member panel. This newspaper, in its report, entitled; Investigation: At Lagos Polytechnic, students death questions legality of armed campus guards, which was published on October 19, 2019, chronicled the tragic murder of a sophomore student of the school, Ahmed Amoo, who was gunned down by one of the armed security guards, Ademola Ogunsanwo. The polytechnic, in its response to the report, had described it as fake and malicious. A rejoinder addressed to the newspaper and signed by the institutions registrar, Shakirudeen Bello, denied any wrongdoing in the killing of the student, but also failed to talk about the allegation of illegal purchase of arms and ammunition. The polytechnic, had, for more than seven months in 2019, been engulfed in crises which disrupted academic and administrative activities, including the cancellation of its planned convocation ceremony and accreditation exercises, among others. Thus, the panel, which has Ibilowo Afolayan as chairman and Wasiu Jabitta as secretary, was tasked to identify and examine the remote causes of the recurring crisis on the campus; make relevant recommendations for governments consideration towards addressing identified issues; and make other relevant recommendations aimed at ensuring peaceful industrial atmosphere and conducive learning environment in the institution. Panel calls for memoranda, meets stakeholders The father of the slain student, Rasaq Amoo, was among the concerned members of the public who submitted memoranda to the panel shortly after its inauguration. According to an insider, who craved anonymity, at the expiration of deadline for the submission of memoranda on December 13, 2019, many petitions were received against the management from both individuals and associations, including the workers unions on the campus. The panel also subsequently met all relevant individuals and organisations concerned in the series of protracted crises on the campus, as a follow-up to the memoranda received from them. Mr Amoo had in December, met with the panel at the Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, where he reportedly reiterated his call for the re-arrest and prosecution of the killer of his only son, in his quest for justice. Panel announces date for public sitting As part of efforts towards ensuring openness and fairness in the execution of its terms of reference, the visitation panel has announced Thursday, January 9, as a day to hold public sitting on the matter it is saddled with. Copies of letters of invitation sent to some of the stakeholders in the institution, which was sighted by PREMIUM TIMES, indicated that the sitting would hold at the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, Lagos. The letter, which was signed by the panels secretary, Wasiu Jabbita, stated that the public sitting would ensure further insight into the various matters of concern earlier raised in their memoranda by the invited participants. Paighton Houston Charlaine Houston Alabama police announced they found the body of a 29-year-old woman who had sent a worrying message to a coworker before disappearing last month, CNN reported Friday. Paighton Houston had texted a coworker on December 20, saying she might be in trouble. She was last seen at a Birmingham bar leaving with two men. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and Crime Stoppers each offered a $5,000 reward for information on Houston's whereabouts. On Friday, the local police found a dead body in a shallow grave in Hueytown, Alabama, and they positively identified the remains as Houston's. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Alabama authorities announced Friday they found the remains of a woman who had been missing since December 20, after texting a coworker saying she might be in trouble. The Trussville Police Department said 29-year-old Paighton Houston was last seen "leaving a Birmingham bar with two heavyset black men," CNN reported. That same night, she told her coworker she was with strangers. No one heard from her again after that text message. "If I call answer, I don't know these people and I feel in trouble," Houston's text read, according to her mother, Charlaine Houston. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and Crime Stoppers each offered a $5,000 reward for information on Houston's whereabouts. About 14 days later, the Alabama police found a dead body in a shallow grave by Hueytown, and they later identified in a statement that the body is, in fact, Houston's, CNN reported. In a Facebook post on Saturday morning, Charlaine Houston confirmed that her daughter had been killed and said she was grateful that at least she finally knew where her daughter was. She thanked well-wishers for their prayers. "We don't 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," Charlaine Houston wrote. "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." Read the original article on Business Insider Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 01:51:56|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Xinhua file photos of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif The ministers emphasized that U.S. actions are a gross violation of fundamental international law and do not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems that have accumulated in the Middle East. MOSCOW, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif said Saturday that the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani violates fundamental international law. During a phone conversation at the initiative of the Iranian side, Lavrov expressed his condolences over the killing of Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "The ministers emphasized that U.S. actions are a gross violation of fundamental international law and do not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems that have accumulated in the Middle East, but lead to a new round of escalation of tension in the region," the statement said. Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force, was killed in the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport. Iran's top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed "tough revenge" for the deadly attack. A woman in Missouri who was reportedly mattress shopping apparently wanted to sleep on the idea, but she had a rude awakening when she realized she slept through the night on a store display. Officers were dispatched to a Richmond Heights, Missouri store around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met with senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi at the latter's residence here and greeted the BJP stalwart on the occasion of his 86th birthday. Draped in a light brown kurta and light blue jacket, the Prime Minister looked elated on meeting Joshi at his residence. Prime Minister greeted him with a flower bouquet and extended best wishes for his long and healthy life. Earlier in the day, Modi had tweeted saying that Joshi made an "indelible contribution" to the nation. "Greetings to Dr Murli Manohar Joshi Ji on his birthday. Joshi Ji has made an indelible contribution to our country during his long years in politics, Parliament and as a Minister. He is unwavering when it comes to safeguarding interests and furthering progress," tweeted Modi. "I consider myself fortunate to have got the opportunity to work with Dr Joshi for many years. Like me, several 'karyakartas' learnt so much from him. His role in strengthening the party is extremely valuable. I pray for Dr Joshi's long and healthy life," he said in his subsequent tweet. Former Union minister and a veteran parliamentarian, Joshi was born on this day in 1934 in Nainital, now in Uttarakhand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On Sunday, Kevin T. Kane retired as Chief States Attorney after more than 13 years as the states top-ranking prosecutor and head of the Division of Criminal Justice. All of us owe him a profound thank you for his service, not only as chief states attorney but for his 47 years as a prosecutor. The states criminal justice system is a better one today, both in bringing those whove committed crimes, including long-unsolved crimes, to justice and in protecting those who havent committed crimes from being wrongfully convicted, because of his service. One of Kanes highest priorities throughout his 13 years as chief states attorney and, indeed, throughout his career has been the large number of unsolved homicides in the state. There is no statewide cold case clearinghouse that keeps track of the number and the exact number of such cases is not known, but Kane has estimated there may be as many as 1,500 to 2,000 unsolved homicides dating back to the 1970s. In 1998, during John M. Baileys tenure as chief states attorney, a Cold Case Unit was created in his office and over the past decade it has solved a number of very difficult cases. But staffed as it is largely with personnel based in Rocky Hill and the Hartford area, the unit isnt ideally situated to investigate cases elsewhere in the state. In 2009, Kane, who served as New London states attorney for 11 years, arranged with his successor to create a cold case unit in that office. In 2016, a similar unit was created in the New Haven states attorneys office. In 2010, Kane introduced another innovation to assist in bringing those responsible for the many unsolved homicides to justice the introduction of decks of playing cards for inmates, each card of which contains information about an unsolved homicide. The cards, four editions of which have been distributed in the prisons, are the only cards inmates are allowed to use. Jailhouse informants have, of course, a strong incentive for telling investigators what they think they want to hear, with the expectation that their cooperation will be rewarded, and their reliability has, for that reason, been widely challenged. Nevertheless, the cards have produced hundreds of tips, some of which have enabled the state to solve difficult cases. While Kane was dedicated throughout his career above all to bringing to justice those who have committed a crime, he also sought, throughout his 13 years as chief states attorney, to preventing wrongful convictions by instituting procedural reforms that reduced the likelihood that innocent persons would be convicted of crimes they hadnt committed. The Innocence Project reports that the single most frequent contributing cause of the 325 wrongful convictions subsequently reversed because of DNA is an eyewitness misidentification. In 2011, the Legislature created an eyewitness identification task force to assess the reliability of the conventional method by which such identifications were obtained with a newer method that, research had demonstrated, results in fewer misidentifications. Kane served on the task force, chaired by former Supreme Court Justice David Borden, as did other prosecutors and law enforcement personnel, defense attorneys and others. I served on it as a social scientist. After studying the research and hearing from a variety of experts, the task force recommended that the Legislature mandate that all police departments in the state use the alternative technique, and in 2012 the Legislature did so. The most important moment in the deliberations of the task force, Ive always thought, came after one of the countrys leading researchers had presented the results of a multijurisdiction comparison of the techniques. Kane made it clear that he thought the analysis was sound and the conclusion that the alternative technique produced fewer misidentifications was important. Prior to that moment, it wasnt obvious the task force would endorse the new technique. But after he spoke, it seemed quite likely it would recommend its adoption. The Innocence Project also reports that, after eyewitness misidentifications and unvalidated or improper forensics, the third most-frequent contributing cause of the wrongful convictions that have been thrown out because of DNA evidence is false confessions or admissions. As early as 2008, Kane had arranged for pilot programs to record interrogations in two towns in the New London area and later obtained funds to support a pilot program in Bridgeport, and in 2013 he supported legislation that required video and audio recording of all police interrogations of those suspected of having committed a major crime. One of the most important developments over the past dozen years has been the creation in prosecutors offices in a number of cities and counties throughout the country of conviction integrity units, which scrutinize the evidence in cases in which there is some reason to believe an individual was wrongfully convicted. Several years ago, I wrote an op-ed calling for the creation of a statewide conviction integrity unit. No state then or now has such a unit. But Kane invited me to discuss the issue with him and Deputy Chief Leonard Boyle, and in the meeting I learned they were already creating a conviction integrity process involving the states attorneys. As Kevin Kane steps down as chief states attorney, all of us owe him a profound thank you for his service. The states criminal justice system is a better one today, both in bringing to justice those whove committed long-unsolved crimes and in protecting the wrongful conviction of innocent persons, because of his service. David R. Cameron is professor of political science at Yale. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 23:14:45|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Delegates from China and India attend a seminar to discuss progress in the ongoing ambitious China-India translation project of classical and contemporary works at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India, Jan. 3, 2020. The year 2020 is the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Beijing and New Delhi. Both countries have earmarked 70 different programs to celebrate the bond between them. (Xinhua/Javed Dar) NEW DELHI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A seminar was held here on Friday to discuss progress in the ongoing ambitious China-India translation project of classics and contemporary works. The year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Beijing. Both countries have earmarked 70 different programs to celebrate the bond between them. As part of such commemoration, delegations from both China and India participated in the seminar at prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to highlight the improvement from respective sides towards achieving the goal and underline the importance of the project in bringing two cultures closer. As per the project, undertaken following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in 2013 between Chinese and Indian authorities, each country will translate 25 literary works of the other's ancient classics and contemporary literature. "From China side, we have completed 13 volumes and Indian side has completed four volumes," said Jiang Jingkui, professor of Indian Studies at the Peking University. Jiang is the team leader of the translation project and he made the introduction during the seminar in Hindi. "China has been translating the India literary works since a very long time and compared to it Indian side hasn't been working at that pace," said sinologist B R Deepak, a professor at the JNU. "It can be understood from the example -- if China has translated a whole house of books, we have translated a box full of books," he said. Experts and scholars at the seminar unanimously agreed that translating each other's literary works brings academics, students together and thereby help in building people-to-people contacts. "Only literature can bring us closer and help us understand each other better," said professor Surinder Kumar. "What we are doing today will open new vistas for our future generation." Cultural and educational counsellor at the Chinese embassy in New Delhi Zhang Jianxin expressed his happiness over the project and the way it was moving forward. "My dream was to become a translator. I love reading books and the fragrance of ink in the books soothes me," Zhang said. "It is my interest in the project that brought me here and I look forward to being part of more such projects." Over dozen leading scholars from India have completed the Hindi translation of Chinese literary works, which include novels written in the 20th century and Confucian classics. Experts said the translation project would contribute immensely to promoting the sharing of culture between India and China. Iraqi members of Parliament passed a resolution calling for foreign troops to leave the country after the United States killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani last week in Baghdad. The MPs called for a ban on foreign forces using Iraqi land, water, and airspace for any reason, the BBC reported. The move is designed to expel American forces after a U.S. drone strike killed Soleimani, who was head of the Quds Force. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the killing was designed to prevent a war, rather than to promote regime change in Iran. The government commits to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting [the ISIS terrorist group] due to the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory, the resolution read. The Iraqi government must work to end the presence of any foreign troops on Iraqi soil and prohibit them from using its land, airspace or water for any reason. Iraq has found itself in a predicament as an ally of both Iran and the United States with about 5,000 American military personnel still in the country, namely as advisers. Resolutions, unlike laws, are non-binding. Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi earlier called on the countrys Parliament to end the foreign troop presence. There is no need for the presence of American forces after defeating Daesh [ISIS], said Ammar al-Shibli, a Shiite lawmaker and member of the parliamentary legal committee, reported Reuters. We have our own armed forces which are capable of protecting the country, he added. In the attack that killed Soleimani, Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis also died. Hadi al-Amiri, the top candidate to succeed Muhandis, said that American forces need to leave the country on Saturday during a funeral procession for Soleimani and others killed in the drone strike, according to the news agency. Iran-backed militia groups fought alongside the United States during Iraqs war against ISIS that lasted between 2014 and 2017. After the killing of Soleimani, the American-led coalition forces in the Middle East stated they will stop training Iraqi forces for the time being but stressed they are still committed to working with Iraq to combat ISIS. Repeated rocket attacks over the last two months by elements of Kataib Hezbollah have caused the death of Iraqi Security Forces personnel and a U.S. civilian. As a result we are now fully committed to protecting the Iraqi bases that host Coalition troops, the statement said. This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations against Daesh [ISIS] and we have therefore paused these activities, subject to continuous review. On Sunday, the top military adviser to Irans Supreme Leader, Maj. Gen. Hossein Dehghan, told CNN that Tehran will retaliate against the U.S. military targets. It was America that has started the war. Therefore, they should accept appropriate reactions to their actions, he said. The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted. Afterward they should not seek a new cycle. From The Epoch Times The Women in Design 2020 + conference aims to celebrate the diversity and richness of women-driven practices. The spirit to never give up is what keeps Professor Brinda Somaya going even at the age of 70. With a vision in mind, 20 years ago she set out on a mission to celebrate women in the field of design by bringing together women from across India and South Asia. An endeavour which eventually led to the formation of the Women in Design 2020+ (WID2020+) conference. In 1990, a decade after I began my practice, I felt the need to connect with fellow woman professionals with a desire to understand their work, and more importantly their struggles and challenges in the discipline. In the days without the Internet and email, there were very few opportunities for women professionals to network. I was also curious to know the state of the profession for women architects, shares the architect and urban conservationist. But much to Somayas disappointment, she received no response from fellow women architects. With a sedulous spirit, Somaya opened the forum again 10 years later to women working in collaboration or partnership and have a significant body of work in terms of design and execution. I had worked during the 1990s in some isolation and again, I was not fully aware of the state of practice. But this time, I was overwhelmed with the response just a decade later from women with diverse practices and with exhaustive and varied portfolios, says a surprised Somaya. Curated by the HECAR Foundation alongside Somaya and Kalappa Consultants, the 2020+ conference will not only celebrate the diversity and richness of women-driven practices, but will chronicle the broader cultural preoccupations that encompass authoring, pedagogy, conservation and restoration, politics, design, urbanism, and activism. The three-day conference will feature more than 35 women speakers and panellists sharing their stories, thoughts, and ideas. Right from discussions on the changing patterns of design to showcasing their work, the conference has it all. I believe that an isolated practice is no longer possible in the world that is built on collaborative endeavours. I believe that this conference will not just be a celebration of successful ventures and ideas, but it will become a milestone, a landmark gathering of individuals who hold in their work, a promise of a better world, ascertains the architect. For Nandini Somaya Sampat, a trustee of The HECAR Foundation, WID2020+ hopes to showcase the groundbreaking volume of work done by women architects and designers from India and around the world. The essence of the conference, Sampat emphasises, lies in celebrating the projects built and influenced by women. This will lead to ensuring that women can play a leading role in the architecture and design of the future. We wish to attain a sustained narrative that inspires a younger generation of architects and designers to pursue their passion and to know they have the support of an Indian and global community, she explains. Looking abck, elated by the changed status of women in the field of design in the last 20 years, Somaya shares, Women have contributed significantly to pedagogy and discourse in the past two decades. Many have ventured and established successful and independent practices in India. Some women architects, who were at the very nascent stages of their practice, have transformed their offices into creative powerhouses in the past two decades. From 8-10 January, At Nehru Centre Auditorium They confirmed they were in a relationship last summer. And Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson looked every inch the happy couple as they enjoyed a day out at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday. The model, 27, and the Pretty Little Lies star, 30, put on a cosy display as they walked along the beach with their arms linked. Trip: Cara Delevingne, 27, and Ashley Benson, 30, looked every inch the happy couple as they enjoyed a day out at the opacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday Cara cut a casual figure for the outing, donning a black top with a matching jacket with a dark green detail. The Paper Towns actress also wore cream tracksuit bottoms and a pair of white trainers which she paired with a navy cap and shades. Ashley sported a black crop top for the day which she paired with black skinny jeans and a large hat. Adding to her look with a pair of sunglasses, the actress went barefoot as she strolled on the beach with Cara. Romance: The model and the Pretty Little Lies star put on a cosy display as they walked along the beach with their arms linked Rio marks the latest travel destination for the celeb couple, who have made the most of their downtime this holiday season with trips all over the world. They recently visited Disneyland in Anaheim, California, joining Cara's sister Chloe and other relatives visiting 'The Happiest Place on Earth. They also touched down in Morocco, where Cara surprised Ashley with a trip to commemorate her 30th birthday. 'I was surprised on my 30th birthday,' the actress said in an Instagram post. She continued: 'Morocco has always been a place Ive wanted to visit. I faced so many fears and took on new adventures with my best friend by my side. International travels: The couple recently spent time in Morocco, where Cara surprised Benson with a trip to commemorate her 30th birthday 'I couldnt have asked for anything better. I love you @caradelevingne. Thank you for making my birthday the best yet.' In October, Cara opened up about her relationship, calling herself 'the luckiest girl in the world' to be in a romance with Ashley. 'It's so nice to have someone in my life that supports me so much and loves me,' she told E! News at in Beverly Hills at the Girl Up #GirlHero Awards. When she received the award, Ashley was showing support again, writing on Instagram, 'So proud of you, I love you @caradelevingne.' Both remain thriving in their careers, as Cara remains one of the world's top supermodels, while Ashley is set to appear with Ewan McGregor and Val Kilmer in the upcoming drama The Birthday Cake in 2020. A non-descript village off National Highway 125 connecting Jodhpur with Pokhran, 'Mandla Kallan', boasts of being open defecation free, thanks to the efforts of a retired Army havildar-turned sarpanch. Om Singh, who was elected sarpanch of 'Mandla Kallan' panchayat after retiring in 2013, says it is the discipline and strict cleanliness practices in the Army that got in him the urge to ensure that every household in his village would have a toilet of its own. "Even during operations and field duties while serving in the Army, we practised scientific ways of defecation and I sought to bring the same to my village," Singh, who was in the Rajput regiment since joining the Armed Forces in 1997, said. The retired Army man was critically injured in an ambush in December, 2004, by guerrillas of the outlawed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) in Churachandpur district of Manipur, in which four of his compatriots were killed. "I was brought to the Command Hospital in Kolkata and recovered following treatment there," he said. According to officials, 'Mandla Kallan' is one of the 33 panchayats in Dechu block of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan, where toilets have been built in 376 households with government funding. They said that all the villages in Dechu panchayat samiti have been declared open defecation free (ODF) and Rs 10.2 crore have been spent for the purpose with a total of over 8,500 households having been extended financial support in the block for building toilets. Every household that fulfils the prescribed criteria gets Rs 12,800 as assistance with funding from the Centre and the state government in a 60:40 ratio, the officials said. Singh, who became the sarpanch of 'Mandla Kallan' village in 2015, said he has a toilet in his house since 2010. "We have got the villagers themselves to encourage those who did not have toilets in their houses to get these facilities built by pointing out that it is a matter of shame if members of the family have to go out in the open for answering nature's call, apart from issues of sanitation," the sarpanch said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wang Yi and Iranian FM discuss deadly US strike over the phone Global Times Source:CGTN Published: 2020/1/4 22:24:56 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed the US airstrike in Iraq in a phone call on Saturday. Zarif briefed Wang Yi on Iran's stance on the attack that killed the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and said he hopes that China can play an important role in preventing the escalation of regional tensions. On the other hand, Wang said the US military act violated the basic norms of international relations and will exacerbate tensions and instability in the region. China urges the U.S. not to use excessive force and solve the issue through dialogue, Wang added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What if you get stuck on the highway in a storm? Here are some tips I am baffled about the Ohio school voucher program (Voucher fix gaining support in Columbus, Dec. 22). I always thought the taxes that I pay would be for public schools in my neighborhood; at least that is how it used to be. What happened? When my kids went to school and I wanted them to attend a private school, I had to pay for it out of my own pocket. I feel that if you want to send your child to a private school, you know that it will cost you money, so its up to you to pay for it. The public schools are suffering, because someone decided to take the money away from them, which we, as taxpayers, did not authorize. If we want to have good public schools in our area, we need to keep the money where it belongs. Sandy Kuder, Seven Hills Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is among several British-Iranian dual-citizens in jail in Iran, who now fear the fall-out from escalating tensions in the Middle East (Family Handout/PA) Two British-Iranian dual citizens in jail in Iran are concerned over their fate amid increasing tensions in the Middle East, their relatives are reported as saying. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori are serving five and 10 year sentences respectively in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison on charges of spying. Richard Ratcliffe spoke to his 40-year-old wife by phone after the United States killed Irans General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike at Baghdads airport on Thursday. My God, what will happen to me now?Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe He told the Mail on Sunday that she had told him: When I get to the end of the full sentence, theyll just add another sentence on. Why did all this have to happen? My God, what will happen to me now? I am so traumatised, she added. Everyone worries. It is a really big deal. I cant stand this place any more. I am scared that things get delayed again. I think theyll keep me here for five years, or more. Mr Ratcliffe, who lives in the UK with the couples young daughter, told the paper: She was in despair, definitely distraught. She thinks shell have to serve her full sentence and then theyll just add another sentence on. She also said everyone in the prison is scared and fears there will be war. Mr Ashooris wife Sherry Izadi had spoken to her 65-year-old husband on Saturday morning, and said she feared he no longer had a hope in hell of being released. Expand Close Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe before her imprisonment, with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella (Family Handout/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe before her imprisonment, with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella (Family Handout/PA) He told me everyone there is very jittery. They are so scared of the fallout. He had hoped that Iran would negotiate or relent on his release, but we feel that hope is now gone, Mrs Izadi told the Sunday Telegraph. She added: I have been filled with fear since we heard the news [of Qassem Soleimanis death], that there will be some act of revenge, and the prisoners will get caught in the middle. I dont think Anoosheh and the Western prisoners have a hope in hell now. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Mr Ashoori are among as many as five people with dual British-Iranian nationality, or with UK connections, believed to be in prisons in Iran at present. These also include Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a Cambridge-educated British-Australian academic, who has been in Tehrans Evin prison for more than a year, having reportedly been given a 10-year sentence. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Ms Moore-Gilbert have gone on hunger strikes in Evin to protest against their imprisonment. File Image European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Saturday stressed the "need for de-escalation" after the US assassination of a top Iranian in Baghdad. After meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Brussels, Borrell tweeted: "Spoke w Iranian FM @JZarif about recent developments. Underlined need for de-escalation of tensions, to exercise restraint & avoid further escalation". US President Donald Trump who ordered the precision drone strike in which Iran's Major General Qasem Soleimani was killed on Friday has said the military mastermind was planning an "imminent" attack on US diplomats and the roughly 5,200 American troops deployed in Baghdad. Borrell said he also urged Zarif to maintain the landmark nuclear accord negotiated between Iran and the UN Security Council permanent members -- Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany. The deal, also known as the JCPOA, offered Tehran relief from stinging sanctions in return for curbs to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons. Agreed in 2015 it has been at risk of falling apart since Trump unilaterally withdrew from it in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. "Also discussed importance of preserving #JCPOA, which remains crucial for global security. I am committed to role as coordinator," Borrell said. A furious Iran has vowed revenge for the killing of Soleimani, the chief architect of its military operations across the Middle East. A JUDGE told a County Limerick farmer there will be consequences if he doesnt reduce his herd. William OKeeffe, of Ardroe, Pallasgreen was prosecuted by Limerick City and County Council for water pollution. The matter goes back to April 20, 2016 when Aidan Leonard, a farmyard inspector with the council, inspected the defendants land. He told Kilmallock Court in February 2018 that a complaint was made about Mr OKeeffes facilities. He has 33 hectares but he doesnt have a farmyard. He had 57 cattle but has a lack of facilities. Out-wintering cattle causes poaching of the land. If the cattle compress the land, it is churned up and there is a run off of effluent, said Mr Leonard. The inspector said Mr OKeeffe gave him an undertaking that he would reduce his herd. On February 14, 2018, Mr Leonard said he visited the farm and found the land poached due to the number of cattle on it. Read also: Limerick farmer appears in court for water pollution Mr Leonard asked for a wintering plan for next year (2019) and smaller or lighter cattle if possible. The case was back before Kilmallock Court last month. Will Leahy, solicitor for the council, said a proposal was made 18 months ago but they are not satisfied with how things are on the ground. There is poaching on the land. We are still not satisfied. Mr OKeeffes consultant advised him to reduce his herd by 16, said Mr Leahy. Brendan Gill, solicitor for Mr OKeeffe, said the difficulty only occurs in the winter. There is no difficulty for eight months of the year, said Mr Gill. Regarding his client selling cattle, Mr Gill said cattle prices have been back and there was a backlog in the factories due to protests. He has 83 acres. There is no issue in the summer, said Mr Gill. Mr Leahy said Mr OKeeffe undertook to reduce his herd by 16 but as of yesterday there was 51. It is not satisfactory in our point of view. It is down to proper management, said Mr Leahy, who agreed to an adjournment until February 18. We will carry out an inspection to see how we are getting on, said Mr Leahy. There will be consequences, said Judge OLeary before agreeing to the adjournment at a sitting of next months Kilmallock Court. New Delhi: Violence erupted on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday night. A clash broke out between members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students Union and the ABVP on the university campus on Sunday, sources said. The university administration said "masked men" were going round the campus damaging property and attacking students. It said the police were called to campus to tackle the "masked men." Left-wing students said JNUSU preident Aishe Ghosh was brutally attacked during the clash which took place during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers' Association. The students' union claimed that many other students were injured in stone pelting by ABVP members. But the RSS-backed students' organisation alleged that its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits, leaving 25 of them injured. JNU registrar Pramod Kumar said in a statement, "This is an urgent message for the entire JNU community that there is a law and order situation on the campus. Masked miscreants armed with sticks are roaming around, damaging property and attacking people. The JNU Administration has called the police to maintain order." This is the moment to remain calm and be on the alert.... Efforts are already being made to tackle the miscreants," he added. The Delhi police entered the JNU campus on the request of the university administration, officials said. The JNUSU claimed that "ABVP members wearing masks were moving around on the campus with lathis, rods and hammers". "They are pelting bricks...getting into hostels and beating up students. Several teachers and students have also been beaten up," JNUSU claimed. JNUSU president Ghosh has been "brutally" attacked and she was bleeding from her head, they said. Members of Left-backed student outfits alleged that outsiders were allowed to enter the campus and they barged into hostels, including girls' hostels. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) claimed that its members were brutally attacked by students affiliated to Left student organisations SFI, AISA and DSF. "Around 25 students have been seriously injured in the attack and there is no information about the whereabouts of 11 students. Many ABVP members are being attacked in hostels and the hostels are being vandalised by the Leftist goons," the ABVP said. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said he spoke to Lt Governor Anil Baijal shortly after violence erupted at JNU and urged him to direct police to restore order on the campus. He expressed shock and said he wondered how the country would progress if students were not safe inside universities. "Spoke to Hon'ble LG and urged him to direct police to restore order. He has assured that he is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary steps," Kejriwal said in a tweet. "I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police shud immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus?" he said in another. Congress leader P Chidambaram said, It is shocking and horrifying to see live telecast of masked men entering JNU hostels and attacking students." He alleged that such an "act of impunity can only happen with the support of the government". What we are seeing on Live TV is shocking and horrifying. Masked men enter JNU hostels and attack students. What is the police doing? Where is the police commissioner?" the former finance minister tweeted. "If it is happening on live TV, it is an act of impunity and can only happen with the support of the government. This is beyond belief," he wrote on the microblogging site. Iran summoned Germany's charge daffaires in Tehran on Sunday to protest against "destructive" comments made by some German officials supporting the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. air strike in Iraq. "Iran strongly criticised inappropriate, insubstantial and destructive remarks of some German officials," Iranian state TV reported. A German government spokeswoman said on Friday that the U.S. strike which killed Soleimani was a response to Iranian military provocations. Search Keywords: Short link: Scores of people on Saturday expressed anger over the alleged forced eviction of Sikh families in some villages of Sheopur district in Madhya Pradesh. "Apart from the team of Minority Commission sent by the Madhya Pradesh government to investigate the action of targeting the Sikh community, a three-member team of Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee (SGPC) from Amritsar also reached Karahal. We held a meeting at Gurdwara Sahib Karahal to discuss the issue," said Niaz Mohammed, the Chairman Minorities Commission. He also told ANI that the affected families, displaced from their homes in Madhya Pradesh, have been provided with the compensation of Rs 50,000 by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Saturday. "This matter should be thoroughly investigated," Niaz Mohammed added. The organisation had also taken up the matter with the Madhya Pradesh Minority Commission which has assured the safety and security of the Sikhs and their properties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Since Sunday midnight, Russia-led forces have been observing the ceasefire. Russia's hybrid military forces on January 4 mounted four attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as injured in a booby-trap blast. Read alsoHouse burnt amid brawl between local militants, Russian mercenaries in Donbas intel "The armed forces of the Russian Federation and their mercenaries violated the ceasefire four times on January 4. Two Ukrainian soldiers were injured in a booby-trap blast," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update on January 5. The enemy opened fire from grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Verkhniotoretske, Vodiane, and Novoluhanske. Since Sunday midnight, Russia-led forces have been observing the ceasefire. Song Kang-ho and Brad Pitt shake hands at the American Film Institute Awards on Friday in Los Angeles (local time). Capture from Twitter (@neonrated) By Dong Sun-hwa Song Kang-ho, a star in the 2019 Cannes-winning comedy-thriller "Parasite," met Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt at the American Film Institute (AFI) Awards in Los Angeles on Friday night (local time). Song and Pitt shook hands after Pitt told Song he was a fan of the "Parasite," reports said. The film's distributor NEON captured the moment and posted the photo on Twitter, Saturday. Other actors from "Parasite" Lee Jung-eun and Lee Sun-kyun are also in the picture. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Sometimes, even a bright light shines through the darkness. Thats certainly the case for Genevieve Benoit and Diane Buglioli, who worked through the horrors of the Willowbrook State School before taking steps to provide a better and more humane way to treat individuals with special needs. The two women met in 1969 while working as recreational aides at the facility -- which eventually closed in 1987 after abhorrent conditions and treatment toward the residents was exposed -- and were determined to find a better solution. We had people who we worked with every day, and we saw there werent enough programs in the community for these individuals. We then thought maybe we could start a program, said Benoit. Buglioli recalled: We were young and thought we could do anything. We formed such strong bonds with so many of the people we worked with there, and we said, This is just not right. In 1974, the New Dorp residents created A Very Special Place Inc. as a not-for-profit corporation to provide services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The women felt strongly about empowering these individuals, and proposed opening a center with modular programming for adults 18 and over. The center would create different stations and let them choose their desired recreational activity. Today, this may seem like a simple concept, but Benoit and Buglioli encountered battles along the way. There were times police officers offered them escorts to and from the parking lot when they would attend forums and meetings to address the community about their proposal. Some locals were vehemently against the idea. The women recalled one meeting when a resident screamed and asked them how they would like such a facility in their own neighborhood. Buglioli calmly responded that, since she lived around the corner from the proposed center, she was fine with it. Benoit and Buglioli showed they would not be bullied, nor would they back down from detractors. The women tended to their dream by setting up day programs while wrestling with the state for years to open the center. That was no easy task since there was no such funding in place for this type of service, particularly for adults. That all changed in 1980 when they received state funding to open their first center at 241 New Dorp Lane, serving between 13 and 15 individuals. We actually couldnt believe that we accomplished this, admitted Benoit, the organizations executive director. We stayed for hours late at night because we couldnt afford a lot of staff, and we had to do all the jobs ourselves that you would normally see at a not-for-profit organization. Just as Benoit and Buglioli expected, the programs filled quickly, and the women realized there was little time to celebrate. You never really sat back and said, Well, that was successful. You just kept looking toward the next thing. We would say, This is good, but what else do they need? recalled Buglioli, the deputy executive director. It seemed like we were always in process. There was always something else to do. By listening to parents feedback as a guide, A Very Special Place Inc. eventually expanded to serve 1,200 people over two centers, six residences, and five supportive apartments. These programs assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead fuller lives and achieve independence through a network of adult day services, employment training, recreational and respite services, senior services, childrens services, and residential alternatives. For their accomplishments, Benoit and Buglioli are being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which they will receive in the Not-For-Profit Businessperson category. The awards -- which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance -- honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader. In addition to the services they provide, the mentorship that Benoit and Buglioli offer members and their families is immeasurable. The women are always willing to share their knowledge and expertise to give individuals the skills to navigate everyday life. Harvest Cafe, a full-service daytime restaurant in New Dorp fully operated by A Very Special Place Inc, is a crowning example of their success. At the Cafe, which opened in 2011, restaurant staff unite with innovative educators and agency program participants. Program individuals gain firsthand experience in the food service industry by working in the Cafe, and learn new skills and tasks that include customer service, indoor and outdoor restaurant maintenance, food preparation and presentation, dishwashing, laundering, and other cleaning services. These participants are not the only people who learn at A Very Special Place Inc., as Benoit and Buglioli demonstrate their leadership and knowledge by also mentoring their employees. It strengthens you always to be honorable, added Benoit. It strengthens you to feel this way and say, If this was my child, what would I want? We tell our staff when a family member looks to you for help, and theyre telling you what they need, theyre trusting you with this information. Theyre trusting you with the people they love. That is a gift to you, said Buglioli. Although more people are being diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities, A Very Special Place Inc. still faces a constant struggle to maintain programs due to budget cuts. However, as long as Benoit and Buglioli see the necessity, theyll be out there fighting for the special needs community. Recipients of the Louis R. Miller Awards are recognized as effective business leaders, and for their outstanding contributions to the local community. Awards are given out in four categories: Emerging, Established, Master, and Not-For-Profit. The honorees will be recognized during the annual Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 13 at LiGrecis Staaten. For tickets, visit www.sichamber.com or call the Chamber at 718-727-1900. Below, Benoit and Buglioli share more about their goals, job, and life: GENEVIEVE BENOIT Current occupation and title: Executive director at A Very Special Place. Hometown: Brooklyn. Some of my life goals include: To do something that will have a significant and positive impact. The best part of my job: Seeing people enjoying the services and programs that we provide. The most difficult part of my job: Having to turn someone away because there is no funding for the services that he or she needs. My life philosophy: Never participate in anything that does not bring you satisfaction and joy. I am most proud of: The staff and the board of A Very Special Place for their extraordinary dedication and caring. Something that no one knows about me: I love music and sing loudly in the car and shower. Personal interests and hobbies: Music, video/internet games, genealogy and reading. I laugh at: Slapstick. I am really good at: Focusing my energies on a given task or issue. I admire: Anyone who stands up for what they believe in Some important things I would like you to know about me: Ive enjoyed every minute of this journey, and I feel blessed that I have shared it with so many good and generous people. DIANE BUGLIOLI Current occupation and title: Deputy executive director in charge of the clinical and administrative services of the agency. Hometown: New Dorp. Some of my life goals include: Leave this planet better than I found it. The best part of my job: Resolving something and then seeing an actual impact that improves someones situation. The most difficult part of my job: Dealing with irrational rules/requirements which benefit no one but simply prevent benefit to anyone. Finding a positive path through that maze has been a constant challenge with both high rewards and satisfaction, as well as difficult bureaucratic detours that required renewed energy and focus. My life philosophy: Do no harm, which is more easily said than accomplished. It is what it is, but it will become what you make it. I am most proud of: The accomplishments of A Very Special Place, as well as those people who survived institutionalization to become caring human beings despite the injustice they endured. The quality I like best about myself: Ability to find humor in most things, which makes life more tolerable and enjoyable. Something that no one knows about me: I prefer to watch, observe and ponder rather than lead a discussion. I am really good at: Public speaking, as I do not get nervous despite the size of the audience -- and enjoy the opportunity. Some important things I would like you to know about me: I recognize that I have had the honor to try to make an impact on peoples lives, and I am thankful that I was given the trust and opportunities to do so. I also remain forever indebted to my parents, Paul and Adelaide, who truly lived their lives devoted to family and being honorable people regardless of the challenges they encountered. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. US sends additional troops to Kuwait amid rasing tension New forces from 82nd Airborne Division being sent to the Middle East. The US is deploying roughly 3,000 additional troops to the Middle East after it killed a top Iranian general, the Department of Defense announced Friday. PENTAGON SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED The new deployment will include soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division's Immediate Response Force, a Pentagon spokesman confirmed on condition of anonymity. They will be sent to Kuwait. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the elite Quds Force who was the chief architect of Iran's Middle East operations, was killed early Friday morning in a US airstrike outside of Baghdad's airport. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) was also killed in the airstrike. Soleimani's slaying marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between the US and Iran, which have often been at a fever pitch since President Donald Trump chose in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw the US from the nuclear pact world powers struck with Tehran. Greg Gutfeld outside Fox News headquarters in New York in November. (Bryan Anselm for The Post) The caustic comic has gone from irreverent cable news oddity to a ratings champ who seems right at home on the network. They are making it easier for these organizations to continue to incite against the Orthodox Jewish community; it is giving legitimacy to those organizations, said Aron Weider, a county legislator in Rockland County where the stabbing at the Rabbis home took place who did not attend the march. But for attendees, the event offered an important opportunity to demonstrate the far-reaching concern among the citys Jewish population that an attack against the visibly Jewish Hasidic community is a threat to all Jews. We know our community is a complicated one, said Eric Goldstein, chief executive officer of the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York. We need to recognize that despite differences we have, were here to show our solidarity with all Jews, including very much the visibly traditional Orthodox community. Days before the march, 90,000 Jews gathered at MetLife Stadium and 20,000 thronged to Barclays Center to mark a traditional religious celebration, known as the Siyum HaShas, or completion of the Talmud, which carried extra meaning in light of the recent attacks. Even as thousands gathered to offer their support to the Jewish community, anti-Semitic sentiments could be seen in other parts of the city: On Saturday, a banner promoting a white nationalist website was seen hanging over an overpass in the Bay Ridge neighborhood in Brooklyn. The number of hate crimes reported last year in New York City rose around 20 percent compared to in 2018, according to the police. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday condemned the killing of a Sikh man in Peshawar and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan to ensure safety of the community in the neighbouring country. Badal said the rising attacks on the Sikh community are a direct outcome of the "anti-minority policies of Pakistan". The killing of the Sikh man took place a day after a mob reportedly attacked Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan. In a statement here, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president urged Modi to "take up the issue with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure the safety of Sikh brethren in the neighbouring country". Badal said it was condemnable that a day after a mob attacked gurdwara Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib, a Sikh man had been murdered in Peshawar. The killing of Islamabad reporter Harmeet Singh's younger brother in Peshawar by unknown assailants proves that innocent people are being targeted indiscriminately to instill a sense of fear among minorities, he said. "The victim had come from Malaysia for his wedding and became a target of hate crime currently on the rise in Pakistan," he said. Badal said the killing shows the extent of religious persecution Sikhs and other minorities are facing in Pakistan. "Rising attacks on religious places as well as against Sikhs and other minorities in Pakistan are a direct outcome of the anti-minority policies of Pakistan," he said. It is because of these policies that Islamic fundamentalists have become a law unto themselves, persecuting minorities and indulging in forced conversions, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Keep Labs won an Innovation Award Honoree award for CES 2020 but is banned from saying the word "cannabis" on the CES show floor. The CTA, the trade group behind CES, told Keep Labs it could only exhibit if the company's signage, marketing materials and the product is free from cannabis product and paraphernalia. To be named as an honoree is a significant honor for any company, but with Keep Labs, it's historic. Keep is a product designed explicitly for cannabis, and this is the first time a company centered around marijuana has won an award from CES. Because of the strict guidelines, Keep Labs decided it wasn't in its best interest to exhibit at CES despite winning one of its top awards. The company is currently featured on the CES website, among other Innovation Award Honorees, where the word "cannabis" is used throughout the description. Keep smart storage Keep is a discreet desktop storage device designed to keep cannabis fresh and locked away. It looks like a smart speaker with a clock, but if you engage the biometric lock, the top opens, revealing several storage containers for cannabis products. With mobile alerts, a built-in scale and a hermetic seal, the device is purpose-built to be an ideal spot to store and secure weed. The company was founded by two Canadian dads looking for a more secure way to store edibles. Their story is familiar: A friend unknowingly consumed cannabis gummies from an unmarked container. This led the founders to try to find a safe place to store cannabis items. Unable to find such a device, Ben Gliksman, a venture capital attorney with 10 years of experience, and Philip Wilkins, who previously built and sold two companies, set out to build their own. Available in chalk white and slate black, the device is beautiful and achieves its goal of securing cannabis without hiding. This storage container would look at home on a bedside stand or hallway table. Facial recognition keeps the device locked. If Keep is tampered with, the owner gets a smartphone notification. An airtight seal keeps things fresh and contains odors. Inside, separate containers keep things organized. There's even a removable rolling tray and space for accessories. A battery allows owners to use the device anywhere. Story continues This is Keep Labs' first product, and the company is conducting its own fundraising campaign. At the time of writing, the Keep is available for pre-order for CAD 199. The CTA awarded Keep Labs the Innovations Award Nominee honor on October 15. On December 4, the CTA gave the company the restrictions on exhibiting. I spoke with Keeps Lab co-founder Philip Wilkins after the company first heard of the restrictions. At that time, in early December, the company still planned on attending and exhibiting the award. Later, the company had a change of heart. Now, Wilkins tells TechCrunch that without being able to mention or talk about cannabis, they wouldn't be doing the brand justice. The CTA had lumped them in with "storage solutions and appliance for the home." Shying away from cannabis goes against everything they believe in. They aren't a home storage solution, the company says, and that's not why they won the award. There's a stigma around cannabis tech, Wilkins said, adding Keep Labs' product is lumped in with "bongs and blunts." The company's ban from CES is the latest hurdle facing Keep Labs. The company previously attempted to list its product on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, but neither platform would allow it, because of the word "cannabis." Instead, the company launched a self-run crowdfunding campaign. Right now, 805 backers have pre-ordered the device for CAD 199. The campaign is at 77% with just under two months to go before the self-imposed deadline of March 1, 2020. Wilkins told TechCrunch the company is in the middle of mass-producing the product and looking for additional distribution channels, as well as venture capital investors who understand the need and cannabis space. CES, Las Vegas and cannabis Cannabis and e-cigarette products are historically banned from CES. Vape makers like Pax and Puffco and Juul have been unable to exhibit, but with the Keep Labs award, it felt like the CTA was softening its stance. After all, Keep Laps doesn't make a consumption product, but rather a storage product. The distinction seems significant. The trade association issued TechCrunch the following statement: "There are no cannabis or e-cigarette products on the exhibit floor at CES, as the show does not have a category pertaining to that market. Given cannabis is not a category at CES, the company was able to exhibit under the terms theyd showcase their product as a storage device," adding later "Keeps Lab (sic) fit in the Home Appliances category for the Innovation Awards." Exhibiting at CES can lead to significant growth for companies. Buyers, distributors and bankers alike attend the show in the hopes of adding companies and products to their portfolios. For a startup like Keep Labs, it can lead to retail distribution, financial capital and valuable industry partners. And being nominated as an Innovation Award Nominee shines a spotlight, making deals even more accessible. More than 180,000 people attended last year's show, including over 6,500 members of the media. There are other ways of being at CES than through conventional means. Many companies take up private spaces throughout Las Vegas, in hotel rooms, and in other conference centers. This lets companies access the CES attendees in more private settings. However, by nature, these spaces are invite-only, which eliminates a lot of opportunities for the companies. For cannabis companies, renting a hotel room bypasses the CTA's rules, but not Nevada state laws. In the state of Nevada marijuana is legal to consume in private residences, but banned from consumption in parks, dispensaries and hotels. This means there isn't really a place Las Vegas visitors can legally consume cannabis. And for cannabis companies looking to make deals, there are few legal locations where they can demonstrate their products. Banned tech This incident smells familiar. In the run-up to the 2019 show, the CTA awarded sex-tech startup Lora DiCarlo with the same award, only later to rescind it. The CTA told TechCrunch at the time that the Lora DiCarlo Ose does not fit into existing product categories, and the company should not have been accepted for the Innovation Awards Program. The CTA drew widespread criticism for revoking Lora DiCarlo's award. TechCrunch confirmed at the time the CTA also prohibited Lora DiCarlo from exhibiting at CES, citing the company doesn't fit a product category. However, other sex tech companies were on the show floor that year. Past CES shows featured sex tech companies, including a virtual reality porn company in 2017 and a sex toy robot for men in 2018. This year's show will be sexual wellness company OhMiBod's tenth year exhibiting at CES. In years past, the company launched wellness products, including a Kegel exerciser and, in 2019, when Lora DiCarlo was banned, an Apple Watch-controlled vibrator. "There is an obvious double-standard when it comes to sexuality and sexual health," Lora DiCarlo founder Lora Haddock wrote last year. "While there are sex and sexual health products at CES, it seems that CES/CTA administration applies the rules differently for companies and products based on the gender of their customers. Men's sexuality is allowed to be explicit with a literal sex robot in the shape of an unrealistically proportioned woman and VR porn in point of pride along the aisle. Female sexuality, on the other hand, is heavily muted if not outright banned." In the CTA's letter to Lora DiCarlo, obtained by TechCrunch, the CTA cited a clause that explained how entries deemed "in their sole discretion to be immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with the CTA's image will be disqualified. CTA reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry at any time which, in CTA's opinion, endangers the safety or well being of any person, or fails to comply with these Official Rules. CTA decisions are final and binding." CES or bust The cannabis market is exploding. In the United States, the substance is legal in 11 states, with Illinois becoming the latest to allow the sale and consumption for recreational use. Public support for legal pot hit an all-time high in 2019, according to this CBS News Poll. More than 30 states have legalized it to some degree, and more will follow. Recreational cannabis is legal in Canada, where Keep Labs is based. The sheer demand raises the question of the CTA's slow acceptance of cannabis-related products. As a trade group, it's tasked with promoting policy that leads to growth within the consumer electronics world, and cannabis tech is quickly becoming a lucrative industry with broad acceptance across demographics. Someone within the CTA sees the appeal of the Keep device. By awarding it with one of its top honors, the CTA is celebrating the responsible use of cannabis. And yet, by requesting the company hide its intended purpose while exhibiting, it is seemingly forcing cannabis back into the shadows. A group of alleged Iranian hackers claims to have breached the website of a US government agency, Federal Depository Library Program , on Saturday after the killing of Qasem Soleimani. A group of Iranian hackers claims to have breached the website of a US government agency, the Federal Depository Library Program, vowing revenge for the killing of commander Qasem Soleimani. Maj. Gen . Qassim Suleimani was killed by a U.S. drone airstrike at the Baghdad airport in Iraq on Friday. The hackers defaced the website of the Federal Depository Library Program and replaced the home page with a page titled Iranian Hackers! that displayed images of Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iranian flag. Martyrdom was (Soleimanis) reward for years of implacable efforts, read a graphic depicting US President Donald Trump being punched by a first with the Revolutionary Guard insignia. With his departure and with Gods power, his work and path will not cease and severe revenge awaits those criminals who have tainted their filthy hands with his blood and blood of the other martyrs. This is only small part of Irans cyber ability the text published on the defaced page. Source DailyMail The order to kill Soleimani was issued by President Trump that said Soleimani was planning an imminent attack on US personnel in Baghdad. In the last hours, numerous websites were defaced and displayed messages wowing revenge against the US. Yesterday, Christopher C. Krebs, Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warned of a potential new wave of cyber attacks carried out by Iran-linked hacker groups targeting U.S. assets . Pierluigi Paganini A senior NSW government minister has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of trying "to tear down" Premier Gladys Berejiklian to "save himself" over his response to the bushfire crisis. Amid tensions over a lack of consultation on the deployment of 3000 Australian Defence Force reservists, the minister said on Sunday: "We have seen her on TV each night standing shoulder-to-shoulder with [NSW Rural Fire Service chief] Shane Fitzsimmons. Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons during a visit to HMAS Albatross in Nowra on Sunday Credit:Lukas Coch "But what we havent seen are the visits, support and leadership she has shown away from the cameras without any fanfare. "So you can imagine how gutted we all felt when Scott Morrison returns from holidays and tries to throw her under a bus to save himself." A parliamentary delegation led by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla will attend the 25th edition of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Canada, an official statement said on Sunday. Besides Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh and Lok Sabha Secretary General Snehlata Shrivastava are also attending the conference in Ottawa, the Lok Sabha secretariat said in a statement. The conference will begin on Monday and conclude on January 11. Birla will speak on 'Security of Individuals in the Parliamentary Context and Beyond' and hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts in the Canadian Senate and House of Commons and other dignitaries, the statement said. The delegation will also meet members of the Indian diaspora in Ottawa and Toronto, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State has assured indigenes in the diaspora that the state was ready and open for business to thrive in the state. The governor gave the assurance during the Imo Diaspora Summit 2020 held at the Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri on Friday. Ihedioha described Imo as `Nigerias intellectual capital, adding that his government was ready for healthy partnerships with Nigerians in the diaspora so as to harness the states intellectual capacity. He enjoined delegates at the summit to put years of economic and infrastructural devastation by the past administration behind and make Imo the countrys commercial and industrial hub. In the past few years, our economy was devastated and we were grossly de-marketed. I urge you to put the past behind and join hands with me to harness our intellectual capacity in rebuilding our dear state. Imo is the investors heaven and the land of opportunities and with our collective efforts, the Imo of our dreams will be here sooner than we may expect. The diaspora is our strength and we are ready for healthy partnerships. We are ready to make Imo an industrial and commercial hub and with the only functional airport in the southeast, I make bold to say that we are ready for business, the governor said. Earlier in a speech, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and guest speaker for the event, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended Nigerian ruler for signing the diaspora commission bill into law. She said that the Federal Government was working on the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Trust Fund, an arrangement that would make it possible for Nigerians in the diaspora to invest in Nigeria. Imo is one of the 14 states with focal persons on diaspora. Thanks to Nigerian ruler, Nigeria has a diaspora commission, so I urge you to be an ambassador of Nigeria wherever you are. We will continue to implore parliament to work on laws that will allow diasporans vote during elections. The Nigeria Diaspora Investment Trust Fund will facilitate ease of investments in Nigeria for those in the diaspora. Governor Emeka Ihedioha has a Special Assistant on diaspora so all necessary mechanism has been put in place. There are no more excuses, join hands and rebuild Imo, she said. In an address, the keynote speaker, Prof. Ernest Uwazie urged meaningful partnership between government and diasporans while condemning attacks targeted at Igbos in position of authority when they visited them abroad. He further encouraged determination for service and desire for success while urging delegates to respond positively to the call to rebuild Imo and Nigeria at large. Also speaking, Chairperson of the summit, Amb. Kema Chikwe and former ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland, urged Imo citizens in the diaspora to attract funding partners. According to the former Aviation Minister, the best marketing can only be done by Imo citizens whom she noted are direct beneficiaries of the states marketability. Also, Special Assistant to the Governor Ihedioha on Information and Advocacy, Miss Adaora Onyechere, said that a lot could be achieved through diaspora collaboration and a positive mindset. If we dont try, we will never achieve. I urge all Imo citizens in the diaspora to keep faith with the governor despite the unfortunate past because the rebuilding of Imo is a serious venture, she said. Our correspondence reports that the summit was attended by a former Imo governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim alongside former deputy governors Ebere Udeagu and Douglas Acholonu. Others are former Imo speaker, Ike Ibe and chairman, Imo Community in Europe, Chief Anthony Ibe. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Pakistan remained in a denial mode over the violence in Nankana Sahib, one of Sikhism's holiest site, constantly downplaying the incident as a minor scuffle. Breaking his silence on the shocking mob attack on Nankana Sahib, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday said that the attack is against 'his vision' and will 'find zero tolerance'. Dragging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, Khan once again accused the Indian government of perpetrating violence against Muslims and other minorities. This brazen attack by the Pakistani PM comes even as he faced humiliation after posting a fake video alleging Police excesses on Muslims in UP. Six months into his term, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis heads to his first White House visit on January 7 amidst tense relations with NATO ally and regional rival Turkey. Athens is keen to enlist US investors for the growth spurt envisioned by the Greek conservative government -- but the visit comes as tensions escalate with Turkey over migration, energy exploration and territorial disputes. "Greece and the United States are closer than ever," Mitsotakis said in a December 29 interview with the weekly, To Vima. "Greece is a reliable ally and I expect this to be confirmed with deeds, not just words," he said. The US has traditionally maintained a difficult balancing act between Greece and Turkey over the past six decades, with the Clinton administration actually stepping in to prevent hostilities over an uninhabited Aegean islet group in 1996. But Trump has often struck a dissonant tone in his administration's foreign policy, preferring to forge personal bonds even with the leaders of countries whose policies have on occasion been rebuked by the US State Department or Congress. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is one of them. "It goes without saying that the political unpredictability of the American president creates a foggy scenery," says Spyridon Litsas, professor of international relations at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki. "Mitsotakis travels to Washington in order to demonstrate to American political and economic elites that besides Turkish unreliability in the eastern Mediterranean, there is also Greece, a pivotal state for the balance of power in the region, a fundamental actor regarding the re-shaping of the regional energy map, and a fertile ground for investment," Litsas told AFP. Greek relations with Turkey are at their lowest point in decades. In November, Erdogan signed a contentious maritime and military deal with the embattled UN-backed Libyan government. Swiftly condemned by neighbouring states including Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, the move is seen by analysts as part of a Turkish strategy to avoid exclusion from the gas exploration scramble in the region. Mitsotakis came to power in July after defeating leftist former PM Alexis Tsipras in national elections. Trump in December signed the EastMed Act, an initiative to facilitate energy cooperation among the US, Israel, Greece and Cyprus. On Thursday, Greece, Cyprus and Israel launched a major pipeline project -- also called EastMed -- designed to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe. - Greece a 'pillar of stability' - According to US ambassador to Athens Geoffrey Pyatt, Washington sees Greece as "a critical pillar of regional stability." "The prime minister's engagements in Washington will provide a critical opportunity to inform investors and policymakers of the opportunities that the new Greece has to offer," Pyatt told a conference in early December. According to a senior US official, there was a "reframing of the US-Greece relationship" even from the first half of 2017 under Tsipras, with Greece emerging as "one of the United States' most important partners in southern Europe." Tsipras, who tempered the deep-seated anti-Americanism of his Syriza party with pragmatism, scored points by ending a quarter-century name dispute with neighbouring North Macedonia, and by promoting an energy agenda aligned with US interests at the expense of Russia. Under Tsipras, Athens also signed on to an F-16 upgrade programme worth $1.5 billion. In October, a team headed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed defence and security upgrade agreements. Athens is also interested in US-made drones and, eventually, F-35 warplanes, Mitsotakis told To Vima. "We've gotten past the era of instinctive or reflexive anti-Americanism," the US official said, referring to scepticism by many Greeks towards Washington for backing the 1967 Greek military junta. The trip to the White House -- six months to the day after his electoral victory -- will be the first as prime minister for Mitsotakis, who studied at Harvard University. He saw Trump in London during the NATO summit in early December. "One of the open questions about the Mitsotakis visit is whether he can convince Trump to follow a much more strategic and effective policy to limit the substantial damage Erdogan has caused Greece, the US and the NATO Alliance," says Nicholas Burns, former US Ambassador to Greece, currently diplomacy professor at the Harvard Kennedy School. "President Trump has been weak and inconsistent in responding to Turkey's purchase of the Russian A-400 air defence system and Turkey's cavalier disregard of American interests in Syria," Burns told AFP. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis heads for his first White House visit since seeing President Donald Trump at a NATO summit in December Turkey wants to make sure it is has a share of gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean Sea Greece is interested in acquiring US-made drones and eventually F-35 combat jets, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says 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. Boris Johnson has accused General Qassem Soleimani of being a threat to all our interests and said we will not lament his death as he called for de-escalation from all sides. After speaking to US President Donald Trump on Sunday, the Prime Minister issued his first statement on the spiralling crisis in the Middle East after the USs fatal drone strike on Irans top military leader. Mr Johnson warned that all calls for reprisals will simply lead to more violence in the region and they are in no ones interest in the wake of the killing in Baghdad on Friday. But a short while later, Mr Trump threatened to strike back and perhaps in a disproportionate manner if Iran strikes a US citizen or target. Meanwhile, Iran announced it will abandon the limits in the unravelling nuclear deal on fuel enrichment, its uranium stockpile and research activities in a move that could bring it closer to assembling an atomic bomb. And The Times quoted an unnamed senior commander in the elite Quds Force which Gen Soleimani commanded as warning British soldiers could be fatally attacked as collateral. Our forces will retaliate and target US troops in (the) Middle East without any concern about killing its allies, including UK troops, as this has turned in to a fully-fledged war with much collateral damage expected, the commander said. The PM said he will be speaking to Iraq to support peace and stability after its parliament called for the expulsion of foreign troops, including British soldiers working against so-called Islamic State. General Qassem Soleimani posed a threat to all our interests and was responsible for a pattern of disruptive, destabilising behaviour in the region, Mr Johnson added. Given the leading role he has played in actions that have led to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians and western personnel, we will not lament his death. It is clear however that all calls for retaliation or reprisals will simply lead to more violence in the region and they are in no ones interest. Mr Johnson, who was facing criticism for his silence while on holiday in the Caribbean during the escalating crisis, also said he had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Downing Street said the PM arrived back in the UK on Sunday morning and worked throughout the day, but did not say whether he was in Number 10. Key ministers are due to meet on Monday to discuss the crisis that has raised fears of all-out war, and the Foreign Office will update Parliament on Tuesday. A non-legally binding bill passed by Iraqs parliament called for the expulsion of all foreign forces. Some 400 UK troops are stationed in Iraq in the fight against IS, while the US has 5,200, prompting fears of a withdrawal that could cripple the battle against the terror group. The Ministry of Defence was understood to be awaiting the decision of the Iraqi government before acting over the soldiers based there as part of the US-led coalition. A UK Government spokesman said: The coalition is in Iraq to help protect Iraqis and others from the threat from Daesh (Islamic State), at the request of the Iraqi government. We urge the Iraqi government to ensure the coalition is able to continue our vital work countering this shared threat. Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab has issued a statement about updates to travel advice for Iraq and Iran Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) January 4, 2020 In response to the killing of Gen Soleimani on Friday, Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said the parliament could end the presence of foreign troops or restrict their mission training local forces. He backed the first option. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had spoken to him on Sunday morning in the wake of the killing of the head of the elite Quds Force, who masterminded Tehrans security strategy in the region. Mr Raab was defending the Mr Trumps decision to launch the drone strike, accusing hardliners in Tehran of nefarious behaviour and saying the US has the right of self defence. But his call for the pursuit of a diplomatic route to bring Tehran in from the international cold came as Iran accused the US president of breaching international law. The US will take their own operational judgment call but theyve got the right of self defence, Mr Raab told Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday. So we understand the position the US were in and I dont think we should be naive about the Iranian Revolutionary Guard or indeed General Soleimani. The Foreign Secretary also defended Mr Johnson, saying he has been in constant contact with the PM who remained in charge throughout his holiday. As Mr Raab was speaking, Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif struck back at the presidents Twitter threat to target 52 Iranian sites very fast and very hard if Tehran attacks US assets. Mr Zarif accused Mr Trump of having committed grave breaches of international law with the killing and of threatening to commit a war crime by targeting cultural sites. Labours shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry warned of a lurch towards war arising from the presidents reckless decision to kill the general. The Foreign Office strengthened travel advice to Britons across the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, while the Navy was to begin accompanying UK-flagged ships through the key oil route of the Strait of Hormuz. Almost nine years of civil war in Syria has left more than 380,000 people dead including over 115,000 civilians, a war monitor said in a new toll Saturday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of sources across the country, said they included around 22,000 children and more than 13,000 women. The conflict flared after unprecedented anti-government protests in the southern city of Daraa on March 15, 2011. Demonstrations spread across Syria and were brutally suppressed by the regime, triggering a multi-front armed conflict that has drawn in jihadists and foreign powers. The conflict has displaced or sent into exile around 13 million Syrians, causing billions of dollars-worth of destruction. The Britain-based Observatorys last casualty toll on the Syrian conflict, issued in March last year, stood at more than 370,000 dead. The latest toll included more than 128,000 Syrian and non-Syrian pro-regime fighters. More than half of those were Syrian soldiers, while 1,682 were from the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah whose members have been fighting in Syria since 2013. The war has also taken the lives of more than 69,000 opposition, Islamist, and Kurdish-led fighters. It has killed more than 67,000 jihadists, mainly from the Islamic State group and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group dominated by Syrias former Al-Qaeda affiliate. The total death toll does not include some 88,000 people who died of torture in regime jails, or thousands missing after being abducted by all sides in the conflict. With the support of powerful allies Russia and Iran, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has inched his way back in recent years to controlling almost two-thirds of the country. That comes after a string of victories against rebels and jihadists since 2015, but also his forces being deployed to parts of the northeast of the country under a deal to halt a Turkish cross-border operation last year. Several parts of the country, however, remain beyond the reach of the Damascus government. They include the last major opposition bastion of Idlib, a region of some three million people that is ruled by the jihadists of HTS. An escalation in violence there in recent weeks has caused 284,000 people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations. In the northeast, Turkish troops and their proxies control a strip of land along the border after seizing it from Kurdish fighters earlier this year. Kurdish-led forces control the far east Syria, where US troops have been deployed near major oil fields. Syrias conflict is estimated to have set its economy back three decades, destroying infrastructure and paralysing the production of electricity and oil. SOURCE: AFP | PHOTO: AFP The palpable play of religious bigotry, especially at a time when tensions are seen to sit atop a powder keg in the subcontinent, is the worst possible thing to have occurred. Pakistan, an uncaring nation when it comes to the fair treatment of religious minorities, must send out a message of reassurance that it will take very seriously such incidents as happened on Friday at the historical Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Punjab, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. Pakistans Prime Minister must speak up for the Sikhs terrorised in a serious incident that the State dismissed as feuding Muslim groups, quite preposterously so in the face of hard video evidence. While destroying temples and gurdwaras may have been par for the course in Sindh, the same cannot be said of the Punjab province where a certain amount of tolerance existed. Pakistan has also assiduously cultivated the Sikhs, particularly from Canada, for their own diplomatic and strategic reasons in trying to promote the concept of Sikh nationhood in a playoff with India. The Nankana event had an immediate echo on Sunday when a Sikh was killed in Peshawar. Far from promoting peace, Imran Khan has tried to inflame passions by tweeting on the Uttar Pradesh police, having first put out a fake video on the subject with old Bangladeshi footage. His belated condemnation of the Nankana desecration seemed too cosmetic an effort when the dangers of all this spilling out are far too high. While right thinking people will outright condemn the kind of atrocities that the UP police have perpetrated on Muslims in the course of the anti-CAA and NRC agitations, there is really little need for Pakistan to get into what is an Indian problem dealing with the anxieties of its Muslim population. Throwing stones from glasshouses is only likely to lead to broken glass. Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately send an all-party delegation of Sikh MPs, led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, to Pakistan to study the condition of the community members there. His request comes in the backdrop of a mob attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Lahore and "targeted killing" of a minority Sikh community member in Peshawar. The Congress leader said the day after Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, a mob gathered outside the gates of Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, the holiest of Sikh shrines, calling for its destruction. Bajwa said the crowd also shouted slogans calling for removing all Sikhs from Nankana Sahib and renaming the town. Thereafter, a Sikh youth was found brutally murdered in Peshawar on Sunday. The Congress leader said he was alarmed by the violence being faced by the Sikh community in Pakistan, and requested Modi to send an all-party delegation of Sikh MPs from both Houses of Parliament, led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, to the neighbouring country at the earliest. "The delegation would study the conditions of the Sikh community in Pakistan," Bajwa said. He said he believes this is an "imperative" step that must be undertaken in view of the above mentioned incidents. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US lacks courage for military conflict: Iran Army chief after Trumps threat International oi-Deepika S Tehran, Jan 05: Iran's army chief on Sunday claimed that the United States "lacked the courage" to carry out such an attack, a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to target 52 Iranian sites. "In a potential conflict in the future, which I don't think they (Americans) have the courage to carry out, there it will become clear where the numbers five and two will belong," Iran's Army chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi was quoted saying by Reuters. President Donald Trump warned Saturday that the US is targeting 52 sites in Iran and will hit them "very fast and very hard" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. US will hit 52 sites if Americans are attacked: Donald Trump warns Iran In a tweet defending Friday's drone strike assassination of a top Iranian general in Iraq, Trump said 52 represents the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. NEWS AT NOON, JANUARY 6th, 2020 "They (Iran) attacked us, & we hit back. If they attack again, which I would strongly advise them not to do, we will hit them harder than they have ever been hit before!" Trump tweeted. Tension between the two countries has escalated after Soleimani was killed in an airstrike near Iraq's Baghdad International Airport, ordered by US President Donald Trump on Friday. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday challenged opposition leaders to prove that the Citizenship Amendment Act will have its ill-effects on the Muslim community, as he accused them ofattempting to create confusion out of "malice." "There will not be any ill-effects on our Muslim brothers of the country because of the Citizenship Amendment Act. During Jawarharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi's (former PMs from Congress party) time also there was consensus on it," Yediyurappa said. He said out of malice an attempt is being made to create confusion among Muslim brethren and that is the reason the BJP had decided to conduct door-to-door campaignsin favour of the CAA. The party has plans to reach out to three crore people across the country and 30 lakh houses in the state, he added. Amid growing opposition and protests, the BJP on Friday had announced that it will be launching a mega door- to-door campaign in favour of CAA across the country on January 5. Reiterating that the act will in no way affect Indian Muslims, Yediyurappa challenged opposition leaders to prove to the people of the country that the law will affect the community. "We will also be visiting places where Muslim community resides in large numbers and try to create awareness among everyone. We don't have any difference towards Hindu, Muslim or Christian, we will inform facts to everyone, he added. Several BJP leaders including Union Minister D V Sadanada Gowda, Deputy Chief Ministers C N Ashwathnarayan and Laxman Savadi, Minister Suresh Kumar held similar door-to-door campaigns at various places. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It is absolutely mind-boggling that the city of Cleveland would opt out (temporarily) of the single-use plastic-bag ban, defying the progressive efforts of Cuyahoga County, while less prosperous countries such as Colombia, Rwanda, and Bangladesh have already implemented new standards seamlessly. I am certain that Cleveland officials will reconsider once they realize that the good people of Cuyahoga County did not suffer any physical, psychological, or emotional trauma by embracing reusable bags. In fact, our infinite ability to adapt is what has allowed us to grow and thrive as species. Cleveland, there is no shame in taking back bad decisions, especially those that diminish the intellect, judgment, and will of your own residents. Catalina Wagers, Cleveland Heights A former CIA director has said a drone strike that destroyed an Iranian general is 'more significant than the killing of Osama bin Laden'. US general David Petraeus, who led the intelligence agency from 2011 to 2012, claimed Friday's assassination of Qassem Suleimani near Baghdad International Airport was also more important than the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Soleimani's body was returned to Iran on Sunday and as it was unloaded from a plane a crowd angrily chanted 'death to America'. Former CIA Director David Petraeus (pictured) said a drone strike that destroyed an Iranian general is 'more significant than the killing of Osama bin Laden' David Petraeus, who led the intelligence agency from 2011 to 2012, claimed Friday's assassination of Qassem Suleimani (centre) near Baghdad International Airport was also more important than the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (left) and bin Laden (right) Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Hossein Salami yesterday vowed 'a strategic revenge which will definitely put an end to the US presence in the region'. General Petraeus told Foreign Policy: 'It is impossible to overstate the importance of this particular action. 'It is more significant than the killing of Osama bin Laden or even the death of [Islamic State leader Abu Bakr] al-Baghdadi. '[Suleimani] is responsible for providing explosives, projectiles, and arms and other munitions that killed well over 600 American soldiers and many more of our coalition and Iraqi partners just in Iraq, as well as in many other countries such as Syria. So his death is of enormous significance.' He added: 'This is a very significant effort to reestablish deterrence, which obviously had not been shored up by the relatively insignificant responses up until now.' People carry the casket of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani upon arrival at Ahvaz International Airport in Tehran on Sunda. The casket was greeted by chants of 'Death to America' as Iran issued new threats of retaliation Osama bin Laden was gunned down by US forces during a sting attack in Pakistan in May 2011. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was terminated in a US special forces raid in Syria in October last year. As tensions heightened yesterday, Britain manoeuvred two warships to accompany British-flagged oil tankers in the Gulf. Iran last year started seizing vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including the taking of the British ship Stena Impero by Revolutionary Guards in July. It was released in September. More than 400 soldiers training local forces have been ordered to abandon duties and switch to 'force protection' and guard British diplomats and assets. The US 82nd Airborne Division loads equipment bound for the Middle East on a C-17 Globemaster III Saturday in Fort Bragg Military hardware bound for the Middle East is seen aboard a C-17 Globemaster on Saturday at Fort Bragg The soldiers will be handed heavier weapons and have been told to move from eight small bases in Iraq to large US-controlled compounds. But these sites are at risk of retaliation after an Iranian official said 35 US targets had already been identified in the region. A Royal Navy nuclear powered submarine armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles is also in the region - where it is kept at all times - and is in position to strike if tensions give way to war. The 20ft tomahawk carries a 1,000lb high explosive war head has a range of 1,550 miles and travels at speeds of 550mph, with the power to destroy a building. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning any strike on US interests in the region will bring massive retaliation. 'They attacked us, and we hit back,' he said of the drone strike on Soleimani, which followed assaults on the US embassy in Baghdad by pro-Iranian militiamen. Donald Trump, in a fresh threat, has 'advised' Iran from attacking the United States to avenge IRGC Commander Qasem Soleimani's death, and warned them of a harder retaliation than ever before. The US President further bragging about the country's military prowess, claimed that they would not hesitate before sending some of the 'brand new beautiful equipment' to Iran. He said, "They attacked us, and we hit back. If they attack again, which I would strongly advise them not to do, we will hit them harder than they have ever been hit before!" "The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way...and without hesitation!" Donald Trump added. [sic] READ| MASSIVE: Trump claims Iran's Gen Soleimani planned "terror plots as far away as Delhi" Hours earlier, Trump warned to bomb 52 sites significant to Iranian culture, which was reminded to be a war crime to the US President. Taking to his most liked medium of communication, Trump threatened to hit "very fast and very hard" to Iran, in case of any misadventures by the Middle Eastern country. US-Iran tensions Tensions between the foes--Iran and the United States escalated dramatically after a US air raid killed Iranian military commander Soleimani. 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." 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 bloody aftermath of this attack, the killing of Suleimani is likely to be a climacteric moment for the US in the Middle East. READ| Trump orders killing of IRGC chief; Iran calls act "foolish" & threatens retaliation READ| 'World War 3' becomes rage online as US kills Iran 'General', gets revenge threat Love Island Australia's Erin Barnett entered the I'm A Celebrity jungle on Sunday. And in a piece to camera, the 24-year-old predicted she would become a meme. 'I will probably get out of the jungle and I'll become a meme. So that will be great,' she said. 'I'll become a meme!' I'm A Celebrity's Erin Barnett, 24, (pictured) predicted she would be mocked online on Sunday night's premiere episode Erin added that she will 'miss social media' but most specifically memes, as they 'make your day'. Showing psychic abilities, the reality star soon found herself in a position to be mocked online. A challenge saw Erin locked in a treasure chest filled with rats. Turn of events: Showing psychic abilities, the reality star soon found herself in a position to be mocked online Swarmed with rats: A challenge saw Erin locked in a treasure chest filled with rats. Her campmates had to search for treasures inside the chest and ultimately free Erin Her campmates had to search for treasures inside the chest and ultimately free Erin. Despite smelling of rat and poo, Erin revealed that her false lashes were thankfully intact. Meanwhile, viewers were commenting on the potential dynamics between Erin and fellow campmate Charlotte Crosby. 'Either besties or enemies': Meanwhile, viewers were commenting on the potential dynamics between Erin and fellow campmate Charlotte Crosby 'Charlotte and Erin will either be besties or enemies. There is no in-between,' one wrote on Twitter. 'Oh, God. Charlotte and Erin are gonna be... something,' another said. 'Erin and Charlotte are either going to get along or clash, and I can't wait either way,' one commented. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Benerjee on Sunday condemned the "brutality" unleashed on the students and teachers of JNU and said that a team of her party men will reach the national capital to show solidarity with them. "We strongly condemn the brutality unleashed against students/teachers in JNU. No words enough to describe such heinous acts. "A shame on our democracy. Trinamool delegation led by Dinesh Trivedi with Sajda Ahmed, Manas Bhunia, Vivek Gupta are headed to Delhi to show solidarity with JNU students," she said in a statement. Members of JNU Students' Union and ABVP clashed on the campus Sunday evening, sources said, adding it happened during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers' Association. The students' union claimed that its president Aishe Ghosh and many other students were injured in stone-pelting by ABVP members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 5, 2020 / Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that explains how drivers can save car insurance money after bundling home insurance and car insurance. For more info and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/you-can-save-money-by-bundling-your-home-and-car-insurance-policies/. Bundling is a well-known method used to save car insurance money. Drivers that are bundling at least two insurance policies to the same provider will get a discount. Drivers that want to bundle their policies should contact their new insurers and explain their situations. Then they should cancel their current policies or wait for them to expire before signing a new deal. Drivers that are bundling their home and car insurance policies should know the following: Bundling can save money. Families can pay several thousand dollars per year on insurance products. In most cases, bundling can save between 5% to 15%. 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In this case, is better to have two separate policies. For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/. Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Many drivers resort to bundling when they need to save car insurance money. In many cases, policyholders can manage to save hundreds of dollars per year. However, bundling is not always the best option," said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing Company Person for contact Name: Gurgu C Phone Number: (818) 359-3898 Email: cgurgu@internetmarketingcompany.biz Website: https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ SOURCE: Internet Marketing Company View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572055/Bundling-Multiple-Insurance-Services-Will-Help-Policyholders-Save-Money Phu Cat airport in the central province of Binh Dinh on January 4th welcomes 144 Korean passengers on flight QH9457 of Bamboo Airways departed from Cheongju airport in the Republic of Korea. (Source: VNA) Bamboo Airways will operate eight direct flights from Phu Cat airport to Cheongju international airport of the Republic of Korea (RoK) and vice versa in this month. Ho Quoc Dung, Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said the operation of the international route brings a good chance to Binh Dinh to connect with the world, thus luring more foreign tourists and investors to the locality. The T2 terminal of Phu Cat airport is capable of receiving 600,000 international passengers a year, he said. Deputy General Director of Bamboo Airways Truong Phuong Thanh said with its strategy to increase domestic and international flights from and to Binh Dinh through Phu Cat airport, the airline hopes to contribute to developing the transport network in the locality in particular, and in the central region in general, towards offering high-quality air services to customers. The direct route between Phu Cat and Cheongju airports is the fourth one between Vietnam and the RoK run by Bamboo Airways. Others are from Hanoi, Da Nang and Cam Ranh to Incheon and vice versa./. Representative image A 25-year-old Sikh man has been shot dead by unknown gunmen in the northwestern city of Peshawar in Pakistan, police and the victim's family said on Sunday, a day after a mob attacked Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. Rowinder Singh had come to Peshawar from Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to shop for his wedding, police said. "His bullet-riddled body was recovered from the area under the Chamkani police station and sent to a hospital," police said in a statement. "Police have already launched a probe into the killing," the statement said. The victim's brother Harmeet Singh told the media that an unknown person called him from Rowinder's cellphone on late Saturday and informed him that "my brother was killed". "The government must arrest the culprits as early as possible. I will not find peace until the criminals are arrested," he said. No group has claimed responsibility of the murder which took place a day after a mob attacked Gurdwara Nankana Sahib where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. India on Sunday strongly condemned the "targeted killing" of the minority Sikh community member Peshawar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan should stop "prevaricating" and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the MEA said. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned the recent incident of vandalism at the Nankana Sahib, saying it goes against his "vision" and the government will show "zero tolerance" against those involved in it. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is a site near Lahore where the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. Pakistan's Foreign Office on Friday rejected the media reports that the Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib was desecrated in a mob attack, saying the birthplace of founder of Sikhism remains "untouched and undamaged" and the "claims of destruction" of one of the holiest Sikh shrines are "false". Minorities in the Muslim-majority Pakistan make up some two per cent of the country's total population. Pakistan has witnessed violence against religious minorities in the past as al-Qaeda and Taliban-led militants regularly target Christian, Sikhs, Hindus, Ahmadis and Shiite communities in the country. San-Dai has never visited China but speaks fluent Mandarin and is catering to Nepals Chinese tourists. Kathmandu, Nepal Back in 2011, on the day Ramesh Bishwokarma opened his restaurant in the packed tourist quarter of Nepals capital, Kathmandu, his very first Chinese customer walked in, saw Nepalese workers inside, then turned around and left. I ran up to him and asked him, Why? Was it the cost? Was it the menu? Was it the fact that Nepalese were cooking Chinese food? he recalls. Ramesh, who everyone calls San-Dai, a term of endearment in Nepal for someone who is like an older brother, is speaking at his restaurant, New Chong Qing Wei, where he is cook and owner. Speaking in Mandarin, the customer asked him whether he could cook Chinese food. San-Dai, who by then had been cooking Sichuan food for four years, replied in Mandarin, and asked him to order something. After he ate, he messaged his other friends about a Nepalese man cooking Sichuan food and all of them walked in, recalls 31-year-old San-Dai with a hint of pride. The modest interior of the restaurant, with its benches covered in imitation leather, is a stark contrast to the glorious flavours of the dishes San-Dai serves. In the outdoor area under an awning of zinc sheets, four Chinese men smoke incessantly and dig into cold buffalo in mala sauce, the numbing flavour of which comes from Sichuan peppercorn (or timur, as it is known in Nepal). Indoors, in the private dining section, a group of six customers from Beijing dig into Dou Ban Yu whole fish in spicy bean sauce. This is their first time in Nepal, and they learned about San-Dais restaurant from friends who had eaten there before. On Jyatha, the lane where New Chong Qing Wei is located, Chinese tourists stretch out their selfie sticks. Jyatha is in Thamel, Kathmandus tourist district. It hums with life, but Thamel is no longer the realm of the mountaineers and trekkers who once popularised it. Now, it is the Chinese who travel to Nepal the most, after Indians, for whom the open border offers convenient access. In 2002, Nepal was the first South Asian country to become an approved destination for Chinese visitors. As the number of tourists began to increase, totalling more than 100,000 Chinese visitors for the first time in 2013, restaurants like New Chong Qing Wei started to emerge. Even so, New Chong Qing Wei is an outlier in the midst of nearly 150 Chinese-owned restaurants that operate in Thamel today not just because it is Nepalese-owned, but because San-Dai excels at cooking Sichuan cuisine and speaks Mandarin despite never having set foot in China. His restaurant is a microcosm of the larger tourism boom associated with the arrival of Chinese people in Nepal and the need for local entrepreneurs to adapt to this new reality by learning new skills. Customers eat in San-Dais restaurant, New Chong Qing Wei [Amy Sellmyer/Al Jazeera] Chinese tourism After the 2015 earthquake, Nepal announced a visa fee waiver to encourage Chinese tourists to return. The country is expecting at least 350,000 Chinese visitors during Visit Nepal Year 2020, more than double the 150,000 who came in 2018. Thamel has responded to the influx with signs in Mandarin advertising hotels and restaurants. It is not uncommon to hear street hawkers selling their wares in Mandarin. There are no exact numbers confirming how many Chinese businesses operate in Thamel, but a government document suggests that Chinese-backed businesses in Nepal would account for almost half the 14,000 jobs brought to the country by foreign direct investment. Xian Tang, who runs the Jialin Pavilion restaurant in Jyatha, employs six Nepalese workers. She started the restaurant with her husband nearly five years ago and explains, with the help of an interpreter, that it has been relatively easy running a business in Kathmandu. Earlier, governments would change every nine months. Nepal is more politically stable now, so the number of Chinese tourists has been increasing, she says. Xian, who is from Chinas Shandong Province, says she and her husband came to Kathmandu after friends told her it is a nice place without too many problems. A new job Watching San-Dai cook, it is evident he relies on his culinary instincts as much as on recipes. He modifies the balance of spices according to his clientele, especially if they are regulars. Back in 2007, San-Dai was taking Japanese lessons, ready to join the thousands of Nepalese who move abroad to work as unskilled labour, when he was offered a job at a Chinese restaurant in Thamel owned by a man named Wang Chu Wei from Chongqing, China. It was the beginning of the Chinese tourism boom. I was ready to go to Japan, and someone told me Thamel would be a good place for me to practice my Japanese. So I started doing the dishes at this restaurant which was run by a Chinese man, and was popular with Asian tourists, he explains. Within a few days, he was chopping vegetables and learning Mandarin. [Wei] taught me a few words, and I taught him some English, San-Dai recalls. He cannot read Mandarin but speaks it fluently. San-Dai says customers are still surprised when he speaks to them in Mandarin [Amy Sellmyer/Al Jazeera] Learning to cook Sichuan food A year into the job, Wei fell ill and wanted to shut down the restaurant. San-Dai had picked up bits and pieces of Sichuan recipes and felt confident about starting to cook. I asked him to keep it open, he says. Wei agreed to let him try running the kitchen. A customer asked for fish in pickled cabbage Suan Cai Yu and I wasnt fully sure of the recipe. But [while cooking] I kept tasting the dish, adding spices as I thought it should be. That was the first Chinese dish I ever served. On his first day on his own, San-Dai handed Wei 42,000 Nepalese rupees (about $370) in earnings. He asked Wei to teach him more of the Sichuan cuisine from the Chinese city of Chongqing. He taught me for three years. I noted down his recipes and worked on the dishes according to my taste. Finally, when he thought I had learned enough, he told me I could now open my own restaurant. San-Dai, cook and restaurant owner He taught me for three years. I noted down his recipes and worked on the dishes according to my taste. Finally, when he thought I had learned enough, he told me I could now open my own restaurant. San-Dai has fond memories of Wei, who has since returned home. He taught me when I didnt know anything about food, and now I can call myself a cook because of him, he says. The man treated me like a son. In 2011, San-Dai, together with a few Nepalese friends, opened his restaurant, named in honour of Wei, his city and its cuisine. I called it New Chong Qing because, well, here I am, a Nepalese, cooking food from Chongqing in Kathmandu, he says. San-Dais friends pulled out in 2015, after the earthquake, and he now runs the place with his brother, who assists him in the kitchen, while his wife and father help with customers. San-Dai hopes to visit China one day. I want to see how Sichuan chefs cook, he says and try that here. Cultural ties then and now Contact between the Chinese and Nepalese can be traced back to the fifth century with travelling Buddhist monks such as Chinas Fa Xian and Nepals Buddhabhadra. Culinary exchanges go back to the seventh century, when, as Nepalese historian VK Manandhar writes, Nepals kings sent a bitter leaf vegetable resembling lettuce and an aromatic Western celery' to the ancient Tang dynasty court. Depending on who you ask, the first stand-alone, authentic Chinese restaurant in Kathmandu opened sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s, although a few Chinese restaurants in high-end hotels served what is now known as Indian-Chinese cuisine. Balaram Adhikari, a Mandarin-speaking tour guide, says one reason Thamel is bustling with Chinese restaurants today is because Chinese travellers seek out their own cuisine when they are abroad. Around 2010, Adhikari says there were no more than four or five Chinese restaurants in Thamel, but the numbers have risen since 2012. Now, one can find even street-side vendors selling Chinese snacks here, Adhikari says, referring to foods like chicken feet. Today, both San-Dai and Xian purchase their spices from Chinese-owned stores that import them directly from Sichuan. Before the earthquake, I would go to Zhangmu on the border to buy the goods. Now there are at least 10 Chinese stores in Kathmandu, San-Dai says. Ingredients are imported from China using the land route via Gyirong, the proposed railhead for the ambitious trans-Himalayan railway project. Relations between the Chinese-owned businesses and Nepalese patrons are cordial. Locals tell me they like my restaurant, Xian says, and although competition has increased with new businesses, thats a good thing, because more tourists are also coming. However, the increased competition poses problems for local entrepreneurs, especially when it comes to capital investment. In 2017, San-Dai was asked to move his restaurant from its previous location, a prime ground-floor spot on the main street, when a Chinese-owned restaurant offered the landlord twice the rent he had been paying. Thamel, Kathmandus tourist district, has been transformed by an influx of Chinese tourists and the new businesses catering to them [Amy Sellmyer/Al Jazeera] Transformation The growing number of Chinese travellers means that there is a transformation under way in Thamel, which has evolved from the traditional Nepalese neighbourhood it once was. Nepalese writer Rabi Thapa, who has documented the history of Thamel, highlights wider concerns that the neighbourhood could lose its distinctive modern Nepalese character. Thamel has always adapted through waves of development in the past. The question is whether the scale of the Chinese wave is too much for a smallish place like Thamel, he says. While some of us frequent the new Chinese restaurants, the Chinese businesses are mostly for the Chinese, Thapa adds. The government is also concerned about the use of Chinese digital wallets such as WeChat and Alipay, which were banned in Nepal in May 2019 because they violate Nepals banking laws with payments technically bypassing the country as the transactions are made between Chinese accounts. Although Alipay said it would formally start its service in Nepal, it has not yet. If we legalise online payments, and transactions can be taxed, it can benefit Nepal, says Adhikari. Negotiating changes in Nepal Tourism is a vital part of the burgeoning bilateral relationship. Tourism brought more than $615m to the Nepalese economy in 2018, a year when average tourist spending in Nepal fell to $44 a day, the lowest in seven years. But Chinese tourists offered a silver lining for the country. According to operators, Chinese tourists spend around $100 per day, says Sangam Prasain, business editor at the Kathmandu Post. Thamel business owners say that without Chinese tourists, it would be difficult for them to run their operations. For its 2020 tourism initiative, the government is trying to bring in more tourists by waiving climbing fees for some Himalayan peaks and appointing Chinese actress Xu Qing as a tourism goodwill ambassador. As bilateral relations deepen between the two countries, more and more Chinese businesses like Xians restaurant will open in Thamel, while local Nepalese entrepreneurs like San-Dai and Adhikari will inevitably have to adapt. The competition is creating new anxieties for local entrepreneurs. But in a tourism-dependent economy like that of Nepal, there is little choice but for them to negotiate these changes as best they can. Even if there are no other Chinese restaurants in Thamel tomorrow, and Chinese tourists stop coming, Ill still be here, San-Dai says. This handout picture released by the US Army shows 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, North Carolina on January 1, 2020. The Iraqi parliament passed a resolution Sunday calling for the government to expel foreign troops from the country in the wake of an U.S. airstrike that killed a top Iranian general, raising questions about the future of the allied mission that has successfully fought the "Islamic State," or ISIS, in recent years. The resolution asks Iraq's government to cancel the request for assistance from the U.S.-led coalition operating in the country against the "Islamic State," which once controlled large swathes of Iraq and Syria before allied intervention. "The government commits to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting Islamic State due to the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory," the resolution read. "The Iraqi government must work to end the presence of any foreign troops on Iraqi soil and prohibit them from using its land, airspace or water for any reason." The U.S.-led coalition announced Sunday it was suspending most operations against "Islamic State," also known in the Arab world as "Daesh." The coalition has shifted its focus to protecting Iraqi bases from attack by Iranian-allied militias such as Kataib Hezbollah, according to an official statement. "As a result we are now fully committed to protecting the Iraqi bases that host Coalition troops," the U.S.-led coalition said. "This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations against Daesh and we have therefore paused these activities, subject to continuous review." The Iraqi parliamentary resolution is non-binding on the government, but Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi urged parliament earlier on Sunday to take urgent measures and end the foreign troop presence as soon as possible. "Despite the internal and external difficulties that we might face, it remains best for Iraq on principle and practically," Abdul Mahdi told parliament in a speech. The death of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in an U.S. airstrike Thursday night has enraged Shiite militias and their supporters in Iraq. The Baghdad government has accused Washington of violating its sovereignty. The U.S. and Iran, though adversaries, are mutual enemies of "Islamic State" and effectively fought on the same side to crush the terrorist group's de facto state in Iraq and Syria. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended the American troop presence in Iraq during an interview with Fox News Sunday, saying Abdul Mahdi was under pressure from the Iranians. "The prime minister is the acting prime minister...he's under enormous threats from the very Iranian leadership that we are pushing back against," Pompeo said. "We're confident the Iraqi people want the United States to continue to be there." The U.S. is deploying an additional 3,500 troops to Iraq, Kuwait and other parts of the Middle East as tensions escalate in the wake of Soleimani's death. It's unclear how the Iraqi resolution would impact those deployment plans. -- Reuters contributed to this report Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. WATCH: Policy expert on downsides if we have to exit Iraq STAMFORD Police have arrested a former bookkeeper of a Stamford business and charged her with stealing and helping to cash $13,200 worth of bogus checks. Police say some of the checks were written after the woman left the company. Paige Gregory, 27, of Bridgeport, was arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree larceny and three counts of second-degree forgery and and was released after signing a promise to appear in court. Paiges former Stamford employer, Nautical Designs, filed a complaint with the police in November 2018, saying that a former bookkeeper had stolen checks and withdrawn funds without permission, according to Gregorys five-page arrest affidavit by Stamford financial crimes investigator Sean Coughlin. Gregory worked for the company from August 2017 to July 2018, yet some of the checks that went missing had been cashed in August, September, October and November, months after she left the company, according to the affidavit. The owner of the company told police that most of the checks were made out to Paige Gregory. When she confronted Gregory, the woman said she was trying to secure a loan to pay the company back for the stolen checks, the affidavit said. When police talked to Gregory, she allegedly said she began working for the owner of the company as a nanny and bookkeeper and would work 60 to 70 hours a week caring for the children, when the owner was away traveling. Yet, Gregory said she was only paid as a consultant and was not given any health insurance through the company. She told police she fell down some stairs while on the job but the treatments she was given did not do enough for the pain, according to the affidavit. Gregory told police she would deposit funds from the checks she stole from Nautical Details to buy pain killers from street dealers or pay for doctors visits. Gregory admitted to stealing about $5,000 worth of checks, according to the affidavit, but said the rest of the checks were written for legitimate company purchases or expenses. No plea has been made in the case. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 06:06:56|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Incumbent Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (C) speaks to supporters after losing the presidential election in Zagreb, Croatia, on Jan. 5, 2020. Former Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic won the second round of presidential election on Sunday, according to results from the State Electoral Commission. (Sanjin Strukic/Pixsell via Xinhua) ZAGREB, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Former Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic won the second round of presidential election on Sunday, according to results from the State Electoral Commission. With over 99 percent of votes counted, Milanovic scored 52.7 percent of the votes in Sunday's presidential runoff against the incumbent President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic who got 47.3 percent. A total of 11 candidates competed in the first round of presidential election on Dec. 22, 2019. Milanovic, who was running as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and several other center-left parties, won in the first round with nearly 30 percent of the votes, while Grabar-Kitarovic, a conservative candidate supported by the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), came second with almost 27 percent. Since none of the candidates had obtained over 50 percent of the vote, a second round with the top two candidates was held on Sunday. According to the State Electoral Commission, nearly 55 percent of over 3.8 million eligible voters had cast their ballots in the presidential runoff. The Croatian president is elected once every five years. In his victory speech on Sunday night, Milanovic promised that he will listen and represent all citizens. Grabar-Kitarovic congratulated Milanovic on his victory. "I am giving my hand out to Zoran Milanovic to show the voters how a peaceful transition of the government looks like," she said. Milanovic, 53, served as Croatian prime minister from December 2011 until January 2016. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Colm Fulton (Reuters) Stockholm Sun, January 5, 2020 07:07 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320d8fda 2 People Greta-Thunberg,climate-change,activist Free Im not the kind of person who celebrates birthdays, Greta Thunberg said as she turned 17 on Friday, marking the occasion in inimitable style - with a seven-hour hour protest outside the Swedish parliament. The climate activist braved winter conditions in her native Stockholm to continue the weekly Friday School Strike for the Climate campaign that helped catapult her to international fame. I stand here striking from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. as usual ... then Ill go home, Thunberg, Time magazines Person of the Year for 2019, told Reuters. Read also: I wouldn't have wasted my time on Trump, says Greta Thunberg I wont have a birthday cake but well have a dinner. Its been a busy 12 months for Thunberg, who crisscrossed the globe by car, train and boat - but not plane - to demand action on climate change. It has been a strange and busy year, but also a great one because I have found something I want to do with my life and what I am doing is having an impact, she said. When she was 15, Thunberg began skipping school on Fridays to demonstrate outside the Swedish parliament to push her government to curb carbon emissions. Her campaign gave rise to a grassroots movement that has gone global, inspiring millions of people to take action. 45-year-old farmer, his minor daughter was later released and the Shiv Sena asked the officials concerned to find out the purpose of their visit Mumbai: A 45-year-old farmer and his minor daughter were detained outside Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence in suburban Bandra on Sunday when they came to meet him over some bank-related issue, police said. The duo was later released and the Shiv Sena asked the officials concerned to find out the purpose of their visit, a party spokesperson said. Farmer Mahendra Deshmukh, who hails from Panvel in neighbouring Raigad district, came along with his 12-year-old daughter to meet the chief minister and Sena president at his residence 'Matoshree' in connection with some bank-related issue, a police official said. "When the security guards did not allow Deshmukh to enter the premises, he said he will sit outside until he gets to meet the chief minister. He was then detained and taken to Kherwadi police station along with his daughter. He was later released after being questioned," senior police inspector Nikhil Kapse said. The farmer has an account in a government-owned bank and had some issue pertaining to it which he wanted to discuss with the chief minister, he said. "During questioning, the farmer said he had been coming to 'Varsha', the chief minister's official bungalow in south Mumbai, and 'Mantralaya' (secretariat) for the last five days to meet Thackeray but in vain. He then decided to approach Thackeray at his Bandra residence," the official said. Meanwhile, a Sena spokesperson said the farmer was released after being detained for some time. "The farmer came to meet Thackeray along with his daughter. We have asked the officials to find out the purpose of his visit to Mumbai," he added. Property the city of Mt. Pleasant has tried to unload since the middle of this centurys first decade is now officially in private hands. The sale of the vacant lot between city hall and Mountain Town Station at 410 W. Broadway, also known as Parcel B, was completed in the middle of December. The city commission approved the sale price of $65,000 in July, with the condition that the sale be complete by the end of 2019. Michigan Community Capital, a Lansing development company, officially closed on the sale Dec. 19, said William Mrdeza, community services and economic development director for the city, in and email. The company plans to build a mixed-use building on the property, with retail space in the first floor and upscale condominiums above. Current plans are that GreenTree Cooperative Grocery will occupy the first floor. The management structure of GreenTree, 214 N. Franklin St., has talked about relocating to a bigger building with dedicated parking and space for a loading dock for several years, much of which has involved the vacant lot in question. They are currently raising capital to facilitate the move, and are currently at approximately 40 percent of goal, Sarah Christensen, general manager, said. Michigan Community Capital has submitted building plans to the city for approval, Mrdeza said. The site plan was approved by the planning commission in June and Brian Kench, the citys building official, is currently reviewing their specific plans. They have a groundbreaking ceremony planned for March, Mrdeza said, but that could change depending on the weather. One final item that the city will address early this year is parking. The agreement with MCC stipulated that the lots adjacent to the property, including a city-owned lot across Broadway, remain public for 30 years. Will Joseph, Mt. Pleasants mayor, called it an important moment. Im very excited about the new development and I would like thank all our community members, staff and our partners in the community for their dedication and support, he said. An email sent to Pete Tolas, a city commissioner who voted against the deal in July, seeking comment. He hasnt responded. READ MORE: Redemption Church asks court to evict John Grays Relentless Church from property Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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. A Rockland company can no longer bid on state contracts after a now-former employee was charged with manslaughter in an alleged drunken driving crash that killed a 13-year-old girl. MassDOT revoked Hi-Way Safety Systemss prequalification certification until further notice. As a result of that decision, Hi-Way Safety Systems cannot bid on new work or work as a subcontractor, MassDOT wrote in a letter to Kathy DeLong, president of Hi-Way Safety Systems. Gregory Goodsell, of Marshfield, is accused of drunken driving in the Dec. 29 crash that killed 13-year-old Claire Zisserson and seriously injured two others in Pembroke. Hi-Way Safety Systems said in a statement that Goodsell ignored coworkers warnings to hand over the keys to his work-issued pickup truck before the fatal crash. The company said it fired Goodsell after the fatal crash. Goodsell, according to the company, violated multiple company policies, including repeatedly driving a company vehicle for personal use and having alcohol in the vehicle. Early on December 29, the employee was told by co-workers to relinquish the keys to the company vehicle. He avoided that demand and again without authorization operated the vehicle," the company stated. "As a result of these violations and the tragedy that then occurred, his employment has been terminated. Authorities said Goodsell crashed his work-issued pickup truck into a white Subaru on Dec. 29 in Pembroke, killing Zisserson. A 50-year-old woman, reportedly her mother, and 13-year-old Kendall Zemotel, her friend, were severely injured in the crash. Claire Zisserson was identified as the 13-year-old girl who died in a car crash in Pembroke on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. (Claire Zisserson GoFundMe page) Police determined Goodsell was drunk and under the influence of cocaine at the time of the crash, according to the Plymouth District Attorneys office. Investigators found a bottle of whiskey and a beer can in Goodsells vehicle. Goodsell is now facing charges of manslaughter and drunken driving in connection with the crash. The state Registry of Motor Vehicles suspended his license, listing him as an immediate threat, his driving record states. Goodsell was leaving a Christmas party at his bosss home on the morning of the crash. MassDOT, in the letter sent to DeLong, said a prequalification committee met on Thursday to review Hi-Way Safety Systems. Based on media reports, MassDOT has serious concerns with the current management structure of Hi-Way Safety Systems, Inc. and its ability to make responsible decisions concerning the conduct of its managers and employees, MassDOT wrote in the letter. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall put on an upbeat display as they attended Sunday Service at Crathie Kirk, Balmoral, on the First Sunday of the New Year. Prince Charles, 71, was pictured behind the wheel in a brown coat, whie shirt and tie as he navigated his way towards the church. He was joined by Camilla, 72, who wore a matching checked coat, a ruffled white shirt, and accessorised with pearl earrings and red lipstick. Their appearance came as the Queen joined Prince William and Kate Middleton for church in Sandringham today. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall put on an upbeat display as they attended Sunday Service at Crathie Kirk, Balmoral, on the First Sunday of the New Year And their relaxed body language comes just weeks after a royal expert told an Australian website 9Honey that the Prince of Wales is now viewed as the 'nation's favourite' and is finally respected by the masses. Victoria Arbiter said: 'Call it rebranding, a happy marriage or simply the wisdom of his years, the trifecta combined have led to Charles now being viewed as the nation's favourite, a charming and affable granddad as opposed to an eccentric and out-of-touch meddler,' explained to. In October, Prince Charles: Inside the Duchy of Cornwall, a two-part, fly-on-the-wall documentary, aired to both critical and public acclaim. Prince Charles, 71, was pictured behind the wheel in a brown coat, whie shirt and tie as he navigated his way towards the church The programme showcased his 1billion estate which has flourished under his control for the last half century. Viewers commended the heir to the throne for being down to earth, friendly and extremely invested in his land and the lives of the people who live there. And proving just how far they have come in the past decade, the couple shared a retrospective look at their last ten years together on New Year's Eve. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall shared their highlights of the past decade as 2019 drew to a close last week. Taking to their Clarence House Instagram account, Prince Charles, 71, and Camilla, 72, posted a compilation video of their most notable moments over the past 10 years - starting in 2010 (seen) when they visited a food market Another picture sees the couple attended a State Opening in 2013, top centre, where it was announced Charles would be taking on more royal duties The highlight reel started in 2010, and included notable moments such as Charles celebrating his 70th birthday with a photoshoot alongside Camilla, Meghan Markle, now 38, Prince Harry, 35, Prince William and Kate, 37, and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in 2018. Sharing the post, which racked up 8,000 views in just half an hour, they wrote: 'As the decade comes to an end, we wanted to share some highlights from a decade in the life of TRHs The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. 'Wishing all our followers a very Happy New Year!'. Stylish couple! Prince William and Kate Middleton made their way to Sandringham's St Mary Magdalene church this morning (pictured) The Queen attended the service and travelled to the church by car. She sported a tasteful woolen jacket and skirt ensemble with a matching hat Hi Neighbor, Talk of Staten Island secession isnt getting much traction in these parts this time around. Maybe you heard. South Shore City Councilman Joe Borelli has been talking it up for a couple of years. Joe was joined by his Mid-Island Republican colleague Steve Matteo, and they introduced a bill in the Council the other week that essentially says, Get us out of Dodge. Or, more specifically, lets study to see if possible. But the sentiment is there. My esteemed colleague Tom Wrobleski recently weighed in, too. Im one of Toms biggest fans. But on this one, and just for today, I must part ways with him. You might not have been a neighbor back when, but secession was a red-hot topic in the late 80s/early 90s, leading up to an Island-wide vote in 1993 when 65 percent of the voters did say, Lets get out of Dodge. The New York State Legislature had to OK Staten Island leaving. Problem was, we had to get the fox guarding our henhouse to let us free. The fox was New York City. Theres this pesky little thing called a home rule message. Seems its a law that says New York City has to tell New York State its OK to do something that affects the fabric of the city. That was not going to happen and the whole secession thing died. Till now. Home rule still exists and if secession is to ever happen this century, somebody has to figure out how to convince whoevers in charge in the city that its OK for Staten Island to leave home. Anyway, secession isnt the hot topic around the water cooler or in the barber shop these days. Tom got it exactly right in his commentary a couple of weeks ago. Two words why: The Dump. It doesnt exist. At least in the minds and nostrils of Staten Islanders. If you were an Islander back then, youll recall along with Tom and me that a trip to the Staten Island Mall on a warm summer day generally involved a sprint from your car to the Malls front door, all the while holding your breath. A car ride on the West Shore Expressway that took you through the mountains of putrid trash filled your car with putrid stench. In the midst of 1992 secession fever, conservative Staten Island thrust conservative Rudy Giuliani into City Hall after sending conservative Guy Molinari to Borough Hall and conservative George Pataki to Albany. Lo and behold, the three of them closed The Dump. Suddenly, all was right with the world. The stink of NYC using Staten Island as its dumping ground dissipated, plastic supermarket bags werent festooning trees and fences any longer, and secession died a quiet death. Sad thing is, and this is where I part company with Tom, the secession movement was bigger than The Dump back then, or who was the latest resident of Gracie Mansion. Just as it should be bigger than a single issue or two today. The 1990s Father of Secession was John Marchi, perhaps the purest politician Staten Island has ever seen. His reason to secede was pure as well: Self-determination. Simply put, Staten Island is just about powerless during an unfriendly administration. And not much better off during a friendly administration as long as the administration stays friendly. Joe Borelli and Steve Matteo get that. Admittedly, Staten Islands population is miniscule just 6 percent of New York City. We have only three Council members of 51 citywide. So 48 others represent four boroughs. Maybe it seems fair, then, that a smaller community has smaller representation in how the financial pie is divided. No! With all due respect to the one-person-one-vote believers, you cannot effectively govern a city by just its population. A persons needs on Staten Island are no different than a persons needs on the Upper West Side. Truth be told, our needs are greater because Staten Island has been shortchanged for so long. Land mass figures into it too, and Staten Island is third in terms of square miles. So that means a ton of storm and sanitary sewer lines, roads that need paving, or reconfiguration, mass transit options, adequate and accessible public health care. And more. Let us not forget that Staten Island as the Forgotten Borough is more than just a moniker. Perhaps not intentional feel free to snicker there but a total lack of planning, rampant, unchecked development in the wake of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge put our community so far behind that it would have been hard to catch up even if a friendly administration wanted to. Add to that the near-collapse of a near-bankrupt New York in the 1970s when everyone suffered and the deal was sealed. Three Staten Islanders battling 48 non-Staten Islanders for dollars needed to address all these issues is no small task. In fact, an impossible task. An unfair task. So theres the one major reason secession is an attractive alternative to being the littlest of the five: Self-determination. There are a few hundred reasons to question if it can work. And thats why we need a legitimate and exhaustive study like the one done in the 1990s. The financial reality of what secession would mean weighs heavily, of course. Is there a big-enough financial base to support a City of Staten Island? The Chamber of Commerce touts mom-and-pop operations the small guys as the backbone of Staten Island business community. But we do have major players like Amazon, Lowes and Home Depot. Is that enough? The thought of dividing up city properties, like fire trucks and their houses, garbage trucks and their garages, cops cars and their stationhouses, buses and their maintenance terminals, teachers and their classrooms, is dizzying. But it was all done last time. Granted, 26 years ago, but the basics are there. As critical as the hows of secession are the whys of secession. Senator Marchis motives were pure. Not so much with some others who saw creating our own city as a way to control, or at least influence, who lived here and who couldnt. Lets not beat around the bush. Bigotry played a part when some voted Yes. All that needs to be addressed head-on in any study that is commissioned. The bottom line: Do the study. Do it right. Lets see if secession can work. Then we can talk. Not sure about you, but Im weary of relying on the kindness of strangers. Brian Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday condemned the mob attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore and said if required, protests will be held against countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan so that the rights of minorities residing there are protected. Addressing a gathering at Panchkula after launching a 'Sampark Abhiyan', as part of the BJP's nationwide awareness campaign on the amended Citizenship Act, he alleged that a few opposition parties are misguiding the people of the country by spreading false information without understanding the provisions of the law. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act aims to provide citizenship to minorities from neighbouring countries who arrive here after facing oppressing on the basis of their religion, Khattar said. It is being propagated among the Muslims that the law aims to take away their citizenship, but in reality it is to give citizenship, the chief minister said while exhorting people to remain cautious and not fall prey to these rumours. Consider this Act as in the interest of humanity, he said. "The Citizenship Act is not a new one. It came into force in 1955. Earlier, it was mandatory for the minorities from other countries to stay in India for 11 years to get citizenship. But now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented a new provision according to which minorities who have come to India before 2014 could be given citizenship of India," Khattar said. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, Manmohan Singh had himself said in the Lok Sabha that such people should be given citizenship as soon as possible, he said, adding now decks have been cleared in Haryana for giving citizenship to such people. He said people can express their support to the CAA by giving missed call to the toll-free number started by the BJP. Earlier, the chief minister also visited the houses of prominent people in Panchkula as part of Sampark Abhiyan to garner support in favour of CAA. Hollywood movie and television directors typically employ technical advisers, such as historians, retired police officers and firefighters and other subject matter experts to help them get the many minute details right on big budget films and shows. But do they employ airline experts, like pilots and flight attendants, to make sure their depictions of commercial aviation scenes are accurate? Likely not, since there are plenty of aviation errors in movies that frequent fliers and other aviation geeks delight in pointing out. For example, in the hilarious comedy Bridesmaids (2011), interior shots on an airline show the Las Vegas-bound bachelorette party onboard a widebody jet with two aisles. But when it shows the plane on the runway, it's a single-aisle Boeing 757. (See that hilarious onboard scene here.) "Inevitably you see a 747 take off, a narrow body cabin, and then a DC-10 land. Few pay attention to what it should be," said Brett Snyder, editor of the Cranky Flier aviation blog. To help with this post, I queried readers and Twitter followers to come up with some good examples. Frequent flyer John Ramirez said, "On Bravo's Southern Charm New Orleans, Jeff picks his sister up from New Orleans Airport (MSY) but the airfield shot was of LAX instead. Featured prominently was the American Airlines hangar at LAX with AA 787s parked in front of it." Several followers commented on the numerous aviation bloopers in Home Alone (1990). Sarah Collins said, "There are so many in Home Alone - even in the 90's if your flight departed in 45 minutes and you weren't at the airport, you were never going to make it." Another reader commented on how the gate numbers from a scene supposedly happening at Chicago O'Hare Airport were all wrong. Reader Scott Laird said, "In Sleepless in Seattle (1993), watch where Victoria boards down the same jetway that Meg Ryan deplanes from just seconds later. When the camera pans you can see theres no aircraft at the jetway." (See the video) Eric Puknys wrote that in a scene from Up in the Air (2009), George Clooney sits in a big lie-flat looking seat on an American Airlines for the famous "would you like the can, sir (cancer)" scene, but when it shows the plane landing, it's a single-aisle MD-88 jet, which does not have such seats. "When I pointed that out to my wife, she said 'you fly too much,'" he said. (See that scene here.) Up in the Air, which featured the sad life of frequent flier Ryan Bingham, also had other errors. For example, it shows him walking through Detroit's McNamara Terminal (you can tell because of the iconic fountain). But since Bingham is an avid and elite American Airlines flyer, he should have been walking through the older, fountain-less North Terminal where AA operates. (See the trailer here.) From Kansas, Shawn Foster wrote: "The Count Of Monte Cristo (2002 with Jim Caviezel) towards the end of the movie right before the duel....a plane goes by in the distance." But the movie takes place long before the aviation era, around 1830. There are rumors that an early version of Gladiator included a jet flying overhead, but I could not find convincing evidence of this online. Here are some teeth-gritting movie moments where Hollywood didnt do its homework when it came to aviation. Austin Powers (1997): The international man of mystery bragged about his pretty groovy jumbo jet in this 1997 film. Powers was supposed to have been frozen and his shagadelic jumbo jet stored in either 1967 or 1968. Not possible! The Boeing 747 jumbo first flew in 1969, and the jet started carrying passengers in 1970 for Pan American World Airways. (Click here for video) Flight (2012): All the action-packed airplane scenes in this 2012 movie about commercial airline pilot Whip Whitakers (played by Denzel Washington) trials and tribulations with drugs and alcohol happen in the first few minutes of the film. When Whitaker loses control of his airplane, he orders the first officer to dump fuel so they can lighten the load for an emergency return to Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The only problem? The plane hes flying, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80, isnt built with the ability to dump fuel. In fact, most single-aisle jets cant. Oh, and a plane can't really fly upside down like that! (Click here for video) Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992): When Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) boards the wrong American Airlines flight at Chicago OHare Airport in this 1992 classic, the interior scenes are clearly filmed inside the cabin of a Boeing 747 wide body jet. When the plane pushes back from the gate, the jet depicted is one of Americans Boeing 767 LuxuryLiners. How do we know? The big spacious interior cabin gives us a reliable clue that its a 747, The dead giveaway is the swing style hinged-door that closes behind McAllister. On the aforementioned Boeing 767, the doors slide upwards, much like how a garage door opens and closes. (Click here for video) Don't miss a shred of important travel news! Sign up for our FREE bi-weekly email alerts Air Force One (1997): This action thriller about communist radicals hijacking the U.S. Presidents plane takes a lot of artistic license when it comes to the capabilities of the Boeing 747. During the dramatic rescue scene when President Marshall (Harrison Ford) is to be rescued, the external door is swung open with ease and blown off the fuselage. Since commercial airliners are pressurized when at altitude, this really isnt possible. The force required to open a door in a pressurized environment is much greater than any one person can muster. (Click here for video) Argo (2012): When the American diplomats escape Iran aboard a Swissair Boeing 747, authorities figure out their real identities and chase the departing jumbo jet on the runway in trucks and police cars. If it happened in real life, the jet blast from the powerful engines would have blown those vehicles into the air and off the runway. Thats one of the big hazards airport workers are warned of and told to pay particular attention to around an active runway. Furthermore, the movie depicts a Swissair Boeing 747-300 jet, a variant that had not been introduced yet when the diplomats escaped Iran in 1980. (Click here for video) What aviation bloopers or other airline related mistakes have you noticed in movies or on TV? Tell us in THE COMMENTS. Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis. A display featuring missiles and a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is seen at Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran on September 27, 2017. (Nazanin Tabatabaee Yazdi/TIMA via Reuters) Iran Abandons Nuclear Deal After US Kills Qassem Soleimani Iran will no longer abide by the limits of the 2015 nuclear deal intended to curb its burgeoning nuclear program, according to a statement from the regime. The Islamic Republic of Iran will end its final limitations in the nuclear deal, meaning the limitation in the number of centrifuges, the statement reads. Therefore Irans nuclear program will have no limitations in production including enrichment capacity and percentage and number of enriched uranium and research and expansion. A government spokesman said Iran would not respect any limits set down in the 2015 agreement, CNBC reported. It means there will be no more restrictions on uranium enrichment, the number of centrifuges, and research and development, reported Iranian state television. The announcement came following an emergency meeting held by Irans National Security Council on Sunday over its nuclear policy in the aftermath of the United States killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, reported The New York Times. The regime said Iran would still cooperate with the International Atomic Agency if sanctions were lifted, according to the NY Times. The move also follows escalating tensions and threats made by Iranian and U.S. officials over the weekend. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters, President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on Saturday Several Iranian officials, including top Supreme Leader adviser Gen. Hossein Dehqan, claimed the United States started the war and said the only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted. Afterward, they should not seek a new cycle. Days before Soleimanis death, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his country is working on the development of uranium enhancement centrifuges, which may have violated the 2015 agreement. Tehran is testing IR-9 centrifuges that convert mined uranium into nuclear fuel, he said, CNN reported. Iran, however, has been accused of trying to enrich uranium to build a nuclear weapon. And in early November, Irans nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said the country is operating 60 IR-6 advanced centrifuges in violation of its 2015 atomic deal with other world powers, according to the state-run Tasnim News Agency. Today, we are witnessing the launch of the array of 30 IR-6 centrifuges, Salehi, who heads Irans Atomic Energy Organization, told state television as reported by Reuters at the time. Iran now is operating 60 IR-6 advanced centrifuges. It shows our capacity and determination. The nuclear agreement ended many economic sanctions on Tehran for its promise to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes. Britain is starting the year with a little more optimism and a resolve to raise its political game. Yet this new decade has the potential to be the most dangerous and volatile since the Cold War. In addition to a resurgent Russia and Iran, we have to contend with extremism, creeping authoritarianism and cyber-conflict. Power struggle: China's fight for world domination is impacting on climate change, Ellwood warns Apocalyptic scenes: The devastating bushfires have claimed the lives of around 23 people and scores of wildlife Despite all this, I predict the 2020s will be increasingly dominated by two seemingly unrelated challenges. The first comes in the form of the apocalyptic scenes in Australia, where devastating bushfires have killed at least 23 people and wreaked untold havoc. The second is the rise of an authoritarian China, which will soon overtake the United States as the world's dominant power. On the face of it, the plight of the people of Australia and China's struggle for global supremacy may seem worlds apart. But there is one dire problem that links them both: climate change. It's a recurring theme which came up time and again during the recent General Election campaign, with voters frequently asking: Are we doing enough, fast enough? Climate change has rightly moved from the periphery to centre stage of the nation's consciousness. Sure enough, the penny has dropped mankind is testing the very limits of our only home, this fragile planet. By international standards, Britain's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint are commendable. Indeed, we have made the most progress of all G20 nations. We are the first major economy to have legislated a net zero-emission target by 2050, coal power is being phased out and about a third of our electricity is now generated from renewable sources. Rarely a week goes by without a high-profile campaign endorsing the issue. Last week the Duke of Cambridge said the Earth was facing a 'tipping point' as he launched the Earthshot prize. Said to be 'the most prestigious environment prize in history', cash will be awarded to individuals and organisations who come up with innovative solutions to environmental problems. 'Tipping point': The Duke of Cambridge warned the Earth was at risk and launched the Earthshot prize as 'the most prestigious environment prize in history' On a more mundane level, most of us are doing our bit to alter our lifestyles. We recycle, we take our canvas bags to the supermarket, our reusable cups to work and even trade in our diesel cars for hybrids. However, we are learning the hard way that unless there is an urgent net global reduction in CO2 emissions, our personal and national efforts will be meaningless. Like the proverbial tanker, altering the current trajectory of planetary damage requires a global wake-up call, which it seems only those too young to vote can fully comprehend. We will soon reach the point of no return where the damage done to our sensitive eco-system will lead to rising sea levels, extreme weather changes, failed crop production, mass migration and increased conflict over sparser resources bringing untold misery to millions around the globe. There will always be those who say that such claims are overblown, that the talk of the planet heating up a couple of degrees will not lead to life-altering changes on a biblical scale. There are others who refuse to comprehend the seriousness of the situation. Yet the evidence is overwhelming. We know the last decade has been the second hottest on record, we see the tragedy of our ice caps melting, our deserts growing and our sea-life dying yet little seems to change. Those in power claim they are listening. Policies are changing and targets are being set. Indeed, the 2016 Paris Climate Conference saw some 170 nations commit to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C to 2C above pre-industrial levels. With the US, China and India the three biggest climate polluters adding their backing to the agreement, the future looked hopeful. Less than four years on, however, things are not going so well. As soon as he was elected, President Trump withdrew America's support from the agreement. Pulling out: US President Donald Trump pulled out of the Paris Agreement designed to protect the environment Last month saw COP25 the Conference of Parties international forum specifically created to tackle climate change take place in Madrid. Yet it brought further frustration when attendees failed to reach an agreement on a new accord. Now we're in a situation where, rather than limit a global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2030, our planet is expected to reach a temperature of more than 3C above those levels. Of all the activities that damage our planet and there are many the burning of coal stands head and shoulders above the rest, accounting for a third of all emissions. Removal of that alone would be sufficient to meet the critical 1.5C target. And so to China the biggest polluter in the world, emitting about the same level of greenhouse gases as the USA and Europe combined. Home to a quarter of the world's population, China's recent economic growth and efforts to raise living standards have understandably been energy-intensive as it built the equivalent of Europe's housing stock in just 15 years. Most of this development has been powered by coal, an abundant natural resource in China. With coal producing around twice the amount of CO2 as other fuels, it was specifically highlighted in the Paris Accord with a call for global use to be reduced by a third. Polluting nations: Both China and India are among the top polluters in the world - Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi But as the rest of the world is closing down coal-fired generators, China is building more. More than two-thirds of its energy requirements are now met by coal. And to compound matters, it is actively involved in constructing hundreds more across South East Asia or put another way, half of all global coal power capacity under development. For an aspiring superpower, this is simply irresponsible especially for a country that today is so technologically advanced and perfectly capable of producing cleaner energy. More than 30 countries plan to phase out coal-fired power to help reduce carbon emissions. Britain now has just five such power stations, with one in South Wales scheduled to close later this year and two more to be converted to gas within the next two years. But China's casual disregard for emission reductions is testament to its attitude towards wider global standards and the rule of law. Speaking out: Former Defence Secretary Tobias Ellwood talks about the challenges facing this decade From territorial claims in the South China Sea, its state-controlled, highly censored cyber world and its 'one belt, one road' financial deals that fuel debt-trap diplomacy, China is on a mission to rapidly advance and widen its influence, rewriting international rules and norms as it grows. Climate change will not stand in the way. Left unchecked, China's growing economic, military and technological might have the potential to allow an alternative competing sphere of influence to begin to operate on a global scale, far beyond the accepted norms of currently recognised international standards. This is the landscape over which the next decade will play out. And it will be like no other in determining global geo-political stability and security. Yet there is hope. We can avoid this dangerous bi-polar world developing and the threat of climate change if the West is more united. We must better understand China and have a more grown-up dialogue to agree enforceable international standards. This daunting challenge is not helped by the recent rise in populism, protectionism, isolationism, and a reticence to reinforce our international institutions. It's clear that we must wake up to the threat of climate change. All of us have a responsibility to do our bit but without China pulling its weight, our individual efforts will be in vain. So, what role can Britain, with our new-found optimism, play? Well, in November we will host the next international climate change forum, COP26, in Glasgow. We are duty-bound to use the international diplomacy for which we are so well known to push for greater consensus on the biggest issue of the decade. The planet is at stake. The bar could not be set higher. And the world will be watching. Pipeline stocks delivered decent performances overall in 2019. The average one in the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF -- an exchange-traded fund that holds 36 of North America's largest pipeline companies -- generated a 22% total return. While that fell a bit short of the S&P 500's more than 30% total return, it was a solid showing for the yield-focused sector. Several top pipeline stocks, however, underperformed last year even though they delivered strong results. Among those notable underachievers were master limited partnerships Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET), Plains All American Pipeline (NASDAQ:PAA), and MPLX (NYSE:MPLX). They stand out as the most compelling pipeline stocks to buy this January because of their appealing combination of yield and growth at bottom-of-the-barrel valuations. A big-time yield and growth prospects for a rock bottom price Units of Energy Transfer declined by about 3% last year. Though on a more positive note, the midstream giant generated a positive 6% total return after adding in its distribution, which currently yields an eye-popping 9.4%. That payout's on solid ground, since Energy Transfer generates enough cash to cover it by a comfortable 1.98 times. Last year's slump in the company's unit price doesn't make much sense, given that it was on track to grow its earnings by 16%. It now trades at a rock-bottom valuation of around 8 times earnings. For comparison's sake, most pipeline stocks sell for more than 10 times earnings. With more growth coming down the pipeline in 2020, Energy Transfer looks as attractive as ever since it could use its rising cash flow to boost its big-time payout or repurchase its deeply discounted units. That upside potential makes it one of the best energy stocks to buy these days. The performance didn't match the underlying results Plains All American's unit price slumped about 8% last year. Even after adding in its distribution, which currently yields 7.8%, the total return was a negative-2% on the year. That lackluster return came even though Plains All American is on track to grow its earnings by 15% this year, thanks to recently completed pipeline projects and the strength of its supply and logistics business. The company expects to cover its high-yielding distribution with cash by a comfortable 2.06 times, and it now trades at less than 8 times its earnings. While Plains All American expects to grow at a much slower rate in 2020, the company sees a reacceleration ahead in 2021 due to the upcoming completion of several more pipeline projects. That should enable the oil-focused pipeline company to continue increasing its high-yielding payout, making it a great income stock to buy for the long haul this month. No reward for a monster year MPLX was the worst performer in this group, as its units tumbled 16% last year. While the addition of its high-yielding distribution -- which is currently up to an eye-popping 10.6% -- helped cushion the blow, the MLP's total return was still a negative-8% on the year. Again, that lackluster performance didn't match the company's results. Its cash flow rocketed nearly 50% through the third quarter because of the success of its expansion program and the acquisition of an affiliated MLP. Because of that, MPLX was able to generate enough cash to cover its big-time payout by a comfortable 1.54 times. While MPLX won't grow quite as fast in 2020 as it shifts gears to focus on its highest return expansion opportunities, it has enough fuel to grow at a healthy rate over the next few years. It should be able to continue increasing its high-yielding payout, making it an excellent income-stock to buy this month. High yields for lower prices All three of these pipeline stocks unperformed in 2019, even though they delivered strong earnings growth. Now they enter 2020 with dirt cheap valuations and higher yields. That makes them the top options for investors seeking to pipe some income into their portfolio this year. Labour activists opposed to the hard-Left's takeover of the party under Jeremy Corbyn are plotting to mimic his rise to power by flooding the membership with their supporters ahead of the contest to succeed him. They are copying 'Corbynista' tactics by trying to get tens of thousands of people to return to the party fold and vote for a moderate candidate to bring Labour back to its senses. The move came as leading moderate contender Sir Keir Starmer confirmed he is standing in the contest, after taking a lead in polls ahead of socalled 'Corbyn continuity' candidate Rebecca Long Bailey. 'Corbynista tactics': Labour activists are looking to flood the party with moderates just as Sir Keir Starmer threw his hat into the ring In the lead: Starmer is ahead of Rebecca Long Bailey in the leadership election in a bid to take over from Jeremy Corbyn Another 'non-Corbynista',Jess Phillips, who launched her campaign on Friday, was in third position. The drive to reverse the hard-Left's control of the party is being led by a combination of Jewish members outraged by Mr Corbyn's failure to deal with antisemitism and a new 'Reclaiming Labour' movement aiming to rebuild a 'credible' party. An email seen by The Mail on Sunday shows that Finchley and Golders Green Labour Party has contacted former party members to ask them if they 'would consider rejoining ahead of the prospective leadership contest'. The message described by one recipient as 'a siren call to mainstream Jews who left in disgust' says: 'Rejoining members will be able to play a significant role in how the selection proceeds and it's important to us that your voice is included if possible. Third place: Jess Phillips is also in the Labour leadership contest and vows to bring a different stance to the role 'If for whatever reason you feel you are unable to rejoin the party itself but would still like to have a vote in the final election, you can still be eligible by being a member of a recognised socialist society such as The Fabians or The Jewish Labour Movement or an affiliated trade union like Community or the GMB.' The same techniques were used by hard-Left backers of the pro-Corbyn Momentum group to secure his shock leadership victory in 2015. But separately, party moderates including the Blairite 'Progress' group and the Labour First organisation have launched a Reclaiming Labour campaign to encourage people to join the party 'and have a role choosing the next Leader'. In an unashamedly anti-Corbyn tone last week, the campaign noted that the December 12 Election result amounted to the 'public's rejection of Corbynism' and the party's 'worst defeat since 1935'. Party sources say even without the new campaigns, rejoining activists who quit in disgust at Mr Corbyn have already pushed the Labour membership back up to 540,000. But last night, moderates voiced fears that the hard-Left which is still in control of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) will tomorrow launch a bid to 'rig' the leadership contest by insisting on extensive vetting of new members to weed out 'non-socialists'. The NEC meets tomorrow to set the rules for the election and decide a cut-off point for new members and registered supporters who want to join to cast a vote. One leading moderate said last night: 'The NEC is heavily Corbynista and we're worried they'll do whatever they can to put a spanner in the works to stop someone sensible replacing their beloved Jeremy.' But there are also signs of bitter splits on the Left, with reports that, despite being the Corbynista favourite, Ms Long Bailey is planning to sack key Corbyn aides Karie Murphy and Seumas Milne if she wins. Sources claim that ex-Corbyn chief of staff Ms Murphy has retaliated by throwing her weight behind party chairman Ian Lavery as a surprise candidate for the leadership. However, party advisers facing the axe in the wake of Labour's disastrous Election result are said to be 'incandescent' that Ms Murphy herself, one of the alleged 'architects of the defeat', has yet to lose her 90,000-a-year job. To the staff's fury, there are also suggestions Mr Corbyn will seek to reward her by nominating her for a peerage, something she strongly denies. The United States has designated Asaib Ahl Al-Haq as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, saying the Iraqi militia is a proxy for Iran. A U.S. State Department statement issued Friday also said two of the group's leaders were being sanctioned. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the militia and its leaders "violent proxies of the Islamic Republic of Iran." The State Department said Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, also known as the League of the Righteous, is backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, which has been similarly designated by the United States. The State Department said it also designated Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, and his brother Laith al-Khazali, another leader of the group, as specially designated global terrorists. Such designations will freeze the U.S.-related assets of the group and the two leaders, generally ban Americans from doing business with them and make it a crime to provide support or resources to the militia. The move came hours after a U.S. drone strike killed the powerful commander of the elite Quds Force in an attack in Baghdad, igniting outrage in Iran. Qassem Soleimani was killed in an attack on two vehicles at Baghdad International Airport early Friday. Tehran has vast influence and supports many Shiite militias based in neighboring Iraq. Baghdad has attempted to balance its relations between the United States and Iran, both of which provide crucial military and financial support to the struggling government. Reuters contributed to this report. In the wake of escalating tensions after the killing of Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, President Donald Trump has revealed that the U... The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way...and without hesitation! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2020 In the wake of escalating tensions after the killing of Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, President Donald Trump has revealed that the United States just spent $2 trillion on military equipment.Trump made this known on his official Twitter handle on Sunday, boasting that the US is the biggest and by far the best in the world, and saying, If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way.Iraqs powerful Shiite Hashd Shaabi militia said on Friday that the groups deputy leader, Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes was killed when the US fired airstrikes that killed the Iranian General in an attack near Baghdad airport.The U.S. airstrikes killed at least 25 militiamen, and their deaths are the latest escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran, coming after thousands of supporters of the Shiite militia broke into the U.S. embassy compound in central Baghdad.Following this, three rockets have hit US military air base 80 kilometres north of Baghdad, the Al-Balad military air base that hosts US forces in Iraq. It was not clear where the missiles came from.The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their wayand without hesitation! Trump tweeted.Earlier, in a series of tweets Saturday, US President Donald Trump responded to Iranian threats of avenging Major General Qassem Soleimanis assassination in a US airstrike, by warning that the US will hit 52 Iranian sites dear to Iran.His tweets represent a further escalation of the tension, amidst protests by anti-war groups in the US and the UK and the claim by his administration that it was committed to de-escalation.Trump, who is never known to walk away from a fight lashed out at Tehran in the tweets, and threatened that his country has primed its arsenals on 52 Iranian targets, as a revenge for the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago. This was in 1979.Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters.He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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!, Trump wrote.Meanwhile, Iran, on its part, said it had identified 35 targets for potential strikes and raised the red flags of revenge against the US.An Iranian official said at least 35 U.S. targets, including warships and Tel Aviv, have been identified for retaliatory strikes.Iranian General Gholamali Abuhamzeh, a Revolutionary Guards commander in the southern province of Kerman, made the threat a day after Quds Force leader General Qassem Soleimani was killed at the Baghdad International Airport by a U.S. airstrike.Abuhamzeh said vital American targets in the region had been identified a long time ago, including ships in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and Tel Aviv.The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there some 35 U.S. targets in the region as well as Tel Aviv are within our reach, he said, according to Reuters.Hezbollah, an Islamic political and militant group, has also warned Iraqi soldiers to stay at least 1,000 meters away from U.S. military bases from Sunday onwards.Vowing vengeance for Soleimanis death, Iranians raised the blood-red flags of revenge over the minarets at the revered Jamkaran Mosque in the holy city of Qom on Saturday.A retaliation attack from Iran could be seen within weeks either at home or abroad, a senior congressional staffer told Time.There is no indication that there is going to be a de-escalation in the near future. The only question is how bad is the retaliation going to be and where and what is it going to hit, the staffer said.Abuhamzehs concerning remarks that Iran has previously identified targets seems to confirm the State Departments reasoning behind the airstrike on Friday.General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world, the State Department said. Pete Buttigieg said Sunday that terrorist Qasem Soleimani deserved death, but insisted Donald Trump does not deserve the credit for taking out the Iranian leader. 'You called Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian general who was killed, you called him a threat to the safety and security of the United States. So are you saying that President Trump deserves some credit for the strike?' CNN's Jake Tapper asked the presidential hopeful on Sunday morning. 'No, not until we know whether this was a good decision and how this decision was made. And the president has failed to demonstrate that,' Buttigieg responded. 'The secretary of state, just now, when asked whether this strike prevented directly an attack, he did not prove, he did not demonstrate, he did not even say that the answer was yes,' he said of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who appeared on State of the Union right before the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg said Donald Trump doesn't deserve credit for taking out Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana called Soleimani a 'threat' and said American's shouldn't shed a tear over his death 'No, not until we know whether this was a good decision and how this decision was made. And the president has failed to demonstrate that,' Buttigieg told CNN's Jake Tapper (left) when asked if he gives Trump credit Buttigieg, who served in the Navy from 2009-2017, said he wasn't sure the move to attack and kill Soleimani was the right strategic move. 'Now, let's be clear. Solemani was a bad figure, he has American blood on his hands,' Buttigieg continued. 'None of us should shed a tear for his death. But just because he deserved it, doesn't mean it was the right strategic move.' Trump gave the directive to launch a drone attack on an airport in Baghdad, Iraq, which took out Soleimani, who was there Friday. The airstrike came after the American embassy in Baghdad, which has never been breached before, was raided on New Years Eve by demonstrators who support Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militia. The raid on the embassy and killing of Soleimani followed continued escalation in the region. Buttigieg lost his status as an Indiana mayor when his successor was sworn in earlier this month but has also risen to the top of the 2020 Democratic presidential field. Soleimani (pictured) was killed when Trump directed an airstrike on an airport in Baghdad, Iraq following a breach of the U.S. embassy there by those who supported Iranian forces The 37-year-old said he doesn't believe Trump thought through the consequences of what killing Soleimani would bring about. Iran has already promised retaliation and Trump has threatened to attack more than 50 Iranian sites if they responded. Buttigieg did not explicitly agree with fellow 2020 contenders that the attack was assassinated, but asserted that Congress should have been aware of the attack and why it was being carried out. 'Did the president have legal authority to do this? Why wasn't Congress consulted?' Buttigieg questioned. 'It seems more people at Mar-a-Lago heard about this than people in the United States Congress who are a co-equal branch of government.' Buttigieg was referencing the president's West Palm Beach resort, where he spends most of his free time and vacations. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:12:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Gao Wencheng, Zhao Yan BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The arrival of the new year is a time to celebrate the present, reflect on the past and list expectations for the future. In 2020, China is set to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, which marks a realization of the first of its two centenary goals. What might the rest of the world expect from China in the new year? MULTILATERALISM The year 2019 was one of turbulence and mounting challenges for the world. Multilateralism and unilateralism were locked in a bitter contest, and the world saw a rampage of power politics and bullying. China should "play a driving role in reviving multilateralism and fostering greater openness towards plurality," said Bertrand Badie, a veteran specialist on international relations at France's Sciences Po university. As a committed multilateralist, Beijing has made its stance clear that the essence of carrying forward multilateralism is that international affairs should be addressed through extensive consultation rather than decided by one country or a few. Vassiliki Souladaki, a Greek international relations expert, said "China should be committed to inclusive growth and sustainable solutions for a fairer, democratic and multilateral world order, based on the principles of the UN-centered international system." At a time when protectionism and populism have been on the rise, China's staunch support for multilateralism has gained more prominence and popularity. Roderich Ptak, a professor at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, said China and Germany "both promote multilateralism, free trade and both fight against protectionism." "If the two countries can join hands and cooperate more, they will bring positive energy to the world," said the German sinologist. Alexander Gusev, director of Russia's Institute of Strategic Planning and Forecasting, said that with the development of the trend toward world multi-polarization, China's status in the global economy and international politics has greatly improved. Noting that the strong strategic support between Russia and China bears significance to maintaining world peace and development, Gusev said he hopes that the two countries can strengthen coordination in international and bilateral affairs and work together to maintain global security. GLOBAL GOVERNANCE This year, the United Nations (UN) celebrates 75 years. Currently, globalization is encountering setbacks and a global governance deficit has become apparent. "Urgent global challenges such as climate change; growing global competition in energy, natural resources, food and water; urban landscape development; biotechnology use; the rivalry between national and transnational forces; and, above all, international terrorism are forcing countries to face new realities," Souladaki said. Against this backdrop, China firmly upholds the UN-centered international system through word and action. The country's call for extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in global governance and for building a community with a shared future for mankind has been embraced and supported by more and more countries. China will "try to improve global governance, which is in crisis, in order to face the great challenges that exist in the world today," said Eduardo Regalado, researcher at Cuba's Center for International Policy, adding that "China will continue to promote multilateralism." As the past years have seen a rapid increase in China's role on the global stage, analyst expect more contributions to global governance from China. French writer and sinologist Sonia Bressler said Chinese concepts regarding global governance will profoundly affect the world's political and economic systems. "The world order will evolve in the coming decades and China is likely to play a great role in that fundamental transformation of global governance," said Musarat Amin, assistant professor at Fatima Jinnah Women University in Pakistan. "China's approach is more constructive concerning resolving different issues, and this is very important for global governance," she said. WIN-WIN COOPERATION China's "positive role" in global development is becoming increasingly apparent in the international arena, said Nina Ivanova, head of the Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries. She added that a "good example" of this is the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is "gaining popularity in countries around the world." The BRI has brought "more jobs and less poverty" in the countries along the routes, said Ptak, adding that "thus it brings peace and reduces conflicts." "I think more importantly it also enhances understanding and communication among different cultures," the German professor said, adding that "it's indeed a good initiative and very visionary." Costantinos Bt. Costantinos, professor of public policy at the Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, said he looks forward in 2020 to China's continuous promotion of the Belt and Road's construction so that African countries can gain more from China's development. Similarly, Ismael Buchanan, senior lecturer of the Department of Political Science at the University of Rwanda, expressed hope that China will continue cooperating with African countries in such areas as trade, security and infrastructure connectivity. These "of course will happen" under the BRI, he added. In 2020, China will host the second UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference, which is expected to further bolster connectivity and common development in Asia, Europe and beyond. China will continue to "deepen its relationship with the rest of the world," Regalado said. The Asian country will become a key actor on the world stage that "offers opportunities to others to join important projects in which everyone wins," he said. (Xinhua reporters Tang Ji, Xu Yongchun, Han Qian in Paris, Yu Shuaishuai in Athens, Zhang Yuan in Berlin, Luan Hai in Moscow, Zhu Wanjun in Havana, Li Hao, Misbah Saba Malik in Islamabad, Wei Zhongjie in Minsk, Wang Shoubao in Addis Ababa, and James Gashumba in Kigali also contributed to the story.) Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Pakistan International School Jobs 2020 in Saudi Arabia Latest Pakistan International School Education Posts Saudi Arabia 2022 Pakistan International School requires the services of highly qualified and experienced individuals for the positions of Principal & Vice Principal in Saudi Arabia 2020. Skills Required Education & Tutoring Teaching/Lecturing How to Apply on Pakistan International School Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. An amazing photo taken by a woman as fires raged nearby seemed to mimic the Aboriginal flag. South Australian woman Rose Fletcher took the photo at Victor Harbour as the sun rose on New Year's Day when fires near her home were at their worst. 'It was taken on New Year's Day, just after sunrise, when the fires were arguably at their worst, and hearts were heavy and people were frightened - me included,' Mrs Fletcher told Daily Mail Australia. South Australian woman Rose Fletcher took the amazing photo (pictured) of the rising sun seemingly to re-creating the Aboriginal flag This picture taken on December 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 on the NSW south coast 'The rising sun was just a pale disc behind the layers of smoke over the Southern Ocean - and then, for just a few magic seconds, as it moved up through successively dense layers, it formed the Aboriginal flag.' Towns on Australia's east coast have been plunged into darkness in the middle of the day recently, while others have witnessed the sky turn apocolyptic red as the fire front approached. At least 24 people have died so far and dozens more are still missing so far this fire season. Authorities predict that number will rise. In addition to the death toll, more than 1,500 homes and four million hectares of land have been wiped out. Residents are pictured on the wharf at Mallacoota about 10.30am on Tuesday; Ms Marion's home was spared from the blaze but aerial footage on Wednesday showed multiple homes destroyed by the blaze Allison Marion's photo of her son Finn fleeing the advancing bushfires in the seaside town of Mallacoota in Victoria's far east has become an symbol of this year's bushfire crisis The Indigenous Flag The man who designed the flag, Harold Thomas, drew inspiration from Aboriginal people and their beliefs. The red ochre colour represents the earth and spiritual relation to the land. The bright yellow sun symbolises the belief that the sun is the giver of life and our protector. Advertisement More than 500 million animals are feared to have perished. Ms Fletcher said she recognised right away the power of the image and immediately went home to share it. 'So I went home and put it up on Facebook, hoping that those moments would speak to other people as they spoke to me, and the rest is history,' she said. 'Thousands of people picked it up and ran with it.' The picture resonated with people on social media, gaining more than 5,000 shares and almost 600 comments. 'Wow. Ancestors are saying something,' one Facebook user wrote. 'Hauntingly beautiful,' another added. 'Says it all really, Aboriginal people looked after the land. Shame on our government in Australia,' a third responded. She said she recognised right away the power of the image which looked almost identical to the Aboriginal flag (pictured) and immediately went home to share it michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. [music] Today: The trial was poised to be the most closely-watched in Japanese history a case involving claims of corporate greed, wounded national pride, and a rigged legal system, until the defendant pulled off an unimaginable escape. Ben Dooley with the latest in the saga of Carlos Ghosn. Its Tuesday, January 14. Ben, set the scene for us. Its just before New Years in Tokyo. What are you doing? ben dooley So Im fast asleep. Its about 7:30 in the morning. Im expecting to have a very easy holiday. The government offices are all closed for a week. Nothings happening in Japan. And all of a sudden my phone starts ringing. And it rings and rings and rings, and finally I decide I better answer it. When I pick it up, its New York. michael barbaro And then when you say New York, you mean the feared editors of The New York Times. ben dooley Yes, the feared editors. You never want to get an early morning phone call from New York. Its never good news. It means either something bad has happened because someone else did something that you need to be worried about, or youve made some terrible mistake. And what they tell me is that Carlos Ghosn, the most famous criminal defendant in Japan, has just mysteriously disappeared and reappeared in Lebanon. archived recording 1 Well, its a story were all talking about, the escape straight out of the movies. archived recording 2 Juiciest story of the new year, at least so far. archived recording 3 An international cloak and dagger escape. archived recording 4 Dramatic and mysterious escape of Carlos Ghosn. archived recording 5 Former Nissan C.E.O. and chairman, Carlos Ghosn has left Japan. archived recording 6 Hes now in Lebanon. archived recording 7 Yes. archived recording 8 Just by magic? archived recording 9 Extraordinary. archived recording 10 Once a C.E.O., now an international fugitive. ben dooley And you know, my first reaction is, how could he possibly have done this? You know, it seems like something out of a movie impossible. michael barbaro And then remind us who Carlos Ghosn is. ben dooley So Carlos Ghosn is this legendary C.E.O. who made his name by reviving Nissan, this Japanese company, one of the countrys largest automakers. He took the company from essentially what he has recently called it a dead company and brought it back to life. And it was this miracle of turnaround that made him famous in Japan and throughout the world. archived recording 1 Carlos Ghosn is regarded as one of the most dazzling managers in the automotive business. archived recording 2 Hes a huge figure, not just in Japan, not just for Nissan, but in the car industry. ben dooley And he went on to become the C.E.O. of Nissan, and also the French automaker Renault. archived recording He turned things around at Renault, and then Nissan where, in 2005, Carlos Ghosn became the first person to run two Fortune 500 global companies at the same time. ben dooley And those two companies formed an alliance and became one of the worlds largest automakers. archived recording Its sort of hard to overstate the significance of going to Nissan and to Renault in this alliance. ben dooley Hes just living high this incredible celebrity in the business world. And then all of a sudden, out of the blue, November 2018, he lands at an airport in Tokyo and is arrested. archived recording Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn has been arrested for allegedly under-reporting his income. ben dooley And over the following several months, he is charged with four counts of financial wrongdoing. archived recording The internal probe by the Japanese automaker found multiple violations, including salary fraud and personal use of company assets. ben dooley Essentially, prosecutors say that he was trying to enrich himself to the company. So thats the situation he finds himself in. He is facing trial on these four charges when he flees from Japan to Lebanon. michael barbaro And whats the answer to that question you have of how this happened? Whats the story? ben dooley Well, first, its important to understand that hes under house arrest, but its not super strict. I mean, he goes out to dinners, he travels to Kyoto. So hes been able to move around fairly easily. But as best as we can tell from our reporting and from local media and government statements is basically this. On December 29, he walks out of his home in Tokyo. This is a two-story, fairly large home in central Tokyo in a swanky neighborhood. And there are three cameras above the door that were installed by the prosecutors to keep a watch on him. And he just strolls out. Hes got a face mask on, like a surgical mask, the kind of thing that people typically wear here to stop themselves from getting sick, or stop other people from getting sick. Hes got on a hat, black clothes, and he walks out to a nearby hotel. He meets two men there, and they get on a bullet train to Osaka, which is a city to the southwest of Tokyo. Theyre on the train for about two hours. They get off the train. They walk into a hotel. And then the two men walk out without Carlos Ghosn, but what they have is these two boxes, two large boxes. And the boxes have been described as sort of boxes for holding audio equipment, maybe like speakers or kinds of things you might see roadies carrying at a concert. And these two men take these boxes to the Kansai International Airport to the private jet terminal. And the boxes are too big to go through the luggage screening. So theyre not screened. Keep in mind, its almost New Years. People are off their guard. Theyre not really that interested in checking to see whats in these boxes. Theyre just kind of relaxing, looking forward to their holiday. And these man just wheel these boxes right onto the plane, a private jet thats waiting there. And the plane takes off, and in one of those boxes we believe is Carlos Ghosn. michael barbaro Wow. So Japans most famous criminal defendant flees the country in an audio box. ben dooley Thats what we think happened. michael barbaro I mean, what youre describing feels both very simple and extremely elaborate. ben dooley Yeah. Well, this was not something that he did by himself with two friends. This is something that took a lot of resources, a lot of planning, and its something that hes famous for being this detail-oriented planner and someone who likes to manage lots of people, like big teams of people. So you can imagine this was a pretty complex operation even if the execution was simple. michael barbaro Ben, after all of that detailed planning and this escape, why is he going to Lebanon of all places? ben dooley Well, he had three passports. He is a citizen of Brazil, France and Lebanon. And Lebanon was the closest. It doesnt have an extradition treaty with Japan, which means that the Lebanese government will never send him back to Japan to face a trial. And hes something of a national hero in Lebanon. So he could expect a heros welcome. michael barbaro So whats the reaction back in Tokyo once word trickles back that he has pulled this off? ben dooley Silence. Absolute silence. Theyre caught completely off-guard. But behind that silence, theres sort of an embarrassment that the prosecutors have allowed the countrys most famous criminal defendant to slip through their fingers, and some outrage. Even among people who supported him, there was a sense that hed gone too far, and that he should have stayed in Japan to defend himself. That would have been the most appropriate thing for him to do. michael barbaro And then what are you doing at this point? Because a story that I assume you are very much responsible for has literally just up and left the country that you cover. ben dooley Yeah. Well, suddenly this story that I was hugely responsible for, when I was supposed to be taking a vacation, just appears in my lap. And Im just frantically calling as many people as I can, getting in touch with his PR team, his lawyers, various people that Ive spoken to over the previous year about his case, pretty much anyone I can think of. And the big question I have is, now that hes free, is he going to talk? And if so, will he talk to us? And then I get a phone call. And someone asks me, if Carlos Ghosn is willing to talk to you, would you be able to get on a plane to Lebanon? michael barbaro Wow. ben dooley And I said, of course. [music] michael barbaro Well be right back. O.K. So Ben, Carlos Ghosn is willing to talk to you. What happens next? ben dooley So I go online and I buy a last-minute ticket to Beirut. And Im frantically packing, get all my stuff in order, run to Haneda Airport, jump on the plane. And 23 hours later, I touch down in Lebanon. michael barbaro Wow. Thats a long flight. ben dooley Yeah. There was a layover in Paris. So that wasnt so bad. I had a croissant and some coffee. So Im in Lebanon and Im preparing to talk to Carlos Ghosn. But before I get to sit down with him, first theres this news conference that hes scheduled. ben dooley So were in an Uber heading towards Press Club where were going to see Carlos Ghosn give his first press conference since he was arrested in November of 2018. Its a rainy day today. Traffic is pretty intense. ben dooley So I and one of my colleagues from the Beirut bureau go to a Press Club, where the conference is going to be held. ben dooley All right. Weve just arrived at the venue. ben dooley And we get there, and its just chaos. archived recording [CHATTER] ben dooley I mean, there are hundreds of reporters. Theyre all clamoring to get in. People are screaming, shouting, pushing. ben dooley Great. Were heading through security to the venue. Weve got some guy with a guard dog here. Tensions running a little bit high here. ben dooley There are armed guards with dogs and TV trucks everywhere. ben dooley Sorry. Were on the list. New York Times. ben dooley And we get inside. And we go upstairs and we walk into this big, empty white room with chairs lined up. There are about 100 reporters there from all over the world. ben dooley This is whats usually referred to as a media circus. archived recording 1 Please be seated. Please be seated. archived recording 2 Sit down! Sit down! ben dooley And theyre all waiting to hear what Carlos Ghosn has to say. ben dooley So hes about to walk in. Weve just heard Yeah, hes walking in. Hes with his wife Carol. ben dooley And when he comes in, people just swarm him. Its a crush of reporters. ben dooley All of the cameramen and photographers are pushing up trying to get a good shot of him as he walks into the room. ben dooley Flashbulbs are going off and everyones just crowded around him. ben dooley This is pretty exciting. Ive been writing about this guy for almost a year now. Its the first time Ive actually seen him in the flesh. ben dooley He looks healthy. Hes got a nice black suit on, red tie. I mean, hes the picture of a C.E.O. michael barbaro So no worse for the wear? ben dooley You wouldnt know it. And he walks up to the lectern, and the show starts. archived recording (carlos ghosn) Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for taking the time to be here. ben dooley Its everything that hes been saving up for the last year. archived recording (carlos ghosn) As you can imagine, today is a very important day for me. One, that I have looked forward to every single day for more than 400 days. ben dooley He just is taking the opportunity to explain himself, what happened to him, his whole story. archived recording (carlos ghosn) Since I was brutally taken from my world as I knew it, ripped from my family, my friends, my communities, from Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi, and the 450,000 women and men who comprise those companies. ben dooley And he starts walking us through his history with Nissan. archived recording (carlos ghosn) And Renault, which was nowhere in 1999, which became one of the top 60 brands in the world ben dooley and how he turned it around, and the amazing success that the company had while he was C.E.O. archived recording (carlos ghosn) You know, a C.E.O. is here as long as he performs. I didnt stay 17 years head of Nissan because I was Carlos Ghosn. I was there only because I was performing. I was delivering growth. I was delivering profit. I was delivering cash flow. I was delivering business. ben dooley And then he starts to talk about the arrest. archived recording (carlos ghosn) I was arrested on November 19, 2018. ben dooley And how it happened. archived recording (carlos ghosn) I didnt suspect anything. ben dooley And how he was completely caught off guard. archived recording (carlos ghosn) Some people asked me, oh my god, you didnt look at this? You didnt mention this? You didnt suspect this? And I say, you know what happened in Pearl Harbor? Did you see Pearl Harbor happen? ben dooley He says it was like Pearl Harbor. archived recording (carlos ghosn) Did you see Pearl Harbor happen? Did you notice what happened in Pearl Harbor? michael barbaro Huh. He says his arrest was like the sneak attack from Japan that led the United States into World War II? ben dooley Yeah, exactly. He said he had no idea it was coming. archived recording (carlos ghosn) And I didnt notice it, because its true that when its planned and its confidential and its secret, well, it happens. And youd be surprised, and I was surprised. ben dooley And then he starts to go through all of the charges against him. archived recording (carlos ghosn) The first accusation is the under-reporting. This is the main accusation for which I was arrested. ben dooley And hes got slides. Hes projecting documents on the wall. archived recording (carlos ghosn) I think we have the list. Yeah, we have here the list. ben dooley You know, getting way into the weeds of these issues, frankly trying to litigate them in front of this audience. archived recording (carlos ghosn) We continue. This is another one. ben dooley And people, at this point, are starting to get a little antsy. Theyre starting to have conversations behind me, because you cant read the documents. And even if you could, theres no way that we were in a position to judge what they actually said about the charges against him. But the larger point hes trying to make is that this is a stitch up. archived recording (carlos ghosn) But obviously, I didnt know that Nissan was behind it. And it was all staged way before between the prosecutor and the public. ben dooley That all the charges against him are completely political. Theyre made up. And hes saying that the reason why the Japanese government brought these charges against them is basically because he wounded their national pride. michael barbaro And whats his argument for how he did that? ben dooley So basically, it comes down to the idea that, as the head of Renault, he had been tasked by the French government to make the alliance between Renault and Nissan stronger, to make the alliance so strong that the two companies would never be able to be separated. And this was seen in Japan, he argues, as essentially an attempt to take one of the crown jewels of Japans auto industry and turn it into a French company. And if this were to have gone through, the argument was then France would be in control of one of Japans biggest and most important companies. archived recording (carlos ghosn) Unfortunately, there was no trust. ben dooley And that was something that the Japanese government and certain people at Nissan were just unwilling to allow to happen. archived recording (carlos ghosn) And some of our Japanese friends thought the only way to get rid of the influence of Renault on Nissan is to get rid of him. michael barbaro So he says that the crime he committed which it sounds like he doesnt think is a crime at all is taking a Japanese brand and making it less Japanese, and offending the people and the government of Japan in the process. ben dooley Right. And he says that was not at all his plan, but that was the fear, and thats what led to his downfall. michael barbaro According to Carlos Ghosn? ben dooley Yes. archived recording (carlos ghosn) Let me continue. 130 days in prison, solitary confinement, tiny cell without windows. ben dooley And he also went into detail about his experience in the Japanese justice system. archived recording (carlos ghosn) Showered twice a week. Tried to ask to have more. They said no. Prescribed medication is forbidden. You can get only the medicine from the prison. ben dooley How he had spent more than 130 days in a Japanese jail waiting to get on bail. During that time, he had been interrogated by prosecutors without his lawyer from 7 to 11 hours a day. And even once he got out of jail, there were these restrictions put on his daily life. And the most egregious one for him, he said, was that he wasnt allowed to meet his wife. archived recording (carlos ghosn) And the question was very interesting. He was saying, why do they want to meet? Id say, O.K., how about a Zoom, a conference. He said, what do they want to talk about? ben dooley And Japanese prosecutors had essentially said that they believed that if he were allowed to speak to her, might tamper with evidence, might try to get to witnesses in the case. And his argument is, well, thats ridiculous, because if I wanted to do that, I could have done that through anyone. I didnt have to use my wife. So the only reason why they were forbidding me from seeing her was because they were punishing me. archived recording (carlos ghosn) Because they knew that by not allowing me to have a normal life, they were breaking me. ben dooley Theyre trying to squeeze a confession out of him. And when he refused to confess to the crimes they had charged him with, they threatened to make his life a living hell. archived recording (carlos ghosn) I felt like I was not a human anymore. ben dooley So he said that all these elements add up to create a system of justice that was rigged against him, and that he had no chance of ever getting a fair trial in Japan, and thats why he felt he had to escape. michael barbaro And Ben, as youre sitting there hearing Carlos Ghosn make these arguments, what are you thinking? And do they sound accurate and truthful, or do they sound highly disputable? ben dooley Its impossible to say at this point. We havent seen any of the evidence. And I think if you were to ask the prosecutors, they would say, this is a man who lied to Nissans shareholders. This is a man who enriched himself at the companys expense. And its just impossible to know what the truth is at this point. michael barbaro Right, because he fled the country before the trial. ben dooley Right, exactly. archived recording (carlos ghosn) I left Japan because I wanted justice. Thats why I left Japan. I didnt run from justice. I want justice, because justice is the only way Ill re-establish my reputation, and the only way what Ive done during my life is going to be recognized to its value. And if I dont get it in Japan, Im going to get it somewhere else. Thank you for your attention. ben dooley And so Carlos Ghosn finishes up his presentation, and he moves into the question and answer section. archived recording (carlos ghosn) O.K., what were going to try to do is go by region. ben dooley And he starts answering questions in four different languages. archived recording (carlos ghosn) [SPEAKING ARABIC] ben dooley Hes speaking Arabic, which is the language he spoke at home with his parents. archived recording (carlos ghosn) [SPEAKING PORTUGUESE] ben dooley Hes speaking Portuguese, which is the language of the country he was born Brazil. archived recording (carlos ghosn) [SPEAKING FRENCH] ben dooley Hes speaking in French, the language of the country he was educated. And, of course, in English. archived recording (carlos ghosn) Well, as you know ben dooley Im just watching him flawlessly move from language to language answering these questions for reporters around the world. And it occurs to me as Im watching, its an incredible performance, and it says a lot about this guys identity. Hes this transnational business person who essentially doesnt belong to any one nation. He lives in this almost kind of like gray area between nation states. And theres something about it that it seems is really essential to the case against him and how hes responded to it. michael barbaro What do you mean? ben dooley Well, he believes that the charges against him were brought by the Japanese because he is not Japanese. So theres that on one hand. But on the other hand, also, he feels like hes not beholden to Japanese justice. As this person with passports from Brazil and France and Lebanon, and houses around the world, and connections, and networks that span the globe, he doesnt feel like he has to subject himself to Japanese justice. He believes that he can make the choice to just get up and leave, to disappear. michael barbaro Right. So whether or not this tactic can ever seem justified or not justified, the message that Carlos Ghosn is sending by fleeing his trial in Japan is that if youre a global C.E.O. and you are well-connected and you have resources, you get to choose which countrys legal system you can abide by, which ones youre willing to participate in, and which ones you plan an elaborate escape from, which basically boils down to not really feeling accountable to any one country. ben dooley Right. And it was a question that was bothering me, and I really wanted to ask him about it. And I finally got the chance after the press conference ended and I got to sit down with him one-on-one. We went upstairs, and I tried to set up the fancy recorder you guys made me buy, and I messed it up. So we didnt get the whole interview, unfortunately. [LAUGHTER] michael barbaro We forgive you. It had been a long week. ben dooley It had been a long week. And I sat down with him and I asked him that question. ben dooley We probably will have people listening or reading who are thinking to themselves, O.K., maybe the Japanese justice system is rigged, but the only reason why you could do this is because youre a person of wealth. You have power connections, and thats what allowed you to escape Japan. I mean, is that fair? carlos ghosn That you put the other way. That you put the other way. ben dooley And he kind of danced around the question, but he came down basically on the idea that the Japanese system is rigged. carlos ghosn So back to your question, yes. At the end of the day, I fell in a trap, found the way out, which requires resources and contacts, no doubt about it. But the protection is not to have money. The protection is avoid going in places, or you can fall into a trap like this. And I think its my responsibility today that all the foreigners who are in Japan be careful. ben dooley That was the message that he wanted to convey to the world. [music] ben dooley And the great irony here is that he says hes searching for justice, but because of a decision that he made he may never find it, because theres always going to be an asterisk next to this case. Hes not going to be able to make his case fully, and the Japanese prosecutors are never going to be able to make it either. So theres not going to be a real test of his innocence. But what he has done is, he has let C.E.O.s around the world know that this is an option, that if they dont like the justice in the country where they are, they can just get up and leave. michael barbaro Thank you, Ben. ben dooley Thank you, Michael. michael barbaro Iraq sends missiles near US Embassy in Baghdad According to the sources, two attacks carried out in Baghdad and Balad airbase located in northern Salah ad-Din province of Iraq. Missile attacks took place near the US embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Saturday, according to security sources. MISSILES LANDED NEAR US EMBASSY Another attack was carried out at the Balad airbase in the northern Salah ad-Din province, located some 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of Baghdad, which includes the US troops and government contractors. According to the Iraqi security sources, two missiles landed near the embassy in the Green Zone in Baghdad on the edge of the Tigris River. It was reported that after the attacks, sirens in the embassy were triggered. Also, the Green Zone, a secured area in Baghdad where government headquarters and diplomatic missions are located, was closed to traffic by security forces following the attacks. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 09:38:21|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LIMA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The quipu, an intriguing method of keeping records and accounts invented by Peru's ancient Inca civilization, was officially granted national cultural heritage status at a ceremony on Saturday. At the ceremony, Angela Acevedo, an official from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, said the ministry's ultimate goal is to "look after our main cultural expressions and manifestations" so they can "preserve our identity." Made of a horizontal string with tens or hundreds of other strings hanging from it, the quipu was used by the Incas to convey or record information using different colored strings and a variety of knots. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday expressed shock and concern at the violence which erupted at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which left the universitys students union president Aishe Ghosh badly injured and bleeding. Ghosh claimed that masked men had entered the university campus and brutally beaten her up. I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police should immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus? the chief minister said in a tweet. Watch l JNU violence: Masked men allegedly attack teachers & students inside campus Seven ambulances have been sent to the Jawaharlal Nehru University and 10 ambulances are on standby, a Delhi Government official said. Masked men armed with sticks entered the JNU campus, damaging property and attacking people, said the varsity administration. This is an urgent message for the entire JNU community that there is a law and order situation on the campus. Masked miscreants armed with sticks are roaming around, damaging property and attacking people. The JNU Administration has called the police to maintain order. This is the moment to remain calm and be on the alert.... Efforts are already being made to tackle the miscreants, JNU registrar Pramod Kumar said in a statement. The Delhi chief minister said he spoke with L-G about the violence at the varsity and urged him to direct police to restore order. ARVILLA, N.D. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Columbia Grain International for exposing workers to grain-handling hazards after a worker was buried by corn and died in a North Dakota grain bin last summer. The agency is proposing $190,000 in penalties against the Portland, Oregon-based company after a worker died while cleaning a bin last July in Arvilla, in eastern North Dakota. OSHA inspectors determined that Columbia Grain failed to follow the agency's standards during grain bin entry and cleaning operations. The agency issued a citation for allowing employees to walk the grain and for not preventing contact with operating machine parts by locking out the bin's conveyor system. Kevin John Anderson, 58, was cleaning a bin when he became buried under 15 feet of corn and died. The company has 15 business days to contest the findings. Columbia Grain did not immediately reply to a request for comment Sunday. -- The Associated Press DMK President M K Stalin on Sunday greeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on her 65th birthday. The Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly took to twitter to greet the Trinamool Congress top leader. He said, "Many happy returns of the day to Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal "Didi" @MamataOfficial. On behalf of the DMK, I wish you many more years of service to the people of West Bengal and India." Stalin shares a good rapport with Banerjee and he has attended Trinamool Congress-led Opposition rally in West Bengal last year. Also, Banerjee had attended a DMK event here in August, 2019. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) London: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have warned the bushfires sweeping vast swathes of Australia are contributing to a global 'ecocide', in a stark message that forms part of a coordinated response by three wings of the royal family to the unfolding disaster. Amid mounting international criticism of Australia's climate change policies, the Queen and Prince Philip, Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, issued separate statements on Saturday expressing shock at the death and destruction. The Queen's message stuck to the traditional formula of offering "thoughts and prayers to all Australians at this difficult time". "My thanks go out to the emergency services, and those who put their own lives in danger to help communities in need," she said. Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido hit out at the police on Sunday for preventing him from attending the National Assembly where he was due to be voted in for a second term as parliament speaker. Lawmakers were due to elect the new National Assembly president, with Guaido widely expected to be confirmed in the post he has held for the past year. But when he arrived at the assembly on Sunday morning, police prevented him from entering. "This is unprecedented!" Guaido told a member of the security forces with whom he had a heated exchange. For the last year, Guaido has led opposition to Venezuela's socialist president Nicolas Maduro. Last January, Guaido declared himself acting president -- a move quickly supported by more than 50 countries -- after parliament officially branded Maduro a "usurper" over his 2018 re-election, which was widely denounced as fraudulent. Despite intense pressure from the opposition and the United States -- which has imposed sanctions on regime figures -- Maduro has retained power, thanks largely to support from the armed forces. The National Assembly is the only branch of government in opposition hands. But it has been sidelined since 2017, when the Supreme Court, made up of Maduro loyalists, declared it in contempt. The court has since annulled its every decision. The parliament session was due to begin at 11:00 am (1500 GMT.) Journalists as well as lawmakers were prevented from accessing the site. AFP journalists saw police and army blockades in the streets surrounding the assembly building in the capital Caracas. "The regime is kidnapping and persecuting deputies, militarizing the Federal Legislative Palace, preventing access and blocking entry to the free press," Guaido said on Twitter. "This is the reality in Venezuela: the desire for change in the face of a dictatorship that continues to persecute." The national press workers union launched a "worldwide alert in the face of the Nicolas Maduro regime initiative to block the press" from reaching parliament. MARTIN WITTMAYER WATERLOO --- With the glow of Christmas barely behind us, we look forward to the new year and the customary New Year's resolutions: reduce social media, reduce weight, and, this year, reduce animal food consumption. One-third of consumers already report reducing their consumption of animal foods. Hundreds of school, college, hospital, and corporate cafeterias have embraced Meatless Monday. Even fast-food chains Chipotle, Denny's, Panera Bread, Subway, Taco Bell, and White Castle are rolling out plant-based options. A dozen start-ups, led by Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, are creating healthy, eco-friendly, compassionate, convenient, delicious plant-based meat & dairy products. Meat industry giants Tyson Foods, Cargill, and Canada's Maple Leaf Foods have invested heavily in plant-based meat development. So have a number of Microsoft, Google, Twitter, and PayPal pioneers. According to Plant-Based Foods Association, plant-based food sales have grown by 20% in the past year, 10 times the growth rate of all foods. Sales of plant-based cheeses, creamers, butter, yogurts, and ice creams are exploding at a 50% growth rate. Plant-based milks now account for 15% of the milk market. The plant-based New Years resolution requires no sweat or deprivation - just some fun exploration. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 "Serving in the military changes you. The shades and degrees of change vary for everyone, but no one is ever the same as... Thousands of terrorists might have been airlifted out of Kabul: Trump slams Biden Never in history has withdrawal from war been handled so badly: Trump The attacks of 2012 in Delhi: When India blamed the Iranian Revolutionary Guards India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 04: US President, Donald Trump said that the Iran General Qasem Soleimani had contributed to "terrorist plots as far away as New Delhi and London." In the year 2012, there were two attacks that took place and the pattern was similar in nature. While one terror strike took place in New Delhi, the other was reported from Georgia. Back then, India had blamed the Iranian Revolutionary Guards for the attack. 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. Soleimani killed: US-Iran tensions to soar and the impact on India 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. NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 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. 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. "Soleimani made the death of innocent people his sick passion, contributing to terrorist plots as far away as New Delhi and London. Today we remember and honour the victims of Soleimani''s many atrocities and we take comfort in knowing that his reign of terror is over," Trump said. "The recent attacks on US targets in Iraq, including rocket strikes that killed an American and injured four American servicemen very badly, as well as a violent assault on our embassy in Baghdad, were carried out at the direction of Soleimani," Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Iran Guards ex-head vows 'revenge' on US over Qasem Soleimani death Trump alleged that Soleimani has been perpetrating acts of terror to destabilise the Middle East for the last 20 years. "What the United States did yesterday should have been done long ago. 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," he said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 5, 2020, 9:13 [IST] President Vladimir Putin of Russia held his traditional year-end press conference on December 19. The main news is there was none, save for coy hints he may change the constitution to remain in office beyond 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. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The rains killed at least 53 people and displaced 175 thousand inhabitants. There are around 11,000 health workers and soldiers on the ground to reduce the risk of outbreaks. Experts: There is no environmental awareness. When the water withdraws, climate change will no longer be discussed. " Jakarta (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The death toll from the violent floods and landslides that hit the region of Jakarta in Indonesia is rising hour by hour. Agus Wibowo, a spokesman for the National Disaster Reduction Agency, reports that there are 53 dead and at least 175,000 people displaced. Many have found refuge in camps and shelters set up around the disaster area, where sanitation is collapsing. Meanwhile, activists and environmentalists denounce the government for ignoring the warning signs of climate change. The rains began to fall heavily on New Year's Eve and in a short time they flooded the area of the Indonesian capital. The metropolitan area of Jakarta is one of the most populated in the world with around 30 million inhabitants. The areas close to the coast are subject to frequent flooding due to the constant sinking below sea level. For this reason the government has planned to move the capital to Borneo, in a higher area and at a lower risk of natural catastrophe. In the past few hours, the Ministry of Health has deployed around 11,000 health workers and soldiers to distribute medicine, personal hygiene kits and food. The goal is to prevent the outbreak of hepatitis A epidemics, dengue fever and other diseases, including infections caused by contact with animal carcasses. According to experts, the natural disaster of this early 2020 is the worst since 2013, when dozens of people died from the monsoon rainfall that flooded the city. For environmentalists, yet another environmental disaster should be a "wake-up call" for climate change in one of the most polluting countries for greenhouse gases (fifth worldwide). However, Yuyun Harmono, head of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment, points out that the administration has proven reluctant to deal with disasters and appears to have no intention of reducing polluting emissions. Floods, he continues, "should serve as a powerful reminder that things cannot be dealt with as usual." According to a 2019 survey, the country's environmental vulnerability is scarcely considered by the population: only 18% of respondents believe that there is a correlation between human activity and climate change. Nirwono Joga, a researcher at the Urban Studies Center in Jakarta, "there aren't many people who realize the impact of climate change. When the water retreats and people return to their homes, actions that are being talked about to combat climate change will also be forgotten. " Jammu: Recently, vigilance has been increased due to the news of two terrorists belonging to South India coming to the neighboring Basti range. A special checking drive has been started on the way from Saryu bridge barrier to highway and Gonda bridge. At the same time, intensive search and papers of vehicles coming to Ayodhya are being checked. SP City Vijay Pal Singh said that on receiving the intelligence input, including the Gorakhpur IG office, vigilance has been checked. All the barriers are being searched extensively. Especially the security forces and agencies in Ramnagari are on high alert. According to intelligence agencies, the photo has been circulated to the police along with the identity of the two militants belonging to South India, Khwaja Moinuddin and Abdul Samad. According to information received from sources, it is expected that with caution, they can flee to Nepal from any district bordering the Indo-Nepal border. A high alert has been issued in the entire Gorakhpur zone in search of them. Both were last seen in Siliguri in West Bengal. According to intelligence agencies, Khwaja Moinuddin, who was active in South India, associated with the international terrorist organization Islamic State (IS), was arrested by the NIA in Chennai in September 2017. It has been learned that after returning from Syria, he brainwashed youth in other states of the country including South India and connected them to ISIS. He is also in touch with Pak-backed terrorist organization Indian Mujahideen. According to the information, Abdul Samad, the second terrorist active in South India, was arrested in February 2018. Samad had sent Rs 3.50 lakh from the Gulf country through hawala to a member of the Pune blast-linked terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. Apart from this, he was also related to Simi. He is also providing arms to the terrorists. Also Read: America in contact with India amid deepening tension with Iran Owaisi's befitting reply to Pak PM Imran Khan, says 'Take care of your country' Big announcement of BJP, Delhi's election struggle will be fought in the name of PM Modi RJD to start Bihar tour from Muslim-dominated area before assembly elections South Koreans born after 1995 are less supportive of unification and feel less affinity for North Koreans despite a common ethnic identity, according to a recent survey. The poll from newspaper Hankook Ilbo and Hankook Research taken in early December interviewed a pool of 500 Generation Z respondents and compared their answers to those of 500 South Korean members of Generation X, or people born after 1968 and before 1980. The Hankook Ilbo reported Friday Gen Z respondents were relatively apathetic about the notion of a unitary Korean people that binds Koreans of North and South. When asked about their sense of "belonging" to transnational Koreans as an ethnic group, fewer Gen Z respondents responded positively than their Gen X counterparts, or about 13 percentage points lower, according to the report. Lack of identification with North Koreans was also greater among Gen Z respondents; only about 12 percent of them said they view North Korea in a positive light. South Korean university student Kim Ji-su told interviewers the decades-long division of North and South contributes to her disinterest in unification. "It is unfortunate, but the generation that directly experienced division is fading into history," she said. "We've been living for decades separately, [so] we wonder whether unification is necessary." South Korean Gen Z respondents are also less likely to view unification as a requirement for peace; 37 percent of Gen Z respondents said it is necessary, compared to 47 percent of their Gen X counterparts. Generation Z South Koreans also shared a greater sense of communality with other people they communicate with via social media platforms than older generations, according to the survey. The poll results are being reported ahead of South Korean President Moon Jae-in's New Year's speech on Tuesday, Money Today reported. Moon has pursued diplomacy with Kim Jong Un despite North Korea's rejection of talks. Bushfires in Australia do not seem to be coming under control. The bushfires have been raging since September 2019 and they have already burnt more than twice as much land as the fires in the Amazon rain forest. Since September, about six million hectares of land has been destroyed across Australia. In comparison, close to three million hectares of land burnt in the Brazilian Amazon in summer of 2019. The burning of Amazon rainforest created quite an outrage across the world, the same does not seem to have happened in the case of Australia bushfires. AP The fires in Amazon impacted the ecosystem significantly, the bushfires in Australia have not only wiped out close to half a billion animals but impacted human settlement too. The mass of land destroyed has been compared to the size of Belgium, to help Europeans understand the scope of the disaster. According to Insider, the land burnt is nearly six times the land that was destroyed during the 2018 wildfires in California, where 8,00,000 hectares of land burned. State Government Of Victoria According to Time report- if comparison of the land lost is to be made to the states in U.S. states than the area burned in Australia is the size of the U.S. states of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. Coming to how the fires are going to impact the environment- Amazon fires released about 140 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Australia bushfires have already released more than twice that number- 350 million metric tons of CO2. According to the Daily Mail, this is about 1% of the global carbon emissions since 2019. As more land burns, the warmer the planet gets we are more in the risk of bigger fires. Fire Burning In New South Wales/AP The situation in Australia is grave, and help needs to pour from anyone who can contribute in the slightest way. For Thomas Cole, the stories of elders have been a life-long fascination. Director of the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Cole has built a distinguished career examining aging through the lens of the humanities. As he turns 70 and looks toward retirement, his life, we might say, has caught up with his field of study, prompting his recently published book, Old Man Country: My Search for Meaning Among the Elders. Old Man Country is a compact, engrossing and personal meditation on lifes late stages. The title is a play on Cormack McCarthys No Country for Old Men, whose protagonist, a sheriff in a small Texas town shattered by the drug trade, bitterly quits rather than face a world and stage of life torn with defeats and beyond his control. In his book, published by Oxford University Press, Cole faces unflinchingly the inevitable physical and mental challenges of old age, but aims to extract redemptive meaning from sages immersed in its struggles. The probing of his subjects delves into the private reaches of their psyches, and Cole does not spare himself the same treatment. From the opening pages, it is clear that this is his story as well theirs. It is wisdom that Cole is pursuing, an ability to see broader horizons even as one is coping with frailties that the general culture interprets only as decline. Old Man Country, he writes, is premised on the idea that however old we are, there is always a green growing edge in our story, always a hidden path of personal growth. Each of his portraits summarizes his subjects accomplishments and maturation over a lifetime, but his focus is on how they view, or better, feel their lives in the present, how they experience their days in what his gerontological colleagues call the Fourth Age, when debilities loom large. Consistent themes emerge, among them work, sexuality, hope, loss, legacy, regrets, friendship, love and the constitution of a good life. Coles selection of subjects is unapologetically personal and equally unapologetically male. He began by drawing up a list of men he admired and, he tells us, wanted to talk to. Figures on the final roster are intriguingly varied in their life trajectories, ranging, for example, from former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker to spiritual teacher Ram Dass. Also included: scholars, religious leaders, medical standouts, and a television personality. Among them are eminent Houstonians: surgeons Denton Cooley and Red Duke, and Rabbi Sam Karff. Constructed primarily around a single interview, each of Coles portraits is finely wrought, informed by thorough background research and enlivened by tellingly descriptive details of physical appearance and home or office surroundings. Coles efforts to shine light into psychological recesses naturally illuminates more in some cases than others, varying by the subjects openness and, no doubt, habits of self-reflection. As the book progresses, his subjects are more responsive to Coles raising of such emotionally fraught issues as sex, infirmities and death. Cole identifies four primary issues that emerged from these conversations. Formulated as questions, they become the organizing principles of the book: Am I still a man? Do I still matter? What is the meaning of my life? Am I still loved? As he dialogues with his subjects, Cole brings those queries to bear on his own life, reflecting on its defining contours and events. We learn of his fathers suicide when Cole was 4; rocky family relationships; the shattering if exhilarating experience of falling in love in late middle age; a life-threatening injury; the trials of dealing with a mother in dementia, and more. Old Man Country, Cole tells us, seeks to reclaim and enhance the humanity of men in the Fourth Age. Cole is in search of men who navigate that stage well, who become their best selves in the process. He is not so presumptuous as to lay out a program, but basic principles emerge in his reflections. First among them is the need to recognize and accept the darker aspects of aging. We may, and should, strive to retain the capacities of our prime, but suppressing knowledge of newer vulnerabilities ultimately brings us grief. The challenge is to hold on and simultaneously to let go. In that paradox, Cole asserts, is the spiritual work of aging. Holding on often implies attention to the legacies of ones work and continuing, in Volckers words, to feel needed. Part of letting go is identifying with wider circles beyond oneself, attending more to family welfare and social good. Cole himself finds his Jewish heritage steadily more meaningful, and stronger interests in his own bloodline, in the generations behind and ahead. The measure of a good life, in the end, is love. By Coles own account, the quality of life is inseparable from the quality of love and connection we have to our closest relatives, lovers, friends, and local communities. The book ends with a moving image of his finger clutched by those of his newly born grandson. As the book progresses, spiritual concerns gain precedence, and the voices of religious, or religiously preoccupied, figures Rabbi Karff, Rev. James Forbes, ethicist Dan Callahan, theologian Walter Wink, Ram Dass take prominence. For Cole, spirituality is not belief; it is, rather, the emotional experience of being connected to God or to ones image of ultimate reality. That covers a wide swath of religious outlooks different ways up the summit, as he phrases it but he is confident that up at the top, the paths converge. At those heights may be a mystical merging of self or soul with Source, with a divine One, but Cole acknowledges that such an aspiration is still too lofty for him. Greater involvement with a path, however, is in his future, as he responds to a felt need for a quickening of my own spirit. As he prepares to let go of his long career, Cole notes that in the future, he intends to focus on ecological issues and work as a spiritual director. Coles former career as a gerontologist has only grown more relevant over time, as the American population continues to age. Old Man Country addresses not only the growing contingent of Americans over 80, but all those whom they touch, and indeed the society that is affected by their presence. It is enriched by Coles lifetime of research in gerontology, his rich humanistic learning, and his present search for meaning. By its final pages, a reader knows that Coles work as a spiritual director already has begun. Ryans most recent book is A Different Dimension: Reflections on the History of Transpersonal Thought (2018). A historian of American culture, he lives now in Houston, after a career teaching at Yale University and the Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. The blowback is mounting for the U.S. after the killing of Qasem Soleimani, top general and one of the most powerful men in Iran who was killed in a drone strike at Baghdad airport early Friday. Posted: Jan 5, 2020 12:06 PM Posted By: Nasser Karimi Jon Gambrell and Zeina Karam Associated Press Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Sunday evaded a question on the death of as many as 196 infants during December in two government hospitals of the state. Rupani was speaking to media on sidelines of an event here but walked away from the reporters when his response to the children's death was sought by a scribe. The Chief Minister was vividly speaking about the event wherein he took part but went mum as soon as a reporter began asking a question about children dying in state-run hospitals. He did not even wait for the question to complete and hurriedly left the venue. As many as 111 children lost their lives at Rajkot civil hospital whereas 85 infants died during treatment at Ahmedabad civic hospital in December, according to the official data. "In December, a total of 455 children were admitted out of which 85 lost their lives during treatment," GS Rathod, Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital said. According to Manish Mehta, head of Rajkot Civil Hospital, 269 children died in October, November and December months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With shouts of "Death to America", tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq on Saturday to mourn Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani and an Iraqi militia leader who were killed in a US air strike that has raised the spectre of wider conflict in the Middle East. On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone near the US Embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighbourhood and two more rockets were fired at the Balad air base north of the city, but no one was killed, the Iraqi military said in a statement. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. With security worries rising after Friday's strike, the NATO alliance and a separate US-led mission suspended their programmes to train Iraqi security and armed forces, officials said. "The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount. We continue to take all precautions necessary," acting NATO spokesman Dylan White said in a statement. Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign legions, was killed in the US strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed. The attack took Washington and its allies, mainly Saudi Arabia and Israel, into uncharted territory in their confrontation with Iran and its proxy militias across the region. France stepped up diplomatic initiatives on Saturday to ease tensions. French President Emmanuel Macron talked with Iraq President Barham Salih, Macron's office said. "The two presidents agreed to remain in close contact to avoid any further escalation in tensions and in order to act to ensure stability in Iraq and the broader region," a statement from Macron's office said. Macron also spoke with the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Gholamali Abuhamzeh, a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards, said Tehran would punish Americans "wherever they are in reach", and raised the prospect of possible attacks on ships in the Gulf. Story continues Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah militia warned Iraqi security forces to stay away from US bases in Iraq, "by a distance not less than a thousand metres starting Sunday evening," reported Lebanese al-Mayadeen TV, which is close to Lebanon's Hezbollah. VOTE ON US TROOP PRESENCE The United States has been an ally of the Iraqi government since the 2003 US invasion to oust dictator Saddam Hussein, but Iraq has become more closely allied with Iran. The top candidate to succeed Muhandis, Hadi al-Amiri, spoke over the dead militia commander's coffin: "The price for your noble blood is American forces leaving Iraq forever and achieving total national sovereignty." The Iraqi parliament is convening an extraordinary session during which a vote to expel US troops could be taken as soon as Sunday. Many Iraqis, including opponents of Soleimani, have expressed anger at Washington for killing the two men on Iraqi soil and possibly dragging their country into another conflict. Soleimani, 62, was Iran's pre-eminent military leader - head of the Revolutionary Guards' overseas Quds Force and the architect of Iran's spreading influence in the Middle East. Muhandis was de facto leader of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) umbrella body of paramilitary groups. A PMF-organised procession carried the bodies of Soleimani and Muhandis, and those of others killed in the US strike, through Baghdad's Green Zone. Mourners included many militiamen in uniform for whom Muhandis and Soleimani were heroes. They carried portraits of both men and plastered them on walls and armoured personnel carriers in the procession. Chants of "Death to America" and "No No Israel" rang out. Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi also attended. Mahdi's office later said he received a phone call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and they "discussed the difficult conditions facing Iraq and the region." BODIES TAKEN TO HOLY CITIES Mourners later brought the bodies by car to the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala, south of Baghdad, then to Najaf, another sacred Shi'ite city, where they were met by the son of Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and where Muhandis and the other Iraqis killed will be laid to rest. Soleimani's body will be transferred to the southwestern Iranian province of Khuzestan that borders Iraq. On Sunday it will be taken to the Shi'ite holy city of Mashhad in Iran's northeast and from there to Tehran and his hometown Kerman in the southeast for burial on Tuesday, state media said. US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Soleimani had been plotting "imminent and sinister" attacks on American diplomats and military personnel. Democratic critics said the Republican president's action was reckless and risked more bloodshed in a dangerous region. Some US national security and congressional officials questioned the use of the word imminent to justify the killing, while some legal experts and a senior UN rights investigator said the strike could have violated international law. The US strike followed a sharp increase in US-Iranian hostilities in Iraq since last week when pro-Iranian militias attacked the US embassy in Baghdad after a deadly US air raid on Kataib Hezbollah, founded by Muhandis. Washington accused the group of an attack on an Iraqi military base that killed an American contractor. Abuhamzeh, the Revolutionary Guards commander in Kerman province, mentioned a series of possible targets for reprisals including the Gulf waterway through which about a third of the world's shipborne oil is exported to global markets. "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there," Abuhamzeh was quoted as saying on Friday evening by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. British defence minister Ben Wallace said on Saturday he had ordered Britain's navy to accompany all UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection. As we announced last weekend, the government confirmed that fuel prices will go up in 2020. The goal is to "make diesel less attractive." On Saturday, Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna announced that a further increase in excise duties on fuel would come into effect in 2020. The minister gave more details about the price hike at a press conference this Monday morning: Diesel prices will climb by 3 to 5 cents; Petrol prices will increase by 1 to 3 cents. Gramegna specified that the exact increase of prices will be defined after an evaluation in early 2020. The price hike can be expected to take place between February and April. The minister explained that individuals will be less impacted because the fuel prices will still remain inferior to the average prices in the Greater Region. Professionals, who account for three quarters of fuel sales in Luxembourg, may feel the sting a bit more. He added that it is currently impossible to predict the impact of the increase of prices. The government conceded that they knew "some people cannot rely on efficient public transport. For this reason, the current system of flat-rate deduction of an employee's travel costs between home and workplace will remain in force." The proceeds from the increase in prices will be used to support environmental measures and the promotion of social equity. Targeting Diesel The primary objective of the increase of prices remains to "make diesel less attractive" compared to neighbouring countries, Gramegna added. Increasing the prices would allow to reduce the fuel price gap between Luxembourg and its neighbouring countries and consequently decrease fuel export, he concluded. Fuel tourism has long been criticised in Luxembourg for triggering disruptions and standing in stark contradiction to Luxembourg's engagement in environmental issues. "Current trends in fuel sales are still jeopardizing the achievement of Luxembourgs targets for CO2 reduction and energy efficiency by 2020," the official statement reads. As a consequence, the Grand Duchy can only achieve its climate and energy objectives by targeting the sale and exportation of fuels, particularly by trucks passing the country in transit. Excise duties on fuel were previously increased in May 2019 - two cents for diesel and one cent for petrol. As a reminder, a previous increase in excise duties on fuels entered into force in May 2019, but it was much lower: two cents for diesel and one for petrol. Its the first week of January, and we spotted several celebrities looking super fancy as they rang in the new year with their celebrations. Some had fancy parties while some celebrated with their near and dear ones with a close-knit affair. Shah Rukh Khan who partied with his children Suhana, Aryan and AbRam, his wife Gauri and some other close friends including Sanjay Kapoor, wife Maheep and also Ananya Panday. On the other hand, Karisma Kapoor travelled to London to welcome the New Year 2020 in style, and she had an accidental meeting with Rani Mukerji, Aditya Chopra, and also Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra. The actor was in Switzerlands Gstaad along with Kareena Kapoor Khan, Taimur and Saif Ali Khan. Funnily enough, Kareena also ended up meeting with some Bollywood friends for the New Year while they celebrated in Switzerland. Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma and Varun Dhawan and his girlfriend Natasha Dalal were also in the snowy country. Anushka Sharma shared a photo on her Instagram along with Virat Kohli, Saif and Kareena. Sitting in between are Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal. The stars pose happily with a smile on their faces as Anushka captioned: Happy New Year. And we have to say, this seems to be a very stylish beginning to the year.Heres a look at this weeks best and worst dressed celebrities. Also read: Suhana Khans New Year 2020 party dress by Balmain costs as much as a couples luxury vacation Kareena Kapoor Khan Kareena looked stunning in a white gown, she wore a fur coat to help her with the freezing temperatures of Switzerland and looked gorgeous as always. The flared gown had a high neckline and was sleeveless, a matching white cape cascaded at the back. We are loving the short hair on Kareena. Saif Ali Khan Saif looked as dapper as always in a well-structured tuxedo Anushka Sharma Anushka Sharma looked gorgeous in an overlap beaded interstellar gown by Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, and she looked absolutely stunning in the sequinned grey number. Her short hair was neat as always and sported heavy eye make-up along with strappy heels. Virat Kohli Virat also went for a tuxedo and was looking perfect standing next to Anushka. Suhana Khan Balmain has the most gorgeous looking outfits, and the luxury brand is really not something everyone can afford, and while Suhanas Balmain dress maybe for a whopping Rs 2,70,000 (approximately), we think Suhana looks great in it, but maybe a different pair of shoes would have looked better. Also read:Sara, Katrina, Alia, Priyanka soak up the sun in style at their beachy vacations Katrina Kaif Katrinas Rebecca Dewan lehenga in light blue which she wore for make-up artist Daniel Bauers wedding is absolute love and Katrina looked great in it. (All images: Instagram) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter . SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Sudhir Suryawanshi By MUMBAI: After reports that disgruntled Shiv Sena legislator Abdul Sattar had resigned on Saturday morning, the party went into damage control mode and pursued Sattar. The Sena later claimed that the MLA had expressed his displeasure but not resigned from the ministry. Arjun Kothkar, former Shiv Sena minister was tasked with pacifying Sattar. Sattar and Kothkar had a closed-door meeting in Aurangabad and then called senior Sena leader Eknath Shinde and CM Uddhav Thackeray. Sattar has not resigned. He has spoken with the CM and our party president. He has scheduled a meeting with him on Sunday in Mumbai where all disputes will be resolved amicably. People should not believe in rumours, Kothkar said. However, Sattar refused to speak on this issue. A close aide of Sattar said that the MLA had been promised a cabinet berth by Uddhav Thackeray but was given an MoS position. He added that the senior Aurangabad leader was likely to receive a less important portfolio as well. Expressing his displeasure, he said, The injustice prompted him to quit the Thackeray government. Uddhav Thackeray has already been allotted offices and bungalows to his cabinet colleagues but the departments are yet to be announced. The growing differences in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government are delaying the allocation of ministries. Sattar was a Congress legislator in Sillod from the Marathwada region. During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he joined the Shiv Sena and was elected as MLA. Reacting to the row, Pravin Darekar, Leader of Opposition, in the State Legislative Council, said, The three-party governments will not be a stable government. People had voted in favour of BJP and the Shiv Sena, but the Shiv Sena had not only cheated the BJP but the mandate of the people as well. Earlier, another Shiv Sena MLA Bhaskar Jadhav, Congress MLA Amin Patel, Kailash Gorathad, NCP MLA Prakash Solunke had expressed displeasure after being excluded from the Thackerays cabinet. The list of disgruntled leaders seems to be growing with each passing day. On Saturday, an angry Congress MLA from Jalna Kailash Gorantyal said he will resign from party posts along with several office-bearers and workers after not being made a minister in the Maharashtra government. Short-lived govt BJP Rajya Sabha MP Narayan Rane said the Uddhav Thackerayled government in Maharashtra will be short-lived. Targeting Thackeray, he said the Sena chief did not have any administrative experience 'It was a reaffirmation of his party's unrelenting defiance of its erstwhile ally, the BJP; an attempt to forge a new relationship with the community the Shiv Sena had always targeted; and a pointer towards the political imperative of taking everyone along if the fight against the ruling party had to succeed,' notes Jyoti Punwani. IMAGE: Sanjay Raut, the Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP and executive editor, Saamnaa, the party's daily newspaper. Some hailed it as a "historical occasion", others couldn't get over the incongruity of it all. Saturday, January 4, evening saw Shiv Sena MP and Saamnaa Executive Editor Sanjay Raut speak at an anti-CAA/NRC meeting organised by the Jamaat e Islami. Raut's speech conveyed many things. It was at once a reaffirmation of his party's unrelenting defiance of its erstwhile ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party; an attempt to forge a new relationship with the community the Shiv Sena had always targeted; and a pointer towards the political imperative of taking everyone along if the fight against the ruling party had to succeed. As a major concession to his audience, Raut spoke in Hindi, using Marathi only to begin and end his speech. "Bhiyu naka! (Do not fear!)" were the words with which he ended his speech. Here was the spokesman of a party which had terrorised Muslims for the better part of its existence, asking them not to be afraid. "Those who strike fear in people come and go," declared Raut. "One can't live in fear. Jo dar gaya so mar gaya. It is Maharashtra that showed the rest of the country not to be afraid." Where does one start counting the ironies contained in these utterances? The founder of the Shiv Sena and Raut's mentor, used to proudly declare that he believed in thokshahi, not lokshahi: The rule of violence, not democracy. Bal Thackeray ran his party with an iron fist, and not just Shiv Sainiks, even Congress governments and their police heeded his aadesh. But like all dictators do one day, he too had gone. Indeed, his departure was one of the main reasons why a Muslim religious group could even consider inviting the spokesman of his party as the star speaker. The fear Raut was talking about was the fear of the prime minister-home minister combine. After their massive victory in last year's Lok Sabha election, the seeming invincibility of the Modi-Shah duo had demoralised the Opposition and indeed, all those who wanted an end to their majoritarian politics. Amid this overpowering gloom, came the Shiv Sena's break with the BJP. The ruling party's oldest ally and the one most closely allied to its Hindutva ideology became the first to do the unthinkable -- break ties with its ally when the latter had attained the stature of the most powerful ruling party in the last 35 years. And as the Jamaat spokesman who welcomed him said, Sanjay Raut was the man who had taken the lead in making this daring break. Now Raut was citing his own party's example to exhort Muslims, the ruling party's main target, not to be afraid of this seemingly all-powerful dictatorial duo. For decades, the Congress would resurrect the bogey of the big bad Shiv Sena-cum-BJP wolf before every election, to scare Muslims into voting for it. Now here was the wolf himself encouraging its supposed prey to cast off their fear of its fellow wolf. In this new relationship, the traditional protector was out in the cold, with no role to play, for Muslims know that it takes one wolf to recognize the strength and weakness of another. And they haven't forgotten that after winning their votes by raising this bogey, the Congress (and its ally in Maharashtra, the Nationalist Congress Party) did nothing to keep it at bay. The cheers that greeted Raut through his speech reflected this new relationship between the Muslims and the Shiv Sena. But the ironies were not all delicious. After describing how the NRC would be a curse not just for Muslims, but for 30% of Hindus across the country who kept losing crucial documents in tsunamis and floods, Raut struck a different note. "You know all too well the relationship between the Shiv Sena and the law," he said. "We have never feared the law. Laws are on paper. So don't worry too much about this law." The cheers that greeted this cheeky boast could not hide one harsh reality. The phenomenon that Raut was boasting about -- the Sena's disdain for the law -- had always wrecked havoc on innocent citizens, with Muslims being the victims of the Sena's lawlessness more often than not. Driving home this cruel irony was the sight of the man seated next to Raut on stage. Senior advocate Yusuf Muchhala had represented Muslims before the Justice B N Srikrishna Commission, and his cross-examination of then Sena chief minister Manohar Joshi and then Lok Sabha member Madhukar Sarpotdar had contributed to the commission's indictment of Bal Thackeray and his party's role in the 1992-1993 riots. Muchhala was the only lawyer who had fought for almost two decades in the Supreme Court for the implementation of the Srikrishna Commission, which meant, among other things, prosecution of policemen who had shielded Shiv Sainiks, and the re-opening of closed riot cases against Shiv Sainiks. But who in the audience of cheering Muslims knew this or remembered this? The moment belonged to Raut. And indeed, for one part of his speech, the Sena MP deserved the cheers, when he said what would put any secular politician to shame. Speaking just before Raut, retired Justice B G Kolse-Patil had reminded the audience that their community numbered 20 crore, and the strength of that number could not be underestimated. "Don't talk about how many crores you are," Raut told the audience. "Stop counting your numbers. Because if you are 20 crore, we too are 110 crore. Instead of counting our respective numbers, we must fight together for the country, all 130 crore of us." Muslims declaring that they were 20 crore was what the BJP wanted, said Raut. "They could then turn to the Hindus and say: 'Look, those 20 crore are getting together, so you better unite and vote for us. For don't forget," he added, "this whole exercise is to win the 2024 election by dividing and ruling." Asking Muslims to "stand up not just for your religion, but for your country," Raut reminded them that "We are all equal citizens. If one of us faces injustice, the others must fight for him. This is what they fear: If all these people come together, where will we go?" Among those who knew Marian Finucane, news of her sudden death was greeted with shock. She was a pillar of the media generation that questioned the old Ireland and, by questioning, helped to change it. Among younger people, part of the social media generation, it was just another example of the boomers obsessed with the icons of their long-gone day. They saw her death as distressing for her family and friends, of course, but they seemed to find it hard to see what the fuss was about. One Twitter account asked: "What did she do?" It wasn't necessarily aggressive. More like curiosity. Marian Finucane interviewed people on radio at weekends, they might have concluded, and she read out headlines from newspapers, and she was paid a fortune to do it. She was seen as part of the comfortable classes. The same person who was rightly lauded for her broadcasting skills, for her deceptively simple interviewing techniques, for her trailblazing and her feminist achievements, had become irrelevant to many of the radical young. On the day she died, one self-obsessed tweet lamented that "she wasn't much of a fan of those of us standing up against Irish Water". The term "end of an era" is overused, but it no doubt applies now. There was a political era that began with the formation of the State and ended only five or so years ago. We might call it the Catholic era. Finucane was a giant in the second half of that era. And as the years pass, those who lived through that time - including those who changed this country vastly for the better - are following the natural course of things. Gay Byrne was 85, at the end of a long, relentless illness. Marian Finucane might have been expected to have years yet, but 69 was not long ago seen as the outer edge of things. The new era, the post-Catholic era, is concerned with different issues. And it's an era that displays a shocking lack of perspective. But, then, maybe that's how Marian Finucane and her generation were seen all those years ago by those angered by their radicalism. The Catholic era was one in which, with no discussion, doubt or rancour, women were seen as subordinate entities. We paid them less, allowed hardly any of them to move to positions of responsibility. Husbands could legally beat their wives, and many, many did. It was entirely legal to rape your wife if you considered that necessary. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael took turns governing. They each had a kind of moral confidence-and-supply arrangement with the Catholic hierarchy. The politicians allowed the bishops control of education and health, and ensured all social legislation complied with the bishops' wishes. The bishops in turn endorsed the moral legitimacy of the parties. In a passionately Catholic Ireland, few politicians dared risk being denounced by the guardians of the faith. Unfair pay, lack of promotion opportunities, subordination at work and in the home, bruises and beatings, legal rape, all were tolerated as normal, by both politicians and bishops. Censorship didn't outlaw just "dirty books" (by the likes of Hemingway, Orwell and Proust, Maura Laverty and Austin Clarke), it also kept out books that encouraged unapproved thinking on social and sexual matters. The guardians of the faith had dominion over children, with terrible consequences we've come to know too well, in terms of neglect and death, as well as physical, sexual and emotional abuse. There are some who believe the media have power. If they have, it's a negative power - the power to limit the agenda. And in the Catholic era the media bowed the knee to the bishops - literally. Reporters who went to interview a bishop were expected to begin proceedings by going down on one knee and kissing the ring on the hand his majesty held out. This was not limited to special occasions, or to especially vainglorious bishops, it was standard practice. The reporter then went into stenographer mode and took down the bishop's words of wisdom. No cheeky questions. Change was impossible, because demands for change were simply kept off the agenda. But we were now edging towards becoming part of Europe. Television came, paperback books, news from abroad of social, moral and sexual debates. News from the North of demands for civil rights. The public was restive, activists organised, held meetings, made demands. In the media the likes of Gay Byrne - and later Marian Finucane - provided the space within which debate could take place. With debate came changed minds and changed laws. Contraception, divorce, marriage equality, repeal of the Eighth Amendment. The abuse of children, "illegitimate" and otherwise, was put on the agenda, and we were sickened by what we found. Gradually, the media not alone stopped kissing the bishop's jewellery - we got around to asking His Grace to explain why he covered up child abuse. In the middle of all that, in 2008, the economic infrastructure crumbled. Massive amounts of public money were used to prop up the banks and the other private money-changers. Vultures prospered. Extraordinary cuts were made in services, and over the following decade there followed deprivation, pain and premature death. Not much was heard from those who suffered most from this. Vast stretches of working class and lower middle class people had no voice in the media. The trade unions were withered, the forces that demanded change in the past were often now on the other side, preaching austerity from positions of relative comfort. This time, those who dissented from the consensus didn't have a Gay Byrne or a Marian Finucane to ensure their case was on the media agenda. At best, Marian questioned the competence of Irish Water, but not its place in the austerity agenda, or the privatisation stroke being pulled. It was out of this, unpredicted, unexplained, having been allowed little room to explain itself, that the anti-water charges campaign came. For the water charge activists, the old media had become, at best, peripheral, while the wild west of social media too often preached hate as an answer. Back in the Catholic era, there were lots of journalists who saw nothing wrong with bowing the knee and kissing the bishop's ring. That, after all, was what society as a whole agreed was what the relationship between the bishop and the public should be. Similarly today, there's a media consensus on what is valid for discussion - anything outside that consensus is excluded or attacked. What is today called populism results not just from the machinations of right-wing millionaires, it results from the exclusion from debate of many who have felt the sharp edge of the tools used to save the banks from their own greed. Much of the social media dissent of today is expressed in the language of heroes and villains. You are with us or you are against us. In such circumstances, not alone are figures like Gay Byrne and Marian Finucane dismissed from the conversation they helped create, but the conversation itself goes in decreasing circles and everyone ends up talking to themselves. The lesson of the old era and of the new era is that when dissent is given the space to create debate, it may or may not win the argument, may or may not generate change. But dissent excluded from the agenda will fester and emerge in other ways, some of them very scary indeed. STAMFORD He has a full plate of cases to prosecute at the Stamford courthouse, including that of Fotis Dulos, who is charged with evidence tampering in the disappearance of his New Canaan wife Jennifer last May, but Stamford States Attorney Richard Colangelo applied to become the states new top prosecutor. Colangelo, 53, was listed in a recent Hartford Courant story as being one of six leading candidates to replace recently retired Kevin Kane as Connecticuts chief states attorney. Colangelo worked his way up from being a deputy assistant states attorney in Norwalk in 1993 before becoming the top law enforcement officer in the Stamford and Norwalk Judicial District in 2015 and was reappointed to the post for another eight years in 2018. He says there are a lot of changes the states justice system can make to improve and hed like to help make it happen. Being the Stamford states attorney, Colangelo is one of just over a dozen such prosecutors serving in the states 13 judicial districts, whose prosecutors are supervised by the chief states attorney in the Division of Criminal Justice in Rocky Hill. Stamfords own Andrew McDonald, who served a stint as Stamfords corporation counsel, is now chairman of the State Criminal Justice Commission that will appoint the new chief states attorney. The commission is set to meet at the end of the month. A message left with McDonald last week about Colangelos application was not answered. The Stamford and Norwalk Judicial District that Colangelo presides over includes the cities and towns of Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, Westport, Weston, Wilton and New Canaan. Colangelo, a Stamford native who lives in Easton and has two girls and two boys, said he could not comment on the cases he is working on but said he tries to never lose sight of how his decisions affect the victims and defendants. All of the cases I have handled throughout the years have all had particular challenges and highs and lows, Colangelo said. I learned a long time ago that it is never personal and you always have to take the victims feelings into account and you have to be cognizant of how what you are doing affects the defendants and their families. Colangelo, who nearly a dozen years ago helped get a federal grant to start the Technical Investigations Unit of Southwest Connecticut, which conducts computer and cellphone forensic examinations, says he likes to innovate and has participated in efforts to handle court cases more efficiently. Eighteen months ago Colangelo began a pilot program that has since been adopted across the state where traffic tickets are being settled online, rather in the courtroom. He said that his participation in the program has reduced the number of traffic tickets his prosecutors have to adjudicate and negotiate by between 30 and 40 percent, freeing them up to work on the more important cases on their dockets. Colangelo attended Stillwater Elementary, Cloonan Middle and Westhill High Schools before earning his associates degree at Norwalk Community College. He earned his degree from Quinnipiac School of Law in 1992. After seeing a full 40 percent of cases virtually dismissed by prosecutors around the state, Colangelo says he is all for the expansion of the Early Screening and Intervention Program that could save the public about 54,000 court appearances each year. I am blessed to be a part of the largest judicial district in the state and and probably the safest judicial district in the state, looking at crime stats, Colangelo said. I have a great staff and I think it is important to give the new prosecutors the best training and give them as much exposure as you can. Local attorneys said they support Colangelos bid to become the states top prosecutor. Norwalk Criminal Defense attorney Michael Corsello was at the Norwalk courthouse in 1993 when Colangelo got started. He was a natural prosecutor, a very quick study and he picked it up right away. Since he has been the States Attorney in Stamford, he has streamlined the process and made some very positive changes, Corsello said. I think he has done a good job and has done some innovative things. He doesnt just sit on his hands. Corsello said he thinks Colangelo would make a fine chief states attorney. Stamford Criminal Defense Attorney Lindy Urso agrees. I think he would be a fantastic choice, however, I would hate to lose him in Stamford. He has really changed the culture of this office for the better, Urso said. I have been practicing for over 20 years and this is by far the best the Stamford states attorneys office has ever been. Bridgeport Criminal Defense attorney Eugene Riccio has also seen Colangelo come a long way from his days in Norwalk, he said. I think he has the skills and experience to do a good job in that position, said Riccio, who represented former White House Attorney John Michael Farren in a brutal domestic assault case that Colangelo prosecuted. That job requires experience on multiple levels. Its different from being just a line prosecutor. The other candidates for the chief state's attorney job are Michael Gailor, states attorney for Middlesex County; Joseph J. Harry, senior assistant states attorney in Bridgeport; Kevin Lawlor, deputy chief states attorney for operations; Eric T. Lohr, associate attorney general for legal counsel; and Maureen Platt, states attorney in Waterbury, according to the Hartford Courant. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com Passengers of an Air India flight allegedly manhandled cabin crew members and threatened to break open the cockpit door of the aircraft after their Delhi-Mumbai flight was delayed due to a technical snag, airline officials familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The AI865 flight on Thursday got delayed as it developed a technical snag. It had to return to the bay. Passengers started knocking on the cockpit door, asking and taunting the pilots to come out. One male passenger even said that he will break open the cockpit door if the pilots didnt come out, an airline official said on condition of anonymity. Another airline official, who wished to remain anonymous, said a woman passenger allegedly manhandled a cabin crew member, grabbing her arm and threatening to open the main exit gate. A senior officer from the Central Industrial security force said no one was detained after the incident. The airline managed the issue and the passengers were sent to Mumbai in another aircraft, he said on condition of anonymity. Dhananjay Kumar, Air India spokesperson, said the operating crew has been asked to submit a detailed report on the reported misbehaviour by some passengers. Air India management has asked the operating crew for a detailed report on the reported misbehaviour by some passengers. Further action would be considered after getting the report, Kumar said. DCP airport Sanjay Bhatia said police were not informed about the incident. (With agency inputs) Mourners flooded the Iranian cities of Ahvaz and Mashhad Sunday, weeping and beating their chests in homage to top general Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a US strike in Baghdad. Death to America, they chanted as they packed Ahvazs streets and a long bridge spanning a river in the southwestern city to receive the casket containing Soleimanis remains. As Shiite chants resonated in the air, people held portraits of the man seen as a hero of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and for spearheading Irans Middle East operations as commander of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force. In the northeastern city of Mashhad, scores took to streets around the Imam Reza shrine and, addressing the US, chanted Be afraid of your own shadow. Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike Friday near Baghdad airport, shocking the Islamic republic. He was 62. The attack was ordered by President Donald Trump, who said the Quds commander had been planning an imminent attack on US diplomats and forces in Iraq. In the face of growing Iraqi anger over the strike, the countrys parliament was expected to vote Sunday on whether to oust the roughly 5,200 American troops in Iraq. Soleimanis assassination ratcheted up tensions between arch-enemies Tehran and Washington and sparked fears of a new Middle East war. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed severe revenge and declared three days of mourning. But Trump warned late Saturday that America was targeting 52 sites important to Iran & Iranian culture and would hit them very fast and very hard if the country attacks American personnel or assets. In a series of sabre-rattling tweets, Trump said the choice of 52 targets represented the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Terrorist in a suit Irans top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME. For Irans army chief, Trumps threat was an attempt to distract the world from Soleimanis unjustifiable assassination. I doubt they have the courage to initiate a conflict, said Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi. Irans communications minister, Mohammad Javad Jahromi, branded Trump a terrorist in a suit and said in a tweet that he is like ISIS, like Hitler, like Genghis (Khan)! They all hate cultures. US-Iran tensions escalated in 2018 when Trump unilaterally withdrew from a landmark accord that gave Tehran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. A year on, Iran began hitting back by reducing its nuclear commitments with a series of steps every 60 days, the most recent deadline passing on Saturday. Its foreign ministry spokesman, Abbas Mousavi, said Tehran would finalise the fifth step in a meeting on Sunday night, noting the nature of its move was altered by Soleimanis killing. On Sunday, thousands of mourners dressed in black gathered in Ahvaz. Crowds massed in Mollavi Square with flags in green, white and red depicting the blood of martyrs. A glorious crowd is at the ceremony, said state television. In Tehran, deputies chanted Death to America for a few minutes during a regular session of parliament. Trump, this is the voice of the Iranian nation, listen, said speaker Ali Larijani. Soleimanis remains and those of five other Iranians all Guards members killed in the US drone strike had arrived at Ahvaz airport before dawn, semi-official news agency ISNA said. With them were the remains of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraqs powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary umbrella group, who was also killed in the US strike. Soleimanis remains arrived in Mashhad in the afternoon and are due to be flown to Tehran for more tributes on Sunday evening. On Monday, Khamenei is expected to pray over Soleimanis remains at Tehran University before a procession to Azadi Square. His remains are then due to be taken to the holy city of Qom for a ceremony at Masumeh shrine, ahead of a funeral Tuesday in his hometown Kerman. Cyber attack In neighbouring Iraq, pro-Iran factions ramped up pressure on US installations with missiles and warnings to Iraqs troops late Saturday. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, two mortar rounds struck Saturday near the US embassy in Baghdad, security sources said. Almost simultaneously, two rockets slammed into the Al-Balad airbase where American troops are deployed. Iraq said there were no casualties. The US military also said no coalition troops were hurt. In another possible act of retaliation, hackers claiming to be from Iran breached the website of a little-known US government agency and threatened more cyber attacks. The website of the Federal Depository Library Program was replaced with a page titled Iranian Hackers! that displayed images of Khamenei and the Islamic republics flag. Sorry, we can't find the content you're looking for at this URL. Chad has ended a mission spanning several months fighting Boko Haram in neighbouring Nigeria and withdrawn its 1,200-strong force across their common border, an army spokesman told AFP on Saturday. Its our troops who went to aid Nigerian soldiers months ago returning home. They have finished their mission, spokesman Colonel Azem Bermandoa told AFP. None of our soldiers remains in Nigeria, he added, without specifying whether they might be replaced following Fridays pullout. Those who have come back will return to their sector at Lake Chad, Bermandoa said. However, Chads general chief of staff General Tahir Erda Tahiro said that if countries in the region which have contributed to a multinational anti-jihadist force were in agreement, more troops will likely be sent in. If the states around Lake Chad agree on a new mission there will surely be another contingent redeployed on the ground, Tahiro told AFP. At least 35,000 deaths Boko Haram began the insurrection in Nigeria a decade ago, leading to at least 35,000 deaths with violence spilling over into Chad, Niger and Cameroon. A Boko Haram faction aligned with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) jihadists is highly active around Lake Chad where the group has training bases on the Niger border and regularly carries out raids on military bases and regional security forces. Last month saw 14 people killed with 13 more listed as missing after an attack on a fishing village in western Chad. Countries in the region have banded together to fight Boko Haram and ISWAP with support from civilian defence committees leading to Chad contributing 1,200 troops. Those troops have now pulled back across the border to be deployed in the Lake Chad region to strengthen security along the border, a senior local official told AFP. Cameroon says it is battling an upsurge in Boko Haram attacks and, according to an Amnesty International report published last month 275 people, including 225 civilians, were killed there last year. (AFP) A Sikh journalist's brother was shot dead by an unidentified person in Pakistan's Peshawar, exposing the neighbour's treatment towards its minorities. The body of 25-year-old Ravinder Singh was found in the area of Chamkani police station on Sunday, who was in the city for a short while to shop for his wedding. This case of cold-blooded murder in Pakistan, only adds on to the multiple cases of forced conversions of Hindu and Christian women in the country. Even a report filed by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) had stated back in December that religious freedom is affected and deteriorated under Imran Khan's government in Pakistan. The brother of the victim, speaking to the media said, "Cases are shunned here. Speaking of minorities, we are just a few left. Minorities are the beauty of a nation. Thousands of rupees in funds come in the country to safeguard us, be it Sikh, Christians or Hindus. Today I have to pick my brother's body. Till the time the government of Pakistan does not bring the killers of my brother in front of me, I will not sit peacefully. The truth is that we always have to pick up dead bodies. Funds come in our name, but it is eaten away." The incident comes after the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. To make a case for CAA over attack on Sikhs, the BJP on Saturday said the incident justifies amendments made to the Citizenship Act to protect minorities in three neighbouring countries and stressed the need for its immediate implementation. READ| Imran Khan breaks silence on Nankana Sahib attack; drags RSS, preaches 'zero-tolerance' BJP on Pak minorities Addressing a press conference with BJP national secretary Tarun Chugh, party MP Meenakshi Lekhi claimed there have been consistent acts of violence on religious places in Pakistan and minorities have been subjected to threats of "civil conversions", rapes and violence for decades. "Persecution continues unabated since the creation of Pakistan, resulting in the forced migration of such persecuted minorities into India. This not only justifies the necessity of an act like the CAA but also stresses on the need for its immediate implementation. Pakistan now proves that CAA is right and timely," Lekhi said. Nankana Sahib is the holiest shrine for Sikhs across the globe as Guru Nanak Dev was born there, the MP said, adding attacks on the shrine were equivalent to someone attacking Kaaba or Jerusalem. On Sunday, in the national capital Home Minister Amit Shah attacked Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi and CM Arvind Kejriwal over the attack in Pakistan. He said, "The opposition is saying that the citizenship of minorities will be taken away, I want to assure you that citizenship cannot be taken away because of CAA because in the law there is no such provision. They are asking that where are the minorities in Pakistan tortured? Kejriwal Ji, Rahul Ji, Sonia Ji, open your eyes and see that a day before in the holy place of Nankana Sahib was attacked and attempts were made to terrorize our Sikh brothers. "This is an answer to all those who are opposing the CAA. The opposition is spreading lies. These people have got habitual to opposing everything, a habit of indulging in vote-bank politics," he added. (With PTI inputs) READ| Congress slams Pak PM for hurting sentiments of Sikhs after Nankana Sahib Gurudwara attack READ| Owaisi slams Imran Khan for sharing anti-India video, says he is a 'Proud Indian Muslim' HARRISBURG Central Pennsylvania may be a far cry from the Wild West, but folks here love rodeo and the local competitors in it. The first rodeo on opening day of the 104th Pennsylvania Farm Show on Saturday only included a few Midstate cowboys and cowgirls. Yet area residents cheered long and loud for the hometown favorites who came from Newville, Etters, Palmyra, Halifax and Lebanon. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania High School Rodeo Association and featuring cowboys and cowgirls from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, the Farm Show rodeos include galloping horses, bucking bulls, running steers and an audience hanging onto the ends of their seats. The rodeo began at 8 a.m. in the New Holland Arena Saturday. Only a few hundred people saw steer wrestling, which required cowboys to leap off a galloping horse, grab a steer and wrestle it to the ground. Jacob Varner of Collegeville, long-time Farm Show rodeo star, easily won. An hour later, hundreds of additional people made their way to the arena through fog, rain and traffic. Two Midstate cowgirls, Riley Shetron, 18, of Newville and Aimee Getgen, 17, of Etters, soon were getting their share of cheers. They joined forces in team roping, giving a smooth performance and winning second place out of eight teams in the event requiring two mounted people to gallop after a running steer and lasso it. Getgen served as header, lassoing a rope around the steers head, while Shetron was the heeler, roping the steers feet. Getgen also won second place in barrel racing, a timed event in which mounted cowgirls race around barrels without knocking them down. She won first place in pole bending in which a cowgirl and her horse must race around six poles in the arena without touching them or knocking them down. Lacey is moody, crabby and sassy, Getgen said, affectionately looking at her brown quarter horse. She admitted that those traits may have helped her beat 23 pole bending competitors. Lacey wanted to win and she did, Getgen said. She and I both focused. I never heard the crowd. Were having a good day. Shetron, a Big Spring High School senior, brought four horses to ride in the rodeo. She credited her father, rodeo rider Terry Shetron, with her love of horses, saying she got her first pony when she was seven. Riley works hard for rodeo, her father said. She rides her horses in cold weather and in the rain. The audience applauded the young equestrians, cheering at the speed of the barrel racers, coordination of the team roping, strength of the calf ropers and daring of the bull riders. The bull riders had a tough time as each cowboy mounted the big bulls with names like Dr. Evil, Big Red and Carolina Reaper. Each cowboy wrapped a rope around one hand, tightened his thighs around his bull and nodded. When the stock man opened the gate, each cowboys bull seemed to explode out of the chute into the arena. They immediately began bucking. The cowboys only had to stay on the bulls for eight seconds. They couldnt. The wildly bucking bulls dumped the cowboys on the floor as easily as a cow gets rid of a fly. While the rodeo was going on, Gov. Tom Wolf, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson Jr., and other dignitaries spoke at the Farm Show opening ceremony. The Greater Harrisburg Chorus Sweet Adelines sang the National Anthem then the governor spoke of the need to build up the agricultural workforce. This is Pennsylvania, he said. This is the Farm Show. This is the core of who we are. I hope you have a good time at the Farm Show. He seemed to have fun as he toured the Farm Show with Redding. The Farm Show runs through 5 p.m. Saturday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Brexit Party is said to be organising the event himself. (PA) Nigel Farage is reportedly planning to invite 10,000 Brexiteers to a Brexit Celebration Party in London to mark Britains departure from the EU. The event, which is rumoured to be costing around 100,000, will be held on the night of January 31 in Parliament Square in Westminster. According to The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Farage is arranging the details of the event himself. It is set to include fireworks, bands and comedians and coincide with the chimes of Big Ben which will ring out specially, despite ongoing restoration works. The event will be held in Parliament Square on January 31. (PA) Jan 31 is a moment to celebrate, when the establishment have been beaten by the people, Mr Farage was quoted as saying. We will invite people from all parties. Business figures will be asked to join the celebration. There will be a few short speeches but they wont be very political. It will be celebratory. There will be music and singing. It will be a good-natured, upbeat, optimistic, genuine celebration with no direct political edge whatsoever. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: Mr Farage is applying to the Greater London Assembly which licenses events on Parliament Square to stage the party, the paper said. It will be organised under the cross-party Leave Means Leave banner, with between 5,000 and 10,000 members of the public expected to attend, each paying a small ticket price to cover costs. Mr Farage said last month that he is now concerned with the form of Britains departure from the bloc, rather than whether Brexit would take place at all. The truth is that the threat from the Brexit Party, together with the influence of the European Research Group in parliament, has disappeared for the time being, he said. Questions over the future shape of Brexit and Britains place in the world are now entirely in the hands of Johnson. Story continues With half of his Cabinet having voted Remain, and substantial global pressures on him, it will be tempting for him to pursue the easy option of a soft Brexit. The former Ukip leader, who did not stand at the General Election, added that he thought his work had been completed in June 2016 when 51.8% of voters opted to Leave. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Advertisement During my time as a travel writer, I've been everywhere from Alaska to Vietnam with my son. Now he's a well-travelled teenager, I'm increasingly on the lookout for adventurous breaks where we can make memories together. Here are our stand-out trips for 2020. Action-packed Peru Mountain citadel: The incredible Machu Picchu ruins in Peru. Go this year, before the construction of a new airport at the valley's mouth ruins the peace You'll get away with a visit to the ruins of Machu Picchu if you promise your children white-water rafting and mountain biking in Peru's Sacred Valley. Go this year, before the construction of a new airport at the valley's mouth ruins the peace. Elsewhere, take a boat trip from the Paracas peninsula south of Lima to the Ballestas Islands to see sea-lions, dolphins and penguins, followed by dune buggy rides and sandboarding in the desert around Huacachina. Finish in the Amazon with jungle canoeing. Cost: Two weeks' B&B, with guides and activities, costs from 2,450 per adult and 2,150 per teenager with realworldholidays.co.uk. International flights are not included. Surfing on the Basque coast Fast train lines in France mean it's a doddle to reach pretty St Jean de Luz in the little-known French Basque region. Stay in the clifftop Hotel La Reserve and take surfing lessons on the Atlantic waves Fast train lines in France mean it's a doddle to reach pretty St Jean de Luz in the little-known French Basque region. It's less than a four-and-a-half-hour journey from Paris (though I'd be tempted to stop in Bordeaux en route). Stay in the clifftop Hotel La Reserve and take surfing lessons on the Atlantic waves (40 for two hours, or 170 for five days with ecolesurfhendaye.com). You could even catch a ferry from Hendaye across to Spain. Cost: Family studios at Hotel La Reserve start at 230 a night (hotel-lareserve.com). Rail Europe (raileurope.co.uk) has returns from London from 177.50. Explore Sri Lanka White-knuckle ride: Tourists take a rafting trip in Sri Lanka, which is back on the travel map now the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has lifted its travel ban after last year's Easter bombings Sri Lanka is back on the travel map now the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has lifted its travel ban after last year's Easter bombings (and yes, I'd take my son there). Climb the hilltop rock fortress of Sigiriya, visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, and cycle around the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. An action-packed itinerary from specialists Bushbaby Travel includes rafting in Kitulgala and a 4x4 drive to see elephants in the Minneriya National Park, as well as the beaches of the east coast. Cost: Two weeks' B&B in four-star hotels costs from 3,450 per adult, 3,380 per teenager, including activities, flights and a private driver (bushbaby.travel). Go to Corfu by train One tour operator is introducing a train travel trip to the Greek holiday islands of Corfu, pictured. You take the train to Milan and spend the night there before going to Bari for an overnight ferry Still want a villa holiday by the beach? Make the journey part of the holiday and travel by train. Tour operator Sunvil and its villa arm GIC is introducing train travel to Corfu, Paxos, Parga, Sivota and Lefkas for 2020. For Corfu, you'll take the train to Milan and spend the night there before going to Bari for an overnight ferry. Stay in the north-east corner of Corfu by white-pebbled Barbati beach, with its watersports and seafront tavernas. Rent a boat for the day to explore the coast. Cost: Seven nights' self-catering in the two-bedroom Villa Ianthi, with pool, plus the two-night journey, car hire and return flight, costs from 1,485pp (gicthevillacollection.com). See South Korea On a trip to South Korea, you can explore K-pop culture in modern Seoul, pictured, then take the bullet train to the south-coast city of Gyeongju Give your teenagers serious bragging rights by travelling to South Korea, where they can visit the demilitarised zone for glimpses of life in North Korea. Explore K-pop culture in modern Seoul, then take the bullet train to the south-coast city of Gyeongju, capital of the 1,000-year-long Silla dynasty. This new tailor-made trip with Audley Travel also includes hiking on the island of Jeju, with its beaches and volcanic landscape, and the chance to stay overnight in a monastery. Cost: A 12-day itinerary costs from 3,495pp, including flights, B&B accommodation and excursions (audleytravel.com). Coast down California Need for speed: Drive to Lake Tahoe for mountain-biking, kiteboarding, kayaking and rock-climbing, before exploring the natural wonders of Yosemite National Park The Golden State ticks all the teenage boxes, with American culture, great beaches, buzzy cities and the added attraction of the new Star Wars Rise of the Resistance ride at Disneyland California. Start in San Francisco with a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge and a night tour of the island prison of Alcatraz. Then drive to Lake Tahoe for mountain-biking, kiteboarding, kayaking and rock-climbing, before exploring the natural wonders of Yosemite National Park. Head down the Big Sur coastline to Los Angeles and the journey home. Cost: A two-week fly-drive with Bon Voyage (bon-voyage.co.uk) costs from 2,495pp, including flights, accommodation and car. Sail around Croatia Charter a private yacht with a skipper to sail around the Croatian coast, where you can moor off the island of Vis, pictured Join another family and charter a private yacht with a skipper to sail around the Croatian coast. Moor off the island of Vis to go abseiling, dive to Second World War wrecks, and explore tunnels built by the Yugoslav army. Call at the vibrant city of Split and party town of Hvar, and visit the Zlatni Rat beach on Brac and the Blue Cave on Bisevo. Yachts come with paddle boards too. Cost: Seven nights on a 46ft boat with four cabins for up to ten people costs from 4,431 from August 22 with Dream Yacht Charter (dreamyachtcharter.co.uk). Flights to Split and transfers to Trogir, about 15 minutes away, cost extra. Go for gold in Japan The city of Osaka in Japan. With bullet trains, robots and samurai castles, Japan is a child's playground of a country With bullet trains, robots and samurai castles, Japan is a child's playground of a country and the country will be hosting the 2020 Olympics from July 24 to August 9. It will be stinking hot then, so go in October half-term when it will be cooler. Specialist Inside Japan has a 12-night Mountains And Culture family activity holiday, which includes a sword-fighting class in Osaka, a soba noodle-making class in Matsumoto, a cycle trip in Takayama, plus visits to the anime film Studio Ghibli and the Osaka aquarium. You'll get to travel on the legendary bullet train and will be able to opt for extras such as a visit to a sumo stable. Cost: 12 nights' B&B in October costs from 2,133pp, including activities but not international flights (insidejapantours.com). Go biking in Spain There are plenty of walks to enjoy in the Picos mountains in Spain, pictured. This region is also perfect for biking Bundle your brood into the car, attach the bikes to a rack and take the ferry to Asturias's wild coast. Just over 60 miles from Santander is the quartet of new Bufones de Pria apartments with a shared pool. They take their name from the nearby blowholes on the cliffs, through which the ocean spouts dramatic geysers. The pilgrims' Camino de Santiago passes by here, too, and is perfect for biking or hiking. There are plenty of other walks to enjoy in the Picos mountains, as well as to the nearby sandy beach of Guadamia. Cost: Two-bedroom apartments cost from 150 a night (i-escape.com). Overnight ferry crossings cost from 600 return with a family cabin, plus 30 for a bike rack (brittany-ferries.co.uk). Learn to dive in Grenada Explore the crystal-clear waters of Grenada by learning to dive en famille. Once you're qualified (the PADI course takes about three days), take selfies at the underwater sculpture park Explore the crystal-clear waters of Grenada by learning to dive en famille. Once you're qualified (the PADI course takes about three days), take selfies at the underwater sculpture park and head out to the Purple Rain diving site, where bright purple anthias swim above the reef. A day's 4x4 hire to explore Grenada's rainforests, waterfalls and tropical beaches, plus a day's catamaran charter, are also included in the cost of the break. Cost: Nine nights' B&B, including flights, the dive course and two follow-up dives, costs from 2,775pp with Original Diving (originaldiving.com). Head Down Under Whipping up a storm: A sand buggy adventure on the dunes of Moreton Island in Australia Australia is experiencing some of its worst summer bush fires in living memory, but Queensland in winter (our summer months, of course) is a far safer time to visit. Take advantage of our long school holidays and spend three weeks in the country. Trailfinders' Queensland Thrills And Spills trip takes in the Great Barrier Reef, three theme parks in Brisbane, and Moreton Island, where you can take a four-wheel-drive desert safari and toboggan on giant dunes. Cost: A 20-night break costs from 2,579pp, including flights, car hire, four breakfasts and some activities (trailfinders.com). And closer to home... There are some brilliant family hiking holidays, including some in the foothills of the Himalayas. But to be sure your children are up to them, book a walking weekend in Blighty first. Bag Yorkshire's three peaks of Pen-y-Ghent (2,277ft), Whernside (2,415ft) and Ingleborough (2,370ft) in under 12 hours. Alternatively, climb the Lake District giants of Helvellyn, Skiddaw and Scafell Pike. Families are guided and stay in a house run by travel company HF Holidays. Hill-walking experience is a must. Cost: Three nights' full-board in Yorkshire from July 31 costs from 459 per adult and 99 per child (aged 12 to 17) in a family room. Three nights from April 10 and from August 14 in the Lake District costs from 434 per adult or 99 per child (12 to 17) on the same basis (hfholidays.co.uk). More than 3.85 million voters have the right to vote in these elections, including almost 177,000 residing abroad January 5, second round of the presidential election started in Croatia. RBC-Ukraine reports it. Recall that the first round of the presidential election in Croatia was held on December 22. Eleven candidates took part in the elections, but Zoran Milanovic, the former prime minister and leader of the Social Democrats, was in the lead in the first round. He managed to get 29.5% of the vote. Current president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic ranked second with a result of 26.7% of the vote. Grabar-Kitarovic is running for a second term. In 2015, she became the first woman president in the history of Croatia. According to the Croatian State Election Commission, over 3.85 million voters, including almost 177,000 living abroad, have the right to vote in these elections. The population of the republic is 4.1 million people. As we reported, Croatia began its six-year Presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2020. The representative of this Balkan country will head the EU Council for 6 months, after which he will transfer the chairmanship to Germany. With the advancement of new technologies and the arrival of the Internet of Things, a diverse range of smart home products have sprung up and are transforming our everyday lives. Brilliant Optronics, a tech startup based in southern Taiwan, is one of the major companies that took advantage of this trend. They have recently developed a new type of smart film that can turn ordinary glass panels into smart windows. Brilliant Optronics is a startup focusing on photonics, co-founded by Professor Tsung-Hsien Lin, the Chairman of the Department of Photonics at National Sun Yat-sen University, and the university's two Ph.D. candidates Heng-Yi Tseng and Cheng-Chang Li. Their primary product, a smart film that is capable of adjusting light transmissions, has taken the university more than a decade to develop. Unlike a typical smart film, which can only display a black or cloudy effect when charged with a current, Brilliant Optronics' smart film is capable of showing three different kinds of effects. When not charged with power, its surface is clear and transparent; when charged with power, its surface can either turn dark or cloudy, or become a black transparent screen for displaying images and videos. Brilliant Optronics' smart film is constructed by placing a liquid crystal molecule film between two PET films. By controlling the voltage applied to the film that forces the liquid crystal molecules to change alignments, the film can exhibit the three contrastive effects mentioned earlier. Users can press a button, a Bluetooth or WiFi device, or app to activate the voltage control module that allows the film to switch between its different states. The installation of the smart film is simple. To apply it, just adhere it to the surface of a window. The fact that there is no need to replace or install new windows saves a lot of costs and reduces risks, especially for commercial buildings or skyscrapers. Due to the smart film's compatibility with different curvatures and sizes, it can be applied to all types of glass. Although their smart film has yet to hit the market, Brilliant Optronics has already attracted a lot of attention from various expos and startup competitions. Many potential investors are also showing interest in the team. Heng-Yi Tseng says that their main goal, for now, is to improve their smart film technology's yield rate and production processes. After achieving a steady yield rate, the startup team will begin to purchase equipment that can produce films on a larger scale. SOURCE Taiwan Tech Arena Malaysia Stands by Claim to Increase South China Sea Territory 2020-01-03 -- 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 Malaysia's continental shelf beyond the standard 200 nautical miles off the northernmost point of Malaysian Borneo, according to submission documents viewed by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. 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, Malaysia's 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 China's 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 wouldn't 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. "They're looking at all this really hard-core pressure against the Chinese and seeing it's 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. "They're exerting the pressure at the right time, understanding it's 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. On Friday, a reporter asked Saifuddin whether the Malaysian government feared any retaliation from China, such as through sanctions. "If we fear that, we wouldn't submit our claim," he responded. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Delhi: To mark the 30th anniversary of Hubble Space Telescope, the European Space Agency has released a calendar featuring monthly Hidden Gems images. The 12 images were selected from 30 of Hubbles lesser-known gems based on how many likes they received on ESAs Facebook and Instagram pages. The 12 images can be downloaded, printed or shared as desired. It is to be noted that Hubble Space Telescope, which belongs to the European Space Agency (ESA), was deployed into orbit on April 24, 1990. Since then, Hubble has been giving us a visual treat of the Outerspace. Cover: The calendars cover features the distorted galaxy NGC 3256. It is a relic of a collision between two spiral galaxies, estimated to have occurred 500 million years ago. January: In 2014, astronomers conducted a study called the Ultraviolet Coverage of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field project. This picture is the result of 841 orbits of telescope viewing time and contains approximately 10 000 galaxies. February: A colorful 2015 image shows a small section of the Veil Nebula, known as NGC 6960. Located roughly 2100 light-years from Earth, this brightly coloured cloud of glowing debris spans approximately 110 light-years. March: A special image of IRAS 14568-6304 features a young star that is cloaked in a haze of golden gas and dust. In the image, appears to be embedded within an intriguing swoosh of dark sky, which curves through the image and obscures the sky behind. April: One of the largest gatherings of hot, massive and bright stars in the Milky Way is the star cluster Trumpler 14. A 2016 Hubble image captured the cluster, which houses some of the most luminous stars in our galaxy. May: A 2011 snapshot features the fine detail and exceptionally perfect spiral structure of NGC 634, located 250 million light years away in the constellation of Triangulum. June: The 2011 composite image of Sh 2-106 highlights a compact star forming region in the constellation of Cygnus, which combines two images taken in infrared light and one that is tuned to a specific wavelength of visible light emitted by excited hydrogen gas. July: A 2018 composite image of the ringed planet Saturn is pictured with six of its 82 known moons: Dione, Enceladus, Tethys, Janus, Epimetheus, and Mimas. August: The structure visible within NGC 5189 is particularly dramatic, and a 2012 Hubble image unveiled new details of the object. The intricate structure of the stellar eruption looks like a giant and brightly coloured ribbon in space. September: A colourful and star-studded view of the Milky Way galaxy was captured in 2016 when Hubble pointed its cameras towards the constellation of Sagittarius. October: In January 2002, a moderately dim star known as V838 Monocerotis in the constellation of Monoceros, suddenly became 600 000 times more luminous than our Sun. A Hubble snapshot shows remarkable details in the shells of dust that were lit up during the titanic stellar eruption. November: In 2011, Hubble captured a stunning close-up shot of part of the Tarantula Nebula. This is a star-forming region rich in ionised hydrogen gas in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small galaxy which neighbours the Milky Way. Also Read: Lunar Eclipse On January 10: All You Need To Know About First Celestial Event Of 2020 December: The Hubble telescope revealed a rainbow of colours in the dying star IC 4406 in a beautiful 2002 image. Like many other planetary nebulae, IC 4406 exhibits a high degree of symmetry. The nebula's left and right halves are nearly mirror images of each other. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Saturday, threatening to hit dozens of targets in the Islamic Republic 'very fast and very hard' if it retaliates for the targeted killing of the head of Iran's elite Quds Force West Palm Beach: President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Saturday, threatening to hit dozens of targets in the Islamic Republic very fast and very hard if it retaliates for the targeted killing of the head of Iran's elite Quds Force. The series of tweets came as the White House sent to Congress a formal notification under the War Powers Act of the drone strike on General Qassem Soleimani, a senior administration official said. US law required notification within 48 hours of the introduction of American forces into armed conflict or a situation that could lead to war. The notification was classified and it was not known if a public version would be released. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the classified document suggests Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security. In unusually specific language, Trump tweeted that his administration had already targeted 52 Iranian sites, some at a very high level and important to Iran and the Iranian culture." He linked the number of sites to the number of hostages, also 52, held by Iran for nearly 15 months after protesters overran the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. Thousands of Iranians lined Baghdad streets Saturday for the funeral procession for Soleimani. The Islamic Republic has vowed revenge for the Trump-ordered airstrike that killed him and several senior Iraqi militants early Friday Baghdad time. Trump appeared to respond to such threats with tweets justifying Soleimani's killing and matching the bellicose language from Iran. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters," the president tweeted. "He was already attacking our Embassy and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 Trump also warned: "The USA wants no more threats! ....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 Trumps reference to targeting sites important to Iran and the Iranian culture could raise questions about whether striking such targets would violate international agreements. The American Red Cross notes on its website that the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols, ratified by scores of nations in recent years, states that cultural objects and places of worship may not be attacked and outlaws indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations. The notification document sent Saturday to congressional leadership, the House speaker and the Senate president pro tempore was entirely classified, according to a senior Democratic aide and a congressional aide. The aides and the senior administration official were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and requested anonymity. In a statement, Pelosi said the highly unusual decision to classify the document compounds concerns from Congress. This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administrations decision to engage in hostilities against Iran, Pelosi said and reiterated her call for a full briefing for lawmakers. Pelosi said the Trump administrations provocative, escalatory and disproportionate military engagement continues to put service members, diplomats and citizens of America and our allies in danger. She called on the administration for an immediate, comprehensive briefing of the full Congress on military engagement related to Iran and next steps under consideration. - Additional reporting by Olivia Kelleher Updated: Nursing Unions have cited 2019 as the worst ever for hospital overcrowding as they prepare for an emergency meeting with the HSE in Cork, as overcrowding reaches crisis levels at the city's two biggest hospitals. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says conditions at Cork University Hospital and the Mercy Hospital are 'appalling' as they battle flu and staff shortages. INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha says the HSE has confirmed it will meet with officials at 3pm to try and find real solutions. "We know the situation will get worse but it is our view that we have to put emergency measures into place to enusre everythng that can be done will be done." #Cork University Hospital entered the record books for the wrong reasons today, with 73 patients left waiting for treatment on trolleys or in wards the highest number since @INMO_irl records began@RCarrollTV #VMNews has the details: pic.twitter.com/2x9GBsdE6j Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) January 3, 2020 The INMO says that recruitment issues have left staff dealing with appalling conditions at CUH and the MUH. Ms Ni Sheaghdha says that emergency measures are badly needed to solve the crisis. "They have agreed to meet us and we will be looking for real measures that removes all barriers for recruitment. For example in Cork University Hospital they had a ludicrous situation where they had interviewed nurses for jobs. They didn't get national release to issue contracts until the 20th of December despite these offers being available from early October." Sinn Fein says the Health Minister could have dealt with the flu situation better. Deputy Louise O'Reilly says Simon Harris should have opened extra beds to ensure that the capacity was there. "What we really need is an urgent need for capacity within the health service. "The minister has known about this for a very long time. This has been a daily occurence really ... the capacity crisis is ongoing" Meanwhile, 118,367 patients went without hospital beds in 2019, according to end-of-year analysis by the INMO released earlier this week. This confirms 2019 as the worst-ever year for hospital overcrowding since records began - 9% higher than 2018. Over 1,300 of the patients were children younger than 16. The worst months for overcrowding in 2019 were November (12,055), October (11,452), and September (10,641). The INMO points to understaffing and a lack of capacity as key drivers of overcrowding. There are 411 fewer inpatient beds in Irelands hospitals today than a decade ago, despite a larger, older population. INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha says things are getting worse, not better. "These figures should be falling, but were going the wrong direction. 2019 saw thousands more patients without proper beds often at one of the most vulnerable points in their lives." New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Janata Dal-United leader Pavan Varma on Sunday urged the Centre to take into cognisance the views of different States on the issue of National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) and said that this exercise can only be implemented in coordination with the States. "The States have the right to express their opinion. Many states have done so that they do not want the discriminatory and divisive NPR-NRC exercise. I think you can only implement this exercise in coordination with the States," Varma told ANI. He also demanded the Centre to heed the different objections being raised by states on the issue. "I believe that the Centre should listen to what the States are saying, many of them, in a federal polity and take those views on board. Bihar, through Nitish Kumar has said that they do not want NPR exercise, the Centre must take cognisance of it," he added. Union Cabinet on December 24 approved a proposal to update NPR. The NPR was discussed thoroughly at the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On December 27, Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury had appealed to the Chief Minister of 13 non-BJP ruled States not to implement National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) had also expressed deep concerns over the Central government's decision to implement National Population Register (NPR) saying the Centre needs to have wide consultation with the Opposition and evolved consensus should be made on such an issue. (ANI) Drink Baby Yoda cocktail, you will - but only for a little while longer, hopefully. The 2010s saw many ill advised drinking trends, ones the average bar denizen will be happy to see the back of. Still, several are poised to influence the way we imbibe in the coming year and beyond. Over the last decade, radical shifts in collective taste, work habits, the way we consume information and even America's hyper-polarized politics have driven our drinking style. The 2020s will be no different. Indeed, six changes to alcohol culture may have a stronger impact on what, and how, we drink. Luckily, the "Star Wars" franchise isn't one of them. Craft spirits According to Statista, there were 195 independent craft distilleries in the U.S. in 2010. By 2018, that was up to 1,586. ADVERTISEMENT With the success of "handmade" and "artisanal" vodka, gin, rum and particularly whiskey, liquor conglomerates such as Proximo and Remy Cointreau took the "if you can't beat 'em, invest in 'em" strategy by purchasing majority stakes in small distilleries. "The benefit of a strategic partnership allows us to scale up in a meaningful way," said Kaveh Zamanian, founder of Louisville, Ky.'s Rabbit Hole Distillery, which was purchased in 2019 by Pernod Ricard in a buying binge that also included Jefferson's Bourbon in Kentucky, Smooth Ambler in West Virginia and Firestone & Robertson in Texas. But rather than selling out, Zamanian said he sees the investment as a recognition of the value of his creative vision and potential for product innovation. Looking ahead: With U.S. tariffs on European alcoholic products currently in place and more potentially coming, the next decade could be colossal for domestic spirits. Plus, the recent signing of a tax incentive bill included an extension of the Craft Beverage Modernization Tax Reform Act, which provides distillers savings of $10.80 per gallon of the first 100,000 gallons produced. Celebrity liquor The 2010s were the decade that gave us Born & Bred Vodka from Channing Tatum, Heaven's Door Whiskey from Bob Dylan, Virginia Black Whiskey from Drake, Villa One Tequila from Nick Jonas, and even Ron de Jeremy spirits from porn star Ron Jeremy, to name a few. Though not even Steven Soderbergh (Singani 63) could have written the Hollywood ending for George Clooney, who sold his Casamigos tequila to Diageo for a reported $1 billion in 2017. As unseemly as celebrity partnerships can be to the more discerning, they do give niche spirits more attention. Another actor, Ryan Reynolds, acquired part ownership of Portland, Ore.'s Aviation Gin in 2017. "Ryan is recruiting new fans to the gin category and to American gin in particular," said Andrew Chrisomalis, CEO of Davos Brands, which owns Aviation. Though not an owner, actor Matthew McConaughey was named creative director for Wild Turkey whiskey in 2016 _ presumably to help spread the word that bourbon is "alright, alright, alright" through TV spots, philanthropic efforts and Longbranch, a bourbon he co-created with Master Distiller Eddie Russell. ADVERTISEMENT "The decision to partner with Matthew was born out of a desire to share our rich, storied history with a younger bourbon consumer," said Julka Villa, managing director at Campari Group, which owns Wild Turkey. Looking ahead: This year, Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston co-founded Dos Hombres mezcal and Kate Hudson announced the launch of her gluten-free, non-GMO corn based vodka, King Street. Perhaps now mezcal will get the big, bad break it's been poised to have for decades, and maybe more women celebrities will head up spirits brands. Mixers The rise of premium gin and nonalcoholic cocktails silenced the bar soda gun in favor of higher quality bottled tonics and less sugary flavored fizzy mixers. Category leader Fever Tree from the U.K. was valued at $4.5 billion at the start of 2019, but there is rising competition from other mixer companies who came up through the decade. "When we launched over 10 years ago, consumers in the know wanted to make great drinks and they began investing in premium spirits," said Jordan Silbert, founder of Q Mixers in Brooklyn, New York. "It only made sense that mixing those better spirits with mixers of comparable quality and sophistication would make better drinks." Looking ahead: Even old school fizz companies like Schweppes have seen the need to launch premium mixer brand extensions to meet demand. Low alcohol ADVERTISEMENT The gig economy has no set working schedule _ let alone traditional brunch days for day drinking _ but no one wants to get too smashed on a Monday afternoon. "Spritzes and low alcohol session cocktails are a way for people to enhance a moment without the punch of a high proof spirit," said Lynn House, national spirits specialist and portfolio mixologist for Heaven Hill. She spearheaded the rebranding of the low ABV vermouth-like liqueur Dubonnet Rouge to jibe better with sophisticated palates in a less boozy cocktail culture. Looking ahead: If 2019's "Summer of Spritz" was any indication, fizzy and highball-type drinks made with a wide range of flavorful, low-alcohol liqueurs aren't going away any time soon, though tariffs might have an impact on the accessibility of imports. Will high-end drink venues avoid the rising costs of imported liqueurs in favor of hard seltzer? According to Nielsen, sales of hard seltzer, including, yes, White Claw, are up more than 208% in 2019. Bitter America The popularity of IPAs and hoppy beers in the late 1990s and early 2000s seems to have conditioned America's palate for bitter flavors. Amor y Amargo, a bitters-focused cocktail bar in New York City, began as a temporary popup in 2011. Not only did it stay bitter due to popular demand, it opened a second location in post-hip Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 2019. Looking ahead: "Years of watching people like Anthony Bourdain on TV has expanded American consumer's palates and appreciation for different flavors," said Nick Elozevic, co-owner of Diamond Dogs, a casual neighborhood bar in Astoria, Queens. He said these days he has to purchase super-bitter products like Fernet Branca by the caseload. Instagram drinking Cats and lunch weren't the only stars of the decade's social media firehose. So were cocktails, especially those with over-the-top garnishes, bright hues and outrageous drinking vessels (even snow globes). Liquor brands hired influencer cocktail stylists like Josue Romeo (@the_garnishguy) to post content or worked with consultants such as Alexandra Farrington, who said she was instructed to come up with eye-catching concepts no matter what the drink tasted like. Some bars now even have a budget for creative directors, like Tyler Zielinski of Lawrence Park in Hudson, N.Y. Looking ahead: With constantly shifting algorithms and platforms such as Instagram experimenting with not posting "likes", maybe we can all soon go back to sipping plain old glasses of wine _ and not telling anyone about it. ___ (c)2019 Bloomberg News Visit Bloomberg News at www.bloomberg.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. By John L. Micek If you're celebrating a recent federal appellate court ruling that overturned language in the Affordable Care Act requiring you to have health insurance or pay a penalty, you may want to put away the party favors. That's because, like a Pandora's box, the ruling by the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals now puts other parts of the 2009 law at risk, like the ban on denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and language allowing young people to stay on their parents' insurance until they're 26 years old. Why? Because the appellate court returned the case to a federal court judge in Texas, who earlier declared the entire law unconstitutional, effectively starting the clock over again. Legal experts say this "remand and delay strategy," likely guarantees the Affordable Care Act will end up before a U.S. Supreme Court that's even more conservative than it is now, multiplying the chances the whole law will be declared unconstitutional by the nation's highest court. If you're thinking "Oh that won't affect me, I get coverage through my employer," think again. According to the Urban Institute, a Supreme Court ruling overturning the Affordable Care Act will impact every American who has health insurance whether through work, Medicare or Medicaid. A recent study by the left-leaning Center for American Progress drove home the effect in real numbers: More than 130 million Americans, according to CAP, have preexisting conditions. They could end up paying more or being denied coverage entirely. Overturning the healthcare law would mean that 45,600 people in every congressional district in the country would lose coverage. States would lose $135 billion in federal funding for people enrolled in Medicaid and marketplace financial assistance "in 2019 alone." That means those costs would either be passed along to taxpayers, or, more likely, people would be dropped from the rolls. And in the short term, the appellate court's ruling "will harm insurance markets, driving premium increases," said Topher Spiro, CAP's vice president for healthcare policy, which will spike "needless anxiety and suffering for patients." It's worth pausing to note the law's Republican opponents in Congress, abetted by the GOP attorneys general who brought the original Texas lawsuit, don't have a Plan B. So as much as the debate over the Affordable Care Act is a legal issue, it's a political one as well. And right now public opinion is on the law's side. Fifty-two percent of respondents to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll in November said they had a favorable opinion of the law, compared to 41 percent who had a negative opinion. Unsurprisingly, Democratic support ran strongest at 83 percent, pollsters found, while barely 2 in 10 Republicans (22 percent) said the same. Tellingly, however, a clear majority of independents (52 percent) said they had a favorable opinion of the law and that's a constituency that both Democrats and Republicans will be vying for in 2020. For now, the Affordable Care Act also continues to poll better than Medicare for All, which is embraced by Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Depending on how it's described, public support for a federally run, single-payer program charts at 47 to 48 percent, that same Kaiser Family Foundation poll found. A decade on from its creation, the Affordable Care Act is a bedrock part of the American healthcare landscape. And while some may object to it conceptually, it's a certainty that most Americans would not want to return to those pre-2009 days of pre-existing condition coverage denials and exploding uncompensated care costs for hospitals. It's not perfect. But it's better than nothing at all. And nothing is exactly what the law's foes want to return to and that can't ever be allowed to happen. An award-winning political journalist, John L. Micek (jmicek@penncapital-star.com) is editor-in-chief of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star in Harrisburg, Pa. His commentary was distributed by Cagle Cartoons Inc. A group of people in a boat have opened fire on a bar on the Brisbane River - the same property targeted by an arsonist in December. Multiple shots were fired at Mr Percival's bar on Boundary Street from a small vessel that was passing by on the river about 2am on Monday. AAP understands it's the same bar that was the target of an arson attack about 5am on Sunday, December 21. A group of people in a boat have opened fire on a bar on the Brisbane River - the same property targeted by an arsonist in December The venue is located in the Howard Smith Wharves development at the base of the Story Bridge. Police say three or four people were in the boat when shots rang out. No one was hurt and no arrests have yet been made. Detectives have appealed for witnesses to come forward. Police released CCTV footage after the December arson attack. It showed a man entering the bar and throwing cylindrical objects into the premises which quickly exploded into flames. Firefighters were called and the blaze was quickly extinguished but there was some damage to the bar's interior. Ms. Patterson had not thought of the possibility of a draft, but her daughter said that it was all that people at school were talking about, and that many were even getting alerts on their phones with updates about the airstrike, more than 6,000 miles away. On Saturday, Ms. Patterson found herself trying to quell her childrens fears. We all talked about it this morning and I tried to relax them, saying theres not going to be a war, Ms. Patterson said on Saturday. I like to be very, very honest with my children, but I dont want them to worry about that. Thats for the adults right now. Its too much for a kid to handle. Some young adults joined thousands of antiwar protesters on Saturday at more than 80 demonstrations to condemn the strike in Baghdad that killed General Suleimani. At one protest in Seattle, Lukas Illa, 19, said he was not too worried about being drafted, but was concerned about the impact a war would have on others, including service personnel who might come from disadvantaged backgrounds. He also said civilians in Iran were more at risk than Americans. Were not going to be affected by this as much as Iranians will be, Mr. Illa said. Citlali Perez, 18, of Chicago, had begun to plan how she might mobilize against another protracted war, were it to come to that. Mostly how I feel is scared, but also wanting to do something about it and wanting to prevent it, said Ms. Perez, a freshman at DePaul University who has become involved in antiwar activism. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Sunday the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani marked a new phase in the history of the Middle East. Referring to the date of Soleimani's killing in a US air strike in Baghdad, Nasrallah said it was a "date separating two phases in the region ... it is the start of a new phase and new history not just for Iran or Iraq but the whole region". He was speaking at the start of a rally in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut to commemorate Soleimani. Search Keywords: Short link: Joining a handful of other states, the Connecticut legislature appears likely to make capping or controlling prescription drug prices a top target in the 2020 legislative session slated to begin next month. Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, co-chairman of the legislatures insurance committee, said the cost of and access to insulin, the main drug used to treat diabetes, will be of particular concern. Were hoping that were going to make this a real big issue that the legislature can come together to bring pocketbook relief to families, Lesser said. Insulin, which diabetics need because their bodies dont make it adequately, can cost upwards of $1,000 per month. Last March, one of the companies that dominates the insulin market, Eli Lilly, pledged to distribute a generic form of Humalog, its brand name, $300-per-vial insulin, at half the price. A broad health cost reform package failed last year in the General Assembly, without coming to a vote, in part because of opposition from health insurers in Connecticut, chiefly Cigna. Details or proposals for 2020 are still coming together. But a survey conducted by the offices of U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., found the generic was not available in 83 percent of pharmacies. Many pharmacists were unaware of, or not adequately informing their customers, about the availability of the lower-cost alternative. The high cost of the life-saving drug has made headlines for years as some diabetics attempt to ration their costly prescription only to succumb to the disease. Obviously I think the federal government needs to act, but in the interim, putting some big ticket health reforms at the state level will set the ground for federal reform, Lesser said. Its something that both red states and blue states are dealing with, and our big models are actions by Republican governors in Florida and Massachusetts. In October, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker put forward a bill that would require all providers and insurers to boost spending in primary care and behavioral health, penalize excessive drug price increases and limit surprise emergency billing. In June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation authorizing the state to import prescription drugs from Canada and other countries, potentially lowering the cost. Vermont was the first state in the country to enact a drug importation law. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a similar bill in May and that state also became the first to cap insulin co-pays, regardless of how much insulin a patient uses, at $100 per month. The law, signed by Polis in May, also enlists the Colorado attorney general to investigate the rising prices of insulin in the state and to make recommendations back to the legislature. Though such an importation law would require federal approval, the Trump Administration, along with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, issued a notice of proposed rulemaking in December that, if finalized, would allow for the importation of certain prescription drugs from Canada. We are looking to work with the Administration and looking at what other states are doing to address this, Lesser said. Not only are prescription drug prices increasingly unaffordable for families. But theyre also a big budget buster for the state as well. Drug cost reform is not just a priority for Lesser, for whom the issue is personal he has severe food allergies and carries an EpiPen but for the entire Senate Democratic caucus, which will finalize its list of priorities in the coming days. Lesser also said he and his insurance committee co-chairman, Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, are working with advocacy groups such as AARP and JDRF, the largest nonprofit funder of type 1 diabetes research, as well as Republican legislators to address the issue this year. We do intend a number of public health and health insurance reforms, said Senate President Martin Looney, D-New Haven. Dealing with tackling the cost of prescription drug prices in Connecticut, and closely related to that, looking at what two other states have done ... to cap the price of insulin and made it so people can get insulin in an emergency. Its a priority because its something that we hear about from our constituents. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt The US-Iran strains that were otherwise confined to economic sanctions and threats across the wider Middle East, dramatically skyrocketed after Pentagon killed Iran's revered and reviled military commander Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike in Iraq on January 3. The killing that occurred "at the direction" of US President Donald Trump propelled apprehensions across the globe, with the international community concerned over the escalation, that may possibly head towards a war. Hours after the attack, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei declared three days of mourning for Soleimani, and, threatened the US saying "a harsh retaliation is waiting." The recent developments in the Iran-US tensions play a critical point in the geopolitics of the Missle East and the world at large. Here's how the international community reacted: Iran 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. 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." India India in a statement called for calm and restraint over the prevailing situation. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) acknowledging the death of the senior Iranian official, asserted that peace, stability, and security of the region are of utmost significance to New Delhi. It added that it is vital that the situation does not escalate further. Pakistan Ditching its neighbour, Pakistan extended its support to the US after Trump issued back-to-back threats on Twitter. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a tweet notified that he had a conversation with Pakistani Army chief Gen Bajwa. Soleimani for the longest time had accused Islamabad of inciting separatism in Balochistan. Except for Mike Pompeo's statement, Islamabad has maintained his silence over the issue. READ| Donald Trump issues fresh warning to Iran; threatens to attack 'harder than ever before' China Beijing urged restraint from both sides, "especially from the United States" in a statement. Xi Jinping's government said, "We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions." Chinese Foreign Minister even told his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif, "The dangerous US military operation violates the basic norms of international relations and will aggravate regional tensions and turbulence." Afghanistan Afghan President Ashraf Ghani expressed his concern over the probable rise in violence in the region after Soleimani's death. He explicitly told the US that "Afghan soil must not be used against a third country or in regional conflict." Saudi Arabia The Kingdom's de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman over a telephone conversation discussed the significance of de-escalation with the President of Iraq Barham Saleh. In the telephonic conversation, Iran's foe, Saudi Arabia told Saleh that Riyadh backs the security and stability of Iraq. Iraq Iraq's caretaker PM Adel Abdul Mahdi condemning the attack, called the Pentagon strike an "aggression" on Iraq. He further noted that this act would "spark a devastating war." Moreover, he said that the attack was a "flagrant violation of the conditions authorising the presence of US troops" in Iraq. Abdul Mahdi in a statement said, "The assassination of an Iraqi military commander is an aggression on Iraq as a state, government, and people. Carrying out physical liquidation operations against leading Iraqi figures or from a brotherly country on the Iraqi lands is a flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that triggers a destructive war in Iraq, the region and the world." READ| Trump orders killing of IRGC chief; Iran calls act "foolish" & threatens retaliation Syria Bashar al-Assad's Syrian government in stern words condemned the killing of the top Iranian and Iraqi commanders, calling it a "cowardly aggression." Soleimani was credited in Syria for strategising in favour of President al-Assad during the civil uprising. Syrian Foreign Ministry official told SANA that Syria is "certain that this cowardly US aggression ... will only strengthen the determination to follow in the path of the resistance's martyred leaders." It further accused the US of resorting to "methods of criminal gangs." Turkey Indirectly taking a stand over the strike, Turkish Foreign Ministry asserted that it is against 'assassination' and 'foreign interventions.'"Turkey has always been against foreign interventions, assassinations and sectarian conflicts in the region," the office of Foreign Ministry said. Russia Taking a stand against the US attack on Soleimani, Moscow said that the assassination would soar tensions across West Asia. Furthermore, they expressed condolences to Iran. In a statement, Vladimir Putin's government said, "The killing of Soleimani ... was an adventurist step that will increase tensions throughout the region. Soleimani served the cause of protecting Iran's national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people." Israel Trump's ardent ally in the region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating the words of the US said that the Western country has a right to defend itself. Issuing a statement, the PM said, "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." READ| Iran's IRGC guards paint Israel flag on shoe soles out of spite Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman noted that the world is at a "dangerous point of escalation" and urged restraint. Berlin further notified that they were in touch with the European countries including Britain and France to calm the situation. In a statement, Germany said, "We are at a dangerous point of escalation. It is now important through prudence and restraint to contribute to de-escalation" France French President Emmanuel Macron in a telephonic conversation discussed to douse the tensions in the Middle East. Macron's office in a statement said, "The two presidents agreed to remain in close contact to avoid any further escalation in tensions and in order to act to ensure stability in Iraq and the broader region." He further discussed the developments with UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The US military may strike more Iranian leaders if the Islamic Republic retaliates for the Trump administrations killing of Tehrans most powerful general last week by attacking Americans or American interests, secretary of state Mike Pompeo said. As Mr Pompeo conducted a round of TV interviews on Sunday to explain President Donald Trumps decision to target Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, the repercussions from that attack played out. The Iraqi parliament called on the 5,200 US forces in the country to leave; the US military coalition in Baghdad suspended training of Iraqi forces to concentrate on defending coalition troops; and in Beirut, the Lebanese Hezbollah chief said US forces throughout the Middle East are fair targets for retaliation. A supporter of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah wears the words powerful revenge on her hand (Maya Alleruzzo/AP) In Tehran, Iranian state television reported that the country will no longer abide by any limits of the 2015 nuclear deal it signed with the United States and other world powers. Mr Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2018 and stepped up economic sanctions on Tehran actions that accelerated a cycle of hostilities leading to the Soleimani killing. Democrats in Congress complained about the administrations failure to consult with legislative leaders before conducting the drone attack Friday against Soleimani, and the White House faced a barrage of questions about the killings legality. Mr Pompeo said the administration would have been culpably negligent in its duty to protect the United States if it had not killed Soleimani, although he did not provide evidence for his previous claims that Soleimani was plotting imminent attacks on Americans. Instead of arguing that an attack had been imminent, Mr Pompeo said it was inevitable. The coffin of Qassem Soleimani during a funeral procession in Mashhad, Iran (Mohammad Hossein Thaghi/Tasnim News Agency/AP) We watched him continue to actively build out for what was going to be a significant attack, thats what we believed, and we made the right decision, he said. He added later: We continue to prepare for whatever it is the Iranian regime may put in front of us within the next 10 minutes, within the next 10 days, and within the next 10 weeks. Story continues Mr Pompeo appeared on six news shows while Mr Trump kept silent on the final day of his holiday break in Florida. The appearances by the top American diplomat appeared aimed at dissuading Iran from launching a major retaliation for the Soleimani killing. The Iranians have said the US should expect a strong response. They have a range of options, from cyberattacks to military assaults. Mr Pompeo declined to say whether he had sought to communicate with Iran since Friday. He stressed the US resolve to hold Iran accountable for its interventions in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East. Mr Pompeo said the Obama administration had tried to challenge and attack everybody who was running around with an AK-47 or a piece of indirect artillery. Weve made a very different approach. Weve told the Iranian regime, Enough. You cant get away with using proxy forces and think your homeland will be safe and secure. Were going to respond against the actual decision-makers, the people who are causing this threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said the cost to Iran if it uses proxy forces to hit American targets will come down on not just those proxies, which are present in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and elsewhere. They will be borne by Iran and its leadership itself, Mr Pompeo said. Those are important things the Iranian leadership needs to put in its calculus as it makes its next decision. Mr Pompeo tip-toed around questions about Mr Trumps tweet Saturday threatening to attack Iranian cultural sites, a military action that is likely to be illegal under the laws of armed conflict and the UN charter. Mr Pompeo said any US military strikes inside Iran would be legal. Well behave inside the system, Mr Pompeo said. We always have and we always will. New Delhi: Amid reports of growing tension within the Maha Aghadi over the recent cabinet expansion, a poster in Maharashtras Palghar featuring MNS chief Raj Thackeray has become a latest talking point in states political arena. Reportedly, BJP workers in Palghar has put a banner with picture of MNS leader Raj Thackeray alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, and other local leaders. According to the sources, the banner has reportedly been put as a part of campaign for the upcoming Zilla Parishad polls in Palghar and suggests that the BJP can ally with Raj Thackeray's MNS in the local body elections. Earlier, there were reports that had suggested that BJP leader Ashish Shelar had met Raj Thackeray after its fallout with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena. The Shiv Sena earlier admitted that there was a tussle among senior leaders of the three ruling alliance parties in Maharashtra for key Cabinet berths, and said some MLAs could not be inducted as ministers because the list of probables was huge. It also took a dim view of some people vandalising the Congress office in Pune to protest against non-inclusion of party MLA Sangram Thopte in the ministry. The Congress used to call Shiv Senas protests as rada culture (hooliganism), but what Thoptes alleged supporters did was exactly the same, it said. This does not suit the Congress culture, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expanded his month-old ministry on Monday by inducting 36 ministers. The Cabinet expansion was, indeed, delayed but it finally happened. There were some sparks of disappointment from those who could not make the cut, but the list of probables was huge, the Shiv Sena said. It said the opposition (BJP) may be bubbling over such developments, but even the previous Devendra Fadnavis government was no exception to such discontent during its Cabinet expansions. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party also said it kept its word by inducting three Independents, who extended support to the Shiv Sena, unlike the Congress and NCP. A strong and experienced Cabinet is in power, it should be allowed to function, the Sena said. On Shiv Sena MLA Bhaskar Jadhav expressing shock over his exclusion from the ministry, the Marathi daily said Cabinet berth was not promised to anyone, including Jadhav, who joined the Thackeray-led party after quitting the NCP. Jadhav claimed Thackeray promised to make him Cabinet minister. As per our information, no such promise was made to him. Thackeray must have asked him to join the Sena ahead of the Assembly polls and be part of the government, it said. The Shiv Sena joined hands with the Congress and NCP, its traditional adversaries, after its alliance with the BJP collapsed over the issue of sharing the chief ministerial post following the state Assembly polls held in October last year. Noting that there was a tussle over portfolio distribution, the Shiv Sena said senior Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan, who has been inducted into the state Cabinet, needs a ministry like revenue. But the ministry is currently with another Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, it pointed out. Expressing displeasure over vandalisation of Congress office in Pune, the Sena said though Sangram Thopte distanced himself from the protest, the way such discontent has come out does not suit the Congress culture. The Congress used to call Shiv Senas protests as rada culture, but what Thoptes alleged supporters did in the Pune Congress office was exactly the same, it said. Another Congress hopeful was three-time MLA Praniti Shinde, whose supporter wrote a letter in blood to party chief Sonia Gandhi, claiming that Shinde and her father worked hard for the party and always remained loyal to the leadership. Praniti Shinde, the MLA from Solapur, is the daughter of veteran Congressman and former Maharashtra chief minister and Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde. Her father could become chief minister and Union home minister because of the Gandhi family and the Congress, the Sena claimed. 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 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 second spot after he rewatched it a couple of times. 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. Absurdly Driven looks at the world of business with a skeptical eye and a firmly rooted tongue in cheek. When you think of Walmart, you feel quite sure what it stands for. Don't you? It's all about everyday low prices, value, convenience, and a little less inventiveness than Target. Walmart appears to be embroiled in a superheroic battle against Amazon -- I'm fully expecting Walmart to buy a news organization any day now -- but it's all about low prices, online shopping, same-day delivery, and pandering to the increasingly lazy, shut-in nature of Americans. Isn't it? How odd, then, that the supermarket chain is making a change that isn't quite what you might expect. It's choosing to stock more upscale alcohol. No, you don't automatically associate Walmart with the finer things in life. However, the chain's VP of adult beverages, Jason Fremstad, told Business Insider customers want to enjoy these slightly finer things. They want something, well, heavier than Coors Light, Bud Light, and Miller, um, Lite. Fremstad explained: There's been a significant shift in our assortment this year to make sure that we are not just taking care of our customers with all the core offerings they expect, but really getting into that premium and innovative assortment that we're really not known for at this point. He specifically mentioned hard seltzers, local craft beers, and canned wine. In addition, there'll be slightly more chi-chi wines and spirits than the norm, such as Decoy and Justin wines -- the latter is owned by the Wonderful Company, the people who bring you Fiji water -- Veuve Clicquot champagne, and Buffalo Trace bourbon. There's talk of tequila, too. Fancy tequila. For Walmart, this will surely offer a certain elevation of its brand image, though some may argue it's not (necessarily? yet?) such an image-enhancer for a finer wine brand to be seen in a supermarket like Walmart. (Please let me interject a secret. Some wineries allow their names to be placed on cheaper varieties of wine and distributed to extremely mass-market locales, but have no role in actually making that wine.) Once Walmart is seen to be offering something a little more alluring in the alcohol aisle, will customers expect a slight drift upscale in other aisles? It's fascinating how the company has experimented in the slightly-better-alcohol arena. Last year, Walmart released some lower-priced wines -- under its own label -- and claimed they tasted like $40 bottles. I tried them. Some did. Perhaps the chain increasingly realizes its customers have far more variegated tastes than it had previously assumed. Why not go shopping for cheap groceries and treat yourself to a little something special? It's the reverse of people who don't have too much money walking into Burberry and buying just one little scarf. Customers aren't monolithic. Because people aren't. Elevating its alcohol offering is likely to have a positive image effect for Walmart -- and offer an extra avenue for online ordering and delivery. Most important, Oman is along the Arabian Peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz, the worlds most important oil choke point. Its also where the United States and Iran for months have been engaged in oil tanker standoffs: Since withdrawing from the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal almost two years ago, the United States has increased pressure on Iran, including canceling waivers for countries to buy Iranian oil. Iran has in turn threatened to close access to the strait, which would severely constrain access to oil. Washington has also accused Iran of sabotaging oil tankers in the waterway, which Iran has denied. New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met with senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi at the latter's residence here and greeted the BJP stalwart on the occasion of his 86th birthday. Draped in a light brown kurta and light blue jacket, the Prime Minister looked elated on meeting Joshi at his residence. Prime Minister greeted him with a flower bouquet and extended best wishes for his long and healthy life. Earlier in the day, Modi had tweeted saying that Joshi made an "indelible contribution" to the nation. "Greetings to Dr Murli Manohar Joshi Ji on his birthday. Joshi Ji has made an indelible contribution to our country during his long years in politics, Parliament and as a Minister. He is unwavering when it comes to safeguarding national interests and furthering national progress," tweeted Modi. "I consider myself fortunate to have got the opportunity to work with Dr Joshi for many years. Like me, several 'karyakartas' learnt so much from him. His role in strengthening the party is extremely valuable. I pray for Dr Joshi's long and healthy life," he said in his subsequent tweet. Former Union minister and a veteran parliamentarian, Joshi was born on this day in 1934 in Nainital, now in Uttarakhand. (ANI) A U.S. citizen has been indicted for selling drugs on the dark web in exchange for bitcoin. Joanna De Alba of Tijuana, Mexico, has been arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, for the illegal sale and disbursement of narcotics, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release Thursday. As alleged, De Alba dispensed heroin and methamphetamine from the shadowy corners of the internet, believing that it provided anonymity to her and her customers, said DOJ Attorney Richard P. Donoghue. A bright light has been shined on her activities, and she will now be held to account for her charged criminal acts. Related: Alleged BTC-e Operator Alexander Vinnik to Be Extradited to France: Reports Under the pseudonym RaptureReloaded, De Alba allegedly sold narcotics on the dark web marketplace Wall Street Market from June 2018 to May 2019. Customers used encrypted email and bitcoin to purchase drugs from De Alba, who marketed various levels of anonymity for packages sent to the U.S. such as Basic Stealth, Better Stealth and Super Stealth 360, according to the DOJ. In a January 2019, an undercover Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent successfully purchased some 40 grams of narcotics from De Alba, receiving a package in Queens, New York, for around $2,000 in bitcoin. The DEA also intercepted five international packages from the Netherlands and Canada containing narcotics addressed to De Albas deceased husband in Southern California. The DOJ alleges De Alba had employed her partners identify and credit cards to process transactions since his death in March 2018. Anonymity is what drug dealers rely on in the dark web, but this case proves its a false security, said DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan. Law enforcement is committed to tracking down drug traffickers distribution networks everywhere. Related: Russias Largest Darknet Market Is Hawking an ICO to Fund Global Expansion If convicted of all counts, De Alba faces between five and 100 years in prison. Related Stories BJP President and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday addressed the 'Booth Karyakarta Sammelan' in New Delhi. Targeting Arvind Kejriwal and Congress, Shah said that they are spreading "misinformation" over the Citizenship Amendment Act. He alleged that they instigated riots as well. Amit Shah also reiterated that the amended Citizenship Law won't take away the citizenship of Indians. Amit Shah also cited the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara attack in Pakistan and asked the opposition to "open their eyes." 'Kejriwal Ji, Rahul Ji, Sonia Ji, open your eyes and see' Amit Shah said, "The opposition is saying that the citizenship of minorities will be taken away, I want to assure you that citizenship cannot be taken away because of CAA because in the law there is no such provision. They are asking that where are the minorities in Pakistan tortured? Kejriwal Ji, Rahul Ji, Sonia Ji, open your eyes and see that a day before in the holy place of Nankana Sahib was attacked and attempts were made to terrorize our Sikh brothers. This is an answer to all those who are opposing the CAA. The opposition is spreading lies. "These people have got habitual to opposing everything, a habit of indulging in vote-bank politics." 'Congress was afraid of losing their vote bank' Leading the BJP's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) outreach initiative, Amit Shah on Friday turned up the heat against the opposition parties in the wake of ongoing protests in the country against the law. Shah attack against the Congress, along with other opposition parties, comes just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of its misplaced" protest against the amended citizenship law. Congress party was afraid of losing their vote bank and didnt have the courage to grant legitimacy to these refugees. They are spreading lies and misinformation. In 2019, when Modi came to power, he had the courage to uplift these people of minority communities who were mistreated in their countries," Amit Shah said at a pro-CAA rally in Rajasthans Jodhpur. READ | AAP's Sanjay Singh: 'BJP avoiding real issues, CAA,NPR,NRC are mere distractions' READ | Karnataka CM Yediyurappa undertakes door-to-door campaign on CAA, targets Congress The opposition has been opposing the law and calling it discriminatory against the Muslims. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also written to 11 CMs across the country including Punjab, Rajasthan and Odisha, asking them to oppose the implementation of the amended citizenship law. Earlier in December, protests had erupted in several parts of the country over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, 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. READ | Def Min Rajnath Singh condemns attack on Nankana Sahib, says 'that is why we need CAA' READ | Pavan K Varma writes letter to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar against CAA-NPR-NCR US should avoid remarks that could raise tensions U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the U.S. will consider resuming military exercises with South Korea, depending on actions by North Korea. In an interview with MSNBC, Thursday, the Pentagon chief said, "Well, that's something we will take a look at, certainly," when asked if it was time to resume the suspended exercises with South Korea. "It is true that we did scale back exercises because we wanted to keep the door open, or open the door for diplomacy. And I think that was the right way to proceed." We wonder if there have been any prior consultations between the U.S. and South Korea about reinstating the joint drills. If not, expressing such a view in public is highly inconsiderate, and could cause a misunderstanding that he is ignorant of South Korea. It is all the more so considering the South has been avoiding any military activities that could raise tension along the border with the North in line with an inter-Korean agreement signed in 2018. Given that the U.S. should consult with the South before making any decision to resume the joint exercises, he should have been more careful about mentioning the drills. It is also notable that former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, a prominent hardliner, has suggested that Washington resume full-scale military drills with South Korea to respond to North Korea's latest threats. In yet another sharp rebuke of President Donald Trump's "soft-handed" approach toward Pyongyang, Bolton tweeted recently that Trump should resume "all cancelled or down-sized" exercises in South Korea. He also suggested Congress should hold hearings on whether U.S. troops were truly ready to "fight tonight." What is urgent is to get the North Koreans back to the negotiating table. The allies, of course, can consider resuming the drills as an option if this fails, but do not have to publicly say so unnecessarily. Photo:Xinhua Northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region fully respects the rights of ethnic groups and has taken a series of measures, including allocating specific areas for public cemeteries, to protect their rights, a regional spokesperson told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Friday. CNN reported on Thursday that more than 100 Uyghur graveyards were demolished by Chinese authorities. The allegation was made based on satellite images and the story told by a Uygur poet Aziz Isa Elkun, who left Xinjiang more than 20 years ago and never came back. Aziz Isa Elkun claimed he could not find his fathers grave, which was located in Xayar county in Aksu Prefecture, from a satellite image on Google. However, instead of checking with his family in Xinjiang, the Uygur poet opted to tell the media of his discovery. Xinjiang fully respects the rituals of funerals of ethnic groups and has made a series of regulations to protect their basic rights. The region has also set aside specific areas to be used for ethnic groups graveyards, the spokesperson told the Global Times. The traditions of funerals of ethnic groups have also been preserved, the spokesperson said. With economic development and improving livelihoods for locals in Xinjiang, governments at all levels are also making efforts to build public cemeteries and improve facilities at the cemeteries of different ethnic groups. Some people voluntarily choose to relocate the tombs of their relatives to cemeteries, said the spokesperson. An anonymous source, familiar with the relocation of graveyards situation in Aksu, told the Global Times that previously there was a lack of public cemeteries in rural areas in the prefecture and some graves are scattered over farmland. To meet local residents demands, Aksu has built public cemeteries in line with residents willingness to help relocate graves, the source said, noting that for graves that could not be traced to families, the local government notified the public that it was relocating them to public cemeteries. The Xinjiang regional government has also made efforts to protect ethnic graveyards, which have historical, artistic and scientific values, by renovating many ancient graveyards in Kashi, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture and Turpan. Relocating graves to public cemeteries is not a unique phenomenon in Xinjiang, nor does it target any ethnic groups, experts said. Experts noted that many third- and fourth-tier cities around China build more public cemeteries for local residents to move the graves of their deceased family members to during urbanization. Many prefectures in the Xinjiang region are experiencing urbanization. However, the CNN report somehow jumped to the conclusion that China have been destroying traditional Uygur cemeteries for several years as part of a campaign to control Islamic beliefs and Muslim minority groups within its border. It seems that certain Western media have fallen into stereotypical reporting of Chinas Xinjiang issues using sensational claims by individuals without checking the facts, and try to portray the Chinese government as the worst violator of human rights, Chinese observers said. CNN gave no evidence, other than satellite images, to show that the regional government had demolished Uygur tombs. It claimed it talked to the Uygur community in Xinjiang and has also claimed in other stories that all ethnic groups live under tight surveillance by local governments. It also cited some experts on Uygur culture living overseas to prove its allegations. Why do the foreign media so surely assume that local government demolished the graveyards of ethnic groups? Why cant these tombs be removed to cemeteries? Why dont these foreign media come to Xinjiang to see where these tombs have been relocated? Their purpose is quite clear by only telling half and one side of the story, the source in Aksu said. Xinjiang people have the final say on what is really happening in Xinjiang and Western media should stop hyping the situation. For experts and scholars who live in foreign countries and have not visited Xinjiang in recent years, they should stop making groundless claims about the region, analysts said. A bluefin tuna fish was sold for a whopping price of 193.2 million yen ($1.8 million) at the first auction of 2020 that was conducted at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market. The tuna's price was second-highest auction price on record. According to reports, the bluefin tuna was captured off the northern part of Aomori Prefecture, Tohoku region, Japan and weighed a total of 608 lbs (276 kilograms). The price of the tuna fish that was caught is roughly 700,000 yen per kilogram. Head of the company that owns sushi restaurant Sushizanmai, Kiyoshi Kimura was the one who bid a total of 193.2 million yen. In 2019, Kimura had paid a total of 333.6 million Yen for a tuna fish that exceeded the record he had previously set in the year 2013. Bluefin tuna caught off Ireland coast In the month of September, a huge bluefin tuna with a weight of 600lbs and a height of eight and a half feet was caught off the coast of Ireland. According to reports, the value of the bluefin tuna was in millions but the person who caught the fish released it back into the sea. According to the reports the fish was approximately worth 3 million (2.6m). The bluefin tuna was found during a catch and release program where several boats on Irelands south and west coasts participated to count the number of bluefin tuna amid decreasing stocks of fish. Read: Odisha Students Construct 6.9 M Long Fishing Bait From Metal Waste, Eye Guinness Record Read: Jim Beam Fined In Massive Bourbon Spill That Killed Fish The fish was caught by David Edwards of Courtmacsherry-based West Cork Charters from the three miles south of the base in southern Ireland. The animal was tagged before the release. While talking to an international media outlet, Edwards said that bluefin tuna are common in the Donegal Bay where they follow the herring. Bluefin tuna fish is a prized rare delicacy in Japan, where a single fish weighing 278kg a comparative size to the one Edwards reeled in was sold for 333.6 million yen (2.5m) in January this year. It is classified under the endangered category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Read: Video Of Fishes Swimming Upstream In The Rivers Of Western Ghats Amuses Netizens Read: Fish In Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe That Will Be A Complete Treat To Your Tastebuds (With inputs from agencies) The Foreign Minister of Iran, Javad Zarif took to the microblogging website Twitter immediately after the attacks on Iraq's Green Zone and Al-Balad airbase, to pay tribute to the slain Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. In the Tweet, the Minister asserted that thousands of Iraqis also offered their tribute to the slain general. Indicating towards the gathering, he added that this event was the beginning of the end of the USA's presence in West Asia. 24 hrs ago, an arrogant clown masquerading as a diplomat claimed people were dancing in the cities of Iraq. Today, hundreds of thousands of our proud Iraqi brothers and sisters offered him their response across their soil. End of US malign presence in West Asia has begun. pic.twitter.com/eTDRyLN11c Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 4, 2020 Read: Rocket attack near US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq's Balad airbase & Mosul: LIVE Updates Attacks in Iraq Zarif's tweet came a few minutes after the US embassy in Baghdad was attacked, on Saturday. Two mortars hit Baghdad's Green Zone and simultaneously two rockets hit Iraq's Al-Balad airbase, where US troops are stationed. This unfolded as the USA deployed its troops across Iraq following the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on Friday. As per media reports, the Administration officials privately warned the members of Congress that Iran is expected to retaliate against the US either at home or abroad, within weeks. Read: UK advises citizens to avoid travelling to Iran, Iraq after Soleimani's killing Iran retaliates After the attack on the Al-Balad base in the north of Baghdad, the sirens immediately started ringing at the American compound. This compound hosts both diplomats and troops. Media reports suggest that this base was hit by Katyusha rockets. News agencies have reported that two unguided rockets hit the premises of the compound. It is not clear whether any material damage has been inflicted. Read: Mourners in Iraq grieve for Soleimani, al-Muhandis Additionally, two mortar shots also hit the Green Zone in Baghdad. This is a heavily fortified quarter of the Iraqi capital. Reportedly, the rockets hit the vicinity of the US Embassy, which is now closed, and its personnel are transferred to shelter. Reports say that Iran backed militia groups may possibly behind this. Sources also report that multiple coordinated rocket attacks were done against known US populated areas in Iraq. Read: Baghdad: US Green zone, Al-Balad airbase endure rocket attacks The 77th Golden Globes will honor achievement in film and television at the Beverly Hilton this weekend, bringing out the stars for their red carpet moments and a chance at awards show glory. Heres a guide to what to expect this year, including how to watch the show, the nominees and more. Ricky Gervais will host the awards show for the fifth time, having presided over the Globes in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016. Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer star in "Killing Eve," which is nominated for best drama series. Comer is also nominated for best actress in a drama.Frazer Harrison | Getty Images The 2020 Golden Globes will air at 8 p.m. EST Sunday, Jan. 5 on NBC. The arrivals special on that network will start at 7 p.m. E! Live from the Red Carpet also starts at 6 p.m. with hosts Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic. What channel is E? You can check Optimum, DirecTV, Verizon Fios, Xfinity and Spectrum. Its channel 114 on Dish. Beginning at 6 p.m. EST, the red carpet and all of its celebrity fashions can be livestreamed at this link from the Golden Globes Facebook page. To livestream the show without a cable login, you can sign up for Fubo TV, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV or Sling TV. Many of them offer a free trial. To livestream the show with a cable login, you can visit NBC.com or use the NBC app. Tom Hanks is nominated for best supporting actor for his performance as Mister Rogers in "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood." He will also receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award.Lacey Terrell / Tristar Tom Hanks, who is nominated for a Golden Globe this year for playing Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," will be honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for his achievement in film. Ellen DeGeneres will receive the Carol Burnett Award, which recognizes excellence in television. The first such honor was given to Carol Burnett at the 2019 Globes. Antonio Banderas is nominated for best actor in a motion picture drama at the Golden Globes for his performance in "Pain and Glory." Valerie Macon | AFP via Getty Images The 2020 Golden Globes will be the first vegan Golden Globes. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association made a last-minute switch from a meal that included fish to a plant-based lineup in order to send a signal about the climate crisis, HFPA president Lorenzo Soria told The Hollywood Reporter. Celebrities will dine on chilled golden beet soup, chervil and amaranth, king oyster mushrooms with wild mushroom risotto, roasted purple and green Brussels sprouts, pea tendrils and globe carrots. For dessert, the stars will get a vegan opera dome. Who is nominated for best actor and actress? Which films are up for best picture? See our complete rundown of the nominees. Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Egypt's tax authority chief Abdul Azim Hussein was arrested on bribery charges, said public prosector's office on Saturday. Hussein was charged with receiving bribes in the form of gifts and money from chartered accountants who were found to be dealing with the tax authority. There exists incriminating recorded phone calls and meetings that allegedly prove Hussein's corruption. Arrested for accepting bribes Hussein's lawyers have not issued a statement as of yet. In Hussein's absence, the Deputy tax authority director Reda Abdul Kader will be acting as the head of the agency. The legal measured against Hussein were undertaken by the Supreme State Security Prosecution. Minister of Finance, Mohamed Moait in a statement said that no one is above the law and that there were no attempts at a cover-up of corruption. Moait also gave directions to the Deputy Minister for Public Treasury Affairs Ihab Abu Aish to increase the pace of work of all national projects regarding the modernisation of the national tax system. The strengthening of the tax system would lead to better administrative and financial governance. In September 2019, anti-government protests flared up in Egypt regarding economic austerity and allegations of official corruption and waste by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the powerful military. While Sisi has denied all allegations his regime has made great efforts to improve tax collection and curb tax evasion. The Egyptian authorities have also tightened laws as well as launching public campaigns to encourage people to settle tax affairs. It has made great strides when it comes to improving its transparency, according to Transparency Internationals Corruption Index. Egypt rose 12 places in 2018 to place 105th out of 180 countries. Read: Shakeela's Movie 'Ladies Not Allowed' Faces Controversy; Says Censor Board Demanding Bribe Read: PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi Quizzed By Swiss Authorities On Fresh Bribery Allegations In similar news, an Egyptian journalist known for his critical views of the government said on Thursday that police raided his parents' house the previous night and arrested his brother. Mohamed el-Garhy tweeted that the police came to his parents home, who live in a village northeast of Cairo, and asked his father for his whereabouts. When they were told that he was in the city, the police woke up his brother and took him instead. In recent years, authorities have jailed dozens of Egyptian reporters and occasionally expelled some foreign journalists from the country. And when police fail to find a wanted suspect, family members and relatives have occasionally been arrested instead. Egypt remains among the worlds worst jailers of journalists, along with Turkey and China, according to The Committee to Protect Journalists, a U.S.-based watchdog. Read: Former Pakistan Cricketer Nasir Jamshed Pleads Guilty In UK Bribery Case Read: Ajay Devgn Bribes Kapil Sharma To Promote 'Tanhaji', Latter Says, 'Corruption Everywhere' Flash Hundreds of anti-war protesters rallied Saturday in Times Square of New York City (NYC), in the wake of a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport, which killed an Iranian commander and resulted in Iran vowing to retaliate. The protesters held signs that read "Jobs, healthcare, education, housing, human needs, not endless war," and "No war/sanctions on Iran!" The protesters chanted "No justice, no peace. U.S. out of the Middle East!" and "No war with Iran." They also marched down a stretch of Broadway. The protest came hours after a rally outside U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer's apartment in Brooklyn on Friday night. A number of anti-war groups helped set up the rally to decry the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force. New York City has stepped up security at key locations following the targeted killing of Soleimani. During a press conference on Friday morning, New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea said there will be "heightened vigilance in terms of uniformed officers -- many with long guns" at some sensitive and critical places, and urged New Yorkers to stay vigilant. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference that New Yorkers may face more bag checks in the subway and at car stops on bridges and tunnels. WASHINGTON A United States service member and two American military contractors died on Sunday in an attack on a Kenyan military base that the Pentagon said was carried out by the Islamic extremist group the Shabab. The attack at the military airstrip at Manda Bay, Kenya, early Sunday involved small-arms and other hostile fire, according to a statement by the militarys Africa Command. Fighters from the Shabab, an East African terrorist group affiliated with Al Qaeda, fought their way onto the base before Kenyan and American troops drove them back. In the past several years, Manda Bay was used by Army Green Berets as an outstation where they both trained Kenyan Rangers who had their own training center there and supervised them as they crossed over the border into neighboring Somalia to fight the Shabab. But recently, the Green Berets were replaced with units from both the Navy SEALs and Marine Special Operations teams. According to military officials, the base has been problematic at best, with cross-border operations rarely going ahead as planned, prompting American officials to consider ending their use of parts of the base altogether. New Delhi: External Affairs minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday spoke to the US Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of Iran, UAE and Oman, expressing concerns about the ongoing crisis and sharing India's interest in the security and stability of the Gulf. The region has been tense since the US killed Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, Major Gen Qasem Soleimani and other military officials in an air strike in Baghdad on Thursday. Iran has called it a state terror act and threatened to retaliate.A Interestingly, the US has asked around a dozen countries to negotiate peace with Iran and deescalate the tensions. It is not clear whether India is one among the mediators even as the External Affairs Minister's tweets suggested that he was talking to all the key players involved in the conflict. In a series of tweets, Jaishankar said that while speaking to the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "on the evolving situation in the Gulf region" he highlighted India's stakes and concerns. Secretary Pompeo, in a tweet, acknowledged the phone conversation between him and Jaishankar but pointedly blamed Iran. "Dr S Jaishankar and I spoke just now regarding Iran's continued threats and provocations. The Trump Administration won't hesitate to act to keep American lives, and those of our friends and allies, safe," he tweeted hinting that the US was taking into consideration India's stakes. In his conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif, Jaishankar "noted that the developments have taken a very serious done." India, he said, remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension in the region and is going to stay in touch with Iran. Separately, he had a "warm conversation" with the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates on the developments in the region. He "affirmed India's shared interest in the stability and security of the Gulf" during his telephonic exchange with the Foreign Minister of Oman about the tense situation. He appreciated his perspectives on the current situation, Jaishankar tweeted. Meanwhile, the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi in a statement expressed gratitude to India for expressing sympathy and solidarity with Iran. While condemned the US attack, the embassy said: "Despite its strategic restraint which stems from the Irani and national and religious values and principles," Iran considered "safeguarding its national and security interest its legitimate right and on the basis of its inevitable right to self defence it shall take appropriate retaliatory action in the suitable time and place." To ensure global peace and stability, the embassy said, "all the governments of the region and the world are expected to condemn this terrorist act in the strongest possible terms." On Sunday, however, the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert about heightened risk of missile and rocket attacks especially for those living and working near military bases and oil and gas facilities and other critical civilian infrastructure. Incidentally, the parliament in Iraq voted on a resolution to terminate security agreement with the US and sought withdrawal of the US troops from the war-torn country. A fast-rising Nollywood actress, Jennifer Omole, has passed on. She died in Spain on Thursday and was buried on Friday evening at Villarejo de Salvanes, Madrid. She was 33. Nollywood actress, Uche Ogbodo, broke the news of her death on Instagram on Sunday. Uche played a lead role in the late actress hit movie Stolen Vow which premiered in UK, Spain and Switzerland in December 2017. They both executive-produced the film. The late actress, who hailed from Edo State, spent most of her time in Spain where she was based. She had a number of movies to her credit including a lead role in Adamu and Eva, a movie shot in Spain. Her friends said she recently moved to the United Kingdom where she was more successful and had her movie premiered in London. In his tribute on Facebook, her manager, Eddyjoe Benson, wrote, I Dont Know What To Say. Or Write. I Wanna Say Rest In Peace (RIP) My Boss, Jennifer Omole. Working with you made me realize that there are still good people out there. Working with you gave me the level of exposure on how to sell movies to Africa Magic etc Rest on I cant question God. The late actress was a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Spain chapter. https://www.instagram.com/p/B68AJi4pHBj/ Dear Annie: My husband and I are in our mid-60s and have been married for 45 years. We had our children early in our marriage and made many sacrifices to make sure our daughter and son had all the benefits of a well-rounded childhood. Because this took up most of our discretionary income, rarely did my husband and I eat out, and we took very inexpensive vacations, if we went anywhere. During our early marriage, we pursued higher education and worked our way into well-paying jobs. About 25 years ago, we received the first of what's ended up being numerous inheritances. We have continued to be generous to our children, who are now in their late 30s. We paid for their college and gave them a substantial amount of money for down payments on their first homes. We have four grandchildren and have invested enough money in our state's college savings plan that they will have very little, if any, college debt. When my father died eight years ago, we gave each of our children a Christmas present that was enough to pay off their mortgages. That may have been a mistake. I feel that every Christmas since has been a disappointment. We're very practical, so we give checks. The checks seem insignificant in comparison to the "big one," and I'm sure our gifts are a huge disappointment. The biggest problem of all is that my husband and I feel guilty spending money on traveling, a hobby we love. I suspect that my daughter, in particular, feels that I'm wasting her money. How much do parents owe adult children? What about our grandchildren? Their parents aren't saving money, and I don't see much chance that they're going to get the kind of benefits that our children have received. Should we cut back on our spending so we can give them down payments for homes when they get to that stage in their lives? -- To Give or Not to Give Dear TGONTG: Please, step away from the checkbook. Your adult children don't need another cent. What they do need, sorely, is some sense. To continue giving them cash is to rob them of valuable experience and life lessons. You've already given your grandchildren immense advantages, as well. If and when the time comes that they want to buy houses, they can work hard (using those great college educations for which you paid) and set aside the money for a down payment, just like millions of other Americans. Enjoy your retirement. Take as many trips you want, and don't take any guilt-tripping from your kids. If you get the itch to be generous with your wallet, donate to folks who need it. Charity Navigator (https://www.charitynavigator.org/) is a great resource. Dear Annie: Frequently, I read letters in your column from older people complaining that their children, grandchildren and others do not acknowledge gifts or send thank-you notes. I have another take on this. If someone doesn't thank another for a favor done or a gift given, maybe it is because he or she doesn't feel the emotion of gratitude. How sad. It is a wonderful feeling to know that you are important enough to another person for them to give you a gift or a special service. If they don't feel this, they are the ones who are the poorer for it. I have come to realize that the inability to feel gratitude is terribly impoverishing. Maybe gratitude is the modern secular equivalent of the Christian idea of grace. The gift-giver loves me despite my faults, just as Christians believe that God loves and forgives them despite their faults. -- Secular Grace Dear Secular Grace: In response to your lovely letter, a quote: "I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." -- G.K. Chesterton "Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice From Dear Annie" is out now! Annie Lane's debut book -- featuring favorite columns on love, friendship, family and etiquette -- is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM Read more advice: Ask Amy: Separated soulmates are eager to connect Dear Annie: Looking to hop off the hamster wheel Dear Abby: Children cut off stepmother with dads power of attorney A man who moved to Australia to start a new life has been killed after he was hit by a car while walking home from a New Year's Eve party. Kromwell Hayward, 22, was rushed to hospital with severe damage and swelling to his brain after he was hit by a car in Brisbane at 3am on Wednesday. Mr Hayward's brother, Drew West, confirmed his life support was switched off on Sunday. Kromwell Hayward (right), 22, was walking home from a party about 3am on Wednesday in Brisbane when he was hit by a car He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition with severe damage and swelling to his brain before his life support was turned off on Sunday 'It is with a heavy heart that I regret to inform you of Kromwell's passing. Today at approximately 11.30am the decision was made to turn off Kromwell's life support and lay our brother to rest,' he wrote on GoFundMe. 'On behalf of both families we would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming amount of love and support and for every kind donation you have made (and are continuing to make) to the fund. 'This has significantly lightened the financial burden of making arrangements for Kromwell's passing.' Mr West set up the fundrasier to pay for the last minute flights and accommodation in Brisbane, as well as getting the 22-year-old's body back to New Zealand. He told the NZ Herald Mr Hayward moved from Rotorua to Brisbane to live with his sister after the death of his cousin and best friend in 2016. Mr Hayward's cousin, Hendrix Hayward, was living in Perth at the time and was riding a skateboard as it was being pulled by a car - known as 'skitching'. Mr Hayward moved from Rotorua to Brisbane to live with his sister after the death of his cousin and best friend in 2016 Kromwell Hayward's (pictured) brother, Drew West, confirmed the death on Sunday He fell off the skateboard and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but the family chose to turn off his life support. Mr West said it was 'crazy' that something similar had happened to his younger brother. 'It hit him really hard when my cousin died. It turned my brother into a depression,' Mr West said. 'He never really recovered from it and it's so crazy that it would happen to him a few years later.' M ore than 100 people gathered outside the US embassy in London on Sunday to protest against the killing of a high-ranking Iranian general at Baghdad airport. For one week a year, thousands of people gather here to ponder some of life's big questions. Can robots make us feel less lonely? Have we invented enough devices to replace walking yet? Does an internet-connected vibrator count as technology? Why is Ivanka Trump here? Thousand of people are headed to Las Vegas for CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, a massive marketing event where technology companies show off their newest innovations. It's a parade of product announcements, very sharp TVs and weird gadgets, many of which will never be released. The show floor doesn't open until Tuesday, but events begin Sunday, and there are already some hints of what the biggest stories will be out of the event. That includes newly sanctioned sex tech and facial recognition to track attendees plus stealth marketing outside the official CES venue. Ms Trump is also scheduled to give a keynote talk on Tuesday about the future of work, a decision proving controversial among some attendees. 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 Sex toys are allowed. Cannabis is not CES organises its thousands of exhibitors into categories like smart home, augmented reality, transportation and the fast-growing health and wellness segment. And for the first time in its 52 years, the conference will allow sex-toy companies to exhibit on the show floor as part of that group, including a multitasking bed for sex and a number of smart and internet-connected vibrators. CES changed its policy after some drama at last year's show. Sex-toy company Lora DiCarlo won a CES innovation award, but it was later taken away for being against CES policies prohibiting immoral, obscene, indecent, profane products. The award was later reinstated, and Lora DiCarlo received far more press coverage than it would have for an award alone. After that, CES updated its policies to allow sex tech exhibitors in the health and wellness group. Not all vices are getting an invite. Cannabis and tobacco technology, such as vaporisers, is still forbidden at the show. But if past years are any indication, crafty cannabis-adjacent companies will find a way around the rule with clever marketing and euphemisms. There are indoor-hydroponics systems and machines that blend essential oils (including, say, THC). Expect more of the same this year, including a secure, odour-concealing box called Trova for objects that aren't for all audiences. Facial identification works on a consumer-friendly rebrand When attendees register at CES this year, there will be a new option to confirm they are who they say they are: facial recognition. Certain CES check-in locations will have a camera set up that will snap a person's photo and automatically match it to the photo they used to register. It's opt-in and an example of how the conference and its exhibitors are trying to give the technology a more consumer-friendly image. Facial-detection technology has caused a lot of controversy and concerns over privacy and bias. It's already in use at airports and by law enforcement and included in other surveillance systems. Now the same companies making those systems want it to be embraced as a fun, user-friendly technology that makes tasks easier. The AvatarMind iPAL Robot was displayed during CES 2019 (Getty Images) CES is organised by the CTA, an industry group that represents technology companies many of whom would like to give facial detection a friendlier consumer image. Companies like Australian retail ad firm Mikara want to sell facial recognition to stores so they can serve targeted advertisements, while Black and Decker's Pria home-care robot uses it to identify users. Balancing ethical uses of facial detection with the industry's desire for profit could be complicated for the show. Two previous CES award winners listed as exhibitors at this year's show security camera company Ezviz, which is owned by Hikvision, and voice recognition company iFlytek are no longer attending, CNET reported. The US Commerce Department added the companies to a blacklist in October over their alleged use in human rights violations by China against Muslims. The CTA said it does not comment on individual companies. Lots of bathroom technology, for some reason Smart-home technology, like web-connected thermostats and security cameras, has been in a hit in nearly every part of the house. One room that technology companies seem set on infiltrating this year is the bathroom. At CES, a number of companies are planning to show toilet-related tech and other gimmicky products that even they admit will never go on sale. They might, however, draw some attention to normally overlooked faucet and toilet paper companies. Toilets are getting sensors to help determine how much water each flush requires, voice assistants are standing by to flush your toilet, and wearables monitor your stomach and send you a smartphone notification when it's time to use the bathroom. Toilet paper maker Charmin is even showing off demos of something mysterious called a roll bot. And multiple companies promise to revolutionise teeth with high-tech toothbrushes. The head of the CTA's research team, Steve Koenig, sees toilet tech as the next logical step for connected home technology. We're getting to the point where we're fulfilling the original promise of the smart home, which is creating intelligent living spaces that take care of us instead of the other way around, he told The Washington Post. One of the shows more shocking presentations - stripper robots performed at the Sapphire Gentleman's Club on the sidelines of CES 2018 (AFP via Getty Images) Billboards: Where the real CES drama happens Inside the Las Vegas Convention Centre, companies like Sony and Samsung still jockey for the biggest floor spaces and flashiest displays at CES. But not every tech company participates in the event itself. Apple, Facebook and Twitter have been notable holdouts in recent years. Companies that don't participate in the event itself have found a way break through the noise, sometimes without paying a cent to the conference itself. For the past two years, Google has gone from a minimal CES presence to plastering every available surface in the city with Hey, Google ads for its voice assistant, including the coveted front entrance to CES. It is competing with Amazon's Alexa, and to a lesser degree Apple's Siri, for partners to include the assistant in their upcoming products. (Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Last year, in addition to monorail trains and billboards, it built an elaborate working ride like Disney's It's a Small World but for Google products in front of the convention centre. This year, there is already a giant Google structure with slides in front of the convention centre and more monorail ads. Last year, Apple spent a fraction of the cost of actually attending the event on a single, snarky ad that generated far more attention. The giant billboard pasted on the side of a Marriott near the convention centre read, What happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone. It was widely interpreted as a dig at Google and a promotion for Apple's marketing push as the privacy company. We'll find out whether Apple started a new sub-tweeting-via-outdoor-advertisements trend in a few days. The company will also have a speaker at CES for the first time in 28 years via an appearance from its senior director of privacy, Jane Horvath, on a privacy roundtable. The Washington Post Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion curated for you at 9 PM. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. CM Kejriwal appeals for violence to stop at JNU, 7 ambulances sent to varsity Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday expressed shock and concern at the violence which erupted at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which left the several, including universitys students union president Aishe Ghosh, injured and bleeding. Read more. Deeply concerned: India dials Tehran over serious turn of developments after top Iran generals death External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Sunday had a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and said India was deeply concerned about the spiralling tension in the region after the killing of top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in an US air strike. Read more. More than 600 infant deaths reported from Gujarat and Rajasthan since December 1 More than 600 infants died in childcare wards of government hospitals in Rajasthan and Gujarat since December 1, 2019, official records showed. High Infant deaths have been reported from three hospitals in Rajasthan and two in Gujarat. Read more. Digvijaya Singh demands Ayodhya Ram Temple construction under Ramalaya trust Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has demanded that the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya should be done by the Ramalaya Trust, headed by Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati. Saraswati, too, has said that his trust be tasked to build the Ayodhya Ram Temple, money for which, should be directly collected from the people, instead of the government funds, which he claimed were proceeds from various taxes and sale of beef (Gau-mans). Read more. Stop preaching sermons: Govt on targeted killing of Sikh man in Pakistan The government on Sunday condemned the targeted killing of a minority Sikh community member in Pakistans Peshawar. The incident comes close on the heels of vandalism and desecration of Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan. Read more. Stop abusing power of force, China warns US after Qassem Soleimanis killing The United States should stop abusing the power of force, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has said, adding that Washingtons risky behaviour violates the basic norms of international relations. Speaking to his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif over phone on Friday, Wang said Beijing will continue to pay a constructive role in maintaining peace and security in the Middle East. Read more. India vs Sri Lanka live score and updates,1st T20I at Guwahati: Rain delays start of play India take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I at Guwahatis Barsapara Stadium on Sunday. This match will mark the beginning of Indias preparation for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. 4 cricketers - Rohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Shami - who were in Indias T20I squad for the West Indies series, are in Indias squad for the Sri Lanka three T20Is. Read more. Terry Gilliam once again lashed out at political correctness in Hollywood, saying hes tired, as a while male, of being blamed for everything and that Harvey Weinsteins alleged victims were adults who made choices. The Monty Python star and film director also repeated criticisms of the #MeToo movement, calling it a witch hunt that has victimized a lot of people, decent people. Yeah, I said #MeToo is a witch hunt, the 12 Monkeys director told The Independent. I really feel there were a lot of people, decent people, or mildly irritating people, who were getting hammered. Thats wrong. I dont like mob mentality. These [women who came forward with claims] were ambitious adults. Terry Gilliam (seen above in Cairo on November 22) slammed the #MeToo movement as a 'witch hunt' The British-American filmmaker directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail and wrote the script for Monty Python's Life of Brian Weinstein is the powerful film mogul who in October 2017 was first accused of sexual misconduct by actress Ashley Judd. Judd was quoted by The New York Times, which investigated numerous other claims against Weinstein stretching back decades. The groundbreaking report opened the floodgates as dozens more women came forward with allegations of a litany of crimes committed by Weinstein, including harassment, assault, and rape. Alyssa Milano, the actress from the hit show Charmed, invited other women who were either harassed or assaulted to share their stories on Twitter with the hashtag #MeToo - igniting the viral phenomenon. The Weinstein revelations inspired other women to come forward with claims against powerful men in several industries, including Hollywood, the media, music, sports, politics, and academia. Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to charges brought by New York prosecutors who say he sexually assaulted two women - one in 2006 and another in 2013. He has denied all allegations against him. Gilliam, however, thinks Weinsteins alleged victims share some responsibility for what happened to them. There are many victims in Harveys life and I feel sympathy for them, but then, Hollywood is full of very ambitious people who are adults and they make choices, Gilliam said. Gilliam is seen right with Harvey Weinstein at the Venice Film Festival in 2005. Gilliam said that Weinstein's victims were 'adults who made choices' We all make choices, and I could tell you who did make the choice and who didnt. Gilliam recalled that he had a negative experience working with Weinstein I hate Harvey. I had to work with him and I know the abuse, but I dont want people saying that all men [are abusive]. Gilliam said that when he directed the 1991 hit film The Fisher King, two producers were women. One was a really good producer, and the other was a neurotic b***h. It wasnt about their sex. It was about the position of power and how people use it. Gilliam then says he spoke to a famous actor recently. The topic of conversation was #MeToo. She has got her story of being in the room and talking her way out, he said. She says, I can tell you all the girls who didnt, and I know who they are and I know the bumps in their careers. Gilliam is busy promoting his latest film, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, starring Adam Driver (left) and Jonathan Pryce (right) The point is, you make choices. Gilliam continued: I can tell you about a very well-known actress coming up to me and saying, What do I have to do to get in your film, Terry? I dont understand why people behave as if this hasnt been going on as long as thereve been powerful people. I understand that men have had more power longer, but Im tired, as a white male, of being blamed for everything that is wrong with the world. Gilliam then reported held up his hands and exclaimed: I didnt do it! The Independent writer pushed back and said that while not all white men are to blame, they are automatically given privileges that others arent. Gilliam responded: Its been so simplified is what I dont like. When I announce that Im a black lesbian in transition, people take offense at that. Why? Gilliam then says: I dont like the term black or white. Im now referring to myself as a melanin-light male. I cant stand the simplistic, tribalistic behavior that were going through at the moment. Alexandra Pollard, the Independent reporter who wrote the story, tweeted: I can't say it was a pleasure to interview Terry Gilliam. Another Twitter user, Scott Weinberg, mocked Gilliams suggestion that he was in favor of diversity in films Jess McIntosh tweeted: Literally no one is yelling at you Terry just enjoy yourself. Sonny Bunch tweeted: Couldve headlined this story Terry Gilliam generates a ton of PR for his movie that would otherwise have trouble generating attention outside of Film Twitter by pushing all the right buttons. Actor-comedian Paul F. Tompkins tweeted: If youre so tired go lie down old man. Jeff Yang tweeted: White men: want the privileges of being white men. White men: tired of the responsibility of being white men. What are we thinking here - The Ministry of Silly Takes? The Office and Parks and Recreation writer Michael Schur tweeted. Schur used a play on words describing the title of a famous Monty Python sketch - The Ministry of Silly Walks Caspar Salmon tweeted: Really enjoyable press campaign from Terry Gilliam, whose latest film is an adaptation of Cervantes's book about an absurd and deluded old fool who gets it into his head that he's a knight and bravely goes off to fight some windmills. Gilliam then tries to clarify, saying: Im talking about being a man accused of all the wrong in the world because Im white-skinned. So I better not be a man. I better not be white. OK, since I dont find men sexually attractive, Ive got to be a lesbian. What else can I be? I like girls. These are just logical steps. Gilliam is on a promotional tour touting his new film, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, which opens in theaters in the United Kingdom at the end of January. His comments sparked backlash on social media, where Twitter users took turns slamming the film director. What are we thinking here - The Ministry of Silly Takes? The Office and Parks and Recreation writer Michael Schur tweeted. Schur used a play on words describing the title of a famous Monty Python sketch - The Ministry of Silly Walks. Schur continued: Tempted to just go with "Upperclass Twit of the Year," but it's kind of on the nose. How about: "Ugh shut the f*** up you're retroactively ruining my childhood? Actor-comedian Paul F. Tompkins tweeted: If youre so tired go lie down old man. Caspar Salmon tweeted: Really enjoyable press campaign from Terry Gilliam, whose latest film is an adaptation of Cervantes's book about an absurd and deluded old fool who gets it into his head that he's a knight and bravely goes off to fight some windmills. Jess McIntosh tweeted: Literally no one is yelling at you Terry just enjoy yourself. Jeff Yang tweeted: White men: want the privileges of being white men. White men: tired of the responsibility of being white men. Alexandra Pollard, the Independent reporter who wrote the story, tweeted: I can't say it was a pleasure to interview Terry Gilliam. Sonny Bunch tweeted: Couldve headlined this story Terry Gilliam generates a ton of PR for his movie that would otherwise have trouble generating attention outside of Film Twitter by pushing all the right buttons. Another Twitter user, Scott Weinberg, mocked Gilliams suggestion that he was in favor of diversity in films. "Im into diversity more than anybody," says Terry Gilliam, a man who has never hired a person of color for a substantial film role, Weinberg tweeted. W&T Offshore (NYSE:WTI) shares have continued recent momentum with a 31% gain in the last month alone. The full year gain of 18% is pretty reasonable, too. All else being equal, a sharp share price increase should make a stock less attractive to potential investors. 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. One way to gauge market expectations of a stock 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 W&T Offshore How Does W&T Offshore's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? W&T Offshore's P/E of 4.13 indicates relatively low sentiment towards the stock. We can see in the image below that the average P/E (11.2) for companies in the oil and gas industry is higher than W&T Offshore's P/E. NYSE:WTI Price Estimation Relative to Market, January 5th 2020 This suggests that market participants think W&T Offshore will underperform other companies in its industry. Since the market seems unimpressed with W&T Offshore, it's quite possible it could surprise on the upside. If you consider the stock interesting, further research is recommended. For example, I often monitor director buying and selling. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios P/E ratios primarily reflect market expectations around earnings growth rates. That's because companies that grow earnings per share quickly will rapidly increase the 'E' in the equation. That means even if the current P/E is high, it will reduce over time if the share price stays flat. Then, a lower P/E should attract more buyers, pushing the share price up. W&T Offshore's earnings made like a rocket, taking off 52% last year. The sweetener is that the annual five year growth rate of 61% is also impressive. With that kind of growth rate we would generally expect a high P/E ratio. Story continues Don't Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits One drawback of using a P/E ratio is that it considers market capitalization, but not the balance sheet. In other words, it does not consider any debt or cash that the company may have on the balance sheet. 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). So What Does W&T Offshore's Balance Sheet Tell Us? Net debt totals 83% of W&T Offshore's market cap. This is a reasonably significant level of debt -- all else being equal you'd expect a much lower P/E than if it had net cash. The Bottom Line On W&T Offshore's P/E Ratio W&T Offshore trades on a P/E ratio of 4.1, which is below the US market average of 18.8. While the EPS growth last year was strong, the significant debt levels reduce the number of options available to management. If it continues to grow, then the current low P/E may prove to be unjustified. What we know for sure is that investors are becoming less uncomfortable about W&T Offshore's prospects, since they have pushed its P/E ratio from 3.2 to 4.1 over the last month. For those who like to invest in turnarounds, that might mean it's time to put the stock on a watchlist, or research it. But others might consider the opportunity to have passed. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. 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 be able to find a better stock than W&T Offshore. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have grown earnings strongly. 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 police in Nigeria have placed the country on a nationwide red alert amidst claims that some elements within the country may be plotting to instigate crisis as part of the fallout of the killing of an Iranian military chief. Police inspector-general, Muhammad Adamu, reportedly placed all police formations across the country on security notice effective Sunday night, according to a statement from the Force Headquarters. Police chiefs have been directed to ensure strategic deployments of both overt and covert police operatives to ensure adequate security and safety of citizens, foreigners especially diplomats and diplomatic missions domiciled in Nigeria as well as the protection of critical national assets, the statement, signed by chief police spokesperson Frank Mba, said on Sunday evening. In the meantime, Mr Adamu reportedly assured all Nigerians of adequate security as they return to work from long Christmas and New Year holidays starting Monday. The statement did not say whether there were specific threats identified in connection to the killing of the Iranian military chief. Qassem Soleimani, head of Irans powerful Quds Force was killed by an American airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump on Thursday. The assassination near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq has continued to send ripples across the world. Qassem Soleimani The United States said Mr Soleimani was killed to avenge both his past deadly attacks against Americans and forestall future assaults. Iran dismissed Americas explanation as an afterthought and vowed to go after American interests across the world. There were widespread protests following Muslim prayers on Friday in Tehran and other Middle East cities. A protest was also held by Shiite faithful in Abuja, the Nigerian capital on Friday afternoon. It was unclear whether the police alert stemmed from the possibility that additional protests may be planned by the Shiites. Iraq's PMU denies strike on fighters as US mounts attacks on anti-terror group Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 8:38 AM Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) has denied a fresh US airstrike targeted its fighters as the United States steps up attacks on the counter-terrorism paramilitary group in the Arab country. In a statement issued on Saturday, the PMU said no medical convoys had been targeted in Taji, north of the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad, early in the morning. In an earlier statement, the group also known as Hashd al-Sha'abi had reported an strike on its vehicles carrying medics, not senior leaders as some media outlets reported. It came ahead of a planned mourning march for Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the PMU's second-in-command, who were assassinated in a precision drone strike by the US on the Baghdad International Airport road on Friday. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the US-led coalition tweeted, "FACT: the coalition ... did not conduct airstrikes near Camp Taji (north of Baghdad) in recent days." This came almost 24 hours after the martyrdom of Soleimani and Muhandis in the vicious US operation, for which Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei vowed "harsh revenge." Both commanders were admired by Muslim nations for eliminating the US-sponsored Daesh terrorist group in the region. Separately on Friday, after the assassination of the Soleimani and Muhandis, the US State Department announced plans to designate Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq group, which is part of Iraq's Hashd al-Sha'abi, as "a foreign terrorist organization." The State Department also noted that it had designated the group's leader, Qais al-Khazali, and his brother Laith, as specially designated global terrorists. It further claimed that Asaib Ahl al-Haq is "extensively funded and trained" by the IRGC's Quds Force. The new designations reinforce sanctions imposed on the pair last month. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleged that Asaib Ahl al-Haq and its leaders "use violence and terror to further" what he called the Iranian government's efforts to "undermine Iraqi sovereignty." The recent illegal measures taken by Washington, including assassinating the most effective figures fighting Daesh and blacklisting counter-terrorism groups, are widely interpreted as desperate attempts by the US to exert pressure on the Iraqi government and sideline the PMU. The US is frustrated with political developments in Iraq, where it has spent billions of dollars to nurture Takfiri terrorist groups. During the recent unrest in Iraq, Washington was said to be a member of "the third party" responsible for the killing of anti-government demonstrators. The protests led to the resignation of pro-Iran Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi. However, he still assumes a caretaker role. The Fatah (Conquest) alliance, the political arm of Hashd al-Sha'abi which is led by Hadi al-Amiri, holds 48 seats at the Iraqi parliament, the second largest bloc at the 329-seat legislature. Hashd al-Sha'abi is against the presence of American troops on the Iraqi soil and wants their withdrawal. In November 2016, the Iraqi parliament recognized Hashd al-Sha'abi as an official force with similar rights as those of the regular army, therefore legally establishing it as part of the National Armed Forces. In July 2019, Abdul-Mahdi issued a decree that further integrated Hashd al-Sha'abi into the country's armed forces. "In the interest of the public good and as per the powers granted to us by the constitution ... the following is decreed: all Popular Mobilization Forces are to operate as an indivisible part of the armed forces and be subject to the same regulations," read the decree. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ US Navy Cancels Joint Exercises in Morocco, Redeploys Troops to Middle East Reports Sputnik News 21:59 04.01.2020(updated 22:35 04.01.2020) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US Navy has cancelled planned joint exercises with the Moroccan military amid raised tensions following the operation in Iraq that killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) elite Quds Force, media reported on Saturday. According to a US Navy statement seen by media outlet USNI news, the assault ship USS Bataan and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, who were due to take part in the exercises, are now being redeployed to the Middle East. Earlier on Saturday, the Pentagon told the CNN broadcaster that the US military is set to deploy an additional 2,800 troops in the Middle East as tensions with Iran mount following the drone attack that killed Soleimani. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated earlier that the presence of US military forces in the Middle East is preventing countries of the region from finding peace. On Friday, Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of an Iraqi Shia militia group, were among those killed by a US drone attack near Baghdad International Airport. US President Donald Trump called the attack a preemptive, defensive strike, while Rouhani has warned that Tehran will take revenge for what it views to be a heinous crime. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday condemned the mob attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore and said if required, protests will be held against countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan so that the rights of minorities residing there are protected. Addressing a gathering at Panchkula after launching a 'Sampark Abhiyan', as part of the BJP's nationwide awareness campaign on the amended Citizenship Act, he alleged that a few opposition parties are misguiding the people of the country by spreading false information without understanding the provisions of the law. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act aims to provide citizenship to minorities from neighbouring countries who arrive here after facing oppressing on the basis of their religion, Khattar said. It is being propagated among the Muslims that the law aims to take away their citizenship, but in reality it is to give citizenship, the chief minister said while exhorting people to remain cautious and not fall prey to these rumours. Consider this Act as in the interest of humanity, he said. "The Citizenship Act is not a new one. It came into force in 1955. Earlier, it was mandatory for the minorities from other countries to stay in India for 11 years to get citizenship. But now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented a new provision according to which minorities who have come to India before 2014 could be given citizenship of India," Khattar said. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, Manmohan Singh had himself said in the Lok Sabha that such people should be given citizenship as soon as possible, he said, adding now decks have been cleared in Haryana for giving citizenship to such people. He said people can express their support to the CAA by giving missed call to the toll-free number started by the BJP Earlier, the chief minister also visited the houses of prominent people in Panchkula as part of Sampark Abhiyan to garner support in favour of CAA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For most, celebrating the New Year came along with a hefty hangover, but all around the world, traditions saw people welcoming 2020 in their own way. In Cambodia, young people bathed the elders in their community to wash their sins away ahead of the New Year. In Ethiopia, communities wash their carpets and polished their floors and walls with cow dung to banish dust, illness and fleas and to bring good health for the coming year. In a fascinating photo gallery collated by international charity WaterAid, who fight for access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene across the globe, individuals from several countries can be seen observing the new year's tradition of their nation. In Madagascar, elders are gifted the 'vody akoho' - the tail of the chicken, which is believed to be 'the tastiest part' and in exchange, the elders give them a blessing. Pictured, Juliette, 56, is given a chicken in Ambohimanatrika village, Madagascar In Ethiopia, people polish their floors and walls with cow dung to banish dust, dirt, illness and fleas and to bring in good fortune. Pictured: Senede polishes her floor with cow dung in Weynema Workima Kebele, Jabi Tehnan District, West Gojjam In Tanzania, it is tradition that families cook pilau rice together and enjoy a meal. The rice is eaten with vegetables and either a goat or cow that was slaughtered that day. The women cook on the stove outside and fetch water needed to boil the rice and cook the vegetables. Pictured: Ashura Masanja, 28 (third from the left at the back) with her family Pictured: In Myanmar, people take part in a street water balloon fight for the Thingyan Burmese New Year festival on the Pyay road, Yangon city. The water is believed to wash away the misfortunes and bad luck of the past year in time for the upcoming new year In Cambodia, youngsters bathe elders of the community to wash their sins away. Pictured: Horn Lim, 68, is given a holy bath for elders in KangKeab village In Japan, thousands visit Buddhist templed or Shinto shrines for Hatsumode, before praying for the happiness of the new year. They then choose a fortune slip (omikuji) and write wishes on a wooden plaque. Pictured: nine-year-old Manao stands with her parents and grandparents outside the Tajihayahime Shrine, Sakai city, Osaka prefecture In Madagascar, children go door to door and greet neighbours as a sign of respect on New Year's Day, wishing them a happy new year. In return, they receive sweets. Pictured: Three girls in Manjakandriana hold the sweets they have received from adults in their village as part of the new year tradition In Uganda, locals smear each other's faces with cow ghee. The gesture symbolises peace and the practice is thought to =keep bad omens at bay. Pictured: Otyang Mary, 40, smears cow ghee on Akol Maria, 70, in Ariamaoi village In Scotland, it is believed that the first person to walk the door after midnight on New Year's Day, also called first footer, is the bringer of good fortune. Pictured: gifts such as whisky, coal or shortbread. Pictured: Ewan Robertson, 58 celebrates first-footing in Currie, Scotland In Ethiopia, people clean their carpets and blankets before New Year's Day, in order to start the year clean and tidy. Pictured: Senede washes blankets in a nearby river In Uganda, people also smear black soil mixed with water, sorghum and local beer over their bodies in hopes of getting a good harvest. Pictured: Otyang Mary scoops water from a water hole made by the banks of River Nataa to use as part of the new year ritual The Canadian-commanding NATO mission in Iraq has suspended its training task after a U.S. airstrike killed an Iranian commander, Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported Saturday, Trend reports citing Xinhua. A senior Canadian government official was quoted as describing the move as a "tactical pause." The NATO mission run by Canadian General Jennie Carignan is reportedly a "non-combat, advisory and training" mission. The suspension of NATO's training mission, where 253 Canadians are involved, does not affect the U.S.-led Operation Impact where Canada has approximately 600 soldiers servicing in Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan and Lebanon as trainers and advisers, according to the report. Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Friday called on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation after a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, who was commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force. "Canada is in contact with our international partners. The safety and well-being of Canadians in Iraq and the region, including our troops and diplomats, is our paramount concern. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation. Our goal is and remains a united and stable Iraq," Champagne said in a statement. Canada also urged its citizens in Iraq to consider leaving the country in updated travel advisory on Friday after the attack. The search for victims in the rubble of a collapsed seven-storey building in Cambodia has been called off this morning after the death toll hit 36. The country's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, said that 23 people had been pulled out of the wreckage alive after the hotel crumbled to the ground in the seaside town of Kep on Friday afternoon. At least 13 women and six children were among the dead. A black Labrador puppy was rescued from underneath the wreckage of the building just before the rescue mission was called off Cambodian rescue workers carry the body of a victim at a construction site where the seven-storey building collapsed in Kep A survivor is carefully lifted from the debris of the collapsed building and taken to safety Victims rest at a hospital after being injured in the collapse. Prime Minister Hun Sen has promised $50,000 to each of the families of those who died Rescuers also managed to free a puppy that was trapped in the debris. Hun Sen has promised $50,000 to each family of those who died and said those injured would received $20,000. He said that the contractor responsible for the construction died in the accident, while he building's owner had been detained. The rescue effort lasted more than 40 hours, mobilising hundreds of soldiers and labourers using excavators, drills and power saws to clear concrete and cut through metal bars of the pancaked structure. Hun Sen said that the contractor responsible for the construction died in the accident, while he building's owner had been detained The rescue effort lasted more than 40 hours, mobilising hundreds of soldiers and labourers using excavators, drills and power saws to clear concrete and cut through metal bars of the pancaked structure Kep provincial authorities said earlier that a committee had been formed to officially investigate the cause of the accident One police official said the collapse happened as concrete was being poured on its top level Kep provincial authorities said earlier that a committee had been formed to officially investigate the cause of the accident, which a provincial police official earlier said occurred when concrete was being poured on its top level. The last survivor found Sunday morning was a young woman pulled from the rubble by members of Rapid Rescue Company 711, a military unit that is the country's elite specialised emergency rescue team. It is unknown whether there are any more bodies trapped under the rubble. Hun Sen defended the government response and said that no officials in Kep province would be fired. The last survivor found Sunday morning was a young woman pulled from the rubble by members of Rapid Rescue Company 711, a military unit that is the country's elite specialised emergency rescue team It is unknown whether there are any more bodies trapped under the rubble Hun Sen defended the government response and said that no officials in Kep province would be fired 'Building collapses don't only happen in Cambodia ... they happen elsewhere ... including in the United States,' Hun Sen said in a news briefing 'Building collapses don't only happen in Cambodia ... they happen elsewhere ... including in the United States,' Hun Sen said in a news briefing. Cambodia is undergoing a construction boom, with hotels, high-rises and casinos springing up under little regulatory oversight. The tough and often dangerous labour is undertaken by an estimated 200,000 construction workers, mostly unskilled, reliant on day wages and not protected by union rules, according to the International Labour Organisation. Last June some 28 people died in the collapse of a building under construction in Sihanoukville, a beach town flush with Chinese investment that. Cambodia is undergoing a construction boom, with hotels, high-rises and casinos springing up under little regulatory oversight The tough and often dangerous labour is undertaken by an estimated 200,000 construction workers, mostly unskilled, reliant on day wages and not protected by union rules, according to the International Labour Organisation Last June some 28 people died in the collapse of a building under construction in Sihanoukville, a beach town flush with Chinese investment that Worker Ei Kosal said: 'I did not expect to survive. It's like I have just been reborn' Worker advocacy groups point to low safety standards that raise the risk of accidents at construction sites - which often serve as the temporary homes for the labourers and their families. Worker Ei Kosal told AFP on Saturday that he, his wife and two other women were having a meal on site when the building collapsed. Their two companions were crushed. 'I did not expect to survive... it's like I have just been reborn,' Kosal from hospital. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Central Kalimantan Sun, January 5, 2020 The massive expansion of oil palm plantations in forest areas has made it common for families in East Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan regency with the largest areas of oil palm plantations in Indonesia to experience water shortages during dry seasons because of environmental damage. Having relied on monoculture oil palm plantations to earn a living since 2003, Sandi, 60, a small-scale oil palm farmer who lives in Karang Sari village in Parenggean district, has learned the need to cultivate oil palms productively and sustainably, saying that the current situation has often forced people to buy water for Rp 100,000 (US$7) per 100 liters because of shortages. "We have experienced this so often that it has become common now. The last water shortage happened for about three months last September and it was bad. Several other districts near here experienced the same," he said recently. Sandi is one of the small-scale farmers in the regency who has implemented mixed oil palm agro-ecosystems, by which they plant other crops besides oil palms, such as rubber trees, Chinese Albizia trees and vegetables. "With agroforestry oil palm plantations, we might restore the water source in this area as in the past. I hope, he said. However, there are still many small-scale oil palm farmers in the regency who face immense challenges in developing sustainable oil palm plantations even though they are willing to do it. The main challenge is the legal recognition of their land rights. For example, Suparman, 57, and his farmer group in Patai village were forced to not plant oil palm at all in order to get legal recognition of their land rights through the governments social forestry schemes. Suparman said that he and his friends just wanted to be like other farmers in the regency who have a source of income from palm oil, especially considering that a company had once occupied a part of their land to plant oil palms without permission. Earning money by running an oil palm plantation business, he said, was faster compared to other commodities that have been cultivated for generations, such as rubber, coffee, nutmeg and others. Its high production costs also can be easily covered by the increasingly broad market demand, both locally and globally. "We want to plant oil palms too, but weve applied for an IUPHkm [community forest permit], which doesnt allow us to plant oil palms. We comply; we only plant forest plantations, Suparman said. He added that by allowing them to cultivate oil palms, the regional administration could get more tax revenues, which could be used to develop the region. The Finance Ministrys State Treasury Directorate General estimated in 2018 that the area of community oil palm plantations across the country was 40 percent of the total of 14.3 million hectares of national oil palm plantation area. While a Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) report in 2019, using high-resolution satellite imagery analysis, showed that the area of oil palm plantations in Indonesia was 16.8 million ha and about 3.4 million ha was forest. This has an impact by increasing forest fragmentation and affecting the biodiversity of both flora and fauna, the availability of seasonal water, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing land surface and carbon stocks. However, there is still legal uncertainty about oil palm plantations in the regional spatial regulations, which remains unresolved and has often led to land disputes between people and the business sector, the main challenge for farmers in producing sustainably. Seeing this dilemma, Suparman said he hoped the government would use oil palm agroforestry as a solution. The government should make it one of the Social Forestry permit requirements for the people who have been illegally using the forest, he said. Experts shared the same opinion. They said by making agroforestry a condition to obtain a license for Social Forestry, the oil palm sustainability program can as well run more optimally because the people would be forced to do it. Budiadi, the dean of the School of Forestry at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, said the current Law No. 18/2013 on preventing the clearing and destruction of forests should not only be seen from the legal perspective, but also the social perspective. The 2013 law does not provide options for people who have long used the forests illegally, except by prosecuting them. According to the AURIGA Nusantara civil group, there are currently 3.4 million ha of oil palm plantations inside forests, including the areas cultivated by people who live in and around the forest. Although they have occupied forest land and planted oil palm illegally, we should not be excessive, especially toward the smallholder farmers. Its impossible to clear cut the existing oil palm plantations inside the forest areas. If we do that, it means we create a distance between us and the people. Therefore, enriching the monoculture oil palm plantations with perennial trees is the solution, Budiadi said. Another regulation, Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 88/2017 on land dispute settlement, on the other hand, still has many flaws even though it has answered the land problems in forest areas through social forestry schemes. The 2017 regulation does not accommodate oil palm plantations in forest areas because Ministerial Regulation No. 83/2016, the legal basis for the social forestry program, does not allow them. Jambi University, in collaboration with the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Tadulako University and Gottingen University in Germany, began researching oil palm agroforestry in 2014. It is still ongoing. Researchers planted six tree species, namely stinky bean, dog fruit, durian, meranti, jelutu and Peronema canescens Jack into eight-year monoculture oil palm plantations. The dean of the School of Forestry at Jambi University, Bambang Irawan, said that based on the research, planting other trees did not weaken the palm oil production. I saw that it formed a microclimate condition thats almost close to nature. We saw that in the second year of the research," he said. The Kehati (Biodiversity) Foundation and UGM have also offered an idea of agro-ecosystems called the Long Term Strategy (SJB) to be adopted by the government. The main objective of this idea is to increase biodiversity and the sustainable use of oil palms and other commodities. Kehati, the East Kalimantan administration and UGM have held a series of activities to raise farmers awareness of the program. They have cultivated several agroforestry demonstration plots in some areas of the province. The executive irector of the Kehati Foundation, Riki Frindos, said that some regions in Indonesia had established oil palm agroforestry, but on a limited scale because the farmers were still assuming that managing oil palm agroforestry would be more complicated than managing oil palm monoculture plantations. Besides the lack of oil palm agroforestry practices, another problem in implementing the plan, Riki said, was the lack of policy support from both central and regional administrations. We really hope that the government will support the regulation. It would be great to attach it to the agrarian reform and social forestry program. The director of Supporting Palm Oil Sustainability (SPOS)-Kehati, Irfan Bakhtiar, said this problem required a comprehensive policy strategy that would not merely focus on the expansion of oil palm plantations, but also on the minimum impact of the expansion on environmental, social and economic aspects. "If we refer to the existing rules, we dont let people plant oil palms anymore, but we should seek a middle ground, with a different approach, not a criminal approach. This strategy is a win-win solution for both ecology and economy," Irfan said. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login B ritain's navy will accompany UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection after the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani by US forces. Defence minister Ben Wallace said he had ordered the warships HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare to return to escort duties for all ships sailing under a British merchant flag. "The government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time," he said. Iran has vowed to take revenge on the US after President Donald Trump ordered the airstrike to execute the country's top general Qassem Soleimani. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the US was entitled to defend itself / REUTERS Iran's leaders have said they intend to target key US allies and assets in response to the attack which has heightened tensions in the Middle East. Navy escorts were previously used to protect merchant ships in the Gulf after the seizure of the British-owned oil tanker Stena Impero near the Strait by Iranian forces in July 2019. In the statement, Mr Wallace also said he had spoken to his US counterpart Mark Esper about the attack on Friday and that both urged all parties to de-escalate the situation. He also claimed General Soleimani had been involved in efforts to undermine neighbouring nations in the Middle East and said the US was entitled to defend itself against any threats to its citizens. HMS Defender is on its way to the Gulf to protect British vessels / GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images Mr Wallace said: Yesterday I spoke to my US counterpart Secretary Esper and we urge all parties to engage to de-escalate the situation. During the last few months US forces in Iraq, who are based in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government, have been repeatedly attacked by Iranian backed militia. General Soleimani has been at the heart of the use of proxies to undermine neighbouring sovereign nations and target Irans enemies. Under international law the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to their citizens. Brazilian cocoa growers are learning lessons from French wine makers. Like producers of wine from Frances Champagne area, Brazils chocolate industry is using geographical indication, or GI labels with good results. These labels show where the cocoa comes from and its quality. The special labels can lead to higher prices on the market. Henrique Almeida is the 63-year-old owner of a farm in Coaraci, in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. He is pleased with the "South Bahia" geographical indication for his cocoa. "The production of fine cocoa and the creation of the geographical indication label make it possible to have a profitable business and pull our region upwards," Almeida said. For many years, farmers in Bahia had produced common cocoa, used widely in the chocolate industry. But in 1989, an outbreak of "witches' broom" disease sharply reduced the productivity of Bahia's cocoa trees. These trees make up to 86 percent of Brazils national crop. At the time, Almeida, like other producers in southern Bahia, chose to improve the quality of his crop in order to be able to continue growing. "When I bought the farm, standard cocoa prices were low, and cocoa farmers were unmotivated, while the chocolate market was doing well," he told the French news agency AFP. "I started growing fine cocoa to make my own chocolate and add value to my product." The label is the result of 10 years of work by Almeida and other cocoa producers, as well as cooperatives and researchers. Together, they created the South Bahia Cocoa Association to define production rules. The National Institute of Industrial Property registered the GI in 2018 to make the label official. The South Bahia label is the second GI given to Brazilian cocoa. The Linhares region in the state of Espirito Santo was the first GI to be registered in 2012. Tome-Acu in the northeastern state of Para became the third in 2019. I'm John Russell. Agence France-Presse reported on this story. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story indication n. something (such as a sign or signal) that points out or shows something label - n. a name shown on a product that gives information about the company, or person who sold, produced, or designed it region n. a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way productivity -- n. the rate at which goods are produced or work is completed standard adj. regularly and widely used, seen, or accepted : not unusual or special unmotivated -- adj. having no desire to do or succeed at something, not motivated register -- v. to record information about (something) in a book or system of public records We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. Mourners wave the national flag as they carry the portrait Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani during a funeral procession. Photo: Sabah Arar/AFP via Getty Images Just days after the Trump-ordered assassination of the powerful Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad, the aftermath has already led to an escalating political disaster for the U.S. in Iraq. On Sunday, Iraqi lawmakers voted to expel U.S. troops, powerful Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr called for closing the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, and the U.S.-led coalition working to prevent a resurgence of ISIS in Iraq and Syria paused operations amid expectations of more attacks on U.S. forces by Iran and its allies. Embattled Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi urged lawmakers on Sunday to vote to expel U.S. troops from the country, and a majority of them subsequently did during an emergency session of Iraqs parliament. The end result reflected sectarian division, however, since Sunni Muslim and Kurdish lawmakers, who reportedly want the U.S. to stay, skipped the session entirely. The final vote total was 170-0 in favor of expelling U.S. troops and filing a complaint with the United Nations over the breach of Iraqs sovereignty. 158 members of parliament did not attend or vote. The Trump administration reportedly tried to prevent the vote, as well. According to Axios, administration officials have warned senior Iraqi officials that Iraq would suffer dangerous consequences if the U.S. withdrew its military and its funding of the Iraqi security apparatus. A State Department spokesperson called the vote disappointing and said the U.S. was urging Iraqi lawmakers to reconsider while awaiting further clarification on the legal nature and impact of todays resolution. The other clarification the State Department is probably going to need is from President Trump, whose opposition to funding Iraqi security is well established, so he may see Iraq ditching the U.S. as a net gain with or without the consequences American diplomats fear. In the meantime, it does not appear that Sundays vote is legally binding, as Abdel Mahdis government has severely limited power following mass resignations including his after widespread protests against corruption in the country. And basically Iraqi government resigned more than month ago. Abdulmahdis government is only caretaker government, they dont get to do any step. There should be a new government. Mustafa Salim (@Mustafa_salimb) January 5, 2020 Iran-backed Shiite militias have led the charge to expel the U.S. from the country following the U.S. drone strike which killed Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a powerful Shiite militia leader in Iraq, as their convoy drove away from the Baghdad airport in Thursday. Ahead of Sundays session of parliament, some of the assembled lawmakers erupted into anti-America chants. Members of Iran's parliament chants "Death to America" pic.twitter.com/xub1mnfOTo Jason K. Morrell (@CNNJason) January 5, 2020 In his comments on Sunday, Prime Minister Abdel Mahdi decried the U.S. strike as illegal and defended Soleimani, claiming that the Iranian general was his guest and that they had planned to meet on the morning he was killed to go over a Saudi proposal to defuse tensions. He also said that before the drone strike, Trump had called him to request he help mediate the conflict with Iran. But at the same time American helicopters and drones were flying without the approval of Iraq, and we refused the request of bringing more soldiers to US embassy and bases iraqi PM said. Mustafa Salim (@Mustafa_salimb) January 5, 2020 Moktada al-Sadr, the Shiite cleric who is arguably the most powerful person in Iraq and who once led a Shia insurgency after the U.S. invasion later criticized the countrys lawmakers for what he called a weak response insufficient against American violation of Iraqi sovereignty and regional escalation. Per Reuters, al-Sadr called for ending of the U.S.-Iraq security agreement, closing the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, banning communication with the U.S., and a humiliating expulsion of U.S. troops from the country. He also called for the formation of regional axis of resistance against the U.S., days after he said he was reactivating two of his militia forces in Iraq in response to the U.S. strike. Lastly, just minutes after the Iraqi parliament voted, the head of the U.S.-led coalition to combat ISIS in Iraq and Syria announced that anti-ISIS operations have ceased, subject to continuous review, as a result of the recent rocket attacks by Iran-backed militias on bases hosting coalition troops. The statement did not mention the retaliation Iran has vowed on U.S. forces, but explained that coalition troops now had to focus on protecting the Iraqi bases instead of fighting ISIS. It is the second major setback for the coalition in recent months, following President Trumps sudden decision in October to withdraw U.S. forces from northwestern Syria and hastily abandon Americas longtime Kurdish allies on the eve of a Turkish-led invasion. The resulting mess upended the effort to continue subduing ISIS in its former heartland. This post has been updated to include the Trump administrations efforts to block Sundays vote and subsequent response to the outcome. There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. But the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt. So should Bryah Resources (ASX:BYH) shareholders 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. First, we'll determine its cash runway by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves. See our latest analysis for Bryah Resources When Might Bryah Resources Run Out Of Money? A company's cash runway is the amount of time it would take to burn through its cash reserves at its current cash burn rate. In June 2019, Bryah Resources had AU$577k in cash, and was debt-free. In the last year, its cash burn was AU$2.3m. Therefore, from June 2019 it had roughly 3 months of cash runway. With a cash runway that short, we strongly believe that the company must raise cash or else douse its cash burn promptly. The image below shows how its cash balance has been changing over the last few years. ASX:BYH Historical Debt, January 4th 2020 How Is Bryah Resources's Cash Burn Changing Over Time? In our view, Bryah Resources doesn't yet produce significant amounts of operating revenue, since it reported just AU$524k in the last twelve months. Therefore, for the purposes of this analysis we'll focus on how the cash burn is tracking. With the cash burn rate up 9.3% in the last year, it seems that the company is ratcheting up investment in the business over time. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but investors should be mindful of the fact that will shorten the cash runway. Bryah Resources makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow. Story continues Can Bryah Resources Raise More Cash Easily? While its cash burn is only increasing slightly, Bryah Resources shareholders should still consider the potential need for further cash, down the track. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations. Since it has a market capitalisation of AU$4.0m, Bryah Resources's AU$2.3m in cash burn equates to about 56% of its market value. That's high expenditure relative to the value of the entire company, so if it does have to issue shares to fund more growth, that could end up really hurting shareholders returns (through significant dilution). So, Should We Worry About Bryah Resources's Cash Burn? There are no prizes for guessing that we think Bryah Resources's cash burn is a bit of a worry. Take, for example, its cash runway, which suggests the company may have difficulty funding itself, in the future. While not as bad as its cash runway, its increasing cash burn is also a concern, and considering everything mentioned above, we're struggling to find much to be optimistic about. The measures we've considered in this article lead us to believe its cash burn is actually quite concerning, and its weak cash position seems likely to cost shareholders one way or another. While it's important to consider hard data like the metrics discussed above, many investors would also be interested to note that Bryah Resources insiders have been trading shares in the company. Click here to find out if they 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 companies insiders are buying, 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. Arkansas Baptist State Convention failed to report abuse allegations against pastor, lawsuit claims Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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. Los Angeles has Whittier Boulevard. Immortalized in songs and films, the road is legendary for Chicanos, especially those who obliged the weekend tradition of piling into glistening, candy-painted Chevys and Cadillacs to cruise. It might not be featured in Snoop Dogg music videos, but Bay Area residents know the other heartbeat of the lowrider community: Mission Street. Every Friday and Saturday night, it was like a parade, recalls Roberto Hernandez, founder of the San Francisco Lowrider Council, of nights spent on the neighborhoods biggest thoroughfare in the 1970s and 80s. We had cars coming from Sacramento, Tracy, Stockton and San Jose. It was bumper to bumper from 16th Street all the way up to Cortland Avenue. As the godfather of ground-hugging cars in San Francisco, Hernandez has been protecting the rights of those who cruise since the early 80s. And now, hes among those mourning the loss of Lowrider magazine, which recently announced it will be shuttering its monthly print edition. The publication has been a pillar in car and Chicano culture since a trio of San Jose State University students Sonny Madrid, Larry Gonzalez and David Nunez debuted the publication in 1977. (Nunez passed away in 2011, and Madrid in 2015.) The three came up with a few thousand dollars to fund the first issue, which they put together huddled over tables at a restaurant near the university. Their first issue, essentially a zine with black and white photos of cars and write-ups documenting the scenes in San Jose, Fresno and Gilroy, sold for $1. On Dec. 6, 2019, the magazines parent company, TEN Publishing, announced it would cease to print Lowrider (alongside 18 more of its 22 titles) by the end of 2019, citing a rise in digital readership. The magazine will continue to publish content online. I almost died, Hernandez says of his reaction to the news that the physical magazine would be shuttering after 42 years. I couldnt believe it. The magazine played an important role because it gave a validated identity for the youngster who was 14, who was a cholo and was coming out to check out the lowriders, adds Hernandez. Or tu mama or tu papa, or tu tia or tu abuelita. Its a whole lifestyle, a whole community, says Beto Mendoza, who freelanced for Lowrider for years before joining full-time in 2011. He is one of two current full-time staffers, both of whom will continue covering the souped-up cars through the magazines website and social media accounts. Everyone thats a real lowrider, we all know each other, were all friends. Theres a real good connection between all of us. Mendoza fell in love with lowriders at age 6, when he saw a car jumping on hydraulics in the 1987 Cheech Marin comedy Born in East L.A. Soon after, Mendoza got his hands on a copy of Lowrider magazine. He was hooked. The tradition of riding low and slow has deep roots for Latinos in the United States, stretching back to the 1940s, when Mexican American youth in oversize zoot suits known as pachucos would throw in bags of cement or sand to lower their Chevrolets. The lowriders were roving political statements, a declaration of both pride in Mexican heritage in the face of discrimination, and defiance of the fast-and-slick hot rods popular among young, white Americans. Technology evolved, with sandbags soon giving way to hydraulic pumps that could raise or lower the customized cars with the flip of a switch at the owners behest, creating the modern lowrider style most have come to recognize today. Lowriding is an art form, says Hernandez. You will never see a lowrider thats the same as another. The upholstery is different. The color, the paint job is different. Every lowrider puts his touch on his lowrider. It comes from your heart, your soul, your spirit, your mind. Law enforcement hasnt always agreed. A 1958 law in California outlawed cars that had any part lower than the bottom of the wheels rim. From then on, lowriders became associated with gangs and violence, arguably spurred by racist stereotypes of the young, often working-class brown and black men who drove the cars. The police didnt understand it, Hernandez says, recalling the resistance lowriders faced in the 70s and 80s. They saw it as threatening. Drivers out to cruise knew to expect harassment. Police would issue tickets for reckless driving or shut down Mission Street altogether to stop lowriders. Hernandez says he was cited 113 times, and recalls some of his peers being arrested for cruising. If they headed across the bridge to the East Bay, it was the same: If we went to a town like Walnut Creek, we ended up getting chased out by the (locals) or by police, says David Gonzales, a Richmond-born lowrider and cartoonist who ran the comic strip The Adventures of Hollywood in the magazine from 1978 to 1983. The police involvement always seemed to have an element of racial profiling, according to Hernandez. While we were doing that on Mission Street, across the city, in the Sunset, on the Great Highway, the hot rodders which were all the white boys were racing for pink slips, he says, meaning the winner takes the losers car. And the police and the city never messed with them. Lowrider magazine provided an antidote. Spurred by the energy around the Chicano civil rights movement, Madrid, Gonzalez and Nunez set out to feature lowrider culture with appreciation and affection, while also covering social and political issues important to the Chicano community. Alongside customized cars, Lowriders pages featured sections like La Raza Report, short stories, poetry and comics made by Chicanos. At one point, they even started a now-defunct music label, Thump Records, and had a scholarship program for young Chicanos. It did a lot of reporting on social issues that were affecting Latinos, Hernandez says. But more importantly, it also became a conversation piece. You could talk with your family, your friends, your homies so it became a way to not only communicate but to inform, educate and begin a conversation. The early success of the magazine spoke to the need for such an outlet, as it grew from a homespun DIY-style project to a publication with considerable reach. Ill never forget when Sonny (Madrid) called me and said I got the first issue, Hernandez recalls. Hernandez leaned on the connections he had built in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area through his organizing with the United Farm Workers to help get the magazine stocked in record stores, panaderias and other local businesses. Cartoonist David Gonzales remembers the founders selling early copies of Lowrider out of a 1954 Chevy Bel Air wherever readers might be. Larry (Gonzalez) would call me and say Hey, were going to be in Oakland, or This weekend were going to Richmond, is there anything going on? Gonzales recalls. Sure enough, theyd show up and people would be out there with their magazines. The cartoonist went on to create Homies, a popular series of collectible figurines based on the characters in the comic strip. Like the founders of Lowrider, he aimed to reflect life for Chicanos as he saw it. A lot of our social life was cruising, he says. Starting Friday, youre like, Bam, where we heading tonight and the next day? with the crew. So it was just the fun of building the car, the fellowship, the camaraderie. That fellowship had no age limit. In covering the community as an editor for Lowrider, Beto Mendoza says hes seen the level of detail, money and focus poured into customizing classic cars become a site of connection across generations of families. Lowrider magazine Lowrider magazine Photo: Lowrider Magazine Photo: Lowrider Magazine Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close San Jose car magazine, Lowrider, takes its final cruise in print 1 / 7 Back to Gallery At the shows, if you look around, everybodys got their car up with their wife and kids. Its a family thing going around these cars. Its an excuse to build memories. As Lowrider magazine grew, its readership expanded to include a multicultural audience, and the content slowly shifted away from explicit political messaging. In 1979, it ran its first issue with a pinup model donning the cover. That aesthetic choice and sales strategy continued until 2015, when editors decided to do away with the models, in part to reflect changing attitudes toward women in the lowrider community. In the decades in between, the magazine also expanded its reach and business model, moving its headquarters to Los Angeles and capturing (and nurturing) lowrider communities as far away as Japan, Brazil, Australia, Mexico and Canada. At its peak, the magazine had a circulation of 210,000. The last issue hit newsstands in late December. But while the print publication has come to an end, the Bay Area community it helped document and advocate for certainly isnt going anywhere. With the San Francisco Lowrider Council, Hernandez has worked to better advocate for the preservation of lowrider culture and dispel harmful stereotypes in the face of restrictions from the city and law enforcement. And he thinks the tide has shifted. Hernandez and his fellow lowriders are a staple at community events throughout the city. They organize cruises down Mission Street, and as was perhaps unimaginable in the 70s local politicians sometimes join them. In May 2019, Mayor London Breed rode shotgun alongside Hernandez in his crisp white Chevrolet Impala during the San Francisco Lowrider Councils Cinco de Mayo car show. Hernandez credits part of that shift to the sense of pride Lowrider gave Chicanos. I was proud that I was part of it, he says. Not only Heres a car that I flipped out into an art piece, but Heres a showcase of what our art is. In recent years, Hernandez has even been using the magazines roll models section in sensitivity trainings he conducts with the San Francisco Police Department. The recurring feature highlights lowriders of all stripes lawyers, engineers, fathers and daughters to combat decades-old stereotypes about lowriding being tied to violence or gang activity. Ive been able to go deep with these stories theyve written about individuals who are lowriders, he says. Thats the sad part to me. There are so many more stories that need to be told. Montse Reyes is a Bay Area freelance writer. Email: culture@sfchronicle.com Such A Fun Age Kiley Reid Bloomsbury Circus 12.99 Emira Tucker is a 25-year-old college grad living in Philadelphia, worried about her future as her friends begin to make their way in the world, but otherwise content working as a part-time child minder for a privileged white family. But then a late-night, racially charged incident in an upmarket supermarket, filmed by a bystander and uploaded to social media, changes everything. Smart, fast-paced and beautifully observed, Reid tackles timely themes around race and political correctness with wit and verve. Simon Humphreys Highfire Eoin Colfer Jo Fletcher 16.99 In a sideways move from his hit Artemis Fowl childrens books, Colfer dishes up an all-action adult novel about a vodka-drinking wyvern who, gone to ground in the marshlands of Louisiana, finds himself protecting a delinquent teenager, Squib, against a corrupt cop with designs on his mother. Told in crunchy prose, with lashings of earthy dialogue, it reads like an Elmore Leonard thriller, but with dragons. Ill admit I was sceptical, but Colfer clearly had a blast writing this, and his sheer storytelling panache brushes aside the quibbles of fantasy-genre agnostics with infectious glee. Anthony Cummins A Long Petal Of The Sea Isabel Allende Bloomsbury 16.99 Victor Dalmau and Roser Bruguera he a doctor, she a pianist are refugees fleeing the violent aftermath of the Spanish Civil War to start a new life in Chile. Their situation is complex; the couple marry following the death of Victors brother, who was Rosers lover and the father of her child, and their personal dramas dominate a book dealing with political upheaval, conflict and its repercussions. Its an interesting story, stretching across generations all the way to the fall of Pinochet, but Allendes episodic narrative sadly lacks emotional colour. Eithne Farry Congratulations, amzan.com.cn got a very good Social Media Impact Score! Show it by adding this HTML code on your site: Amzan.com.cn scored 62 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 2 May 2015, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the amzan homepage on Twitter + the total number of amzan followers (if amzan has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the amzan homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the amzan homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the amzan homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the amzan homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if amzan has a Facebook fan page). Basic Information PAGE TITLE -, Z.cn! DESCRIPTION z.cn30 KEYWORDS , , , , , , , , , , , , joyo, amazon OTHER KEYWORDS kindle, apple, kindle, drive, kindle , cloud drive, fire The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. 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 URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. Domain and Server DOCTYPE HTML 4.01 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE UTF-8 DETECTED LANGUAGE SERVER Server OPERATIVE SYSTEM Operative System running on the server. The language of amzan.com.cn as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. 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) Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for amzan.com.cn 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 type of Facebook page. 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 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. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Kiran Narayanan By Express News Service KOCHI: With the commencement of filling of explosives at Holy Faith H2O on Saturday, the pre-blasting works for the Maradu flats demolition have moved into the next phase. Explosives are being filled into holes of 32 mm diameter drilled at specific spots on the concrete structure. The filling of explosives and charging of detonators will be over by January 10. Along with ammonium nitrate, each hole will have delayed detonators and shock tubes. All of them will be interconnected on January 10. Speaking to TNSE, Uttkarsh Mehta, partner, Edifice Engineering, said that the entire closed circuit will be connected to the triggering point. As of now, the circuits between the explosives are not interconnected and they remain as individually units in each hole. The size of the holes will be changed according to the size of the pillars. The circuits will be a closed ones and all of them will be connected to the triggering point. As it will be a single-point blasting, electric power should reach all holes simultaneously. We will ensure that no hole is missed out when the circuit is charged for the final blast, he said. Along with the hole-to-hole connection, all columns will be interconnected separately using detonators. The demolition of each floor will be at intervals of six seconds. Though we will not be able to see it, the fall will happen accordingly. Once the ignition starts at one end, the entire structure will be fired down within seconds. Besides, we will be spraying water from three fire tenders before starting the implosion and will continue till the end, he added. On Saturday, the filling that started at 6 am lasted till 6 in the evening. The process is being handled by a team of 12 experts of Edifice Engineering and its parent company Jet Demolitions. Besides, 40 individuals are helping them in the process. Two of the filling experts are from the United Kingdom. Five blasters and shot firers are from South Africa and the remaining five are Indian nationals. The filling of explosives at Holy Faith H2O will get over by Sunday. Thereafter the experts will go to Jain Coral Cove followed by Golden Kayaloram. On January 10, we will complete the connections and checking of explosives, said a representative of Edifice Engineering. Demolition schedule Holy Faith H2O Filling of explosives: Jan 3, 4 Quantity of explosives required: 215 kg Total holes: 1,540 holes Explosion floors: 1, 3 , 5, 11, 16 Schedule of final demolition: January 11, 11am Jains Coral Cove Filling of explosives: Jan 5, 6, 7, 8 Quantity of explosives required: 170 kg Total holes: 2,860 Explosion floors: 1, 2, 8, 14 Schedule of final demolition: Jan 12, 11am Alfa Serene Filling of explosives: Jan 6, 7 Quantity of explosives required: 500 kg (250 each for twin towers) Total holes: 3,500 holes Explosion floors: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14 Schedule of final demolition: Jan 11, 11.30am Golden Kayaloram Filling of explosives: Jan 9, 10 Quantity of explosives required: 15 kg Total holes: 960 Explosion floors: 1, 2, 8, 14 Schedule of final demolition: Jan 12, 2pm Control room at municipality office Apart from the blast initiation points within 100 metres of all five towers, a control room will be set up at Maradu municipality office to oversee the process. A representative from each department involved in the demolition will be present at the control room to act in case of emergencies. IIT team inspects highrises Kochi: As part of the plan to assess the surface impact of the controlled implosion of the Maradu highrises, an expert team from IIT Madras visited the five towers on Saturday. The team comprising civil engineering professor A Bhoominathan and senior project officer JS Dhanya inspected the nearby locations to install the equipment required to assess the vibrations. We have decided to install the equipment at 10 locations in the vicinity of the towers. The final decision will only be taken after assessing the structural strength of buildings in the neighbourhood and their mouldiness. We are planning to complete the process on January 10, said Bhoominathan.The experts were accompanied by technical committee member Anil Joseph and structural engineer Reji Zackariah. Following the inspection, the team had a brief meeting with Fort Kochi Sub Collector Snehil Kumar Singh at Maradu municipality office. Seismographs to measure shock waves. Seismographs will be placed at 10 different locations in the periphery of each building to assess the vibration at the time of blasting. Besides, an accelerometer will also be erected in the vicinity of the skyscrapers. NEW YORK Mexicos former top security official pleaded not guilty 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 Friday 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. 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. 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 before his arrest last month in Texas. Jim Mustian is an Associated Press writer. Communist Party Secretary of Shanxi province Luo Huining attends a session of his province on the second day of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, October 19, 2017. (Reuters/Thomas Peter) Beijing Replaces Head of Hong Kong Liaison Office Amid Ongoing Protests SINGAPOREThe Chinese regime has replaced the head of its Hong Kong Liaison Office, the most senior mainland political official based in the Chinese-controlled territory, following more than six months of sometimes-violent anti-government protests in the city. Luo Huining, 65, was appointed to lead the office. the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on its website on Jan. 4; until November, Luo was the top official of Chinas ruling Communist Party in Shanxi Province. He replaces Wang Zhimin, who had held the post since 2017. The governments statement gave no other details on the change. Reuters reported exclusively in November that Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Offices handling of the Hong Kong crisis, the worst since the city reverted to Chinese rule from British governance in 1997. Luo, a loyalist of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, hasnt previously held any Hong Kong-related position and is at the age when top Chinese officials typically retire. In Shanxi, hed been tasked with cleaning up a graft-ridden, coal-rich region where corruption was once likened to cancer. The Liaison Office, which reports to Chinas State Council, serves as the platform for Beijing to project its influence in the city, and has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and mainland China for misjudging the situation in the city. Wang is the shortest serving Liaison office director since 1997. Ma Ngok, a political scientist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said it had been only a matter of time before Beijing made Hong Kong-related personnel changes, and that the switch did not necessarily indicate a change in policy. Beijing is having trouble devising new policy in Hong Kong, Ma said. Given his age it is possible he is only a stop-gap appointment, Ma said of Luo. Johnny Lau, a political scientist and commentator, said Wangs exit was unlikely to placate Hong Kong protesters who have demanded that the citys leader, Carrie Lam, step down. Writing in the Communist Partys official Peoples Daily in 2017, Luo said Shanxi Province had been ardently following instructions from Xi to clean up the mess there. All the provinces people have deeply felt that the all-out efforts to enforce party discipline have been like spring rain washing away the smog, Luo wrote. Before moving to Shanxi, Luo had been the top party official in the western province of Qinghai. Shanxi has gone from being a victim of a regression in its political environment to being a beneficiary of all-out efforts to enforce party discipline, he wrote in 2017. Staunch Support Mass protests erupted in June in Hong Kong over an extradition bill that would have allowed individuals to be sent for trial to the mainland, where justice is controlled by the Communist Party. Though the bill was withdrawn, protests have continued over a broad perception that Beijing is meddling improperly in city affairs and complaints of police brutality. Lam said in a statement on Saturday that the Liaison Office would continue under Luos leadership to work with the Hong Kong government for the positive development of the relationship between the mainland and Hong Kong. She added that Luos predecessor had provided staunch support to the Hong Kong governments efforts to curb violence and uphold the rule of law during the unrest of recent months. Luo Huining According to his official resume, Luo was born and raised in eastern Chinas Zhejiang Province. In 1970, 16-year-old Luo was relocated to neighboring Anhui province to work as a farmer under a policy launched by the then-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Mao Zedong, known as Up to the Mountains and Down to the Countryside Movement. The plan was initiated as part of Maos campaign to rid youth of pro-bourgeois thinking and learn from proletariat farmers Eight years later, Luo entered Anhui University to study political economy after the regime reopened the college education system to the public. After graduating in 1982, Luo started his career as an office secretary in the Anhui provincial government. The next 21 years, Luo was promoted to different positions within the provincial government, peaking at head of the propaganda department. During this period, Luo was believed to be a loyalist of Anhui governor Hui Liangyu. Hui later became Party secretary of the province in 1994, holding that position until 1999. In March 2003, Hui was promoted to be Chinese deputy prime minister. One month later, Luo was promoted to be the vice-CCP secretary of Qinghai Province. In 2016, Luo was named Party secretary of Shanxi province after seven Shanxi provincial level officials were dismissed over corruption. During his tenure, he reorganized the provincial government, and restored the governments operation. In November 2019, Luo retired from this position and was named director of the standing committee of Shanxi provinces rubber-stamp legislaturea largely ceremonial position. Epoch Times staff Nicole Hao contributed to this article. Hossein Dehghan, the military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told CNN in an interview Sunday that Iran will target U.S. military sites in response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani, one its most influential commanders. Why it matters: President Trump tweeted Saturday that the U.S. will attack 52 sites that are "important" to Iranian culture if the country strikes American assets. United Nations resolution 2347 makes it a war crime to target cultural heritage and religious sites. What they're saying: Dehghan called Trump a "veritable gangster" for his comments and accused him of not knowing international law. If the U.S. strikes a cultural site, "no American military staff, no American political center, no American military base, no American vessel will be safe," Dehghan said. The big picture: Dehghan stressed that war could be avoided if the U.S. accepts Iran's retaliation and does not escalate the conflict further. "Let me tell you one thing," he said. "Our leadership has officially announced that we have never been seeking war and we will not be seeking war." "It was America that has started the war. Therefore, they should accept appropriate reactions to their actions. The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted. Afterward, they should not seek a new cycle." Go deeper: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday lashed out at the Opposition, and particularly the Congress for spreading rumours regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). A total of 1,246 people have been arrested in connection with the violence which erupted across the state in the wake of the protests against CAA. Accusing the Opposition of triggering the violence, Adityanath suggested an awareness campaign for people. Yogi Adityanath said, "CAA is to give citizenship for those who have been prosecuted. Unfortunately, the Congress and the Opposition are spreading rumours regarding CAA which leads to violence. We understand that an awareness campaign is required among the people." Furthermore, the UP CM reiterated PM Modi and Amit Shah's assurance that the Act doesn't take away citizenship and said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have said that that this is an Act for giving citizenship. However, few people advertised it as a campaign to take away citizenship." Earlier on Sunday, Home Minister Amit Shah targeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Congress and said that they are spreading "misinformation" over the Citizenship Amendment Act. Shah reiterated that the amended law won't take away the citizenship of Indians. He also cited the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara attack in Pakistan and asked the Opposition to "open their eyes". READ: Mayawati accuses Yogi Adityanath govt of arresting 'innocent' protesters over CAA READ: CAA: Yogi questions Priyanka Gandhi amid her UP visits, 'Why sympathizing with rioters?' Yogi Adityanath participates in mass drive in Gorakhpur in support of CAA Yogi Adityanath on Sunday attended a 'Jan Sampark programme' here to drum up support for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019. To dispel rumours about the newly enacted citizenship law, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday launched a campaign to generate awareness among the people regarding it.The campaign will conclude on January 15. As part of its programme, the saffron party has also launched a toll-free number 8866288662 for the people where they can register their endorsement to the new law by giving a missed call. READ: Yogi asks authorities to come up with metro station near Gorakhpur railway station READ: Literature is mirror of society: Yogi Adityanath People are growing weary of the constant stream of alerts on their phones and struggling to make it through a meal without checking their screens. Theyre worried about being tracked. They have tech neck, and it hurts. As digital culture moves out of its honeymoon phase, a backlash industry has sprung up, with coaches to help people break up with their devices, digital detox camps and tech diets. Mindful of the new mindfulness, Apple and Google have incorporated screen time monitors into their products. A new study that tracked how 2,444 Americans used their mobile devices over 14 months backs up the general sense of tech fatigue. It found that 64 percent of participants scaled back their app use during the time they were tracked, spending four hours a day on apps, down from five at the start of the study. A retreat from mobile devices could have large implications for marketers and for the digital business models that rely on capturing attention, wrote Renee Cassard, the chief audience officer at the media agency Hearts & Science, which commissioned the report. In the hours since the Trump administration announced that the high-ranking Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani had been killed in a U.S. airstrike, Americans wondered: Does this mean war? And for young people, there was a follow-up: Would I have to go? The impact of President Donald Trump's decision to order a strike against Soleimani has yet to be seen, it has turned up the heat on America's already tense relationship with Iran, a country the president has portrayed as one of America's most dangerous adversaries. Google searches for terms such as "conscription", "Selective Service" and "Iran" spiked, according to Trends data, as youthful social media users on platforms like TikTok and Instagram dealt with this collective political anxiety the best way they knew how: by spinning out endless memes about getting drafted in a hypothetical, but seemingly imminent, World War III. On Friday, the website for the Selective Service, a federal agency tasked with maintaining a database of adult men who could be called upon should a crisis require a draft, experienced technical difficulties as people flooded the site. The draft was suspended in 1973 because of intense public and political opposition to the Vietnam War, and Congress and the president would have to pass legislation to bring it back, should an emergency call for it. But America still keeps a database of all young men who could be called upon should the draft ever return. Every year, millions of young, adult men are required by law to register with the Selective Service, "a relatively low-cost insurance policy for our nation," as the agency puts it. If you're a male residing in the United States between ages 18 and 25, you are required by law to register for the Selective Service. The mandate applies whether you're a U.S. citizen, immigrant, or undocumented immigrant. Women are not currently required to register, and signing up for the Selective Service does not enlist a person in the military. Failure to register for the Selective Service could lead to criminal penalties, and an inability to qualify for federal student loans and federal jobs. But would the latest escalation with Iran lead to a conflict so intense that the long-dormant draft would be instated, as the United States did during the Civil War, World War II, Korean War and, most famously, the Vietnam War? Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Probably not, said said Patricia Sullivan, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who researchers military policy. "I think there is almost no chance at all that the draft will be reinstated," Sullivan told The Washington Post. "With Iran, there's almost no chance that we're getting into the kind of ground-war scenario that large numbers of ground troops would be needed and we would implement the draft." Sullivan added that the military is now so professionalized, and the cost of training each solider so high, that it would not necessarily make sense to add a surge of new recruits that may not be qualified. The people who had the most reason to be concerned about an escalation with Iran were the military forces already in the Middle East region, Sullivan said, not civilians who might be conscripted in a hypothetical draft. Overseas Vietnamese in Australia and many international friends gathered to welcome Lunar New Year (Tet), at a celebration held by the Vietnamese Embassy in the host nation on January 4. Art performance at the Lunar New Year celebrations Ambassador Ngo Huong Nam told the participants that the year 2019 was a milestone in the Vietnam Australia strategic partnership, with impressive bilateral cooperation. Delegation exchanges at all levels increased 30 percent from the previous year while two-way trade reached more than 8 billion USD, a year-on-year surge of 10 percent, he said, adding strong growth was also seen in two-way investment. Several Vietnamese corporations like VinGroup, TH Truemilk, FPT, Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airlines are working on projects worth billions of USD in Australia, helping enhance trade between the two nations while creating thousands of jobs for local labourers, he said. Particularly, the first batch of Vietnamese longan hit supermarket shelves in Australia in September 2019, and the fruit has won the taste of Australian customers, he stressed, saying more Vietnamese farm produce will be present in the country in the time ahead. The Vietnamese diplomat also expressed his delight over the fruitful cultural exchanges, education and tourism cooperation between the two nations in the past year. He said many Vietnamese people are holding key positions at the governments apparatus and enterprises in Australia while many young scientists are making contributions to the homelands construction cause. Meanwhile, Tran Ba Phuc, member of the Vietnam Fatherland Fronts Central Committee and President of the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia, rejoiced at the Vietnam Australia close-knit relations, affirming the ties have been developed thanks to efforts made by the Vietnamese people community. He believed that the annual Lunar New Year get-together has helped preserve and popularise Vietnamese traditional culture to international friends, hoping the Vietnamese expatriates will work more to further the Vietnam- Australia relations in the coming time. Participants together enjoyed traditional food and art performances for the special event. On the occasion, Ambassador Nam presented certificates of merit to the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia and the Vietnamese Students Association in Canberra for their contributions to the homeland./.VNA Last Friday's news that the Government has endorsed plans to create a Grand Canal Innovation District in Dublin is a decisive step toward positioning Ireland as an innovation economy in the decades to come. The plan, which was drawn up by representatives including industry and the four Dublin universities, and led by the Department of the Taoiseach, aims to bring researchers working at Irish and foreign companies together with university researchers in the same buildings clustered around a world-class research institute. A national investment of this sort will ensure that Ireland remains an attractive place to do business while carrying out the sort of research that the world needs to overcome challenges of technology, urban living and climate change. In the past, innovation was the result of inventions made by individual geniuses like Henry Ford or Thomas Edison or, more recently, by teams working together in large companies like Intel or IBM. But things are changing. Today, most innovation comes from teams of researchers and entrepreneurs networked in complex innovation ecosystems and linked through cities, airports, the internet and common interests. That's why Trinity College Dublin is spearheading this national project to create an innovation district in the docklands of our capital city. It will benefit every part of Ireland but only Dublin has the concentration of activities to make a project of this kind work at the scale Ireland needs to compete internationally. Dublin already has an extraordinary cluster of technology and life science companies, but we now need to bring those companies closer together to create an enterprise culture that encourages entrepreneurs to create new companies that will either become world players themselves, or be the basis for expansion of existing companies. Big businesses innovate and grow by buying smaller companies and technologies spinning out of research organisations such as universities. This new research and innovation district will create a dense environment of large and medium-sized companies and multinationals located close by start-ups which will grow by mergers and competition. At the heart of the Grand Canal Innovation District will be a new Trinity campus and the E3 Research Institute, which will bring together industry researchers along with research scientists and academics in shared labs and research spaces to find solutions to global challenges. Most of the funding will come from Trinity and other universities, philanthropy and industry, with the cabinet-endorsed report calling for a 150m investment from the State. The last few years have seen new fault lines develop internationally to which Ireland must adapt. Brexit changes the relationship with our nearest neighbour and the power-relationships within the EU itself. China-US tensions are already having an impact in technology markets. Africa's population is predicted to expand dramatically. All this is only background music to concerns about the changed habitability of the planet due to climate change. In this new world, it would be complacent to assume more of the same old industrial policies will continue to suffice. We will need all collective ingenuity to thrive. To avail of the opportunities this change presents, Ireland needs to stand out and send a powerful message that it is open for business and that research and innovation is at the heart of our economic and social development. The Grand Canal Innovation District can send that message. The area has all the ingredients necessary for the evolution of a world-class innovation district: global leading-edge companies; highly talented, globally networked university researchers; an enabling environment for start-ups; and a dynamic city setting well respected internationally. The district's potential was confirmed in a cost benefit analysis carried out on behalf of Trinity which owns a five-and-a-half-acre site at Grand Canal. The study by Indecon calculated total benefit of 3.2bn to the country from the development of a Trinity-led innovation campus which will be at the heart of the district. Researchers from across the Irish university sector will work on the campus with each other and with the world's most innovative companies. Indecon sought the views of 60 firms on the potential impact of a new campus and innovation district on start-ups. Some 94pc agreed that the Grand Canal Innovation District would have 'significant' or 'very significant' impact on start-ups in the technology sector. They also believed it would promote the development of an innovation culture in Ireland to support knowledge-based enterprises. Innovation districts have already been successfully developed in cities such as Boston, Barcelona and London and valuable lessons have been learnt from their experience. The most obvious is that to succeed these districts cannot be like the sterile 9-5 science parks built 30 or 40 years ago. They have to be living, thriving, cultural and working communities. This is why the proposed split between users of the 5.5- acre site is: 40pc commercial; 40pc research and 20pc retail, social, cultural and accommodation. The active involvement of the residents in Pearse Street and the surrounding docklands area is essential. A range of educational, cultural and social programmes will ensure that the district evolves in a way that improves the quality of life of all those who live and work in the area. A cultural and creative hub will connect the artistic and technology communities, a focal point of this being the Lir, Ireland's National Academy of Dramatic Art. The advisory group that drew up the report is determined that the Grand Canal Innovation District will be an asset for all of Ireland. Located in Dublin but linked to the rest of the country and the world outside our borders, it will act as a beacon to the outside world, showing that we are indeed a knowledge economy with formidable research capability and formidably talented individuals. The Grand Canal Innovation District is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. For the sake of the future of Ireland, we have to grasp it. Patrick Prendergast is provost of Trinity College Dublin and an engineer. The advisory group report is available at http://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/Report_of_GCID_Advisory_Group.pdf Last Friday's news that the Government has endorsed plans to create a Grand Canal Innovation District in Dublin is a decisive step toward positioning Ireland as an innovation economy in the decades to come. The plan, which was drawn up by representatives including industry and the four Dublin universities, and led by the Department of the Taoiseach, aims to bring researchers working at Irish and foreign companies together with university researchers in the same buildings clustered around a world-class research institute. A national investment of this sort will ensure Ireland remains an attractive place to do business while carrying out the sort of research the world needs to overcome challenges of technology, urban living and climate change. In the past, innovation was the result of inventions made by individual geniuses like Henry Ford or Thomas Edison or, more recently, by teams working together in large companies like Intel or IBM. But things are changing. Today, most innovation comes from teams of researchers and entrepreneurs networked in complex innovation ecosystems and linked through cities, airports, the internet and common interests. That's why Trinity College Dublin is spearheading this national project to create an innovation district in the docklands of our capital city. It will benefit every part of Ireland but only Dublin has the concentration of activities to make a project of this kind work at the scale Ireland needs to compete internationally. Dublin already has an extraordinary cluster of technology and life science companies, but we now need to bring those companies closer together to create an enterprise culture that encourages entrepreneurs to create new companies that will either become world players themselves, or be the basis for expansion of existing companies. Big businesses innovate and grow by buying smaller companies and technologies spinning out of research organisations such as universities. This new research and innovation district will create a dense environment of large and medium-sized companies and multinationals located close by start-ups which will grow by mergers and competition. At the heart of the Grand Canal Innovation District will be a new Trinity campus and the E3 Research Institute, which will bring together industry researchers along with research scientists and academics in shared labs and research spaces to find solutions to global challenges. Most of the funding will come from Trinity and other universities, philanthropy and industry, with the abinet-endorsed report calling for a 150m investment from the State. The last few years have seen new fault lines develop internationally to which Ireland must adapt. Brexit changes the relationship with our nearest neighbour and the power-relationships within the EU itself. China-US tensions are already having an impact in technology markets. Africa's population is predicted to expand dramatically. All this is only a background music to concerns about the changed habitability of the planet due to climate change. In this new world, it would be complacent to assume more of the same old industrial policies will continue to suffice. We will need all collective ingenuity to thrive. To avail of the opportunities this change presents, Ireland needs to stand out and send a powerful message that it is open for business and that research and innovation is at the heart of our economic and social development. The Grand Canal Innovation District can send that message. The district has all the ingredients necessary for the evolution of a world-class innovation district: global leading-edge companies; highly talented, globally networked university researchers; an enabling environment for start-ups; and a dynamic city setting well respected internationally. The district's potential was confirmed in a cost benefit analysis carried out on behalf of Trinity which owns a five-and-a-half-acre site at Grand Canal. The study by Indecon calculated total benefit of 3.2bn to the country from the development of a Trinity-led innovation campus which will be at the heart of the district. Researchers from across the Irish university sector will work on the campus with each other and with the world's most innovative companies. Indecon sought the views of 60 firms on the potential impact of a new campus and innovation district on start-ups. Some 94pc agreed that the Grand Canal Innovation District would have 'significant' or 'very significant' impact on start-ups in the technology sector. They also believed it would promote the development of an innovation culture in Ireland to support knowledge-based enterprises. Innovation districts have already been successfully developed in cities such as Boston, Barcelona and London and valuable lessons have been learnt from their experience. The most obvious is that to succeed these districts cannot be like the sterile 9-5 science parks built 30 or 40 years ago. They have to be living, thriving, cultural and working communities. This is why the proposed split between users of the 5.5- acre site is: 40pc commercial; 40pc research and 20pc retail, social, cultural and accommodation. The active involvement of the residents in Pearse Street and the surrounding docklands area is essential. A range of educational, cultural and social programmes will ensure that the district evolves in a way that improves the quality of life of all those who live and work in the area. A cultural and creative hub will connect the artistic and technology communities, a focal point of this being the Lir, Ireland's National Academy of Dramatic Art. The advisory group that drew up the report is determined that the Grand Canal Innovation District will be an asset for all of Ireland. Located in Dublin but linked to the rest of the country and the world outside our borders, it will act as a beacon to the outside world, showing that we are indeed a knowledge economy with formidable research capability and formidably talented individuals. The Grand Canal Innovation District is a once-in -a-generation opportunity. For the sake of the future of Ireland, we have to grasp it. Advertisement The department responsible for coordinating Australia's response to disasters and emergency management has closed its doors due to poor air quality. The Department of Home Affairs has told staff to stay home as thick bushfire smoke blankets Canberra. Staff have been told to stay away from Canberra headquarters for 48 hours, but some essential employees will work from other locations. The capital's air quality was the worst of any major city in the world on Monday morning, as winds carried in smoke from bushfires in NSW. Scroll down for video Howzat! Protesters took to the lawn outside Parliament House for a game of cricket on Sunday Canberra child care centres have closed due to the poor air quality in the capital from bushfire smoke The Department of Health relocated staff in Canberra to other offices in the city due to the smoke but otherwise operated as normal. Canberra childcare centres also closed due to the poor air quality in the capital. YWCA Canberra said the decision to close all its centres in the capital was to protect staff and children from the hazardous air. Shops, museums and recreational facilities all shut their doors across the capital as air quality deteriorated. The National Gallery of Australia said closing its doors allowed it protect staff and patrons, but also the art on display. The gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of Matisse and Picasso works. On Saturday Canberra had its hottest day on record at 44C, beating the old record of 42.8C in 1939 A lone kangaroo is seen near Canberra as the city continues to battle through hazardous air quality due to the bushfire crisis All Qantas flights at Canberra Airport were cancelled on Sunday due to the smoke. Australia Post also cancelled deliveries in the capital, citing worker safety, leaving the local State Emergency Service to deliver particulate-filter masks to shops with depleted stocks. On Saturday Canberra had its hottest day on record at 44C, beating the old record of 42.8C in 1939. The city had the worst air quality in the world on Sunday as well as several days last week. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks on human rights in Iran at the State Department in Washington on Dec. 19, 2019. (Erin Scott/Reuters) Secretary of State Defends US Presence in Iraq as Its Parliament Moves to Expel Troops Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended the U.S. militarys presence in Iraq following a resolution passed by Iraqi members of Parliament to expel foreign troops following the death of an Iranian general. On Sunday, the countrys Parliament voted to pass a measure that would expel foreign troops after Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi called on members to act. As for the activity today with respect to Iraq, weve been in their country. Weve been supporting Iraqi sovereignty. Weve been continuing to take down the terrorist threat against the Iraqi people, Pompeo told Fox News Sunday. Iraq has been torn between its close relationship with Iran and its relationship with Washington after a drone strike killed Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Irans elite paramilitary forces and intelligence agency, at the Baghdad airport. Pompeo dismissed the claim by Abdul-Mahdi, who resigned in November but then became the acting prime minister, and said he is under considerable pressure from Tehran. We are confident that the Iraqi people want the United States to continue to be there to fight the counterterror campaign, and well continue to do all the things we need to do to keep America safe, Pompeo said. Soleimanis death was prompted by a series of events in Iraq, which included the siege of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. President Donald Trump and other American officials linked that activity to Iran and Soleimani, which Iran has denied. Before, the United States targeted the Kataib Hezbollah militia group in response to a rocket attack on an Iraqi base that killed a U.S. citizen and American troops. 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) Last week, Pompeo defended the airstrike and said it disrupted an imminent attack that would have endangered American lives. On Sunday, he said that Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley got it right when he said we were culpably negligent had we not gone after Soleimani when we had the opportunity. I think any reasonable person who saw the intelligence that the senior American leaders had in their possession would have come to the same conclusion that President Trump and our leadership team did about the fact that there would have been more risk to Americamore risk through inaction than there was through the action that we took, Pompeo said. Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), have called for a full briefing of the intelligence that was gathered ahead of the strike. Pompeo told Fox that the White House will soon share that information about the continuing activity, adding there are certain things that you cannot put out in public. A top military adviser to Irans Supreme Leader said Tehran would retaliate against U.S. military sites. It was America that has started the war. Therefore, they should accept appropriate reactions to their actions, Maj. Gen. Hossein Dehghan told CNN. She saw her modeling career soar after hitting the catwalk at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2013. And on Saturday, the 5ft 11in beauty put her statuesque figure on display when she hit the beach in Miami with her sister Alexandra. The sisters, who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, turned more than a few heads when they pulled off their cover-up wraps and headed to the shoreline to get a feel of the ocean water. Sun worship: Devon Windsor showed off her fit figure during a day on the beach in Miami Devon, 25, showed off her womanly curves in a belted black one-piece swimsuit. At times, when she wasn't frolicking near the water, she covered up with a stylish black and white patterned beach wrap. She also wore a pair of black big-rimmed sunglasses and pulled her long dyed tresses back into a bun. Catwalk to the ocean: The top model, 25, wore a belted black one-piece swimsuit and, at times, a black and white beach wrap during her day of fun in the sun Fashionable: Sister Alexandra opted to showcase her fit figure in a red bikini Baby got back: Devon's toned derriere was nearly on full display in the stylish one-piece Alexandra opted to showcase her equally fit figure in a red bikini. She also sported a pair of brown-rimmed sunglasses and left her blonde locks long and flowing, even when she and Devon dipped their feet in the warm waters. After enjoying some time in and out of the ocean, the sisters got in some chat time as they relaxed on a couple of lounge chairs that were sprawled out on the sand. Easing their way in: The pair dipped their feet into the warm waters before taking the plunge Chill time: After frolicking in and around the water, the sisters returned to their lounge chairs Earning her wings: Devon saw her modelling career soar after walking in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2013 Devon got engaged to Jonathan Barbara last June after more than two years of dating. While taking a plane ride, the blonde bombshell was able to see 'Marry Me?' spelled out on the sand of a private beach in the Bahamas. The couple tied-the-knot during a lavish ceremony on the island of St. Baths in November. In demand: The St. Louis native has walked for many of the top fashion designers since 2013 Hitched: Devon married Jonathan Barbara in St. Barths in November 2019 Instagram: Devon is no stranger to social media, so she had to share her fun with sister Alex to the social networking site Layin' around: Devon and Alex were laying down on lawn chairs as they showed off their spectacular swimwear for Devon's camera Let's play a game: Once the sisters got tired of the ocean water, they got down in the sand to play a friendly game of back gammon Secretary of State said Sunday the US strategy in countering Iran is to target the country's "actual decision-makers" rather than to focus on Iranian proxy forces in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. Pompeo was explaining US strategy in the aftermath of the US drone strike that killed Iran's most powerful general, Qassem Soleimani, who was mastermind of the country's military operations outside Iran. That killing has sent shock waves across the Middle East, with expectations that Iran will make good on its threat to strike back, with unpredictable consequences for the US and the rest of the world. Pompeo spoke on ABC's "This Week" amid rising uncertainty about next steps in the US-Iran crisis and the breadth of its ramifications. The US acknowledged an attack Sunday by an al-Qaida affiliate on a Kenyan airfield used by American military forces. It was not immediately clear whether there were US casualties. In Beirut, Lebanon's Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah, said the US military in the region, including bases and warships, were fair targets after the killing of Soleimani. Hezbollah is a primary ally of Iran with broad influence. The US has tens of thousands of troops throughout the region, including in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar all within range of Iran or its proxy militias. Iraq's parliament on Sunday called for the expulsion of US troops from the country in the wake of the attack in Baghdad that killed Soleimani. There are 5,200 American forces in Iraq. At issue is the fate of the agreement under which Washington sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. Meantime, the US coalition combating IS in Iraq and Syria announced that it has "paused" training of Iraqi security forces in order to focus on protecting coalition personnel. Pompeo strongly criticised the Iran policy of the Obama administration, saying it fruitlessly focused on Iranian proxies rather than on Iran itself. He said the US had previously sought to "challenge and attack everybody who was running around with an AK-47 or a piece of indirect artillery. We've made a very different approach. We've told the Iranian regime, 'Enough. You can't get away with using proxy forces and think your homeland will be safe and secure.' We're going to respond against the actual decision-makers, the people who are causing this threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran." In that context, Pompeo said that if the US military were to strike inside Iran, in the event Iran retaliated against America for the Soleimani killing, those strikes would be legal under the laws of armed conflict. "We'll behave inside the system," Pompeo said. "We always have and we always will." Pompeo was responding to a question about President Donald Trump's assertion Saturday on Twitter that the United States has 52 Iranian targets in its sights, "some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture." Targeting cultural sites is a war crime under the 1954 Hague Convention for the protection of cultural sites. The UN Security Council also passed unanimously a resolution in 2017 condemning the destruction of heritage sites. Attacks by IS and other armed factions in Syria and Iraq prompted that vote. "Every target that we strike will be a lawful target, and it will be a target designed with a singular mission defending and protecting America," Pompeo said. He did not explicitly contradict Trump on targeting cultural sites. In insisting that any US attacks will be legal, Pompeo said Trump "was getting to this point" without making it in his tweet Saturday. President Donald Trump has been accused by his critics of plotting war crimes after issuing a threat on Twitter to strike 'Iranian cultural' targets. 'Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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,' Trump wrote in a tweet on Saturday. It came in response to an Iranian threat to strike 35 U.S. targets in the region in retaliation for the American drone strike that killed Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Solemani early Friday. It is not entirely clear what Trump meant by targets 'important to Iran & the Iranian culture', and a White House spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. President Donald Trump has been accused by his critics of plotting war crimes after issuing a threat on Twitter to strike 'Iranian cultural' targets The Dome of Soltaniyeh is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Zanjan Province, Iran. Erected between 1302 and 1312 AD, it centers on the Mausoleum of the Mongol ruler Il-khan Oljeitu The Geneva Convention Protocol 1 bans 'any acts of hostility directed against the historic monuments, works of art or places of worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples.' However, neither Iran nor the United States have ratified Protocol 1. Both states are parties to 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, which offers more vague language protecting cultural sites. 'For what it's worth, I find it hard to believe the Pentagon would provide Trump targeting options that include Iranian cultural sites,' tweeted Colin Kahl, a former deputy assistant to President Barack Obama. 'Trump may not care about the laws of war, but DoD planners and lawyers do...and targeting cultural sites is war crime,' he said. Gonbad-e Qabus is a monument in Gonbad-e Qabus, Iran, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It marks the grave of Ziyarid ruler Qabus, and was built during his lifetime in 1006/7 Famed actor George Takei addressed a tweet to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in regards to Trump's threat, asking 'what's the Twitter policy say when someone threatens a war crime?' Trump's saber-rattling tweet defended Friday's US drone strike assassination of Soleimani. Trump said 52 represents the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Trump spoke out after pro-Iran factions ramped up pressure on US installations across Iraq with missiles and warnings to Iraqi troops in an outburst of fury over the killing of Soleimani, described as the second most-powerful man in Iran. With Iran promising revenge, his killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiraling tensions between Washington and Tehran and has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, rockets hit an area near the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday, the U.S. military confirmed. Almost simultaneously, two rockets slammed into the Al-Balad airbase where American troops are deployed. A military official said no American servicemen were injured in either strike. If the first three years of the Trump presidency has taught conservatives anything, it's that the Republican majority in the Senate is, in many cases, a majority-in-name-only. While the Senate has confirmed a significant number of the Judiciary Committee's vetted conservative judges, which is critically important and shouldn't be understated, the GOP-controlled Senate has also struggled to produce any legislative achievements. It hasn't been able to move any immigration legislation and couldn't even agree to an Obamacare repeal measure despite campaigning against the health care measure for a full decade. The conservative grassroots is angry, and rightfully so. People want to see Washington work for the people, not the other way around. That's why it's so important for conservative leaders across to get on the same page and embrace the same new year's resolution: transforming the GOP majority into a MAGA majority come November. These leaders need to pressure vulnerable faux conservatives up for re-election into lifting their holds on the conservative movement's plans. Perhaps nowhere is this noble goal become more important than in North Carolina, where the base of the GOP has turned against Republican senator Thom Tillis for his lack of support for the issues they care about. By many accounts, Sen. Tillis is the top Republican in name only up for re-election. Coincidentally, his seat is also one of the most vulnerable in all of Washington. At this point, Tillis has yet to receive much of a competitor. Recently, Republican representative Mark Walker announced that he would not run for Senate in 2020 a decision that self-funded businessman Garland Tucker made just weeks earlier. Despite the good luck, though, Sen. Tillis thankfully remains extremely vulnerable in the primary. According to a Q3 2019 poll from the Morning Consult, the first-term senator maintains an abysmal 33-percent approval rating. Worse, Tillis isn't even well liked by his own party. Thirty percent view him unfavorably, 52 percent are considering voting for a candidate other than Tillis if the opportunity arises, and 18 percent have already committed to doing so. Without a doubt, Tillis's Republican base has turned against him, and it's easy to see why. The senator regularly picks fights with the GOP over the very issues so many North Carolinians care about. Tillis opposed President Trump's border security efforts, proclaiming, "I hate the idea" of the president declaring an emergency on the border. He was one of the leading voices in the creation of the DREAM Act, a bill that would have offered amnesty to some 800,000 illegal aliens currently living within the United States. Tillis has also spearheaded numerous liberal tax-and-spend packages, including one particularly piece of wasteful, Elizabeth Warrenesque legislation called the Lumbee Recognition Act. The Tillis-led effort would have the government officially recognize the Lumbees an inauthentic tribe with no consistent culture or customs. The plan would force taxpayers to relinquish close to $1 billion in taxpayer funds to the tribe, all so the senator could seemingly receive more campaign supporters to make up for his dwindling poll numbers. Are these positions reflective of conservative principles? North Carolinian Republicans think not. Tillis, for his part, seems to recognize which way the wind is blowing and has begun taking more hard-line conservative stances to bolster his Republican credentials. The senator recently sided firmly with the Trump over his phone call with the Ukrainian president, arguing that Trump "deserves to be defended" ahead of the impeachment trial. Conservatives shouldn't take the bait. While the pressure they have mounted on the senator has worked in the short term, it is all too common for lawmakers to clean up their act right before an election battle, only to go back to their disappointing antics of the past when the polls close. And so, the grassroots needs to demand more reversals before even thinking about pressing any buttons with Tillis's name on them in the voting booths. If Tillis wants to win another term in the Senate, he needs to shore up his base by assuring his supporters that he isn't a Republican in name only. To do this, he needs to continue righting his past wrongs from immigration to spending and everything else in between. Republicans have failed to reap the full fruits of three of the four years of one of the most conservative administrations in history because of disappointing Senate Republicans. Sen. Tillis has always been at the top of the list of disappointments, which is why his primary should represent an inflection point for the GOP. As the clock continues to tick on Republicans' control of Washington, will the grassroots take strong enough action to ensure that this vulnerable member embraces their issue priorities, or will the people complain while tolerating the do-nothing status quo? The ball is in their court. One thing's for sure: their decision on how to address this race one of the ones seemingly most pliable to grassroots activism in the country will provide a solid indication of what shape conservativism will take in the U.S. Senate for the years to come. Steve Gruber is a conservative talk show host. (Natural News) The horrific wildfires that are scorching many areas of Australia right now are creating quite a disturbing scenario for the island nation, as photos and videos continue to emerge that can only be described as apocalyptic. But it didnt have to be this way, according to English journalist James Delingpole, who blames misplaced environmentalist policies for exacerbating this tragic situation. In an article he wrote for Breitbart News, Delingpole explains how this extreme natural disaster has nothing to do with man-made climate change unless you consider environmentalist interference with nature mitigation a form of human-induced climate alteration. The mainstream media both here and in Australia has been quick to blame these out-of-control blazes on historic high temperatures, which simply isnt the case. Not only is Australia not breaking any heat records, rainfall levels have also been mostly normal meaning its business as usual down under for this time of year. So, why are there raging infernos, youre probably asking yourself? The first culprit, which has nothing to do with humans driving cars or eating meat, by the way, are arsonists, which the media has barely been reporting on in its fervor to cast global warming as the perpetrator. The second culprit, and this is where ideologically retarded environmentalists come into play, is a coordinated failure by the Australian government to properly manage its forests with controlled burns, brush cleanup and other mitigatory efforts. Similar to Californias wildfires, which were also determined to have been caused by the Golden States failure to keep its forests healthy, Australias wildfires are largely a product of environmentalist objection to things like controlled burns, dredging, and other forms of standard environmental maintenance. Irony: Those trying to save the climate are actually destroying it Lets be frank: Many leftist tree-huggers reel at the thought of anything being burned, because that means trees disappear and smoke is created, which is simply too much for them to handle. Thus, theyve influenced the political system to avoid doing things like controlled burns that are absolutely critical for preventing the types of raging infernos that destroy entire neighborhoods, animal habitats and even human lives. [W]ell-meaning idiots who dont understand that unless you manage forested areas with controlled burns, youre going to end up with out-of-control wildfires, represent a form of man-made climate change that changes the climate for the worse, as were now seeing in Australia, according to Delingpole. If you dont believe us or Delingpole, then you might want to check out this story, which explains how deranged climate fanatics protested and ultimately stopped one such controlled burn that was supposed to have taken place in Nowa Nowa prior to these current out-of-control blazes. These environmental morons actually held up protest signs that said things like, Spring burns kill baby birds alive and Stop burning nesting birds. Well, those nesting birds are all now gone, as are hundreds of homes and at least 17 people who were burned alive in the now-raging infernos that came instead ah, and at least half a billion animals and counting have died as well. The so-called greens in Australia have also successfully blocked routine forest clearance, another vital process for ensuring that forests dont become the major fire hazards that theyve now obviously become. in large parts of Australia, it remains illegal to remove trees from your land even in order to create fire breaks and protect your property despite the obvious risk this ban creates to homeowners living in potential bush-fire zones, Delingpole notes. Trees have been designated a carbon sink, which supposedly offset Australias CO2 emissions. In other words, environmental stupidity is to blame for all of this death and destruction, not people watering their lawns and failing to trade in their combustion engine vehicles for an expensive Tesla. For more related news about climate stupidity, be sure to check out Climate.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com JoanneNova.com.au Rising security risks posed by the death of a prominent Iranian general have prompted NATO to temporarily suspend a training mission in Iraq being led by Canadian troops, the federal defence minister said Saturday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 4/1/2020 (737 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan takes part in a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. NATO says it has suspended a training mission for soldiers in the Iraqi army in the wake of the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Rising security risks posed by the death of a prominent Iranian general have prompted NATO to temporarily suspend a training mission in Iraq being led by Canadian troops, the federal defence minister said Saturday. Harjit Sajjan released a brief statement reiterating comments from the military alliance, which said the non-combat operation dubbed NATO Mission Iraq was on hold in the wake of the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani. The general, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and mastermind of its regional security strategy, was killed along with other senior Iraqi militants in a Friday morning airstrike ordered by United States President Donald Trump. Sajjan said that while the NATO mission's goal of preventing the resurgeance of Islamic extremism remains valid, the current political climate made it necessary to suspend the operation for the protection of those involved. "The NATO mission and Operation IMPACT's mandate remain the same, but all training activities in Iraq are suspended temporarily as we continue to monitor the security environment," Sajjan said in a statement. "We are taking all necessary precautions for the safety and security of our civilian and military personnel." Sajjan's remarks echoed those from NATO spokesman Dylan White, who said the safety of personnel was "paramount." Trump's airstrike, ordered without consulting U.S. congress or American military allies, has prompted both a dramatic spike in regional tensions and fears of all-out war. Trump has said he ordered the strike to prevent a conflict, while U.S. officials contended Soleimani was plotting a series of attacks that endangered American troops. But Iran has vowed vengeance for Soleimani's death, which drew thousands of people to the streets of Baghdad on Saturday for his funeral. Though it's unclear how or when Iran may respond, any retaliation was likely to come after three days of mourning declared in both Iran and Iraq. All eyes were on Iraq, where the U.S. and Iran have competed for influence since the 2003 American-led invasion. The NATO mission, established at the request of the Iraqi government, was meant to help train and advise various military personnel. It has been under Canadian command since its inception in the fall of 2018, with Maj. Gen. Jennie Carignan currently leading the mission. Other participating countries include Australia, Sweden and Finland. Canada's Department of National Defence said the decision to suspend the mission applied to both the 250 military members working with the NATO training mission as well as the dozens of special forces troops who have been working in the northern part of the country with Iraqi security forces. There was no immediate word on the status of Canadian troops deployed in the country. The government also urged civilians to stay away from Iraq and the bordering regions of Iran, saying those who are already there should consider leaving. The caution came in a formal travel advisory issued on Friday, citing increased tensions in the wake of the airstrike. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional policy of mobilizing militias across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, including in the war against the Islamic State group. He was also blamed for attacks on U.S. troops and American allies going back decades. The Quds Force he commanded 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, with Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne reiterating the government's position on him and the body he commanded within hours of his death. "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," according to a statement from Champagne released on Friday. This report by the Canadian Press was first published Jan. 4, 2020. with files from The Associated Press Experts have warned rain forecast for areas being ravaged by bushfires will be a 'double-edged sword' as it could prevent firefighters from accessing burning regions. Steady rain over the next two days could help fire crews gain more control over massive blazes ravaging Victoria's east and north east. Light mist fell on Sunday at some centres including Bairnsdale, on the western edge of the East Gippsland fire ground. But Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Keris Arndt warned the showers are a 'double-edged sword'. When rain mixes with ash on the ground, firefighters will find it more difficult to navigate the terrain. But while rain may help dampen the fireground, it could also prove a 'double edged' sword for crews by making some areas more difficult to access Light mist fell on Sunday at some centres including Bairnsdale (pictueed), on the western edge of the East Gippsland fire ground 'The conditions are much cooler, moisture's a lot higher than we've seen over previous days and the winds are also easing off a fair bit, especially through Gippsland today,' Mr Arndt told AAP on Sunday. 'Hopefully that gives the fire agencies a bit of a chance to have a go at the fires and try to get a bit more control in there.' Four emergency warnings remain, with three in East Gippsland and one in northeast Victoria. Two evacuation orders are in force near Mt Buffalo and Mt Hotham in north east Victoria. Rain is due to extend across the state, with light falls of up to 15mm forecast through Gippsland and the northeast ranges during the day. The sprinkling will cover firegrounds up near Mt Hotham as well as fires burning through most of East Gippsland. Rain is due to extend across the state, with light falls of up to 15mm forecast through Gippsland and the northeast ranges during the day. Pictured: Sarsfield in Victoria's east 'It's really through central Gippsland and the ranges, that's most likely to see most of the rain today,' Mr Arndt says. Meanwhile Cann River and Mallacoota in the far east, are only forecast to receive a few millimetres of rain. Only lighter falls are expected in the northeast, too. 'The fires up near Corryong in the far north east probably won't see much rainfall today,' Mr Arndt said. Monday is likely to bring similar light steady rain in the same places, with forecasts of up to 15mm through Gippsland and the ranges before clearing up with some finer days ahead. 'There's not a huge amount of wind and still pretty mild conditions continuing all the way through to mid week,' Mr Arndt said. A state of emergency remains in place for Victoria throughout next week. More evacuation orders have been issued to Victorians overnight as massive blazes continue to ravage the state's east. People in Dandongadale, Freeburgh, Wandiligong and surrounding areas in northeast Victoria were advised to leave overnight as a southwest wind change fanned bushfire flames. Dozens of fires were burning in Victoria as dawn broke on Sunday, 11 of which were subject to emergency warning, the highest alert level. Six people remain missing in East Gippsland blazes, on top of two confirmed dead. Cann River and Mallacoota (pictured) in the far east, are only forecast to receive a few millimetres of rain More than 900,000 hectares of land has been overrun by flames, with about 110 properties and 220 outbuildings razed so far. Temperatures soared to the early and mid-40s in parts of East Gippsland and northeast Victoria on Saturday, with total fire bans in place for a swag of weather districts. More than 70 new fires were sparked in the 24 hours to 6pm on Saturday. Cooler conditions, lighter winds and a lack of lightning on Sunday are expected to bring some relief to firefighters. The mercury is forecast to peak in the early 20s in East Gippsland, with rainfall of about 20ml expected later in the day. In the northeast, temperatures could hit the late 20s in some parts, with some rainfall - albeit it likely less than 5ml - expected. Jain religious leaders have asked community members to consider jobs with government agencies. The Jains, who form around 0.4% of the countrys population, have traditionally been into business. On Sunday, at a gathering organised at Shree Shanti Nagar Shwetambar Murtipujak Tapagacha Jain Sangh, Sri Prasaankirtisagar Surisvarji Maharaj, who is a part of J Punit Charitable Trust, said that only 0.1% of community members work as government employees. There is a brain drain wherein the members from our community want to work for multinational companies, but such people dont benefit the country, except economically. There are very few Jains who think about appearing for civil services examination, said Sri Bhavyakirtisagar Maharaj from the trust. Hemendra Shah, retired additional secretary, said youngsters from Uttar Pradesh are schooled from an early age to appear for civil services examination, whereas not many Gujaratis and Jains opt for it. The community lacks awareness towards these jobs. Thus, speaking to parents about it is a good start in that direction, said Sunil Shah, chartered accountant. Government jobs offer a security that private companies dont. This applies, especially, in the times when people are losing their jobs, said Geeta Shah, superintendent of customs. Photo: Tacos El Carnal/Yelp Craving Mexican food? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Mexican restaurants around Miami, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fill the bill. 1. The Taco Stand photo: kristie t./yelp Topping the list is The Taco Stand. Located at 313 N.W. 25th St., the Mexican spot is the highest-rated budget-friendly Mexican restaurant in Miami, boasting 4.5 stars out of 654 reviews on Yelp. Yelper Teresa B., who reviewed The Taco Stand on Dec. 16, wrote, "The surprise hero of the day: the corn on the cob. Man, it was good! I had the al pastor taco for $2.99, which was also good. The pineapple sweetness wasn't as pronounced as other al pastor tacos I've had, but I still liked it." 2. Taqueria Viva Mexico Photo: Amanda T./Yelp Next up is Little Havana's Taqueria Viva Mexico, situated at 502 S.W. 12th Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 426 reviews on Yelp, the Mexican spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a budget-friendly option. Curious to know more? We found these details about Taqueria Viva Mexico. "We stand out for the authenticity of our tacos and the variety of meats," it states in the specialties section of its Yelp profile. The menu features tacos filled with your choice of al pastor, beef, chicken, tripe and more as well as guacamole and chips, quesadillas and Jarritos sodas in flavors like guava, orange and pineapple. 3. Caja Caliente Photo: diandra l./Yelp Caja Caliente, located at 2634 N.E. Second Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the affordable food truck and Cuban spot, which offers tacos and more, 4.5 stars out of 340 reviews. The site has lots more information about Caja Caliente, which opened in April 2016. Co-owner Mika, a former food blogger and caterer, explains what distinguishes the business. "We are the home of the cuban taco! We are known for our lechon (our grandfather's special pork recipe). We also serve up a variety of cuban dishes with our own little twist," per the eatery's Yelp profile. Story continues 4. Mi Rinconcito Mexicano Photo: joyce k./Yelp Mi Rinconcito Mexicano, a spot to score tacos and more in Little Havana, is another budget-friendly go-to, with four stars out of 726 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1961 S.W. Eighth St. to see for yourself. Yelper Ashley B., who reviewed Mi Rinconcito Mexicano on Sept. 17, wrote, "I ordered a margarita along with chicken enchiladas. My fiance ordered chicken tacos. Everything was delicious and came out fast! I hate when enchiladas do not have enough cheese but these were perfectly smothered. I highly recommend going here if you are looking for authentic Mexican food while in Miami!" 5. Tacos El Carnal Photo: tacos el carnal/Yelp Over in Alameda - West Flagler, check out Tacos El Carnal, which has earned four stars out of 223 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the Mexican spot by heading over to 2601 W. Flagler St. We looked there for an overview of Tacos El Carnal. This cash-only eatery is known for "tacos de lengua, carnitas, tripa, al pastor, tostadas, tortas and burritos," per the specialties section of its Yelp profile. Curious to know more about the people behind the business? "After many years of sacrifice, yearning and many hours of work, we managed to open in 1998, El Carnal #1, a food cart that offered the delicious taste of Mexican tacos on the streets of Miami. From there, we moved to Carnal #2 where we give you the attention that you deserve!" 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. HOLYOKE Dr. Amir Lofti, an interventional cardiologist at Baystate Medical Center, will present the first of four free seminars Feb. 2 in the hospitals popular Heart & Vascular Health lecture series during American Heart Month. Designed by Baystate physicians and held on Sundays in February from noon to 2 p.m. at the Baystate Health Education Center, 361 Whitney Ave., the series focuses on the latest advances in heart and vascular care and how heart and vascular health can be maintained. Lofti will address atrial fibrillation that is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia, that is, irregular heartbeat, as well as complete total occlusion, or blockage, of a coronary artery. Both conditions impair blood flow. In his talk, Watchman and CTO: Advances in Care for Treatments of Atrial Fibrillation and Complete Total Occlusion, Lofti will discuss an FDA-approved, catheter-delivered, closure device that can be implanted in the hearts left atrial appendage to prevent blood clots that form there because of poor blood flow from escaping, thus reducing a patients risk for stroke. The series continues Feb. 9 with heart failure specialist Dr. Leeor Jaffe. His talk, CardioMEMS and Heart Failure: Latest Technology to Improve Care for Patients with Heart Failure, will discuss how certain sensors can now be implanted to transmit pulmonary artery pressures to hospital monitoring systems in patients where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the bodys need. Vascular surgeon Yiming Avery Ching will talk on peripheral arterial disease that involves blocked arteries and the risk for stroke and other complications in his Feb. 16 lecture, PAD and Carotid Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Best Therapies for Vascular Disease. Preventative cardiologist Dr. Quinn concludes the series Feb. 23 with Heart Disease Hot Topics: Vaping, E-Cigarettes, Marijuana and Alcohol Harmless or Destructive? What Patients with Heart Disease Need to Know. Light refreshments will be served and related educational handouts provided. Registration is required for each session and can be done online or by calling (413) 794-5200. London: The Morrison government has baulked at expanding a new post-Brexit trade pact to include visa-free work and travel between Australia and the United Kingdom, arguing any special deal that circumvented existing immigration caps could be deeply unpopular in both countries. Trade Minister Simon Birmingham told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that some changes to work rights would be proposed and accepted by both sides but said he can't imagine full and unfettered free movement will be on the table during negotiations. We're not into full negotiating mode and we will have to see what the UK aspires to, but noting that work rights and movement of people in the UK has been a big part of the European Union debate, I would be surprised if complete liberalisation around migration and labour rights was on their agenda, Senator Birmingham said during an interview in London. Australia already has a free movement deal with New Zealand but Senator Birmingham said the Morrison government would not use the Brexit trade talks to propose a similar scheme allowing British citizens to work and live in Australia visa-free, and vice-versa. If I will die, let it ... There are 35 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Thirty-four of them have universal health care, and 31 have free education. Guess whos the odd country out? The World Health Organization rates France as having the best health care system. The United States ranks 37th. France spends $4,600 per capita, compared to our $9,892. To bring the issue closer to home, consider this: Canadas health care system ranks 30th, and it spends $4,753 per capita. Lets do a little math. We spend $5,292 more than France, $5,157 more than Canada and cant match the health care of either one. In 2016, professor Gerald Friedman, chairman of the Department of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, conducted a study on Sen. Bernie Sanders Medicare for All plan. In his report, The Case for Medicare for All, he concluded the savings in administrative expenses, and with revisions to the Medicare Modernization Act to allow the government to negotiate prices, would cover the added expense of providing universal health care for every citizen. Dale McCarty, Boerne Thats not care U.S. health care should only be referred to as U.S. health insurance. Health care is the ultimate concern with the health of individuals. Health insurance is the ultimate concern with the bottom line profit for shareholders. With health care, the Hippocratic oath is the guiding principle: First, do no harm. With health insurance, the Wall Street oath is the guiding principle: Greed is good, and if one cannot afford the premium, then that is just too bad. Chuck Mire Get women in House Re: At least 30 GOP women file to run in congressional primary, Front Page, Dec. 12: Spoiler alert: Im a conservative Republican. Hopefully, the Republican National Committee will support many more women in the upcoming election. The problem with those mentioned in the article is some of them will challenge other Republicans in the primary. Thats not helpful in the overall scheme of things, since only one of them can win. It would be better if they could locate strong women to challenge every Democrat-held seat in the country. I, for one, wouldnt be concerned if the entire Republican House was represented by women, so long as we get control of the House so we can get back to business instead of trying to overturn the results of the 2016 election. Al Koppen, Fair Oaks Ranch On ExpressNews.com: Podcast: 2020 Texas primary preview Pelosis reasoning Some recent Your Turn contributors have accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party of being childish, hypocritical and having something to fear as the reason for not releasing the articles of impeachment. Thats not so. The reason for withholding is to ensure that President Donald Trump will get at least the show of a fair trial instead of what would amount to a verdict of not guilty by Senate Republicans. Pelosi has nothing to fear because Trump has already been impeached, and there is nothing the Senate can do to wash out that stain on his record. What she is asking is that witnesses for both sides of the issue of removal from office be allowed to testify before those articles are released. This is what scares Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and this is why certain people who have direct knowledge of Trumps misdeeds have been forbidden to respond to subpoenas. Its true that Senate Republicans being the lackeys they are will still vote to acquit Trump despite being faced by direct evidence, but at least their cowardice will be publicly exposed. Steven Botts Stop and listen, S.A. Re: Statue wont be placed at the Alamo, Metro, Monday: Having just read the article concerning the statue of Santa Anna, my comment is this: We are all grateful and hopeful that wont happen. But when City Council fails to listen to its constituents, folks begin to lose trust and become more and more suspicious. Meeting after meeting on the Alamo plan, the response from residents was always the same: No. And yet the city and state continue to push an unwanted plan down our throats. In another Express-News article a few days earlier, Councilman Roberto Trevino made a remark that he is sure the pendulum will swing the other way someday. The very fact that he makes that remark says he knows it is not liked. Its high time City Council stops and listens to those who voted them in office, or they will be met with challengers who will very easily exploit their refusal to adhere to the wishes of the voters. Perry Donop Jr. On ExpressNews.com: George P. Bush says rumors he wants Santa Anna statue at Alamo are flat out racist New holiday songs Re: Holiday songs of yesteryear the gifts we yearn for every season, by Rich Lowry, Other Views, Dec. 27: I grew up watching Christmas-themed movies and listening to the Christmas songs that played on the radio and TV. I began to wonder: When was the last time a new Christmas song was released? I guess Rich Lowry might have been thinking the same thing because he comments that Mariah Careys 1994 classic All I Want for Christmas is You is a notable exception to older popular Christmas music. Maybe some songwriter out there may compose a new Christmas song for 2020? Manuel Vera Jr. The Lucknow University (LU) which has entered into its centenary year, will resort to crowd funding for the 100-year celebrations. According to LU spokesperson Sanjay Medhavi: We will be soon doing a centenary collection from our former students. We will also appeal general public to pay tribute to the institution which has contributed in disseminating knowledge for 10 decades. He said even a small contribution from the former students, who have excelled in various fields, like sports, bureaucracy, music, medical and others would contribute to the celebrations in a big way. The Lucknow University, incidentally, began its journey as a small school in the Canning high school in 1864. It was after 57 years that this school, located in the palace Amin-ud-Daulah, Aminabad transformed into a university. This was possible with the help of donations like land, personal bonds and money pooling by the general public and taluqdars. Not only this, war bonds, which are debt securities issued by a government to finance military operations and other expenditure in times of war, were also given for the university which formally got established in 1921. The university administration is hoping for a similar support from the common people and its former students to help fight financial constraints. The itinerary of the year-old celebrations, however, has not yet been finalised. A diver has died after being mauled by a shark off the coast of Western Australia. The attack unfolded at about 1pm off Cull Island in Esperance, south east of Perth, on Sunday. A member of the public reported seeing a great white shark in the water shortly before the scuba diver was attacked. The attack unfolded at about 1pm off Cull Island in Esperance, south east of Perth, on Sunday. Police are pictured at the scene 'A man is reported to have been fatally injured after being bitten by a white shark, the Department of Primary Industries and Resources said. A woman who was with the diver was taken to hospital to be treated for shock. Police are still searching for the man who was diving at the time the shark was seen, a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. The tragedy marks the second fatal shark attack in three years in the region after a 17-year-old died in 2017. Laeticia Brouwer was attacked at Wylie Bay when she was holidaying with her family over the Easter long weekend. Sean Pollard was attacked in 2014 by two great white sharks and he lost his left arm and right hand. Esperance Shire president Ian Mickel told The West losing people in the ocean was tragic. 'We have thousands of people having a good time on the water and [to] get a fatal shark attack - it's a major concern,' he said. Laeticia Brouwer was attacked and killed by a shark at Wylie Bay when she was holidaying with her family over the Easter long weekend A member of the public reported seeing a great white shark in the water shortly before the scuba diver was attacked (stock) 'There is a lot being done with Shark Smart, we've got the majority of our surfers contributing to that. Tagged sharks are registering against the buoys [receivers]but this is really tragic.' Swimmers have been advised to stay clear of the area and follow local beach closures. Last month Shelley Payne, Shire of Esperance councillor, said more needed to be done to warn locals about sharks. The attack unfolded at about 1.30pm off Cull Island in Esperance (West Beach pictured) She said she wanted signage near the entrance informing people to check online about shark sightings. Her husband runs the government trial of SMART drumlines along the coast, which tags sharks and releases them. The app hopes to find out seasonal patterns about shark behaviours to make decisions about things such as beach closures and other mitigation strategies. An application called Shark Smart also shows the location of shark sightings in the state. The Department of Primary Industries and Resources is investigating the attack. While the year 2019 was an eventful one for the Supreme Court, 2020 promises to be equally action-packed when proceedings resume on Monday after the winter break. Some important judgments are expected to be delivered in early 2020, a year in which the top court will also hear certain politically sensitive cases. Judgments The court is expected to pronounce its judgment in a batch of petitions challenging the restrictions imposed on telecommunication, transport and movement in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. A bench of justices NV Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai heard a batch of petitions for nine days before reserving its order on November 27. While most of the restrictions have now been lifted, the petitioners asked the court to pronounce upon the legality of such restrictions so that the executive does not resort to similar measures in future. Another important judgment which will be pronounced in 2020 concerns interpretation of Section 24 of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The 2013 Act had replaced the earlier Land Acquisition Act of 1894. The question before the court is whether land acquisition under section 24 of the 2013 Act would lapse if the acquiring authority fails to deposit compensation in court under Section 31 of the 1894 Act. A five-judge bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, Indira Banerjee, Vineet Saran, MR Shah and Ravindra Bhat had reserved its verdict in this case on December 11, 2019. The apex court will also deliver its verdict in the case relating to economic reservation. A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and Justices R Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai had heard several petitions challenging the validity of the Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019, which introduced reservations for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of the society. The court had reserved its verdict on July 31, 2019 on the limited aspect of whether the matter should be referred to a larger bench or not. Hearings The Supreme Court will also hear some very important cases in 2020. Foremost among them is the case on Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. At least 60 petitions challenging the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 on the ground that it discriminates against Muslims will be heard in January. A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde and justices BR Gavai and Surya Kant had issued notice to the central government on December 18 but refused to stay the Act, a prayer, which the court said will be considered later. Another significant matter relates to rights of Muslim, Parsi and Hindu women vis-a-vis religious practices. There are four such cases which are likely to be heard in the coming year. Two out of the four cases relate to Muslim women. One is a petition seeking entry of Muslim women into mosques while the other is a challenge to the practice of female genital mutilation prevalent amongst the Dawoodi Bohra community. The third case relates to the restrictions placed on Parsi women to enter the holy fire place of an Agyari if they marry non-Parsis. These three cases are likely to be heard in the coming days by a 7judge bench. Based on the decision in the above cases, the review petitions challenging the 2018 judgment of SC permitting entry of women into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala will be listed. CJI Bobde had already said in open court that he will constitute a Bench to decide the Sabarimala issue at the earliest, after the case on Muslim and Parsi women is decided. This is not the only matter which will be heard by a seven-judge bench in 2020. The contentious issue of the government adopting the money bill route to get laws passed in the Parliament will also be decided by a bench of seven judges. A money bill originates in Lok Sabha and once passed in Lok Sabha by a simple majority, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. The recommendations made by Rajya Sabha on money bills are not binding on Lok Sabha which may choose to reject it. The current government which still does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha has used the money bill route on more than one occasion to pass contentious laws. In a challenge to the Finance Act 2017 which was passed as a money bill, a five-judge Bench of the Court on November 13, 2019 held that its earlier judgment in Aadhaar case approving the money bill route needs to be reconsidered. It, therefore, referred the issue to a bench of seven judges. The court will also resume hearing in the petitions on abrogation of Article 370 relating to special status of Jammu and Kashmir. While some of the petitions challenge the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Act which divided the state into two union territories, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, at least 6 petitions have been filed supporting the Governments decision. The hearing in the matter started on December 10 before a bench headed by justice NV Ramana and also comprising justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, R Subhash Reddy, BR Gavai and Surya Kant. The hearing is expected to resume in January 2020. The creamy layer controversy is another case in which the top court might take up for hearing this year. The central government has urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its 2018 judgment in the case of Jarnail Singh in which the court had ruled that the principle of creamy layer should be applied to SC/ST communities for reservation in promotions. Creamy layer is the term used to describe those who are better off among other backward classes who are ineligible for reservations as per the Mandal Commission provisions. It is determined on the basis of economic parameters. The Centre is against application of this principle to SC/ST communities on the ground that they have been discriminated against for centuries and should get reservation benefits despite economic advancement. Retiring judges Three judges will retire from Supreme Court this year. The first will be justice Deepak Gupta who will demit office on May 6. Justice R Banumathi will retire on July 19 while justice Arun Mishra will superannuate on September 2. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Inside Hook Even the most safety-conscious automotive passengers can sometimes treat traveling by taxi as an entirely different experience than riding in a car with friends or family. When it comes to the latter, using a seatbelt goes without saying. When sitting in the back seat of a taxi or a car hailed via an app like Lyft or Uber, though, all bets are off. A new report from The Washington Post serves as a wake-up call for those who engage in this behavior. Jenni Bergal writes about this phenomenon, citing one driver whos found that 70 to 80 percent of his passengers dont buckle up while riding in the back seat of his car. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday that the healthcare schemes of the Delhi government were better than the Centre's Ayushman Bharat, underlining that such programmes of his dispensation was completely free for all irrespective of the rich or poor. Addressing his sixth town hall meeting at the Delhi Technological University Campus at Shahbad Daulatpur in North West Delhi, Kejriwal said the Ayushman Bharat scheme assured insurance for the people, but those who owned scooter, fridge, and cell phones and had an income of Rs 10,000 would be excluded. "If these criteria applied, there will be no one eligible for the scheme. Therefore we decided to not implement it," the chief minister said at the event that was moderated by channels anchors. "Even expenses on treatment, surgeries and medicines in private hospitals are borne by the Delhi government. If the Delhi government wants, Ayushman Bharat can be implemented today itself. But it doesn't simply work in Delhi," he said. "Delhi's healthcare schemes are better than Centre's Ayushman Bharat." The Aam Aadmi Party government has built Mohalla Clinics, which provide free primary healthcare facilities, while government-run hospitals also provide free treatment and medicines. Emphasising on the need for Centre-state coordination to streamline effective delivery of government services and schemes to the people, Kejriwal said there should be competition as well as coordination between the governments. "If we are providing free electricity to the people of Delhi, the central government, as well as other state governments, should competitively implement such a path-breaking scheme in the entire country," he said. Expressing concern over unemployment and lack of jobs, Kejriwal said the Centre must call a meeting of all the chief ministers. "I am sure that a solution will be devised. Industries and businesses are shutting down, the process of sealing is happening and employment is decreasing," he said. According to the chief minister, the AAP government had devised long-term measures like constructing skill universities and introducing entrepreneurship curriculum from Class 9-12. "For short term measures, all the state and central governments must work collectively to address this issue," he said. Kejriwal underlined the need for collaboration between the Centre and state governments to reduce pollution in Delhi. He acknowledged that construction of the East-West peripheral expressways by the Centre, saying the highways significantly reduced pollution and removed the entry of 30,000-40,000 trucks per day in Delhi. The town hall meetings are being held as part of the AAP's election campaign. Polls are likely to be held in Delhi early this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Minister El-Mashat said that the ministry is eager to cooperate with all economic ministries over the coming phase to improve Egypt's economy Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation Rania El-Mashat said that the ministry is currently planning to coordinate with all ministries to implement current projects funded by grants and loans from the international donor corporations. El-Mashat's statements came during a meeting on Sunday with Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait. Minister El-Mashat added that the ministry is eager to cooperate with all economic ministries over the coming phase to improve Egypt's economy. The two ministers discussed raising the efficiency of the public debt performance, which is one of pivotal issues that will be focused on in the coming period to maintain Egypt's economic growth. They also agreed on coordinating between the two ministries in dealing with international donor corporations, especially the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to review the Egyptian government's achievements. Minister Maait also said that finance ministry is eager to coordinate with the international cooperation ministry to ensure the economic reform programme achieves the sustainable development objectives. Search Keywords: Short link: Spanish politics tends towards drama and warnings of an impending apocalypse. Todays session in the Congress of Deputies was a clear example of the inability of the majority of Spains political parties to create a shared space in which to engage in honest, peaceful dialogue regarding Spains future. Whipped into a frenzy by the reactionary media which is always on the verge of a nervous breakdown and, even more so, by the pressure from the far right, the investiture debate was brimming with smear tactics, florid jingoistic oratory and empty rhetoric. An abundance of fancy words in an attempt to avoid admitting that the true substance of the debate is an overhaul of the idea of Spain in the twenty-first century. If one thing was made clear, it is that the right is in favour of the retrograde steps which began with Aznar and the Constitutional Court, and with the extreme right and which reached a height during the Franco period. They envision Spains future as a return to its unitarian, homogeneous past. During yesterdays debate there was an attempt to try to avoid the key to the question which is corrupting Congress: its inability to admit that the Spanish institutional system has consumed itself, it is past its sell by date, and Spanish politicians have neither the capacity for dialogue that existed during the Transition nor the intelligence to admit that the judicialization of the political process has eroded the exercise of democracy. The Catalan question has become the Spanish question. What model of state will Spain have in the coming years with a centre-left government backed by the ERC [the Republican Left of Catalonia] and the PNB [the Basque Nationalist Party]? After a whole day of debate it is still not clear what the PSOE is proposing for Catalonia as an autonomous region, though Pedro Sanchez did change his tune somewhat: he admitted that Spain had made some mistakes and offered a new beginning, a negotiating table, round which the governments of Catalonia and Spain can get together to engage in dialogue. In Sanchezs own words, the offer is about "finding a political solution to a political conflict" and an end to the judicialization of the affair. Its not much of an offer if one were speaking about a mature democracy, but its an attractive novelty if we consider relations between Catalonia and Spain in recent years; if we remember that right now there are civil society and political leaders who have been given long prison sentences or forced into exile. Despite the JECs [The Junta Electoral Central is Spains electoral commission] attempt to torpedo the investiture, ERC realizes that vetoing Sanchezs investiture would be a gift to the reactionary forces. Instead the party has agreed to leave the trenches and explore the terrain. The eventual outcome is uncertain, but there is no other strategy which offers a better shot at tackling the challenge of sorting out the mess and incurring the costs of engaging in politics, while ensuring the far right isnt calling the shots. No one knows how the negotiations between the two governments will turn out, but following years of repression and frustration, dialogue needs to be given a chance. In other words, we shall either see another disappointment for those who want independence or the transformation of Spain, with the ballot box giving the people a say as to the suitability or otherwise of the outcome. The Spanish government will either need to opt for a Spain which is progressive or one which is reactionary and the ballot box will give the Catalans a voice and it will show the true strength of those who favour independence and those who favour autonomy. Meanwhile, the Catalan Parliament gave Quim Torra its symbolic support, defending the institutional figure of the President of the Catalan government, in spite of any political differences and Torras isolation. If Spanish politics tends towards hyperbole, Catalan politics tends towards pretence. President Torra called for "strategic unity" and called on the Assembly of Elected Officials of Catalonia to establish the framework of negotiations with the Spanish state, after having distanced himself from the ERCs position in Congress. Torra, the subject of a decision by a body which has abused its power and which lacks authority in the matter, called on parliament to "stand up and defend democracy". He did not go into details as to what he meant by stand up, however. President Torra will buy himself time by appealing against the JECs decision, which has clearly exceeded its powers. And then what? We'll see in the coming weeks if the Supreme Court bans the president from holding office for the simple act of having displayed a banner. This would leave the way open to calling an election in Catalonia, thus ending the round of elections. Within both the ERC and the political successors to Convergencia there is an underground majority who wish to start a new chapter. Nevertheless, the president alone has the answer to the key question as to when an election will be called, and his decision affects both his political opponents and the chaotic post- Convergencia political space. Tripoli (Reuters) - At least 30 people were killed and 33 others wounded in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health ministry of the Tripoli-based government said in a statement on Sunday. Tripoli, controlled by the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), is facing an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) that began in April. There has been an increase in air strikes and shelling around Tripoli in recent weeks, with fears that fighting could escalate further after Turkeys parliament voted to allow a troop deployment in support of the GNA. Forces allied with the GNA described Saturdays attack on the military camp at Al-Hadhba as "an aerial bombing" launched by their eastern rivals. An LNA spokesman denied involvement. GNA Health Minister Hamid bin Omar told Reuters earlier in a phone call that the number of dead and wounded was still rising. Tripoli ambulance service spokesman Osama Ali said some body parts could not be immediately counted by forensic experts. Earlier, the ambulance service appealed for a temporary ceasefire to allow its crews to retrieve the bodies of five civilians killed on As Sidra Road in southern Tripoli and to evacuate families. Emergency teams withdrew after coming under fire while trying to access the area on Saturday, it said. The GNA Foreign Ministry called for referring Haftar and his aides to the International Criminal Court on charges of committing "crimes against humanity", adding that it will call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss the alleged crimes. Qatar, which supports GNA, said on Saturday that the attack "may amount to a war crime and crimes against humanity". Ankara, which last week passed a bill approving a troop deployment in Libya to support Tripoli, also condemned the attack and said the international community needs to take steps to achieve a ceasefire. Story continues "It is crucial for the international community to urgently take necessary steps to halt external support for the pro-Haftar army and its attacks and establish a ceasefire in Libya," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the attack saying that "rising escalation... further complicates the situation in Libya and threatens the chances of returning to the political process". In response to the attack, GNA allied forces have targeted the LNA air base of Al-Wattia in an air strike, around 159 km southwest of Tripoli, a spokesman said in a statement. Two sources in Haftar forces said four fighters were killed in a drone strike early on Sunday. An increase in air strikes and shelling in and around Tripoli has caused the deaths of at least 11 civilians since early December and shut down health facilities and schools, the U.N. mission in Libya said on Friday. Rockets and shelling also shut down Tripolis only functioning airport on Friday. On Friday, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Libya. He warned that the delivery of foreign support to warring parties would "only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution". The parliament which moved to the east in 2014 voted to provide Haftar with emergency funding on Saturday. The pro-Haftar chamber also held a series of symbolic votes against the GNA and Turkey, which struck two pacts on maritime boundaries and military cooperation in November. (Reporting by Hani Amara, Ahmed Elumami, Ayman al-Warfalli and Omar Fahmy; additional reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun in Istanbul; writing by Mahmoud Mourad and Aidan Lewis; editing by Paul Simao and Jason Neely) Top economists have warned that predictions of a wall of money heading for Britain may have been overstated as the UK prepares to thrash out a new relationship with the European Union. Experts are nervous that continued political uncertainty coupled with rising global tensions following US air strikes on Iran last week may puncture hopes of a flood of investment in the short term. George Buckley, chief UK economist at Nomura, said: I think the wall of money scenario is unlikely because uncertainty remains. What type of Brexit the UK will eventually end up with is a still a concern on investors minds Potential investors are still worried by the prospect of a hard Brexit at the end of this year. I am not convinced we are going to see a wall of investment yet, but a good trade deal would at least calm nerves somewhat. Dhaval Joshi, of independent research group BCA, said the notion of a flood of investment arriving in the short term is not really plausible. He added: Investment is a long-term commitment putting roots down for an eventual gain. For that, you need clear blue sky, not just a patch of blue sky to the end of the transition period. I doubt people will want to make a commitment until things are clear. Older hands in the City recall that the phrase wall of money was used to signal the expected flood of Japanese investment in the wake of Margaret Thatchers unprecedented third consecutive Election victory in 1987. Share prices rose in anticipation but the money did not arrive and the stock market crashed in October of that year. Stock markets have been buoyant over the past 12 months which has prompted speculation that big investors are planning to put their money in stable countries. The FTSE 100 index put on 12.9 per cent last year and there is speculation that it might hit a record 8,000 points. Americas S&P 500 list of companies surged 30 per cent in 2019 its best performance since 2013. But one of the Citys top hedge fund managers Crispin Odey sounded a note of caution, saying markets are vulnerable after flirting with fresh highs over the past month. Asked if the FTSE 100 would end 2020 higher than the current level, Odey said: Im not as optimistic as that but its hard to be a bear at the moment. Its very lonely. Odey, a keen Brexiteer who has been at the centre of speculation that he may be made a life peer, supported Boris Johnsons bid to become Prime Minister. He previously called on pro-Europe bosses to support Johnson in his negotiations with the European Union. The only optimism about anything lies in supporting Boris, he said at the time. Odey made millions for his investors by shorting bank shares ahead of the 2008 financial crisis. He has been predicting a financial crash since 2016. In 2018, his flagship Odey European Fund gained 53 per cent, making it the best performing hedge fund of the year. Asked whether Johnson was planning to make him a peer, Odey said: We will see. A teenager who faced sleeping in his car after being turned away from evacuation centres as his hometown burned was given a bed by kind strangers. Travis Radford, 18, escaped his home in Eden, on the New South Wales south coast, as a ferocious blaze crossed the Victorian border and threatened threatened homes. On Saturday night, Mr Radford and his mum got a knock on the door and were advised to evacuate. They jumped in the car with their dog and two cats and began the long, slow drive to evacuation centres Travis Radford, 18, escaped his home in Eden, on the New South Wales south coast, as a ferocious blaze crossed the Victorian border and threatened threatened homes 'Ash caked onto my windshield after hastily evacuating,' he wrote on Twitter. 'I was part of a convoy of cars, escorted by police to Merimbula and Bega evac centres at a slow 50km/h crawl. Wipers and spray needed all the way to maintain visibility.' What should have been a 40-minute trip turned into a harrowing hour and a half journey through heavy smoke, falling ash and struggling wildlife, he told news.com.au. But once they reached the evacuation centres, Mr Radford and his mum realised there was only one accepting pets, and it was full. Mr Radford posted a photo of his windshield covered in ash from the NSW bushfires 'The only evac centre accepting pets was Bega Showgrounds. But it was full. We were told we would have to sleep in our cars. There was also talk of sleeping in a shopping centre.' After posting a plea for help in a community Facebook group, a family offered them a bed and a shower. The journalism student, who works at a local cafe, said he was amazed at how the community was coming together. 'My boss opened up the cafe for people to stay. It stayed open all night long.' An eerie photo from a home in Bega shows the orange sky thick with smoke and ash Mr Radford Tweeted his experience escaping harrowing bushfires in Eden, New South Wales While the border fire was downgraded to 'watch and act' on Sunday night, the blaze is still out of control and Mr Radford fears for his friends who stayed behind. 'All the roads are closed. Essentially everyone is trapped. And the RFS are predicting for it to get worse. It's insane.' As of 2.30 on Sunday afternoon, Bega residents hadn't seen sunlight in 22 hours as heavy clouds of smoke descended on the valley. NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said 'lots of people' had evacuated the town of Eden as the fire approached on Saturday night. The highway into the south coast town of Eden glowed red as bushfires threatened the town Buildings have been destroyed in the Border Fire. Damage is seen around Eden NSW from bushfires 'It's moving a bit further north and towards rural and isolated property just to the west of Eden,' he told reporters on Sunday morning. 'It's still pretty active down there, and there is lots of attention from local firefighters.' Containment efforts were hampered overnight after firefighters lost power at an important water pump. Commissioner Fitzsimmons said there were still 150 fires burning across NSW, but there had been an 'easing of conditions' following rain on the south coast. Hundreds of locals gathered by the wharf at Eden, on the NSW south coast, were told to leave the town as the Border Fire approaches from the south 'It's certainly a welcome reprieve, it's psychological relief if nothing else but for all the communities being affected by those fires. But unfortunately, it's not putting out the fires,' Commissioner Fitzsimmoms said. 'It's not helping us with the furthering of the work of backburning and consolidation work, so we will have to wait to see this moisture dissipate, so we can get on with the important work of containment lines and backburning and consolidation right across the enormity of those fire grounds, (which is) hundreds of thousands of hectares.' 'There's lots of damage and destruction.' O ne US military service member and two contractors have been killed during an attack by Somalia's Al-Shabaab militant group on a military base in Kenya, the US military said in a statement. Two Americans from the Department of Defense were also wounded in the attack. "The wounded Americans are currently in stable condition and being evacuated," the US military's Africa Command said in a statement. The Al-Qaeda-linked group attacked the base, used by US and Kenyan military personnel, in Kenya's Lamu County. Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said the attack happened at around 5:30am and "an attempt was made to breach security at Manda Air Strip". An image distributed by al Shabaab after the attack on a military base in Kenya shows a Somalia's al Shabaab militant holding the group's flag next to a burning aircraft / via REUTERS The bodies of four terrorist fighters have been found and the KDF confirmed the airstrip is now safe. News of the deaths has come as three Katyusha rockets fell inside the Iraqi capital Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign missions, police sources told Reuters. T he leader of Lebanons Hezbollah group has vowed to end the US militarys presence in the Middle East, saying American bases, warships and soldiers are all fair targets following the recent killing of an Iranian general. Hassan Nasrallah said the US military will pay the price for the drone strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani in Iraq on Friday. His comments further heightened tensions in a region already on high alert and bracing for Iranian retaliation. President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb 52 sites in Iran if it retaliates by attacking Americans. Though it is unclear how or when Iran may respond, any retaliation was likely to come after three days of mourning declared in both Iran and Iraq. Iranians march with a banner bearing the portraits of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (C), Lebanon's Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah (L), and Iran's slain commander Qasem Soleimani / AFP via Getty Images Iran vowed to take an even-greater step away from its unravelling nuclear deal with world powers as a response to Gen Soleimanis death. The suicide attackers who forced the Americans to leave from our region in the past are still here and their numbers have increased, Mr Nasrallah said. He spoke from an undisclosed location and his speech was played on large screens for thousands of Shiite followers in southern Beirut, interrupted occasionally by chants of death to America. The comments were Mr Nasrallahs first since Gen Soleimanis killing. Mr Nasrallah spoke shortly before the Iraqi Parliament voted in favour of a Bill to expel the US military from Iraq by cancelling the military agreement between the two countries. Members of the Iraqi parliament are seen at the parliament in Baghdad, Iraq January 5, 2020. / REUTERS More than 5,000 US soldiers are in Iraq, based on an invitation by the Iraqi Government in 2014 to help fight the Islamic State group. Earlier on Sunday, tens of thousands of mourners accompanied a casket carrying the remains of Gen Soleimani through two major Iranian cities as part of a grand funeral procession across the Islamic Republic for the commander killed by an American drone. Mr Nasrallah said Gen Soleimani was not only Irans concern but the entire so-called axis of resistance, a term used to refer to anti-Israel militant groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and the Palestinian territories. He said it was up to those groups to decide if and how they would retaliate as he praised Gen Soleimani and said the shoe of Qasem Soleimani is worth the head of Trump and all American leaders. Gen Soleimanis killing escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that have put the wider Middle East on edge. Iran and Iraq have declared three days of national mourning following the killing / AFP via Getty Images The conflict is rooted in Donald Trump pulling out of Irans atomic accord and imposing crippling sanctions. Iran has promised harsh revenge for the US attack, which shocked Iranians across all political lines The United States-led international coalition against Islamic State said on Sunday it had paused its training and support of Iraqi security forces due to repeated rocket attacks on bases housing its troops. "Our first priority is protecting all Coalition personnel committed to the defeat of Daesh. Repeated rocket attacks over the last two months by elements of Kata'ib Hezbollah have caused the death of Iraqi Security Forces personnel and a U.S. civilian," it said in a statement. "As a result we are now fully committed to protecting the Iraqi bases that host Coalition troops. This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations against Daesh and we have therefore paused these activities, subject to continuous review." After thousands in Baghdad on Saturday mourned General Soleimani and others killed in the strike, authorities flew the generals body to the south-western Iranian city of Ahvaz. An honour guard stood by early on Sunday as mourners carried the flag-draped coffins of Gen Soleimani and other Guard members off the Tarmac. The caskets then moved slowly through streets choked with mourners wearing black, beating their chests and carrying posters with Gen Soleimanis portrait. Qasem Soleimani funeral in Iran 1 /24 Qasem Soleimani funeral in Iran An Iranian man reacts during a gathering to mourn General Qasem Soleimani VIA REUTERS Mourners wave flags as they gather during the funeral procession of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani AFP via Getty Images Mourners gather during the funeral procession of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (image), Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and eight others in the Iraqi central city of Karbala AFP via Getty Images Thousands of Iraqis chanting "Death to America" today as they mourned an Iranian commander and others killed in a US drone attack AFP via Getty Images Mourners gather in the Iraqi central city of Karbala AFP via Getty Images Mourners take part in the funeral procession of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani AFP via Getty Images Iranians gather to mourn General Qasem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, who was killed in an air strike at Baghdad airport, in Tehran, Iran VIA REUTERS A mourner holds up a picture AFP via Getty Images Thousands of Iraqis chanting "Death to America" today as they mourned an Iranian commander and others killed in a US drone attack AFP via Getty Images Mourners chant slogans against the U.S. during the funeral of Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani, AP Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the US airstrike near Baghdad's airport AP Mourners carry the coffins of Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani AP Mourners carry the coffin of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis AFP via Getty Images People attend a funeral procession for Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleiman VIA REUTERS An aerial view shows mourners attending a funeral ceremony for Gen. Qasem Soleimani AP Qassem Soleimani and his comrades who were killed in Iraq by a U.S. drone strike, are carried on a truck surrounded by mourners AP Mourners carry the coffins of Iran's top general Qasem Soleiman AP Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport AP Demonstrators also carried red Shiite flags, which traditionally both symbolise the spilled blood of someone unjustly killed and call for their deaths to be avenged. Officials brought Gen Soleimanis body to Ahvaz, a city that was a focus of fighting during the bloody 1980-88 war between Iraq and Iran, in which he slowly grew to prominence. Authorities then took General Soleimanis body to Mashhad. His remains will go to Tehran and Qom on Monday for public mourning processions, followed by his hometown of Kerman for burial on Tuesday. Qassem Soleimani was killed in Baghdad on Friday. He was accused by the US of sponsoring terrorism across the Middle East - Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader Hundreds of thousands of Iranians turned out to pay their respects to General Qassim Soleimani on Sunday as Iraq's parliament voted to expel US forces from the country over his assassination in Baghdad. The momentous vote came as Iran said it would ditch all limitations on its uranium enrichment program under the 2015 nuclear deal in response to the killing and the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State in Iraq halted operations because of fears of revenge attacks by Iranian-allied groups. At least three rockets landed near the US embassy in Baghdad late on Sunday night, prompting Donald Trump to threaten a rapid and possible "disproportionate" response if Iran struck a US target. No casualties were immediately reported. Earlier Adil Abdul-Mahd, Iraqs acting prime minister, told an extraordinary session of parliament that the killing of Gen Soleimani was an "unacceptable" violation of sovereignty and asked for MPs backing to end the US-led coalition's stay in the country. The resolution passed despite a boycott by most Kurdish and Sunni MPs. Qassem Soleimani was killed in Baghdad on Friday. He was accused by the US of sponsoring terrorism across the Middle East Credit: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader The coalition, which includes 500 British troops based in Baghdad, is in Iraq on the basis of a letter of request from the Iraqi government in 2014 to help fight Islamic State. It was not immediately clear how quickly the troops would be asked to leave. Sundays vote will be seen as an ironic posthumous victory for Gen Soleimani, who had directed a proxy war against Western forces in the Middle East for years. The influential leader of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed on Friday in a US airstrike as his convoy left Baghdad airport. American officials say they killed the general, who was in charge of Irans main expeditionary covert warfare unit and is believed to have coordinated terrorist attacks across the region, to prevent attacks he was allegedly planning against US personnel. Iran has described the attack as the illegal murder of a national hero and has vowed to retaliate, raising fears of a regional war with the United States and its allies. Story continues An honour guard paraded as Soleimanis remains were flown to the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, a key battlefield in the Iran-Iraq war in which he first rose to prominence, early on Sunday morning. The flight also carried the bodies of other Iranian Revolutionary Guards and an Iraqi militia commander who were killed with him. State television showed vast crowds of people, many dressed in black and beating their chests, thronging the caskets as they were driven slowly through the streets of the city. Soleimanis body was flown to Mashhad, a shrine city in northeast Iran, for another public procession later on Sunday. It will be taken to Tehran and the holy city of Qom on Monday before being finally buried in Soleimanis hometown of Kerman on Tuesday. The scale of the crowds, which clogged streets for miles, were said by witnesses to dwarf anything seen in Iran since the funeral of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, in 1989. Although Irans regime is known to order people onto the streets for pro-government demonstrations, they seldom muster more than a few thousand. An aerial view shows mourners at the funeral procession for Gen Qassem Soleimani in Ahvaz Credit: Morteza Jaberian/ Mehr News Agency Military tensions continued to rise across the region over the weekend as Iranian officials and allied groups vowed to take revenge. Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander of the IRGC, on Sunday said Irans retaliation would also include the Israeli city of Haifa and Israeli military installations. Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, the secretary general of the Iran-allied Lebanese militant group Hibollah, told a memorial service for Soleimani in Beirut that US military assets were fair targets for retaliation. A rocket fell on Saturday evening inside the heavily fortified Green Zone, where the US Embassy is located, and two were fired at the Balad air base north of the capital, where US troops are stationed. Donald Trump was accused of planning war crimes when he said he would attack sites of cultural value to Iran if US forces were targeted Credit: JIM WATSON/AFP Iraqs military said that no-one was killed. Mr Trump said on Saturday evening that the United States would hit back if Americans or US assets were targeted by Iran. But he was immediately accused of planning to commit war crimes when he said on Twitter that he had drawn up a list of 52 Iranian sites 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. Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister, responded by saying Soleoimanis killing was a grave breach of international law and that targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME." Iran is home to 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites. The 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, which the US has ratified, forbids parties to conflict from attacking cultural property. Such sites could be targeted if they are being used for military purposes. The US Department of Defences law of war manual states cultural property should be safeguarded and respected. Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, said on Sunday that the US would only strike lawful targets. He also defended the decision to kill Soleimani, hitting back at senior members of Congress who said intelligence they were shown did not make a convincing case that he was planning imminent attacks. "The intelligence assessment made clear that [taking] no action - allowing Soleimani to continue his plotting and his planning, his terror campaign - created more risk than taking the action that we took last week," he told ABC's "This Week." The European Unions foreign policy chief on Sunday invited Mr Zarif to Brussels for talks designed to defuse the crisis. Josep Borrell told Mr Zarif during a phone call that diplomacy was the only way out of the crisis and reiterated support for the 2015 nuclear deal, his office said in a statement. The move reflects existing rifts between the United States and its European allies, including Britain, over Mr Trumps hard line Iran policy, including his decision last year to withdraw the US from the nuclear agreement. Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar on Sunday wished and blessed actor Deepika Padukone on her 34th birthday. "You are cherished! Happy Birthday @deepikapadukone! Stay blessed... stay blissed," tweeted the 'Chhapaak' director. Gulzar also shared a picture of her with Padukone from the sets of 'Chhapaak' where the actor was seen donning the acid-attack survivor Laxmi Aggarwal on whom the upcoming film is based. Yesterday, Padukone was seen celebrating her birthday eve with Gulzar and co-actor Vikrant Massey in Mumbai. Gulzar and Padukone joined hands for their upcoming film 'Chhapaak' which is set to hit the theatres on January 10. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ABC News(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter Saturday night that if Iran retaliates for the U.S. airstrike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad, the U.S. is prepared to "hit very fast and very hard" at 52 sites inside Iran, including some important to "the Iranian Culture." Targeting cultural sites could be considered a war crime under international agreements to which the U.S. belongs, according to both Trump's political foes and former national security officials. The number 52 used by Trump in his tweets also matched the number of Americans seized in the November 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran. They were held hostage for 444 days. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared on ABC's "This Week" Sunday and said, "The American people should know that every target that we strike will be a lawful target, and it will be a target designed with a singular mission, of protecting and defending America." In the days since Soleimani, leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed by U.S. drones, Iranian leaders have vowed revenge. Anticipating possible Iranian retaliation in the region, the Pentagon dispatched 3,500 soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division to Kuwait and augmented security at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. Destroying cultural sites could be considered a war crime under the 1954 Hague Convention for the preservation of cultural sites and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347, which was passed unanimously in March 2017 in response to the Islamic State's destruction of historic sites in Iraq and Syria. That resolution "deplores and condemns the unlawful destruction of cultural heritage, inter alia destruction of religious sites and artifacts, as well as the looting and smuggling of cultural property from archaeological sites, museums, libraries, archives, and other sites, in the context of armed conflicts" and states that such acts could constitute war crimes. "These are not legitimate military targets, and saying they are potentially opens up our cultural sites to be targets of Iran," said Mick Mulroy, an ABC News contributor and formerly the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Middle East Policy. "The statement that we are targeting culturally significant targets in Iran undermines the message to the Iranian people that we are not against them." Trump's tweets drew criticism on social media from other former national security officials and political critics. "The more the walls close in on this guy, the more irrational he becomes," Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden tweeted in response to Trump. "For what it's worth, I find it hard to believe the Pentagon would provide Trump targeting options that include Iranian cultural sites," tweeted Colin Kahl, a former top Pentagon official in the Obama administration. "Trump may not care about the laws of war, but DoD planners and lawyers do ... and targeting cultural sites is war crime." When reached by ABC News for comment late Saturday, a Pentagon spokesperson referred questions about Trumps tweets to the White House. Typically, U.S. military planners consider a "proportional" response to a provocative military act, as happened in June when Trump initially approved airstrikes on Iranian air defense systems that shot down an American drone. Trump called off the airstrikes shortly before they were set to take place when he learned that as many as 150 Iranian casualties were possible. The president later tweeted that the death of that number of Iranians would not be "proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone." Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. At least 28 people were killed and dozens injured on Saturday in an air strike on a military school in the Libyan capital Tripoli. At the time of the strike the cadets were gathered on a parade ground before going to their dormitories. The southern part of Tripoli has seen fierce fighting since last April, when military strongman Khalifa Haftar began an offensive against the GNA. At the time of the strike the cadets were gathered on a parade ground before going to their dormitories Turkey deploys troops to Libya as it pledges its support to the GNA President Tayyip Erdogan this evening said that Turkish military units had started moving to Libya to support Fayez al-Serraj's internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), based in Tripoli. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a joint live broadcast of CNN TURK Speaking in an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk, Erdogan said Turkey was also sending senior military personnel. 'Our soldiers' duty there is coordination. They will develop the operation centre there. Our soldiers are gradually going right now,' he said. Forces in connection with the GNA said the attack yesterday at Al-Hadhba was an 'aerial bombing' which had been launched by eastern rivals. Advertisement Libya was plunged into chaos with the toppling and killing of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising. It has since become divided between the GNA and rival authorities based in the country's east. GNA forces accused those loyal to Haftar of the strike, posting photos of the victims and the wounded on Facebook. However, pro-Haftar forces have not claimed responsibility for the attack. 'An air raid on the military school of Tripoli killed 28 cadets and injured dozens more,' Amin al-Hashemi, spokesman for the health ministry of the Government of National Accord (GNA) said. The military school is in al-Hadba al-Khadra, a residential sector of the Libyan capital. The GNA health ministry called for blood donors to go to hospitals and blood banks to help those injured. More than 280 civilians and more than 2,000 fighters have been killed since the start of Haftar's assault on Tripoli, according to the United Nations. The fighting has also displaced some 146,000 people. The UN Security Council last month renewed its calls for a ceasefire in Libya, and urged foreign actors to honour an arms embargo on the country - which Jordan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have regularly violated, according to a confidential UN report seen by AFP. Before the attack on Saturday, the ambulance service had called for a cease-fire to allow its members to retrieve those who had been killed. They had also been trying to attempt to evacuate families in the area. A map showing the location of the military school that was bombed and killed 28 people Emergency personnel pull a gurney with a victim on it from an air strike on a military school in the capital Tripoli But emergency teams were forced to withdraw after coming under fire. In early December 11 civilians were kills after airstrikes and shelling, according to the UN mission in Libya. This is while rockets and shelling also shut down the only functioning airport in Tripoli on Friday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday renewed his called for a cease fire in Libya and warned that foreign support would 'only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution'. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has asked why losses were not recovered from those who indulged in damage to public property during the Jat agitation in Haryana, while money is proposed to be recovered by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the recent anti-CAA protests. (Photo: File) Hyderabad: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has asked why losses were not recovered from those who indulged in damage to public property during the Jat agitation in Haryana, while money is proposed to be recovered by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the recent anti-CAA protests. Owaisi, who was addressing a protest meeting at Sangareddy town near here late on Saturday night against the amended citizenship law, also said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan need not worry about Indian Muslims. The AIMIM president also announced that a protest meeting will be held at the historic Charminar here on January 25 against the CAA, adding "We will hoist the tricolour on January 25 midnight and recite the national anthem. The meeting would be to save the Constitution and the country." On January 10, a peaceful march will also be taken out in Hyderabad against the CAA, he said. Talking about the violent protests against CAA in UP, Owaisi said he condemned violence wherever it occurred but would like to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi whether the Prevention of Destruction of Public Property Act, 1984 applied to them (UP incidents) or not. He claimed destruction of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore occurred in the Jat agitation in Haryana in 2015. "Destruction of Rs 2,000 crore. Modiji, you have taken money from how many? Have you taken money from those people? One paisa was not taken. Why? You did not take because they were not Muslims. Is this not a violation of Article 14 of our Constitution," he said. How much money was recovered for the losses during the Patel agitation in Gujarat, he asked. More than 600 police vehicles were burnt and more than 1,800 government buildings were damaged during the Patel agitation, he claimed. "Why are (you) doing this injustice that you will not take from Gujaratis, but recover money from Muslims," he said. "...to recover that Rs 14.50 lakh, properties of Muslims were seized, (they were) locked (in UP). This law won't apply," he said. Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan posting a video, Owaisi said Khan has posted a wrong Bangladeshi video claiming it to be from India. "Mr Khan, you worry about your own country. Mr Khan, we would like to tell you, don't ever remember us. We have rejected the message, the wrong theory of Jinnah. We are proud Indian Muslims and till the day of judgment, Inshallah, we will remain as proud Indian Muslims." "No power on earth can take away my Indianness. No power on earth can take away my religious identity. Why because, the Constitution of India guarantees me that," he said. The Pakistan Prime Minister should safeguard the Sikhs and stop those who attacked a Sikh gurdwara in Pakistan, Owaisi said. According to Owaisi, the CAA was only made towards making India a Hindu Rashtra. "We are not against granting citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Christians, Sikhs from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh...but why are you doing in the name of religion (by excluding Muslims)," he said. He challenged the Prime Minister to let the countrymen know if they plan to make (implement) NRC or not by 2024. Owaisi further said the protests against CAA, NPR and NRC should continue for another four to five months. Catch the latest news, live coverage and in-depth analyses from India and World. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. In the hours since the Trump administration announced that the high-ranking Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani had been killed in a U.S. airstrike, Americans wondered: Does this mean war? And for young people, there was a follow-up: Would I have to go? The impact of President Donald Trump's decision to order a strike against Soleimani has yet to be seen, it has turned up the heat on America's already tense relationship with Iran, a country the president has portrayed as one of America's most dangerous adversaries. Google searches for terms such as "conscription", "Selective Service" and "Iran" spiked, according to Trends data, as youthful social media users on platforms like TikTok and Instagram dealt with this collective political anxiety the best way they knew how: by spinning out endless memes about getting drafted in a hypothetical, but seemingly imminent, World War III. On Friday, the website for the Selective Service, a federal agency tasked with maintaining a database of adult men who could be called upon should a crisis require a draft, experienced technical difficulties as people flooded the site. The draft was suspended in 1973 because of intense public and political opposition to the Vietnam War, and Congress and the president would have to pass legislation to bring it back, should an emergency call for it. But America still keeps a database of all young men who could be called upon should the draft ever return. Every year, millions of young, adult men are required by law to register with the Selective Service, "a relatively low-cost insurance policy for our nation," as the agency puts it. If you're a male residing in the United States between ages 18 and 25, you are required by law to register for the Selective Service. The mandate applies whether you're a U.S. citizen, immigrant, or undocumented immigrant. Women are not currently required to register, and signing up for the Selective Service does not enlist a person in the military. Failure to register for the Selective Service could lead to criminal penalties, and an inability to qualify for federal student loans and federal jobs. But would the latest escalation with Iran lead to a conflict so intense that the long-dormant draft would be instated, as the United States did during the Civil War, World War II, Korean War and, most famously, the Vietnam War? Probably not, said said Patricia Sullivan, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who researchers military policy. "I think there is almost no chance at all that the draft will be reinstated," Sullivan told The Washington Post. "With Iran, there's almost no chance that we're getting into the kind of ground-war scenario that large numbers of ground troops would be needed and we would implement the draft." Sullivan added that the military is now so professionalized, and the cost of training each solider so high, that it would not necessarily make sense to add a surge of new recruits that may not be qualified. The people who had the most reason to be concerned about an escalation with Iran were the military forces already in the Middle East region, Sullivan said, not civilians who might be conscripted in a hypothetical draft. Delhi Police is probing recent incidents of violence and rioting, including allegations that police personnel resorted to firing during a protest against the amended Citizenship Act in southeast Delhi, officials said on Sunday. A video had cropped up showing policemen opening fire on a stone-pelting protesters at Mathura Road. However, Delhi Police had denied any firing by its personnel. A media report claimed that the incident of firing was registered in a police diary, but a senior official said that if anything like that happened it was an act of "self defence" by cops "under attack" from the stone pelters as could be seen in the purported video. In the purported video, three policemen were seen taking shield behind a wall when protesters were on the rampage and pelting stones on them. Two policemen pulled out their service pistol and fired three shots towards the stone pelters and rushed to a safe location. The video was shot at Mathura Road where major violence took place on December 15. Deputy Commisoner of Police (Southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said the probe related to all the violence during the protests was being investigated by the special investigation team of the Crime Branch. 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. After the incident, the Delhi Police has maintained that no gunshots were fired on protesters. Even a protester, who is undergoing treatment at Safdurjung hospital, was suspected to have received bullet injury but later it was claimed that injury was from shards of tear gas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: The IIT-Kanpur has finally broken silence over the Faiz Ahmed Faiz controversy. While there has been lot of discussion about how the iconic poem by the legendary poet is being used by the anti-CAA protesters, the IIT-Kanpur was under spotlight for reportedly launching a probe to examine if Hum Dekhenge was anti-Hindu or not. However, now the IIT-Kanpur has issued a clarification saying that no such probe has been ordered. Fake news, said IIT-Kanpurs deputy director Manindra Agrawal on the Faiz probe. Agrawal has also said that the six-member panel would investigate if there was any deliberate mischief. The prestigious institute had set up a probe panel to investigate a December 17 campus protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The protesters had recited the poem as part of the stir against the citizenship law. The panel was constituted after a complaint was filed by Dr Vashimant Sharma, a temporary faculty member. The poem was read to express solidarity with students of Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi. Salima Hashmi, daughter of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, had termed the entire controversy as absurd. Lets look at in another way, they may end up getting interested in Urdu poetry and its metaphors. Never underestimate the power of Faiz, she was quoted as saying. After top poets and writers including Javed Akhtar, Rahat Indori and Vishal Bhardwaj 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. 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, Gulzar 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. 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". For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Six months into his term, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis heads to his first White House visit on January 7 amidst tense relations with NATO ally and regional rival Turkey. Athens is keen to enlist US investors for the growth spurt envisioned by the Greek conservative government -- but the visit comes as tensions escalate with Turkey over migration, energy exploration and territorial disputes. "Greece and the United States are closer than ever," Mitsotakis said in a December 29 interview with the weekly, To Vima. "Greece is a reliable ally and I expect this to be confirmed with deeds, not just words," he said. The US has traditionally maintained a difficult balancing act between Greece and Turkey over the past six decades, with the Clinton administration actually stepping in to prevent hostilities over an uninhabited Aegean islet group in 1996. But Trump has often struck a dissonant tone in his administration's foreign policy, preferring to forge personal bonds even with the leaders of countries whose policies have on occasion been rebuked by the US State Department or Congress. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is one of them. "It goes without saying that the political unpredictability of the American president creates a foggy scenery," says Spyridon Litsas, professor of international relations at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki. "Mitsotakis travels to Washington in order to demonstrate to American political and economic elites that besides Turkish unreliability in the eastern Mediterranean, there is also Greece, a pivotal state for the balance of power in the region, a fundamental actor regarding the re-shaping of the regional energy map, and a fertile ground for investment," Litsas told AFP. Greek relations with Turkey are at their lowest point in decades. In November, Erdogan signed a contentious maritime and military deal with the embattled UN-backed Libyan government. Swiftly condemned by neighbouring states including Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, the move is seen by analysts as part of a Turkish strategy to avoid exclusion from the gas exploration scramble in the region. Mitsotakis came to power in July after defeating leftist former PM Alexis Tsipras in national elections. Trump in December signed the EastMed Act, an initiative to facilitate energy cooperation among the US, Israel, Greece and Cyprus. On Thursday, Greece, Cyprus and Israel launched a major pipeline project -- also called EastMed -- designed to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe. - Greece a 'pillar of stability' - According to US ambassador to Athens Geoffrey Pyatt, Washington sees Greece as "a critical pillar of regional stability." "The prime minister's engagements in Washington will provide a critical opportunity to inform investors and policymakers of the opportunities that the new Greece has to offer," Pyatt told a conference in early December. According to a senior US official, there was a "reframing of the US-Greece relationship" even from the first half of 2017 under Tsipras, with Greece emerging as "one of the United States' most important partners in southern Europe." Tsipras, who tempered the deep-seated anti-Americanism of his Syriza party with pragmatism, scored points by ending a quarter-century name dispute with neighbouring North Macedonia, and by promoting an energy agenda aligned with US interests at the expense of Russia. Under Tsipras, Athens also signed on to an F-16 upgrade programme worth $1.5 billion. In October, a team headed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed defence and security upgrade agreements. Athens is also interested in US-made drones and, eventually, F-35 warplanes, Mitsotakis told To Vima. "We've gotten past the era of instinctive or reflexive anti-Americanism," the US official said, referring to scepticism by many Greeks towards Washington for backing the 1967 Greek military junta. The trip to the White House -- six months to the day after his electoral victory -- will be the first as prime minister for Mitsotakis, who studied at Harvard University. He saw Trump in London during the NATO summit in early December. "One of the open questions about the Mitsotakis visit is whether he can convince Trump to follow a much more strategic and effective policy to limit the substantial damage Erdogan has caused Greece, the US and the NATO Alliance," says Nicholas Burns, former US Ambassador to Greece, currently diplomacy professor at the Harvard Kennedy School. "President Trump has been weak and inconsistent in responding to Turkey's purchase of the Russian A-400 air defence system and Turkey's cavalier disregard of American interests in Syria," Burns told AFP. Analysis: A Beneficiary Of The U.S.-Iran Crisis Could Well Be Russia By Todd Prince January 04, 2020 Senior Russian officials have publicly condemned the U.S. killing of Iran's most powerful military commander, joining foreign leaders in warning that it will lead to an escalation of tensions in the already unstable Middle East region. However, the Kremlin may be able to capitalize on the controversial attack against its ally Tehran if it drives a deeper wedge in Washington's strategic relationship with European allies, analysts said. An escalation could also present Russian President Vladimir Putin with a golden opportunity to demonstrate global leadership by working toward a resolution, they said. "Putin would love to seize the role of a mediator to reduce tension but also to strengthen his image in the West," said Jonathan Katz, a senior fellow at The German Marshall Fund in Washington. General Qasem Soleimani, the powerful head of Iran's elite Quds Force in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed in a U.S. air strike in neighboring Iraq on January 3 days after pro-Iranian militants attacked the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said later that the assassination sought to preempt an undisclosed "threat" to American lives. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. attack "flagrantly violates" international principles. The Russian Defense Ministry called it a "shortsighted" step that will lead to more regional turmoil. U.S. allies in Europe -- who were not informed of the attack beforehand -- also expressed concern about Washington's deadly strike in a region that accounts for a significant portion of the world's daily oil production. German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass said that although Iran carried out a series of "dangerous provocations," the U.S. response "has not made it easier to reduce tensions." U.K. shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry from the opposition Labour Party slammed U.S. President Donald Trump's Iran policy as well as his clandestine operation against Soleimani. "For two years, I've warned about Trump's reckless lurch towards war with Iran. Last night's attack takes us even closer to the brink," she said. Trump angered European leaders when he withdrew the United States in 2018 from an international agreement signed by his predecessor Barack Obama that put limits on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China, and the European Union were the other signatories to the agreement. Trump began reimposing sanctions on Iran later that year, which contributed to the woes of the country's economy. Trump has rankled European leaders over a host of other policy issues as well, such as defense spending and climate change, raising concerns about the strength of the transatlantic relationship. Putin Victory? Trump's failure to inform European partners has handed a "victory to Putin in terms of weakening the transatlantic relationship again," the German Marshall Fund's Katz said. French President Emmanuel Macron called Putin following the U.S. assassination of Soleimani on January 3. The two leaders expressed their concern about the U.S. strike, also discussing the crisis in Syria and Libya as well as bilateral relations. Macron has been seeking to mend European relations with Russia, one of the bloc's biggest trading partners. Brussels, along with Washington, has imposed sanctions on Russia for destabilizing Ukraine, including annexing Crimea. The sanctions have impacted both European and Russian growth. As the policy split in transatlantic relations deepens, it will weaken resolve to keep the Russian sanctions in place, Katz said. Global Statesman Role Russia faced isolation from the West after it annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and backed separatists in the Donbas. That year, Washington and Brussels kicked Russia out of the Group of Eight industrialized countries. However, Russia's military intervention in Syria a year later to support President Bashar al-Assad forced Western leaders to sit down at the negotiating table with Putin to discuss peace in the embattled country. With the Kremlin's strong ties to Tehran, Putin could again play a key role as U.S.-Iran tensions are ratcheted up. "Putin is looking for avenues where he can play the role of a great power -- where he can show that he is not isolated diplomatically. If he can help maneuver out of a huge crisis in the Middle East, he will certainly seek to do that," said Paul Stronski, a Russia analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. "And if [he] ingratiates himself with Europe, that is even better." Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the United States. And Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami has promised a "crushing response" to "all perpetrators" involved in Soleimani's killing. Several analysts said Iran is likely to respond forcefully to the killing, potentially provoking further U.S. strikes. "If anybody is going to be able to prevent this from spiraling into something nasty, the Russians are probably best placed to do that," said Jeff Mankoff, a Russia analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/analysis-a- beneficiary-of-the-u-s--iran-crisis-could- well-be-russia/30360014.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to seek apology from the public for putting anti-citizenship law protesters behind bars. (Photo Credit: File Photo) Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to seek apology from the public for putting anti-citizenship law protesters behind bars without thorough investigation. She dubbed it as highly shameful and condemnable. In Uttar Pradesh, especially in Bijnor, Sambhal, Meerut, Muzzafarnagar, Firozabad and other districts, innocent people have been sent to jail for protesting against the CAA/NRC without an investigation. This issue has also been raised by the media and is highly shameful and condemnable, the BSP national president said in a tweet in Hindi. Accusing the Yogi Adityanath led government of jailing anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protesters without any proper investigation, she asked them to seek an apology from the public. Her statement comes in the backdrop of a local court granting bail on Saturday to social activist Sadaf Jafar and former IPS officer S R Darapuri, besides 13 others arrested in connection with anti-CAA protests in Lucknow. Mayawati also demanded financial assistance to those killed in the protests. Officials maintain that 19 persons died in clashes during the widespread protests across the state in December, though opposition parties claim a higher toll. Mayawati also demanded immediate release of the innocent people and urged the state government to provide justifiable financial assistance to the kin of those who have died during the protests. Around 1,200 people were arrested and 5,558 kept in preventive detention following clashes during the protests, officials said. The party chief said a BSP delegation will meet UP Governor Anandiben Patel in Raj Bhawan here on Monday and submit a memorandum seeking a judicial inquiry into the clashes that took place in the state. The Act 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. It has been called discriminatory as the legislation excludes Muslims from the three countries. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Emergency crews respond to a fatal crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Mount Pleasant Township early Sunday morning, Jan. 5, 2020. Multiple people were killed early Sunday in a crash involving a passenger bus, two tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles in Pennsylvania, officials said. (WPIX TV via AP) Pennsylvania Turnpike Pileup Leaves 5 Dead, 60 Injured At least five people died and more than 60 were injured in a crash involving several tractor-trailer trucks on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Jan. 5. Officials said the crash occurred at around 3:30 a.m. local time near Mount Pleasant Township, which is southeast of Pittsburgh. Crash involves 2 tractor trailers, a tour bus and passenger vehicles. Turnpike is closed in both directions from New Stanton (#75) to Breezewood (#161). A prolonged closure likely, Pennsylvania Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo wrote on Twitter. DeFebo, in a later statement, confirmed that five were dead and about 60 patients were taken to three nearby hospitals. About 60 patients have been transported to three area hospitals in Westmoreland County due to multi-vehicle crash on @PA_Turnpike at milepost 86 westbound. Coroner has confirmed five fatalities. An 86-mile stretch of Turnpike still closed from New Stanton to Breezewood exits. Carl DeFebo (@cdefebo) January 5, 2020 A 60-mile stretch between the New Stanton and Breezewood exits was closed, he said. The Turnpike completely reopened around 6:20 p.m local time. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were called to the scene, DeFebo told the Tribune-Review. County coroner Ken Bacha also told CNN that five people were found dead at the scene. At least 11 people were transported to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, according to the report. A spokesperson for the hospital said at least one victim was in critical condition, while 10 others were in fair condition. The ages of the patients are unknown. Other details about the crash were not clear, including the cause. The National Weather Service said the air temperature was just below freezing in Westmoreland County, with cloudy skies. Traffic Deaths Down Across US U.S. traffic deaths fell 3 percent in the first six months of 2019, according to preliminary National Safety Council figures. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that 2017 traffic deaths fell by 1.8 percent to 37,133 after traffic deaths rose sharply in the previous two years, according to final figures. The U.S. traffic fatality rate fell to 1.08 deaths per 100 million miles traveled for the first half of 2018. The fatality rate in 2017 was 1.16 million deaths per 100 million miles traveledthe second highest rate since 2008. This is good news and bad news, said Deborah Hersman, CEO of the National Safety Council, CNBC reported. The total number of fatalities is not getting worse, but the situation is not getting better. Hersman cited distracted driving and higher speed limits for the number. There are a number of states that have raised speed limits, some now have stretches at 80 or 85 miles per hour, she said in the CNBC report. In Texas, for example, she estimated that traffic fatalities jumped 7 percent from 2015 to 2017, in part due to higher speed limits in the state. We know its happening, even though distracted driving data is hard to come by, she said of drivers using smartphones while behind the wheel. Police reports on accidents often dont report if the driver was distracted, and in many accidents, people dont self-report themselves. The circular lists cases that credit institutions are granted a reserve requirement waiver or a lower reserve requirement ratio. With the issuance of Circular 30 by the Vietnamese central bank, stipulating the reserve requirements for credit institutions and foreign bank branches, about VND40 trillion (US$1.73 billion) in required reserves may be converted into loans, according to Bao Viet Securities Company (BVSC). The circular lists cases that credit institutions are granted a reserve requirement waiver or a lower reserve requirement ratio. In fact, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the country's central bank, had planned this amendment last February and now released the official document. Article 3 of Circular No. 30 grants a reserve requirement waiver to three groups of credit institutions, including credit institutions under special control (DongA Bank and three other commercial banks that SBV purchased at zero cost), credit institutions that have yet to start operations, and credit institutions that are approved to dissolve or to open bankruptcy proceedings or to see their licenses revoked by the competent authority. Additionally, under Circular 30, credit institutions that support the system restructuring (as stipulated in Clause 40, Article 4 of the 2017 amended and supplemented Law on Credit Institutions) are granted a 50% reduction in reserve requirement rate. According to this regulation, over the past years, major state-run banks such as Vietcombank, VietinBank, and BIDV have participated in the restructure of DongA Bank, CB Bank, Ocean Bank, and GP Bank, through liquidity support, management of executive personnel, business cooperation, among others, as soon as these organizations implement mandatory restructuring. BVSC estimated that based on the report of the third quarter of 2019, the required reserves of Vietcombank, BIDV, and Vietinbank at the SBV are VND83 trillion (US$3.59 billion). Assuming that these three banks are granted a 50% reduction of the required reserve ratio under Circular 30, more than VND40 trillion (US$1.73 billion) in required reserves will be "released", meaning that their capital cost will also decrease, allowing these banks to lower lending rates. However, by the end of the third quarter of 2019, both Vietcombank and BIDV were having excessive deposits at the SBV (15% and 26% respectively), therefore, the release of additional required reserves may not considerably benefit these two banks at the moment. Besides, it remains to be seen whether the SBV would allow these banks to receive a 50% reduction in reserve requirement ratio. Hanoitimes Ngoc Thuy Vietnam banks thrive in 2019, profits exceed targets 2019 has been a good year for the banking sector. Most commercial banks performed well with profit results exceeding the targets set earlier in the year. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has asked its ally, the Congress, to withdraw a controversial pamphlet on Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, that was published by its wing, Seva Dal, in Madhya Pradesh, after it sparked a political row in Maharashtra. NCP minister and party spokesperson Nawab Malik said it was wrong to make personal remarks on the leader. You may have ideological differences with the person concerned. The Congress can criticise Savarkar over his ideology. However, it should refrain from making personal remarks against him, especially as he is not around, said Malik. Titled Veer Savarkar kitney Veer (How brave was Savarkar?), the booklet, circulated by the Seva Dal ahead of a national camp on the outskirts of Bhopal, alleged that Savarkar, and Mahatma Gandhis assassin, Nathuram Godse, had a physical relationship. The Congress is a part of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state, along with the NCP and the Shiv Sena. The remarks in the booklet has caused embarrassment to the Sena, which revers Savarkar and had in the past demanded a Bharat Ratna for him. On Friday, Savarkars grandson, Ranjeet Savarkar, too, demanded the booklet be banned and action be taken against the Seva Dal. The Maharashtra unit of the Congress has distanced itself from the incident. We do not support the contents of the booklet despite it being quoted from a book. We also do not believe in such personal attacks, said Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant. In December, another controversy over Savarkar had erupted when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi suggested that the leader was a turncoat. The Sena had condemned his remark. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Japanese Officials Break Silence on Carlos Ghosn Bail Jump Escapade Japanese authorities have broken their silence on the escape from their country of former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn, dismissing claims that what motivated his dramatic bail-jump was fear that he wouldnt get a fair trial. What this shows is simple: He didnt want to submit to the judgment of our nations courts and sought to avoid the punishment for his own crimes, said Tokyo deputy chief prosecutor Takahiro Saito, The Wall Street Journal reported. There is no room to justify such an action. In her first official public comments on the case, Japans Justice Minister Masako Mori said Sunday that Ghosns escape to Lebanon is unjustifiable and probably involved illegal methods. When Ghosn escaped in what The Journal reported was a box used for audio gear, he was out on bail after months of extended detention. He was awaiting trial over multiple counts of financial misconduct, allegations that he has denied. Ghosn is believed to have flown from the Japanese city of Osaka to Istanbul, in Turkey, and then to Beirut in Lebanon. Seven people in Turkey were arrested in connection with Ghosns escapefour pilots, a cargo company manager, and two airport workers, the BBC reported. Junichiro Hironaka, chief lawyer of the former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Dec. 31, 2019. (Kyodo/via Reuters) The Charges Ghosn was first arrested in November 2018, with part of the allegations centering around his failure to report compensation that was promised to him. The former executive said those payments were never decided on. Other charges of breach of trust involve Nissan money allegedly diverted to Ghosn for personal gain, including payments in Oman and Saudi Arabia. Ghosn said those payments were for legitimate services. Japanese prosecutors have released few specifics about his charges, saying they would do so at the trial. If convicted on all counts, Ghosn could face the maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Ghosn has repeatedly asserted his innocence, saying Japanese authorities trumped up charges against him to prevent a possible fuller merger between Nissan Motor Co. and Renault. A screen grab from a video provided by Hironaka Law Office, shows Nissans former chairman Carlos Ghosn, speaking on April 9, 2019, before he was re-arrested in Tokyo. (Hironaka Law Office via Getty Images) Rigged Justice System In a statement Tuesday, he said he fled to avoid political persecution by a rigged Japanese justice system. He has promised to speak with reporters next week. Japans Justice Minister dismissed claims that Ghosns ability to receive a fair trial in Japan was impaired. Our countrys criminal justice system sets out appropriate procedures to clarify the truth of cases and is administered appropriately, while guaranteeing basic individual human rights. Flight by a defendant on bail is unjustifiable, Mori said in a statement, via The Japan Times. The escape has embarrassed Japanese authorities and left them scrambling to defend the countrys justice system. The conviction rate in Japan is higher than 99% and authorities can hold suspects almost indefinitely while pending trial. Japanese authorities have argued that lengthy detentions are justified to collect evidence and build a solid case against defendants. Therefore it was necessary and unavoidable to detain the defendant Ghosn in order to continue fair and appropriate criminal proceedings, prosecutors said in a statement cited by The Japan Times. His lawyer in France, Francois Zimeray, told Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV that he was in frequent contact with Ghosn since he arrived in Lebanon, and the former executive appeared to be filled with a fighting spirit. Zimeray said Ghosn was eager to start clearing his name at the news conference next week. Japanese prosecutors cited by The Japan Times insisted that by escaping the country, he had broken his promise to appear before the court and refused to obey the judgment of our nations court. He wanted to escape punishment for his own crime. There is no way to justify this act, they said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A police personnel died and two were injured when a fire broke out at their quarter in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district in the early hours of Sunday, officials said. Santosh Kumar, who was posted in the India Reserve Battalion (IRB), was burnt alive in the blaze that broke out at his quarter in BBMB Colony in Pandoh around 1 am, district Superintendent of Police Gurdev Sharma said. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Puneet visited the spot in the morning along with a forensic team. The exact cause of fire is yet to be ascertained, the officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Away since scratching lame seven months ago from the $157,000 Camluck Classic, Sintra returned to the track a winner in the $36,000 Preferred Handicap Pace on the opening card of the year Saturday (Jan. 4) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Driver Jody Jamieson positioned the seven-year-old Mach Three gelding in fourth while Nirvana Seelster led to the first quarter in :27.3. Pocket-sitter East End soon circled to the front into the backside as Easy Lover Hanover floated first over, carrying Sintra second over into a :56.2 half. Nirvana Seelster faltered around the final turn, leaving a seam for Easy Lover Hanover to duck into the pocket. Sintra raced uncovered to three-quarters in 1:24 and drew closer to East End through the stretch. At the finish the 1-2 favourite finished two-and-a-quarter lengths in front of Real Surreal snagging second from East End in a 1:52.1 mile. Owned by Michael Guerriero, Kelly Waxman, Nunzio Vena and Frank Cirillo, Sintra won his 25th race from 58 starts, earning $1,126,436. Dave Menary conditions the $3.00 winner. Youaremycandygirl rolled from off the pace to take the $32,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap Pace in 1:53.1. Double A Mint took command towards a :28 first quarter as Cousin Mary made a break, interfering with So Much More and Youaremycandygirl. Double A Mint continued on the front unchallenged into a :57 half but faced pressure around the far turn from 9-5 favourite Kendall Seelster. Youaremycandygirl launched wide to catch cover from Kendall Seelster past three-quarters in 1:25 but swooped to the lead in the stretch. The Richard Moreau trainee strolled two-and-a-half lengths clear of Kendall Seelster heading to the finish to win while So Much More closed for third. A five-year-old mare by American Ideal, Youaremycandygirl won her 23rd race from 45 starts, earning $1,644,349. Sylvain Filion steered the $6.40 winner for owner William Donovan. Trainer Carmen Auciello sent three winners on the 11-race card. He began the evening with Dreamfair B J ($8.40) coming from second over to win a $21,000 conditioned pace and, a few races later, took a $20,000 conditioned pace with High Rolling A ($19.70) popping pocket to win by a neck. Auciello completed the hat trick with Points North ($4.60) holding on by a neck to win the $21,000 nightcap. To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. 18 people from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have come to AIIMS Trauma Centre with complaints of bleeding in head, abrasions among others. Investigations are underway. (Photo Credit: ANI/ Twitter ) New Delhi: At least 18 people from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre with complaints of bleeding in head, abrasions among others after a violence that broke out between members of the universitys students' union and the ABVP on the campus on Sunday, a hospital official. JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh suffered a head injury. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours. In a tweet, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Students beaten up in JNU. Teachers beaten up in JNU. Goons vandalising women's hotel. Brutality and beatings unleashed. No Police anywhere, No JNU Administration! Is this how Modi Govt seeks revenge against students and youth?" "Enmity of Modi Govt to JNU is well known. Delhi Police is at the gate of JNU. Despite this, goondas brandishing lathis & rods beat up students and teachers in Sabarmati & other hostels. Is this state sponsored mayhem being unleashed(sic)?" he posed in another tweet. Surjewala wondered what "animosity" does the Narendra Modi government have against students and the youth of the country as "they were earlier attacked during their agitation to save the constitution and this time for protesting against hostel fee hike". "All limits have been crossed now after armed goons entered the JNU campus and attacked the students, teachers as well as the JNUSU president," the Congress spokesperson said. "What is the Delhi police which is under (Home Minister) Amit Shah doing? PM Modi and Shah should not persecute the youth and students so much that the entire nation stands up against this government. Arrest the goons and take action against them, otherwise what will happen to the future of the country?," he said. Congress leader P Chidambaram said it is shocking and horrifying to see live telecast of "masked men entering JNU hostels and attacking students" and alleged that such an "act of impunity can only happen with the support of the government". "What we are seeing on Live TV is shocking and horrifying. Masked men enter JNU hostels and attack students. What is the Police doing? Where is the Police Commissioner?" the former finance minister tweeted. "If it is happening on live TV, it is an act of impunity and can only happen with the support of the government. This is beyond belief," he wrote on the microblogging site. Senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said, "The violent attack on students and faculty by organised gangs of thugs and lumpen elements is outrageous and unacceptable." "Democracy cannot be held hostage by fascist forces. Delhi Police should do its duty. Urging all democratic forces to rally and rise for JNU and democracy," he said. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said that after Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University, now JNU was "under attack". "The miscreants supported by the regime at the Centre is turning our prestigious universities into battlefields. BJP-sponsored violence being unleashed on innocent students to silence and terrify them" he alleged. In Montgomery Township, a municipal clerk spends so much time answering records requests from businesses looking to solicit residents, she can barely do anything else. In Hamilton, the mayor last year said a political opponents countless records requests cost the township $200,000 to fill. Clerks in towns across the state say New Jerseys Open Public Records Act, or OPRA, is bogging them down and needs to change a move public access advocates say, if too severe, could dangerously limit what residents are able to find out about how their tax dollars are spent. The current version of the OPRA law, which has been on the books in New Jersey since 2002, allows the public to request access to government documents, with a few exceptions. But clerks say changes in the last 18 years, like the ability to request police officers body-worn cameras, and an increase of requests for information from businesses, have made it increasingly difficult, time-consuming, and costly to fulfill public records requests. The League of Municipalities is calling for a commission to be formed made of local government officials, police chiefs, open records advocates, and members of the media to examine the current law and use its findings to perform a comprehensive reform of the law. Montgomery is one of 130 towns that recently passed its own form of the resolution citing the cost of filling out OPRAs has increased over the years and is starting to cause a drain of resources. In 2017, municipal staff spent approximately 286.5 hours responding to OPRA requests. In 2019, that number increased to 482.5 hours. Commercial organizations have been overburdening the township clerks office so much so that the clerks office has an employee who spends the majority of her day responding to OPRA requests and is unable to perform other duties, Montgomery Township Clerk Donna Kukla said at a recent meeting. I have not had an honest to goodness OPRA request in a long time, Kukla said. Its realtors, data mining companies, and business owners. The aim here is to get legislation passed so there can be a review of the law, said Lori Buckalew of the League of Municipalities. The law is almost 20-years-old and weve heard concerns from towns about the amount of time and the cost it takes for the requests to be fulfilled, and then with the technological advances that have happened its created some gray areas. Assemblyman Ron Dancer (R) and Senator Kristen Corrado(R) have sponsored a bill that would take the resolution to the state level, but it has not yet been brought to a vote in either chamber. OPRA advocates say lawmakers should be wary of changing the law too much, limiting public access. A lot of municipalities just simply dont like OPRA and Im always trying to be aware if what they are proposing is trying to torpedo OPRA, said John Paff, an open records advocate. Paff said he thinks there is room for improvement in the current law, but is concerned about the Leagues moves on the issue. He said that he would need to see more evidence that there are major problems with the current law because it is possible that many municipalities are taking full advantage of special service charges, which allows the town to charge the requestor a fee for records that take a long time to collect. Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday condemned the violence in the Jawaharlal Nehru University and said that words are not enough to describe such heinous acts. "We strongly condemn brutality unleashed against students and teachers in JNU. No words enough to describe such heinous acts. A shame on our democracy. Trinamool delegation led by Dinesh Trivedi (SajdaAhmed, ManasBhunia, VivekGupta) headed to Delhi to show solidarity with #ShaheenBagh #JNU," tweeted Banerjee. The Chief Minister's tweet came after a mob of masked goons entered the University campus and assaulted several students and professors with sticks and rods. According to the officials, seven ambulances have been sent to the JNU and 10 more are on standby. Heavy police have been deployed at the main gate of the University following the violence. "I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I am bleeding. I was brutally beaten up," JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh told reporters. She has been admitted to the AIIMS here for treatment. Several other students were also injured in the incident. In a video of the incident, a group of goons with their faces covered can be seen assaulting students with wooden sticks and rods. A tweet from the official handle of the JNUSU said, "Sabarmati Hostel: right now. They are beating the students who are inside. Knocking on doors with rods. People are jumping from balconies. #SOSJNU #EmergencyinJNU." "Professors who were trying to protect us have been beaten up. These are unknown ABVP goons, not all are students, they have covered their faces, and they are moving towards the hotels near the West Gate. Stay alert. Make human chains. Protect each other. #SOSJNU #EmergencyinJNU," another tweet added. Meanwhile, the ABVP's JNU unit claimed in a tweet: "Emergency in JNU. Leftist goons of JNU accompanied with their cadre from other universities have crossed every limit. They have proceeded with unimaginable violence on ABVP activists of JNU. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A bitter experience on a train in 1974 in Nis, a border town between what is now Serbia and Bulgaria, turned N R Narayana Murthy into a "compassionate capitalist", leading him to create Infosys, the country's IT bellwether. Recalling the incident, Murthy said he was engaged in a conversation with a girl, who could only understand French, but it landed him in trouble. "We were talking about life in Bulgaria. I think the boy, who was accompanying the girl, got upset with us for some reason. So, he went and brought the police," Murthy said on Sunday while addressing the audience at a tech fest organized by IIT, Bombay, through a video link. The Bulgarian guards took Murthy's passport, luggage and dragged him on the platform. He was kept in an 8X8 room, with primitive toilet facilities, for a few days. "I thought they would open the door in the morning and get me some breakfast since I was the state guest, but nothing happened. I lost all hope of eating anything," he said. The next morning, police took Murthy to the platform and pushed him into the guard's compartment of a departing freight train. At this point, Murthy had not had anything to eat or drink for five days in a row. The guards said, "Look, you are from a friendly country called India, so we are letting you go but we will give you your passport when you reach Istanbul." If a country treats friends like this, Murthy thought to himself, he would not want to be part of a communist country ever. "That cued me from being a confused leftist to a determined compassionate capitalist," he said. That incident pushed Murthy towards taking the plunge into entrepreneurship. He said his first attempt at entrepreneurship was a company called Softronics focused on providing IT services to the domestic market, in Pune, which he closed as he could not see any future prospects. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By IANS NEW DELHI: Four outsiders were nabbed from the JNU's North Gate in connection with the brutal violence unleashed on campus on Sunday evening and are being questioned, an official said. The four, caught while fleeing the campus, were taken to Vasant Kunj police station for interrogation. Sunday evening saw several masked intruders barge into JNU campus and create havoc among students, mostly Left-affiliated students, assaulting them with sticks, metal rods and stones. The injured have accused the ABVP activists for the attacks, while the ABVP activists on campus have also pointed fingers at the Left student activists. In videos that are being circulated on social media platform show president of JNUSU Aishee Ghosh suffered from a severe head injury and bleeding heavily. I have been brutally attacked and beaten up by goons who merged in. I am bleeding and not in a condition to talk, Aishee said. "ABVP terrorists from DU have entered campus in large numbers with iron rods, and they have been told to single out students' representatives. The JNUSU President, Aishe Ghosh, has been attacked. The Police and guards are aiding and abetting the attackers," JNUSU tweeted. Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union (JNUSU) President Aishe Ghosh at JNU: I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I have been bleeding. I was brutally beaten up. pic.twitter.com/YX9E1zGTcC ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 Both groups of students went to Vasant Kunj police station and lodged complaints with the police against the other group. JNU Update after yesterdays ABVP violence. Today, ABVP people are entering hostels and thrashing and threatening people. Guys heavy police near Admin block - one bus, two cars, two ambulances. pic.twitter.com/ZiLbeJGH40 Pinjra Tod (@PinjraTod) January 5, 2020 Meanwhile, police are awaiting medico-legal reports of those injured in the violence. At least 20 persons were taken to the hospital for injuries sustained in the violent attacks. The campus has been volatile for the past few weeks over the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, which grants citizenship to non-Muslim minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. #NewsAlert | JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh at JNU: I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I have been bleeding. I was brutally beaten up. (ANI) pic.twitter.com/N9EeMwsGuF The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) January 5, 2020 All you need to know about the JNU violence Battleground JNU: What triggered the latest clashes? What started with a minor scuffle between two groups of JNU students over registration in the new semester, within days turned the varsity campus into a battle field on Sunday, leaving several students and teachers severely injured. (READ MORE) JNU students recall fearful moments of campus violence A girl student recounted those moments in tears, "I was in the room and I heard loud noises and I saw many girls coming. I asked everyone to lock their rooms. We were in terror. While I was trying to take a video clip, they hit me with a stone." (READ MORE) Fascists in control of our nation: Rahul Gandhi on JNU violence Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Central government over the violence that erupted in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Sunday. (READ MORE) Prohibitory orders imposed in JNU after violence Prohibitory orders have been clamped on JNU campus in the aftermath of the violence unleashed by masked attackers on Sunday evening. With tension on the rise and the university on the boil, Section 144 has been imposed in the area. (READ MORE) Jadavpur University teachers body horrified by JNU violence "Astonished and horrified" at the violence unleashed against students and teachers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) by masked miscreants, the Jadavpur University Teachers'Association (JUTA) on Sunday called upon all sections of society to condemn the "heinous act". (READ MORE) JNU re-issues statement on violence after recalling it In wake of the unprecedented violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday, the varsity administration said there was a "law and order situation" in the campus and police had been called to maintain order. (READ MORE) Twitter war rages over JNU violence As reports of violence on Jawaharlal Nehru University campus came in on Sunday evening, Twitter saw eruption of a war of words between supporters of Leftist students' body and those on the opposite side, with both blaming the other for the violence. (READ MORE) Attack on JNU students 'state-sponsored mayhem', alleges Congress The Congress alleged that the attack on JNU students by masked miscreants on Sunday was "state-sponsored mayhem" and asked whether this was a "revenge by the Modi government" against students and youth. (READ MORE) Arvind Kejriwal urges Lt Governor to direct police to restore order on JNU campus Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said he spoke to Lt Governor Anil Baijal shortly after violence erupted at the Jawaharlal Nehru University and urged him to direct police to restore order on the campus. (READ MORE) HRD minister Nishank urges JNU students to maintain peace, ministry seeks report Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' urged JNU students to maintain the dignity of the university and peace on the campus, as his ministry sought an immediate report from the registrar Pramod Kumar on the violence that erupted there on Sunday night. (READ MORE) Union Ministers Jaishankar, Sitharaman condemn violence at JNU campus Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, both alumni of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, condemned the violence at the varsity on Sunday evening. (READ MORE) 25 of our members seriously injured, 11 missing: ABVP The ABVP on Sunday alleged that its members, including its JNU unit secretary, were attacked by members of the Left-backed students' outfits and 11 of the RSS-affiliated outfit's members were missing. (READ MORE) Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav manhandled outside JNU Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav was allegedly manhandled outside the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus where a clash broke out between members of the students' union and the ABVP. (READ MORE) Priyanka Gandhi reaches AIIMS, meets injured JNU students Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reaches AIIMS in Delhi to meet the JNU students injured during violence at the campus. (READ MORE) (With inputs from Online Desk and Express News Service) The U.S. will deploy at least 3,000 soldiers to the Middle East amid fallout from an airstrike on Thursday evening that killed the leader of the elite Quds force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Qasem Soleimani, in Baghdad, NBC News reports. Why it matters: The news comes hours after the Pentagon confirmed Soleimani had been killed. But defense officials told NBC News the deployment is not in response to the strike, but to an attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad by protesters and militia fighters earlier this week. The additional soldiers will join the nearly 750 troops deployed from the same unit, the Immediate Response Force of the 82nd Airborne Division, earlier this week following the embassy attack. The 82nd Airborne was ordered to prepare for deployment if tensions escalated in the region, CNN notes. Go deeper: Trump said he had decided to 'terminate' Iran's military mastermind to prevent an 'imminent' attack on US diplomats and troops. A furious Iran has vowed revenge for the killing of Soleimani, the chief architect of its military operations across the Middle East. (Photo: AFP) Washington: Tens of thousands of Iraqis, many chanting "Death to America", Saturday mourned a top Iranian commander and others killed in a US drone attack that sparked fears of a regional proxy war between Washington and Tehran. The killing of Iran's Major General Qasem Soleimani on Friday was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the United States, which pledged to send thousands more troops to the region. Iraqi political leaders and clerics attended the mass ceremony to honour 62-year-old Soleimani and the other nine victim of the pre-dawn attack on Baghdad international airport. US President Donald Trump said he had decided to "terminate" Iran's military mastermind to prevent an "imminent" attack on US diplomats and troops. "We took action last night to stop a war," he insisted. "We did not take action to start a war." But a furious Iran has vowed revenge for the killing of Soleimani, the chief architect of its military operations across the Middle East. "The response for a military action is a military action," Iranian ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi told CNN, calling the strike an "act of war". "By whom, by when, where? That is for the future to witness." In the hours after the strike, the US reached out to Iran, with which it has had no direct diplomatic ties for decades. China imposes harsh new rules governing religious groups in 2020 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment China announced it will soon implement harsh new measures requiring all religious personnel to support and implement total submission to the Chinese Communist Party, sparking concern among Chinese Christians. Asia News reports that the new administrative measures will be put in place for Chinese religious groups starting Feb. 1. The measures complete the "Regulations on religious affairs" revised two years ago and implemented on Feb. 1, 2018. The new measures include six chapters and 41 articles dealing with the organization, functions, offices, supervision, projects and economic administration of communities and groups at both a national and local level. Under the new rules, every aspect of the life of religious communities from formation, gatherings to annual and daily projects is subject to approval by the governments religious affairs department. Additionally, all religious personnel are required to support, promote and implement total submission to the Chinese Communist Party among all members of their communities. Article 5 reads that religious organizations must adhere to the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, observe the constitution, laws, regulations, ordinances and policies, adhere to the principle of independence and self-government, adhere to the directives on religions in China, implementing the values of socialism According to Article 17, Religious organizations must spread the principles and policies of the Chinese Communist Party, as well as national laws, regulations, rules to religious personnel and religious citizens, educating religious personnel and religious citizens to support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, supporting the socialist system, adhering to and following the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics The law stipulates that without the approval of the religious affairs department of the peoples government, or registration with the civil affairs department of the peoples government, no activities can be carried out in the name of religious groups. Persecution watchdog International Christians Concern warns that the latest measures will be used by the Communist government as a legal tool to further tighten space for religious groups. A Chinese Catholic priest told Asia News the new provisions are just another example of the CCPs continued crackdown on religion. "In practice, your religion no longer matters, if you are Buddhist, or Taoist, or Muslim or Christian: the only religion allowed is faith in the Chinese Communist Party, he said. Since the initial implementation of the "Regulations on religious affairs" in 2018, Christians and other religious groups have experienced heightened levels of persecution. China has banned online sales of Bibles, leveled churches, and arrested hundreds of Christians for "inciting subversion of state power." In December, China sentenced Wang Yi, founder of one of Chinas largest unregistered churches, to nine years in prison for subversion of state power. The U.S. condemned the sentencing as another example of Beijing's intensification of repression of Chinese Christians and members of other religious groups. The Chinese government has also been accused of detaining more than a million Muslims in what it calls re-education camps. In a letter released Dec. 31, the China Human Rights Lawyers Group warned that it seems as though the Cultural [Revolution] is returning in covert form across China. Basic freedom of speech is being suppressed, sensitive news is prohibited, ideological discussions in universities are being shut down. Many matters of societal welfare are politicized, and internet censorship is the norm, they wrote. The state of human rights in China is in rapid decline. Human rights violations in the Chinese frontier are being roundly criticized and condemned by many countries. Chinas leaders seem to have become the enemies of civilized countries overnight. By the looks of things, there is really no reason to be optimistic as we look at the festering regression of Chinas human rights situation throughout 2019. Despite oppression, the lawyers urged human rights advocates and others to continue making the most fundamental efforts for the sake of advancing the cause of human rights in China. China is ranked 27th on Open Doors USAs World Watch List of 50 countries where it's most difficult to be a Christian. Police say Crips gang members Kasheem Aiken and Xavier Snyder plotted together to kill a 19-year-old girl in Bethlehem. This week, Snyder will testify against Aiken during his murder trial. The two young men allegedly plotted to kill Teayahe Glover three years ago because she cooperated with police and helped bring charges against a co-member of the Crips subset to which Aiken and Snyder belonged. What kind of people do this to a 19-year-old girl who did nothing wrong? She did nothing wrong, former District Attorney John Morganelli said at a press conference in 2018, more than a year after the killing. Charges were brought after a lengthy grand jury investigation. Police say Snyder lured Glover to the corner of Sioux and Sassafras streets on Feb. 8, 2017. Thats where Aiken allegedly shot her, Morganelli said. When he saw her continue to move he shot her in the face at close range, police said. Her body was found later by a neighbor leaving for work, Morganelli said. Snyder, 20, of Washington, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in November. He will be called to testify during Aikens trial, according to Northampton County Chief Deputy District Attorney William Blake. Jury selection starts Monday. In exchange for Snyders testimony, Blake has agreed to a 16- to 32-year prison sentence for Snyder. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 21. Aikens case is not a death penalty case, Blake said. Aiken initially represented himself but now will be represented at trial by defense attorney Christopher Shipman. Shipman didnt return a call Friday. Aiken, 37, lives in the 900 block of Ferry Street in Easton. According to police, Glover was dating Tariq Page shortly before her death. He was a member of a Crips sect in Allentown, a rival sect to one that included Aiken, Snyder and Alan Young. With Glover present, Young and Page got into an argument that ended with Page shooting Young. Page would plead guilty to attempted homicide and is serving a seven- to 14-year prison sentence. According to Morganelli, Aiken and Snyder were resentful of Glover and believed she played a role in Youngs shooting. She was killed six days after the shooting, he said. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. The couple said Emirates and Jet Blue failed to provide food, accommodation and transport. They asked the passengers to collect their baggage and gave them a voucher worth $32 that could be used at eateries at the airport and stay outside. (Photo: File | Twitter) Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum slapped a fine of Rs 2 lakh on Emirates airlines to compensate a couple for the mental agony caused when their connecting flight was cancelled. The airline was also asked to pay the flight charges for the cancelled sector and costs. The couple, Mr Vinay Kumar Sinha and Ms Krishna Sinha, aged 57 and 55, had booked flight tickets on Emirates from Hyderabad to Detroit via Dubai and Boston to meet their relative residing there. They boarded the aircraft on July 12, 2017, at Hyderabad and travelled without incident till Boston. Once there, they were informed that their flight to Detroit was delayed. Later they were informed that the flight was operated by Jet Blue, an associate of Emirates, and had been cancelled.Jet Blue promised to set up a counter to help the stranded passengers but did not do so. The airline staff stated that there was no flight available to Detroit till July 14, and even on that there was just one seat available. The couple said Emirates and Jet Blue failed to provide food, accommodation and transport. They asked the passengers to collect their baggage and gave them a voucher worth $32 that could be used at eateries at the airport and stay outside. Without any other go, the couple approached one Pooja Rathore of Rajasthan, who paid $540.38 from her pockets for the couples onward journey. The Sinhas were charged another $260 for excess baggage, though Emirates had allowed them two pieces of luggage each and cabin baggage while boarding at Hyderabad. In response, Emirates told the forum that it did not know why Jet Blue had cancelled the flight. It wanted the airline to be made party to the proceedings or the complaint dismissed. The forum stated that it is the primary responsibility of Emirates in coordination with its associate service provider to see that its customers reach their destination as per the purchased ticket. The forum said that the Sinhas suffered a lot of trauma, hardship and mental agony due to the deficient service of Emirates. It cannot be measured in terms of money. However we feel that by awarding an amount of Rs 2 lakh as compensation for the deficient acts and adoption of unfair trade practice upon the part of Emirates, it said. The forum also directed Emirates to pay the Sinhas Rs 60,028.50 towards flight ticket charges from Boston to Detroit with 9 per cent interest from the date of travel and Rs 10,000 towards costs.Consumer forum fines Fly Emirates Rs 2 lakh Durga Prasad Sunku I DC Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum slapped a fine of Rs 2 lakh on Emirates airlines to compensate a couple for the mental agony caused when their connecting flight was cancelled. The airline was also asked to pay the flight charges for the cancelled sector and costs. The couple, Mr Vinay Kumar Sinha and Ms Krishna Sinha, aged 57 and 55, had booked flight tickets on Emirates from Hyderabad to Detroit via Dubai and Boston to meet their relative residing there. They boarded the aircraft on July 12, 2017, at Hyderabad and travelled without incident till Boston. Once there, they were informed that their flight to Detroit was delayed. Later they were informed that the flight was operated by Jet Blue, an associate of Emirates, and had been cancelled.Jet Blue promised to set up a counter to help the stranded passengers but did not do so. The airline staff stated that there was no flight available to Detroit till July 14, and even on that there was just one seat available. The couple said Emirates and Jet Blue failed to provide food, accommodation and transport. They asked the passengers to collect their baggage and gave them a voucher worth $32 that could be used at eateries at the airport and stay outside. Without any other go, the couple approached one Pooja Rathore of Rajasthan, who paid $540.38 from her pockets for the couples onward journey. The Sinhas were charged another $260 for excess baggage, though Emirates had allowed them two pieces of luggage each and cabin baggage while boarding at Hyderabad. In response, Emirates told the forum that it did not know why Jet Blue had cancelled the flight. It wanted the airline to be made party to the proceedings or the complaint dismissed. The forum stated that it is the primary responsibility of Emirates in coordination with its associate service provider to see that its customers reach their destination as per the purchased ticket. The forum said that the Sinhas suffered a lot of trauma, hardship and mental agony due to the deficient service of Emirates. It cannot be measured in terms of money. However we feel that by awarding an amount of Rs 2 lakh as compensation for the deficient acts and adoption of unfair trade practice upon the part of Emirates, it said. The forum also directed Emirates to pay the Sinhas Rs 60,028.50 towards flight ticket charges from Boston to Detroit with 9 per cent interest from the date of travel and Rs 10,000 towards costs. The United States on Sunday mocked Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei for declaring three days of mourning after the recent killing of Qasem Soleimani, chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Quds Force, in an airstrike ordered by the Pentagon near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. "How hypocritical for @khamenei_ir to impose 3 days of mourning for a terrorist like Qassem Soleimani while forbidding--and arresting--the grieving parents of murdered Iranian protesters. Soleimani was no hero. He was a killer of Iranians, Americans, and thousands of others," the Department wrote on Twitter. Khamenei, in a statement cited by the local media, said that the "great and glorious commander of Islam" has fought purely and bravely against the devils and miscreants and has finally reached the grand post of martyrdom." "With his absence ... his path will not be suspended or closed, but there is severe revenge for criminals" who did this, the statement continued. Tensions have soared in the Middle East following Soleimani's killing. American President Donald Trump earlier in the day warned Iran saying that if it strikes any Americans or American assets, the US has "targeted 52 Iranian sites" and it "will be hit very fast and very hard." He further said that Iran is talking "very boldly" about targeting certain USA assets to seek revenge for Qasem Soleimani, who the US claimed had killed an American, and badly wounded many others. Trump on Saturday had said that the killing of Soleimani by US military was aimed 'to stop a war, not to start a war.' He also said that Qassem was plotting attacks on US diplomats and military personnel before he was killed. The attack came just days after Hashd members and supporters attempted to storm the US Embassy in Baghdad, in response to the air attacks against Kataib Hezbollah - a member of the umbrella organisation that operates in Iraq and Syria. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) EDWARDSVILLE The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is investigating the apparent homicide Saturday night of Edwardsville attorney Randy Gori. Authorities had a person of interest in custody Sunday afternoon. According to Madison County Sheriffs Office Detective Capt. David Vucich, deputies were called to 4586 Mooney Creek Road in rural Edwardsville around 8:56 p.m. Saturday. Upon arrival, officers found Gori, 47, who lives at the residence, dead at the scene. An Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network (ISPERN) broadcast reported the apparent incident, and that officers should be on the lookout for a black Rolls Royce with temporary Missouri tags. Previous reports indicated a specific Illinois tag, but investigators amended that detail Sunday morning. Vucich elaborated that the vehicle is a 2020 Rolls Royce SUV Cullinan, which was taken from the residence following the homicide. The vehicle in question was located around 12:30 p.m. and at least one individual was taken into custody. The ISPERN alert was then cancelled. It was unclear where the vehicle was located or the identity of who had been arrested. Over 25 investigators from different agencies are participating in the investigation and currently investigating numerous leads, a statement from Vucich early Sunday morning said. At this time, we are not releasing any further information about the victim, the case, or any evidence. Additional information will be made available in the near future. We are seeking the publics help on locating the above mentioned vehicle or any additional information. The public is encouraged to contact the Major Case Squad with any additional information at 618-296-5544. A possible suspect was described over police radio traffic as a tall male wearing a green mask. Police said he was armed with a knife. Sources, through second-hand information, told a Hearst Illinois Newspapers reporter that subjects in the home had been tied up, and a female there had suffered injuries, in addition to the reported homicide. Those details could not be officially confirmed overnight. A single police officer had Mooney Creek Lane blocked at Old Route 66 following the reports. He declined to offer any information. Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton issued an extended statement about Gori Sunday afternoon. We are struggling to get our heads around this sickening and senseless murder, he said. Our hearts go out to Randys family and to his loved ones. I knew Randy as a friend and a tireless businessman. He was heavily involved in our Downtown Edwardsville Revitalization, but more importantly, his investments were secondary to his philanthropy. Gori and his family recently donated $2.5 million to the city for its proposed ice rink and teen center, which includes naming rights. Randy and his firm gave generously of their time and resources to causes for which Randy was passionate, Patton continued. From a local family in need to causes fighting cancer, Randy would always step up because he truly cared about others. The city of Edwardsville will offer any and all of our resources to the county and Major Case Squad in their efforts to apprehend the person or persons responsible for this despicable act. Randy Goris law firm, Gori Julian & Associated, P.C., also address the public on social media. It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we communicate the passing of our managing partner and co-founder, Randy Gori, the post read. Randy was a true leader, a wonderful attorney and friend and a champion of our community. He gave so much to everyone he knew both personally and professionally. We will continue the legacy that Randy created and ask the community to join with us in supporting his family during this difficult time. Third Judicial Court Chief Judge William A. Mudge in a statement released Sunday night describes Randy Gori as a wonderful father, lawyer and friend of the legal community. He approached everyone with a smile and was dedicated to the pursuit of justice for his clients, Mudge said. Randys generosity and support of this community was second to none. He will be missed here at the courthouse. Our collective heart goes out to Randy Goris family, law firm and friends. Edwardsville Intelligencer reporter Tyler Pletsch contributed to this report. Washington DC [USA], Jan 5 (NAI): Members of the Indian diaspora held events in several cities across the United States, including Seattle, Chicago and Atlanta, to express their support for the amended Citizenship Act. Terming the act as a historic step taken by the Indian government, the diaspora united in multiple cities, primarily to create awareness about the misinformation being spread about the purpose of the CAA in the US. Over fifty people of Indian-origin in Seattle participated in a rally in support of the CAA in downtown Seattle at Westlake Plaza. This group of Indian-Americans gathered on Saturday, carrying placards and raising slogans in support of the Narendra Modi government and CAA. The placards read "CAA is not anti-Muslim", "CAA is about Human Rights" and "CAA is inclusive and not discriminatory". Some even raised slogans such as "We support Modi" and "We support CAA." A second of its kind in Seattle, this rally in support of the CAA was organized by the Indians living in Washington (state) and spearheading the rally were Archana Sunil and Atul Hirapara. "What people fail to see is that the CAA has a limited scope in that it is meant to simply rehabilitate those persecuted minorities already in India, but who were left behind on the other side during the 1947 partition for no fault of theirs," said Archana Sunil, a health and Medicare insurance advisor. "This was a promise made by several leaders at that time including Gandhi, Patel, Nehru and others and the CAA is simply keeping that promise," she added. Businessman Atul Hirapara said, "Can you lose 9 per cent of your 18 per cent minority population in say 20 years? Well, Pakistan did it in 10 years!" "The opponents fail to see the population of religious minorities - Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains and Buddhists in these countries have fallen to genocidal levels - these minorities are becoming extinct by the day," he added. More than 100 members of the Indian diaspora in Atlanta gathered in front of the CNN headquarters to show their support and solidarity to the Indian government. The supporters told ANI that they believe that the government has taken a bold step in helping the persecuted minorities in the neighbouring countries and that the idea to hold this rally is to oppose the distortion of facts spread by various political parties and media outlets in India as well as in the USA. Protesting outside one of America's most-watched news network CNN, the supporters said that they wish to convey the truth and facts about the CAA to the media and the people of the nation. "India is our motherland and we are extremely passionate about it and can't tolerate anybody who is spreading lies and hatred against India to destroy its secular image," said Rajeev Menon, one of the organisers of the rally. In Chicago too, a similar event was organized on Saturday where members of the Indian-American community expressed their support for the new law. One of the supporters said the law is a historic decision taken after the Narendra Modi government was voted back to power with an overwhelming majority. Commenting on these multi-city rallies in the US, the newly appointed Foreign Secretary and the Indian Ambassador to the United States Harshvardhan Shringla told ANI that there has been a great deal of misinformation and disinformation spread about the CAA in the US. "Some initial reactions and even some protests were a consequence of this campaign. Since then, the facts about the CAA - that it is not directed against any community or any citizen of India's but actually represents a humanitarian gesture towards persecuted minorities from neighbouring states awaiting nationality and the services extended by the state in India - is becoming well known," Shringla said. "As a result, we are now witnessing an outpouring of sentiment by Indian Americans and others in cities all over the US in favour of the CAA. I see among those participating, respected professionals, doctors, academics, students, entrepreneurs, etc in several cities extending from Washington DC to San Francisco and from Austin to Seattle," Shringla added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Members of Froggy Carr gather at 16th and JFK during the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, PA on January1, 2020. Read more Two Philadelphia Mummers associations spoke out Saturday night against expressions of hate," four days after at least two marchers wore black face paint during the citys annual New Years Day Mummers Parade. The Philadelphia Mummers Fancy Brigade Association and the String Band Association released separate statements condemning the events that involved racial discrimination Jan. 1. The Fancy Brigade Association "condemns any and all expressions of hate and/or cultural appropriation of another culture, the organization said in a statement. The String Band Association echoed that message, stating that the group stands with the City of Philadelphia leaders condemning the participants offensive behavior. Both groups stated that they were not affiliated with the incident. Neither group mentioned the use of blackface specifically. On Wednesday, two marchers with the Froggy Carr Wench Brigade wore blackface despite the fact that it has been banned from the parade since 1963. The men, who were interviewed by CBS3, identified themselves as Mike Tomaszwski and Kevin Kinkel. Kinkel told the news station that his use of blackface had nothing to do about being racist to the black person, or the white person, or the yellow person, whatever. Several other members of the group were seen wearing variations of face paint in the Flyers colors of black, orange, and white. Controversies surrounding the use of blackface have erupted across the nation in recent years and have reignited a discussion again about the practices offensive roots. This years incident at the parade also sparked another conversation about what additional steps can be taken to crack down on racist and transphobic performances that have appeared during the 120-year-old parades history. After the incident, the Froggy Carr Wench Brigade was disqualified from the annual parade, and Mayor Jim Kenney said this week that the city will explore options for additional penalties moving forward. The String Band Association said it pledges full cooperation with legal or government authorities and has taken meaningful steps to improve its policies and procedures to prevent insensitivities in our productions. Similarly, the Fancy Brigade Association said its members will continue to strive to be a positive influence on both the Philadelphia Mummers Parade and the neighborhoods which make up this great City. 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. Mr. Buttigieg has often invoked his military service. His first Iowa television advertisement began with him saying, as a veteran. During an exchange about gun violence in the October Democratic debate, Mr. Buttigieg told former Representative Beto ORourke of Texas, I dont need lessons from you on courage, political or personal. And in December, he responded to a debate barb from Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who said that his devotion to the First Amendment was a talking point, by suggesting his time in the military was sufficient evidence of his devotion to the Constitution. Let me tell you about my relationship to the First Amendment, Mr. Buttigieg responded then. It is part of the Constitution that I raised my right hand and swore to defend with my life. That is my experience. And it may not be the same as yours, but it counts, Senator. It counts. Ms. Klobuchar, who had not brought up Mr. Buttigiegs military service, was immediately put on the defensive and sought to shift the discussion away from it. I certainly respect your military experience, she said. Thats not what this is about. This is about choosing a president. Mr. Buttigieg is campaigning as an antiwar veteran. He is against endless wars and in recent days, has attacked Mr. Biden for voting for the Iraq war. He supported the worst foreign policy decision made by the United States in my lifetime, which was the decision to invade Iraq, Mr. Buttigieg told the Des Moines public affairs TV program Iowa Press. Veterans represent a relatively small segment of Democratic primary voters, but Mr. Buttigieg uses his status not just as a get-out-of-jail-free card when he is questioned about his experience, but also as a device to connect with voters who may be turned off by candidates from the coasts. About 300,000 hens were killed by a fire at a poultry farm in southwestern Michigan, CNN affiliate WWMT reported. Multiple fire departments responded Friday to the barn fire at the Konos Inc. egg farm, a distributor of Vande Bunte Eggs, in Otsego Township, Michigan, the station said. The barn was destroyed but about 50 farm employees were uninjured by the blaze, said Brian Burch, a spokesman for Konos Inc. Fire crews had to bring in water trucks to fight the fire over several hours. Agriculture fires are always a challenge, especially at a place like this. We dont have city water, we dont have those same kinds of assets that we sometimes take for granted in cities, he told WWMT. Another 250,000 hens housed in a nearby barn were unharmed, Burch said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The cage-free poultry farm, about 31 miles south of Grand Rapids, produces about 550,000 eggs a day, Burch said. The-CNN-Wire & 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Israel's military and other security services undergo largest rearmament in years Spain PM calls for a debate to consider COVID-19 endemic disease Flyone Armenia and Pegasus receive permission for Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights Pope condemns "baseless" ideological misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines 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 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 Blast in eastern Afghanistan kills nine children Pashinyan: One of key priorities of Armenia presidency at CSTO is strengthening of crisis response mechanisms Internet cut off in Kazakhstan Armenia, Kazakhstan ombudspersons confer on Armenian communitys rights Armenia, Russia defense ministers discuss Kazakhstan Turkey defense minister meets with their envoy in process of normalization of Armenia relations Iranian Foreign Ministry reports progress in Vienna negotiations Dollar continues going up in Armenia New attempt by migrants in Belarus to storm Poland border Skat Airlines resumes Yerevan-Aktau and Aktau-Yerevan flights New Covid-related restrictions to be introduced in Armenia Karabakh police: Firefighters also targeted by Azerbaijan shooting (PHOTOS) Artsakh Defense Army has not fired on Azerbaijan positions Azerbaijani military are protesting amid military awards deprivation Azerbaijanis open fire in Nagorno-Karabakh Karabakh MFA: Events in Kazakhstan are result of actions planned by Turkey Armenia army General Staff has new deputy chief Australia to buy US $ 2.5 billion of armored vehicles Artsakh emergency service: Search for soldiers remains continued during holidays Kazakh Colonel Nazanov dies after heart attack Australia begins to vaccinate children aged 5-11 with COVID-19 vaccine Putin: Peacekeeping contingent to stay in Kazakhstan for a limited period Armenia 2nd-President Kocharyan v. premier Pashinyan lawsuit court session is closed Azerbaijan commandos conduct military exercises Part of the Great Wall of China collapsed due to earthquake Armenia MP: Turkey, Azerbaijans regional calculations have mixed up Copper prices decline Armenia ex-President Kocharyan v. PM Pashinyan lawsuit trial resumes Gold is getting cheaper EU is ready to support in addressing Karabakh crisis 126 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Fire in residential building in New York leaves 19 people killed National Center for Infectious Diseases Yerevan branch employees protesting outside center Karabakh President: Radical Pan-Turkic circles are actively involved in process in Kazakhstan Oil is getting more expensive Mars helicopter Ingenuity preparing for difficult 19th flight 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 President Tokayev declares national mourning in Kazakhstan on January 10 US diplomats do not leave Kazakhstans Almaty yet 1 more person dies of coronavirus in Karabakh Artsakh resident, 91 found dead near village Russia MFA reacts to Blinken's words about Russian military in Kazakhstan 195 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Kazakhstan security committee ex-chief detained Kazakhstan interior ministry: There are foreigners among those detained in Almaty region Russia continues transporting its peacekeepers to Kazakhstan Kazakhstan launches investigation into 180 retailers of liquefied petroleum gas BMW introduces concept vehicle that can change colors Shootings continue in Kazakhstans Almaty Oti Regional Minister, Nana Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, says efforts are being initiated by the Military High Command to establish a barracks and platoon units in the Oti Region. He said the barracks, to be sited at Dambai, the regional capital, would accommodate 100 personnel of the military with the platoon units located at vantage points in the Region. Mr Owusu-Yeboa said this at a press conference to brief the media on activities of the Regional Coordinating Council since the creation of Oti Region and to welcome the New Year at Dambai. He said the Ghana Police Service has also approved recommendations for the construction of a Regional Police Headquarters and Regional Police Barracks, all at Dambai and charged the security services to devise strategies to protect the peace and ensure development in the new region. He said so far, so good and that the foundation of the new region was being built for a smooth take-off and called for support of all stakeholders. The Regional Minister extended a special invitation to the media to work with the District Assemblies and the Coordinating Council for the rapid socio-economic development of the region. He also called for support from chiefs and traditional rulers and investors to transform the fortunes of Oti Region. ---GNA Around 1,000 to 1,200 people in Luxembourg are affected with Parkinson's, yet there remain many unanswered questions surrounding the disease, a nervous system disorder that progressively inhibits movement. Because of the large number of questions that still prevail, a study was launched in Luxembourg during the spring of 2015. Hundreds of patients as well as healthy individuals participated to gather data to understand Parkinson's better, and to hopefully find a cure for the disease. Now, four years after the study began, researchers are able to provide the first round of results. Roger Schweicher was diagnosed with the condition five years ago, and it was around the same time the he participated in this same study. Once a year he goes in for a check-up at the Parkinson's clinic: as it is a gradually progressing disease, it's important to keep tabs on how it develops within different people, hopefully to discover how to intervene successfully. The check-up requires patients to describe their symptoms and general condition alongside being examined and having various faculties tested by a doctor. Since the disease has caused tremors in Roger Schweicher, a common symptom, these tests can be quite challenging, especially when it comes to finer motor skills. Men tend to be inflicted with Parkinson's more so than women, and usually after the age of 60 - although younger people can also be affected. In Luxembourg, estimated numbers of individuals suffering from the disease lie between 1,000 and 1,200. 800 of these are currently participating in the study, as are 800 "control" patients who will be examined as their healthy equivalent. And thanks to the data gathered throughout the last four years, the first round of results are already available. Researchers were thus able to make new findings in terms of gut bacteria: an imbalance here has lead to contact with an American company in order to find appropriate strategies together. Even though the initial aim of the 1.600 patient study has been reached, there is still demand for further volunteers for more research. The more people involved, the larger the chance of finding special diagnoses and potential treatments for the variety of difference among those affected might be found. Video in Luxembourgish Terrifying images show a scorched hillside dotted with hundreds of spot fires after a raging blaze sparked a mass evacuation in rural Victoria. An incredible picture taken on Saturday in Euroa showed what was left of the fire after it raced across Balmattum Hill Bushland Reserve and threatened to decimate the neighbouring town. 'Balmattum Hill is really glowing tonight, however not as much as all of our incredible and selfless emergency services. Thank you,' Melissa Ericksen posted to Facebook. Scroll down for video The horrifying image was taken in Balmattum Hill, Euroa, 164 kilometres north west of Melbourne, on Saturday Social media images showed the daunting sight of hundreds of small blazes covering the hillside As the fire front approached, the sky was filled with orange flames and thick, grey plumes of smoke (Pictured: Batlow bushfire on Saturday) The image was shared by Maindample Rural Fire Brigade with the caption: 'Looks like lava'. Ms Ericksen watched more than 40 fire trucks, three helicopters and three aircraft battle the blaze from 9am. The hill was covered by smoke and couldn't be seen from the town until strong winds blew through just before 10pm. 'Balmattum Hill is a place I have walked all my life and it appeared to be covered in lava under the darkness,' she told news.com.au. Firefighters have spent weeks defending lives and property from the blazes. Pictured: Two firefighters doing what they can to stop the fire in Batlow on Saturday NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said early indications suggest hundreds of homes were lost across NSW in Saturday's blaze A supplied image obtained on Thursday, January 2, 2020, shows smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland, Victoria 'The photo is beautiful yet terrifying. 'Our emergency services did an incredible job containing the fire and preventing any loss of houses.' Jackson Leslight, 18, said his home wouldn't have survived the fire burning on the hill if the wind hadn't changed direction. Mr Leslight, his parents and his girlfriend had 15 minutes to pack the essentials as the flames reached within 400m of their home. 2019/2020 FIRE SEASON DEATH TOLL The national death toll of Australia's 2019/2020 bushfire season was 33 as of Monday, March 2, with 25 confirmed deaths in New South Wales, three in South Australia and five in Victoria. OCTOBER New South Wales: Robert Lindsey, 77, and Gwen Hyde, 68, were found in their burned out Coongbar home near Casino on October 9th. NOVEMBER New South Wales: The body of 85-year-old George Nole was found in a burnt out car near his home in Wytaliba, near Glen Innes. Vivian Chaplain, a 69-year-old woman from Wytaliba, succumbed to her injuries in hospital after attempting in vain to save her home and animals from the blaze. The body of 63-year-old Julie Fletcher was pulled from a scorched building in Johns River, north of Taree. Barry Parsons, 58, was found in a shed at Willawarrin, near Kempsey. Chris Savva, 64, died after his 4WD overturned near burnt-out South Arm bridge, near Nambucca Heads. A 59-year-old man was founded sheltered in a Yarrowitch water tank on November 7. He died of injuries on December 29. Victoria: David Moresi, 69, died after being involved in a traffic incident while working at the at the Gelantipy fire in East Gippsland on November 30. DECEMBER New South Wales: Firefighters Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, and Geoffrey Keaton, 32, died on December 19 after a tree fell on their truck while they were travelling through Buxton, south of Sydney. Samuel McPaul, 28, was battling a blaze in Jingellic, in Green Valley, about 70km east of Albury on the border of NSW and Victoria, on December 30 when a 'fire tornado' caused his 10-tonne firetruck to roll. South Australia: The body of 69-year-old Ron Selth was found in his Charleston home, which was destroyed by the Cudlee Creek blaze on December 21. NEW YEAR'S EVE FIRES New South Wales: Dairy farmer Patrick Salway, 29, and his father Robert, 63, died trying to save their property in Cobargo, near Bega, on December 31. A 70-year-old man, named by local media as Laurie Andrew, was found dead outside a home at Yatte Yattah, west of Lake Conjola. The body of a 70-year-old man was found in a burnt vehicle on a road off the Princes Highway at Yatte Yattah on the morning of New Year's Day. The body of a 62-year-old man was found in a vehicle on Wandra Road at Sussex Inlet about 11.30am on New Year's Day. A body, believed to be a 56-year-old man, found outside a home at Coolagolite, east of Cobargo on New Year's Day. An off-duty RFS firefighter, believed to be 72-year-old Colin Burns, was found near a car in Belowra after the New Year's Eve fires swept through. Victoria: Beloved great-grandfather Mick Roberts, 67, from Buchan, in East Gippsland, was found dead at his home on the morning of New Year's Day. Fred Becker, 75, was the second person to die in Victoria. He suffered a heart attack while trying to defend his Maramingo Creek home. JANUARY New South Wales: David Harrison, a 47-year-old man from Canberra, suffered a heart attack defending his friend's home near Batlow on Saturday, January 4. A 71-year-old man was found on January 6. Police have been told the man was last sighted on December 31, 2019 and was moving equipment on his property in Nerrigundah. An 84-year-old man who stayed to defend his home in Cobargo, NSW, dies in hospital three weeks after fire hit. His pet dog Bella, who stayed by his side as fires raged, was also killed in the disaster. Three American firefighters are killed when Coulson Aviation C-130 Hercules water bomber Zeus crashed while fighting fires near Cooma on Thursday January 23. They have been named as Capt. Ian H. McBeth, 44, First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr, 43. On January 24, Michael Clark, 59, was found in a Bodalla home destroyed by bushfires near the NSW South Coast town of Moruya. Victoria: Forest Fire Management firefighter Mat Kavanagh, 43, was killed Friday January 3 when he was involved in a two-car crash on the Goulburn Valley Highway. Bill Slade, a 60-year-old father of two from Wonthaggi was fighting fires with Parks Victoria at Omeo when he died on January 11. He has been remembered as one of the longest serving, most experienced and fittest firefighters. South Australia: Well-known outback pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his 43-year-old son, Adelaide surgeon Clayton Lang, died in the Kangaroo Island bushfire after their car was trapped by flames. Advertisement The group didn't have to flee after the wind change. 'Even though they were starting to control it, the tops of trees were just glowing red, it was surreal,' he told Herald Sun. 'It's almost like looking at the night sky when you're looking down from a plane on top of a city. I haven't seen anything like that. It was sort of morbidly beautiful, to be honest.' The Euroa fire was declared under control just after 2pm on Sunday after it burned 385 hectares of land. Firefighters and other emergency services remained active in the area that afternoon. Residents were told to continue monitoring the situation. One image was shared by Maindample Rural Fire Brigade with the caption: 'Looks like lava' Fire and rescue, as well as waterbombing helicopters, did their best to help out in Batlow on Saturday, but low visibility made it difficult and risky Firefighters are seen struggling against the strong winds which are blowing embers on them in an effort to secure houses near bushfires on Tuesday Dozens of fires were burning in Victoria as dawn broke on Sunday, 11 of which were subject to emergency warning, the highest alert level. But conditions eased as the day went on, providing some relief to exhausted volunteers and terrified locals. Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp urged Victorians to remain vigilant, saying the weather will start to warm up on Thursday and Friday. 'What we are seeing with our weather, is yes, it is milder, it's more moderate, there has actually been some rain. But in terms of people thinking that this rain is going to put the fires out, that's not the case,' Mr Crisp said. 'There has been such a drought, particularly in the East Gippsland area, we know these fires are with us for a long time.' Dozens of fires were burning in Victoria as dawn broke on Sunday, 11 of which were subject to emergency warning, the highest alert level Currently two fires are on an emergency warning alert level. Six people remain missing in East Gippsland blazes, on top of two confirmed dead. More than 900,000 hectares of land has been overrun by flames, with about 110 properties and 220 outbuildings razed so far. Temperatures soared to the early and mid-40s in parts of East Gippsland and northeast Victoria on Saturday, with total fire bans in place for a swag of weather districts. A total fire ban is also in place across New South Wales, where more than 100 blazes are still burning. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has accepted the bushfires ravaging the state are 'unprecedented' and admitted she was in 'unchartered territory'. The announcement came as state authorities confirmed another person, 47-year-old David Harrison, died on Saturday night, making him the ninth fatality since Monday. The fires send thick plumes of black smoke into the air. Pictured: Wattle Creek Fire on December 19 Mr Harrison died of a heart attack after returning to a car to refill water to help battle a blaze at his friend's. He had travelled to Batlow from his home in Goulburn to help his friend Geoff battle the blaze. He has been remembered as a hero. Mr Harrison's brother Peter told 9News his brother would 'do anything for anyone'. 'He didn't want to leave Geoff on his own. He was just that sort of guy. He would help anyone at the drop of a hat - he would drive hours to help you,' Mr Harrison said. 'He's a hero in our eyes.' Mr Harrison said David and Geoff had planned to evacuate but he believes they were 'overcome with the heat, smoke, exhaustion and running around putting out spot fires everywhere.' David Harrison (pictured) has been identified as the man who died helping a friend save his home near Canberra on Saturday night Forces allied with the GNA described Saturdays attack as an aerial bombing launched by their eastern rivals. At least 30 people have been killed and 33 others wounded in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital, the health ministry of the Tripoli-based government said. At the time of Saturdays attack, cadets were gathered on a parade ground before going to their dormitories, according to Amin al-Hashemi, spokesman for the health ministry of the United Nations-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). Reporting from Tripoli, Al Jazeeras Mahmoud Abdelwahed said the situation in the capitals hospitals was chaotic following the attack. Medical sources [at public hospitals] said it was very difficult for them to identify the bodies of the victims because most of them were either burned or torn apart by the attack. Abdelwahed said the majority of the victims were military students from cities across Libya, aged between 18 and 22. Since April, the Tripoli-based GNA has been facing an offensive by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftars self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), which is aligned with a rival government based in the countrys east. There has been an increase in air raids and shelling around Tripoli in recent weeks, with fears that fighting could escalate further after Turkeys parliament voted to allow a troop deployment in support of the GNA. Forces allied with the GNA described Saturdays attack on the military camp at Al-Hadhba as an aerial bombing launched by their eastern rivals. An LNA spokesman denied involvement. GNA Health Minister Hamid bin Omar told Reuters news agency that the number of dead and wounded was still rising. Tripoli ambulance service spokesman Osama Ali said some body parts could not be immediately counted by forensic experts. The GNA health ministry called for blood donors to go to hospitals and blood banks to help those injured. Separately, the GNA foreign ministry called for referring Haftar and his aides to the International Criminal Court on charges of committing crimes against humanity, adding that it would call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss the alleged crimes. The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) also condemned the attack, saying that rising escalation further complicates the situation in Libya and threatens the chances of returning to the political process. Libya was plunged into chaos after the toppling and killing of Muammar Gaddafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising. Increase in attacks An increase in air attacks and shelling in and around Tripoli has caused the deaths of at least 11 civilians since early December and shut down health facilities and schools, the UN mission in Libya said on Friday. Rockets and shelling also shut down Tripolis only functioning airport on Friday. The southern part of Tripoli has seen fierce fighting since last April, the start of Haftars offensive against the GNA. Haftars forces are backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, while Russian military contractors have also been deployed with the LNA for several months, diplomats and analysts say. Turkey, which backs the GNA, signed security and maritime agreements with the Tripoli-based government in November. The Turkish parliament last week approved a bill to deploy troops in support of the GNA, paving the way for increased military cooperation despite criticism from opposition legislators. Days after the vote, Saudi Arabia condemned the recent Turkish escalation in Libya. The foreign ministry said, in a statement on the state news agency SPA, it considered the move a violation of UN Security Council decisions. The kingdom affirms that this Turkish escalation poses a threat to the security and stability in Libya and a threat to Arab and regional security, as it is an interference in the internal affairs of an Arab country in flagrant violation of international principles and covenants, it said. The Arab League has warned that foreign military interference in Libya will facilitate the arrival of foreign fighters into the war-torn country. More than 280 civilians and more than 2,000 fighters have been killed since the start of Haftars assault on Tripoli, according to the UN. The fighting has also displaced some 146,000 people. President Donald Trump has announced that the US has identified 52 Iranian targets that will be struck if Tehran launches an attack in retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani. In a series of tweets, the US president warned leaders in Tehran against following through on their threats to avenge the death of Soleimani, who was killed by a US airstrike on Thursday. He said: Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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! 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 Mr Trump sent a formal notification to congress under the War Powers Act on Saturday of the drone strike that killed the head of Irans elite Quds force, General Qassem Soleimani. The notification, required by law within 48 hours of the introduction of American forces into an armed conflict or a situation that could lead to war, has to be signed and sent to congress. It comes after the US president ordered a drone strike on Mr Soleimani which killed him and several others near Baghdads international airport. Iran has vowed a harsh vengeance in retaliation to the assassination. Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, has urged all parties to de-escalate the situation although he said the US was entitled to defend itself. After speaking to his US counterpart Mark Esper, Mr Wallace said American forces have been repeatedly attacked by Iranian-backed militia in Iraq during the last few months. He said: General Soleimani has been at the heart of the use of proxies to undermine neighbouring sovereign nations and target Irans enemies. Under international law the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to their citizens. Royal Navy warships HMS Montrose and HMS Defender have been deployed to the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf to guide British-flagged vessels through the key oil passage. The defence secretary said the government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Sunday said the Andhra Pradesh government and all stakeholders should devise a mechanism to ensure justice to the farmers, who parted with their lands for the development of its capital Amaravati. Irate farmers and their families have been protesting the recommendations of an experts committee mooting distribution of "capital functions", and insisting that the Andhra Pradesh government not shift the state capital from Amaravati. The agitated farmers have been organising a series of agitations in Amaravati region for the last couple of days denouncing Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy's three capitals theory. "I request all stakeholders--political parties and government to sit and discuss and solve the issue... It is the state government's responsibility to ensure that the farmers who parted with their lands for the construction of Amaravati get justice," Reddy told reporters here after a group of farmers from Amaravati met him over the matter. The Union Minister of State for Home further said it has been six years since Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh government had pooled land for the construction of capital Amaravati but recent statements by Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy favouring three capitals has cauysed people are expressing concerns. "I request everybody to stand in support of the farmers, which ever government is in power," he 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 panel 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Armed kidnappers are demanding N10 million ransom to free Dr Abdulrahman Kawuyo, who was kidnapped early on Sunday in Yola, Adamawa. Kawuyo, a medical doctor at the Federal Medical Centre in Yola, was kidnapped from his home around 4 a.m today in Lakare, Yola South. Kawuyo. He hails from Jada, Ganye LGA, like Atiku Abubakar. The state Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Tunde Elijah, said the association got to know about the kidnapping when one Kawuyos colleagues called his phone line. One of our colleagues who was not aware of the kidnapping, called to have some professional information from Dr. Kawuyo, but the call was picked by a strange person who passed it over to the doctor. Thats how we got the first-hand information about the incident. But negotiation is ongoing, Elijah said. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Adamawa State, DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, said the medical doctor packed into his house recently while it was still being worked on. It is an uncompleted building. The doctor packed into it, we understand, because he was tired of paying rent where he was. He said the police had moved into action by mobilising men and officials to go after the kidnappers and free the doctor. As we talk, our men are combing the entire area and around the hills to get at the abductors and secure the medical doctors freedom, the PPRO said. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates T he effects of the devastating wildfires ravaging Australia were clearly seen in New Zealand as the sky above Auckland turned bright orange. The smoke, which travelled from Australia, blanketed the sky of the North Island city in a vibrant hue on Sunday morning. The city is more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) from south eastern Australia, where the bushfires have swept across three states, devastating communities and leaving 24 dead. After the orange sky appeared, police in Auckland were inundated with calls from anxious residents and were forced to issue a warning, asking people to stop calling the emergency services. A plane flys into land in the tobacco coloured skies over Manukau city photographed from Totara Park in Auckland, New Zealand / Getty Images Zimena Dormer-Didovich said it was unsettling and felt "apocalyptic". "We're in Auckland, New Zealand. That's why this is so shocking to us - we're so far away yet this smoke is so intense," Dormer-Didovich said. The sky above Auckland's Sky Tower turns orange as smoke from the Australia wildfires arrives in New Zealand / AP "My 14-year-old's asthma is playing up, and I'm starting to notice that my breathing is slightly affected too." The bushfires in Australia have killed 24 people, destroyed more than 1,500 homes and burnt through more than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) since September. The orange sky prompted residents to call the emergency services / Getty Images Sunday saw milder temperatures that brought hope of a respite from wildfires. The Rural Fire Service says 150 fires are still active, 64 of them uncontrolled. A view of orange skies in Auckland, New Zealand, from smoke plumes caused by bushfires / TWITTER @ZIMENAJ via REUTERS Mr Morrison has faced widespread criticism for taking a family vacation in Hawaii at the start of the wildfire crisis, his sometimes distracted approach as it has escalated and his slowness in deploying resources. 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 He was heckled last week when he visited a township in New South Wales in which houses had been destroyed and which was home to one of three volunteer firefighters who have died in the crisis so far. In the wake of the murder of a Sikh man in Pakistan, BJP leader RP Singh on Sunday asked the protestors who are protesting against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) that where will Sikhs find refuge. "I want to ask those who are protesting against CAA that where should we Sikhs go? Today, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Arvind Kejriwal have closed their mouths when such incidents happen. It is sad that the Sikh man who was killed, his brother is a journalist. Rowinder Singh had gone there to get married in February. He used to do business in Malaysia. When we protest against this, then they throw stones at the Nankana Sahib," Singh told ANI here. A Sikh youth was killed by an unidentified person in Peshawar, Police said. The body of the person, identified as Rowinder Singh, was found in the Chamkani police station area of Peshawar. Police said that the Sikh person was a resident of Shangla District of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and had come to Peshawar to shop for a wedding. With the Delhi Assembly elections around the corner, RP Singh further said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is speaking lies ever since he assumed the post. "Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is a Chief Minister for three months and rest of the times he just fights for five years. What happened to his promises? Is Wi-Fi there in Delhi? Is there any marshal on the buses for women's safety? He promised that there will be 15 lakh CCTV cameras in the city but there are hardly 22,000 CCTV cameras that are operational today. His entire politics is based on lies," Singh said. "Kejriwal had promised that there will be 200 schools in the city. But there was no action on that front. He is on a ribbon-cutting spree for the last three months," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has declared as 'null and void' the order of the Lt Governor, annulling appointment of State Election Commissioner (SEC) T M Balakrishnan, triggering a fresh turf war between his government and Kiran Bedi. In his January 3 order, shared with media on Sunday, the CM said the appointment of SEC was an executive action and the removal of the official can only be through a legislative action as stated in Articles 243 K, 243 L and 243-ZB of the Constitution and also under provisions of the Puducherry Municipalities, Commune and Village Panchayats Act 1973. The development comes days after Bedi had declared the appointment of the SEC by the Narayanasamy-led government as "illegal and null and void." In a message to media on December 20, she said that the Centre had directed the Chief Secretary of Puducherry to appoint the SEC through an exclusive selection committee after giving publicity through an all India advertisement. Subsequently, the Chief Minister had said neither the Lt Governor nor the Home Ministry had any authority to rescind the appointment of the official made through a unanimous resolution adopted on the floor of the House in July last year. During an intercation with reporters, he had said that the Speaker of the Assembly also ruled the appointment of Balakrishnan as the SEC and hence it could not be challenged. The official assumed office subsequently and started carrying out the process of civic polls including appointment of polling officers, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JD(U) general secretary Pavan Varma on Sunday asked party president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to categorically reject the "divisive CAA-NPR-NRC scheme", saying this has "nefarious agenda to divide India and create a great deal of unnecessary social turbulence". (Photo: File) New Delhi: JD(U) general secretary Pavan Varma on Sunday asked party president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to categorically reject the "divisive CAA-NPR-NRC scheme", saying this has "nefarious agenda to divide India and create a great deal of unnecessary social turbulence". In an open letter to Kumar, Varma expressed his surprise at the "unilateral" announcement of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, who is from the BJP, that the National Population Register exercise will be carried out in the state between May 15-28 despite Kumar's stand against the National Register of Citizens. "... in consonance with your own publicly stated views, and long established secular vision, may I request you now to take a principled stand against the CAA-NPR-NRC scheme, and reject its nefarious agenda to divide India and create a great deal of unnecessary social turbulence. "A clear cut public statement by you to this effect would be a major step towards preserving and strengthening the idea of India to which, I know, you yourself are committed. The politics of principle cannot be sacrificed at the altar of short term political gain," Varma said in the letter. The JD(U) leader has been critical of his party's decision to support the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, and it has now become a law following its passage in both Houses. Protests have occurred in different parts of the country against the law, which seeks to give citizenship to minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who had arrived in India due to religious persecution by December 31, 2014. JD(U) vice president Prashant Kishor has also spoken strongly against the CAA and said this, in combination with the NRC, can turn into a "lethal combo in the hands of the government to systematically discriminate and even prosecute people based on religion." In his letter, Varma said the CAA-NRC combine is a direct attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims, and to create social instability. The government has categorically stated, he said, that the NPR is the first step to implementing the NRC and since Kumar has said that Bihar will not have the NRC, it follows that he must say no to the revised NPR as well. The Modi government has dismissed the concerns over the NPR as politically motivated, saying it is a routine exercise and adding that it is yet to take a decision on the NRC. "The central government needs to focus on the real priorities of governance, such as the disastrous state of the economy, the absence of jobs, and agrarian distress, rather than such schemes whose only aim is to destroy the unity and social cohesion of our great country," Varma said. Catch the latest news, live coverage and in-depth analyses from India and World. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Sunday spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the importance of "countering Iran's malign influence and threats to the region." "Israeli PM Netanyahu and I just spoke and underscored the importance of countering Iran's malign influence and threats to the region. I am always grateful for Israel's steadfast support in defeating terrorism. The bond between Israel and the United States is unbreakable," Michael Pompeo wrote on Twitter. Following US air raid, Israeli 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," said Netanyahu in a tweet. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Saturday said that the decision to kill Soleimani by Donald Trump administration saved many American lives. However, Iran on Friday vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of General Soleimani, terming it as a 'heinous crime.' Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi declared three days of mourning in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CLEVELAND, Ohio One of the great hallmarks of the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh is a vast, sky-lighted gallery containing plaster casts taken from more than 140 buildings dating from ancient Greece and Rome to the Romanesque and Gothic periods and the Renaissance. When it opened in 1907, the Hall of Architecture was intended to focus respectful attention on masterpieces of Western architecture, presenting them as examples worthy of study and emulation. Chinese artist Liu Wei flips this idea on its head in his Invisible Cities installation at the Cleveland Museum of Art, part of a two-part exhibit shared with the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland. Both displays, which constitute Lius first solo museum exhibit in the U.S., take their name from the classic 1972 novella by Italian writer Italo Calvino, in which a young Marco Polo entertains the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan with tales of fabulous cities. On view at the Cleveland Museum of Art is a kind of anti-Hall of Architecture. Liu is displaying a half-dozen large-scale sculptures collectively entitled Love It, Bite It, made in 2014, that depict neoclassical and Gothic-style structures including domes, towers, and a palace. Instead of shaping his architectural evocations out of plaster or some other material typically associated with architectural models, Liu used edible animal treats, primarily strips of rawhide used for dog chews. And instead of placing his structures in positions of balance and symmetry, he shows them in states of disarray and decay. A rawhide model of a palace with a dome in the center is shown melting and caving in on itself, like a soggy wedding cake. A Babel-like tower dangles from the ceiling, tapering downward toward its suspended base instead of the other way around. A circular, drum-shaped section of a building that presumably would have supported a dome is shown lying on its side, with its interior chambers open to inspection from an unexpected angle. And a building with a dome recalling such classics as St. Peters Basilica in Rome, is tilting to one side, as if collapsing in a drunken heap. Liu cuts Western architecture down to size, and then treats it as a chew toy for playful aesthetic contemplation. His installation is humorous, but with an edge. With apologies to novelist Karl Marx, It suggests that all that is solid and structural in culture can melt in your mouth, at least if youre a canine. Its an unsettling spin on an architecture that from the beginning was designed with the scale of the human body in mind, and whose columns, pediments and arches embodied elaborate systems of forms and proportions expressing physical forces at play in the art of stacking carved blocks of stone atop one another. As much as anything, Western architecture from ancient Greece and Rome to the Renaissance expressed the presence of sacred forces and a desire to mediate between heaven and earth through spires and domes. Liu, who is 47 and based in Beijing, suggests the presence of newer and more powerful cultural forces in a pair of large abstract paintings, also on view in the exhibition, that evoke vast skylines buzzing with electric energy that flows through massively complicated grids. In these exhilarating, vertiginous landscapes, technology triumphs, and the individual human being has vanished. Today is the final day of the MOCA display, which means its the last opportunity to see how both shows interact. The paintings and rawhide sculptures at the Cleveland Museum of Art will remain on view through Sunday, Feb. 16. The MOCA portion of the show, which is bigger and more comprehensive in its presentation of Lius wide-ranging sensibilities, includes examples of the skyscraper landscapes on view at the Cleveland Museum of Art, along with paintings of lush, glowing sunsets that that look digitized, but also painted by hand. Also on view at MOCA are sculptures made from compressed books, which resemble building blocks of an imaginary architecture that could be assembled to make new and unusual spaces and places. Another group of sculptures is comprised of sliced-up household appliances. The showstopper at MOCA is Microcosm, a big glass cube that encloses swirling abstract forms that echo the architecture of Frank Gehry, or the curved steel planes of sculptor Richard Serra. The rawhide sculptures at the Cleveland of Art present a cheeky and disruptive side of Lius artistic personality, whom ARTnews has dubbed a trickster mixer-upper. While based in China, a country that imposes limitations on free speech, Liu has found ways to communicate vividly how technology and culture are accelerating at warp speed, producing changes that are both exciting and frightening. Thats a huge accomplishment, and marks Liu as a major talent to watch in years to come. REVIEW Whats up: Liu Wei: Invisible Cities. Venue: Cleveland Museum of Art Where: 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland When: Through Sunday, Feb. 16. (Second portion on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, 11400 Euclid Ave. Final day at MOCA is today. Admission to both venues: Free. For Cleveland Museum of Art, call 216-421-7340 or go to clevelandart.org. For MOCA, call 216-421-8671 or go to mocacleveland.org. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 01:22:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MUSCAT, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Oman on Sunday called on the U.S. and Iranian governments to give precedence to dialogue and look for diplomatic means to resolve their conflict. In a statement, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to intensify the efforts to "achieve security and stability in the region." The statement added that Oman is following the situation with great concern. The United States killed Iranian senior commander Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike near Baghdad airport on Friday, leading to escalation of tension between the two countries. Lucknow, Jan 5 : The passport officer posted at the Regional Passport Office in Lucknow, who landed in the CBI on Saturday, was the one who made headlines in 2018 when he denied a passport to an inter-faith couple. The passport officer, Vikas Mishra, was posted in Lucknow when the incident took place. An interfaith couple alleged that they faced harassment at the local passport office in Lucknow. Tanvi Seth, in a series of tweets, related the incident, tagging the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. She alleged that she was ill-treated because she was married to a Muslim and had not changed her surname even after 12 years of marriage. She claimed that passport officer Vikas Mishra spoke to her rudely and was loud enough for others to hear the discussion pertaining to her case. Earlier, the passports of both Tanvi and her husband Mohammad Anas Siddiqui were kept on hold by the officer. However, after the Twitter thread went viral, the passport department swung into action. The passports were issued to Tanvi and her husband and a show-cause notice was issued to Mishra who was later found guilty and transferred to Varanasi. Tripoli, controlled by internationally recognised Government of National Accord, is facing an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army Tripoli: At least 30 people were killed and 33 others wounded in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health ministry of the Tripoli-based government said in a statement on Sunday. Tripoli, controlled by the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), is facing an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftars Libyan National Army (LNA) that began in April. There has been an increase in airstrikes and shelling around Tripoli in recent weeks, with fears that fighting could escalate further after Turkeys parliament voted to allow a troop deployment in support of the GNA. Forces allied with the GNA described Saturdays attack on the military camp at Al-Hadhba as an aerial bombing launched by their eastern rivals. An LNA spokesman denied involvement. GNA Health Minister Hamid bin Omar told Reuters earlier in a phone call that the number of dead and wounded was still rising. Tripoli ambulance service spokesman Osama Ali said some body parts could not be immediately counted by forensic experts. Earlier, the ambulance service appealed for a temporary ceasefire to allow its crews to retrieve the bodies of five civilians killed on As Sidra Road in southern Tripoli and to evacuate families. Emergency teams withdrew after coming under fire while trying to access the area on Saturday, it said. The GNA Foreign Ministry called for referring Haftar and his aides to the International Criminal Court on charges of committing crimes against humanity, adding that it will call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss the alleged crimes. Qatar, which supports GNA, said on Saturday that the attack may amount to a war crime and crimes against humanity. Ankara, which last week passed a bill approving a troop deployment in Libya to support Tripoli, also condemned the attack and said the international community needs to take steps to achieve a ceasefire. It is crucial for the international community to urgently take necessary steps to halt external support for the pro-Haftar army and its attacks and establish a ceasefire in Libya, the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the attack saying that rising escalation... further complicates the situation in Libya and threatens the chances of returning to the political process. In response to the attack, GNA allied forces have targeted the LNA airbase of Al-Wattia in an airstrike, around 159 kilometres southwest of Tripoli, a spokesman said in a statement. Two sources in Haftar forces said four fighters were killed in a drone strike early on Sunday. An increase in airstrikes and shelling in and around Tripoli has caused the deaths of at least 11 civilians since early December and shut down health facilities and schools, the UN mission in Libya said on Friday. Rockets and shelling also shut down Tripolis only functioning airport on Friday. On Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Libya. He warned that the delivery of foreign support to warring parties would only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution. The parliament which moved to the east in 2014 voted to provide Haftar with emergency funding on Saturday. The pro-Haftar chamber also held a series of symbolic votes against the GNA and Turkey, which struck two pacts on maritime boundaries and military cooperation in November. A 19-year-old autistic Indian in the UAE, who was deemed unfit for normal school, has brought accolades with his exceptional memory power, a media report said on Sunday. Rohithparithi Ramakrishnan, who hails from Tamil Nadu, can tell the day of any past or future date in a matter of seconds, Khaleej Times reported. Born weighing about 1 kg, Ramakrishnan was kept in an incubator for months and underwent multiple surgeries. He was diagnosed as autistic before turning two years, the report said. "He is a miracle baby. He was deemed unfit for normal school as he was hyperactive. Our doctor suggested putting him in special schools," Malini, the mother of Ramakrishnan, was quoted as saying. However, later the parents of Ramakrishnan realised that he had unique talents. "He used to hum songs that he listened on TV. He never committed mistakes in mathematics," Malini said. In 2018, Ramakrishnan cleared Class 10 exam held by National Institute of Open Schooling under the Indian government. To check his memory power, Ramakrishnan was asked 10 such posers of years and dates, to which he replied all correctly, the paper reported. Ramakrishnan has also won electronic keyboard competitions held by various groups and associations and, that too, in general category. "He can reproduce any kind of music after hearing it twice or thrice. He remembers and chants more than 40 shlokas in Sanskrit from (Hindu religious text) Bhagavad Gita," Malini said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) American rapper Cardi B has responded to a photo of her daughter photoshopped in a beautiful African attire. The image showed the little girl donned in a traditional African outfit that featured a headgear, wrapper and local accessories. READ ALSO: Diamond Platinumz's manager Sallam attends Harmonize manager's birthday party READ ALSO: News anchor Ken Mijungu confirms receiving death threats from Betty Kyallo's Somali lover The Twitter user who posted the image had asked Cardi about the Nigerian name that will be given to her daughter. Reacting, the Money crooner simply noted that the image was "so cute". READ ALSO: Hofu yatanda baada ya mbwa koko na paka kuvamia hospitali Followers flooded her comment section with reactions to the image. 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 Welcome Guest! You Are Here: We want to get as many matches as possible, Fearing said of Kinships ultimate goal: mentoring children in the area. Lots of people want to become a mentor and I do too, which is why I wanted to get this off the ground. Fearing, a BBBS mentor several years ago, said he doesnt expect Kinship will have any problems finding children to mentor, considering that several people who are aiding the organization work in Portage schools. Kinship board members from the Portage Community School District include Secretary Nikki Schoenborn, who serves as the school districts director of elementary teaching and learning, and Treasurer Stephanie Clements, who works an administrative assistant in the district. Also serving on the Kinship board is Columbia County Sheriff Roger Brandner, who was a BBBS mentor in the early 1990s in Medford. I could see the positive changes you can really make in someones life and for all these years Ive wanted to get back into it, Brandner said of his desire to start mentoring again. When Doug (Fearing) said he wanted to do this, I thought that I could at least help spread the message that an organization like this is needed in Columbia County. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Saturday, threatening to hit dozens of targets in the Islamic Republic very fast and very hard if it retaliates for the targeted killing of the head of Irans elite Quds Force. The series of tweets came as the White House sent to Congress a formal notification under the War Powers Act of the drone strike on Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a senior administration official said. U.S. law required notification within 48 hours of the introduction of American forces into an armed conflict or a situation that could lead to war. The notification was classified and it was not known if a public version would be released. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the classified document suggests Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security. In unusually specific language, Trump tweeted that his administration had already targeted 52 Iranian sites, some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture. He linked the number of sites to the number of hostages, also 52, held by Iran for nearly 15 months after protesters overran the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. Thousands of Iranians lined Baghdad streets Saturday for the funeral procession for Soleimani. The Islamic Republic has vowed revenge for the Trump-ordered airstrike that killed him and several senior Iraqi militants early Friday Baghdad time. Trump appeared to respond to such threats with tweets justifying Soleimanis killing and matching the bellicose language from Iran. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters,the president tweeted. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Trump also warned: The USA wants no more threats! Trumps reference to targeting sites important to Iran & the Iranian culture could raise questions about whether striking such targets would violate international agreements. The American Red Cross notes on its website that the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols, ratified by scores of nations in recent years, states that cultural objects and places of worship may not be attacked and outlaws indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, campaigning in Iowa, questioned whether Trump was acting alone or with support of allies. We have no idea I have no idea whether he has any plan at all, the former vice-president told reporters Saturday night. But when he makes statements like that, it just seems to me to be hes going off on a tweet storm on his own, and its incredibly dangerous and irresponsible. The notification document sent Saturday to congressional leadership, the House speaker and the Senate president pro tempore was entirely classified, according to a senior Democratic aide and a congressional aide. The aides and the senior administration official were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and requested anonymity. In a statement, Pelosi said the highly unusual decision to classify the document compounds concerns from Congress. This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administrations decision to engage in hostilities against Iran, Pelosi said and reiterated her call for a full briefing for lawmakers. Pelosi said the Trump administrations provocative, escalatory and disproportionate military engagement continues to put servicemembers, diplomats and citizens of America and our allies in danger. She called on the administration for an immediate, comprehensive briefing of the full Congress on military engagement related to Iran and next steps under consideration. ___ Daniel reported from Washington. AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. Your browser does not support the audio element. Two Vietnamese shipbuilding companies have finished manufacturing 50 plastic patrol boats and ten bullet-proof steel patrol vessels for their clients in Nigeria. Hanoi-based James Boat Technology Company previously delivered a total of 50 patrol boats made of high-quality PPC (Copolymer Polypropylene Polystone) in mid-December 2019. The ships were transported from Doan Xa Port in the northern Vietnamese city of Hai Phong to Harcourt Port in Nigeria. A PPC patrol boat built by Hanoi-based James Boat Technology Company is tested in Ha Long Bay. Video: Tien Thang / Tuoi Tre The shipment alone cost approximately US$500,000 and was carried out by Bollore Logistics Vietnam. The 50 boats will be used for patrol, search and rescue missions, and protection of oil rigs in Nigeria. What makes these boats special is the PPC material, which is light, durable, and eco-friendly. PPC patrol boats are loaded onto a cargo ship at Doan Xa Port in the northern Vietnamese city of Hai Phong for shipment to a Nigerian buyer. Photo: Tien Thang / Tuoi Tre PPC is also resistant to ultraviolet rays, chemicals, corrosion, acid, and petroleum products, while the cost of maintenance is much lower than that of steel vessels. The material is manufactured by Germanys Rochling Group, a partner of James Boat. PPC patrol boats are loaded onto a cargo ship at Doan Xa Port in the northern Vietnamese city of Hai Phong for shipment to a Nigerian buyer. Photo: Thanh Liem / Tuoi Tre Hong Ha, another Vietnamese shipbuilding firm, also signed a deal with a Nigerian billionaire to build ten steel armored patrol boats. These ships are now being kept at a port in Hai Phong City, waiting to be delivered to the client. Each armored ship measures 15.1 meters long, 3.86 meters wide, and weighs 12.5 metric tons. PPC patrol boats are built at a factory of Vietnamese shipbuilder James Boat Technology Company. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Trung, a representative of military-run Hong Ha Company, the boats can reach a maximum speed of 42 nautical miles per hour. The design allows the ships to be equipped with three machine guns at the bow and stern, Trung continued, adding that the ships also have great bullet-proof capacity. PPC patrol boats are built at a factory of Vietnamese shipbuilder James Boat Technology Company. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Employees of Vietnamese shipbuilder James Boat Technology Company prepare PPC patrol boats for delivery. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Employees of Vietnamese shipbuilder James Boat Technology Company prepare PPC patrol boats for delivery. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre PPC patrol boats are built at a factory of Vietnamese shipbuilder James Boat Technology Company. Photo: Thanh Liem / Tuoi Tre PPC patrol boats are built at a factory of Vietnamese shipbuilder James Boat Technology Company. Photo: Thanh Liem / Tuoi Tre Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Trung, a representative of Hong Ha Company, introduces steel armored patrol boats. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Steel armored patrol boats are kept at the port of Hong Ha Company in Hai Phong City. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Express News Service By A day after a US drone killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander and intelligence chief Major General Qasem Soleimani in Bagdhad, US President Donald Trump called the slain military commander the number-one terrorist anywhere in the world adding he was a threat not only to the US but to countries like India as well. Soleimani made the death of innocent people his sick passion, contributing to terrorist plots as far away as New Delhi and London, Trump said in his remarks released by the White House. While Trump did not explain what he meant by Iranian terror plots in India, experts believe he was alluding to the February 13, 2012 bomb blast in New Delhi in which Israeli diplomat Tal Yehoshua Koren was badly injured. In a modus operandi traced back to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the attackers managed to stick a bomb to the moving car of Koren, who she was on her way to pick her two kids from school, using a magnet. Koren had to undergo surgery to remove shrapnel from her body. Her driver and two bystanders, too, were injured in the attack. Justifying his order to take down Soleimani, Trump said, Soleimani has been perpetrating acts of terror to destabilize the Middle East for the last 20 years. What the US did should have been done long ago. A lot of lives would have been saved. The Ministry of External Affairs, which issued a nuanced statement on Friday calling for restraint from all sides to deescalate tensions in West Asia, is yet to respond to Trumps charge. India shares good relations with Iran, which is reeling under US sanctions. New Delhi is also keen on Irans upcoming Chabahar Port which it hopes will give it access to oil and gas resources in Iran and central Asian countries. Thousands mourn Soleimani and Muhandis Thousands of Iraqis chanting Death to America on Saturday mourned Soleimani and Muhandis. The mourners were joined by Iranian PM Adel Abdel Mahdi. The coffins were first brought to a revered Shiite shrine in Baghdads Kadhimiya district. The dignitaries then accompanied the coffins into the Green Zone for an official ceremony. To the Editor: In Business Got Big Tax Cut; Lobbyists Made It Bigger (front page, Dec. 31), you report: The budget deficit has jumped more than 50 percent since Mr. Trump took office and is expected to top $1 trillion in 2020, partly as a result of the tax law. President Trump often bragged about being the king of debt. Soon the burgeoning budget deficit will lead to him being the king of national debt. Trump supporters who arent rich seem unfazed by his being a reverse Robin Hood who gives to the rich by borrowing money that will have to be paid back by all of us and our children and grandchildren. They seem to be focused only on the present benefits to the economy and their pocketbooks. Like Scarlett OHara they say: Ill think about that tomorrow. . . . Tomorrow is another day. Does Mr. Trump understand the difference between private sector debt and national debt? Now that he is C.E.O. of America, I fear how his glib attitude toward debt (and bankruptcy) will play out. Michael Biales Acton, Mass. To the Editor: The headline for your article should have been: Under Trump, the Rich Get Richer While Food Stamps Are Cut and the Deficit Grows. Louis Vuitton, the world's biggest luxury goods brand by sales, is preparing to shut one of its shops in Hong Kong, where protests have hit demand as high rental costs bite. The handbag firm plans to close its store in the city's Times Square mall, the South China Morning Post reported. The company has eight shops in Hong Kong, and the decision came after the group failed to reach an agreement with its landlord to cut the rent in the mall outlet. Wharf Holdings, the shopping centre's owner and Vuitton did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Vuitton's parent group LVMH, the Paris-based conglomerate behind other fashion brands like Christian Dior and Hennessy cognac, declined to comment. High-end fashion labels have watched as anti-government demonstrations escalated last June, hoping the turmoil would ease in one of the world's top shopping destinations. Until now, the luxury brands had only shut stores in Hong Kong temporarily when protests flared. Hong Kong has long drawn numerous tourists from the Chinese mainland, who pick up luxury cosmetics, accessories and clothing at slightly lower prices than at home. But as the protests dragged on, tourist arrivals slumped and losses began to trickle through to third-quarter earnings. Hong Kong's retail sales fell 23.6pc from a year earlier in November to HK$30bn (3.45bn), government data showed on Friday, in the 10th consecutive month of declines. The protests have spilled into 2020, with some 400 people arrested in New Year's Day demonstrations when a pro-democracy march descended into chaos. Some brands are weighing up redirecting some of their investments elsewhere, including to the Chinese mainland and other parts of Asia. Executives at LVMH and its rivals like Moncler or Gucci owner Kering have said they were trying to renegotiate notoriously high rents in Hong Kong as one way of mitigating the hit to operating margins. Reuters Two suspected ISIS terrorists have entered Uttar Pradesh, following which a high alert has been sounded along the India-Nepal border in Maharajganj, Kushinagar and Siddharth Nagar districts, a top police official said on Sunday. "It has come to the fore that two wanted terrorists Abdul Samad and Iliyas can escape to Nepal from Uttar Pradesh," IG (Basti range) Ashutosh Kumar said. The alert was sounded after the intelligence input was received, he said. The IG said photographs of the two have been widely circulated so that they could be identified. The officer said he was not aware which outfit they were affiliated to. Previously, they were spotted in West Bengals' Siliguri and are suspected to be associated with the ISIS. Police have launched a massive manhunt to nab them, officials said. India and Nepal share a 1,751-km-long porous frontier which has reportedly been used by Pakistani elements and terrorists in the past. A number of such operatives have been nabbed by Indian border guarding agencies. Uttar Pradesh shares a 599.3-km-long open border with Nepal, touching seven districts - Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Sravasti, Balrampur, Sidhharthnagar and Maharajganj. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The call starts innocently enough: Californian representative Maxine Waters, warmly greets the voices on the line, whom a staffer identifies as Greta Thunberg and her father, Svante. They share a laugh about Ms Waterss nickname, Auntie Maxine. The congresswoman praises her young caller for her climate change activism. You have made quite a big, big, big, big thunder on this issue. I am really, really very proud of you and the work that youre doing, Ms Waters is heard saying. The congresswoman and her staff thought they had connected with Thunberg, the 17-year-old Swedish climate activist who was recently named Time magazines Person of the Year. In reality, two 30-something Russians, Vladimir Vovan Kuznetsov and Alexei Lexus Stolyarov, were on the other end of the line. The duo describe themselves as comedians and pranksters, but they are widely suspected of having ties to the Russian government. Audio from the call with Ms Waters was posted to the pairs YouTube page on Thursday, along with a cartoon animating the approximately 10-minute interaction as part of their comedy video series called Stars Save the Earth. Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Show all 12 1 /12 Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures In the protest that started a movement, Greta skips school to sit outside of the Swedish parliament in Stockholm in order to raise awareness of climate change on 28 August 2018 Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 25 January AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta stages a protest at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 25 January Reuters Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta speaks at the House of Commons in London on 23 April PA Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta addresses to the occupation at Marble Arch in London on 21 April AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta meets the pope on a visit to Rome Reuters Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta speaks at the senate in Rome on 18 April Reuters Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta addresses a debate of the EU Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 16 April AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta receives the Special Climate Protection Award at the German Film and Television awards in Berlin on 30 March AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta attends a children's climate protest in Berlin on 29 March AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta addresses a children's climate protest on 1 March in Hamburg Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta attends a meeting for the Civil Society For rEUnaissance at the EU Charlemagne Building in Brussels on 21 February AFP/Getty Its unclear when exactly the call took place. Ms Waters office did not respond to questions seeking details about how the call was arranged or whether her office has screening or security protocols for phone calls. Ms Waters waved off the incident on Saturday, telling The Washington Post in an email statement: This was just another stupid prank by the same Russian operatives who have targeted many US elected officials, including representative Adam Schiff, senator Lindsey Graham, senator Mitch McConnell, and late-senator John McCain, and international heads of state such as Emmanuel Macron. The end. But security experts warn that whats being passed off as prank-call mischief is really Russian misinformation meant to undermine the United States. Mr Kuznetsov and Mr Stolyarov deny theyre Kremlin-backed agents with ties to Russian security forces, despite their pattern of frequently targeting people critical of Russia or the fact that, as two supposed pranksters, theyre able to reach powerful world leaders directly by phone. We work for ourselves, for nobody else, Mr Stolyarov told the Guardian in 2016. Whether the pair are agents of the Russian government, the kind of ruse they pulled on Ms Waters can accomplish two goals for Russia, according to Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a communications professor at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of the 2018 book, Cyberwar: How Russian Hackers and Trolls Helped Elect a President. The first [goal] is adding info. to a political dialogue in which discrediting one side is useful to Russia, Ms Jamieson told The Post by phone. The second is being able to make the argument to the rest of the world that US leaders are easily duped. Putins interests are served when US leaders are made to look foolish in the eyes of the world. Ms Waters was heard saying I am really, really very proud of you and the work that youre doing (Getty) Mr Kuznetsov and Mr Stolyarov started pranking their own rich and famous countrymen around 2014, before moving on to targets like Elton John, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and, more recently, Ms Graham and Mr Schiff. The men pose as prominent figures their targets would be keen to speak with, engage them in conversation and then post the audio to their YouTube channel. The call to Ms Waters includes a mix of the absurd the Thunberg impersonator mentions a climate strike in support of Chon-go-Chango island and the overtly political. Halfway through the call, the impersonators detail a fictional exchange between US president Donald Trump and Thunberg that they claim happened when both attended the UN climate summit in September. In it, they tell Ms Waters that the president made Thunberg cry when he said, Youll never achieve your goals like those congressional fools who accuse me, and Ill tell you the truth: I really wanted to push the Ukraine president to put my competitor on trial. And he will go to trial with you, with [a bunch of] Democrats. . . . I would have a separate cage for all of you. Oh my god, he mentioned the Ukrainian president? Ms Waters is heard asking. Mr Trump fell for a prank call in 2018 by a comedian pretending to be Robert Menendez (Getty) The caller impersonating Thunbergs father offers that they have an audio recording of Mr Trumps remarks to Greta that they can provide to the congresswoman. Ms Waters is heard assuring the callers that her colleagues are working diligently to gather facts in the impeachment case against Mr Trump. [I]f the public knew he talked to Greta like that, and that she will never achieve that will go against him, too, she said. Ms Waters ends the call by offering to arrange a meeting as quickly as possible, to which the callers agree. Mr Schiff, Ms Waters congressional colleague and the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, received a similar call from the two men in April 2017, when one posed as the speaker of Ukraines parliament, Andriy Parubiy, the Atlantic reported in 2018. On the call, the impersonator told Mr Schiff they had compromising material on Mr Trump, including nude photos of the president. Mr Schiff is working with the FBI to investigate how the pranksters were able to hoax multiple people (AFP) We will try to work with the FBI to figure out, along with your staff, how we can obtain copies, Mr Schiff reportedly responded. A spokesman for Mr Schiff later told the magazine that they suspected the call was bogus and had alerted security and law enforcement before agreeing to take it and after. Despite those precautions, Republican opponents like representative Devin Nunes of California pointed to the existence of the call as evidence Democrats were being cavalier and incautious in gathering evidence against Mr Trump for the impeachment hearing. The point at which this enters the dialogue and can be used for a political attack has real consequences, said Ms Jamieson. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Not all targets have been Democrats, but Ms Jamieson said it matters if the pranksters are reaching out to people involved in an ongoing investigation. She also advised watching to see whether reports of the stories are picked up and amplified by Russian government-controlled websites like RT and Sputnik. At that point, this is no longer a prank; this is engaging in disinformation, she said. A lingering question for Ms Jamieson and perhaps many lawmakers offices is whether voice recognition or other technology can advance to the point where it can help verify who is on the other end. Theres a real vulnerability when youre talking to someone you cant see. You wouldnt want the president of the US, or someone who has the capacity to make significant leadership decisions, to be tricked by someone who isnt who they allege they are, Ms Jamieson said. Mr Trump already fell victim to such a prank in 2018 when US comedian John Melendez, aka Stuttering John of The Howard Stern Show, claims to have reached the president on Air Force One by pretending to be senator Robert Menendez. The Washington Post Rose McGowan at event Rose McGowan upset a lot of people on Twitter early this morning when she decided to comment on the drone strike that President Donald Trump launched on Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. McGowan fancys herself an activist since her experience with and her involvement in the #MeToo movement. President Trump signed off on a military strike against the Iran commander in an effort to cease any possibility of a war. Soleimani, who was the head of Iran's elite Quds military force and was one of the most powerful figures in the Islamic Republic. McGowan posted a public apology to the people of Iran and their government for the disrespect that they received from the United States. Dear #Iran, is how McGowan started her heartfelt apology. 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. McGowans apology came shortly after the confirmation of Soleimanis death. President Donald Trump Unfortunately, for McGowan, the apology not only left a bad taste in the mouth of a number of her followers. It also caused her to lose many of those followers who have no tolerance for her traitor tendencies. She followed up her apology with a few tweets bashing the President. Thanks a lot, dickhead @realDonaldTrump and Eat shit.Since the post this morning, fans have called for Twitter to remove her account or at least delete her insensitive posts. She was forced to issue a form of apology for her apology and she went on to explain the reasons for her actions. Rose McGowan at 2019 Q Awards Of course #Soleimani was an evil evil man who did evil evil things. But that at this moment is not the fucking point. Said McGowan. 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. #TeamStayAlive. McGowan even went out of her way to respond to followers who challenged her way of thinking. She even told off one follower with this tweet. Fuck your freedom and shove it up your #MAGA ass Story continues Rose McGowan giving a speech McGowan had more to say about her reaction to the backlash of her comments. Ok, so I freaked out because we may have any impending war. Sometimes its okay to freak out on those in power. Its our right. She claims. That is what so many Brave soldiers have fought for. That is democracy. I do not want any more American soldiers killed. Thats it. She even clarified why she will not be voting Republican this 2020 election. 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, its policies, lies, corruption, nationalism, racism, and deep misogyny. It is our right and duty as citizens to dissent. Rose McGowan at event McGowan is no stranger to backlash. She also shows no signs of quieting down any time soon no matter how much it bothers followers and fans. If you remember, McGowan was one of the more vocal celebrities in the #MeToo movement. She refuses to stay silent in the face of an adversary. She isnt afraid of the backlash and she has no problem continuing to use her social media and celebrity status to speak out no matter the topic. She later clarified some of her tweets and insists she isnt sympathizing with Soleimani or any of the people associated with him. New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah sought to reassure the Muslim community Sunday and said the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has no provision about taking away the citizenship of minorities and alleged that the Congress scions, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were instigating riots by misleading people about the law. Mr Shah said its beneficiaries are largely Dalits and poor people and that those opposing the law are against Dalits and the poor. Addressing a meeting of Delhi BJP workers here, he called Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Gandhis anti-Dalit for questioning the law. The BJP president said AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had extended support to rioters by saying she will visit the homes of those houses behind the riots. (Arvind) Kejriwal has misled people. The Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, has instigated riots by misleading people. Do you want a government in Delhi which incites riots for politics, he asked. Mr Shah also attacked Pakistan for terrorising Sikhs as he referred to the recent attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib by a violent mob in Pakistan and asked Opposition leaders to open their eyes to atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country. This is an answer to all those opposing the CAA. Tell me if these Sikhs who were attacked the other day in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib are not allowed to enter India, where else will they go? he asked. The opposition leaders were spreading a pack of lies over the CAA, he said. Mr Shah also urged the BJP workers to conduct an intensive campaign to inform the masses about the law that helps the persecuted. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who came to India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh over religious persecution. The opposition was inciting the minorities against the CAA by alleging they will lose their citizenship, he said. Mr Shah assured members of the minority communities that none of them will lose citizenship due to the CAA, saying the law was about giving citizenship to minorities from three neighbouring countries, and not taking it away from anybody. Sundays meeting with booth-level workers, attended by Mr Shah and BJP working president J.P. Nadda, is being considered significant as it has virtually launched the partys campaign for the Delhi Assembly polls. Mr Shah said the opposition parties were habituated to the politics of opposition and votebank and referred to their stand against measures like the law on triple talaq among Muslim men and the nullification of Article 370. They also opposed construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said, noting that a recent Supreme Court order had paved the way for building the temple. The opposition parties have led the protests against the CAA, saying it is against the Constitution as it makes religion a ground for citizenship. In the past few weeks, the country has been witnessing protests against the amended citizenship law. The Centre has repeatedly said it has so far not discussed the proposal for a National Register of Citizens. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Pink has pledged a donation of $500,000 to help firefighters battle the Australian bushfires that have left thousands fleeing their homes. "I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires," Pink said on Twitter. "My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz." The pop star, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore, said she would be donating directly to local fire services. Pink is one of many celebrities, including LaMelo Ball and Nick Kyrgios, who have pledged donations to help fight the wildfires. Three fires combined on Saturday to form a single blaze bigger than the New York borough of Manhattan, as Australian firefighters battle what has been predicted to be the most catastrophic day yet in an already devastating bushfire season. At least 23 people have died in Australia wildfires and in the state of New South Wales alone, more than 1,300 houses have been destroyed. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday hit out at ally AIADMK saying if the saffron party had contested without any alliance, it would have got more seats. The partys statement comes a day after another ally of the Dravidian major, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK-an OBC Vanniyar Party) criticized the AIADMKs approach in sharing seats for the civic polls, saying this had led to its low tally in the polls. After three years, Tamil Nadu had gone for civic polls on December 27 and 30, 2019. Although it was a close contest between the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the opposition managed to lead in the elections. The BJP has won 85 union councillors and seven district councillors in the civic polls as a part of the AIADMK alliance. Although, the Indian National Congress won 132 union councillors and 15 district councillors in the election, BJPs ex-state president and former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan claimed that his party might have done even better if it had contested without the alliance. We have done well in the local body polls. This is high time for BJP to make a footprint in Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan said. The former Union Minister also alleged that the BJPs allies did not extend full cooperation in the civic elections. Though our alliance parties have not co-operated well in the election, we managed to exhibit a great show. I personally feel that the BJP would have done better if we had not allied with any party, the BJP leader said. The BJPs attack on AIADMK has come after the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK)s youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss charged the AIADMK for not giving an adequate number of seats in the local body polls to its allies. Though we made a stand not to align with the Dravidian parties, we sealed the LS poll pact with the AIADMK. It was only because of the current political situation. We are the prime reason for the survival of the AIADMK government as we backed the party to win the by-polls held in April and October 2019. But, the AIADMK has not reciprocated by fulfilling our demands in the rural local body elections, Anbumani said at a party meeting last week. Meanwhile, a high-level committee of the BJP comprising of Siva Prakash and G V L Narasimha Rao conducted a meeting with BJP state leaders to elicit opinion on a new BJP state unit president-- a position which has been vacant ever since the then state chief Tamilisai Sounderrarajan was elevated as Governor of Telangana. After several months, the BJP high-command has sent its representatives to hear the views of party workers and leaders before appointing the new state chief. While visiting Kamalalayam the BJPs state headquarters Radhakrishan made comments which were critical of the AIADMK. Hitting back at the BJP leader, AIADMK veteran leader and TN fisheries minister D Jayakumar said it is not fair to cross the morality and ethics of alliance. Pon Radhakrishnans comments stating that the BJP would have won more seats without the AIADMK alliance are not morally tenable. It is against alliance ethics, Jayakumar told the media. However, analysts say not much importance should be attached to the tussles between the AIADMK and BJP as it often occurs and then the allies compromise immediately. In the past few months, the AIADMK and BJP have differed on many issues before the media. But, when it comes to reality, the AIADMK has supported BJPs abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, the Triple Talaq Bill, and the recent Citizenship Amendment Act. Though the BJP accuses the AIADMK and the Dravidian major hits back as well, both will never break the alliance. As AIADMK wants to complete its term until 2021, it has to keep the BJP in good humour, said S Ramesh, MHC advocate and political analyst. A CATHOLIC priest claimed he could be shot by the Provos - for campaigning for the early release of IRA prisoners. Father Denis Faul of St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon, Co Tyrone made consistent appeals to Minister of State Nicholas Scott to let republican terrorists out of jail. His pleas have been revealed in top secret files which have now been declassified by the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, including when Fr Faul had a meeting with Mr Scott on May 16, 1986, bringing with him Fr Murray and Mr Canning, an independent nationalist councillor from Dungannon. The note for the record said: "Father Faul set out at length his proposition that mass releases from the prisons now would end violence. "He acknowledged that letting out the killers to stop the killing was a difficult concept to grasp, but claimed support from Irish history as well as the facts of the present." It continued: "Many of those in prison today had only become involved in paramilitary activity because of injustice done to the Catholic community - he spoke of internment, torture, plastic bullets and the hunger strike. "Still, their families regretted their involvement, and if the prisoners were released to them there was no doubt that their influence would be deployed to restrain them from further dealings with the paramilitaries. "The commitment to the paramilitaries of many prisoners was, in any event, only ostensible. Families had told him that prisoners were now more often thinking for themselves, they felt the war was over. "In prison, they moved to Provisional wings because they had less hassle from warders there than in mixed wings. "Father Faul spoke with real loathing of PIRA, which had cynically manipulated many young people. He knew of prisoners who had effectively delivered into the hands of the police whilst working for PIRA, because it had suited the organisation's purposes. "It was to PIRA's advantage to have the prisons full. They were violently opposed to the release campaign: indeed Father Faul said he could be shot by them for his activities." The document is contained in a Northern Ireland Office file on Prisons from 1983 to 1989, regarding Reforms and Restoration of Lost Remission (after the Hunger Strike 03/10/81). archived recording I was at a dinner in New York City one night with a bunch of friends, and I sat down at the table at an empty seat. And he came up behind me and said, I think youre in my seat. And I recognized him immediately. [music] archived recording 1 I was a very young actor new to Los Angeles. archived recording 2 It was my first job also out of college, and I was 24 years old. My passion all my life was to work in the film industry. archived recording 3 And he was completely I mean, hes really charming when he wants to be. archived recording 4 We had been in touch about an audition for a Quentin Tarantino film, and thats when I met with him at the Peninsula. archived recording 5 He had his assistant call me at the last minute and say, Harvey cant meet you in the lobby. Harvey cant meet you in the cafe. Can you go up to his office, his hotel suite? archived recording 6 Thats when he said, well, come and see me at my hotel. archived recording 7 And he told me, O.K., were going to my room now. archived recording 8 I opened the door, and he just went straight into my bedroom. archived recording 9 He wanted to know if I was cool and if we were friends, and he just wanted to relax with me. archived recording 10 After some normal conversation archived recording 11 He said, how about you just give me a massage? archived recording 12 He asked me if Id give him a massage. archived recording 13 He asked me to give him massage. archived recording 14 Which I declined. archived recording 15 And I thought it would end there, but thats when he blocked the exit for me. archived recording 16 His whole affect changed, and he looked like a predator. archived recording 17 I just remember that feeling of having to fight off an invader. archived recording 18 If I would try to fight myself away from him, he would then move around to a place where he could block me in somewhere. And hes a big individual. archived recording 19 He just is very dominant, persuasive. archived recording 20 Hes a very big guy. archived recording 21 He backed me into a dark room. archived recording 22 He led me to his bathroom. archived recording 23 He pushed me back against the bed. archived recording 24 Pleading that I just watch him masturbate. archived recording 25 He held me down, and he forced oral sex on me. archived recording 26 And I was petrified and terrified. archived recording 27 I pulled my arm away, finally, and headed to the door. He started following me and telling me that I could get a three-picture deal and that he would greenlight my script. But I had to watch him masturbate. archived recording 28 A nightmare literally a nightmare. [music] michael barbaro The story of Harvey Weinstein was a story of patterns. Dozens of women more than 80 all telling a very familiar and eerily similar story of abuse and harassment by the famed movie producer. But this week, two years after that pattern of allegations was first reported in The Times by my colleagues Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, there are just two women at the center of the criminal case against him as his trial opens in Manhattan. Today, in Part 1, Megan Twohey on how we got from 80 to 2. Its Thursday, January 9. Megan, help us understand how, after these dozens of allegations against Harvey Weinstein, the charges that hes facing in this trial center on just two women. megan twohey Well, after we broke our first Harvey Weinstein story, and then Ronan Farrow published his first story in The New Yorker, there were these dozens of women who came forward with accusations. michael barbaro Right. megan twohey And there were three jurisdictions archived recording Some major developments in the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal, New York megan twohey New York archived recording police say they are now investigating rape allegations megan twohey Los Angeles archived recording The L.A. County district attorneys office is determining if Weinstein should be charged. megan twohey and London archived recording And the BBC is reporting police in England are now investigating an allegation against him as well. megan twohey that responded by launching criminal investigations. And thats because the vast majority of allegations that were coming out were centered in those three jurisdictions. But even as they launched these criminal investigations, there were questions about whether or not they would be able to bring criminal charges. michael barbaro And why would that be, given the overwhelming number of these allegations that are now surfacing? megan twohey Well, there are several reasons that explain that. First, a lot of these allegations were of inappropriate behavior, sexual harassment, which is illegal under civil law, but its not a sex crime. Youre never going to be prosecuted for it. Other allegations of actual sex crimes fell outside the statute of limitations for prosecution. And there were women who had really serious allegations who were reluctant to participate in a criminal investigation, let alone a prosecution. But from the beginning, New York, in particular, was very intent on bringing a prosecution. michael barbaro And why is that? megan twohey Well, thats because they had actually investigated Harvey Weinstein once before in 2015. That was the year that a model from Italy walked into a New York City police precinct and reported that Harvey Weinstein had groped her breast and tried to force his hand up her skirt during a work meeting at his office. And she worked closely with the police at that time. She actually wore a wire into a follow-up meeting with Weinstein that captured what sounded like a confession to at least some of what she had alleged. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) What do we have to do here? archived recording (harvey weinstein) Nothing. Im going to take a shower. You sit there and have a drink, water. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) I dont drink. Can I stay on the bar? archived recording (harvey weinstein) No, you must come here now. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) No. archived recording (harvey weinstein) Please? archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) No, I dont want to. archived recording (harvey weinstein) Im not doing anything with you, I promise. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) I know. archived recording (harvey weinstein) Now youre embarrassing me. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) Im sorry. I cannot. archived recording (harvey weinstein) No, come in here. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) No, yesterday was kind of aggressive for me. archived recording (harvey weinstein) I know. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) I need to know a person to be touched. archived recording (harvey weinstein) I wont do a thing. Please. I swear I wont. Just sit with me. Dont embarrass me in the hotel. Im here all the time. Sit with me. I promise archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) I know, but I dont want to. archived recording (harvey weinstein) Please sit there. Please. One minute. I ask you archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) No, I cant. archived recording (harvey weinstein) Go to the bathroom. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) Please, I dont want to do something I dont want to. archived recording (harvey weinstein) Go to the bath hey, come here. Listen to me. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) I want to go downstairs. archived recording (harvey weinstein) Im not going to do anything, and youll never see me again after this, O.K.? Thats it. If you embarrass me in this hotel where Im staying archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) Im not embarrassing you. archived recording (harvey weinstein) Just walk archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) Its just that I dont feel comfortable. archived recording (harvey weinstein) Honey, dont have a fight with me in the hallway. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) Its not nothing, its archived recording (harvey weinstein) Please, I am not going to do anything. I swear on my children. Please, come in. On everything. Im a famous guy. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) Im feeling very uncomfortable right now. archived recording (harvey weinstein) Please come in now. And one minute. And if you want to leave when the guy comes with my jacket, you can go. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) Why yesterday you touch my breast? archived recording (harvey weinstein) No, please. Im sorry. Just come on in. Im used to that. Come on archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) Youre used to that? archived recording (harvey weinstein) Yes, come in. archived recording (ambra battilana gutierrez) No, but Im not used to that. archived recording (harvey weinstein) I wont do it again. Come on. Sit here. Sit here for a minute, please. megan twohey But in spite of that recording and the woman wanting them to prosecute, the district attorneys office declined to bring charges against Weinstein at that time. They said that they felt like a shifting account that she had provided about an alleged sexual assault in Italy years earlier would make her seem not credible on the witness stand. So then, in 2017, as the Harvey Weinstein story is exploding, this case comes back into public focus. archived recording D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr. was mobbed by reporters, who asked whether Weinsteins wealth and fame influenced his decision not to press charges. megan twohey There are so many questions about Cy Vance, the Manhattan district attorney, and why he didnt prosecute Harvey Weinstein in 2015. archived recording D.A. Vance, did you not have the evidence you need? Was this not a slam-dunk case? archived recording (cyrus vance jr.) If we had a case that we felt we could prosecute, and my experts felt we could prosecute, against Harvey Weinstein, we would have. megan twohey A lot of people are accusing him, saying that he had succumbed to the power and influence of Weinstein archived recording Critics say financial contributions by Weinsteins lawyers to Vances campaign could have played a role in the D.A.s decision. megan twohey and had allowed this alleged predator to slip through the cracks. michael barbaro And so that is what left New York in a position, I guess, where, by 2017, they feel all this pressure to aggressively pursue these new allegations against Weinstein? megan twohey Theyre feeling a lot of pressure. And so even with all of those challenges to bringing a sex crimes charge, they are on the hunt for an allegation that will allow them to make an arrest. megan twohey Im going to put my headset on. lucia evans Oh, yeah. Megan, I just have some notes on my phone Im just going to, like, keep open if I need them. megan twohey Sure, totally. megan twohey And so they quickly zoom in on this account of a sexual assault from 2004 that had been made in Ronan Farrows New Yorker article by a woman named Lucia Evans. megan twohey Just please lucia evans O.K. megan twohey please feel free to read at your lucia evans Lucia Stoller, now Lucia Evans, was approached by Weinstein at Cipriani Upstairs, a club in New York, in 2004, the summer before her senior year at Middlebury College. Evans, who is now a marketing consultant, wanted to be an actress, and although she had heard rumors about Weinstein, she let him have her number. Weinstein began calling her late at night, or having his assistant call her, asking to meet. She declined, but said that she would do readings during the day for a casting executive. Before long, an assistant called to set up a daytime meeting at the Miramax office in Tribeca, first with Weinstein and then with a casting executive, who was a woman. I was, like, Oh, a woman. Great. I feel safe, Evans said. When Evans arrived for the meeting, the building was full of people. She was led to an office with exercise equipment in it and takeout boxes on the floor. Weinstein was there, alone. Weinstein told her that shed be great in Project Runway, the show, which Weinstein helped produce but only if she lost weight. At that point, after that, is when he assaulted me, Evans said. He forced me to perform oral sex on him. megan twohey What happened next, according to Lucia, is that Weinstein pulled his penis out of his pants, that he pulled her head down onto it. She said that she said over and over she didnt want to do this, to stop. And she said that Weinstein overpowered her. lucia evans I just sort of gave up. michael barbaro So a clear allegation of a sex crime. megan twohey A clear allegation of a sex crime and also one that falls within the statute of limitations exactly what New York is looking for. And so within hours of that story being published, New York detectives are trying to find Lucia. lucia evans So a lot of different things happened very quickly, and it was very overwhelming. The N.Y.P.D. showed up at my parents house. They live in upstate New York. And they said, Lucia has a prosecutable charge. And they were like, what are you talking about, you know? They were just kind of overwhelmed anyway, you know? And they said, were worried about her safety, and we where does she live? We want to talk to her. michael barbaro Wow. megan twohey Yeah. lucia evans And so they actually drove through the night to come to D.C. and showed up at my door the next morning. I was still in my pajamas, I think. So I just stayed in my pajamas that whole time and just drank a whole pot of coffee a whole pot to myself. I just kept drinking coffee and megan twohey She says that they told her immediately that they wanted her to participate in the criminal investigation. lucia evans They immediately wanted me to go on the record, because they said I was the only one that could put him in jail. megan twohey And how are you feeling in this moment? Are you feeling scared? Are you feeling nervous? Are you feeling what is it like when, you know, several detectives show up at your door and come into your living room? lucia evans Yeah, I mean, it was the most surreal thing. I never conceived of this happening. I was one of the few, or maybe the only, people in that article that wasnt an actress, you know? And it was frightening to me, because I didnt do this for the press, obviously. I didnt do this for any kind of fame or fortune. And so I think I was scared for a few reasons. I was nervous about what it could do to my family, to you know, I mean, I know what criminal proceedings can be like. Ive seen a bunch of movies, and Ive watched a lot of court TV. Its like, I know how this could go. And I think that the narrative has always been that victims are torn apart on the stand. And why would you do that to yourself? Why would you put yourself or your family through that? And all these things are kind of just running through my mind. And they were positioning it as a very empowering thing like, oh, you can change society forever. You can change the laws. And of course, that made me a little excited, too. I was like, wow, you know, I would absolutely love to influence the law, and to empower victims, and to put him in jail. Like, that would be an incredible feeling, but also tempering that with my more rational side. Like, are you serious? First of all, I cant be the only one that can put him in jail. And also, you need to give me time to process this, you know? megan twohey So you finish your pot of coffee. lucia evans Yes. megan twohey You finish this conversation with them. How does it end? How do you guys part after that? lucia evans So they told us my husband, who was there, and myself to get out of town for a few weeks. megan twohey They tell her that they think that shes in danger and that Harvey Weinstein and any of his kind of associates could potentially come after her. So they really want to relocate her officially relocate her to a safe location. lucia evans They didnt think I was safe there, just because I was easily traceable. And they were worried about my safety at that point, since I was the only one that could put him in jail, quote, unquote, that we knew of. megan twohey And so she and her husband packed their bags and moved into this house for two weeks, closer to New York City, as they decided what they were going to do next. michael barbaro Mm-hmm. And what did she do? megan twohey Well, she started weighing her options. She starts meeting with a variety of lawyers. And as she tells it, many of those lawyers are actually discouraging her from participating in the criminal case, telling her that she would be much better off just seeking to strike an out-of-court like, basically a private out-of-court civil settlement with Weinstein in which she would receive money. lucia evans I met with lawyers who said, forget the criminal case. Just file a civil suit, you know what I mean? And that didnt feel right to me. And I didnt even know what that would entail at the time. michael barbaro And why are the lawyers telling her that the civil route is better than this criminal prosecution? megan twohey They basically tell her that its going to play out the way that shes seen it depicted on all those TV shows. michael barbaro And that means its going to be really ugly. megan twohey Yeah, its going to be really ugly. lucia evans The narratives I heard the most often were, its going to be a long, drawn-out, painful process. Theyre going to tear apart your background, your life. Theyre going to talk to everyone youve ever worked with, everyone youve ever been in a relationship with, find anything they can to discredit you. And its hard on you. Its hard on your family. Theyll go through your trash and find every single thing youve ever done in the past, and blow it up out of proportion, and shame you, and just ruin your life, basically. I just had this vision of myself just being left with nothing on the street. Thats the narrative that I think still exists, but also that I was hearing at the time. Its really scary to hear over and over, and it starts to kind of become part of you. And you start to think, oh, this is what will happen if I do this, you know? How can you not feel like that? megan twohey So shes put off by these lawyers. And as she tells it, theyre not the only people who are counseling her against participating in the criminal case. She says that she has friends and family members who are saying the same thing. michael barbaro Dont do it. megan twohey Dont do it. lucia evans The narrative that I heard a lot was, youve already done enough and in a good way, not a negative way at all. But youve already done so much. Look at the movement was starting to pick up steam at that point. Like, look at what you helped to reignite? megan twohey You did your part. You participated in the journalism, some of these first stories that are helping to ignite the #MeToo movement. Youve done enough. But as Lucia tells it, something keeps pulling at her. lucia evans The criminal case was really kind of calling my name in a way right from the beginning, and I wanted to understand what that would be like. And I just wanted to be able to have the option to pursue it without having a lawyer say, its not right for you. Dont do it. megan twohey And when you say that the criminal case was calling to you from the beginning, what do you mean? lucia evans I wanted this to continue to mean something to me and to mean something for other people. And it always kind of felt right to me deep down. And even though I struggled with it for so many months, and it was so hard to decide what to do, I just felt like it was the right thing to do, ultimately. megan twohey So she decides to meet with the prosecutors office, which is a significant step, because the prosecutors are ultimately the ones who will decide whether or not to bring charges. And the lead prosecutor on the Weinstein case at the time was a woman named Maxine Rosenthal. And as Lucia tells it, she did not have a good experience with her. michael barbaro Why? lucia evans I didnt feel comfortable talking to her, and I didnt have a lot of confidence in it. megan twohey What do you mean by that? What was lucia evans I just remember there was one thing that she said that made me very uncomfortable. She referred to me and the other survivors as Harveys girls. And at that point, I think I was just so blown away by that statement and just horrified that she could ever say that about it doesnt even need an explanation about why thats so horrifying to say. megan twohey So listen, I cant speak to this particular prosecutors conduct. What I can tell you is that shes a veteran sex crimes prosecutor whos known for being very hard-nosed and that Lucia wasnt the only person who was complaining about her. There were complaints coming from the police, from victims rights advocates that she was not sensitive and that she was moving too slowly. I cant speak to whether or not those complaints were valid, but Rosenthals boss is Cy Vance, the Manhattan prosecutor, the same one who had been criticized for not prosecuting Weinstein in 2015. And he decides that hes going to take Rosenthal off the case. And he puts in her place a veteran homicide prosecutor. Her name is Joan Illuzzi, and shes also known for being tough. lucia evans Joan would ask me tough questions, but I still felt good about it. megan twohey But Lucia says that she feels like shes on her side, that shes being tough to toughen her up. lucia evans She was definitely the bad cop, and I think she had to be, because she wanted to prepare me, right? But I felt like she respected me in a way that I didnt feel like I felt from Maxine. And I knew what she was doing. I was like, well, I want to be prepared for this trial. So if you think you have to be tough on me, thats totally fine. megan twohey So thats important for Lucia. And in another significant development, a new woman, a new accuser, is added to the criminal case. lucia evans Another thing that made me feel comfortable was the fact that there would be one other person who was involved. And that made me feel a lot more comfortable. Initially, it was just me for a long time. It just gave me a little more sense of community and just like I wasnt doing it alone. megan twohey And so finally, at this point, Lucia is ready to make a decision. lucia evans I went back home to D.C. And a while earlier, I made this list of all the reasons why I should do it and all the reasons why I shouldnt do it. And all the reasons why I shouldnt do it I mean, there were so many reasons fear for my safety, fear for my family, my reputation, my career everything. All these things would just be ruined. And then on the other side, I had just written, because it feels right. I didnt really have much else to write on that side. It did feel like I could, at the very least, hopefully, put him in jail, this person that had assaulted so many people and harassed so many people. And I couldnt say no to the chance to do that, ultimately. This is the right thing to do. Im going to do it. megan twohey Shes in. Shes willing to be part of criminal charges. michael barbaro So at this point, New York is able to do what its been trying to do ever since these allegations first came out. megan twohey Yes. archived recording (speaker 1) Are you sorry, Harvey? archived recording (speaker 2) Harvey, Harvey! archived recording (speaker 3) whove accused you, Mr. Weinstein? archived recording (speaker 4) Harvey, you got anything to say? megan twohey In May of 2018, seven months after the police had first shown up on the door of Lucias home, prosecutors bring charges here in New York against Harvey Weinstein. They charge him with a criminal sex act stemming from the encounter with Lucia. And they also charge him with rape stemming from the encounter with the second woman in the criminal case. [music] michael barbaro Well be right back. So Megan, what happens after these charges against Weinstein are actually filed? megan twohey Law enforcement officials continue to build out this case, as they start to prepare to go to court. And Lucia says that she is, for the most part, feeling good about the process. But even with this new prosecutor in place, she says that shes confused about some aspects of whats going on. lucia evans They didnt ask me for a full list of people I had told until months and months in. I would think that you kind of start with, who have you talked to? Who knows about this? And I told them some people that either I had told, or knew of me going to the meeting with him, or something to that respect. megan twohey She says that she is confused by the fact that law enforcement officials are not reaching out to more of the potential witnesses for her charge she says that she had provided them with a list of names, people in whom she had confided about the alleged attack and that, even at this stage of the investigation, that they have not reached out to all of those people to talk to them. This is also a case that involves both prosecutors and the police. And she says that shes struck by the fact that they dont seem to be in sync. lucia evans So it seemed to be a very disjointed process with the D.A. and the N.Y.P.D. And they didnt seem to communicate very well right from the beginning and all the way through my time with them. So megan twohey What do you mean by that, that the police and the prosecutors werent communicating lucia evans Yeah megan twohey effectively? lucia evans It just seemed like some things I had told to the police, the prosecutors werent aware of or didnt remember when they would talk to me. They didnt even interview my husband until they never did, actually. They never talked to my husband. michael barbaro Megan, whats the significance of them not talking to her husband, exactly? megan twohey Well, I mean, think about it. If you are trying to build a case, if youre trying to shore it up, presumably, youre going to want to talk to the people closest to that alleged victim, the people who have the most knowledge about her. So for law enforcement officials to have not talked to her husband at this point seems a little weird to her. But she says that shes not giving it that much thought. And then, one day in October 2018, Lucia is on a work trip in Hong Kong when she gets a call from her lawyer. lucia evans I was about to give a huge marketing presentation to a group of executives, and then I get a call from my lawyer saying that they were going to drop my charge. megan twohey The prosecutors office contacted her attorney and said that there was new information that had come to light, and that they were preparing to drop her charge. michael barbaro Wow. megan twohey Yeah. And she says that she cant even process it right at that point, because shes got to give that work presentation. lucia evans I just had to shut off my emotions and just try to just pull myself together right after that, and pretend that it didnt happen. I told my family, and then I got on a flight back home with no Wi-Fi, thank goodness, and fell asleep. And when I woke up, I was being destroyed in the press. archived recording 1 We begin with one of the sex assault charges against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, tonight, dropped. archived recording 2 Lucia Evans claims Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him in 2004. But new information revealed yesterday casts doubt on Evanss story. archived recording 3 The single charge was dropped after the Manhattan district attorneys office recently discovered new evidence from a witness that discounts Lucia Evanss previous accusations megan twohey And so as Lucia is learning about her charge being dropped, so, too, is the public. And in a lot of those news stories, its presented as contradictory evidence thats come to light, evidence that undermines her allegation. Not surprisingly, Weinstein and his defense team seize on this new twist. archived recording His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, says he believes Evans lied about what happened. archived recording (benjamin brafman) Lucia Evans, who you will see from the documents released, has clearly, in our opinion, committed perjury on several occasions. megan twohey For months, theyd been arguing that all of these women were lying. And now, theyre going out and making the claim that this entire criminal case is tainted, that its completely unfair. archived recording (benjamin brafman) The case is not over, but I think it is permanently and irreparably damaged. megan twohey Theyre gleeful. michael barbaro So her story seems to be falling apart. megan twohey Thats how it appears. megan twohey How did that affect you? Did you have to have conversations with your friends and family, and anybody that you work with? lucia evans Yeah. megan twohey Was this something that you had to talk about or address? lucia evans I mean, it was interesting, because before this happened, I had been meeting with lots of actresses who I became a very popular figure for a month in there in the summer, because I was kind of representing all of Hollywood that wanted to send him to jail, but they were too afraid to do it themselves some of them. Im not speaking for all of them. But the actresses I spoke to all had very credible potential charges. But they had families and careers, and they couldnt do it. So I was kind of doing it for them. After my case is dropped, my friend group and that group whittled down to very few people who actually cared and wanted to know the truth and reached out to me. Some of them didnt know me personally, so I dont blame them for not reaching out. But some very clearly kind of severed ties with me, which was really hard and really hurtful. And I dont care if an actress comes into my life, and then she leaves again. I never fooled myself into thinking I was close with these women, these famous actresses, necessarily. But the ones the women that have been with me since the beginning that was really, that was really tough. michael barbaro Megan, what happened here, exactly? What happened to this case? Because youve been describing law enforcement officials who, from day one, have been telling Lucia shes their best chance at bringing criminal charges against Harvey Weinstein. She finally signs on. She risks all that that entails. And then they handle it in this confusing way, and then they drop it. megan twohey Well, what we now know is that prosecutors have spoken to a friend of Lucias, actually the friend who was with her the very first time she met Weinstein. Lucia said that when she went to that work meeting at Harvey Weinsteins office after meeting him, that he sexually assaulted her, that he forced her to perform oral sex on him against her will. And this friend says that after that work meeting, Lucia told her that she had actually consented to perform oral sex on him, that she did that in exchange for the promise of acting jobs. michael barbaro Wow. So a very different version of the story. megan twohey Right, this friend is providing an account of an encounter with Weinstein that, if true, turns it back into a variation of one of the common stories about Weinstein, but one that cannot be subject to criminal charges. michael barbaro Why is this only now coming to light? megan twohey Well, one possibility is that this is an example of what can happen when there is a rush to prosecute. Well, we also now realize what we now know is that the lead detective in the case had apparently talked to this witness months before Weinstein was charged, and that she had shared this information with him. And prosecutors say that that detective did not share that information with them, the prosecutors. michael barbaro Suggesting maybe he didnt want to bring them information that might hurt the case. megan twohey Suggesting that he purposely withheld potentially complicating information from the case. Now, the detective says that he did tell the prosecutors this information. So that could also speak to what Lucia had complained about herself, that this entire investigation seemed to be plagued by the fact that the police and prosecutors were not in sync and communicating well with each other. michael barbaro Mm-hmm. But if the detective had told prosecutors, it seems like that would only be further evidence of this desire to get this done, to bring these charges and overlook complicating information. megan twohey Right, so that is another interpretation of this, that both the police and the prosecutors were aware of this complicating information and moved forward with bringing charges anyway. michael barbaro Well, in that case, what would explain them dropping this case when they did? megan twohey Well, with all of the finger-pointing thats gone on, its hard to know, for certain, the answer to that question. But what seems likely is that prosecutors have realized, at this point, that this information is going to come to the attention of the defense and that its likely to undermine the entire criminal charge. But I should say that Lucia insists that she never consented to oral sex with Weinstein, that she never told this friend otherwise, and that she explained that to the detective when he asked her about it months and months before. michael barbaro Megan, what should we make of Lucias experience? megan twohey For all the people who have been watching so many women come forward with allegations against Harvey Weinstein, watching what seems to be this overwhelming evidence of a pattern of predatory behavior, it shows how difficult it is to turn stories into criminal charges. Her account fell within the statute of limitations, it was alleging criminal conduct, and she was willing to participate. michael barbaro Right, to brave the spotlight and the scrutiny. megan twohey Exactly. And still, her charge was dropped. michael barbaro So this is October of 2018. Where does that leave the case against Harvey Weinstein? megan twohey So in the lead-up to Lucias charge being dropped, there was actually a third woman who was added to the criminal case here in New York. So after Lucias charges dropped, there are still two women. But one of those women, one of those accusers, appears to also come with some potential complicating factors. michael barbaro Like what? megan twohey Weinsteins legal team has produced emails between Weinstein and this woman that went on for years after the alleged attack. These emails appear extensive. They appear friendly. They even appear romantic at times. michael barbaro Tomorrow, in Part 2, how the case against Weinstein moved forward after Lucia. megan twohey Do you wish that you were still part of this case as we head into trial? lucia evans Honestly, yes, I do. I do wish I was. I put so much into this. And when it comes down to it, I do wish I was a part of it. And I also just dont want people to be discouraged from coming forward and doing it. So I would just hope people dont people, despite all the things Ive said about how hard it is, still decide to come forward, because thats literally the only hope that we have. michael barbaro Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today. archived recording (donald trump) Good morning. Im pleased to inform you the American people should be extremely grateful and happy. No Americans were harmed in last nights attack by the Iranian regime. michael barbaro On Wednesday, in a televised address to the nation, President Trump backed away from further military confrontation with Iran, saying that Irans retaliation for the U.S. killing of General Qassim Suleimani appeared to be over. archived recording (donald trump) Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned, and a very good thing for the world. michael barbaro That retaliation, about a dozen missiles that inflicted minimal damage to two U.S. bases in Iraq, seemed designed to satisfy Irans desire for revenge without provoking a military response from the Trump administration. In his speech, Trump vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but in a gesture of conciliation said he was prepared to make peace with the countrys leaders. archived recording (donald trump) Finally, to the people and leaders of Iran, we want you to have a future, and a great future one that you deserve, one of prosperity at home and harmony with the nations of the world. The United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it. michael barbaro As the Rajasthan government faces heat for the unprecedented number of infant deaths recorded from Kota's KJ Lone Hospital, the numbers from two of Gujarats civil hospitals, Rajkot and Ahmedabad, are more even more worrying, with 219 infant deaths in December alone As the Rajasthan government faces heat for the unprecedented number of infant deaths recorded from Kota's KJ Lone Hospital, The Hindu has reported number of infant deaths from two civil hospitals in Gujarat just in the month of December (2019) and it's even more worrisome with 219 deaths. According to the report, 134 infants deaths were reported in December in Rajkot civil hospital while in Ahmedabad civil hospital 85 deaths were reported in the same month. The report further added that in the last three months, 253 infants died in Rajkot civil hospital, which is the largest government hospital in Gujarat. Speaking to news agency ANI, GS Rathod, the superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital said that in the month of December alone, 455 newborns were admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital of which 85 have died. He further stated that more than 400 children are admitted to the hospital every month, with a death rate of 20 percent. "There is no lack of facilities here, children from private hospitals and other government hospitals are sent to the government hospital in critical condition. Every month about 400 children are admitted to the hospital, out of which 80 percent children are treated well and are healthy," Rathod told News18. But the News18 report also said that parents of most children who are admitted in the hospital are unhappy about the facilities, standard of doctors and blamed the negligence of hospital administration for these deaths. Meanwhile, in Rajkot, Manish Mehta, Dean of Rajkot Civil Hospital confirmed that as many as 111 children have died in the month of December in the hospital. According to multiple reports, as many as 1,235 children have died in Rajkot in the year 2019 with December recording the highest deaths of new-born babies, while October witnessing the second-highest with 131 deaths. Mehta told PTI, "As per official records, 71 infants died at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital in Rajkot in November and 87 in October last year." He said the rise in infant deaths at the hospital in December was mainly due to an increase in the number of referral patients with serious ailments. Mehta defended the hospital in a comment, as quoted by Zee News, saying that it was "tough to save those children who are underweight". As soon as the news of deaths surfaced in media, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who hails to Rajkot, refused to respond to questions about the number of deaths and walked off. #WATCH: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani walks away when asked about reports of deaths of infants in hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/pzDUAI231Z ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 According to reports, here are many factors that have contributed to infant mortality, these deaths indicate a shortage of medical staff in government hospitals and the collapse of primary health care services in the state. Reacting to the figures, state Health Minister Nitin Patel said the infant mortality rate is 30 per 1,000. "Every year 12 lakh infants are born. Of these, 30 out of every 1,000 infants die due to malnutrition, pre-mature delivery, or because the mothers are not able to reach hospital in time," the minister said. South Africa's electricity utility Eskom at the weekend resumed power outages, citing a "vulnerable" generating system, just weeks after implementing the severest rationing in recent times. The debt-laden company which generates around 95 percent of the country's electricity, on Sunday said the cuts would last until Monday morning when factories and mines reopen after the year-end break. It had initially announced a 10-hour rationing that kicked in late Saturday to fix a broken conveyor belt at one of the major coal-fired plants, but on Sunday it extended the outages by another day. Known as "load shedding", the cuts are implemented to prevent a collapse of the electricity grid. Last year they were implemented in February, October and again in December when Eskom rationed 6,000 megawatts from the national power grid -- plunging the country into its worst darkness in many years. "The system remains constrained and vulnerable, and as such load shedding .... will unfortunately have to continue from 08:00 (0600 GMT) this morning until 05:00 tomorrow morning (Monday)," Eskom said in a Sunday statement. "Owing to inadequate maintenance over a number of years, the system remains vulnerable to unplanned outages," it warned. The latest power cuts also come the weekend before Eskom's newly appointed CEO is expected to report for duty. Andre de Ruyter is expected to take over the reins at Eskom on Monday, 10 days ahead of his initially scheduled starting date of January 15, reportedly after cabinet intervention. De Ruyter will oversee a plan to turn around the utility which has long struggled to produce enough power due to poorly maintained coal-fired power stations as well as decades of mismanagement and alleged corruption. A conveyor belt failed on Saturday at the new highly-touted Medupi plant which, along with the Kusile site, "were badly designed and badly constructed", according to the Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. Eskom has amassed 450 billion rand ($30 billion) in debt, which economists warn is a major threat to South Africa's overall economy. US shall bear full responsibility for all consequences of its provocative moves: Iran's envoy to UN ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 4 January 2020 / 09:11 Tehran (ISNA) Iran's ambassador to the United Nations stressed that the assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani and his companions, by any measure, is an obvious example of State terrorism and, as a criminal act, and thus entails the international responsibility of the United States. Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, Majid Takht Ravanchi made the remarks in a message to UN Secretary- General, Antonio Guterres and President of the Security Council, Dang Dinh Quy. Here is the full text of Majid Takht Ravanchi's message: In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful Excellency, I am writing to you regarding the terrorist attack by the armed forces of the United States of America which led to the horrific assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani, the Commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps -- an official branch of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran --, and his companions on 3 January 2020 at the Baghdad International Airport. In recent years and in accordance with the obligations of the Islamic Republic of Iran under international law and relevant resolutions of the Security Council on combating international terrorism, Major General Qasem Soleimani had played a significant role in helping the peoples and Governments of some regional countries, at their request, in combatting and defeating the most dangerous terrorist groups, such as Daesh, and other terrorist groups and entities designated by the United Nations Security Council. This was widely and repeatedly acknowledged by the officials of the countries concerned. Conducted "at the direction of the President"[1] of the United States, the assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani, by any measure, 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 particular, those stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations and thus entails the international responsibility of the United States. If anything, this unlawful and yet adventuristic act clearly invalidates the claim of the United States that it is fighting terrorism. It is, in fact, fighting those who combat terrorists. Such a hypocritical policy -- which also runs counter to the international obligations of the United States on combating international terrorism, including those arising from the relevant resolutions of the Security Council -- seriously undermines regional and global efforts in combating international terrorism. Designation, by one State, of an official branch of the armed forces of other State(s) as a so-called "Foreign Terrorist Organization" constitutes a breach of generally recognized principles of international law and of the Charter of the United Nations, including the principle of sovereign equality of States, and cannot, under any circumstances, justify any threat or use of force against them, including in the territory of other States. Categorically rejecting all reasoning and references made by the officials of the United States for justifying the criminal assassination of Martyr Major General Qasem Soleimani, and condemning this heinous crime in the strongest possible terms, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves all of its rights under international law to take necessary measures in this regard, in particular in exercising its inherent right to self-defense. This extremely provocative move was aimed at escalating tensions to an uncontrollable level in a region already facing numerous challenges, and it is self-evident that the United States shall bear full responsibility for all consequences. At the same time, it is incumbent upon the Security Council to uphold its responsibilities and condemn this unlawful criminal act, taking into account the dire implications of such military adventurism and dangerous provocations by the United States on international peace and security. Finally, I must stress that the Iranian armed forces, especially the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps -- that have consistently been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region -- are determined, in line with the rights and obligations of the Islamic Republic of Iran under international law, to vigorously continue the path of Martyr Major General Qasem Soleimani in combating terrorist groups in the region until they are uprooted completely. I should be grateful if you would have the present Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Top Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh functionaries led by its chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday began "informal talks over the conditions prevailing in the country" in Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The three-day session will end on January 7, an RSS statement said. Some 30 RSS leaders, including its general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, will take part in the deliberations which would also look into the functioning of the Sangh Parivar, of which the ruling BJP is a part, and set its future course, sources said. A release issued by the local unit of the RSS on Thursday had informed about the holding of "informal talks, over the conditions prevailing in the country, from January 5 to 7". The session comes at a time when the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens exercise are at the centre of an acrimonious political debate pitting a united opposition against the ruling BJP. Street protests are being held on a daily basis in many cities, and several of the earlier ones in mid-December had turned violent, leading to vandalism and arson. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Left-wing Labour frontbenchers John McDonnell and Richard Burgon joined a Whitehall protest yesterday against the assassination. Mr McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor, and Mr Burgon, Shadow Justice Secretary, spoke at a Stop The War gathering of about 150 protesters. Mr McDonnell warned that the killing would set the Middle East and the globe alight yet again, and urged protesters to take direct action on the streets in demonstrations and actions. Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell during a protest by the Stop the War Coalition against the threat of war with Iran opposite Downing Street in Whitehall, London today Richard Burgon MP addresses the protest on January 4, 2020 in London, England Their appearance came as contenders to replace Jeremy Corbyn were accused of attempting to outdo each other over who could be rudest about the US action. Emily Thornberry, Shadow Foreign Secretary, said the Government had been pathetically unopposed to the US, while Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey said President Trump was pushing us closer to the brink of another disastrous war. Momentum candidate Clive Lewis called on Boris Johnson to condemn this cowboy action. Last night, Treasury Minister Simon Clarke said: We deserve better from the Labour leadership contenders. We need a mature debate about the complexities not a rush to court popularity among Labours membership by showing who can be rudest about President Trump. MANCHESTER Even as their field of candidates shrinks through attrition, Iowa Democrats are having a difficult time picking a candidate to back in the first-in-the-nation caucuses, less than a month away. Top-of-mind issues will influence their choice on caucus night, Feb. 3, according to Manchester Democrats at a town hall meeting Saturday with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren at West Delaware High School. The economy, said Kerry Recker of Manchester, who described herself as pretty comfortable with Warren, but still doing research because I feel so in the middle of the party. Education topped retired special education teacher Bill Lesters concerns. Getting rid of Trump, added his wife, Sherry. Richard Mejias biggest issue? I cant figure out which one to vote for, the Marine Corps veteran said. Ive seen most of the candidates, and everyone has something to sell thats worth listening to, but I dont know that I have confidence in any one of them. Theres not a straight connection, yet Mejia said. Warren touched on most of the issues caucusgoers mentioned. One she didnt talk about was the recent killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani by the United States. Recker has had a fear of a full-blown war even before Soleimanis killing. Its a scary world, said the mother of three children, ages 22, 21 and 16. But that escalated it. Sherry Lester can understand why we dont want him alive, but I dont want to send people to war. Shes concerned Trumps order to kill Soleimani was a distraction from impeachment. Her husband agrees that the killing might have been warranted, but with this president, I cant trust him. Responding to reporters questions later, Warren warned that the assassination of Soleimani, has increased the likelihood that we will end up in yet another war in the Middle East. That puts us all at risk. Warren did talk about preserving Social Security, raising taxes on the wealthy, enforcing antitrust laws to stop the growth of Big Ag and her health care plan, that she described as full health care coverage for everyone rather than Medicare for All. Challenged on why she wouldnt move immediately to Medicare for All, Warren said she wants to let Americans experiment with her approach before locking it in. We need to get the votes, and we need to give people some experience with it, said Warren, who repeatedly has called for big structural change. Health care is deeply personal. People are very uneasy about big changes in health care, she said. Lets open up the possibilities first. Let tens of millions of Americans try it ... and then lets do the vote on whether or not we lock everybody in. That transition to a Medicare for All plan might be more appealing to folks in her audience who described themselves as more moderate than Warren. Sherry Lester is looking at Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and disappointed that Montana Gov. Steve Bullock dropped out of the race. Bill Lester also is considering Klobuchar as well as former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden moderates who are hopefully somewhat progressive. Regardless of who Democrats nominate, Mejia doesnt want a repeat of 2016 when party divisions might have contributed Hillary Clintons defeat. If our own party cant come together, how are we ever going to get together with Republicans to get something done, Mejia said. Kirkwood Community College student Georgie Hilbey listened, but Warren didnt change her mind. If I want to be involved in the political process than I need to hear from both parties, the Manchester Republican said, but Im shes still supporting President Donald Trump. Photos of Democratic presidential candidate in the area this weekend. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A man who died while trying to help defend a friend's rural property against approaching bushfires has been remembered as a selfless hero who would do 'anything for anyone'. David Harrison, from Goulburn in Canberra, had travelled to nearby Batlow to visit his friend Geoff and help defend his home from the blaze. The 47-year-old died when he went to his car hoping to retrieve water. He was overcome by smoke and suffered a fatal heart attack. Mr Harrison's brother Peter told 9News his brother would 'do anything for anyone'. David Harrison (pictured) has been identified as the man who died helping a friend save his home near Canberra on Saturday night 'He didn't want to leave Geoff on his own. He was just that sort of guy. He would help anyone at the drop of a hat - he would drive hours to help you,' Mr Harrison said. 'He's a hero in our eyes.' Mr Harrison said David and Geoff had planned to evacuate but he believes they were 'overcome with the heat, smoke, exhaustion and running around putting out spot fires everywhere.' A report will be prepared for the Coroner. David was overcome with smoke and suffered a heart attack while trying to get more water Early reports indicated hundreds of properties had been damaged or destroyed after bushfires tore through NSW on Saturday, NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said. 'It was an awful day yesterday. It was a very difficult day,' he told reporters at RFS headquarters on Sunday morning. 'We are getting reports that the property losses, the damage and destruction, is likely to be numbering in the hundreds as a result of yesterday's fire activity and fire spread. 'We're talking a considerable number, a considerable impact.' A man died whilst trying to help defend a friend's rural property against fire at Batlow, in the South West Slopes region of NSW, on Saturday. Pictured: another property reduced to rubble in Batlow The man died after he walked to a nearby ute to get water, but was later found unconscious in the vehicle. Despite the efforts of emergency services, the man died at the scene There were reports of properties being lost in the southern slopes, the NSW south coast and the southern highlands regions. Thirteen bushfires burnt at an emergency level on Saturday. 'That's second only to what we saw a couple of months ago, where 17 concurrent fires were burning (at emergency level),' Mr Fitzsimmons said. Although fire weather eased on Sunday, conditions remained 'volatile' and dynamic at a number of fire grounds, Mr Fitzsimmons added. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said as of Sunday morning there were no people missing in the fires. 'That's a huge relief. Our mission yesterday was to save life. Our mission during the night was to save human life,' she told reporters. 'That's not to say we don't get bad news during the day, but indications at this stage there's no unaccounted people in NSW. That's the best news we could have hoped for this morning.' Two firefighters suffered smoke inhalation overnight while protecting water infrastructure in the south coast town of Milton. A statewide total fire ban is in place on Sunday while a week-long state of emergency - the third in as many months - continues. Properties were believed to be lost in the Batlow area (pictured) and North Nowra German automaker Daimler AG said on Saturday it will recall 744,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the United States from the 2001 through 2011 model years because the sunroof glass panel could detach and pose a hazard. The large recall covers more two dozen vehicles from C-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class and E-Class model lines. The automaker said the bonding between the glass panel and the sliding room frame might not meet specifications and could lead to sunroofs detaching. Owners who paid for repairs for the issue will be able to seek reimbursements from Daimler. A Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman said on Saturday he did not have a worldwide vehicle total for the recall. Dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof if necessary, the company said. Last month, Mercedes-Benz USA agreed to a $20 million civil penalty over its handling of U.S. vehicle recalls after a year-long U.S. government investigation into 1.4 million recalled vehicles. Under the terms of the settlement, the automaker will pay $13 million and faces another $7 million fine if it does not comply with the agreement. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the company failed to notify owners in a timely fashion in some recalls, did not submit all reports and did not launch at least two recalls in a timely fashion. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites very hard if Iran attacks Americans or U.S. assets after a drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani and an Iraqi militia leader, as tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq to mourn their deaths. Showing no signs of seeking to ease tensions raised by the strike he ordered that killed Soleimani and Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at Baghdad airport on Friday, Trump issued a threat to Iran on Twitter. The strike has raised the specter of wider conflict in the Middle East. Iran, Trump wrote, is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets in revenge for Soleimanis death. Trump said the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites and that some were 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! Trump said, adding that the 52 targets represented the 52 Americans who were held hostage in Iran for 444 days after being seized at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 - an enduring sore spot in U.S.-Iranian relations. Trump did not identify the sites. The Pentagon referred questions about the matter to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Among the mourners in Iraq included many militiamen in uniform for whom Muhandis and Soleimani were heroes. They carried portraits of both men and plastered them on walls and armored personnel carriers in the procession. Chants of Death to America and No No Israel rang out. On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone near the U.S. Embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighborhood and two more were fired at the Balad air base north of the city, but no one was killed, Iraqs military said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Trump referenced an unusually specific number of potential Iranian targets after a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander had also mentioned a specific number of American targets - 35 of them - for possible retaliatory attacks in response to Soleimanis killing. General Gholamali Abuhamzeh was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying late on Friday that Iran will punish Americans wherever they are within reach of the Islamic Republic, and raised the prospect of attacks on ships in the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there. ... Vital American targets in the region have been identified by Iran since long time ago. ... Some 35 U.S. targets in the region as well as Tel Aviv are within our reach, he was quoted as saying. Iraqs Kataib Hezbollah militia warned Iraqi security forces to stay away from U.S. bases in Iraq, by a distance not less than a thousand meters (six-tenths of a mile) starting Sunday evening, reported Lebanese al-Mayadeen TV, which is close to Lebanons Hezbollah. Trump said on Friday Soleimani had been plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel. Democratic critics said the Republican presidents action was reckless and risked more bloodshed in a dangerous region. MALIGN INFLUENCE Trumps provocative Twitter posts came only hours after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter that he had told Iraqs president that the U.S. remains committed to de-escalation. Pompeo also wrote on Twitter that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran and underscored the importance of countering Irans malign influence and threats to the region. The White House on Saturday sent to the U.S. Congress formal notification of the drone strike - as required by law - amid complaints from Democrats that Trump did not notify lawmakers or seek advance approval for the attack. White House national security adviser Robert OBrien defended the operations legality and said Justice Department lawyers had signed off on the plan. Democrats sounded unswayed. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the notification document raised serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the strike. Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a strident Trump critic, wrote on Twitter that his threat to hit Iranian sites is a war crime. Threatening to target and kill innocent families, women and children - which is what youre doing by targeting cultural sites - does not make you a tough guy. It does not make you strategic. It makes you a monster, Ocasio-Cortez wrote. With security worries rising after Fridays strike, the NATO alliance and a separate U.S.-led mission suspended their programs to train Iraqi security and armed forces, officials said. Soleimani, 62, was Irans pre-eminent military leader - head of the Revolutionary Guards overseas Quds Force and the architect of Irans spreading influence in the Middle East. Muhandis was de facto leader of Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) umbrella body of paramilitary groups. The attack took Washington and its allies, mainly Saudi Arabia and Israel, into uncharted territory in their confrontation with Iran and its proxy militias across the region. The United States has been an ally of the Iraqi government since the 2003 U.S. invasion to oust dictator Saddam Hussein, but Iraq has become more closely allied with Iran. The Iraqi parliament is convening an extraordinary session during which a vote to expel U.S. troops could be taken as soon as Sunday. Many Iraqis, including opponents of Soleimani, have expressed anger at Washington for killing the two men on Iraqi soil and possibly dragging their country into another conflict. BODIES TAKEN TO HOLY CITIES A PMF-organized procession carried the bodies of Soleimani and Muhandis, and those of others killed in the U.S. strike, through Baghdads Green Zone. The top candidate to succeed Muhandis, Hadi al-Amiri, spoke over the dead militia commanders coffin: The price for your noble blood is American forces leaving Iraq forever and achieving total national sovereignty. Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi also attended. Mahdis office later said he received a phone call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and they discussed the difficult conditions facing Iraq and the region. Mourners brought the bodies of the two slain men by car to the Shiite holy city of Kerbala, south of Baghdad, then to Najaf, another sacred Shiite city, where they were met by the son of Iraqs top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and where Muhandis and the other Iraqis killed will be laid to rest. Soleimanis body will be transferred to the southwestern Iranian province of Khuzestan that borders Iraq. On Sunday it will be taken to the Shiite holy city of Mashhad in Irans northeast and from there to Tehran and his hometown Kerman in the southeast for burial on Tuesday, state media said. The U.S. strike followed a sharp increase in U.S.-Iranian hostilities in Iraq since last week when pro-Iranian militias attacked the U.S. embassy in Baghdad after a deadly U.S. air raid on Kataib Hezbollah, founded by Muhandis. Washington accused the group of an attack on an Iraqi military base that killed an American contractor. Two men have stolen $250,000 in opals and jewellery from a Melbourne store in a Christmas Eve raid. The pair broke into the shop on Swanston Street in the early hours of December 24 after an earlier failed attempt, before making off with the jewels at about 4am. The man who stole the jewellery is white, less than 180cm tall and was between 40 and 50 years old. Two men have stolen $250,000 in opals and jewellery from a Melbourne store in a Christmas Eve raid. Two people police would like to speak to are pictured He was wearing a high-vis top and has a distinctive wedding ring. His accomplice is Middle Eastern, 180cm tall, thin and is also aged between 40 and 50. Police say anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- There were two UFO sightings on Staten Island in 2019, according to a recent report. Thirty-five New Yorkers reported UFOs last year throughout all five boroughs, according to the New York Post. The data, from the National UFO Reporting Center, is triple the amount of UFO sightings in 2018, according to The Post. Manhattan and Queens each had 12 sightings, followed by Brooklyn with eight, Staten Island with two and the Bronx with one sighting. In New York State, there was a 52% increase in UFO sightings from 108 in 2018 to 164 in 2019, according to the New York Post. According to the National UFO Reporting Center, a UFO was spotted on Staten Island on April 26 at approximately 10:30 p.m. The description of the report was a driver was on his or her way home to Queens on the West Shore Expressway when they saw four different shaped lights in the sky, which was recorded on a cell phone. When the driver reached the Belt Parkway, they saw a big dark blue color light in the sky. Another UFO was spotted on Staten Island on Sept. 19 at about 9 p.m. The encounter was described as a bright round light moving across the sky, going straight up towards the stars and then disappeared as it got smaller. No blinking lights to identify as an airplane, a UFO spotter said. Moved slowly across the sky then turned in an upward position and just went straight up towards the stars. It disappeared into the night sky. There was no clouds. The National UFO Reporting Center has been logging UFO sightings annually since 1930. The center is a privately-run organization with no ties to the U.S. government. It categorizes the sightings by year and month, asks for the date, time, city and state of the sighting; shape, duration of the sighting and asks for a summary of your experience. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. Thousands of farmers, particularly the women, have adopted the Subhash Palekar Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan scheme under the state government by growing vegetables and other crops through natural farming -- both individually and by forming self-hel Image Source: IANS News Thousands of farmers, particularly the women, have adopted the Subhash Palekar Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan scheme under the state government by growing vegetables and other crops through natural farming -- both individually and by forming self-hel Image Source: IANS News Shimla, Jan 5 : Himachal Pradesh is providing mojor boost to natural farming in with an aim to become a pioneer in the field by 2022. Thousands of farmers, particularly the women, have adopted the Subhash Palekar Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan scheme under the state government by growing vegetables and other crops through natural farming -- both individually and by forming self-help groups. A total of 2,664 gram panchayats out of 3,226 have been covered under scheme. So far, 44,325 farmers have been provided training on natural farming. Out of them, 39,124 farmers have adopted natural farming on approximately 1,650 hectares. The entire Pangna village in Karsog area of Mandi district has been involved in organic vegetable production. Also, Ghaini village in Shimla district is the first panchayat where women have formed the Village Organisation Himalaya Institute for growing organic vegetables. According to Promila Thakur, secretary of self-help group Jai Maa Kanak Dhara in Ghani panchayat, 80 women of various villages are associated with this group and engaged in growing organic vegetables. The group was formed under the Ajivika Mission Yojna and the Agriculture Department provides training and guidance from time to time. Two youngsters -- Harinder and Arjun Atri -- from Nahan block in Sirmaur district are growing wheat, gram and garlic. They create videos of their farming techniques and upload them on the social media platforms like YouTube so that they can reach out to farmers for educating them with organic farming techniques. Similarly, Jasvinder Kaur's family from the Paonta block in Sirmaur has adopted the organic farming and growing vegetables and cereals on almost seven bighas. Sher Singh from Gambalpur, Sanjiv and Sohan Lal from Dharampur block in Solan district have adopted the natural farming of cauliflower and garlic. Manjit Singh from Una district resigned from his job as an information technology engineer and started growing vegetables by setting up a polyhouse. Today he has become an inspiration for the youth of the district. Almost 28 horticulturists from the Banjaar valley of Kullu district have transformed their orchards into organic farming fields. Farmers of Darot village in Bhoranj block of Hamirpur district are growing wheat, gram and peas on approximately 12 hectares by adopting organic farming and have successfully strengthened their economy. Surat Ram from the Chopal block, Anil Kumar from Chirgaon, Subhash Chauhan from Rohru, Sandip Kumar from Theog, all in Shimla district, have shifted from apple cultivation towards growing green vegetables. The government is providing various facilities to farmers for adopting natural farming. It is providing 50 per cent grant, to the farmers to buy cow. To collect cow urine Rs 8,000 are being provided for building floors in the cow-shed besides three plastic drums for preparing manure. Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda said the state has set a target to involve all 9.61 lakh farmers in natural farming. Motorcyclist Takieddine Boudhane, 30, was killed in Finsbury Park on Friday night after being involved in an altercation with the driver of the van. Police said the victim was an Algerian national who had been living in the UK for around three years and worked as a delivery rider for both Uber Eats and Deliveroo. Officers are now searching for the driver, whose white VW Caddy panel type van was found in Islington on Sunday. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John appealed for anyone who witnessed the altercation to come forward, including those with mobile phone footage. Police at the scene of the incident in Finsbury Park, north London / PA He said: The driver and person believed responsible for this tragic matter is now the subject of a police manhunt. At this time I am unable to release any further information concerning the identity of the driver as this may hinder the ongoing police investigation. The incident itself appears to have been spontaneous and not connected to, or as a result of, anything other than a traffic altercation. Officers were called to reports of a man stabbed in Lennox Road at about 6.50pm on January 3. London Ambulance Service also attended the scene, where the victim was pronounced dead at 7.42pm. Jeremy Corbyn visited the scene and met with other delivery drivers who reported being attack while working / PA Although formal identification is yet to take place, Mr Boudhanes next of kin have been informed. People should not be carrying knives. A human life has been taken, Mr Corbyn told reporters. There are a lot of people working as delivery drivers, they must have better conditions of employment and employers must take more responsibility for their safety too. Fellow delivery riders, who had gathered in nearby Stroud Green Road over the weekend, claimed that Mr Boudhane had been a victim of a road rage attack following an altercation. Sourin Aydi said Mr Boudhane was his best friend, telling reporters at the scene on Saturday: I cant believe it, I did not sleep last night. He was a wonderful man, funny with a great sense of humour and always laughing. If you have a bike then you are a target. No arrests have been made and inquiries continue, the Metropolitan Police said. WEST DES MOINES (AP) When the celebrated former chef-owner of Proof restaurant walked into a new position this summer as the culinary lead of a job training program for at-risk youth, he grabbed the cleaning supplies and got to work. Sean Wilson scoured floors and kitchen surfaces in The Kitchen DSM for a week straight, he remembers. While scrubbing, he asked questions and listened. He finds cleaning cathartic and needed to earn the trust of the inaugural students of the Justice League of Food, a two-year program teaching young Iowans the ins and outs of the food and beverage industry and the interpersonal skills needed to secure a job. Wilson, a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest, wanted to quash any assumption that there would be a kitchen hierarchy, he told The Des Moines Register. I didnt come in here and say, This is what were changing, Wilson said of his start as the director of culinary operations at the Justice League of Food. I said, Look, Im just going to clean and work my way up and organize and get to know where everything is at, and then slowly interject things. And (the students) ... see that, OK, hes on our level. Early in his career, Wilson helped develop a food recovery program in Boston and was active in a number of national nonprofits. His mission to feed the hungry and teach others to do the same led him to the Justice League of Food, founded by Nick Kuhn in 2017. After moving to Des Moines 13 years ago, having lived on both coasts and abroad, Wilson saw room for improvement in the capitol citys food scene. He took over the downtown restaurant Proof in 2010, curating multi-course menus that won national acclaim, including Time Magazines title of Iowas Best Restaurant in two consecutive years. Time named Wilson Iowas Best Chef in 2016 and 2017. Wilson sold Proof in July. In his new role since August, Wilson teaches his kids who are referred to the apprenticeship by local agencies and caseworkers how to prepare elevated bar food for patrons of The Hall at The Foundry, a railcar barn-turned-distillery, beer hall and commissary kitchen in the revitalized Valley Junction district. While earning paychecks, students learn personal responsibility, time management and communication skills, Wilson said. Upon graduation, they will be connected to jobs and further education opportunities. Theyre not broken theyre bent, Wilson said of the group, several of whom he said have experienced homelessness and poverty and, as a result, anxiety. Our job is to slowly pressure them to bend where they need it. Wilsons past experiences make him especially suited for the job, he said. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Wilson grew up in North Carolina, served four years in the United States Coast Guard, and lived on the east and west coasts before moving to Iowa. He sees himself in his trainees. I am these kids, he said. I come from very meager beginnings and, you know, it was rough. But this industry helped me to figure out a lot of different things. His down-to-earth personality and giving spirit bolster his leadership style, said Carolyn Jenison, the CEO of Speak PR in Des Moines. She and Wilson worked together to promote Proof starting in 2014, while both were involved in various nonprofits, and have since become friends. He is such a good teacher, Jenison said. He can meet people where they are and help guide them to where they need to be by matching their energy. His talent as a chef is like that of a maestro conducting an orchestra, she said. He can be aware of what he wants to complete, which is the symphony, but is also able to understand and manage how individual contributions come together to make that music. Wilson equated his ability to create cohesive teams to being a curator of personalities. Megan Snyder, whom Wilson hired as a chef de partie in 2013, said he struck a similar balance in the Proof kitchen. Even when preparing a familiar menu item, he could find a new teaching opportunity, said Snyder, now Proofs pastry chef. Six years later, Snyder said shes tried to adopt a similar management style to Wilson. I want people to learn and see that light bulb go off in their heads, she said. Thats something I saw from him daily. He was teaching and inspiring everyone in some form. During his tenure at Proof, Wilson became involved with several national nonprofits. But the cause he finds himself most drawn to is feeding the hungry especially hungry children. Both he and Jenison said their goal in the nonprofit sector is to make themselves unemployed. Official candy bar power rankings Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A sign in Kilmore Quay as fishing vessels taking part in the search for the missing fisherman off Hook Lighthouse Pic Steve Humphreys Fishing vessels are taking part in the search for the missing fisherman off Hook Lighthouse in Co Wexford Pic Steve Humphreys Fishing vessels taking part in the search for the missing fisherman off Hook Lighthouse in Co Wexford Pic Steve Humphreys The man who died after being winched from the sea off Hook Head following a fishing tragedy has been named locally as Joe Sinnott, from Kilmore Quay in Co Wexford. Mr Sinnott (65), a well-respected fisherman and a father-of-four, was picked up by rescue crews after an automatic distress signal was sent from the stricken Alize fishing boat, which was positioned off Hook Head at around 10:30pm last night. He was transferred to University Hospital in Waterford but later died. A sea and coastal search was carried out today for a second man, aged in his 40s, who was also on the Alize. Some equipment from the trawler has also been collected from the sea. Expand Close Fishing vessels are taking part in the search for the missing fisherman off Hook Lighthouse in Co Wexford Pic Steve Humphreys / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fishing vessels are taking part in the search for the missing fisherman off Hook Lighthouse in Co Wexford Pic Steve Humphreys The search has been stood down for the evening but is expected to resume in the morning. The Irish navy was brought in to assist the large-scale operation involving the Irish Coast Guard, the RNLI, Gardai as well as local fishing vessels. The LE Ciara is coordinating the search offshore, and several local vessels from Wexford ports are volunteering their services. Emergency services were alerted to a boat in distress before midnight after receiving a signal from the trawlers Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). The Waterford-based Rescue 117 Irish Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched to the scene along with two RNLI lifeboats from Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay. Searches were carried out around six miles south-east off Hook Head and Joe Sinnott, a father of four and grandfather of nine, was recovered by rescue crews. Expand Close Fishing vessels taking part in the search for the missing fisherman off Hook Lighthouse in Co Wexford Pic Steve Humphreys / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fishing vessels taking part in the search for the missing fisherman off Hook Lighthouse in Co Wexford Pic Steve Humphreys The Rescue 117 crew continued to carry out searches overnight but the second fisherman has not yet been located. The trawler, a scallop fishing vessel, was said to be in good condition and working in good sea conditions, when it sank. Mr Sinnott was from the Seaview area of Kilmore Quay. Today neighbours, friends and the wider community gathered at the house he shared with his wife Mary to comfort her and the Sinnott family on their loss. Expand Close Search track mapped by the Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Search track mapped by the Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter Three RNLI crews were at the scene along with Dublin based helicopter Rescue 116 while local fishermen were also assisting the search. The searches were earlier focused on an area between Hook Head and the Saltee Islands, with conditions said to be moderate to poor. Defence Minister Paul Kehoe, who is a TD for Wexford, told Independent.ie: This is a hugely tragic incident that has shocked the local community, which is well known for fishing activities. I know that LE Ciara, a Naval Service Vessel, is at the scene and that all efforts are being made by emergency services. My thoughts at this time are with the families impacted, Mr Kehoe added. A Garda spokeswoman said that emergency services were alerted to reports that a trawler had gone missing off the coast of Hook Head area with two men on board. Searches were carried out by the RNLI and R117 Helicopter. One male in his 60s was recovered from the water and taken to University Hospital Waterford where he has since passed away. Searches continue for the second man, the spokeswoman added. Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Sunday accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of instigating "riots" by "misleading" people on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and sought to reassure Muslims, saying the law has no provision about taking away citizenship of minorities. IMAGE: Union home minister Amit Shah speaks during BJP's booth-level workers rally 'Delhi Karyakarta Samelan' in New Delhi on January 5, 2020. Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI Photo Addressing a meeting of Delhi BJP workers, Shah, also the Union home minister, attacked Pakistan for "terrorising" Sikhs as he referred to a recent attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib by a violent mob in Pakistan and asked opposition leaders to open their eyes to atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country. "This is an answer to all those opposing the CAA. Tell me if these Sikhs who were attacked the other day in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib will not come to India, then where they will go?" he asked. Opposition leaders were spreading a pack of lies over the CAA, he said, asking BJP workers to carry out an intensive campaign to inform the masses about its features. Its beneficiaries are largely Dalits and poor and those opposing the law are against these people, Shah said, calling Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Gandhis "anti-Dalits" for questioning it. "(Arvind) Kejriwal has misled people. The Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, has instigated riots by misleading people. Do you want a government in Delhi which incites riots for politics," he asked. The opposition was inciting minorities against the CAA by alleging that they will lose their citizenship, he said. "I want to tell brothers and sisters from the minority that none of them can lose their citizenship because the CAA has no provision about taking it away," Shah said. IMAGE: Shah with party leaders at the event. Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI Photo The BJP leader also claimed that Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had extended her support to rioters by saying that she will visit houses of those who carried out riots. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who had arrived in India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh due to religious persecution. Opposition parties have called the law against India's Constitution for making religion a ground for citizenship. The country has been witnessing protests against the amended citizenship law, with protesters arguing that the CAA in combination with other citizenship measures like NPR and NRC can be used to discriminate against people. The Modi government has asserted that it has so far not discussed the proposal for National Register of Citizens. Shah said opposition parties have become habituated to the "politics of opposition and vote bank" and referred to their stand against measures like the law against triple talaq among Muslim men and nullification of Article 370. They also opposed construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said, noting that a recent Supreme Court order had paved the way for building the temple. He asked people to give missed calls to a toll free number put out by the BJP to show their support to the CAA and slammed rumours that the number belonged to Netflix, a streaming service. This number belongs to the BJP, he said. Candidates with less polling support continue to hold events across the state in the hope of breaking into the top tier, including two of the remaining nonwhite candidates in the race, businessman Andrew Yang, who keeps attracting strong crowds, and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who has vowed to continue his campaign despite missing the qualification thresholds for the last Democratic debate. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) has seen sharp increases in her still relatively small crowds in recent weeks, campaign advisers say, raising hopes that she can break into the top three or four finishers, effectively dethroning one of the top-tier candidates. 3.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) vowed to do everything in his power to get congress to assert the authority of war with Iran. Transcript via ABCs This Week: STEPHANOPOULOS: First, Iran. You heard Secretary Pompeo say America and the world is safer today. Do you agree? SCHUMER: No, I really worry that the actions the president took will get us into what he calls another endless war in the Middle East. He promised we wouldnt have that. And I think were closer to that now because of his actions. Look, there are so many questions that are unanswered that have to be answered. Among them at the top of the list: What do we know Iran has in its range of retaliations and how are we going to prepare for them? And lets face it, this president has made a mess of foreign policy. North Korea, theyre much stronger than they were when he started. In Syria, he messed up. Every encounter he has with Putin, he loses. And so, I am really worried and that is why Congress must assert itself. I dont believe the president has authority to go to war in Iran without congressional OK. STEPHANOPOULOS: You just heard Secretary Pompeo. He said they do. SCHUMER: Well, I dont believe that. And I think Congress and I will do everything I can to assert our authority. We do not need this president either bumbling or impulsively getting us into a major war. And the reason the Founding Fathers said Congress had to OK it is because thats a check on president who is doing so many wrong things. His foreign policy has been erratic and unsuccessful thus far. I worry it still is. Video: Schumer was correct. Trump doesnt have the constitutional authority to go to war with Iran. The president would require the passage of a new authorization to use military force to start a war with Iran. The Trump administration cant release any evidence justifying their attack because the evidence does not exist. Blaming Obama is not evidence. Donald Trump cant be allowed to start a war either because he is mad or to save himself politically. Congress must step up and say no. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students who have been protesting the fee hike are planning to boycott the semester examinations scheduled from December 12. In the wake of this development, the JNU authorities said that students not appearing in the exams will lose their studentship. In a circular issued here, the university cautioned the students "about the consequences of completing academic assignments and tests, including end-semester examinations, as per the relevant academic ordinances and rules". Students not appearing in the examinations will lose their studentship as per JNU academic ordinances, the university said. "Such students will be ineligible to register in the next semester and hence will cease to be the bonafide students of the university," the circular read. "This is also to remind the research scholars that the MPhil students who fail to secure a CGPA of 5.00 on completion of course work at the end of 2nd semester will find their names automatically removed from the roll list of the university," it stated. The JNUSU has been protesting for over a month over the proposed hike in hostel fee. It said that 17 centres and have held meetings and supported the call for boycott of semester exams. The university, in its circular, said the final date for submission of MPhil, dissertation/PhD thesis in the schools/centres and forwarding the same to Evaluation Branch is December 31 for the Monsoon Semester. "This needs to be noted that the University academic calender has been approved by the Academic Council and the Executive Council and is required to be followed strictly," the circular read. After JNU, the protest over fee hike in public funded institutes reached the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, as the students of the institute protested against the "unaffordable" fee structure, and accused the administration of the institute of turning a "blind eye" to their issues. In a statement to the media, the students of IIMC claimed they had tried to be in dialogue to convince administration on bringing down the fee hike, but the administration was unmoved so the students were forced to protest. The fee for a course in Radio & TV Journalism is Rs 1,68,500, for Advertising and for PR it is Rs 1,31,500, for Hindi Journalism it is Rs 95,500, same for English Journalism, and Rs 55,500 for Urdu Journalism. Hostel and mess charges cost around Rs 6,500 for women and Rs 4,800 for men every month, the students said. Protesting the hiked fees, the students had also staged a strike in the campus on Tuesday. Washington, Jan 5 : The United States President Donald Trump has said that he has identified 52 Iranian targets and will respond "very fast and very hard" to any reprisal from Tehran for the death of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, which the US leader ordered. "Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites... 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," Trump said via Twitter on Saturday. "The USA wants no more threats!" added the president, who said the number corresponds to the 52 US diplomats and citizens taken hostage in the storming of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, after which diplomatic relations between the countries were severed, Efe news reported. Trump believed that "Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets" in response to the death in Baghdad of Soleimani and the vice president of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. On Friday, however, the president said he had ordered the death of Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps considered a hero in the country, in order to "stop a war," not start one. The Trump administration has argued that the goal of killing Soleimani was to prevent an "imminent attack" that would have endangered the lives of US forces and diplomats in the Middle East, a region in which 60,000-70,000 US troops are deployed. Trump again held Soleimani responsible for the death on Dec. 27 of an American contractor in an attack against a military base in Iraq and said the Iranian commander also orchestrated the assault on the US embassy in Baghdad, which occurred in response to US bombings in Syria and Iraq. Iran has promised "harsh retaliation" and in response, the US was to send 3,000 to 3,500 extra troops to the Middle East, US media reported Saturday. Trump's decision caused stock market crashes, oil price rises and aroused fear among US allies of armed conflict. Internally, Democratic opposition lawmakers have condemned Trump for not informing Congress beforehand of the attack. Meanwhile, protests were held in more than 70 US cities from Los Angeles to New York to protest the killing of Soleimani and the sending of more troops to the Middle East, according to the Act Now to Stop War & End Racism anti-war coalition, who spearheaded the demonstrations with other organisations. Protesters held signs saying "Stop bombing Iraq," "US troops out of Iraq" and "No war or sanctions on Iran." Sri Lanka has to take advantage of the rising global wealth particularly in China and Japan and Europe? by Victor Cherubim President of Sri Lanka, Gothabaya Rajapaksa stated at the State Opening of the 4th Session of the 8th Parliament on 3 January 2020: I love my country. I am proud of my country. I have a vision for my country, No Statesman of any country has ever proclaimed it in so many words. Exactly, what then is happening in Sri Lanka today with a change of President, a change of Government and perhaps, a change of approach. So, it seems we are on the move from the days of the political, economic and social dysfunction and uncertainty of the past Yapalanaya Government, which the people sought so eagerly and voted for change. Seemingly gone are the days of tamashas, the public display of the photo of the President adorning State buildings, the wearing of the kurakkan shawl, the Presidential Police Escort, the pomp and ceremony of mounted Police, the pageant of the salute before the State opening of Parliament, the postponement of the State visit to China, among others for another day, plus the prohibition of re-export of essential spices. In keeping with the times of mounting burdens without calling it austerity, things are being done differently, other than the swashbuckler of calling things to order by using the law to take its course of action against miscreants, in this case of two ministers of the previous Government, to show the public, that the Government and the Judiciary are seemingly independent. Taxes were reduced. A new Governor the Central Bank appointed. All this, in the matter of two months. Perhaps, it is too early to make a judgment on a new way of governing. As many will know so much of what drives the Government is subliminal. Investors were hoping to retreat with this new era. They were wanting to take their profits and run. Tourist arrivals declined in December 2019, the incessant rains over the past month had put a damper not only holiday movement, but also on the price of vegetables and there was clamour for the rice mudalalis to be put in the spotlight. The re-bounding of the economy For a value investor, such discipline, such a condition, assurance, risk management, call it what you may, is soothing to his ears. Small wonder why there seems to be a rebound in confidence. Small wonder also why Pakistan and Japan sent their Foreign Ministers post haste to meet President Gothabaya, and past the Ambassador of Russia to Sri Lanka and current Foreign Minister of a Big Power Russia, Sergei Lavrov scheduled to meet the President on the 13 January 2020 in Colombo, whilst the burning issue of the escalation of conflict between United States and Iran is smouldering. What can Sri Lanka now do? Are we on the cusp of a new era of global diplomacy with Sri Lanka, a small island, being involved as a Power Broker? What can we do to change things to move from a debt burden economy to a new era of confidence of not only investors? Governments? and Manufacturers? Sri Lanka has to take advantage of the rising global wealth particularly in China and Japan and Europe? All these countries have an ageing population. There is going to be, in the not too distant future, a premium on wealth preservation that it seems likely that the people in these lands will want not only to visit as tourists, but as residents for some part of their twilight years. Wealth is portable and we in Sri Lanka should seriously and sincerely take note of that portability and prepare for it. The desire to hold wealth in a safe and secure environment Is not merely a dream, but will increase as the world grows richer in the 2020s. We must also perhaps, be aware of the manufacturing slowdown in China, the resultant backlash of Indias new immigration policy. We need,if not must to be prepared to be able to accept the assembly of motor manufacturers and IT components in Sri Lanka, as an outsource nation in the next twenty years or so. As we move from an export-oriented basis to an assembly of manufactured goods basis, in the future, there will be smart investors wanting and willing to take the risk to move their investment capital. Thus, our present debt could well be a blessing in the future. Howard Polskin woke up the day after President Donald Trump's election with a powerful feeling that he had missed something important. "I thought I was a smart guy, but I felt very dumb on Nov. 9, 2016," he told me. Polskin, a former journalist and then a public relations executive, realized that the way he was staying informed - sources including "the New York Times, Time magazine, the NBC News with Lester Holt" - may have been giving him the facts but it wasn't giving him a worldview shared by millions of Americas. They were the millions who elected Trump. Not long afterward, Polskin began a website and newsletter called The Righting. The newsletter's tagline: "Top News Headlines from the Far Right for the Rest of Us." For those who get their news from traditional, mainstream sources, it can be a five-day-a-week visit to another planet as it aggregates articles from right-wing sites and measures the audience of those sites. "Because media is so bifurcated, I find it helpful to check in with the other media universe," said one of the site's regular readers, Daily Beast editor-at-large Molly Jong-Fast. "It's weird how different the two worlds are." Weird indeed. Take the demise of the Newseum, the recently shuttered Pennsylvania Avenue museum devoted to journalism. If you became aware of its closing from mainstream sources, you might come away with one of these two ideas: It's regrettable that an institution that celebrates the First Amendment had to close because of financial difficulties. Or: The place was foolishly overbuilt and unrealistic from the start, an exercise in hubris, though for a good cause. (You might even be ticked off that the Newseum store once sold "Fake News" souvenirs.) If you happened to read The Righting, you'd get a blast of something quite different. The headline of an article from "Community Digital News" was just the start: "Fake Newseum Closes Its Door. Trump Still President." The article called the Newseum "a museum dedicated to elitist arrogance, ... an institution designed to promise the promoters of lies, Democratic Party disinformation and general leftist nonsense." You might not like it or agree with that - I certainly don't - but it's the hint of a pervasive worldview. And that's what Polskin had in mind. (He is, of course, not the first or the only one to do this work; some news organizations have reporters whose whole beat is covering right-wing media; and - among others - Will Sommer's Right Richter newsletter has long been an important source of similar information.) "I did this as a passion project," said Polskin, who once covered network news from TV Guide's New York bureau, and who worked at Sony and CNN before starting his own public-relations company. Not to make money (it doesn't) but "to inform people in the center and on the left." In circulating the right-wing news, Polskin doesn't try to fact-check or correct. And he understands that there can be a downside since what he aggregates and shares may be racist, anti-science or flat-out false. "I'm amplifying the message. I'm painfully aware of that," he told me. He said he does draw a line - for example, he refuses to circulate stories from the Daily Stormer, the neo-Nazi website, despite their popularity and what they might say about the media ecosystem. At the same time, he finds at least some of what he aggregates to be compellingly written and well argued. In keeping track of the metrics of right-wing media, Polskin has noticed some overarching trends. Most notable: the inexorable growth of Fox News' digital site, FoxNews.com. Those who think of Fox's influence as mostly from its television network, Polskin said, are missing a huge development. Another: the rise in audience size and influence of the Washington Examiner, the conservative website and weekly printed magazine, founded in 2005 by billionaire Philip Anschutz and based in Washington. On Friday, as mainstream news organizations grappled with the stunning news that an American airstrike had killed a top Iranian commander in Baghdad, the need for skepticism and caution needed to be top-of-mind for journalists and the public. Not everyone remembered - or chose to recall - the media-driven rush to a disastrous war in Iraq more than 15 years ago. The Righting, though, was reflecting what many Americans were receiving from their information sources: pro-Trump cheerleading. "Why Trump didn't need congressional approval to kill Qasem Soleimani," opined the headline of a Tom Rogan piece in the Examiner. "Trump Was Right to Order Killing of Soleimani," applauded Fox News. ("It will make America safer.") Polskin's efforts have baffled his more liberal friends: "They think I've gone off the deep end." But he's convinced - just as he was on Nov. 9, 2016 - that it's important to understand how a sizable section of the country is forming its views. "To be an educated person in America, you have to know what's being said on the right." CLEVELAND, Ohio A few months ago, entrepreneur Ann King experienced what could have been a devastating setback for her company, but perhaps because of positive karma, things have worked out fine. King owns Borrow, which specializes in custom-designed furniture for rental or retail, custom furniture reupholstery, commercial and private home interior design, staging parties in homes and other venues, and more. People come to us when they want to do something cool and different, King said. We make it personal for clients, something that tells their story. If a client brings a photo from Pinterest to give us an example of a look that they want, we take the idea and make it more meaningful to them. On the evening of Friday, Sept. 27, Borrows factory at East 26th Street and St. Clair Avenue was severely damaged by fire, along with a vintage retailer. Luckily, a good chunk of our inventory was out for rental, King said. But we lost everything that was in the warehouse. As far as what wasnt there, it was three truckloads of merchandise and we had nowhere to go with it. King was in New York at the time of the fire, but her husband, Ryan, and cousin Danny Callam, who is Borrows operations manager, rushed to the blaze. I can tell you, Danny was completely in shock, King said. I later saw footage of the fire and I am so glad I didnt see it in person. The fire destroyed $500,000 worth of merchandise. Luckily, because her business and inventory were growing, King already had been considering moving Borrow to a larger warehouse space at East 41st Street and Lakeside Avenue. When the fire happened, the landlord let her move in the Monday after the Friday fire. Another break came when the events community stepped up to prevent King from losing business. After the fire, we had orders for events that we couldnt fill, and other companies offered to let us use their merchandise without even charging us, King said. Definitely the most positive thing that happened was the people who helped us get through this. From the time that she launched Borrow in 2012, Kings motto has been to work in consort with other Northeast Ohio businesses. If there is furniture that we cant make because it involves more elevated carpentry, we work with local designers, she said. We pretty much have a hard-core social mission in that we keep as much business in Cleveland and Ohio as we can. There are so many great custom furniture pieces that are locally made, and the community aspect is very important to us. Borrow works closely with Sawhorse Woodworks, which specializes in contemporary, space-saving designs that blend local and exotic woods. Another partner is Rustbelt Reclamation. This company creates custom-designed residential and commercial furniture using locally sourced, unique wood, often integrating touches of steel and stone. Borrow occupies part of the first and fourth floors of the warehouse on Lakeside Avenue. The fourth floor has a view of the lake through weathered windows, and gleaming hardwood floors in the showroom. Its filled with rich wood reclaimed bars; humongous mirrors, which are popular for decorating these days; and reupholstered sofas and chairs that clients rent for parties in and outside their homes, in offices, and in raw spaces such as warehouses. People love our unique bars, and our swings, King said. She steers clear of cookie-cutter furniture settings, preferring instead to mix it up. In the showroom are two furniture vignettes that include a contemporary piece, a custom-made piece and an antique. The combination gives an eclectic feeling, King said. The first floor is the nitty gritty side of the business, including shipping and receiving, and wood items salvaged from the fire that King hopes to restore. King grew up in South Euclid and attended Gilmour Academy and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She has a background in theater, which comes in handy for quirky parties. She and Ryan have two small children. King said her company has a big belief in giving. One of her favorite nonprofits is Boys Hope Girls Hope of Northeast Ohio. The organization provides children long-term support focused on postsecondary education and career success. Her husband is a mentor with the program, and she became involved through him. She also volunteers with other young professionals on the organizations Associate Board. King devotes many hours, and brings in other vendors, for the organizations annual Day of Hope Gala. The fire happened days before the gala. Ann was there the Monday morning after the fire, even with everything she was dealing with, said Tim Grady, executive director of the nonprofit. Our event was as good as ever. It was evident to me that the other vendors respect her integrity, and our mission. King is also involved with A Special Wish Cleveland. This nonprofit is dedicated to granting the wishes of children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening disorder. We try to give back a lot, she said. And we got it back tenfold. They went public with their romance in May, one year after he split from his wife. And Coronation Street couple Alan Halsall and Tisha Merry looked loved up as ever when they enjoyed a low-key shopping date on Sunday. The soap stars were seen arriving at home furnishers Arighi Bianchi in Macclesfield in the actor's sporty red Mercedes. Shopping spree: Coronation Street couple Alan Halsall and Tisha Merry looked loved-up as they enjoyed on a low-key shopping trip in Macclesfield on Sunday Alan, 37, kept things casual, donning a washed out denim jacket on top of a black hoodie, jeans and trainers. He walked hand-in-hand with Tisha, 26, who wore a black leather biker jacket over a loose-fitting beige jumper with some trendy sneakers. Looking like the perfect gent, Alan held open the shop door for his girlfriend as they emerged with two big bags full of shopping. Out and about: Alan, 37, kept it casual donning a washed-out denim jacket on top of a black ensemble of a hoodie, jeans and trainers Long-time Corrie actor Alan recently revealed he's already feeling pressured to propose to girlfriend Tisha, just five months after the pair publicly confirmed their romance. The Tyrone Dobbs actor told The Mirror he's still in the throngs of early love with his girlfriend, and is in no rush to pop the question. Alan and Tisha confirmed their relationship in August, just one year after the star split from his wife of nine years Lucy-Jo Hudson. Loved up: Alan walked hand-in-hand with Tisha, 26, who wore a black leather biker jacket over a loose-fitting beige jumper with a some trendy sneakers He said: 'The pressure is there from day one but weve not been together that long, so I think well just enjoy ourselves for now.' Speaking about his relationship with Tisha he added: 'Its great, shes a wonderful girl and Im really happy.' Alan's revelations come after it was reported by The Sun that Tisha had already moved into his home. Whip: The soap stars were seen arriving at the store in Alan's his sporty red Mercedes A source claimed: 'Tisha is keeping her place on for now but shes living at Alans place full time.' Alan and Tisha confirmed their relationship at co-star Sam Aston's wedding in May. The TV star shared a snap of himself and Tisha after watching Sam exchange vows with fiancee Briony at picturesque Stock Farm in rural Cheshire - revealing they were together. Rumours: Alan revealed he's already feeling pressured to propose to Tisha, just five months after they confirmed their romance The pair looked smitten as they posed with their arms wrapped around each other in the grounds of the sprawling wedding venue. They initially sparked romance rumours in February after posting a series of snaps from their trip to Manchester's AJ Bell Stadium, where they cheered on the Salford Red Devils. While Alan has played Tyrone Dobbs on Corrie since 1998, Tisha played Steph Britton from 2013 to 2017, with a brief return stint last year. Cork University Hospital and Mercy University Hospital are operating "beyond their limits", the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has said, adding that emergency measures are needed to deal with overcrowding at the hospitals. The INMO also said that they expect the situation at the hospitals to get worse next week after visitor restrictions were put in place at the hospitals due to the flu. Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday reacted on the recent stone-pelting incident by a mob at the Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan and compared it with the attack on Muslims in India. Slamming the India government, Khan said that the incident in Nankana Sahib goes against his vision and will find zero tolerance and protection from the government including police and judiciary, unlike Indian government. Imran took to microblogging site Twitter and said, "The major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident and the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims and other minorities is this: the former is against my vision and will find zero tolerance and protection from the government including police and judiciary..." The major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident & the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims & other minorities is this: the former is against my vision & will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police & judiciary; Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 5, 2020 Khan further launched attack on the Narendra Modi government and accused them of supporting operation against minorities in the country. Khan said in a series of tweet said, ''In contrast, Modi's RSS vision supports minorities oppression and the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police lead the anti-Muslim attack.'' In contrast, Modi's RSS vision supports minorities oppression & the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police leads anti-Muslim attacks Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 5, 2020 According to Pakistani sources, the mob was led by the family of Mohammed Hassan, the man who had abducted and converted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, to protest police action against him. Live TV Several political leaders in India condemned the Nankana Sahib incident. Sikh communities in India also took out a march against the Pakistan government on Saturday (January 4) for not taking action against the perpetrators. On Friday (January 3), the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara was attacked by a mob while Sikh devotees were inside the shrine. The mob that had gathered outside raised communal slogans against the minority Sikh community and pelted stones at the shrine. Videos of the incident were widely circulated on social media. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib was built at the place where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. In a series of tweets Saturday, US President Donald Trump responded to Iranian threats of avenging Major General Qassem Soleimanis assassination in a US airstrike, by warning that the US will hit 52 Iranian sites, dear to Iran. His tweets represent a further escalation of the tension, amidst protests by anti-war groups in the US and the UK and the claim by his administration that it was committed to de-escalation. Trump, who is never known to walk away from a fight lashed out at Tehran in the tweets, and threatened that his country has primed its arsenals on 52 Iranian targets, as a revenge for the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago. This was in 1979. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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!, Trump wrote. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates A Delta Air Lines plane slid off a taxiway amid icy conditions Saturday morning at an airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin and ended up partially in grass. Flight 1770 was headed for Atlanta when it slid and partially left the taxiway around 6.15am at Green May Austin Straubel International Airport. However, no injuries were reported nor was there any damage to the plane. The passengers were removed off that aircraft and loaded onto an alternate plane. There were 107 customers on board the Boeing 717 aircraft at the time and Delta assessed the plane for any potential damage. 'It was scary at first because people kind of jumped and screamed a bit,' passenger Jake Liebergen said to WBAY. Delta Air Lines flight 1770 slid of the taxiway amid icy conditions on Saturday. The flight, headed for Atlanta, slid and partially left the taxiway around 6.15am at Green May Austin Straubel International Airport. The plane pictured above However, no injuries were reported nor was there any damage to the plane. The passengers were removed off that aircraft and loaded onto an alternate plane as the jet was assessed 'We noticed he was going pretty fast around the corner and slid a little bit,' Liebergen said. 'And out of our window we saw snow coming and before we knew it, we were right in the snow and the plane tipped.' 'I fly a lot and usually problems cause infrequent passengers to really get excited,' passenger Kent Maxwell said. 'That didn't happen on this flight. I think most people can relate to sliding off the road into a ditch.' On Saturday morning conditions were icy and freezing drizzle was reported in Green Bay, creating dangerous driving conditions that caused several vehicle crashes in the area. 'It was scary at first because people kind of jumped and screamed a bit,' passenger Jake Liebergen said on the incident The scene: This image posted by a passenger shows how the plane slid off a taxiway and seemed to end up in the grass However, it's not clear if the icy weather is what caused the plane to slide, Airport Director Marty Piette said to the Green Bay Press Gazette. He said airport staff were aware of the icy conditions and treated the taxiway with sand and alerted pilots of the icy and slippery conditions. Delta has issued an apology for the incident. 'We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and delay of Delta flight 1770. Our teams in Green Bay, Wis. quickly worked with airport officials to safely deplane customers onto buses to be re-accommodated on an alternate aircraft,' a Delta Air Lines spokesperson said. Tom Brokaw took over the White House beat in time to witness the final, yearlong gasps of the Nixon administration, giving him a front-row seat to witness the only resignation by a U.S. president, who faced certain impeachment. Now the NBC newsman has delivered The Fall of Richard Nixon, which he describes as one reporters personal recollection of those cataclysmic events just in time to coincide with todays constitutional crisis. The book landed in stores just as the Trump impeachment hearings began. While the timing is superb, the book itself is sadly lacking. Its a slim volume, with the 226 pages chopped into 27 chapters, an introduction and an epilogue, evidence that he doesnt drill deep. A kind description is that its a breezy read. Another way of putting it is that its a collection of snippets, gossip, meaningless anecdotes and no unique insights. We learn nothing new about Watergate or the key players during those eventful days. An example: On the day the U.S. Supreme Court delivers a pivotal ruling regarding the Oval Office tape recordings, Brokaw encounters Nixons lawyer and asks the less-than-probing question: Any comment, Mr. St. Clair? Which elicits this response, in total: Its a beautiful day, Mr. Brokaw. Aside from a few mildly interesting interactions Brokaw had with White House press secretary Ron Ziegler, we dont learn much about the White House press corps, except how talented, funny and clever they are. We learn plenty about the guest lists of Georgetown cocktail parties he was invited to. And he makes sure to recount the evening that, at a favorite watering hole in California years before Watergate actor Lee Marvin seconded the bartenders praise of the youthful beauty of Brokaws wife, Meredith. There were many reporters and editors from that time who have written great accounts of Watergate and the Nixon years. (You may have heard of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.) But Brokaws entry isnt one of them. Brokaw may have been a fine White House TV reporter, but in the annals of TV news coverage of Watergate and the Nixon administration, he didnt stand out. Instead, it was two CBS reporters Dan Rather and Daniel Schorr who delivered tough and revealing reporting so much so in Schorrs case that he earned a coveted spot on Nixons Enemies List. Shockingly, Brokaw gleefully relates two reporting tricks that are not what they teach in journalism school. To confirm one story, for example, he calls an organization and pretends to be a White House staffer. Thats not quite on par with the Nixon crews dirty tricks, but still New Delhi, Jan 5 : Inviting Indian publishers to the International Book Fair in Tehran in April, an Iranian minister on Sunday called for greater cooperation in the publishing space of the two nations. Mohsin Jawadi, Iran's Deputy Minister for Culture and Guidance, said they are prepared to closely collaborate with Indian authors and publishers in different book-related fields. He also proposed to form a collaborative working group, responsible for determining Iran's priorities in book-related collaborations. He was speaking at CEOSpeak, a publishing forum organised by FICCI and National Book Trust, on the sidelines of the ongoing New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF). Jawadi said: "Books are the best means for creating friendship among nations. In the past, Iranians were profoundly familiar with the Indian culture." Asked how India and Iran are cooperating in terms of translations, he said that hundreds of books, in the last 2-3 years, have been translated from Hindi to Persian, and from Persian to Indian languages. "The translations have been going on since the time when we didn't have enough resources and computers to translate. I hope the new generation in both the countries will carry forward the process," he told IANS. Highlighting the expansion of cultural ties with India, the minister said that it is time to restart interactions between poets of Iran and India and revive the past glorious connections between the two countries. Iranian publishing industry representatives also called for greater dialogue and cultural exchange at the event. The event was part of the Book Fair going on at Pragati Maidan till January 12. My case was at the Attorney General office for 5 months already. This is demonstrating an unfair and ineffective legal system. Writing to the newly elected President of Sri Lanka, an alleged gang rape victim and Chinese national female has pledged for immediate intervention of the President Rajapaksa to find her long-waited justice. A copy of the letter exclusively received by the Sri Lanka Guardian shows the details of the horrific incidents and how the victim's voice has been intimidated and sidelined by the officials. Writing to the newly elected President of Sri Lanka, an alleged gang rape victim and Chinese national female has pledged for immediate intervention of the President Rajapaksa to find her long-waited justice. A copy of the letter exclusively received by the Sri Lanka Guardian shows the details of the horrific incidents and how the victim's voice has been intimidated and sidelined by the officials. "I would like to seek for your IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION to ensure that the Magistrate Court orders to arrest Krishantha Purshpakumara (former Southern Province Councilor) and his driver be honored for a gang rape complaint that I lodged against them, ensure that the 2 suspects are brought before the Courts in a timely manner. I hope you will keep your election manifesto to uphold law and order," the letter started. A copy of the unedited letter is follows; ------------ -------------- --------------------- Letter of Appeal on Gang Rape Case against Former Southern Province Councilor Krishantha Pushpakumara and His Driver Your Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, I would like to seek for your IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION to ensure that the Magistrate Court orders to arrest Krishantha Purshpakumara (former Southern Province Councilor) and his driver be honored for a gang rape complaint that I lodged against them, ensure that the 2 suspects are brought before the Courts in a timely manner. I hope you will keep your election manifesto to uphold law and order. Ive lodged the gang rape complaint against the 2 suspects at Galle police station (Galle case number 10674) on 3rd May 2019. A B Report was filed at court and the Magistrate has given orders to arrest and produce suspects at court immediately in 2 calling dates in June 2019. However, Galle police ignored Magistrate orders but referred my case to the Attorney General office in August (AG reference number: S/V/1/43/2019). From May to September for total 5 months, I have followed up or was told to follow up at the police numerous times. These include emailing to the Director of Child & Women Abuse Bureau, flying back to give second statement at the Galle police, giving third statement and evidence again to the Galle DIG N. Vedasinghe, giving a letter of appeal to the IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, and being told to give all statements and evidence again to the SDIG of Southern Province Roshan Fernando who re-investigated my case. These numerous follow-ups over 5 months are a waste of time, money, and are inhuman and seriously traumatizing to a victim. Moreover, they all told the case was referred to the Attorney General ultimately despite they know the fact that Galle Police ignored Magistrate orders. This is unacceptable to showcase Sri Lanka is as lawless as this. Besides, the Attorney General office gave advices to other recent cases including the Swiss Embassy incident earlier than mine. My case was at the Attorney General office for 5 months already. This is demonstrating an unfair and ineffective legal system. It is also unfair that many focused on the former Councilor Krishantha Pushpakumara, but ignored the fact that another suspect is only a driver and he is set free for 8 months. These will only lead to more people to follow the same criminal behavior if Magistrate orders are ignored. In all, it is completely inhuman and unacceptable for a victim to see 8 months of police inaction, ignoring Magistrate orders, passing responsibility to the Attorney General, no advice from the Attorney General office for 5 months but it gave advice to other recent cases earlier than mine. I want to reiterate that it is unnecessary to refer my case to the Attorney General. I have obtained advice from several senior attorneys that it is a SIMPLE JUDICIAL PROCEDURE to arrest and produce the 2 suspects at court because 1) it is a gang rape complaint, 2) a B Report was filed at court, and 3) the Magistrate has given orders to arrest and produce suspects at court immediately. The Asian Human Rights Commission has also made a statement in December 2019 for Galle police inaction and ignoring Magistrate orders of this case and the injustice system in Sri Lanka (Document ID: AHRC-STM-036-2019). My case is an inhuman and serious sexual violence case. There were promises that Your Excellency will uphold law and order in election period. Please IMMEDIATELY ensure that the Magistrate Court orders to arrest Krishantha Purshpakumara and his driver be honored, and to ensure that the 2 suspects are brought before the Courts in a timely manner. I only wish for this simple judicial procedure, the Magistrate can grant bail to the suspects and there can be trial later. I hope Your Excellency will keep your promises and demonstrate this to Sri Lanka and international. Thank you. Yours sincerely, New Delhi, Jan 5 : Prohibitory orders have been clamped on JNU campus in the aftermath of the violence unleashed by masked attackers on Sunday evening. With tension on the rise and the university on the boil, Section 144 has been imposed in the area. Delhi Lieutenant Governor, Anil Baijal, who condemned the violence and directed Delhi Police to take necessary steps, tweeted: "The violence in JNU against students and teachers is highly condemnable. Directed @DelhiPolice to take all possible steps in coordination with JNU Administration to maintain law and order & take action against the perpetrators of violence. The situation is being closely monitored." Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has demanded Union Home mInister Amit Shah's resignation over the developments. Sunday evening saw masked miscreants barge into the hostels and assault the students. The university in Delhi has been witnessing tensions over the fee hike and Citizenship Amendment Act over the last few weeks. Celeste Barber's mother-in-law has been filmed unleashing on the government for its response to bushfires ravaging the New South Wales south coast. The comedian set up a Facebook fundraiser on Friday and has already raised more than $27million. Barber shared footage of her mother-in-law, Joy Robin, at Eden wharf after residents were told needed to evacuate the town, near the Victoria border. The comedian set up a Facebook fundraiser on Friday to be distributed to people suffering across Australia as a result of bushfires Barber shared footage of her mother-in-law Joy Robin at the Eden Wharf after residents were told they have to evacuate Ms Robin was filmed talking to media and claimed the government has 'abandoned' those in need. 'We pay $6billion in taxpayer money every year... where are they? This is our war,' she said. 'This fire is Australia's war at the moment. It's been right down the Great Dividing Range and now it's going right to the coast. And there isn't one ADF on the ground.' When asked if she would consider leaving she said she was too upset, but she was capable of getting herself to safety. 'They've (the government) left us high and dry so many times,' she said. 'We pay our taxes. We've been abandoned.' Barber has raised more than $27million on Facebook, with the number continuing to grow - at times by $10,000 every minute. Ms Robin was filmed talking to the media and claimed the government has abandoned those in need Barber has raised more than $27million on Facebook, with the number continuing to grow every minute The 37-year-old comedian took to Facebook on Friday to announce she set up a fundraiser. 'I'm raising money for The Trustee for NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate a lot or a little. Anything helps,' she wrote. On Sunday she also filmed herself purchasing hundreds of dollars worth of products such as water, medical supplies and toiletries for those in fire-ravaged areas. Thousands of people have praised Barber, including international stars such as Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness. On Sunday she and her husband (pictured together) purchased hundreds of dollars worth of products such as water, medical supplies and toiletries for those in fire-ravaged areas Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the American TV personalty urged his 4.8 million followers to donate to the worthy cause. 'My heart has been broken these last days watching the situation deteriorate there,' Jonathan said of the devastating fires across Australia,' he wrote. 'The people, animals, and spirit of Australia is so beautifully unique and seeing how much everyone has banded together to help is major especially @celestebarber and everything she has done to raise funds for her country in this crisis.' The page, which was only set up on Friday, had been inundated with support and donations from around the globe. Around 200 fires continued to burn Sunday, many out of control, although only a handful prompted emergency warnings as temperatures dipped. New Delhi: Congress leader Rashid Alvi has courted controversy for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah as "riot experts". In Amroha, the senior Congress leader called the two BJP ministers as "people who cause fire" (aag lagane wale). "The history of Amit Shah ji and Narendra Modi ji is known to the whole country. There have been experts in rioting. America had refused to give them visas, people of the country know very well their history," he said. He further described Priyanka Gandhi and Congress as fire extinguishers. "Priyanka Gandhi and Congress Party are about to extinguish the fire. These people are going to set fire," Alvi added. Live TV Alvi also claimed that Pakistan deliberately behaves in a manner to create Hindu-Muslim tensions in India, news agency ANI reported. He further alleged that both Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan are helping each other. "I feel that Narendra Modi and Imran Khan are in this together and that is why all this is happening," he said. The former Rajya Sabha MP is known for making controversial statements. Earlier, Alvi had claimed that those who died during the anti-CAA violence in Uttar Pradesh should be given martyr status. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday took out a campaign in Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar area in Jalandhar to clear the air around Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and attacked the opposition parties for creating confusion among the people about the new citizenship law. He condemned Congress and other political parties for propagating against the law and misguiding people over it. We have not enacted the law out of now where. Citizenship issue was pitched by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Modi government has implemented it after giving it a thorough study, he said. He also slammed Prime Minister Imran Khan over persecution of minorities and attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan and said Khan is playing dangerous politics. The minorities in Pakistan and other Islamic countries are being subjected to inhuman treatment there. We will protest against Islamabad, he said. Meanwhile, addressing a public gathering after launching the Sampark Abhiyan in support of CAA in Sector 10, Panchkula, Haryana CM condemned the attack on the gurdwara in Pakistan. He said protest, if required, would be taken out against Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to ensure that the minorities residing there are not oppressed in the name of religion and their rights are protected. He said the Parliament has passed CAA to provide citizenship to persecuted communities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. But few opposition parties are misguiding people by spreading false information without understanding the provisions of the Act. He said that it is being propagated among the Muslims as a law to take away their citizenship, while on the contrary, it is the law to give citizenship. He exhorted the people to remain cautious and do not fall prey to rumours and consider the Act in the interest of humanity. Khattar said that a number 8866288662 has been started to register participation of people of Haryana in the Sampark Abhiyan in support CAA. He said the people could give their consent in favour of the new citizenship law by giving missed call on this number. The chief minister also visited the houses of prominent people in Sector-10 to garner support in favour of the new Act. Joe Biden, who uses his middle-class Scranton roots to cast himself as the Democratic candidate who can win back areas that President Donald Trump won in 2016, now has the backing of two Pennsylvania members of Congress from battleground districts. U.S. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, of Chester County, and Conor Lamb, of Pittsburghs suburbs, are endorsing Biden along with Rep. Elaine Luria, from Virginia Beach, Va. All three represent districts traditionally held by Republicans in key swing 2020 states, feeding Bidens narrative that he is a consensus candidate in the critical month leading to the primaries. Our country needs a steady hand, someone who can help heal the country, an experienced and proven leader who can build teams with deep expertise and work across the aisle," Houlahan said of Biden in a statement released Sunday. "Like me, he believes that in this polarized environment, real change will come from pragmatic solutions that help working families. Pennsylvania is not red or blue but a purple place which our next president needs to carry to win. The announcement comes as Biden, whose campaign is headquartered in Philadelphia, aims to build momentum heading into the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses, the first votes in the nominating contest. Biden polls around third place in Iowa and New Hampshire, the second-voting state, but remains atop the polls in South Carolina and Nevada. Hes also coming off a strong fund-raising quarter in which his team brought in $22 million, a 50 percent increase over the last quarter, trailing South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigiegs $24.7 million and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders $34.5 million. Biden campaigned for Houlahan, Lamb and Luria in their bids for Congress in 2018. He also has the support of Pennsylvania Reps. Dwight Evans and Brendan Boyle and Sen. Bob Casey. At least five Democrats in Congress from Pennsylvania have yet to endorse in the primary. Biden handily leads the Democratic primary field in endorsements, according to FiveThirtyEights tracker, though the effectiveness of endorsements varies. Endorsements do show support among party leaders and elected officials, helping to build a consensus around a candidate. But with so many people running, they have been slow to come, and some of the partys most popular figures are still waiting to endorse. Some elected Democrats also become helpful with fund-raising, but theyre not essential. Buttigieg has relatively few endorsements but has bested most of his rivals in fund-raising and still leads in some polls. For Biden, a former vice president and member of the party establishment, endorsements matter more than they would for a candidate such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is running as an outsider. Endorsements signal youre a good team player for the party," said Sarah Niebler, a professor of political science at Dickinson College. I would expect him to have nearly the entire Pennsylvania [Democratic] delegation of representatives," she said, adding that losing out on endorsements could undercut Bidens electability argument, "in the same way it would have looked very bad for Hillary Clinton not to get (endorsements) in 2016. Houlahan became the first Democrat to represent Chester County in 130 years when she won the 6th congressional district in 2018, after the district was redrawn to include areas with more Democratic voters. Lamb won by about 627 votes in a March 2018 special election in the 17th congressional district, which Trump had carried by more than 20 points. He ran and won again in the general election that fall after the district lines were redrawn under court order and became more favorable to Democrats. Lurias Virginia Beach district also was carried by Trump in 2016. While Monday marked his official endorsement, Lamb had signaled his support for Biden as early as March when he went back to his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, and called him a clear front-runner, cautioning against some of the more progressive ideas in the party like the proposal for an expensive Green New Deal program, and how they might turn off voters in Rust Belt districts like his own. In a campaign briefing memo sent to supporters last week, Bidens campaign manager highlighted endorsements and fund-raising successes as a sign of a strengthened campaign. Pennsylvania, which will cast its primary votes April 28, has played a large role in Bidens campaign financing. His list of bundlers -- mega fund-raisers -- was longer than any other campaigns, and includes several prominent names from the Philadelphia region. Most of the donations from Pennsylvania residents went to Biden last quarter, though overall his large-dollar donations slipped. Biden, who has held at least a half-dozen fund-raisers in the state, will be in Gladwyne on Tuesday evening for another one. Overnight last Thursday, the U.S seized an opportunity to take out Irans most senior military commander, Soleimani. In spite of the likes of the EU, China, and even Russia playing a role in the Middle East, the U.S went it alone. Even the UK was left in the dark and only discovered of the drone attack on the ground in Iraq, as it was unfolding. Unsurprisingly, the markets balked at the unexpected airstrike. We have seen the U.S President even rub shoulders with the likes of Kim Jong-un, in spite of frequent nuclear tests and the threat of attacks on U.S allies and even the U.S. Even such action failed to spur Trump into action. Trump has ultimately had Iran in his sights since seeing an opportunity to take the Oval Office. After pulling the U.S out of the nuclear agreement, it was only a matter of time before things escalated. Iran resumed its enrichment program, breaching the terms of the agreement that remained in place, even with the U.S withdrawal. The U.S president also reintroduced crippling sanctions and demanded that no one buy oil without a U.S waiver. It was a stage set for what has unfolded and perhaps what is to come The Reaction With the U.S and European majors sitting at or close to record highs, any excuse to jump ship would have been good enough. The threat of a lengthy proxy war in the Middle East, between the U.S, Iran, and its allies, just surged on Friday. Interestingly, the timing of the airstrike coincided with Trumps imminent impeachment trial, leading to questions over motive. President Clinton also launched an attack on Iraq, back in 1998. The launch had coincided with the House of Representatives approval of two articles of impeachment. While a military conflict in the Middle East would most certainly delay any impeachment trial, it may also end in Trumps demise. Whats next? Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei has promised revenge. The regimes reaction is hardly surprising. What Trump may not have considered, however, was a unification across the country to revenge the drone attack. Story continues We have seen the regime have to deal with uprisings within the country as sanctions bite. A U.S military strike against a nation already under pressure and clearly singled out risks more than a simple retaliatory response. Unlike back in 1980 and the 10-year war with Iraq, Iran is an altogether different beast 40 years on. Irans presence within the region has strengthened over the years. This has come in spite of Saudi and Israeli attempts to limit its rise in power. Civil war, unwanted American meddling and more have contributed to this. While the U.S President had talked of a desire to withdraw from the Middle East, the latest move leaves the U.S with no choice but to encamp for the foreseeable future. Alarmingly, however, it may not be the proxy wars that deliver the biggest blows to Western nations that are likely to be drawn into a military campaign. It will, once more, be the threat of terrorist attacks on the home soils of those involved in bringing down the so-called Shiite axis of evil that could lead to the unthinkable. Iran is in no position to sit back and play it safe. The country will expect a response and a strong one. In contrast, U.S voters have just been subjected to an extended trade with China that had earlier raised the prospects of a recession. The war friendly farming belt suffered the most at the hands of Trumps trade war that may question just how much support the U.S President would get should an extended conflict hit the U.S economy. Bloomberg Not too dissimilar to the U.S President, Democratic front runner Bloomberg also comes from a different world. The only exception is that Bloomberg has the experience of being the Mayor of New York. Trumps moves since his victory, back in 2016, left a military conflict all but inevitable. This is perhaps a conflict that few have wished for, however. Voters have already hit the streets, protesting against the airstrike. This will likely become more far-reaching should the U.S respond to any retaliation from Iran. No one likes uncertainty, and Irans reach and strength within the region bring plenty of uncertainty over what lies ahead. Bloomberg will be licking his lips at the prospect of an unwanted conflict in the Middle East. Trump may have just taken on a bit more than he can chew. Either way, voters dont like seeing strong gains from the equity markets vaporize. That would hit consumer confidence and consumer spending hard. Global trade terms remain a concern, in spite of the phase 1 agreement. It would be a bitter pill to swallow for a President who claimed to make America great again One other consideration is whether China and Russia will stand by or provide support to Iran. Both have strong ties with the regime That would tear up any trade agreement for sure It would also raise the possibility of an altogether different conflict in the East. Trump has had the backing of his party in the lead into the impeachment trial. That does question whether such action was needed to distract and detract from what was unlikely to result in an actual conviction. The attack could lead to the loss of in party support, however Time will tell. The Markets Iran has already been involved in disrupting oil supply, so we can expect more of that. While positive for crude oil prices, that would be negative for oil-dependent sectors, including air travel and manufacturing, Risk aversion would also drive demand for the safe havens, such as the Japanese Yen and gold. Military stocks would also get a boost. This is assuming, of course, that there is retaliation in the coming days This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: From the big blockbusters and a new Bond movie to some strong Irish offerings, Esther McCarthy looks at the cinema highlights for the year ahead. THE LIGHTHOUSE January 31 Will there be anything more unique or as strange as The Lighthouse in our cinemas in 2020? Robert Eggers follows his excellent horror The Witch by doubling down as a filmmaker with this tale, shot in black and white and on film. Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe gamely signed up for the project, about two lighthouse keepers who struggle with the isolation, and their sanity, while doing a lengthy stint on a remote island in the 1890s. Pattinson, once a mainstream heartthrob and young vampire, is excellent here and continues to impress with his left field choices. ONWARD March 6 A new Pixar is always something to be excited about, and Onward is the studios first non-sequel offering in more than two years. The animators appear to be aiming for their blend of the hilarious and the heartfelt in their story of two elf brothers who bring their father back from the dead for a day so the youngest can meet him properly for the first time. Unfortunately the magical spell goes drastically wrong. VIVARIUM March 27 Irish director Lorcan Finnegans sci-fi thriller, shot on location in this country, has been getting strong reviews on the international festival circuit ahead of its cinema release. The Social Networks Jesse Eisenberg and English actress Imogen Poots play a young couple looking for a starter home in an anonymous suburb, only to gradually realise they are unable to escape the complex and keep being directed back to the same house. Things get even stranger when a baby boy appears. CALM WITH HORSES March TBC Another Irish movie garnering strong word of mouth ahead of its spring release by Element Pictures. Shot on location in Connemara, Barry Keoghan, Niamh Algar, and Cosmo Jarvis head the cast of the feature debut from award-winning shorts director Nick Rowland. It centres on an ex-boxer who is trying to tally being a good father to his autistic son with his role as an enforcer for a feared local crime family. NO TIME TO DIE April 8 Daniel Craig makes what could be his last appearance as the iconic spy and Rami Malek makes his first as a Bond villain in 007s latest movie outing, the first in almost five years. True Detective director Cary Fukenaga helms the latest adventure from the super sleuth which marks Bonds 25th outing in the movie. Interestingly, Fleabags Phoebe Waller-Bridge is one of the co-writers of the strictly-under-wraps screenplay. ARTEMIS FOWL May 29 Its been years in development, but the big-screen adaptation based on Wexford author Eoin Colfers much-loved series of novels about a canny young criminal mastermind finally comes to cinemas in early summer. The movie was shot on location in Northern Ireland and is directed by Kenneth Branagh, who told the Irish Examiner recently: We got some wonderful pictures that I think will make people feel as though theyre in a big and spectacular part of Ireland and so Im very very happy about that. Its been a very enjoyable ride. Eoin came and visited and it was lovely working with him and lovely working with Conor McPherson who did a terrific contribution to the screenplay. TOP GUN: MAVERICK June 26 Can Tom Cruise pull off the ultimate feat of breathing new life into one of his biggest hits more than 30 years later? Early trailers for this film certainly suggest so. The movie was delayed for a year to allow filmmakers use the latest technology in stunt and arial shots. While much of the story is being kept under wraps, Mavericks rival Iceman (Val Kilmer) will star, with Miles Teller starring as the late Gooses son. TENET July 16 What a cast including John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, and Elizabeth Debicki Christopher Nolan has assembled for his first movie since 2017s Dunkirk. As with all his films, Nolan keeps details to a minimum, but we do know it returns to themes of both sci-fi and time travel that he has handled in the past. The film was shot in seven different countries and revolves around the world of international espionage. AFTER YANG Late 2020 Our own Colin Farrell has several projects in 2020, including this sci-fi movie directed by Kogonada, whose last film, Columbus, was widely acclaimed. Adapted from the Alexander Weinstein short story, the robot drama centres on a father and daughter as they try to save the life of their robot, who lives with them as a family member. THE ETERNALS November 6 He made a name for himself on Love/Hate but 2020 will see Barry Keoghan take on his biggest project yet, a new Marvel movie. He will star opposite Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek in The Eternals, adapted from the comic-book story of the same name. The actor is believed to be playing a villain with several superpowers in the film, which marks the beginning of the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Its the first comic-book role for the young Dubliner, who years ago tweeted the late Stan Lee asking him to make me a superhero. Chloe Zhao (The Riders) is to direct. DUNE December 18 French/Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve follows up his stunning work on Blade Runner 2049 with a return to the sci-fi genre. The film, which stars Rebecca Ferguson and Timothee Chalamet, is an adaptation of the 1984 film based on Frank Herberts 1960s novel. Set in the near future, it revolves around a number of powerful intergalactic families. Star Oscar Isaac said of the film: Theres just this kind of brutalist element to it. Its shocking. Its scary. Its very visceral. WEST SIDE STORY December 18 Two teenagers in 1950s New York fall in love in the eagerly awaited new take on the classic musical from Steven Spielberg. The trouble is they are connected to opposite sides of the warring street fighters the Jets and the Sharks. Spielberg is said to be planning to put his own stamp on the story, which he has wanted to adapt for years. Baby Drivers Ansel Elgort and newcomer Rachel Zegler head the cast. 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 New Delhi, Jan 5 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has condemned the violence that erupted on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, here on Sunday. "Have seen pictures of what is happening in #JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university," he tweeted. Several masked people, both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers on the campus with wooden and metal rods. Two officer-bearers of the Jawaharal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), including President Aishe Ghosh -- who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod, received injuries. They accused the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence on the campus. JNUSU General Secretary Satish Chandra was also injured in the attack. JNUSU Vice-President Saket Moon accused the ABVP of leading the attack, which was bolstered by outsiders. It's always hard to assess in advance a movie year's merits, but on the face of it, 2020 has the makings of a pretty average one. It's a depressing sign if the most eagerly anticipated film of the summer is 'Top Gun: Maverick', and as usual these days the lazy sequels and spin-offs come thick and fast. But look below the surface and there are heartening signs: three of the biggest superhero films of the year - 'Black Widow', 'Birds of Prey' and 'Wonder Woman 1984' - have female protagonists, Denis Villeneuve will turn his talented eye to adapting Frank Herbert's 'Dune', Stephen Spielberg is remaking 'West Side Story', Daniel Craig's Bond is back and, in '1917', Sam Mendes has made arguably the greatest war film ever. After all of that, a Bill and Ted revival - perhaps 2020 won't be so bad. January 10 Shot to look like an exhausting single take, Sam Mendes' harrowing drama takes us back to the trenches of WWI and is based on stories the director's grandfather told him. George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman play hardened army veterans who are ordered by their superiors to cross no-man's land and warn another battalion that their planned attack is a German trap. It's nightmarish, beautifully choreographed, a compelling piece of cinema. A Hidden Life January 14 Terrence Malick's last three films have worryingly resembled perfume ads, and in fact in 2016 he bit the bullet and actually made a perfume ad, but the word is that this one is a return to form. It's based on the true story of Franz Jaggerstatter, an Austrian farmer who refused to fight for the Nazis in WWII. August Diehl stars. Dark Waters January 24 Todd Haynes' fact-based drama has a timely environmental theme and stars Mark Ruffalo as Robert Bilott, a Cincinnati lawyer who has spent most of his career defending big chemical companies. But when he visits a farmer whose entire herd has been poisoned by an illegal DuPont chemical dump, he uncovers a major scandal. The Lighthouse January 31 Hailed by some excitable critics as a masterpiece, Robert Eggers' follow up to The Witch certainly is original. On a blasted rock in the mid-Atlantic, two mismatched colleagues (Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe) tend to a lonely lighthouse while storms rage around them. When a particularly bad squall cuts them off for weeks on end, they start to go bananas. Stylishly done, but macabre in the extreme, and definitely not for everyone. Video of the Day Queen & Slim January 31 Melina Matsoukas's powerful feature debut stars Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith as an African-American couple who are out on a pretty disastrous date when they're pulled over by a hostile cop whom they end up shooting in self-defence. Knowing that no-one will believe them, they go on the run, hotly pursued by a posse. Chloe Sevigny and Bokeem Woodbine co-star. Greed February 21 Michael Winterbottom and Steve Coogan join forces for this satire based on the vulgar lives of the super-rich. Coogan is Sir Richard McCreadie, a flashy retail billionaire who invites the great and the good to the Greek island Mykonos to celebrate his 60th birthday. Chaos ensues. With Isla Fisher, Shirley Henderson. Color Out of Space February 28 Grotesqueness abounds in Richard Stanley's entertaining adaptation of HP Lovecraft's classic sci-fi story. Nathan and Theresa Gardner (Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson) have just moved to a rambling estate in the Massachusetts countryside when a purple orb crashes to earth nearby. It will turn vegetables giant, and drive animals and people mad. A Quiet Place: Part 2 March 20 John Krasinski's A Quiet Place was one of the unexpected delights of 2018, a smart horror with a brilliant premise that didn't outstay its welcome. He and real-life wife Emily Blunt played a couple trying to protect their children from aliens who hunt by sound, and Blunt returns in this sequel to battle the voracious extraterrestrials alone. No Time to Die April In, we are reliably informed, Daniel Craig's last outing as Bond, the veteran spy has retired from active service when his old friend Felix Leiter persuades him to help find a missing spy. Production was disrupted by the departure of Danny Boyle, who was replaced as director by Cary Joji Fukunaga. But the return of Christoph Waltz as Blofeld, and Rami Malek as a new villain, ought to make No Time to Die fun. The Woman in the Window May Not to be confused with the Fritz Lang classic, Joe Wright's Hitchcockian thriller is adapted from A J Finn's novel by Tracy Letts and stars Amy Adams as an agoraphobic psychiatrist who's spying on her neighbours when she stumbles on a nasty crime scene. Gary Oldman and Julianne Moore co-star in a film that could be fun. Wonder Woman 1984 June I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Wonder Women, the witty 2017 DC Comics origins story starring Gal Gadot as Diana, an Amazonian princess who enters the world of men to try to end WWI. This time, Wonder Woman (who's eternal obviously) is in the gaudy '80s when she's confronted by a dastardly new enemy. Tenet July Christopher Nolan never makes boring films, but is giving nothing away about this latest project, a spy thriller that's been shot on location in no less than seven countries. Robert Pattinson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh and Michael Caine star. Top Gun: Maverick July The word is that Tom Cruise has actually learnt to fly a jet for this sequel, which one must admit shows commitment. Top Gun: Maverick is set 34 years after the original, and Pete Mitchell (Cruise) is now a fighter pilot instructor when he finds out that one of his students is the son of his old buddy, Goose. Will it be silly? Probably. Jungle Cruise July Okay, it's based on a Disney theme park ride, but then again so was Pirates of the Caribbean, and judging by the trailer, Jungle Cruise might just be an inspired cross between an Indiana Jones movie and The African Queen. Emily Blunt plays an early 20th-century English scientist/adventurer who hires a hack river-boat captain (Dwayne Johnson) to take her on a dangerous jungle mission. Bill and Ted Face the Music August There will be no end of good will towards this exceedingly belated sequel to the much-loved '90s comedies. Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) are now middle-aged, and their rock 'n' roll dreams are still eluding them, when a visitor from the future tells them that only their song can save humanity and bring harmony to the universe. Excellent, dudes. Respect August Apparently Aretha Franklin knew that this biopic was being made and personally chose Jennifer Hudson to play her. Hudson certainly has the singing chops to portray the girl from Memphis whose rare and raw talent would take the world by storm. Forest Whitaker and Audra McDonald co-star. Last Night in Soho September Edgar Wright is best known for comedies like Hot Fuzz, but dips into horror in this new project apparently inspired by classic British chillers like Don't Look Now and Repulsion. Last Night in Soho takes place across swinging 60s London and stars Thomasin McKenzie, Matt Smith and Anya Taylor-Joy. Dune November Time and again in recent years, Canadian director Denis Villeneuve has proved his visual flair, in films like Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. Who better, then, to take on the sacred cow of Frank Herbert's epic novel set in a bleak and distant future? David Lynch made a hash of Dune in 1984 - this should be better. The Many Saints of Newark September 'Intriguing' is the word that best describes David Chase and Alan Taylor's prequel to perhaps the greatest TV drama of them all, The Sopranos. Jon Bernthal plays Tony Soprano's volatile dad Johnny Boy, Vera Farmiga is his withering mother Livia, and fittingly, the late James Gandolfini's son Michael plays the young Tony. West Side Story December Apparently Steven Spielberg's new adaptation will adhere much more closely to the original Sondheim/Bernstein musical than the 1961 film. Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler play Tony and Maria, two young lovers who get caught in a turf war between rival New York street gangs. Should not be shabby. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. DES MOINES -- Trade and ethanol issues impacting Iowa agriculture, and an unresolved debate over the reauthorization of legislation designed to protect sexual assault victims are some of the issues that kept Iowas U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst busy in 2019. Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, discussed those issues during a year-end interview. Perhaps no issues kept Ernst busier than trade and ethanol policy. She spent the year advocating for passage of the new trade deal between the U.S., Mexico and Canada, and lobbying the Environmental Protection Agency to fully execute the federal ethanol mandate. The House this past Thursday passed the new trade agreement, which is known as USMCA and replaces the former North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. The Senate is expected to pass the new trade deal soon. Mexico previously approved new trade deal, and Canada is expected to as well. The USMCA languished for the year while Democrats sought stronger worker and environmental protections. We think it is wonderful, Ernst said of the new trade deal. We will get that done (in the Senate) and it will go to the presidents desk. So thats a really great thing. President Donald Trump sought the new trade deal to replace NAFTA, which he often criticized. The new deal took more than a year to be developed and earn Congressional approval. Ernst said although she would have preferred it be done sooner, she thinks it was worth the wait. In the ag space, this is a huge win for U.S. dairy --- and we do have dairy in Iowa --- really getting more of our product into Canada. So thats just one example in the ag front, Ernst said. But then if you look overall at the agreement, it needed to be modernized. So now we are actually taking things into consideration like technology and intellectual property theft. ... If you think about it, when NAFTA was done (in 1994), heavens sakes, that was decades ago. And think about how technology and trading has changed through the years. This will modernize, make it better and safer for everyone. While Ernst spent the year urging Democrats to sign the USMCA, she also spent it lobbying members of her own political party on ethanol policy. Ethanol and biodiesel industry officials and their supporters in political office --- including Ernst --- have been critical of EPA actions that, those ethanol and biodiesel supporters say, undermine the federal ethanol mandate. In particular, the EPAs critics have been upset by the agencys liberal use of waivers that exempt oil refineries from full participation in the ethanol mandate, creating less demand for ethanol. Ernst, among many other Iowa elected officials, spent the year urging EPA leaders, high-ranking officials in the Trump administration and the president himself to uphold the spirit of the ethanol mandate. The final package of rules left industry officials and advocates unsatisfied. The program still pledges 15 billion gallons of ethanol will be blended into the nations fuel supply, as decreed by the law. But the EPA was granted flexibility in accounting for the waivers, and ethanol advocates say the agency cannot be trusted to fulfill the mandates obligations. After shaking hands in the Oval Office this fall, EPA had an opportunity to restore the broken trust of farmers and to follow through on the presidents commitment, but it appears theyve missed the mark ... again, Ernst said in a statement after the rules were finalized. During the interview, Ernst said she had received assurances from Trump and other high-ranking administration officials that the 15 billion gallon mandate will be honored. Weve advised them the best we can on how to get there. The EPA has taken a little different turn, Ernst said. Ernst also found herself in a partisan squabble over reauthorization of legislation that offers protections and services for victims of sexual violence. A key hang-up is over Democrats desire to include a provision that would prohibit dating partners convicted of domestic violence from possessing a gun. The provision is commonly called the boyfriend loophole. The National Rifle Association said it opposes the provision. Ernst said she still hopes to find bipartisan consensus on the bill, and said she continues to work with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, of California, the top Democrat working on the bill. I am still hoping to get this done. Obviously its not going to happen this year, Ernst said. Dianne Feinstein still wants to work with me on this. ... So were still working through these issues. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 gettyimagesbank By Bahk Eun-ji Chloe Yang, 45, a college lecturer in Seoul, said she remembers her first panic attack a few months ago vividly. She was on her way to the parking lot after class when her daughter called asking her which food they were going to cook for dinner. Just like an ordinary mom and teenage daughter, for 5 minutes they debated about what they would eat for dinner. "Immediately after hanging up, my heart started pounding so fast and I felt like I was suffocating. All of a sudden, every noise on the street just rang in my ear so loudly," Yang said. After the attack, the underground parking lot of the college building she came in and out of every day, become terrifying, she said. "I don't even remember how long I was sitting in the back seat of my car on the day." Doctors define a panic attack as an episode of intense fear that comes suddenly but in the absence of real danger. People may have one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, but the problems vanish when the stressful situation ends. But if the panic attack recurs, unexpectedly, and the fear of another attack continues for a long period, it is called a panic disorder. In that case, the person often senses imminent doom, or even death, as well as experiencing extreme physical symptoms. It is similar to what people refer to as anxiety attacks, but panic attack tends to yield more intense physical symptoms. Panic attacks usually begin suddenly without warning. It shows typical signs and symptoms including sense of impending doom or danger, fear of loss of control, rapid heart pounding, sweating, shortness of breath or tightness in the throat, nausea, abdominal cramping and chest pain. Panic disorder is not foreign to most Koreans any more. It has surfaced in recent years, with an increasing number of celebrities confessing that they are struggling with the disorder or have experienced this kind of attack on at least one occasion. The number of patients diagnosed with the illness is steadily increasing. According to data from National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), 159,428 people were treated for panic disorder in 2018, a 70.5 percent increase from 93,000 in 2014. Among 2018's patients, 86,000 were women, taking up 54 percent. By age, patients in their 40s accounted for the largest ratio, with 38,825 or 24.4 percent. Although the total number of patients in their 30s to 40s was larger, the number of people in their 20s showed a rapid growth rate over the past five years, with an average annual growth of 24.5 percent. The annual growth among teens also stood at 18.1 percent during the same period. "The cause of panic disorder includes a lack of socioeconomic resources, smoking, alcohol problems and stress from separation or divorce," said Prof. Park Sun-young of NHIS Ilsan Hospital. Especially, patients in their 20s are experiencing difficulties such as academic pressure and unemployment, so this might by related to the increasing diagnosis rate of depression, which is closely related to panic disorder, Park said. To treat panic attacks adequately, Park said medications can help relieve symptoms as well as depression. Several types of medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines have been known to be effective in managing the symptoms of panic attacks. "Sometimes your medication will not work for you. But keep in mind that it can take several weeks after first starting medication to notice an improvement in symptoms," Park said. A clash broke out between members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students' Union and the ABVP on the university campus on Sunday, sources said. According to the sources, the clash took place during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers' Association. The students' union claimed that its president Aishe Ghosh and many other students were injured in stone pelting by ABVP members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy on Sunday carried out door-to-door campaign in his Lok Sabha constituency Secunderabad to allay people's fears on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and mobilise support for it. During his campaign, he informed the people that the Narendra Modi government was not against Muslims, it is, in fact, working for their development. He also slammed the Congress for trying to provoke people on CAA and the NCR. The aim of this door-to-door campaign was to allay any apprehensions or misconceptions that people had on the CAA or the NRC. Read: MoS G Kishan Reddy hits out at Imran Khan for criticising RSS video MoS G Kishan Reddy was accompanied by Telangana BJP chief K. Laxman and other leaders from the party. They clarified that the CAA had no impact on Indian Muslims and that the Opposition parties like the Congress, Telangana Rashtra Samithi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) were spreading lies about it and were creating a false narrative in the community. Read: MoS G Kishan Reddy says 'Violence is not the solution' after anti CAA protests The Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, which aims to grant citizenship to minorities who were persecuted in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, was explained in detail to the people. Reddy told the people that CAA was enacted to provide citizenship to those refugees that came from these countries due to attacks on minorities. Reddy firmly reinstated that unlike the three nations, India is a secular country and home to people of all religions. Read: G Kishan Reddy backs CAA, assures security to Muslim community 'Come to India, not Italy' Earlier Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on January 2 had said that Hindus facing religious persecution in Pakistan and Bangladesh will naturally 'come to India' and not go to 'Italy'. "Why are you protesting? Against whom you are protesting? If Hindus from Pakistan and Bangladesh will not come to India then where else they will go, Italy?" Reddy had said. "Sikhs will not go to Italy. It's our responsibility to give shelter to them and to give them citizenship," he had added. Read: Cong trying to mislead & divide people on communal lines:G Kishan Reddy on anti-CAA stir (With Agency inputs) - Additional reporting by Jess Casey Latest: The search for a man missing off the southeast coast after a trawler disappeared on Saturday night has been stood down this evening. A multi-agency search operation near Hook Head is winding down due to worsening weather conditions and visibility as darkness approaches. It is expected to resume again on Monday morning at approximately 8am. The trawler with two men on board is believed to have sank near Hook Head on Saturday night. One fisherman who was recovered from the water has since passed away at University Hospital Waterford. Naval vessel joins search for missing trawler; One fisherman dies, another missing RNLI searching the coast at Hook Head, Co Wexford. Picture: Patrick Browne Update 12.45pm: The naval vessel LE Ciara has joined the search for a missing man after a trawler disappeared off the southeast coast on Saturday night. The trawler with two men on board is believed to have sank near Hook Head on Saturday night. One fisherman who was recovered from the water has since passed away at University Hospital Waterford. The search for the other man who remains missing intensified this afternoon. RNLI crews from Kilmore Quay, Dunmore East and Fethard-on-Sea are currently on the scene, along with the Coastguard. The rescue helicopter 116, from Dublin, and rescue helicopter 117, from Waterford have also both been dispatched to the scene to assist with the search. The LE Ciara has also taken command of the operation. It is understood that there are between 15 to 20 other trawlers also on the scene helping to conduct the search. Rescue 117 Rescued fisherman dies as search continues for second man lost in trawler sinking off Wexford Update 7am: A fisherman recovered from the waters off the southeast coast last night has died and a search continues for a second man who is still missing. Gardai have confirmed a man in his 60s died at University Hospital Waterford. RNLI crews and other boats as well as the Coast Guard have been searching for another man who was on board when the trawler sank off the coast of Hook Head. The Coast Guard was alerted at around 10:30pm last night, after a boat got into difficulty and sank south of Hook Head. The Rescue 117 helicopter was dispatched and one person was rescued. The man was taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment but has died. The search for the missing man is ongoing, with the RNLI from Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay assisting in operation. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) New York, United States Sun, January 5, 2020 09:03 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320df2db 2 Entertainment Miley-Cyrus,lawsuit Free Miley Cyrus has settled a $300 million copyright infringement lawsuit by a Jamaican songwriter who accused the pop star of stealing her 2013 smash We Cant Stop from a similar song he recorded a quarter century earlier. Michael May, who performs as Flourgon, sued Cyrus in March 2018, claiming that We Cant Stop closely resembled his 1988 song We Run Things, which he called a reggae favorite since reaching No. 1 in his home country. May accused Cyrus and her label RCA Records, owned by Sony Corp, of misappropriating material including the phrase We run things. Things no run we, which she sang as We run things. Things dont run we. May, Cyrus, Sony and other defendants filed a joint stipulation in Manhattan federal court on Friday ending the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again. Cyrus lawyers said in a Dec. 12 letter that a settlement agreement had been signed, and that the stipulation would be filed pending payment of the settlement proceeds, which were not specified. Lawyers for May and Cyrus did not immediately respond to requests for comment. We Cant Stop, from Cyrus album Bangerz, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2013. It was blocked from hitting No. 1 by Robin Thickes Blurred Lines, the subject of its own high-profile copyright case over its resemblance to Marvin Gayes 1977 song Got To Give It Up. Even while the nation was struggling to digest the fact that the death toll at a state-run hospital in Kota had crossed the 100-mark in the month of December, fresh reports emerging from Gujarat suggest that as many as 111 infants died at a civil hospital in state's Rajkot district in December last year. An official confirmed the figures to news agency PTI. "As per official records, 111 infants died at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital in Rajkot in December, 71 in November and 87 in October last year," the hospital's medical superintendent, Manish Mehta, told reporters. He said the rise in infant deaths at the hospital in December was mainly due to an increase in the number of referral patients with serious ailments. More infants with low birth weight were also among the reasons for the rise in the number of deaths, Mehta said. "We hold monthly meetings to assess facilities available at the hospital and meet the requirements urgently," he added. AP Besides, 85 infants died at a civil hospital in Ahmedabad in December, its medical superintendent G H Rathod told reporters. "As many as 85 infants died in the month of December, 74 in November and 94 in October. The death rate has come down to around 18 per cent as compared to 2018," Rathod said, without specifying the previous numbers. The main reasons for such deaths were premature delivery, low birth weight, as well as infection and asphyxiation in infants referred to the hospital, he said. Reacting to the figures, state Health Minister Nitin Patel said the infant mortality rate is 30 per 1,000. "Every year 12 lakh infants are born. Of these, 30 out of every 1,000 infants die due to malnutrition, premature delivery, or because the mothers are not able to reach the hospital in time," the minister said. Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Sunday evaded a question on the death of as many as 196 infants during December in two government hospitals of the state. Rupani was speaking to media on sidelines of an event here but walked away from the reporters when his response to the children's death was sought by a scribe. The Chief Minister was vividly speaking about the event wherein he took part but went mum as soon as a reporter began asking a question about children dying in state-run hospitals. He did not even wait for the question to complete and hurriedly left the venue. 05.01.2020 LISTEN The police in Tamale in the Northern Region are appealing to public for assistance to find 16-year-old, Rasheeda Abdul Rahman who has been reported missing. An extract from the police and signed by the Deputy Supt. Mohammed Tanko Yusif of the Regional Public Affairs Unit said Rasheeda left home on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at 5:30 am to an unknown location and has since not returned. All efforts to trace her whereabouts have however proved futile. The police are thus seeking further assistance in finding the missing girl. The Metropolitan Police in Tamale is appealing to the public to assist in locating the whereabouts of Rasheeda Abdul Rahman (16) who has gone missing since December 17, 2019. Rasheeda was last seen dressed in a brown pinafore uniform. She is dark, about 4 feet 5 inches tall, slim built and speaks Dagbani, Kasira and English. The police are entreated to endeavor to assist in locating the victim. Any person with information should contact the nearest police station or call 191, 18555 and 0299200331. citinewsroom This church has about 30 more years before it is dead, stated one young man at a 2016 forum at the Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) in Alexandria, Virginia, as quoted in the recent book The Seduction of the Episcopal Church. Therein Anglican author David Virtue, a longtime critical observer of worldwide Anglicanism, reviews the Episcopal Churchs decades-long fall from grace in an expose of Christian folly in accommodating a secularized, sexualized modernity. Virtue tells the depressing, detailed story of a once proud Christian denomination that stood as a landmark church in a nation that has seen presidents, senators and business leaders pass through its hallowed red doors. Spiritual and ecclesiastical death marks the present and future state of this denomination today as Episcopal Church membership has cratered from a 1966 peak of 3,647,297, to 1,676,349 in 2018. Particularly the 2003 consecration of noncelibate homosexual V. Gene Robinson as an Episcopal bishop unleashed an ecclesiastical tsunami wave and the worst single outflow of Episcopalians in modern history, over 100,000. In an Episcopal Church intoxicated with the spirit of the age, 31 percent of Episcopalians according to the latest statistics are 65 or older while 79 percent do not have a child under 18. Procreation seems a secondary concern for Episcopalians, 79 and 74 percent of whom, respectively, think abortion should be legal in all or most cases and favor same-sex marriage. Rather than walking any orthodox straight and narrow, 47 percent of Episcopalians say the Bible is not Gods Word and 51 percent of Episcopalians seldom or never read Scripture. Biographical portraits of contemporary Episcopal false prophets form the milestones along Virtues mapping of the Episcopal road to ruin, such as James Albert Pike, who became Bishop of California in 1958. Pike was the Episcopal Churchs first public heretic, who questioned numerous Christian doctrines like the Trinity and deeply dabbled in the occult in order to contact his son who had committed suicide. His personal life was as messy as his later theological ramblings, for after one divorce and one annulment, a 56-year old Pike married his third wife, age 31. Meanwhile he had a secret telephone installed in the San Francisco episcopal office for his mistresses. Rutgers University professor and homosexual activist Louie Crew founded the Episcopal homosexual group Integrity in 1974. He would begin his Bible as Literature classes by dumping a Bible into a bowl of muddy water and mockingly note the absence of wrathful, divine lightning bolts. Largely due to his lobbyist inglorious victory for one man, the Church had gone from thoroughly heterosexual to pansexual in one generation, Virtue notes, a feat that present day cultural Marxists could only stand back and admire. The actual record of Crews legacy was hardly gay, as the Episcopal Churchs first ordination of a noncelibate homosexual went unbelievably badly in 1989 with the AIDS-infected Robert Williams, Virtue observes. As Williams cohabitation with his live-in homosexual partner predicted, the narrative did not go as planned, with Williams announcing that neither celibacy nor monogamy were natural to human beings. Bishop of Newark John Shelby Spong, a notoriously heterodox Episcopalian and inveterate opponent of House of Bishops Homophobes, pressured Williams into resignation and he shortly thereafter died of AIDS. Elected Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop in 1998, Frank Tracy Griswold decided that the mind of Christ was a conglomeration of worldly culture, social confusion, and Islamic beliefs couched in mystical language, Virtue notes. Reflecting the mind of a declining western culture, Griswolds writings tossed numerous quotes and buzzwords at the reader, even though they were meaningless. His only absolute is that there are no absolutes, Virtue observes of a clergyman who has condemned Jesus unique salvation claims as Jesusolatry. It was perhaps fitting that Robinson, who has revealed himself as an alcoholic, two-time gay divorcee, became bishop under Presiding Bishop Griswold. His own sexuality was the private talk of many, Virtue notes. One Episcopal bishop had claimed to Virtue that the married Griswold consorted with known drag queens and homosexuals in Paris in the late 80s. Griswolds support for Robinsons ordination has torn the fabric of the Anglican Communion, Virtue observes. In 2004, the Episcopal Church stood on the edge of being publicly reprimanded, if not thrown out of the Anglican Communion for doctrinal and moral infidelity. Additionally, Griswolds public affirmation of pansexuality jeopardized the lives of Anglicans in northern Nigeria, who daily face the onslaughts of Islamic fundamentalists pushing Sharia law, who laughingly mock Christianity as a queer religion. Succeeding Griswold in 2006, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori launched a personal Inquisition against any Episcopalians who would not accept the new sexual (dis)order, Virtue writes. Against congregations that attempted to leave the Episcopal Church with their church property and dissident clergy she fought in every legal venue open to the church; salaries and pensions would be cut off. Episcopal Church legal fees exceeded S22 million. The vengeful Griswold testified in court that she preferred selling church properties for saloons rather than to other, orthodox Anglican entities. Thus properties were sold to start up evangelicals, fundamentalists, even to Muslim Imams for mosques, Virtue writes. Moreover, Schori defrocked, humiliated and destroyed hundreds of Anglican priests in a bonfire of the Episcopal vanities. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, a supposed moderate, followed in 2015 the ultra-liberal Schori, who had traded The Great Commission (to preach the gospel to all the world) for Millennium Development Goals, Virtue notes. Yet even as his preaching revealed the old-style cadence of black preachers, Curry merely would be a different shade of gray. One young Episcopalian dismissed Currys proclaimed Jesus Movement as all that 1960s stuff we are trying to avoid. Virtues dismal conclusion concurs with the young VTS visitor. Within two generations, most of the Church will be gone. There will be hold out parishes like Trinity Wall Street, the richest church in the world, and a number of large Texas parishes. The watchman Virtue has given his alarm; now other Christians must heed this writing on the wall. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Israel as a nuclear power before correcting himself with a bashful nod and an embarrassed smile. Israel is widely believed to have an atomic arsenal but has never confirmed or denied it has nuclear weapons, maintaining a policy of ambiguity for decades. Netanyahu, 70, stumbled at the weekly cabinet meeting while reading in Hebrew prepared remarks on a deal with Greece and Cyprus on a subsea gas pipeline. Netanyahu (pictured today), 70, stumbled at the weekly cabinet meeting while reading in Hebrew prepared remarks on a deal with Greece and Cyprus on a subsea gas pipeline 'The significance of this project is that we are turning Israel into a nuclear power,' he said, before quickly correcting himself to say 'energy power'. He then paused, acknowledging his slip of the tongue with a smile, and carried on with his comments. The rare blooper from one of Israel's most polished politicians led to swift mockery on social media. Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival in a March 2 vote after two inconclusive elections in April and September. In November, he was indicted on corruption charges, which he denies. And Israel was last week drawn into the battle between the US and Iran following President Donald Trump's drone strike on General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is understood to have briefed Israel ahead of time about their plans to kill the revered military leader who was the powerful head of Iran's elite Quds Force. Pompeo spoke to Netanyahu on the phone on Wednesday night, ostensibly to thank him for Israel's help after the attack on the US embassy in Iraq, according to The Times of Israel. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was likely told of the US drone strike by Mike Pompeo before the attack (pictured together) The Israeli Prime Minister tweeted hours before the drone strike that 'very, very dramatic things are happening' in the region But on Thursday morning, hours before the attack in Baghdad, Netanyahu forewarned about 'very, very dramatic things' happening in the region. He tweeted: 'I want to make one thing clear: We fully support all of the steps that the US has taken as well as its full right to defend itself and its citizens. 'Moreover, we know that our region is stormy; very, very dramatic things are happening in it. We are alert and are monitoring the situation. 'We are in continuous contact with our great friend the US, including my conversation yesterday afternoon.' Just hours later, Soleimani and other top officials were killed in the airstrike which could have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences. But it appears the US did not brief allies other than Israel of the impending attack, with Britain not given any notice ahead of the airstrike. The strikes resulted in the deaths of Qassem Soleimani (left), chief of the elite Quds Forces arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, as well Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, 66, (right) commander of a pro-Iran Iraqi militia In a statement after Pompeo's call with Netanyahu, the US State Department said: 'Secretary Pompeo thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for Israel's unwavering commitment to countering Iran's malign regional influence and its condemnation of the December 31 attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad. 'The Secretary and Prime Minister reaffirmed the unbreakable bonds between the United States and Israel.' After the strike, Netanyahu praised the US and Donald Trump and gave his full support behind the killing, saying the President acted with 'determination, strongly and swiftly'. Pompeo has since briefed other foreign ministers in Britain, Germany and China, stressing that Trump was countering a real and imminent threat to US lives in the region. He also said the President is committed to deescalating tensions despite the initial outcry after the attack. A national radio DJ who had to leave the airways because of a stroke two years ago is now about to launch a new series of podcasts to highlight the fact that the condition can hit any age. After thirty years as a broadcaster, Gerry Stevens (52) had to hang up his microphone temporarily when he suffered a brain haemorrhage while watching TV on November 1, 2017. "I had just been visiting my mother-in-law in hospital in Naas and was chilling out, watching TV with my partner Ann when I suddenly didn't feel very well," said the Q102 DJ "I didn't have an event but I just didn't fell very well. I was nauseas, hot and my tongue all of a sudden felt very large. "Ann noticed that the left hand of my face had dropped. I used to make a living out of being able to speak but all of a sudden, I couldn't control my voice and my tongue just wouldn't work for me. "I started getting pins and needles in my arms and within ten minutes, I definitely knew that I was in trouble as my left hand, arm and leg stopped working. "I tried to get out of the chair but just fell over. " During the four months he spent in hospital, Gerry, who hails from Duleek, Co. Meath, said he was surprised to meet people of all ages who had suffered a stroke "When I was growing up, a stroke was something that happened to your Granny and was a sign of old age but that's no longer the case. "It's now a common occurrence even in the under 40s. There are 10,000 stroke cases in Ireland every year and 2,000 of these die. "Much is down to lifestyle and I was leading a busy life touring around and managing bands but I didn't think I was stressed. I didn't get any warning signs. "Unlike 85% of most stoke victims, I didn't have a clot, I had a brain haemorrhage and had undiagnosed hypertension with a reading of over 200. "It was the scariest time of my life. Everything just stopped and I no longer had any control. "All of a sudden, I couldn't talk or drive and had lost all power on my left hand side. When I spoke, I sounded angry or drunk or both. "I spent three months in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda learning to talk and walk again - all the things I took for granted. Gerry Stevens "I was always the same person in my head but I just couldn't get out my thoughts verbally in the best way possible "I was using a hoist and a wheelchair and my dignity and self-esteem had disappeared so I had a very low opinion of myself. "The staff both there and in Dundalk Hospital where I spent another month were fantastic and I can't praise or thank them enough." Two years on and Gerry still has spasms in his foot and has trouble moving his left hand but he is back driving and has just bought an adapted motorcycle. He also decided to record a series of podcasts with victims and medics in an effort to raise awareness of the condition. "I haven't the confidence yet to go back on the radio so I decided to record podcasts on stroke from all angles. "The main thing is to remember the acronym FACE to recognise a stroke - Facial dropping, Arm Weakness, Speech Difficulties and Time to call emergency services. Time is brain and you lose 100,000 brain cells a minute so it really is of the essence. " I've interviewed nine people of all ages about their experience of stroke but as well, I've talked to registrar at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Dr Zul Khalil on his observations of each of the patients as they came in and also to the clinical nurse of the Specialised Stroke Unit Fiona Connaughton on the progress and recovery of each patient. " The podcasts will be launched later this month and further information can be obtained here. - The prayers will be held at the Jaffery Islamic Centre Mosque, Lavington, Nairobi on Sunday, January 5 - United States Vice President Mike Pence claimed Soleimani sponsored terror attacks Kenya in 2011 - The 45th US President Donald Trump said he ordered the killing of the general after he got prior intelligence he planned to kill US diplomats The Iranian embassy in Kenya will hold special prayers for its slain general Qassem Soleimani who was killed by a US air strike in Baghdad Airport, Iraq on Friday, January 3. The prayers will be held at the Jaffery Islamic Centre Mosque, Lavington, Nairobi on Sunday, January 5. READ ALSO: Nakuru family finds KSh 36K in old currency notes hidden in house 14 years ago The Iran embassy in Kenya will hold prayers for slain general Qassem Soleimani ( center) on Sunday, January 5. Photo: CNN. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Somali man alleged to be Betty Kyallo's new lover distances himself from news anchor The embassy made the announcement in a poster seen by TUKO.co.ke. The cultural council of the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Nairobi Kenya invites you to a special ceremony to pray for the Shaheeds (martyrs) Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis at the Jaffery Islamic Centre Mosque, Lavington, it read. United States President Donald Trump said on Saturday, January 4, he ordered the killing of the general who was the commander of Iran's Qud Forces after he got prior intelligence he planned to kill US diplomats. Trump's deputy Mike Pence also claimed Soleimani was responsible for sponsoring terror attacks in different countries of the world including Kenya in 2011. 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 WASHINGTON Less than a week after Iran's top military commander was killed by U.S. drone strike, the regime said Sunday that it would further scale back compliance with an international nuclear pact. Iran will not respect any limits established in the 2015 nuclear deal on the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges, according to a state-run television broadcast. Therefore, Iran would have no limit on its enrichment capacity, the level to which uranium could be enriched, or Iran's nuclear research and development. While the other signatories of the nuclear deal France, Germany, the U.K., Russia and China have tried to keep the agreement alive, the state broadcast said Tehran's steps could be reversed if Washington lifted its sanctions. 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. Last May, Iran stopped complying with some commitments in the 2015 nuclear deal that was agreed with global powers when Trump unilaterally withdrew from the landmark deal, brokered by the Obama administration, in 2018. Trump also re-introduced sanctions on Tehran that had been previously lifted in accordance with the nuclear deal. At the time, Iran threatened to start enriching uranium at a higher level, unless world powers protected its economy from U.S. sanctions within 60 days. New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) on Sunday released a statement after violent clashes broke out between the Left and ABVP students. In its release, the administration said that there is law and order situation in the JNU campus. 'Masked miscreants armed with sticks are roaming around, damaging property and attacking people. The JNU Adminstration has called the police to maintain order,' the release added. A clash broke out between members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students Union and the ABVP on the university campus on Sunday, sources said. According to the sources, the clash took place during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers Association. The students union claimed that its president Aishe Ghosh and many other students were injured in stone pelting by ABVP members. But the RSS-backed students organisation alleged that its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits and 25 of them were injured. The JNUSU claimed that ABVP members wearing masks were moving around on the campus with lathis, rods and hammers. They are pelting bricks...getting into hostels and beating up students. Several teachers and students have also been beaten up, the JNUSU claimed. JNUSU president Ghosh has been brutally attacked and she was bleeding from her head, they said. Members of the Left-backed student outfits alleged that outsiders were allowed to enter the campus and they barged into hostels, including girls hostels. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) claimed that its members were brutally attacked by students affiliated to Left student organisations SFI, AISA and DSF. Around 25 students have been seriously injured in the attack and there is no information about whereabouts of 11 students. Many ABVP members are being attacked in hostels and the hostels are being vandalised by the Leftist goons, the ABVP said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Union minister for textiles and women & child development Smriti Irani, on Sunday, accused the opposition of supporting anti-nationals and spreading fear among people regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The Congress shot back saying that calling opposition anti-national is unconstitutional. Irani, who was present in the city as a part of a Jan Jagran Abhiyan, a public awareness campaign launched by the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) to apprise people about the new citizenship law, said, Opposition is creating disillusions over the CAA. The Act supports oppressed minorities, including Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis, of the neighbouring Islamic countries and does not strip away the citizenship of minority communities in India, Irani said, addressing the press conference at PWD Rest House in Gurugram. The BJP leaders also took out a 2.5-km march from the Vivekanand School in Sector 7 up to Harish Bakery on Old Railway Road. Calling it a political ploy by the opposition parties for polarization of the vote bank, Irani took potshots at the Congress stating, It is a known fact that they (the opposition) have always been anti-Hindu and anti-Sikhs but now they are against other communities like Buddhists, Jains and Parsis. Their leaders Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot have written letters requesting citizenship for refugees, while former PM Manmohan Singh took the issue to the Rajya Sabha. The anarchy of the opposition is visible as they are now supporting anti-nationals and few leaders are even reiterating the words of Pakistani leaders. They are supporting lawbreakers who are attacking the police and setting fire to public property, Irani said referring to the face-offs between pro-CAA protesters and the police which turned violent in many parts of the country and have become a subject of controversy. Be it Delhi or West Bengal, CMs have accepted ghuspaithiyon (intruders) as their vote bank, Irani said. Ved Prakash Vidrohi, spokesperson, Congress, Haryana said, According to the BJP, anyone opposing the CAA and NRC are either anti-nationals or Pakistan supporters. We are a democracy where there will always be a difference of opinion. Calling the opposition anti-national is unconstitutional. He questioned, Why the BJP leaders are reaching out to citizens after CAA has been passed in the Parliament? Opposition parties have been criticising the Centre and UP governments over its handling of the protests against the CAA and accused the police in some states of brutality and high-handedness. Protests have erupted in different parts of the country, including the national capital, and continue to rage. Citing the attack on Gurudwara Nankana Sahib by a violent mob in Pakistan, Irani said, Isnt this proof for the opposition on the current situation of minorities in Islamic states? If we look at history, Mahatma Gandhi said that if Hindus and Sikhs are tortured in Pakistan then it is Indias duty to give them respect. As many non-BJP ruled states have refused to implement the CAA and NRC, Irani said that the Act has been mandated by both houses and wont be taken back. Union home minister Amit Shah has clarified that it will not be taken back as it has been mandated by both houses of parliament. At least 28 people were killed and dozens injured on Saturday in an air strike on a military school in the Libyan capital Tripoli, a ministry spokesman said. "An air raid on the military school of Tripoli killed 28 cadets and injured dozens more," Amin al-Hashemi, spokesman for the health ministry of the Government of National Accord (GNA) said. At the time of the strike the cadets were gathered on a parade ground before going to their dormitories, he added. The military school is in al-Hadba al-Khadra, a residential sector of the Libyan capital. The GNA health ministry called for blood donors to go to hospitals and blood banks to help those injured. The southern part of Tripoli has seen fierce fighting since last April, when military strongman Khalifa Haftar began an offensive against the GNA. Libya was plunged into chaos with the toppling and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising. It has since become divided between the GNA and rival authorities based in the country's east. GNA forces accused those loyal to Haftar of the strike, posting photos of the victims and the wounded on Facebook. However, pro-Haftar forces have not claimed responsibility for the attack. More than 280 civilians and more than 2,000 fighters have been killed since the start of Haftar's assault on Tripoli, according to the United Nations. The fighting has also displaced some 146,000 people. The UN Security Council last month renewed its calls for a ceasefire in Libya, and urged foreign actors to honour an arms embargo on the country -- which Jordan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have regularly violated, according to a confidential UN report seen by AFP. Emergency personnel pull a gurney with a victim on it from an air strike on a military school in the capital Tripoli Nutson's Auto News Nuggets - Week Ending January 4, 2020 AUTO CENTRAL CHICAGO - January 5, 2020; Every Sunday Larry Nutson, Executive Producer and Chicago Car Guy with help from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Auto Channel's "take" on this past week's automotive news, condensed into easy to digest news Nuggets. LEARN MORE: Links to full versions of today's news nuggets along with the past 25 year's automotive news, articles, reviews and archived stories residing in The Auto Channel Automotive News Library can be found by just copying and then inserting the main headline into the News Library Search Box. Want more automotive content than our million plus pages?, TV viewers can watch The Auto Channel, TACH-TV Network on TUNA Digital Network and Old Fashioned "Free and Clear" OTA (Over the air) TV in Boston and South Florida as well as local cable systems. Nutson's Automotive News Review - Week Ending JANUARY 4, 2010; Important or pithy automotive news and back stories in expert-created easy to digest news nuggets. * HAPPY 2020! WELCOME TO THE NEW ROARING '20S DECADE! * The surprise of the new year is Carlos Ghosn, the highly respected CEO of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance suddenly turning up in Beirut, Lebanon. Ghosn was out on bail in Japan awaiting trial for charges that were never really made clear. He had surrendered all his passports and was continuously under surveillance. Details regarding Ghosn's journey from Japan are starting to emerge and involve two private air flights, one from Osaka to Istanbul and then one to Lebanon. Many friends in the automotive industry are celebrating Ghosn's "escape" as a New Year's good omen. * U.S. cars sales slowed in 2019, as expected. Reports are still coming in but the industry's multiyear boom is easing. Final numbers will probably top 17 million reflecting a 1% to 2% decline. The strong economy, cheap gas and new SUVs have helped auto makers and stimulated buyers. GM sales fell 2.3%, FCA is down 1%, Ford is estimated at 3% down, Toyota is down 2%, Honda is down 10%. A further drop in 2020 sales are expected with forecasts between 16.5 and 16.8 million. * The pickup war escalated when General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reported fourth-quarter and year-end sales and, for the first time, the Ram pickup has outsold the Chevrolet Silverado for the year by 10.1%. * The Detroit Free Press named the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Ranger and Kia Telluride as Free Press car, truck and SUV of the year. Free Press auto critic Mark Phelan is a juror for the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year awards. The Corvette, Ranger and Telluride got his votes for those honors, too. The NACTOY winners will be announced Jan. 13 at TCF Center in Detroit. * Perhaps VW has a solution to charge many EVs parked in condo or apartment garages. Volkswagen has unveiled a new concept for a charging butler robot that can charge electric vehicles in a parking garage using mobile battery packs. The German automaker says that mobile robots will charge electric vehicles completely autonomously in the future." The robot brings the charger to the car as compared to the car finding the charging station. * And in the ongoing VW dieselgate affair, a German consumer group who sued VW is entering into settlement negotiations. The case was brought on behalf of 400,000 diesel owners who are seeking compensation for cars affected by the automakers diesel emission scandal. * We all should be aware of our personal carbon footprint. Corporations should too, Well, all that online ordering with Amazon has led them to have an enormous carbon footprint. All the planes, trucks and vans that use fossil fuel to move packages are drawing the ire of Amazon employees themselves. Last year more than 8,000 staffers signed an open letter to CEO Jeff Bezos demanding that Amazon cut its carbon emissions. Amazon itself released a report on its carbon footprint and it rivals the emissions of a small country. We all should think twice about online ordering. * From Reuters, the age of the electric car has arrived in Norway. Led by Tesla, electric cars made up 42% of vehicle sales in Norway last year - a far, far greater share than any other country. With generous subsidies funded by offshore oil, Norway has become a laboratory for the electric car future, showing that with the right mix of public subsidies, infrastructure investment and culture electric vehicles can capture a substantial share of the consumer market from internal combustion technology. Tesla has dominated the Norwegian market, but rivals are determined to do better in 2020. Volkswagen is chief among them. VW predicted by 2025 100% of new vehicles sold in Norway could be electric. * Mercedes-Benz is recalling roughly 750,000 cars because the vehicles sunroofs could potentially detach and fly off, causing road hazards. The cars include in the recall are the C-Class, E-Class, CLK-Class and the CLS-Class, made between 2001 and 2011. * Steve McQueen's Mustang from the famed Bullitt car chase is heading to auction. The owner, Sean Kiernan, figures the price could approach $5 million, or at least far more than the $3,500 his father paid in 1974. Mecum will auction the '68 Ford Mustang on Jan 10. You can watch it on NBCSN. Mecum thinks it will bring at least $3 million. Hagerty says closer $4 million. (Late News: The car sold for $3.4 Million) * Syd Mead, car designer turned artist known for looking far into the future, and the visionary behind such movies as Blade Runner, Aliens and Tron, died December 30. He was 86. Mead was a graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and worked for two years in Fords advanced design studio. He left to do illustrations and in 1970 started his own design company in Detroit. * Remembering those who passed on in 2019. As we begin a new year, we take time to remember some of those in the car community who left us in 2019. Thanks to ClassicCars.com for this look back. https://journal.classiccars.com/2019/12/31/201014/ * It's the first weekend of the new year and it's motorsports time. The Roar Before the Rolex 24 kicks off the racing season at DAYTONA as the three-day test serves as the final dress rehearsal before the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA. A highlight of this weekend is the IMSA Prototype Challenge. New Delhi: After dropping chartbusters `Muqabla` and `Garmi`, makers of dance-drama `Street Dancer 3D` released the ultimate battle song of the movie -- 'Illegal Weapon 2.0' -- on Saturday. The song features actors Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Nora Fatehi and other actors from the film, and portrays the street dance battle between two dance teams from India and Pakistan. While team India is led by Varun Dhawan, team Pakistan is led by Shraddha Kapoor in the song. The power-packed track showcases the two arch-rivals challenging each other with their well-coordinated dance moves consisting of a mix of hip-hop and break-dance. The song -- 'Illegal Weapon 2.0' -- is the revamped version of a Punjabi hit number with the same name and has been sung by Garry Sandhu and Jasmine Sandlas, who had also sung the original number. Besides `Illegal Weapon`, another classic song that has been revamped by the makers of the film is A R Rahman`s iconic dance track `Muqabla`. Directed by choreographer Remo D`Souza, the film `Street Dancer 3D` has been making a lot of the buzz owing to the success of his previous dance-dramas `ABCD` and `ABCD 2`. The film is slated to hit the theatres on January 24 and has Prabhu Deva and Nora Fatehi in pivotal roles apart from the lead duo. Lucknow: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath addressed a press conference on Sunday and declared that 'Defence Expo-2020' will be held in Lucknow during the month of February. Prior to the conference, Yogi Adityanath had held a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with officials regarding 'Defence Expo-2020'. Adityanath said, ''Preparations are underway for the Defence Expo which is to be held in February. I am convinced that Uttar Pradesh will become a destination for defence manufacturing and aerospace manufacturing in India.'' Live TV Talking about his achievements Aditynath said, ''In Uttar Pradesh, we have turned challenges into opportunities. We have successfully organized Investors Summit in Lucknow, NRI Conference in Varanasi and Kumbh in Prayagraj.'' He added, '' Many events organised here have earned global recognition.'' Adityanath thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh for choosing Uttar Pradesh for the Expo. Addressing the press conference Rajnath Singh said, ''Defense Expo 2020 is an important international level expo. This is the largest expo in India which is going to be held in Lucknow in UP. Many investors have agreed to the MoU. A large number of investors are coming and they will see that they have to invest.'' The theme of the DefExpo India- 2020 will be 'India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub' and focus will be on 'Digital Transformation of Defence'. The Defence Expo also offers an opportunity for Indian firms to get engaged in Business-to-Business (B2B) interaction with senior foreign delegations. It also facilitates Government-to-Government (G2G) meetings and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). In 2018 Chennai hosted the biennial show for the first time ever. In the chaotic days leading to the death of Major General Qassem Soleimani, Irans most powerful commander, top American military officials put the option of killing him which they viewed as the most extreme response to recent Iranian-led violence in Iraq on the menu they presented to President Donald Trump. They didnt think he would take it. Washington: In the chaotic days leading to the death of Major General Qassem Soleimani, Irans most powerful commander, top American military officials put the option of killing him which they viewed as the most extreme response to recent Iranian-led violence in Iraq on the menu they presented to President Donald Trump. They didnt think he would take it. In the wars waged since the 11 September, 2001, attacks, Pentagon officials have often offered improbable options to presidents to make other possibilities appear more palatable. After initially rejecting the Soleimani option on 28 December and authorising airstrikes on an Iranian-backed Shiite militia group instead, a few days later Trump watched, fuming, as television reports showed Iranian-backed attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad, according to Defense Department and administration officials. By late Thursday, the president had gone for the extreme option. Top Pentagon officials were stunned. Trump made the decision, senior officials said Saturday, despite disputes in the administration about the significance of what some officials said was a new stream of intelligence that warned of threats to US embassies, consulates and military personnel in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Soleimani had just completed a tour of his forces in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, and was planning an imminent attack that could claim hundreds of lives, those officials said. Days, weeks, General Mark A Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Friday, when asked how imminent any attacks could be, without offering more detail other than to say that new information about unspecified plotting was clear and unambiguous. But some officials voiced private skepticism about the rationale for a strike on Soleimani, who was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American troops over the years. According to one US official, the new intelligence indicated a normal Monday in the Middle East 30 December and Soleimanis travels amounted to business as usual. That official described the intelligence as thin and said that Soleimanis attack was not imminent because of communications the US had between Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Soleimani showing that the ayatollah had not yet approved any plans by the general for an attack. The ayatollah, according to the communications, had asked Soleimani to come to Tehran for further discussions at least a week before his death. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence were two of the most hawkish voices arguing for a response to Iranian aggression, according to administration officials. Pences office helped ride herd on meetings and conference calls held by officials in the run-up to the strike. Defense Secretary Mark T Esper and Milley declined to comment for this article, but Milleys spokeswoman, Colonel DeDe Halfhill, said, without elaborating, that some of the characterizations being asserted by other sources are false and that she would not discuss conversations between Milley and the president. The fallout from Trumps targeted killing is now underway. On Saturday in Iraq, the US military was on alert as tens of thousands of pro-Iranian fighters marched through the streets of Baghdad and calls accelerated to eject the US from the country. US Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the West Asia, said there were two rocket attacks near Iraqi bases that host American troops, but no one was injured. In Iran, the ayatollah vowed forceful revenge as the country mourned the death of Soleimani. In Palm Beach, Florida, Trump lashed back, promising to strike 52 sites across Iran representing the number of American hostages taken by Iran in 1979 if Iran attacked Americans or American interests. On Saturday night, Trump warned on Twitter that some sites were 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 president issued those warnings after US spy agencies Saturday detected that Iranian ballistic missile units across the country had gone to a heightened state of readiness, a US official said Saturday night. Other officials said it was unclear whether Iran was dispersing its ballistic missile units the heart of the Iranian military to avoid an American attack or was mobilizing the units for a major strike against U.S. targets or allies in the region in retaliation for Soleimanis death. On Capitol Hill, Democrats voiced growing suspicions about the intelligence that led to the killing. At the White House, officials formally notified Congress of a war powers resolution with what the administration said was a legal justification for the strike. At Fort Bragg, North Carolina, some 3,500 soldiers, one of the largest rapid deployments in decades, are bound for the West Asia. Soleimani, who was considered the most important person in Iran after Khamenei, was a commanding general of a sovereign government. The last time the US killed a major military leader in a foreign country was during World War II, when the US military shot down a plane carrying Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto of Japan. But administration officials are playing down Soleimanis status as a part of the Iranian state, suggesting his title gave him cover for terrorist activities. In the days since his death, they have sought to describe the strike as more in line with the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State leader, who died in October in an American commando raid in Syria. Administration officials insisted they did not anticipate sweeping retaliation from Iran, in part because of divisions in the Iranian leadership. But Trumps two predecessors presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama had rejected killing Soleimani as too provocative. Soleimani had been in Trumps sights since the beginning of the administration, although it was a 27 December rocket attack on an Iraqi military base outside Kirkuk, which left an American civilian contractor dead, that set the killing in motion. Milley and Esper traveled Sunday to Mar-a-Lago, Trumps Palm Beach resort, a day after officials presented the president with an initial list of options for how to deal with escalating violence against US targets in Iraq. The options included strikes on Iranian ships or missile facilities or against Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq. The Pentagon also tacked on the choice of targeting Soleimani, mainly to make other options seem reasonable. Trump chose strikes against militia groups. On Sunday, the Pentagon announced that airstrikes approved by the president had struck three locations in Iraq and two in Syria controlled by the group, Kataib Hezbollah. Jonathan Hoffman, the chief Pentagon spokesman, said the targets included weapons storage facilities and command posts used to attack American and partner forces. About two dozen militia fighters were killed. These were on remote sites, Milley told reporters Friday in his Pentagon office. There was no collateral damage. But the Iranians viewed the strikes as out of proportion to their attack on the Iraqi base, and Iraqis largely members of Iranian-backed militias staged violent protests outside the US Embassy in Baghdad. Trump, who aides said had on his mind the specter of the 2012 attacks on the US compound in Benghazi, Libya, became increasingly angry as he watched television images of pro-Iranian demonstrators storming the embassy. Aides said he worried that no response would look weak after repeated threats by the US. When Trump chose the option of killing Soleimani, top military officials, flabbergasted, were immediately alarmed about the prospect of Iranian retaliatory strikes on US troops in the region. It is unclear if Milley or Esper pushed back on the presidents decision. Over the next several days, the militarys Special Operations Command looked for an opportunity to hit Soleimani, who operated in the open and was treated like a celebrity in many places he visited in West Asia. Military and intelligence officials said the strike drew on information from secret informants, electronic intercepts, reconnaissance aircraft and other surveillance tools. The option that was eventually approved depended on who would greet Soleimani at his expected arrival Friday at Baghdad International Airport. If he was met by Iraqi government officials allied with Americans, one US official said, the strike would be called off. But the official said it was a clean party, meaning members of Kataib Hezbollah, including its leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Trump authorized the killing at about 5 pm on Thursday, officials said. On Friday, missiles fired from an American MQ-9 Reaper blew up Soleimanis convoy as it departed the airport. Helene Cooper, Eric Schmitt, Maggie Haberman, Rukmini Callimachi c. The New York Times Company (2019) Two Kansas legislators have pre-filed a bill they hope will protect Kansans from so-called "red-flag" laws, sometimes called "extreme risk protection orders." The red-flag laws are on the books in 17 states and allow an individual who thinks someone might be a danger to others to petition a judge to remove their firearms. The order can be fought in court but only after a citizen's gun is confiscated, which opponents have called a violation of the Fifth Amendment. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 04:35:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Four mortar rounds on Sunday landed on the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad, an Iraqi Defense Ministry official said. The incident took place in the evening when four mortar rounds hit the zone, which houses some of the main offices of the Iraqi government and the U.S. embassy, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. "One of the rounds landed at the bank of Tigris River close to the U.S. embassy," the source said. The heavily fortified Green Zone has been frequently targeted by mortar and rocket attacks. The roughly 10 square km zone is located on the west bank of the Tigris River, which bisects the Iraqi capital. Late on Saturday, Abu Ali al-Askari, security leader of the Iraqi Shiite militia Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) warned the Iraqi security forces to move away from the U.S. bases with no less than 1,000 meters starting from Sunday. "The leaders of the security services must abide by the safety rules of their fighters and not allow them to be a human shield," al-Askari said. The latest attack came after a U.S. drone attack ordered by President Donald Trump killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces. The attack took place on the Baghdad international airport's road early on Friday. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani have vowed to retaliate against the U.S. over Soleimani's death. Sunday's attack also came after Iraqi protesters on Tuesday stormed the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad to protest the U.S. air raids conducted on Dec. 29 against five bases of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, claiming the lives of 25 militants. WOOD RIVER St. John United Church of Christ at 228 N. 6th St., Wood River, has been celebrating its Centennial Anniversary for the last few months. The actual service for the celebration is planned Sunday, Jan. 19. The service will begin at 9:30 a.m. with guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Nancy Livingston. An afternoon service also is planned at 2 p.m. with guest speaker Rev. Shanna Johnson, Conference Minister of the Illinois South Conference of the United Church of Christ. Garbage sorting robot Yumi demonstrates how to sort garbage during the second China Interntaional Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, November. 5, 2019. [Xinhua] BEIJING, January. 4 (Xinhua) A total of 237 Chinese cities have started to practice garbage sorting, data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development showed. In 46 key cities, household garbage classification has covered 77,000 housing estates, or 53.9 percent, and 49 million households, according to the ministry. Garbage sorting practices have reached over 70 percent of housing estates in 18 cities including Shanghai, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. By the end of 2020, relevant laws, regulations and standard systems for garbage sorting will be established, according to a plan jointly released by the ministry and the National Development and Reform Commission. Of the 46 key cities, 30 have issued laws or regulations on the classification of household garbage. (Source: Xinhua) Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that Uttar Pradesh will become a destination for defence manufacturing and aerospace manufacturing. "Preparations are underway for the Defence Expo to be held in February. I am convinced that Uttar Pradesh will become a destination for defence manufacturing and aerospace manufacturing," Singh said while speaking to reporters in Lucknow after meeting with officials over "Defence Expo-2020", which will be held in February next month. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attended the meeting. The minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Defence Expo 2020 on February 5. The expo, which is slated to be held from February 5 to 8 in Lucknow, 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 preparations of the exhibition in a meeting attended by the Chief Minister in New Delhi. (ANI) Watchdog Group Tells 5 States of Millions of Extra Voter Registrations At least 2.5 million extra voter registrations are on the voter rolls of 378 counties nationwide, according to the good-government group Judicial Watch. Democrats have long denied that voter fraud affects electoral outcomes and claims that those on the right want to crack down on voter fraud solely as a means of preventing the poor and minorities from voting. But experts say fraudulent voter registrations open the door to fraudulent voting. President Donald Trump and Republicans have long warned about the dangers of voter fraud. Significantly, four of the states with voter over-registrationsPennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, and Coloradoare important battleground states that will figure prominently in the presidential election later this year. An unusually high voter registration rate suggests a jurisdiction may not be removing voters who have died or who have moved elsewhere, as required by federal law, according to Judicial Watch. To reduce the likelihood of voter fraud in the 2020 elections, Judicial Watch has sent notice of violation letters to 19 large counties in five states, warning that the group intends to file suit against them unless they comply with federal law and remove ineligible voter registrations within 90 days. Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), also known as the Motor-Voter law, requires that jurisdictions take reasonable efforts to remove ineligible registrations from their voter rolls. During the Obama administration, the Department of Justice was heavily criticized by Republicans and others for failing to enforce Section 8. Judicial Watch discovered the over-registrations by analyzing data recently released by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), an independent, bipartisan commission that was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). The EAC is responsible for developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and serving as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration. Dirty voting rolls can mean dirty elections, and Judicial Watch will insist, in court if necessary, that states follow federal law to clean up their voting rolls, said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton in a statement. The Washington-based nonprofit organization, well-known in political circles, describes itself as a conservative, non-partisan educational foundation, [that] promotes transparency, accountability, and integrity in government, politics and the law. Previous Judicial Watch lawsuits have already led to major cleanups in California, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohiobut more needs to be done, said Fitton. It is common sense that voters who die or move away be removed from the voting rolls. Nineteen counties in five states stood out for having more voter registrations than citizens residing there who are old enough to vote. Those five states are: California (Imperial, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Stanislaus, and Yolo counties); Colorado (Jefferson County); North Carolina (Guilford and Mecklenburg counties); Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware counties); and Virginia (Fairfax County). The 2.5-million figure is still an improvement over a year ago, when Judicial Watch found there were 3.5 million more names on various county voter rolls than there were citizens of voting age. Although San Diego County in California removed 500,000 inactive names from voter rolls following Judicial Watchs legal settlement with Los Angeles County, San Diego continues to have a voter registration rate of 117 percent, which is one of the highest voter over-registration rates in the country. Judicial Watch says that by filing multiple friend-of-the-court briefs, it helped to clean up voter rolls in Ohio by pushing for a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2018, in a landmark electoral integrity case called Husted v. Philip Randolph Institute. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled that Ohios process violated the NVRA, but the Supreme Court upheld an Ohio law that required the state to send address confirmation notices to all registered voters who hadnt voted in the previous two years. The ruling had the effect of upholding a 2014 settlement agreement between Judicial Watch and Ohio, which required the state to use that same procedure as part of a regular supplemental mailing designed to identify whether registered Ohio voters had moved awayone of the steps mandated by the NVRA. By IANS NEW DELHI: India on Sunday slammed Pakistan over the killing of a Sikh youth in Peshawar, days after the attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara by a Muslim mob, and conversion of a minor Sikh girl after her abduction. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. ALSO READ| 'It goes against my vision', says Imran Khan condemning Nankana Sahib attack Two days after the attack on Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan's Punjab province, a member of the Sikh community, Parvinder Singh, was murdered in Peshawar by 'unknown' gunmen. Sources based in Peshawar told IANS that Parvinder Singh was the younger brother of a local journalist Harmeet Singh. The MEA has asked the Imran Khan-led Pakistan government to take immediate actions to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators. "India calls upon the Pakistan government to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts," the statement said. ALSO READ| India strongly condemns vandalism at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan It also lashed out at the Pakistani government for interfering in India's internal affairs. In fact, in a tweet on Sunday, Imran Khan veered towards criticism of the Narendra Modi-led government while condemning the Nankana Sahib incident. The MEA said, "The government of Pakistan should act in defence of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries." [January 05, 2020] ADAMA Becoming a Distinctive Member of Newly-formed Industry Leader Syngenta Group TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ChemChina and Sinochem today announced that they are consolidating their agricultural businesses into a new holding company within ChemChina, domiciled in Shanghai, which will be called the Syngenta Group Co. The Group is expected to become the world's leading agriculture inputs company, spanning crop protection, seeds, fertilizers, additional agricultural and digital technologies, as well as an advanced distribution network in China, reaching farmers nationwide. ADAMA (the Company), Syngenta and Sinochem's agriculture-related activities, the businesses comprising the newly-formed Group, have made significant advances in their collaboration over the last year, generating meaningful additional revenue through cross-sales and benefiting from procurement and operational savings. The forming of the Group will further bolster the alignment between the companies, and capitalize on the value creation and synergy opportunities identified. ADAMA is becoming a distinctive member of this newly-formed industry leader through the contribution of the stake that ChemChina currently owns in ADAMA into the Group. As such, there is no change in the Company's ultimate controlling shareholder. ADAMA will continue to be headquartered in Israel, and remain traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, as well as maintain its unique brand and positioning. Chen Lichtenstein, President and CEO of ADAMA, was offered the position of CFO of Syngenta Group, with responsibility also for Strategy and Integration. This builds on his successful 14-year track record with ADAMA and his strong experience in capital markets. Over the past six years, Mr. Lichtenstein has led the Company as CEO to continuous strong performance and market share gains. During his tenure, ADAMA successfully combined with a publicly traded company and is now listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Prior to running ADAMA, Mr. Lichtenstein was President and CEO of ChemChina's strategic business division China National Agrochemical Corporation (CNAC), as well as an Executive Director of Goldman Sachs in NewYork and London. Mr. Lichtenstein will be based in Basel, Switzerland. Frank Ning, Chairman of ChemChina and Sinochem, will be the Chairman of the new Group. After the completion of the transfer of ADAMA's shares into the Group, Chen Lichtenstein is expected to remain on ADAMA's board of directors, and be joined by Erik Fyrwald, CEO of the new Group, who will replace Yang Xingqiang as Chairman. Ignacio Dominguez, currently co-Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of ADAMA, is intended to be appointed as President and CEO of ADAMA. Mr. Dominguez is a leading crop protection industry expert, and uniquely qualified to lead ADAMA through its next phase of growth. He has been with the Company for almost 20 years and currently serves on its Executive Committee that has directed the Company's business transformation over the last several years. Mr. Dominguez has been instrumental in crafting and implementing the Company's global commercial and offering strategy. Aviram Lahav, ADAMA's CFO, is intended to be appointed as Deputy CEO of ADAMA and CEO of its wholly-owned subsidiary ADAMA Agricultural Solutions, alongside his current roles. Mr. Lahav joined Adama in 2010. Before joining Adama, he served as CEO of Synergy Cables, a publicly traded manufacturing company. He had also served as CFO, COO and eventually CEO of Delta Galil Industries over a span of 11 years. In 2000, he was awarded the Israel CFO of the Year. Shaul Friedland, currently co-CCO of ADAMA, will be ADAMA's sole CCO, leading the company's commercial activities worldwide. Joe Krkoska will continue in his role as EVP, Head of Global Operations. These appointments are expected to be formalized and take effect in the course of the first quarter. On the announcement, ADAMA President and CEO Chen Lichtenstein said: "ADAMA has never been stronger. Our fantastic people have built together a wonderful company with clear strategy and direction, able to continuously grow and navigate confidently through the rough seas that our industry has seen in the last few years. I now move on to an interesting yet challenging role at Syngenta Group, and I look forward to bringing my ability and experience to bear. I am confident that Ignacio will continue to lead the Company to further growth and achievements, and wish him, Aviram, Shaul and Joe, as well as all of ADAMA, tremendous success in the future." Ignacio Dominguez, ADAMA's CEO-designate, commented: "I am excited to be leading with my colleagues this amazing company. Having been at the company for 20 years, and part of its Management and Executive Committee for more than a decade, I look forward to continuing its strong momentum and strategic direction. We are focused on listening to and serving our customers worldwide, while pursuing new opportunities for collaboration across the Group. Together with ADAMA's people, with their passion and commitment, I am confident that we will drive our Company forward to ever greater heights." About ADAMA ADAMA Ltd. is one of the world's leading crop protection companies. We strive to Create Simplicity in Agriculture offering farmers effective products and services that simplify their lives and help them grow. With one of the most comprehensive and diversified portfolios of differentiated, quality products, our more than 7,000-strong team reaches farmers in over 100 countries, providing them with solutions to control weeds, insects and disease, and improve their yields. For more information, visit us at www.ADAMA.com and follow us on Twitter at @ADAMAAgri. Contact Ben Cohen Public Relations Email: ir@adama.com Zhujun Wang China Investor Relations Email: irchina@adama.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adama-becoming-a-distinctive-member-of-newly-formed-industry-leader-syngenta-group-300981265.html SOURCE Adama Ltd [ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ] Korean and Japanese flags are being displayed in a Korea town in Tokyo in this Oct. 22 file photo. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk By Park Ji-won South Korean experts on Korea-Japan relations said the two countries' relations may get even worse after the court-ordered liquidation of Japanese firms' assets here in a few months. Expecting that the liquidation of Japanese assets will occur between March and May, they pointed out it could drop bilateral relations to an even lower level and it is widely expected that they will be exchanging additional countermeasures against each other and continuing to clash over historical and economic issues. They also pointed out there is no visible plan for both countries to resolve the liquidation issue while saying there are possibilities that both governments are taking advantage of the current situation for the sake of their domestic political interests to extend the powers of the current Moon Jae-in and Shinzo Abe administrations. Some of them said the South will try not to politicize the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, although there are still chances that Seoul may take issue with Fukushima's contaminated water before and after the international sporting event. Forced labor issue and trade row The center of the disputes has been the ruling by South Korea's Supreme Court over the Japanese wartime wrongdoings. It ordered Japanese firms in October 2018 to compensate the surviving South Korean victims of wartime forced labor by liquidating local assets of Japanese firms including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The liquidation process hasn't been carried out yet. The decision promoted a backlash from Japan. The Abe administration criticized the decision claiming that compensation issues were settled through the 1965 bilateral treaty. In July 2019, Japan began "retaliatory" trade measures against South Korea, imposing restrictions on exports of materials needed for Korea's high-tech manufacturing industry. South Korea decided not to extend the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) to gain leverage, but ended up renewing the agreement at the last minute, and South Korean citizens began boycotting Japanese products and travel. A yearly report released by the Korea National Diplomatic Academy said the conflict between Seoul and Tokyo over the interpretation on compensation by international law for the surviving victims of forced labor and sex slavery under the Japanese colonization period will continue this year as well. The report said this is because the conflicts were created by a discrepancy in the 1965 treaty which established basic relations, as well as Japan's lack of historical understanding. It also said the liquidation issue may take the relations to a new low. If the South starts liquidating assets of Japanese firms, Japan may take further retaliatory measures including one to impose additional taxes on Korean products shipped to Japan and visa restrictions on Korean citizens. "It is possible Japan may immediately take stricter retaliatory measures than export controls against South Korea when the liquidation process begins, which is the worst-case scenario," said Yang Ki-ho, a professor at Sungkonghoe University, adding that, however, "overall, the two countries are trying not to exacerbate their relations" after the summit between their leaders in China on Dec. 24. "The current liberal administration is facing a dilemma and taking a cautious approach to the liquidation issue. If the government wants to come up with a realistic solution on the matter, it may fail to seek a victim-centered approach which would have a negative impact for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in the April general elections." Choi Eun-mi, an associate research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, also said it's possible Japan may take stricter measures including visa restrictions and investment cuts against South Korea. "If liquidation goes ahead, Japan will take countermeasures that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga mentioned earlier which include visa restrictions against South Korean travelers and workers in Japan Japan also could reduce investment in South Korea," Choi said. She also pointed out that the liquidation may snowball into another conflict between the nations and the situation can be used to manipulate domestic politics in both countries. "If Japan implements the visa restrictions as a worst-case scenario, the South has no choice but to take strong actions in return. As the situation coincides with the April general elections here, it could be used for the sake of domestic politics." She urged the South Korean government to come up with measures for those victims, indemnifying Japan or forming a government-led joint task force with private sector to discuss ways. Ha Jong-moon, a professor at Hanshin University, said the liquidation process and other disputes such as the export controls are all related to each other. "Government officials of both countries are taking a close look at the liquidation. Once the Supreme Court's rulings and related measures can make some progress, the export controls and Japan's removal of South Korea from its whitelist of preferred trading countries can be tackled as well. Japan will adjust speed on negotiations between working-level officials on trade as well." Regarding the contaminated water, he ruled out the possibility that South Korea would boycott the Olympics citing the lack of any concrete evidence indicating otherwise. Ha also pointed out that domestic politics in both countries might make the two take different approaches in improving bilateral relations. "If the South Korean ruling party wins a majority in the April general election, it will create momentum to govern the country in a stable manner and the government will treat Japan with ease Japan may dissolve its House and hold a snap election because of Abe's political scandals which will also affect the disputes with South Korea." However, he remained skeptical that the South Korean government can come up with measures to satisfy all remaining forced labor victims through indemnification. "The government can indemnity the surviving former forced laborers. The issue can be resolved if the victims and victims' organizations agree to accept the government's proposal which is the starting point to resolving the disputes with Japan. But it is up in the air." Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe waits for a summit with South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon in his office in Tokyo, in this Oct. 24 file photo. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Mumbai, Jan 6 : Actress Deepika Padukone has opened up on the possibility of doing a film with Salman Khan, and has revealed she will start shooting for her upcoming untitled relationship drama, co-starring Ananya Panday and "Gully Boy" fame actor Siddhant Chaturvedi, in March. "I am working with Siddhant Chaturvedi in my next film, which is directed by Shakun Batra. We are starting it in March," she said, during an event to promote her next release "Chhapaak", which opens on Friday. Earlier producer Karan Johar tweeted that the untitled film will hit theatres on February 12, 2021. At the event, Deepika was amused when a journalist asked her about rumours that she is pregnant. "Do I look like a pregnant? I will ask you when I will plan (to have a family). If you give me permission then I will plan. If I become pregnant then you will see that in nine months," she retorted. Asked if she would be on Salman Khan's show "Bigg Boss" to promote "Chhapaak", she said: "No, there is no conversation of going to 'Bigg Boss'." She then added the interesting bit that many wanted to hear: "Our fans are always curious about if we are doing a film together, about when we are doing a film together. I really want to do it but I think it's important for us to come together for the right kind of film. We have always seen Salman in certain types of films. I am the biggest fan of 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and I would like to see him in that kind of a role or something different from what he has done, so I think it's really the script (that matters). We have not being offered anything in recent times but I would love to do a film with him." "Chhapaak" directed by Meghna Gulzar also features Vikrant Massey. The film opens on January 10. --IANS iv/vnc Sent from my iPhone Waterloo, Iowa Less than a month from the Iowa caucuses, Joe Biden is continuing to overwhelmingly target rural communities throughout the state. In fact, the last event he held in Des Moines before his current bus tour was in November, when former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and wife Christie Vilsack, endorsed him. He is currently on day three of a six-day bus tour. "We feel good about where this Iowa operation is and we feel good about where we are one month out," Biden campaign senior adviser Anita Dunn told CBS News, adding it's a "mistake" for campaigns to focus only on "larger population areas." But the Biden campaign will be relying on ads to bring his message home in those areas, with $4 million in television and digital ads throughout the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities and Sioux City areas. His campaign recently reportedly canceled ad spending in South Carolina between now and January 27, where he has been leading in recent polls. Campaign aides tell CBS News the strongest pockets of Biden's support in the state are in eastern Iowa, specifically the towns of Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Waterloo and Clinton. Biden's stump speech on the road continues to evolve as the week goes on, but three main topics have come into focus: bipartisanship, leading from Day One on the world stage and overcoming personal loss. Bipartisanship and unity Almost his entire stump speech now revolves around the character of the country which he views as compassionate, decent and honest traits he says are essential to unifying the country in a post-Trump administration. He continues to rip into his Democratic rivals who bash bipartisanship and says the Constitution requires consensus. In an indirect indictment of his more progressive opponents, he says that those who don't respect the search for common ground wrongfully attack the "motives" of those who do seek consensus. He says in these mostly rural visits that the character of the country is strongest in communities like these. Story continues Global experience Biden's focus on foreign policy did not ramp up Friday with the news of the strike killing Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. Since the beginning of the campaign, Biden has said his experience on the world stage separates him from his Democratic rivals. He says that he knows world leadersand they know him, too. That includes Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, Biden points out. In Iowa, Biden often connects his foreign policy experience with the trade war affecting rural agriculture communities. If the trope is that voters regularly do not place a premium on foreign policy, it is less true at Biden's events as they say this is points on the board for Biden even if they're debating other candidates. On the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Biden on Friday said the U.S. is now on the "brink of a new kind of major conflict in the Middle East" and questioned whether President Donald Trump listened to his top military commanders when deciding to go forward and whether or not the administration has a plan for what comes next. On Saturday night, Biden ripped President Trump's tweets about Iran as "incredibly dangerous and irresponsible." One contrast between Biden and his Democratic presidential rivals Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg is the classification of Soleimani's killing as an "assassination" by the United States. Biden has not responded to at least 10 questions on Friday and Saturday from reporters about whether or not he agrees with this clarification. Hardship At the events throughout the country, it is hard to put into words the emotion that fills the room when Biden speaks about his family. The personal loss that Biden has endured, the tragic deaths of his first wife and young daughter and more recently of his elder son, are well known but still staggering to consider. Biden's most loyal backers in the state say this is what sets him apart from the rest of the field. Some candidates celebrate their large crowds or selfie lines, while Biden stands on the rope line connecting with every voter he can. His pain has made him a figure of empathy for voters who also suffer. He tells them things will get better. This past week in Anamosa, Iowa, a woman rose to say she was humbled to spend her deceased son's birthday at the Biden event. There were tears in the audience as she spoke. Grown men and women cry throughout his events, moved by his life's commitment to the service of his country, even while grieving. At the end of his stump speech, Biden often lapses into stories from his past, on topics ranging from climate change and education to healthcare, guns and foreign policy. The events Biden's events are on the smaller side, usually between 100 to 200 people. On Thursday Biden and Bernie Sanders both held events at the same location in Anamosa the National Motorcycle Museum and Sanders attracted about 200 more attendees. Biden isn't holding large-venue events of 1,000 or more, like some candidates. But on Saturday night in Des Moines, some 700 people packed a school gym to listen to him speak. The attendees are generally elderly, with most looking more like Biden's generation and older, compared to Buttigieg's. His attendees sit quietly and sometimes clap and cheer when they hear something they like. It may not be raucous, but what shouldn't be overlooked is that the audience is actively listening. They're nodding their heads, whispering to their friends, and wiping away tears. It's clear he's persuading some Democrats. img-2585-1.jpg Ron Orf (left) and Janet Orf (center) pose for picture with former Vice President Joe Biden (center) and Rep. Abby Finkenauer (right), who endorsed Biden this week. The Orfs both say they recently decided to support Biden in the Iowa caucuses. CBS News / Bo Erickson "I was vacillating between Biden and Buttigieg and I decided after [this event] I will go for Biden," Janet Orf, 71, told CBS News in Waterloo. "I was looking to see if his age was going to be a problem, and I didn't see it today. Even if it was he will put people in his cabinet that are smart and he will listen to them." Orf's husband, Ron, said he chose last week to support Biden over Buttigieg, as well. The endorsements Biden's campaign has also been touting his endorsements in Iowa. In their past three rural bus tours in December, former Governor Tom Vilsack and his wife, Christie, attended almost every one. Tom Vilsack, the highest-profile Democrat in Iowa, closed his events and brought the house down. Voters say the Vilsacks' endorsement is a huge draw. They describe Tom Vilsack the same way they describe Biden as "a good man." The other two major endorsements here are former Secretary of State John Kerry and 2004 Democratic caucus winner a big draw to political watchers here in the state. He also boosts Biden's messaging on foreign policy. And finally, Representative Abby Finkenauer, who is traveling with Biden throughout her district and the adjacent ones, represents a push to bring in younger voters, a cohort which polling indicates is Biden's weak spot. Her conservative district is one of the Obama districts that voted for Donald Trump in 2016. The Biden campaign hopes her endorsement boosts Biden's message for bipartisanship and capturing "swing" voters. Next week, a "We Know Joe" bus tour will launch with Kerry and a large group of congressional members mostly from the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses. Biden has 30 congressional endorsements: 25 House members and five senators. Campaign aides say this is an effort to continue to project Biden's electability going forward in the more diverse primary states. Shakira: The "60 Minutes" interview Is lack of oversight at farms accelerating the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria? Did Jeffrey Epstein kill himself? "60 Minutes" investigates Years ago, I met an educator named Diane Tavenner who blew my socks off. Wed been invited by Bill and Melinda Gates to give what amounted to a private TED talk, followed by discussion, on what kids need to thrive in every sense of the word. When it was her turn, Diane told the story of Summit Public Schools in California and Washington state. As Diane described a day in the life of a Summit student, I leaned in, rapt with wonder. Summit students, she explained, take responsibility for their own learning. Sure, they get a ton of support much more attention and personalized instruction than in a typical public school. But their primary job is not to do as they are told. Instead, their mission is to develop authentic interests and a sense of purpose. Only when students have a reason for learning, Diane said, do they bring their full attention and energy to their work. Recently, Diane wrote a book about all shes learned. During her book tour, I had the opportunity to interview Diane before a crowd of parents and educators. If you had a magic wand and could change one thing about American schools, I asked, what would it be? Diane had, of course, more than one wish for the future of education. But the first words out of her mouth were project-based learning. Then she explained that in project-based learning, students follow their own curiosity, spending weeks to months doing a deep dive of an intrinsically engaging project of their own (rather than their teachers) choice. Along the way, they develop skills that every parent and educator wants them to master. In sum, Diane wants to see kids drive their own learning rather than sit passively in the passenger seat. Try reading Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life. I did, cover to cover, and when I finished, I took out the syllabus for the next course Im teaching and redesigned it entirely. After all, what matters isnt the facts and figures a young person learns and forgets. What matters is what sticks. Angela Duckworth is cofounder and CEO of Character Lab and a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania. You can sign up to receive her Tip of the Week actionable advice about the science of character at characterlab.org. Anti CAA stir that led to riots would be covered by definition of terrorist act: Delhi Court Assam elections 2021: BJPs stand on CAA varies from state to state says Congress May 28 order on granting citizenship not related to CAA: MHA tells SC Citizenship law: Rioters given time till Jan 9 to respond India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 05: The district adminstration has sent notices to 46 people for their alleged involvement in damaging public property during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests here. The notices to 46 people have been sent by a panel set up under additional district magistrate Amit Kumar by the authorities. They have been told that the authorities found their involvement in alleged vandalism during the protests against the CAA on December 20 in the district, Kumar said. Anti-CAA stir: 12 accused, including activist Sadaf Jafar, ex IPS SR Darapuri granted bail The accused have been asked to send their replies by January 9, he said. NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 Meanwhile, four madrasa students, arrested after violence during anti-CAA protests, were released on the orders of a court as police gave them clean chit in its report filed before the chief judicial magistrate here on Friday. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 16:42:51|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The following are the highlights of China's key technology news from the past week: PROPULSION TECHNOLOGY 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. 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 Dec. 20, 2019. 40 SPACE LAUNCHES IN 2020 China's aerospace industry will see a busy year in 2020, with the number of space launches expected to exceed 40, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The highlights of the space activities include the launch of China's first Mars probe, the Chang'e-5 lunar probe, which is expected to bring moon samples back to Earth, the final step of China's current lunar exploration program, as well as the completion of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System constellation. GENOME PROJECT FOR PROTISTS Chinese scientists recently launched a program to map the genomes of about 10,000 representative species of protists and establish a large-scale database of protist genetic resources. The project is expected to help scientists better understand the mechanism of biodiversity, the origin and evolution of multicellular organisms and sexual reproduction, and to push forward the research on environmental protection, nutrition and disease control. DIVING SUPPORT SHIP China delivered a new support ship for saturation diving in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou Monday, according to its developer. Developed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited and a ship design company in Shanghai, the ship named Hailong is China's most advanced supporting ship for saturation diving. The ship is 124 meters long, 24 meters wide and has a cruising speed of 14.5 knots. It has a deck area of 900 square meters and can hold 120 people. The ship adopts the integrated design of the diving system and the main hull, carrying a world-class saturation diving system. A masked mob on Sunday entered the Sabarmati Hostel on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus and assaulted several students and professors with sticks and rods. "I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I am bleeding. I was brutally beaten up," JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh told reporters. She has been admitted to the AIIMS here for treatment. Several other students were also injured in the incident. In a video of the incident, a group of goons with their faces covered can be seen assaulting students with wooden sticks and rods. A tweet from the official handle of the JNUSU said, "Sabarmati Hostel: right now. They are beating the students who are inside. Knocking on doors with rods. People are jumping from balconies. #SOSJNU #EmergencyinJNU." "Professors who were trying to protect us have been beaten up. These are unknown ABVP goons, not all are students, they have covered their faces, and they are moving towards the hotels near the West Gate. Stay alert. Make human chains. Protect each other. #SOSJNU #EmergencyinJNU," another tweet added. Meanwhile, the ABVP's JNU unit claimed in a tweet: "Emergency in JNU. Leftist goons of JNU accompained with their cadre from other universities have crossed every limit. They have proceeded with unimaginable violence on ABVP activists of JNU. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, January 5, 2020 12:31 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320e2c78 1 Business pertamina,Pertamax,Pertamax-series,gasoline,price-adjustment Free State-owned energy giant Pertamina has lowered the prices for its range of gasoline variants, including Pertamax, Pertamax Turbo, Pertamina Dex and Dexlite. The lower prices have been in effect since the early hours of Sunday. The price reduction was in accordance with a recently issued Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Decree on prices of gasoline sold at public gas stations. Pertamina spokesperson Fajriyah Usman said the price reduction was implemented throughout the country. The gasoline price adjustment is a corporate move that is in line with a government regulation, Fajriyah said in a statement on Saturday, adding that the company had communicated with the relevant government agencies regarding the latest price adjustment. The new prices for Pertamax, Pertamax Turbo, Pertamina Dex and Dexlite vary between regions across the country due to different fuel taxes. In Jakarta, the price of Pertamax was reduced to Rp 9,200 (US$0.66) per liter from Rp 9,850, Pertamax Turbo to Rp 9,900 from Rp 11,200, Pertamina Dex to Rp 10,200 from Rp 11,700 and Dexlite to Rp 9,500 from Rp 10,200. (rfa) A leading candidate to succeed Jeremy Corbyn yesterday said she was ready to fight to take Britain back into the EU, as fresh divisions over Brexit emerged in Labours top ranks. Jess Phillips, who is third favourite for the Labour leadership, said she still believed Leave voters got it wrong and claimed Britain was safer and more economically viable inside the EU. However, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, who finally confirmed his bid for the Labour crown yesterday, said it was time for the party to move on over Brexit. MP Jess Phillips claimed Britain was safer and more economically viable inside the EU, on the Andrew Marr Show on January 5 Sir Keir acknowledged that the idea of staying in the EU had been crushed by Boris Johnsons election victory last month. Speaking on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show, he said: We are going to leave the EU in the next few weeks and it is important for all of us, including myself, to recognise that the argument about Leave and Remain goes with it. We are leaving. We will have left the EU. This election blew away the argument for a second referendum, rightly or wrongly, and we have to adjust to that situation. Sir Keir is the odds-on favourite to succeed Mr Corbyn. But his launch was overshadowed as Mrs Phillips made an eye-catching pledge to campaign for Britain to rejoin the EU after it leaves at the end of this month. The Birmingham Yardley MP said: I have a Leave seat but I campaigned for Remain because I thought it was the best thing for the people I represent. I am not just going to change my mind on that. She revealed how she is willing to 'fight for that, regardless of how difficult that argument is to make', on the current affairs programme Asked if she would lead a campaign to take Britain back in, she said: The reality is, if our country is safer, if it is more economically viable to be in the European Union, then I will fight for that, regardless of how difficult that argument is to make. Sadiq Khan yesterday called on Mr Corbyn and his allies to have the humility to recognise... we got pasted. The London mayor told The Sunday Times: Did we deserve to win the general election? Probably not, so the public got it right. Joust: Meanwhile shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, who has just confirmed he is running for the Labour crown, said it was time for the party to move on from Brexit. He claimed the 'election blew away the argument for a second referendum, rightly or wrongly, and we have to adjust to that situation' Sir Keir yesterday acknowledged that Labours neutral stance on Brexit had cost it votes. The former Director of Public Prosecutions, whose campaign slogan is another future is possible, said Labour lost trust over a lack of clarity on Brexit, anti-Semitism, and a feeling that the manifesto was overloaded. Sir Keir became the fifth Labour MP to launch a leadership bid yesterday, following Mrs Phillips, Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry, Wigan MP Lisa Nandy and frontbencher Clive Lewis. Business spokesman Rebecca Long Bailey is set to launch her campaign this week and party chairman Ian Lavery is also considering running. By PTI NEW DELHI: JD(U) general secretary Pavan Varma on Sunday asked party president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to categorically reject the "divisive CAA-NPR-NRC scheme", saying this has "nefarious agenda to divide India and create a great deal of unnecessary social turbulence". In an open letter to Kumar, Varma expressed his surprise at the "unilateral" announcement of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, who is from the BJP, that the National Population Register exercise will be carried out in the state between May 15-28 despite Kumar's stand against the National Register of Citizens. "...in consonance with your own publicly stated views, and long-established secular vision, may I request you now to take a principled stand against the CAA-NPR-NRC scheme, and reject its nefarious agenda to divide India and create a great deal of unnecessary social turbulence. ALSO READ | Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi instigated riots by supporting anti-CAA drive: Amit Shah "A clear cut public statement by you to this effect would be a major step towards preserving and strengthening the idea of India to which, I know, you yourself are committed. The politics of principle cannot be sacrificed at the altar of short term political gain," Varma said in the letter. The JD(U) leader has been critical of his party's decision to support the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, and it has now become a law following its passage in both Houses. Protests have occurred in different parts of the country against the law, which seeks to give citizenship to minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who had arrived in India due to religious persecution by December 31, 2014. JD(U) vice president Prashant Kishor has also spoken strongly against the CAA and said this, in combination with the NRC, can turn into a "lethal combo in the hands of the government to systematically discriminate and even prosecute people based on religion." ALSO READ | Protests against Citizenship Act in Pune, demand for special Assembly session In his letter, Varma said the CAA-NRC combine is a direct attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims and to create social instability. The government has categorically stated, he said, that the NPR is the first step to implementing the NRC and since Kumar has said that Bihar will not have the NRC, it follows that he must say no to the revised NPR as well. The Modi government has dismissed the concerns over the NPR as politically motivated, saying it is a routine exercise and adding that it is yet to take a decision on the NRC. "The central government needs to focus on the real priorities of governance, such as the disastrous state of the economy, the absence of jobs, and agrarian distress, rather than such schemes whose only aim is to destroy the unity and social cohesion of our great country," Varma said. Two persons were killed on Sunday when a heavy paddy-cutting machine fell on them at a village in Balasore district, police said. The men were trying to mount machine on a tractor after completion of paddy-cutting operation at Khuada village, when it slipped and fell on them, they said. Gopal Tudu (21) and Hamir Hansda (22) were taken to the district headquarters hospital at Balasore, where doctors declared them brought dead, hospital sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The American Red Cross is assisting those who were involved with the crash that killed five and sent many to the hospital on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County. According to the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region, the organization is working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board, authorities from several states and counties and Westmoreland Emergency Management to provide resources to those involved. The crash occurred around 3:40 a.m. Sunday on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County when police say a tour bus hit an embankment, then was struck by the tractor-trailers following it. A total of six vehicles were involved. Five people were killed and roughly 60 were sent to area hospitals for treatment, authorities say. The Pennsylvania Turnpike remains closed in both directions between Exit 75 to New Stanton and Exit 161 to Breezewood. Anyone affected by the crash and in need of assistance should contact the Red Cross, 1-800-RED-CROSS. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has announced the reopening of Port Harcourt International Airport for operations. FAAN General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu, made the disclosure in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that the Port Harcourt International Airport has now been re-opened to operations. This is by following a careful evaluation and mitigation of the impact of the bush fire earlier reported around the airport and the dissipation of smokes around the air side, she said. According to her, normal flight activities have therefore re-commenced at the airport. Yakubu assured that FAAN was committed to its core values of safety, security and comfort of passengers and airport users. Ellen Rosenblum Rosenblum is Oregons attorney general. Bummer: a thing that is annoying or disappointing. It was a real bummer to wake up at the Oregon Coast last Sunday the morning of the last night of Hanukkah only to discover I was the only person mentioned by name in the list of The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Boards criminal justice reform disappointments of the past year. (Mixed successes, mixed messages on criminal justice reform, Portland governance, Dec. 29). I probably would have just ridden it out as elected officials like myself usually do when we are criticized by our daily paper. But as the first woman and first Jewish attorney general in Oregon history and as a former state trial and appellate court judge for 22 years, this editorial got under my skin enough to prompt a quick response before my family activities kicked off for the day. The editorial notes the laws alleged anti-Semitic and xenophobic origins but names only me in its criticism. The implication that I would personally or professionally take a stand on discriminatory grounds is flat wrong. The editorial board stated that I am "arguing in defense" of our law that allows jurors in non-murder felony cases to reach verdicts of "guilty" or "not guilty" by a vote of 10-2, 11-1 or unanimously. This law, adopted by ballot measure and a vote of the people in 1934, was upheld in 1972 by the U.S. Supreme Court as meeting federal constitutional requirements, but that decision is being reconsidered by the current Supreme Court in a Louisiana case. Let me be clear right up front: I do not support this 85-year-old law allowing non-unanimous jury verdicts, and I believe the Oregon Legislature should have referred a constitutional amendment to repeal the law to the people for a vote this past November. This is exactly how our initiative and referendum process should be used. We could have undone what we did in 1934 and changed our law to require unanimous verdicts across the board in criminal cases and it could be going into effect in the next few days. Instead, after I made clear my support for this law change, the Legislature decided not to proceed with the referral and killed the bill in the Senate after it passed the House unanimously. Share your opinion Submit your essay of 500-700 words on a highly topical issue or a theme of particular relevance to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and the Portland area to commentary@oregonian.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification. This means we remain the last state with a provision in our state constitution that requires judges to instruct juries in criminal cases that at least 10 out of 12 jurors must agree upon a verdict of guilty or not guilty. The editorial says there is "widespread support" for changing to a requirement of unanimity. Had this law change been referred and passed by a vote of Oregonians, we would now be joining our 49 sister states, and I would have been the first to raise a glass to this long-awaited change in the law this past New Year's Eve! Instead, the Legislature decided to punt to the courts to make the fix. One of my responsibilities as Attorney General is to protect the overall interests of the state in a fair and well-functioning system of criminal justice. As the states attorneys, my legal staff and I must carefully consider positions in matters like the Louisiana case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Based upon our analysis of what is likely to happen here in Oregon if, after 47 years, the Supreme Court decides to change its mind, we worried this could create extremely complicated challenges for Oregons courts and all of its participants. A reversal by the court could call into question the enormous number of past cases that complied with Supreme Court law at the time. My solicitor general and I pointed out our concerns to the Supreme Court in an amicus (friend of the court) brief that urged against overruling 47 years of settled precedent. The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board interpreted our position to be a defense of the law. It is far from that! The good news is that there is a way forward that works for us all. Though it could have happened sooner, it is not too late for Oregon to do the right thing and for us to refer a change to require unanimous jury verdicts to the ballot for a vote of the people in 2020. I am happy to lead that charge. Let's take care of business and, no matter what the U.S. Supreme Court does in the Louisiana case, let's make this happen on our own terms. After all, we are the only ones who can remove language we don't want from our state's constitution. Now heres a New Years Resolution for us...and maybe even a Hanukkah miracle! Qassem Soleimani ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images Major US cities have announced increased security in response to concerns over threats stemming from the Pentagon's killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian military official. Tensions have flared among lawmakers and activists who criticized President Donald Trump's orders for the move, which sparked concerns that tensions in the region could spill over into targeting of US cities and entities. The Department of Homeland said there was no existing credible threat of attack from Iran, but lawmakers in cities like Washington, DC, New York City, and Los Angeles announced that authorities would be closely monitoring possible threats and popular areas. As congressional lawmakers face upcoming deliberation over next steps, more than 70 protests were planned in cities across the US to push back on the possibility of sending more American troops to the Middle East. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Major US cities have announced increased security and surveillance as tensions flare in response to the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian military official, under orders from President Donald Trump. The targeted killing of Gen. Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, sparked concerns over Iranian retaliation against American entities in the Middle East amid existing tensions and a warning from Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said that a "harsh retaliation is waiting" for Americans. Though Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement that "there are currently no specific, credible threats against our homeland," lawmakers in American hubs including New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles announced increased security measures to ensure authorities were aware of and prepared for possible threats. Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser echoed the department's statement that there was no credible threat against the city. Story continues New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter after the strike was announced that he was deploying the National Guard to New York airports, though there was no credible threat against the city. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also said in a press conference that the development puts the US in a "de facto state of war," and the NYPD would be working to safeguard key spots around the city. "No one has to be reminded that New York City is the number one terror target in the United States," de Blasio said. "We have to recognize that this creates a whole series of dangerous possibilities for our city." Soleimani's death shone a refreshed concern on past threats recorded by New York authorities, de Blasio said, specifically "efforts by Iranian proxies to scout and target locations in New York City." The city of Boston also announced an increased police presence on public transportation and popular attractions across the city, where it asked residents and visitors to remain vigilant. On Twitter, The Los Angeles Police Department also said though there was no credible, immediate threat to the city, that it urged "every Angeleno to say something if you see something." iran protests PAUL ZINKEN/dpa/AFP via Getty Images Amid the safety concerns for residents and visitors in the cities, dozens of protests were announced in at least 70 cities across the US in response to the killing to push back on the possibility of the US entering a war and sending thousands of more troops to the Middle East. Groups like Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER), an anti-war group, and CODEPINK, a woman-led anti-war organization, were slated to lead demonstrations in locations including local major intersections and government buildings. Protestors also planned to gather in front of the White House, at Chicago's Trump Tower, in Manhattan's Times Square, and at Berlin's Brandenberg Gate. The Pentagon said in a statement after it completed the fatal airstrike that it had targeted Soleimani because he "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," but activists took aim at the move as a reckless move towards a possibly devastating war. Read more: Here's what you need to know about the military draft, and why the US' conflict with Iran probably won't revive it Nancy Pelosi criticizes the US airstrike that killed a top Iranian commander, saying it could provoke a 'dangerous escalation of violence' Iran has vowed revenge on the US after Trump's airstrike killed its top military commander. Here's how it could do it. These are the biggest threats to the US in 2020 Read the original article on Business Insider When Paul Keating described the painful downturn already under way in late 1990 as the recession we had to have, his point was the Australian economy needed to experience an uncomfortable period of adjustment in order to recover. It was not a popular statement for a treasurer to make when the unemployment rate was heading towards 11 per cent. But his refusal to sugarcoat the seriousness of the situation paved the way for a raft of important reforms that opened up the domestic economy. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday. Credit:AAP Australia finds itself in the midst of a very different crisis almost three decades later. Bushfires have turned the south-east of the country into an apocalyptic nightmare responsible for the destruction of more than 1400 homes and 6 million hectares. At least 19 people have been killed while nearly half a billion animals are affected, according to University of Sydney estimates. It is an unprecedented disaster made worse by the impact of climate change which has extended the drought and dried out our forests. Western Sydney was the hottest place on earth on Saturday. If there are any similarities between now and then it is that our leaders must take a leaf out of Keatings book by directly acknowledging the scale and complexity of the problem. Then they must get on with the job of making tough decisions because there is no easy way out of the current predicament. Indeed, the bushfires expose two key fault lines running through our democracy. Gotcha delivered 200 electric scooters to downtown Mobile one week ago. The delivery marked the first time that an Alabama city unveiled a shared scooter program for its downtown streets. Here are some rules posted by Gotcha, and everything you need to know about riding a scooter in Mobile. You must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid drivers license. Sean Flood, CEO and founder of Gotcha a 10-year-old company based in Charleston, S.C. said the company plans to provide educational tools for parents regarding the devices. He said they are not designed for anyone under age 18. While tempting to let your under-18 son or daughter ride the scooters, they are designed to 18 and above. We have to hold people accountable. Thats the educational component. We dont want to tax law enforcement, but this is a real positive amenity for the city of Mobile. We want it to last for years to come and continue to see it grow. What are the costs? How do I access a scooter? The cost to unlock a scooter is $1. The company then charges 20 cents for each minute of use. The charge is based on time, not distance of travel. The costs are somewhat more expensive than scooter rentals in larger markets. In Nashville, Gotcha assesses a $1 unlock fee and charges 15 cents per minute. The devices can only be obtained through the Gotcha Mobility app that can be downloaded for free in the Apple app store or Google Play Store on smartphones. Once an account is created, the user can access a scooter by scanning a code found near the handlebars and approve payment through the app. Once downloaded, the app provides a map that shows where the scooters are located. The entire Gotcha fleet is GPS-enabled to make it easier for riders to find, unlock and ride the scooter. Riders are barred from traveling on sidewalks, and must obey the rules of the road. Gotcha-branded scooters reach 15 miles per hour and can go 18 to 20 miles per charge, and are prohibited from being driven on sidewalks. Flood said that scooter users are to obey the same laws as bicyclists, and are to follow the same rules of the road as any other vehicle. We want them to ride safely in the street, and not sidewalks, said Flood. Police, right now, are trying to figure out how to enforce them. Were in the process of figuring it out, said Mobile Police Sgt. Laderrick Dubose, spokesman with the Mobile Police Department. We dont have anything in place to say this is what you can or cannot do. Scooters are accessible from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. only in the citys downtown area. Scooter usage shuts down at 11 p.m., which means that the companys system in Mobile will be locked. The boundary for scooter usage is within the downtown area, but there has not been a map provided that shows where scooter usage is allowed. Flood said he envisions the boundary to grow, and hes hopeful that college areas around the city the University of South Alabama, Spring Hill College, the University of Mobile, for instance will be future areas for scooter use. Scooter users are encouraged to wear protective helmets, but there is no law requiring them to do so. Charleston, S.C.-based Gotcha recommends that e-scooter users wear a helmet. But there is no law in Alabama that requires users to do so. (photo courtesy of Gotcha). The scooters in Mobile have an inscription on them that says, Always wear a helmet. But the reality is that most downtown Mobile scooter users are not likely to be walking around and carrying helmets. Gotcha also doesnt provide helmets. Flood said he hopes regular users will put a helmet on before using them. I think there is still work to be done as an industry as it continues to grow for there to be easier access to helmets, he said. Hygiene is a hurdle toward implementing a helmet share program to go along with the scooter sharing. Dont drink and ride a scooter Alabama doesnt have a scooter-specific intoxication law on the books. Police are also encouraging riders not to drink and drive. But will they be assessing DUIs? Were trying to figure out how that works, said DuBose. This is one more thing that police have to deal with and were trying to figure out the best way to enforce the rules of these things. One rider per scooter Another disclaimer written on each Gotcha scooter is that there is supposed to be only one person riding on a scooter. What are the boundaries for riding a scooter in Mobile? Right now, loosely put, the scooters are required to stay within downtown Mobile. But unlike in cities like Atlanta, there are not defined boundaries on where a scooter can or cannot be. In some cities, such as Indianapolis, it can cost up to $25 for irresponsible parking of e-scooters. Its a free-roaming system in Mobile, said Flood. We do believe in mobility hubs, where we try to rebalance to what we have in some markets where there are hubs where you have to start and stop at. We are trying to (place scooters) in areas where we know people will want to stop and start their day. Youll see our teams moving the product around. It also looks better the products are not tossed around. UNITED NATIONS U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called again for an immediate cease-fire in Libya and a return to talks by all the warring parties. The U.N. chief warned in a statement Friday from his deputy spokesman that any foreign support to the warring parties will only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution. Guterres comments followed Thursdays authorization by Turkeys parliament to deploy troops to Libya to support the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli that is battling forces loyal to a rival government seeking to capture the capital. Ankara says the deployment is vital for Turkey to safeguard its interests in Libya and 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. Libya has been in turmoil since a civil war in 2011 toppled Moammar Khadafy, who was later killed. In the chaos that followed, the country was divided, with a weak U.N.-supported administration in Tripoli overseeing the countrys west and a rival government in the east aligned with the Libyan National Army led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter, each supported by an array of militias and foreign governments. Hifter opened a surprise military offensive April 4 aimed at capturing Tripoli despite commitments to attend a national conference weeks later aimed at forming a united government and moving toward elections. The fighting has threatened to plunge Libya into violent chaos rivaling the 2011 conflict that ousted and killed Khadafy. While Hifters LNA and the eastern government enjoy the support of France, Russia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and other key Arab countries, the Tripoli-based government is backed by Turkey, Italy and Qatar. The Turkish parliaments decision to deploy troops was condemned by neighboring Egypt, which backs Hifter, in what its foreign ministry called the strongest language. The leaders of Greece, Israel and Cyprus also denounced the move as a dangerous threat to regional stability and a dangerous escalation of the Libyan conflict that violates U.N. resolutions and undermines international peace efforts. 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. Secretary-General Guterres reiterated that continued violations of the U.N. arms embargo in Libya only makes matters worse, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said. Last month, U.N. experts said the interference of Chadian and Sudanese fighters in Libya is a direct threat to the security and stability of the war-torn country. They also noted that a leader of the Islamic State extremist group has declared Libya one of the main axes of its future operations. The panel of experts said in a report to the U.N. Security Council that Jordan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates routinely and sometimes blatantly supplied weapons, with little effort to disguise the source in violation of the U.N. arms embargo. They identified multiple cases of non-compliance with the arms embargo, the majority of transfers to Hifters LNA from Jordan or the United Arab Emirates and the majority to the Tripoli government from Turkey. Edith M. Lederer is an Associated Press writer. BELLINGHAM, Wash. As a progressive-minded city nestled where the Cascade mountains reach the sea, Bellingham, Wash., has long been looking to scale back its contribution to climate change. In recent years, city leaders have converted the streetlights to low-power LEDs, provided bikes for city employees and made plans to halt the burning of sewage solids. But while the efforts so far have lowered the citys emissions, none have come close to erasing its carbon footprint. Now, Bellingham is looking to do something that no other city has yet attempted: adopt a ban on all residential heating by natural gas. The ambitious plan set for consideration by the City Council in the coming weeks had already prompted vigorous debate over how much one small city should try to do to avert climate catastrophe, at a time when the federal government was putting less emphasis on halting the trajectory of rising temperatures. What weve got here is a conversation that is taking place in living rooms, in board rooms, in City Councils around the country, said Michael Lilliquist, a Bellingham council member. What is the proportionate threat? What is the proportionate response? Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. US will pay heavy price for assassinating General Soleimani: Rouhani Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 5:38 PM Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the United States is accountable for any consequences of its act of terror against Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), stressing that Washington will pay a heavy price for its recent terrorist move. In a meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Tehran on Saturday, Rouhani stressed the importance of holding more consultations between Tehran and Doha given the ongoing situation in the region after the assassination of General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy chief of the Iraqi pro-government Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), at Baghdad airport in the early hours of Friday. "The Americans have unfortunately taken a new path that can be very precarious for the region. So, closer consultations and coordination among friendly countries are necessary," the Iranian president said. He emphasized that the Islamic Republic has never initiated any tension that has led to insecurity in the region and blamed "unwise measures" by the US for stoking tensions in the region over the recent years. He described General Soleimani as an international figure who fought terrorism and played a leading role in promoting security in regional countries, particularly in Iraq and Syria, saying, "At the current juncture, we expect friendly and neighboring countries to explicitly condemn this US crime." "I hope that we will all denounce state terrorism in unison, and that regional countries will further strengthen their unity, coherence and understanding," the Iranian president stated. He emphasized that the US terrorist act against General Soleimani was an affront to the Iraqi people and a violation of the Arab country's national sovereignty. Pointing to the "very destructive" presence of the US in the region, Rouhani added that all regional countries should realize that peace would not be established in the region as long as the Americans are present here. Both General Soleimani and Muhandis were popular figureheads in helping squelch an ominous rise of Daesh which once came as close as 30 km to Baghdad, while the US withdrew troops from Iraq and looked on. In all, 10 people -- five Iraqis and five Iranians -- were killed in Friday morning's US strike on their motorcade just outside Baghdad airport as General Soleimani's flight arrived from Syria, leading to speculations that Israeli intelligence played a role. Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said on Saturday that a harsh vengeance "in due time and right place" awaits criminals behind the assassination of the Iranian general. "Iran's Supreme National Security Council during its extraordinary session today examined various aspects of this incident and made appropriate decisions; and announces that the regime of the United States of America will be responsible for all the consequences of this criminal adventurism," the SNSC said in a statement. Al Thani, who also serves as Qatari deputy prime minister, said his country is resolved to further improve cooperation with Iran. He expressed his condolences to the Iranian people over the assassination of General Soleimani and said Doha is also very concerned about such an unprecedented move. In an earlier meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the top Qatari diplomat expressed his concern over the ongoing sensitive and worrying situation in the region in the wake of General Soleimani's assassination. Al Thani urged a peaceful solution to ease tensions and restore peace to the region. Rouhani: US move to assassinate General Soleimani 'big folly' In a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Iranian president said the US assassination of General Soleimani was a "big folly" and urged all regional countries not to remain silent against such a crime. Rouhani warned that if countries in the region refrain from standing up to the US act of aggression in a united way, such failure will further embolden the enemy to commit more serious crimes against all regional states. "The US committed a serious crime against us and if we keep silent, such a measure will be carried out against other countries," he stated. Erdogan, for his part, offered his condolences to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and the Iranian government and nation over the IRGC commander's assassination. He stressed the importance of establishing stability and security in the region and said foreign interference and regional conflicts would hinder the establishment of regional peace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On Friday, several videos of an angry Muslim mob vandalising Gurudwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan emerged and went viral on social media. What had happened? The attack was allegedly led by a man who abducted the daughter of an official at Gurudwara. They all pelted stones at the holy shrine of Sikhs, as per ANI. Gurdwara at #NankanaSahib is under siege at the hands of a mob. @ImranKhanPTI you are rightly worried about persecution of the Muslim minority in #India but when on earth will our state wake up to the plight of minorities in #Pakistan? pic.twitter.com/cEtHsIlFX0 Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) January 3, 2020 The attack was apparently a response to police brutality that came after a Sikh girl was allegedly forced to convert into a Muslim. The angry mob there even threatened to demolish the Gurudwara and instead build a mosque there. #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 India has condemned the attack. Not only politicians and the External Affairs Ministry has issued statement on the same, but even celebrities including Javed Akhtar and Swara Bhasker have condemned the act. BCCL Calling the act by "Muslim fundamentalists...utterly reprehensible", Javed Akhtar wrote on Twitter, "What the Muslim fundamentalists have done in Nankana saheb is utterly reprehensible and totally condemnable . What kind of third grade sub human and inferior quality people can behave this way with a vulnerable group of another community." What the Muslim fundamentalists have done in Nankana saheb is utterly reprehensible and totally condemnable . What kind of third grade sub human and inferior quality people can behave this way with a vulnerable group of another community Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) January 3, 2020 Swara Bhasker called the incident "shameful" and wrote, "Attack on #NanakanaSahib is shameful, disgraceful and utterly vile and unjustifiable.. Shame on the vandals and hope they are brought to book immediately!" Attack on #NanakanaSahib is shameful, disgraceful and utterly vile and unjustifiable.. Shame on the vandals and hope they are brought to book immediately! Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) January 4, 2020 Actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar also voiced out his opinion on the same. "Disturbing visuals from the revered #NankanaSahib Gurudwara. This after a reprehensible act of forcible abduction & conversion of a Sikh girl was protested. Urge @capt_amarinder & @PMOIndia to ensure rescue & safety of girl & her family and adequate security of the Holy Shrine." Disturbing visuals from the revered #NankanaSahib Gurudwara. This after a reprehensible act of forcible abduction & conversion of a Sikh girl was protested. Urge @capt_amarinder & @PMOIndia to ensure rescue & safety of girl & her family and adequate security of the Holy Shrine. pic.twitter.com/RStxszzSiN Raj Babbar (@RajBabbarMP) January 3, 2020 VJ and reality TV star Andy Kumar said, "What kind of world are we now bringing not reality in 2020?Attacking #NankanaSahib is like attacking #Mecca Its horrifying that minorities have face such terror. Why has Pakistan not come to the aid of its citizens? #GuruNanakDev was not only a guru of Sikhs but of humanity." What kind of world are we now bringing not reality in 2020?Attacking #NankanaSahib is like attacking #Mecca Its horrifying that minorities have face such terror. Why has Pakistan not come to the aid of its citizens? #GuruNanakDev was not only a guru of Sikhs but of humanity. Andy Kumar (@iAmVJAndy) January 4, 2020 When the attack happened, a lot of devotees were stranded inside the Gurudwara. The mob is apparently threatening to wipe out the Sikhs from from the city. Meanwhile, The External Affairs Ministry has issued a statement on the incident that reads, "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 desecration of the holy gurdwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community," it said. After the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday slammed Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for calling Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan his friend. "I have tweeted to Rahulji and asked where is their brand ambassador Sidhu ji is? Sidhu had said that Imran Khan is his friend when he visited the Nankana Sahib. Today same Imran Khan kidnapped Sikh daughter and attacked the Gurudwara," Singh told reporters here. He further asserted that minorities are not safe in Pakistan and the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib validates the need for the Citizenship Amendment Act. "No Muslim will have to leave the country. Congress is misleading the Muslims against the CAA. The Act is about giving not taking," he added. An angry group of locals pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on January 3. The group was led by the family of a man who had abducted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of Gurdwara's panthi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boris Johnson has broken his silence on the US assassination of Irans top military general, calling for Tehran to end threats of retaliation or reprisals. Following growing criticism of his failure to comment on the killing as he continued a luxury Caribbean holiday the prime minister spoke to Donald Trump and EU leaders on his return to London. In a brief statement, Mr Johnson said the UK will not lament the death of Qasem Soleimani, blaming him for the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians and western personnel. He added: It is clear, however, that all calls for retaliation or reprisals will simply lead to more violence in the region, and they are in no ones interest. Downing Street made clear the call was a reference to Tehrans threats of revenge rather than Mr Trumps bellicose warning that he would bomb 52 Iranian sites if the country did retaliate. Recommended Iran issues warning to Trump as Iraq votes to expel US troops Nevertheless, Mr Johnson stopped short of echoing his foreign secretary Dominic Raabs earlier backing for Washingtons right to carry out the airstrike, which happened at Baghdad Airport on Friday. Mr Raab provoked anger by saying the UK understands the position the US found themselves in faced with the choice of whether to kill General Soleimani, adding that the US had a right to self-defence. Notably, the shift came after Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state who will host Mr Raab on Thursday criticised the UK, France and Germany for failing to be as helpful as I wish that they could be. John McDonnell, Labours shadow chancellor, reacted to those comments by tweeting: Raabs craven support for Trumps reckless & potentially disastrous action adds to risk of full scale war. 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 And Lisa Nandy, a Labour leadership contender, suggested that the UKs refusal to criticise was because it was begging the US for a trade deal as Brexit loomed. The statement said Mr Johnson would be speaking to other leaders and our Iraqi friends, having already spoken to Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron. Ministers are due to meet on Monday to discuss the crisis, which has raised fears of all-out war, but no statement can be made to MPs until they return on Tuesday. Earlier, a non-legally binding bill passed by Iraqs parliament called for the expulsion of all foreign forces. Some 400 UK troops are stationed in Iraq in the fight against Islamic State, while the US has 5,200, prompting fears of a withdrawal that could cripple the battle against the terror group. The Ministry of Defence is understood to be awaiting the decision of the Iraqi government before acting over the soldiers based there as part of the US-led coalition. Hotel Business News and Analytics Important! This article is written by orangesmile.com editors and is protected by copyright law. The article can only be re-used with a direct link to www.orangesmile.com NEWS BLOCKS: Travel Trends for the New Decade With the start of 2020, we have entered a new decade that is likely to change our lives in many aspects, and traveling is no exception. How will our travel experience change in the next 10 years? Some experts think the top 3 changes will be the following: passport-free travel, mobile check-in, and one app for everything that tourists need. As new technologies appear in our lives every year, it is easy to guess that traveling apps will continue developing in the future. Some think that there will be one revolutionary app that will change the way we make bookings nowadays. More than half of respondents from South East Asia believe in this, opposite to only one-third of respondents from the UK and the US. Passport-free travel is one more trend tourists from such countries as Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, China, and Australia think that this will be the norm within this decade. People from such countries as the USA and the UK disagree. Only one in five respondents think passport-free travel will become widespread in the coming years. Eco-friendly travel will become a major trend in the new decade. People expect to travel more in the 2020s. As many as 40% of respondents say they want to know more about their home countries while 35% of the survey participants want to travel abroad. Such age groups as 35-44 years and 55+ years old are the most interested in domestic travel. That being said, people want to travel knowing they do not cause much harm to the environment. The number of travelers willing to book eco-friendly hotels is growing. Travelers from Japan and Korea think they will be more interested in solo travel in the next decade. What destinations will be hot in the coming years? It looks like hotels in Kyoto are going to have a busy decade as this city won the title of the most sought after travel choice. Tourists praise the citys rich culture, history, and delicious food. Bangkok hotels will not feel forgotten as well the capital of Thailand is the second-most-popular travel choice followed by Bali (Indonesia). New York was among the top choices for travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and South Korea. Many tourists from Indonesia and Malaysia hope they will be able to visit Makkah until 2030. Chinese travelers are eager to visit Kyoto, Shanghai, and Bangkok. Australia, South Korea, and the UK are not much interested in domestic travel and want to make vacations abroad instead. 05.01.2020Stay in touch with the latest news of a worldwide hotel industry. All up-to-date analytics, reports , and news about hotel business trends on OrangeSmile.com. 2.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard What is the story of the U.S. economy? Not unlike the proverbial elephant subject to scrutiny by a band of blind men, the nations economy is subject to multiple narrative descriptions depending on which component of the beast, whether our economy or an elephant, the blind man massages. Some media pundits have argued that the historically low unemployment rates combined with record stock market performances attest to a strong economy that would propel Trump to victory in 2020 if only he were disciplined enough to stay on point about the economy, stupid. Others claim focusing on these numbers is akin to grasping the trunk and the tail of the elephant, missing the bigger and much more accurate picture of an economy that has not just failed but actively assaulted the vast majority of Americans. MSNBCs Stephanie Ruhle, for example, has been unrelenting in fleshing out this more comprehensive narrative, insisting, among other points, that the stock market and the overall economy are not the same thing. It may very well be the more compelling storyteller, or the storyteller who gets access to the most air time, who tilts the 2020 election. Robert Shillers recent splashy book Narrative Economics underscores this point in a general way, arguing that the popular and viral narratives purveyed about the economy dont so much describe the economy but drive the economic events themselves, regardless of the truth value of the story itself. As the Yale University professor and Nobel-prize winning economist told CNBC, It may not be so logical. It may be more, as I said, of animal spirits. This is an emotion that you feel at a certain time that you sense you see in other people. So when you see other people feeling confident about the market, you feel more confident yourself. He attributes recent market strength, for example, to Trumps storytelling prowess: Hes a motivational speaker. Weve never had a motivational speaker president before. He knows how to create animal spirits. What cannot be emphasized enough, however, is the importance of a crafting an economic narrative that aligns as closely as possible with our economic reality, generating the most effective understanding of the dynamics and performance of the economyfor good decision-making by voters and good policy-making by legislators. How we tell this story is vital to lives of the American majority, which is why Shillers applause for Trumps motivational stirring of animal spirits is absolutely misplaced and damaging to American lives. As we get a hold of the entire elephant of the Trump economy, we find an economy on a sugar high, thriving on taxpayer debt, enriching even further the already wealthy, and heading for a crash. As we limn this elephant, lets start with the national debt and deficit. Trump inherited a strong economy, and it is typically during healthy economic times that the government pays down the national debt. But both the deficit and debt have grown under Trumps administration, largely because of his tax cuts that served largely the wealthy. Reports indicated that in October the federal governments budget deficit ballooned 34% from a year earlier to $134.5 billion, projecting that the annual deficit will top $1 trillion for the first time in eight years. The national debt, meanwhile, has surged beyond $22 trillion. Hmmm. If the economy is booming, shouldnt the federal governments coffers be filling up and not depleting? We can certainly understand how in a time of recession the government would need to provide economic stimulus and thus run a deficit, but when the economy is supposedly experiencing record performance? When Trump slashed corporate tax rates from 35 to 21 percent, we were told, as usual, that these tax cuts would pay for themselves, create an economy that enriches us all. Basically, Trump is using the credit of the American worker to enrich corporate America and the wealthiest of Americans. Its as if, for most Americans, someone maxed out their credit cards and yet they got none of the benefit of the goods and services purchased. These tax cuts benefited the wealthy and did not trickle down, despite Trumps promises that companies would invest in workers and not cut jobs. Companies like AT&T, Wells Fargo, and General Motors lobbied for them, promising to re-invest their tax savings in their workers and companies to the benefit off the nation as a whole. And yet all of these companies have engaged in massive layoffs or plant closings. AT&T has eliminated over 23,000 jobs since the tax cuts went into effect, despite receiving a $21 billion windfall from the tax cuts with the prospect of cashing in an additional $3 billion annually in tax savings. In November 2018, GM announced it would be closing five plants, eliminating 14,000 jobs in communities across Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada, while buying back $10 billion in stock and earning a net profit of $8 billion on which the company paid no federal tax. Other automakers have also slashed thousands of jobs, saving billions of dollars.Wells Fargo did raise the minimum wage of its employees, though the tax savings for the company were 47 times larger than the cost of that pay raise to the company; and the company announced its plans in September 2018 to eliminate 26,000 jobs, at the same time that it has raised health insurance costs for its employees. Meanwhile, homelessness in the U.S. has increased for the third year in a row under Trump/s rule. Despite low unemployment rates, poverty is increasing. West Virginia is a telling case study of how the jobs being created, particularly in retail and service industries, do not pay a living wage. As Sean OLeary, senior budget analyst for the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, told CBS News, Its cashiers, retail sales people, service employees those are our fastest growing jobs, but those jobs dont pay very well. Tara Martinez, executive director of a soup kitchen in West Virginia, elaborated, The jobs that are available are minimum wage and part time they dont have benefits. Poverty, homelessness, and despair continue, even for those who are working and seek work in this supposedly thriving economy. Lets get the story straight. Our lives depend on it. (Natural News) Although its good to see Trump finally take decisive action against Americas enemies rather than appeasing them (and funding them) like Obama did, the larger truth is that Soleimani never did anything against the independent media and the growing number of voices who attempt to protect children from the toxic effects of vaccines, GMOs, fluoride and dangerous pharmaceuticals. Soleimani may have been the enemy of America, but there are far greater enemies of humanity who remain at large, right here in America. Its the tech giants like Google, Facebook, Twitter run by anti-human rights criminal Jack Dorsey and other techno-fascist corporations that have systematically violated the fundamental human right of free speech, all in their efforts to silence the truth about dangerous vaccines that maim and kill, at minimum, tens of thousands of American children every year even according to the U.S. governments own statistics (VAERS.HHS.GOV). The number of Americans killed by Soleimani is dwarfed by the number of children killed by the CDC and the vaccine industry. Theres no comparison. Yet those of us who dare to expose the danger of vaccine ingredients or share the government statistics of vaccine injuries and deaths are treated by the Big Tech establishment as if we were terrorists. In reality, we are the whistleblowers! We are the ones working on behalf of humanity, trying to warn the moms and dads that vaccinating your children with todays deliberately unsafe vaccines is very often a life sentence for those children, many of whom are condemned to suffer or die. Americas worst enemies couldnt even dream of achieving the damage being caused by Google, Twitter and other malicious tech giants President Trump ordered a drone strike against General Soleimani, killing him instantly, but no legal action, executive action or regulatory enforcement action is being taken against the CEOs of the tech giants who are indirectly killing far more Americans than Soleimani ever could have imagined possible. Americas worst enemies couldnt even dream of the biological terror and widespread damage to innocent children that has been unleashed by the vaccine industry with the help of Big Tech censorship. Thats why its accurate to label Google CEO Sundar Pichai an actual terrorist and enemy of America. He is a far greater threat to the American people than Soleimani ever was. And he should be arrested and prosecuted for those crimes. In fact, Google is a far greater threat to American lives than all the Iran-funded Islamic terror networks combined, and that doesnt even count Googles gross invasion of the privacy of Americans, which becomes more extreme and dangerous with each passing day, as The Intercept has just recently confirmed in another bombshell article. Where are the military police arrests of the CEOs of the tech giants? Why hasnt Trump ordered the State Dept. to seize the domain names of Google.com, Twitter.com, Facebook.com and YouTube.com for their systematic, repeated criminal violations of fundamental human rights such as the right to speak without oppressive, malicious censorship that denies the American people their basic human dignity? And what about Googles AI weapons research thats launching humanity directly into conflict with an actual Skynet Terminator scenario in the next two decades? Will we have to wait for Skynet to nuke us all before anybody bothers to try to stop Googles global death machine from being constructed and deployed? Similarly, why havent the New York Times and the Washington Post been declared terrorist organizations for running their anti-America psychological operations that routinely side with enemies of America while slandering and defaming those who support America? As Dave Hodges recently explained, it really is time for the New York Times and its traitorous anti-American operatives to be charged with treason and prosecuted accordingly. War with Iran is a great distraction from the real enemies of America who are located in Silicon Valley It brings up the obvious question: Why isnt Trump willing to take action against the real threats to Americans that are operating as terrorist organizations right here on our own soil? Isnt large-scale, coordinated treason a crime worthy of being arrested and stopped? The tech giants and the globalist-run media carry out deliberate, malicious acts of treason on a daily basis, yet they are allowed to continue carrying out those acts while Trump distracts everyone by launching Hellfire missiles against foreign terrorists that have virtually zero impact on the day-to-day lives of Americans. Surely he must know that these same traitorous organizations (Google, NYT, etc.) are planning to support the push to have Trump deemed a war criminal by the United Nations. Theyre also planning to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, citing mental health deficiencies. If that doesnt work, these same treasonous operatives which includes an active conspiracy among all the tech giants will launch a false flag attack that can be blamed on Trump and his supporters. This attack will be timed to achieve en election victory for Hillary Clinton, who is waiting in the shadows like a demon, ready to leap into the race at the last minute to save America from Trump. The media, the tech giants and the stay-behind network of traitors from the Obama administration will all run this coordinated conspiracy to silence pro-Trump voices, criminalize Trump supporters, push an anti-America narrative and appoint Hillary Clinton as an authoritarian dictator who rules over the nation like the criminal mafia boss she has come to be. Yet Trump does nothing to stop it, except for ordering drone strikes on a couple of people who frankly hardly matter at all to the real future of America. Even James Comey, one of the evil masterminds of the criminal coup attempt against Trump himself, still walks around as a free man, celebrated as a hero by the same traitorous media that should have been shut down long ago after being accurately labeled seditious actors under the 1807 Insurrection Act. We elected Trump to drain the swamp, not bomb Iraq. We elected him to lock her up, not look the other way while treasonous Democrats and criminal technology giants eviscerate the civil rights of millions of Americans by pretending that censorship of conservative views is cracking down on hate speech. We elected Trump to fight for America right here at home, not to fight with foreigners on foreign soil just to prop up the neocon-supporter weapons manufacturers. Mr. President, the real enemies of America are located in Silicon Valley, not the Iraq airport. You dont need Hellfire missiles to deal with them, either: You simply issue an executive order to empower the DOJ, FTC and FCC to take immediate, decisive action to stop the gross violations of the First Amendment that are being carried out by the tech companies that long ago abandoned any pretense of Sec. 230 protections under the DMCA. If we cannot defeat techno-fascism here at home, it matters little whether we can bomb Islamic militants in the Middle East. Stop wagging the damn dog and start fighting for real Americans, right here at home. Its time for Trump to declare politically-motivated mass censorship an act of treason, and prosecute it accordingly Declare online censorship to be a crime against America. Name the conspirators in the media who are complicit in the attempted coup to overthrow our republic. Expose the slimy foreign aid kickbacks that funneled billions of dollars to the Obamas, the Bidens and the Clintons. Unleash the military police to arrest every tech giant CEO who has taken part in politically motivated censorship against the American people and hold them for trial under military tribunals, for they are engaged in a war against this nation, and they are treating it like war. Youre fighting the wrong damn enemies, Mr. President! And nothing you do in the Middle East will matter one bit if we lose our nation to the left-wing authoritarian lunatics here at home. Google is a dangerous left-wing cult, and that same cultist mental illness has crept into Twitter, Netflix, Hollywood, universities and left-wing non-profit front groups like the ACLU. Yes, Soleimani was a lunatic, but even his actions didnt even begin to stack up to the coordinated genital maiming of children now being carried out in America under the cover of transgenderism and tolerance. The pedophilia rings, transgender surgery medical violence groups and left-wing cult indoctrination centers (i.e. West Coast universities) have got to be stopped, or there wont be anything remaining of America to save from the militant Islamic terrorists. By the time the Islamists finally overrun America, all they will find is a land of lunatic hyper-feminized males, self-mutilated nullies and chemically castrated eunuchs, all praising rainbow flags and celebrating the post-birth infanticide of human infants who someone managed to survive the abortion attempts. The leading cause of death in America right now is abortion, not radical Islamic terrorism. If you want to stop the mass killing of Americans, stop the murderous Leftists and the techno-fascists that amplify their voices while silencing all dissenting views. Stop bombing the Middle East and start arresting the treasonous war criminals right here in America, for Gods sake. Theres a war being waged right here at home, and its independent media leaders like us who have been taking sustained enemy fire for the last three years as America continued to be systematically destroyed from within by domestic enemies with names like Comey, Brennan and Schiff. What are you waiting for, Mr. President? Permission from Pelosi? Carpe Diem. Get s##t done or go home. Happy New Year! Father Time and the New Years baby, representing the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020, are the dominant images in this weeks editorial cartoon gallery. Father Time had a rough year. Editorial cartoonists depict him wearing a straitjacket, imparting a warning about Russian hackers, swigging from a champagne bottle, and as Uncle Sam with a walker and a long, white beard. Baby New Year is drawn as Baby Trump, a kid with the measles, a wide-eyed babe mesmerized by election year balloons, and a throwback to Baby New Year 1936, when anti-Semitism was on the march in Europe. Wildfires in Australia also are a theme in the cartoons this week. At least 19 people have died, dozens of people are missing and more than 12 million acres of bush have been burned. Climate change is being blamed for the hot, dry conditions that promote wildfires. A man stabbed five people at a Hanukkah gathering at an Orthodox Jewish rabbis home Sunday in Monsey, New York. The assailant faces federal hate crime charges. It was the 13th anti-Semitic attack in New York since Dec. 8, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. Other topics in the cartoons include Irans aggression in Iraq; House Speaker Nancy Pelosis delay in delivering articles of impeachment to the Senate; another threat from North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un; and an admonition from Teddy Roosevelt to Trump about speaking softly and carrying a big stick. Cartoons were drawn by Bill Bramhall, Dan Wasserman, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and A.F. Branco, Mike Luckovich and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate. View more editorial cartoon galleries. 2019 editorial cartoon year in review: President Trump at the center of the storm Suspected militants lobbed a grenade in Kawdara area of Srinagars old city on Saturday injuring a teenager, officials said. Security officials said the grenade exploded some 50 metres away from the deployment of central reserve police force (CRPF). Public relations officer of the CRPF, Pankaj Singh, said that no personnel were present near the deployment at the time of the blast. A 17-year-old boy, identified as Aazar, was near the site of the blast and received minor splinter injuries, an official told news agency PTI. Two private vehicles were also damaged in the attack, the official added. They (the militants) just want to create terror and are targeting common people. The blast caused some minor injuries and the injured have been shifted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, Singh said. Nazir Choudhary, medical Superintendent of SMHS, confirmed that Aazar was admitted to the hospital with splinter injuries in his stomach. He is stable and has superficial injuries in his stomach, he said. The area has been cordoned off to nab the terrorists. No outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the blast. A number of grenade attacks or explosions have rocked Srinagar since August. On November 27, a low intensity explosion took place in the market near Sir Syed gate of Kashmir University in Hazratbal area of Srinagar in which three persons were injured. A toy seller from Saharanpur was killed and 40 others injured in a grenade blast at busy Hari Singh High Street in Srinagar on November 4. On October 26, six CRPF personnel were injured in a grenade attack in Srinagar after suspected militants lobbed a grenade on the CRPF deployment at Karanagar area of the city. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Many readers have contacted The Independent to express concern about imminent travel to the region. It follows the assassination in Baghdad by the US of the Iranian military leader, Qassem Soleimani. The killing has raised tensions across the Middle East, and Iran has vowed to take revenge. Many travellers may feel apprehensive. The British and US authorities are advising their citizens in the key tourist destinations of UAE and Oman to be vigilant. But for the travel industry, it appears to be business as usual with normal policies applying for changes and cancellations. These are the key questions and answers. How many British travellers are on holiday in the region? From Foreign Office figures, combined with flight patterns, I estimate that around 30,000 UK tourists are on holiday in the UAE; a further 3,500 in Oman and 2,500 in Qatar, with smaller numbers in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran. 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 total, perhaps 40,000 UK holidaymakers are in the countries of the Gulf, along with a few thousand short-term business visitors. In addition there are many tens of thousands of British citizens living and working in the region. For example, the Foreign Office says more than 100,000 UK expatriates live in the UAE, with a further 20,000 in Qatar. Many more British travellers change planes at Gulf hubs, particularly Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. What does the UK government advise after the US attack? Late on Saturday 4 January, the Foreign Office updated its travel advice to all countries in the region with the same paragraph: Following the death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in a US strike in Baghdad on 3 January, British nationals in the region should remain vigilant and keep up to date with the latest developments, including via the media and this travel advice. The only countries bordering the Gulf that are on the Foreign Office no-go list are Iran and Iraq (plus, on the Arabian peninsula, Yemen). But there are longstanding concerns about terrorism in the UAE. The Foreign Office has been saying for some time that an attack is likely, and warns that possible targets include oil, transport and aviation interests as well as crowded places, including restaurants, hotels, beaches, shopping centres and mosques. Fears of an attack are increasing as tensions continue to escalate (AFP) At its closest point, Dubai is about 100 miles from Irans coast, across the Gulf. A statement from the American embassy in the UAE says: US citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness. For Qatar and Oman, the Foreign Office says: Terrorist attacks cant be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. I have a holiday booked in Dubai. What are my options? Unless the Foreign Office were to warn against travel to the UAE a most unlikely event there will be no legal right for passengers to change their plans without penalty. This applies to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras al Khaimah and elsewhere. The Package Travel Regulations, which govern holidays from the UK, say that if the travel organiser cannot deliver what was booked because of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances then you are entitled to a full refund. But at present flights to Dubai and elsewhere in the region appear to be continuing as planned, and the tourism infrastructure in the UAE is working normally. There is currently no right to switch to an immediate departure (Getty) I booked a stopover in Abu Dhabi/Doha/Dubai en route to my final destination. I no longer want to stay longer than I have to. Can I switch to an immediate departure? There is no automatic right to do so, and a large fee might be payable. A spokesperson for Abu Dhabi-based Etihad said: Our operations are continuing normally. We continue to monitor developments in the region and as always are in close contact with aviation regulators. No special arrangements in place. An Emirates spokesperson said: Emirates flights are continuing as scheduled and we are monitoring the situation. Etihad is the other major UAE airline, and is based in Abu Dhabi. A spokesperson said: "Our operations are continuing normally. We continue to monitor developments in the region and as always are in close contact with aviation regulators. No special arrangements in place." A Qatar Airways spokesperson said: As the safety of our passengers and employees is of the highest importance, Qatar Airways continues to closely monitor the situation in Iraq and is currently operating normal scheduled services. I am booked on flights that require a change of plane in the Gulf. Can I switch to a direct flight because of the circumstances? Were your airline to cancel either leg, with no immediate alternative, then you might be rebooked on a direct flight. But there is no automatic right to change. The flight I have booked to Asia normally flies over this region. Shall I rebook on a different routing? You could elect not to travel, or choose a routing that avoids the region, for example on Aeroflot via Moscow or Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa. But you would lose all the money for your original flight. What about cruises? In August 2019, P&O Cruises cancelled its entire winter 2019-20 Gulf cruise programme because of concerns about potential attacks. At the time some observers said that the fact that P&O is a notionally British company and uses the Union flag prominently could increase the risk of it being targeted. A spokesperson for P&O Cruises said: Itineraries are due to resume at the end of 2020 but we will take advice from authorities and if changes are necessary then we will advise guests as soon as possible. At present all travel firms appear to be sticking to their normal cancellation/change policies (Getty) According to online tracking sites, many cruise ships are in the Gulf, including MSC Bellissimma in Abu Dhabi, Crystal Esprit in Doha and five in Dubai: MSC Lirica, Costa Diadema, Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean), Horizon (Pullmantur) and Mein Schiff 5 (Tui). And the QE2 is permanently moored there, as a floating hotel. Many other cruise ships are heading for Dubai cruises between Singapore, India and the UAE are particularly popular. They will involve sailing through the Straight of Hormuz. At present all travel firms appear to be sticking to their normal cancellation/change policies. What about overflights of the region? That is a serious concern for the aviation industry. A huge amount of Europe-Asia traffic is routed via the Gulf, with flight paths typically crossing Iraq and/or Iran. If airlines decide to re-route them, it will lead to longer journeys, missed connections and higher fuel costs. If your flight is affected (for example, you miss a connection), the airline must find a solution for you. General Qassem Soleimani's casket passes in Iraq funeral procession Could the Hajj be affected? Tens of thousands of British Muslims are expected to make the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia in 2020. But as it will not take place until late July/early August, it is too early to say if and how travel will be affected at that time. Would you go to the Gulf right now? Yes. I rate the risks of travelling to the UAE, or other Gulf countries such as Oman and Bahrain, to be tolerably low. But an attack cannot be ruled out. Austrias foreign ministry announced it was facing a serious cyberattack and that it could be the work of a nation-state actor . Austrias foreign ministry was the victim of a cyber-attack that is suspected to have been conducted by a foreign state due to its level of sophistication. Due to the gravity and nature of the attack, it cannot be ruled out that this is a targeted attack by a state actor, the foreign ministry said in a joint statement with the interior ministry. Despite all the intensive security measures, there is no 100-percent protection against cyberattacks . The attack took place on the evening of Saturday 4 January evening and it was quickly detected. Authorities immediately adopted the defensive measures to protect their infrastructure, it also set up a special committee to respond to the incident. It is not clear if the hackers gained access to sensitive data. At the time of writing, on Sunday, the attack was still ongoing, ministry spokesman Peter Guschelbauer told public broadcaster ORF. The duration of the attack can currently not be estimated, said Guschelbauer. reported the broadcaster ORF. The problem was recognized very quickly and technical countermeasures were initiated immediately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior announced in a press release late on Saturday evening. Media pointed out that the attack took place on the same day Austrias Green party backed forming a coalition with conservatives . Major cyber attacks are a rarity in Austria, only a few large-scale attacks were observed in the past years. In September 2019, before the National Council election, the OVP was hit by a very targeted hacker attack on the party headquarters. In 2018, the websites of the parliament and various ministries in Austria were targeted by DDoS attacks (Distributed Denial of Service). Other European countries suffered similar attacks in the past, in 2015 more than 20,000 computers belonging to the German Bundestag were infected with malware. Experts and media reported a possible involvement of Russian state-sponsored hackers. Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs Austrias foreign ministry, hacking) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 01:14:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close JUBA, Jan 5 (Xinhua) -- The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) faction led by Malik Agar on Sunday requested Khartoum to agree to set up security and governance reforms during ongoing peace talks in Juba. Yasir Armani, deputy chairman of the SPLM-N, said that they had proposed to the newly formed Sudan Sovereign Council headed by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to start undertaking security and governance reforms to help stabilize the fragile economy. "Without security sector reforms in Sudan, the economic problems will not be solved. The civil rule will not come to the country, democracy will not be realized and there will be no security in Sudan," Armani said in Juba. He said the rebel group also requested the government to set up the required security arrangements that will pave way for the integration of some fighters from the Southern Blue Nile region. "The discussions are at an advanced stage on various issues. We hope our opinions on security arrangements will be agreed on by all armed groups with the spirit of unity. It will bring progress in Sudan," said Armani. He said the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) should have national character representative of all Sudanese people after the overthrow of former long-serving President Omar Al-Bashir in April last year in a popular uprising in Khartoum. "The Sudan armed force has wide-ranging experience to represent the whole country, the Rapid Support Force (RSF) has to establish national military institutions that will play a critical role in the country," said Armani. Mohamed Al-Hassan Al-Taishi, member of the Sudan government delegation at the talks, said ongoing negotiations in Juba will not miss the Feb.14 deadline agreed on earlier with the various opposition groups to conclude the talks being mediated by South Sudan President Salva Kiir. "If we discuss and agree on the security arrangements as well as the political arrangements, we will then go on to the comprehensive peace accord," said Al-Taishi. "We will amicably and successfully agree on various issues with opposition groups as soon as possible. We will handle the forthcoming constitutional conference, constitution-making process and peacebuilding for all the Sudanese," he added. Dhieu Mathok Diing, a member of the South Sudan mediation team, said that the Sudanese peace talks are progressing positively. "The SPLM-N have made their proposal on security arrangement and the hierarchy of the governance system only. The solution on that matter will not be hard to reach," said Mathok. Other opposition groups attending the talks include the Sudan People's Liberation Movement /Army-Northern sector led by Abdel Aziz Al-hilu, Justice Equality Movement under Jibril Ibrahim, Democratic Union party led by Eltom Hajou and the Sudan Liberation Movement under Minni Minnawi and others. These groups had fought against former Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and are now seeking to be included in the transitional government in Khartoum formed by the Transitional Military Council and the opposition Forces of Freedom and Change. New Delhi: Deepika Padukone turns 34 today and to ring in her day the actress has reached Lucknow at the Sheroes Hangout, a cafe run by acid attack survivors wherein she will be conversing with them and lend them a listening ear too. Later, shell be flying to Delhi, to continue with the film publicity. The Chaapaak actress has her way with papparazi and so to celebrate the occasion they reached airport with glare and cake. Ranveer, the doting husband who was accompanying her at the trip brought out his speaker and played the Happy Birthday song as Deepika cut a scrumptious chocolate cake amidst shutterbugs. The actress was wearing an oversized blue striped satin shirt with a vintage front knot. She chose to pair it with a brick red sweater and blue striped pants, matching pointy heels, a leather brown tote bag and dark sunnies. Ranveer flaunting his eccentric style sported a long brown check overcoat, blue jeans, a striped tee and blue converse shoes, red-tinted sunglasses and a Gucci cap. Deepika greeted the paps, cut the cake and even fed them with a slice of the cake they brought. The duo posed for the cameras before they walked into the airport holding hands. Deepika and Ranveer will star together in Kabir Khans 83 For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. T he Queen and other senior royals have sent messages of support and condolence to the thousands of people affected by the devastating wildfires in Australia. At least 20 people have died and more than 1,400 homes have been destroyed in blazes which have ravaged the country in recent months. Collectively, an area covering more than 20,000 square miles has been burnt by wildfires around the country an area almost the size of Croatia. Penrith, a Sydney suburb became the hottest place on earth on Saturday as temperatures soared to new highs oof 48.9 degrees as bushfires raging across the land are generating so much heat they are creating their own storms. The Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge all issued separate messages of condolence to those affected on Saturday. In a message addressed to the Governor General of Australia, Governor of New South Wales, Governor of Queensland, the Governor of Victoria and to all Australians, the Queen said: I have been deeply saddened to hear of the continued bushfires and their devastating impact across many parts of Australia. My thanks go out to the emergency services, and those who put their own lives in danger to help communities in need. Prince Philip and I send our thoughts and prayers to all Australians at this difficult time. Harry and Meghan said in an Instagram post on their official SussexRoyal account that they were struck by the increasingly overlapping presence of environmental disasters around the world. Their post said: Our thoughts and prayers are with those across Australia who are continuing to face the devastating fires that have been raging for months. From areas we are personally connected to such as the communities and people we visited in New South Wales in 2018, to the fires in California and parts of Africa, we are struck by the increasingly overlapping presence of these environmental disasters, including of course the destruction of the Amazon which continues. This global environmental crisis has now been described as ecocide. Its easy to feel helpless, but theres always a way to help. The couple included links to fundraising pages for the New South Wales rural fire service and Red Cross. Meanwhile, William and Kate said in a post on their KensingtonRoyal Instagram account: We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives, and the brave firemen who continue to risk their own lives to save the lives of others. At least eight people have died this week in New South Wales and neighbouring Victoria, Australias two most populous states, where more than 200 fires are currently burning. Press Release January 4, 2020 Villar: DOLE, DTI, DA can provide alternative livelihood and job opportunities for OFWs affected by the Kuwait deployment ban "I join the entire nation in mourning OFW JeanelynVillavende's tragic death in Kuwait at the hands of her cruel employer. I join my colleagues in the Senate in condemning her senseless killing. The DFA should hire the best legal team to assure her bereaved family that justice will be served. DOLE through the POEA should maintain the deployment ban until sufficient reforms are in place to ensure the safety, honor, and dignity of our OFWs in Kuwait." "Any investigation into this case should include the alleged failure of both the local licensed agency and its foreign counterpart to closely monitor the working and living conditions of Jeanelyn. Based on news reports, the OFW had already been complaining to her local agency of contract violations a month after her deployment to Kuwait. Were these complaints ever acted upon?" "Let us scale down the deployment of domestic workers to the Middle East until such time that we are able to put in place a more effective monitoring system onsite. Because this is a business, recruitment agencies will accept job orders for domestic workers that may already be beyond their capacity to monitor. This is one aspect of overseas employment that deserves our serious attention." "Meanwhile, the DOLE, DTI and DA can look into alternative livelihood and local employment opportunities for workers affected by the deployment ban to Kuwait so that they no longer feel compelled to leave the country for the Middle East as domestic workers. Perhaps, their husbands or even the women themselves can be trained to handle basic construction work because there is a huge shortage of skilled workers in the construction field." Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation & Governance (VILLAR SIPAG) has built 25 construction schools all over the country to train men and women on constructions skills, masonry for men & painting for women. WARRENSBURG The Warren County Board of Supervisors in December voted to move toward abandoning the stretch of railroad the county owns between Hadley and North Creek. While that sounds like the tracks may soon vanish, that isnt necessarily the case. Instead, the vote was a step toward reaching some kind of final resolution on the long-contested 40-mile line of unused or little-used tracks, which, like other Adirondack rail lines, have been caught in a rhetorical tug-o-war between those who want to keep them for freight or tourism trains and those who want to remove the tracks for a biking/hiking path. The supervisors voted unanimously to request that the federal Surface Transportation Board allow them to start the abandonment process. It allows us to move toward final use. In the meantime the asset has been sitting dormant, Warren County Administrator Ryan Moore said. But he stressed that (i)t does not mean we are going to rush out and rip up rails. What it means is there will be a process to determine if there is a viable freight use for the line. If abandoned, the county would no longer have to maintain the tracks, which Moore said is increasingly costly. For example, he said, the torrential rainstorms that swept through county in October alone caused an estimated half million dollars in damage. Efforts at running excursion tourist trains, at least between Saratoga Springs and North Creek, havent worked out very well in recent years. (The town of Corinth controls the tracks between Hadley and Saratoga). Neither have plans for freight. There have been several attempts to do passenger and freight on the line and nothing has panned out, Moore said. Most recently, a subsidiary of The Iowa Pacific company was running tourist trains along the tracks. But they stopped in April 2018 and the company is now in financial receivership. Without that, Warren County has essentially been paying to keep up unused tracks. Demand for freight transport along the tracks is uncertain but not out of the question. Mitchell Stone Products, which uses tailings from the former mines at Tahawus, near Newcomb, is interested in getting rail service to haul their products, which are currently moved by truck. But there are potential obstacles, including environmental objections and the possible cost of getting service to such a remote spot. Another option would be to keep the tracks intact for recreational use now and a possible time in the future when a freight or excursion company could make a go of it. Theres also interest in maintaining the stretch of tracks from Saratoga to Corinth, near Hadley, noted Jack Kelley, the economic development director for Prime Companies, an Albany real estate development and marketing firm. Kelley said hes working with a company, which he said he couldnt name, that is interested in running excursions and freight along that 16-mile stretch. The concept of running an excursion line is a good one and from an economic development standpoint has a lot of viability, Kelley said. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The freight could support a possible re-use of land on the former International Paper Co. plant in Corinth, which Kelley believes can be redeveloped as an industrial site. Others, who favor hiking/biking trails, believe the focus should be on those activities. More for you Financial picture darkens for tourist railroad Protect the Adirondacks, an environmental group, is working on funding a study with local towns about what it would take to pull up the tracks for a rail trail that could be used by hikers, bikers, inline skaters and others. Executive Director Peter Bauer noted that 30 miles of the tracks run along the Hudson River. Snowmobilers and skiers could use the trail in the winter, he said. There are obstacles to pulling up the tracks, though. For one thing, its expensive, since the creosote-soaked railroad ties would have to be properly disposed of, said Robert Lenz, of the Empire State Passengers Association, which advocates to keep tracks intact. He believes that tearing up railroad tracks is shortsighted. Ideally, Lenz believes planners should work toward configuring tracks and rights of way so that both a rail trail and trains could co-exist where possible. Each side wants the whole thing and they should be able to share, he said. Either way, everyone involved said that the Warren County vote, which was reported earlier in the Glens Falls Post-Star, is the first step in what will be a long process that will likely take several years to complete. Abandonment is the start of a process that nobody can predict the end of, Bauer said. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-454-5758 @RickKarlinTU A day after senior Congress leaders in Karnataka met to build consensus for the way ahead, the race for the post of KPCC President hotted up on Sunday with aspirants and their supporters stepping up efforts to secure the coveted posts. Senior leader D K Shivakumar, seen as a frontrunner for the post, met former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his residence amid reports that he was lobbying in favour of one of his confidants. Meanwhile, another senior party legislator Satish Jarkiholi made it clear he was capable of discharging the responsibility if the high command asked him to do so. Also, loyalists of senior leader and former Minister Ramalinga Reddy came up with social media posts, pushing forward his name for KPCC President. Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao quit their posts after the party fared poorly, winning only two of the 15 seats in the bypolls while it had held 12 of them. According to party sources, though Siddaramaiah is likely to retain the position of Leader of Opposition, the CLP leader post may be given to some one else. The sources also said replacement of KPCC President was most likely as Dinesh Gundu Rao's resignation could be accepted. Shivakumar is seen as the frontrunner for the KPCC President post and has already held discussions with high command in this regard. His meeting with Siddaramaiah, who is expected to travel to Delhi soon to hold discussions with the high command, assumes significance amid reports that the former chief minister was favouring one of his confidants for the post. Shivakumar during the meeting sought Siddaramaiah's cooperation for his appointment to the coveted post, with a promise to work under his leadership, sources said. However, speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shivakumar said he had worked under Siddaramaiah as legislator and Minister, and there was nothing special about the nearly two-hour-long meeting. "...I'm not a competitor for any post, I won't ask for any post, that time is over. I'm a karyakarta of the party and will work as karyakarta," he said in response to a question, adding he will abide by the party's decision. On the other hand, Congress leader andYamakanamaradi MLASatish Jarkiholi said he was ready to take up the responsibility if the party high command decides so. "It has been decided to cooperate and work under the leadership of anyone, whom the party high command decides (as President). Let's see, it is for the high command to decide (who will be KPCC President)," he said. In response to a question from reporters in Belagavi, if he was aspiring for the post, Jarikholi said, "I havent asked, but if given I will manage it efficiently..." Meanwhile, a loyalist of seven-time Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy, came up with a social media post, demanding KPCC President post for the leader. "Seven-time @INCKarnataka MLA and former Home Minister Sri @RLR_BTM for #KPCC President. #Congress #Karnataka #RamalingaReddy #BTMLayout #BBMP #Bengaluru," former Mayor of Bengaluru City and a close confidant of Reddy, B N Manjunatha Reddy tweeted. Last year during the political turmoil faced by the coalition government, Ramalinga Reddy had threatened to resign, unhappy at being sidelined in the party. He had later decided to stay with the Congress after the high command intervened. With a virtual vacuum in the state Congress following the resignation of its top leadership after the rout in the recent Assembly bypolls, senior party leaders had met here on Saturday with an aim to build a consensus for the way ahead. According to sources, the meeting was convened after instructions from the high command to iron out differences and build consensus on taking the party forward and regarding appointments to key posts, before coming to Delhi for discussions. Senior leader K H Muniyappa and KPCC Working President Eshwar Khandre are seen as the other aspirants for the President post. Senior leaders G Parameshwara along with H K Patil are among those seen as the frontrunners for the CLP leader post vacated by Siddaramaiah. US Government Agency Website Defaced by Group Claiming to Be Iranian Hackers A group claiming to be hackers from Iran breached a U.S. government website on Jan. 4, just a day after the Department of Homeland Security warned of potential cyberattacks on the United States in the aftermath of a U.S. airstrike that killed Irans most powerful military leader. Timeshots of the website on the Wayback Machine digital archive show the homepage for the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP.gov) replaced with a page titled Iranian Hackers!, which displayed images of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iranian flag. This is a message from Islamic Republic of Iran, the page read, alongside further messages written in Arabic and Farsi. We will not stop supporting our friends in the region: the oppressed people of Palestine, the oppressed people of Yemen, the people and the Syrian government, the people and government of Iraq, the oppressed people of Bahrain, the true mujahideen resistance in Lebanon and Palestine [they] always will be supported by us, the message read in English. The Federal Depository Library Program website is run by the Government Publishing Office and makes federal government documents and information available to the public, including bills and statutes, court opinions, and other material produced by the government. A separate image displayed on the site showed a doctored image of a bloodied President Donald Trump being punched in the face by what appears to be the fist of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Text under the image read: Martyrdom was his (Shahid Soleymani) reward for years of implacable effort. With his departure and with Gods power, his work and path will not cease and severe revenge awaits those criminals who have tainted their filthy hands with his blood and blood of the other martyrs of last nights incident. The website went down shortly after the alleged hacking but still appears on Google with a tagline stating: In the name of god. >>>>> Hacked By Iran Cyber Security Group HackerS ;)<< <<<. This is only small part of Irans cyber ability! Were always ready. The identity of the so-called hackers hasnt yet been confirmed. The Department of Homeland Security said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times that it is monitoring the apparent hack, which they referred to as a defacement. We are aware the website of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was defaced with pro-Iranian, anti-U.S. messaging, said Sara Sendek, a spokesperson for DHSs Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. At this time, there is no confirmation that this was the action of Iranian state-sponsored actors. The website was taken offline and is no longer accessible. CISA is monitoring the situation with FDLP and our federal partners. Meanwhile, Gary Somerset, the chief public relations officer for the U.S. Government Publishing Office, told CNN that his office is coordinating with the appropriate authorities to investigate the matter. An intrusion was detected on GPOs FDLP website, which has been taken down. GPOs other sites are fully operational, he said. The incident comes shortly after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) bulletin on Jan. 4 following the killing of Soleimani. Wolf said that the DHS doesnt have information about any specific, credible threat to the United States at this time but warned that Iran and its partners, such as Hizbollah [also spelled Hezbollah], have demonstrated the intent and capability to conduct operations in the United States. The acting secretary also warned of Irans cyberwarfare capabilities, adding that the country can execute cyber attacks against the United States. Soleimani was killed alongside 25 others during a lethal U.S airstrike on Iranian-backed Iraqi militia group Kataib Hezbollah, which was ordered by Trump on Jan. 3, 2020. The United States called the strikes defensive and said they were in response to the firing of 30 rockets by pro-Iranian Iraqi militia that killed a U.S. defense contractor. Ariana Resources plc (LON:AAU) shareholders (or potential shareholders) will be happy to see that the Executive Chairman & Company Secretary, Michael de Villiers, recently bought a whopping UK398k worth of stock, at a price of UK0.025. Not only is that a big swing, but it increased their holding size by 30%, which is definitely great to see. See our latest analysis for Ariana Resources The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Ariana Resources In fact, the recent purchase by Michael de Villiers was the biggest purchase of Ariana Resources shares made by an insider individual in the last twelve months, according to our records. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, at around the current price, which is UK0.025. Of course they may have changed their mind. But this suggests they are optimistic. If someone buys shares at well below current prices, it's a good sign on balance, but keep in mind they may no longer see value. Happily, the Ariana Resources insiders decided to buy shares at close to current prices. Notably Michael de Villiers was also the biggest seller. Happily, we note that in the last year insiders paid UK598k for 25.45m shares. On the other hand they divested 22022541 shares, for UK537k. In total, Ariana Resources insiders bought more than they sold over the last year. You can see the insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! AIM:AAU Recent Insider Trading, January 5th 2020 Ariana Resources is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Insider Ownership of Ariana Resources Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. From our data, it seems that Ariana Resources insiders own 13% of the company, worth about UK3.4m. We do generally prefer see higher levels of insider ownership. Story continues What Might The Insider Transactions At Ariana Resources Tell Us? Insider buying and selling have balanced each other out in the last three months, so we can't deduct anything useful from these recent trades. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. While we have no worries about the insider transactions, we'd be more comfortable if they owned more Ariana Resources stock. If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future. But note: Ariana Resources 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. 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. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Sunday that the British government was looking to "de-escalate and stabilise the situation" in Iran. Raab confirmed he had spoken to European, American and Iraqi officials would be reaching out to the Iranian Foreign Minister after the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a US airstrike at Iraq's International Airport in Baghdad. The incident escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that put the wider Middle East on edge. The conflict is rooted in Trump pulling out of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. The accord is likely to further unravel as Tehran is expected to announce as early as Sunday it will break another set of its limits. The British Foreign Secretary said he could not comment on the "operational matters" but argued that steps were being taken to protect British citizens and businesses across the region, including shipping in the Persian Gulf. A British tanker was seized in July 2019 by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the Strait of Hormuz. Raab also assured journalists that he had been in touch with the Prime Minister, after public outcry that Boris Johnson continued holidaying in a private island in the Caribbean throughout the crisis. Johnson is expected to be back in Westminster on Monday. By Trend Two precinct election commissions have been dissolved in Azerbaijan. The relevant decision was made at the meeting of the countrys Central Election Commission (CEC), Trend reports on Jan.5. The meeting discussed the operation of the polling station #24 of the 30th Surakhani first constituency electoral commission and polling station #30 of the 31st Surakhani first constituency electoral commission and revealed shortcomings in their activities. It was decided to dissolve the precinct election commission #24 of the 30th Surakhani first constituency electoral commission and the precinct election commission #30 of the 31st Surakhani first constituency electoral commission. Voting results at these two polling stations were annulled during the municipal elections in Azerbaijan on December 23. At a wet market in Guilin, a city in Chinas Guangxi province, a pork trader is bemoaning the loss of sales to an unlikely competitor. They have taken away a lot of our business this year because now dog meat, as well as cat meat, is cheaper than pork and beef, said the vendor, while pointing at a dog meat stand doing a roaring trade at the citys bustling Ximen fresh market in December. He is one of the many people in China to have suffered due to an African swine fever crisis which has led to the deaths of up to a quarter of the worlds pigs, decimating the nations pork supply, according to research from Rabobank. Since the first reported case in August 2018, pork prices have soared, culminating in a year-on-year increase of 110 per cent in November. Pork was priced at just 25 yuan (US$3.57) per kilogram last year and now has soared to 60 yuan, said the Guilin dog meat trader, referring to the change since 2018. Prices of other meats have also risen sharply, including chicken, duck and beef, along with other protein sources such as eggs. The prices of pork and beef were advertised as between 60 and 90 yuan per kilogram in the markets of Guilin. Dog meat was going for 45 yuan per kilogram on average, while cat meat was just 24 yuan per kilogram. The price differential has allowed Guiilin vendors to report higher sales of dog and cat meat, but has also led to concerns among animal rights groups in China that more dogs and cats will be illegally slaughtered to satisfy growing demand. Some Chinese provinces, from Guangxi on the border with Vietnam to Jilin next to North Korea, have a tradition of eating dog meat that long predates the pork crisis. To many local diners and those breeding the animals for meat, the trade is no different to poultry or pork husbandry, despite the fact that younger generations of Chinese people in wealthier cities more commonly see them as pets, rather than an item on the dinner menu. The surge in the price of pork by far Chinas most popular meat has generated renewed interest in dog and cat meat among less affluent groups in Chinese society, particularly in smaller third and fourth-tier cities and rural counties, according to animal rights groups and field visits by the South China Morning Post. Story continues Dog meat packaged for sale in Guilin, in Chinas Guangxi province. Photo: He Huifeng There are no official statistics or third party researchers to offer a comprehensive quantitative picture, but the popularity of dog meat is evident in the marketplaces of Guilin, world-renowned as a tourist destination for its stunning karst mountains and flowing rivers, but known as one of the primary hubs of dog meat consumption in China. Dozens of restaurants large and small throughout Guilin serve dog meat dishes, stewed or roasted, sliced and served with hotpot. Dog and cat meat stalls are found in almost every local wet market, while it can also be ordered in gift packages online. One shop with stacks of packaged dog meat has a sign claiming that even the immortal cannot resist the good smell of dog meat. In these thronging bazaars, dog meat does not feel like a controversial thing to eat. Instead, it is in the mainstream. I can sell up to 20 dogs each day, and the bigger stalls can sell more, said another dog meat vendor at the Chengnan wet market in Lingchuan county, on the outskirts of Guilin. Dog meat tastes better than pork. Why not choose dog meat to treat guests, because its no longer affordable to order pork? Luo Liu, Jiangxi resident Mao Fenglan, who has owned a shop selling dog meat since 1986, said it is the best local gift for those visiting Guilin. My clients are all over the country, in Guangdong, Jiangxi and Guizhou provinces, Mao said. Aluminium plates are piled high with dog meat dishes at restaurants scattered around the market, while meat stewing shops attract long queues of consumers. Dog meat tastes better than pork. Why not choose dog meat to treat guests, because its no longer affordable to order pork? said Luo Liu, a local resident in Wanan county, in the landlocked easterly Jiangxi province, where spicy braised dog meat has become a popular dish this winter. I did not eat any dog meat last year but Ive eaten it many times at business banquets this winter. Its easy to buy dog meat at local wet markets and the price is very affordable compared to pork, said another Jiangxi resident who did not wish to be named. In China, there are no laws banning the trade or consumption of dog or cat meat. The source of the meat, however, is a common cause of controversy. Unlike chickens or pigs, there are no industrial-sized dog or cat farms in China. Instead, according to a four-year study by the Animals Asia Foundation (AAF), over 10 million dogs and 4 million cats ended up on Chinese dinner tables every year, with most of them having been stolen or sourced illegally. There are many local media reports about pets being poisoned, then stolen for meat. In December 2017, Chinese police in Anhui province arrested a gang that sold nearly 200,000 poisonous syringes to dog thieves. In the same month, a court in Fujian province sentenced a dog thief in a rural village to death with a two-year reprieve for trying to shoot a dog with a poisoned dart but accidentally killing a pregnant woman instead. In May 2019, meanwhile, a gang of 16 people in Jiangsu province were sentenced to between one and six years in prison for poisoning and stealing dogs, then selling more than 40,000kg of dog meat worth 400,000 yuan (US$57,394). In the wholesale livestock market and wet markets in Guilin, vendors sell a variety of dog and cat breeds. Some animals were clearly recently kept as pets, given the bell collars still worn around their necks. They are sold live or processed. In some cases, the sellers slaughter the animals in front of the buyers. Despite the long history of eating dog meat in China, and despite or perhaps because of the recent uptick in interest, there is increasing disdain among some residents in Guilin, who view it as cruel and barbaric. Hundreds of cats and dogs are eaten here in Guilin every day during the peak winter season, and we are so worried because we are actually seeing local people eat more dog and cat meat than in previous years because of the sharp rise in the price of pork, said Guilin resident Lisa Gao. A worker at a Chinese animal rights group, who declined to be named, claimed that there are health concerns associated with the trade, given the illicit trade in poisoning and stealing pets. The public and authorities need to be alert to the food safety problems with dog and cat meat, they said. Dog meat for sale at an outdoor eatery in Guilin, advertising its decades-long history. Photo: He Huifeng Zhang Hongbo, the founder of Shenzhen Cat, a non-government cat protection agency based in the Guangdong city, said there are signs of a rise in dog and cat meat consumption, though we have no idea if its just a limited and short-term phenomena. There is a strong lobby in China against the slaughtering of dogs and cats for meat. For instance, the city of Yulin in Guangxi has been hosting a dog meat festival every June for the last 10 years, with around 10,000 dogs slaughtered each year. Animal rights activists protested, leading to clashes with local dog meat vendors. Meanwhile, a growing number of Chinese families are taking in dogs and cats as pets. China had about 168 million pets in 2018, most of them dogs or cats, with the number expected to rise to 248 million by 2024. The pet economy, namely food and care products, is one of the fastest growing sectors in China. Research from CBN Data found that the industry was worth over 172.2 billion yuan ($24.71 billion) in 2018. The Chinese government, for now, is not taking sides and in Guilin, the dog and cat meat trade continue to thrive. To engage in food production, food sales, and catering services, a license must be obtained in accordance with the law, the citys market regulation department said in a statement in April. However, no license is required to sell edible agricultural products. Dog meat is an edible agricultural product [so] no license is required to sell dog meat. This article Chinas pork crisis piques interest in dog and cat meat, as animal activists raise the alarm over illegal slaughter first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. US suspends purported training of Iraqi forces: Germany Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 7:54 AM The United States has suspended the purported training of Iraqi forces in the Arab country amid fears of fresh violence following the assassination of a top Iranian military commander, a senior German officer says. In a letter written to members of the Bundestag defense and foreign relations committees on Friday, German Lieutenant General Erich Pfeffer said the US made the decision to further increase the level of protection for the forces deployed in Iraq under Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). "Thus, the training for the Iraqi security and armed forces throughout Iraq is temporarily suspended," he said in the letter, adding that "the directive is binding for all partner nations involved in OIR at the training sites in Iraq." A US defense official also confirmed the decision on Saturday, saying the US-led foreign forces in Iraq had "limited" the purported training of Iraqi forces. "Our first priority is protecting coalition personnel," the unnamed official said. "It's not a halt," the source noted, adding that "we have increased security and defensive measures at Iraqi bases that host coalition troops." This is while the Pentagon has announced that the United States is sending at least 3,000 additional troops to the Middle East after assassinating Iranian Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani. 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 Units (PMU), were killed in US airstrikes in the Iraqi capital Baghdad early on Friday. The US strike took place at the Baghdad International Airport, killing eight other people. The Iranian general was a globally famous defense strategist who played a key role in the counter-terrorism operations that led to the collapse of the Daesh terror group in Iraq and Syria. Late on Friday, Iraq's National Security Council strongly lambasted the US assassination of the top Iranian general and held a meeting to discuss the conditions under which the US forces should be present in Iraq. Prime Minister Abdul-Mahdi also called on the parliament to hold an emergency session in order to "organize and unify the Iraqi official position and take the necessary measures and decisions to preserve dignity, security and sovereignty Iraq." Earlier in the day, Iraq's Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi had denounced the US strike as a "flagrant breach of sovereignty and violation of international agreements. The US invaded Iraq in 2003 under the pretext of "war on terror", plunging the country into a cycle of violence which continues to this day. In 2014, Iraq was invaded by Daesh as the US and its allies looked on, putting the Arab country on the brink of being overtaken by Takfiri terrorists. Iran was the first country to rush to Iraq's assistance, famously preventing the fall of capital Baghdad to Daesh. Iranian military advisers also helped train Iraqi volunteers for battle following Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's fatwa for Jihad. Those volunteers now constitute the backbone of popular forces such as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), commonly known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha'abi, which have formally been integrated into Iraq's regular armed forces. On Sunday, the United States targeted the Hashd al-Sha'abi forces, leaving dozens of casualties. Hashd al-Sha'abi played a major role in the fight against Daesh. The attacks once again proved America's false claims in fighting the Takfiri group of Daesh. Iraqi President Barham Salih decried the US airstrikes as unacceptable which contradicted security agreements signed between Baghdad and Washington. Following the attacks, thousands of angry Iraqi demonstrators gathered outside the gates of the United States' Embassy to condemn Washington's fatal military aggression. The protesters further held up signs calling for the US mission to be shut down and for the parliament to order US forces to leave Iraq. US forces have overstayed their welcome in Iraq and many political groups and religious authorities are now calling for their removal as their presence is only worsening the security and stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Forget Fleabag it seems Phoebe Waller-Bridge is turning into moneybags Forget Fleabag it seems Phoebe Waller-Bridge is turning into moneybags. The writer and actress is tipped for Golden Globe glory tonight but is already cashing in on her global success. According to her company's accounts, the 34-year-old saw her income leap from 82,670 in 2018 to 518,000 last year. And that sum is likely to soar once again this year thanks to a 16 million deal with Amazon Prime and her role as co-writer of the latest James Bond film, No Time To Die. The Killing Eve writer bagged three Emmy awards last September for the second series of Fleabag, which started life as an Edinburgh Fringe play before airing on the BBC. Ms Waller-Bridge writes and stars as the lead character who, in her words, is a 'greedy, perverted, selfish, apathetic, cynical, depraved, morally bankrupt woman'. She is nominated as best TV actress for the role at the Globes. Last week, it was announced that Killing Eve, for which she is an executive producer, has been commissioned for a fourth series by the BBC. The third series is yet to be aired. Ms Waller-Bridge attended St Augustine's Priory independent school in Ealing, West London, before studying at Rada. After struggling for roles in her 20s, she began writing parts for herself, which led to her creation of Fleabag. She was married to Irish documentary film-maker Conor Woodman for three years before they divorced in 2017. Since early 2018, she has been in a relationship with director Martin McDonagh. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 21:42:20|Editor: zh Video Player Close KUWAIT CITY, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and Qatar Petroleum signed on Sunday a long-term sale and purchase agreement for the annual supply of up to 3 million tons of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Kuwait, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. The agreement was signed by Khaled Al-Fadhel, Kuwaiti minister of oil and chairman of KPC, and Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatari minister of state for energy affairs and president of Qatar Petroleum, KUNA said. LNG deliveries to Kuwait will start in 2022 to support Kuwait's growing energy needs and demand, particularly in the power generation sector, according to the agreement. At the signing ceremony in Kuwait City, Khaled Al-Fadhel said Kuwait is embarking on an ambitious path of economic growth, which requires cleaner energy sources such as natural gas which will contribute to reducing emissions and improving air quality. For his part, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi said the agreement will extend Qatar's long standing LNG supply relationship with Kuwait well into the 2030s. MADISON Everyone knows Wisconsin will be in the spotlight for the presidential race in 2020. Its one of just a few states where the electorate is so evenly divided, it could swing either way. That is the biggest prize on the ballot this year, but its far from the only contest for Wisconsin voters. Here are the highlights of whats on Wisconsins political horizon in 2020: Presidential race Wisconsin will be the focus of the presidential race all year. President Donald Trump won Wisconsin by fewer than 23,000 votes in 2016 and both sides expect another close race. Wisconsin is one of just a few states expected to be competitive and for that reason, many expect it to be the epicenter of the fight for the White House. Democrats will get a chance to vote for their nominee on April 7. With a large field and unsettled race, many expect it to still be undecided for Wisconsins primary. Milwaukee hosts the Democratic National Convention in July and both sides are expected to flood the state with money and candidate appearances before the November election. Supreme Court Wisconsin elects its Supreme Court justices and one of them who was appointed by then-Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, is up for election in April. Dan Kelly was appointed in 2016 and now hes running for a full 10-year term. Hes part of the current 5-2 conservative majority on the court. If he wins, that majority will not change. But if one of two liberal candidates prevail, the conservative hold on the court will drop to 4-3. Dane County Circuit Judge Jill Karofsky and Marquette University law professor Ed Fallone have Democratic support in the race. A Feb. 18 primary will narrow the field to two candidates. The winner will be elected on April 7. That is the same day as Wisconsins presidential primary, when Democratic turnout is expected to be high. That could spell trouble for Kelly. Legislature Everyone in the state Assembly and 16 of the Senates 33 members are on the ballot this fall. Republicans hold a 63-36 majority in the Assembly and theres little chance Democrats will overtake them, thanks in part to legislative directs drawn by the GOP that favor their side. Its closer in the Senate, where the Republican majority is 19-14. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he thinks Republicans will make gains, but theyre unlikely to have a 22-seat veto-proof super majority. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, who won by just 61 votes last time following a recount, is in a race targeted by Republicans. Democrats have their sights set on Rep. Patrick Testin, of Stevens Point, a Republican seeking his second term in a district that had previously been held by Democrats. In the Assembly, Democratic Minority Leader Gordon Hintz was realistic about their chances to cut into the Republican majority. We know the lay of the land, Hintz said. Were not going to use it as an excuse. Weve got to deal with the hand were dealt. Special election Theres a special election in northern and western Wisconsins 7th Congressional District to replace Republican Rep. Sean Duffy. The district is solidly conservative, resulting in much of the focus settling on the Republican primary race. That pits current state Sen. Tom Tiffany against newcomer Jason Church. Church is an Afghanistan veteran who lost both of his legs when an IED detonated. Hes running his first race for office. Tiffany has been in the Legislature since 2011 and has the backing of big-name conservatives, including former Gov. Scott Walker and Duffy. The primary will be Feb. 18, the same as the primary in the state Supreme Court race, but the general election will be May 12. Whoever wins will have to run again in the fall to retain the seat for a full two-year term. Replacing Sensenbrenner The retirement of Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner in the deeply conservative 5th Congressional District north and west of Milwaukee created a buzz of activity among the GOP. Sensenbrenner held the seat for 42 years and his retirement creates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many Republicans. But so far the only announced Republican candidate is state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. Hes racking up endorsements from Walker and others as he consolidates support. Matt Neumann, the son of the former congressman and former candidate for governor and U.S. Senate, is still considering getting in on the Republican side. Tom Palzewicz, who got 38% of the vote in a loss to Sensenbrenner in 2018, is running for the Democrats. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav announced on Sunday financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the family members of people killed in the violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Uttar Pradesh on December 19 and 20. Yadav made the announcement after visiting the residence of Mohammad Wakil, who was killed during an anti-CAA protests in Lucknow on December 19. He (Wakil) was not involved in the agitation. The government should probe as to whose bullet hit him. They (police) have the post-mortem report now. All the people killed during the violence died after they were hit by gun shots fired by cops. Attacking ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the state, he said: BJP is discriminating on the basis of religion and misleading the people. Yadav also demanded compensation of ~25 lakh, a house and a job for Wakils family. Wakils father Mohammad Sarfuddin said, Akhilesh Ji has assured that he would make the government help us. BJP leader Manish Dixit said: Whats this? Giving compensation to arsonists? Thats preposterous! Does SP leadership know if those whose kin they seek to help were innocent? Would they also justify violence?. Violence at JNU: Masked mob attacks students, teachers; Amit Shah speaks to Delhi police India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 05: Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union President was attacked on campus after some "masked" persons entered the JNU's Sabarmati and thrashed the students with sticks and rods on Sunday. At least 18 people, including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) as chaos reigned on the campus for nearly two hours. Video footage aired by some TV channels showed a group of men, who were brandishing hockey sticks, moving around a building. Delhi police conduct flag march Delhi Police said it conducted a flag march and the situation was brought under control after it got a written request from the JNU administration. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence. "I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I have been bleeding. I was brutally beaten up", said Aishe Ghosh, the president of the students' union. #WATCH Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president & students attacked by people wearing masks on campus. 'What is this? Who are you? Step back, Who are you trying to threaten?... ABVP go back,' can be heard in video. (note: abusive language) pic.twitter.com/gYqBOmA37c ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 'What is this? Who are you? Step back, Who are you trying to threaten?... ABVP go back,' can be heard in the video posted by ANI. JNUSU attacks ABVP for violence The students' union claimed that its president Aishe Ghosh and many other students were injured in stone-pelting by ABVP members. "Professors who were trying to protect us have been beaten up. These are unknown ABVP goons, not all are students. They have covered their faces, and they are moving towards the hotels near the West Gate. Stay alert. Make human chains. Protect each other. #SOSJNU #EmergencyinJNU", read a tweet from the students' union's official handle. ABVP blames left-affiliated outfits But the RSS-backed students' organisation alleged that its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits and 25 of them were injured, while 11 were missing. JNU administration on violence The incident took place during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers' Association. "We had organised a peace meet at the tea point at 5 pm. As soon as it got over, we saw that a large number of people entered the campus and they started arbitrarily attacking teachers and students," R Mahalaxmi, a professor of History department, said. The JNU administration said "masked miscreants armed with sticks were roaming around, damaging property and attacking people" and that police had been called in to maintain law and order. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal condemns violence Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal condemned Sunday's violence and said the situation was being "closely monitored". NEWS AT NOON, JANUARY 6th, 2020 "The violence in JNU against students and teachers is highly condemnable. Directed @DelhiPolice to take all possible steps in coordination with JNU Administration to maintain law and order & take action against the perpetrators of violence. The situation is being closely monitored," he tweeted. Amit Shah speaks to Delhi police Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik about the situation at JNU and ordered an inquiry by a senior police officer into the violence that broke out on Sunday night, officials said. The Home Minister's office tweeted, "Union Home minister has spoken to Delhi police commissioner over JNU violence and instructed him to take necessary action." "The honourable minister has also ordered an inquiry to be carried out by a joint CP-level officer and asked for a report as soon as possible," it said. Priyanka meets injured JNU students, condemns violence Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met injured JNU students at AIIMS on Sunday and alleged that it was "deeply sickening" about the government that allowed violence inflicted on students. She claimed that the wounded students at AIIMS told her that goons entered the campus and attacked them with sticks and other weapons, with many students having broken limbs and head injuries. HRD ministry seeks report The Home and HRD ministries sought reports from Delhi Police and JNU administration, respectively. "The violence in #JNU is extremely worrying and unfortunate. I condemn the violence within the campus. I appeal to all students to maintain the dignity of the University and peace on campus," Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said. "We have sought an immediate report from the JNU registrar about the situation on campus. We have spoken to the vice chancellor and Delhi police officials to ensure that peace is maintained on the campus," HRD ministry officials told news agency PTI. Students protest outside old Delhi Police headquarters after JNU violence Hundreds of students from different universities in the national capital staged a protest outside the old Delhi Police headquarters at ITO after violence broke out at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. Students from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were joined by those from Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia. The protesters raised slogans and demanded that police leave the JNU campus. Protests held in AMU after JNU violence Protests were held at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh late on Sunday night against the violence at the JNU campus in Delhi. In a statement, the AMU Teachers' Association (AMUTA) condemned the violence. AMUTA secretary Najmul Islam urged the Chief Justice of India to take suo motu cognizance of the "unprecedented situation arising from Sunday's assault on JNU students and teachers". The university was earlier embroiled in a major row over alleged anti-national slogans being raised by some students in February 2016. with PTI inputs Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh was severely injured when masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property in the university campus on Sunday. IMAGE: Aishe Ghosh, the JNUSU president, was brutally attacked by a mob in the university campus. Photograph: @JNUSUofficial/Twitter In a video shared on social media, Ghosh, who was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Trauma Centre, is seen crying while bleeding profusely from the head. Those around her try to cover her wound and offer her water. "I have been brutally beaten up by people wearing masks. I do not know. I was there with one of my activists when I was brutally beaten up. I am not even able to talk," the JNUSU president said in the video. The violence occurred while a public meeting by the JNU Teachers' Association was being held. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours. The JUNSU alleged that its members, including Ghosh, were injured in stone pelting by ABVP members. But the RSS-backed students' organisation alleged that its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated students' outfits and 25 of them were injured. WATCH: JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh injured in the attack US Annonces Resumption of Military Training to Pakistan After Trump Rules Out Providing Security Aid Sputnik News 17:27 04.01.2020 New Delhi (Sputnik): The United States suspended military training to Pakistan in 2018, in a bid to force Islamabad to help Washington take decisive action against militants in Afghanistan. The International Military Education and Training Programme (IMET) is worth around $2.4 million. As Washington tries to reach out to its allies in the wake of the assassination of a key Iranian commander in Iraq, a US State Department Spokesperson for South and Central Asian Affairs said on Saturday that President Donald Trump has "authorised the resumption" of IMET for Pakistan. The announcement appears to be an attempt by the Trump Administration's to mollify its ally in South Asia, as days before the military action on Iran, President Trump had made a categorical statement that Islamabad would get "no more" aid. Trump previously said that Pakistan had "given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools". US Secretary Mike Pompeo also reached out to Pakistan's Chief of Staff, General Qamar Bawja on 3 January as part of his outreach to his counterparts in Europe, Russia and in South Asia to brief on the killing of Iranian Commander of the Al-Quds Force Qasem Soleimani. While Pompeo reached out to his counterparts in other countries, he preferred to talk to the military leadership in Pakistan rather than government leaders. Pakistan is a key player in the West Asia, and has warm relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia. President Trump reportedly asked Imran Khan to broker peace between Iran and Saudi Arabia in September in the aftermath of the bombing of Saudi Aramco's oil facility. Riyadh had accused Tehran of involvement in the bombing. Pompeo reaching out to the military leadership in the country, however, did not go well with Pakistan's politicians. Former Senator Farhatullah Babar termed it as a "national embarrassment" A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New York, Jan 5 : Business leaders take up more social responsibility projects when they disagree with the White House, reveals a study. Liberal CEOs invested more in socially conscious activities, like diversity initiatives and environment conservation, when they felt those values were threatened, found the researchers. "Republican Presidents aren't as interested in those values, so business leaders think, 'we need to do more to promote and protect these values'," said Nara Jeong, Assistant Professor of Management at San Francisco State University in the US. When business leaders shared the same political beliefs as the President, support for socially conscious initiatives declined. For left-leaning CEOs, more likely to engage in socially responsible activities, those efforts declined by an average of 18 per cent, Jeong said. Business leaders with the same political orientation as the President might have an expectation that the government "will deliver on the social values they hold dear," said the study published in the journal Management Decision. As a result, these executives might feel empowered to focus on their companies' financial performance, Jeong added. For the study, the researchers examined a decade of behaviour, starting mid 1990s. 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 the researchers found no evidence that firms engaged in such activities based on whether their politics were aligned or misaligned with the President. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The market is expecting steps from the government to fuel consumption demand in an economy where a reduction in income tax is an important point, while increasing farmer's income is another, Amit Gupta, Co-Founder, TradingBells, tells Moneycontrols Kshitij Anand in an interview. Q) Nifty came within the striking distance of hitting fresh record highs but geopolitical concerns capped the upside. Do you think we could hit fresh record highs in the coming week, or the geopolitical concerns will derail the rally? A) The market is in a bullish momentum but geopolitical tension is acting as a speed breaker for the market. If the geopolitical tension doesn't escalate further then we can expect the market to resume its uptrend in the coming week, but if the situation becomes worse than the near-term texture of the market may become weak. Q) What are the important levels which one should watch out for in the coming week? A) Technically, the Nifty50 is trading in a well-defined trading band of 12,300-12,100. If the index managed to cross 12,300 mark on the upside then the market may start the next leg of the rally which could take the Nifty50 towards 12,500-12,600 levels. On the other hand, if the Nifty50 slips below 12,100 then the near-term texture of the market will become weak where 11,800-11,700 levels are likely to act as an important support level. Q) Crude oil prices jumped in the last trading session of the week. Which are the stocks that are likely to benefit or impact the most from the rise? A) ONGC, OIL India and oil exploration companies might benefit from the rise in crude oil prices whereas IT and Pharma companies may outperform if the rupee sees further weakness. Generally, OMCs, paints, aviation, and financial stocks remain under pressure due to surge in crude oil prices. Q) Any important events which one should watch out for in the coming week? A) Geopolitical tension will remain a key headwind for the market in the next week whereas foreign institutional flows (FIIs) flow will be important amid weakening rupee. In terms of domestic cues, Q4 earnings to kick in the next week where in terms of important earnings, Infosys will post its results on Friday. Q) What are your expectations from the Budget 2020 from an investor point of view? A) The market is heading this Budget with high expectations from the government to boost economic growth as the government is on the path of economic reforms. The market is expecting steps from the government to fuel consumption demand in an economy where a reduction in income tax is an important point, while increasing farmer's income is another. The abolishment of LTCG is the biggest demand from investors to improve market sentiments in the market. There is a need for private capex to turn upside for faster growth of the economy where the government first has to show confidence in terms of infrastructure spending and I think, the government is moving on the right path. 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. A book that recounts the horrors of the Nazi' 'Family Camp' and its 'Children's Block' at Auschwitz-Birkenau - including rapes, floggings and being shot for going to the toilet - has been published to a wider audience for the first time. The Children's Block, originally published in Czech, as a book called 'The Painted Wall' in 1993, tells the true story of 500 Jewish children held in special areas of the Nazi death camps constructed to deceive the Red Cross about horrifying conditions for Czech families captured by the Germans. Although fictional, it was written by survivor Otto B Kraus who served as a child counsellor in the family camp, which existed from September 1943 to December 1944, and documents largely autobiographical experiences. A book, first published in 1993 and now republished for a wider English-speaking audience, uses the autobiographical story of Otto B Kraus, who worked as a counsellor in the Children's Block, part of the Family Camp at Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau (Pictured: children at the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau showing off their identity tattoos in 1945) The book, The Children's Block, is a fictional account based on real events by Otto B Kraus, who was deported from the Czech ghetto-turned-concentration camp, Terezin, to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1943 The Children's Block, by Otto B Kraus, was republished by Penguin Random House in October this year Kraus' account offers distressing insights into how the young inhabitants suffered, despite them being labelled as 'SB,' 'Sonderbehandlung' - part of a ploy to fool the Red Cross Commission, which was permitted to visit the ghetto-turned-concentration camp, Terezin, in former Czechoslovakia, where many of the families came from. The Jewish residents of Terezin were kept in healthier conditions to mask the reality of Nazi cruelty. When it became too full, inhabitants would be sent to the 'Family Camp' and its 'Children's Block' at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The camps served to disprove that Jews were being exterminated at the Nazi camp - and the reason why the prisoners appeared to be being treated more favourably was only discovered at the Second World War's end. The first Terezin residents to arrive at Auschwitz-Birkenau got to keep their old clothes - not the striped uniform most were forced to wear; their heads weren't shaved and they received better meals. Children would spend time in the Children's Block in the day and return to the Family Camp in the evening. In reality, the children would be brutally killed - in the gas chambers - six months after the day of their arrival in the camp. In total, more than 17,500 Jews entered the Family Camp, with more than 15,000 perishing from execution, disease or hunger. The characters that Kraus, who died in 2000, creates represent people he met while there, with the narrative based on the diary of fictitious Children's Block teacher Alex Ehren, who shields the children he encounters from the terror around them. The book's foreword was written by Kraus' librarian wife Dita, whose real-life story was the basis for Antonio Iturbe's best-selling book The Librarian of Auschwitz. She explains how a friend of Kraus', also an instructor on the Children's Block, urged him to write about their experiences, saying: 'There was nothing like it in the entire Nazi machinery of the extermination of the Jews.' During his research, Kraus discovered more of the adults who worked on the Children's Block remained alive than those who were sent to other camps, coming to the conclusion that it was the sense of duty they felt towards the children motivated them to stay alive. The entrance of the Terezin ghetto-concentration camp, which is located in the now Czech Republic, photographed in 2012. It was used as a way to deceive the Red Cross International Commission into thinking the Jews were being cared for in concentration camps Children with their mothers after arriving at Auschwitz in June 1944. Some 15,000 Jews who were taken to the Family Camp were murdered Nazi lies: A child's drawing found in the concentration camp at Terezin. It was drawn by Margit Koretzova, who died aged nine on 4 October 1944, and was part of the German attempt to mask the atrocities they were carrying out Archive photos showing children arriving at Auschwitz with their mothers after being deported The book evokes the terror and ultra-violence Jewish prisoners were subjected to in the camps. Kraus depicts harrowing scenes based on true stories. Upon arriving at the camp, Alex is horrified to discover that SS guards would shoot Jewish people who needed the toilet if they strayed from the group they were in to empty their bladder. A couple caught being intimate were flogged in front of all prisoners, a scene with is witnessed by the children in the book. And Kraus reveals mothers of children in the block, and many other women, were raped on a nightly basis by other prisoners. Who was Otto B Kraus? Author Otto B Kraus was born in 1921. Twenty one years later, in 1942, he was deported from the Terezin Ghetto in former Czechoslovakia, to Auschwitz-Birkenau's Czech Family Camp. In Auschwtiz, he worked as a councellor in the camp's Children's Block. When the Family camp was liquidated by the Germans six months after Otto's arrival, he escaped the gas chamber and was among the 1,000 men sent to the Schwarzheide-Sachsenhausen in Germany. After the war, free at last, Otto returned to Prague to learn that neither his parents or brother survived the Holocaust. He enrolled at university to Literature, Philosophy, English and Spanish and met his wife Dita who was the real-life librarian of Auschwitz. They married in 1947 and moved to Israel in 1949. Otto B Kraus died on 5 October 2000 at home with his family Advertisement The novel's main protagonist, Alex, comes from the Terezin ghetto, as Kraus did. A poet, he gets enrolled as a worker in the Children's Block after his deportation to Auschwitz-Birkenau in December 1943. The story sees him in charge of eight unruly children, boys and girls, from dawn until dusk. 'Teachers' were actually forbidden to teach the children, Kraus explains, but says they would a find way to educate clandestinely from the SS guards. When he's not handling the children, making sure they shower, get fed and answer roll call, Alex dreams of an uprising and fleeing the horrors of the camp. SS officers splitting Jewish prisoners and selecting those who would work in the camp and those who would go to the gas chambers (Archive photo from Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1944) Jewish families arriving at Auschwitz. In total, 1.3 million people were sent to Auschwitz - around 1.1million lost their lives there Many of the children who arrived from Terezin at Auschwitz-Birkenau didn't wear the striped prisoner uniform, seen as one of the privileges of being in the Family Camp (Pictured: A group of child survivors behind a barbed wire fence at the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau in southern Poland, on the day of the camp's liberation by the Red Army, 27th January 1945) The children were not told about the 'chimney' or death, and lived relatively sheltered from the horrifying scenes of the camp. The 'school' of the Children's Block seemed completely different to the usual representation of concentration camps. Unlike the French or German children or Jewish children from other countries, the Czech children could play, visit their parents, and put on shows attended by SS officers. They also had stronger rations of food, while many around them died of starvation. Loots from death prisoners, whilst they mainly went to the SS, were also sometimes given to the Children's Block. Yet six months after their arrival at Auschwitz, each cohort would be exterminated. The rail tracks leading to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where 1.1 million of people died during the Holocaust The first group of Terezin residents sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, 3,800 people, died in the night between the 7th and 8th March 1944 and the second contingent, of more than 10,000, on the 11th and 12th July 1944. A further 2,750 inmates were sent to Germany and, of these, only 1,167 were still alive in various slave-labour camps at the end of the war. The Family Camp had a survival rate of about 6.6 percent, according to Kraus' research, but, astonishingly, most of the adults who worked on the Children's Block survived. The Children's Block, by Otto B Kraus, is published by Penguin Random House. President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran that the US will hit the Islamic Republic harder than ever before if Tehran retaliates to the killing of top military commander Qasem Soleimani. (Photo Credit: Twitter) New Delhi: President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran that the US will hit the Islamic Republic harder than ever before if Tehran retaliates to the killing of top military commander Qasem Soleimani in an American air strike in Baghdad. "They (Iran) attacked us, & we hit back. If they attack again, which I would strongly advise them not to do, we will hit them harder than they have ever been hit before!" Trump said in a past-mid night tweet amidst remarks of retaliation coming from Tehran. "The US just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way...and without hesitation! (sic)" Trump said in another tweet. On Friday, Iran unfurled a 'red flag of revenge' on an important mosque in after vowing to avenge the killing of its top general in airstrike by US drones. The red flag was hoisted above the Jamkaran Mosque which is on the outskirts of the holy city of Qom, about 100 miles south of Tehran. In Shiite tradition, red flags symbolise both blood spilled unjustly and serve as a call to avenge a person who is slain. The text on the flag says: "Those who want to avenge the blood of Hussein". The flag can be seen as a clear warning that Iran is getting ready to strike back at America. General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds force and mastermind of its regional security strategy, was killed in an airstrike early Friday near the Iraqi capital's international airport. Soleimani and Mohandis were killed along with eight others in a precision drone strike early Friday as they drove away from Baghdad international airport in two vehicles. The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations described the killing of Soleimani as an act of war. The death of Quds Force commander Major General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiraling tensions between Iran and the United States, despite President Donald Trump's insistence he did not want war. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Following its defeat in the Asia-Pacific War, Japan was placed under occupation by the US-led Allied Forces. What did the Japanese people lose or gain as a result? A Modern Japan Forged in the Long Occupation The US occupation of Japan continued for six years and eight months, from the signing of the Instrument of Surrender aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945, until the San Francisco Peace Treaty became effective on April 28, 1952. Why did the occupation continue for so long? The main cause dates back to the complete failure of reconciliations following World War I. The peace conditions settled at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 were entirely drawn up by the victorious nations. Germany and other defeated powers were coerced into agreeing to the Treaty of Versailles and other treaties, but this hasty settlement led to the rise of fascism and the unpreventable outbreak of World War II. The Allied Powers felt deep remorse at this historical outcome, and consequently resolved to delay the signing of peace treaties after World War II. Instead, they decided the best course of action was to re-create Japan, Germany, and other Axis Powers as peace-loving nations, occupying them for a certain period following the end of the war. It was an incredible experiment, albeit one that required much effort. Through this experiment, Japan achieved a revolutionary transition, eradicating its militaristic, totalitarian, and ultranationalistic systems. By wielding control in Japan, the United States was able to oversee Japans demilitarization and democratization. It is no exaggeration to state that these six or so years of occupation for the most part established the patterns for modern Japans political, economic, social, legal, educational, and cultural reality. This period saw the introduction of the new constitution, sovereignty of the people, the symbolic emperor system, separation of powers, equality of the sexes, dissolution of the zaibatsu industrial conglomerates, agricultural reform, and educational reforms, along with the guarantee of human rights and freedom of speech. Erasing the Remorse of Emperor Showa Should the road from the Westernization that took place following the 1867 Meiji Restoration through to the postwar Americanization be considered an unrivaled blessing in regard to the aforementioned legacies? I do not believe so. We must admit that, under the occupation, the Japanese people and Japanese society committed a major historical blunder, forfeiting autonomy and initiative due to their avoidance of responsibility for the war. A television special televised on NHK on August 17, 2019, entitled Showa Tenno wa nani o katatta no ka (What Did Emperor Showa Say?) admirably explored this crucial historical oversight. The program was a dramatization based upon extracts from the Haietsu-ki (Record of Audiences with the Emperor) written by Tajima Michiji, the grand steward of the Imperial Household Agency in 194853. The emperor, having transitioned from his prewar living god status to his January 1946 Declaration of Humanity and to his role as the symbol of the unity of the people in the postwar Constitution, stated that he had many regrets, one of which was the responsibility for defeat. Under the Meiji Constitution, the emperor held supreme command of the military, but in reality, he was removed from the liability of decision-making, and was consequently absolved of legal responsibility for war by the US side. Political scientist and president of the University of Tokyo Nanbara Shigeru expounded a theory of ethical responsibility and called for abdication of the emperor. But General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, resisted such a move, removing the emperors abdicationproposed as a way for him to take responsibility for the nations military misadventuresfrom the table by 1948. Once discussions began in earnest on the peace treaty, the emperor once again raised the issue of war responsibility. Having recovered some of his independence, he was again able to express his wishes publicly. In these circumstances, the emperor confided in Tajima his dilemmawhether to keep his feelings of responsibility under wraps or to speak frankly to the people about the circumstances. On September 8, 1951, the Treaty of Peace with Japan was signed in San Francisco, but as the date for its effectiveness neared, the emperor questioned whether he should include words expressing remorse in the statement he was to deliver. Although Tajima was hesitant, he prepared a draft according to the emperors wishes and sent this to Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru. The prime minister ordered deletion of the phrase extreme regret for allowing unprecedented insecurity and hardship. Although the emperor expressed his displeasure, he finally agreed. In the May 3, 1952, speech he gave to mark the end of the Allied occupation on April 28, when the terms of the Treaty of San Francisco went into effect, and the achievement of Japans independence, he avoided mention of war responsibility. Self-Protection Silenced War Responsibility How would Japans circumstances have changed if the emperor had abdicated at this time? If the former supreme authority in Japan assumed responsibility for the war, it would have sent shockwaves through the former military authorities, of course, but also through the worlds of politics, business, journalism, education, and regional administration across the country. The immediate postwar cabinet of Higashikuni Naruhiko spoke of the repentance of the 100 million while disregarding the issue of war responsibility. But rather than an externally directed correction to the course of Japanese societysuch as the purge of officials that took place under GHQ, throwing the nation into a panican autonomous, Japanese-directed move like an imperial abdication would have provided an important opportunity for self-reflection on the course of events that led to the Pacific War. The same could doubtless be said with regard to the Japanese populace, which had made an about-face from considering their American and British enemies as brutal savages during the war to praising them after hostilities ceased. This would have been a truly new message for Japan to deliver not only domestically, but to its neighbors in Asia and the rest of the world. But Japan closed the book on its war responsibility and chose to gloss over the truth. This was the moment when Japan lost both its initiative and its confidence. In this regard, the decision on whether the emperor would abdicate was a defining moment in Japans postwar history. But why did Prime Minister Yoshida oppose the emperor mentioning war responsibility? Firstly, we could speculate that the power struggle within his Liberal Party was intensifying at that time, and Hatoyama Ichirowho would be allowed to return to politics and join the Liberals in August 1952, following his purge by GHQand his colleagues were raising the ideas of constitutional reform and remilitarization. But if this led to the emperor being connected with approval for Japanese remilitarization, Yoshida feared, it could spark a political crisis threatening his position as prime minister. Secondly, were the emperor to abdicate due to war responsibility, it could potentially have a ripple effect prompting Yoshidas own resignation. Thirdly, the procurements arising from the Korean War breathed life back into the destitute Japanese economy, and Yoshida believed that it was more important to prioritize future concerns over those of the past. Fourthly, Crown Prince Akihito was still a minor, aged just 15 years old. The third and fourth points were issues that concerned the Japanese people as a whole, not just Yoshida. However, the first two were strongly related to Yoshidas political strategies, and he clearly made decisions aimed at self-protection. Yes, he was in the midst of a political strugglebut Yoshidas acts betrayed his lack of a philosophical stance rooted in proper historical perspective, and he cannot escape criticism for taking a short-sighted approach aimed only at Japans material recovery. Forfeiting this unique opportunity to take an unequivocal stance concerning war responsibility became the greatest postwar misfortune for Japan. The Flawed Framework Born from the Yoshida Doctrine Yoshida left behind one further negative legacy. He is generally revered for his great service in building strong structures in postwar Japan under the so-called Yoshida Doctrine, but in fact, his policies established a structural weakness in Japanese society of reliance on external strength. The backlash from Hatoyama and the opposition parties was not solely due to Yoshidas self-righteous approach and antidemocratic ways, but also due to his political policies of reliance on the United States. With this stance, they claimed, he was achieving a false independence for Japancreating an image of the Buddha but failing to imbue it with a spirit, as the Japanese saying goes. From the 1960s onward, Japan experienced miraculous economic growth. But although the country pursued material wealth, it neglected its spiritual independence and initiative. What was the outcome of this? At the start of the 1990s, during the Gulf War, economic superpower Japan was subject to intense international criticism concerning the manner of its global contribution. While Japan would give financially, it was unwilling to commit people to the cause, much less allow them to shed sweat or blood. Japans government and its citizens at last faced the outcome of their monopolar pacifism and reliance on external strength. Certain later prime ministers, such as Ohira Masayoshi and Nakasone Yasuhiro, proposed a departure from the Yoshida Doctrine. They claimed that his policies of prioritizing the economy did not match current circumstances, and that Japan should aim to take an international role that reflected its actual strength. Ohira proposed the comprehensive US-Japan Security Treaty and the regional concept of a Pacific Community of nations. Nakasone urged Japan to take a political and security role that reflected its economic superpower status. But the media, which shaped public opinion, did not acknowledge these ideas, and they were mostly ignored as a result. Public opinion instead clung to the security blanket of the Yoshida Doctrine. Had the Japanese people engaged in objective self-reflection from an earlier postwar stage, critical views of their country expressed during the Gulf War might have taken a different form indeed. To this day, though, overreliance on other countries and a lack of autonomy and initiative exist as shackles holding Japanese society back. We must acknowledge that the root cause lies in the negative legacy of Japans negligence of war responsibility. (Originally written in Japanese. Banner photo: Emperor Hirohito pays a visit to General Douglas MacArthur at the United States Embassy in Tokyo on September 27, 1945. Jiji.) Turkish soldiers are "gradually departing" for Libya to assist Government of National Accord (GNA) in its fight against military led by commander Khalifa Haftar, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday. "Our troops are gradually departing to Libya. They will coordinate [their action with the GNA] there. Our goal is to support the legitimate government," Sputnik quoted Erdogan as saying. In a speech by Ankara in late December, Erdogan announced military backing for Libya's internationally recognised GNA following a request by the war-torn country. "Since there is an invitation [from Libya] right now, we will accept it," Erdogan told members of his AK Party. "We will present the motion to send troops [to Libya] as soon as Parliament resumes." "God willing, we will pass it in Parliament on January 8-9 and thus respond to an invitation" from the Tripoli-based GNA, he said. GNA-led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj is engaged in a battle with Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Haftar. Last Month, Turkish and Libyan officials, signed a memorandum of understanding on security and military cooperation. The GNA's cabinet of ministers and Turkish legislators has since ratified the deal. Libya has been largely divided into two factions ever since the death of its dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The LNA-backed parliament controls the east of Libya, while the UN-backed interim Government of National Accord (GNA) governs Libya's western region from Tripoli. While the US government has primarily backed the GNA, American diplomats and military officers have maintained contacts with Russia backed Haftar. Most of the international community has urged for a peaceful resolution to the intense fighting which has ensued in the African nation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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 && Written by ACM *Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- In a move looking as a Christmas/New Year's Eve Gift to Humanity, China practicaly applied these days CoE BioEthics Convention which Outlaws Heritable Gene Editing. It certainly isn't just because CoE's 850 Millions-strong and China's 1,3 Billion-strong entities have just celebrated Both their 70th Anniversary, reaching the Same Respectable Age since their Birth (1949-2019)... But rather because such Crucial Issues have become Urgently Global. However, the current Lack of a crystal clear Global Ban is still Dangerously looming around... -------------------------------------- Back on November 2018, the Announcement -made at a Hong Kong International Conference, by a Dr. of Chinese origin, but Educated, Funded, and still Networked through, and Cooperating with some USA's "Socialist"/Liberal Technocrats from the period of former US President Barack Hussein Obama, himself abudantly Funded by -and fanatic Fan of - "Big Pharma" Bio-Tech. Lobby, (See Facts at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/heritablegenemaniptrumpxihumanity.html , etc) - that 2 Babies had been just Born with Genetic Manipulations Transmissible to Future Generations, by the "CRISPR/Cas9" Editing Technology, had stunned the World. If the Usual Vows to "Cure Cancer", and/or various "Rare" Genetic Affections, often added to some Other Health Problems, routinely repeated by Backers of Genetic Manipulations' BioTech Lobby, Nowadays might leave many People Indifferent, or at least Sceptical, after so many Hopes Betrayed by Failed Plans, already since Nixon from 1971 against Cancer, and particularly Following Obama's 2009+ Decade of Human Embryos' Genetic Manipulations, etc, withOut Any Tangible Result, Neither Medical Beakthrough, but, on the Contrary, even an Augmentation of the overall Number of Cancer illness Worldwide, Nevertheless, Critical QuestionMarks, UnCertainties, very Probable Risks, or even Obvious Dangers, able to Affect very Big Issues for all Humankind's foreseable Future, suddenly, started to comme, inevitably at the Forefront : F.ex., inter alia, possible Errors irreversibly DeStabilizing the overall Human Genome, Fabrication of "Dr. Frankenstein"-type "Monsters", or Man - Animal "Chimeras", Invention of various New Type "Alien" Species or Mutants, "Enhanced" Men aside Diminished Beings, Emergence of real New "Races" Developing Separately in an "ppart-Heid" way, which could Obviously Threaten to provoke the End of Humankind in a foreseable Future, (as several Philosphers, Writers, etc, have Warned, already, even since the Beginnning of the 20th Century), etc, are inevitably among the Many "Hot" Questions withOut Ready yet Answers, in this New Area... => That's why, already, CoE's landmark "Oviedo" Convention, on Human Dignity and Human Rights in Biology and Medicine, -alias CoE's "BioEthical" Treaty- had OutLawed any Intervention made with the purpose to Modify the Human Germ-Line Affecting many Generations, Since 1998, (at the Same Moment that Human Persons' "Cloning" had been Banned), by Strasbourg's PanEuropean Organisation, just After an Important CoE Summit of Heads of State/Government, here, on 1997. So that, when, on 2018, Dr. Jiankui's radical Genetic Manipulation (reportedly, Later nick-named "Dr. Frankenstein" by many critical Chinese People, at the Internet...), was Clearly Denounced as Both "UnEthical" and "illegal", by an Official Representative of the Chinese Government, several People's Legitimate Concerns were, momentarily, Alleviated, at First Sight, - before becoming, soon afterwardse, Aware that, in fact, such a Critical Public Statement had been made only by an obscure Vice-Secretary of State for Trade... => Thus, it was, naturally, Ensuring to See, Now, this December 2019, that, at least, a Chinese Court has just Judged this case and Found Jiankui and 2 of his Accomplices Guilty, Condemning him to 3 Years in Prison, and a Fine of 3 Millions (Yuan = USDollars 430.OOO), the 2 Accomplices getting 18 Months in Prison, and 2 Years Jail sentence Suspended, added to Fines, for illegal practice of medicine. Jiankui was Earlier "Fired" by the Southern University where he had been working as a Researcher, and, meanwhile, he had been assigned to residence. Prosecutors found that the 3 were "Not Qualified to Work as Medical Doctors", and had "knowingly Violated Regulations and Ethical Principles" of the Country, by Gene Editing in Reproductive Medicine, having also "Forged a Certificate of (Fake) Ethical Review". For their Tests, Not Only 2 (as initialy announced) but 3 Genetically Modified Babies had been Born, in not only 1 but 2 Pregnacies, after having Recruited not 1 but ... EIght (8) Couples, presented as "Volunteers", "Implanting Genetically-Engineered Embryos into the Womens"' womb, and impegnating 2 of them, who have Birth to the 3 Babies. In order to Hide his activities, Jiankui had taken an UnPaid Leave from the Chinese University, conducted his Research Outside of the Campus, Received only Private Funding, (probably largely from Abroad), included in his Team also "Overseas" Members, and was Assisted by a North American Doctor from the USA, member of the above-mentioned Lobbies, (Comp. Supra). The 3 Culprits acted "in the pursuit of Personal Fame and Gain", having also Seriously "Disrupted Medical Order", found the Court, after they Pleaded Guilty. An Earlier Report by the Health Commissio of China denounced also the fact that Jankui had "Defied Government Bans", and had been "Deliberately Evading OverSIght" of "the illegal project". The Fact that for such kind of Technocrats the so-called "Health" Target often is Only a Hollow Pretext, (the Real Aim being to Take Control of Tools allowing to exert Influence upon Human Beings), became Recently Obvious in the Parallel case of Russian Molecular Biologist Denis Rebrikov, who had reportedly Announced Plans to Implant Gene-Edited Embryos into Women, and aimed to use CRISP to Target the Gene CCR5 to act against HIV virus, like his Chinese Competitor : Later, when he learned what happened in the case of Jiankui, he Changed course and Focused, instead, to Gene GJB2, linked to ...Hearing Loss ! + But, Meawhile, it was Revealed that, in fact, Jiankui had even Failed to fully reach his Target : Indeed, on HIV virus, the Results were "Similar", but NOt "Identical", to what had been expected, leaving Room for various Other Interpretations. Moreover, it seems that the Operation had Also provoked some Other Alterations in the DNA, whose Consequences were Not yet known, as it was Recently revealed by the Publicaton, at an MIT Researcher's Blog, of Jiankui's own personal Notes... As such Problems had been already Found Also at Various Other cases of Gene Editing, Criticism naturally Grew further. - What was done in this case, "was Extremely Irresponsible", Denounced, f.ex., Today, Zhou Canquan, from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in China, according to State-backed "Xinua" News Agency. - (A) From 1 Side, Heritable Gene Editing interventions are still Accused for "Ignorance of Health Risks", according to Zhou. + (B) But from anOther (more Fundamental) Side, it is Also Denounced for Tresspassing even the "consensus in the medical community to conduct research with Moral Principles", he added. => In Both cases, "What they (Dr. Jieankui's Team) did constitutes serious Violations of the country's Laws and Regulations," said Professor Chen Xingliang of Law School with Peking University, according to "Xinhua". - "Health Risks regarding Gene-Editing are yet to be Evaluated", Critically Observed Zhou Qi, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, (ibid), concerning the 1st Point. + And "Technological, Societal and Moral aspects should be taken into consideration", he Added, on the 2nd, and most Fundamental, point. >>> Given also the Fact that, "If the Edited Genes go into the Human Gene Pool, the Impact will be Irreversible," (for Generations), the Chinese Academician Warned. => That's why "We Hope that every Doctor can Stick to Moral Principles, and Respect Laws and Regulations," stressed Qiao Jie, with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, also referring to the 2nd, most Crucial point. + Moreover, concerning this same point which affects all Humankind, Academician Zhou Qi, "suggested Improving the country's Laws and regulations, and (even) Enhancing Punishment for Violations", given the particular importance of that matter for all Humankind. Interestingly, this call Concludes the Observations published by State-Backed "Xinhua" News Agency in China, Today. -------------------------------------------- - On the Contrary, anOther Group, (mainly from a Part of USA's "Socialist"/Liberal pro-BioTech Lobbies, dating particularly from Obama's era : Comp. Supra), pushes Only for a Time-Limited Postponment of Heritable Gene Editing, f.ex. during just the next "5 Years" or so, (f.ex. USA's "National Institutes of Health" Chief, Francis Collins, a Genetician, Head of the "Human Genome" project, naturaly Appointed by Barack Hussein Obama !), some evoking even "as Soon as possible", for "Guidelines on Research and Applications", (as, f.ex., China's Academy of Medical Science" : Not to Confuse with - but to Distinguish from - China's "Academy of Science" in general, which Includes Also Law, Philosophy, History, Sociology, Morals and Ethics, etc, obviously Lacking here)... => Ad Absurdum, such a thing could be Practically equivalent into merely ...Waiting for ... Dr. JianKui to get Out of Prison, in 3 Years, i.e. just on Time in order to Prepare himself for another round of Heritable Gene Editing, that time under the auspices of Mr. Barack Hussein Obama's and other unscrupulous Bio-Tech Lobbies' pals... Meanwhile, their pathway would be paved and timely prepared by "Tests" on Mamal Animals, the Nearest possible to the Human Race, particularly Monkeys, as those Baby Macaque, who were, at first, Inoculated by a Gene provoking an Atrocious Brain Damage, afterwards Cloned (with the Same Procedures as the in the notorious World-Banned and Failed case of "Dolly the Sheep"), and led (through Heritable Gene-Editing") to Artificial Births of Sick (rather Poisoned) Babies to "Study" by a Shanghai-based "Chinese" Labo, by a "Coincidence" just Shortly After Dr. Jankui's experiments on Human Babies were Condemned, i.e. around the Beginning of 2019... (By the way, such and various other Atrocious Genetic "Tests" on Mamal Animals, Recently Multiplied, seem to be a Leading Cause for Many People's sudden U-turn towards several ...Political Parties for the Protection of Animals, curiously Winning Unusually Many Votes in Recent Elections throughout manifold Countries, in Europe and elsewhere in the World). Obviously, such Restrictive, Short-Term, Micro-"Bans", merely Postponing for a while the Heritable Gene Editing interventions on Humans, might, Perhaps, Fit to some Attempts to Overcome Only the 1st (and Comparatively less Dangerous) Problem : I.e. that of Facing various probable Health Risks that might be Provoked by some UnControlled or UnExplored yet Gene Modifications almost automatically triggered during such an intrusion inside the Human Genome (Comp. Supra). >>> But, naturally, this has Nothing to do with the 2nd, and much More Important Problem concerning Heritable Gene Editing, which Affects also Crucial Social and/or Ethical Key aspects of Humankind's present and foreseable Future, (Comp. also Supra), which does Not depend on Small Time Deadlines, but on core Content and main Substance ! => And This is, precisely, what Motivates, Recently, a Lot of "Viral" Public Debates, particularly at the World Wide Web, Sparked by such Topical Controversies over possible Risks of Abuse via Genetic Manipulations, as many Medias have Noticed and pointed out : - F.ex., among others, also China's "Global Times" Medias have Often written, Recently, about concrete cases where "Most of the Netizens have Expressed their Worry" over the "Harms" that Genetic Modifications "may cause to Humans", holding the "Belief that Genetic Engineering is Against the Laws of Nature", and/or could provoke "Horrible" Consequences, Opposed to "a Comparatively Smaller Group of Supporters ..(of)... Genetic Modifications", as they found. Or that "Many" People "are Concerned that the (Genetic) Technology May bring lots of Social Disturbances in the Future", while Only a Minority of "Others" claim to merely "Appreciate" its alleged "Benefits", (etc)... + Moreover, at an Important Recent CoE's Conference on BioEthics in Strasbourg, the President of France's National Ethics Committee, Professor Jean-Francois Delfraissy, Denounced the existence of several "Too Important GAPs" between the People and Public Authorities, in Some Controversial Issues where "there is a Problem", "to be Decided at the Highest Levels of the State", After a Public Consultation at the Internet which Revealed that phenomenon (Obvious even in relevant Graphics on its Conclusions), Focused, precisely, around Artificial Medical Interventions on Human Births, (f.ex. in order to Artificially Provoke a Birth ordered by a Couple of Lesbians, etc), as he Later Told to "Eurofora", ( See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coebioethicsdebatechildrenforlesbiansandheritablegenemanip.html, etc). Interestingly, that Public Consultation had taken place juste a few Months Before the November 2018 Scandal on the 1st Heritable Gene Editing by US-linked Dr. Jiankui, (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/heritablegenemaniptrumpxihumanity.html), so that the Consulted People who would be Now Against any Artificial Medical Interventions on Human Births which Might, Eventually, Abuse of such Methods, should, normally, have become Even More Numerous !)... => So that, from the point of view of Society and Humanity's foreseable Future (Comp. Supra), Obviously, the main Question is Not about some Short Time Deadlines, merely Postponing the Controversial Heritable Gene Editing, until its Technology might be somehow finetuned, as Some Claim, (Comp. Supra), But, on the Contrary, about how to Prevent it Urgently, and Find Substantial Solutions to the Main, Core-Issues that it raises for Humankind. - In this regard, WHO's Recent 2019 Call to "Halt all work on Genome Editing", while, at the Same Time, it Launched a "Global Registry" to Track any Research on that area, Worldwide, seems well to be a Practicaly Useful 1st Step in the Good Direction. + Subsequent 2019 Calls by Top MEPs in EU Parliament in Strasbourg to establish a "Global Ban" against Heritable Gene Editing, (See, f.ex. : ..., etc), Similar to CoE's previous Global Ban call against Human "Clonning" since 1998, Open to Signature by Any Country in the World, (mutatis-mutandis, Also as UNO's Declaration against Clonning, adopted at New York on 2005), are Naturally the Next Step to take asap, on this level, in one way or another. ++ But, Meanwhile, (and, at Any Case, even Later-on), several More Concrete Measures have Now Become Necessary in Real Practice. F.ex., Urgently Needed Scientific Research and Technological Development also on : - How to Spot Timely any eventual Heritable Gene Editing eventually committed on a Human Embryon which has Faced any kind of Artificial Medical Intervention (f.ex. so-called "Fertility" Treatment, IVF, etc), that could, Perhaps, have Affected its Genome. Nobody can Forget, indeed, the Fact that even Dr. Jiankui acted in Secret, Hidden from any Oversight, (Comp. Supra). And, Unfortunately, Recent Controversial Attempts by some Lobbies to Push, (Curiously at the Same Time !), for various UnPrecedented and UnPopular Medical Interventions on Artificial Births, f.ex. concerning Homosexuals (Lesbian couples, "Surrogate Mothers" for Gay couples, etc), Risk Obviously to Multiply the Number of Cases Risking, Nowadays, for several People to Fall Victims of some Shady Technocrats' possible Abuse. - How to, eventually, at least Stop a Transmission to Future Generations, of a Heritable Gene Editing Spoted Nowadays, Before it Spreads Widely. - How to, eventually, Reverse a Heritable Gene Editing, if it is Spoted on Time, (f.ex. Before a 1st Birth). ETC.+... These are Some among the Technological Inventions that Conscious and Well-Intentioned Scientists, Defending Humanity, would have to Realize, sooner or later, in the foreseable Future, and/or all Humans themselves, at any case, would have to Strive to Solve, if needed, by their own Means, in one way or another, if they doN't want to practically Disappear from Earth's History in the Future as a Species (Comp. Supra)... ---------- + Meanwhile, Now that China's State took some Concrete Measures, between Christmas and New Eve, to Defend the UNBORN Child, (an Issue sharply Facing All Humanity, Nowadays, and Not Only Christians, as such), USA's new President Don Trump should, at last, Advance towards a Positive TRADE Deal with Chinese President Xi Jiping asap., for the basic Peaceful Benefit of Both People. Let some "Socialists"/Liberals and/or other Lobbies of Abusive Technocrats, on Both Sides, attempt to play the "Trouble-Makers", Alone... (../..) ("Draft-News") Six people including a girl were killed and six others injured after an under-construction boundary wall collapsed in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said Sunday, Trend reports citing Xinhua. The wall collapsed in Laxmanpura village of Jhansi district, about 324 km southwest of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. "Yesterday a boundary wall of a stone crusher collapsed, following which several people sitting close to it were trapped under its debris," a police official said. "Five people were killed on spot, while as one person succumbed during treatment inside the hospital." Six others pulled out from the debris in injured condition were sent to hospital. Police have registered the case and started investigations. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the deaths and expressed sympathy with the bereaved families. Lamu, Kenya (PANA) - The Kenyan army said here Sunday eight Al Shabaab operatives ,including Abu Hamza al Kanyi, a Kenyan citizen, were killed following an attack on a joint military camp with the US military, causing extensive damage CHICO, Calif. - According to Chico Police, on Saturday, Jan 4 at approximately 8:41 p.m., a Chico Police Officer observed a bicyclist traveling in the area of E. 9th Avenue and Oleander Avenue. When the Chico Police Officer attempted to initiate an enforcement stop on the bicyclist, the bicyclist fled. Officials say after a short pursuit, the bicyclist abandoned his bicycle and fled on foot. The persistent Chico Police Officer was able to overrun the evasive pedestrian. Police say after numerous demands to comply, the subject challenged the Officer to fight and refused to follow lawful orders. The suspect, later identified as Juan Francisco Orr, 31, punched the Officer two times on the head. Orr was taken to the ground. While the Officer attempted to detain him in handcuffs, Orr attempted to remove the Officers handgun from its holster. An additional Officer arrived on scene and was able to free Orrs grasp of the Officers handgun and place him into handcuffs. Officials say Orr attempted to swallow a large plastic bag full of methamphetamine as he was being detained. Due to Orrs agitated state, and violence toward Officers, he was placed in The WRAP, a Safety Restraint System. During a medical clearance for incarceration, at a local Hospital, Orr attempted to escape. Officers say Orr again refused to comply with the Officers' demands. The Officer and several security guards ultimately gained control of Orr, but the Officer was forced to strike Orr several times with his baton. Orr was arrested for the following offenses: Resisting an Executive Officer through Violence, Battery on a Police Officer, Attempt to remove a Firearm from a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest, Attempt to Escape from Police Custody, Possession for Sale of a controlled substance, Transportation of a Controlled Substance Officials say Orr is on Probation in Butte County for Resisting/Delaying or Obstructing a Police Officer, stemming from a 2017 Chico Police Department Case. In that 2017 case, Orr refused to comply with Officers, threatened physical harm if they attempted to detain him, and brandished a 6 set of shears at the responding Officers. A K9 Officer responded to the scene, which led to Orr being taken into custody without further incident. Police say Orr is a violent subject with documented assaults on members of the public, as well. These incidents that occurred tonight highlight the demands and dangers of law enforcement. Fortunately, none of the officers involved in these incidents received serious injuries requiring medical care. This could have been far worse. According to 2018 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, a study by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 51 Officers were killed in the United States by gunfire. Of those 51 Officers, 4 Officers were killed with their own firearms. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren handed over a cheque of Rs 2 lakhs to the kin of a priest who had lost his life in an unfortunate incident at the famous Basukinath temple in the Dumka district in Jharkhand. On January 1, priest Sumit Kumar Jha had lost his life after he got electrocuted in the sanctum sanctorum of the Basukinath temple. The newly-elected Jharkhand CM, apart from handing over a cheque of Rs 2 lakhs as monetary help to the deceased's family, also handed over the joining letter for the victim's brother as a computer operator in the temple complex on Saturday. Earlier, after getting to know of the incident, Soren had ordered a probe into the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Last Sunday, President Donald Trump's most senior national security advisers joined him at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where Trump was beginning the second week of his holiday vacation. The officials told reporters that US F-15 Strike Eagles had just attacked Iran-sponsored militia groups at their bases in Iraq and Syria, in response to a series of rocket attacks that had culminated in the death of an American contractor two days earlier. But privately, a different topic had come up with an agitated president: whether to kill Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, who military leaders described as responsible for the attack on an American citizen and likely to kill more. Why Trump chose this moment to authorise the operation against the leader of Iran's Quds Force, after tolerating Iranian aggression in the Persian Gulf for months, was a matter of debate within his own administration. Officials gave differing and incomplete accounts of the intelligence they said prompted Trump to act. Some were stunned by his decision, which could lead to war with one of America's oldest adversaries in the Middle East. "It was tremendously bold and even surprised many of us," said a senior administration official with knowledge of high-level discussions among Trump and his advisers, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity when discussing internal deliberations. Last Friday, hours after a US drone killed Soleimani and an Iraqi militia leader at the Baghdad airport, senior State Department officials told reporters that Iran had been plotting "imminent attacks directed at killing hundreds of Americans" but declined to offer specifics. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN that Soleimani "was actively plotting in the region to take actions, the big action as he described it, that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk. We know it was imminent". On Capitol Hill, officials briefed lawmakers and staff but didn't provide any details about the alleged Iranian targets or what made them imminent, according to people who were present. Expand Close A DISTRACTION FROM HIS IMPEACHMENT: US President Trump leaves after making a statement on Iran at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach Florida. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A DISTRACTION FROM HIS IMPEACHMENT: US President Trump leaves after making a statement on Iran at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach Florida. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Some analysts were sceptical about the need to kill Soleimani. "There may well have been an ongoing plot as Pompeo claims, but Soleimani was a decision-maker, not an operational asset himself," said Jon Bateman, who served as a senior intelligence analyst for Iran at the Defence Intelligence Agency. "Killing him would be neither necessary nor sufficient to disrupt the operational progression of an imminent plot. What it might do instead is shock Iran's decision calculus" and deter future attack plans, Bateman said. In a conference call with reporters, national security adviser Robert O'Brien said last Friday evening that the strike on Soleimani happened after he recently visited Damascus and was plotting to target US military and diplomatic personnel. "This strike was aimed at disrupting ongoing attacks that were being planned by Soleimani and deterring future Iranian attacks through their proxies or through the... Quds Force directly against Americans," O'Brien said. Expand Close A destroyed vehicle on fire following the US strike at Baghdad airport in which Qasem Soleimani was killed along with eight others. Photo: Iraqi Military/AFP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A destroyed vehicle on fire following the US strike at Baghdad airport in which Qasem Soleimani was killed along with eight others. Photo: Iraqi Military/AFP Defence officials described Soleimani's planning as part of a continuation of earlier Iranian provocations, including the mining of ships in the Persian Gulf in May. A month later, Trump called off an airstrike at practically the last minute - an attack that had been intended to retaliate for Iran downing a US surveillance drone. Army Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a meeting with reporters last Friday that Soleimani was killed after US officials recently became aware of intelligence that showed that the "size, scale, scope" of what he was planning led them to conclude there was a greater risk in not taking action than in doing so. "Is there risk? Damn right there's risk," Milley said of possible Iranian reactions to the killing of one of the nation's most prominent leaders. "But we're mitigating, and we think we're taking appropriate mitigations." "The ball is in the Iranian court," Milley said. "It is their choice what the next steps are." It may be days or weeks before US officials know how Iran will respond. But the rapid sequence of events that led to Soleimani's death made clear that a decades-old conflict has reached a fever pitch. ******* The immediate roots of the current crisis can be traced to the Friday after Christmas, when a barrage of missile fire exploded at K-1, a joint US-Iraqi base on the southern edge of the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Of about 30 rockets that American officials said were fired at the air base several hours after sundown, nine landed within the sprawling facility. American officials quickly blamed Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful militia group they say receives funding and arms from Iran. In addition to wounding three US soldiers and two Iraqi federal police, officials said the attack killed an American interpreter, whose identity has not been made public. That person had been working alongside a force of about 100 US personnel on the base as part of the campaign against Isil. While the attack evoked the frequent rocket fire that rained down on US troops in Baghdad and other locations in the years following the 2003 invasion, they have been uncommon in recent years. The United States has found itself in the odd position of fighting on the same side as Iranian-backed militias against Isil. But the rocket attacks resumed in recent months as the Trump administration has continued its "maximum pressure" campaign of economic sanctions against Iran, growing in intensity until the Kirkuk attack. "Thirty-one rockets aren't designed as a warning shot. That's designed to inflict damage and kill," Milley told reporters before the Soleimani strike. US officials were disappointed Iraq had not publicly condemned the Kirkuk attack and questioned the government's willingness to check militias loyal to their powerful neighbour. Almost exactly 48 hours after the Kirkuk attack, American F-15 jets unleashed bombs on five militia sites. The targets included command nodes and weapons depots in Bu Kamal, Syria, and al-Qaim, Iraq, border outposts on either side of the Iraq-Syria border. Speaking later that day after meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Defence Secretary Mark Esper said the attack was successful but also hinted at discussion of "other options" being considered. "We will take additional actions as necessary to ensure that we act in our own self-defence and we deter further bad behaviour," he said. The strikes created an immediate political crisis in Baghdad, where officials were given little notice of the plans by their chief Western ally to attack militias linked to their powerful neighbour. The backlash was particularly fierce from militia leaders. "The response will be harsh for the American forces in Iraq," warned Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, better known as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. (Also the founder of the Kataib Hezbollah militia, al-Muhandis was killed in the US strike on Soleimani.) Two days later, last Tuesday, thousands of militia supporters converged on the US Embassy in Baghdad, throwing Molotov cocktails and breaching the secure compound's walls before setting up a protest camp outside. As militiamen set fire to a reception area, smoke billowed out of the facility that had once symbolised US influence and might in Iraq. Inside the compound, staff hunkered down in safe rooms. Military leaders immediately dispatched about 100 Marines to Baghdad, then sent another 750 troops to remain on standby in Kuwait. Tensions appeared to subside the following day, when militia leaders issued instructions for the demonstrators to depart and the government appealed for calm. American officials, however, were exasperated that Iraqi leaders had responded slowly and government security forces stood by while the militiamen laid siege to the embassy. ******* At his resort in Florida, the president was told the Iranian leader was going to be coming to Baghdad; senior officials felt he was taunting the US by showing up in the Iraqi capital, implying he could move around with impunity. Calls between the national security principals were convened by the vice president throughout the week after initial discussions last Sunday to kill Soleimani, a senior administration official said. Officials reminded Trump that after the Iranians mined ships, downed the US drone and allegedly attacked a Saudi oil facility, he hadn't responded. Acting now, they said, would send a message: "The argument is, if you don't ever respond to them, they think they can get by with anything," one White House official said. Trump was also motivated by what he felt was negative coverage after his 2019 decision to call off the airstrike after Iran downed the US surveillance drone. Trump was frustrated that the details of those internal deliberations had leaked out and felt he looked weak, the officials said. The US tracked the Iranian's movements for days, keeping Trump apprised, and decided that their best chance to kill him would be near Baghdad airport, the senior administration official said. Trump also had history on his mind. He has long fixated on Benghazi and the Obama administration's response to it, say lawmakers and aides who have spoken to him, and felt the response to last week's attack on the embassy and the killing of an American contractor would make him look stronger compared to his predecessor. "Benghazi has loomed large in his mind," said Sen Lindsey Graham in an interview, explaining the response last week. Graham was at Mar-a-Lago last Monday and said the president told him he was concerned they "were going to hit us again" and that he was considering hitting the Iranians. No specific plan was ready to kill him, but it was on Trump's mind, Graham said. "He was more thinking out loud, but he was determined to do something to protect Americans. Killing the contractor really changed the equation," Graham said. "He was saying, 'This guy is a bad guy, he's up to no good, we have to do something'," Graham said. After the attack, US officials in Iraq braced themselves for a range of possible responses, from direct attacks by Iran to an Iraqi order that US forces and personnel leave the country. Last Friday, Graham said the president described the job as "a tough business". "I said, 'Yeah, it's a tough business, Mr. President'," Graham said. The Washington Post Special report by Missy Ryan, Josh Dawsey, Dan Lamothe, and John Hudson, with contributions from Shane Harris and Karoun Demirjian Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Lalu Prasad lashed out at the state government for being a abig failurea in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index report released by the Niti Aayog on December 30 last year. (Photo Credit: PTI) New Delhi: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for its misrule and coined a new term for upcoming Assembly elections in the state. Do Hazar Bees, Hatao Nitish (Oust Nitish from power in 2020), Prasad wrote on Twitter, amid the ongoing war of words through posters between his party and the Janata Dal United (JDU). The former chief minister is currently lodged in a Ranchi jail in connection with fodder scam cases. Prasad said also said the central government has given zero to the dispensation in Bihar, referring to a recent NITI Aayog report. Prasad lashed out at the state government for being a big failure in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index report released by the Niti Aayog on December 30 last year. aa aaaaa aaa aaYaa aaaaa Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) January 4, 2020 Both Niti Aayog and the central government have given zero to Nitishs misrule by declaring it (Bihar) as the worst in the country, the RJD boss claimed. Kerala was on the top of the list in the SDG Index 2019 while Bihar was adjudged as the worst performer. Niti Aayogs SDG India Index evaluates the progress of states and union territories on social, economic and environmental parameters. Please get your account of 15 years (of development) checked with them also. Will you do something or fight it out only through posters? he tweeted. The JDU had on Thursday come up with a poster depicting the erstwhile Lalu-Rabri (Devi) regime as one with broken roads, students studying in the lantern light, bloodshed and people holding guns. The poster, however, highlighted the developmental work of the state government and its corruption-free image. The RJD shot back with its own version, which alleged scams and poor governance by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). One (the Nitish Kumar government) should not insist on flying when one does not have wings, as you will only get hurt, Prasads tweet added. Assembly elections are due in Bihar later this year. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 21:14:17|Editor: zh Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Multiple people are killed and a few others injured after a crash involving several vehicles in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania early Sunday morning, local media reported. 'We Can't Stop' has been viewed on Youtube alone 880-million times Miley Cyrus has settled a $300 million copyright infringement lawsuit by a Jamaican songwriter who accused the pop star of stealing her 2013 smash "We Can't Stop" from a similar song he recorded a quarter century earlier. Michael May, who performs as Flourgon, sued Cyrus in March 2018, claiming that "We Can't Stop" closely resembled his 1988 song "We Run Things," which he called a reggae favorite since reaching No. 1 in his home country. May accused Cyrus and her label RCA Records, owned by Sony Corp, of misappropriating material including the phrase "We run things. Things no run we," which she sang as "We run things. Things don't run we." May, Cyrus, Sony and other defendants filed a joint stipulation in Manhattan federal court on Friday ending the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again. Cyrus' lawyers said in a Dec. 12 letter that a settlement agreement had been signed, and that the stipulation would be filed "pending payment of the settlement proceeds," which were not specified. Lawyers for May and Cyrus did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "We Can't Stop," from Cyrus' album "Bangerz," peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2013. It was blocked from hitting No. 1 by Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines," the subject of its own high-profile copyright case over its resemblance to Marvin Gaye's 1977 song "Got To Give It Up." For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Members of the Filipino community attend a meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 12, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser ORGANIZATIONS advocating the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on January 4, aired concerns over the possible adverse effects of the brewing tension in the Middle East on the heels of the United States (US) governments assassination of a top Iranian military official. In a statement, Alliance for Community Transformation and Service- OFW (ACTS-OFW) Coalition of Organizations said, they are worried that the tension may pose adverse effects towards the jobs as well as lives of OFWs in the region. Any eruption of open hostilities in the Middle East involving the US is bound to drag its major military allies such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, both of which host large numbers of Filipino workers, ACTS-OFW Chairman Aniceto Bertiz III. In an extreme scenario, even Filipinos in some parts of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar might be exposed to danger, considering that they also host American military facilities and/or personnel, he added. He said those in peril may also include Filipino sailors on board Western oil and gas tankers as they could be attacked by Iran in retaliation for the US actions. Right now, hundreds of Filipino sailors on Western oil and gas tankers navigating through the Strait of Hormuz every day are already in harms way, given that Iran has warned of swift and severe retaliation, said Bertiz. For its part, the Blas F. Ople Policy Center urged OFWs in the Middle East to take seriously the latest developments in the US-Iran tension. This, according to Ople Center head Susan Ople, means that OFWs should familiarize themselves with the hotlines and Facebook pages of Philippine posts. "OFWs should have their company IDs and passports in their possession, avoid unnecessary travel, and notify the nearest embassy or consulate in case of any perceived security threat," said Ople. Our national interest lies in the protection of more than a million Filipinos across the Middle East. Let us not take these unfolding events lightly," added the former labor undersecretary. Story continues On the other hand, she said OFWs there must steer clear of political conversations and commentaries online on the issue. The heightened security alert across the Middle East warrants the strict monitoring and tracking of political noise, offline and online. An innocent post by an OFW even in the vernacular can easily be misinterpreted by the host government so it is best to stay silent and not to interfere or participate in political conversations, said Ople. Earlier, a drone strike ordered by US President Donald Trump led to the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani at the Baghdad Airport in Iraq. Trump already admitted that he ordered the assassination of Soleimani in a bid to stop a war as tensions between the two nations are already escalating. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in response, said the Americans would be facing the consequences for killing Soleimani. (HDT) 1 US service member, 2 DOD contractors killed in terror attack on US base in Kenya originally appeared on abcnews.go.com One U.S. soldier and two American Department of Defense contractors were killed in a terror attack on a military base in Kenya that houses some U.S. military personnel. The Somali terror group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack that Kenyan authorities said had been repelled with four militants killed in the fighting. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our teammates who lost their lives today," U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, said in a statement Sunday afternoon. "As we honor their sacrifice, let's also harden our resolve. Alongside our African and international partners, we will pursue those responsible for this attack and al-Shabaab who seeks to harm Americans and U.S. interests." Two DOD employees were also wounded in the attack. They were listed in stable condition and were being evacuated, according to the Sunday statement from U.S. Africa Command. PHOTO: U.S. Army Spc. Henry J. Mayfield Jr., 23, from Evergreen Park, Ill., was killed on Jan. 5, 2020, during an attack in Manda Bay, Kenya. (U.S. Army) The Pentagon on Monday identified the U.S. service member killed as Army Spc. Henry Mayfield Jr., 23, of Evergreen Park, Illinois. He was an air traffic services mechanic. MORE: Trump warns cultural sites could be targeted if Iran retaliates for Soleimani strike According to the news release on Sunday, the attack on the compound involved indirect and small-arms fire. There was an initial penetration of the perimeter, but Kenya Defense Forces and U.S. Africa Command repelled the al-Shabaab attack. Kenya Defense Forces said the attempt was made at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time to breach security at Manda Air Strip and that it had successfully been stopped and the air strip was safe. This morning at around 5:30 am an attempt was made to breach security at Manda Air Strip. The attempted breach was successfully repulsed. Four terrorists bodies have so far been found. The airstrip is safe.https://t.co/CXoAWBgXC4 Kenya Defence Forces (@kdfinfo) January 5, 2020 In addition to the casualties, six contractor-operated civilian aircraft were reportedly damaged to some degree, the U.S. Africa Command news release said. Story continues The Kenyan military base has housed U.S. military personnel for years. It is unclear how many American personnel are stationed at the base that has reportedly been a site for U.S. special operations forces operating in Somalia. "We remain committed to preventing al-Shabaab from maintaining a safe haven to plan deadly attacks against the U.S. homeland, East African and international partners," Townsend said in the Sunday afternoon news release. PHOTO: The al-Shabab extremist group said Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, that it has attacked the Camp Simba military base used by U.S. and Kenyan troops in coastal Kenya. (AP) Earlier, al-Shabab had said in a statement that some of its fighters had launched "a daring dawn raid on a U.S. naval base known as 'Camp Simba' in Lamu County, Kenya." The al-Qaeda affiliate claimed that their fighters had taken control of a portion of the base, a claim that could not be verified. MORE: World is safer because of Iranian commander's death: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Last week, al-Shabab carried out a car bomb attack in the heart of Mogadishu that killed at least 80 civilians. PHOTO: In this photo taken Aug. 26, 2019 and released by the U.S. Air Force, A C-130J Super Hercules approaches for landing at Camp Simba, Manda Bay, Kenya. The al-Shabab extremist group said Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 that it has attacked the military base. (Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer/AP) "Al-Shabab is a brutal terrorist organization," U.S Army Maj. Gen. William Gayler in a statement. "It is an Al-Qaeda affiliate seeking to establish a self-governed Islamic territory in East Africa, to remove Western influence and ideals from the region, and to further its jihadist agenda. U.S. presence in Africa is critically important to counter-terrorism efforts." About 500 U.S. troops are stationed inside Somalia assisting and advising that country's military in its fight against the terror group. ABC News' Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report. Kansas City's Northland Might Finally Get Another Fountain - One That Tells A Big Story Kansas City likes to call itself the City of Fountains, but only two of approximately 200 fountains are north of the Missouri River. For years this has rankled northland officials and neighborhood leaders who have felt the entryways to their communities lacked inviting art and monuments. Across the bridge, the poor souls who attend community meetings have been waiting decades for more fountains . . . Now, they might learn that most of the urban core monuments are in a horrible state of disrepair and/or serve as gathering spots for junkies.Read more: After decades on the African and American continents, the gruelling Dakar Rally kicks off in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday. It will undoubtedly make for great pictures, but critics say the sporting event is being used to deflect attention from human rights abuses. 351 teams embark on the 9,000km course today. They will have to navigate some of the worlds most spectacular dunes and desert to make it to the finish line in Al-Qiddiya on 17 January. Broadcast in 190 countries, Dakar 2020 will pass through a range of sites including NEOM the $500 billion futuristic megacity under construction, the heritage site of Al-Ula and the sand dunes of the vast Empty Quarter desert. Quentin de Pimodan, an expert on the Sunni kingdom at the Research Institute for European and American Studies, said the rally "will serve Saudi Arabia the same way the Tour de France serves France". "It will showcase the landscapes and the heritage...as the kingdom opens up to international tourists," he said. Soft diplomacy or sportswashing Dakar 2020 is just the latest international sporting event to take place in Saudi Arabia as part of a multi-billion-dollar push to boost its global image. The Kingdom has come under heavy international criticism over its human rights record since the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in October 2018. The Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen and the kingdoms crackdown on dissent particularly feminist activists who have faced sexual harassment and torture in detention have also battered its image. In 2019, Saudi Arabia executed at least 187 people on death row, according to a tally based on official data, the highest since 1995 when 195 people were executed. Human rights activists accuse Saudi rulers of 'sportswashing': using such events as a tool to soften their image. Saudi human rights group Al Qst called on Amaury Sport Organisation, the French company which runs the Rally, along with all those taking part, not to be party to the sportswashing exercise. Story continues We ask them not to let themselves be bought out, not to be used to hide human rights abuses, activist Yahia Assiri told RFI. 'Complicit in propaganda' For Antoine Madelin of the International federation for human rights (FIDH), the Dakar Rally can provide a real platform to improve human rights in the kingdom. I am convinced that if the Dakar community is mobilised, it will have an impact and the authorities will be forced to back-pedal, he told RFI. Ironically, over a dozen women drivers are to take part in the Rally, while several Saudi women activists remain in jail for promoting the right to drive despite the Kingdom lifting the ban on women at the wheel in 2018. The FIDH is also calling on those broadcasting Dakar 2020, including Frances public broadcasting group France Televisions, to use their muscle to pressure Saudi Arabia for change. Women activists sit in prison in Saudi Arabia for simply demanding the right to be able to drive, Madelin explains. French companies like Amaury and...France Televisions, are either victims of Saudi propaganda, or are complicit in this propaganda. On 3 January, Human Rights Watch, MENA Right Group and 11 other international human rights organisations signed a joint communique demanding the Amaury Sport Organisation use its decision to move the Dakar Rally to Saudi Arabia to denounce the persecution of womens rights advocates in the country. Fans, media, and race teams shouldnt be blinded by the rallys spectacle while Saudi Arabia sports-washes the kingdoms jailing of peaceful critics, said Minky Worden, global initiatives director at HRW. (with AFP) Iran and the United States (US) appear to be locked into an escalatory spiral following the American drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the al-Quds Force foreign operations arm of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The latest indication of this is US President Donald Trumps belligerent message to hit 52 Iranian sites very hard if Tehran attacks Americans or US interests in retaliation to Soleimanis killing. As Mr Trump has been wont to do, he announced his plans via Twitter, hardly the platform for diplomacy, and said he wouldnt hesitate to strike targets that are important to Iranian culture. Any retaliation by Iran, most experts, and West Asia watchers acknowledge, is a given, though what form it will take remains to be seen. There are fears that Iran could use its proxies to retaliate in Syria, Lebanon or Israel, or target the interests of Saudi Arabia, a key ally of the US, or even launch cyber attacks, at least to save face because of Soleimanis status within the power hierarchy in Tehran. While the killing of Soleimani may have met the parameters of US laws, Washington appears to be skating on thin ice as far as international laws are concerned. Once again, it appears Mr Trump has given little thought to the consequences of his decision to retaliate against the recent attacks on US assets in Iraq or to the interests of partners such as India. Mr Trumps contention that the Iranian general was eliminated because he was plotting imminent attacks has been questioned by wide sections of the US media and experienced intelligence hands, who have said little information has emerged to back up this claim. One immediate consequence of the flaring up of tension in West Asia is that India finds itself in a very difficult position, given its strong relations with all the key players. The US and Israel are pre-eminent strategic partners for India, and Saudi Arabia and Iraq and crucial for the countrys energy security, but Iran is central to Indias plans to access Afghanistan and Central Asia via Chabahar. At stake too is the fate of some eight million Indian expatriates in West Asia. Indias economic and strategic interests will take a hit if there is any further instability or tension in the region. Li Mulan (1st, R) prepares agricultural products. [China Women's News] Li Mulan, 23, was born in a village in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. Li is of Jingpo ethnic group. "Mulan" is her name that she gave herself. "I hope I can be as tough as the heroine Hua Mulan (a brave girl in an ancient Chinese legend who took her father's place in the army)," she said. Li's handicap was caused by acute disease when she was 9. At that time she had to quit school and lived a life isolated from the outside world. "This is not the life I want at all," Li said to herself. She left the village in 2016 when she was 20, swearing that she would do something meaningful or not return to the village. Li had tried many occupations, including jade carving and live streaming. In September 2018, she participated in an e-commerce training course for disabled people. Her destiny has been changed since then. "The e-commerce business can operate at home and earn money online. I will not be discriminated against for my disability if I do an online business. I am less educated, so I have to practice more to catch up others," recalled Li. e-commerce platform Li repeatedly practiced how to operate an online shop on a computer and how to upload commodities' information, print orders and deliver goods. Since Dehong is rich in various agricultural products, she ran a shop on the e-commerce platform Pinduoduo, selling local corn and fruits. Thanks to the ads by her friends, Li's business was gradually on the right track. By chance, her online store participated in a big promotion activity held by Pinduoduo, multiplying its sales volume by dozens of times. Li has received more than 1,000 orders per day since then. Relying on good services and high-quality products, Li's store attracted more and more customers. So far, Li has sold more than 36,000 orders of passion fruit and/or corn to Zhejiang and Gansu provinces. During a peak sales period, Li sold nearly 3,000 orders per day with the total sales amounting to 1.08 million yuan (US $154,400). "Doing online business is very tiring, but I am happy because I no longer need my parents to support my life. I can buy whatever I like and buy things for my parents," Li said. Li not only gains money but also becomes more cheerful and confident after she is involved in e-commerce. Besides selling agricultural products, Li also operates an online store for selling Han costumes. She made a lot of friends at the e-commerce training center. One of Li's best friends is Jin Yuping, who is disabled caused by polio. Li helped her run an online business to build up her confidence in life. Li and Jin have the same dream: to continue study in school and go out to see the outside world after they have earned enough money by doing e-commerce. "Hopefully, our experiences can encourage all disabled women. We should try our best to live good lives on our own," Li added. (Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China) Two rockets hit near the US embassy in Iraqs capital Sunday, witnesses told AFP, hours after the ambassador was summoned over a US strike that killed top Iraqi and Iranian commanders. Sundays attack was the second night in a row that the Green Zone was hit and the 14th time over the last two months that US installations have been targeted. A third rocket simultaneously hit a family home outside the Green Zone, wounding four, medical sources told AFP. Ties between Iraq and the US have deteriorated after an American drone attack Friday on the Baghdad international airport that killed Irans Major General Qasem Soleimani and top Iraqi military figure Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The precision strike came just days after a pro-Iran mob attacked the US embassy in Baghdad. In response on Sunday, Iraqs parliament called on the government to oust US and other foreign troops from the country. Some 5,200 US soldiers are stationed across Iraqi bases to support local troops preventing a resurgence of the Islamic State jihadist group. They are deployed as part of the broader international coalition, invited by the Iraqi government in 2014 to help fight IS. Sundays rocket attack came hours after a deadline by a hardline group in Iraqs Hashed al-Shaabi military force, which has close ties to Iran, for Iraqi security forces to get away from US troops at joint bases across Iraq. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion curated for you. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Oust Nitish in 2020: Lalu Prasad has a new slogan for RJD The Rashtriya Janata Dals chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has given a catchy new slogan to his partys workers for the new year. Read more here. 50-yr-old man lodged in Assam detention centre dies Naresh Koch, a daily wager from Tinkonia Para village, who belonged to the Koch community, was apprehended and taken to the Goalpara detention centre in March 2018. Read more here. India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I: Virat Kohli & Co. aim to hit the ground running at Guwahati 1st T20I In World T20 year: India take on Sri Lanka with a settled pace attack, bolstered by Jasprit Bumrahs return in the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. Read more here. One month on, DU teachers strike continues A month after the teachers of Delhi University announced an indefinite strike and evaluation boycott mainly to demand the regularisation of jobs, the demonstrations are continuing. Read more here. What tidy and messy desks say about you If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, Einstein is once supposed to have asked, of what, then, is a messy desk? Read more here. On Deepika Padukones birthday, 11 monumental films which changed the course of her career As Deepika Padukone turns 34 today, her more than a decades journey in the Hindi film industry has been phenomenal. Read more here. Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening to hit dozens of targets in the Islamic Republic "very fast and very hard" if it retaliates for the targeted killing of the head of Iran's elite Quds Force. The series of tweets came as the White House sent to Congress a formal notification under the War Powers Act of the drone strike on General Qassem Soleimani at Baghdad airport. US law requires notification within 48 hours of the introduction of American forces into an armed conflict or a situation that could lead to war. The notification was classified and it was not known if a public version would be released. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the classified document "suggests Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security." In unusually specific language, Trump tweeted that his administration had targeted 52 Iranian sites, "some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture." He linked the number of sites to the number of hostages, also 52, held by Iran for nearly 15 months after protesters overran the US embassy in Tehran in 1979. What's going on behind the scenes at Quilter? The word on the street is that the wealth manager is likely to see significant corporate activity in the very near future. City sources said the FTSE 250 business may soon be involved in a major corporate move such as a merger. However, the precise details remain hazy at the very best. High street baker Greggs is to give investors an update on trading over the Christmas period Some investors suggested that Quilter formerly known as Old Mutual Wealth Management might be planning to announce a special dividend or share buyback following the completion of the 445 million sale of its life insurance business, Quilter Life Assurance, to ReAssure Group. The company said last week it expects to finalise the potential cash return to shareholders no later than when Quilters full-year results are released in March. Quilter was part of Old Mutual until 2018, when it spun out of the South African financial services group through a flotation on the London Stock Exchange. The business was rebranded as Quilter just before the demerger from Old Mutual. Keep your eyes peeled on this one. Time is running out for shareholders to cast their votes on the 5 billion takeover of FTSE 100 online takeaway ordering company Just Eat. Rival Takeaway.com appears to be closing in on a deal to merge with Just Eat, which will give Just Eat investors shares in the Dutch firm. But Prosus, the Dutch tech arm of South African conglomerate Naspers, hasnt given up yet. Prosus gatecrashed Takeaway.coms bid with a cash offer, but it has failed to convince some of the major shareholders. Perhaps some last-minute lobbying is in order ahead of the deadline on Friday. The City rumour mill has been in overdrive ever since M&C Saatchi revealed the accounting scandal it had uncovered was worse than first thought. Would a white knight swoop and buy out the beleaguered advertising agency? Media analyst Alex DeGroote said last month the company was 110 per cent a takeover target. Perhaps Sir Martin Sorrell fancied a pop? Now the boss of a rival ad and marketing firm, who wishes to be nameless, says he ran the rule over the AIM-listed company, but decided there were too many unknowns to launch a bid. Perhaps someone else will be braver and take a punt. Fresh from launching its eagerly awaited vegan steak bake (there were queues out the door apparently), high street baker Greggs gives investors an update on trading over the Christmas period. And scribblers at City broker Peel Hunt reckon like-for-like sales will have stayed strong over the festive season. They even think the new addition to the vegan line-up, following the success of its vegan sausage roll, will help sales in the first few months of 2020. But Peel Hunt thinks sales momentum will wane and that the share price, near record highs, will at some stage dip too. Iran has threatened to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels as it abandons all limits placed on its nuclear programme following the killing of Qassem Soleimani. Tehran has been slowly breaching aspects of the deal since Trump walked away from it in 2018, including enriching uranium to 20 per cent - the maximum level at which it can be considered purely for energy use. But on Sunday the regime threatened to enrich the nuclear material further, making it viable for use in a bomb, as well as breaching limits on its number of uranium enrichment centrifuges, its enrichment capacity, the amount of stockpiled enriched uranium and its nuclear research and development activities. The news effectively spells the death of the 2015 deal, putting an end to efforts by European signatories to keep Tehran broadly in line. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (right) and the head of Iran nuclear technology organisation Ali Akbar Salehi inspecting nuclear technology in Tehran last April Rouhani visiting the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the city of Bushehr, Iran, in January 2015 Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement with the United Nations Security Council's five permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - plus Germany has been hanging by a thread since the US withdrew unilaterally from two years ago. European countries have been pushing for talks with Iran to salvage the nuclear deal and the EU has invited Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif to Brussels for talks. 'Iran's nuclear programme no longer faces any limitation in the operational field', the Iranian government said in a statement on Sunday night. This extends to Iran's capacity for enriching uranium, the level of enrichment carried out, the amount enriched, and other research and development, it said. 'As of now Iran's nuclear programme will continue solely based on its technical needs,' it added. Until now, Iran has said it needs to enrich uranium up to a level of five per cent to produce fuel for electricity generation in nuclear power plants. Tehran said it would continue cooperating 'as before' with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Iranian administration did not elaborate on what levels it would immediately reach in its programme. The UN nuclear watchdog's inspectors monitor the implementation of the deal with world powers, which also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran's latest announcement came after a US drone strike Friday killed the commander of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations, Qasem Soleimani, in Iraq. His death sparked fury in Iran, where he was considered a hero and Iranian leaders have vowed to avenge his death. Iran says it will no longer be bound by the number of nuclear enrichment centrifuges it can operate following soaring tensions with the United states After pulling out of the nuclear accord in May 2018, the United States reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran. On Sunday Tehran said if sanctions were lifted and Iran benefited from the nuclear deal, the Islamic republic 'is ready to return to its JCPOA commitments'. The three remaining European nations and China and Russia have led attempts to salvage the agreement. The leaders of Germany, France and Britain on Sunday agreed to work towards bringing about de-escalation of tensions, a German government spokesman said. 'The chancellor, the French president and the British prime minister agreed to work together to reduce tensions in the region,' said the spokesman. Following German Chancellor Angela Merkel's telephone calls with France's Emmanuel Macron and Britain's Boris Johnson, the spokesman said the leaders were 'in agreement that de-escalation is now urgent'. 'Iran in particular is urged to exercise restraint in the current situation,' he added. On Saturday, France urged Iran to stick to the landmark 2015 accord. An Iranian woman walking past a mural on the wall of the former US embassy in Tehran 'France fully shares with Germany the central objective of de-escalation and preservation of the Vienna [nuclear] accord,' Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. With China, 'we in particular noted our agreement... to urge Iran to avoid any new violation of the Vienna accord,' he added. The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell invited Zarif to Brussels for talks during a telephone call this weekend. 'Borrell invited the Iranian Foreign Minister to Brussels to continue their engagement on these matters,' a press release on Sunday said. During the call he urged a 'de-escalation of tensions' in the Gulf. A regional political solution was the 'only way forward', Borrell said, underlining 'the importance of preserving' the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. He confirmed 'his resolve to continue to fully play his role as coordinator and keep the unity of the remaining participants in support of the agreement and its full implementation by all parties'. In what may be called a Freudian slip, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called his country as 'nuclear power'. Addressing a cabinet meeting, he said that a deal with Greece and Cyprus on a subsea gas pipeline would boost Isreal's 'nuclear power', only to immediately correct himself. With a bashful nod, he corrected himself saying 'energy power'. "The significance of this project is that we are turning Israel into a nuclear power," he said, before quickly correcting himself to say "energy power". This comes amid the escalating tension between Iran and the United States after US airstrike killed the commander of Iran's Quds Force Qasem Soleimani. While, it has been widely speculated that Israel has an atomic arsenal, the all-weather friend of the US has never confirmed or denied that it has nuclear weapons. It has maintained a so-called policy of ambiguity. Rocket attack near US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq's Balad airbase & Mosul After US airstrike killed the Iranian commander, and Iran attacked the US embassy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating the words of the US said that US has a right to defend itself. Issuing a statement, Netanyahu said, "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." US-Iran tensions: Israel, China, Russia pick sides; here's how rest of the world reacted Imran Khan breaks silence on Nankana Sahib attack; drags RSS, preaches 'zero-tolerance' The attack took place outside Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate. (Google) Three teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing outside a shopping centre in Harrogate. North Yorkshire Police said the suspects, aged 13, 15 and 16, are currently being questioned over the attack on January 3. Officers were called to the Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate at about 4.40am. The victim, in his 30s, was said to have been seriously hurt in the attack and was found with cuts to his face, back and leg - although his injuries are not life-threatening. We have stepped up patrols in Harrogate after a man was seriously injured in the early hours of today. Three suspects have been arrested, and enquiries are ongoing into the incident. Here are some more details: https://t.co/S7rXielIXI (1/2) North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) January 3, 2020 The teenagers were arrested nearby a short time later. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, were stopped and arrested on Skipton Road at 05:20. A third boy, 13, was arrested a few minutes later. Witnesses and anyone with information about the attack is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police. Superintendent Steve Thomas, Harrogate Commander, told The York Press: "This is clearly an extremely serious incident, and residents will naturally feel concerned about what has happened. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: However, incidents like this are very rare in our town. Thanks to a fast response local officers last night, three suspects have been arrested, and a police investigation is well underway. Superintendent Thomas added: " You can expect to see increased patrols in the town centre in the coming days - officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be in the area to provide extra reassurance to residents and businesses. Story continues "Please do speak to them if you have any concerns. It goes without saying that the carrying of knives and other weapons is unacceptable and these additional patrols will be using appropriate stop and search powers to ensure anyone found in possession of weapons is arrested and put before the courts." ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- The Trump administration tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade top Iraqi officials to kill a parliamentary effort to force the U.S. military out of Iraq, according to two U.S. officials and an Iraqi government official familiar with the situation. Why it matters: The Iraqi parliament passed a resolution today calling on the Iraqi government to expel U.S. troops from Iraq, after the U.S killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani and a leader of an Iraqi militia with a drone strike near Baghdad airport. This resolution could ultimately lead to the U.S. military being forced out of Iraq. But the outcome remains uncertain, and the prime minister who needs to sign it recently resigned. "I think it would be inconvenient for us, but it would be catastrophic for Iraq," said a U.S. official familiar with the Trump administration's effort to block the vote. "It's our concern that Iraq would take a short-term decision that would have catastrophic long-term implications for the country and its security." "But it's also, what would happen to them financially," the official added, "if they allowed Iran to take advantage of their economy to such an extent that they would fall under the sanctions that are on Iran? (Countries can be subject to the sanctions if they engage in certain kinds of trade with Iran.) We don't want to see that. We're trying very hard to work to have that not happen," the official said. "The United States is disappointed by the action taken today in the Iraqi Council of Representatives," said State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus. "While we await further clarification on the legal nature and impact of today's resolution, we strongly urge Iraqi leaders to reconsider the importance of the ongoing economic and security relationship between the two countries and the continued presence of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS." "We believe it is in the shared interests of the United States and Iraq to continue fighting ISIS together. This administration remains committed to a sovereign, stable, and prosperous Iraq." Behind the scenes: Trump administration officials have warned senior Iraqi officials that Iraq would suffer dangerous consequences if the U.S. withdrew its military and its funding of the Iraqi security apparatus, according to sources familiar with the outreach. On the other hand, Trump has also told advisers he thinks it's ridiculous that America has been paying billions of dollars to support an Iraqi security apparatus that, in his view, is demonstrably incompetent, disloyal to America and close to Iran. "For the president's position, he has been very clear about that, and he's not alone in that thinking," said a U.S. official. "In terms of developing policy options for him [the president], that's something we review constantly. What is our assistance to Iraq going to fund?" In the meantime, Trump has sent thousands of troops to the Middle East to counter Iran. The other side: A senior Iraqi official emphasized that many Kurdish and Sunni members of parliament, who tend to be more supportive of the American presence in Iraq, did not attend the vote to expel the U.S. "This is a temporary victory for the parties which are pro-Iranian," said the official. "But it's also a clear message from the Sunnis and from the Kurds [who didn't vote] and from some Iraqi Shia for the Americans to tell them we want you to stay in Iraq." But Abbas Kadhim, who leads the Atlantic Council Iraq Initiative and was a senior adviser to the Iraqi ambassador during the Obama administration, thinks the vote has more serious long-term consequences for the U.S.-Iraq relationship. "If this vote tells us anything, it confirms that if Iraqis are cornered and forced to choose between the U.S. and Iran, they will find it safer to choose Iran," Kadhim told me. "Military and business relations are completely lost for the foreseeable future." The big picture: A U.S. withdrawal from Iraq something Trump has long wanted but has felt forced to defer would deeply undercut America's ability to fight ISIS. "We still have a fairly significant ISIS problem," said a U.S. official familiar with the planning. "It hasn't escaped ISIS' attention that Iraq is in something of disarray right now." The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq and Syria has interrupted its anti-ISIS mission as it prepares for Iran to retaliate, military officials told the New York Times. Go deeper: Anti-ISIS coalition suspends operations due to Iran threat We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process. An unusual study explores a question that has puzzled researchers for a long time: Why are giant pandas so tiny when they are born? Share on Pinterest Baby pandas only weigh about 100 grams at birth. Kathleen Smith, a biology professor at Duke University in Durham, NC, and her former student Peishu Li, conducted the new research, which appears in the Journal of Anatomy . There are a lot of intriguing and somewhat endearing facts about baby pandas. For one thing, the giant panda newborns are particularly helpless. They are born blind, pink, and hairless. They do not open their eyes until they are 68 weeks old, and they cannot move before the age of 3 months. The cubs do not leave their mothers side until they are between 1.5 and 3 years old out of a lifespan of about 20 years. Furthermore, giant panda babies are 900 times smaller in size than their mothers. They only weigh about 100 grams at birth. With the exception of opossums and kangaroos, giant panda newborns are the smallest mammal babies compared with their mothers size. But why is that? To find out, Smith and Li examined skeletons from baby pandas that had been born at the Smithsonians National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Studying pandas skeletons The prevalent theory for explaining small birth size relies on the fact that pregnancy occurs at the same time as winter hibernation in some species. During hibernation, pregnant mothers rely on fat reserves to survive, so they do not eat or drink. They also break down muscle mass to feed protein to the fetus. However, such a process can only be short-lived before it poses a threat to the mothers health. In other words, the energy resources are limited, so the babies must be born prematurely, resulting in small cubs. Although pandas do not hibernate in winter, those who support this theory contend that small birth weight is a common trait that genetics predetermines in the so-called Ursidae family a family that comprises eight species of bears across five genera, ranging from brown bears to giant pandas. To test if this theory was correct, the authors of the new study set out to compare several species. Giant pandas bones not mature enough The researchers took micro-CT scans of giant panda babies, as well as other related animals, including baby grizzlies, sloth bears, polar bears, red pandas, domestic dogs, an African wild dog, and an arctic fox. They then used the micro-CT scans to create 3D digital models of the animals skeletons. The researchers looked at how much of the skeleton had ossified before birth, whether teeth had started to erupt, and examined the fusion between the neural arches, that is, the bony plates that make up the skull. Even though Smith agrees that the prevalent theory is an interesting hypothesis, the researchers findings did not seem to support it. The scientists failed to find any differences between hibernating bears and their nonhibernating relatives when it came to bone growth. Despite the small size, most bear skeletons showed a similar degree of maturity at birth as their relatives, with giant pandas being the only exception. Full-term baby pandas resemble a 28-week human fetus in terms of bone density and maturity at birth, says Smith. Bryony Faasen is pictured with her pony Potter at Woodside Farm in Surrey Many young girls are horse-mad, but Bryony Faasen's relationship with rescue pony Potter means a lot more. Twelve-year-old Bryony has an aggressive form of cancer and her family believe it is her love for Potter that is keeping her going. The pony was going to be put down after he developed a severe ear infection but Bryony begged her mother Carol to take him on and look after him. Bryony was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in November 2017 after suffering bad headaches and tiredness. Mrs Faasen had been told her daughter would be lucky to still be alive for Christmas 2018 after her cancer proved too aggressive for chemotherapy. But Bryony has defied doctors' expectations, and her family have attributed her survival to the bond she has with Potter. Teacher Mrs Faasen, 45, who lives in Hindhead, Surrey, with husband Armand, 46, also a teacher, and their younger son Kale, nine, said: 'Bryony said to me the other day, 'Mummy I can't die, because who would look after Potter'. Bryony Faasen (left in hospital) told her mother there would be no one to look after her pony if she died. She is pictured right after a visit to hospital WHAT IS ACUTE MYELOID LEUKAEMIA? Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that starts in young white blood cells in the bone marrow. AML affects around one in 200 men and one in 255 women in the UK at some point in their lives. Approximately 19,500 new cases occur every year in the US. It is most often diagnosed in older people. Symptoms can include: Fatigue Fever Frequent infections Bruising or bleeding easily, including nosebleeds or heavy periods Weight loss Bone and joint pain Breathlessness Swollen abdomen Pale skin AML's exact cause is unclear, however, risks include: Smoking Being overweight Radiation exposure Previous chemotherapy Certain blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndrome Some immune conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis AML is usually treated via chemotherapy. A bone marrow or stem cell transplant may be required. Source: Cancer Research UK Advertisement 'It brought tears to my eyes, but I know that pony keeps her going. Even when she's not feeling well enough to ride, she goes down to the stables just to hug and talk to him. He really does give her something to fight on for.' Mrs Faasen added: 'She has always been really sporty and loved doing ballet and trampolining, but she woke up one morning and said she had such a bad headache she couldn't lift her head off her pillow. 'I took her to the doctors and they said it was a hormonal headache and wanted to give her beta blockers. But I wasn't happy with that so we took her to the local A&E department.' At the hospital, doctors had devastating news for the couple, and told them that Bryony had leukaemia. She had to start chemotherapy treatment straight away at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Initially doctors thought the treatment was working, and she had a stem cell transplant. But then in the summer of 2018 doctors discovered that her cancer had returned, and it was proving resistant to all available treatments. Doctors said they didn't know whether Bryony would survive to see Christmas of that year, but she managed it, and then in March last year came an unusual form of medicine for her. Rescue pony Potter arrived at the local stables and Bryony instantly fell in love with him. Mrs Faasen said: 'His previous owner had died, and he risked being put down, so Bryony begged to look after him. Since then, they have been inseparable. Her face lights up when she is with Potter, and he adores her too. She's helped him recover, and he keeps her going too.' Recently, in December last year and January this year, we saw that New Delhi and most parts of north India were reeling under the cold wave. This bone-chilling cold was really unbearable for the people who are used to all kinds of comforts of city life. One may wonder how ordinary people living in Kashmir or Tibet or the other Himalayan villages survive the coldest weather and they seem to look so happy that they would like to continue living in their Himalayan regions. One writer, Jessica Bush, wrote in her article that in a remote Buddhist monastery in northern India, a group of monks sit calmly, lightly dressed and unaffected by the shockingly low temperatures of their surroundings. They are then draped with ice-cold, wet sheets of fabric. In conditions that would not only cause the average person to shiver uncontrollably, but could even result in death, the monks remain unperturbed. If thats not amazing enough, the wet sheets soon begin to steam, and after approximately one hour, are even completely dry. This is something incredible one cannot imagine that this is possible. What is the secret? The secret is that the lamas use a certain method of yoga known as G-Tummo. Most of the people living in such harsh weather learn this technique from the Tibetan yogis. Besides creating body heat, it works wonders on the psychological level also: It purifies the inner heart of all sins and awakens the consciousness. G-Tummo is basically a certain way of breathing: Inhale strongly and quickly through your nose, expanding your entire torso and arching your spine while opening up your chest. Then, exhale forcefully through your open but rounded lips at half the speed of the inhale, while you hug your abdominal muscles to your core centre. Osho tells us that within us there are two kinds of energies the sun and the moon energy. He says: Indian yoga divides man into two parts: the sun part and the moon part. Even one breath is known as the sun breath and another breath is known as the moon breath. And one of the deeper findings is that if you stop the moon breath, and just breathe through the breath that is known as the sun breath, your body will become hot. And such great heat can be created, simply by using only one kind of breath, that it seems inconceivable in physiological terms. Osho introduced dynamic meditation of vigorous and chaotic breathing for the modern man to get in touch with his inner fire. This meditation creates heat that makes people physically fit and burns the inner impurities if we do it sincerely. Saudi Aramco shares hit the lowest level since their market debut on Sunday, as Gulf bourses were hit by a panicky sell-off amid Iranian vows of retaliation over the US killing of a top general. All seven bourses in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states closed in the red, on the first trading day since the death of powerful military commander Qasem Soleimani. All six member states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- are US allies and lie on the opposite side of the narrow Gulf, making them easy targets for the Islamic republic. Some of the GCC members, notably Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, are home to major US military bases while Washington maintains hundreds of troops in Saudi Arabia. Kuwait's Boursa led the slide, shedding 3.7 per cent as jitters gripped trading in the Gulf state which lies very close to Iran and is home to one of the largest US bases in the Middle East. Dubai Financial Market, the Gulf stock exchange most exposed to global markets, slumped 3.1 per cent while its sister bourse Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange dropped 1.4 per cent. Trading in the Muslim Gulf nations takes place from Sunday to Thursday and the bourses were closed on Friday when Soleimani was killed by a US airstrike in Baghdad. Saudi Arabia's Tadawul market, the largest in the region and one of the world's top 10, was trading 2.4 per cent down with most shares in the red. Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest listed firm, shed 1.7 per cent to trade at 34.55 riyals and its capitalisation now stands at USD 1.84 trillion -- well under the USD 2.0 trillion sought by Saudi rulers. Aramco had priced its landmark initial public offering at 32 riyals (USD 8.53) per share and it soared the maximum limit to 35.2 riyals on its December 11 market debut. The decline in Gulf shares comes despite a surge in oil prices, on which all six GCC nations rely heavily for public revenues. "It's certainly due to fears of a possible US-Iranian conflict breaking out in the Gulf," said Mohammed Zidan, market strategist at Thinkmarket in Dubai. "I think the decline will continue for some time and especially as long as tensions and the threat of an armed conflict continue," Zidan told AFP. Qatar Exchange dropped 2.1 per cent -- Doha maintains good relations with Iran but at the same time it houses the largest US airbase in the region. The normally dormant bourse of Bahrain, home to the US Fifth fleet, fell 2.3 pe rcent. The small bourse of Oman dropped by just 0.3 per cent. Muscat maintains strong ties with Iran and the United States and its oil exports do not have to pass through the strategic -- and vulnerable -- Strait of Hormuz. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has demanded that the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya should be done by the Ramalaya Trust, headed by Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati. Saraswati, too, has said that his trust be tasked to build the Ayodhya Ram Temple, money for which, should be directly collected from the people, instead of the government funds, which he claimed were proceeds from various taxes and sale of beef (Gau-mans). Construction of Ram temple should not be done with government funds. Every Hindu in the world considers Lord Ram as an incarnation of the God and he will support in the temple construction, Digvijaya said in a tweet, and added, that the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) should keep the donation collected for the temple construction and utilize it for the eradication of social evils. The Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute delivered on November 9, had directed the government to form a trust to oversee the construction of the Ram Temple. It also suggested that one of the chief litigants in the case, Nirmohi Akhara, be included in the Trust. The VHP is said to be in favour of making the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, the chief custodian of the proposed Ram temple. Digvijaya said the temple should be constructed by Hindu religious leaders and not the government and reasoned that Ramalaya Trust was best placed for the job. All the Shankaracharyas and those from Akhada Parishad associated with Ramanandi sect are members in Ramalaya Trust. Being the senior-most, Jagadguru Swami Swaroopanand is the chairman of the trust. The temple construction should take place through Ramalaya Trust only. The temple of Lord Ram should be constructed by religious leaders of Hindus, not by organisations run by political outfits, said Digviajaya. Earlier, during his stay in Bhopal on Friday, Swami Swaroopanand had said that he has written a letter to the home minister and the President of India requesting to be included in the temple construction committee. Home minister Amit Shah had last month clarified that no one from the BJP will be included in the trust and that government funds will not be used for the construction of the temple. His ministry has already set up a dedicated desk headed by an officer of the rank of additional secretary to deal with all matters related to the Supreme Court verdict, including the formation of the trust. Madhya Pradesh BJP spokesperson Dr. Hitesh Bajpai said Digvijaya Singh should keep his suggestions to himself. Digvijaya Singh is looking to regain political space lost in his own party as well as the country due to his anti-Hindu and irresponsible stand on various issues; hence he makes statements in public every now and then, Bajpai added. At the moment, official Kyiv and Washington continue to discuss the types of weapons that Ukraine should receive. This was stated by former U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Kyiv, William Taylor in an interview with TSN. "The U.S. Congress has already signed up for specific weapons systems. We have already talked about them. These are anti-ship missiles, drones, radio communication equipment. This is what is being received. And this is an important component for Ukraine so it could defend itself against the Russians," Taylor said. According to a statement issued by the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) on 4 January, during attacks near Iraqi bases that host coalition troops, "the International Zone took indirect fire that landed outside of Coalition facilities and potentially harmed Iraqi civilians", Trend reports citing Sputnik. The coalition statement notes that previous attacks that took place in November and December "killed and wounded Iraqi and Coalition personnel". The release adds that earlier reports on attacks against the Ninewah Operation Centre in Mosul were false, calling on people to "request confirmation through government officials, instead of spreading rumors". Earlier in the day, the Al-Arabiya TV channel reported that mortar fire had hit areas surrounding the Iraqi regional security staff facility in the northern province of Ninewa (Nineveh). US President Donald Trump on Saturday declared that the United States had identified 52 Iranian sites, including some that are important to Tehran, that would be attacked "very fast and very hard" if Iran strikes US citizens or assets. A Turkish court ruled on Friday to formally arrest five suspects who were detained as part of an investigation into ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosns transit through Turkey after fleeing Japan, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported. Ghosn became 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. 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. Reuters contributed to this report. More than 1,200 people in Hong Kong felt vibrations after a magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck near the coast of Southeastern China early on Sunday morning, waking some people from their sleep. The Hong Kong Observatory said initial analysis indicated the quake had taken place at 6.55am, while the China Earthquake Networks Centre measured the quake at 3.5. The epicentre was located near 22.08N, 113.86E, about 41 kilometres southwest of the Hong Kong Observatory [in Tsim Sha Tsui], the observatory said on its website, placing the epicentre southeast of Guishan Island. Initial estimates gave a local intensity of four on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, that is hanging objects swing. Windows, dishes, doors rattle, the observatory added. SCMP Graphic It was the second time in as many months that an earthquake has been felt in Hong Kong. Last month, an earthquake measuring 1.4 rumbled the city, with the epicentre near the outlying island of Cheung Chau. Then, locals reported the feeling as being the same as a light truck passing, with the observatory saying the quake lasted a few seconds. The scale which ranges from 1 to 12 measures the shaking intensity produced by a quake. One represents not felt by persons, with major damage occurring at the top end of the scale. Chan Sai-tick, a senior scientific officer at the observatory, said of the 1,200 people who reported feeling the quake, the majority came from the southern part of the city. People reported that objects hanging on the walls swung around, while windows and doors rattled. Some people reported being woken up the tremor. Because of the close vicinity of this earthquake, many citizens in Hong Kong still felt the tremor caused by this earthquake, Chan said. People across Hong Kong took to social media to discuss the incident, with Facebook user Jenny Fang describing being woken up in Yuen Long as she felt her bed shaking. Several others in Tung Chung, Fanling, To Kwa Wan, and Wong Tai Sin, also said they felt the tremor at home. Story continues Another user, named Alan MC Ng, wrote: Yes I felt [the tremor] on Hong Kong Island. Ive immediately reported to the observatory on its application. It felt like a truck was passing by outside the door and all window frames vibrated in low frequency which lasted for a few seconds. More from South China Morning Post: This article Hong Kong shaken awake as 3.4-magnitude earthquake rattles city first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. Her famous parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, recently had an intense interaction with her boyfriend Pete Davidson, who was reportedly 'freaking out'. And amid her worries about her beau, Kaia Gerber was supported by pals as she attended the Yves Saint Laurent pre-Golden Globes party in Los Angeles, California on Saturday. The model, 18, stunned in a plunging gold and black mini dress as she mingled with friends including actor Tommy Dorfman at the star-studded bash hosted by Anthony Vaccarello and Rami Malek. Stunning: Kaia Gerber was supported by pals as she attended the Yves Saint Laurent pre-Golden Globes party in Los Angeles, California on Saturday The beauty showcased her endless pins and plenty of bronzed skin in the thigh-skimming number, with featured an extremely low neckline. Kaia added a black blazer to her look and carried her essentials in a gold-chained bag. Boosting her already lofty height, the catwalk star donned a pair of pointed black heels. She wore her brunette locks in a slick side-parting, while she upped the glam with a shimmering palette of make-up. You've got a friend in me: The model, 18, stunned in a plunging gold and black mini dress as she mingled with friends including actor Tommy Dorfman at the star-studded bash The fashionista cut a stern figure as she linked arms with her pals before making her way into the event. Earlier in the day, the star appeared downcast during a solo walk around Malibu. The teenager kept a low profile while appearing to be deep in thought. The Malibu native's outing comes amid her boyfriend Pete's admission that he would be entering a rehab facility over the break. During an SNL skit just before the Christmas holiday, the 26-year-old star announced on live television that he would be checking himself in. Centre of attention: The beauty showcased her endless pins and plenty of bronzed skin in the thigh-skimming number, with featured an extremely low neckline Fashionista: Kaia added a black blazer to her look and carried her essentials in a gold-chained bag Looking good: She wore her brunette locks in a slick side-parting, while she upped the glam with a shimmering palette of make-up 'I'm going on 'vacation' but insurance pays for some of it, and they take your phone and shoelaces,' he said using quotes while on-air for the Weekend Update. 'And it costs $100,000 but I still have roommates.' His admission comes just days after Kaia's famous parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber were spotted outside of her New York City apartment having a serious discussion about Pete's ongoing troubles. A bystander told Dailymail.com that Rande was heard saying that the person upstairs - presumed to be Pete - had 'scratched eyes' and was 'freaking out.' Concerned: After Pete confessed he would be entering rehab, Kaia's famous parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber (pictured September) were spotted outside of her New York City apartment having a serious discussion about his ongoing troubles Top genetics: Kaia is the daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber Pete reportedly left the apartment in a car down the street after the parents talked. Kaia was later seen returning to the building after dark. The unlikely pair was first linked back in October when they were spotted out for brunch at Sadelles in the Big Apple. They have since been spotted out on vacation in Miami and even attended a wedding together. The SNL star was previously engaged to popstar Ariana Grande back in 2018. He then moved on to both Kate Beckinsale and Margaret Qualley in 2019. Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio says working with Brad Pitt on Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" was an incredible experience. The actor said they both clicked instantly and were on the same page while portraying their respective characters in the film, which was well received across the globe. DiCaprio played an ageing, out-of-work actor, Rick Dalton, in the film set in 1960s' Hollywood, while Pitt essayed the part of his stunt double and confidante Cliff Booth. ''What was very interesting about working with Brad was this strange inherent comfort and ease that we really both clicked into day one. It didn't need a lot of prep work. We talked about the script, and we instinctively knew that dynamic and relationship, and who these guys were to one another," the actor, 45, told Deadline. Calling Pitt, 56, an incredible professional, DiCaprio said they improvised a lot in the film. "When there is a scene that he has in his head, you hold it as a modern-day type of Shakespeare dialogue. If there's a scene that is in his head that is written a specific way, you say those lines as they're written," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The mission is bigger than any one person. Marina Salandy-Brown has employed that self-sacrificial task-focused approach to successfully create the most influential modern literary movement in the Caribbean: the Bocas Lit Fest. In 11 short years Salandy-Brown, as founder and president of the Bocas Lit Fest, has brought together the best and brightest of Caribbean literature for the annual celebration, the NGC Bocas Lit Fest, sparking a literary renaissance of sorts in the region. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The news was a shocker. First Baptist Church, said Pastor Heath Lambert, "was in cardiac arrest." So in September the largest landowner downtown put most of its real estate on the market. Once one of the largest Southern Baptist churches in the state, First Baptist's membership dropped by 20,000 in the last decade, with church attendance declining from 10,000 to 3,200. The budget shrank while routine maintenance of $5 million took about one-third of its budget, and deferred maintenance more than half. The former mega church was "bleeding from its pores," Lambert said. To solve the debt crisis, the congregation took the bold move of deciding to consolidate its operations into the original church building at 124 W. Ashley St., and offer the remaining 10 blocks for sale. ADVERTISEMENT First Baptist's financial crisis is unusual only in its scope and scale. All of downtown's churches are experiencing declining membership and a drop in revenue. There are several factors. People are attending suburban churches rather than driving downtown. And fewer people attend church, especially millennials, and when they do attend, they give less money than previous generations. Churches are having to ask themselves tough questions about who they are, what they do and where they do it. Two San Marco churches, Southside Assembly of God and South Jacksonville Presbyterian, recently have made major decisions about their property. Southside Assembly sold its property on Kings Avenue last year for $6 million to Chance Partners, which is building a 486-unit apartment complex called San Marco Crossing. The congregation bought property at Southpoint for a new building that will be known as Lineage Church. South Jacksonville Presbyterian is selling 2.1 acres of its 2.87 acres on Hendricks Avenue to Harbert Realty Services of Birmingham, Ala., which plans to build 143 apartments called Park Place at San Marco. The church will retain the sanctuary and office space. In downtown, the Providence Center, adjacent to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, is expected to go on the market next year. The former parish school was renovated in the 1980s into offices for Catholic Charities and other ministries of the Diocese of St. Augustine. Catholic Charities moved to the du Pont Center this summer and St. Francis Soup Kitchen is moving to a new location at the end of the year. And last year, Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church moved out of its deteriorating Springfield property, and now shares space with First United Methodist Church. ADVERTISEMENT It's part of a trend seen across the country. Churches are repurposing their property, either through sales or long-term leases. Some do it out of economic necessity, others as an investment. In New York, Marble Collegiate Church, a historic church where Norman Vincent Peale was once pastor, is collaborating with HFZ Capital Group. The church, which is a partner in the venture, sold part of its property and air rights to HFZ, which plans to build 600,000 square feet of office space. "There's a trend throughout the country of urbanization," Casey Kemper, executive vice president at Collegiate, told the Wall Street Journal. "So those religious properties that are well-located in urban areas are attractive to developers." In Manhattan, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church receives about $5.5 million a year from 99-year leases it holds on two apartment towers, which include market rate and affordable housing that were built on its 11-acre campus. In Atlanta, two Episcopal churches, All Saints and St. Luke's, which together own eight blocks in high-priced Midtown, are considering partnering with private developers to repurpose some of their property. Elsewhere in Midtown Atlanta, St. Mark United Methodist Church sold a portion of its property to StreetLights Residential, which plans to build a 26-story mixed use apartment tower. "If you're sitting on several million dollars of equity that you could trade ... and have millions to help people, then why shouldn't you do it?" Atlanta's Bull Realty founder Michael Bull told Bisnow, an Atlanta real estate publication. But one church is sitting on several billions of real estate Trinity Wall Street. ADVERTISEMENT The Episcopal church founded in 1696 in New York City was gifted in 1705 with 215 acres from Queen Anne. Once farmland in Lower Manhattan, it is now some of the highest-priced real estate in the country. Most of the land was sold over the centuries, but the congregation is still one of the largest landowners in the city with 14 acres valued in 2015 at $3.5 billion. The holdings include 5.5 million square feet of commercial space in Hudson Square that in 2011 brought the church $158 million in revenue and $38 million in net income. Though the value of the property has waxed and waned over the centuries, Trinity is credited with a recent revival of the Hudson Square area as a creative hub. That caught the eye of the Walt Disney Company, which has signed a 99-year lease with the church for its new headquarters. The deal is valued at $650 million. Trinity Wall Street is in a league of its own, but the Rev. Lang Lowrey thinks more churches should follow Trinity's lead. "People say that churches are in decline. I look at it differently. Churches are consolidating and coming out stronger when they do," Lowrey said. "And that leaves a lot of real estate that can be used for mission purposes or income purposes." Lowrey is the canon of Christian enterprise for the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and helps churches figure out what to do with their real estate. "I tell churches, never ever, ever sell their property," Lowrey said. "You probably won't do that well. Churches get taken advantage of by developers. They want to buy low and sell high." Some churches are in trouble financially and eager to get out from under their high-maintenance buildings, but Lowrey tells them to think long term. "Some of these properties are in transitional areas but in 10 years it could be a tony area. You don't want to sell in the valley years. You want to control your property because you might want to have a church there again." He recommends a long-term lease, usually 99 years, that will give the church revenue while retaining ownership of the property. The paperwork has to be drawn up so the church's nonprofit status is protected and to allow the lease to be transferred if a developer decides to sell. The church pays taxes on the income. For some churches, it means that the congregation will move to a new location while retaining ownership of the property that is redeveloped. "It takes a lot of courage by a congregation to relocate," Lowrey said. "Faith isn't just about God. It's also faith in a place. The building becomes part of the faith. What happens is they give and give and give more money to the walls? Why would you worship walls? Why not find a cheaper place to worship and use the property for income?" In downtown Jacksonville, Michael "Scott" Luckey, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, agrees that church is partly about faith in a place. First Presbyterian brands itself as "the church with the red doors." The church celebrates its 180th anniversary next year and prides itself on being the "mother church" for other local Presbyterian churches like Riverside and South Jacksonville. Membership peaked at about 2,000 in the 1940s and 1950s, and is now between 400 and 500, Luckey said. Some families have been members for five or six generations, Luckey said. Members come from all over the city, including a few who live Downtown. But Luckey said he is hoping membership will rise as people move into the new Downtown residences. "I'm convinced Downtown has an exciting future, and we want to be part of it," Luckey said. "From our vantage point, we're here for the long term. "I would love for the city to recognize there are vital churches here in the heart of city. We have something wonderful to offer the citizens of Jacksonville. We want to be part of the greater story." Luckey said churches are one of the few places where people of all social strata mix. "We have everyone from penthouse dwellers to the homeless. It's an unusual mixture. We welcome and embrace and want to be a resource for all people." Several times a year, First Presbyterian hosts a musical series, Music on Monroe, which has included concerts by a French pianist, a renowned harpist and a Renaissance music festival. And the church will be part of the inaugural Christmas in the Cathedral District on Dec. 4. The buildings have an assessed tax value of $2.5 million, but the congregation hasn't considered offering the property for redevelopment, Luckey said. But several nonprofits meet at the church, including the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council, which provides food, clothing and financial assistance for the needy. The church is involved with Cathedral District-Jax, a nonprofit started by St. John's Episcopal Cathedral to foster the redevelopment around the Cathedral. The Cathedral has been involved in downtown redevelopment since the 1960s, under the leadership of Dean Robert Parks, who left in 1971 to become rector of Trinity Wall Street. Parks built three high-rises for about 650 seniors and a rehabilitation center Downtown. More recently, Dean Kate Moorehead established Cathedral District-Jax, which is spearheading the redevelopment of the old Community Connections (YWCA) property next door to the Cathedral. The Vestcor Company is buying the property and plans to build the Lofts at the Cathedral with market rate and affordable housing. Lori Boyer, chief executive officer of the Downtown Investment Authority, said the churches are an important player downtown because they bring people downtown. But since churches are tax exempt, they haven't contributed to the economic base of downtown. "The possibility that some church property could be available for development has the potential for activation on more than Sunday and Wednesday, but five or seven days a week," Boyer said. "And it would put those properties on the tax rolls and help contribute to the overall tax base." The unique thing about churches is their architecture. Sanctuaries are not the most adaptable structures but offices and classroom space are. That has been the challenge facing the old Snyder Memorial United Methodist Church property on Hemming Park. The historic church, founded in 1870, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Gothic Revival building of granite and limestone was constructed in 1903 to replace the sanctuary destroyed in the Great Fire of 1901. The church closed in 1992 and the property was bought in 2000 by the River City Band, which performed in the sanctuary. The city took over the mortgage and has owned the building since the early 2000s after the band moved out. Several ideas have been floated to convert the church into a museum, a visitors center or a club but nothing has materialized. Boyer said Snyder is a high priority for redevelopment. "It's a wonderfully iconic building in the center of downtown," Boyer said. "We have quite a bit of interest. I'm really hopeful we will have some genuine offers within the next 12 months." At least three groups have expressed interest lately, including one from out of town. Boyer said all of the proposals are revenue-producing. Also generating a lot of interest is the First Baptist property, 12 acres in the Cathedral District that has seen little redevelopment. "I think they're trying to be deliberate about what they do with the property so they get what they want and not just sell it off to the highest bidder," Boyer said. "I would love to have a master plan for that property. From a city perspective, there are few places in the urban core that have that quantity of land that is available. There's an opportunity to do something much bigger, a medical campus or a university presence. It would take time to pull it together, but I'd like to see the possibilities before we lose the opportunity." First Baptist has not disclosed its plans, but in September, when asking for the congregation to support the sale of the property, Lambert said, "I want to stop the decline of the Downtown church and want to be a better neighbor to Downtown. I think this plan allows us to simultaneously do both." Downtown, once dominated by the massive presence of First Baptist Church, will have a new look. Lilla Ross, a former Florida Times-Union editor, lives in San Marco. ___ (c)2020 The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.) Visit The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.) at www.jacksonville.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Houston anti-war demonstrators congregated to protest the possibility of another war in the Middle East on Sunday in the wake of an American air strike that killed a leading Iranian general. Protesters began chanting shortly after 2 p.m. in front of a Starbucks at the intersection of Westheimer and Post Oak Boulevard, wielding signs that said U.S. troops out of Iraq and Stop the War Now. We have a right to stand against U.S. foreign policy because we are taxpayers, said protester Syed Qamber Ali Zaidi as he waved a sign and waggled his fingers at his infant son in tow in the warm January sun. On HoustonChronicle.com: Iran abandons nuclear limits after U.S. killing Cars honked in support as Zaidi and 50 other protesters at the corner chanted no justice, no peace, U.S. out of the Middle East. The U.S. government has killed millions of people in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen and other countries in south and southwest Asia in the past few decades, said Dr. David Michael Smith, an organizer with the Houston Socialist Movement. It is absolutely imperative to prevent another war. On Thursday, President Donald Trump ordered an air strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, an elite commander of Irans Quds Force, as he traveled in neighboring Iraq. Iranian officials and foreign policy experts say the targeted attack will drastically escalate tensions in the Middle East, with Thursdays air strike marking the height of escalating tensions during the Trump administration. STAY INFORMED: Get all the news you need to know to start your day delivered to your inbox Sundays protests in Houston may have been dwarfed in size compared to rallies across the nation and internationally Saturday denouncing the U.S.s targeted killing of Soleimani and the possibility of war with Iran. But the message from demonstrators in the Galleria echoed those worldwide. I would like to see hands off Iran, said UT-Austin student Meghan Nguyen as she and fellow student Estefania Rodriguez joined the protest. A second protest is planned for 3 p.m. at Discovery Green in downtown Houston. gwendolyn.wu@chron.com (Newser) Iran's ancient and rich cultural landscape has become a potential US military target as Washington and Tehran lob threats and take steps toward a possible open conflict, the AP reports. President Trump tweeted Saturday that the US has a list of 52 potential targets should Iran retaliate for the killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, some of which he said are important to Iranian culture. The earliest traces of human history in Iran reach as far back as 100,000 BC. Its historic monuments preserve the legacy of a civilization that has kept its Persian identity throughout the tides of foreign conquests, weaving in influences from Turkic, South Asian, and Arab cultures. "Through MILLENNIA of history, barbarians have come and ravaged our cities, razed our monuments and burnt our libraries," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif tweeted. "Where are they now?" story continues below Trump's threat also raised questions about the legality of such an attack. Zarif said Sunday that it would be a war crime, per NBC. It's prohibited by the 1954 Hague Convention, and the UN Security Council passed a resolution in 2017 condemning the destruction of heritage sites. Attacks by the Islamic State group and other factions in Syria and Iraq prompted that vote. The president's tweet also caused concern in Washington. One national security official said Trump's threat prompted calls for others in his administration, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to clarify the matter. The official called that necessary to affirm that the US would not intentionally commit war crimes. Iran has two dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (Read more world heritage sites stories.) In 1939, in the Catholic church of St. Radegund, Austria, Franz Jagerstatter assists an art restorer who is working on the wall and ceiling murals. The restorer tells Jagerstetter that people look up from the pew and dream about the crucified Jesus. The art evokes patient suffering and creates sympathy, he says, adding: I paint their comfortable Christ with the halo. I show what I have not lived. Those words in the recently released film "A Hidden Life' foreshadow what Jagerstatter will undergo. As a faithful Catholic, he will walk the road to Calvary and suffer the same end because he refuses to pledge allegiance to Hitler, which every Austrian soldier of the time must do upon being drafted into their military. This historical film is difficult to watch, least of all for the nearly three-hour duration. It is ponderous but nonetheless excellent. Acclaimed director Terrence Malick is known for his natural cinematography and does not disappoint here. The film starts out showing the hills, fields and waterways in this rural area of Austria. Later on, you witness a Corpus Christi procession through the hills. The Jagerstatters are farmers and it appears they farm without any mechanized equipment. They work hard and seem to have any idyllic life when we first meet them. They have three little girls and Franzs mother and some other extended family live there. The town is small and everyone seems to know each other when they gather in the town square. In 1940, Jagerstatter enters the Enns military base for training as a soldier and when he returns you begin to learn how Hitler has taken over Germany and all the measures he enacts to demonize Jews and others, including foreigners and immigrants. Most of Radegund supports Hitler even as Jagerstatter has misgivings, which he shares with his parish priest and even their bishop, who all warn him to be careful. Your sacrifice would benefit no one, he is warned. Every man must be subject to the powers placed over him. Jagerstatter becomes increasingly concerned and refuses to fall in lock step with the rest of the villagers, who eventually taunt him and his family. His response: Dont they know evil when they see it? Jagerstatters draft letter arrives as the animosity toward him and his family increases. His wife urges him to flee into the hills or accept a medical assignment, but he reports. As the rest of the recruits pledge loyalty to Hitler, he stands still, is arrested on the spot and is incarcerated with mostly mentally ill men. He shows compassion to them and does their chores when they do not. His actions resemble what Christ would do. During this time, the film alternates between Franzs incarceration and his family back home. His lawyer urges him to sign a paper so he can receive a medical assignment and he refuses. He is then sent to a maximum security prison. His wife is denied visitation. He is beaten numerous times and tortured, once for giving another inmate a piece of his bread. In 1942, Jagerstatter is brought to the Reichs military tribunal for a hearing, which he refuses to cooperate with. The chief judge calls him into his chambers and tells him, No one will ever hear of you outside this court and no one will be changed. But the judge still cannot convince him to sign so Franz is sentenced to death by beheading, which was the common way the Nazis murdered inmates. Even a visit by his wife cannot persuade Jagerstatter. His lawyer makes a final appeal: God does not care what you say but what is in your heart. Jagerstatters conscience would not let him be duplicitous or deceptive; it was a matter of integrity. He sacrificed his family and everything else because he knew he was right in Gods eyes and that is what mattered most to him. In June 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued an apostolic exhortation declaring Jagerstatter a martyr. On Oct. 26, 2007, he was beatified in a ceremony held by Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins at the New Cathedral in Linz, Austria. His feast day is the day of his baptism, May 21. And, by the way, that military judge was wrong. No one knows his name. Yet, people are still learning about Franz Jagerstatters heroic stand some 77 years later. He is a martyr who inspires others to follow their conscience. The Rev. Alexander Santora is the pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph, 400 Willow Ave., Hoboken, 07030, FAX: 201-659-5833; Email: padrealex@yahoo.com; Twitter: @padrehoboken. The parents of a student who vanished nearly 40 years ago are campaigning for a new inquest to finally prove she was murdered. Art student Jessie Earl was just 22 when she disappeared from her home in Eastbourne, East Sussex, in 1980. Nine years later, her naked body was discovered in a thicket at the top of cliffs at Beachy Head. Her wrists had been tied together using her own bra. John and Val Earl (pictured) -parents of a student who vanished nearly 40 years ago - are campaigning for a new inquest to finally prove their daughter was murdered But a coroner ruled her death as an 'open verdict' and now, 31 years on, Jessie's parents - John and Val Earl - have launched a crowdfunding campaign for a new inquest and 'final justice for Jessie'. The family, along with cop-turned-investigator Mark William-Thomas, have speculated that Jessie could have been a victim of evil serial killer Peter Tobin, now thought to be on his deathbed, dying of cancer. But Mr Earl, now living in Eltham, south east London, said he and his wife aren't interested in revenge, instead they want to see their daughter's death recorded as a murder 'before it is too late.' Art student Jessie Earl was just 22 when she disappeared from her home in Eastbourne, East Sussex, in 1980 Mr Earl, now 91, said: 'We are not interested in revenge, we just want final justice for our daughter. 'The important thing is for this to happen in our lifetime. We always hoped we hadn't seen the last of this. 'The first 11 years after she disappeared were the worst. They were hard, because we had no idea what had happened to her. Nine years after she disappeared, her naked body was discovered in a thicket at the top of cliffs at Beachy Head. Her wrists had been tied together using her own bra 'We always knew were looking at something suspicious, but the uncertainty is very painful. When she was discovered we were relieved. 'But this last part has been very painful to get over. We want justice and to have the right verdict. 'You get over the crying in and things like that in 40 years, now were just want justice - but in our lifetime. We will get the right result.' The family have launched a crowdfunder to get the verdict quashed off the back of Jessie's death being featured in the second season of the Netflix series 'The Investigator'. The show's creator and investigative reporter Mr William-Thomas has claimed the Earl's best chance of justice is to get the the original inquest verdict overruled. Mr William-Thomas, Mr Earl said, sought legal advice and has helped organise a 'leading legal team' to take the case to the Attorney General. The family, along with cop-turned-investigator Mark William-Thomas, have speculated that Jessie could have been a victim of evil serial killer Peter Tobin. Pictured: John and Val Earl Following criticism of its handling, Sussex Police reopened the case in 2001 and formally recorded Jessie's death as murder. A fresh file was sent to the Coroner but no new inquest was organised. Now, writing on the funding page, Earl explains: 'In 2001 Sussex police undertook a review and recorded Jessie's case as murder, so with the case now classified as murder, it now falls to the family at their own cost to ask the Attorney General to refer the case to the High Court for a new Inquest to be ordered. The family have launched a crowdfunder to get the verdict quashed off the back of Jessie's death being featured in series 2 of the Netflix series 'The Investigator'. Pictured: Jessie 'We hope to raise funds to retain our leading team to take on this case to the end - QC Stephen Kamlish, Specialist Inquest Barrister Christopher Williams and Lawyer David Wells, as well as funds for a forensic pathologist.' Mr Earl said today: 'The original decision to us was an insult. It was just one line "open verdict". No end or explanation. 'That verdict made us really sad, and really angry. At the time we were told that a coroner's verdict was impossible to appeal. The verdict is the verdict and that is that. But we want to get the right result.' Jessie's parents have previously speculated that their daughter was a victim of convicted serial killer Tobin, who was living in the area at the time. He is serving life sentences for murdering Polish student Angelika Kluk, Scots schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton and Essex teenager Dinah McNicol. But Sussex Police have previously ruled Tobin out, telling the BBC in September: 'We have no evidence implicating Peter Tobin or any other named or known individual in the murder of Jessie Earl'. And at the same time the Attorney General's office said: 'Once a request is received a Law Officer will consider whether to grant their consent. 'To do this, the Law Officer must be satisfied there is a reasonable prospect of the application succeeding in the High Court. 'It is then for the High Court to determine whether it is in the interests of justice for a new inquest to be held.' The Earl's are crowdfunding for 45,000 to pay legal costs. The Rajasthan Cellular Association, a body of retailers of mobile phone trade, has claimed that brick and mortar retail trade was going through a tough phase and the government should intervene in the matter at the earliest. The association alleged that some of the online shopping companies were violating FDI norms and therefore the government should form a regulatory body for them. "The mobile retail market has been badly affected by online trade. Over 40,000 mobile retail stores have closed in India in the recent past. In Rajasthan also, 5,000 stores have been closed and many have lost business and jobs," Sunil Gupta, association's president, said. He said that a three-day national convention will be held from 6 to 8 January at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi in which nearly 1,500 mobile merchant members of Rajasthan will participate. Gupta said that the share of retail mobile trade has drastically come down due to online trade and the government should come forward to regulate the online shopping platforms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) T erry Gilliam has prompted backlash after claiming the #MeToo movement is a "witch hunt" and that he is tired of white men being "blamed for everything that is wrong with the world". Discussing the campaign against sexual harassment that was prompted by the dozens of allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein in 2017, the director and Monty Python star said "there's no room for modern masculinity", and that he believes "we're living in a time where there's always somebody responsible for your failures, and I don't like this." He told The Independent: "I want people to take responsibility and not just constantly point a finger at somebody else, saying, 'You've ruined my life'." Talking about #MeToo, which has been widely used online in recent years to highlight the prevalence of sexual misconduct in the workplace, Gilliam, 79, said it is "a witch hunt". He added: "I really feel there were a lot of people, decent people, or mildly irritating people, who were getting hammered. That's wrong. I don't like mob mentality. These were ambitious adults." Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle, John Oliver, and Terry Jones pose for a photo backstage at the "Monty Python And The Holy Grail" special screening in 2015 / Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Of Weinstein's alleged victims, he said that he feels sympathy for them, adding: "But then, Hollywood is full of very ambitious people who are adults and they make choices. "We all make choices, and I could tell you who did make the choice and who didn't." Gilliam later said: "I understand that men have had more power longer, but I'm tired, as a white male, of being blamed for everything that is wrong with the world." The filmmaker, known for films including Time Bandits, 12 Monkeys and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, was criticised for his words by feminist political party The Women's Equality Party on Twitter. Film producer Harvey Weinstein leaves New York Supreme Court / REUTERS "And we're tired of white men calling 'witch hunt' and refusing to examine the societal privileges that afford them so much scope to behave poorly without consequence," they wrote The website PinkNews offered swift condemnation, calling the comments a feeble attempt to prove that white men are the real victims. US filmmaker Ava DuVernay also re-posted one of Gilliam's quotes and tweeted: "Poor thing." In 2018, the director sparked fury when he described himself as a black lesbian while giving interviews at a film festival in the Czech Republic. He said: I no longer want to be a white male, I dont want to be blamed for everything wrong in the world: I tell the world now Im a black lesbian My name is Loretta and Im a BLT, a black lesbian in transition. More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, and he has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges involving two women from 2006 and 2013. Certain states have sought real-time access to annual Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns and e-way bills in order to check tax evasion, which can potentially address the ongoing fund crunch and help compensate states for their revenue shortfall, two officials aware of the matter said requesting anonymity. Currently, these data are stored in the GST Network, which compiles reports and sends them to all the states and Union territories with a time lag. Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac confirmed the development and said,Kerala may not require compensation cess at all if it is permitted to have real-time access to annual returns and e-way bills, so that tax evasion could be curbed, Isaac said. According to Isaac, ineffective tax collection is one of the three key reasons for tardy GST revenue collections across the country and real-time information would help many states nab evaders through the use of data analytics. The other two reasons, according to him, are the economic slowdown and steep cuts in GST rates. I will raise this issue in the GST Council, he said. The GST Council is the apex decision-making body of the federal indirect tax structure that was rolled out on July 1, 2017. It is chaired by the Union finance minister and has finance ministers of states and Union territories as members. Officials said states access to real-time data could be possible if they formally raised the issue at the council. Several states have been raising the issue of large-scale GST evasion at the council. In August last year, West Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra estimated GST evasion at 1 lakh crore and demanded an exclusive meeting on the issue. Owing to inadequate compensation cess funds, the Centre has not yet compensated states for their revenue shortfall over two months October and November. Ideally, that should have been paid by the second week of December. Even in the past, there was a delay of about two months in paying compensation for August and September, which was paid just two days ahead of the 38th GST Council meeting on December 18, 2019. An amount of 35,298 crore was released on December 16 to pay states for their dues in August and September. The GST law assures states 14% growth in their revenue for five years and the Centre is committed to meeting any shortfall in revenue through cess money, which is levied on luxury goods and sin products such as liquor, cigarettes and tobacco products. The finance minister of another state, who did not wish to be named, said that there was scope for improvement in GST compliance but that would not be able to meet the entire revenue gap. Commenting on the proposal on real-time access to GSTN data, the minister said, I doubt this will eliminate the revenue deficit. The ball is always in our court , provided those at the helm allow it to be dealt with efficiently. Experts said access to data would certainly help states in better compliance. Common access could be given to states through login IDs and passwords. Pratik Jain, partner and leader, indirect tax, at PwC India, said, Logistically it should not be difficult. The Union government is making all-out efforts to plug revenue leakages of both central GST (CGST) and state GST (SGST). It will hold a national conference on January 7 to address the issue, the officials cited above said. This conference is being organised to curb fraud and evasion and check fake input-tax credits. As many as 111 infants died at a civil hospital in Gujarat's Rajkot district in December last year, an official said on Sunday. This comes against the backdrop of 100 deaths reported last month at a state-run hospital at Kota in Rajasthan. "As per official records, 111 infants died at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital in Rajkot in December, 71 in November and 87 in October last year," the hospital's medical superintendent, Manish Mehta, told reporters. He said the rise in infant deaths at the hospital in December was mainly due to an increase in the number of referral patients with serious ailments. More infants with low birth weight was also among the reasons for the rise in number of deaths, Mehta said. "We hold monthly meetings to assess facilities available at the hospital and meet the requirements urgently," he added. Besides, 85 infants died at a civil hospital in Ahmedabad in December, its medical superintendent G H Rathod told reporters. "As many as 85 infants died in the month of December, 74 in November and 94 in October. The death rate has come down to around 18 per cent as compared to 2018," Rathod said, without specifying the previous numbers. The main reasons for such deaths were pre-mature delivery, low birth weight, as well as infection and asphyxiation in infants referred to the hospital, he said. Reacting to the figures, state Health Minister Nitin Patel said the infant mortality rate is 30 per 1,000. "Every year 12 lakh infants are born. Of these, 30 out of every 1,000 infants die due to malnutrition, pre-mature delivery, or because the mothers are not able to reach hospital in time," the minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police said residents should call 911 immediately to report anyone suspicious. And in case of confrontation, police said a victim should try to remain calm, keep tracking software and security locks on their cell phone and never pursue a fleeing offender. A soldier prepares to raise flag during a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of Myanmar's Independence in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 4, 2020. (Xinhua/U Aung) After more than 60 years spent sealed up in a library storage facility, about 1,000 letters written by poet T.S. Eliot to confidante Emily Hale will be unveiled this week, and scholars hope they will reveal the extent of a relationship thats been speculated about for decades. Many consider Hale to not only be his close friend, but also his muse, and they hope their correspondence will offer insight into the more intimate details about Eliots life and work. Students, researchers and scholars can read the letters at Princeton University Library starting Thursday. I think its perhaps the literary event of the decade, says Anthony Cuda, an Eliot scholar and director of the T.S. Eliot International Summer School. I dont know of anything more awaited or significant. Its momentous to have these letters coming out. Lifelong friends, Hale and Eliot exchanged letters for about 25 years beginning in 1930. The two met in 1912 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but did not rekindle their friendship until 1927. Eliot was already living in England and Hale taught drama at U.S. universities, including Scripps College in California. In 1956, Hale donated the letters under an agreement they wouldnt be opened until 50 years after either her or Eliots death, whichever came second. Eliot died in 1965. Hale died four years later. Biographers say Eliot ordered Hales letters to him to be burned. Their relationship must have been incredibly important and their correspondence must have been remarkably intimate for him to be so concerned about the publication, Cuda says. T.S. Eliot was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1888 and gained notoriety as a poet early in life. He was only 26 when The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock became his first professionally published poem. Eliots 1939 book of whimsical poetry, Old Possums Book of Practical Cats, was adapted into Cats, the award-winning musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The play opened in London first in 1981 and then on Broadway the next year. It was then turned into a feature film starring an ensemble cast that includes Judi Dench and James Corden just released in December. ALSO READ: T.S. Eliots birth anniversary: Which of this 20th century poets work is your favourite? His best known works include The Waste Land, The Hollow Men and Four Quartets. The first poem in the Quartets series, called Burnt Norton, piques the interest of enthusiasts of the poet, says Eliot scholar Frances Dickey, because of lines that suggest missed opportunities and what might have been with his muse. The poem is named after a home in England that Eliot visited with Hale in 1934. His relationship with her seems to be deep and meaningful and its a door he chose not to open, she said. The letters could also reveal details about Eliots conversion to Anglicanism, something he deeply cherished, Dickey says. SEE PHOTOS: The life of T.S. Eliot in pictures Dickey, who served as one of the editors on The Complete Prose of T.S. Eliot, said the poet was deeply ashamed of his marriage to his first wife, Vivienne Haigh-Wood, whom he was with for more than 15 years. Dickey said the letters could reveal just how close he and Hale were and if the two ever considered marriage. Was this an epistolary romance they would carry across the Atlantic? Dickey said. What role did she play in his emotional life? Eliots letters to Hale began after that first marriage ended. Whatever else she was, Hale was a link to the life Eliot had left behind in the United States as a young man, Dickey said. He was really thinking more about the United States and his childhood during the period where he was in correspondence with Hale, says Dickey. I have a feeling that having a relationship with an American woman helped him to uncover his past in a way. ALSO READ: Old Possums Book of Practical Cats Told Via GIFs The unsealed boxes, which also contain photographs, clippings and other ephemera, were actually opened at the librarys special collections area called Firestone Library in October for cataloging and digitizing. Daniel Linke, interim head of special collections at the library, was part of the team working on the 14 boxes. He said there was very minimal, if any, reading. He said that scholars from around the world will be travelling to Princeton in the first days they are available since they are copyrighted and wont be made available online. It will be the special collections equivalent of a stampede at a rock concert, Linke said. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Each night when darkness falls, huge swarms of dashing male sea creatures called comma shrimp swim up from the depths of the ocean, looking for love. It's a tried-and-true romantic strategy one the males have been using since dinosaurs roamed the land, recently discovered fossils show. And while many animal lineages have gone through big evolutionary makeovers in the 100 million years since, comma shrimp have stuck with their appearance since the Cretaceous period. Modern-day comma shrimp appear to be both physically and behaviourally "living fossils," reports a recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B based on the discovery of hundreds of beautifully preserved fossils of Eobodotria muisca some of the only comma shrimp fossils ever found. Tom Radio When she saw the fossils, Sarah Gerken, who studies modern-day comma shrimp, was blown away. "It's astounding how similar this fossil is to current species," said Gerken, co-author of the new study and a biology professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Comma shrimp aren't actually shrimp. Like shrimp, they belong to a group of shellfish called crustaceans, but they're more closely related to the beach hoppers that jump out at you from washed-up seaweed along the shore. Like beach hoppers, they're tiny the largest are about three centimetres long. But unlike their beach-loving cousins, comma shrimp live in soft sediment at the bottom of the sea, where they're rarely seen by humans, even though they're common worldwide. Gerken said they're found from the equator to the poles, including off Canadian coasts. Scientist finds 2 loves of his life When Javier Luque stumbled upon hundreds of beautifully preserved fossils of shrimp-like creatures high in the Andes mountains of Colombia in 2005, he didn't know what they were. Luque, a post-doctoral researcher at Yale University, completed much of the research on the fossils for his PhD at the University of Alberta. Story continues At the time he found them, he was an undergraduate student in geology on an assignment to map rocks in a relatively unexplored area. At the end of one day, he and the other student sat down to rest, but decided to keep hammering at the layered slab they were sitting on. It lifted up to reveal hundreds of preserved sea creatures. Javier Luque/Yale, University of Alberta, STRI and Sarah Gerken/University of Alaska Anchorage From that moment, Luque recalled, he fell in love with this group of animals. Within a couple of years, that led him to another love of his life, who played a key role in figuring out what the fossils were. In 2007, Luque's interest in fossil crustaceans brought him to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama to help rescue crab fossils endangered by the expansion of the Panama Canal. One night while salsa dancing, he met another researcher, Canadian marine biologist Kecia Kerr, who was there to study living crabs. When she saw Luque's fossils from the Andes, she suggested they might be comma shrimp, which she recognized from previous research studying what whales feed on. Luque did a Google search to find an expert on comma shrimp, and found Gerken. Males swim because females can't Even though there are 1,900 species of comma shrimp known today, and they're common all over the globe, hardly any comma shrimp fossils had ever been found. Their evolutionary history was a mystery. So when Gerken saw Luque's well-preserved fossils, she recalled, "I was astounded. You could see everything like you would on a live one." Felipe VilIegas/Humboldt Institute, Smithsonian Institute Most of the over 600 fossils were adult males, distinguished by antennae almost as long as their body, appendages called swimmerets that propel them through the water and a cyclops eye in the centre of their forehead. Those are all adaptations that male comma shrimp still use to find females, which live in the sea-floor sediment and don't move around much. At night, the males form swarms of thousands or tens of thousands that Gerken describes as being "like mosquito clouds, but in the water." It's a dangerous activity swarms of males are often vacuumed up by whales and fish and rarely found in samples of the sea floor. But apparently, the strategy has worked well enough to keep comma shrimp going for 100 million years, the fossils show. "The fact that they look like modern species is just a humongous surprise," Gerken said. "It tells us that ones from 100 million years ago were very much like the ones today that they were behaving similarly, that they had a similar lifestyle." The group of comma shrimp fossilized in the Andes had been swimming through what was, at the time, a narrow shallow sea cutting through the continent, when some kind of disaster killed and buried them very suddenly. Gerken hopes the discovery will give people a better idea of what comma shrimp fossils look like and help identify more. Javier Luque/Yale University, University of Alberta, STRI Luque says it also shows the potential for good preservation of fossils in tropical regions of the Earth, even though most famous fossil beds with this kind of extraordinary preservation, such as Canada's Burgess Shale, are found in more temperate regions. From that one slab of rock, along with the comma shrimp, Luque discovered a new kind of crab called a chimera crab and a number of other crustaceans. Now, he's planning a bigger excursion to the fossil site in hopes of finding more. In the meantime, he noted that it was the original discovery that took him to Panama to meet Kerr and back to Canada with her to do his masters and PhD. "Who would have thought," he added, "that those cool crustaceans would have had such an effect on my life?" 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 Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 17:03:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on Jan. 5 shows smoke from devastating Australian bushfires cloaking a beach in Auckland, New Zealand. (Xinhua/Li Qiaoqiao) It is the second layer of smoke coming from the Australian bushfires, which is cloaking the North Island and upper parts of the South Island. AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The heavy smoke from devastating Australian bushfires cloaked Auckland, turning the city's skyline into eerie orange color on Sunday afternoon. New Zealand meteorology service MetService forecast that an upper level jet of westerly winds was driving the smoke across the Tasman Sea towards New Zealand. The smoke was expected to arrive Sunday evening and was likely to be largely gone by the morning. It is the second layer of smoke coming from the Australian bushfires, which is cloaking the North Island and upper parts of the South Island. Much of the South Island awoke to sepia skies on New Year's Day before the smoke spread to the North Island. MetService said it is possible that people would be able to smell and taste the smoke. However, long-lasting health effects are not expected. On Friday, the New Zealand government pledged 22 more firefighters to help fight the Australian bushfires. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday condemned the killing of a Sikh youth in Pakistan and demanded that the Imran Khan government conduct a thorough investigation and punish the culprits. "Shocked and anguished over killing of Sikh youth Ravinder Singh in #Pakistan, coming on the heels of #NankanaSahibAttack. @ImranKhanPTI govt must ensure thorough investigation and strict punishment for the culprits. This is the time to act what you preach," Amarinder Singh tweeted. The killing of Sikh youth took place few days after a reported mob attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The full dissolution of the deal, reached with the U.S., China, Russia and three Western European countries, came after an emergency meeting by Irans security council on Sunday. It was one of a host of steps taken in the chaotic aftermath of the generals killing. In Iraq: Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was expected to sign a bill approved by Parliament that would to expel U.S. troops from the country, and a U.S.-led coalition said it was ending its yearslong mission attacking the Islamic State and training local forces in Syria and Iraq. Whats next: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned on CNN that the U.S. could attack Iran within its borders if it took hostile actions, and President Trump warned that the U.S. had a list of 52 targets in Iran for possible strikes. But Iran, our Interpreter columnist writes, will not want an all-out war, and will likely aim for limited counterattacks. Still, young people in the U.S. felt new anxiety about the prospect of conflict. Recap: General Suleimani, Irans de facto No. 2 official, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a powerful Iraqi militia leader and close adviser to the general, were killed in an American drone strike early Friday at Baghdads airport. When military advisers gave President Trump options on responding to Iranian actions, they say, they did not expect him to pick the most extreme, assassinating the general. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and State Department subordinates vigorously argued Friday that the justification for killing Iranian general and terrorist leader Qasem Soleimani was intelligence that an attack was "imminent." It is easy to understand why such a rationale would be advanced. An imminent threat would arguably obviate the need for a declaration of war from or even prior consultation with Congress. Exercising the right of self-defense, an established principle of international law, would satisfy allies and sidestep nasty questions about violation of an executive order in place with only minor changes since 1976 that prohibits assassination. Aside from the legalities, as a political matter, polls have shown overwhelming opposition to a war with Iran. Casting the killing as defensive and urgent rather than an act of a war of choice would be one way to avert a public backlash. (If this reminds you of the Iraq War, you are in good company.) However, there is substantial reason to doubt that there was an imminent threat. Soleimani had been plotting and directing operations for years to kill Americans and others throughout the region. "Imminent," however, suggests something concrete and immediate. What's the basis for that claim? The Washington Post reports: " 'There may well have been an ongoing plot as Pompeo claims, but Soleimani was a decision-maker, not an operational asset himself,' said Jon Bateman, who served as a senior intelligence analyst on Iran at the Defense Intelligence Agency. 'Killing him would be neither necessary nor sufficient to disrupt the operational progression of an imminent plot. What it might do instead is shock Iran's decision calculus' and deter future attack plans, Bateman said. "In a conference call with reporters, national security adviser Robert C. O'Brien said Friday evening that the strike on Soleimani happened after he recently visited Damascus and was plotting to target U.S. military and diplomatic personnel. " 'This strike was aimed at disrupting ongoing attacks that were being planned by Soleimani and deterring future Iranian attacks through their proxies or through the ... Quds Force directly against Americans,' O'Brien said." Was the killing aimed at deterring attacks in the future? Stopping a plot about to kill Americans? It strains credulity to believe that this move will de-escalate tensions as administration officials say they intended. The behind-the-scenes details do not make it sound as if this was based on specific knowledge of an imminent attack. It sounds - no surprise - like an effort to assuage Trump's frail ego: "Officials reminded Trump that after the Iranians mined ships, downed the U.S. drone and allegedly attacked a Saudi oil facility, he had not responded. Acting now, they said, would send a message: 'The argument is, if you don't ever respond to them, they think they can get by with anything,' one White House official said. "Trump was also motivated to act by what he felt was negative coverage after his 2019 decision to call off the airstrike after Iran downed the U.S. surveillance drone, officials said. Trump was also frustrated that the details of his internal deliberations had leaked out and felt he looked weak, the officials said." The need to mend the president's ego is not an imminent threat. It's not a legally or politically justifiable reason for plunging ahead with a highly provocative military action absent full consultation with Congress and a full exploration of the potential consequences. Americans have every reason to be skeptical of anything and everything coming out of this administration. The president has lied more than 15,000 times on matters small and large. Pompeo misled the Congress and American people in suggesting there was not convincing evidence of Mohammed bin Salman's involvement in the slaughter of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Pompeo repeatedly misrepresented to Congress that progress was being made in talks with North Korea. Moreover, given Pompeo's own fiery rhetoric that essentially demands regime change in Iran (if not using that term), it is logical to assume this was not a defensive action nor one intended to de-escalate violence. Pompeo needs to come before Congress and testify under oath. In short, it is not unpatriotic, partisan or unreasonable to question the rationale given for action that escalates tensions and may usher in a larger war. One can maintain a tough stance on Iran and take strong exception to actions that have not brought Iran to the table (e.g., pulling out of the nuclear deal), isolated us from allies and provoked Tehran to lash out without a sane game plan to achieve the stated diplomatic end (a new deal with Iran). This is a case in which we would wise to remember the lessons of the Iraq War and ask serious questions about the intelligence, planning, downsides and risks of military action. The decision to escalate military action against Iran, a country far more sophisticated in modern warfare (including cyber-terrorism) than Iraq, should prompt more caution, not less, than the decision to go to war with Iraq. Among the questions to be asked: Did the administration consult with Iraq to ensure the move would not trigger expulsion of U.S. troops in Iraq? Finally, as many scholars have pointed out, we have reached the point in the executive branch's unrestricted domination over military engagement in large part because Congress has not had the nerve to oppose presidents of either party. If Congress does not exercise its available powers of oversight and appropriations without a full accounting of Trump's actions and his "strategy," the fault for what follows will not be solely his. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 22:35:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that it had summoned the U.S. ambassador to Iraq over U.S. airstrikes against the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces in western Iraq and near Baghdad airport that killed an Iranian commander and a commander of Hashd Shaabi. During the meeting with Matthew Tueller, Abdul-Karim Hashim Mustafa, undersecretary of the foreign ministry, confirmed Iraq's "condemnation of the act which represents a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of Iraq and all international norms and laws governing relations between states," according to a ministry statement. "The attacks violate the agreed tasks of the international coalition, which is limited to combating Islamic State (IS) and training Iraqi security forces," the statement said. The ministry "considers these unlawful military operations by the United States aggression and a condemned act which is increasing tension in the region." Late last year, the U.S. forces bombarded headquarters of Hashd Shaabi's 45th and 46th Brigades, leaving 25 killed and 51 injured. A U.S. military statement said U.S. forces attacked on Dec. 29 five bases of Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) in Iraq and Syria in response to repeated attacks by KH against U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq. Early on Friday, a U.S. drone attack ordered by President Donald Trump killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces near Baghdad International Airport. Over 5,000 U.S. troops have been deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces in the battles against IS militants, mainly providing training and advising to the Iraqi forces. Australia is facing an unprecedented national crisis, the bush fires are tearing through cities and rural areas, leaving millions of people and animals homeless and injured. Reports state that since September, at least 20 people have died and over 1,500 homes have been destroyed. It's so bad that there is fear of entire species of plants and animals being wiped out by bush fires. So far, nearly 500 million animals have died, and if that does not alarm us, nothing else will. These heartbreaking images show how devastating Australian bushfires ruined wildlife and human life. 1. This satellite image provided by NASA on Saturday, January 4 shows wildfires in Victoria and New South Wales. AP 2. This combination of before and after pictures of NASA Earth Observatory shows thick smoke blanketing southeastern Australia. This combination of NASA pictures and created on January 2, 2020, show thick smoke blanketing southeastern Australia along the border of Victoria and New South Wales (L) on January 1, 2020, and the same area (R) under cloud- and smoke-free conditions on July 24, 2019. 3. A natural-colour satellite image shows smoke from wildfires burning east of Obrost. Reuters 4. A kangaroo sits in a field amidst smoke from a bushfire in Snowy Valley on the outskirts of Cooma. AFP 5. The sky turns red from the smoke of the Snowy Valley bushfire on the outskirts of Cooma. AFP 6. Firefighters struggling against the strong wind in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires. AFP 7. Kangaroo trying to move away from nearby bushfires at a residential property near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales. 8. Bushfires have been raging along Australia's east coast for months, burning three million hectares (7.4 million acres) equivalent to the size of Belgium and razed more than 800 homes in worst-hit New South Wales alone. How to destroy a perfectly good planet by turning up the heat. This is #ClimateChaos2020: kangaroos fleeing to survive the Australian bushfires. Please vote for vision, responsibility, reason, and kindness to stop this madness. pic.twitter.com/NyfCGm8L0W Planetary Security (@Planetary_Sec) January 4, 2020 9. Up to 3,000 military reservists were called up to tackle Australia's relentless bushfire crisis. AFP 10. Bushfires are common in the country but scientists say this year's season has come earlier and with more intensity due to a prolonged drought and climatic conditions fuelled by global warming. AFP 11. Thousands of holidaymakers and locals were forced to flee to beaches in fire-ravaged southeast Australia, as blazes ripped through popular tourist areas leaving no escape by land. AFP 12. Burnt baby kangaroo caught in fence. instagram/@vetpaw 13. Volunteer and carer Tracy Burgess holds a severely burnt brush-tail possum rescued from fires near Australias Blue Mountains. Reuters 14. Ember and thick smoke from bushfires reach Braemar Bay in New South Wales as tens of thousands of residents fled their homes amid catastrophic conditions. AFP 15. 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. AFP 16. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. AFP 17. A horse trying to move away from nearby bushfires at a residential property near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales. AFP 18. 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. AP 19. A scorched Santa toy is seen on property razed by bushfires in Bargo, southwest of Sydney. 20. Volunteer and carer Tracy Dodd holds a kangaroo with burnt feet pads after being rescued from bushfires in Australia's Blue Mountains area. Reuters 21. A koala receives water from a cyclist during a severe heatwave that hit the region, in Adelaide Hills. Reuters 22. Australian Department of Defence shows people being evacuated onto a Black Hawk helicopter at the Omeo showgrounds Victoria, during bushfire relief efforts. AFP 23. State Government of Victoria shows a helicopter fighting a bushfire near Bairnsdale in Victoria's East Gippsland region. AFP 24. An NSW Rural Firefighter establishes a backburn during bushfires in Mangrove Mountain, New South Wales. Reuters WASHINGTON - Seeking to break a deadlock over President Donald Trumps impeachment, a top Republican said Sunday he will push a change in rules that would allow a Senate trial to move forward immediately if Democrats do not agree to its format this week. It seemed uncertain how receptive Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell might be to an extraordinary rules change to bypass Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is stalling House-passed articles of impeachment against Trump in a bid to get new witnesses to testify. McConnell has been clear he is aiming for Trumps swift acquittal in the Republican-controlled Senate. GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called Pelosis delay a political stunt and that she should move the articles along to the Senate so a trial can begin. If we dont get the articles this week, then we need to take matters in our own hands and change the rules. Deem them to be delivered to the Senate, he said. Changing the Senates rules would require 51 votes in a chamber where Republicans hold a 53-47 edge. But such an extreme move would almost certainly ratchet up tensions in the already divided Congress. While senators have agreed on a 51-vote threshold to confirm judicial and administrative nominees, they have been wary of doing so on other legislative matters. McConnell, at least for now, has said he is content to simply wait out Pelosi, D-Calif., while the Senate moves on to other business. Graham suggested that GOP patience is wearing thin over Pelosis delay. My goal is to start this trial in the next coming days, not let Nancy Pelosi take over the Senate, he said. Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said it was up to Pelosi to decide when to release the articles, but I dont think its going to be indefinite. The desire is to get a commitment from the Senate that theyre going to have a fair trial, he said. A top McConnell ally, former aide Josh Holmes, said Democrats have little to gain by dragging out the process. Most expect the Senate will ultimately vote to acquit the president and Trump will not be removed from office. This ends only one way and thats when she sends the papers over without any kind of preconditions, Holmes said. Graham spoke on Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures, Schiff was on CNNs State of the Union, and Holmes appeared on Fox News Sunday. Noise: not only a nightmare, but a significant dent in the value of your residence, according to Eurostat. Noisy nights, construction sites, lawnmowers on Sundays, dogs, road or air traffic ... nearly a fifth of Grand Duchy residents have admitted to suffering from noise pollution over the course of 2018, according to a Eurostat report this week. This rate of 19.3% not only places Luxembourg above the European average (18.3%), but also in the top 10 of EU countries in terms of noise complaints. The top 3 countries are occupied by Malta (28.2%), Germany (27.8%) and the Netherlands (27.1). Among our other neighbours however, this rate is lower, with 18.2% in France and 17.7% in Belgium. Let us also not forget our Portuguese friends who are in 4th place (23%). Eurostat What to do in the case of excessive noise? Theoretically speaking, you cannot make noise with impunity. There is a Penal Code regulating this kind of nuisance that decrees nocturnal noise can be punished with a fine of 25 to 250. But communes also have their own rules and regulations to maintain their residents' peace, controlling noise in terms of intensity, continuity, nature, consequences or their unpredictable character. And some of these rules are surprising! For example, Luxembourg City police warn that "the noise caused by the closing of automobile and garage doors" or by "the stopping and starting of vehicles should not inconvenience third parties" during the nighttime hours. Residents should therefore obtain information from their municipality. If issues arise with neighbours, it's always better to try and come to some kind of mutual agreement, but if this isn't feasible then a registered letter reminding him of his legal obligations is a next possible step. Finally, if the situation becomes dire, then citizens can appeal to their trustee (in the event of joint ownership) or to the police, before considering the courts. VDL.lu When it comes to issues surrounding traffic, infrastructure, and other similar troubles, the situation becomes more complicated. There are national noise action plans, as well as a map that identifies the so-called "priority" areas and their specific noise reduction measures. For more information, check the administration for the environment website. New Delhi: Expressing concern over the recent turn of events in the Middle East, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said that developments in the region have "taken a very serious turn" in the wake of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani`s killing in a US airstrike. "Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch," Jaishankar tweeted after talks with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif. The External Affairs Minister also spoke to his Omani counterpart Yusuf Alawi over the `tense situation` in the region."Discussed with FM Yusuf Alawi of Oman the tense situation in the region. Reaffirmed our shared interest in the stability and security of the Gulf. Appreciated his perspectives on the current situation," Jaishankar said. The External Affairs Minister said he had a `warm conversation` with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. "Exchanged views on recent developments in the region," Jaishankar said in another tweet. Live TV Tensions have soared in the Gulf following the killing of Soleimani in the US airstrike near Baghdad international airport on Friday. India, on the same day, had advocated `restraint` in the context of tension in the US-Iran relationship."We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the US. The increase in tension has alarmed the world," the MEA said in a statement."Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India," the statement said adding that it is "vital that the situation does not escalate further"."India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so," the statement has said. The recent developments have led to a sharp rise in international oil prices. Earlier today, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stressed that tensions in Iran should subside, otherwise India will have look to import oil from countries apart from Gulf countries. "In today`s times, when there is a tension in the oil-producing countries then there is a direct impact on the prices of oil in the markets. India hopes that there is no tension in the oil-producing countries. It is in the interest of everyone," Pradhan told reporters here. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, who ordered the attack, said that the raid was made to stop a war and not start one, as tensions between the two countries were already escalating.He also said that US` response will be "very fast and very hard", adding that Soleimani was plotting "imminent and sinister attacks" on Americans. Regime air strikes on Sunday killed five civilians in the embattled opposition stronghold of Idlib in northwest Syria, a Britain-based war monitor said. Jihadist-run Idlib has come under mounting bombardment in recent weeks, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in the region of some three million people. "Regime air raids killed five civilians in the town of Ariha," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on sources inside the war-torn country. The Damascus government has repeatedly vowed to take back control of Idlib, which is run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. A ceasefire announced in late August was supposed to stem Russia-backed regime bombardment of the region after it killed around 1,000 civilians in four months. But the Observatory says sporadic bombardment and clashes continued, before intensifying in the past month. On January 1, missiles fired by regime forces killed nine civilians including five children in a school turned shelter in the town of Sarmeen. Syria's war has killed more than 380,000 people including over 115,000 civilians since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. In total 11,215 people including more than 1,000 children were killed last year, although it was the least deadly year on record since the beginning of the conflict. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: Iraqs parliament on Sunday voted to expel the US military from the country. The lawmakers voted in favour of a resolution that mandates to end the presence of military of any other country in Iraq. With almost 5,000 US troops stationed in Iraq, the resolution seeks United States to withdraw its military. The resolution comes after a US airstrike killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani inside Iraq, dramatically increasing regional tensions. Earlier, the United States had sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. The resolution was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. (With inputs from Agencies) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Amid spiralling US-Iran tensions over the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday had a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and said India remained deeply concerned about the levels of tension in the region. Jaishankar noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. "Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch," the External Affairs Minister tweeted. The conversation between the two leaders comes days after Iran's top military commander Soleimani was killed in a US strike. US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that the US has identified 52 possible targets in the country and will hit it harder than ever before if Tehran, which has vowed "severe revenge", carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of Soleimani. Maj Gen Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US 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. Soleimani's killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the US. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 15:56:47|Editor: zh Video Player Close LAMU, Kenya, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Somali extremist group al-Shabab on Sunday morning attacked the U.S. military base in Kenya's coastal Lamu county, police and witnesses have confirmed. The police said the airstrip used by the U.S. marine was destroyed and aircraft were burned. But the Kenyan military said in a statement that the airstrip was safe after soldiers repelled the attack and killed some attackers. "There was a lot of gunfire between the militants and soldiers in the military base. Some aircraft and vehicles belonging to the U.S. were burnt," a police officer who declined to be named told Xinhua. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack in Lamu County, saying their fighters' "suicide infantry" was involved in the attack. "Our fighters inflicted severe casualties on both U.S. and Kenyan troops, destroyed U.S. military aircraft and vehicles," al-Shabab said in a statement. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 21:09:16|Editor: zh Video Player Close ROME, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Almost half of Italian families plan to hang a stocking to celebrate the Epiphany, a national holiday falling on Jan. 6 that marks the end of the Christmas festivities, according to a study by Coldiretti farmers association on Sunday. In Italy the festival is also known as La Befana, after a legendary old woman who delivers gifts on her broomstick. She is said to visit children on the eve of Jan. 6 to fill their stockings with candy if they have been good, or a lump of coal if they have been bad. According to the Coldiretti study, 47 percent of Italian households are hanging stockings for the Befana to fill with gifts for their children, including chocolate, candy, dried fruits, nuts, and home-made cookies. Grownups also take advantage of the Epiphany holiday to exchange gifts acquired during the winter sale season, which kicked off throughout the country on Saturday. "This last chance to celebrate drives the value of gifts purchased during the year-end festivities to upwards of 5 billion euros (almost 5.6 billion U.S. dollars)," Coldiretti wrote. Since the Epiphany falls on a Monday this year, almost 3.5 million Italians have traveled to holiday destinations over the long weekend, Coldiretti added in a separate report. According to the report, 48 percent of holidaymakers chose one of Italy's "cities of art" such as Florence, Venice, and Rome as their destinations, while 38 percent headed to the mountains, the countryside, or locations with thermal baths for a last chance to relax before the work year kicks off again on Tuesday. Perhaps the most striking of these is the Cavalcade of the Magi in Florence, in which some 700 people decked out in Renaissance costumes will ride on horseback through the historic city center. The Cavalcade of the Magi goes back to the 15th century, when it was first organised by the Medici family which ruled Florence during the Renaissance, according to the city's website. Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on Tatas' plea challenging his reinstallation as the Tata Group chief, Cyrus Mistry on Sunday ruled out pursuing chairmanship of Tata Sons or any other executive positions at group entities but asserted that he is interested in a board seat at the holding company. After the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) reinstated Mistry as the executive chairman in a surprise ruling on December 18, 2019, terming the action as illegal and also invalidating the conversion of Tata Sons into a private entity, Tata Sons as a group, Tata Trusts, TCS and also the group patriarch Ratan Tata have challenged the order in the Supreme Court since then. The apex court, which has been on vacation, is likely to take up the petition on Monday. Mistry was removed from the boards of TCS, Tata Teleservices and Tata Industries while he resigned as chairman and director from Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) shortly after he was sacked from the group. Ruling out taking up any position at the group or any group entities, Mistry in a late Sunday evening public statement said that he is "walking the talk" to uphold corporate governance, and this is not a quest for position or power and he "will not be pursuing the executive chairmanship of Tata Sons, or directorship of TCS, Tata Teleservices or Tata Industries". However, he was quick to add that he will "vigorously pursue all options to protect rights as a minority shareholder, including that of resuming the 30-year history of a seat at the board of Tata Sons and the incorporation of the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency at Tata Sons". Mistry, who was in a boardroom coup on October 24, 2016 sackedas the chairman of Tata Sons barely two years into the five-year job, further said, "This statement is being made in the interests of the Tata Group, whose interests are far more important then the interests of any individual." This statement, he said, is also aimed at dispelling the misinformation campaign being conducted. When contacted, a Tata Sons spokeman said the group does not have a comment on the Mistry statement. The Tatas have sought to quash the NCLAT order saying the tribunal order questions the very fundamentals of corporate democracy and also of the board, apart from going much beyond the remedies sought. It can be noted that with over 18.37 per cent stake, the Mistry family is the single largest shareholder in Tata Sons after the dozen-odd Tata Trusts which collectively own over 68 per cent. One of the key contentions of Mistry was the the Tatas' refusal to treat him as a minority shareholder with voting rights under the Companies Act of 2013 which does not allow those with less than 10 per cent voting equity captial to be treated so. The corporate affairs ministry has also questioned the tribunal judgment which has labelled the (Registrar of Companies) RoC action of allowing conversion of Tata Sons as a private entity as illegal. Taking on Ratan Tata personally, Mistry said Tata questioning the tribunal judgment professes an interpretation of corporate democracy as being one of brute majoritarianism with no rights for minority stakeholders. "The question in these legal proceedings is whether the oppressive actions of a majority that stifles minority shareholders is beyond the reproach and outside judicial oversight, he asked. He goes on to say that for corporate democracy to be strengthened, all stakeholders must operate within the ambit of law and statutorily enshrined protections. The founding fathers of the Tata Group had laid a strong ethical foundation that cared for all stakeholders, Mistry said, adding that the relationship between the Tata Group and the Shapoorji Pallonji Group is one spanning multiple decades that was built on common agreement and mutual faith. "Former Tata leaders worked together with the minority partner to create value for all stakeholders. But in the last three years, both in conduct and in their statements to the world at large, the Tata Group's leadership has shown scant respect for the rights of minority shareholders. It is time the group's management introspects and reflects on its conduct as it embarks on future actions," Mistry said. On the NCLAT ruling, he added, "I am humbled by the order, which after review of the enormous material on record, recognised the illegal manner in which I was removed and the oppressive and prejudicial conduct of Tata and other trustees. "As an 18.37 per cent shareholder, it is in our own interest to ensure the group's long-term success. My family, although a minority partner, has been a guardian of the Tata Group for over five decades." Mistry, who is an Irish citizen, concluded by saying "this legal fight has never been about me. It has always been and will always be about protecting the rights of minority shareholders and upholding their right to demand a higher standard of corporate governance from controlling shareholders". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amit Shah also accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of misleading the people over the amended Citizenship Act and instigating riots. (Photo Credit: Twitter) New Delhi: BJP's national president Amit Shah on Sunday addressed a party booth workers conference in Delhi. Along with Shah, BJP working president JP Nadda, vice president Shyam Jaju and state party chief Manoj Tiwari among others attend the conference. During his address, Shah assured party workers that BJP will form government in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Shah also accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of misleading the people over the amended Citizenship Act and instigating riots. Shah assured members of minority communities that none of them will lose citizenship due to the CAA, saying the law is about giving citizenship to persecuted minorities from three neighbouring countries and not taking it away from anybody. Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP president said he came to power fives years back by misleading people with a host of promises. Somebody can mislead people once but not all the time, he said, adding the BJP will come to power in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Here are the highlights: 13:53 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In 8866288662 was never Netflix's number, this is simply BJP's number to get support for CAA: Amit Shah 13:43 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Amit Shah says Kejriwal wasting money meant for public welfare on advertisements, asks if AAP govt has finished any work in five years. 13:42 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi mislead people on CAA: BJP chief Amit Shah 13:41 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In No one will citizenship because of CAA: Amit Shah in Delhi 13:40 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In We developed a riverfront for Chhath Puja: Amit Shah 13:38 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP will start Mohalla Sabha in Delhi: Amit Shah 13:38 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Somebody can mislead people once but not all the time: Shah's swipe at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during address to party workers 13:35 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP will form govt in Delhi under leadership of Narendra Modi:Amit Shah 13:33 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Union Home Minister and BJP National President Shri Amit Shah is addressing Booth Karyakarta Sammelan in New Delhi. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Prev 1 of 4 Next Editors note: Whats in a Name? is a monthly column in which staff writer Elaine Briseno gives a short history of how places in New Mexico got their names. A 200-foot volcanic rock formation protrudes from the landscape and greets travelers along N.M. 4. Its Battleship Rock, named for its resemblance to a Navy warship, and its one of many attractions including Soda Dam, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area and Fenton Lake in the Jemez Mountains, northwest of Albuquerque. A large picnic area with tables and grills sits in a sprawling mass at its base. A stream provides a way to cool off, and hikers can explore several trails and hot springs. The Battleship picnic site is a popular destination for city dwellers looking for a quick getaway. Its a little more than an hour drive from Albuquerque and not too far from the Pueblo of Jemez (Walatowa) and Jemez Springs. Although many may think of the area as a mecca for outdoor recreation, it was once home to as many as 30,000 Native Americans. It is for these people that the mountain, village of Jemez Springs and pueblo are named. The village, pueblo and nearby recreation sites, including Battleship Rock, were the cultural center for the ancient people of the area. Archaeological finds at Jemez Cave near Soda Dam indicate humans were in the area as far back as 2,500 B.C. Rob Martinez, the state historian, said that according to historical records, the Spanish explorer Antonio de Espejo called the area Ameyes or Amies when he came to New Mexico in 1583. Earlier maps also show the area as Xemes. The word Jemez, Martinez said, is a Hispanicized version of the Towa-language word meaning people. Origins are obscure, but it has come to mean Jemez Indian, he said. Jemez were the sole survivors of the Towa speakers. Although the people of Jemez are the only ones who still speak Towa, their traditional laws prohibit the language from being translated into writing to protect them against exploitation from outside cultures. The caution comes from a history of clashes with outside cultures. Francisco Vazquez de Coronado went to the Jemez area in 1541, along with Franciscan missionaries. The Franciscans would establish the San Jose de Giusewa missionary in 1621 near what is now Jemez Springs but was at the time the Giusewa Pueblo. The stone ruins of the church are still visible and have become part of the Jemez Historic Site, which also includes remnants of hundreds of stone and adobe rooms that were the housing of the Giusewa people. State and pueblo officials hosted a public archaeological dig of the area in 2018. The village became a popular tourist attraction in the 1800s because of its natural hot springs. According to legend, locals realized the commercial potential after one of the hot springs erupted into a geyser. According to the village website: The water was enclosed with a rock wall and the gazebo built around it still stands today at the Plaza. Remnants of the original bathhouse, which closed permanently following a flood in 1941, are located on the property of Jemez Hot Springs. The village was even once considered as a location for the Manhattan Project. Jemez Springs was considered as a candidate for the lab but was deemed too accessible and difficult to secure, Martinez said. By the end of the 17th century, after Pueblo Revolt, the Spanish had subdued the Jemez people, placing them under clergy and military rule. They were also moved to what is now the Pueblo of Jemez. That means most of their culturally significant ancient sites are outside their borders on federal land and within the village of Jemez Springs. The Walatowa Visitor Center, 7413 N.M. 4, with free admission, has a small museum and information on the pueblo and its history. Much of the pueblos historical information can be found on the pueblo website. Through perseverance, our people have managed to preserve our traditional culture, religion, and knowledge of our ancient traditional ways regardless of outside pressures, the website says. So next time you take a cruise through the Jemez Mountains along N.M. 4 to take in the beautiful landscape, dip your toes in the stream, hike the trails or enjoy a picnic, maybe pause for a moment to think about what the land once was: a place where battles were won and lost, lands farmed, traditions created, oral histories passed from one generation to the next and, most of all, a place where ancient people gathered to create a thriving community. Curious about how a town, street or building got its name? Email staff writer Elaine Briseno at ebriseno@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3965 as she continues her journey in Whats in a Name? China has replaced its top envoy to Hong Kong, according to state media reports, in the most significant personnel change by Beijing since pro-democracy protests erupted in the city nearly seven months ago. The removal of the head of the liaison office, which represents the central government in semi-autonomous Hong Kong, comes as the city grapples with its biggest political crisis in decades. "Wang Zhimin has been dismissed from his position as head of the liaison office and replaced by Luo Huining, according to the English Language China Daily, which did not cite a reason. The liaison office, whose director is the highest-ranking Chinese political official in Hong Kong, was targeted in July by protesters throwing eggs and spraying graffiti across the building. Hong Kong is ruled under the "one country, two systems" principle, which formally grants the territory far reaching autonomy and freedoms.But demonstrators say these are being increasingly eroded by the central government in Beijing. Scapegoat In early December, following media reports that Beijing was considering replacing him, Wang had vowed to continue. Luo, his replacement, previously served as governor of Qinghai province, and was also appointed to senior Communist Party positions in Qinghai and Shanxi provinces, according to state-run China Daily. His Hong Kong appointment comes a week after he was made vice-chairman of Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, China's national legislature, according to China Daily. Tanya Chan, the convenor of the pro-democracy camp in the Legislative Council (Legco, Hong Kong's semi-democratic parliament), said in an interview with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), that Beijing may have made Wang Zhimin the scapegoat. It is likely that Wang Zhimin was removed from his post as liaison office director on Saturday because of how the past six months of anti-government protests have been handled in the city, she says. Landslide victory "I do believe this is probably the price that Wang needs to pay for misjudging the extradition bill as well as the situation in Hong Kong, especially regarding the district council elections, the lawmaker said. While the extradition bill that started the protests was eventually withdrawn, the Chinese government and the Hong Kong administration have since refused further concessions. But in November, Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp scored a landslide victory in a municipal-level vote, seen as a referendum on the city's Beijing-backed government. Saudi Arabia was not consulted by Washington over a US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, an official said Sunday, as the kingdom sought to defuse soaring regional tensions. Saudi Arabia is vulnerable to possible Iranian reprisals after Tehran vowed "revenge" following the strike on Friday that killed powerful commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia was not consulted regarding the US strike," a Saudi official told AFP, requesting anonymity. "In light of the rapid developments, the kingdom stresses the importance of exercising restraint to guard against all acts that may lead to escalation, with severe consequences," the official added. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry echoed a similar call for restraint at the weekend and King Salman emphasised the need for measures to calm tensions in a phone call on Saturday with Iraqi President Barham Saleh. In a separate phone call with Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed "the need to make efforts to calm the situation and de-escalate tensions", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. The crown prince has instructed Prince Khalid bin Salman, his younger brother and deputy defence minister, to travel to Washington and London in the next few days to urge restraint, the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported. Prince Khalid will meet White House and US defence officials, the paper said, citing unnamed sources. The killing of Soleimani, seen as the second most powerful man in Iran, is the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Washington and Tehran and has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump, who ordered the drone strike, has warned that Washington will hit Iran "very fast and very hard" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both allies of Washington, are also vulnerable to Iranian counter strikes, analysts say. A string of attacks attributed to Iran has caused anxiety in recent months as Riyadh and Washington deliberated over how to react. In particular, devastating strikes against Saudi oil installations last September led Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to adopt a more conciliatory approach aimed at avoiding confrontation with Tehran. Analysts warn that pro-Iran groups have the capacity to carry out attacks on US bases in Gulf states as well as against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz -- the strategic waterway that Tehran could close at will. - The Kiambu based officer, Henry Muturi, said the decision by the court in Thika left him depressed as he could not afford such an amount - The officer contemplated quitting his job to seek other alternatives to enable him raise the funds - Muturi called on the National Police Service Commission and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to intervene An administration police officer has decried a court order which has directed him to pay his ex-wife Nelius Nduko KSh 84,000 and an additional KSh 9,000 in monthly upkeep for their child. The Kiambu officer, Henry Muturi, said the decision by the court in Thika left him depressed as he could not afford such an amount. READ ALSO: Soleimani: Iran embassy in Kenya to hold prayers for slain general Henry Muturi has decried a court order which has directed him to pay his ex-wife Nelius Nduko KSh 84,000 and an additional KSh 9,000 in monthly upkeep. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Trump threatens to strike 52 Iranian sites should it revenge Soleimani's killing In an interview with NTV Kenya, Muturi said the court ruling was unfair to him as his meagre salary could not meet the set conditions. I cannot afford to raise the stated sum at my capacity. School lunch for instance accounts for KSh 6,000, educational trips which I have never been told KSh 1,500, books and stationery KSh 8,000, clothing KSh 10,000, food KSh 37,500, medical KSh 2,500, he said. The AP officer said the court ruling was unfair to him as his meagre salary cannot meet the set conditions. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Jamaa anayedaiwa kuwa mpenzi wa mtangazaji Betty Kyallo amkana The officer lives in a single room with two grown children and a one month old baby. He contemplated quitting his job as a police officer to seek other alternatives to enable him raise the funds. The officer called on the National Police Service Commission and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to intervene. Source: UGC There is no need to work anymore because in as much as I will be earning something, my children will not go to school and my family will have nothing to eat as I will be giving out all my money, he said. Esther Wairimu, Muturis current wife, said her husband was a distressed man and was seeking attention with the relevant authorities to have his case reviewed. The officer called on the National Police Service Commission and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to intervene. Cases of the court ordering men to pay monthly upkeep to their former lovers is not new in Kenya. In December 2019, controversial blogger and digital communications strategist Dennis Itumbi was ordered to pay a monthly upkeep of KSh 20,000 for his daughter until a child support case against him was heard and determined. This was after DNA test results presented before court confirmed he was the minor's biological father. 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 Karni Sena on Sunday held a support march for CAA in New Delhi saying that if they see anyone engaging in stone-pelting in the capital city or attacking the police personnel, they will give it back to them. "Does Delhi belong to their father? If you support Bangladeshis and engage in vandalism in India, then go to Bangladesh," said Suraj Pal Amu of the Karni Sena "What is the purpose of destroying public property. In the name of students, 65-70-year-olds are coming to the streets, Umar Khalid, supporters of Afzal Guru, why shouldn't Karni Sena come on the streets? Now we won't keep quiet, we will show them," said the Karni Sena leader. Demonstrators chanting "no war on Iran" rallied Saturday in Washington, New York and across the US to protest the assassination of a top Iranian military commander in a US drone strike. Outside the White House, around 200 people gathered as part of a wave of rallies called by left-leaning organizations. They chanted slogans including "No Justice, No Peace, US out of the Middle East." Organizers said demonstrations were convened in some 70 US cities to denounce the killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani early Friday in Baghdad on orders from President Donald Trump. The attack has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. "We will not allow our country to be led into another reckless war," one speaker outside the White House said. The protesters later headed toward the Trump International Hotel, which is just down the street from the presidential mansion. "Need a distraction? Start of a war," read a sign held by Sam Crook, 66. Trump faces a looming trial in the Senate following his impeachment by the House of Representatives in the Ukraine scandal. Crook described himself as concerned. "This country is in the grip of somebody who's mentally unstable, I mean Donald Trump, that is. He's not right in the head," Crook told AFP. "He's crazy, and has a childish reaction to everything. And I'm afraid he's going to inadvertently -- he doesn't really want to, I think -- but I think he could easily start some sort of a real conflagration in the Middle East," Crook added. Shirin, a 31-year-old Iranian-American who would not give her last name, said she was worried about the possibility of war with Iran, which has vowed revenge for the death of Soleimani. "We already spent trillions of dollars fighting unjust wars in Iraq and, you know, the longest war today in Afghanistan. And what do we have to show for it?" she said. She argued that the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq caused instability throughout the region and strengthened Iran, "which is now, you know, a major political, social and cultural force in Iraq." At Times Square in New York, demonstrators marched with signs crying out against the prospect of war with Iran and calling for the withdrawal of the 5,000-odd US troops in Iraq. "War is not a re-election strategy," read one sign in that procession. Demonstrators also marched in cities including Chicago and Los Angeles. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bagdad Thousands of militiamen and other supporters chanting "America is the Great Satan" marched in a funeral procession Saturday in Baghdad for Iran's top general after he was killed in a U.S. airstrike, as the region braced for the Islamic Republic to fulfill its vows of revenge. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and mastermind of its regional security strategy, was killed early Friday near the Baghdad international airport along with senior Iraqi militants in an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump. The attack has caused regional tensions to soar and tested the U.S. alliance with Iraq. Iran has vowed harsh retaliation, raising fears of an all-out war, but it's unclear how or when it might respond. Any retaliation was likely to come after three days of mourning declared by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. All eyes were on Iraq, where America and Iran have competed for influence since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Trump says he ordered the strike, a high-risk decision that was made without consulting Congress or U.S. allies, to prevent a conflict. U.S. officials say Soleimani was plotting a series of attacks that endangered American troops and officials, without providing evidence. The U.S.-led coalition has scaled back operations and boosted "security and defensive measures" at bases hosting coalition forces in Iraq, a coalition official said on condition of anonymity according to regulations. The U.S. has dispatched another 3,000 troops to neighboring Kuwait, the latest in a series of deployments in recent months as the standoff with Iran has worsened. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional policy of mobilizing militias across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, including in the war against the Islamic State group. He was also blamed for attacks on U.S. troops and American allies going back decades. In Baghdad, thousands of mourners, mostly men in black military fatigues, carried Iraqi flags and the flags of Iran-backed militias that are fiercely loyal to Soleimani at Saturday's ceremony. They were also mourning Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior Iraqi militia commander who was killed in the same strike. The mourners, many of them in tears, chanted "No, No, America," and "Death to America, death to Israel." Mohammed Fadl, a mourner dressed in black, said the funeral is an expression of loyalty to the slain leaders. "It is a painful strike, but it will not shake us," he said. Helicopters hovered over the procession, which was attended by Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and leaders of Iran-backed militias. The procession later made its way to the Shiite holy city of Karbala, where the mourners raised red flags associated with unjust bloodshed and revenge. The slain Iraqi militants will be buried in Najaf, while Soleimani's remains will be taken to Iran. More funeral services will be held for Soleimani in Iran on Sunday and Monday, before his body is laid to rest in his hometown of Kerman. The day of mourning was followed by a series of rockets that were launched Saturday evening and fell inside or near the Green Zone, which houses government offices and foreign embassies, including the U.S. Embassy. No one was injured by a Katyusha rocket that fell inside the square less than one kilometer from the embassy, according to an Iraqi security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters. The security official said another rocket in Baghdad landed about 500 meters from As-Salam palace where the Iraqi President Barham Salih normally stays in Jadriya, a neighborhood adjacent to the Green Zone. Another security official said three rockets fell outside an air base north of Baghdad were American contractors are normally present. The rockets landed outside the base in a farm area and there were no reports of damages, according to the official. One of the Iran-backed militia, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or League of the Righteous, called on Iraqi security forces to stay away from U.S. bases, keep at least a 1,000 meters distance (0.6 miles) starting Sunday night. "The leaders of the security forces should protect the safety of their fighters and not allow them to be human shields to the occupying Crusaders," the warning statement said, in reference to the Coalition bases. Iraq's government, which is closely allied with Iran, condemned the airstrike that killed Soleimani, calling it an attack on its national sovereignty. Parliament is meeting for an emergency session Sunday, and the government has come under mounting pressure to expel the 5,200 American troops based in the country, who are there to help prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group. Hadi al-Amiri, who heads a large parliamentary bloc and is expected to replace al-Muhandis as deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of mostly Iran-backed militias, was among those paying their final respects in Baghdad. "Rest assured," he said before al-Muhandis' coffin in a video circulated on social media. "The price of your pure blood will be the exit of U.S. forces from Iraq forever." The U.S. has ordered all citizens to leave Iraq and temporarily closed its embassy in Baghdad, where Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters staged two days of violent protests earlier this week in which they breached the compound. Britain and France have warned their citizens to avoid or strictly limit travel in Iraq. No one was hurt in the embassy protests, which came in response to U.S. airstrikes that killed 25 Iran-backed militiamen in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. blamed the militia for a rocket attack that killed a U.S. contractor in northern Iraq. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have steadily intensified since Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal and restore crippling sanctions, which have devastated Iran's economy and contributed to recent protests there in which hundreds were reportedly killed. The administration's "maximum pressure" campaign has led Iran to openly abandon commitments under the deal. The U.S. has also blamed Iran for a wave of increasingly provocative attacks in the region, including the sabotage of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and an attack on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure in September that temporarily halved its production. Iran denied involvement in those attacks, but admitted to shooting down a U.S. surveillance drone in June, saying it had strayed into its airspace. Billboards and images of Soleimani, who was widely seen as a national icon and a hero of the so-called Axis of Resistance against Western hegemony, appeared on major streets in Iran Saturday with the warning from the supreme leader that "harsh revenge" awaits the U.S. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited Soleimani's home in Tehran to express his condolences. "The Americans did not realize what a great mistake they made," Rouhani said. "They will see the effects of this criminal act, not only today but for years to come." On the streets of Tehran, many mourned Soleimani. "I don't think there will be a war, but we must get his revenge," said Hojjat Sanieefar. America "can't hit and run anymore," he added. Another man, who only identified himself as Amir, was worried. "If there is a war, I am 100 percent sure it will not be to our betterment. The situation will certainly get worse," he said. In an effort to defuse tensions, Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, made an unplanned trip to Iran where he met with Rouhani and other senior officials. Qatar hosts American forces at the Al-Udeid Air Base and shares a massive offshore oil and gas field with Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had spoken with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of the United Arab Emirates. "I reaffirmed that the U.S. remains committed to de-escalation," he tweeted. On Dec. 18 the Helena League of Women Voters held the first of several planned voter registration events at Helena High School during lunch hour. This was a non-partisan event that resulted in 25 students registering to vote. Some students were 18 while others were 17, and all will be 18 by the next election. This event could not have been successful without the help of members of the Helena High Student Council supported by a social studies teacher. Thank-you to each of them. Order Processing Executive Job 2020 in Lahore Latest Multinational Company Executive Posts Lahore 2022 A multinational company requires the services of highly qualified and experienced individual for the position of Order Processing Executive in Lahore Punjab Pakistan 2020. How to Apply on Multinational Company Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. Prosecutors said in court that Sanders went to the Aurora home of his estranged wife, accused her of infidelity and hit and punched her late on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, 2017, officials said. He slammed her head into a wall and punched her, causing a black eye. Sanders fled when the victim threatened to call police, officials said. Your browser does not support the audio element. Pork imports rocketed over the last two months as market demand surges weeks before the Tet, or Lunar New Year holiday - the biggest holiday in Vietnam when pork is widely used in preparing traditional dishes - according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)s Foreign Trade Agency. The Agency of Foreign Trade reported Vietnam imported over 15,000 metric tons of pork, worth US$15.9 million, in November 2019, up 164 percent and 113 percent, respectively, from the same period of the previous year. In the first 11 months of last year, the country spent US$124 million on over 111,000 metric tons of pork imports, year-on-year increases of 97 percent and 108 percent, respectively. Most imported pork is frozen and comes from the U.S., Germany, France, and Poland, the agency added. The imported pork products are subject to multiple taxes and fees, including customs duties, five-percent value-added tax (VAT), and cold preservation fee, which add around VND33,000-35,000 ($1.43-1.51) to the cost of each kilogram of pork. Vietnam currently imposes a ten-percent most-favored-nation (MFN) import tariff on frozen pork while that for fresh and chilled pork is 25 percent. For countries that signed a free trade agreement with Vietnam like Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Russia and Mexico, the rates range from 3-21 percent. According to the agency, the MoIT has inked bilateral agreements on animal quarantine with 19 countries. Over 1,640 foreign firms have been granted permits to export pork products to Vietnam while about 140 domestic companies have been allowed to import pork. The ministry has been accelerating communication campaigns to raise public awareness of pork prices and supply and to encourage people to shift to alternative products, in order to stabilize the market. It has also worked with relevant ministries to come up with measures to ensure a sufficient supply of farming products, particularly pork, ahead of the holiday. On the first few days of 2020, prices of live pigs dropped by about VND1,000-2,000 per kilogram in the northern region, where the products sold for about VND90,000-95,000 ($3.90-4.11) per kilogram, the highest in the country. The 2020 Lunar New Year will fall on January 25, with preparation and celebration typically taking place a week before and after the date. As of mid-December 2019, nearly six million pigs weighing over 342,800 metric tons, or about 20 percent of the nations hog herd, had been culled due to the African swine fever that first appeared in the country in February last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The epidemic has led to a historic pork shortage in Vietnam, pushing pork prices up in the final months of the year. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) disclosed on television on Friday that she will support an amended version of the USMCA treaty after having shot down the previous version, which she dubbed NAFTA 2.0. In November, Warren had disavowed the first iteration of the USMCA deal, which was in itself an adaptation of the former NAFTA deal from the Clinton era. This latest round with Donald Trump over the past three years has just slammed our farmers, Warren said last year of the plan, according to Bloomberg. Theyve lost markets, not just in the NAFTA countries but around the world, and its really, really put them in a squeeze. Warrens approval of the deal came after three objections she had made to the first USMCA draft were ironed out. The plan guarantees stronger enforcement of labor standards, the prescription drug provision was dropped, and she also said the new treaty does a better job of fighting climate change, a campaign aide said, CNN reported. Workers have had the legs taken out from underneath them, and this agreement makes improvements, Warren said on WBZ Friday morings Keller@Large Show. Its going to help open up some markets for farmers. They need that stability. Its going to help with enforceable labor standards, and thats going to be useful. 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, a Democratic hopeful, now takes a more moderate stance in this issue alongside more center-left Democratic candidates like Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar. I want to see improvement for our farmers and workers. Its not as much improvement as Id like to see, but right now, theyre in a terrible hole where Donald Trump has put them. I want to get them out of that hole, Warren told show host Jon Keller. Fellow senator and political rival for the Democratic presidential candidacy nomination, Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), however, still vehemently opposes the plan. Sanders said in a statement that a re-negotiated NAFTA must stop the outsourcing of U.S. jobs, end the destructive race to the bottom, protect the environment, and lower the outrageously high price of prescription drugs. Clearly, Trumps NAFTA 2.0 does not meet these standards, he said, according to WBZ. At the end of the interview, Warren was asked to which extent her stance on the treaty sets her apart from Sanders. Well, Bernie sees this differently, obviously, Warren said. Youll have to ask Bernie his reasons. The prior version of the USMCA passed the House in December with strong bipartisan support and endorsement from the major labor unions. The bill will go to the Senate for ratification as early as next week, and it is expected to smoothly pass there as well. At the 42nd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovenrmental Committee (Photo: VNA) Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his delight at the development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in all areas. Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith congratulated Vietnam on its impressive achievements in socio-economic development in 2019, especially the economic growth of 7 percent. He spoke highly of outcomes of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, expressing his belief the meeting will create a new momentum for the bilateral ties in 2020 when Vietnam and Laos are celebrating important events and preparing for the National Party Congress of each country in 2021. Both sides expressed their pleasure with the implementation of cooperation programme between the two governments in all areas over the past year. The political ties and cooperation in defence security have been strengthened, contributing to maintaining political stability and social order and security in each country. Regarding economic collaboration, the two-way trade hit 1.2 billion USD, up 12.5 percent. Vietnam remained a big foreign investor in Laos with nearly 430 projects with combined capital of nearly 5 billion USD. Cooperation in education has been promoted with the increasing number of Vietnams scholarships for Laos. There are 17,000 Lao students studying in Vietnam. The two sides agreed on cooperation orientations for 2020, with a focus on increasing pillar collaboration on politics, external affairs, defence, security; strengthening experience sharing in building policies on stabilising macro-economy stability and promoting sustainable development; while enhancing connectivity and supplementation between the two economies, especially in transport and energy. Besides, the two nations will coordinate to improve business and investment environment, and transport infrastructure connectivity, while creating more favourable conditions for businesses and striving to expand two-way trade by at least 10 percent this year. Vietnam and Laos will work together to build their cooperation strategy in the next ten years, while the two countries ministries, sectors and localities continue promoting substantial and effective cooperation in the fields of culture, science, social affairs, information and communications, sports, healthcare, internal and judicial matters. The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums and join hands to further deepen the cooperation and connectivity of the ASEAN Community as well as promote the blocs solidarity, central role, and common voice in regional strategic issues, including the East Sea matter. They were unanimous in making effective and sustainable use of water resources in the Mekong River. Laos affirmed to support Vietnams assumption of the roles of the ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021 tenure. Concluding the meeting, the two PMs stressed they will direct ministries, sectors, localities and businesses of both countries to closely coordinate to realise effectively the freshly-reached agreements. After the meeting, the two PMs witnessed the signing ceremony for important cooperation documents, including the agreement on cooperation plan for 2020 between the governments of Vietnam and Laos, the minutes of the 42nd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee, the agreement on transfer of sentenced persons, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Vietnams Transport Ministry and the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and the agreement on education cooperation plan between the two education ministries. The call starts innocently enough: Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., warmly greets the voices on the line, whom a staffer identifies as Greta Thunberg and her father, Svante. They share a laugh about Waters's nickname, "Auntie Maxine." The congresswoman praises her young caller for her climate change activism. "You have made quite a big, big, big, big thunder on this issue. I am really, really very proud of you and the work that you're doing," Waters is heard saying. The congresswoman and her staff thought they had connected with Thunberg, the 17-year-old Swedish climate activist who was recently named Time magazine's "Person of the Year." In reality, two 30-something Russians, Vladimir "Vovan" Kuznetsov and Alexei "Lexus" Stolyarov, were on the other end of the line. The duo describe themselves as comedians and pranksters, but they are widely suspected of having ties to the Russian government. Audio from the call with Waters was posted to the pair's YouTube page on Thursday, along with a cartoon animating the approximately 10-minute interaction as part of their comedy video series called "Stars Save the Earth." It's unclear when exactly the call took place. Waters' office did not respond to questions seeking details about how the call was arranged or whether her office has screening or security protocols for phone calls. Waters waved off the incident on Saturday, telling The Washington Post in an email statement: "This was just another stupid prank by the same Russian operatives who have targeted many U.S. elected officials, including Rep. Adam B. Schiff, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham, Sen. Mitch McConnell, and late-Senator John McCain, and international heads of state such as Emmanuel Macron. The end." But security experts warn that what's being passed off as prank-call mischief is really Russian misinformation meant to undermine the United States. Kuznetsov and Stolyarov deny they're Kremlin-backed agents with ties to Russian security forces, despite their pattern of frequently targeting people critical of Russia or the fact that, as two supposed pranksters, they're able to reach powerful world leaders directly by phone. "We work for ourselves, for nobody else," Stolyarov told the Guardian in 2016. Whether the pair are agents of the Russian government, the kind of ruse they pulled on Waters can accomplish two goals for Russia, according to Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a communications professor at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of the 2018 book, "Cyberwar: How Russian Hackers and Trolls Helped Elect a President." "The first [goal] is adding info. to a political dialogue in which discrediting one side is useful to Russia," Jamieson told The Post by phone. "The second is being able to make the argument to the rest of the world that U.S. leaders are easily duped. Putin's interests are served when U.S. leaders are made to look foolish in the eyes of the world." Kuznetsov and Stolyarov started pranking their own rich and famous countrymen around 2014, before moving on to targets like Elton John, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and, more recently, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. The men pose as prominent figures their targets would be keen to speak with, engage them in conversation and then post the audio to their YouTube channel. The call to Waters includes a mix of the absurd - the Thunberg impersonator mentions a climate strike in support of "Chon-go-Chango island" - and the overtly political. Halfway through the call, the impersonators detail a fictional exchange between President Donald Trump and Thunberg that they claim happened when both attended the U.N. climate summit in September. In it, they tell Waters that the president made Thunberg cry when he said, "You'll never achieve your goals like those congressional fools who accuse me," and "I'll tell you the truth: I really wanted to push the Ukraine president to put my competitor on trial. And he will go to trial with you, with [a bunch of] Democrats. . . . I would have a separate cage for all of you." "Oh my god, he mentioned the Ukrainian president?" Waters is heard asking. The caller impersonating Thunberg's father offers that they have an audio recording of Trump's remarks to Greta that they can provide to the congresswoman. Waters is heard assuring the callers that her colleagues are working diligently to gather facts in the impeachment case against Trump. "[I]f the public knew he talked to Greta like that, and that she will never achieve - that will go against him, too," she said. Waters ends the call by offering to arrange a meeting as quickly as possible, to which the callers agree. Schiff, Waters' congressional colleague and the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, received a similar call from the two men in April 2017, when one posed as the speaker of Ukraine's parliament, Andriy Parubiy, the Atlantic reported in 2018. On the call, the impersonator told Schiff they had compromising material on Trump, including nude photos of the president. "We will try to work with the FBI to figure out, along with your staff, how we can obtain copies," Schiff reportedly responded. A spokesman for Schiff later told the magazine that they suspected the call was "bogus" and had alerted security and law enforcement before agreeing to take it and after. Despite those precautions, Republican opponents like Rep. Devin Nunes of California pointed to the existence of the call as evidence Democrats were being cavalier and incautious in gathering evidence against Trump for the impeachment hearing. "The point at which this enters the dialogue and can be used for a political attack has real consequences," said Jamieson. Not all targets have been Democrats, but Jamieson said it matters if the "pranksters" are reaching out to people involved in an ongoing investigation. She also advised watching to see whether reports of the stories are picked up and amplified by Russian government-controlled websites like RT and Sputnik. "At that point, this is no longer a prank; this is engaging in disinformation," she said. A lingering question for Jamieson - and perhaps many lawmakers' offices - is whether voice recognition or other technology can advance to the point where it can help verify who is on the other end. "There's a real vulnerability when you're talking to someone you can't see. You wouldn't want the president of the U.S., or someone who has the capacity to make significant leadership decisions, to be tricked by someone who isn't who they allege they are," Jamieson said. Trump already fell victim to such a prank in 2018 when U.S. comedian John Melendez, a.k.a. Stuttering John of "The Howard Stern Show," claims to have reached the president on Air Force One by pretending to be Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. Her younger sisters wedding was watched by an audience of three million during an ITV special lasting more than three hours. But last night it emerged that Princess Beatrice will not receive the same treatment after the broadcaster announced it definitely wont be televising her wedding live. ITV made the decision despite devoting a whole morning schedule to Princess Eugenies 2018 wedding to wine merchant Jack Brooksbank, 34, at Windsor Castle. ITV will not be showing full live coverage of Princess Beatrice's royal wedding, it has been revealed. Pictured is Beatrice with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Beatrice, 31, announced her engagement to Italian property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 37, in September. Mr Mapelli Mozzi shares a son with his ex-fiancee, American architect Dara Huang. Beatrice has seen her happiness overshadowed by the ongoing scandal surrounding her father, Prince Andrew, with royal experts suggesting he has become so toxic that her wedding ceremony could even be held privately. Royal experts suggesting that after the Prince Andrew controversy the wedding could even be held privately Last night ITV said it definitely wont be covering the wedding in its daytime schedule. It comes after the BBC also confirmed it would not broadcast the nuptials live, but that it would still offer news coverage of the wedding across our channels. A friend of the York family insisted last night that there had never been any plans to televise Beatrices wedding and any suggestion that she had been snubbed or shunned because scandal surrounding her fathers friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was plain wrong. For Eugenies wedding, Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford presented an extended This Morning special for more than three hours. It featured the build-up from 9.25am, the ceremony itself from inside St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle at 11am, and a discussion about the wedding afterwards. Under normal circumstances, the BBC is offered the rights to show royal occasions for free but it has decided against doing so for either of the sisters, who are ninth and tenth in line to the throne. Buckingham Palace said it would not comment on details regarding the wedding, including where and if it would be shown on television. Princess Eugenie's wedding (pictured) to Jack Brooksbank was broadcast by ITV in 2018 and pulled in three million viewers It is widely expected to be held in late May or early June, and among the venues being considered is St Georges Chapel. The York family friend stressed: At no point was this [televising] an option, and added that the couple have never had plans for a large wedding. In what appeared to be a gesture of solidarity, the Queen gave Beatrice permission to invite her fiance to Sandringham for Christmas. It is only recently that the Queen, who is head of the Church of England, has relaxed the rules on allowing unmarried couples to stay at her Norfolk estate. Last month a source at Sandringham told the Daily Mail: Its clear that Her Majesty wants to support her granddaughter, who is getting married at a very difficult time for her family. But everyone feels Bea deserves to be happy. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and Princess Beatrice attend day one of Royal Ascot together in 2019 Singapore: China has replaced the head of its Hong Kong Liaison Office, the most senior mainland political official based in the Chinese-controlled territory, following more than six months of often-violent anti-government protests in the city. Wang Zhimin, who had held the post since 2017, had been replaced by 65-year-old Luo Huining, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on its website. Until November, Luo was the top official of China's ruling Communist Party in the northern province of Shanxi. Reuters reported exclusively in November that Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis, the worst since the city reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997. Police continued to disperse protesters in Hong Kong over the Christmas and new year period. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong The statement gave no other details on the change. Barely visible through the smoke, a helicopter circles above the wharf in the town Eden, 4 January 2020. The entire town was ordrered to be evacuated as bushfires closed in. Photo: Brett Mason / SBSNews By Christopher Knaus 4 January 2020 (The Guardian) The situation is deteriorating in Eden on the Far South Coast. A bushfire moved quickly up from the NSW-Victorian border last night, as the southerly change moved up the coast and turned fires northward. The fire, dubbed the border fire, burnt last night from the Victorian border to Victorian Border to the southern shores of Twofold Bay. [UPDATE: Eden has been declared safe. Des] It has already affected the areas of Wonboyn, Kiah, Narrabarba and surrounds. Properties have been damaged in the area and building impact assessment teams will be deployed to assess the destruction. The border fire is now threatening the town of Eden. An update posted on the Bega Valley Shire Councils website a short while ago warned Eden residents, including those in Snug Cove Wharf, to leave now and head to Merimbula or Bega. Authorities were still attempting to define the fire line near Eden. View from #Eden wharf. Direction of Border Fire front to the left of frame. Wind coming from same direction. Vast majority of residents have evacuated. @NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/TdozoK9JyK Andrew Quilty (@andrewquilty) January 5, 2020 Eden residents if you are not prepared to mentally and physically defend your house, leave now, the advice read. If you are in the areas of Burragate and Towamba, it is too late to leave. The RFS is advising that you seek shelter as the fire approaches and protect yourself from the heat of the fire.Authorities say Merimbula, Pambula and surrounding areas are not currently under threat. The Princess Highway remains closed at Broadwater to southbound traffic. Were also getting reports that journalists in Eden to cover the Far South Coast bushfires are being told to evacuate. Just to update you on the current fire situation across the country, here is what is happening in each state (via AAP): NSW 18 people dead 150 bushfires burning, 64 uncontained More than 3.6 million hectares burned, greater than the size of Belgium 1365 homes confirmed destroyed but number expected to rise significantly Smoke from bushfires in Australia turns the sky red in Merimbula at 7am, 4 January 2020. Photo: Tegan George / Network 10 VICTORIA Two people dead, seven missing About 40 bushfires burning More than 970,000 hectares burned 330 structures confirmed destroyed but significantly more expected QUEENSLAND About 30 bushfires burning 250,000 hectares burned 45 homes confirmed destroyed WESTERN AUSTRALIA 30 bushfires burning 1.5 million hectares burned One home confirmed destroyed Complete evacuation of Eden,NSW now ordered. There is no safe place here. @abcnews @ Eden, New South Wales https://t.co/aVGFxFgkeZ Greg Nelson ACS (@GregNelsonACS) January 5, 2020 TASMANIA 23 bushfires burning, three of significance 30,000 hectares burned Two homes confirmed destroyed SOUTH AUSTRALIA Three people dead 15 bushfires burning, four of significance More than 200,000 hectares burned 88 homes confirmed destroyed but number expected to rise significantly Eden evacuations Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday chose a gathering of the BJPs booth workers to talk about Netflix and a toll-free number in the same breath. The Bharatiya Janata Party had issued the number earlier this week to ask people to register their support for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and it went viral for all the wrong reasons. The number was repeatedly shared by social media users to claim that it would activate a six-month free subscription to the video streaming platform. Netflix India, which also noticed the tweets, on Saturday denied that the number belonged to it. This is absolutely fake. If you want free Netflix please use someone elses account like the rest of us, it tweeted. On Sunday, Amit Shah clarified that the number belongs to the BJP. Since yesterday rumours are being spread that the number belongs to some channel called, Netflix. I would like to clarify that the number never belonged to Netflix. Rather, it is BJPs toll-free number, the Union minister said. The BJP has launched fresh attempts to address concerns about the citizenship act, which has triggered protests across the country and an opposition onslaught against the amended law. Apart from the toll-press number, party leaders will hold a series rallies 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). 05.01.2020 LISTEN Animal rescuers were immediately called to a British hotel where a shocked guest went into their room and discovered it was already occupied by a snake. The RSPCA said a guest at the hotel in Doncaster checked in on New Year's Eve and went up to their room, where they saw the kingsnake, a species native to the Americas. "Staff were alerted and went to the room, saw the snake, closed and put towels up against the door and promptly called us," RSPCA Inspector Sara Jordan said. Jordan responded to the hotel and spent an hour searching the room before she found the intruding serpent. "We managed to lift the headboard off the wall but found no snake and then we finally lifted the TV desk off the wall there the snake was, all curled up and unaware of the havoc they'd wreaked," she said. RSPCA officials said the snake appears healthy and well-cared-for. Jordan said she suspects the snake might be a pet that stowed away in another hotel guest's luggage. "The snake is now safe and sound at one of our partner exotic specialists and will be rehomed after two weeks if no one comes forward," she said. ---UPI.com BROOK PARK, Ohio -- Former Ward 1 Councilman Tom Troyer made his return to the dais and new at-large Councilwoman Lisa Schmuck participated in her first official council meeting on Thursday (Jan. 2). In addition, council unanimously reappointed Michelle Blazak as clerk of council. She begins her 26th year in that position. Michelle is the glue that holds all of us together, both for council and the administration, Council President Mike Vecchio said in an interview with cleveland.com. Without Michelle, we dont get anything done. She knows more about legislative action than any of us combined. He noted that in just the past two years of Blazak's service, all council meeting minutes are current, and the city is operating now with only one clerk in the council office. There previously had been an assistant clerk, as well as another clerk from outside for a while, Vecchio added. He is very optimistic about a cohesive City Council for 2020. "I'm the unifier of this group as we work with the administration to get things done that are for the betterment of the city and the residents," Vecchio said. "We can't worry about or fix what took place yesterday, but we can worry about tomorrow." Lisa Schmuck took her place on the dais as a new at-large council representative for Brook Park. (Beth Mlady, special to cleveland.com) During the organizational meeting, committee assignments and appointments were made for the coming year. Councilman Rick Salvatore was reaffirmed as council president pro tem. Schmuck will be chairperson of the Aviation and Environmental Committee, while the Finance Committee will be led by Councilman Rich Scott. The Legislative Committee will have Councilman Jim Mencini as its chairman, and Councilman Brian Poindexter will lead the Parks and Recreation Committee. Councilman Ed Orcutt will chair the Planning Committee. Troyer was appointed to lead the Safety Committee, as well as the Citizen of the Year Committee, and Salvatore will be Service Committee chairman. Mencini was appointed to head the Board of Zoning Appeals. Orcutt will represent the city as its trustee on the Southwest General Health Center board. Mencini will serve as council's liaison to the Berea Board of Education. Troyer indicated he had only just received Mayor Mike Gammella's list of proposed appointments to various city commissions, so council members agreed to delay a vote on those selections until the Jan. 7 council meeting. Read more stories from the News Sun. Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Saturday concluded his three-day visit to Vietnam to co-chair the 42nd meeting of the Inter-governmental Committee at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Society -- Traffic police officers imposed fines worth a total of VND816.6 million (US$35,300) upon 615 road users for violating the new law on drink-driving throughout Vietnam on January 1 and 2, the first two days after the piece of legislation officially took effect, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Saturday. -- A 37-year-old woman and her 12-year-old son were seriously injured after a rockslide struck their home in Nha Trang City, located in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, on Saturday afternoon. -- The Vuon Mat Troi Kindergarten in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa has been fined VND43 million ($1,860) for a case where 130 of its students came down with food poisoning after a school meal on December 23. -- The Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health has advised people against using a type of medicine that has recently been advertised on the Internet as a treatment of lung cancer. -- Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh returned to the north-central province of Thua Thien-Hue on Saturday afternoon after two months of resting in Thailand. Business -- Phu Cat Airport in the south-central province of Binh Dinh on Saturday welcomed 144 Korean passengers on flight QH9457 of Bamboo Airways, which had departed from Cheongju Airport in South Korea, marking the commencement of Phu Cat airports international air service provision. -- A giant dragon-shaped pot of peach blossom trees, which his worth VND1 billion ($43,270), has attracted a lot of attention from local residents on Lac Long Quan Street in Hanoi over the past days. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! In a move that could radically change Californias approach to homelessness, a former assemblyman has started a signature-gathering drive for a November ballot initiative that would call for the strict enforcement of quality of life laws, which deal with behavior such as public drunkenness or drug use and defecating in public. Offenders would be to be sent to special courts, where they could be sentenced to shelter programs or mandatory rehab. It would treat such behavior as a cry for help and a sign that the person cannot make wise decisions, said former state Assemblyman Mike Gatto, the initiatives author. Once a defendant has completed his sentence, his conviction would be expunged, so he would have no criminal record that might hinder him from getting a job, housing or public benefits. Gatto said the idea behind the California Compassionate Intervention Act is to strike a balance between criminalizing homelessness often seen as too harsh and policies that ignore quality-of-life crimes as an unfortunate byproduct of homelessness often seen as too lenient. If you or I were to commit one of these acts, we would face the consequences, and likely have friends and family intervene, Gatto said. This would be the government staging an intervention. Gatto is a Democrat and served in the Assembly from 2010 to 2016. He lives in Los Angeles, works as lawyer and doesnt own a car. As a result, he spends a good deal of his time on mass transit, so I have seen quite a lot of this type of behavior, he said. The initiatives title and summary have been cleared by the attorney generals office, so the next step being is collecting by May the roughly 620,000 signatures needed to qualify for the November ballot. Gatto doesnt have any large donor groups bankrolling the campaign. Nor has he received endorsements from elected officials. And he hasnt asked. Many of them have been part of the problem, or the public perceives them to be, Gatto said. Call me naive, but I want the campaign to be about the initiative, not about who is backing it. But Gatto said he doesnt need big money to qualify the initiative, in part because professional signature gatherers those people with clipboards who stop you on the way out of the supermarket the campaign plans to hire in the coming week see the initiative as top of the stack. That means the measure will get peoples attention and make it easier for the gatherers to pitch other, less interesting measures theyre also hawking. This is not going to take $2 million to qualify, Gatto said. Not that the measure is without opposition. The Western Center on Law & Poverty has said the arrest and rehab plan would take California back into the dark ages of mass institutionalization of people with perceived or real mental illness. Such zero tolerance approaches only exacerbate racial and class disparities through an overly aggressive criminal justice system. Another rub could be the increased cost to the courts, and substance and mental health treatment programs, which could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually, according to the propositions summary. Some or all of these costs would be funded by a shift of about $860 million in existing state revenues ... and certain mental health programs. State and local governments could face ongoing cost to replace this funding, the attorney generals summation states. Gatto agrees that the initiative would shift tax dollars, but he contends the money is being misspent and that the costs of the program are far cheaper than the costs the system bears now with street cleanups, emergency-room visits, disease outbreaks and crimes. The measure is bound to start a debate, but whatever the outcome, early polling indicates that if the measure qualifies for the ballot, it stands a very good chance of passing. A recent statewide poll by 3M Research found that 90% of the voters surveyed listed homelessness as the No. 1 problem facing the state 87% of the voters in the Bay Area listed it as the top problem. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. It was remarkable to get voters views on a variety of issues headed for the November ballot, said Democratic consultant Chris Tapio, whose firm commissioned the poll, taken from Nov. 21 to 27. In all my years of polling, Ive never seen 90% of the voters agree on anything, but they all agree that homelessness is the top problem, he said. The poll also found 73% of the voters support Gattos measure. Tapio said voter support for the initiative appears to be borne of frustration with state and local governments and law enforcement dealing with the problem. This could be a Proposition 13 moment, Tapio said, referring to the landmark property tax reform initiative passed by voters in 1978 after years of legislative inaction. Handling homelessness may be reaching the same tipping point. For while hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on shelters and other programs Gov. Gavin Newsom even convened a special task force on homelessness behavior on the streets only appears to be getting worse. At this point, voters are so fed up and so tired that they just want the problem fixed, and Gattos initiative is the only thing out there, Tapio said. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phil Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KGO-TV morning and evening news and can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier Chad has ended a months-long mission fighting Boko Haram in neighbouring Nigeria and withdrawn its 1,200-strong force across their common border, an army spokesman told AFP on Saturday. "It's our troops who went to aid Nigerian soldiers months ago returning home. They have finished their mission," spokesman Colonel Azem Bermandoa told AFP. "None of our soldiers remains in Nigeria," he added. He did not specify if they might be replaced following Friday's pullout which saw them "return to their sector at Lake Chad." However, Chad's general chief of staff General Tahir Erda Tahiro said that if countries in the region which have contributed to a multinational anti-jihadist force were in agreement, more troops would likely be sent in amid local people's fears of a security vacuum. The Chad troops, brought out in pick-up trucks and tank transporters, crossed the bridge back to their home capital of N'djamena via the Cameroon border town of Kousseri under the curious gaze of locals, an AFP reporter said. News of the pullout, coupled with a local report of Nigerian troops also leaving the vicinity, sparked concern among local people in the small town of Gajiganna, hundreds of whom promptly fled the area citing their fear of further attacks. The Chad troops riding pick-up trucks and tank transporters, crossed the bridge back home to N'djamena via the Cameroon border town of Kousseri under the curious gaze of locals. By - (AFP) The Chadian soldiers had had a garrison there as well as at nearby Monguno, close to Lake Chad itself. An anti-jihadist militia source told AFP: "From what the Chadian soldiers told us their withdrawal is as a result of the expiration of their mandate which was for nine months." The source added that "as soon as they left most residents of Gajiganna fled to Maiduguri for fear of attacks by the terrorists. They left because Nigerian troops working alongside the Chadians also left the base soon after the Chadians had moved out." Residents vote with feet One Gajiganna resident who fled said: "I left Gajiganna and moved to Maiduguri on Wednesday when I realized that Nigerian soldiers had left their base soon after the withdrawal of Chadian soldiers". He told AFP he had left with around 300 other people on learning of the troop pullback as people felt exposed and unprotected from Boko Haram attacks." Tahiro had earlier told AFP that "if the states around Lake Chad agree on a new mission there will surely be another contingent redeployed on the ground." Boko Haram began the insurrection in Nigeria a decade ago, leading to at least 35,000 deaths with violence spilling over into Chad, Niger and Cameroon. A Boko Haram faction aligned with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) jihadists is active around Lake Chad where the group has training bases on the Niger border and regularly raids military bases and regional security forces. Last month saw 14 people killed with 13 more listed as missing after an attack on a fishing village in western Chad. Countries in the region have banded together to fight Boko Haram and ISWAP with support from civilian defence committees. Those troops have now pulled back across the border to be "deployed in the Lake Chad region to strengthen security along the border," a senior local official told AFP. Cameroon says it is battling an upsurge in Boko Haram attacks and, according to an Amnesty International report published last month 275 people, including 225 civilians, were killed there last year. Flash Five people were killed and four others injured in a gas explosion in the city of Kaduna, northern Nigeria, on Saturday, local police told Xinhua. Kaduna police spokesman Yakubu Sabo, who confirmed the casualty figures to Xinhua on the phone, said the explosion emanated from a roadside gas vending shop in the business area of the town of Sabon Tasha, affecting passersby and shop owners. Among those killed, two were burned beyond recognition, Sabo said. The four injured sustained varying degrees of injuries, as the explosion impacted three other adjoining shops of different businesses, Sabo said. Teams of detectives have been dispatched to the scene on a rescue mission and for further investigation, he said. Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna state's commissioner of internal security and home affairs, who was at the scene of the incident to assess the extent of the damage, told reporters there would be an investigation. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, has extended condolences in a statement to the families that "lost their loved ones following the gas explosion in Sabon Tasha." Smoke from raging bushfires in Australia blanketed parts of neighbouring New Zealand on Sunday, turning the sky over Auckland a bright orange. The city is more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) from southeastern Australia, parts of which have been devastated by bushfires that have raged for months. Local police have asked residents to stop calling the nations emergency hotline to report the issue. Zimena Dormer-Didovich told Reuters that it was unsettling and felt apocalyptic. Were in Auckland, New Zealand. Thats why this is so shocking to us - were so far away yet this smoke is so intense, Dormer-Didovich said, adding how the few hours of exposure to the smoke were being felt. My 14-year-olds asthma is playing up, and Im starting to notice that my breathing is slightly affected too. The bushfires in Australia have killed 24 people, destroyed more than 1,500 homes and burnt through more than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) since September. The rumblings of discontent over the cabinet expansion in Maharashtra continued on Saturday, even as officials said late in the evening that the government had finalised portfolios to be allocated to the ministers and a formal nod from governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was awaited. While there were reports that irked Shiv Sena leader Abdul Sattar threatened to resign over not being given a cabinet berth, he clarified he had not quit. I have not resigned. I am going to talk to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. After that, whatever decision will be taken by the CM, we will accept it, he said. The cabinet expansion of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government was carried out on Monday, but the allotment of portfolios remained to be completed as of press time on Saturday. Thackeray inducted 36 ministers into his council. The state cabinet now has a full strength of 43 ministers. Sena has 15 ministers, including four junior ministers; the Nationalist Congress Party has 16 ministers, including four junior ministers; the Congress has 12 ministers including two junior ministers. Earlier in the day, Sena leaders dismissed reports that Sattar, who is a minister of state, had quit because he wanted a cabinet berth. Sattar had crossed over to Sena from Congress in September 2019 ahead of assembly elections in Maharashtra last year. Senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut said he was not aware of Sattars resignation. He, however, said: The Sena does not have many portfolios in its quota. Everybody has to adjust. According to me, the chief minister has given respect to Abdul Sattar ji and made him a minister. Those who are upset [over not being made ministers] are not originally from the Sena. They will take time to adjust to the system. Congress MLA from Jalna Kailash Gorantyal, meanwhile, said he would resign from party posts along with several office-bearers and workers over not being made a minister. I will meet Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Balasaheb Thorat and submit my resignation from party posts. Party members of the Jalna Municipal Council, Zilla Parishad will also submit their resignations along with me, he said. The party has neglected me and not given me justice, he added. A senior bureaucrat, who asked not to be named, said that Thackeray has not kept any portfolio for himself other than general administration. The CM finalised the list after holding meetings with both the other parties. It has been sent to the governor for a formal nod, he said. The official said deputy CM Ajit Pawar could head the finance and planning department and the Sena chiefs son, Aaditya Thackeray, was set to get the new environment, tourism and protocol portfolio. The NCPs Anil Deshmukh was likely to be the home minister, the official said. The urban development department, which is considered a key portfolio along with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, was set to be run by the Shiv Senas Eknath Shinde, the official added. The Austrian Foreign Ministry has been the target of a cyberattack, which it is currently fighting, and it cannot be ruled out that a state actor was behind the attack, the ministry announced in a joint statement with the Ministry of the Interior, Trend reports citing Sputnik. "Based on the attacks nature and severity, it cannot be ruled out that it is a targeted attack by a state actor," the statement read. Other European states have been the target of similar attacks, the statement also said. The attack came in the immediate aftermath of a coalition deal reached between former Chancellor Sebastian Kurzs Austrian Peoples Party and the Green Party to form a new government. Austria's previous government collapsed in May following a corruption scandal that implicated the Freedom Party of Austria, Kurz's previous coalition partner. A Muslim leader paid a passionate tribute to assassinated Iranian general Qassem Soleimani outside the Islamic Centre of England yesterday, describing him as a martyr and saying that people should 'aspire to be like him'. Dozens of Muslims attended a memorial service held at the religious hub in Maida Vale, London, to hear a speech by Massoud Shadjareh, the founder and chair of the influential Islamic Human Rights Commission. Mr Shadjareh, speaking in front of the Shi'a Mosque, addressed mourners and heaped praise on the slain general. The crowds had squeezed into the building and sat beneath a painting of the Islamic Republic's second-in-command and Iraqi military commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, as they paid their respects to those massacred in the US airstrikes. Massoud Shadjareh, chair of the influential Islamic Human Rights Commission, addressed mourners and heaped praise on the slain general The crowds had squeezed into the building and sat beneath a painting of the Islamic Republic's second-in-command and Iraqi military commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis Mr Shadjareh said: 'I would like to give you all my condolences but I would also like to congratulate you. 'We are lucky enough to live in a time where we can see, touch and feel a man like Qassem Soleimani and we hope and we pray and we work hard to make sure that there will be many many more Qassem Soleimanis. 'We aspire to become like him, we are jealous and we want the same thing for ourselves and our loved ones. 'The beauty of Islam is that we can turn around to our enemy and say ''do your worst'' because the worst is the best that can happen to me.' Mourners sit beneath a picture of Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at the Islamic Centre of England at Maida Vale in Kilburn, at around 5.15pm yesterday. Soleimani and al-Muhandis' convoy decimated by three missiles from an MQ-9 Reaper Drone in the early hours of Friday outside Baghdad's International Airport The Muslim community pay tribute to the Quds commander (pictured) who helped the Shia militias kill hundreds of American troops during the US invasion of Iraq Crowds gather outside the centre in Greater London ahead of the memorial on Saturday evening. The killing of the country's highest ranking official is 'tantamount to [the US] opening a war against Iran', according to Tehran's UN ambassador A large group of men, with some young boys, was seen gathering at the Islamic Centre in Maida Vale, London, following the assassination. The memorial service was held 25 minutes after a man was arrested outside the centre to prevent the breach of peace and for obstructing officers. The Islamic Centre's director has reportedly referred to Soleimani as an 'honourable Islamic commander' in a message of condolence. Thousands lined the streets of Baghdad and Tehran yesterday in memory of the dead commanders, while protests against the attack took place across the US, Middle East and outside 10 Downing Street, London. Soleimani, who died with five other men in the strike outside Baghdad airport, has been accused of helping Shia militias murder hundreds of American troops during the Invasion of Iraq. US President Donald Trump said the strike was carried out to save the lives of hundreds in America and Europe. Demonstrators took to the streets of New York, Washington DC and London to denounce the violence and call on Trump to de-escalate the conflict. Outside Downing Street protesters chanted against the war while British-Iranians arrived holding placards that read 'Down with Khamenei' and others raised the pre-Islamic flag of Iran. Palestinians also burned American flags in Gaza City, while an angry mob set fire to US flags in Pakistan, and around 150 pro-Iranian demonstrators held Iraqi militia flags and condemned the US as an aggressor. The ceremony came 25 minutes after a man was detained by police outside the Islamic Centre, this evening. It is understood that the incident is not connected to the memorial event The incident took place before the centre was due to hold a memorial community meeting in memory of Soleimani, at around 4.50pm on Saturday However, the assassination was also met with celebrations by some groups in Iraq and in Canada, where people were pictured dancing in the street. Three missiles from an MQ-9 Reaper drone hit the convoy Soleimani was travelling in outside Baghdad International Airport, killing the architect of the country's regional security strategy and five others. Tehran has reacted angrily to the attack, saying the US's move is tantamount to a 'declaration of war' and promising a 'severe revenge'. Iraq's prime minister has also threatened to expel all US troops from the country after the 'brazen violation of Iraq's sovereignty'. The Islamic Republic was previously accused of masterminding a bomb attack on Pan Am Flight 103 as it flew over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 243 passengers. The attack took place less than five months after a US battleship shot down an Iran Air passenger jet as it flew over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people on board. Libya has also been blamed, although at the time Iran's allies and proxy forces promised to take revenge. Soleimani (pictured) has been described as an 'honourable Islamic commander' by the Islamic Centre GAZA CITY, PALESTINE: Palestinians burn US and Israeli flags as they attend a mourning tent held by Palestinian factions for Qassem Soleimani, the Iran's head of the Quds Force, who was killed in a US drone strike early Friday, in Gaza on Saturday NEW YORK, USA: An anti-War protest organised by anti-fascist groups including Code Pink, a woman-led peace movement, marched behind flags and banners MOSCOW, RUSSIA: A man lights candles in the memory of killed Iran's Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani in front of the Iranian embassy on Friday President Trump responded to the official's death in a celebratory fashion by suggesting Soleimani had 'made the death of innocent people his sick passion' and ordered his death to stop a war. The US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has said regional allies including Israel and Saudi Arabia had been very helpful to American forces, while its traditional European allies had stood back. He accused the firm NATO allies of not being as helpful as they could have been. The UK was reportedly not warned about the attack, despite having troops in the area. BERLIN, GERMANY: Demonstrators hold placards of Soleimani, wave pro-Iran militia flags and Syrian flags featuring the face of the brutal despot Bashar al Assad Protesters gather at Pershing Square in Los Angeles in opposition of any US military involvement in the Middle East, with one wearing a crude mask and a sign saying, 'scariest clown ever' in reference to Trump 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. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jason Gale (Bloomberg) Sun, January 5, 2020 18:00 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320f06c9 2 Health China,pneumonia,health,outbreak,WHO Free A mysterious lung infection in the central Chinese city of Wuhan is being monitored by the World Health Organization, which said its in active communication with its counterparts in China, where an investigation is underway to determine the cause. The United Nations agency activated its incident-management system at the country, regional and global level and is standing ready to launch a broader response if its needed, the WHOs regional office in Manila said in Twitter posts Saturday. #China has reported to WHO regarding a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, Hubei Province.The Govt has also met with our country office,and updated @WHO on the situation. Govt actions to control the incident have been instituted and investigations into the cause are ongoing. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/ScUV6j1crD World Health Organization Western Pacific (@WHOWPRO) January 4, 2020 As of Friday, 44 people had been diagnosed with pneumonia, the cause of which is unknown, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said in a statement. Thats up from 27 three days earlier. Eleven people are in serious condition. Some of the infected worked at a fresh seafood and produce market in the city. China has extensive capacity to respond to public health events and is responding proactively and rapidly to the current incident in Wuhan - isolating patients, tracing close contacts, cleaning up the market, and searching for the cause and for additional cases, the WHO said. Pathogen studies have ruled out more common respiratory diseases, including influenza, avian flu and adenovirus, Wuhan health authorities said. All the patients are being treated under quarantine, according to the commission. Governments in the region have started to take precautions to prevent any possible spread of the infections. Singapores Ministry of Health said temperature screening will be implemented at Changi Airport for all travelers arriving from Wuhan. In Hong Kong, officials have classified the response level as serious -- the second-highest scale of action in its three-tier system -- with public hospitals reporting eight patients, aged from four to 50, who have been to the Chinese city and show symptoms for pneumonia. Read also: Commentary: Spread of pneumonia poses fatal threat to our children Market closed The Wuhan seafood market, which has since been closed, also sold birds, pheasants, and snakes, along with organs of rabbits and other wildlife, the University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy said Thursday, citing media reports. Thats triggered concern about the potential jump of an unknown virus to humans -- reminiscent of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, which killed almost 800 people about 17 years ago. The Wuhan Institute of Virology didnt respond to an emailed request for comment on the infectious source. Its not known whether a SARS-like coronavirus has been identified, although there have been numerous unsubstantiated reports mentioning a novel coronavirus that is SARS-like, the International Society for Infectious Diseases ProMED-mail program said in an email Friday. Several people were arrested for circulating fake news online about the viral spread of pneumonia, provincial authorities said, adding that rumors on social media alleging that there had been an outbreak of SARS are untrue, and no person-to-person transmission has been found so far. Singapore has asked doctors to look out for suspected cases of pneumonia among people who have recently returned from Wuhan. Suspect cases with fever and acute respiratory illness or pneumonia and with travel history to Wuhan within 14 days before onset of symptoms will be isolated as a precautionary measure to prevent transmission, the city-states Ministry of Health said in a Facebook post. Hong Kong authorities said thermal-imaging systems will be deployed as part of increased fever surveillance at boundary check points. In Taiwan, the government has also implemented measures to prevent the spread of infections, its Centers for Disease Control said Tuesday. Topics : China pneumonia health outbreak WHO Americans will debate the American drone strike that killed the Iranian commander Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani for a long time: whether it was wise, what it means for the Middle East, and how to proceed. But so far, the most dramatic consequences have arisen from where the strike happened in Iraq. It appears that in undertaking the strike, the Trump administration may have sacrificed a valuable American counterterrorism partnership with Iraq at the altar of a risky pressure campaign against Iran with no end in sight. On Sunday, Iraqs Parliament took a nonbinding vote urging Iraqs government to expel American forces from the country. The strike on Iraqi soil, killing Iraqi officials, without Iraqi consent appears to have united the two largest rival Shiite parliamentary blocs behind expulsion. Since 2014, American troops have been in the country as invited guests of the Iraqi government to fight the Islamic State and train the Iraqi military. Iraqis deemed a shooting war with Iran and its Iraqi allies as a far cry from that mission. Iraqi politics sometimes goes to the precipice only to pull back. That could still happen here, especially given that Kurdish and Sunni leaders boycotted the vote. But it is difficult to see how American forces can stay to conduct their mission if the Iraqi Parliament, as well as inflamed Iraqi militias, now wish them gone. Iraqi political factions have previously tried to expel American forces only to fall short. But this time is different. After popular protests against corruption, Iraqs political leadership is the weakest it has been in 15 years. So are the ties between American and Iraqi leaders. Assuming these votes do indeed mean that Americas days in Iraq are numbered, that is bad for Iraq and America, a major opportunity for the Islamic State, and also a big victory for Iran. General Suleimani would have been pleased to see American forces pushed out of a country that shares a 900-mile border with Iran, where American troops represented one of the major counterweights to Tehrans domination. Kuwait Finance House - Bahrain (KFH-Bahrain), one of the leading Islamic banks in the Kingdom, has signed an agreement with Kooheji Real Estate, one of the largest real estate developers in Bahrain, to provide off-plan financing for customers interested in owning an apartment in One Bahrain Bay project. The project, for which work started in May 2018, is expected to be completed by March 2022. This agreement comes as part of a strategic partnership between the two companies to meet the needs of clients interested in Koohejis projects. The signing ceremony was held at KFH-Bahrains headquarters in the presence of Khalid Al Maarafi, executive director and head of Retail Banking Group at KFH-Bahrain and Engineer Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar Al Kooheji, general manager of Kooheji Real Estate, as well as a number of officials from both companies. At KFH-Bahrain we are always seeking new and rewarding partnerships with leading real estate developers in the Kingdom and we are pleased to announce our partnership with Kooheji Real Estate. We strive to continuously meet the needs of those looking to own a residential unit in the most prestigious real estate projects, commented Al Maarafi. This agreement is one of a series of collaborative efforts with Kooheji Real Estate, and we aspire to grow this relationship to benefit our valued customers from KFH-Bahrain and all interested parties in One Bahrain Bay project, said Al Maarafi. We are pleased to partner with KFH-Bahrain, as this agreement marks the beginning of a strategic partnership to offer off-plan financing to Kooheji Real Estates clients in our current and future projects. This partnership comes as part of our efforts to provide special financing to those wishing to invest in One Bahrain Bay project, which is considered one of the most distinguished projects of Kooheji Real Estate and a new distinctive imprint in Bahrain Bay," said Al Kooheji. It provides a unique luxurious lifestyle due to its strategic location, competitive prices, distinctive unit designs, luxurious furnishing, 5-star resort facilities. It also features world-class services all within the 10,000-sq-m residential tower, he said. The project houses 1,073 luxury apartments ranging from one- to three bedrooms. In addition, the One Club exclusive residents' club will be the ideal place for attending to business needs, socializing and relaxing. It includes a state-of-the-art health club, Infinity pool, meeting area, business centre and a host of many other facilities. - TradeArabia News Service Sen. Bernie Sanders is starting 2020 in a three-way tie for first place in Iowa, joining former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg at 23% each, according to a CBS News/YouGov poll published Sunday. The big picture: Sanders' surge has come at the expense of fellow progressive Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who soared to the front of the race in the fall but has since fallen back to Earth, trailing the three frontrunners in Iowa with 16%. Sen. Amy Klobuchar came in fifth with 7%. The Midwestern moderate has outlasted a number of her competitors and landed a spot on the January debate stage, but she has still failed to crack the top tier in early-state or national polling. All other candidates failed to break 3% in the Iowa poll. Sanders also landed first place in CBS/YouGov's New Hampshire poll, with 27% of voters selecting him as their first choice. Biden came in second at 25%, followed by Warren at 18%, Buttigieg at 13% and Klobuchar at 7%. Warren had led the pack in CBS/YouGov's two most recent New Hampshire polls, coming in at 31% in November and 32% in October. Between the lines: Sanders has been one of the most consistent candidates in the 2020 race, remaining a top-tier contender along with Joe Biden while their competitors have fluctuated. His supporters also show incomparable loyalty: Sanders leads the pack in voters who say they've made up their minds, with 43% and 47% in Iowa and New Hampshire, respectively. A win in both Iowa and New Hampshire would provide a significant boost in momentum for Sanders going forward. What to watch: The Iowa caucuses are just under a month away on Feb. 3. The New Hampshire primary is on Feb. 11. Methodology: CBS News/YouGov polled 2,000 registered voters in Iowa, including 953 self-identifying Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents with a margin of error of 3.8%. In New Hampshire, they polled 1,100 voters, including 519 self-identifying Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents with a 5.3% margin of error. Go deeper: Commodore Ibrahim Shettima, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has disclosed how the military nabbed nine foreigners and 50 Nigerians who were involved in illegal oil dealings on the nation's water ways. In total, seven vessels were apprehended in the process, aside from the above crew members. The Navy listed MV Zebrugge as one of the seized vessels. Shettima on Friday identified the culprits to include seven Sri Lankans, two Ghanaians, and 50 Nigerians. The vessel conveying the Sri Lankans is reportedly laden with petroleum products without the right documentation. According to reports, the arrest was made by the naval ship NNS Beecroft during the festive season, while those apprehended, had been presented to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for prosecution. The authorities are expected to gather necessary data for proper investigations. Oil theft is rife in Nigeria. Various groups of persons including the military personnel had been accused of the crime. As of 2013, a UK Guardian report stated that Nigeria loses 1 billion Pounds to oil theft monthly. In 2015, Africa Check reported that the amount of crude oil stolen from the country could not be really quantified but noted that oil is being stolen at 'an industrial scale' by several groups including organised criminals. Last year, Reuters also reported how oil theft cost the country 22 million barrels, just in the first half of 2019. The captain of the intercepted MV Zebrugge, has however denied involvement in the alleged crime, saying he was only engaged to convey the oil products to Ghana. Report by Channels noted a similar occurrence on 21st December, last year about how MT Jonko was arrested with 11 Nigerians on board and 1077 metric tonnes of crude oil. Samples of the product have been collected from various compartments of the tanker for further analysis. Captain of the MT Jonko also reportedly claimed he was only commissioned as a transporter to deliver the goods to Togo. citinewsroom Earlier it was reported that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is in Oman, where he went with his family on a regular flight at his own expense. GREENSBURG, Pa. - A deadly crash involving a passenger bus and multiple other vehicles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike left five dead and dozens injured early Sunday, shutting down a large portion of the highway. Officials said at least 60 people, with victims ranging from 7 to 52 years old, were hospitalized after the crash that happened at 3:40 a.m. in Westmoreland County, around 30 miles (50 kilometres) east of Pittsburgh. Stephen Limani, Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson, said at a press conference that none of the injuries are considered life-threatening, though two patients remain in critical condition. Limani said the bus, operated by a New Jersey-based company called Z & D Tours, was travelling from Rockaway, New Jersey, to Cincinnati, Ohio. It was first struck by two tractor-trailers, then another truck and a passenger car. Photos from the scene show a mangled collision of multiple vehicles including an overturned bus, two tractor-trailers, a passenger car and a smashed FedEx truck that left packages sprawled along the highway. It was kind of a chain-reaction crash, Limani said. FedEx did not provide any other details besides that they are co-operating with authorities. A message seeking comment was left Sunday with the bus company. Limani would not identify those killed or say which vehicles they were travelling in because families have not yet been notified. There were 25 victims transported to Excela Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant, Excela Health spokeswoman Robin Jennings said. Nine of those patients are under the age of 18. At least one of the 25 victims initially sent to Excela was transported to a nearby trauma centre. I havent personally witnessed a crash of this magnitude in 20 years, Pennsylvania Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo told WTAE, calling it the worst accident in his decades-long tenure with the turnpike. Its horrible. The National Transportation Safety Board announced Sunday that it dispatched a team of more than a dozen to investigate. Officials said it was too early to determine if weather was a main factor in the crash. The National Weather Service forecast for Westmoreland County early Sunday listed light unknown precipitation and an air temperature just below freezing. Angela Maynard, a tractor-trailer driver from Kentucky, said the roads were wet from snow but not especially icy. Maynard was travelling eastbound on the turnpike when she came upon the crash site and called 911. It was horrible, she told The Tribune-Review. She saw lots of smoke but no fire. She and her co-driver found one person trapped in their truck and another lying on the ground. I tried to keep him occupied, keep talking, until medical help arrived, Maynard said. He was in bad shape. He was floating in and out of consciousness. The highway remains closed in both directions indefinitely. Local fire and emergency medical crews are on scene, along with a hazardous material company cleaning up fuel and other materials. A towing company is getting ready to begin separating the vehicles and getting them cleared. Its a very extensive crash so a lot of work has to be done to get the roadway reconditioned and ready to handle traffic again, said Craig Shuey, the turnpikes chief operating officer. Associated Press reporters Sophia Rosenbaum in New York, Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Claire Galofaro in Louisville, Kentucky, contributed to this report. By Trend Azneftmash, an Azerbaijani company engaged in the production of drilling equipment for the oil and gas sector, is soon going to export drilling equipment to Ukraine, a source at the company told Trend. "Exports to Ukraine is planned to start in 2020. Negotiations are currently underway and details of supplies are being clarified," the source said. "We are expectingto export polyethylene and fiberglass pipes. These types of products are in great demand in the domestic market, as well as abroad." "Azneftmash products are currently exported to Central Asia. Last year, deliveries were made to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and this year we exported to Turkmenistan," the source added. "Next year we plan to expand the list of export destinations, as well as the export potential of the enterprise." The company has plants in Mingachevir and Baku, which currently operate at full capacity. Production volumes mainly depend on orders received both domestically and abroad. The company has been operating in Azerbaijan for over two decades. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Jihadists from Somalia's Al-Shabaab group on Sunday stormed a military base used by US forces in Kenya's coastal Lamu region, killing three American citizens and destroying several aircraft and military vehicles, officials said. Attackers breached heavy security at Camp Simba at dawn but were pushed back and four jihadists killed, said army spokesman Colonel Paul Njuguna. The American military, however, said three US citizens died in the attack including a service member and two civilian defence contractors. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our teammates who lost their lives today, General Stephen Townsend, the head of US Africa Command (Africom), said in a statement. Two other US Department of Defence personnel were wounded, the statement added, without giving further details. Al-Shabaab has launched regular cross-border raids since Kenya sent troops into Somalia in 2011 as part of an African Union force protecting the internationally backed governmentwhich the jihadists have been trying to overthrow for more than a decade. The Lamu region, which includes popular tourist beach destination Lamu Island, lies close to the Somali frontier and has suffered frequent attacks, often carried out with roadside bombs. Njuguna said an attempt was made to breach security at Manda Air Strip at 5:30 am but it was repulsed. Four terrorists bodies have so far been found. The airstrip is safe, he said, adding that a fire had broken out but had since been dealt with. Kenyas Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai said officers were on high alert after the attack. Al-Shabaab lying An internal police report seen by AFP said two Cessna aircraft, two American helicopters and multiple American vehicles were destroyed at the airstrip. Local government official Irungu Macharia said five people had been arrested near the camp and were being interrogated. Shabaab claimed to have killed 17 Americans and nine Kenyan soldiers after the attack. The nearby civilian airport at Manda Bay, which brings tourists visiting Lamu Islanda UNESCO World Heritage Sitewas closed for several hours after the incident, according to the civil aviation authority. Al-Shabaab said in a statement it had successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base and have now taken effective control of part of the base. AFRICOM accused Al-Shabaab of lying in order to create false headlines. Shabaab countered with a second statement, saying it had been a 10-hour firefight and mocking the US inability to fend off an attack by just a handful of steadfast Muslim men. The group referred to an uptick in US military airstrikes under President Donald Trump, accusing the US of strafing villages from above and indiscriminately bombarding innocent women and children. AFRICOM said in April it had killed more than 800 people in 110 strikes in Somalia since April 2017. US military network The Somali jihadists have staged several large-scale attacks inside Kenya in retaliation for Nairobi sending troops into Somalia as well as to target foreign interests. The group has been fighting to overthrow an internationally-backed government in Mogadishu since 2006, staging regular attacks on government buildings, hotels, security checkpoints and military bases in the country Despite years of costly efforts to fight Al-Shabaab, the group on December 28 managed to detonate a vehicle packed with explosives in Mogadishu, killing 81 people. The spate of attacks highlights the groups resilience and capacity to inflict mass casualties at home and in the region, despite losing control of major urban areas in Somalia. In a November report, a UN panel of experts on Somalia noted an unprecedented number of homemade bombs and other attacks across the Kenya-Somalia border in June and July last year. On Thursday, at least three people were killed when suspected Al-Shabaab gunmen ambushed a bus travelling in the area. According to the Institute for Security Studies, the United States has 34 known military bases in Africa, from where it conducts drone operations, training, military exercises, direct action and humanitarian activities. (AFP) New Delhi: A member of the Sikh community, identified as Ravinder Singh, was shot dead in Pakistans Peshawar by unknown gunmen on Sunday. Ravinder Singh was the younger brother of a TV journalist Harmeet Singh. Ravinder Singh, 25, a businessman in Malaysia, had come to Peshawar from Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to shop for his wedding in next month, Harmeet told the media. "His bullet-riddled body was recovered from the area under the Chamkani police station and sent to a hospital," the police said in a statement. "Police have already launched a probe into the killing," the statement said. The incident comes two days after the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab province was attacked by a Muslim mob. After killing Ravinder, the man made a phone call to his family, the police said, news agency ANI reported. Furious over the by the murder of his brother, Harmeet said "without minorities, no country can flourish and progress. Pakistan is beautiful because of minorities but each year, we end up carrying the dead on our shoulders". Pakistan, he said, gets massive funds from several countries to protect minorities. "But there is no protection. That's why I am here to carry my dead brother's body today. I won't rest until the Pakistani government books the murderers of my brother," he added. "The government must arrest the culprits as early as possible. I will not find peace until the criminals are arrested," he said. India condemns 'targeted killing' India on Sunday strongly condemned the "targeted killing" of Ravinder Singh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan should stop "prevaricating" and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the MEA said. It said the government of Pakistan should act in defence of their own minorities instead of Amarinder Singh condemns the killing Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh condemned the killing and demanded that the Imran Khan government conduct a thorough investigation and punish the culprits. "Shocked and anguished over killing of Sikh youth Ravinder Singh in #Pakistan, coming on the heels of #NankanaSahibAttack. @ImranKhanPTI govt must ensure thorough investigation and strict punishment for the culprits. This is the time to act what you preach," Amarinder Singh tweeted. Badal condemns Sikh man's killing in Peshawar SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the killing of the Sikh man in Peshawar and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan to ensure safety of the community in the neighbouring country. Badal said the rising attacks on the Sikh community are a direct outcome of the "anti-minority policies of Pakistan". In a statement, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president urged Modi to "take up the issue with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure the safety of Sikh brethren in the neighbouring country". Punjab BJP leader hits out at Navjot Singh Sidhu Senior Punjab BJP leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina hit out at Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for his "studied silence" on the mob attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, asking where is he "hiding" now. He also said that the attack justifies the amendments made to the Citizenship Act to protect minorities in three neighbouring countries. While the whole Sikh community and India were shocked by the incident, Sidhu has gone into hibernation and has not uttered even a word against his "Pakistani friends", Chhina said. "Where are you hiding now? Your friends whom you were embracing have not only waged war against India but are even targeting the most sacred places like the birthplace of Guru Nank Dev ji. Your silence is deafening," he said in a statement. Notably, Chhina and Sidhu had been were at loggerheads even when the latter was in the BJP. "Sikhs and Hindus are minorities in Pakistan and are not safe there. Their lives, properties and places of worships are always under attack. The CAA has brought respite to the beleaguered minority communities as they can seek the right to live in India," Chhina said. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Thomas Friedman calls the late Gen. Soleimani Irans most overrated warrior. He also calls Soleimani possibly the dumbest man in Iran. Friedman explains: In 2015, the United States and the major European powers agreed to lift virtually all their sanctions on Iran, many dating back to 1979, in return for Iran halting its nuclear weapons program for a mere 15 years, but still maintaining the right to have a peaceful nuclear program. It was a great deal for Iran. Its economy grew by over 12 percent the next year. And what did Suleimani do with that windfall? He and Irans supreme leader launched an aggressive regional imperial project that made Iran and its proxies the de facto controlling power in Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad and Sana. This freaked out U.S. allies in the Sunni Arab world and Israel and they pressed the Trump administration to respond. Trump himself was eager to tear up any treaty forged by President Obama, so he exited the nuclear deal and imposed oil sanctions on Iran that have now shrunk the Iranian economy by almost 10 percent and sent unemployment over 16 percent. All that for the pleasure of saying that Tehran can call the shots in Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad and Sana. Friedman might well be right in saying that the Iranian regimes position is parlous, and that it would have been better advised to accept all of the favors President Obama so generously conferred on Iran and not pushed the envelope. However, the regimes decision to push it hard doesnt make Soleimani an overrated warrior. Napoleon wasnt an overrated warrior just because his ambitions caused him to overreach. Friedman is missing the same point Obama missed. Iran is a revolutionary force whose regime aspires, above all, to spread its influence and, in the case of at some Iranian leaders, promote its religious orthodoxy throughout the Middle East, while destroying Israel and making life miserable for the U.S. Accomplishing these things takes precedence over 12 percent domestic growth in the economy. Friedman might find it ridiculous that the mullahs and Soleimani put a priority on calling the shots in Beirut, Damascus and other capitals just as he might have found it ridiculous that Napoleon wanted to call them in Rome, Cairo, Madrid, and even Moscow. But this aspiration didnt make Soleimani overrated or dumb. It made him an ideologue an extremely dangerous and rather successful one. Friedman quotes with approval this passage from an article by Ray Takeyh: 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. It was precisely those Soleimani proxies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen that created pro-Iranian Shiite states-within-states in all of these countries. That doesnt sound dumb to me. Its true that Soleimanis project has led to an anti-Iran backlash in the region. Friedman deserves credit for pointing to recent manifestations of that backlash in Iraq and Lebanon developments to which the mainstream media hasnt devoted sufficient attention. Successful imperialists typically generate a backlash. We dont know yet how consequential the backlash will be in Irans case. Perhaps the killing of Soleimani will give it impetus. In any case, it will deprive Iran of the man arguably most able to quell it. In critiquing Friedmans column, I dont mean to suggest that its void of insight. Actually, I recommend reading the whole thing. I particularly liked these two paragraphs near the end: Todays Iran is the heir to a great civilization and the home of an enormously talented people and significant culture. Wherever Iranians go in the world today, they thrive as scientists, doctors, artists, writers and filmmakers except in the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose most famous exports are suicide bombing, cyberterrorism and proxy militia leaders. The very fact that Suleimani was probably the most famous Iranian in the region speaks to the utter emptiness of this regime, and how it has wasted the lives of two generations of Iranians by looking for dignity in all the wrong places and in all the wrong ways. . . . [In] the coming days there will be noisy protests in Iran, the burning of American flags and much crying for the martyr. The morning after the morning after? There will be a thousand quiet conversations inside Iran that wont get reported. They will be about the travesty that is their own government and how it has squandered so much of Irans wealth and talent on an imperial project that has made Iran hated in the Middle East. Lets hope that these conversations eventually add up to more than just talk. Climate change activist Greta Thunberg has taken a swipe at Australia's leaders over the country's bushfire crisis. The 17-year-old posted an image on Instagram of a kangaroo fleeing from an out of control blaze in Conjola on New South Wales south coast and demanded action from politicians. 'Australia is on fire. And the summer there has only just begun,' she wrote. 'Today the temperature outside Sydney was 48.9C. 500 million animals are estimated dead because of the bushfires. 'Over 20 people have died and thousands of homes have burned to ground. The smoke has covered glaciers in distant New Zealand making them warm and melt faster because of the albedo effect. 'And yet. All of this still has not resulted in any political action. Because we still fail to make the connection between the climate crisis and increased extreme weather events and nature disasters like the Australia fires. Climate change activist Greta Thunberg has demanded action from Australian politicians over the bushfire crisis that has devastated the country The photo Greta Thunberg posted on her Instagram account showing a kangaroo fleeing past a burning home in Conjola on the New South Wales south coast 'That has to change. And it has to change now. My thoughts are with the people of Australia and those affected by these devastating fires.' Her post drew thousands of comments, with many backing Greta's sentiment. 'So well said Greta. We need politicians with your morals and drive,' one comment reads. 'I feel so incredibly heartbroken for this land I call home,' another comment says. 'We can all donate to wildlife rescues and fire brigades but we must not forget to change ourselves, to remember our own power and to envision and fight (create) everyday for a fairer, more harmonious and sustainable future.' 'So sad, and people still deny climate change... what will it take, individual hardships from the effects of climate change? And by then... itll be too late,' another post reads. Other comments slammed the young activist, claiming she was doing nothing to directly change to the dire situation. 'What Australia needs is support, not your sympathy and certainly not your political agenda,' one comment reads. 'For once can you please just actually do something useful, like leave a link for donations or make one yourself.' Greta Thunberg's post drew 1.4million likes and more than 23,000 comments There are currently more than 150 fires still burning in New South Wales alone Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the HMAS Albatross base on the NSW South Coast on Sunday afternoon where he met with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and local RFS and air force members fighting the fires. Mr Morrison said it had been a good opportunity to discuss with the premier and Commissioner Fitzsimmons yesterday's announcement that 3,000 army reservists had been called up to help fight the fires. He also received a briefing on the local conditions. 'It's been a good opportunity for the commissioner, and the premier and I to talk about the announcement that was made yesterday...(and to) ensure we're getting close communication,' the prime minister said. When asked whether he had apologised to the commissioner, who had criticised Mr Morrison for not personally informing him that the reservists were being deployed, Mr Morrison said 'we've had that discussion.' Scott Morrison speaks to Emergency Australian Defense Force National Support Coordinator Major General Justin Ellwood during a visit to HMAS Albatross in Nowra on Sunday A fireman turns his back on a raging inferno on New South Wales south coast on Saturday 'We've been working closely over many months...it's been a good opportunity today for the Major General and commissioner actually just to talk through the arrangements that have been put in place today,' Mr Morrison said. 'This is the largest single collaboration ever of Defence Force reservists working together with a full time defence forces to provide a support which this country has never seen before.' Premier Berejiklian said she was grateful for the additional defence support. 'We're grateful for the support we received today, and we look forward to this ongoing closeness in the relationship,' she said. She said 'I think we've covered those issues' when asked if she agreed with Commissioner Ftizsimmons criticisms of the communication from the prime minister. Commissioner Fitzsimmons said there were still 150 fires burning across NSW, but there had been an 'easing of conditions' following rain on the south coast. A flaming tree surrounded by thick, black smoke in an out of control blaze on the south coast 'It's certainly a welcome reprieve, it's psychological relief if nothing else but for all the communities being affected by those fires. But unfortunately, it's not putting out the fires,' Commissioner Fitzsimmoms said. 'It's not helping us with the furthering of the work of backburning and consolidation work, so we will have to wait to see this moisture dissipate, so we can get on with the important work of containment lines and backburning and consolidation right across the enormity of those fire grounds, (which is) hundreds of thousands of hectares.' 'There's lots of damage and destruction.' Shoalhaven local Jacqui Cox, 61, has been volunteering with the RFS for 24 years. She said the fires were the worst she had ever fought. 'There were days we were fighting fires in pitch black at 3pm because of all the smoke,' she said. Thanks for joining us for our fires live blog today (even if today's edition seems to have been dominated by smoke haze rather than fire activity). We'll be back again with another blog tomorrow morning. I'll leave you with this interesting statistic I noticed for Orbost. Last Monday it recorded its hottest December day since 2000, with its 43.1 degree maximum temperature besting the previous record by almost two degrees; today, it recorded its coldest January day since 2000, reaching a top of 14.6 degrees. Admittedly, there is only about a 20-year window in these figures (which coincides with how long the current measuring station has been there), but it's still a remarkable pair of readings just one week apart. WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump warned the U.S. has "52 Iranian sites" picked out as targets should Tehran retaliate for the airstrike that killed a top Iranian general, even as the White House sent to Congress a formal, written justification for Thursday's action. The documents justifying the strike have been received at the Capitol, said a senior Democratic aide, and are classified. It's unclear if an unclassified version will be forthcoming as well. A senior administration official said Trump provided the notification consistent with the War Powers Resolution. The notification informed Congress that the president directed the recent strike that targeted General Qassem Soleimani pursuant to his constitutional authorities and the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force. "Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have ... targeted 52 Iranian sites," Trump said Saturday evening in a series of three Twitter posts. Iran "WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD." The comments from Trump while he's at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., seemed at odds with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said repeatedly in the past two days that the U.S. "remains committed to deescalation." Trump on Friday said the U.S., in targeting Soleimani, "took action last night to stop a war, we did not take action to start a war." ADVERTISEMENT Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday briefed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell about the strike Thursday night near Baghdad, and a handful of other lawmakers also obtained briefings from the administration. Democratic leaders were informed of the action after the fact, and Republican leaders declined to say when they were briefed. Many Democrats were furious that the leaders of both parties in the House and Senate as well as the top lawmakers on the intelligence committees _ together known as the "Gang of 8" _ weren't given advance notice. An official familiar with the situation said they were being briefed by telephone on Friday. The Pentagon said senior officials briefed staff members from the House Armed Service Committee and Senate Armed Service Committee on Friday about recent threats and attacks on U.S. personnel and interests, including the 11 attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq since Oct. and attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Dec. 27. ___ (c)2020 Bloomberg News Visit Bloomberg News at www.bloomberg.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Jan. 2 front-page article In Liberia, fears of losing an economic anchor: Firestone detailed how Firestone/Bridgestone again is on the wrong side of history, as it was when it backed Charles Taylors NPFL rebels in the Liberian civil war: It chose the bottom line over the right course of action then, and it is doing the same thing now. Hundreds of anti-war demonstrators gathered across Houston Sunday afternoon to protest the possibility of another war in the Middle East on Sunday in the wake of an American air strike that killed a leading Iranian general. In the Galleria area, protesters wielded signs that said U.S. troops out of Iraq and Stop the War Now. We have a right to stand against U.S. foreign policy because we are taxpayers, said protester Syed Qamber Ali Zaidi as he waved a sign and waggled his fingers at his infant son in tow in the warm January sun. Cars honked in support as Zaidi and 50 other protesters at the corner of Westheimer and Post Oak chanted no justice, no peace, U.S. out of the Middle East. The U.S. government has killed millions of people in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen and other countries in south and southwest Asia in the past few decades, said David Michael Smith, an organizer with the Houston Socialist Movement. It is absolutely imperative to prevent another war. On Thursday, President Donald Trump ordered an air strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, an elite commander of Irans Quds Force, as he traveled in neighboring Iraq. Iranian officials and foreign policy experts say the targeted attack will drastically escalate tensions in the Middle East, with Thursdays air strike marking the height of escalating tensions during the Trump administration. While Sundays protests in Houston was dwarfed in size compared to rallies across the nation and internationally Saturday denouncing the U.S.s targeted killing of Soleimani and the possibility of war with Iran, the message echoed those worldwide. I would like to see hands off Iran, said University of Texas at Austin student Meghan Nguyen. Inside the loop, a coalition of anti-war and civil rights groups, including the Houston chapters of Democratic Socialists of America and Black Lives Matter, hosted a peace rally at Discovery Green Sunday afternoon. Over 200 protesters and curious stragglers enjoying the warm temperatures downtown followed in calls for peace in the Middle East. Carlos Campos, an organizer with Houston DSA, said the choice to call the downtown demonstration a peace rally was deliberate because the U.S. is not yet at war. U.S. government officials should have tried Soleimani in court rather than kill him, Campos said. We see this as another ploy to keep up numbers for Donald Trump, Campos said. Protester Reem Albishah attended Sundays protest downtown to demonstrate against what she said was a rich mans war. Carrying a black-and-white sign that read I dont give a damn about Uncle Sam, Albishah said she was at first shocked by Thursdays news. Like Campos, though, she saw it as a calculated move to advance U.S. interests in the Middle East. My hope is that more people feel empowered to say something, she said. Campos said he hopes to see the U.S. withdraw from the Middle East. Its not so much who [Soleimani] is but what he represents, an unnecessary use of force, Campos said. gwendolyn.wu@chron.com Washington In the chaotic days leading to the death of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran's most powerful commander, top American military officials put the option of killing him which they viewed as the most extreme response to recent Iranian-led violence in Iraq on the menu they presented to President Donald Trump. They didn't think he would take it. In the wars waged since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Pentagon officials have often offered improbable options to presidents to make other possibilities appear more palatable. After initially rejecting the Soleimani option on Dec. 28 and authorizing airstrikes on an Iranian-backed Shiite militia group instead, a few days later Trump watched, fuming, as television reports showed Iranian-backed attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, according to Defense Department and administration officials. By late Thursday, the president had gone for the extreme option. Top Pentagon officials were stunned. Trump made the decision, senior officials said Saturday, despite disputes in the administration about the significance of what some officials said was a new stream of intelligence that warned of threats to U.S. embassies, consulates and military personnel in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Soleimani had just completed a tour of his forces in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, and was planning an "imminent" attack that could claim hundreds of lives, those officials said. "Days, weeks," Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Friday, when asked how imminent any attacks could be, without offering more detail other than to say that new information about unspecified plotting was "clear and unambiguous." But some officials voiced private skepticism about the rationale for a strike on Soleimani, who was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American troops over the years. According to one U.S. official, the new intelligence indicated "a normal Monday in the Middle East" Dec. 30 and Soleimani's travels amounted to "business as usual." That official described the intelligence as thin and said Soleimani's attack was not imminent because of communications the U.S. had between Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Soleimani showing the ayatollah had not yet approved any plans by the general for an attack. The ayatollah, according to the communications, had asked Soleimani to come to Tehran for further discussions at least a week before his death. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence were two of the most hawkish voices arguing for a response to Iranian aggression, according to administration officials. Pence's office helped run herd on meetings and conference calls held by officials in the run-up to the strike. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and Milley declined to comment for this article, but Milley's spokeswoman, Col. DeDe Halfhill, said, without elaborating, that "some of the characterizations being asserted by other sources are false" and that she would not discuss conversations between Milley and the president. The fallout from Trump's targeted killing is now underway. On Saturday in Iraq, the U.S. military was on alert as tens of thousands of pro-Iranian fighters marched through the streets of Baghdad and calls accelerated to eject the U.S. from the country. U.S. Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, said there were two rocket attacks near Iraqi bases that host American troops, but no one was injured. In Iran, the ayatollah vowed "forceful revenge" as the country mourned the death of Soleimani. Administration officials insisted they did not anticipate sweeping retaliation from Iran, in part because of divisions in the Iranian leadership. But Trump's two predecessors Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama had rejected killing Soleimani as too provocative. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Soleimani had been in Trump's sights since the beginning of the administration, although it was a Dec. 27 rocket attack on an Iraqi military base outside Kirkuk, which left an American civilian contractor dead, that set the killing in motion. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Esper traveled Sunday to Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach resort, a day after officials presented the president with an initial list of options for how to deal with escalating violence against U.S. targets in Iraq. The options included strikes on Iranian ships or missile facilities or against Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq. The Pentagon also tacked on the choice of targeting Soleimani, mainly to make other options seem reasonable. Trump chose strikes against militia groups. On Sunday, the Pentagon announced that airstrikes approved by the president had struck three locations in Iraq and two in Syria controlled by the group, Kataib Hezbollah. Jonathan Hoffman, the chief Pentagon spokesman, said the targets included weapons storage facilities and command posts used to attack American and partner forces. About two dozen militia fighters were killed. "These were on remote sites," Milley told reporters Friday in his Pentagon office. "There was no collateral damage." But the Iranians viewed the strikes as out of proportion to their attack on the Iraqi base and took to violent protests outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Trump, who aides said had on his mind the specter of the 2012 attacks on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya, became increasingly angry as he watched television images of pro-Iranian demonstrators storming the embassy. Aides said he worried that no response would look weak after repeated threats by the U.S. When Trump chose killing Soleimani, top military officials, flabbergasted, were immediately alarmed about the prospect of Iranian retaliatory strikes on U.S. troops in the region. It is unclear if Milley or Esper pushed back on the president's decision. Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal on Sunday said the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan is a slap on the face of the neighbouring country and outlined that the incident should be condemned in strong words. "The incident at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib should be condemned in strong words. What happened there is a big slap on Pakistan. They tried to show a good face while opening the Kartarpur corridor recently. But now the truth has come out," Afzal told ANI here. An angry group of local residents, led by the family of a boy who had abducted a Sikh girl, had pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Friday evening. Afzal said the incident reflects poorly on Pakistan and that it shows that the holy site is not looked after. Targetting the central government for "dragging the controversy over the Register of Citizen (NRC)", the Congress leader said that the BJP-led central government is using the issue as a diversion tactic to divert the attention of the people from other issues. "The government is not interested in talking about anything other than NRC. They are using this as a diversion tactic to divert the attention of the people from issues like economic slowdown, unemployment and farmers' distress," Afzal said. "BJP is trying to hit two targets with one arrow," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot was bang on when he said on Saturday that there was no point blaming the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for the unimaginable tragedy in the J K Lon government hospital in Kota. Mr Pilot had an obvious reason to take a dig at his own partys government in Rajasthan, but he should know that a political blame game as usual will lead nowhere. Over 100 children have died in the hospital over the past month for reasons that mostly have to do with lack of basic equipment cannulas, ventilators, infant warmers and ... 8.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Mike Pompeo couldnt answer how Trump threatening Iran makes America safer, so he blamed Obama and Biden. Pompeo said on CNNs State Of The Union, We are trying to restore deterrence that results directly from the fact that previous administration left us in a terrible place with the respect of the Islamic State of Iran. Team Obama appeased Iran and led to Shia militias with money Hamas, the PIJ hundreds of thousands of Syrians killed by Soleimani himself. And this is the place we found ourselves when we came in, and we have developed a strategy to tell the Iranian regime to behave like a normal regime, and we have every expectation to achieve the goal. Video: Mike Pompeo can't answer how America is safer after Trump's Iran attack, so he blames Obama and Biden. pic.twitter.com/iiG31m9Lcy Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 5, 2020 Pompeo continued, We have provided them clear guidance about what it is that we have an expectation. We have worked with them and had conversations with them and it is important for them to know that we will no longer behave like the Obama and Biden administration, and we will no longer appease. And people talked about the war and this kicked off when the JCPOA was dropped. It said they could establish a crescent into Iraq and Lebanon and into Israel and threatening American lives as well. We have taken a different approach. The approach is successful and more work to do. The tell that the Trump administration is lying about an imminent attack from Iran is that their story keeps changing. First, there was the imminent attack excuse, now they have shifted to saying that their hand was forced because of Obama. The truth is that this attack was carried out to distract from impeachment and help Trump in the 2020 election. The Soleimani plan has been kicking around for years. Blaming Obama does not answer the question of why Trump chose now to carry out the attack. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Seoul: Samsung Electronics said on Sunday that it will introduce new, innovative devices in San Francisco on Feb. 11, with the electronics giant widely expected to unveil its new foldable phone and a new version of its flagship S model. The move comes as the world`s top smartphone maker seeks to maintain its lead in the foldable phone and 5G phone markets, with rivals plotting a catch-up in the nascent, but growing segments. "Samsung Electronics will unveil new, innovative devices that will shape the next decade of mobile experiences," the South Korean firm said at an invitation letter. It said the event at 11 a.m. Pacific time will be live-streamed. Live TV In a teaser image, Samsung hinted at two phones - one shaped like a square and another with a rectangular form. In October, Samsung Electronics unveiled its new foldable phone concept that folds vertically like an old flip phone. Its first foldable phone, which folds horizontally, was launched in September after delays caused by screen problems. Samsung Electronics has traditionally unveiled new versions of its flagship Galaxy S phones ahead of the Mobile World Congress which takes places in February. A Samsung spokeswoman declined to comment on which models it will unveiled at the upcoming event. ROME - A drunken driver speeding on a mountain road plowed into a group of young German tourists in northern Italy early Sunday, killing six people and injuring 11 others, Italian authorities said. The deadly crash occurred in a village of Valle Aurina, northeast of Bolzano in the Alto Adige region, shortly after 1 a.m. as the Germans gathered near their tour bus. They were between the ages of 20 and 25. The largely German-speaking autonomous region of northern Italy, with its ski resorts in the Dolomites and quaint villages around Bolzano, is popular with German tourists. The new year begins with a terrible tragedy, said the regional president of Alto Adige, Arno Kompatscher. We are left stunned. The driver of the car had a high blood alcohol content and was driving particularly fast, a Carabineri police official in Brunico told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorized to give his name. He said police had concluded that the crash wasnt an act of terrorism. Italian news reports said the drivers blood alcohol level was nearly four times the legal limit, and that he slammed into the tourists as they were getting off their bus and returning home after an evening out. They were torn from their lives by the actions of someone speeding under the influence of alcohol, said Armin Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia, the German state that is home to most of the victims. The Lutago volunteer fire service said on Facebook that six people were killed at the scene. The 11 injured, four of whom were in critical condition, were taken to several regional hospitals, including two who were airlifted to a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, said Bolzano Carabinieri Cmdr. Alessandro Coassin. Coassin said the driver, identified by Italian media as a 28-year-old man from the nearby town of Chienes, was arrested on suspicion of highway manslaughter and injury and was being treated at the hospital in Brunico. Most of the victims hailed from western Germany, though two of the injured were Italian, officials said. These young people wanted to spend a good time together and were torn out of their lives or seriously injured from one second to the next, Laschet said. Speaking to reporters in Germany, Laschet said the victims came from various cities. It was a single group ... but not everyone knew each other, he said. In all, 160 rescue workers and emergency medical personnel responded to the crash, which looked like a battlefield, according to Helmut Abfalterer of the Lutago volunteer fire service. Mourners later left candles and flowers at the crash scene, which was located along a two-lane road dotted by hotels and piles of snow in the mountainous region. Kompatscher told a press conference the victims were part of a group of young Germans on vacation. He expressed his condolences to their families and declined to provide further details pending notification to their loved ones. The accident occurred on the final long weekend of the Christmas and New Years holiday in Italy, which will be capped by Epiphany on Monday. ___ Frank Jordans reported from Berlin. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: An organisation of the tribals in Assam has stirred a hornets nest by asserting that the states non-tribals can never claim they are Khilonjia (indigenous). The non-tribals of Assam, claiming to be Khilonjia, goes against history, Constitution and law. We appeal to them to stop claiming that they are indigenous and sons of the soil, the All Assam Kochari Samaj said in a statement issued on Saturday evening. The statement, which has ruffled many a feather, assumes significance as it has come amidst a widespread agitation against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). The various organisations in Assam fear CAA is a direct threat to the land, language and culture of the states indigenous populace. Giving a historical perspective of Kochari rulers, the Samaj said the Kochari kings had begun ruling Assam 1,500 years before the Mahabharata era. In the Indian history, the first Kochari king ruled Assam 1,500 years before the Mahabharata era. Subsequently, numerous Kochari kings ruled the region. Unfortunately, the history of the Kocharis has been either destroyed or concealed by the anti-Kochari Assam government and non-tribals, the statement signed by the Samajs working president Manas Rabha, general secretary Pradip Sonowal and four others representing as many tribes stated. The United Nations has clearly specified that those who have a history of ruling a region for eras and have their own language and culture, only they are aborigines. But those, who migrated from other nations and are living here, cannot be indigenous. The Constitution of India also says so, the statement said. The Assam Sahitya Sabha, which is the states highest literary body, and the All Assam Students Union (AASU), which is spearheading the anti-CAA protests, slammed the Samaj. Its an immature statement and we dont want to get into a conflict. We appeal to them to come to the office of Assam Sahitya Sabha, sit with us and establish logically what they said, Paramananda Rajbongshi, a former president of the Sabha, told this newspaper. This appeal is to ensure that the statement by the Samaj doesnt create a conflict among communities and tribes, he added. The AASU appealed to everyone to refrain from making any statement that is divisive. A mass movement is going on and we want that nobody makes a statement that is divisive. Keeping in mind communal amity and a secure future for Assam, we appeal that people exercise restraint while making a statement, AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said. Police are appealing for witnesses after shots were fired from a vehicle into a house 35 kilometres north of Brisbane. A 26-year-old man was 'assisting police' with inquiries on Sunday evening after officers tracked down two of three vehicles they were interested in. The drive-by shooting occurred on Nectar Way in Burpengary East between 1pm and 2pm on Friday, according to police. Footage of the Corolla leaving the Burpengary East estate in the direction of North Harbour. No-one was injured. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday launched the BJP's 10-day door-to-door campaign here to spread awareness about the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act, which has been met with widespread criticism and countrywide protests. As part of the outreach campaign, other party leaders, including state minister Sarvin Chaudhary and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, also fanned out across the state to talk to people about the benefits of the amended law. The BJP has launched a 'Jan Jagran' (public awareness) campaign to counter the opposition's criticism of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and inform the masses about its features. Thakur visited Totu, a suburb in Shimla town, and talked to people about the benefits of the amended law. He also distributed literature on the subject. Addressing the gathering in Bhumati of Solan's Arki sub-division, state Urban Development Minister Sarvin Chaudhary said the CAA only intends to help minority communities facing religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and will not take away anyone's citizenship. Former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal interacted with people in Bhera village of Hamirpur district as part of the campaign, which will end on January 15. He advised people to not fall prey to the evil designs and false propaganda of Congress and Left parties on the CAA. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who had arrived in India by December 31, 2014, from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to escape religious persecution. Opposition parties say the law is against India's Constitution as it makes religion a ground for citizenship. The country has been witnessing protests against the legislation since its passage in Parliament in December, with protesters arguing that the CAA in combination with other citizenship measures like the National Population Register and the National Register of Citizens can be used to discriminate against people. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has denied the charges. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Back at the institute, JR Wu - the lone female panellist - said Beijings global interference and influence operations should be a concern regardless of whether Mr Wang is the real deal. And the biggest threat is China pacifying other nations [such as Australia] about its intentions. Ever since two million Kuomintang (KMT) nationalists and their leader Chiang Kai-shek decamped from the mainland to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the civil war to the Communists, Beijing has insisted that it is the sole ruler of "One China". For four decades the KMT ruled Taiwan with an iron fist, likewise refusing to recognise the Communist Party as Chinas legitimate government. You had these two authoritarian regimes ... both agreeing there was One China but disagreeing whose, as the Lowy Institutes Natasha Kassam, a former Beijing diplomat, puts it. With democratisation came new political parties, such as the DPP, promoting a distinctive Taiwanese identity. According to the most recent authoritative survey, only one in 10 Taiwanese support unification; most people favour the status quo of de facto independence. But from Beijings point of view, Kassam explains, the KMT, still invested in One China, are at least still on the same page as them. Wang Liqiang's case made headlines and prompted police action in Taiwan. Credit:Illustration: Mark Stehle, Photo: Steven Siewert Tsais signature achievements - boosting social spending, apologising to Indigenous peoples for their historical mistreatment, same-sex marriage - chime with the DPPs younger, more ethnically diverse constituency. At Taipeis Presidential Office Building, I paused in front of a manga-style portrait of Tsai. Shes at her desk, writing in a red exercise book. But she is overshadowed; a grey cat on the table looms large. The creature gazes directly at the viewer, wide-eyed, with a hint of defiance. The affectionate caption from artist Wei Zong-cheng tells us the president handles an endless stream of issues that concern the country ... But with her beloved companion by her side, any fatigue or weariness soon dissipates. This time last year, Tsai's re-election chances looked grim, the public disenchanted with policy gridlock and wage stagnation. Then in a speech on January 1, Xi warned Taiwanese "reunification" must be the ultimate goal of any talks over its future, and in pursuing that goal we make no promise to abandon the use of force. He reassured Taiwanese their rights in a unified China would be respected under the principle of one country, two systems. In June, protests erupted in Hong Kong, giving Taiwan an ominous lesson in what one country, two systems really means. Tsai rebounded in the polls. Shes now that rare progressive politician wedging a conservative opposition on national security. The DPP's slogan is "Resist China, Defend Taiwan". The KMT accuses the government of exaggerating the threat of foreign interference to smear the party as red, as in Communist. Yet even the KMTs former defence minister, Andrew Yang, now at a think tank called the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies, reserved most of his criticism for China in a meeting with him. According to senior government official Chen Ming-chi, Taiwan has become the scapegoat for Chinese political leaders ... to air their frustrations about Hong Kong and the trade war with the US. Chen heads an agency set up to manage what were fast-growing cross-strait relations. Called the Mainland Affairs Council, its primary focus these days appears to be keeping the mainland out of Taiwans affairs. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, left, waves to supporters while launching her re-election campaign in Taipei in November. Credit:AP Since Tsai and the DPP swept to office in 2016, Beijing has telegraphed its displeasure through overt and covert channels. Apart from isolating Taiwan internationally, it has weaponised tourism - a recent ban on individual Chinese travellers visiting Taiwan slashed tourist numbers by more than half in October, Chen said. There were also increased military exercises and cyber attacks, and incentives to lure Taiwanese investors to China. The Taiwanese government has responded with a range of measures from raising defence spending to the New Southbound Policy, aimed at boosting trade with Asian countries. Like Australia, Taiwan is economically dependent on China, which accounts for about 30 per cent of its trade. But Chinas efforts to conquer Taiwan from within present a tougher challenge. Security experts point to the CCP recruiting proxy agents of influence among Taiwans academics, local temple associations, veterans and the media. They also point to a tsunami of fake news and disinformation. Facebook this month removed more than 200 accounts, pages and groups to help protect the integrity of Taiwan's elections. Chen claimed - as have others - that such fake news reports helped populist opposition leader Han Kuo-yu win last years municipal elections. There are allegations that Beijing has waged a campaign to aid Taiwanese presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu, above. Credit:Bloomberg A long-stalled anti-infiltration bill has just passed through Taiwans parliament. But the very idea of regulating free expression is contentious, as Chen noted: We have an authoritarian past, which makes our people cherish their freedom of speech more than any other democracy. How does a nation deal with foreign actors taking advantage of free societies to subvert them? What to do about those advocating reunification with China? Should they perhaps be made to register as foreign agents? Ketty Chen, vice-president at the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, tosses these questions around without pretending she has answers. She says Taiwan is fortunate, in a way to be on the frontline of authoritarian meddling because it has galvanised the nations young. Groups of undergraduates are reaching out to their grandparents generation, teaching the seniors how to detect bots and disinformation on social media. Another youth group is raising funds to bus people back to their electorates on polling day, as Taiwan doesnt have absentee ballots. If anyone represents the spirit of Taiwans enterprising democracy, its Audrey Tang, Taiwans (transgender) Digital Minister in charge of social innovation, open government and youth engagement. When the youth of the 2014 Sunflower Movement occupied Taiwans parliament building to protest what they regarded as a secretive trade pact with China, Tang was among them. In the revolts aftermath, the KMT government of the day asked for her help in rebuilding trust between politicians and the public. Former anarchist Audrey Tang, Taiwan's Digital Minister, is the world's first transgender minister. The former anarchist, an advocate of radical transparency, greeted us in what she calls her boring government office. Normally, Tang explained, shes in the Social Innovation Lab, a space in the heart of Taipei. Every Wednesday, everybody can come and talk to me for 40 minutes at a time. We recently tore down the walls, so people can directly walk in from the street. Tang explained that these days Taiwans ministers must respond to disinformation within two hours with clarifying, often funny, memes. Any petition with more than 5000 signatures will near-automatically summon the relevant minister to wherever it originated, no matter how geographically remote. Tang concedes that Taiwan largely defines itself constitutively against the Peoples Republic of China; the PRC casts Taiwan as a breakaway territory, so Taiwan responds with nation-building around liberal values. As I usually say, the breakaway was during the Neolithic Era ... 8500 years ago, when the land bridge in the Taiwan Strait gets submerged by water again, she chuckles. Toronto police say a candlelight vigil for an Iranian general killed by a U.S. airstrike and a protest by those who opposed him ended peacefully on Saturday night. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 4/1/2020 (736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Toronto police say a candlelight vigil for an Iranian general killed by a U.S. airstrike and a protest by those who opposed him ended peacefully on Saturday night. Const. Caroline de Kloet says two groups showed up to the event outside a Toronto courthouse a day after Gen. Qassem Soleimani's death was announced. Dozens of mourners and protesters attended the Toronto rally, which de Kloet says was not violent. She says police were there as a precaution to keep the peace. Mourners lit candles at a makeshift memorial by the courthouse, setting a starkly different tone from a celebration of Soleimani's death held in Toronto on Friday. Then, attendees danced and cheered, saying they hoped Soleimani's death would mark a rebirth for Iran. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2019. Could Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) be an attractive dividend share to own for the long haul? Investors are often drawn to strong companies with the idea of reinvesting the 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 high yield and a long history of paying dividends is an appealing combination for Chevron. It would not be a surprise to discover that many investors buy it for the dividends. The company also bought back stock equivalent to around 1.2% of market capitalisation this year. Some simple analysis can reduce the risk of holding Chevron for its dividend, and we'll focus on the most important aspects below. Explore this interactive chart for our latest analysis on Chevron! NYSE:CVX Historical Dividend Yield, January 5th 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. So we need to form a view on if a company's dividend is sustainable, relative to its net profit after tax. Looking at the data, we can see that 67% of Chevron'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. In addition to comparing dividends against profits, we should inspect whether the company generated enough cash to pay its dividend. Chevron paid out 52% of its free cash flow last year, which is acceptable, but is starting to limit the amount of earnings that can be reinvested into 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. Consider getting our latest analysis on Chevron's financial position here. Story continues Dividend Volatility From the perspective of an income investor who wants to earn dividends for many years, there is not much point buying a stock if its dividend is regularly cut or is not reliable. For the purpose of this article, we only scrutinise the last decade of Chevron'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$2.60 in 2010, compared to US$4.76 last year. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.2% a year over that 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. In the last five years, Chevron's earnings per share have shrunk at approximately 8.9% per annum. A modest decline in earnings per share is not great to see, but it doesn't automatically make a dividend unsustainable. Still, we'd vastly prefer to see EPS growth when researching dividend stocks. 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 think Chevron is paying out an acceptable percentage of its cashflow and profit. Second, earnings per share have actually shrunk, but at least the dividends have been relatively stable. While we're not hugely bearish on it, overall we think there are potentially better dividend stocks than Chevron out there. Given that earnings are not growing, the dividend does not look nearly so attractive. Businesses can change though, and we think it would make sense to see what analysts are forecasting 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. Axed plans to introduce age verification checks on porn websites cost 2.2 million. Providers of X-rated material would have had to require viewers to use ID such as a passport or credit card to prove they were aged 18 or over. Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan abandoned the scheme in October. Now a Freedom of Information request has found the doomed plan cost 2,225,153. The axed plans for introducing verification checks on porn website cost the public purse 2.2million (stock image) Critics had claimed under-18s could easily bypass the checks. A Department for Culture spokesman said last night: We are currently reviewing how protecting children from inappropriate content will work most effectively. Announcing the decision to abandon the verification measures last year, Ms Morgan said: 'The government has concluded that this objective of coherence will be best achieved through our wider online harms proposals and, as a consequence, will not be commencing Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 concerning age verification for online pornography. 'The Digital Economy Act objectives will therefore be delivered through our proposed online harms regulatory regime. 'This course of action will give the regulator discretion on the most effective means for companies to meet their duty of care.' Pixabay Washington/Xinhua/UNI: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a bulletin, telling Americans to be prepared for "cyber disruptions, suspicious emails, and network delays," amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. The bulletin issued on Saturday, which the agency said describes "current developments or general trends regarding threats of terrorism," came after a US airstrike in Iraq on Friday that killed senior Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. Citing Iran's public statements that it intends to retaliate against the United States, the bulletin said there is no information at this time "indicating a specific, credible threat" to the US homeland. The bulletin claimed Iran "maintains a robust cyber program and can execute cyber attacks against the United States." "Iran is capable, at a minimum, of carrying out attacks with temporary disruptive effects against critical infrastructure in the United States," it said. Besides, the DHS warned that "homegrown violent extremists could capitalize on the heightened tensions to launch individual attacks," stressing that "an attack in the homeland may come with little or no warning." Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf tweeted Saturday that his agency is actively monitoring and preparing for any specific and credible threat should one arise. The US killing of Soleimani has sparked outrage in Iran, which has vowed to retaliate, as the international community is calling for utmost restraint from relevant sides to avoid a further escalation of tensions in the Gulf region. Anti-war protests took place in many US cities, including Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, on Saturday. "For all who believe in peace, for all who are opposed to yet another catastrophic war, now is the time to take action," the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism coalition, which organized the events, said in a statement. The nullification of Article 370 has prompted the Left-Liberal segment of the American establishment to denounce Indian democracy as majoritarian. The charge is fascinating because it says more about the motives and fate of American progressivism than it does about Indian democracy. For much of the 20th century, Left-Liberals believed that social norms and economic inequalities had left individuals powerless in spite of the individual and political liberty granted by law. Hence, they sought to foster human capabilities through education and redistribution, with a view to making individuals truly free. When electorates preferred markets and individual choice, Left-Liberals shifted focus to a different kind of powerlessness. Now, the concern is for groups whose identity and interests are endangered by virtue of their being powerless minorities. Thus, to take a well-known example, Happy Holidays is preferable to Merry Christmas as the traditional greeting alienates non-Christian minorities in America. Ideas do not gain traction unless they speak to some aspect of the human condition. To wit, contemporary progressivism is to be lauded for sensitising majorities to the ways in which they may injure minorities. At the same time, its single-minded focus on minorities has some troubling implications. One is that progressives are prepared to shout down as illegitimate any law that affects a minority even if that law has democratic backing and legal sanction. But if democratic procedures and institutions are rejected, then how to settle disputes over what is a legitimate course of action? Will The Washington Post issue decrees? Another implication is the valourisation of those identities and interests better able to articulate their victimhood. Thus, the abrogation of Article 370 is vigorously criticised as erasing Kashmir, but little concern is shown for iniquities that sheltered under the benign term, for instance the ethnic cleansing of Pandits, discrimination against women and Dalits, gross corruption, and the blight of dynastism. The third implication is more worrying still. Because they wish to ally with powerless minorities, Left-Liberals confront an uphill battle against majorities. They respond by seeking to divide or delegitimise the majority. Thus, the fervent cry that a Hindu is a member of a caste, class, community, ethnicity, region anything but a Hindu. Thus, the charge that Hindus that bring religion into politics are fundamentalists, but minorities that do the same are expressing themselves. These shortcomings are why Indians, who are instinctively moderate, should be wary of the Left-Liberal critique of our democracy. To sweepingly declare every grievance of the majority as illegitimate and unworthy will not foster peaceful co-existence. It will only redouble those grievances, and set the stage for the rejection of democracy itself, as the rise of the Far Right in Europe makes it evident. Challenging this American Left-Liberal narrative will incur two costs. The relationship with the diaspora will suffer. At universities, where Left-Liberals dominate, Indian-Americans learn about Godse and Godhra, but the grievances that motivate Hindu nationalism for instance, the Moplah Rebellion or the destruction of temples are ignored or even ridiculed as the pet peeves of a rabid fringe. Thus, it is that an Indian American becomes a South Asian and then a person of colour who denounces Islamophobia but is barely aware of the plight of the Kashmiri Pandits. This breach may heal itself. As in England, where British-Indians have drifted away from the Labour Party, Indian-Americans may have second thoughts when they realise what progressivism means for them in practice. The resurgence of anti-Semitism in the West is the canary in the coalmine. One subset of the diaspora poses a more intractable problem. Indian-Americans comprise a tiny fraction of the American population, and they cluster along the coasts, where the Democrats dominate. For the foreseeable future, then, we should expect that Indian-American politicians wishing to climb the ranks in the Democratic Party will be only too keen to prove their distaste for majoritarian India. Indias foreign minister S Jaishankars ambushing in Congress is an indication of what is to come. The graver problem, then, is that Indian diplomacy, especially under the Bharatiya Janata Party, will have to wade into partisan politics. Howdy Modi is a harbinger in this respect. Critics worry that Democrats will respond by punishing India. But recall the sanctions and vilification that Democrats unleased in 1998 after the nuclear tests. Two years later, Bill Clinton was high-fiving members of the Lok Sabha. Why? Because India too has cards to play. It can widen its base of support in the US by pressing ahead with economic reform. It can also complicate the US efforts to contain China by supporting Asian solidarity against a meddling West. Hopefully, none of this will come to pass. An ideology that ranges itself against issues that a majority of citizens feel strongly about will always struggle in a democracy. The Labour partys recent crushing defeat ought to give American progressives pause. But should they seek continued confrontation then, for the reasons indicated earlier, we should not shy away from replying that, when there are disagreements over minority rights, it is for our procedures and institutions, and not The New York Times, to arbitrate what is and is not a legitimate course of action. How we, in India, should assess the health of these checks and balances will be the subject of a subsequent essay. Rahul Sagar is Global Network associate professor of Political Science at New York University, Abu Dhabi The views expressed are personal B oris Johnson has accused Irans General Qasem Soleimani of having been a threat to all our interests and said we will not lament his death. Speaking publicly about the crisis for the first time, after returning from his holiday in the Caribbean, the Prime Minister called for de-escalation from all sides. Mr Johnson has been criticised for not returning from holiday in the days since the US attacked the Iranian commander. He was accused by Labour's Emily Thornberry of "sunning himself and drinking vodka martinis", instead of dealing with the crisis, at his destination on the island of Mustique where he had visited with partner Carrie Symonds over the Winter break. However, on Sunday the Prime Minister revealed he had spoken with Britain's partners in the European Union and is working with them to de-escalate the situation. Mr Johnson spoke for the first time since the killing of general Qasem Soleimani / AFP via Getty Images After speaking to US President Donald Trump on Sunday, Mr Johnson warned that all calls for reprisals will simply lead to more violence in the region and they are in no ones interest in the wake of the killing in Baghdad on Friday. But a short while later, Mr Trump threatened to strike back and perhaps in a disproportionate manner if Iran strikes a US citizen or target. Mr Johnson said in a statement: Today I have spoken with President Macron, President Trump and Chancellor Merkel, and will be speaking with other leaders in the coming days. General Qasem Soleimani posed a threat to all our interests and was responsible for a pattern of disruptive, destabilising behaviour in the region. Given the leading role he has played in actions that have led to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians and western personnel, we will not lament his death It is clear however that all calls for retaliation or reprisals will simply lead to more violence in the region and they are in no-ones interest. We are in close contact with all sides to encourage de-escalation. I will be speaking to other leaders and our Iraqi friends to support peace and stability. It comes as Iran announces it will no longer abide by any of the limits of its 2015 nuclear deal, ending its commitment to not build atomic weapons. And Iraq votes to expel US troops from the country amid chants of 'death to America'. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who has been the UK's voice in the crisis said President Trump was "right" to attack Soleimani The UK's foreign secretary Dominic Raab backed Trump over the assasination of the military leader, saying the US had a "right to self-defence". Mr Raab declined to say whether Britons in the Middle East were now at greater risk, but confirmed that warships had been sent to the Gulf to provide military escorts of UK merchant ships. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today defended the intelligence assessment that led the United States to assassinate the commander. While Democratic lawmakers questioned whether there was an imminent threat. Mr Pompeo told ABC's This Week: "The intelligence assessment made clear that no action - allowing Soleimani to continue his plotting and his planning, his terror campaign - created more risk than taking the action that we took last week." Trump, who Iranian leaders branded as a 'terrorist in a suit', has since taken to Twitter and threatened to hit 52 critical targets in Iran in retaliation if Tehran strikes any American interests in the region. Qasem Soleimani funeral in Iran 1 /24 Qasem Soleimani funeral in Iran An Iranian man reacts during a gathering to mourn General Qasem Soleimani VIA REUTERS Mourners wave flags as they gather during the funeral procession of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani AFP via Getty Images Mourners gather during the funeral procession of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (image), Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and eight others in the Iraqi central city of Karbala AFP via Getty Images Thousands of Iraqis chanting "Death to America" today as they mourned an Iranian commander and others killed in a US drone attack AFP via Getty Images Mourners gather in the Iraqi central city of Karbala AFP via Getty Images Mourners take part in the funeral procession of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani AFP via Getty Images Iranians gather to mourn General Qasem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, who was killed in an air strike at Baghdad airport, in Tehran, Iran VIA REUTERS A mourner holds up a picture AFP via Getty Images Thousands of Iraqis chanting "Death to America" today as they mourned an Iranian commander and others killed in a US drone attack AFP via Getty Images Mourners chant slogans against the U.S. during the funeral of Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani, AP Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the US airstrike near Baghdad's airport AP Mourners carry the coffins of Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani AP Mourners carry the coffin of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis AFP via Getty Images People attend a funeral procession for Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleiman VIA REUTERS An aerial view shows mourners attending a funeral ceremony for Gen. Qasem Soleimani AP Qassem Soleimani and his comrades who were killed in Iraq by a U.S. drone strike, are carried on a truck surrounded by mourners AP Mourners carry the coffins of Iran's top general Qasem Soleiman AP Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport AP It was a reaction to Iran revealing it had identified 35 potential targets to hit. Turkey's president also calls for a de-escalation between Iran and the US. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Soleimani's death will likely not go unanswered, and voiced concern about regional security risks during his first public comments. He says he was surprised because the strike occurred just hours after a phone call with President Donald Trump. Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday made a surprise visit at Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) in Sector-28, Panchkula and inspected the reading of the meter measuring the quality of the water after the treatment. According to a press release, Khattar later expressed satisfaction over the quality of treated water. The release stated that it was worth mentioning that sewerage water from sectors 23 to 28 flows into the treatment plant. As per the guidelines of National Green Tribunal Authority, the water is cleaned through the plant and poured into the Ghaggar river. The Chief Minister also directed the officials that treated water from this plant should be utilised in various parks in the city instead of pouring into Ghaggar river. He also directed the officers of Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) to explore the possibility to utilize this water to grow vegetables in the vacant land near the STP. With this, the vacant land, as well as precious water, could be utilized, he added. Among those present on this occasion included Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Ahuja, Deputy Commissioner of Police Kamaldeep Goyal and Haryana State Pollution Control Board Chairman Ashok Khetrapal. (ANI) BERLIN - Germanys foreign minister said Sunday that he has proposed bringing forward a regular meeting with counterparts from other European Union countries to the coming week amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Heiko Maas said in a statement that Europe now has an important role in view of the menacing escalation of the conflict between the United States and Iran and that EU foreign ministers should quickly agree on a common approach. Maas said Europe has reliable channels of communication to all sides that should be used to the full extent in the current situation. Germany will reach out to Iraq to clarify relations following a parliamentary vote to expel foreign troops, he said, adding that we will respect every decision. Germany has about 130 soldiers in Iraq as part of an international assistance and training mission. The German Defence Ministry said late Sunday that a regular rotation of troops replacing some of those currently in Iraq has been suspended. Maas said Germany stands ready to continue to provide assistance in Iraq if it is requested and the situation allows it, adding that the fight against the Islamic State group there is not over. In order to discuss this with our international partners there should be a meeting of the anti-IS coalition as soon as possible. Maas spoke Sunday with his counterparts in France, Britain, Italy and the European Union, the head of NATO and German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Earlier Sunday, the foreign ministry confirmed that the charge daffaires of the German embassy in Tehran met with Iranian foreign ministry officials, but provided no details. The commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, Gen. Qassem Soleimani is seen in Tehran on Sept. 14, 2013. (MEHDI GHASEMI/ISNA/AFP via Getty Images) Trump Derangement Syndrome Skyrockets Over Soleimani Commentary Remember politics stops at the waters edge? In the Trump era, that patriotic phrase isnt only dead, its decomposed. And ironically so, since the latest manifestation of this decomposition is over the termination of Qassem Soleimani, the terror mastermind who was, on analysis, even more dangerous to the United States and the world than Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, monumentally evil as they were. Neither bin Laden nor al-Baghdadi ever had remotely the power at their disposalseven when the latter controlled his caliphatethat Soleimani did as the military leader of by far the greatest state sponsor of terrorism. They werent even close to the man who was head of Irans Quds force and the second most powerful person in that country of 80-plus million, with all its attendant weaponry and technology and ties to China and Russia. Besides the thousands of Americans who either died or were maimed for life because of Soleimani, hundreds of thousands across the Middle East have met their fates at least in part through this mans ministrations. The once-shining state of Lebanon is practically decimated through the rise of his Hezbollah, a fate he was replicating in Iraq. And then theres Yemen and his Houthi and their simultaneous war against Saudi Arabia and their own people. And, of course, Israel, where he kept the Jewish state in a crossfire between his clients Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and, again Hezbollah (when Hezbollah wasnt busy exporting drugs into the United States). Its worth remembering that Soleimani was in charge of all these operations at once, a veritable superstar of terror. On top of all that, he had as much influence as anyone in keeping the Syrian Civil War alive. Current death (under)count: 400,000. Number of refugees: 5.7 million. He may have changed Europe as we knew it forever. And lets not forget Iran itself, where only in the past few weeks, Soleimanis footprints were all over the deaths of thousands of peaceful anti-regime demonstrators. Nobody knows how many. And torture as wellsomething that the Islamic Republic has made a specialty since 1979. Only the other day, they again executed a man for homosexuality. Yet the supposedly liberal and progressive Democrats are all in a dither about the assassination of Soleimani. After all, Trump did it. It has to be wrong. Not only would these same Democrats obviously have applauded the action if it had been done by one of their own, equally obviously, many of them would have attacked Trump even if had he assassinated Hitler in 1940, blaming the president for escalating the conflict. Its that simpleand nauseatingand every honest person in America knows it, especially the vets, almost all of whom have friends incinerated by one of Soleimanis roadside bombs, if they arent themselves walking around on prosthetic devices. And this leaves aside whatever Soleimanis plans were that constituted the proximate cause of the assassination. If past performance is any indication, he had many. Meanwhile, the Democratic candidates are demonstrating uniform cowardice in the face of the action. Is there one of them you would want to have beside you in a foxhole? It would seem to have been impossible, but as bad as its been for the past three years, Trump Derangement Syndrome has reached unforeseen levels. But a deeper cause of this increased derangement may stem from events that began Sept. 11, 2012the Obama administrations behavior in the aftermath of the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi, Libya. As most will recall, the administration sent Susan Rice to inform the nation that the lethal terror attack occurred because of a spontaneous emotional reaction to an amateur anti-Islamic video that barely anyone had ever watched. It wasnt a planned attack by a terror group, Rice said. That was a despicable lie. Kenneth Timmerman wrote in the New York Post in June 2014, My sources, meanwhile, say Suleymani [sic] was involved in an even more direct attack on the U.S.the killing of Ambassador Christopher Stevens in Benghazi, Libya. Timmerman goes on to detail a complicated and clever plot behind Benghazi worthy of the evil mastermind Soleimani. (Read it here.) If this is trueand it seems vastly more likely than Rices explanationthen what just occurred at Baghdad Airport is a prime, and highly justified, example of that old saw: what goes around comes around. Epoch Times senior political analyst Roger L. Simons new novel The GOAT is available on Amazon. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement on Saturday evening that she's dissatisfied with President Trump's War Powers notification regarding Iran. What she's saying: "This classified War Powers Act notification delivered to Congress raises more questions than it answers," Pelosi said, adding the document "prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing" of the U.S. military strike that killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq. Go deeper: White House informs Congress of Soleimani strike, Trump warns U.S. will hit Iran if attacked Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said here on Saturday that center would be pushed back on the issue of Citizenship (Amendment) Act. "The government has said that it will not move an inch. Well, you might not move but we will push you out. This much power we have," said Raut while addressing an event here. In an apparent reference to the Maharashtra state assembly results following which Shiv Sena had cut ties with BJP, Raut said that it was a lesson for the whole country. "Maharashtra's lesson to the country is to not to fear anyone. We have shown the way to the country", he said. Earlier on Friday, Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah had reiterated his party's firm stand on the Citizenship Amendment Act asserting 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 in Jodhpur. Shah also accused Congress of spreading misinformation over the issue. 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.) But the proceedings grew increasingly serious as the night went on. Michelle Williams, accepting the Globe for best actress in a limited series for FXs Fosse/Verdon, pleaded with women to vote. When its time to vote, please do so in your own self-interest, Williams said. Its what men have been doing for years, which is why the world looks so much like them. Patricia Arquette, winning for her supporting role in the Hulu limited series The Act, offered a stern dose of reality, reminding everyone that, among other things, America was on the brink of war and that President Trump had tweeted about destroying Iranian cultural sites earlier in the night. The Globes, awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are not taken seriously as markers of artistic achievement. But Hollywood covets the red-carpet spectacle, which comes during nomination balloting for the Academy Awards. (Voting for the Oscars started on Thursday and concludes on Tuesday; nominations will be announced on Jan. 13.) Studio marketers will use Globe wins to promote winter films. NBC, which broadcasts the ceremony live, makes a fortune on ad sales. Over the last 10 years, the Globes and the Oscars have agreed on best picture winners only 50 percent of the time although they did match last year, when Green Book was the big winner at both ceremonies. [January 05, 2020] P&G Again Reinvents Consumer Experiences at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) makes its return to CES (News - Alert) 2020 alongside other top innovators from around the world to showcase how it's combining deep consumer insights and cutting-edge technologies to develop connected, innovative products that transform everyday consumer experiences. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200105005083/en/ P&G makes its return to CES 2020 to showcase how it's combining deep consumer insights and cutting-edge technologies to develop connected, innovative products that transform everyday consumer experiences. "We strive to make life easier and more enjoyable with the superior products and services our brands offer," said Chairman and CEO David Taylor. "CES gives us the chance to show how we are constructively disrupting our business to deliver irresistibly superior experiences that reinvent what people expect of everyday products." The P&G LifeLab exhibit and product portfolio, which debuted in 2019, received numerous accolades, including Engadget's 2019 "Best of CES" People's Choice Award, USA Today's "CES Editors' Choice" Award, and a listing in Exhibitor Magazine as one of the "Top Twenty Best Exhibits." It has been reimagined for 2020 and features: Oral-B iO , a monumental leap in innovative oral care technology which features a frictionless magnetic drive that distributes energy evenly to the tips of the bristles to create revolutionary micro-vibrations. , a monumental leap in innovative oral care technology which features a frictionless magnetic drive that distributes energy evenly to the tips of the bristles to create revolutionary micro-vibrations. Lumi by Pampers , a revolutionary all-in-one connected care system that blends real-time data with intuition, helping parents anticipate their baby's needs. , a revolutionary all-in-one connected care system that blends real-time data with intuition, helping parents anticipate their baby's needs. The Charmin RollBot , a first-of-its-kind robot prototype that, when controlled with a smartphone using Bluetooth, delivers a fresh roll of Charmin to you so you won't be left in a bind ever again. , a first-of-its-kind robot prototype that, when controlled with a smartphone using Bluetooth, delivers a fresh roll of Charmin to you so you won't be left in a bind ever again. AIRIA , the cutting-edge connected home fragrance system that allows you to enjoy sophisticated, consistent scent through smart delivery. , the cutting-edge connected home fragrance system that allows you to enjoy sophisticated, consistent scent through smart delivery. Opte Precision Skincare System,? the first personalized handheld inkjet printer that scans, detects, and correcs hyper-pigmentation of your skin to reveal its natural beauty every day. the first personalized handheld inkjet printer that scans, detects, and correcs hyper-pigmentation of your skin to reveal its natural beauty every day. The?Heated Razor?by?GilletteLabs, which?delivers a sustained heat sensation via an innovative warming bar and provides the pleasure of a hot towel with every stroke that lasts throughout the entire shave.? www.PGLifeLab.com, where people can visit the P&G LifeLab exhibit virtually, see product demonstrations and live events, and even purchase or preorder connected products from the show. "We'll also showcase how P&G is creating value for consumers and shareholders by operating with the speed and agility of a startup fueled by more than 180 years of global business expertise," Taylor added. Throughout the week, P&G will be connecting with consumers, customers and potential innovation partners, understanding that collaboration across industries is key to innovating ahead of consumer expectations. P&G Ventures, the Company's early stage startup studio, will also be hosting the P&G Ventures Innovation Challenge, the culminating event of its annual business development competition. "We want to continue leading as we challenge ourselves to raise the bar," said Kathy Fish, Chief Research, Development and Innovation Officer. "We are embracing new approaches to innovation so we're more agile, more connected and more effective. We are engaging consumers as innovation partners and testing more ideas than ever before." Following P&G at CES The featured products and more will be on display and available for demonstrations in the P&G LifeLab exhibit starting Tuesday, January 7. And, more private demos from Gillette and Oral-B will be offered throughout the day in the comfort of two, custom-designed "Carestream" trailers adjacent to the P&G LifeLab. In addition to product experiences, visitors can participate in discussions and special events from P&G and its consumer and technology partners, and discover the ways that technology is driving and enhancing the next generation of consumer-inspired innovation. Follow P&G on the Ground : P&G's LifeLab exhibit can be found at booth 42131, and its VIP Carestream trailers are at booth 42337 in the Smart Homes Marketplace area of CES, located in The Sands Expo Convention Center, from January 7 - 10. : P&G's LifeLab exhibit can be found at booth 42131, and its VIP Carestream trailers are at booth 42337 in the Smart Homes Marketplace area of CES, located in The Sands Expo Convention Center, from January 7 - 10. Follow P&G Virtually: Visit www.PGLifeLab.com for a livestream of the exhibit, including exciting panels, presentations and demos throughout the week. You can also follow the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram to see what's happening in the P&G LifeLab and how the Company is sharing its perspective on innovation across CES. About Procter & Gamble P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always, Ambi Pur, Ariel, Bounty, Charmin, Crest, Dawn, Downy, Fairy, Febreze, Gain, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Lenor, Olay, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, SK-II, Tide, Vicks, and Whisper. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200105005083/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Fast-rising Nollywood actor, Junior Pope took to his Instagram page to celebrate Five-star record label boss, E-money and musician, Kcee. The actor was gifted a Lexus Jeep by the brothers as a new year present to his family. Also Read: Nollywood Actor, Junior Pope Trolled For Making His Childrens Hair According to Junior Pope, he considers E-money and Kcee his family considering the loads of good things they have done for his family. The Junior Pope joins fellow Nollywood star, Sophia Williams in acquiring a new car in the new year. See his post below: A question from one of our grandsons was the inspiration for this quick commentary. We had just eaten, and he shivered and asked, Why do I get cold after I eat? Well, here goes, youngun. I thought I would go modern and not academic, and ask the computer why you get cold after you eat. A lot of answers and opinions popped up. The food consumed does not need to be cold for this to happen. It relates to a shift of blood volume from muscles and other more external tissues to your abdominal digestive organs blood supply, which needs to absorb all the digested nutrients and goodies for the rest of your body. It can last as long as 30 to 45 minutes. In a resting or steady state, the blood flow to your abdominal organs is about 25-30% of your hearts pumping output. The artery and vein system to that area is labeled your splanchnic (SPLANK-nik) bed or circulation. That word derives from the Greek splanchnon, plural splanchna, for inward parts or organs. For our grandsons purpose the main important digestive organs are intestines and liver. During digestion, at least 13 hormonal type compounds are secreted to cause the splanchnic vessels to dilate. Plus, there are internal cell mechanisms to allow the vessel muscle cells to relax. Add to that the unconscious nervous system controls of vessel contraction or dilation, and you have a complicated process. But arent we a complicated species in the first place, or at least difficult to understand? No one reference stated how much volume is diverted during digestion, but I recall from the Dark Ages of medical school physiology (body function) that it was somewhere around 40%. Sounds good to me. Several lay references mentioned disease conditions that can induce the post-prandial (after eating) chills. One possibility is low thyroid or hypothyroidism. Those folks usually are very sensitive to temperature changes in general and intolerant to cold. But other symptoms often accompany the coldness, like low energy, weight gain, hair loss, depression, brittle nails and hair. Since learning of the hypothyroid state, I have always been struck by the similarity between that and aging and have wondered if our thyroid hormones just dont work as well as we evolve (like so much else). Other, more remote conditions that might cause this chilled state would be malnutrition, anemia, diabetes, lupus, AIDS and anorexia nervosa (which induces some malnutrition). If the chilling becomes more intense and regular, perhaps entertaining thoughts of these could be appropriate. Not so much for our kiddo. Plus he was tired and ready for bed. Home remedies for the average shiverer include trying to eat or drink at least some hot foods or libations, such as tea, with a meal. Consuming some ginger slices before a meal with a bit of salt is another recommendation. In the copious lay entries of opinions, taking cinnamon and chromium helped one person, but no rationale was offered for it. Another suggestion is not to overeat, again not sure why that should help. As one wise nurse once told me, opinions are like belly buttons: everybody has one. So, there you have it, young man, the story behind your question. This is the same young scholar, who a couple years ago asked me one of those perceptive child questions about germs. I launched into what I thought was a simple medical reply. After two sentences, he announced, OK, thats enough. So, maybe this is enough for now. Its merely a chilling after-dinner thought. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Officials from that office and the Valparaiso Police Department have said Welter was discovered deceased around 7:40 a.m. Dec. 9 along the 1300 block of Bullseye Lake Road on Valparaisos north side. Police have said there was no indication of foul play. ASHLAND, Ore. -- People across the country are taking to the streets rallying against any potential war in Iran. More than 100 people joined in the nationwide protest at the Ashland Plaza Saturday afternoon. All of the protesters believe Thursdays airstrike that killed the Iranian General Qasem Soleimani should not have happened. No Trump War! No More War! The crowd chanted along Main Street in Ashland. They also rallied against sending the more than 3,000 troops to the Middle East. We dont need to get into another war in the Middle East. We have too many troops over there, said protester Mary Donnelly. Oregon State Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland) was one of the protesters out Saturday. In the last 18 years with big military force in the Middle East trying to make it go our way, we have squandered thousands of dollars and tens of thousands of American lives and hundreds of thousands of Middle Eastern lives. Things are worse now more than they were before and heading in the wrong direction, Sen. Golden said. It seems to me that this is a way for us to puff out our chests and say were tough and were not going to put up with this from the Middle East. President Trump said the airstrike was done to stop war, not start it. Soleimani has 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, the President said. A lot of live could have been saved. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, no man alive was more directly responsible for the death of more American service members than Qasem Soleimani." President Trumps decision to remove Soleimani from the battlefield saved American lives, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added. Ashland protesters disagree saying the airstrike wasnt the answer. When you start killing off the leaders of other states, thats an act of war, said protester John Hawksley. Picking a target that two previous presidents turned down because it would be a bad move geopolitically still stands. Many of the protesters thinks the President had other motives with the airstrike. The only reason he wants to do this is, in his brain, he thinks hes going to get elected again, Donnelly said. I really feel like Trump has done this to distract from the Impeachment process and further investigation, Hawksley added. The draft making a comeback was also a concern amongst the protesters. We dont have the draft right now like we did in Vietnam but who is to say they wont implement it again? And then more of our young men are going off to be killed, protester Joy Armstrong added. New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday met Sikh refugees from Afghanistan living in Amar Colony area here, as a part of BJP's door to door campaign to create awareness on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Shah distributed pamphlets amongst the citizens in the area as a part of the campaign. "We came from Afghanistan 31 years back. We thank the government for enacting the Citizenship Amendment Act. Yesterday, we saw what happened in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. We were suffering in the same manner in Afghanistan," a Sikh refugee from Afghanistan told ANI. "We came from Kabul in Afghanistan in 1989. We are very thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. We request the government to let our shops be reopened in Amar Colony which were sealed," Gurdeep Singh, another Sikh refugee said. In a bid to dispel rumours against the CAA, the BJP has launched a campaign to generate awareness among the people regarding the citizenship law. Starting from today, the campaign will conclude on January 15. As part of its programme, the BJP has launched a toll-free number 8866288662 for people to give missed calls to register their endorsement of the law. The CAA grants Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. (ANI) New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra instigated riots by supporting the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act drive. "Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra instigated riots by misleading people over the Citizenship Amendment Act," Shah said while addressing a Booth Karyakarta Sammelan in New Delhi. The Act grants Indian citizenship to Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. The opposition Congress has time and again criticised the amended law, deeming it discriminatory. While Rahul has termed it an attack on the poor, his sister Priyanka has dubbed the new law unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Union Minister Shah also targeted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not doing enough for the development of the capital. "They (AAP) promised that they will install 15 lakh CCTV cameras across the capital. So far, they have not fulfilled their promise. They also promised to make the contractual teachers and employees permanent. This task has also not been completed by them. And whatever development we want to bring in Delhi, Kejriwal is becoming an obstruction in that also. People of Delhi now know them properly," he said. "I urge the people of Delhi to seek report of the work undertaken by the Arvind Kejriwal government while being in power for the past five years," the Union Minister said in his concluding remark. (ANI) Tesco led the pack of supermarket giants during a sluggish Christmas period that saw deep price cuts and some shops left deserted. Britains largest grocer may even have increased its sales in a lacklustre December, leaving some of its main rivals in the shade, according to City predictions. Christmas is a key month in the retail calendar and the end of a golden quarter on which bosses are scrutinised. Chief executive Dave Lewis wants to leave Tesco in good shape before his retirement Such a performance would be a relief to chief executive Dave Lewis, who wants to leave Tesco in good shape when he departs later this year. Analysts said the groups British shops delivered a robust performance compared with stock market-listed rivals Sainsburys and Morrisons. Cautious shoppers are understood to have made fewer trips to the shops in December amid political uncertainty around the Election. Sources said Tesco may have benefited from the trend as shoppers focused on a few visits to its Extra hypermarkets, rather than making several visits to standard-size supermarkets run by its rivals. James Grzinic, an analyst at financial services firm Jefferies, predicted that like-for-like sales at Tesco rose 0.3 per cent in December, compared with the same period a year before, reversing a modest 0.6 per cent decline in the three months to November. Sources in the City and food retailing sector said figures released tomorrow by Morrisons could reveal that its performance was the worst of the big supermarkets. Grzinic has cut his profit expectations for the full year at Morrisons by 4 per cent as a result of concerns. He added that some supermarkets had pushed the promotional button hard. Sainsburys is scheduled to report Christmas trading on Tuesday and Tesco the following day. For the smaller food retailers, Shore Capital forecasts a low single digit positive increase at Marks & Spencers food business. It added that the greater market focus is perhaps going to be to see if clothing and home could sustain positive October 2019 trade. Shore Capitals general retail analyst Greg Lawless said: The Election seemed to dampen the consumer mood until Friday December 13, with perhaps little chance of a fundamental uptick from less potential uncertainty for shoppers. Some may have remained miserable with the result. We expect unsurprising, lacklustre New Year trading. But he added: All things considered, greater political certainty, less politics and potential economic stimulation, may just brighten the 2020 outlook. The Consumer Electronics Show opening Tuesday offers a chance to showcase the newest and shiniest gadgetry, looking past the turmoil engulfing the global technology industry. The annual Las Vegas gathering with more than 4,500 exhibitors brings out about 175,000 attendees searching for innovations of the future. For an industry facing unprecedented turbulence, the hope is that what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas after it closes on Friday, but filters into the world where consumers can adopt new technologies for health, communication, transportation, the home and lifestyles. The show opens against the backdrop of mounting concerns on how data gathered from connected devices can be exploited by marketers, governments and hackers. There has also been a wave of attacks from politicians and activists against dominant tech platforms, as well as intense trade frictions between the world's economic and technology powers, the United States and China. Roger Kay, an analyst with Endpoint Technologies Associates, said consumers are slowly coming to terms with the digital world and its privacy tradeoffs, and still appear to be driven toward new gadgetry. "People always want to see a shiny new object," Kay said. "I think people are going to adjust to this world and adopt the technology that comes along that suits them." CES 2020 will feature devices infused with artificial intelligence for cars, homes, smart cities and for personal health, with many gadgets embracing voice assistants from Amazon, Google and others. "We will see AI and apps being used to make people's lives easier, such as speech recognition and object recognition," said Sarah Brown of the Consumer Technology Association, which organizes the show that includes media previews Sunday and Monday. "You will see that across the entire CES -- AI embedded in all these technologies." Trade and industry attendees will see wearables offering more precise health monitoring, for both athletes and seniors; cars with better computer vision to avoid accidents; televisions designed as smart home hubs; and robots with features to help understand or express emotion. A series of panel discussions will also explore questions around consumer privacy, the importance of 5G wireless, technology for travel and tourism, the promise of quantum computing and how lifestyles will change in "smart cities." - Emotional issues - Some of the new CES gadgets will collect and analyze data such as facial expressions and tone of voice -- creating the opportunity for more personalized services, but with risks as well. This could mean a robot might be a better personal companion for the elderly, and a vehicle may adapt to signs of driver fatigue or impairment. According to a report by the consulting firm Accenture, emotional data "is reaching a tipping point of opportunity" for firms which can decode human emotions for marketing, market research and political polling purposes. "Emotional data will challenge companies because reading people's emotions is a delicate business," an Accenture report said. "Emotions are highly personal, and users will have concerns about privacy invasion, security breaches, emotional manipulation, and bias." - US-China row on display - Although CES is not about politics, it takes place while US-China tensions simmer over trade, tariffs, industrial espionage and national security. But China will still represent the largest non-US delegation at CES, with hundreds of exhibitors including Huawei, the smartphone and infrastructure giant which has been blacklisted by Washington over national security concerns. "In terms of exhibit space, Chinese space is down slightly from last year, but most of the major exhibitors are returning and some even upping size of presence," Brown said. Simon Bryant of Futuresource Consulting said Chinese firms see the show as an important opportunity to demonstrate their ability to compete globally with Silicon Valley. "Chinese firms are looking at places like Latin America and Europe, where they have enormous opportunities," Bryant said. CES offers big Chinese tech firms like Baidu the chance to show their digital assistant that compete with those of Amazon and Google, for example. "The Chinese tech companies are very aggressive," he said. "Their domestic market is saturated, and they need to grow outside China, but not necessarily in the US market." Robots will be a big part of the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show, a celebration of innovation for a sector undergoing turbulence Smart glasses and other wearable technologies are being showcased at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show, even as consumers grow concerned about how their data are collected and used Huawei and other Chinese firms will be present at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, despite US-China trade frictions External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held a telephonic discussion with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the evolving situation in the Gulf region and highlighted India's stakes and concerns. The discussion with his US counterpart comes amid spiralling US-Iran tensions over the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. "Had a telephonic discussion with Secretary of State @SecPompeo on the evolving situation in the Gulf region. Highlighted India's stakes and concerns," Jaishankar tweeted. The external affairs minister also had a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and said India remained deeply concerned about the levels of tension in the region. Jaishankar discussed separately the tense situation with Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Alawi and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Maj Gen Soleimani (62), the head of Iran''s elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US 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. Soleimani's killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the US. Reacting to the killing of a top Iranian commander by the US, India had on Friday said the increase in tension had 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 had said India consistently advocated restraint and continued to do so and it was vital that the situation did not escalate further. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By PTI JAIPUR: Some villagers on Sunday pelted stones at Khoh police station in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district and gheraoed the staff on duty after the police personnel could not catch alleged cow smugglers, an official said. Police had to fire tear gas to disperse the agitating crowd gathered there, the official said, adding that no casualty was reported in the incident. As the alleged cow smugglers escaped, Station House Officer (SHO) Prem Bhaskar and a constable have been taken off duty, Bharatpur Superintendent of Police Haidar Ali Zaidi said. The villagers had informed police about a vehicle in which cows were being allegedly smuggled. A police team chased the vehicle but could not catch it, the SP said. This year is shaping up to be a white-knuckle ride for the supermarkets. Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons will reveal this week how their trading went over Christmas. Its not likely to be happy reading. There will also be trading figures from M&S, in its first Christmas since being expelled from the FTSE 100. A changing of the guard at the top of the grocers is under way. Dave Lewis, the man who orchestrated Tesco's turn-around is stepping down later this year Dave Lewis, the man who saved Tesco from oblivion when it ran up a 6.4 billion loss five years ago, is stepping down and will be replaced by Ken Murphy, a low-profile executive from the Boots chemist chain. Morrisons recently promoted its finance boss, Trevor Strain, to chief operating officer, positioning him to take over from top man David Potts, who has led the recovery at the Bradford-based grocer. At Sainsburys, Mike Coupes position has been weakened by the failure of his planned merger with Asda last year. The succession may be complicated by the fact one of the leading contenders to take over, Argos boss John Rogers, left to join advertising giant WPP. But whoever is in charge by this time next year will be facing enormous, and seemingly intractable, strategic challenges. Sainsbury had hoped that the 14bn merger with Asda would give it the buying power to push down prices at the tills and enable it to better compete with the German discounters, Aldi and Lidl. The competition authorities had other ideas. Now Asdas American owner Walmart is considering a London stock market float of its UK business. Sainsburys is left without any obvious plan. Its shares have fallen 11pc in the past 12 months and new chairman Martin Scicluna will want to see rapid improvement. Dramatic cost-cutting is on the agenda but it will take more than that. Sainsburys really needs to convince investors that it has a future on the High Street with a compelling story about how it can grow, not how it can manage decline. Similarly, Morrisons strategy is: Fix, rebuild and grow. It has achieved the first two under Potts, who orchestrated a recovery after being hired in 2015, but its share price has been flat over the past year. As for Tesco, its shares are up by a third in 2019, but over ten years it is down around 40pc, despite the turnaround under Lewis who took it from enormous losses to 1bn plus profits. The question, however, is whether there is much more improvement to be had when Murphy takes over. And lets not forget poor old M&S, which has endured an absolute annus horribilis. It is showing some signs of growth in its food business but the big test will be the success of its joint venture in online groceries with Ocado, a stock market star. M&S chairman Archie Norman the latest in a long line to have tried to revive the much-loved business has made a bold move with the Ocado tie-up, but one that has been greeted with scepticism. Britains food retailers are in for another tough year. They have to manage Brexit and its effects on supply chains at a time when many families purse strings are still tight. They have to work out what on earth they are going to do about the competition from Aldi and Lidl. Several years ago, one former supermarket chief dismissed the German duo, saying discounters never made very big inroads into the UK market. He should now be eating his words. And we havent even mentioned Amazon. If the US giant makes a big play for British grocery shoppers, all bets will be off. F oreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said he "understands the position the US were in" before the Donald Trump-ordered killing of Iran's top general. Although he refused to say whether Mr Trump was right to order the fatal strike, Mr Raab appeared to back the US President, saying he believed the country had "the right of self defence". He described General Soleimani, who was killed in a strike in Iraq on Friday , as a regional menace and said he was "not some victim in this scenario". He told Skys Sophy Ridge On Sunday: The US will take their own operational judgment call but theyve got the right of self defence. If you look at what General Soleimani was doing, hes not some victim in this scenario. Dominic Raab told Sky News that he "understood" the position the US were in before the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani He was a regional menace he was in charge of the Quds Force, the wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard which is directing militias and proxies in the region, in Iraq, in Lebanon, in Syria which is destabilising those countries, trying to get an Iranian advantage and trying to attacking western countries that are legitimately there. So we understand the position the US were in and I dont think we should be naive about the Iranian Revolutionary Guard or indeed General Soleimani. Mr Raab also said he had been in constant contact with Boris Johnson on issues of foreign policy while the Prime Minister has been on holiday with his partner Carrie Symonds. Boris Johnson, who has been on holiday in the Caribbean, is due to return to the UK today / AP Asked whether Mr Johnson should return from the break, Mr Raab told the programme: The Prime Minister is in charge. In fact Ive been in constant contact with him over the Christmas break on a whole range of foreign policy issues. We were in touch on Friday with relation to the situation in Iraq and the whole Government is working very closely together. I spoke to the (US) Defence Secretary last night, I talked to the (US) National Security Adviser on Friday and were very clear on the strategy and how were implementing it and hell be back in play tomorrow in the UK. He continued: What really matters here is that the Government has got a very clear strategy and message is that we want to see de-escalation, were going to do everything we can to protect the UK diplomatic missions and were going about that business. Ive been hitting the phones hard in relation to all our international partners, and as you said, Ill be travelling and meeting with our European partners, our American friends, Ill be in Montreal meeting my Canadian opposite number as well. And so the diplomatic effort goes on and indeed the Prime Minister has been engaged in that as well. General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike / AP Mr Raab also confirmed that he has a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo next week. He also said that the UK is looking to deescalate the tensions between Iran and the US in the Middle East, adding that there needs to be route through this which allows Iran to come in from the international cold. Mr Raab refused to say if UK troops in the Middle East are in more danger, but admitted that there are heightened tensions. He said: People can rest assure that we are doing everything we can from the travel advice, through protecting our military and diplomatic missions, to keep people as safe as possible. Mr Raab added that he had spoken to the Iraqi prime minister and president and will be speaking to Irans foreign minister. He repeated his calls for countries to "de-escalate", warning that a war was in no ones interests and would only benefit the so-called Islamic State and also stressed the need to avoid a slide into accidental war. Qassem Soleimani: Who was the Iranian general? I spoke to the Iraqi prime minister just this morning, the Iraqi president last night and I will be reaching out to the foreign minister of Iran with that same message, he added. On the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian dual citizen jailed in Iran, Mr Raab said that the issue is at the forefront of my mind and that hardliners in Tehran have not complied with their obligations under international law and have not been responsible members of the international community. We have seen intransigence from the regime in relation to all of our dual nationals, I think theyve been subject to appalling treatment, as the dual nationals of other countries have, so that is part of the nefarious behaviour weve seen from the hardliners in Tehran. The Foreign Office issued strengthened travel advice to Britons across the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, while the Navy will begin accompanying UK-flagged ships through the key oil route of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, military chiefs are understood to have ordered 400 soldiers training local forces in Iraq to scrap their duties to switch to "force protection" to defend themselves and British diplomats from revenge strikes. "Yes, Soleimani was linked to the deaths of Americans. Nobody mourns his passing," Carlson said. "But Mexico and China are also linked to the deaths of Americans. Each has flooded our country with narcotics from which tens of thousands of Americans die every single year, not that anyone in power cares. So does that mean we get to bomb Oaxaca? Can we start assassinating generals in the People's Liberation Army?" Carlson's primary argument was this: "Before we enter into a single new war, there's a criterion that ought to be met: Our leaders should explain to us how that conflict will make the United States richer and more secure. There are an awful lot of bad people in this world, we can't kill them all. It's not our job. Instead, our government exists to defend and promote the interests of American citizens, period, that's why we have a government. So has the killing of Soleimani done that? Maybe. No one in Washington has explained how. Instead, like Ben Sasse, they're telling us what an awful person he was. He clearly was. So? That's irrelevant." The ACA said that it had received information about corrupt dealings between some accountants and Tax Authority chief Abdel-Azeem Related Egypt arrests head of Egyptian Tax Authority over bribery charges Egypt's Administrative Control Authority (ACA) issued a statement on Sunday about the latest updates concerning the case of Egyptian Tax Authority chief Abdel-Azeem Hussein, who was caught red-handed on Friday receiving a bribe from accountants who were cooperating with the ACA. The ACA said that it had received information about corrupt dealings between some accountants and Abdel-Azeem, who abused his authority to lower taxes for financier agents in exchange for material and in-kind bribes. Several meetings between the concerned parties were recorded after the required legal permission was obtained from Prosecutor-General Hamada El-Sawy, the ACA added. The ACA said that the defendants pleaded guilty after they were confronted with evidence and were remanded by the supreme state security prosecution. The ACA called on all individuals, companies, entities, and accountants who deal with Egyptian Tax Authority to provide valid information in their tax returns. Search Keywords: Short link: The European Union (EU) started sending millions of dollars in aid to Libya in 2015 to slow the numbers of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. The money came with promises to improve migrant detention centers. The centers are paid for in part by the EU and enabled by the United Nations. But, an Associated Press investigation found that the migrant detention centers in Libya have become places of torture and abuse. Background Since 2014, migration has been an issue of increasing importance for European citizens, notes the European Council on Foreign Relations, a research group. This is the result of more people fleeing poverty and violence in Africa, the Middle East and Afghanistan, and then arriving in Europe. The issue became especially important in 2015 when more than 1 million migrants arrived there. In reaction to the crisis, the EU set up a fund meant to reduce migration from Africa. Some of the funds money goes to Libya. Since 2015, the EU says it has spent more than 400 million euros on projects in Libya. Most of the money has been spent through U.N. agencies such as the International Organization for Migration, IOM, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR. Libya, however, has a problem with corruption and is involved in a civil war between the UN-supported government in Tripoli and militia groups based in the east. The chaos helps people who are trying to make money from migrants problems. The AP found large amounts of EU money have been sent to militiamen, traffickers and coast guard members who exploit migrants. In some cases, the AP said emails suggest that U.N. officials knew militia groups were getting the money. The militias involved in abuse take money given to feed and help migrants, who then go hungry. For example, millions of euros in U.N. food contracts were under negotiation with a company controlled by a militia leader. At the same time, other U.N. teams raised concerns about starvation at the same detention center. That information comes from emails received by the AP and discussions with at least a six Libyan officials. In many cases, money goes to neighboring Tunisia to be laundered, where it then goes back to militias in Libya. The EUs records show that its officials knew of the dangers of the migration crisis in Libya. Budget documents from 2017 warned of a medium-to-high risk that Europes support would lead to more human rights violations against migrants. Prudence Aimees story The story of Prudence Aimee and her family shows how migrants are exploited in their journey through Libya. Aimee left Cameroon in 2015. When her family heard nothing from her for a year, they thought she was dead. She was, however, held in a detention center in Libya. In nine months at the Abu Salim detention center, she told the AP that she saw European Union milk and diapers delivered by U.N. workers. But those goods were taken before they could reach migrant children, including her young son. Aimee said she would spend two days at a time without food or something to drink. In 2017, a man came looking for her with a photograph of her on his phone. They called my family and told them they had found me, she said. Thats when my family sent money. Crying, Aimee said her family paid $670 to get her out of the center. She was moved to another place and eventually sold to another detention center. Her captors asked for more money $750 this time from her family. Her captors finally released the young mother. After her husband paid $850, she got on a boat that got past the coast guard. A European humanitarian ship rescued Aimee, but her husband remains in Libya. Aimee was one of more than 50 migrants spoken to by the AP. Reporters also spoke with government officials, aid workers and businessmen in Tripoli. EU and UN response Both the EU and the U.N. say they want the detention centers closed. In a statement to the AP, the EU said that under international law, it is not responsible for what goes on inside the centers. The EU also said more than half of the money in its fund for Africa is used to help and protect migrants, and that it depends on the U.N. to spend the money wisely. The U.N. said the situation in Libya is highly complex. It has to work with whoever runs the detention centers to keep them open for migrants. UNHCR does not choose its counterparts, said Charlie Yaxley, a spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency. Some presumably also have allegiances with local militias. After two weeks of being questioned by the AP, UNHCR said it would change its policy of giving food and aid contracts for migrants through other groups. Yaxley said UNHCR would offer contracts directly for services needed for the centers. Julien Raickman was, until recently, the Libya chief for the aid group known as Doctors Without Borders. He said he believes the problem started with Europes unwillingness to deal with the politics of migration. Im Dorothy Gundy. And Im Susan Shand. Maggie Michael, Lori Hinnant, and Renata Brito reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. ________________________________________________ Words in This Story enable v. to make (something) possible, practical, or easy fund n. an amount of money that is used for a special purpose chaos n. complete confusion and disorder : a state in which behavior and events are not controlled by anything trafficker n. a person who buys and sells something that is illegal exploit v. to use (someone or something) in a way that helps you unfairly launder v. to put (money that you got by doing something illegal) into a business or bank account in order to hide where it really came from diaper n. a piece of cloth or other material that is placed between a baby's legs and fastened around the waist to hold body waste presumably adv. very likely used to say what you think is likely to happen or be true even though you are not sure We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. Iran will finalise its fifth step back from a nuclear deal later Sunday, a spokesman said, in retaliation for the US withdrawing from the multilateral accord and reimposing sanctions. Regarding the fifth step, decisions had already been made... but considering the current situation, some changes will be made in an important meeting tonight, foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in televised remarks two days after the US killed a top Iranian general in a drone strike. In the world of politics, all things affect each other, he was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. Mousavi gave no indication as to what the next step would be nor when it would be announced. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 agreement between Tehran and six major powers in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran that have crippled its economy. Hostilities between the countries escalated sharply after Fridays US drone attack in Baghdad that killed Soleimani. In reaction to the US policy of maximum pressure since Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement, Iran has gradually distanced itself from the deal, under which Tehran undertook to curb its nuclear activity in exchange for a lifting of many international sanctions. >> Understanding the restrictions imposed by the Iran nuclear deal Since May, Iran has been reducing its nuclear commitments with a series of steps every 60 days. In November, it gave Britain, France and Germany a third 60-day deadline to salvage the deal or face a further decrease of its nuclear commitments. The deadline passed on Saturday. France and EU call for de-escalation The European Union has continued to seek a diplomatic breakthrough. The European Union said on Sunday that Irans foreign minister has been invited to Brussels, for a meeting aimed at a de-escalation of tensions in the Gulf after the US air strikes that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The EUs foreign policy chief Josep Borrell made the offer to Mohammad Javad Zarif during a telephone call this weekend, a press release said. Borrell invited the Iranian Foreign Minister to Brussels to continue their engagement on these matters, it said. A regional political solution was the only way forward, Borrell said, underlining the importance of preserving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. He confirmed his resolve to continue to fully play his role as coordinator and keep the unity of the remaining participants in support of the agreement and its full implementation by all parties. This came after France urged Iran on Saturday to stick to the landmark 2015 nuclear accord. France fully shares with Germany the central objective of de-escalation and preservation of the Vienna (nuclear) accord, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. With China, we in particular noted our agreement... to urge Iran to avoid any new violation of the Vienna accord, he added. (FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS) MEXICO CITY, Jan. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mexican entrepreneur Daniel Madariaga Barrilado has made a sizeable donation to SOS Children's Village in Mexico City in recognition of UNESCO's International Day of Education. SOS Children's Village is a charitable organization that works globally to protect and care for children who have lost their families. Founded in 1949, the organization works with national governments, donors and communities to create safe homes and offer opportunities to the world's most disadvantaged children. SOS Children's Village also works with the United Nations to assure the future of children in such initiatives as the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. In Mexico, SOS Children's Villages have worked for decades in Mexico City, Tijuana, Morelia, Comitan and Tuxtla Gutierrez, helping thousands of children each year. In Mexico City, the organization has been working for almost fifty years to offer children education, security and care. At the end of 2019, SOS Children's Villages in Mexico were serving 1,700 children and adolescents. January is the month in which the world celebrates the International Day of Education. The day, proclaimed by the United Nations, was celebrated for the first time on January 24th, 2019. UNESCO, the UN committee dedicated to the preservation of natural and cultural resources, asserts that education is a fundamental right of children everywhere. The celebration of the International Day of Education this year, according to UNESCO, recognizes that education, and the potential that it develops in children and adolescents, is one of the most important renewable resources known to humanity. SOS Children's Villages work to assure that orphans have the educational opportunities that every young person deserves. One of the principal goals of the SOS Children's Villages is to better the lives of children by offering them a high-quality education so that they may have the best opportunities in work and life, preparing them for independence. The entrepreneur and specialist in green development, Daniel Madariaga Barrilado is equally interested in children's education. As his work focusses on the future of Mexico, he has made this donation to help form the next generation of workers in the technology and construction sectors. SOURCE Daniel Madariaga Barrilado According to a new report on sexual harassment and assault, the same things that went on 20 years ago in New Jerseys power circles still go on today, despite #MeToo: Creepy men, acting like pigs. Using their positions to prey on women. Its no surprise, the women in politics say. Its what often happens when youre on your way up as a lobbyist or campaigner, but not yet fully established in your field. Now its a test of Gov. Phil Murphys leadership and political will, and that of our most powerful lawmakers. Callous indifference is no longer an option. Everybody knows about the grope train the Chamber of Commerces annual rail trip to D.C., women say. They should be able to walk through and meet powerful people, just like any male lobbyist. Yet as recently as this year, men stationed themselves at the end of the cars, holding forth loudly on womens bodies as if it were a runway, a veteran consultant told NJ Advance Medias Sue Livio and Kelly Heyboer. Everybody knows about the drunkfest at the League of Municipalities convention, too. Some women simply refuse to go, citing rapey advances at the after-parties. And much worse. Livio and Heyboer asked 20 women to sit down and get specific. Those with the most serious allegations didnt want to go public with names, unfortunately. Their stories were horrifying, just the same. Three said they were raped. One, a politician, said it happened four years ago at the convention, but she never reported it for fear of jeopardizing her career. Most disturbing was the young lobbyist who said she was groped at the convention, sexually propositioned on the train and raped by a staffer in the state Assembly, but has no regrets about not reporting any of this after seeing what happened to Katie Brennan. Thats the top official who felt ostracized after she spoke up about being raped by a coworker on Murphys campaign. Its heartbreaking that a woman has to worry about what a violent act against her might do to her job prospects, says Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, who is now leading the charge for reform. It starts with a panel of women who have had direct experience with this. Great. We need to end the culture in which men arent called out, while the women get smeared. Weve seen it firsthand: A Democratic lawmaker and party official each called up this editorial board in an effort to malign Brennan off-the-record, after she went public. Thats on top of the fact that Murphys administration hired and promoted her alleged rapist, breaking its promise to Brennan. The governor says he didnt know about any of this until it came out in the press, even though Brennan had sent an email to him and his wife, asking to discuss a sensitive matter. He says his top people kept him in the dark for months. Perhaps. But now, when he sends a spokeswoman out to give a statement about unsafe spaces, and says its shocking to read about all this bad behavior, it rings a bit hollow. So does his refusal to unequivocally lift the gag order on women who worked for his campaign, which is just what these creeps on the train would need. What could be so bad, that he is willing to take the heat from enforcing a non-disclosure agreement? What is he hiding? The train and the convention are just two political events. What about the rest of the year? Some women cant talk because of a gag order. But many progressive women opted to stay quiet during the hearings into Brennans assault, rather than speak out against this toxic culture for women. Some even signed a letter questioning the political motives of her sexual assault hearings. It became obvious to me immediately that if you said one thing, youre not supporting women. If you said something else, youre attacking the governor. It was completely loaded, so I didnt want to do it, said union leader Hetty Rosenstein, one of the signatories. Thats exactly what it was: They didnt want to call out the governor. But its not about being for or against the governor. Sometimes its just about the issue, not the politics. If this were Chris Christie, wouldnt top progressives from groups like the Working Families Party have been up in arms? Its really easy for people in power to point fingers at other groups or systems that arent handling issues related to sexual violence well, says Patricia Teffenhart of the New Jersey Coalition against Sexual Assault. Its way harder for people to look internally at where theyve misstepped. Thats frustrating for someone who does this 365 days a year. Be consistently good on this issue, not just when its politically convenient, she vented on Facebook. Those who point out the deeper structural problems are correct. If not for the boss system, the old boy network that anoints candidates in New Jersey, more women could get into politics in the first place. But thats no excuse for brushing off womens complaints now. Political consultant Julie Roginsky who is still bound by Murphys gag order and Weinberg are right: Change starts at the top. To call these men out, you have to let women talk. Otherwise you are protecting the predators. Stop privately maligning women who report abuse while mouthing platitudes for the cameras, Roginsky says. Women should not ever be put in a position where they feel that kind of atmosphere just comes with the territory, and they have to put up with it. That was my life 50 years ago, Weinberg said. It shouldnt be my life, or my daughter or my granddaughter or my colleagues in the legislature, in the press or in the lobbying business, it shouldnt be their lives anymore. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. FILE PHOTO: The headquarters for Axon Enterprise Inc is seen in Scottsdale, Arizona By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) - Axon Enterprise Inc on Friday sued the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in a bid to have antitrust proceedings over an acquisition heard in a federal court and not in an internal FTC process, claiming that the FTC's ability to both prosecute and judge cases deprives companies of their constitutional rights. Axon, the manufacturer of Taser stun guns and body camera systems for police departments, said in its complaint that it has been cooperating with an FTC probe of its acquisition of Vievu for more than 18 months. Vievu was a smaller player in the market for body cameras and online storage and management of the footage they generate. In the complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Arizona, Axon denied that the Vievu deal was anticompetitive and said it "is eager to prove its case in any federal court in this country. "But Axon cannot - and will not - accept the FTCs attempts to extort an irrational 'settlement' through a biased adjudicative process that vests the Commission with the powers of prosecutor, judge, and jury in violation of the Due Process and Equal Protection guarantees of the U.S. Constitution." it said. Last month, Axon alleges, FTC officials told the company it would have to unwind the Vievu acquisition by divesting the assets and offering patent licenses to any potential acquirer. According to Axon, in a December 2019 face-to-face meeting with its attorney, the FTC threatened to start an internal administrative law proceeding this month to unwind the Vievu deal if Axon would not agree to the settlement. The FTC, in an administrative complaint filed late Friday afternoon, said the Vievu deal had reduced competition in the market for supplying body cameras to large police departments. "The Commission is taking action to ensure that police officers have access to the cutting-edge products they need to do their job, and police departments benefit from the lower prices and innovative products that competition had provided before the acquisition," Ian Conner, director of the FTCs Bureau of Competition, said in a statement. Story continues Axon Chief Executive Rick Smith responded that the company would stand by its effort to block an "unconstitutional administrative process with the FTC. The FTC can choose to file antitrust actions either in a federal court or via an internal administrative law procedure. Axon alleges that FTC's internal administrative proceedings are unfair because they can only be appealed to the full FTC commission. While an FTC decision can be appealed to a federal appeals court, no new facts or evidence can be introduced, making it harder to overturn the case, Axon argued. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Leslie Adler) Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Iran on Sunday warned of military action and called US President Donald Trump a terrorist in a suit after he threatened very fast and very hard reprisals against any attack on American people or assets in the aftermath of the killing of top military commander Qassem Soleimani, who headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Late on Sunday, Irans state television reported that the country will no longer abide by any of the limits of its 2015 nuclear deal. State TV cited a statement by Iranian President Hassan Rouhanis administration saying the country will not observe limitations on its enrichment, the amount of stockpiled enriched uranium as well as research and development in its nuclear activities. Trump, who is holidaying in his private resort in Mara-a-Lago, Florida, earlier said the US military has 52 Iranian targets in its crosshairs, responding reportedly to intelligence that Iranian ballistic missile units were in a heightened state of alert. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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!, Trump wrote in a string of tweets on Saturday, referring to the 52 American diplomats and citizens who had been held hostage for 444 days at the US mission in Tehran from November 1979 to January 1981 by Iranian students in support of the Islamic revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said Sunday the US will strike lawful targets, pushing back against criticism that the United States will be targeting Iranian cultural assets, which are protected by an international agreement. The targets are designed with a singular mission defending and protecting America, he added. Irans response was sharp. Like ISIS [Islamic State], Like [Adolf] Hitler, Like Genghis [Khan]! They all hate cultures. Trump is a terrorist in a suit. He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat the Great Iranian Nation & Culture, information and telecommunications minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi tweeted on Sunday. The United States killed Soleimani, a leader of an Iran-backed Iraqi militia and five other men in a drone strike outside the international airport in Baghdad on Friday. Soleimani is considered the architect of Tehrans clandestine and military operations abroad. The attack took long-running hostilities between Washington and Tehran into uncharted territory, and raised the spectre of wider conflict in West Asia. Soleimani was planning imminent and sinister attacks on Americans and their military facilities, the US has said. Iranians, their allies and their proxies have responded with expected outrage and have vowed to avenge Soleimanis assassination. Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised on Friday that his country would seek harsh revenge. And President Hassan Rouhani assured the generals relatives everyone will step up to it. The military adviser to Khamenei said on Sunday Irans response to the US strike will be military. The response for sure will be military and against military sites, Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan told CNN in Farsi, according to a translation by the US news network. On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of mourners, many chanting, beating their chests and wailing in grief, turned out across Iran to show their respects after Soleimanis body was returned home to a heros welcome. Irans army chief, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, was quoted by state television as saying the US lacked the courage for military confrontation with Iran. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanons powerful, Iran-allied Hezbollah movement, said Soleimanis killing marked the start of a new phase and new history not just for Iran or Iraq but the whole region. Hezbollah has had numerous conflicts with US ally Israel, including a month-long war in 2006. US secretary of state Pompeo said if there were further Iranian attacks on US targets, Washington would respond with lawful strikes against decision-makers orchestrating such attacks. The intelligence assessment made clear that no action - allowing Soleimani to continue his plotting and his planning, his terror campaign - created more risk than taking the action that we took last week, Pompeo said on ABCs This Week show. He also admitted to the possibility that Iran could try to attack American troops. We think there is a real likelihood Iran will make a mistake and make a decision to go after some of our forces, military forces in Iraq or soldiers in north-east Syria, he told Fox News in remarks aired on Sunday. His remarks and Trumps tweets came against the backdrop of a New York Times report that US intelligence had detected Iranian ballistic missile units in heightened state of alert. The report also said some officials believed it was unclear if the Iranians were dispersing them in anticipation of an American attack or they were being mobilised for a strike against the US. Also, an Iranian military commander, Brigadier General Gholamali Abuhamzeh, reportedly said on Saturday , Thirty-five vital American positions in the region are within the reach of the Islamic Republic, and Tel Aviv. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital thoroughfare for the West, and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf. As the two countries assailed each other in a war of words, the European Union, Britain and Oman urged both to make efforts to defuse the crisis even as Iran summoned the Swiss envoy representing US interests in Tehran on Sunday to protest at Trumps hostile remarks. The United States has deployed 3,500 additional troops to the region and carried out airstrikes on five targets associated with Hezbollah, three targets in Western Iraq and two targets in Eastern Syria. Officials described these facilities as command and control facilities or weapons caches of the militia. In Iraq, many people, including opponents of Soleimani, have expressed anger at Washington for killing him and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis on Iraqi soil and potentially dragging their country into another war. Iraqs Parliament passed on Sunday a resolution telling the government to end the presence of foreign troops in Iraq and ensure they not use its land, air, and waters for any reason. Its foreign ministry also said it had submitted two letters to the United Nations and asked the Security Council to condemn the assassination of Soleiman. Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said India is the only shelter for religiously persecuted Hindus, Sikhs and other minorities who come from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Afghanistan, for the safety of their life and honour. "India owes responsibility towards the minorities living in these countries which proclaim Islam as their state religion," Singh said here while launching the BJP's countrywide 10-day mass contact drive to spread awareness about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Accompanied by senior party colleagues, including former deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta and former minister Sat Sharma, he began by visiting the house of veteran columnist, writer and Padmashri awardee K L Pandita, where he spent time with them discussing the Act. Read: BJP trying to justify CAA by politicising attack on Nanakana Sahib, says Cong's Jakhar Later, he visited prominent social activist Amjad Mirza, eminent Sikh religious leader Baba Swaranjit Singh, retired High Court judge Justice G D Sharma, veteran journalist and former bureau head of Hind Samachar group Gopal Sachar, retired principal of Jammu government medical college Subhash Gupta, social activist and president of Peoples' Forum Ramesh Sabharwal, among others. During his interaction with them, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office claimed that Congress leaders and their allies protesting against the Act are doing so without "conviction". He opined that if a "survey" was conducted among the family members of these Congress leaders, then, even they would not support their "anti-CAA stand". "The tragedy of Congress party and contemporary leaders of Congress is that either they do not read their own history or are blissfully ignorant of the statements made by their own party patriarchs and former prime ministers," he said. Read: Kishan Reddy starts CAA outreach campaign, says 'govt working for development of Muslims' The minister recalled that the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950 was inspired by the realisation on the part of the then Congress government headed by prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru that minorities, particularly Hindus, were not getting a fair deal in Pakistan. "In 1949, Nehru had written a letter expressing concern about people coming in from then East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh, and while doing so, he had referred to Hindus coming from there as 'refugees' and Muslims arriving here as 'immigrants'," Singh said. Further, Nehru had stated that India owed a "responsibility" to these refugees, the minister said. Referring to the opposition of senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to the amended legislation, the minister said someone should show them records of proceedings of the winter session of Parliament in 1950 when their great-grandfather (Nehru) had himself said that they deserved to be given citizenship and if the law was inadequate for it, then, the law should be changed. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi should actually be given credit for showing courage and conviction to carry forward the task, which the Congress government lacked, to accomplish this," the minister opined. Singh reiterated that a false fear psychosis against Muslims is being sought to be manufactured when there is no place as safe and comfortable to live for the community as India. Turning the tables on the opposition to the National Population Register(NPR) and proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), Singh pointed out that PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have been stating that the exercise on NRC is yet to begin. He also said that it was then Union home minister P Chidambaram, who had stated in Parliament in 2010 that NPR could be a basis for NRC. Read: Gurdwara vandalism in Pak shows CAA necessary in India: BJP leader Rudy A young builder has been left with pinhole vision and memory loss after suffering a catastrophic stroke at the age of 26 despite being fit and healthy. Father-to-be Matt Body, from New Zealand, said he 'blacked out completely' after he experienced constipation on the night of December 12. The carpenter was rushed to hospital where doctors confirmed he'd suffered a major stroke on both sides of his brain - as scans found a hole in his heart. In an emotional video posted on social media, Mr Body broke down in tears as he revealed how his life has turned upside down after he was diagnosed with the condition that's common in people over the age of 65. 'It was just another day for me and then my life done a [180 degree turn] just like that. There's that saying "it'll never happen to me" when you hear about strokes and heart attacks... but it does, and it did happen to me,' he said. 'The stroke to both sides of my brain completely blinded me for nearly a week and has left me severely visually impaired.' Scroll down for video Young builder Matt Body (pictured with his fiancee Charmaine Holmes) suffered a catastrophic stroke at the age of 26 despite being healthy What are the tell-tale signs of stroke? The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke. FACE: Check their face. Has their mouth drooped? ARMS: Can they lift both arms? SPEECH: Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you? TIME: Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away. Advertisement The young man said his vision is currently 'black and white'. 'The way I describe it is putting three black cloth shades over your vision and looking through a cup,' he said. 'I've got absolutely no peripheral vision, my centre vision is okay but it's very very hard to see and do everything at the moment. My sunny day looks the same as a rainy day for me. It's not very nice but I'm trying to stay positive.' Mr Body - who suffered a severe back injury two years ago - said 'things were starting to look up again' after he returned to his construction job following a major spine surgery in September. 'I was heading to the gym, was feeling good, bought my first protein shake in two years and things were really looking up being back at work... I was just doing what I could with my back,' he said. But after taking codeine to ease his back pain, Mr Body said he began experiencing the constipating effects of the medication just two weeks before Christmas. 'I got home that night and went to the toilet and waited for it to come out, I got sick of waiting so I just pushed as hard as I could and then next minute, I blacked out completely, lost my vision 100 per cent,' he said. Mr Body said he began experiencing a throbbing pain in his head before calling out to his fiancee Charmaine Holmes for help. 'It was the worst migraine you could ever imagine, that's what the stroke felt like,' he said. In an emotional video posted on social media, Mr Body broke down in tears as he revealed how his life has turned upside down after he was diagnosed with the condition that's common in people over the age of 65 The 26-year-old builder is expecting a baby with his fiancee Charmaine (pictured together) What is a stroke? A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel (artery) and interrupts blood flow to the brain region supplied by that artery, or when a blood vessel breaks and bleeding occurs into an area of the brain. The symptoms of stroke usually come on suddenly. Symptoms that may also occur in stroke are: Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Australia and a leading cause of disability. About 55,000 Australians have strokes annually, 73 per cent of these being first-ever strokes. Source: Brain Foundation Australia Advertisement Tests later showed that a blood clot had passed through one side of his heart into the other before travelling up to his brain. 'It all started with the hole in my heart and the blood clot went through one side of my heart into the other and up to my brain. It hit the back of my brain, and separated so I actually had a stroke on both sides of my brain,' he said. 'The doctor said: "Do you know what happened?" I said "I think I've had a small stroke" and they said "no, you had a pretty big stroke and you're very lucky to even be here".' Mr Body - whose condition has severely affected his memory - said he even struggled with remembering what his hometown Ashburton where he has lived for 26 years looks like. 'I couldn't recognise anything, I could've been in Brisbane or Italy. It was just unfamiliar,' Mr Body said. 'I thought when I'd come home, that I'd recognise the house but it was like walking into another house to someone else's home. I didn't know my way around.' By sharing his story, Mr Body said he wanted young people to go get their hearts checked Mr Body fought back tears as he shared the heartbreaking possibility of having to walk away from his 'dream job'. 'I love building, building is my dream job, I may not be able to return to that. I just gotta keep my head up, it's a bit hard at the moment,' he said. Despite facing a long recovery ahead of him, Mr Body said he's just grateful he didn't lose all his motor function. 'I am lucky my vision and my memories are the only thing that has only been affected so I am very thankful that I'm here breathing, talking, eating and walking,' he said. 'It could've been a lot worse and I'm not only looking through my eyes in a different way physically but mentally and emotionally I'm a changed man. I am lucky to be here, I'm lucky it hasn't affected anything else.' Family, friends and strangers have rallied behind Mr Body to raise money to help with expenses and the arrival of his baby. So far, more than $8,700 has been raised. 'The support you've all put across blows me away and it means the world to me. It makes me not feel alone. It makes me feel positive and it makes me feel like there is hope. I just want to say thank you,' Mr Body said. By sharing his story, Mr Body said he wanted to issue a warning to young people. 'It's just horrible and I don't want it to happen to anyone,' he said. 'Just think about your health. I would encourage everyone to get their hearts checked over, to ensure you don't have a hole in your heart like I do. 'If half of you could take something out of this like go and get a check up, that's a job done for me.' Senior Punjab BJP leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina on Sunday hit out at Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for his "studied silence" on the mob attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, asking where is he "hiding" now. He also said that the attack justifies the amendments made to the Citizenship Act to protect minorities in three neighbouring countries. While the whole Sikh community and India were shocked by the incident, Sidhu has gone into hibernation and has not uttered even a word against his "Pakistani friends", Chhina said. "Where are you hiding now? Your friends whom you were embracing have not only waged war against India but are even targeting the most sacred places like the birthplace of Guru Nank Dev ji. Your silence is deafening," he said in a statement. Notably, Chhina and Sidhu had been were at loggerheads even when the latter was in the BJP. "Sikhs and Hindus are minorities in Pakistan and are not safe there. Their lives, properties and places of worships are always under attack. The CAA has brought respite to the beleaguered minority communities as they can seek the right to live in India," Chhina said. While demanding that the Islamabad protects Sikhs and Hindus and their places of worship, he said India must welcome those families living in fear in Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Despite the states fire season being over, Californias main firefighting agency wont, for the time being, send firefighters to battle the massive wildfires burning in Australia. Having experienced firsthand the devastation that wildfires can create, we share your concern about the wildfires currently ravaging Australia and are closely monitoring the situation, Cal Fire said Friday in a statement posted on Twitter. While we are ready to lend our support at any moment, it is strategically vital that we do not self-deploy and that we work with the international aide system. Cal Fire Capt. Scott McLean said in an interview with The Sacramento Bee the agency would send firefighters to Australia upon receiving a request from the U.S. government, but so far, the feds havent made that request. Were prepared to help our brothers and sisters, McLean said. They would order what they thought they need. Wed have to do our best to fulfill the need. In response to Australias requests for international firefighting aide, federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management already have provided more 100 firefighters, including more than a dozen from California. Dozens more U.S. firefighters are expected to fly out in the coming days, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. Cal Fire has around 6,500 year-round employees a number that expands to around 9,000 during fire season when seasonal firefighters are hired, McLean said. The U.S., Australia and New Zealand have been exchanging firefighting resources for more than 15 years. The most recent exchange occurred in August of 2018, when 138 Australian and New Zealand firefighters were sent to the U.S. for almost a month to assist with wildfires in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. The last time the U.S sent firefighters to Australia was in 2010, according to the Interagency Fire Center. We stand with the people of Australia who have supported us during our catastrophic wildfires and continue to stand ready to answer their call, Cal Fire said on Twitter. While its the rainy season in California, Australias dry summer months have only just begun. Fires have already burned about 12.35 million acres of land, left at least 19 people dead, and destroyed more than 1,400 homes. By comparison, Californias most destructive fire season on record in 2018 burned 1.9 million acres, destroyed more than 18,000 structures and killed nearly 100 people. Myanmars Independence Day Washington, DC - Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State: "On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I send best wishes to the people of Myanmar on the occasion of your independence day, January 4. "The United States remains committed to partnering with the people of Myanmar in support of the countrys continued democratic transition, national reconciliation, and economic transformation as we have done for decades. "We will continue to work with your government, civil society, and youth to help achieve a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Myanmar that respects the dignity and rights of all people. "I wish all the people of Myanmar peace and prosperity in the coming year." Jihadists from Somalia's Al-Shabaab group on Sunday stormed a military base used by US forces in Kenya's coastal Lamu region, killing three American citizens and destroying several aircraft and military vehicles, officials said. Attackers breached heavy security at Camp Simba at dawn but were pushed back and four jihadists killed, said army spokesman Colonel Paul Njuguna. The American military, however, said three US citizens died in the attack including a service member and two civilian defence contractors. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our teammates who lost their lives today," General Stephen Townsend, the head of US Africa Command (Africom), said in a statement. Two other US Department of Defence personnel were wounded, the statement added, without giving further details. Al-Shabaab has launched regular cross-border raids since Kenya sent troops into Somalia in 2011 as part of an African Union force protecting the internationally backed government -- which the jihadists have been trying to overthrow for more than a decade. The Lamu region, which includes popular tourist beach destination Lamu Island, lies close to the Somali frontier and has suffered frequent attacks, often carried out with roadside bombs. Njuguna said "an attempt was made to breach security at Manda Air Strip" at 5:30 am but it was repulsed. "Four terrorists' bodies have so far been found. The airstrip is safe," he said, adding that a fire had broken out but had since been dealt with. Kenya's Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai said officers were "on high alert" after the attack. - Al-Shabaab 'lying' - An internal police report seen by AFP said two Cessna aircraft, two American helicopters and "multiple American vehicles" were destroyed at the airstrip. Local government official Irungu Macharia said five people had been arrested near the camp and were being interrogated. Shabaab claimed to have killed 17 Americans and nine Kenyan soldiers after the attack. The nearby civilian airport at Manda Bay, which brings tourists visiting Lamu Island -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- was closed for several hours after the incident, according to the civil aviation authority. Al-Shabaab said in a statement it had "successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base and have now taken effective control of part of the base". AFRICOM accused Al-Shabaab of lying in order to create false headlines. Shabaab countered with a second statement, saying it had been a 10-hour firefight and mocking the US "inability to fend off an attack by just a handful of steadfast Muslim men". The group referred to an uptick in US military airstrikes under President Donald Trump, accusing the US of "strafing villages from above and indiscriminately bombarding innocent women and children." AFRICOM said in April it had killed more than 800 people in 110 strikes in Somalia since April 2017. - US military network - The Somali jihadists have staged several large-scale attacks inside Kenya in retaliation for Nairobi sending troops into Somalia as well as to target foreign interests. The group has been fighting to overthrow an internationally-backed government in Mogadishu since 2006, staging regular attacks on government buildings, hotels, security checkpoints and military bases in the country Despite years of costly efforts to fight Al-Shabaab, the group on December 28 managed to detonate a vehicle packed with explosives in Mogadishu, killing 81 people. The spate of attacks highlights the group's resilience and capacity to inflict mass casualties at home and in the region, despite losing control of major urban areas in Somalia. In a November report, a UN panel of experts on Somalia noted an "unprecedented number" of homemade bombs and other attacks across the Kenya-Somalia border in June and July last year. On Thursday, at least three people were killed when suspected Al-Shabaab gunmen ambushed a bus travelling in the area. According to the Institute for Security Studies, the United States has 34 known military bases in Africa, from where it conducts "drone operations, training, military exercises, direct action and humanitarian activities". Vote comes after PM Abdul Mahdi recommended Parliament take urgent measures to expel foreign troops from Iraq. Iraqs parliament has passed a resolution calling on the government to expel foreign troops from the country as Iran-US tensions escalate following the killing of a top Iranian military commander and Iraqi armed group leader in a US strike in Baghdad. In an extraordinary parliamentary session on Sunday, parliament called on the government to end all foreign troop presence in Iraq and to cancel its request for assistance from the US-led coalition which had been working with Baghdad to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The government commits to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting Islamic State due to the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory, the resolution read. The Iraqi government must work to end the presence of any foreign troops on Iraqi soil and prohibit them from using its land, airspace or water for any reason. Parliament resolutions, unlike laws, are non-binding and the move would require new legislation to cancel the existing agreement. Ahead of the vote, chants of No, no, Americalong live Iraq, rang out inside the hall, before Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi also called on parliament to end foreign troop presence. Despite the internal and external difficulties that we might face, it remains best for Iraq on principle and practically, said Abdul Mahdi in an address to parliament ahead of the vote. The embattled prime minister stepped down in November amid months-long mass anti-government protests but remains in a caretaker position. Iraq has two options, he said, adding that the country can either immediately end the presence of foreign troops on Iraqi sol or reconsider a draft resolution that ties US presence to training Iraqi security forces in the fight against ISIL. Abdul Mahdi said that the decline of ISIL, which Baghdad declared victory over in December 2017, put an end to the main reason for the presence of US forces in the country. It is in the interests of both Iraq and US to end foreign troop presence in country, he said. Around 5,000 US troops remain in Iraq, most of them in an advisory capacity. US troops fought alongside Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces or PMF) during 2014 2017 against Islamic State group. Baghdad-based analyst Tareq Harb told Al Jazeera that Abdul Mahdis call to expel US troops in Iraq was in anticipation of a reaction from the mostly pro-Iran groups which demand such a move. Abdul Mahdi had no option but to take a strong stance against the presence of US troops in Iraq, Harb told Al Jazeera. Hes been shrewd in taking this position and leaving the decision to parliament. Response to US strike The move comes after Iranian Major-General Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed on Friday near Baghdads international airport in an air strike ordered by US President Donald Trump. The attack came just days after hundreds of PMF members and supporters attempted to storm the US embassy in Baghdad, angry at US air attacks against Kataib Hezbollah a member of the umbrella organisation positions in Iraq and Syria. Since the killings, rival Shia political leaders have called for US troops to be expelled from Iraq in an unusual show of unity among factions that have disagreed for months. Among them was Hadi al-Amiri, the top candidate to succeed Muhandis, who repeated calls for US troops to leave Iraq during a funeral procession on Saturday for those killed in the attack. Other mourners, most of whom were supporters of the PMF, also called for the same response. We want the government to end US presence in Iraq, 24-year-old Ahmed Hassan, told Al Jazeera from the funeral processions in Hurriya Square in central Baghdad on Saturday. Thats the least Iraq can do right now. Weak response But commenting on the resolution, Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said the move fell short of an appropriate response to recent developments in Iraq and called on foreign armed groups to unite. I consider this a weak response insufficient against American violation of Iraqi sovereignty and regional escalation, said Sadr, who leads the Sairoon, the largest bloc in parliament. In a letter to the assembly read out by a supporter, Sadr listed a number of demands including the immediate cancellation of the security agreement with the US, the closure of the US embassy, the expulsion of US troops in a humiliating manner, and criminalising communication with the US government. Finally, I call specifically on the Iraqi resistance groups and the groups outside Iraq more generally to meet immediately and announce the formation of the International Resistance Legions, he said. Opposition to resolution While many Iraqis celebrated parliaments move, others were not pleased with the resolution. Sarkawt Shams, a member of the Kurdish Future bloc in parliament said Abdel Mahdi had deflected responsibility by asking parliament to vote on US presence, adding that many Iraqis were supportive of the motion. How can such a sensitive issue be issue be passed onto parliament with half of the country, including Kurds and Sunnis, not wanting this, Shams, who did not attend the session, told Al Jazeera. Many Sunni and and Kurdish parliamentarians boycotted Sundays session. US troops have been in Iraq at the request of the government. Even though the US has breached this deal, the issue should be resolved through government negotiations, not through parliament, he said. Ali Muqtadad, a 24-year-old university student told Al Jazeera: We dont want US troops to leave Iraq. That will only leave a security vacuum and will allow Iran to have increased influence in Iraq which is much more dangerous than US presence. According to Renad Mansour, head of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House, the resolution to expel US troops in Iraq was a politicisation of the response to the killing of Soleimani and Muhandis. Before the strike the Iraqi public wasnt vocally anti-American, but pro-Iranian groups have for years tried to expel US troops. This attack has revived anti-Americanism among some Iraqis and given those pro-Iran elements a louder voice in trying to pursue something they were trying to do. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal More medical cannabis plants are being grown in New Mexico than ever before. But two rural water systems in Sandoval County say the crop may be depleting local water supplies, and they say they have been left powerless to stop it. The Pena Blanca Water and Sanitation District and Sile Mutual Domestic Water and Sewer Association sent a letter last month to state agencies and legislators describing their concerns. The Sile water system serves 154 people west of the Rio Grande between Cochiti and Kewa pueblos. The Pena Blanca system is responsible for delivering water to 448 people on the east side of the river between the same pueblos. An average household in the Pena Blanca system uses about 3,000 gallons of water a month, said district president John Gurule. A cannabis farm with greenhouses in Pena Blanca that began operating last year is logging 20,000 gallons of domestic water use per month. The board members say the increases could point to treated drinking water being used for cannabis irrigation. The (cannabis) companies may think that the water rights were already taken care of when they purchased the property, Gurule said. We see the potential for these farms to bring economic growth to a rural community, so how do we support that growth while bringing water to our residents? New Mexico legalized medical cannabis in 2007. Domestic well water may not be used for agriculture in the state. Farmers must irrigate cannabis or other crops with another water source by acquiring a valid water right. The water system representatives say New Mexicos patchwork of medical cannabis regulations has not kept up with the increased strain on rural water supplies. The groups are asking that all producers applying for a medical cannabis license prove a valid water right for commercial agriculture with the Office of the State Engineer. John Romero, director of the Water Rights Division and the Resources Allocation Program for the Office of the State Engineer, said the affected mutual domestic water systems have a history of poor infrastructure, limited revenue, too many connections and water overuse. The increase in cannabis production and alleged improper water use may be exacerbating those issues. Cannabis hasnt helped this situation. It is illegal to use domestic well water for agriculture, but it is up to (Sile and Pena Blanca) to enforce that, Romero said. We cant police every mutual domestic water association, but we will work with them and help to see if these properties have a valid water right for what they want to do. The state Engineers Office confirms when a water right was issued and decides whether the proposed water use impairs the community or is detrimental to water conservation. Journal calls to medical cannabis companies that grow crops in the Sile and Pe n a Blanca areas were not returned. Kathleen Groody, a member of the Sile water system board, said they have been unlucky in confronting the cannabis farms about their alleged water overuse. This is probably happening throughout the state. Our only option is to turn the water off, but the facilities are required to have security, sometimes even armed guards, so we cant get in to read the meter, Groody said. We sent a cease and desist letter to the address listed on the license, but it was returned, and we cant contact anyone else. We cant get a sheriff to accompany us on the property because there hasnt been a court order issued. Groody said the Sile system has used more than 3 million gallons of water over its allotted amount, due to overpumping for agriculture and leaks in the system. The New Mexico Department of Health issues patient and producer licenses for the Medical Cannabis Program. Health Department data shows that in May, there were 68,000 medical cannabis plants in the state and 104 licensed producers. Health Department spokesperson David Morgan told the Journal that cannabis producers do not currently have to disclose water rights or water management practices when applying for a license. The state Engineers Office treats cannabis as an agricultural crop. But the New Mexico Department of Agriculture doesnt mention cannabis in its 2018 report of crops grown in New Mexico. The department regulates hemp cultivation as mandated in last years federal farm bill but has no authority when it comes to medical cannabis production. NMDA regulates agronomic crops until the point of harvest, a department spokesperson told the Journal in an email. Medical cannabis is not considered a traditional agronomic crop, which is why its regulation falls under the New Mexico Department of Health. Gurule said the water systems have not had an issue with local hemp producers overusing water. In March, the health department increased the number of cannabis plants that producers could grow. Four growers in Sandoval County increased their plants from 450 to 2,500 plants before the limit was reset this summer to 1,750 plants. If mutual domestic well systems are used to water marijuana, they cannot receive federal infrastructure improvement money or water from the Bureau of Reclamation, because the plant is a federally controlled substance. We come from resource-poor communities, and many people have private domestic wells, Gurule said. We dont have the infrastructure to move the quantity of water that (the farms) need. Reliable data on cannabis water use is limited. Water experts attribute that gap to the decades-long legal debate over the crop, which has prevented federal or state funding of credible research. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife found that one cannabis plant grown outdoors consumes as much as 6 gallons of water every day. A coalition of California cannabis growers refutes that number, saying the plants each demand about 2 gallons of water per day. As New Mexico eyes legalization of recreational marijuana, the state is preparing to balance water interests. The Cannabis Regulation Act was introduced in the 2019 state legislative session. The bill squeaked by in the House but died in the Senate. Its important that legislation create a robust framework to deal with these important issues that currently doesnt exist, said Rep. Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, a co-sponsor of last years proposed Cannabis Regulation Act. Ju st like any other agricultural or manufacturing product or process in existence today, rules, standards and environmental protections must be established and applied to all licensees to ensure compliance, and to safeguard our natural resources l ike water. New Mexico isnt alone in charting new territory for cannabis and water use. Each state that legalized production of the plant started with few guidelines to address the increased demand for water. Oregon, which legalized medical marijuana in 1998 and recreational marijuana in 2014, considers growing cannabis an agricultural activity. That means the states agricultural water use rules apply. If producers use private or municipal wells, they must have a permit from the Oregon Water Resources Department. California legalized medical marijuana in 1996 and recreational marijuana in 2018. As in Oregon, state permits are required to divert and store surface water for irrigating cannabis. California regulates pesticide use and wastewater discharges from cannabis farms, a role the New Mexico Environment Department may take on if the state legalizes recreational marijuana. Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal. Visit reportforamerica.org to learn about the effort to place journalists in local newsrooms around the country. Letter from the water boards: [scribd id=440001205 key=key-RBDVZxTnIFLuhyl5vlZN mode=scroll] Defending the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Union Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey on Sunday said lakhs of people turned refugees to save their dignity, culture, and religion. The Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship accused the opposition of spreading "misinformation" about the CAA. He said lakhs of people abandoned crores of rupees worth property and took refuge in the country to preserve self-respect. "Parliament is there to solve difficult problems and not to drag or entangle problems. The people have become refugees to save their dignity, self-respect, culture and religion," Pandey said. Addressing a workshop on CAA at the BJP office here, he said, "To expose the opposition polluting politics, the BJP has launched jan sampark abhiyan (connecting with people) from today." Asserting that the BJPs "capital is its workers and people", Pandey said a befitting reply to the oppositions misinformation campaign over CAA would be given back. Reminding that the CAA has been passed by Parliament, he said, "By enabling citizenship to crores of persecuted refugees, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the true tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi in his birth anniversary." He said Gandhi ji during his prayer meetings had advocated to "open the doors" of the country for such refugees. "But now the Congress is speaking the language against the Constitution and appeasement politics. The politics of the opposition has become anti-Modi and anti-BJP," he alleged. The Union Minister alleged that the opposition parties were worried following the "ease" with which Modi solved long-pending issues like Article 370, 35A, Ram Janmabhoomi dispute and Triple Talaq. "The Modi governments popularity has risen, the people are firmly standing by the government's decisions as all these decisions strengthen the country," Pandey claimed. "Though the opposition parties are giving a communal colour to these issues, the people know very well about their intentions," Pandey said. BJPs Jharkhand unit genera secretary Deepak Prakash told PTI that the party has launched the 'abhiyan' in Jharkhand. "We will meet important people of the society, organise street plays, use social media and send a letter to the prime minister appreciating him for bringing peaceful solutions to difficult problems, including CAA," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Peter Biar Ajak in Juba, South Sudan, in 2018, attending a community event dubbed "Take Tea Together," a local forum aimed at promoting peace among young people in South Sudan. Read more A South Sudanese man who spent his late teenage and early adulthood years in Philadelphia was freed from prison Saturday, roughly a year and a half after the outspoken activist was arrested in his home country. Peter Biar Ajak was released after the countrys president pardoned the prominent economist Thursday along with 30 other prisoners. According to Reuters, South Sudan President Salva Kiir said the action was a goodwill gesture to rejuvenate the countrys stalled peace process. Ajak, now in his mid-30s, is considered one of the foremost scholars and speakers on South Sudan and had been publicly critical of the way the African country approached peace talks to end the civil war that broke out in 2013. That war, which began after a political disagreement between Kiir and his former Vice President Riek Machar, has killed around 383,000 people, according to some estimates. As war dragged on, Ajak called for a new, peaceful generation of young leaders to rise and run South Sudan a country that was born only in 2011 after it gained independence from the Republic of Sudan, which itself had suffered from decades of civil war. Ajak was arrested by national security forces in the summer of 2018 as he boarded a plane in Juba, South Sudans capital, to attend a youth conference. Days later, Ajak faced treason charges, which were eventually dropped. He was later sentenced to two years in prison in 2019 after being accused of inciting an uprising behind bars. Yet decades before Ajaks arrest drew international headlines, and years before Ajak became a prominent peace activist, he was one of 4,000 Lost Boys who came to the United States seeking peace and education after Sudan was ravaged by a brutal civil war. Ajak was 16 when he stepped off a plane in Philadelphia, carrying only a manila envelope containing a chest X-ray that proved he did not carry tuberculosis and immigration papers declaring him a refugee who was permitted to live and work in the United States. Ajak was assigned to live in South Philadelphia, not far from the Italian Market. He enrolled at Horace Furness High School, and later Central High School, where he graduated as an honor-roll student in 2003. He then went on to study at La Salle University for his undergraduate studies and earned a masters in international relations at Harvard. Ajak was a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge when he was detained. He is married with two children, according to Dale Long, the resettlement volunteer who housed Ajak in South Philadelphia. In a statement released Saturday by his pro bono counsel, Ajak said: "So many people I know, and countless others at home and around the world have raised their voices and supported me and my family for the last year and a half." Words cannot express how grateful I am for their support, he continued. "... Its a new year and a new decade, and my wish is that this year will be the start of lasting peace in South Sudan. Ajak also told reporters, according to the Associated Press, that his detention had been extremely harsh but improved before the release. He said a medical checkup was a priority. A statement from his attorneys said he is resting at home, soon to be reunited with his family. His detention was a travesty of justice, said Jared Genser, one member of Ajaks pro bono counsel. I urge the government to engage with the people of South Sudan and to listen and adopt their best ideas, rather than attempt to intimidate or silence those with which it disagrees. Ajaks imprisonment was condemned by numerous prominent local individuals and organizations, including U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) and Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) and his detention underscored the problems that remain as South Sudan continues to try to work toward peace. Kiir and Machar signed a peace deal in 2018 under pressure from international organizations and countries, and agreed to form a unity government by November 2019. That target date was extended 100 days after the deadline was missed. At the time, the U.S. said it was gravely disappointed that both leaders had failed to form a unity government in time. As for Ajak, the Associated Press reported that he said that he will return to his work to ensure peace goes forward. Peter is unafraid, Long, 67, said. Hes always been brave too brave for his own good. On Dec. 27, the Montenegrin government passed a law undermining religious freedom and discriminating against Serbs. This is an important issue to many Montanans, especially in Butte, Anaconda, and surrounding areas. There is a large community of Serbian-Americans who have long lived here the second oldest Serbian Orthodox Church community in all America is in Butte. This new law mandates that any religious community in Montenegro be headquartered there and cannot extend outside its borders (Article 11). This article clearly targets the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC), which is headquartered in Serbia but whose monasteries and churches have existed in Montenegro dating back to the middle ages. Article 16 says that no religious community may have in its name an official name of another country or its emblems. This too is aimed directly at the SOC. Article 24 of the law in effect authorizes Montenegro to forcefully seize up to 700 different SOC churches and monasteries, which would violate private property rights and constitute egregious discrimination against an ethno-religious group. The BJP said attack on the holiest shrine of Sikhs Nankana Sahib is equivalent to someone attacking on Kaaba Jerusalem. New Delhi: Building a case for the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday said the Nankana Sahib incident in Pakistan shows how minorities in the neighbouring country are being persecuted and claimed that the incident was just a trailer of what has been happening with the minorities and their religious places in the neighbouring country since the Partition. Asking those protesting against the CAA, including the Congress, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the Kerala assembly, the BJP said it is time that these people should realise the difference between granting citizenship to a religiously persecuted person and an illegal immigrant. The BJP said attack on the holiest shrine of Sikhs Nankana Sahib is equivalent to someone attacking on Kaaba Jerusalem. It was a dastardly and reprehensible incident against the holiest places of the Sikhs. There have been consistent acts of violence against minorities and their religious places in Pakistan. Thousands of minorities girls have been abducted and forcefully converted to Islam and married off in Pakistan...we know what happened with Asia Bibi...if someone tries to raise voice against atrocities, the notorious blasphemy law is misused against them....the incident justifies the necessity of CAA and its immediate implementation, said BJP national spokesperson and MP, Meenakshi Lekhi. Asking Pakistan government to protect the rights and dignity of its minorities, the BJP said attack on the holiest shrine of Sikhs Nankana Sahib is equivalent to someone attacking on Kaaba Jerusalem while reminding the neighbouring country that Pakistani Sikhs are the off-springs of that soil and continue to have faith and duty towards that soil and thus, did not migrate and chose to remain there. Ms Lekhi also said that this incident should open the eyes of Congress leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Navjot Singh Sidhu, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, the leftists and the urban Naxals who have been opposing the CAA. Taking on those opposing the CAA, Union minister Hardeep Puri said Fringe secularists opposing CAA in India should stop living in denial and listen to slogans being raised in Sri Nankana Sahib Ji...Do they need more proof...Vandalism, stone-pelting and acts of desecration at the holiest of holy Sri Nankana Sahib Gurudwara yesterday should be an eye-opener for those who refuse to recognise religious persecution of minorities in Pakistan and the rationale behind CAA. Asking those opposing the CAA to differentiate between persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries seeking citizenship in India and illegal migrants, BJPs national secretary Tarun Chugh said Nankana Sahib incident was just a trailer of what is happening with minorities in Pakistan. Where is Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi who had cried once, why there is no reaction from Mamata Banerjee(West Bengal CM), Priyanka Gandhi(Congress leader)...these people cannot differentiate between refugees, who have to flee due to Taliban and jehadi elements in neighbouring counties and illegal immigrants, said Mr Chugh who asked Pakistan government to answer where the 95 per cent of the minorities in the country after Partition, have vanished. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. K.D. writes: I am sending you an investment email I received from Rothco Wills and Estate Planning, offering a minimum of 12 per cent guaranteed return plus bonuses. Who are these people? If it is not too good to be true, maybe we could both get rich. Tony Hetherington replies: The email you received is in the name of Connor Powell, business development manager at the wills firm, based in Alnwick in Northumberland. On of our readers received an email from Connor Powell from Rothco Wills and Estate Planning It reads: Tom Wilson, Managing Director at Rothco Wills and Estate Planning, has partnered up with Platinum Assets and Developments Limited to introduce their new compelling investment, offering fixed interest returns up to 25 per cent. According to Powell, Platinum is a successful property development company with 126 million of assets and pipeline projects, and what is on offer are loan notes a posh description for IOUs with a minimum investment of 10,000. The notes can be redeemed after two years, but holding them longer boosts the return. Platinum, whose offices are in Chester-le-Street in County Durham, is so new it has not yet filed accounts, making it hard to check on its financial status. What can be said is that although Powells email does not mention it, Platinums own offer terms restrict the IOUs to experienced or wealthy investors who can take big risks. You have told me that you do not fall into either category. The first puzzle though, is that Rothco Wills and Estate Planning is not a financial adviser. Its boss Tom Wilson explained: We are essentially a marketing/lead generation firm and supply financial services leads to a few trusted and regulated financial services firms. Your name is on his mailing list as years ago you dealt with a mortgage business he ran. But here, things get more complicated. Wilson told me: Regarding Platinum investments, I have no dealings with them. I have never offered advice on their product and I never intend to. He told me that Connor Powell really works for a completely different Northumberland firm called Admired Properties, which gave Rothco a presentation about the Platinum scheme. Wilson allowed Powell to write and send emails using Rothcos name. He told me: I was not happy with the wording, nor the venture itself, so I immediately stopped any further communication. My error of judgment was not to proof read before it was sent. The offices of Platinum Assets and Developments Limited Platinum itself confirmed Wilson is not a sales agent for the loan notes, but when I asked about how it would raise the cash to repay investors, the response was a bit less clear. Its business plan says: Platinum sells the site to a large institutional fund, e.g. AIG, Morgan Stanley, Aberdeen Assets Management, Grainger plc. So does Platinum have agreements with these big companies? Chairman Tony Hughes replied that they are merely examples: We have not under any circumstances suggested we have any contractual agreement in place with these companies. And so to Connor Powell and Admired Properties. He agreed he has been promoting the Platinum IOUs, but says he told Rothco about them simply as a discussion point for Rothcos newsletter to clients. So how does a discussion between professionals turn into an enthusiastic email to potential investors? And how was it issued in the name of Connor Powell from Rothco, when he works for a completely different company? Powell expressed surprise that Tom Wilson did not vet his emails. But he refused to say more, telling me this is one for our own internal investigation. The whole episode neatly illustrates the quagmire surrounding loan notes. It seems any company can issue these IOUs, and any salesman can peddle them, as long as they at least say that they are only for experienced investors or those wealthy enough to risk big losses. And if sometimes, some intermediary offers them to the inexperienced or less well off, well, what the heck. The chances of official action are as slim as the chances of stumbling across a safe investment that guarantees a 25 per cent return. Lets see some action from the new Government, please. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Dominic Raab has insisted Boris Johnson is 'in charge' of the UK's response to rising tensions in the Middle East amid growing criticism over the Prime Minister's decision not to cut short his Caribbean holiday. Mr Johnson arrived back in the UK today after a trip to the private island of Mustique to celebrate the New Year with partner Carrie Symonds. His opponents have attacked him for so far remaining silent over the US's fatal strike on Iran's top general, Qassem Soleimani, on Friday which has plunged the region into fresh instability. But Mr Raab, the Foreign Secretary, said this morning that he had been 'in constant contact' with the PM in recent days as he called for 'deescalation' in the stand off between the US and Iran. Mr Raab also revealed he spoke to the Iraqi prime minister this morning as well as to the Iraqi president last night and that he intended to reach out to the foreign minister of Iran to call for calm. Responding to suggestions that the PM had 'put his feet up' after winning a majority at the general election last month, Mr Raab said: 'No, that is not right. The Prime Minister is in charge. In fact I have been in constant contact with him over the Christmas break on a whole range of foreign policy issues. 'We were in touch on Friday in relation to the situation in Iraq and the whole government is working very closely together. 'I spoke to the Defence Secretary last night, I talked to the National Security Adviser on Friday and we are very clear on the strategy and we are implementing it. 'He will be back in play tomorrow, in the UK.' Asked by Sophy Ridge on Sky News why the PM had not come back to the UK early, Mr Raab said: 'He is in charge, as I said, and we have been in regular contact over the Christmas break. 'What really matters here is that the government has got a very clear strategy and message which is that we want to see deescalation, we are going to do everything we can to protect UK diplomatic and military missions and we are going about that business.' Dominic Raab, pictured this morning in central London, has called for 'deescalation' in the stand off between the US and Iran Boris Johnson, pictured in Downing Street on December 19, is yet to comment on the US killing of Iran's top general Qassem Soleimani but Mr Raab said today the PM is 'in charge' of the UK's response People carry the casket of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani upon arrival at Ahvaz International Airport on Sunday. The casket was greeted by chants of 'Death to America' as Iran issued new threats of retaliation Military personnel carry the casket of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in Iran. A tide of mourners packed the streets of the Iranian city of Ahvaz on Sunday to pay respects to top general Soleimani, days after he was killed in a US strike There are fears of all-out war after Iran threatened revenge over the Donald Trump-approved attack in Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday and as the US sent 3,000 extra troops to Kuwait. The Foreign Office has issued strengthened travel advice to Britons across the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, while the Navy will begin accompanying UK-flagged ships through the key oil route of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, military chiefs are understood to have ordered 400 soldiers training local forces in Iraq to scrap their duties to switch to 'force protection' to defend themselves and British diplomats from potential revenge strikes. The Foreign Secretary this morning declined to give his full backing to the US strike that killed Soleimani as he labelled the general a 'regional menace'. But he defended the US's right to act as he said 'we understand the position that the Americans found themselves in'. 'They have a right to exercise self-defence, they have explained the basis on which that is done and we are sympathetic to the situation they found themselves in,' he said. 'But there is a risk with the heightening of tensions and we now seek deescalation and the stabilisation of the situation and a war in fact is in no-one's interest. 'The only people that would gain would be Daesh and the terrorists that would exploit the vacuum.' Mr Trump used Twitter on Saturday night to threaten to hit dozens of targets in Iran 'very fast and very hard' if it retaliates for the killing of Soleimani. Jeremy Corbyn responded to Mr Raab's comments by tweeting: 'Foreign Secretary Dominic Raabs declaration of "sympathy" for Trumps reckless and lawless killing of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani is craven and dangerous. 'Boris Johnsons government must oppose this escalation towards another devastating war in the Middle East.' Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, who is running to replace Mr Corbyn as Labour leader, attacked Mr Johnson for failing to cut short his holiday. She told Sky's Sophy Ridge: 'We should take responsibility, we are international players, of course, we have other preoccupations, and clearly the Prime Minister has a lot of preoccupations - he's sunning himself drinking vodka martinis somewhere else and not paying attention to this. 'We've had three Cobra meetings where Mark Sedwill, the chief civil servant, has had to chair it because the Prime Minister hasn't been available.' Mr Raab is expected to meet his French and German counterparts early this week before travelling to Washington DC on Thursday for face-to-face talks with US secretary of state Mike Pompeo. The meeting, understood to have been arranged ahead of the strike, comes after Mr Pompeo criticised the UK's response. 'Frankly, the Europeans haven't been as helpful as I wish that they could be,' he told Fox News. 'The Brits, the French, the Germans all need to understand that what we did, what the Americans did, saved lives in Europe as well.' Later, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace gave the strongest backing to the US despite urging 'all parties' to de-escalate as he announced the Royal Navy's bolstered plan to protect UK ships and citizens in the region. Trump threatened to hit 52 critical targets in Iran in retaliation if Tehran strikes any American interests in the region, upping the stakes after Iran said it had identified 35 targets for potential strikes 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 After speaking to his US counterpart Mark Esper on Friday, Mr Wallace said American forces have been 'repeatedly attacked by Iranian-backed militia' in Iraq during 'the last few months'. 'General Soleimani has been at the heart of the use of proxies to undermine neighbouring sovereign nations and target Iran's enemies,' Mr Wallace continued. 'Under international law the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to their citizens.' Acting leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey added to criticism of the PM. 'Johnson's silence on Trump's dangerous assassination in Iraq is deafening,' Sir Ed said. 'The Prime Minister must speak out now and make clear Britain will not support the US in repeating the mistake of the Iraq war.' Labour's John McDonnell vowed during an anti-war protest at Downing Street to press Mr Johnson over the attack, which will 'set the Middle East and the globe alight yet again'. 'And it's not good enough for the UK Government just to appeal for a de-escalation, what we expect the UK Government to do is to come out in total and outright condemnation of this act of violence,' the shadow chancellor said. A Russian couple made a grovelling apology after they were caught having sex on a public beach. The tourists, aged 26 and 19, had been celebrating New Year's Eve when they left a bar and went to relax by the sea in Pattaya, Thailand. The pair drank bottles of beer before they were 'overcome with arousal' and began romping on the sand. The Russian couple locked in a passionate embrace before they started having sex on a public Thai beach on New Year's Eve (left and right) Footage shows the pair, both wearing surgical masks to hide their faces, making a grovelling apology and following local customs by clasping their hands in a prayer motion Video taken by an astonished onlooker shows the 19-year-old woman straddling her partner before she removed her denim hot pants and unbuttoned her boyfriend's jeans. The man then mounted her and they made love for around 30 seconds before finishing and going back to their hotel. Police were given footage of the beach romp - the second in under a week - and immediately assigned the region's top cop and five others to catch the couple. The couple were identified on CCTV and cops used the camera to follow their footsteps to a nearby hotel The couple were arrested and questioned on suspicion of public indecency Speaking at a press conference, Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Ensarn said: 'Such an act destroys the good image of Pattaya as a tourist resort. Officers were immediately dispatched to the beach to look for clues.' The couple were identified on CCTV and cops used the camera to follow their footsteps to a nearby hotel. They were both arrested and questioned on suspicion of public indecency. Footage shows the pair, both wearing surgical masks to hide their faces, making a grovelling apology and following local customs by clasping their hands in a prayer motion. Roman said: 'I apologise for offending citizens and harming the reputation of the city. We're sorry.' Pol Lt Col Piyapong Ensarn said the pair were fined and later released. 'They said they felt sexual arousal and because they were intoxicated, lost the awareness of where they were and started to have sex' Pol Lt Col Piyapong Ensarn said the pair were fined and released. He added: 'Both tourists confessed to be the people in the video clip. Before the incident, both of them traveled to celebrate the New Year. They left a bar on Walking Street then continued to sit on the beach drinking alcohol. 'They said they felt sexual arousal and because they were intoxicated, lost the awareness of where they were and started to have sex. 'A good citizen saw them and shot a video which he gave to us to follow and make an arrest.' A few nights earlier on December 28, another couple were seen having sex on the same stretch of beach but police were unable to find them. Amit Shah also said the recent attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib is an 'answer' to those opposing the amended Citizenship Act. (Photo Credit: Twitter) New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Sunday slammed former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi for their stand on Citizenship Amendment Act and accused them of instigating riots by misleading people. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra instigated riots by misleading people over, Shah said while addressing party workers in the national capital. Shah even assured members of minority communities that none of them will lose citizenship due to the CAA, saying the law is about giving citizenship to persecuted minorities from three neighbouring countries and not taking it away from anybody. "You are instigating country's minority community that their citizenship will be lost. I want to tell the people from minority community that they will not lose their citizenship as CAA as no such provision to take anyone's citizenship," Shah said. He also said the recent attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib is an 'answer' to those opposing the amended Citizenship Act. "Arey Kejriwal, Sonia ji and Rahul ji open your eyes and see how day before yesterday only, Nankana Sahib Gurdwara was attacked in Pakistan. It is an answer to all those who are protesting against #CAA. Where would those Sikhs affected in the attack go?" Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP president said he came to power fives years back by misleading people with a host of promises. Somebody can mislead people once but not all the time, he said, adding the BJP will come to power in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who had arrived in India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh due to religious persecution. Opposition parties have called the law against Indias Constitution for making religion a ground for citizenship. The country has been witnessing protests against the amended citizenship law, with protesters arguing that the CAA in combination with other citizenship measures like NPR and NRC can be used to discriminate against people. The Modi government has asserted that it has so far not discussed the proposal for National Register of Citizens. Shah said opposition parties have become habituated to the 'politics of opposition and vote bank' and referred to their stand against measures like the law against triple talaq among Muslim men and nullification of Article 370. They also opposed construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said, noting that a recent Supreme Court order had paved the way for building the temple. He asked people to give missed calls to a toll free number put out by the BJP to show their support to the CAA and slammed rumours that the number belonged to Netflix, a streaming service. This number belongs to the BJP, he said. With PTI Inputs For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi, Jan 5 : Getting the majority in the Rajya Sabha has been like the elusive holy grail for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Haryana and Maharashtra -- two big states that went to the polls last year -- had given the BJP hopes to move steadily in that direction. As 73 upper House seats go to polls this year, the BJP's dream for a majority will continue to remain a dream, at least for now. Out of the 73 seats that will go for election, 69 will fall vacant this year. Out of the Rajya Sabha MPs whose tenure will come to an end, necessitating the poll, 18 belong to the ruling party, while 17 are from the Congress. Four seats have been lying vacant anyway. This year alone, 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh will get vacated. Though BJP won't get harmed there as the state government is being run by the saffron party, the party that will be directly hit is the Samajwadi Party which was unseated by Yogi Adityanath government. In the 245 member upper House, the BJP has 83 members and the Congress has 46. But, the BJP is slated to hover around where it already is and not inch closer to its dream of getting the majority. The primary reason for it is the five-state loss in a year alone for the BJP. The BJP lost Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in December 2018. 2019, nationally brought good news for the BJP, which swept back to power with an even bigger mandate of 303 seats in the Lok Sabha. But, it is the member count of state Assemblies that affect the number any party has in the Rajya Sabha. Moreover, 2019 ended in a bleak note for the BJP. Though the BJP grappled to ensure it forms a government in Haryana, its number of MLAs fell. While in the outgoing Assembly, the BJP had 47 MLAs, it came back reduced to 40. Maharashtra has been an equally sombre story for the BJP where the non-negotiable stand on sharing of the chief minister's post between the two pre poll allies -- BJP and Shiv Sena led to the Sena walking out of the NDA and forming the government with Congress and NCP. In 2014, the BJP accumulated 122 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly, but got 17 seats less in 2019. Whereas, the tally for the Congress rose in both Haryana and Maharashtra by 16 and 13, respectively. As many BJP biggies like Union Minister Hardeep Puri and senior Delhi BJP leader Vijay Goel are on their way out this year, the majority in the upper House remains the elusive for the 'World's largest party'. Who does not know American supermodel Cindy Crawford, Cindy Crawford's boldness is dominated by modeling. Her every pose is very hot. Everyone is crazy about them. Recently, Cindy Crawford has appeared in a very sexy look to surprise her fans. She is being appreciated a lot on the internet. If we talk about her looks, then American supermodel Cindy Crawford (53) appeared as a provocative in a green bikini and multicolored kaftan on Miami Beach. Cindy was seen showing her slim body on the beach. He paired the Panama hat with a clutch with palm tree print and glasses. According to information from foreign media, Cindy was accompanied by her husband Rande Garber, who appeared shirtless and relaxed on the beach. After eight months of celebrating the 21st anniversary of the wedding, both of them appeared very happy. Talk of the same personal life, both of them married in May 1998 and the couple have two children - Presley (20) and Kaya (18). Who are often seen posing with their parents on social media. Also Read: This model is breaking internet with her hot and bold photos, check out photos here Hot and bold of this model will steal your heart, check photos here Checkout sultry pictures of this American model This Hollywood actress is worried about hair like ordinary girls Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal During its 64-year history, the Santa Fe Opera has had four directors. Paul Horpedahl was fortunate enough to work with all of them founder John Crosby, Richard Gaddes, Charles MacKay and current general director Robert K. Meya. Horpedahl retired Dec. 31 after 31 seasons at the Opera, including 22 in his most recent job as production and facilities director, where he oversaw an annual production budget of $5 million for an eight-week festival of 38 performances, and a facilities budget of $1.3 million for maintenance, security and safety. His 31 seasons at the Opera were punctuated by jobs out of town at such places as The Juilliard School in New York, the San Francisco Opera and Ballet, and Milwaukees Skylight Opera Theatre. Ive come and gone a couple of times, Horpedahl said. When I first left, it was to do something new. I didnt think I had the toolkit to do my current job at first. Nor was the position always available. The position I have is a coveted one, the only one in the state. No successor has been named yet. The Opera has been Horpedahls home for nearly half of his 63 years. Its where he met his wife, Lynne, who was a draper and is now a quilter, and where his two daughters, Kristen, 29, and Kaitlyn, 26, found the inspiration for their careers, as a prop artisan and a food festival organizer, respectively. A graduate of Los Alamos High School, Horpedahl first came to the Opera in 1978 as a technical apprentice between his junior and senior years of college at the University of Washington. But he wasnt an opera buff coming in. I heard about the job and thought, Thats a good way to spend the summer. I wasnt particularly enthusiastic about it. Then I got here and saw amazing talent from all over the world. I was working alongside designers that I was studying in college. I got the bug, recalled Horpedahl in a valedictory interview. Horpedahls parents moved to Los Alamos in 1951 and both worked for Los Alamos National Laboratory, his father as a mechanical engineer. His mother didnt take a job at LANL until her four children were grown. Horpedahls first summer at the Opera was literally heavy lifting. He was on a crew that was responsible for getting sets off and on the stage. The staff was great about mentoring. I learned how to weld from some of the crews. It was a great learning experience, Horpedahl said. He returned to the Opera after graduating from college, for the 1979 season, before becoming part of a small company called the Santa Fe Festival Theater, which took over the former National Guard Armory that now houses the New Mexico Military Museum. The next stop was Providence, Rhode Island, where Horpedahl was assistant technical director for the Trinity Square Theater. The summer of 1982 found him back at the Opera as head of stage operations. It was then that Horpedahl met his wife in the costume shop. Love was in the air and the big city was beckoning. The couple left New Mexico for New York City, where Paul served as assistant technical director at The Julliard School and Lynne worked in a Broadway costume shop. By the next year, they were back home again. Paul took a job as assistant technical director at the Opera, a position he held for four years before the family pulled up stakes once again, this time for San Francisco. In the Bay Area, Horpedahl worked at San Francisco State University before joining the San Francisco Opera and Ballet as a carpenter. By 1991, he had the skills and connections to land a job as production director of the Skylight Opera Theater, where he worked closely with architects, contractors and others on the construction of the $5.9 million Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee. It appeared the Horpedahl familys peripatetic days were over as they put down roots in Wisconsin. Called back to SF Then, in 1997, the call came. Carolyn Lockwood, the Operas production/stage manager, let him know the technical director would be leaving the following year. She wanted to know if I wanted to interview with John Crosby, Horpedahl said. Did I ever. This was a time of great transition at the Opera, as the opera house was undergoing a major renovation from 1997-98. In February 1998, Horpedahl came back to Santa Fe for good. During his tenure, hes seen a lot of technological change and had a few close calls, like the time the power went out before a 2002 production of Eugene Onegin. It was a Monday night. We ended up doing the first act of the show as a concert version on the set. There was no way to lower the orchestra pit. We couldnt focus the lighting, Horpedahl said. But then a deux ex machina arrived in the last few minutes of the first act as the power came back on. Everybody jumped in. We reset the stage, put the orchestra in the pit and focused the lights. It required the efforts of everyone. Whats great about opera is that it is such a collaborative art form. Thats probably what got me hooked, he said. Asked what his favorite opera was during his 31 seasons, Horpedahl compared it to a mother being asked who her favorite child is. Its really hard to answer that question. Every season, five new kids are born and the production staff grows from 20 in the winter to 200 in the summer. Pressed again to name some memorable moments, Horpedahl settled on the 2006 production of The Tempest, which he said people still talk about to this day. The directors and designers pushed for a lot of magic in the show and we were able to deliver. It was a fun and difficult show to put on, he said. The set consisted of a desert island with a big tree branching across the stage. During the overture at the beginning of the opera by Thomas Ades, performers appeared to be rising from the ocean and marched onto the island wearing drenched clothes. The illusion was created with the help of a large water tank sitting in the orchestra pit. It drew the audience into a world that lasted throughout the piece. It got people into the production all at once, he said. Another favorite was the French opera Cendrillon based on the Cinderella fairytale, another 2006 production. The designer and director came up with a storybook presentation and the walls of the set were the typed pages of the storybook, he said. And, of course, how could a native of Los Alamos not be thrilled to be involved in the 2018 production of Doctor Atomic about Robert Oppenheimer and the birth of the atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project? As he bids farewell to the Santa Fe Opera, does Horpedahl have any regrets? Not really. Ive always tried to listen to my gut about whats important. One of the main reasons I wanted to come back to Santa Fe was to work alongside John Crosby before he left the opera, he said. Horpedahl continued, Then I had the opportunity to work with Richard Gaddes (2000-8), Charles MacKay (2008-18) and, briefly, Robert Meya. Thats a lot of great leadership to be a party to. Not many people have the luxury of saying theyve worked in that kind of company. Horpedahl said hes leaving the Opera as part of a promise he made to himself a long time ago. Im 63. Ive watched too many colleagues run themselves into the ground. I made a personal commitment to pay attention to what my body is capable of, he said. Although hes retiring from the Opera, Horpedahl is heading immediately for Washington, D.C., where hell be working for the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center. Going to a different theater in another place will be a way for him to clear my head and think about what comes next, he said. South Korean lifestyle brand Mumuso on Sunday announced its plans to open outlets across the country. "Mumuso is eyeing at the Indian market aggressively with new stores in different parts of the country," the South Korean lifestyle brand said in a statement. The brand is also looking for potential franchises to set up new stores in different corners of the country. Mumuso has launched more than 30 stores in the last one year which is more than two stores per month. The brand has also expanded its categories and plans to enter F&B section soon. Mumuso India Director Manoj Agarwal said, "I have been studying the retail market very closely. Indian retail market is huge. When it comes to lifestyle products, India has seen a sharp rise in the demand in the recent years. Our expansion strategy is to set up outlets all over India along with entering the e-commerce market as online shopping has seen a big boost in India in recent years. Mumuso, unlike distributorship, franchises will have more profit and direct access under B2C Format." Mumuso India -- the Indian entity of Mumuso -- offers accessories, household stationery, bags, children products, small electronics and lifestyle items, etc. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sir Rod Stewart's son has blamed an 'aggressive' bouncer who provoked him for starting the scrap that broke out between the guard and his dad on New Year's Eve. Sean Stewart, 39, alleges that security staff Jessie Dixon, 33, was acting aggressively when 74-year-old Rod jumped in for his son and struck the guard in the chest. He said that he and the operative squared up to each other at the James Bond-themed event at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida and that he was 'sticking up' for his family. Sean Stewart posted a photo of himself with father Rod Stewart on October 16, 2019, with caption: Love you dad @sirrodstewart #fatherandsonnightout Sir Rod Stewart, and his tattoos, are pictured while on holiday in Sardinia in 2009 Pictured: Sir Rod Stewart's arrest sheet taken by Florida police The father-and-son fighting duo could face a year in jail, the same time on probation or a 760 fine if found guilty of battery at a hearing in Palm Beach in February. Sir Rod's wrap sheet detailed his Scottish lion tattoo, which sits at the top of his left shoulder, and another of a thistle which is branded on his arm, according to the Sun on Sunday. Police, who claim to have seen the pair starting the fight on CCTV, said that Rod and his son confronted Mr Dixon after crashing a private event in a children's play area and refused to leave. The situation became heated and Sean pushed Mr Dixon while Rod bashed him as he tried to balance himself, police said. Rod Stewart (center) is seen here with fans in an Instagram photo taken on New Year's Eve. The security guard said that Rod punched him and that Sean shoved him Police said there is enough evidence to charge Rod Stewart (left, with Sean, right) with simple battery and he is due in court on February 5 Though Mr Dixon declined to comment on its accuracy, a police report indicates that he's planning to prosecute. Sir Rod, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, said that it was Mr Dixon who riled up the situation. Sean, who has been in trouble with the law before, said the 'truth will prevail'. In September 2002, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail and ordered to go to drug rehab after pleading no contest to attacking a man outside a restaurant in Malibu. Then, in 2010, he was arrested for driving with a suspended license. And, in February 2015, Sean was arrested at Miami International Airport. Police said he jumped onto a luggage carousel after seeing his bag and riding around on the conveyor belt, according to Local 10. Rod Stewart is pictured here in an Instagram post with a fan at the Breakers Hotel on January 3 The incident took place at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. Rod Stewart and his party were said to have been trying to get into a private event that they weren't invited to Sean was charged with unlawful entry into a restricted area and released the next day after posting bail. It's unclear if Sean will also face charges, although the arrest/notice to appear documentation lists him as a co-defendant. Sir Rod has been in hot water with the police before too - in the 1960s, he was arrested three times while participating in sit-ins in London while supporting the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Jane Young: Key changes to your retirement with passage of the SECURE Act Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee General Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Sunday said that people opposing Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) should understand persecuted minorities' pains. "An unfortunate incident happened in Peshawar where a Sikh man was killed. People who were saying they do not need CAA, where we all should go now. Our brothers' only mistake is that they are living in an Islamic country. I would like to request all opposition to understand the Sikhs' pain. Sikhs and Hindus should be given shelter here," Sirsa told ANI. "All Sikhs were threatened to leave Pakistan. There are talks about changing the name of Nankana Sahib to some other name. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan never took any action on it. Their purpose is to remove minorities from an Islamic country," he added. A Sikh youth was killed by an unidentified person in Pakistan's Peshawar, police said. The body of the person, identified as Rowinder Singh, was found in the Chamkani police station area of Peshawar. Police said that the Sikh person was a resident of Shangla District of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and had come to Peshawar to shop for his wedding. The CAA grants Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh 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.) Violence broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday night as masked men armed with sticks and rods attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police which conducted a flag march. IMAGE: Masked miscreants armed with sticks roam around Jawaharlal Nehru University campus on Sunday. Photograph: @JNUSUofficial/Twitter At least 28 people, including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured as chaos reigned on the campus for nearly two hours. Eyewitnesses alleged the attackers entered the premises when a meeting was being held by JNU Teachers' Association on the issue of violence on campus and assaulted students and professors. They also barged into three hostels. Video footage aired by some TV channels showed a group of men, who were brandishing hockey sticks and rods, moving around a building. The Left-controlled Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad blamed each other for the incident. The violence at the university, whose students have been actively supporting the stir against the amended Citizenship Act, triggered a political furore with opposition parties accusing "those in power" of trying to scuttle the voice of students, while protests broke out near Delhi Police headquarters and at the Aligarh Muslim University against the incident. Union human resource development minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank condemned the violence and appealed for peace on the campus. A ministry official said anarchy will not be tolerated and a report has been sought from JNU administration on the incident. Senior Union ministers and JNU alumni S Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitharaman too condemned the violence. IMAGE: JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh was attacked by a mob in University campus. Photograph: @JNUSUofficial/Twitter Sitharaman said the pictures of violence were horrifying and asserted that the government wants universities to be safe spaces for all students. Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Delhi Police chief Amulya Patnaik and the ministry has sought a report from him. Sources said the violence started around 5 pm near Sabarmati tea point in the campus, where there had been minor clashes over the issue of semester registration under the revised rules. The JNU administration said "masked miscreants armed with sticks were roaming around, damaging property and attacking people" and that police had been called in to maintain law and order. " "This is an urgent message for the entire JNU community that there is a law and order situation on the campus.... The JNU Administration has called the police to maintain order," JNU registrar Pramod Kumar said in a statement. Late in the night, the university said a police complaint will be filed and violators of university rules and those trying to disrupt peaceful academic atmosphere of campus will not be spared. It also claimed that those who opposed the registration process started the violence in which several guards were also injured. WATCH: Masked miscreants armed with stick attack JNU students Amid allegations of delayed action, Delhi Police said it conducted a flag march and the situation was brought under control after it got a written request from the JNU administration to enter the campus. It, however, did not say if any arrests had been made. There was a massive deployment of security personnel in and around the campus after the violence and the entrance gates were closed. The students' union alleged its members, including Ghosh, were injured in stone pelting by ABVP members. The JNUSU claimed "ABVP members wearing masks were moving around on the campus with lathis, rods and hammers". "They are pelting bricks...getting into hostels and beating up students. Several teachers have also been beaten up." But Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad alleged its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits, the Students' Federation of India, the All India Students Association and the Democratic Students' Federation, and 25 of them were injured, while 11 were missing. Among the injured was the secretary of its JNU unit, it said. IMAGE: A view of vandalised JNU campus in New Delhi. Photograph: @JNUSUofficial/Twitter Narrating the sequence of events, R Mahalaxmi, a professor of History department, said, "We had organised a peace meet at the tea point at 5 pm. As soon as it got over, we saw that a large number of people entered the campus and they started arbitrarily attacking teachers and students." "How did such a large number of people with rods in their hands enter the campus, that is what we are wondering about. I think they were political activist instigated by the people who always call us anti-nationals," Pradeep Shinde, another professor, said. The attackers stormed Sabarmati, Periyar and Koyna hostels. Students said there were clashes between student groups outside Periyar hostel. In a video shared online, Ghosh could be seen bleeding from the head. "I have been brutally beaten up by people wearing masks... I was there with one of my activists when I was brutally beaten up. I am not even able to talk," the student leader is heard saying in the clip. The Congress termed the violence a "state-sponsored mayhem". Expressing shock over the incident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Today's violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear." Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where 25 injured were undergoing treatment. Some of the injured were also at Safdarjung Hospital. "Now Modi-Shah's goons are rampaging through our universities, spreading fear among our children, who should be preparing for a better future... To add insult to injury, BJP leaders are all over the media pretending that it wasn't their goons who unleashed this violence. The people are not deceived," she tweeted later. IMAGE: Policemen stand guard outside JNU campus. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav, who was allegedly manhandled outside the university, claimed no one was there to stop the "hooliganism" and he was not allowed to speak to the media. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "I am so shocked to know about the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police should immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus?" Kejriwal said he also spoke to the L-G over the issue. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal condemned the violence and said the situation was being "closely monitored". "The violence in JNU against students and teachers is highly condemnable. Directed @DelhiPolice to take all possible steps in coordination with JNU Administration to maintain law and order & take action against the perpetrators of violence. The situation is being closely monitored," he tweeted. Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury blamed the ABVP for the violence and alleged that the attacks were "planned" by those in power. "It is a planned attack by those in power, which is afraid of the resistance provided by JNU to its Hindutva agenda," he tweeted. IMAGE: Sucharita Sen, faculty of CSRD JNU, at AIIMS after masked miscreants armed with sticks attacked the JNU campus. Photograph: @JNUSUofficial/Twitter A large section of JNU students have been taking part in the protests against the amended Citizenship Act in the national capital. The university was earlier embroiled in a major row over alleged anti-national slogans being raised by some students in February 2016. An HRD ministry official said, "We have sought an immediate report from the JNU registrar about the situation on the campus.We have spoken to the vice chancellor and Delhi police officials to ensure that peace is maintained on the campus." "Horrifying images from JNU - the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This govt, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students," Sitharaman tweeted. Condemning the violence unequivocally, external affairs minister Jaishankar tweeted "this is completely against the tradition and culture of the university". At least seven workers have been confirmed dead and 20 others injured when an under-construction building collapsed Friday afternoon in the coastal province of Kep. The collapse occurred Friday afternoon around 4p.m, with Prime Minister Hun Sen reaching the site shortly after to oversee the rescue operation. The prime minister on his Facebook page said that seven people had been confirmed dead. Authorities on Saturday said that the project had shoddy construction and Interior Minister Sar Kheng said two Cambodian nationals, who owned the building, had been arrested. The building has been under construction for around ten months, according to some workers and sources who spoke to VOA Khmer. So far, we dont know whose fault it is, but we just know that the construction didnt meet adequate standards, said Sar Kheng in the interview with VOA Khmer. They have to face the legal responsibility, he said, in addition to hiring young Cambodians to work there as well. The incident comes months after a similar building collapse in Preah Sihanouk provinces Sihanoukville town, killing 28 people. At the time, the building was said to have not met the requisite construction quality requirements. Eh Kosal, a construction worker at the site, said he and his wife were eating crabs and drinking beers with a few colleagues, when they suddenly heard the building start to crumble over them. I looked up. Everything fell down and hit my back hard, he said. I tried to grab my wife out of the rubble and kept her close to me so that she is safe. The husband and wife were pulled out of the rubble at 4a.m. Saturday morning. Kosal said he had been working at the site tiling the floors and earned $12.5 a day. Others were still waiting on the rescue operations to pull out co-workers or family members. Interior Minister Sar Kheng said it was likely there were more people still trapped. Chan Ra, a 17-year-old construction worker from Svay Rieng province, said she was lucky to survive the incident because she was outside the premises. But four of her family member, including her mother, were under the rubble and only her father had been found, suffering serious injuries to his legs. The building collapsed immediately and I called for my mother, she said. But there was no answer. Nak Samey is also looking for her 15-year-old son, who is stuck under the rubble. The rice farmer from neighboring Kampot province said her son had come to work at the construction site just last month. He left home to work here for money after his brother-in-law called to say there was work here, she said. Multiple embassies and the United Nations have expressed their condolences and pledged support for the rescue efforts. The Kep building collapse again exemplifies growing concerns over the quality of construction in Cambodia, especially given the current construction boom that has accompanied a large influx of foreign direct investment, especially from China. In August 2018, the World Bank Group warned that development in Cambodia operated on build first, license later timeline, adding The granting of permits and control of construction is beyond the authority of individual provincial departments and municipalities. Kogi State Government says it has a strong suspicion that external forces are responsible for the attack on defenceless citizens of the state. The government said it was already working hard to unlock strong suspicions of external sponsorship of terror against the people of the state by people who want to swim into 2023 in the blood of Nigerians. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Communication Strategy, Kingsley Fanwo, while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja, Saturday, said some powerful individuals in the country were playing politics with blood its citizens by discrediting the much-credited security architecture in Kogi State. He said: There are certain individuals who thought we did not know the roles they played in the build-up and even during the November 16 Governorship election in the State when they worked against the party because their second eye was already on the 2023 Presidential election. Read Also: Gunmen Attack Kogi Community, Kill 23 The Governor of Kogi State was recently re-elected to pilot the affairs of the State, the mandate which reaffirmed the confidence of the people in the governor. One of the biggest positives that worked in the Governors favour was his success at securing the state. Governor Yahaya Bello is committed to serving the people in justification of the overwhelming endorsement by the electorate. His focus is Kogi State and the well-being of the people. Those who dont know what will happen in January 2020 are already looking at 2023. We call on the security agencies to dig deeper than normal to unravel the masterminds of the Tawari attack and their sponsors. The Government of Kogi State will do everything constitutional to protect her citizens. Our people should keep working with security agencies by giving timely information to prevent crimes. A cyclist has been rushed to hospital in a critical condition after coming off a bike on a Mount Coot-tha track on Sunday afternoon. The man was riding along the Kokoda Trail, a steep 900-metre track on the Kenmore Hills side of the mountain forest, when the incident happened. A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said paramedics were called to the track just before 4pm. The man had rolled down the track about 10 metres and suffered serious head injuries, the spokesman said. He was transported in a critical condition with critical care paramedics on board to the Royal Brisbane and Womens' Hospital about 5.30pm. After the U.S. strike in Baghdad that killed Iranian General Soleimani, the Catholic Chaldean Patriarch of Babylon appeals for all parties involved to dialogue. By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp Patriarch Louis Rafael Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, issued a strong appeal on Saturday in the wake of the U.S. drone strike in Baghdad which killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, and the protests which followed. Day of tension The Patriarchs appeal followed a day in which thousands of persons took the streets of Iraqs capital mourning the death of General Soleimani in Baghdad and shouting anti-U.S. slogans. Toward evening, one rocket hit Baghdads Green Zone, a heavily fortified area near the U.S. Embassy. Another hit the nearby neighbourhood of Jadriya, and two others were directed toward Balad air base. According to an Iraqi military statement, no one has been reported killed as a result of these rocket attacks and no one has claimed responsibility. In a tweet on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that the U.S. has already selected 52 sites that will be attacked very fast and very hard, if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets. The number 52 is symbolic of the 52 U.S. hostages held in Iran between 1979 and 1981. Appeal for dialogue Such was the context in which the Catholic Chaldean Patriarch launched his appeal: Iraqis are still shocked by what happened last week. It is deplorable that our country should be transformed into a place where scores are settled, rather than being a sovereign nation, capable of protecting its own land, its own wealth, its own citizens. In the face of this delicate and dangerous situation, we implore all the parties involved to exercise moderation, to demonstrate wisdom, to act reasonably and to sit down at the negotiating table to dialogue and seek understanding so that this country might be spared unimaginable consequences. We lift our prayer to Almighty God so that He might grant Iraq and the region that peaceful, stable, safe normal life that we desire. We all need peace The Auxiliary Bishop of the Patriarchate of Babylon, Bishop Mar Shlemon Warduni said in an interview with Vatican News that a new war in Iraq would be terrible for the population and for the Christian community. It is always the weakest who pay the consequences of armed conflict, he said. Yesterday, Pope Francis prayed for peace in a tweet: We must believe that others need peace just as much as we do. Peace will not be obtained unless it is hoped for. Let us ask the Lord for the gift of peace! - Nollywood actress, Angela Okorie, has taken to social media to pen an appreciation note to God - According to the film star, she is grace verified and a touch not entity - This is coming after she survived an attack from gunmen on her way back from a show in December 2019 The year 2019 ended tragically for a number of people including a few celebrities but one star had a close shave with death and still managed to survive it and be alive to experience the new year. Nollywood actress, Angela Okorie, recently took to her Instagram page to pen down an appreciation note to God as she thanked Him for being good to her. According to Angela, she was created on the day God rested and she is grave verified as well as a touch not entity. She wrote: I agree that God took out time to create me, the day He rested Thats why am the apple of His eyes. Men may not understand how you showed up when there is no possibility of help from nowhere. I am Grace VERIFIED, a touch not entity. His Grace is sufficient for me and my family. Chaiiiii Devil you are indeed a liar. 2020 for me is a year of testimonies. How good you have been to me, only you deserve all my praise and worship. I cant thank you enough. Jesus you love me too much ooooo. God you too much See her post below: Recall that Angela Okorie had made the news in the later part of 2019 when she sustained several injuries after surviving an attack from gunmen on her way back from a show. PAY ATTENTION: Do you have news to share? Contact Legit.ng instantly HELLO! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better Bimbo Thomas reveals the unbelievable way Nigerian actresses make money | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng At a time when Kota's J K Lon Hospital is in the news for death of over 100 children in the month of December, disturbing reports of 146 infants' death in the month of December alone emerged from another hospital in Jodhpur. In Dr Sampurnanand Medical College in Jodhpur district, 146 infants have died in the past month. The hospital administration, however, said that the number of child deaths was quite low as compared to the number of children admitted in the hospital in December and added that the hospital gets very serious cases referred from other hospitals in the region which has led to the high number of deaths. "We are the biggest hospital in western Rajasthan. We even get infants and other patients who are referred from AIIMS, Jodhpur. 4,689 admissions of infants were done in the month of December alone, out of which 146 died. "Therefore, the mortality rate is just 3 per cent which comes under acceptable norms," Dr S S Rathore, principal of the SN Medical College told ANI in Jodhpur. "The number of deaths might seem high but one should also see that the number of admissions is quite high at our hospital. Also, there were different reasons behind the death of infants which have occurred in the hospital," he added. So far, more than 100 children have lost their lives in the JK Lon Hospital in Kota. A home intruder who sexually assaulted a woman sleeping in her bed in Doubleview more than three years ago has had an appeal against his conviction quashed. Bryce William Peterson was sentenced to five years and four months in jail in June 2018 after he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a 21-year-old woman in 2016. Images of Bryce William Peterson released by WA police in 2016. Credit:WA Police The court heard on December 17, 2016, Peterson was living in a home near the victim's Doubleview villa when the offending took place. Just after midnight the victim was woken up by her flatmate who had noticed a bicycle and a Domino's Pizza bag in the front yard of their home. When utilities around the country have wanted to build fossil-fuel plants, defeat energy-efficiency proposals or slow the growth of rooftop solar power, they have often turned for support to a surprisingly reliable ally: a local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In 2014, the top officials of the N.A.A.C.P.s Florida division threw their organizations weight behind an effort to stymie the spread of solar panels on residential rooftops and cut energy efficiency standards at the behest of the energy industry. The groups Illinois chapter joined a similar industry effort in 2017. And in January 2018, the N.A.A.C.P.s top executive in California signed a letter opposing a government program that encourages the use of renewable energy. Most Americans know the N.A.A.C.P. as a storied civil rights organization that has fought for equal access to public facilities, fairness in housing and equality in education. But on energy policy, many of its chapters have for years advanced the interests of energy companies that are big donors to their programs. Often this advocacy has come at the expense of the black neighborhoods, which are more likely to have polluting power plants and are less able to adapt to climate change. The activities of the N.A.A.C.P. chapters, which operate with significant autonomy, have so unnerved the groups national office that it published a report titled the Top 10 Manipulation Tactics of the Fossil Fuel Industry in April. It is also sending its staff to state and local chapters to persuade them to fight for policies that reduce pollution and improve public health even at the risk of losing donations from utilities and fossil fuel companies. Science flourishes when left free without big directions as to where it should go, said German national scientist and 2014 Chemistry Nobel laureate Stefan Hell at the 107th Indian Science Congress (ISC) . Real transformations in science do not come in a planned way. And therefore it is not really possible to plan, so we cannot really plan what we were discovering for in the end. What we were hoping for, said Hell at an interaction on the sidelines of the science congress in this tech hub on Saturday. Currently heading the Department of NanoBiophotonics at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Gottingen, Germany, Hell highlighted that governments usually are interested in short-term outcomes. Governments are interested in applied sciences which is understandable, I am not criticising it. Although it is understandable that there is some applied science, there must be room for say blue sky research, said the 57-year-old Nobel laureate who is also an honorary professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Heidelberg University. Between 1993 and 1996, Hell worked as a senior researcher at the University of Turku, Finland where he developed the principle of STED microscopy. Hell highlighted that he and 2009 Israeli Chemistry Nobel laureate Ada Yonath are national scientists whose job is to understand how nature works and what can be done in it. Commenting on nature, Hell said, Nature has its own laws and we cannot make up the laws, they are what they are. It is very important for scientists to detach from opinions, beliefs, traditions and whatever and to go just after what you observe. He said that a scientist cannot be successful unless he is open and frank to the result he obtains through his experiments, as nature is what it is. Recollecting the hard work a scientist has to go through, Yonath, from The Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel said many people called her a dreamer who did not know what she wanted. I have suffered this harassment for more than a decade. I have repeated experiments a 100 times, said 80-year-old Yonath who first visited India 40 years ago. According to Nobelprize.org, Yonath started a project in 1970s which culminated in 2000 in successfully mapping ribosome structures, along with other researchers, which contained hundreds of thousands of atoms, employing x-ray crystallography. The Israeli scientist heaped praise on Indian scientist G. N. Ramachandran, calling him her mentor and a genius. Ramachandran is a genius who understood natural processes excellently, Yonath told, detailing how they both competed with each other. Though Ramachandran was her professor, Yonath said on one occasion she managed to get a correct answer while he got it wrong. Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) described Ramachandran as a jewel in the crown of Indian science. Commenting on why Jews have won the highest number of Nobel prizes, Yonath said the community faced numerous upheavals and forced departures in history. You cannot go with property but with brains. We were educated to respect knowledge, she said. For successful development of science and technology, Yonath adviced India to encourage curiosity, originality and not get afraid to ask questions. Dont take advice, do what you want to do, added Yonath. Yonath shared her Nobel prize with Indian scientist Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and Thomas A. Steitz in 2009 in Chemistry discipline, for her studies of the structure and function of the ribosome. January 05 : Our Bollywood lovelies seemed to have a fantastic vacay time as they kickstarted into the New Year 2020. We have picked some of the fit ladies in the cinema industry who seemed to have flaunted their curves and also enjoyed a thorough sun- kissed tete with the sun and beaches. From Kalanks Alia Bhatt to Naagin girl Karishma Tanna, we could make your weekend extra special this time! Alia Bhatt Alia Bhatt was a glowing beach babe in this click. She had enjoyed the New year holiday season with her rumored boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor. She wore a floral swimsuit and looked reflected a smile of inner happiness. Sara Ali Khan The Simmba actress was on cloud nine as she enjoyed a dream vacation in LUX North Male Atoll with her brother and mother. They seemed to be falling in love with pool life, sunlight, cupcakes and poolside foodie times. The actress wore a simple multi-colored tow- piece bikini set, posing away gleefully for the cameras. Parineeti Chopra The Girl on the Train actress Parineeti Chopra enjoyed an enviable time at St. Wolfgang, Austria in this awesome heated pool. This video was taken in the middle of an Austrian lake in the midst of snow-capped mountains. Mouni Roy Mouni Roy left no scope for imaginations as she sizzled in this bright yellow swimsuit on New Year Day. Her enviable slender fit figure was a great fitness inspiration for every lady who loves to attain size zero. Bipasha Basu Bipasha Basu was a well- maintained voluptuous bikini babe as she enjoyed the New Year with her husband Karan Singh Grover. Amyra Dastur Amyra Dastur soaked in the sun at the Mandrem Beach in this geometrically designed bikini suit. She was last seen in Made in China along with Mouni Roy and Rajkummar Rao. Bhumi Pednekar The Pati Patni Aur Woh shone beachy radiance as she soaked up the beach waves in this leafy green two-piece suit. She tied her hair into a messy bun and smiled gracefully. Richa Chadha Richa Chadha had a New Year blast at the beachside with her girl gang. The went in for a black mode and looked stunning in this pose. Sophie Choudary The fitness freak Sophie Choudary was a sight to behold as she posed in this glitzy swimwear suit. She glowed in the sunshine and was a perfect beach babe. Karishma Tanna Karishma Tanna let elegance rule in her beach babe style. She wore simple black beachwear, kept her hair ruffled to the winds, donned transparent reflectors and looked awesome. The BBC faced a fresh Government boycott last night after handing a plum job on Newsnight to a former Labour activist who likened Boris Johnson to Enoch Powell. Ministers are already snubbing Radio 4s Today under orders from No 10, and say the BBC2 flagship current affairs programme presented by Emily Maitlis is likely to be added to the blacklist. The threat follows the appointment of Lewis Goodall as Newsnights policy editor. He is the author of a string of aggressively anti-Tory comments on social media. Lewis Goodall has been hired as Newsnight's policy editor, prompting the government's decision to ban ministers from going on the programme The decision means that ministers will no longer be grilled by presenter Emily Maitlis, pictured, who conducted a bombshell interview with Prince Andrew on his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein Downing Street has questioned the future of the licence fee and complained about the BBCs General Election coverage, saying it spoke to a pro-Remain metropolitan bubble in Islington, not the real world represented by Wakefield and Workington. Mr Goodall, 30, takes up his position this month after moving from Sky News, where he posted a series of highly opinionated Left-wing comments on Twitter. When Boris Johnson controversially prorogued Parliament in September, Mr Goodall condemned the Prime Minister for refusing to apologise for embarrassing the Queen, which he described as astounding. The same month, Mr Goodall tweeted that the Tory Party was increasingly willing to tolerate a leader who does things/says things they never would have been willing to countenance previously just because they think hell bring them electoral success, adding that it mimicked the slow nervous breakdown on the Right in the US. In contrast, in October Mr Goodall hailed the virtues of Sir Keir Starmer, now favourite to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader, saying: Starmer is a rare politician these days. Someone who speaks from the dispatch box utterly across the detail and addresses serious policy not just the politics. Number 10 has already told ministers not to go on BBC Radio 4's Today programme following allegations of bias. (Pictured: Lewis Goodall holding an electoral map of the UK) After Channel 4 miscaptioned a speech by Mr Johnson to wrongly suggest he had referred to people of colour it was actually people of talent Mr Goodall was one of the first to retweet the slur. When Mr Johnson was at the centre of a row in 2018 over his remarks likening Muslim women wearing burkas to letterboxes and bank robbers, Mr Goodall likened it to the furore over the late Tory MP Enoch Powells notorious rivers of blood speech in 1968 on the supposed dangers of immigration. Mr Goodall wrote on a blog that the burka row showed that in Britain you can say what you like as long as youre posh, adding: Imagine the same words said with an Essex or Yorkshire or Brummie accent. Imagine them being said not by Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, but by a labourer, on camera for a clip on the six oclock news. In that case, he said, the PMs remarks were more likely to be seen as prejudiced, ignorant, rude, vulgar and yes, probably racist. He added: With Mr Johnson, there is no such fear or worry of guilt by association. Rather, because of his verbosity, his humour, his Bertie Wooster cut-glass accent and demeanour, because of his power, he cannot be any of those things. In this he resembles another would-be populist, indeed, the first: Enoch Powell... It is perhaps not mere coincidence that both men were classicists. It is their place atop of the English hierarchy of culture and class which makes them all the more grievous It legitimises the prejudices of others, further down the class food chain, it suggests that certain things which probably ought not to be alright, in fact are. That is why I give the suggestion that there has been an increase in the numbers of attacks on women wearing the niqab in recent days absolute credibility. Last night, a senior adviser to a Cabinet Minister told The Mail on Sunday: There is no way I am going to let my Minister go in front of someone like Goodall, and plenty of others feel the same way. Newsnight has been moving off our radar for years this will just speed up the process. The BBC is considering banning its journalists from using Twitter because of the growing row about bias. Mr Goodall has made a number of political comments, including likening Boris Johnson to Enoch Powell. His appointment has led to further criticism of the BBC Mr Goodall was studying history and politics at Oxford when he began writing opinion pieces for The Guardian, which described him as a Labour Party activist and blogger. He has also worked for the Left-wing Institute for Public Policy Research. In 2018 he wrote a book called Left For Dead? The Strange Death And Rebirth Of The Labour Party. Last weekend, author Charles Moore, a guest editor on Today, accused the BBC of reflecting the prejudices of its managers. His outburst came after a survey revealed that more than two-thirds of the public think the 154.50 annual licence fee should be scrapped or reformed. Last night a BBC spokesman said: No issue has been raised with Newsnight directly. The daughter of Iran's Gen. Qassem Soleimani says the death of her father will "not break us" and the United States should know that his blood will not go for free. Zeinab Soleimani told Lebanon's Al-Manar TV - which is linked with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group -that the "filthy" President Donald Trump will not be able to wipe out the achievements of the slain Iranian leader. In the short interview aired Sunday, Zeinab Soleimani said Trump is not courageous because her father was targeted by missiles from afar and the U.S. president should have stood face to face in front of him. The young woman, who spoke in Farsi with Arabic voice over, said that she knows that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah will avenge the death of her father. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Natural News) Ever heard of the Heritage Foundation? How about National Review? These and many other purportedly conservative non-profits are anything but conservative these days as they openly shill for Big Tech and its ongoing censorship agenda. During a recent segment on his Fox News program, commentator Tucker Carlson outed this fake conservative contingent in Washington, D.C., thats accepting bribe money from Silicon Valley in exchange for doing the tech industrys bidding. One of the biggest establishment spenders in this regard is the Koch Foundation, which runs the group Americans for Prosperity. As revealed by Carlson, this purportedly conservative group actually launched its own ad campaign to stop the antitrust enforcement probe that had been launched against Google and Facebook. According to Carlson, these Koch-funded ads targeted both Republican and Democrat state attorneys general with the message that they should oppose any effort to use antitrust laws to break up Americas innovative tech companies. As it turns out, many other fake conservative organizations are doing the exact same thing as theyve sold out to the tech giants in exchange for their 30 shekels of silver. In all, the Koch network quietly spent at least $10 million defending Silicon Valley companies that work to silence conservatives, Carlson explained during his program. Google has given money to at least 22 right-leaning institutions that are also funded by the Koch network. Those institutions include the American Conservative Union, the American Enterprise Institute, the National Review Institute, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the Heritage Foundation, and the Mercatus Center. For more related news about Big Tech censorship and the conservative effort to shield tech companies from any and all scrutiny, be sure to check out Censorship.news. Conservative Inc. is ANYTHING but conservative Back when useless Jeff Sessions was still our national Attorney General, the Competitive Enterprise Institute was caught expressing grave concerns about a then-probe looking into whether or not social media and search engine companies are hurting competition and stifling speech. The groups argument, which is the same argument put forth by the Heritage Foundation in a propaganda piece it published entitled, Free Enterprise Is the Best Remedy For Online Bias Concerns, suggests that Silicon Valley has every right to censor whomever it wishes, even though tech companies receive special immunity privileges under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA). As weve reported in the past, theres no good reason why Facebook, Google, or any other tech giant should still be shielded from liability in the same way that vaccine corporations are under the Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 but this is where were at, with the full endorsement of Conservative Inc. Keep in mind that a senior director of public policy at Google was recently caught on tape admitting that the company actively colludes with conservative institutions in order to steer the conversation in its own favor. Carlson revealed this and another leaked audio transcript during this same segment. The Heritage Foundation has continued to defend big tech against efforts to strip them of their special legal privileges, which were given to them by Congress in the 1990s and are enjoyed by no other type of company, further notes Allum Bokhari, writing for Breitbart News. This is despite the fact that Google publicly snubbed the foundation last year, canceling the formation of a planned A.I ethics council after far-left employees of the tech company threw a hissy fit over the fact that Heritage president Kay Coles James was set to be one of its members. To read more stories like this one about collusion between fake conservatism and Silicon Valley, visit Corruption.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com DP Energy, a Cork-based green energy developer, has received a A$500m (312m) investment in its Australian Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park from Spanish giant Iberdrola. The Energy Park is set to include 50 wind turbines and an array of solar panels, which, when combined, will be capable of generating 320 megawatts (MW) of power. A DP Energy website for the project said it could create 250 construction jobs, potentially rising to 600 at peak development. DP Energy is set to assist Iberdrola in building the plant. Once the work is completed, the park will be owned and operated by Iberdrola. The Irish company received development approval for the site from Australian authorities in 2016. Last year, DP Energy lodged a variation application with South Australia's government, seeking to increase the tip height of the proposed wind turbines to 185m from 150m. DP Energy expects construction to start this year, with the plant set to be completed next year. When complete, it will be one of the southern hemisphere's largest hybrid renewable power stations. The Energy Park is to feed directly into the South Australian power grid, and is projected to produce enough renewable energy to power approximately 180,000 households each year. The power generated is expected to result in annual emissions savings of 400,000 metric tonnes of CO2. Simon De Pietro, co-founder and chief executive of DP Energy, said he was "very happy" with the deal, saying he had been working on developing the park for nearly nine years. He added that it was Iberdrola's first investment in Australia's renewable energy market. DP Energy has a pipeline of projects totalling more than 2,000MW under development across Australia, Canada, Ireland and the UK. The firm was established by De Pietro and his mother Maureen in 2001. They first developed a portfolio of Irish wind farm projects, which were sold in 2008 to ESB and Bord Gais for around 30m. Last year, it started the process of developing its first offshore wind farm 10km off the coast of Co Cork. The Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park could involve an investment worth an estimated 1.76bn. New Delhi, Jan 6 : Four outsiders were nabbed from the JNU's North Gate in connection with the brutal violence unleashed on campus on Sunday evening and are being questioned, an official said. The four, caught while fleeing the campus, were taken to Vasant Kunj police station for interrogation. Sunday evening saw several masked intruders barge into JNU campus and create havoc among students, mostly Left-affiliated students, assaulting them with sticks, metal rods and stones. The injured have accused the ABVP activists for the attacks, while the ABVP activists on campus have also pointed fingers at the Left student activists. Both groups of students went to Vasant Kunj police station and lodged complaints with the police against the other group. Meanwhile, police are awaiting medico-legal reports of those injured in the violence. At least 20 persons were taken to the hospital for injuries sustained in the violent attacks. The campus has been volatile for the past few weeks over the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, which grants citizenship to non-Muslim minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. New Delhi: After the assassination of a top Iranian general by the United States in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Friday, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday spoke to both Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and noted that developments have taken a very serious turn, adding that India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. In the conversation with Mr Pompeo, Mr Jaishankar highlighted Indias stakes and concerns in the region amid the spiralling US-Iran tensions. Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in Baghdad early on Friday reportedly in a drone strike by the US drone. The US had accused Gen. Soleimani of plotting terror attacks worldwide. The developments have alarmed India due to the possible fallout on its strategic port development project at Chabahar in Iran, which provides sea-land connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. Just concluded a conversation with (Foreign Minister) FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch, Mr Jaishankar tweeted on Sunday. He later tweeted: Had a telephonic discussion with Secretary of State @SecPompeo on the evolving situation in the Gulf region. Highlighted Indi-as stakes and concerns. India for peace, stability in region Observers note that the escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States may further scare Indian private companies, who are part of the Chabahar port project due to a possible adverse impact on their investments and any possible economic punitive steps that the United States may take in the coming days on foreign companies investing in Iran. India is in a tight spot now as it has excellent relations with both Iran and the United States. Mr Jaishankar last month visited Tehran for the 19th session of the India-Iran Joint Commission there on December 22. The two sides had expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in operationalisation of 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. India had 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. In a statement from New Delhi on Friday, the external affairs ministry had said, 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. (Newser) A Louisiana man is in hot water for allegedly putting a loaded gun to his son's headbecause the boy drank their last Dr. Pepper, KATC reports. Chad Kinnaird, 39, was arrested Wednesday after the apparent incident in West Monroe. According to authorities, Kinnaird had been drinking and got angry when he came home Dec. 28 while carrying a gun. Kinnaird's 11-year-old daughter said he confessed to doing it, and Ouachita Parish Sheriffs Office deputies found a .32-caliber handgun on a nightstand. Kinnaird has been charged with domestic abuse battery child endangerment; he also faces a felony charge of violating a protective order. He denies the allegations, per Newsweek. story continues below In another strange Dr. Pepper incident, a Florida man was collared for allegedly smashing his vehicle into a bar to drink one. Gavin Lee, 28, was charged with armed burglary after the alleged Dec. 27 incident at Re-Rack Bar in Panama City, per WMBB. Authorities say he tried getting into the bar, which was closed, so he left and came back in his Ford F-250, which he crashed into the bar's glass front. He then allegedly grabbed a Dr. Pepper out of the cooler, sat at a bar table, and drank it. He was carrying a Ruger LCP handgun at the time. (Read more soda stories.) TORONTO - A prominent Canadian aid worker convicted of sexually assaulting two children in Nepal is set to argue he was the victim of a police conspiracy and unfair trial. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/1/2020 (736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - A prominent Canadian aid worker convicted of sexually assaulting two children in Nepal is set to argue he was the victim of a police conspiracy and unfair trial. In legal materials ahead of his appeal, expected to be heard Jan. 7, Peter Dalglish alleges a host of problems with the investigation and court process he says led to his wrongful conviction and nine-year prison term. In this Monday, July 8, 2019 photo, Canadian aid worker Peter Dalglish, center wearing red cap, is brought to appear before the Kavre District Court in Nepal. Dalglish,convicted of sexually assaulting two children in Nepal, is set to argue he was the victim of a police conspiracy and unfair trial. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ AP/ Janak Raj Sapkota "A conspiracy was created on the backs of youths who were enticed to lie and damage the reputation of an innocent man, who has spent his life helping those in need, particularly children and youths," Dalglish's lawyers argue in their appeal brief. "In doing so, they have brought the rule of law and the justice system of Nepal into disrepute." Originally from London, Ont., Dalglish, 62, was convicted last June and later sentenced to nine years in prison. The Order of Canada recipient has denied any wrongdoing and has assembled a new legal team to fight his conviction. Nepalese police arrested him in the early hours of April 8, 2018, at his mountain home in the village of Kartike, east of the capital of Kathmandu. Police alleged he had raped two Nepalese boys aged 11 and 14, who were in his home. On appeal, Dalglish says the investigation was carried out jointly by Nepalese police and the organization Sathi, which aims to expose child predators. He maintains both pressed witnesses into providing damaging information. "The police offered bribes and incentives to potential witnesses and their families in exchange for damaging information about the defendant. They threatened those who could not be bought," the appeal brief states. "Although the police and Sathi may have begun this investigation in good faith, when they found nothing, they resorted to tactics that have led to unreliable evidence." Dalglish's lawyers maintain the two boys provided various accounts of what allegedly occurred before recanting their accusations. They say medical examinations turned up no DNA or other evidence indicating he had sexually assaulted them. They say police searches of his home were illegal and, despite court findings, turned up nothing incriminating. For example, they say investigators seized photographs police characterized as evidence of child pornography. Dalglish's lawyers counter that one of the pictures shows his daughter and family friends in bathing suits at a summer cabin in Ontario. Dalglish's lawyers also argue his trial was grossly unfair. Among other things, they say he had no translator for the proceedings in Nepalese, which he doesn't speak. They say he was made to sign documents he didn't understand, and was not allowed to meet his lawyer privately. None of the appeal claims has been tested in court. At the time of his arrest, Pushkar Karki, the chief of Nepal's Central Investigation Bureau, accused Dalglish of luring children from poor families with promises of education, jobs and trips, then sexually abusing them. Andy MacCulloch, a 40-year friend, said Dalglish is a victim of a miscarriage of justice. "There's an incredible amount of evidence that this is a frame job," MacCulloch said. "They presumed him to be guilty." One of Dalglish's lawyers is B.C.-based Dennis Edney, who co-represented former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr. Dalglish co-founded a Canadian charity called Street Kids International in the late 1980s. He has worked for several humanitarian agencies, including UN Habitat in Afghanistan and the UN in Liberia. The Canadian Press first published this article on Jan. 5, 2020. This browser is no longer supported at MarketWatch. For the best MarketWatch.com experience, please update to a modern browser. A file on books and films banned from prisons has shown that items glorifying paramilitary violence was the main concern for officials. A previously marked confidential NIO file on Prisons' Censorship from 1989 which has now been declassified in a release of papers from the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland also showed discussions around access to porn. An attempt to smuggle in a Bobby Sands book was exposed in the folder, in a memo from the NIO on July 15, 1988. It said: "It has been drawn to our attention that a book under cover of the title 'A New Book of African Verse' was recently presented for a prisoner at HM Prison, Belfast. "On examination, however, it was discovered that the original contents of the cover had been removed and had been replaced by a copy of One Day In My Life, by Bobby Sands, a book that is not permitted in prisons. "We have been advised that the book had been rebound in a very professional manner and that it was only on close examination that the change was detected." A handwritten note on censorship of videos for viewing by prisoners said that films not permitted at the Maze were "anything which would attract adverse publicity or cause embarrassment if the public knew" - listing examples as raunchy films Nine and a Half Weeks and Electric Blue, as well as horror flick Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Doing Life, which has a hostage scene. A memo dated October 1986 said that publications representing "particular problems" included those in Irish. It said: "Currently publications wholly in Irish are banned while those containing an article or two, e.g certain Irish national daily newspapers are admitted." It noted that political and current affairs magazines "can pose particular problems" and that there can be "strong personal views on this difficult subject" in relation to porn. It stated too that paramilitary organisation publications "An Phoblacht/Republican News, Combat and the Starry Plough are barred on the basis of their evident support for violence". Examples of banned publications in 1989 in the file included Belfast Graves by The National Graves Association who "erect memorials to those 'who have died for Irish Freedom' and the bulk of the book contains pen pictures of IRA 'volunteers'...I consider this whole book to glorify paramilitary violence". However, Gerry Adams' book A Pathway To Peace was "found to be acceptable for admission" on June 16, 1989, but an issue of Ulster in April 1989 was withheld over an article in support of Milltown massacre killer Michael Stone. A letter headed 'In Praise of Stone' said: "I fully understand the feelings which must have outraged Michael Stone. I clapped with glee when I heard that someone in Ulster had aired my feelings of outrage against a mob of so-called 'mourners'... no doubt he will inspire others, if others so brave can be found." The assessment also took exception to Stone being referred to as "the loyalist hero", "the brave loyalist" and "Brave Rambo Stone". A memo dated May 22, 1987, in the file detailed policy regarding porn - after a circular "announced our intention of allowing pornographic publications into the prisons". Expand Close Bobby Sands / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bobby Sands It said the precise wording was "any magazine or publication of a soft pornographic nature if available outside the prison in reputable bookshops and newsagents" but with the caveat that a governor can stop the item if it was "likely to present a threat to good order or discipline". The memo wrestled with the idea on how to define 'soft porn' making the point regarding one prisoner's magazine request that it "was straightforward - it was undeniably hardcore porn which we do not allow". It added: "Therefore, anything which is not hardcore porn must be softcore porn, so how is hardcore porn defined?" The memo, whose author's name is redacted, said officials sought help from the police but they did not have the answer. It read: "We approached the RUC to find out whether there was some form of guidance used by them to determine what material would be confiscated by them and deemed obscene. They were not much help." Civil servants later checked out top shelf mags in a newsagent as part of their research, the document revealed, deducing "that these are the types of magazines which are, these days, considered soft pornography." Iraq said on January 5 that it had submitted complaints to the United Nations Security Council over US strikes on Iraq that killed an Iranian general, an Iraqi commander and other local forces. The foreign ministry said it had submitted two letters to the UN and asked the Security Council to condemn the "assassination" of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike on Baghdad. A ctor Rupert Everett has admitted that living with his Brexiteer mother has created a certain amount of friction at home. The Golden Globe-nominated performer, who backs Remain, recently moved in with his 85-year-old mother, Sara Maclean Everett, in the UK. Everett, 60, said his mother was set in her ways but that living with her, as well as with his partner and their dog Pluto, was great. Speaking on Desert Island Discs , the Hollywood star said of his current life: I work a lot actually these days. I live a very quiet life. I am not very social. Rupert Everett during recording of Desert Island Discs alongside host Lauren Laverne / Press Association Images I am a kind of country blob most of the time, and I come up to town and almost get run over every time I cross the road. I live in her house or she lives in my house, whichever one of us you are listening to. She is 85 and set in her ways a Brexiteer and I am 60 and set in my ways, and a Remainer. The actor said coming out as gay helped him overcome his familys 'regimented' military background / Getty Images And there is obviously a certain amount of friction but also it is great. Appearing on the long-running BBC Radio 4 programme, Everett chose songs including Shut Up by Stormzy and Ghost Town by The Specials to chart his conversation with host Lauren Laverne. Everett, best known for starring roles in Dance With A Stranger and My Best Friends Wedding, said being sent to boarding school had resulted in his famously frosty personality. He was educated at the 36,486-a-year Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, where pupils are taught by monks. The actor wanted Britain to remain in the EU / AFP via Getty Images He said: Its a heart-breaking experience that you never quite recover from. I think these schools were made for empire because they calcified the hearts of the empire rulers. They would never be as hurt again as they were hurt by the abandonment of their parents. He added: I think it cauterises some emotional thing. Asked whether he saw that in his own life, he replied: Just being a generally frosty person. If I am a frosty person, which I probably am in a way, it comes from that. Everett, who played the role of Oscar Wilde in 2018s The Happy Prince, also said coming out as gay helped him overcome his familys regimented military background. Asked what immersing himself in Londons gay scene had helped him achieve, he replied: Sex and crashing my whole background out of my life. I came from such a regimented, militaristic background. Every shag I felt, at the time, was knocking that down and destroying it. Opposing views about Brexit has led to some tensions at home with his mother / Getty Images I felt I had lost myself from my own previous life. That is what I felt. Everett is currently in New York rehearsing for a Broadway production of Whos Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee, which opens this spring. Isla Fisher recently took to Instagram to show off just how hunky her husband Sacha Baron Cohen is. But she's the one who turned heads Saturday as they attended theBAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party sponsored by Heineken. She put on a stunning display in a black ensemble while walking the red carpet at the Four Seasons. Head-turner: Isla Fisher turned heads Saturday as she and husband Sacha Baron Cohen attended the BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party The 43-year-old teased her decolletage in a plunging structured black top with sparkling sheer long sleeves. The look was completed with pleated black trousers and a pair of silver metallic stilettos. Cohen, 48, looked dapper in a vertically striped black and white shirt, tucked into grey tartan slacks with black leather dress shoes and a brown leather belt. They put on a romantic display as they arrived at the party, which kicked off awards season. Stunning display: She put on a stunning display in a black ensemble while walking the red carpet at the Four Seasons Beauty in black: The 43-year-old teased her decolletage in a plunging structured black top with sparkling sheer long sleeves. The look was completed with pleated black trousers and a pair of silver metallic stilettos Dapper display: Cohen, 48, looked dapper in a vertically striped black and white shirt, tucked into grey tartan slacks with black leather dress shoes and a brown leather belt Relationship goals: They put on a romantic display as they arrived at the party Cohen recently nabbed himself a Golden Globe nomination for his leading role in the Netflix film The Spy. Fisher took to Instagram in December to show off her husband's transformation for the role. She posted a video of the shirtless actor lifting weights, while showing off his toned physique. Awards season: The star-studded event kicked off awards season Mixing and mingling: They were spotted mingling with Ted Sarandos, chief content officer of Netflix Leading man: Cohen recently nabbed himself a Golden Globe nomination for his leading role in the Netflix film The Spy It was captioned: 'So proud of the Hubs @sachabaroncohen getting a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a limited series. 'He worked so hard transforming for his role in The Spy- not just getting rid of his dad-bod (see video) but learning three dialects, including Syrian and living in Casablanca, mainly in character for 4 months while shooting.' She also gave a shout-out to the late Eli Cohen, who Sacha played in the film: 'This honor is shared with Eli Cohens family, thank you for letting him bring the story to screen and to the HFPA.' Al-Shabab militants killed one US soldier and two American defense contractors during an attack at a Kenyan airfield used by United States forces Sunday morning. The US military said in a statement that two Americans from the Department of Defense were also wounded in the attack. 'The wounded Americans are currently in stable condition and being evacuated,' the US military's Africa Command said. Officials are not releasing the names of the victims until their next of kin have been contacted. There was no reported Kenyan deaths. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of our teammates who lost their lives today,' said US Army General Stephen Townsend. Townsend, who is the commander of the US Africa Command, said: 'As we honor their sacrifice, let's also harden our resolve. Alongside our African and international partners, we will pursue those responsible for this attack and al-Shabab who seeks to harm Americans and US interests.' 'We remain committed to preventing al-Shabab from maintaining a safe haven to plan deadly attacks against the US homeland, East African and international partners,' Townsend added. Kenyan authorities said the pre-dawn attack also destroyed US aircraft and vehicles. Scroll down for video Al-Shabab militants killed one US soldier and two American defense contractors during an attack at a Kenyan airfield (pictured) used by United States forces Sunday morning The US military said in a statement that two Americans from the Department of Defense were also wounded in the attack (pictured). 'The wounded Americans are currently in stable condition and being evacuated,' the US military's Africa Command said Officials are not releasing the names of the victims until their next of kin have been contacted. There was no reported Kenyan deaths The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab, based in nearby Somalia, claimed responsibility and asserted that 'intense' combat with US forces continued. It is the first known al-Shabab attack against US forces inside Kenya, a key base for fighting one of the world's most resilient extremist organizations. A plume of black smoke rose above the base. Residents said a car bomb had exploded. Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia said that five suspects were arrested and are being interrogated. An internal Kenyan police report seen by the Associated Press said two fixed-wing aircraft, a US Cessna and a Kenyan one, were destroyed along with two US helicopters and multiple US vehicles at the Manda Bay military airstrip. The report said explosions were heard at around 5.30am from the direction of the airstrip. The scene, now secured, indicated that al-Shabab likely entered 'to conduct targeted attacks,' the report said. A plume of black smoke (pictured) rose above the base. Residents said a car bomb had exploded Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia said that five suspects were arrested and are being interrogated. Black smoke rises from the base following the attack Sunday's attack is the first known al-Shabab attack against US forces inside Kenya, a key base (file image) for fighting one of the world's most resilient extremist organizations According to the US military, 'initial reports reflect damage to infrastructure and equipment'. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the airstrip was closed for all operations. Al-Shabab's statement included photos of blazing aircraft it asserted were from the attack. A second al-Shabab claim issued hours later asserted that 'intense close-quarters combat' against US forces continued. The military's Camp Simba in Lamu county, established more than a decade ago, has under 100 US personnel, according to Pentagon figures. US forces at the Manda Bay airfield train and give counter-terror support to East African partners, according to the military. A US flag-raising at the camp in August signaled its change 'from tactical to enduring operations,' the Air Force said at the time. According to another internal Kenyan police report, dated Friday, a villager that day said he had spotted 11 suspected al-Shabab members entering Lamu's Boni forest, which the extremists have used as a hideout. The report said Kenyan authorities did not find them. Al-Shabab has launched a number of attacks inside Kenya, including against civilian targets such as buses, schools and shopping malls. The group has been the target of a growing number of US airstrikes inside Somalia during President Donald Trump's administration. The latest attack comes just over a week after an al-Shabab truck bomb in Somalia's capital killed at least 79 people and US airstrikes killed seven al-Shabab fighters in response. Last year al-Shabab attacked a US military base inside Somalia that is used to launch drone strikes. The extremist group also has carried out multiple attacks against Kenyan troops in the past in retaliation for Kenya sending troops to Somalia to fight it. This attack marks a significant escalation of al-Shabab's campaign of attacks inside Kenya, said analyst Andrew Franklin, a former US Marine and longtime Kenya resident. The latest attack comes just over a week after an al-Shabab truck bomb in Somalia's capital killed at least 79 people and US airstrikes killed seven al-Shabab fighters in response. Pictured is the scene of the car bomb on December 28 'Launching a deliberate assault of this type against a well-defended permanent base occupied by (Kenya Defense Forces), contractors and US military personnel required a great deal of planning, rehearsals, logistics and operational capability,' he said. Previous attacks against security forces have mainly been ambushes on Kenyan army or police patrols. The attack comes days after a US airstrike killed Iran's top military commander. Iran has vowed retaliation, but al-Shabab is a Sunni Muslim group and there is no sign of links to Shiite Iran or proxies. Analyst Rashid Abdi in Twitter posts discussing the attack said it had nothing to do with the tensions in the Middle East but added that Kenyan security services have long been worried that Iran was trying to cultivate ties with al-Shabab. 'Avowedly Wahhabist Al-Shabaab not natural ally of Shia Iran, hostile, even. But if Kenyan claims true, AS attack may have been well-timed to signal to Iran it is open for tactical alliances,' he wrote, adding that 'an AS that forges relations with Iran is nightmare scenario'. When asked whether the US military was looking into any Iranian link to the attack, US Africa Command spokesman Col Christopher Karns said only that 'al-Shabab, affiliated with al-Qaida, has their own agenda and have made clear their desire to attack US interests'. The al-Shabab claim of responsibility said Sunday's attack was part of its 'Jerusalem will never be Judaized' campaign, a rarely made reference that also was used after al-Shabab's deadly attack on a luxury mall complex in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, in January 2019. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 06:24:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close LONDON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Liu Xiaoming on Sunday said that banning Huawei means back-pedalling for Britain, which would leave the country trailing behind on technology. Liu, who made the comments in a signed article published on Sunday Telegraph, said that Huawei provides network services to more than 3 billion people in over 170 countries and regions, of which no country, organization, company or individual has come up with concrete evidence that its products pose any security threat. "This country's Science and Technology Select Committee also concluded that 'there are no technical grounds for excluding Huawei entirely from the UK's 5G or other telecommunications networks'," he said. He stressed that China had never and will never ask companies or individuals to collect data, information or intelligence in others countries by illegal means. "Fabricating 'Huawei risk' in the name of national security is tantamount to giving a dog a bad name to hang him," Liu said. "Doing so will only hamper normal cooperation between countries, and in the end, those who intend to scare others would lift the stone only to drop it on their own feet." The ambassador said from 2012 to 2017, Huawei brought 2 billion pounds to Britain through investment and procurement, and created 26,000 jobs. In early 2018, Huawei pledged to invest a further 3 billion pounds in the country over the next five years. "This is a vote of confidence in the economic prospects of the UK as it leaves the EU. It is also a vote of support for China-UK business cooperation," Liu said. "Banning Huawei means back-pedalling for Britain," Liu said, adding that several British telecommunications operators have admitted that banning Huawei equipment would delay Britain's 5G, leaving it trailing far behind in this latest industrial revolution. "The image of Britain as an open and inclusive partner for cooperation would also bear the brunt," he said. "So would the confidence of foreign investors and the cooperation between China and the UK." President Donald Trump warned of attacking 52 sites in Iran and will hit them avery fast and very harda if Tehran attacks American personnel or assets. (Photo Credit: File Photo) New Delhi: President Donald Trump on Saturday warned of attacking 52 sites in Iran and will hit them very fast and very hard if Tehran attacks American personnel or assets. In a tweet defending Fridays drone strike assassination of a top Iranian general in Iraq, Trump said 52 represents the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Trump said some of these sites are 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! On Friday, Iran unfurled a 'red flag of revenge' on an important mosque in after vowing to avenge the killing of its top general in airstrike by US drones. The red flag was hoisted above the Jamkaran Mosque which is on the outskirts of the holy city of Qom, about 100 miles south of Tehran. In Shiite tradition, red flags symbolise both blood spilled unjustly and serve as a call to avenge a person who is slain. The text on the flag says: "Those who want to avenge the blood of Hussein". The flag can be seen as a clear warning that Iran is getting ready to strike back at America. General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds force and mastermind of its regional security strategy, was killed in an airstrike early Friday near the Iraqi capital's international airport. Soleimani and Mohandis were killed along with eight others in a precision drone strike early Friday as they drove away from Baghdad international airport in two vehicles. The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations described the killing of Soleimani as an act of war. The death of Quds Force commander Major General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiraling tensions between Iran and the United States, despite President Donald Trump's insistence he did not want war. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Russia's Ryabkov does not nonsider Negotiations with US 'hopeless' 11 Jan 2022 | 12:46 AM Geneva, Jan 10 (UNI/Sputnik) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Monday that he did not consider the situation in the talks with the United States on security guarantees hopeless following the meeting in Geneva. see more.. Three killed in anti-tank mine blast in Cambodia 10 Jan 2022 | 9:42 PM Phnom Penh, Jan 10 (UNI/Xinhua) Three Cambodian deminers were killed and one seriously wounded on Monday after an anti-tank mine exploded during a demining and explosive ordnance disposal operation in Preah Vihear province, officials said. see more.. Philippines reports Covid cases over 33,000 10 Jan 2022 | 9:38 PM Manila, Jan 10 (UNI/Xinhua) The Philippines reported 33,169 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, a new record daily spike, pushing the number of confirmed cases in the country to 2,998,530. see more.. Indonesia reports 454 new Covid cases 10 Jan 2022 | 8:10 PM Jakarta, Jan 10 (UNI/Xinhua) Indonesia on Monday confirmed 454 new COVID-19 cases, raising the country's tally of infections to 4,266,649, according to the country's health ministry. see more.. A woman who was told she was infertile after going through the menopause at 13 says she still hopes to carry a child. Cathy Phillips -Brady, 31, from London, recounted how she was 'devastated' to hear that she wouldn't be able to have children naturally aged 17 - after experiencing perimenopasual symptoms including hot flushes, short-term memory loss, mood swings and anxiety when she hit her teenage years. The producer and musician told Fabulous Magazine that GPs thought her periods were only irregular when she started experience excruciatingly painful cramps for months on end as a teen, and told her not to worry. After pushing for a hospital check, she was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency, a condition which causes the ovaries to stop producing eggs, and was told she could never have children naturally. In spite of carrying this devastating news through her late teens and twenties, Cathy, now happy with husband James, said still hopes to carry her child. Cathy Phillips-Brady, 31, pictured with her husband James, 30, recalled how she learned she could never have children at 17, after going through menopause at 13 Cathy recalled how her periods would be extremely painful when she was 12, reducing her to cradling a hot bottle of water in bed for days. After her worried mother booked her a GP appointment in early 2000, the teen was prescribed mefenamic acid to hep with the pain of her heavy period, which cause the dreaded bleeding to eventually stop. Her period did not return for a year, but Cathy was told not to worry, and that her period were only irregular due to her young age. However, the teen's worries only worsen when she started to experience hot flushes aged 14. The musician told her husband James she could not have children on their first date. James stood by her and the pair got married in 2018 'I had to have a cold shower twice a day, but doctors said everything was fine and my mum didnt know how else to help,' she said. A year later, Cathy headed back to the GP, this time convinced something was wrong, and was referred to the Maidenhead hospital for blood tests and was then referred to a gynaecology specialist based in London for further examination. There, she was tested for a series of conditions over a period of two years, from cervical cancer to blockage in her Fallopian tubes, but her issue remained unknown. Cathy recalled her horror when a well-meaning nurse tried to assure her she might still be able to have children - making her aware for the first time that there could be a problem with her fertility. She had always thought she would have children of her own, and it increased her stress. Cathy's mother, pictured, booked an initially GP appointment for her daughter in early 2000, because Cathy, then 12, had been experiencing excruciating period pain MENOPAUSE EXPLAINED The menopause occurs when a woman stops having periods and can no longer fall pregnant naturally. It is a natural part of ageing, which occurs in women between 45 and 55 years old. However 1 in 100 women can experience menopause before the age of 40, which is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency. Symptoms often include hot flushes, night sweats, low mood, reduced sex drive, vaginal dryness, an increase in facial hair and difficulty sleeping. According to NHS advice, symptoms can begin months or even years before your periods stop and last around four years after your last period. Premature or early menopause can occur at any age, and in many cases, there's no clear cause. Source: NHS Advertisement Finally, in 2005, aged 17, Cathy got her diagnosis - premature ovarian insufficiency. She was told her symptoms were that of the menopause, which she had started aged 13. The news was a 'huge blow,' Cathy said. 'I felt a real sense of loss,' she added. She admitted she felt very alone, as she was not offered therapy to help process the news. She was also put on another contraceptive pill to ease her symptoms and hormone replacement therapy. Cathy admitted that going through her late teens and 20s knowing she could not have children was tough, but that she was still hopeful to carry a child with husband James Cathy explained James and her would be looking into egg donations, or adopt to exhaust her wish of becoming a mother 'Going through my 20s knowing I couldn't have children was tough, especially when my friends started having babies of their own,' she said. Moving forward, Cathy had not choice but to accept she might be able to conceive, and adopted the approach to be upfront about her conditions with potential partners. When she met her husband James in 2013, she told him about her infertility on their first date, but James decided to stay with her anyway and to see where things would lead. The couple, who got married in 2018, are now looking into egg donation and said they would adopt if it failed. Cathy added that in spite of her ordeal, and while regretting she did not freeze some of her eggs when she still had them, she is looking forward to becoming a mother. The DG level talks between India and Bangladesh, continuing since long, are held twice every year once each in India and Bangladesh. One indication that the NRC and the CAA have so far not affected India-Bangladesh ties is that the border security forces of both nations held their 49th director- general level talks from December 25 to 30, 2019. Indias Border Security Forces (BSF) delegation was headed by its DG, Vivek Johri, and Border Guards Bangladeshs (BGB) delegation was headed by its DG, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Shafeenul Islam. While the nationwide protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have proved to be the result of a concerted campaign by the Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, to instigate masses by much use of lies, there has been some apprehension about how these two moves may affect India-Bangladesh relations. In one of his recent articles, Indias former high commissioner to Bangladesh, Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, expressed concern over the CAA and its possible fallouts as its passage only allowed illegal migrants other than Muslims to easily obtain Indian citizenship. He is reported to have expressed his anxiety about the possibility of reverse migration, which may encourage Islamists and anti-Indian lobbies in Bangladesh to target Hindu minorities there, besides adversely affecting the bilateral relationship. He stated that: India has always maintained that the NRC in Assam is a domestic issue whenever concerns were raised in Bangladesh. The NRC undoubtedly is a domestic issue and so is the CAA, which is an amendment to Indias Citizenship Act of 1955. The CAA states that designated non-Muslim persecuted minorities will not be treated as illegal migrants if they have entered India by December 31, 2014, and fast-tracks the grant of Indian citizenship via naturalisation after 6 years. The Bangladesh government too has reportedly acknowledged that the CAA and the NRC are Indias domestic issues but have rejected the CAAs provisions that Hindus are a persecuted minority. Bangladeshs leaders have also said that if India provides a list of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, it will take them back after due verification. One indication that the NRC and the CAA have so far not affected India-Bangladesh ties is that the border security forces of both nations held their 49th director-general level talks from December 25 to 30, 2019. Indias Border Security Forces (BSF) delegation was headed by its DG, Vivek Johri, and Border Guards Bangladeshs (BGB) delegation was headed by its DG, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Shafeenul Islam. India and Bangladesh share a 4,156-km-long (2,582 miles) international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world, which includes 262 km (163 miles) in Assam, 856 km (532 miles) in Tripura, 180 km (110 miles) in Mizoram, 443 km (275 miles) in Meghalaya, and 2,217 km (1,378 miles) in West Bengal. The stretch of this border in Assam was one through which a large number of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants entered and were converted into a vote bank by the Congress ruling in Assam. This was during the tenure of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, when there was a large strength of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) operatives posted in Bangladesh. By 1990, the terrorist group United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa), who claimed to be engaged in a liberation struggle against state terrorism and economic exploitation by India for the establishment of a sovereign, independent Assam, had in fact become nothing but terrorists steeped in large-scale extortion of money from businesspersons, abductions and cold-blooded killings of political leaders, police personnel and innocent people. Ulfa had also penetrated almost all departments of the Assam government under the Asom Gana Parishad, a party which emerged from/after the bloody Assam Agitation against the entry of foreigners mainly Bangladeshi illegal immigrants crossing a porous border. Towards the end of November 1990, just before the Central government clamped Presidents rule in Assam and launched the Indian Army under its Operation Bajrang, top Ulfa leaders, having come to know owing to their penetration in the state government, escaped to Bangladesh, thereby making a mockery of their championing the cause of Assam. In Bangladesh, Ulfa collaborated with Pakistans ISI there and provided it the long awaited golden opportunity of penetrating Indias Northeastern region and establishing links with insurgent groups there for anti-India activities. Presidents rule ended in Assam on June 30, 1991, with the Congress coming to power under Hiteshwar Saikia. With Operation Bajrang being stopped before the elections, Ulfa were able to re-group and a couple of days after Saikias swearing in as chief minister, Ulfa abducted 14 people from six different parts of the state. Ulfa demanded six of its detenus in exchange for two hostages Russian engineer Sergei Grischenko and ONGC executive B.N. Jaiswal. On July 8, 1991, Saikias newly installed Congress(I) government declared a general amnesty for 650 Ulfa detenus rather than just the six, and released 324 of them on July 9, Ulfas deadline. Meanwhile, the Army had to launch a second operation, code-named Rhino, as Ulfa had become active again in Assam and thanks to its leadership in Bangladesh, the ISI there not only established links with other Northeastern insurgent groups like the National Socialist Council of Nagaland/Nagalim-Issac-Muivah (NSCN-IM), the Peoples Liberation Army and some others, supplying them with sophisticated arms and in fact converting them from insurgents to terrorists. Apart from supporting them for anti-India activities, including circulation of fake Indian currency, ISIs master plan for Assam became the stepping up of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants through Ulfa with a long-term aim of altering Assams demography. This authors book Assam: Terrorism and the Demographic Challenge (Centre for Land Warfare Studies, Knowledge World) released in 2008, elaborates on much of what has been mentioned and becomes relevant to refer to again, because by 2008, the demography of eight districts in Assam had altered. Now, at least 11 are affected. Hence the need for NRC. Short of December 2008, when the Awami League under Sheikh Hasina Wajed won with a massive mandate, the Ulfa and other groups in Bangladesh escaped into Myanmar, with Ulfa making forays into China too. But from 1990 till 2008, there was a concerted drive by ISI and Ulfa for large numbers of Bangladeshi illegal migrants into Assam and settled them in 11 districts at least. Many of these were reportedly issued ration cards by Assams Congress ministers with a view to develop a massive vote bank. Also, the Ulfa was of great help to the Congress in Assam by way of influencing the public under the threat of their guns to vote for the Congress during successive elections. The DG level talks between India and Bangladesh, continuing since long, are held twice every year once each in India and Bangladesh. This time the talks were held in New Delhi as per schedule. The agenda items cover all issues related to the border including smuggling of drugs, gold, fake currency, cattle, action against the remnants of the Indian insurgent groups, construction of fence within 150 yards of IB, developmental works within 150 yards of IB, deaths and injuries to civilians and BSF personnel along the IB, death/injuries to BD civilians, human trafficking and illegal immigration. Discussions were held on each agenda point to make the border guarding more effective despite the difficulties posed by the topography. After thorough discussion on the agenda points, both sides agreed to adhere to the conclusions reached. Highlights of the Joint Record of Discussions signed by both DGs are: ? To prevent injuries or loss of life to BSF personnel on borders while preventing criminal activities, both forces agreed to make all possible efforts to curb the menace of cattle smuggling or any other criminal activity and to ensure tranquility on the borders. ? Responding to concerns of BGB on death of Bangladeshi nationals on borders, BSF assured that a non-lethal weapon policy is strictly followed by its personnel. Firing is resorted to only in self-defence when BSF patrols are surrounded and attacked. It was specified that BSF does not discriminate between criminals based on nationality. ? For the camps of Indian insurgent groups in Bangladesh the BGB informed that Bangladesh does not allow its soil to be used by any entities or elements hostile to any country but agrees to take action against miscreants, if there are any. ? Both sides agreed to take strong measures for prevention of illegal border crossings and to intensify the simultaneous coordinated patrols in vulnerable areas. ? On smuggling of drugs, narcotics, arms, etc, both sides reviewed the steps being taken for prevention and agreed for sharing of real time information, if any, including relevant information of apprehended criminals. ? Sharing the importance of a coordinated border management plan in dealing with issues related to the border security grid, it was reiterated that joint mapping of vulnerable areas would be done according to crime statistics and trends. Both sides expressed their satisfaction over the deliberations in the conference, which was meaningful and cordial, reflecting the friendly bilateral relations between the two countries. Both sides agreed for expeditious implementation of the decisions taken in the conference. Incidentally, Maj. Gen. Shafeenul Islam also reiterated that NCR and CAA were Indias domestic issues. The writer, a retired Army officer, is a defence and security analyst based in New Delhi The best way to begin a new year without feeling overwhelmed by what we dont know is to start with what we do know. For example, we know the U.S. Department of Agricultures December World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate shows about 14 percent, or one in seven bushels of the 2019 U.S. corn and soybean crops will be carried over remain unsold when the 2020 harvest begins next fall. While neither amount is historically large, each is large enough barring some unpredictable man-made or natural event to keep the lid on both markets through then, guesses USDA. It estimates the average 2019/20 season price for corn at a rock bottom $3.85 per bu. and, likewise, pegs soybeans season average price at an equally low $8.85 per bu. We also know last years awful spring planting weather dropped soybean plantings from 91 million acres in 2018 to 76.5 million acres in 2019. Given low U.S. prices and forecasted record Brazilian soy production, will U.S. farmers hold 2020 soybean acreage to less than 91 million or will they plant back to 2018s level? No one knows. We do know, however, that todays revenue (we misname it crop) insurance program will be the key deciding factor. In fact, the big looming market question now is Which crop, corn or soybeans, will deliver the best revenue insurance payout in 2020 given the bleak price outlook? And, ironically, we also know some major unknowns could make 2020 a better year than it currently appears. Either of two prominent unknowns another round of unforeseen government payments like 2019s trade mitigation payments or a return to trade normalcy could do the trick. Together, though, the combined impact would be a huge game changer. In 2019, for example, the massive trade mitigation payments alone added 24 percent, or $22.5 billion, figures USDA, to the years forecasted net farm income of $92.4 billion. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has already noted, however, he hopes no trade payments will be needed in 2020. For that to happen, though, he knows China needs to buy pre-Trump levels of U.S. ag exports and the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, USMCA, needs to deliver more U.S. ag sales than most trade analysts predict. Right now, both hopes look forlorn. First, while China and the U.S. have a Phase One deal in principle, neither has yet to reveal, let alone sign, a detailed written deal to end their bitter, 18-month-old tariff war. That troubling fact only adds to current speculation that the amount of purchases the White House claims China will make in each of the next two years $50 billion, or nearly two times Chinas previous record buy are, indeed, unbelievable. Second, almost every analysis of USMCA shows any gain in U.S. ag exports to both Canada and Mexico will be so modest it likely will be unnoticeable. A 2019 International Trade Commission report claims USMCA, when fully implemented a decade from now, will deliver $435 million, or just one percent, more in U.S. ag exports than NAFTA. Worse, that tiny increase shrinks even more when you subtract the expected boost of $80 million in U.S. ag imports under USMCA. After that, the net increase, $335 million, becomes less than rounding error. The ITC also forecasts USMCA will generate only 1,700 new jobs in (U.S.) agriculture. Interestingly, thats almost the exact number of Wisconsin dairy farms, 1,654, that went out of business in the last three years, according to that states ag department. And thats the good USMCA news. Heres the bad: In November, USDA predicted Canadas 2020 per capita Gross Domestic Product will increase a paltry 0.4 percent while Mexicos GDP likely will be flat after shrinking 0.8 percent in 2019. The USMCA upshot is that neither neighbor will be a bigger buyer next year or in the next decade. Oh, and we know one more thing: 2020 is a presidential election year. That means, given todays erratic, parochial politics, everything we know today could be absolutely meaningless by tomorrow morning. And that means 2019s challenges were just a warm-up act for what appears to be an even more challenging 2020. Courier reporter Tim Jamisons most memorable stories of 2019. The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the U.S. and Canada. Source material and contact information are posted at www.farmandfoodfile.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 I have often wondered about questions related to identity. What defines it? Who shapes it? Above all, is it inborn or imposed? These questions take on greater urgency in todays culture wars when positions are taken along tribal lines. Ideology and conviction now play a smaller part in determining our political views than our perception of who we are. Our antagonism for the other is now a key driver in social and military conflicts. Immigrants inflame local prejudices and provoke phenomena like Brexit in the UK, and Trumps election in the US. The rise of nationalism and extreme right-wing movements can be ascribed to the increasing presence of large numbers of foreigners in much of Europe. In Pakistan, people have a growing tendency towards exclusionary positions where many assert that status is determined by faith and sect, i.e. you only count for something if you are Sunni, while all others are second-class citizens. Non-Muslims, of course, are beyond the pale. Similar trends have emerged next door in India where the Hindutva ideology is becoming ever more dominant at the cost of secularism and pluralism. As the recent repressive steps taken in Kashmir and across India touching upon human rights for Muslims show, the space for the freedom of belief is fast shrinking, whatever the Indian Constitution might say. And while we may applaud the resistance to these proposed new laws discriminating against Muslims, the fact is that Modi and his extremist acolytes have a powerful mandate to change the nature of Nehrus secular ideals. Kashmir, too, has felt the force of the Hindutva cosh. In a way, Indias change of path mirrors what we in Pakistan have gone through. The country was created as an Islamic state. Its first three decades or so were relatively free of extremism. So while Zia triggered our transition to an extreme version of religion, it is now Modi doing the same to India, but in terms of Hindu extremism. On both sides of the border, identity is increasingly determined by faith, and not by the many layers of cultural, historical and linguistic markers that ought to be the norm. I would hate to think I am the product of only religious influence: surely there is space enough for centuries of history, a rich culture, and all the other factors that produce a fully rounded individual. As the friction between competing identities grows, violence is bound to ensue. My god is more powerful than yours is the subtext here. But this has ever been so as tribes battled each other for territory and treasure. The bloody wars between Catholics and Protestants that tore Europe apart in the Middle Ages serve to remind us of the power of the unending conflicts that have engulfed entire continents. So how do we escape this self-created trap of ethnicity and extremism? Surely we can rise above our day-to-day prejudices, and accept that others have the right to be different. Apart from the variations in dress and behaviour, we are intolerant of the clothes people wear; the manner in which they pray, speak, eat and think is also subject to criticism and censure. Just the smell of garlic and onions cooking can trigger contempt. These are all human reactions that can result in unreasonable resentment. So how do we temper these negative sentiments and make them more palatable? Is there a way of bringing people together to overcome prejudices and the residue of ancient hatreds? Currently, it is enough to get you killed in India if you are suspected of cooking or possessing beef. Vigilante justice rules supreme, and cow worship, despite its dubious religious and historical roots, brooks no argument. This zero tolerance is increasing with time. Sorry doesnt cut it any longer. If you have eaten a mouthful of beef (and even if you havent, but people think you have), a thrashing is the best you can expect. Meanwhile, at home, allegations of blasphemy can take you to a whole new level of pain and torment. So I ask again: how do we, as a species, become more tolerant? If anything, the trend is flowing in the opposite direction. If Brexit teaches us anything, it is that human beings are conditioned to behave in a certain predetermined manner, and attempts to overcome this indoctrination have seldom been successful. And yet we are also resilient and flexible when the need arises. The question is whether we can put ancient grudges and animosities behind us as we move forward. On current evidence, probably not. So as we stumble on, prisoners of our prejudices, we can only wish for luck and wisdom. However, prayer will take us only so far: we need to want a change in our behaviour before we can have a civilised conversation where we can argue from genuinely different points of view. By arrangement with Dawn This is the shocking moment that the landing gear of a plane sparked with flames before completely falling off during take-off. The footage was captured by a passenger on board the Air Canada Express flight from Montreal to Bagotville on January 3. In the video, the cameraman is filming from the window seat on the left-hand side of the plane. He looks out on to the landing gear as the engine whirs noisily in the background. It quickly becomes clear that orange sparks are flying out of the centre of the wheel as it continues to rotate. Then, as the plane takes off from the runway, the wheel wobbles violently. Suddenly it becomes completely detached and flies through the air. The passengers on board draw a sharp intake of breath as it shoots past the window and the video ends shortly after. Orange sparks flew out of the centre of the wheel before wobbling violently as the plane took off from the runway The aircraft was forced to circle repeatedly for two hours after the incident in an attempt to burn fuel before it could return to its origin airport in Montreal. There were 49 passengers along with three members of crew on board the Jazz Aviation flight - a subsidiary company of Air Canada. Emergency services were called to the tarmac in anticipation of the plane's return but the plane landed safely and no one was injured as a result of the technical fault. A second plane was dispatched to get the passengers to their destination a short time later. The wheel suddenly became completely detached before flying through the air as the passengers drew a sharp intake of breath The aircraft was forced to circle repeatedly for two hours after the incident in an attempt to burn fuel before it could return to its origin airport in Montreal. Pictured: The plane's flight tracking data The company will now inspect the landing gear before making the necessary repairs. The video was originally uploaded to Twitter by @caf_tom alongside a caption written in French which said: 'Well then, I'm currently in a plane that just lost a wheel 2020 is starting off rather well.' The aircraft, a Dash 8-300 model, has three sets of wheels - at the left, right and front of the plane. The inter-Canadian flight from Montreal to Bagotville is a regularly scheduled commercial flight which is usually a one hour journey. A spokeswoman for Jazz Aviation said: 'During takeoff from Montreal enroute to Bagotville, one of the two wheels on the left main landing gear became detached. 'The Dash 8-300 aircraft is equipped with six tires two on the right landing gear, two on the left, and two on the nose wheel landing gear. 'The experienced pilots maintained complete control of the aircraft. 'Our pilots are well trained to deal with such situations and responded according to our standard operating procedures. 'After burning some fuel, the aircraft returned to Montreal and landed safely. 'There were no injuries. 'Emergency vehicles were called as a precautionary measure - the safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority. 'Our maintenance personnel in Montreal are conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft to determine the cause and proceed with the necessary repairs.' Air Canada has been contacted for comment. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday held a meeting with officials to review preparations of 'Defence Expo-2020', which is scheduled for next month. The expo, which is slated to be held from February 5 to 8 in Lucknow, 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.) Michael Woodford says the fugitive Nissan chief would struggle to get a fair trial in Japan The Carlos Ghosn affair is a plot worthy of a John Grisham novel. A world-famous tycoon living a celebrity lifestyle in Japan, arrested on charges of corruption, orchestrates a daring escape to Lebanon just in time for New Years Eve via private jet (with rumours he hid in a double bass case). You couldnt make it up. It would be amusing if the circumstances werent so serious. But this tale of a fallen car industry titan is no crime caper, as Michael Woodford will vouch. For the British former boss of Olympus, it brings back haunting memories of his own incredible story, in which he fled Japan in 2011 for fear of being assassinated by the Japanese mafia after blowing the whistle on a massive fraud at the Japanese maker of cameras and medical equipment. In those months, I was petrified. I had armed guards. I thought I was going to be assassinated, he says after his high-flying life in Japan had also spiralled out of control. Former Nissan Motor Co. Carlos Ghosn leaves the Tokyo Detention Center on bail Having worked his way up the company for 30 years, Woodford arrived in the chief executive seat and began to ask probing questions about suspicious fees paid by the firm. He was fired. A Japanese magazine then published claims that the astonishing $687 million paid out in fees for the takeover of three Mickey Mouse companies were linked to the Japanese mafia, known as the Yakuza. Woodford was terrified and forced to flee to London fearing recriminations. But his concerns would later prove valid and a 1 billion fraud was confirmed, with former directors found guilty in one of the biggest financial frauds in Japanese history. The Carlos Ghosn case, in which the former boss of Nissan and Renault was awaiting trial in Tokyo over 65 million corruption charges before fleeing in such extraordinary fashion, may be different in many ways. But it reminds Woodford of how he was treated and crucially, he says how he saw the system in Japan conspire against him. Ghosn, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship, says he fled Japan last week to avoid an unfair trial. Japanese prosecutors boast a 99 per cent conviction rate, compared to around 80 per cent in Britain. On Thursday, Interpol issued a red notice to Lebanon for the arrest of Ghosn, who arrived in Beirut two days before on New Years Eve. Woodford, 59, says: Sadly, my angst in Japan in 2011 and 2012 that it was a dangerous time and that the institutions could work against me...it did bring back those feelings and those memories and feeling unsettled and uncomfortable just reliving that unease and lack of confidence in the Japanese institutions, which is the point hes making. Now an adviser to companies operating in Japan, Woodford says he was contacted by Ghosns family and friends about meeting Ghosn and his wife Carole in a show of public support. I said I would do but only privately. A Japanese magazine then claimed that a hefty $687 million sum went to pay off the Yakuza I didnt want to be used in any way through the thing so I declined the opportunity to meet him, he says, speaking on the phone from the Canary Islands, where he is spending the New Year with his wife, who is Spanish and with whom he has two children. Im not afraid of getting involved as you might know from my character. I just didnt think I could add anything really at that point in time to him and, because Im a guy whos quite emotive and who was portrayed as something which I wasnt, it could actually be harmful to him, he adds. Having a foreign former CEO advocating for him, I think would have just irritated and antagonised institutional powers in Japan. It would be foreigners against the Japanese and I think that would have been harmful to him. Reports last week suggested the lack of a confession normally secured pre-trial had left the authorities in Japan nervous. Though he does not know whether Ghosn is guilty or not, Woodford sympathises with his concerns about getting a fair trial and says it would be doubtful he would receive one in Japan. You would resort to any other option, he says, referring to his audacious escape. What it says about Japan and its institutions and its corporate governance, its an embarrassment for Japan, he says, adding that he would have loved the trial to go ahead to shine a light not just on Nissan, but also the Japanese legal system. He says it should act as a wake-up call for the legal system there, but he thinks it will be business as usual now that it probably wont go to trial. Outsiders say the system is steeped in a code of honour, loyalty and shame which can blindside even the most experienced of Westerners working in the country. In Japan, its an obedient society where you respect authority. If you spoke to corporate business leaders about me and was I right to expose this $2 billion fraud, they would say in private that I betrayed the company and that I bit the hand that fed me. Will it put off Western bosses from taking up big-time roles in the country? It cant be enhancing, can it? he says. Brought up in a house in Liverpool with no indoor plumbing, Woodford now lives in London, but still returns to Japan often. He says the country still holds a special place in his heart despite his own experience there. He was even offered a job as a chief executive in Japan after the scandal, but decided not to take it. What haunted me about the whole experience at Olympus was the way my colleagues who had helped me expose the fraud moved away almost immediately. I mean, they wouldnt have any contact with me, he recounts. It made me realise how superficial those relationships were. And when you think youre going to be assassinated your priorities change. So the idea of sitting in meetings and watching Powerpoint slides lifes too short to do that again. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration condemned the violence which had broken out in its campus on January 5, leaving scores of people injured. "On January 5, when students who have registered in the winter semester wanted to enter the school buildings, they were physically prevented by the agitating students. Since January 5 afternoon, the campus has witnessed scuffles at the schools as well as inside the hostel premises between the groups of students who wanted to stop the registration and those who wanted to register and continue their studies," the press note by JNU Registrar on Sunday read. "Around 4.30 PM, a group of students, who are against the registration process moved aggressively from the front of the admin block and reached the hostels. The administrationimmediately contacted the police to come quickly and maintain law and order on the campus.However, by the time police came, the students who are for the registration were beaten up by a group of agitating students opposing the registration," the press note added. Regarding the violence and vandalisation which had taken place inside the hostels in the campus, it said, "Some masked miscreants also entered the Periyar hostel rooms and attacked the students with sticks and rods. Some of the security guards doing duties at these places were also badly injured." It further added, "The JNU administration strongly condemns any form of violence in the campus... It is unfortunate that a group of students with their violent means of protests are preventing thousands of non-agitating students from pursuing their academic activities. The JNU administration stands by every student who wants to continue their academic programs peacefully in the campus." Meanwhile, JNU Vice-Chancellor, Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar expressed concern for the injured students. "The JNU administration feels great pain and anguish for the students who have sustained injuries in the violence that took place in the JNU campus. The JNU administration strongly condemns any form of violence in the campus," Kumar's tweet, which also had the press note by the university's Registrar, read. 18 injured students have been taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the JNU and attacked them and professors with sticks and rods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh on Saturday urged all the non-BJP parties to join hands and oust BJP from power. "It is important for all non-BJP parties, be it anyone, Nitish Kumar or any A, B, C, D good or bad, to come together against BJP. There should be no pick and choose. We will join hands with anyone to throw BJP out of power," the leader told ANI. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi had on December 30 urged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to sever ties with BJP for the "sake of the country". "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are not normal politicians, Nitish Kumar should leave these people, disassociate yourself from BJP, we all will support you. You have made a name for yourself in Bihar, leave BJP for the sake of the country," Owaisi had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By PTI NEW DELHI: Pakistan is yet to pay its share of USD 5.10 lakh for the construction of the South Asian University (SAU) campus here, the Ministry of External Affairs has said in a written response submitted to a parliamentary committee. A report by the parliamentary committee said that from 2010 to 2014, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka made their contribution in the operational cost of the first phase of construction of the varsity campus. "Pakistan is yet to pay its share of USD 510,436," the report mentioned. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member nations had agreed to bear the operational cost of the construction of the SAU campus with a predetermined share of contribution. According to the parliamentary report, the Government of India had notified 100 acre land for the SAU in Delhi's Maidan Garhi area in 2009, of which 93.68 acre was allotted for construction in September 2011. The MEA has the proprietary right to this land, it said. The construction of the varsity campus in 4 packages began in 2015. The construction of its boundary wall and office was completed under package one, the report said. In package two, five buildings were to be constructed in the campus and work on four of these was completed by September 30, 2019, it said. The ongoing construction of a residential block in the SAU campus will only be completed by February 2020 as the work got delayed by 19 months due to legal hurdles, the report said. Under package three, 61 per cent work was completed till September 30, 2019 and the construction of rest of the buildings under package 4 is yet to be completed as several issues related to acquisition and legalities are pending, it said. The MEA told the committee that the delay in the project was mainly due to land encroachment, court cases, and a few objections from Delhi Jal Board, Municipal Corporation and Delhi Pollution Control Committee. The parliamentary committee has asked the Union government to resolve the issues hindering the construction work. According to the report, due to slow pace of the construction work and deduction in the operational cost, the allocation estimate was reduced to Rs 246 crore. The committee also expressed hope on the project, saying it believes the remaining work will be completed in a time-bound manner. JNU violence: A clash broke out between members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students' Union and the ABVP on the university campus on Sunday, sources said. According to the sources, the clash took place during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers' Association. The students' union claimed that its president Aishe Ghosh and many other students were injured in stone pelting by ABVP members. The JNUSU claimed that "ABVP members wearing masks were moving around on the campus with lathis, rods and hammers". "They are pelting bricks...getting into hostels and beating up students. Several teachers and students have also been beaten up," the JNUSU claimed. Members of the Left-backed student outfits alleged that outsiders were allowed to enter the campus and they barged into hostels, including girls' hostels. But the RSS-backed students' organisation alleged that its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits and 25 of them were injured. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) claimed that its members were brutally attacked by students affiliated to Left student organisations SFI, AISA and DSF. "Around 25 students have been seriously injured in the attack and there is no information about whereabouts of 11 students. Many ABVP members are being attacked in hostels and the hostels are being vandalised by the Leftist goons," the ABVP said. Follow Live updates on JNU violence on BusinessToday.In: 11:42 PM: Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray condemns violence against JNU students. The violence and brutality faced by students, while protesting, is worrisome. Be it Jamia, be it JNU. Students mustnt face brutal force! Let them be! These goons must face action. They must be brought to time bound and swift justice. Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 5, 2020 11:40 PM: Students of Aligarh Muslim University protest violence against JNU students. 11:32 PM: I strongly condemn this undemocratic act of vandalism and violence, says NCP chief Sharad Pawar. JNU students and professors were subjected to a cowardly but planned attack. I strongly condemn this undemocratic act of vandalism and violence. Use of violent means to suppress democratic values and thought will never succeed. Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) January 5, 2020 11:26 PM: "Violators of university rules who are trying to disrupt peaceful academic atmosphere of campus will not be spared," says JNU administration. "A police complaint is being filed to bring culprits to book." 11:05 PM: "Wounded students at AIIMS trauma centre told me that goons entered the campus and attacked them with sticks and other weapons... One student said the police kicked him several times on his head," says Priyanka Gandhi. There is something deeply sickening about a government that allows and encourages such violence to be inflicted on their own children. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) January 5, 2020 10:52 PM: This is a desperate attempt by forces of anarchy, who are determined to use students as cannon fodder, create unrest to shore up their shrinking political footprint, tweets BJP after JNU violence. We strongly condemn the violence on JNU campus. This is a desperate attempt by forces of anarchy, who are determined to use students as cannon fodder, create unrest to shore up their shrinking political footprint. Universities should remain places of learning and education. BJP (@BJP4India) January 5, 2020 10:47 PM: A shame on our democracy, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. We strongly condemn brutality unleashed agst students/teachers in JNU. No words enough to describe such heinous acts. A shame on our democracy. Trinamool delegation led by Dinesh Trivedi (SajdaAhmed, ManasBhunia, VivekGupta) headed to DEL to show solidarity with #ShaheenBagh#JNU Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 5, 2020 10:43 PM: HRD Minister Ramesh Nishank Pokhriyal condemns JNU violence. #JNU Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) January 5, 2020 10:41 PM: "This is very unfortunate and highly condemnable, such acts of violence and anarchy will not be tolerated," says HRD Ministry on JNU violence. It has come to Ministry's notice that a group of masked people entered the JNU campus today, threw stones, damaged property and attacked students. This is very unfortunate and highly condemnable, such acts of violence and anarchy will not be tolerated. Ministry of HRD (@HRDMinistry) January 5, 2020 Police has been called by JNU administration to maintain law and order situation in JNU. Ministry of HRD (@HRDMinistry) January 5, 2020 10:39 PM: Condemn the violence equivocally, says Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Have seen pictures of what is happening in #JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 5, 2020 10:36 PM: Congress leader P Chidambaram condemns violence in JNU as "shocking and horrifying". What we are seeing on Live TV is shocking and horrifying. Masked men enter JNU hostels and attack students. What is the Police doing? Where is the Police Commissioner? P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 5, 2020 If it is happening on live TV, it is an act of impunity and can only happen with the support of the government. This is beyond belief. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 5, 2020 10:33 PM: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi arrives at AIIMS Trauma Centre. Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrives at AIIMS Trauma Centre where 18 people from Jawaharlal Nehru University (#JNU) have been admitted following violence at university pic.twitter.com/Kw8t7gFyxU ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 10:31 PM: Today evening, a fight occurred between two groups in which few students were injured and property was damaged, says DCP (Southwest) Devender Arya. DCP Southwest Devender Arya: At present, no violence is reported from any part of the campus. Today evening, a fight occurred b/w two groups in which few students were injured and property was damaged. JNU Administration requested police to enter University to restore peace https://t.co/6JItAs5k2h ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 10:26 PM: JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh has got lacerations on forehead and is undergoing medical examination. AIIMS Trauma Centre official: Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union (JNUSU) President Aishe Ghosh has got lacerations on forehead and is undergoing investigations https://t.co/RHjQxI3OKQ ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 10:22 PM: "Horrifying images from JNU - the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence," says FM Nirmala Sitharaman. "I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This govt, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students." Horrifying images from JNU the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This govt, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students. Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) January 5, 2020 10:16 PM: The brutal attack on JNU students & teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking, says Rahul Gandhi. The brutal attack on JNU students & teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Todays violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear. #SOSJNUpic.twitter.com/kruTzbxJFJ Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 5, 2020 10:10 PM: Situation inside campus is normal, says DCP (Southwest) Devender Arya. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Devender Arya on attack on students at JNU, Delhi: The situation inside the campus is normal. Extensive flag march conducted by police. All hostel areas have been secured. Police deployment has been done at strategic points. #JNUpic.twitter.com/PokOxoWeYF ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 10:02 PM: Police forces inside JNU. Police inside Jawaharlal Nehru University campus in Delhi. #JNUpic.twitter.com/bHDuSojedS ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 9:58 PM: Home Minister Amit Shah talks to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik to take stock on situation in JNU. Union Home Minister has spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner over JNU violence and instructed him to take necessary action. Honble minister has also ordered an enquiry to be carried out by a Joint CP level officer and asked for a report to be submitted as soon as possible. , HMO India (@HMOIndia) January 5, 2020 9:48 PM: 18 people from JNU have reached AIIMS, Delhi with bleeding in head and other injuries. AIIMS Trauma Centre official: 18 people from Jawaharlal Nehru University (#JNU) have come to AIIMS Trauma Centre with complaints of bleeding in head, abrasions among others. Investigations are underway #Delhihttps://t.co/FJQtQuQ1eopic.twitter.com/BMhz09lXpl ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 9:28 PM: Yogendra Yadav manhandled outside JNU main gate #WATCH Swaraj Party leader Yogendra Yadav manhandled outside Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. #JNUpic.twitter.com/L9kB9W1IoR ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 9:18 PM: Anil Baijal, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, condemns violence in JNU. #WATCH Swaraj Party leader Yogendra Yadav manhandled outside Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. #JNUpic.twitter.com/L9kB9W1IoR ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 9:00 PM: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal talks to LG Anil Baijal about violence at JNU. Spoke to Honble LG and urged him to direct police to restore order. He has assured that he is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary steps https://t.co/gpRGCCbwGF Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 5, 2020 8:30 PM: Police deployed in numbers outside JNU main gate. Delhi: Heavy police presence at the main gate of Jawaharlal Nehru University, following violence in the campus. https://t.co/RHjQxI3OKQpic.twitter.com/cmrPLG5pT9 ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 8:25 PM: I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU, tweets Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. After more than a year of frenetic efforts, the Iowa caucuses campaign has hit the home stretch. With just one month until the Democratic nominating process formally begins on Feb. 3, here are some things to watch: Changes in the polls. As 2020 starts, polling averages show a tight four-way Iowa race among former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar registering some recent gains. But history shows the last month often produces dramatic shifts. The classic Democratic case was 2004, when former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean began the final month leading Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt with Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry in third place. But a bitter Dean-Gephardt media war sank both, and Kerry emerged on top with North Carolina Sen. John Edwards second. Among Republicans, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum rose from the pack in 2012 to nip front-runner Mitt Romney at the wire. McConnell, not Democrats, responsible for lack of legislation There are many areas where McConnell -- who has styled himself the "grim reaper" of liberal legislation -- has deep-sixed significant House-passed legislation. Polls to ignore for the next month: national surveys. They'll change, perhaps dramatically, after the Iowa results are in. The Jan. 14 Des Moines Register debate. The last major televised confrontation before the caucuses will provide an indication of how the contenders view their standing -- and could give one or another some well-timed momentum. Last month's debate indicated some rivals believe the top target is Buttigieg, the unexpected contender whose term as South Bend, Ind., mayor ended Wednesday. But they need to be careful; Democrats often react badly to negative campaigning. Just look back to 2004 or how California Sen. Kamala Harris' challenge to Biden's civil rights bona fides boomeranged last summer. The Des Moines Register endorsement. A definite boost for the recipient, though no guarantee of victory. The paper's 2016 endorsement of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may have helped her edge Sanders, but its support of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio did little in the GOP race. And in 2008, the paper backed neither caucus winner, Republican Mike Huckabee or Barack Obama. William Barr proves himself to be a partisan At times, Jeff Sessions proved a pleasant surprise as attorney general by resisting some of President Donald Trump's most outrageous demands. By contrast, his successor, William Barr, has been a distinct disappointment. The Senate's impeachment trial. Even harder to figure. A lengthy trial could keep Sens. Sanders, Warren, Klobuchar and Cory Booker from campaigning in the state, leaving the field to Biden and Buttigieg. But a highlight moment during Trump's trial could boost one of the senators tied down in Washington. Who is going negative and what does it mean? A very tricky consideration. One guide: a candidate going negative is probably afraid of losing. The target might be gaining. Trumpian interference. A potential for mischief. The President is essentially unopposed for re-nomination in the GOP caucuses, since his two rivals, Joe Walsh and Bill Weld, are concentrating on the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary. Assessing Pete Buttigieg's strengths and weaknesses as he gains steam in Iowa Though in single digits in most national polls and state surveys, Mayor Pete Buttigieg has surged close to the top in Iowa while Biden has dropped in some surveys from first to fourth. But that won't keep Trump, possibly with an eye on November, from appearing in the state or training his own unique political criticism on Biden or another of his potential Democratic rivals. He's scheduled a Milwaukee rally the night of the Des Moines Register debate. Unpredictable turnout. The intensity of the Democratic campaign and strong anti-Trump feelings mean a record is likely, surpassing the estimated 238,000 Democrats who caucused in 2008, when Obama defeated Edwards and Clinton. One uncertainty is how a big turnout will impact campaigns like Warren and Buttigieg that have invested most heavily in the organizations that have proved crucial in the past. But a related factor is how a big turnout affects the ideological makeup of the caucus electorate. Traditionally, low turnouts have been thought to favor each party's activists, Democratic liberals and Republican conservatives. But recent polling shows Iowa Democrats as a whole are more moderate than perceived, meaning a large turnout could favor the more moderate hopefuls -- Buttigieg, Biden and Klobuchar -- over the more liberal ones -- Sanders and Warren. How many winners? The traditional analysis is there are three tickets out of Iowa; while the winner gets a boost, so might an unexpected runner-up or a surprise third place finisher. By finishing third in 1988, Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis laid the basis for becoming the frontrunner when he won in New Hampshire. And every Iowa winner since then has won the Democratic nomination, except in 1992 when rivals conceded the field to favorite son Sen. Tom Harkin and Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton was the ultimate winner. Commentary: A strong, independent Ukraine is vital to U.S. security, too Ever since Ukraine gained independence during the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States and its Western allies have seen it as a vital bulwark against renewed Russian expansion. This year, an added wrinkle could produce not only three tickets but two winners. Besides the usual contest for county convention delegates in which candidates with under 15% in a precinct caucus lose out, new rules require the Iowa Democrats to count the initial preference of every attendee, something Republicans have always done. In a close race, it would be possible for one candidate to have the most votes -- but not the most projected national convention delegates. In any case, the Iowa winners will likely dominate the campaign's next week in New Hampshire. But the state's true impact won't be evident until well after the primary parade moves past the Granite state to Nevada, South Carolina and beyond. Carl P. Leubsdorf is the former Washington bureau chief of The Dallas Morning News and a frequent contributor. The Colorado there was down to one-tenth the level that biologists say is necessary to maintain the habitat for four native river fish species that have historically lived there. Q. Why do you say the environment will suffer during a crisis? A. When push comes to shove, when we are in a water shortage crisis, people get concerned they are not going to have enough water coming out of their taps. One of the last things that gets priority in those circumstances is the natural environment. Q. How are these risks related to the way the federal government runs the reservoirs, by trying to balance the levels in Mead and Powell? A. Were in this situation where we are trying to balance the risks of water shortage between the Upper and Lower basins, and the rules are trying to protect both of them from running out. But the reality is that these two water bank accounts are both being overspent. If you are moving money between bank accounts and you are overspending your income in both of them, you will get in serious trouble. Upcoming political events in the Bay Area: TUESDAY Climate change: A workshop of activists, futurists, technologists, scientists and policymakers to examine emerging trends in climate change policy and map out visions of the future. Sponsored by the Sunrise Movement. Free. 6 p.m., DXLabs, 690 18th St., Oakland. More information is here. WEDNESDAY Cook Islands prime minister: Henry Puna, prime minister of the Cook Islands, in discussion at the Commonwealth Club about his 15-island nation. $15, $5 for students. 6:30 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. THURSDAY Facebook protest: Rally calling on Facebook to prevent its platform from being used to spread election disinformation. 4 p.m., 1600 Willow Road, Menlo Park. More information is here. Climate One host: Greg Dalton, host of the Climate One podcast and radio show, in a discussion and Q&A session, with food and a drink. $20. 6 p.m, Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. Radical politics, conservative culture: On the need for living with diversity, tolerating and listening to other viewpoints, and reaching a shared consensus to deal with crises such as climate change and mass migration. A discussion with Peter Dale Scott, poet, professor emeritus of English at UC Berkeley and author of Nonagenarian. $20 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $8 for students. 6 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. FRIDAY Mad Mob: Organizing meeting for Mad Mob SF, a group of mental health consumers advocating for their rights. 2 p.m., Senior and Disability Action, 1360 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here. Democracy under siege: A forum on increasing citizen participation in politics and reducing the influence of money, sponsored by California Common Cause. Featured speaker is Lateefah Simon, BART board member and president of the Akonadi Foundation. Free. 7 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. U.S. and Iran: A socialist analysis of the U.S.-Iran crisis. Sponsored by San Francisco Party for Socialism and Liberation. $3-$10. 7 p.m., 2969 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here. SATURDAY California Progressive Alliance: All-day annual meeting and organizing session. Lunch and dinner included with ticket. $50, $30 for seniors and low-income people. 8:30 a.m., Pauley Ballroom, UC Berkeley, Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley. More information is here. Antiwar rally: Protest against U.S. action toward Iran. Organized by Refuse Fascism Bay Area. Noon, 24th and Mission streets, San Francisco. More information is here. SUNDAY Berkeley South Asian radical walking tour: Community historians Barnali Ghosh and Anirvan Chatterjee lead a two-mile walking tour of significant Berkeley sites in the South Asian community. $17.50, $10 for students and seniors. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Starts from 2712 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. More information is here. Immigration in California: An exploration of California's history of immigration and exclusion, the current reality for immigrants in our community, and ideas for action possibilities for vulnerable immigrants in Marin County. People are invited to share their famiies immigration stories and bring a small artifact that represents their families point of origin. Free, RSVP by Jan. 6. 1 p.m., Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. More information is here. MONDAY Spanish for activists: A learning session for the Spanish vocabulary needed to canvass in Latinx neighborhoods. Designed for people with knowledge of at least simple Spanish. Sponsored by Swing Left. 6 p.m., Noe Valley branch library, 451 Jersey St., San Francisco. More information is here. Jerry Brown: Live recording of The Political Mind of Jerry Brown podcast of the former governor with KQED-FMs Scott Shafer. $30, $15 for students. 7 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. More information is here. JAN. 14 Watch party: For the Democratic presidential candidates debate. $10. 5 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. JAN. 15 David Shulkin: Former secretary of veterans affairs under President Trump discusses his book, It Shouldn't Be This Hard to Serve Your Country: Our Broken Government and the Plight of Veterans, at the Commonwealth Club. $25, $15 for students. Noon, 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. Candidates forum on climate: Candidates for state Senate District 13 on the Peninsula take part in a forum on climate change and environmental issues. Participants include Josh Becker, Michael Brownrigg, Alex Glew, Sally Lieber, Shelly Masur, and Annie Oliva. Sponsored by Citizens Climate Lobby, Acterra, 350 Silicon Valley and Sustainable San Mateo County. 7 p.m., Menlo-Atherton High School, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. More information is here. Blair Imani: Author of Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black Dream, in discussion with Davey D. Benefit for KPFA-FM. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 7:30 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. More information is here. JAN. 16 Chinese Exclusion Act: A screening of a 49-minute version of the documentary The Chinese Exclusion Act and discussion of the acts relevance to todays immigation debate by Bay Area entrepreneur and cultural advocate David Lei. $20 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $8 for students. 6 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. Golden Gate Bridge politics: A conversation with Denis Mulligan, general manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. $10. 6:30 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. JAN. 18 Womens March Oakland: Annual event focuses on raising awareness, volunteer hours and funding to get a complete census count in Alameda County and make voices heard at the polls. 10 a.m., Frank Ogawa Plaza, 14th Street and Broadway, Oakland. More information is here. Womens March San Francisco: 11 a.m., Civic Center Plaza. More information is here. Womens March Contra Costa: 10 a.m., Civic Park, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. More information is here. Womens March Santa Rosa: 10 a.m., Old Courthouse Square, Third Street and Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. More information is here. Womxns March San Jose: 11 a.m. starting from San Jose City Hall, 200 East Santa Clara St. More information is here. Womens March Tri-Valley: Commemorating the centennial of women winning the right to vote. Noon, Amador Valley High School, 1155 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton. More information is here. Womens March Napa: 9 a.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 800 Main St. More information is here. Jena Friedman: Political comedian brings her Miscarriage of Justice show to Cafe du Nord. $22. 7:30 p.m., 2174 Market St., San Francisco. More information is here. JAN. 21 Kings vision: Dr. Cornel West and Bakari Kitwana give a keynote address on The Beloved Community: King, Jrs Vision, Democracy and Contemporary Challenges, followed by an audience Q&A. Free. 7 p.m., Carlin Commons at St. Ignatius College Prep, 2001 37th Ave., San Francisco. More information is here. JAN. 22 Rick Wilson: Republican strategist and Daily Beast columnist on Saving America from Trump (and Democrats from Themselves). $30 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $10 for students. Noon, Marines Memorial Club, 10th Floor: Commandants Room, 609 Sutter St., San Francisco. More information is here. Ian Haney Lopez: Author of Dog Whistle Politics and the new Merge Left: Fusing Race and Class, Winning Elections, and Saving America, in discussion with Saru Jayaraman. Benefit for KPFA-FM. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 7:30 p.m., Kehilla Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. More information is here. JAN. 25 Food justice: An event devoted to food sovereignty, an organizing concept to create a sustainable, culturally appropriate food supply for historically marginalized communities. Panel discussion with food justice advocates Laila El-Haddad, Reem Assil, and Shakira Simley, followed by a reception with Palestinian cuisine prepared by Reems. $35, $15 for students. 2 p.m., Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here. Changing voting: A brief history of voting rights in America and a session with activists working on voter mobilization in 2020. $5. 3:30 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. JAN. 26 Abortion Rights: Veteran abortion rights defender Nancy Reiko Kato analyzes the fight that led to abortion rights and discusses how to expand reproductive justice. Sponsored by Freedom Socialist Party. Brunch at 12:15 p.m. with $8 donation; meeting starts at 1 p.m. New Valencia Hall, 747 Polk St., San Francisco. FEB. 4 Health and human capital in Russia: A discussion on the extent to which 15 years of Russian investment in improving its education and health care systems has paid off. Free. Noon, William J. Perry Conference Room, 616 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford University. More information is here. Guantanamo prison: Peter Jan Honigsberg, a law professor at the University of San Francisco and director of the Witness to Guantanamo Project, details the continued U.S. detention of suspected enemy combatants at its Guantanamo naval base in Cuba. Benefit for KPFA-FM. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 7:30 p.m., Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Berkeley. More information is here. FEB. 10 Climate politics: A meetup on climate politics to plan for the March 3 California primary and other elections. Speakers include Susan Bolle of Democracy Action Marin and Susan Morgan of Indivisible Marin. 6 p.m., Good Earth Natural Foods, 201 Flamingo Road, Mill Valley. More information is here. To list an event, please email Politics Editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.com. New Delhi: Condemning the stone-pelting incident by a mob at one of the holiest Sikh shrines, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, in Pakistan, several political leaders and Sikh communities in India raised their voice in protest and demanded quick action by the Imran Khan government against the perpetrators. Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday issued a statement in which she expressed concern for the safety of Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan. The statement read, ''Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi has condemned the unwarranted and unprovoked attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan by an unruly mob of miscreants. Expressing dismay and concern on the safety of Sikh pilgrims & the employees, she called upon Government of India to immediately take up the issue with Pakistani authorities to ensure security for the pilgrims and adequate security for the Holy shrine to prevent any future attacks. Government of India should also press for immediate registration of case, arrest and action against the culprits, she said.'' Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter and said that the act was unacceptable. His tweet read, ''The attack on Nankana Sahab is reprehensible and must be condemned unequivocally. Bigotry is a dangerous, age-old poison that knows no borders. Love + Mutual Respect + Understanding is its only known antidote." Prior to Rahul's reaction to the incident, Union Minister Harsimart Kaur Badal had attacked him for staying silent over the incident. Harsimart said, ''Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's refusal to condemn the stoning of the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and a threat to the very existence of holy shrine reveals his anti-Sikh face. Rahul working overtime to mislead people on CAA but has no time to take on Pak & expose atrocities it is committing against Sikhs." Congress was continuously being attacked for its silence over the matter. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her grief over the incident and tweeted, ''We condemn the incident of violence at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. This is unacceptable. Humanity comes above all else.'' Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called the incident "a very cowardly act and shameful". He said that Nankana Sahib is the centre of faith of crores of people, the persecution of Sikhs living there cannot be tolerated. He further urged the Pakistan government to take strict action against the perpetrators. Live TV Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Saturday condemned the attack and urged the central government to intervene in the matter to avoid any such situation in the future. Located about 80km from Lahore, Nankana Sahib is the birthplace of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak. "The attack on Gurudwara Sri Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Gurunanak Dev Ji, by the mob on Friday was extremely condemnable. Our country is naturally worried about this. The central government must interfere in this matter so that no such unpleasant and indecent incident happens in future," Mayawati tweeted. An angry group of local residents pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Friday evening. The group was led by the family of a boy who had abducted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, the daughter of Gurdwara's panthi. BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi on Saturday addressed a press conference over the issue and questioned Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu over his silence on stone-pelting incident in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. Slamming Sidhu, Lekhi said that even after the incident, if he wanted to hug the `ISI chief`, then the Congress should look into it. She said, "Till now I have not heard anything from Congress on the issue. I do not know where Sidhu paaji has fled? Even if after all this, he wants to hug ISI chief, then Congress should look into it." Meanwhile, the members of the Sikh community hit the streets at Delhi's Teen Murti Marg on Saturday and shouted slogans against the Pakistan government. The protest was called by the Akali Dal and was led by its spokesperson and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Manjinder Singh Sirsa. The community also organised 'langar' on the streets during the protest. The issue was also raised in Afghan parliament by lone Sikh MP Narendra Singh Khalsa, he urged the Afghan government to raise the matter in front of Pakistan government and demanded action against those responsible for pelting stone at the holy shrine. On Friday (January 3), the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara was attacked by a mob while Sikh devotees were inside the shrine. The mob that had gathered outside raised communal slogans against the minority Sikh community and pelted stones at the shrine. The mob was led by the family of a boy who "abducted" a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, the daughter of Gurdwara`s panthi. Videos of the incident were widely circulated on social media. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib was built at the place where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. Iranians burn US and Israeli flags during an anti-US protest in Tehran over the killings during a US air stike of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani: AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump has prompted further condemnation after he threatened to strike 52 targets, some apparently civilian sites, if Iran retaliates over the US assassination of military commander Qassem Soleimani. As bombs fell near the US embassy in Baghdad, the US president was labelled a monster and accused of plotting war crimes after promising swift retribution at high level targets important to Iranian culture. Meanwhile, the Iranian parliament opened with politicians chanting death to America, as Iraq also held an emergency session in the face of pressure to expel the thousands of US troops stationed there to prevent an Isis resurgence. Government sources told this newspaper that the MHA had written to TS government in 2018 to have a detention centre anywhere in the city to hold foreigners who face deportation for either overstaying illegally, or found to be without valid documents or those who were convicted by courts in various criminal cases. Hyderabad: Sometime in 2018, when a letter from the ministry of home affairs (MHA) arrived at the desk of a senior government functionary in Telangana, advising the state government to construct a detention centre, the matter was discussed between a group of officials. Subsequently, it was brought to the notice of the powers-that-be. Thereafter, the matter was pushed into a cold storage. Whether it happened by design, owing to friendly ties with the MIM, or was it just one among those many files that get stuck in red tape, the TS government appears in no mood at least for the moment to heed to the Centres push of having a detention centre in the state, just like the one in Karnataka. Government sources told this newspaper that the MHA had written to TS government in 2018 to have a detention centre anywhere in the city to hold foreigners who face deportation for either overstaying illegally, or found to be without valid documents or those who were convicted by courts in various criminal cases. Back then, the Centre is understood to have written to all states and followed up with those who had large number of foreigners staying in those states, including TS. After receipt of the Centres note, the matter was discussed at senior levels, including by police officials. The note was circulated from one office to the other. But subsequently, nothing moved. The file is now gathering dust in one of the offices. For the state government, this issue was not a priority, sources said, adding it is just pending and there is nothing more to it. May be a detention centre could come up at a later date as it is required to hold illegally staying foreigners. But it has nothing to do with NRC, a senior police official said. Jails, lock-ups used to detain illegals A few months ago, when the Hyderabad city police were tasked with holding two Nigerians, who were out of the Chanchalguda prison after serving their sentence in connection with a criminal case, they were kept inside a lock-up in one of the police complexes in the city, which was a temporary arrangement. Policemen had no choice but to bear with them and their daily expenditure, and sometimes, their tantrums. Likewise, over the years, police officials have been making temporary arrangements of holding the foreigners before deporting them. This requires lot of resources as there is no dedicated detention centre, they said. Sources said that even now, at least two more foreign nationals, who have already served their time, are still being held in the Chanchalguda prison premises. There is no choice but to keep them back in an area within the compound till they are deported, they said, adding that temporary arrangements can be tricky. According to estimates, there are a few thousand foreigners living across TS, particularly Hyderabad. They are from Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and even from Iraq and Iran, besides other countries. There are quite a few Bangladeshi nationals as well in the city. Nigerian nationals have come on the police radar several times for various offences, particularly drug peddling. https://www.aish.com/jw/s/6-Common-Foods-Popularized-by-Jews.html Common foods whose popularity was spread by Jews. Some of the most commonplace foods we take for granted werent always so easy to come by. In many cases, it was Jewish traders or businesspeople who introduced basic ingredients to new markets. Take artichokes for years, Italians called this vegetable Jewish food, because Jews introduced it to the region. In Spain, Jews introduced eggplant; the vegetable was so associated with Jews that during the Spanish Inquisition, eating eggplant was even grounds for accusing someone of being a secret Jew. Here are six other common foods whose popularity was spread by Jews. Growing Oranges in Europe Surprisingly, the Jewish holiday of Sukkot helped popularize oranges in Europe. Because Jews use etrogs to celebrate Sukkot, Jews in Southern Europe were adept at tending to citrus trees and orchards. (In fact, in the chaotic period after the fall of the Roman Empire, Jews are thought to have been the only people continuing to grow citrus fruit in Europe.) When Arab traders started bringing the first oranges from India to Europe to sell in the Middle Ages, Jewish citrus growers added the new fruit to their orchards. Soon, oranges became a quintessential Sephardi Jewish food, used in cakes, meat dishes, and salads. Food history writer Gil Marks notes that It was by no coincidence that the centers of medieval citrus cultivation directly corresponded to the centers of Jewish population. (Quoted in Encyclopedia of Jewish Food by Gil Marks, John Wiley & Sons: 2010.) Jewish traders brought oranges as well as etrogs and other citrus fruit to Jewish communities in northern Europe, where they were a coveted treat. In some Ashkenazi Jewish communities, an orange was a popular Hanukkah gift. Later, Sephardi Jews introduced orange cultivation to South America and the Caribbean, as well. In more recent times, Jewish peddlers introduced oranges to mass markets in western Europe. In a book about Londons poor published in 1851, the author Henry Mayhew noted that the (orange) trade was, not many years ago, confined almost entirely to the Jew boys who kept aloof from the vagrant lads of the streets. (London Labour and the London Poor by Henry Mayhew, 1861.) Jewish vendors sold oranges from baskets or stalls on busy streets, and later branched into the wholesale and import markets, ensuring that oranges became available widely in Europe and beyond. Secret Formula for Vanilla Vanilla is native to the eastern coast of Mexico, and for years the Totonac Indians and Aztecs cultivated it and cooked with the fragrant vanilla flowers. Vanilla only develops its delicious flavor after weeks of intense processing; Native American chefs developed top-secret techniques to cook vanilla, and refused to share their knowledge with European conquerors. But they did let some Jewish traders and interpreters in on their secret. Jews both Sephardi Jews and also secret Converso Jews who maintained their Jewish identity and practice in secret in order to outwit the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions often served as translators in the 1500s and 1600s. Jews in the New World frequently spoke Dutch, Spanish and English, and also taught themselves some indigenous languages, and were in high demand among traders. Some of these Jewish interpreters gained native Indians trust. The first non-natives to manufacture vanilla were David and Rafael Mercado, Jewish brothers who settled in what is today French Guiana, and built a sugar processing plant there. The local Dutch authorities forbade them from making sugar, so the Mercado brothers turned to vanilla instead. Vanilla is extremely hard to grow, but the Mercados and soon other Jewish producers developed methods to make vanilla commercially viable. Sephardi Jews began exporting vanilla to Jewish communities in Europe. Ashkenazi Jews entered the vanilla trade too, and for years the vanilla industry was closely associated with Jewish producers, who never let out the secret to vanilla production. It was only in the mid-1800s that French traders succeeded in smuggling vanilla plants out of Mexico to the French tropical colony Tahiti; it took years to grow them there. Eventually, Jewish dominance of the vanilla industry faded away as vanilla became more widespread and popular and scientific advances in Europe allowed people to process vanilla more easily. (For more information, see Encyclopedia of Jewish Food by Gil Marks, John Wiley & Sons: 2010). Jewish Doctor Prescribing Tomatoes Tomatoes are a New World fruit, brought back to Europe by Spanish conquerors in the 1500s. While tomatoes quickly became popular in the Ottoman Empire and were embraced by Middle Eastern cooks, including Jews, it took generations for Western Europeans to start eating them. Tomatoes were a popular plant to grow, but only for ornamental purposes, and were considered dangerous to eat. Many Europeans thought tomatoes were poisonous, in part because theyre a member of the nightshade plant family, which contains poisonous plants, and also because diners used to eat off of pewter plates, which reacted negatively with the acidity in tomatoes, causing unpleasant tastes and sickening some diners. One of the first Westerners to recognize tomatoes high nutritional value was a Jewish physician living in 18th Century Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, Dr. John de Sequeyra. He took care of Thomas Jeffersons father, and had some progressive ideas. Dr de Sequeyra believed tomatoes were chock-full of vitamins and advised eating one tomato every day. Dr. de Sequeyra made an impression on the Jefferson family, and Thomas Jefferson took Dr. de Sequeyras advice. One day, Thomas Jefferson announced he would eat a tomato in public; a crowd gathered and waited for ill effects. None came, and tomatoes began to be embraced in Virginia, and beyond. (Discussed in Notes on an Early Virginia Physician: Dr. John de Sequeyra: The Portuguese-Jewish PHysician of Colonial Williamsburg by Robert Shosteck, American Jewish Archives: 1971). Bringing Coffee to the West Native to Ethiopia, coffee beans were being used to make beverages in Yemen in the Middle Ages. From there, coffee drinking made its way north, becoming popular throughout the Middle East. Years later, Jews were in the vanguard of bringing coffee to Western Europe, introducing this delicious beverage to European consumers and building coffeehouses where it could be sampled and enjoyed. Jews in the Italian city of Livorno opened the first coffeehouses in Europe in 1632. It was a huge success, and soon, Jews, as well as Turks and Armenians, were opening coffeehouses in the Netherlands and France, encouraging the first generation of coffee drinkers in those countries. Englands first coffeehouse was the brainchild of a businessman known as Jacob the Jew, who opened the Angel Inn in Oxford in 1650. Four years later, another Jew named Cirques Jobson opened Englands second coffeehouse nearby. French Chocolates Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which are indigenous to Mexico. European explorers encountered xocalatl, a bitter drink made from cocoa beans that was popular with the Aztecs. In the 1600s, European settlers competed to produce and export cocoa beans and products made with them from Mexico; many of these early traders were Sephardi Jews. The worlds first commercial cocoa-producing factory was founded in the late 1600s by Benjamin dAcosta de Andrade, a secret Jew from Portugal. When Benjamin was expelled from a French colony in the Caribbean, he moved to the Dutch-controlled island of Curacao, where Jews could live openly, and began manufacturing cocoa. Many of his customers seem to have been European Jews, who developed a taste for early chocolate products. The center of chocolate production in Europe in the 1600s was the Jewish ghetto of Bayonne, France. Jews had moved to Bayonne from Portugal after the establishment of the Portuguese Inquisition in 1536. They brought their business ties to traders in the Americas with them, and for a time, Bayonne was one of Europes most prolific traders with West Indies, importing chocolate and other products into France. Jews in Bayonne experimented with cooking techniques, mixing bitter cocoa beans with sugar, cream, vanilla and other ingredients to create sweet-tasting delicious chocolates. They built Europes first ever chocolate factories and soon Bayonne was the center of the new craze for chocolate that was sweeping France. Non-Jews near Bayonne began producing chocolates too, and Christian producers started pressuring the French government to stop Jews from selling chocolate and competing with their French counterparts. In 1691, the French government banned Bayonnes Jews from selling chocolates to Christians. In 2013, French authorities formally recognized and thanked the Jewish community of Bayonne for bringing chocolate to France 500 years before. Since we are the inheritors of the Jews savoir faire, it was our duty to thank them, but also to restore a historic truth: after they introduced chocolate to France, Bayonne Jewry was gradually evicted from the chocolate industry in the 17h century by the very people who had learned everything from them explained Jean-Michel Barate, then head of the Chocolate Academy of Bayonne. Inventing Kiwifruit Frieda Caplan started working in her husbands family business, selling wholesale fruits and vegetables in Los Angeles, in 1955 because she could work flexible hours and be with her young children. The child of Jewish refugees from Russia, she was part of a tight-knit Jewish family. Other wholesalers in Los Angeles regarded Frieda as a curiosity, and whenever an unknown type of produce would arrive in the market, sellers would shunt it to Frieda. She started her own company, Produce Specialties, Inc., in 1962, focusing on importing and distributing fruits and vegetables that were little known in the United States. Frieda Caplan One of her first customers was a buyer in Salt Lake City whod just come back from New Zealand and tasted delicious fruit there called Chinese Gooseberries. The product wasnt available in the United States could Frieda Caplan import some for him, he wondered? Frieda ordered a delivery, but didnt think something called Chinese Gooseberries would sell in the US. Since the fruits were grown in New Zealand, she renamed them kiwifruit instead. It took about 18 years, Frieda estimated, for kiwis to become popular in the United States, but by 1986 she was selling a million pounds of kiwis each year. Kiwis arent the only fruits introduced and popularized in the United States by Frieda Caplan. She also introduced seedless watermelon, spaghetti squash, habanero chilis, sugar snap peas, jicama and champagne grapes (which she named they were previously called Zante currants) to the American market. Previously unavailable or only sold in specialty ethnic stores, these popular fruits and vegetables are now widely popular and commonly available thanks to Frieda Caplan and her years of innovative importing and marketing business Truck drivers from across Australia have created a convoy and are driving through bushfire ravaged communities providing essential supplies to people in need. Hay, food, clothing and toiletries are being driven to Buchan, Omeo and other desperate communities in regional Victoria where supplies are dwindling. The towns have been cut off from essential supplies for upwards of five days due to the fires, which have decimated much of the surrounding land. Malcolm Leys, from East Gippsland Livestock Exchange, organised the trip and gathered more than 150 truck drivers to help him ferry supplies to the townspeople. Truck drivers from across Australia have created a convoy and are driving through bushfire ravaged communities providing essential supplies to people in need Firefighters working to get a blaze under control in Mallacoota, Victoria, on January 2nd 'We're taking everything from dog food, cat food, sheep feed, hay, toothbrushes, you name it,' Mr Leys told ABC. The group have been dubbed 'an army of angels' after beginning their trip north. A separate group of 22 trucks are also heading to farmers in East Gippsland to deliver hay from Ballarat. Laiken and Karl Britt, cattle farmers from Dunnstown, made a public call out just days ago asking for donations of hay and drivers to help fire-ravaged communities. Another 22 trucks are also heading to farmers in East Gippsland to deliver hay from Ballarat Ms Britt said the response was overwhelming. 'If we expected that kind of response I reckon we would have planned it a couple of weeks away, not two days away,' she said. 'But it's all worth it, we're driving up into the bushes now in Omeo and there's people on the side of the road smiling and waving.' The unprecedented bushfires have crossed containment lines and are currently burning along much of the east coast. This picture taken on December 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 on the NSW south coast So far, 24 people have died since the bushfires began and at least 1,500 homes have been destroyed. Both numbers are predicted to rise. The blazes have also torn through more than four million hectares of land. There is no end in sight, either, with experts predicting the fires will continue to burn for at least the next eight weeks. As of Sunday, there were 150 bushfires in NSW and 53 fires burning in Victoria. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:50:15|Editor: zh Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The fate of a power-sharing deal between the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) still hangs in balance two months after its signing. The Saudi Arabia-brokered deal, signed on Nov. 5, 2019 in the Saudi capital Riyadh, aims to end the internal conflict over Yemen's southern regions, particularly the port city of Aden. Both warring sides, however, have continued to blame each other for undermining the deal, as they engaged in armed confrontations in different southern areas especially the provinces of Abyan and Shabwa during the past weeks. "No significant progress was made in implementing the Riyadh deal and both sides continued to mobilize troops in preparation for upcoming fighting," said Ali Bin Hadi, a retired Yemeni military official. "Two months passed after signing the deal in Riyadh but the picture right now remains completely unclear as tension is intensifying on the ground," he told Xinhua. Meanwhile, Mohammed Jawas, a military strategist based in Aden, said Saudi Arabia is currently struggling to find the best ways to implement the power-sharing deal while satisfying both Yemeni parties. "The implementation of the Riyadh deal needs high financial expenses particularly in the security and military arrangements and there are ongoing preparations in Saudi Arabia for that," said Jawas. Things including "eradicating the rampant corruption within the Yemeni institutions" must be accomplished first before the implementation of the deal, he added. Jawas urged Saudi Arabia to deal more strictly with the Yemeni warring factions involved in the deal and use "an iron fist to implement the deal" to prevent any resumption of conflict that may lead to fragmentation of the Yemeni regions. Yaseen Tamimi, a Yemeni political writer and analyst, said the Saudi-brokered deal largely failed "because of the weak leadership of the country's legitimate authority that completely depends on the decisions of Saudi Arabia which has no intention of exerting necessary pressure on the STC to comply with the deal's provisions." On Wednesday, representatives of the STC suspended their participation in a joint committee tasked with implementing the Saudi-brokered deal with the government. An official of the Aden-based STC said on condition of anonymity that the suspension decision came in protest against the recent military escalation of the government forces in the southeastern province of Shabwa. Last year, Saudi Arabia persuaded the STC and the Yemeni government to hold reconciliation talks, which succeeded in reaching a deal to form a new technocrat cabinet of no more than 24 ministers. But numerous obstacles prevented the implementation of the deal such as forming a new government and achieving permanent stability in southern Yemen. The deal also included the return of the exiled Yemeni government to Aden and the unification of all military units under the authority of the country's interior and defense ministries. The Saudi-brokered deal excluded the Iranian-backed Houthis who are still controlling the capital Sanaa and other northern provinces of the war-torn Arab country. The impoverished Arab country has been locked in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi rebels overran much of the country and seized all northern areas including Sanaa. Zegar was among a group of three officers who went into the warehouse together before returning to the door theyd first gone through as they learned new information as the incident went on. Two of the men proceeded to a new place in the building and Zegar was shot in the neck outside the warehouse. Kabul, Jan 5 (UNI) One civilian was killed and three others were wounded in a bomb blast in Afghanistan's northwestern Balkh province, the chief provincial police spokesman said on Saturday. "The explosion occurred in the area of Mazari Sharif. One civilian was killed and three others are injured," Sputnik quoted Adil Shah Adil as saying, citing a statement. The country has been suffering from violence by the Taliban and various militant and terrorist groups, including ISIS, that operate here. UNI XC GK 0756 Iranian MPs opened Parliament on Sunday with lawmakers chanting in unison: 'death to America' as politicians in Iraq urged the government to oust thousands of US troops. Parliament speaker Ali Larijani compared Soleimani's killing to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that cemented the shah's power and to the U.S. Navy's shootdown of an Iranian passenger plane in 1988 that killed 290 people. He also described American officials as following 'the law of the jungle.' 'Mr. Trump! This is the voice of Iranian nation. Listen!' Larijani said as lawmakers chanted. Iranian MPs chanting 'death to America' while raising their clenched fists during a meeting in the capital Tehran Meanwhile, Iraq's parliament on Sunday urged the government to oust thousands of American troops from the country, stepping up pressure over the US killing of a top Iranian general in Baghdad. Iraq's foreign ministry summoned the US ambassador, while caretaker premier Adel Abdel Mahdi attended an extraordinary parliamentary session to slam the strike as a 'political assassination.' He joined 168 lawmakers -- just enough for quorum in Iraq's 329-seat parliament -- to discuss the ousting of US troops. 'The parliament has voted to commit the Iraqi government to cancel its request to the international coalition for help to fight IS,' speaker Mohammed Halbusi announced. The cabinet would have to approve any decision but the premier had earlier indicated support for an ouster. Iraq's parliament will meet on Sunday, with many lawmakers pushing for a vote demanding that US troops leave the country Chaos as UK troops abandon their anti-IS missions in Iraq By Larisa Brown for the Daily Mail Britain's fight against Islamic State was in chaos last night after it was forced to abandon its training mission in Iraq. Soldiers teaching local forces how to fight the militants were ordered to guard their bases instead amid fears that Iran could launch an attack in revenge for the killing of General Qassem Soleimani. Iraqs parliament also voted to boot out all US-led forces in response to the drone strike. If the vote is approved by the government, thousands of foreign troops including British soldiers, would be forced to leave, crippling the battle against the militants. Prime minister Adil Abdul Mahdi said it was time for American troops to leave for the sake of our national sovereignty. The British government urged Iraq to allow UK soldiers to continue their training mission. More than 200 are stationed at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, alongside American and German troops. Others are deployed in Erbil, northern Iraq, and there are a handful at two locations in Baghdad. Announcing the suspension of the training, a statement from the US-led mission against Islamic State cited rocket attacks in Iraq that were threatening the safety of coalition personnel. It added: As a result we are now fully committed to protecting the Iraqi bases that host coalition troops. Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood said: This training suspension must not be permanent because it simply undermines the military efforts and huge resources put in to tackling Islamic State. This would lead to another reign of terror which will have repercussions far beyond the Middle East. Advertisement 'We face two main choices,' he told MPs: either immediately voting for foreign troops to leave or revisiting their mandate through a parliamentary process. It occurred as tens of thousands of mourners accompanied a casket carrying the remains of the slain Soleimani through two major Iranian cities Sunday as part of a grand funeral procession for the commander killed by an American drone strike. A spokesman for Iran's armed forces, Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, likewise threatened the U.S. by saying Iran and the 'resistance front will decide the time, place and way' revenge will be carried out. President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb 52 sites in Iran if it retaliates by attacking Americans. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia separately warned Americans 'of the heightened risk of missile and drone attacks.' Meanwhile, Iran vowed to take an even-greater step away from its unraveling nuclear deal with world powers as a response to Soleimani's slaying. The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group said Sunday that America's military in the Middle East region- including U.S. bases, warships and soldiers - are fair targets following the U.S. killing of Iran's top general. Hassan Nasrallah said evicting U.S. military forces from the region is now a priority. 'The suicide attackers who forced the Americans to leave from our region in the past are still here and their numbers have increased,' Nasrallah said in a televised speech. The U.S. drone strike killing Soleimani in Iraq Friday escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that put the wider Middle East on edge. Iran has promised 'harsh revenge' for the U.S. attack, which shocked Iranians across all political lines. Many saw Soleimani as a pillar of the Islamic Republic at a moment when it is beset by U.S. sanctions and recent anti-government protests. Parliament in Libya's East Votes to Break Off Ties With Turkey - Report Sputnik News 14:05 04.01.2020(updated 15:37 04.01.2020) Earlier, the Turkish parliament voted to send military reinforcements to the UN-backed Government of National Accord, which is controlling the capital of Tripoli that is besieged by the Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The Libyan Parliament, in eastern Libya in Benghazi on Saturday, voted unanimously to break off relations with Turkey, according to Al Arabiya broadcaster. Earlier, the Benghazi parliament, which supports the Libyan national led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, refused to approve the agreement on military support concluded by the Tripoli authorities with Turkey. Earlier in the day, the internationally-recognised parliament of Libya voted on Saturday to cancel the agreement on military cooperation between the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and Turkey, according to Al Arabiya broadcaster. Parliament also called for the transfer of the dossier on the head of the Government of National Accord, Fayez Sarraj, and all those involved in the conclusion of the agreement with Turkey to the nation's attorney general for further investigation of their activities. Recently the Turkish parliament approved President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's initiative to deploy the country's armed forces in Libya following an official request by the GNA which is currently trying to fend off an offensive by the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar. On 12 December, Haftar announced the beginning of a decisive battle in his campaign to capture Tripoli, which has been underway since last April and has resulted in vicious fighting in the city's outskirts. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Army Seizes Al Tah Village in Idlib Province Sputnik News 10:40 04.01.2020 IDLIB (Sputnik) - Al Tah is located 45 kilometres (28 miles) away from the province's capital. Syrian government troops have retaken Al Tah village in the Idlib province, Col. Munzer Dasher told reporters. Dasher added that militants tried to retake the village several days ago, but faced resistance from the army. Syrian forces managed to repel all the advances from the militants, including suicide attacks. Colonel showed captured weaponry to reporters, adding that "militants continue shelling our villages and cities." Idlib, which has been designated a de-escalation zone, remains one of the last territories partly outside the control of the central Syrian government. The province is the last stronghold of militants in the Arab republic. According to Syrian President Bashar Assad, liberating Idlib is essential to putting an end to the nation's civil conflict. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rape in Bengaluru: Time to wake up to the grave threat of illegal Bangladeshi crime syndicates in India 3 Bangladeshis arrested by Krishnagiri police India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 05: Three Bangladeshi citizens who had come to India for treatment were arrested by the Krishnagiri police for staying illegally. The three arrested have been identified as Iqbal Mullah, Tasleema and Lucky. The trio were arrested on the basis of the information given by the local village administrative officer. Reverse migration continues: Several more illegal Bangladeshis expected to flee India When questioned they said that Iqbal had come to India for treatment. They said that they had first come to Mumbai were then planning on going to Chennai. Iqbal however had to change his plans as his friend in Kolkata promised to send him money. He was asked to stay over with his family at Krishnagiri. NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 They then rented a house at Krishnagiri. The local administration, however complained about them, following which action was taken by the police. They were then produced before the court, following which they were remanded in judicial custody at a jail in Chennai. Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service PATNA: Expressing his disagreement, diplomat-turned-politician and national general secretary of JD (U) Pavan K Verma on Sunday urged Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar to categorically reject the Citizenship Act. Verma, who shot off a letter to the chief minister stated that the country has come at a crucial crossroads. "The choice before the political leaders is stark: either to work to save the idea of India as a plural, composite, multi-religious nation in which there is respect for all faiths, and social harmony and prevailing peace, or to see it being divided by organised attempts at creating discord and acrimony amongst Indians on the basis of religion," said the former Rajya Sabha MP in his letter. Verma on Sunday through his letter further reminded Bihar CM Nitish Kumar that he (Kumar) has always stood for a secular India, where there is peace, respect and goodwill among all communities. Pavan K Varma,JD(U) in a letter to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar: CAA-NRC combine is a direct attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims, and create social instability. I request you to take a stand against CAA-NPR-NRC scheme and reject its nefarious agenda to divide India. pic.twitter.com/1ufAX7N12D ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 Taking a jibe at BJP leader and deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, Verma has stated in the letter that unilateral announcement by Sushil Kumar Modi that the NPR will be carried out in Bihar between May 15 and May 28 in 2020 took him by utter surprise. "As you are aware, the government has categorically stated that the NPR is the first step to implementing the NRC. Since you have said that Bihar will not have the NRC, it follows that you must say no to the revised NPR as well," Verma has stated in the letter. Citing some instances of violence including murder of a youth protesting against CAA in Patna's Phulwari Sharif, Verma requested Nitish Kumar to 'take a principled stand against the CAA-NPR-NRC and reject its nefarious agenda to divide India and create a great deal of unnecessary social turbulence'. He advised Kumar that a clear cut statement by him(Nitish Kumar) to this issue would be a major step towards preserving and strengthening the idea of India to which Nitish Kumar is committed. "India is greater than individual position or power or electoral success or failure or such transient considerations." On Saturday, before Verma wrote a letter, Bihar industry minister Shyam Rajak has also expressed his dismay over Sushil Kumar Modi's announcement of date for NPR in Bihar without government or JDU consent. The letter assumes significance after deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi announced dates for implementation of NPR in Bihar on Saturday. "No state government can refuse to work on NPR updating because it is a statutory exercise. Denial of it by anyone would be a punishable offence inviting 3-year of imprisonment or financial penalty," Modi stated further adding that census directors were appointed in all states including Bihar to monitor works on NPR upgradation from May 15 to 28. After JD-U vice President and poll strategist Prashant Kishor, it is Verma, who vented his displeasure over the Nitish Kumar's support to CAA after it was legislated in the parliament. Kishor had stated that the CAA-NRC combo is divisive and discriminatory and the revised NPR is the first step towards the NRC. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday clarified that there was no proposal before the government regarding renaming the neighbouring Ramanagara district as Nava (New) Bengaluru, amid reports that his government was mulling over it. The clarification from the Chief Minister came even as JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who represents the district in the assembly, threatened to hold protests if the government went ahead with the move. "No such decision has been taken yet," Yediyurappa told reporters here in response to a question on renaming Ramanagara as Nava Bengaluru. Later, in a statement released by the CMO, Yediyurappa said there was no such proposal before the government to rename Ramanagara district. "Unnecessary discussions are happening regarding renaming of Ramanagara district, there was no such thinking or proposal before the government," he said. Hitting out at the Congress and JD(S), the Chief Minister said they were indulging in a discussion that has no substance, to remain in and create confusion among people. "I'm clarifying that there is no such subject or agenda before the government," Yediyurappa said. The plan to rename Ramanagara is aimed at using the brand Bengaluru to attract investment into the district located adjacent to the IT city, which has almost reached its saturation. Ramanagra, about 58 km from here, was carved out of Bengaluru Rural district in 2007 by the then government headed by Kumaraswamy, comprising Ramanagara, Channapatna, Kanakapura and Magadi taluks. Opposing any move to rename Ramanagara district, Kumaraswamy said it will be an insult to lord Rama, after whom the district was named, and warned of protest if government goes ahead. "Ramanagara is surrounded by seven hills and at its centre is Ramadevara betta (hill named after lord Rama), and that's the reason the taluk and district were named as Ramanagara. Despite this, if the name is changed it will be an insult to the philosophy propounded by the BJP itself. It will be an insult to Lord Rama's name," he tweeted. In a series of tweets, Kumaraswamy alleged that renaming the district was with a pretext to sell fertile irrigated land next to the capital city to capitalists and also because Yediyurappa wants to settle political scores with him. He said if Yediyurappa wants to develop Ramanagara, he should release the funds allocated by his government for the district. "If you want to develop it further, you will find support from me and my people. But, don't set fire to the district's culture and identity by changing its name," he further tweeted. The former Chief Minister also questioned why we don't rename all other districts as Bengaluru, if name alone can bring in development. Reacting to Kumaraswamy's comments, Yediyurappa said no one can question our devotion and regards for lord Rama. Expressing surprise over Congress and JD(S)' devotion towards lord Rama, he said, "if their devotion is true, I welcome it. It is laughable that Congress and JD(S) leaders are planning protest against a non issue." Ramanagara was earlier known as Closepet, it was renamed as Ramanagara after Ramdevara betta, surrounding which the Bollywood classic Sholay was filmed. Another senior politician, D K Shivakumar of Congress, who hails from the district, had earlier suggested renaming Ramanagara as Bengaluru South district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Open source Until the fall of 2020, Ukraine will launch a single tourism portal, where guests of Ukraine can get help. The respective message may be found on the government website. We need to create all conditions so that as many tourists as possible come to Ukraine. These would be services of course. Roads that we are actively building now. And also security. That is why a single window for helping tourists is created. So that you can ask any question and get an answer or help, "said Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk. It is expected that the portal will work both online and in the telephone mode. Local tourist information centers in the regions will also be created. Related: Odesa city can become leader of Eastern European tourism industry, - Poroshenko According to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, an appropriate agency has already been established to implement this project. The creation of a single tourism portal is provided by the Cabinet of Ministers Activity Program, which was approved in September 2019. (Bloomberg) -- As the U.S. awaits possible retribution over a recent airstrike that killed a top general, theres at least one American businessman who can attest, in detail, to what happened after he provoked Iran. In October 2013, Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate and prominent supporter of conservative politicians and Israel, appeared on a panel in New York in which he suggested that the U.S. could send a message to Iran, regarding its nuclear ambitions, by detonating an American warhead in the middle of the Iranian desert. You want to be wiped out? Go ahead and take a tough position, said Adelson, who later became a major supporter of President Donald Trump. His comments infuriated Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who two weeks later said America should slap these prating people in the mouth. Months later, in February 2014, hackers inserted malware into the computer networks of Adelsons Las Vegas casino. The withering cyber-attack laid waste to about three quarters of the companys Las Vegas servers; the cost of recovering data and building new systems cost $40 million or more. A year after the attack, the top U.S. intelligence official confirmed that Iran was behind it. Now, as Iran vows revenge for the airstrike, the U.S. faces an aggressive adversary in which digital warfare may be among its best options to strike directly at the American population. In the years since the Sands incident, Iranian hackers have continued their attacks, targeting a U.S. presidential campaign, universities, journalists, and even a dam in suburban New York. Im sure the Iranians are asking their hackers for a list of options, said James Lewis, senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, who oversees the policy research groups cybersecurity program. Cyber-attacks can be tempting if they can find the right American target. Milan Patel, former chief technological officer of the FBIs cyber division, said he was worried about what may come next since Iran has shown interest in targeting critical infrastructure. Power generation like hydro and electric, thats where they can cause the most real world damage, said Patel, now the chief client officer at the cybersecurity firm BlueVoyant. Story continues A representative for Las Vegas Sands Corp. didnt return a message seeking comment. Iran is hardly the only U.S. cyber adversary. China has allegedly stolen so much intellectual property from U.S. companies, including by hacking, that FBI Director Christopher Wray accused the country of trying to steal their way up the economic ladder at our expense. QuickTake: Iran Is Big on Cyberwarfare. How Does That Work? But cyber-attacks can also be used to create disruptive effects that can impact millions. In a computer-dependent world, hackers can clog ports, shut down transportation networks, and open dams. Iran has shown a willingness to use those types of digital attacks -- targeting some of the U.S.s biggest banks, the worlds top oil producer, and Adelsons casino empire. Destructive Attacks Cyber adversaries, including Iran, have generally aimed attacks at targets unlikely to fully draw a response from the U.S.s own potent cyberwarfare arsenal. Evidence of possible retaliation of the American drone strike emerged late on Jan. 4 when the website for the little-known U.S. Federal Depository Library Program was hacked and defaced with pro-Iranian, anti-U.S. messaging, confirmed a spokesman for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The site has since been taken down. At this time, there is no confirmation that this was the action of Iranian state-sponsored actors, reads a statement issued by CISA, part of the Department of Homeland Security. The FDLP is a government entity created to make federal publications available to the public for free. Tit-for-Tat Fears Given the heightened tensions, a major digital strike by Iran could trigger the kind of escalating, tit-for-tat strikes that fling the two sides toward the brink of war. The U.S. is widely believed to have the ability to shut down power grids, interrupt air travel and create chaos at ports through digital strikes alone. Irans hackers and digital arms are less sophisticated, cybersecurity experts say, but the number of U.S.-related targets available to them is huge. The digital feud between the U.S. and Iran dates back more than a decade, to when a devastating digital worm called Stuxnet crippled an Iranian uranium processing facility. That attack has been attributed by multiple media outlets to the U.S. and Israel. Partly in response, Iranian hackers launched attacks starting in 2011 that overwhelmed the websites of Bank of America Corp., Wells Fargo & Co. and others over a period of months. The attacks eventually proved little more than an inconvenience for online customers, but financial institutions spent millions of dollars to keep their websites up and running over the period of the attacks. Learning Period Those early Iranian attacks are now seen as part of a learning period, as the countrys hackers worked to catch up with the sophistication of other cyberpowers before beginning to target physical infrastructure like pipelines and dams. In 2013, Iranian hackers breached the control system of a small dam in Rye, New York, according to a federal indictment. While the hackers were successful in gaining access to the dams systems, which allowed them to see information like water levels and the dams settings, they were unable to operate the gate that controls water levels because it had been manually disconnected for maintenance. It isnt known if the Iranian hackers intended to release water from the dam. More recently, Iranian government-linked hackers tried to infiltrate email accounts of a U.S. presidential candidate, current and former U.S. officials and journalists, Microsoft Corp. reported last year. The New York Times and Reuters reported that President Trumps re-election campaign had been targeted. While the presidential campaign wasnt among those compromised, that attempted breach, and the many others, has provided experience to a group of hackers that may now be assigned with seeking revenge on the U.S. Norman Roule, a former CIA official who also served as national intelligence manager for Iran, said cyber-attacks will almost certainly increase in the coming months. Irans cyber strategy will likely seek to accomplish three goals: punishing the U.S., deterring the U.S. from future attacks and allowing Iran to save face, he said. Lewis, from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said if the Iranians decide to retaliate with a cyber-attack, they will likely want something dramatic in choosing a target. The big question is: will they do something symbolic, like the bank attacks? he said. Or try for both symbolic and disruptive, as they did with Sands? (Updates with details of defaced U.S. website in 14th paragraph.) --With assistance from Ryan Gallagher. To contact the reporters on this story: Alyza Sebenius in Washington at asebenius@bloomberg.net;Kartikay Mehrotra in San Francisco at kmehrotra2@bloomberg.net;William Turton in New York at wturton1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Andrew Martin at amartin146@bloomberg.net, Virginia Van Natta For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Iran crisis. Johnson flies back to Britain, ships ordered to Straits of Hormuz Boris Johnson will return to the UK on Sunday after his holiday in Mustique but will walk in to a potential diplomatic row with the US after Britain was left in the dark about the attack. He is now ramping up security in the region by sending HMS Montrose and HMS Defender, a Type 23 frigate and a Type 45 destroyer, to accompany British-flagged oil tankers, it was revealed tonight Defence Secretary Ben Wallace ordered the warships to the Strait of Hormuz to take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens. Mail on Sunday As Pompeo says that Europeans, Britain included, havent been as helpful as I wish they could be Mr Pompeo accused Britain, France and Germany of not providing sufficient support. By contrast he said Americas regional allies, possibly a reference to Israel and Saudi Arabia, had been fantastic. Plans for the UK, France and Germany to issue a joint statement fell apart after the three countries failed to agree on a wording. Mr Pompeo accused European powers of failing to realise Americas actions would save lives in Europe. Frankly, the Europeans havent been as helpful as I wish they they could be. The Brits, the French, the Germans, all need to understand that what we did, what the Americans did, saved lives in Europe as well. Sunday Express Niall Ferguson: Iran is too weak to start a world war. But theres now a danger of civil conflict in Iraq. The downside of killing Soleimani is that Iraq will now blow up. Freed from Saddam Husseins tyranny by the US invasion of 2003, it is a democracy with only limited US security support. Iranian penetration of Shiite militias and political parties means that it is dangerously close to becoming a vassal of Tehran. Significantly, the Iraqi prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, has condemned the US strike against Soleimani. The danger is a return to civil war. Sunday Times > Today: ToryDiary Trump and Iran. Whats the plan? > Yesterday: Tom Tugendhat on Comment: More war, terror, and conflict? Perhaps. But heres why Solemanis death opens the prospect of a better future Raab and Truss want trade talks with Trump now Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, and Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, are pushing for the UK to begin parallel talks with America, putting pressure on the EU by making progress towards a transatlantic trade deal. Truss wants Johnson to publish a mandate for US talks in the next few weeks and a team of 70 delegates is in place to begin those negotiations. But insiders say other ministers think it is unrealistic to turn US talks into leverage against Brussels. They say David Frost, Johnsons chief negotiator, is focused solely on the EU. Sunday Times Johnson to meet von der Leyen this week Observer The peers will bow to the people on Brexit Sunday Express Ministers set to lose farm subsidies when they vote to Leave Sunday Telegraph The UKs best and brightest can give us hope in these negotiations Iain Duncan Smith, Sunday Telegraph Sedwill will implement Cummings reforms Sir Mark Sedwill, the Cabinet Secretary, is understood to have won the trust of Mr Cummings and Sir Eddie Lister, Mr Johnsons joint chiefs of staff, since they arrived in 10 Downing St with the PM last summer. Sir Mark had been tipped to move to the US to replace Sir Kim Darroch who resigned as British ambassador after he personally criticised Donald Trump in leaked confidential diplomatic cables last July. There were concerns that Sir Mark who took over the role in October 2018 might clash with Education secretary Gavin Williamson who was reappointed to the Cabinet by Mr Johnson. Sunday Telegraph Cummings 1) He plans to bypass the lobby Mail on Sunday Cummings 2) He needs civil service support for his ideas Observer Cummings 3) Send for weirdo Charles Bronson to advise Patel Rod Liddle, Sunday Times Cummings 4) Weirdos, weirdos, weirdos: more, more, more Julie Burchill, Sunday Telegraph Dont trash the civil service Gus ODonnell, Sunday Telegraph Jenrick revamps Troubled Families scheme Mentors assigned to the whole family will benefit from 165million of new funding, the Government has announced. The scheme has already led to the number of children going into care two years after receiving support dropping by a third. And adults and juveniles on the scheme ending up in prison have also fallen. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said it would help more people in need get access to the early, practical and coordinated support to transform their lives. Sun on Sunday HS2 costs out of control claim In an incendiary report submitted to the Prime Minister and seen by The Telegraph, Lord Berkeley states that there is overwhelming evidence that the rail lines costs are out of control and that its benefits have been overstated by ministers and officials. The peer, who was deputy chairman of the official review commissioned by Mr Johnson, says it is highly unlikely Parliament would have approved the project if MPs had been given the real costs attached to the scheme. Sunday Telegraph Parliament was misled over costs Sunday Telegraph The review was unduly influenced and lacked independence Lord Berkeley, Sunday Telegraph Other political news: Tobias Ellwood: Chinas push for domination is linked to Australias bush fires Its clear that we must wake up to the threat of climate change. All of us have a responsibility to do our bit but without China pulling its weight, our individual efforts will be in vain. So, what role can Britain, with our new-found optimism, play? Well, in November we will host the next international climate change forum, COP26, in Glasgow. We are duty-bound to use the international diplomacy for which we are so well known to push for greater consensus on the biggest issue of the decade. The planet is at stake. The bar could not be set higher. And the world will be watching. Mail on Sunday Labour leadership. Starmer declares. Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary and an arch remainer, will seek to show that he can unite all wings of the party when he opens his campaign in Stevenage, a town that voted heavily for Brexit. Last night he released an emotive video depicting himself as the friend of striking print workers and boasting that as a young lawyer in the 1980s and 1990s he gave free legal advice to poll tax protesters and helped the families of striking dock workers who had been stripped of their benefits. Insiders said Starmer, who is thought to have the most supporters among Labour MPs, would try to reassure the left-leaning party membership he would not ditch all Corbyns policies. Sunday Times > Yesterday: LeftWatch All the Labour leadership contenders have a credibility gap in their condemnations of anti-semitism Andrew Halls: I would have accepted funds for poor white boys had they been available to my school I am well aware that many other independent schools do huge amounts in different ways. But I am sure there is more we can all do. For example, if the threat of heavy taxes on independent schools is removed, could more of us help support state schools in challenging areas of the UK? This is not the time to forget the importance of what we can offer to children from ethnic minority backgrounds we all have more to do here. But lets also recognise that poor white boys are falling ever further behind: we mustnt leave it until it is too late to help them, too. Sunday Times Advertisement From foot-long mullets and rats tails to Southern Cross tattoos and mohawks, the trends at this year's Summernats car festival have been captured on a dedicated Instagram account. The annual rev-head festival was held at Exhibition Park in Canberra over the weekend, where car-loving revellers showcased their hairstyles. The event, which holds burnout competitions among its street machine events, is now in its 33rd year. One man even shaved the back of his hair to look like a giant rat on his head, complete with a tail An attendee bearing a Southern Cross tattoo watched on at the burnout competitions Among the sea of mullets was a man with a 10cm-tall mohawk The annual rev-head festival was held at Exhibition Park in Canberra over the weekend One man even shaved the back of his hair to look like a giant rat on his head, complete with a tail, while most stuck to more traditional mullets for the event. Created in 1987, Summernats features more than 2,500 modified cars being exhibited against a backdrop of burnt rubber and rock and roll to a crowd of about 100,000 people. Among the festivities at the three-day event, which concluded on Sunday, was body art and mullet competitions, 'celebrity modified lawn mower racing', and drifting and burn-out competitions. Some attendees incorporated face masks into their outfits to protect themselves from exhaust fumes and thick smoke from bushfires on the NSW South Coast. The event, which holds burnout competitions among its street machine events, is now in its 33rd year more than 100,000 revellers showcased their questionable hairstyles Among the festivities at the three-day event, which concluded on Sunday, there was body art and mullet competitions, 'celebrity modified lawn mower racing', and drifting and burn-out competitions STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Its the start of a new year and a new decade, and theres much in store this year in space. Stargazers can view eclipses and meteor showers, while space agencies continue making advancements in space travel and research. Heres a look at some impressive and exciting space events expected in 2020. Jan. 10 Penumbral eclipse of the moon According to the Old Farmers Almanac, this eclipse is visible from North America only in far northwestern and northeastern regions. The moon will enter the penumbra at 12:06 p.m. and leave at 4:14 p.m. A lunar eclipse occurs when the full moon enters the shadow of Earth, which cuts off all or part of the sunlight reflected off the moon. It is the only eclipse visible in North America this year. Jan. 11 Tests for commercial spacecraft to carry astronauts NASA and SpaceX are planning for a critical in-flight abort test of the Crew Dragon spacecraft on Jan. 11 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The commercial spacecraft could carry astronauts to the International Space Station. The demonstration is one of the final major tests for the company before NASA astronauts fly aboard the spacecraft. Jan. 29 Parker Solar Probe flies past sun The Parker Solar Probe -- which has a mission to fly directly into the suns atmosphere -- will make another close approach to the sun on Jan. 29. It will fly past the sun an additional three times this year. More than a year after its launch, the probe has returned unprecedented data from the area near the sun from its previous close approaches. It has uncovered information about how the sun constantly ejects material and energy. It will also help scientists rewrite the models we use to understand and predict space weather around the Earth and understand the process of how stars are created and evolve. Feb. 5 Solar Orbiter NASA will launch its Solar Orbiter on Feb. 5 -- a joint NASA/European Space Agency (ESA) mission that will address central questions concerning the sun. The spacecraft will launch at 11:15 p.m. on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral in Florida. The Solar Orbiter will be placed into an elliptical orbit around the sun coming as close to 26 million miles away from the star every five months -- even closer than Mercury. It will take three years to reach this orbit, according to NASA. The Solar Orbiter will be able to better image the regions around the suns poles than ever before. April Launch of NASAs Expedition 63 In April, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian space agency Roscosmos cosmonauts Nikolai Tikhoov and Andrei Babkin will launch aboard a Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station. April 21-22 Lyrid meteor shower Known as a medium strength shower, the Lyrids produce good rates during its peak from April 21-22. While they usually lack persistent trains, they can produce fireballs. A small meteor trail is seen left of center in a composite picture made in Springville, Ala., about 1 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, 2014. The curved lines are stars seen in several 30 seconds time-exposure photographs stacked together. (Mark Almond/malmond@al.com) AL.comAL.com May 6-7 Eta Aquarid meteor shower The Eta Aquarids will peak from May 6-7 and produce medium rates of 10-30 meteors per hours just before dawn. The International Meteor Association (IMO) said these are swift meteors that produce a high percentage of persistent trains and few fireballs. July 17- Mars 2020 Rover will launch The Mars 2020 Rover could possibly launch as soon as July 17 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida -- but has a launch window through Aug. 5. It is expected to land on Feb. 18, 2021 at the Jezero Crater on Mars for at least one Mars year (about 687 Earth days). The rover will search for signs of past microbial life, characterize Mars climate and geology, collect samples for future return to Earth and pave the way for human exploration of Mars. July 29-30 Southern Delta Aquarid and Alpha Capricornid meteor showers The Southern Delta Aquarids will peak from July 29-30, and are typically faint meteors. The Alpha Capricornids are also not very strong, and rarely produces in excess of five meteors per hour. However, there are many bright fireballs produced during its peak. August NASA announced that its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which entered into orbit around the asteroid Bennu in 2018, will briefly touch the surface of Bennu to retrieve a sample. The sampling will allow scientists to learn more physical and chemical details about the asteroid. It will deliver the sample to Earth by September 2023. Aug. 11-12 Perseid meteor shower Perseids are considered the most popular meteor shower, as they peak on warm August nights. They will peak from Aug. 11-12 in 2020. Normal rates range from 50 to 75 meteors per hours. These photos were taken during the Perseid meteor shower between 12:30 and 4 a.m. Saturday, August 13, 2016, outside Maupin, Oregon, in a canyon along the Deschutes River. (Photos by Mark Graves and David Cansler, The Oregonian/OregonLive.com)LC- Mark Graves Oct. 6 Mars close approach Mars will be only 38.6 million miles from Earth during its close approach on Oct. 6. The last time Mars made a close approach to Earth was in July 2018. Since Mars and Earth are at their closest, its generally the best time to go to Mars, and many Mars missions have taken advantage of the close distance to visit the planet. When the two planets are close to each other, Mars appears very bright in the sky. It also makes it easier to see with telescopes or the naked eye. Oct. 9-10 -- Southern Taurid meteor shower This is considered a long-lasting shower, but rarely produces more than five meteors per hour even at its peak nights. The Taurids are rich in fireballs and are often responsible for increased number of fireball reports from September through November, according to IMO. Oct. 21-22 Orionid meteor shower A medium strength meteor shower, the Orionids produce 10 to 20 meteors per hour at maximum. Nov. 16-17 Leonid meteor shower Leonids will see about 15 meteors per hour during its peak. They are often bright meteors with a high percentage of persistent trails. A meteor is shown at 12:19 a.m. during the annual Geminid meteor shower over Springville, Ala., Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. (Mark Almond/malmond@al.com) ORG XMIT: ALBIN Dec. 13-14 Geminid meteor shower The Geminids are usually the strongest meteor shower of the year, according to IMO. Its the one major meteor shower that provides good activity prior to midnight. They are often bright and intensely colored. Dec. 22-23 Ursid meteor shower Observers of Ursids will see about five to 10 meteors per hour in the late morning hours during its peak. There have been occasional outbursts when rates have exceeded 25 meteors per hour. Biological experiment will launch at some time in 2020 NASAs BioSentinel mission will fly on the Space Launch Systems first Exploration Mission planned to launch at some point in 2020. The primary objective of the mission is to develop a biosensor to detect and measure the impact of space radiation on living organisms over long durations beyond Low Earth Orbit. It will carry two strains of yeast to see how it responds to space radiation. It will address strategic knowledge gaps related to the biological effects of space radiation, and will provide an adaptable platform to perform human-relevant measurements in multiple space environments in the future, including on lunar and Mars landers and orbiters. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. Footage shows moment US drones killed Soleimani Footage released showing the moment a US missile struck a convoy of cars carrying Irans top general Qassem Soleimani. Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, was killed when a US drone struck his convoy outside Baghdad's airport on Friday. The overnight attack, authorized by US President Trump, was a major escalation in a shadow war in the Middle East between Iran and US. Iran promised vengeance after a US air strike in Baghdad on Friday killed Qassem Soleimani. An Iraqi television channel has shared CCTV footage purporting to show the moment a US drone strike killed Qassem Suleimani. Footage shows moment US drones killed Soleimani WATCH Dang Quang Tan, Deputy Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health, said: We have contacted the World Health Organisation to keep updated about the virus. The ministry will step up surveillance at border gates and among communities, he said. A seafood market in Wuhan where dozens of people are found to be infected with severe pneumonia virus. (Photo: South China Morning Post) According to the department, as of December 2019, there were 27 cases of viral pneumonia of unknown origin reported in Wuhan, central Hubei province, China. Seven patients were in critical condition. Others are stable. There have been no recorded fatalities, however. Most of those infected are store owners at a local seafood market. Local authorities have closed the market for further investigation. The Chinese health ministry has taken measures to control the outbreak and conducted more testing to identify the specific cause. There has been no evidence so far of human-to-human transmission. No medical workers have been infected with the virus, according to the Chinese health ministry. China's state media reported that the outbreak is suspected of being linked to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a highly contagious respiratory disease which infected more than 8,000 people around the world in 2003. Tan said SARS is a dangerous virus which appeared for the first time at the end of 2002 and beginning of 2003. SARS symptoms are quite like those of severe flu. Vietnam is in flu season with A/H1N1 and B being the most common types, he told Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper. He advised the public not to be worried as successful treatment for the virus is available, unlike the situation in 2003 when medical workers did not know much about the virus, causing it to spread quickly./. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 05:27:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ALGIERS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelmaguid Tebboune on Sunday pledged to review the half-century long governance system in the North African nation, as part of his efforts to build a new republic claimed by Algerians, official APS news agency reported. Tebboune noted that his program gives paramount priority to "politic, institutional, socio-economic as well as cultural sectors, all of which are aimed at building a new republic responding to the aspirations of our people," the report said quoting a statement of the Council of Ministers headed by Tebboune. He specified that "the construction of the new Algeria requires reconsideration of the system of governance," noting that the cornerstone of this path is engaging in deep revision of the constitution. The president called on the government to "immediately conduct assessment of the general situation of the country, ahead of restoring the prestige of the state and retrieving the citizens' trust," noting that combating corruption and preserving public funds are top priorities. As for his economic plan, the Algerian president said it is mainly based on "the implementation of a strong model based on diversification, free from administration obstacles, generates wealth and jobs, and reaches food security." Tebboune was sworn in on December 19 as the eighth president of Algeria since it gained independence from France in 1962, vowing to put what he has promised into practice during his five-year term in office. A 25-year-old Sikh man has been shot dead by unknown gunmen in the northwestern city of Peshawar in Pakistan, police and the victim's family said on Sunday, a day after a mob attacked Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. IMAGE: Rowinder Singh was killed by an unidentified person in Peshawar, Pakistan. Photograph: ANI Rowinder Singh had come to Peshawar from Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to shop for his wedding, police said. "His bullet-riddled body was recovered from the area under the Chamkani police station and sent to a hospital," police said in a statement. "Police have already launched a probe into the killing," the statement said. The victim's brother Harmeet Singh told the media that an unknown person called him from Rowinder's cellphone on late Saturday and informed him that "my brother was killed". "The government must arrest the culprits as early as possible. I will not find peace until the criminals are arrested," he said. No group has claimed responsibility of the murder which took place a day after a mob attacked Gurdwara Nankana Sahib where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. India on Sunday strongly condemned the "targeted killing" of the minority Sikh community member Peshawar. The ministry of external affairs said Pakistan should stop "prevaricating" and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the MEA said. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned the recent incident of vandalism at the Nankana Sahib, saying it goes against his "vision" and the government will show "zero tolerance" against those involved in it. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is a site near Lahore where the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. Pakistan's foreign office on Friday rejected the media reports that the Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib was desecrated in a mob attack, saying the birthplace of founder of Sikhism remains "untouched and undamaged" and the "claims of destruction" of one of the holiest Sikh shrines are "false". Minorities in the Muslim-majority Pakistan make up some two per cent of the country's total population. Pakistan has witnessed violence against religious minorities in the past as al-Qaeda and Taliban-led militants regularly target Christian, Sikhs, Hindus, Ahmadis and Shiite communities in the country. Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav was allegedly manhandled outside the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus where a clash broke out between members of the students' union and the ABVP. Yadav said no one was there to stop the "hooliganism" and he was not allowed to speak to the media. He alleged that police personnel were standing but were not doing anything, saying "if the police is afraid, they can take out their uniform". Members of JNU students' union and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) clashed on the campus in the evening, sources said, adding it happened during a public meeting organised by the university's teachers' association. The students' union claimed that its president Aishe Ghosh and many other students were injured in stone-pelting by ABVP members. But the RSS-backed students' organisation alleged its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits and 25 of them were injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 19:53:08|Editor: zh Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Jan.4 (Xinhua)-- Police in northern Ethiopia's Amhara regional state have intercepted 62 children in a suspected case of human trafficking, an Ethiopian official said on Sunday. Yimer Abate, Chief Officer of the Crime Prevention Division, Qallu locality, South Wollo zone in Amhara regional state, said the 62 children were intercepted on Friday evening while they were allegedly being trafficked using several autorickshaws, reported state media outlet Ethiopia News Agency (ENA). Abate said the 62 children who range between 12-year-old to late teens included 38 females were hidden in houses in a forested, isolated area of Qallu locality. Police suspect the 62 children were on the way to being trafficked to neighboring Djibouti on transit to their final destinations across the Red Sea in the Arabian Peninsula. In September 2019, police in Qallu locality intercepted more than 1, 000 individuals in one of the largest anti-human trafficking operations in Ethiopia in recent years. Every year thousands of Ethiopians looking for better economic opportunities are estimated to be trafficked through Djibouti and the Red Sea to reach the Arabian Peninsula. In recent years, the Ethiopian government has taken out advertisement in local print and broadcast media outlets and warned its nationals on the dangers of illegal migration. Waiting for passengers with signs at the terminal is banned, in accordance with the decision taken by the security commission of Istanbul Airport, Hurriyet Daily News reported. The most important duty in the transfer of tourists belongs to the airports and Istanbul Airport needs to be built in a more modern and guest-oriented center, Ismail Sanl, the regional governor of the airport said. Meeting lounge sections were put into service to prevent passengers from confusion at the terminal exit, Sanl added. With the development of tourism in Turkey, this ban will add strength to the point of preventing undesirable behaviors that operate under the name of a "backstreet agency," Sanl noted. As of Dec. 31, we will remove the waiting for guests with banners. Any fees until March 31 will not be paid; after that, a contribution will be paid to cover the services here but not for trade purposes, Sanl said. We will consider meeting a passenger with a banner inside the airport as "backstreet agentship, he added. US President Donald Trump has warned Iran in a series of tweets (Steve Parsons/PA) US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening to hit dozens of targets very fast and very hard if it retaliates for the killing of the head of General Qassem Soleimani. The series of tweets came as the White House sent to Congress a formal notification under the War Powers Act of the drone strike on Soleimani, a senior administration official said. US law requires notification within 48 hours of the introduction of American forces into an armed conflict or a situation that could lead to war. The notification was classified and it was not known if a public version would be released. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the classified document suggests Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security. In unusually specific language, Mr Trump tweeted that his administration had already targeted 52 Iranian sites, some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture. He linked the number of sites to the number of hostages, also 52, held by Iran for nearly 15 months after protesters overran the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979. Thousands lined Baghdad streets on Saturday for the funeral procession for Soleimani. Iran has vowed revenge for the Trump-ordered air strike that killed him and several senior Iraqi militants early on Friday Baghdad time. The USA wants no more threatsDonald Trump Mr Trump appeared to respond to such threats with tweets justifying Soleimanis killing and matching the bellicose language from Iran. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters, the president tweeted. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Mr Trump also warned: The USA wants no more threats! The notification document sent to congressional leadership, the House speaker and the Senate president was entirely classified, according to a senior Democratic aide and a congressional aide. Expand Close Nancy Pelosi has called for a comprehensive briefing on military engagement related to Iran (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nancy Pelosi has called for a comprehensive briefing on military engagement related to Iran (Liam McBurney/PA) In a statement, Ms Pelosi said the highly unusual decision to classify the document compounds concerns from Congress. This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the administrations decision to engage in hostilities against Iran, she said. Ms Pelosi said the Trump administrations provocative, escalatory and disproportionate military engagement continues to put service members, diplomats and citizens of America and our allies in danger. She called on the administration for an immediate, comprehensive briefing of the full Congress on military engagement related to Iran and next steps under consideration. Those masquerading as diplomats and those who shamelessly sat to identify Iranian cultural & civilian targets should not even bother to open a law dictionary. Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms of international law, i.e. international red lines. That is, a big(ly) "no no". Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 5, 2020 Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to Mr Trumps threats, saying they were a breach of international law. Mr Zarif tweeted: Having committed grave breaches of intl law in Fridays cowardly assassinations, @realdonaldtrump threatens to commit again new breaches of jus cogens; -Targeting cultural sites is a war crime; -Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun. Those masquerading as diplomats and those who shamelessly sat to identify Iranian cultural & civilian targets should not even bother to open a law dictionary. Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms of international law, i.e. international red lines. That is, a big(ly) no no. The narrative during a contentious city council campaign season was that not much had been accomplished during the last six years and that the current city leadership stood in the way of progress. Midland City Councilman Scott Dufford sees it differently and reminded the Reporter-Telegram that when the book is written on the outgoing council, Midland will see an unrivaled series of accomplishments, which include: --Funding northeast water system improvements This $50 million investment will allow for the infrastructure to build up to 10,000 homes in northeast Midland. --Funding a new animal shelter This is an expected $11 million investment. --The $100 million road bond, The five-year program will provide improvements on 26 different streets. The bond was passed overwhelmingly by Midland voters. --Increasing money spent annually on road maintenance from less than $1 million to more than $12 million --The reconstruction of Dennis the Menace Park This public-private venture resurrected one of the communitys favorite parks. --The transformation of Doug Russell and Washington aquatic centers from aged swimming pools to 21st century water parks; --The building of a new municipal courthouse --$8 million in upgrades to the radio system being used by first-responders --The public-private partnership between the city and Pioneer Natural Resources The agreement is expected to provide the city with $110 million for improvements to an aging water treatment facility and $2.5 million annually for reclaimed wastewater. --The funding or building of multiple fire stations, including 10, 6 and 5 --The largest raise for police officers (according to Dufford) City leaders hope increased wages will help in recruitment and retainment. --The building of the $43 million Bush Convention Center --The public-private partnership resulting in a $17 million downtown park Dufford believes Centennial Park will be the talk of West Texas for sure. --The approval of an agreement that provides nearly $40 million in incentives, abatements and other payments to build a four-star hotel and parking garage downtown Dufford, the dean of Midland council members, said its an impressive list that likely doesnt happen without the leadership of Mayor Jerry Morales. I'm not sure any mayor in the last 20 years has accomplished more, Dufford said matter-of-factly. Dufford has served during the entire terms of Mike Canon, Wes Perry and Morales. Heading into the 2013 election, he said about the mayors seat: It is not that big of a position. If it was, I would have run for mayor. A hectic six years later, Dufford has done a political 180, and the District 1 representative said he went from having his doubts about Morales to never seeing anyone work harder and never seeing anyone grow into the position more than Morales. Hes one of the most decent individuals I think I've ever worked with, Dufford said. And I think that at the end of the day, Midland couldn't have hoped for a better person to be elected mayor six years ago. A commitment to the city In 2013, Morales dominated a five-person race for the mayors seat. Life changed as he knew it for a position that pays $75 a month. Morales told the Reporter-Telegram that the commitment required to lead one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation impacted his life and his restaurant business. Morales is the owner of Gerardos Casita on North Big Spring Street. During the last six years, he also opened Mulberry Cafe, located at Wadley Avenue and Garfield Street, and a second Mulberry Cafe location downtown. Morales said that during his time as mayor and before that as at-large councilman, he got used to his customers providing their thoughts on council decisions. If they're going to come in and spend $20 on some enchiladas, they're going to get your attention and talk about (issues) sometimes, Morales said last week. He said business in general can have its swings, just like the economy inside the city he leads. But instead of the price of oil being a driver during the last six years, Morales said he noticed people stayed away from Mulberry Cafe until controversial votes were completed and the politics in Midland settled down. (Gerardos had built a steady clientele in its 40-something years, he said). We notice that when the dust settles, things seem to pick up again, Morales said. Service matters to Morales, something that likely comes from being in the restaurant business. He feels 2 percent unemployment as much as the next business owner. It is not uncommon for the veteran restaurateur to be working in the kitchen to make sure customers get their food in a timely manner. Not every restaurateur serves as president of the Texas Restaurant Association. Morales led the group in 2014, the first year he was mayor. Commitment to the city impacted his home life, Morales said. During a political post mortem with the Reporter-Telegram, he volunteered that during the last six years he and his wife, Meredith, divorced. He said his marriage suffered because of the amount of time he dedicated to his professional and political lives. While under a tremendous spotlight as one of Midlands most public figures, Morales said he always attempted to keep his personal and political issues separate. Four Naval ratings, who were part of a six-man Naval rescue squad, were killed in a gun duel between them and suspected sea pirates, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt. The firefight occurred at about 11 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, a top Naval source said. The source asked not to be named as he was not permitted to talk to journalists. The attack occurred in the jurisdiction of the NNS Delta, an operations base in Warri, Delta State, one of the seven units under the jurisdiction of the Central Naval Command. The sea robbers were said to have attacked one of Nigerias dredgers, MV AMBIKA, a Sterling Oil dredger close to Ramos River entrance, before the six-man troop of the Nigerian Navy were sent to neutralise their threat. Before the team arrived, the source said, the suspected sea robbers had boarded the vessel and abducted three crew members (two Russians and one Indian), leaving behind five other crew members. Upon the arrival of the rescue team at the scene of the incident, a gun duel ensued between the armed ratings onboard the vessel and the sea robbers. Four of the six Naval ratings deployed onboard the vessel were killed. The vessel was also reportedly stolen by the pirates. PREMIUM TIMES has withheld the identities of the victims to allow the military enough time to notify their relatives. READ ALSO: But the ranks of the four deceased are Petty Officer, Able Seaman, Seaman and an Ordinary Seaman. The other two personnel survived unhurt, the source explained. The corpses of the deceased are believed to have been moved to the navy hospital in Warri. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims, our source said. A spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy, Suleman Dahun, said he is not aware of the attack. Ill confirm and get back to you tomorrow, he said on Sunday. President Donald Trump has taken to Twitter saying that the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites after threats from the Iranian regime. Trump vehemently warned Iran not to attack any Americans or American assets on Saturday night. Earlier in the day, senior Revolutionary Guards commander General Gholamali Abuhamzeh threatened that 35 U.S. targets were within reach for the Islamic republic following the assassination of Iranian top general Qassem Soleimani by U.S. airstrikes. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters, Trump wrote. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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! he declared. .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 blasted Soleimani for his involvement in the deaths of hundreds of Iranian protests back home, and for orchestrating attacks on the U.S. Embassy and as well as additional hits in other locations Tehrans Threats In his threats on behalf of the regime in Tehran, Abuhamzeh had said that vital American targets had been identified by Iran since long time ago. Some 35 U.S. targets in the region, as well as Tel Aviv, are within our reach, he was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying. He also raised the prospect of possible attacks on American destroyers and warships in the Strait of Hormuz. In further veiled threats, the Kataib Hezbollah (also Kataib Hizbollah) Iranian-backed militia, which the United States has designated a terrorist group, warned Iraqi security forces on Saturday to stay away from U.S. bases in Iraq, according to al-Mayadeen television. However, experts and people familiar with the situation told The Epoch Times that Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is unlikely to order attacks on U.S. assets while theyre mourning Soleimani. Khamenei is unlikely to go to war during the coming days, as hes scheduled to pray over Soleimani on Monday at Tehran University, said Sam Bazzi, Middle East expert and founder of Hezbollah Watch. Circle of Violence Soleimani was killed near Baghdad International Airport overnight on Jan. 3 during an airstrike ordered by Trump. The hit came following months of attacks by the Iranian-backed militias on American forces in Iraq starting October 2019, including the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by Iranian-backed militiamen and their supporters, and the death of a U.S. military contractor on Dec. 27. Several U.S. and Iraqi soldiers were also wounded in the rocket attack the United States has attributed to Kataib Hezbollah. Trump had also ordered the bombing of five Kataib Hezbollah-linked facilities on Dec. 29 in response to the loss of American life. According to State Department officials, Soleimanis assassination had been in response to the years of deadly attacks that he had personally orchestrating in the region. They stressed that another major attack in Iraq had been imminent but is now not likely to happen. We cannot promise that we have broken the circle of violence, a senior State Department official told reporters on Jan. 3. What I can say from my experience with Qassem Soleimani is, it is less likely that we will see this now than it was before, and if we do see an increase in violence, it probably will not be as devilishly ingenious. The Jan. 3 airstrike that killed Soleimani also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (or al-Mohandis), the deputy commander of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella grouping of paramilitary forces mostly consisting of Iran-backed Shiite militias that was formally integrated into Iraqs armed forces amid efforts to defeat ISIS. Trump told reporters in Florida that afternoon that the strike was carried out to stop a war, The Epoch Times reported. Reuters contributed to this report. From The Epoch Times After police arrived, the vehicle headed toward the District. Prince Georges police received permission to pursue, and police said a brief chase followed. The people bailed out of the car in the District, near East Capitol and 53rd streets, police said, and officers pursued them on foot. 1 / 10 Ivania Alvarez shakes a jug of water as she celebrates with Neyma Hernandez after their release from prison, at her home in Managua, Nicaragua. The women were part of a group known as Banda de Aguadores," or water carriers, who were detained as political prisoners for taking water to hunger strikers. (AP Photo/Oscar Navarrete) 2 / 10 A man watches fireworks exploding over Copacabana Beach during the New Year's celebrations, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From Australia to Brazil, people gathered to ring in the new year with fireworks and musical celebrations. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) 3 / 10 A female Zapatista member, masked to protect her identity, drives a Volkswagen with a decal that reads in Spanish: "Rural Production Society," as she arrives at the Second International Meeting of Women Who Fight, organized by the women of the Zapatista National Liberation Army, in Caracol Morelia, Altamirano municipality, Chiapas state, Mexico. Women who attended spoke before crowds of hundreds at a time about the violence they had faced in their communities, including childhood abuse and forced migration. (AP Photo/Isabel Mateos) 4 / 10 Mayor Claudia Lopez, centre, accompanied by her mother Maria del Carmen Hernandez, greets supporters at her inauguration ceremony in Simon Bolivar Park in Bogota, Colombia. Lopez is Bogota's first female mayor and Latin America's first openly lesbian mayor. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) 5 / 10 A Monterrey player holds up the championship trophy after his team defeated rival America 4-2 in a penalty shootout to win the Mexican soccer league title at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) 6 / 10 A shopper holds her son as she buys fish at the Central Market in Santiago, Chile. The protests that have swept across Chile over the past months have caused a big hit to its economy. Chile's economy contracted by 3.3 percent in November, following a 3.4 percent contraction in October, according to Chile's Central Bank. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) 7 / 10 A woman kisses a man on the cheek at a truck stop in the Galipan village in La Guaira, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) 8 / 10 A man wearing pot leaf sunglasses smokes a joint outside the Mexican Senate, during a protest calling for the legalization of marijuana, in Mexico City. Cannabis advocates are hoping lawmakers will decriminalize marijuana in 2020. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) 9 / 10 A man pushes a small boat carrying flowers and a statue of Yemanja, a deity from the African Yoruba religion, during a ceremony in honour of the goddess of the sea, which is part of the New Year's celebrations, off Praia Vermelha beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As the year winds down, Brazilian worshippers of Yemanja celebrate the deity and ask for blessings for the coming year. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Juan Guaido "tried everything" in 2019 to force Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro from power, to no avail. Yet the 36-year-old opposition leader has vowed to re-launch the offensive this year. The National Assembly speaker is set to be re-elected to his position on Sunday, but it is the top job currently occupied by socialist leader Maduro that he's after. Just under a year since declaring himself acting president -- in a move recognized by the United States and more than 50 other countries -- Guaido pledges to "resist and insist." His power struggle began brightly when Guaido showed ingenuity and skill in rallying supporters to protest and defying Maduro's authority in a number of ways -- including flouting a travel ban. But his challenge petered out over the second half of 2019, though he's never given up his demand for the "usurper" Maduro to resign so a transitional government can take over ahead of new elections. Guaido, like many in the international community, considers the leader's 2018 re-election to have been fraudulent. "Juan is ready to take on the challenge, there's no doubt about that," lawmaker Olivia Lozano, a member of Guaido's Popular Will party, told AFP. "I'm a survivor, not a victim," Guaido has said, recalling how he survived one of Venezuela's worst natural disasters as a teenager: the Vargas tragedy of December 1999, when mudslides caused by torrential rain killed thousands of people. Back then, Guaido lived with his mother and five siblings in the coastal state of Vargas. "I know what it means to be hungry," he said. Hunger is something millions in his country are intimately familiar with now. Venezuela's economy has crumbled, with shortage of cash, food, medicine and other basics that have led millions to flee. - Divided and disorganized - Guaido's survival instincts are sure to be tested this year with parliamentary elections due. Maduro has vowed to leave Guaido and his supporters "sidelined." The National Assembly is the only branch of government in opposition hands and Guaido can ill afford to lose it, despite the fact its every decision since 2017 has been annulled by the Supreme Court, which is loyal to Maduro. Guaido, though, "is able to handle himself in crisis situations," said fellow opposition lawmaker Delsa Solorzano. In a country used to authoritarian leaders with big personalities, Guaido is not a natural. He's never been a great public speaker but he made history a year ago when he became the youngest person ever to preside over the legislature. His prolific use of social media has certainly helped. He has 4.4 million followers on Instagram and another 2.3 million on Twitter. And he's proven a talented coalition-builder -- something Venezuela's divided and disorganized opposition badly needed, particularly with a number of its previous leaders either jailed or exiled. Maduro, the hand-picked successor to late leftist firebrand Hugo Chavez, has dismissed Guaido as "a kid playing at politics." - Time to 'change strategy' - Guaido remains unwavering in his promise to end 20 years of Chavism and solve Venezuela's economic crisis. He may not have succeeded in his primary objective in 2019 but he'll get "a second chance," according to Benigno Alarcon, the director of political and government studies at the Andres Bello Catholic University in Caracas. However, Guaido will have to "change strategy in a more realistic way." His main failure was in trying to drive a wedge between Maduro and the armed forces, whose support has been crucial to keeping him in power. Maduro can also count on support from China, Russia and Cuba. Guaido has seen his popularity fall dramatically, from 63 percent at its height to just 39 percent in December, according to a poll by Datanalisis. Recent accusations of corruption among his inner circle have been damaging, but he remains "the most popular political figure in Venezuela," according to Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington. - US support not guaranteed - A virtual unknown before his dramatic self-appointment on January 23 last year, Guaido has had to absorb some blows. He failed in a bid to bring in humanitarian aid in February that he hoped would demonstrate his ability to meet the people's needs amongst shortages of food and medicines. And an attempted uprising in April fizzled out quickly as it didn't attract much support from members of the armed forces. Peace talks mediated by Norway also failed to produce any advancement in Guaido's cause. An industrial engineer by training, the Catholic father of a two-year-old says he's "tried everything." Washington has sanctioned senior regime figures but Shifter warns Guaido also faces the possibility of losing US President Donald Trump's support. "Trump has seemingly lost some interest in Venezuela since last January. He was led to believe that Maduro's fall was imminent," said Shifter. Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned the Turkish parliament's approval of a military deployment to Libya, which is aimed at shoring up the UN recognised government in Tripoli. Turkey's parliament approved the deployment on Thursday following a request for assistance by the beleaguered Government of National Accord. "Saudi Arabia expresses its rejection and condemnation of Turkey's latest escalation in the Libyan issue," the official Saudi Press Agency said, citing the foreign ministry. The GNA has been under sustained attack since April by eastern Libyan strongman General Khalifa Haftar. Haftar is backed by Turkey's regional rivals -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. "This Turkish escalation forms a threat to security and stability in Libya as well as to Arab security and regional security as it is interference in the internal affairs of an Arab country in flagrant violation of all relevant international covenants and principles," the SPA said. Analysts warn that Turkey's deployment of troops risks plunging Libya deeper into a Syrian-style proxy war between regional powers Libya has been mired in conflict since a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival administrations in the east and the west battling for supremacy. Saudi Arabia's rivals, Turkey and Qatar, have taken the side of the GNA in the capital Tripoli. No date was given for the potential Turkish troop deployment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:39:13|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- China has successfully completed its national groundwater monitoring project, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. The project was initiated in June 2015 with a total investment of 2.2 billion yuan (about 316 million U.S. dollars). Jointly built by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Water Resources, the project includes 20,469 groundwater monitoring stations, creating an automatic monitoring network of groundwater. The network generates more than 89 million pieces of data on water levels and water temperatures every year. Monitoring data has been applied to serve groundwater protection, land space planning and water resources management, providing data basis for scientific research on groundwater resources and environment. The network can automatically collect, do real-time transmission and conduct analysis of the monitoring data. It will facilitate groundwater monitoring in some key areas including densely populated areas, major national engineering areas and subsidence areas. (Natural News) A new study has determined that legalizing cannabis in Washington state has had a profoundly positive impact on the number of alcohol-related deaths in next-door Idaho where cannabis is still prohibited. Economist Benjamin Hansen from the University of Oregon looked at data collected from Google Trends and the Idaho Department of Transportation, revealing that the closer Idahoans live to the Washington border, the less likely they are to die from alcohol-related traffic incidents. The reason for this is that Idahoans who live close to the Washington border are able to cross-border shop meaning they can buy cannabis from Washington and take it back to Idaho with relative ease while Idahoans who live further inland have to drive much further. The result is that Idahoans with easier access to Washington cannabis are less likely to drink alcohol, while the rest of Idaho is stuck in Reefer Madness hell. For his research, Hansen looked at Google Trends to determine how often people living in Idaho searched for the term dispensary between the years of 2007 and 2017. He then compared this information to data collected from Idahos traffic authorities during roughly the same time period. What Hansen found is that internet searches for the term dispensary increased dramatically in Idaho after Washington legalized cannabis. Not only that, but alcohol-related deaths plummeted by an astounding 21 percent following legalization in Washington. Furthermore, Hansen determined that the biggest reductions in alcohol-related deaths in Idaho occurred in areas closest to the Washington border indicating that Idahoans are not only driving across the border to purchase cannabis, but are also driving under the influence of alcohol a whole lot less now that they have natural cannabis as a safe alternative. These findings are consistent with increased access to marijuana leading to substitution away from alcohol to marijuana, Hansen notes in his paper, which was recently published by Utah State Universitys Center for Growth and Opportunity. Another key finding in Hansens paper is that when recreational cannabis sales began in Walla Walla, Washington, and Huntington, Oregon, in September 2015 and March 2016, respectively these being eastern border towns in Washington and Oregon nearby border towns in Idaho experienced dramatic decreases in alcohol-related deaths. This suggests that interest in marijuana specifically, marijuana available in Washington and Oregon increased significantly as stores opened nearby and that the trend break is not due to random chance. When is Idaho going to stop arresting and imprisoning people over a harmless plant? None of this is to say that Idahoans who choose cannabis over alcohol and drive it back home with them from Washington or Oregon are making the safer choice, at least when it comes to risking their futures by potentially encountering Idaho law enforcement along the way. While Washingtonians and Oregonians are free to partake in one of natures most healing herbs without any risk of government persecution, Idahoans arent currently afforded these same freedoms. In fact, Idaho law enforcement admits that its not onboard with freedom, as there have been consistent increases in trafficking and seizures following Washingtons and Oregons legalizations. In other words, you can still be arrested, prosecuted and jailed simply for having in your possession a plant that, for all intents and purposes, is now legal in all of Idahos bordering states as well as Canada including Montana and Utah, both of which now have their own medical cannabis laws in place. What this all means is that your life is still at risk should you ever be caught with any form of cannabis in Idaho, including CBD (cannabidiol), which is still technically illegal in Idaho. As it turns out, Idaho remains one of the most backwards states in our country as far as cannabis freedom is concerned, as law enforcement there are accusing truck drivers who haul federally legal hemp through Idaho of trafficking drugs. An Idaho mother also had her children taken away by the state after she decided to give them cannabis oil for their health issues. In other words, its probably best to just stay away from Idaho altogether if you value your freedom. For more related news about medical cannabis, be sure to check out MedicalMarijuanaUpdate.com. Sources for this article include: MarijuanaMoment.net KTVB.com NaturalNews.com Samsung is expected to unveil its futuristic "artificial human" project at the Consumer Electronics Show on Monday. Social media accounts for Samsung's Neon have teased the mysterious technology ahead of a keynote by Samsung consumer electronics division CEO Hyun-Suk Kim. Over the weekend, a Reddit user claimed to have found unlisted videos of the project in the website's source code, and on Sunday, Neon project lead Pranav Mistry further stoked speculation when he tweeted that he was prepared to demo Samsung's Core R3 technology at CES. The leaked videos have since been deleted, but offered a glimpse into the lifelike avatars Neon may be creating. The promo videos showed a group of people who appear to be human, though it's unclear to what extent they might be computer-generated. Mistry tweeted Sunday that the Core R3 technology "can now autonomously create new expressions, new movements, new dialog (even in Hindi), completely different from the original captured data." He included a side-by-side photo of a woman, overlaid with code and other graphics. Tweet In a recent interview with an Indian business news publication, Mistry shared his vision of how "artificial humans" could fit into the world. "While films may disrupt our sense of reality, 'virtual humans' or 'digital humans' will be reality," Mistry said. "A digital human could extend its role to become a part of our everyday lives: a virtual news anchor, virtual receptionist, or even an AI-generated film star." While it's still unclear what exactly Neon will be, the company made clear what it is not. In a tweet last month, Neon wrote that it is not to be conflated with Bixby, Samsung's virtual assistant. "NEON is NOT about Bixby, or anything you have seen before," the account posted. Tweet Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. WATCH: The new Samsung Galaxy Note 10 lineup thin, light and powerful If the popular ToTok video and voice calling app is a spying tool of the United Arab Emirates, thats news to its co-creator. Giacomo Ziani, whose video and voice calling app is suspected of being a spying tool of the United Arab Emirates, defended his work in an interview with the AP, while denying knowing that people and companies linked to the project had ties to the country's intelligence apparatus. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell) If the popular ToTok video and voice calling app is a spying tool of the United Arab Emirates, thats news to its co-creator. Giacomo Ziani defended his work in an interview with The Associated Press and said he had no knowledge that people and companies linked to the project had ties to the countrys intelligence apparatus, despite a recent report in The New York Times. Millions downloaded the ToTok app during the several months it was available in the Apple and Google stores. Its surge in popularity was likely driven by the fact that it allowed users to make internet calls that have long been banned in the UAE, a US-allied nation where the largest city is Dubai. The ban means Apple iPhones and computers sold in the UAE do not carry Apples FaceTime calling app. Calls on Skype, WhatsApp and other similar programs do not work. Ziani, a 32-year-old native of Venice, Italy, said ToTok won rapid approval from UAE telecommunications regulators, something long sought by established competitors that remain banned. He attributed that decision to the monopoly on the telecom market held by two companies that are majority-owned by the government. ToToks small market share, he said, would not cut as deeply into their business as major firms if allowed access. In this nation of 9.4 million people where all but a sliver of the population comes from another country, ToTok represented what appeared to be the first government-blessed app that would allow them to connect freely to loved ones back home. That drew everyone from laborers to diplomatic staffers to download it amid a publicity campaign by state-linked and government-supporting media in the Emirates. Ziani denied that the company collected conversation data, saying the software demanded the same access to devices as other common communication apps. Emirati authorities insisted that they prohibit any kind of data breach and unlawful interception. But this federation of seven sheikhdoms ruled by hereditary leaders already conducts mass surveillance and has been internationally criticized for targeting activists, journalists and others. Ziani repeatedly said he knew nothing about that, nor had any knowledge that a firm invested in ToTok included staff with ties to an Emirati security firm scrutinized abroad for hiring former CIA and National Security Agency staffers. He also said he did not know about alleged ties linking companies involved with ToTok to Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emirates national security adviser. I was not aware, and Im even not aware now of who was who, who was doing what in the past, Ziani said. By installing the app, users agreed to allow access to their mobile devices microphone, pictures, location information and other data. By using this app, youre allowing your life to be opened up to the whims of national security as seen by the UAE government, said Bill Marczak, a computer science researcher at the University of California, Berkley, who has studied ToTok and other suspected Emirati spying operations. In this case, youre essentially having people install the spyware themselves as opposed to hacking into the phone. An American diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters, said local embassy and consular staff received orders to remove the app from all US government devices. That was only after the Times, citing anonymous US officials, described the app as a spying tool of the Emirati government. Ziani alleged, without providing evidence, that criticism of ToTok came more from professional jealousy and US-China trade tensions than security concerns. ToTok described itself on Apple as coming from developer Breej Holding Ltd. and on Google as being from ToTok Pte., a Singapore-based firm. Both ToTok and Breej Holding Ltd. had been registered in a publicly accessible online database of companies operating out of the Abu Dhabi Global Market, an economic free zone set up in the Emirati capital. After suspicions emerged about ToTok, records of the two firms no longer appeared online. Following an inquiry about the firms from an AP journalist, their information reappeared Tuesday night in the database. Market spokeswoman Joan Lew blamed a data migration problem for their disappearance. Information from that database shows ToToks sole registered shareholder as Group 42, a new Abu Dhabi firm that describes itself as an artificial intelligence and cloud-computing company. Ziani said ToTok has another substantial investor he declined to identify. Also known as G42, the companys CEO is Peng Xiao, who for years ran Pegasus, a subsidiary of DarkMatter, an Emirati security firm under scrutiny for hiring former CIA and NSA staffers, as well as others from Israel. G42 has no connection to DarkMatter, whatsoever, the company told AP in a statement. It did not respond to further queries. G42s sole director listed in Abu Dhabi Global Market filings is Hamad Khalfan al-Shamsi, whom Marczak identified as the public relations manager of the office of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Tahnoun is a brother to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the powerful crown prince of Abu Dhabi who has run the country from day-to-day since its president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, suffered a stroke in January 2014. Sheikh Tahnoun has served as the UAEs national security adviser since 2016. The sheikhs adopted son, Hassan al-Rumaithi, is the sole director of Breej Holding Ltd., Marczak said, citing market filings. Similarly, an executive at Sheikh Tahnouns company Royal Group, Osama al-Ahdali, is the sole director of ToTok Technology Ltd., Marczak said. Royal Group did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Emirati officials, Apple and Google. For now, Ziani said he is focused on getting ToTok back into the Apple and Google app stores. He mentioned plans to have ToTok become like Chinas all-encompassing app WeChat, handling payments, social media posts and other high-frequency activities. G42 appears to already have filed paperwork for a possible payment company in Abu Dhabi. That could create an Emirati version of WeChat, a service used by more than 1 billion people in which Chinese government officials routinely censor posts. Dissidents suspect it of allowing surveillance. Ziani insisted a former NSA hacker named Patrick Wardle, who analyzed ToTok, said the app simply does what it claims to do. However, Ziani ignored the next sentence in Wardles analysis, which described the genius of the whole mass surveillance operation the app could represent by offering in-depth insight into a large percentage of the countrys population. Since the death of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad airport on Friday morning, U.S. officials have used careful language to describe an operation that they claim was justified. The Pentagon on Friday called it a "defensive" action. President Donald Trump said the strike was carried out to "stop a war." State Department officials bristled at the use of the word "assassination" to describe the operation, saying, "Assassinations are not allowed under law." But perhaps the most pertinent word used in these narratives, however, is one that some may have glossed over: imminent. It's worth noting - especially because, in a legal context, it may not mean exactly what the average person thinks it does. "An imminent threat is what you would need to justify taking an action in self-defense," said Oona Hathaway, a professor of international law at Yale University and a former national security lawyer in the Defense Department's Office of General Counsel. The word has been repeatedly used by Trump and other members of his administration to describe alleged plots against U.S. personnel in the Middle East that they say Soleimani was facilitating and that the strike on him may have prevented. Trump has spoken of "imminent and sinister attacks," but the administration has provided little detail about the alleged plots or why the threat was deemed imminent. "We know it was imminent," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during an interview with CNN on Friday, without offering any specifics. Hathaway noted that the word was not used in the initial Pentagon statement announcing the strike against Soleimani. "It makes me wonder whether the lawyers realized that they had a problem on their hands," she said. As leader of the elite Quds Force, a branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Soleimani had certainly played a role in significant plots against U.S. personnel in the past. There is little reason to believe that he was not involved in similar plots shortly before his death. It is unclear, however, what specific evidence tied him to a new plot or how this evidence showed that neutralizing him would have foiled such a plot. But the administration's frequent use of "imminent" is probably not a coincidence. Both domestic and international law, in theory, place limits on a U.S. president's ability to unilaterally engage in a military conflict with a foreign power: The 1973 War Powers Resolution, for example, states that a U.S. president requires congressional authorization to go to war. Some analysts said the Trump administration appears unsure how to legally present its case for the killing of Soleimani. National security adviser Robert O'Brien has told reporters that the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution allowed the killing of Soleimani, an argument that is almost certain to be disputed by lawyers and members of Congress because of the starkly different context of the Friday strike. But by repeatedly describing an Iranian plot against U.S. personnel as "imminent," the administration is making a potentially more persuasive argument: Its move against Soleimani was an act of self-defense, not aggression. In both domestic and international law, that is an important distinction, and the idea of an imminent threat adds weight to it. "Imminence is relevant legally mainly as a way of constructing an argument of anticipatory self-defense," said David Bosco, a professor at Indiana University's Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. Article II of the Constitution names the president as the commander in chief of the United States; it is generally accepted that this grants him or her the unilateral power to "repel sudden attack." The Charter of the United Nations says there is an "inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs." The right to self-defense is widely understood to extend beyond attacks that have already occurred. "It is well-established that countries can respond pre-emptively if there is an imminent attack that gives little other option," Bosco said. However, it may not mean that the United States had evidence of a specific upcoming plot. The U.S. government generally takes a broad view of what imminent may mean. Though the Trump administration has been accused of taking a lax view of legal requirements, this broad definition predates it. In an April 2016 speech that sought to explain the legal justification for the U.S. involvement in war against the Islamic State militant group, State Department legal adviser Brian Egan argued that there didn't even need to be specific information about a threat for it to be considered imminent. "The absence of specific evidence of where an attack will take place or of the precise nature of an attack does not preclude a conclusion that an armed attack is imminent for purposes of the exercise of the right of self-defense," Egan 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. A November 2012 speech by Eric Holder Jr., the attorney general in the Obama administration, justified the killing of members of al-Qaida by suggesting that the group's past violence showed it could pose a continued threat. "The Constitution does not require the president to delay action until some theoretical end stage of planning - when the precise time, place and manner of an attack become clear," Holder said. In this instance, Soleimani's history of helping facilitate attacks on U.S. troops may have been enough to legally justify his killing. "This isn't a question from a legal perspective of what he may have been planning next," said Bobby Chesney, a law professor at the University of Texas. "It's a question, first and foremost, of what he has done." Controversially, this broad definition is arguably not what most people would think of when they hear the words "imminent attack." However, domestic national security law is often defined by executive branch lawyers and only rarely challenged in courts, and international law has limited recourse for a powerful nation like the United States. "People want the law to do a lot of work here that perhaps strategy and policy need to do," said Joshua Geltzer, a lawyer with the National Security Council during the Obama administration who is now a law professor at Georgetown. He said he doubted the strike could face serious legal challenge. Hathaway argued, however, that Trump's strike was probably unconstitutional. That the administration did not notify the "Gang of Eight" bipartisan U.S. senators, as well as Trump's continued threats to Iran in the wake of the military operation, would diminish the argument that the strike on Soleimani was carried out in self-defense. But she also said it was unlikely that courts would step in. "Congress really is the only bulwark against the president who wants to unilaterally use force," she said. "It doesn't matter if it was lawful if it was a terrible idea," Chesney said. "It's a huge mistake to equate legality with wisdom." Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is "disappointed" with newly-inducted minister Abdul Sattar in connection with the Aurangabad Zilla Parishad polls where the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi managed to win the president's post after a rebellion and draw of lots, a senior Shiv Sena leader said on Sunday. Sattar, who joined the Sena from the Congress ahead of the October Assembly polls, has been accused of "sabotage" by a section of Sena leaders in Aurangabad who claimed his supporters did not throw their weight behind the MVA-backed Congress candidate in the poll for the ZP's vice president. Since coming to power, the three parties have decided to fight such local elections in tandem to keep the BJP out of power. "Sattar has some plans for his supporters so was considering an alternative in the ZP poll. However, Uddhavji has communicated clearly to him on the importance of the MVA remaining intact," a senior Sena leader said on condition of anonymity. "Uddhavji is disappointed with Sattar and has made it clear to the minister," the leader added. Sattar, who met Uddhav on Sunday, on his part, claimed all was well. "I have informed Uddhavji my side in this whole episode. I am very much part of Sena and am not leaving the party. I am meeting Uddhavji tomorrow (Monday) evening," the MLA from Sillod in Aurangabad district said. There was intense speculation on Saturday that Sattar had resigned, with several Aurangabad Sena leaders, prime among them being former Lok Sabha MP Chandrakant Khaire, coming out openly against him. Khaire called Sattar a "snake" and a "traitor". On Sunday, Meena Shelke of the MVA was appointed president of Aurangabad ZP after a draw of lots following a tie with Sena rebel Devyani Dongaonkar, who was the outgoing president. Lahanu Gaikwad of the BJP was elected vice president. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several Houston Police officers fired their guns at an armed man who had assaulted and threatened his girlfriend Friday night. Police arrived on the scene around 6:40 p.m. at a home in the 11000 block of Spottswood Drive near the intersection of Little York Road for a report of a domestic violence assault. After arguing with the woman and allegedly assaulting her, the 35-year-old, who has previous domestic violence convictions, ran into a wooden shed on the property, said Houston Police Chief Art Acedvedo. Officers attempted to calm the man and negotiate with him, Acevedo said, but he kept demanding to see the woman he assaulted. The suspect also kept telling the officers to kill him. The man eventually pointed a semi-automatic firearm at the officers, the Chief said, at which point several officers shot at him. The man, who was not publicly identified by police, was taken in a helicopter to a nearby hospital, said Acevedo, and was undergoing surgery Friday night. No officers were injured, according to the chief. The man had very aggressively assaulted the woman and was wanted on a warrant for attacking her in October, Acevedo said. The suspect was also wanted on another warrant for a parole violation issued on an aggravated robbery conviction in November, said Acevedo. The chief said the officers took measures like deploying tasers and giving the suspect space during a long negotiation. When he was shot, Acevedo said the officers immediately began rendering aid and taking measures to treat the suspect. The woman who was assaulted is safe now, the chief said, but is shaken up by the incident. She said when he drinks, he gets very violent, said Acevedo. The fatal officer-involved shooting was the result of another incident of escalating domestic violence, Acevedo said. He should not have a firearm in the first place, he added. Last month, Acevedo made headlines when he called out Republicans in the U.S. Senate for failing to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which would include legislation that would bar more convicted abusers from owning firearms. He said legislators have failed to reauthorize the legislation that also provides funding and grants for domestic abuse prevention and survivor support programs, due to pressure from the National Rifle Association, which doesnt like the fact that we want to take firearms out of the hands of boyfriends that abuse girlfriends. Houston Police Departments Special Investigations and Internal Affairs divisions are conducting a joint investigation with the Harris County District Attorneys Office, as is standard practice in all officer-involved shootings. A billionaire insurance dealer has taken a car dealer to court after he found the vintage Porsche he won for 400,000 in auction without viewing to be in 'poor condition'. Andreas Pohl, 55, from Marburg, near Frankfurt, Germany, claims the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 touring coupe had been rebuilt and was fitted with inauthentic parts making it unsafe to drive. After receiving the delivery of the vehicle in October 2018 the insurance tycoon began to question the value of the car and commissioned a condition report. A Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 touring coupe like the one purchased by Andreas Phol,55, from Coys of Kensington Unsatisfied he demanded his money back from specialist car dealer Coys of Kensington. Andreas Pohl, CEO of Deutsche Vermoegensberatung conglomerate Coys agreed to repay the 390,000 but have not yet paid back the money, causing Mr Phol to launch legal action, reports The Telegraph. Mr Phol, CEO of Deutsche Vermoegensberatung conglomerate, alleges that he was misled over the condition of the car by the famous dealership, which he claims stated the Porsche had the original engine with a number matching the chassis. The father-of-three is seeking legal declarations that he rejected the car as was within his rights as a buyer and is asking for his money to be returned or for damages for misrepresentation and breaches of contract to be paid. Coys, based in Richmond, Surrey, is expected to fight the claim for misrepresentation on the state and condition of the vehicle, reports The Telegraph. In a defense submission the dealer claims that Mr Phol signed in agreement that the vintage car may have had parts replaced and that he had been given sufficient time to inspect it himself. Andreas Pohl in an Alfa Romeo TIPO B 2900 'P3' passing through the city centre of Ferrara during the first day of the Mille Miglia on May 16, 2018 in Ferrara, Italy Coys of Kensington, now based in Richmond, Surrey, holds historical vehicle auctions Coys denies that it 'wrongfully failed to agree the mechanics of the return of the price to the claimant in exchange for the return of the car', reports The Telegraph. MailOnline have contacted Coys for comment. Mr Phol is a classic car enthusiast who has taken part in various vintage races including the Mille Miglia in Milan. He is CEO of Germany's leading company for consumer insurance. Advertisement It was a family affair for the royal family at church this morning as the Queen was joined by Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as her parents Carole and Michael, in Sandringham. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 37, looked relaxed as they made their way to Sandringham's St Mary Magdalena church earlier this morning. Kate turned heads in a multi-coloured coat and a mauve fedora hat with an animal print band, coordinating with the Queen, 93, who wore a tasteful plum skirt and jacket ensemble, along with a matching electric blue hat. The Cambridge's friend Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, was also seen joining the group dressed in a navy buttoned coat and a brown faux fur hat, alongside her husband David, the Marquess of Cholmondeley. Stylish couple! Prince William and Kate Middleton made their way to Sandringham's St Mary Magdalene church this morning (pictured) The Queen attended the service and travelled to the church by car. She sported a tasteful woolen jacket and skirt ensemble with a matching hat Kate paired the bold coat with a pair of suede brown boots, coordinating gloves and a leather clutch bag. She accessorised with a shiny pair of drop earrings. Her makeup was discreet, with just a dash of blush and eye-shadow. Famous for her immaculately blow-dried hair, Kate's hazelnut locks were visible underneath her stylish hat as she walked side-by-side with her husband. William looked stylish in a blue coat and trousers of the same colour. He smiled as the couple exchanged words on their way to the service. Rose Hanbury (far left) and David, The Marquess of Cholmondeley, (dressed in a red scarf) attended Sunday Service with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, Norfolk The pair shared a confident smile as they made their way to church, greeting onlookers and well-wishers in their path The pair seemed relaxed, enjoying the walk to the church without their three children Prince George, 6, Princess Charlotte, 4, and Prince Louis, 1, this morning. They addressed friendly smiles and nods to the crowd that gathered on the way to the church. They were joined at church by a group of friends and family, including Rose, who wore a long navy coat with fur hat for the occasion, alongside her husband David, spotted in the background wearing a red scarf. The trio haven't been seen together in public since they attended a State Dinner for President Trump's visit last June. Members of the royal family and their circle all gathered at Sandringham, waiting for the Sunday church service to begin. The Cambridge's friend the Marchioness of Cholmondeley was seen joining the group, far left, dressed in a faux fur brown hat and matching coat, while Carole and Michael could be seen chatting with one another They were joined at church by a group of friends and family, including Rose, who wore a long navy coat with fur hat for the occasion, alongside her husband David, spotted in the background wearing a red scarf Prince William looked relaxed this Sunday morning, comfortably wrapped up in a navy blue coat, his hands in his pockets Onlookers were standing on the grace in hopes of catching the royals' attention. Prince William and Kate addressed friendly nods and smiles to the crowd Kate's parents Carole and Michael also joined the group for the church service, having recently returned from a holiday in St. Barts. The couple have spent the past week relaxing in the Caribbean resort with children Pippa, 36, and James, 32, and their partners James Matthews, 44, and Alizee Thevenet. While James and Alizee are still in the luxury resort, it appears Carole and Michael flew home at the end of the week. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's appearance at church is unusual, and they do not often join the Queen - apart from on the first service of the year. Celebrity and portrait photographer Rachell Smith, has revealed that the Duchess of Cambridge has adopted a similar style to The Queen, 93, by perfecting a photogenic royal wave, as well as her walk, to be photographed Onlookers and well-wishers got to stand on the grass, hoping to catch a nod of a smile from the royal family members making their way to the service. Police officers made sure to search the crowd before they allowed them in the perimetre. Kate, who has embraced her status as Queen in waiting, is drawing inspiration from the Queen in more ways than one. Celebrity and portrait photographer Rachell Smith, has revealed that the Duchess of Cambridge has adopted a similar style to The Queen, 93, by perfecting a photogenic royal wave, as well as her walk, to be photographed. Police officers searched visitors and onlookers as they arrived to see the Queen and members of the royal family including Kate and William attend church She said: 'From observing their styles, I think Kate is adapting similar facial expressions and is interacting with her surroundings similar to that of The Queen. 'Kate is very relaxed and seems to enjoy meeting people. Rachell revealed that Kate, like her sister-in-law Meghan Markle, uses 'great posture' to give the illusion of confidence in a photograph. Everyone seemed relaxed this Sunday as royals fans gathered around Sandringham to catch a glimpse of the Queen as she attended church Prince Philip, 98 who spent four nights in hospital before Christmas, did not attend the service today (sun), apparently choosing to staying inside in the warm. He has now not been seen at St Mary Magdalene church for more than a year. Philip was flown from Sandringham to King Edward VII Hospital in London on the Friday before Christmas for what was described as 'observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition.' But he left hospital on Christmas Eve, and was flown back to Norfolk in the Queen's luxury Sikorsky S-76 helicopter which touched down on the lawn at Sandringham House. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 22:13:39|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close People visit the New Delhi World Book Fair-2020 in New Delhi, India, Jan. 4, 2020. Inside hall No. 7 at Pragati Maidan, a vast ground venue designed for exhibitions, a pavilion set amid bookstalls in the book fair takes visitors down a memory lane into over 2,000 years of cultural exchanges between China and India through photographs. Few cubicles away from the pavilion is China's bookstall conspicuously showcasing Chinese books in English. (Xinhua/Javed Dar) by Peerzada Arshad Hamid NEW DELHI, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Inside hall No. 7 at Pragati Maidan, a vast ground venue designed for exhibitions, a pavilion set amid bookstalls in New Delhi World Book Fair-2020 takes visitors down a memory lane into over 2,000 years of cultural exchanges between China and India through photographs. The exhibition was inaugurated Saturday by Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong, who also walked through the sections to see photographs on display. According to officials in charge of the event, the exhibition presents a chronological and comprehensive account of people, objects and events in the history of China-India cultural exchanges. "Our photos trace the relationship that India and China enjoyed in the past," said Jiang Jingkui, a professor of Indian Studies at Peking University. "We are working toward strengthening our bilateral relations and I invite the people of India to visit China and explore it." The photo exhibition showcased photographs of ancient leaders, philosophers and modern-day political leaders from both countries. "China-India relations are very complicated, which cannot be fully illustrated with a hundred photos and thousands of words," reads a note put at the end of the photo exhibition. "We have selected the photos with descriptions in hope of giving you a general account of the 2,000 years of cultural exchanges between China and India." Few cubicles away from the pavilion is China's bookstall conspicuously showcasing Chinese books in English. "If you want to understand China, you have to read about China, then only you can understand its history, culture, science and technology and its economics," the Chinese ambassador said while delivering a keynote lecture at the Chinese stall during the book fair. "As you will read the book "Up and Out of Poverty" by (Chinese President) Xi Jinping, you will find out the secret which helped China to lift people out of poverty." Hundreds of people, especially book lovers, thronged the venue to have a look at the books and other cultural events at the display inside New Delhi World Book Fair-2020 that began here on Saturday. Book lovers young and old were making a beeline to the halls showcasing a wide array of books and cultural activity. The fair will go on until Jan. 12 much to the delight of visitors and those interested in looking at the world through books. "Both India and China are the greatest civilisations and because of the huge population that we have if we come together and send a voice, nobody can ignore that," the Chinese ambassador said. "Books open a big window to the world outside. I hope the books here will built bridges between China and India." the ambassador said. At the stall, visitors walk through the chambers having hundreds of Chinese books translated into English displayed on its shelves. The visiting publishers from China hope to strengthen their ties with India by providing a glimpse of China's culture and knowledge. "Hope our efforts will bring two countries together and pave a way to understand each others' culture," said Wang Yixuan, vice chairman of Phoneix publishing and media group. India and China established diplomatic relations in 1950. The year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China. Both countries have earmarked 70 different programs to celebrate the bond between them and photo exhibition forms part of such commemoration. "Every year I come to this fair and visit the China counter to see what new books are available," said Anuja Kholi, a visitor and China watcher. "I even went to the photo exhibition gallery to have a look at the photographs that bring alive the relationship between India and China." The World Book Fair in New Delhi touted as "Asia's largest book fair" attracted around 1 million visitors. Around Delhi, the billboards and posters about the book fair are dotting the roads and markets. Even posters have been pasted on the back of auto-rickshaws (a common form of urban transport in India) to lure people. The tickets for the fair have been kept available at multiple places for the convenience of visitors. A manhunt is under way for a van driver believed to have been involved in the fatal stabbing of a delivery rider in London. The victim, named by detectives as Takieddine Boudhane, 30, had been riding a motorcycle when he was stabbed to death in Finsbury Park, north London, on Friday evening. Scotland Yard said the Deliveroo and Uber Eats delivery rider was involved in an altercation with the driver of a white van at the junction of Lennox Road and Charteris Road. Expand Close Takieddine Boudhane (Metropolitan Police handout/PA Wire) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Takieddine Boudhane (Metropolitan Police handout/PA Wire) The vehicle, a white VW Caddy panel type van, was found in Islington on Sunday and taken to a police compound, where a forensic examination will take place. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John appealed for anyone who witnessed the altercation to come forward, including those with mobile phone footage. The driver and person believed responsible for this tragic matter is now the subject of a police manhunt, he said. At this time I am unable to release any further information concerning the identity of the driver as this may hinder the ongoing police investigation. The incident itself appears to have been spontaneous and not connected to, or as a result of, anything other than a traffic altercation. The fatal stabbing of Mr Boudhane, an Algerian national who had been living in the UK for about three years, sparked the Metropolitan Polices first murder investigation of 2020. Officers were called to reports of a man stabbed in Lennox Road at about 6.50pm on January 3. London Ambulance Service also attended the scene, where the victim was pronounced dead at 7.42pm. Although formal identification is yet to take place, Mr Boudhanes next of kin have been informed. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose constituency includes Finsbury Park, visited the scene on Saturday, calling for better protection for delivery drivers. People should not be carrying knives. A human life has been taken, Mr Corbyn told reporters. There are a lot of people working as delivery drivers, they must have better conditions of employment and employers must take more responsibility for their safety too. Fellow delivery riders, who had gathered in nearby Stroud Green Road over the weekend, claimed that Mr Boudhane had been a victim of a road rage attack following an altercation. Sourin Aydi said Mr Boudhane was his best friend, telling reporters at the scene on Saturday: I cant believe it, I did not sleep last night. He was a wonderful man, funny with a great sense of humour and always laughing. If you have a bike then you are a target. No arrests have been made and inquiries continue, the Metropolitan Police said. This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. On the fourth Sunday of December, the Jewish community celebrates the beginning of Chanukah, the Festival of Light. This holiday has themes that sometimes get lost in the crush of the greater American holiday season. This is our holiday of freedom, miracles and light. We celebrate the fact that our ancestors were not willing to give up their religious identity and become just like everyone else around them. The quick version of the Chanukah story goes like this: Leading up to the year 167 BCE, the Syrian Greeks, led by King Antiochus Epiphanes, ruled over the Jews of ancient Judea. Laws were in place that insisted Jews adopt their Hellenistic ways, including worshipping their pagan gods. Judah Maccabee led a revolt, and after three years of hard guerrilla fighting against a much larger force was victorious. Jews were finally able to get into the Great Temple in Jerusalem, which was defiled by the Syrian Greeks and their pagan offerings, to purify it and rededicate it to the God of Israel. These events are how the holiday gets its name, Chanukah, meaning dedication. The rededication was an eight-day celebration, created to belatedly observe the festival of Sukkot, an important pilgrimage festival that was missed during the war. Later, as the commemoration grew, the focus shifted to the miracle of a small cruse filled with a one-day supply of purified oil that remain lit for eight days. The themes of this holiday are especially resonant in todays world. As a tiny minority in most of the places we live in America, we keenly feel the pressure to assimilate. But Chanukahs main message is that our religious autonomy is important. We have the gift of being free to pray to God Jewishly, protected by this countrys dedication to freedom of religion. This is not only a gift to us Jews, but to every single faith tradition represented in America. Now thats a Festival of Freedom! Kari Siegel Eglash joined Temple Concord in July 2014 and serves as cantor and director of education. Originally from Milwaukee, Wis., Eglash was ordained in 2001 from the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. The story of the education-to-career opportunity afforded by continued investment in Spaceport America cannot be overstated. At the Department of Higher Education, we are very in tune with the changing needs of the workforce and are constantly striving with higher education institutions, regional partners and employers to meet those needs. Recently, when Virgin Atlantic announced its expanded home operations at Spaceport America, Lexy Snell shared her story of just how real and important the work of connecting the dots throughout our institutions is. Lexys story is truly that of the American dream and a big way in which New Mexicans have the chance to experience a similar story of success. Lexy now works for Virgin Galactic and was part of the team that put its Unity rocket into space this year. She did not start out knowing that was her path, moving frequently as a child, as so many New Mexicans experience. She eventually found her way to Central New Mexico Community Colleges aviation tech program, where she became the second woman to graduate from the program. Now, she is part of a team making history at Spaceport America. Lexys story is one we can repeatedly see in New Mexico as more and more companies make their home at Spaceport America. And we as a state must continue to capitalize on this opportunity. Working with New Mexico State University and the University of New Mexico, we recently created a new Ph.D. program in geography, as we recognize the changing climate and the need to be able to better address firefighting with deeper and broader GIS and GPS knowledge. Imagine a collaboration between students in this program and companies housed at the Spaceport, looking at innovative delivery systems for fire retardant to help us more quickly and safely address the impacts of wildfires. STEM degrees in higher education are most successful when students have already developed a curiosity that makes them want to pursue careers in STEM fields. Spaceport America staff regularly conduct STEM road trips across the state to engage middle school students and teach them about the ever-growing aerospace industry. These initiatives and partnerships, combined with the monumental work being done at Spaceport America, provide unmatched opportunity for New Mexico students. In order for our state to reach full potential and to provide the brightest possible future for our students, we must capitalize on what we have. In New Mexico, we have unlimited potential in STEM and aerospace-related fields, in no small part due to Spaceport America and our institutions of higher education, and we must continue our support in order to foster these opportunities. Armed men on Saturday night kidnapped a medical doctor in Lakare Ward, Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Northeast Nigeria. Residents said the gunmen did not steal any properties but abducted Abdurrahman Kawuyo, a medical doctor at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola. The bandits, came in the early hours of the night yesterday and picked Dr. Kawuyo here in his house, Tounde Elijah, the chairman Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Adamawa State, told reporters on Sunday. One of our colleagues who was not aware of the kidnapping, called to have some professional information from Dr. Kawuyo. The call was picked by a strange person who passed it over to the doctor. Thats how we got the firsthand information about the incident. The kidnappers are demanding for N10 million to have Dr. Kawuyo regain his freedom but negotiation is ongoing, he said. The leadership of the NMA and Association of Resident Doctors visited Mr Kawuyos family to commiserate with them over the incident, praying for the safe return of their colleague. The alarming rate of kidnappings in the state really calls for concern; from simple menial jobbers, the water vendors, to politicians, entrepreneurs, now other professionals, university dons and medical doctors are also joined in the casualty list. READ ALSO: Its becoming unbearable and intolerable. Were contemplating on staging a peaceful march against the spate of kidnappings in the state that will involve the entire stakeholders in the health sector. Other professionals can be factored in, the NMA chairman said. When contacted, the police spokesman, Suleiman Nguroje confirmed the kidnap. Yes, we heard of the kidnap of the said medical personnel but I am yet to get the full details. I am waiting full briefing from DPO in charge of the area, Mr Nguroje said. Condemning the killing of Sikh youth in Pakistans Peshawar, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Sunday urged ministry of external affairs (MEA) to approach Pakistan government to ensure strict punishment to the culprits. SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said back to back attack on Sikhs and their place of worship in Pakistan has put question mark on the safety of community there. The fresh incident is very unfortunate. Culprits should be given exemplary punishment, SGPC chief said in a statement issued here. These incidents are result of negligence of Pakistan government towards the plight of minorities. If it continues to happen, minority communities will lose faith in Pakistan government. It is duty of Pakistan to ensure safety of its minorities, said Longowal sending condolence to the family of the deceased. Imran lenient towards Islamic hardliners: Sirsa Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjinder Singh Sirsa, condemning the brutal killing of Sikh youth, said, The Sikhs were already in shock after the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. But yet they saw another attack in which a youth was shot dead, he said in a tweet. It is a clear case of target killing. Sikhs and other minorities are attacked in Pakistan because Prime Minister Imran Khan is lenient towards the Islamic hardliners, he added. Time to act what you preach, Capt tells Imran Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh in a tweet said, Shocked and anguished over killing of Sikh youth Ravinder Singh in Pakistan. Imran Khan must ensure thorough investigation and strict punishment for the culprits. This is time to act what you preach. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 13:28:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Several mortar rounds on Saturday struck an Iraqi air base housing U.S. troops, hours after thousands of Iraqis packed the streets here to mourn two senior military commanders killed in a U.S. airstrike. On Friday, a U.S. drone attack ordered by President Donald Trump killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces, instantly inflaming the already strained Washington-Tehran tensions. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani have vowed to retaliate against the United States over Soleimani's death. Rouhani said Saturday that the United States will pay a heavy price for assassination of Soleimani, official IRNA news agency reported. "Americans have taken a new approach that could put the region in a very dangerous situation," Rouhani said. The move was the culmination of tensions between the two countries since 2018, when Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions against Iran. As the risk of further violence between the United States and Iran looms large, the international community is calling for utmost restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions in the Gulf. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for "maximum restraint" by all related parties, saying the world cannot afford "another war in the Gulf." Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged views and coordinated stances with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a phone call late Saturday over the escalating tensions in the Gulf region. Wang said that China pays high attention to the intensification of U.S.-Iran conflict, opposes the abuse of force in international relations, and holds that military adventures are unacceptable. For his part, Lavrov said that Russia shares the same position with China, adding that the U.S. actions are illegal and should be condemned. During another phone conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Wang said unilateral use of force will not solve any problem but only backfire and lead to a vicious circle of confrontation. Le Drian stressed that France opposes the use of force in international relations and Iraq's territorial sovereignty should be respected. It is vital to preserve the Iran nuclear deal under the current circumstance, Le Drian said, adding that the French side hopes to stay in close communication with China and play a positive role in preventing the escalation of regional tensions. The Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite militia Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) on Saturday warned the Iraqi security forces to move away from the U.S. bases and keep a distance of no less than 1,000 meters as of Sunday. The United States has urged its citizens in Iraq to leave "immediately," and the NATO suspended training mission in Iraq. Trump warned Iran on Saturday that America has targeted 52 Iranian sites and Iran will be hit "VERY FAST AND VERY HARD" if it attacked any American or U.S. assets. Major cities in America, including Washington, New York and Los Angeles, are on alert after the deadly incident while local authorities said there is no credible or specific threats toward the cities. Meanwhile, anti-war protests took place across the United States on Saturday. In Times Square of New York City, many protesters held signs that read "Jobs, healthcare, education, housing, human needs, not endless war," and "No war/sanctions on Iran!" "For all who believe in peace, for all who are opposed to yet another catastrophic war, now is the time to take action," a coalition known as ANSWER, for Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, said in a statement. Militia group urge Iraqi forces to stay away from US base The statement came during the escalated tension in the region. Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah urges Iraqi security forces to stay at least 3,280 feet away from bases Sunday onwards. "STAY AWAY FROM US MILITARY BASES" Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia group, urged the Iraqi security forces in a written statement on Saturday to stay away from areas where the US military bases are located, amid recently escalated tension in the region. The security forces were told to stay at least a 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) away from the US military bases from Sunday evening onwards. Missile attacks took place near the US Embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad late Saturday. Iraq's parliament has voted in favour of a resolution to remove foreign troops from the country, in response to the US drone attack that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. It came as sectarian violence broke out across the country in response to the assassination of Major-General Soleimani in a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport on Friday. Around 5,000 US soldiers are currently stationed in Iraq, to aid the fight against ISIS. But today, lawmakers approved a resolution asking the government to end a security agreement between Iraq and the US and expel American forces. Elsewhere in the country Iraqi protesters flooded the streets today to denounce both Iran and the US as 'occupiers', angry that fears of war between the rivals was derailing their anti-government movement. For three months, youth-dominated rallies in the capital and Shiite-majority south have condemned Iraq's ruling class as corrupt, inept and beholden to Iran. Iraqi protesters gather as smoke rises from a burning truck after clashes between protesters and an unknown armed group, suspected to be Shia militia members, in Nasiriyah today Protesters in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah blocked a mourning procession for Soleimani and top Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis Iraqi parliamentarians voted on a resolution to remove the US troops and cancel the security agreement between Iraq and US In a bold move, young protesters in the southern city of Nasiriyah blocked a mourning procession for Soleimani and top Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis from reaching their protest camp. Outraged pro-Iran mourners then fired on the protesters, wounding three, sources said. Witnesses claimed pro-Iranian Shia militia members holding a ceremony for Soleimani intended to enter the protest site and force the local population to participate. For protesters who were hitting the streets, Iran was also a target for blame. 'No to Iran, no to America!' chanted hundreds of young Iraqis as they marched through the southern protest hotspot of Diwaniyah. Young children present carried posters in the shape of Iraq and waved their country's tri-colour. 'We're taking a stance against the two occupiers: Iran and the US,' one demonstrator said. Some protesters initially rejoiced, having blamed Soleimani for propping up the government they have been trying to bring down since early October. But joy swiftly turned to worry, as protesters realised pounding war drums would drown out their calls for peaceful reform of Iraq's government. 'We refuse a proxy war on Iraqi territory and the creation of crisis after crisis,' said student Raad Ismail. 'We're warning them: don't ignore our demands, whatever the excuse,' he said. Anti-government demonstrators clash with supporters of Iraq's pro-Iranian paramilitary group Hashed Al-Shaabi in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah today The offices of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary group of mostly-Shiite factions was set on fire in Nasiriyah. Pictured (above) is clashes in the city today Violence broke out between anti-government youth demonstrators and supporters of Iraq's pro-Iranian paramilitary group Hashed Al-Shaabi today Later in the day, the offices of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary group of mostly-Shiite factions was set on fire in Nasiriyah. And in the southern port city of Basra, protesters hurled rocks at a mourning procession for Soleimani, prompting his supporters to respond in kind. Tehran has especially strong ties to the Hashed, which has been incorporated into the state. The US has accused one vehemently anti-American Hashed faction, Kataeb Hezbollah, of attacking US diplomats and troops in Iraq. The demonstrators are calling for early parliamentary voting based on a new electoral law. They hope this would bring transparent and independent lawmakers to parliament. They have also demanded Iran - their large eastern neighbour, which holds sway among Iraqi politicians and military figures - reduce its interventions in Iraq. There are fears that a potential US troop withdrawal could allow a resurgence of the extremists. While parliamentary resolutions are non-binding to the government, this one is likely to be heeded after outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdihad earlier called on parliament to end foreign troop presence as soon as possible. The vote was another sign of the blowback from the US airstrike Friday that killed Iranian General Soleimani and several top Iraqi officials at the Baghdad airport. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's proxy wars across the Mideast and was blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in roadside bombings and other attacks. The UK government today urged Iraq to allow UK soldiers to continue to fight in the country against ISIS. A U.S. Marine with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines that is part of a quick reaction force, carrying a sand bag during the reinforcement of the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi (left) attending the Iraqi parliament session in Baghdad Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi speaking during an Iraqi parliament session in Baghdad, Iraq, today that approved a resolution to remove foreign troops from the country Some 400 UK troops are stationed in Iraq in the fight against IS, while the US has 5,200, prompting fears of a withdrawal that could cripple the battle against the terror group. The Ministry of Defence was understood to be awaiting the decision of the Iraqi government before acting over the soldiers, based there as part of the US-led coalition. A UK Government spokesman said: 'The coalition is in Iraq to help protect Iraqis and others from the threat from Daesh [Islamic State], at the request of the Iraqi government. 'We urge the Iraqi government to ensure the coalition is able to continue our vital work countering this shared threat.' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had spoken to Abdul-Mahdi this morning in the wake of the killing of the head of the elite Quds Force. Speaking to lawmakers in Parliament, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said that after the killing of Soleimani, the government has two choices: End the presence of foreign troops in Iraq or restrict their mission to training Iraqi forces. 'As a prime minister and supreme commander of the armed forces, I call for adopting the first choice,' Abdul-Mahdi said. Abdul-Mahdi resigned last year in response to the anti-government protests that have engulfed Baghdad and the mostly Shiite southern provinces. Political factions have been unable to agree on a new prime minister, and Abdul-Mahdi continues in a caretaker capacity. Asked shortly before the parliamentary vote whether the US would comply with an Iraqi government request for American troops to leave, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would not answer directly. Iraqi protesters look on as smoke rises from a burning truck after it was set on fire during clashes between Iraqi protesters and pro-Iranian supporters in Nasiriyah city today Tens of thousands of Iranians carrying the coffin of Qasem Soleimani while the crowds of mourners wept in the city of Mashad 'We'll watch. We're following very closely what's taking place in the Iraqi Parliament,' he told CBS' 'Face the Nation.' 'It is the United States that is prepared to help the Iraqi people get what it is they deserve and continue our mission there to take down terrorism from ISIS and others in the region.' A pullout of the estimated 5,200 US could also enable Iran to deepen its influence in Iraq. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Fox News that the parliamentary vote is 'a bit concerning.' 'The Iranian government is trying to basically take over Iraq's political system. Iran is bribing Iraqi politicians. To the Iraqi people, do not allow your politicians to turn Iraq into a proxy of Iran,' he said. The majority of about 180 legislators present in Parliament voted in favor of the troop-removal resolution. It was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. 'The government should work on ending the presence of all foreign forces,' Parliament Speaker Mohamed a-Halbousi said after the vote. Clashes between supporters of Iraq's pro-Iranian paramilitary in Nasiriyah today. Iraqi protesters flooded the streets to denounce both Iran and the US as 'occupiers' Supporters of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah chant slogans as he makes televised remarks at a rally in a southern suburb of Beirut Iraqi officials have decried the killing of the general a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. Abdul-Mahdi called it a 'political assassination.' The attack that killed Soleimani has dramatically escalated regional tensions and raised fears of outright war. Amid Iran's threats of vengeance, the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq announced Sunday it is putting the fight against Islamic State militants on hold to focus on protecting its troops and bases. The coalition said it is suspending the training of Iraqi forces and other operations in support of the battle against ISIS. Also, the leader of Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah group vowed to end the US militarys presence in the Middle East, saying U.S. bases, warships and soldiers are now fair targets. 'The suicide attackers who forced the Americans to leave from our region in the past are still here and their numbers have increased,' Nasrallah said. It was not clear which suicide bombings Nasrallah was referring to. But a 1983 attack on a US Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killed 241 U.S. servicemen and led President Ronald Reagan to withdraw all American forces from the country. Nasrallah spoke from an undisclosed location, and his speech was played on large screens for thousands of Shiite followers in southern Beirut, interrupted occasionally by chants of 'Death to America!' The comments were Nasrallah's first since Soleimani's killing. The mother of an Alabama woman who had been missing for two weeks says that she is 'grateful' her daughter 'is coming home,' now that authorities have positively identified her body which was found in a shallow grave. Paighton Houston, 29, of Trussville, Alabama, was last seen alive on December 20, when she left a Birmingham, Alabama, bar with two men. She later sent a friend a text message asking her to pick up the phone if she called because she didn't know who she was with and that 'I feel in trouble.' Authorities confirmed Friday that the body found in a shallow grave on an empty property in Hueytown, Alabama, about 13 miles away from Birmingham, belonged to Paighton. 'Our family didn't get the news we had hoped for but I am very grateful that Paighton is coming home,' her mother, Charlaine Houston wrote on Facebook Saturday. Authorities confirmed Friday that they found the body of missing woman Paighton Houston, 29, buried in a shallow grave on a property about 13 miles away from where she went missing Paighton's mother, Charlaine Houston, wrote on Facebook Saturday that she is 'very grateful that Paighton is coming home' after authorities positively identified Paighton's body 'We don't 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.' Charlaine thanked all those who showed concern during the search for her daughter and said that 'Paighton is eternally home with Jesus.' She also noted that Paighton 'touched the hearts of many in our efforts to bring her home and my heart is touched by everyone's love for our family.' Authorities began searching the property after being tipped off about the location on Thursday. They then found Paighton's body wrapped in fabric in the shallow grave on Friday. Her body was said to be 'still intact' when it was discovered in the muddy grave of a home that isn't currently occupied, according to WVTM 13. Charlaine Houston (left) wrote that Paighton (right) 'is eternally home with Jesus' now Paighton was last seen on December 20 when she left a bar with two men friends said that she did not know. She then sent a friend a text message stating that she felt 'in trouble' The home, 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. Paighton was said to have been seeing leaving the Tin Roof bar in Birmingham with two heavy-set black men on December 20 at 10.45pm. She was believed to have been at the bar with co-workers and friends, who said she didn't know the two men she left with. Just after midnight on December 21, Paighton sent a text message to a friend that read: 'idk who im with so if I call please answer. I feel in trouble.' Charlaine Houston described her daughter's text as being 'very concerning.' Authorities began searching the empty residence in Hueytown, Alabama (pictured) Thursday, after receiving a tip related to Paighton's disappearance 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 Houston was said to have been at the Tin Roof Bar in Birmingham, about 13 miles away from where her body was found, with friends and coworkers the night she went missing Houston's mother Charlaine Houston had posted this plea for help on Facebook, saying her daughter's bank account had not been used since she vanished 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.' 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. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading to Paighton's death. Venezuela's opposition denounced a "parliamentary coup" after a rival to Juan Guaido declared himself parliament speaker on Sunday as security forces prevented the incumbent from entering. Images of Luis Parra declaring himself head of the chamber by megaphone were shown on state television channel VTV, as Guaido and fellow opposition lawmakers were blocked from entering the National Assembly. Guaido had been expected to be re-elected parliament speaker in a vote on Sunday but only regime lawmakers and opposition deputies critical of Guaido were allowed to enter the building. "ALERT! Parliamentary coup. Without votes, nor a quorum PSUV (socialist party) deputies are trying to swear in a false leadership," said the National Assembly on its Twitter account. Guaido had earlier hit out at President Nicolas Maduro's regime for preventing numerous deputies and journalists from entering the National Assembly -- the only government branch in opposition hands. "Today, those who help to prevent the legitimate installation of the Venezuelan parliament are converting themselves into accomplices of the dictatorship and of those oppressing the Venezuelan people," Guaido wrote on Twitter. Guaido has led the National Assembly for the last year. But when he arrived Sunday morning he was prevented from entering by police carrying out a security operation. Ahead of Parra's self-proclamation, opposition deputy Jose Brito, an opponent of Guaido's, told journalists that Parra would stand against the current speaker. "You could have been the future -- now you are and will be the past," Brito told journalists, addressing Guaido. Both Parra and Brito fell out with Guaido last year after being accused of corruption related to the over-pricing of imported food. Guaido sprang to prominence a year ago when he declared himself acting president in a direct challenge to Maduro's authority during a crippling economic crisis. Parliament had branded Maduro a "usurper" over his controversial 2018 re-election in a poll widely denounced as fraudulent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi has asked why losses were not recovered from those who indulged in damage to public property during the Jat agitation in Haryana, while money is proposed to be recovered by the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the recent anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests. Owaisi, who was addressing a protest meeting at Sangareddy town near Hyderabad late on Saturday night against the amended citizenship law, also said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan need not worry about Indian Muslims. The AIMIM president also announced that a protest meeting will be held at the historic Charminar in Hyderabad on January 25 against the CAA, adding "We will hoist the tricolour on January 25 midnight and recite the national anthem. The meeting would be to save the Constitution and the country." On January 10, a peaceful march will also be taken out in Hyderabad against the CAA, he said. Talking about the violent protests against CAA in UP, Owaisi said he condemned violence wherever it occurred but would like to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi whether the Prevention of Destruction of Public Property Act, 1984 applied to them (UP incidents) or not. He claimed destruction of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore occurred in the Jat agitation in Haryana in 2015. "Destruction of Rs 2,000 crore. Modiji, you have taken money from how many? Have you taken money from those people? One paisa was not taken. Why? You did not take because they were not Muslims. Is this not a violation of Article 14 of our Constitution," he said. How much money was recovered for the losses during the Patel agitation in Gujarat, he asked. More than 600 police vehicles were burnt and more than 1,800 government buildings were damaged during the Patel agitation, he claimed. "Why are (you) doing this injustice that you will not take from Gujaratis, but recover money from Muslims," he said. "...to recover that Rs 14.50 lakh, properties of Muslims were seized, (they were) locked (in UP). This law won't apply," he said. Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan posting a video, Owaisi said Khan has posted a wrong Bangladeshi video claiming it to be from India. WATCH: Owaisi asks Imran Khan to worry about his own country "Mr Khan, you worry about your own country. Mr Khan, we would like to tell you, don't ever remember us. We have rejected the message, the wrong theory of Jinnah. We are proud Indian Muslims and till the day of judgment, Inshallah, we will remain as proud Indian Muslims." "No power on earth can take away my Indianness. No power on earth can take away my religious identity. Why because, the Constitution of India guarantees me that," he said. The Pakistan Prime Minister should safeguard the Sikhs and stop those who attacked a Sikh gurdwara in Pakistan, Owaisi said. According to Owaisi, the CAA was only made towards making India a Hindu Rashtra. "We are not against granting citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Christians, Sikhs from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh...but why are you doing in the name of religion (by excluding Muslims)," he said. He challenged the Prime Minister to let the countrymen know if they plan to make (implement) NRC or not by 2024. Owaisi further said the protests against CAA, NPR and NRC should continue for another four to five months. BEIJING (AP) China replaced its top official in Hong Kong on Saturday, state media said, as anti-government protests in the semi-autonomous territory enter their eighth month. Luo Huining, the former Communist Party chief for Shanxi province, has been appointed to head China's liaison office in Hong Kong, the official Xinhua News Agency said. He replaces Wang Zhimin, who had assumed office in September 2017. Xinhua did not give a reason for the change. The protests, which began in early June, have turned violent at times, with hard-line demonstrators clashing with police. The violence has eased somewhat in the past month, but sporadic clashes have continued. A huge and largely peaceful march on New Year's Day degenerated into violence as some protesters attacked ATM machines with spray paint and hammers, smashed traffic lights and blocked downtown streets with paving stones ripped from sidewalks. Police used pepper spray, tear gas and a water cannon to drive off the demonstrators, although a government statement said officers were deploying the minimum necessary force." The protesters are demanding fully democratic elections for Hong Kong's leader and legislature and an investigation into police use of force to suppress their demonstrations. Bill Montgomery / Hearst Newspapers 2017 A cargo plane flying out of San Francisco International Airport struck a bird Saturday and returned to the air strip after dumping fuel, but nobody was hurt and no serious damage was detected, officials said. The China Air 747 cargo plane hit the bird shortly after taking off and landed at the airport without incident, said Jeff Figone, the airport duty manager. The Harlandale Independent School Districts woes may be far from over. The beleaguered district appeared on course to stave off a complete takeover by the Texas Education Agency after the resignation of its superintendent and one of its longtime board members last summer. However, the school boards recent mid-school-year promotion of a district employee closely affiliated with former Superintendent Rey Madrigal to lead the district raises serious questions about whether that is even possible now. Those two resignations were significant. They came shortly after Education Commissioner Mike Morath informed the board he accepted TEA investigators findings that district trustees and Madrigal had engaged in years of misconduct that warranted removal of the elected board, the appointment of a conservator to oversee the district and a lowering of the districts accreditation. There had been a glimmer of optimism that if the board could show a significant change in direction before the sanctions were imposed they might not be as severe, but that hope may have faded with last weeks action. It looks like more of the same is in store for this troubled school district. We are not questioning newly appointed Superintendent Gerardo Sotos credentials. A former principal of the districts alternative school, and most recently the director of operations, Soto meets the qualifications for the job. The question is whether he is the best candidate for the job at this time? Soto was the right-hand man for Madrigal, who resigned as the board was taking steps to fire him. Critics of Sotos selection are referring to him as Madrigal 2.0. If thats the public perception of this new hire, then the district will have a hard time rebuilding public confidence. If the goal was to stave off TEA intervention, it might have been advantageous to select someone from outside the district to take the lead during this critical period as the district awaits state action. Such a move would have at least indicated a willingness by the board to take a proactive role in resolving the districts many issues. A superintendent search is arguably a school boards most important job. In this case, the board chose not to seek the services of a search firm and allowed the districts lawyers to handle the application process. The trustees were each handed the 21 applications for the job and were responsible for vetting the candidates and culling the list. The board could have used some expert advice, especially given the high stakes the district faces with the state. After all, their final selection might be for naught. Morath could choose to remove the new superintendent along with the school board its all within his purview. There has been speculation the states takeover of Harlandale has been delayed by similar action being taken in Houston. There has been no explanation given. But we would note TEA officials sent an email in mid-December to people interested in appointment to a board of managers, telling them to continue to stand by. The question then is what type of TEA intervention will occur in Harlandale? Through that lens, does the selection of Soto help Harlandale? Would a state takeover be best for the more than 14,000 students in this district? That we have to raise these questions suggests an answer. A man who lived close to missing Medina woman Dianne Barrett has been charged with her murder after the 59-year-olds body was found in bushland southeast of Perth seven months after her disappearance. Police said on Sunday that while the human remains found in Karrakup had not formally been identified, it was believed they were those of Ms Barrett who was reported missing in May 2019. Dianne Barrett. The 52-year-old Medina man, not believed to have been known to Ms Barrett, was taken into custody on Sunday and charged in relation to her death. The charge comes after Ms Barretts brother Dave Barrett told Nine News and WAtoday in July he suspected foul play was involved because it was totally out of character for his sister not to be contactable. Groups of masked men armed with sticks, rods and hammers stormed Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday evening and attacked students and teachers, triggering waves of condemnation and forcing the city police to set up a high-level inquiry later in the night. Videos and television visuals showed men in jeans and shirts, with strips of cloth covering their faces, vandalise hostel rooms and common areas, hurl stones and hit students with sticks on the south Delhi campus. At least 23 students and teachers were admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences with injuries from the violence that began around 6pm after a demonstration against hikes in hostel and academic fees. I was brutally beaten up, said JNU student union president Aishe Ghosh, who suffered a head injury and was seen bleeding. It was a riot-like situation, said Bikramaditya K Chowdhary, an assistant professor who lives on the campus and whose wife was chased by the mob. She escaped unhurt. The Left-backed union and many students alleged that members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, attacked them. Masked men were roaming around and entering hostels with sticks in hand. They were breaking property and attacking students, said Saket Moon, JNUSU vice-president. Police, who initially refused to enter the campus as the mob rampaged inside, didnt comment on the identity of the attackers, but university vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar told television channels he will file a formal complaint. The violence in JNU is very worrisome and unfortunate. I condemn the violence inside the campus. I appeal to all students to maintain peace in the campus, said human resource development minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. The Union home ministry said minister Amit Shah spoke to Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik and instructed him to take necessary action. Honble minister has also ordered an enquiry to be carried out by a joint CP level officer and asked for a report to be submitted as soon as possible, the ministry tweeted. Lieutenant governor Anil Baijal, who controls the city police, said he asked the force to coordinate with JNU administration to maintain law and order & take action against the alleged perpetrators. The situation is being closely monitored, he added. The ABVP dismissed the charges and said members of the Left parties had led the violence. The attack on ABVP today shows the violent side of these organizations. Left cannot intimidate students through violence, said Durgesh Kumar, president, ABVP JNU unit. Police -- who entered the campus a little after 9pm, almost three hours after violence first erupted -- said a fight broke out between two student groups who vandalised hostels and indulged in violence. At least seven students from both sides moved to hospital. Those seen in sticks are also students. There is no such mob outside JNU at present. We will register a case accordingly, said deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Devender Arya. Police said it entered campus after getting a request and permission from the JNU administration. Arya claimed that a flag march was conducted and the campus was normal but late into the night, students and teachers from the university claimed the situation was tense, with large groups of people gathered at the main gate of the campus. Political tensions have been rising on the campus for almost two months because of a stand-off over a proposed fee hike, which, in some cases, meant that a pupil would be paying 30 times the current amount. The agitating students, led by the JNUSU, had also called for a boycott of the ongoing registration process of new students. Some professors said scuffles broke out after a meeting on Sunday afternoon. We saw a mob of 25-30 students with rods and lathis. The goons came from outside, went from hostel to hostel beating up students and teachers, said Sharad Baviskar, an assistant professor. There was a similar mob on campus on Saturday afternoon, he added. But the university administration blamed students protesting against the fee hike for the violence. The students who are for the registration were beaten up by a group of agitating students opposing the registration. Some masked miscreants also entered the Periyar hostel rooms and attacked the students with sticks and rods, said a statement issued by university registrar Pramod Kumar. As news spread of the violence, political parties and leaders condemned the violence and traded charges. I am so shocked to know about the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police should immediately stop violence and restore peace, tweeted Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Foreign minister S Jaishankar and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, both alumni of the university, condemned the violence. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university, said Jaishankar. Sitharaman said the university she remembered was a place for fierce debates and opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today, she added. Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reached AIIMS late on Sunday night, and said students with broken limbs and head injuries told her that they had been hit by goons and police. There is something deeply sickening about a government that allows and encourages such violence to be inflicted on their own children, she tweeted. The Congress blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the violence. Brutality & beatings unleashed. No police anywhere, no JNU administration! Is this how Modi government seeks revenge against students & youth? asked Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala. But the BJP dismissed the allegation. This is a desperate attempt by forces of anarchy, who are determined to use students as cannon fodder, create unrest to shore up their shrinking political footprint, the party tweeted At different companies at different locations, bomb letters were found between the postal services in recent days. The Netherlands police now warns. The letters were delivered to a hotel and a gas station in Amsterdam, a brokerage firm in Utrecht and a gas station and car company in Rotterdam in the one week period. Nothing in the Northern Netherlands. The bomb letters did not cause any damage, because the explosives did not go off, but could have caused serious physical injury. Serious account is taken of the fact that there is one and the same sender. The criminal investigation department is investigating the case and the bomb letters are being investigated further by specialists from the Dutch Forensic Institute. The investigation also involves specialists from the Explosives Clearance Service Defense (EOD) and a Team Leader for Explosives Safety (TEV). These letters state the sender CIB, located at the Wilhelminakade in Rotterdam. A suspicious letter was also found at the CIB headquarters itself on Thursday 2 January, which is currently being investigated. The investigation by the criminal investigation has shown that this office has no further involvement in this case. On Friday, January 3, around 8.40 a.m. media received a report that there was probably a bomb letter in the mail room of a hotel on Ferdinand Bolstraat. The mail room staff had determined that this letter had the same characteristics as that of previously sent bomb letters, as was announced by the police on Thursday, January 2, 2020. 112 were immediately called as advised. Criminal Investigation, Forensic Investigation and Team Leader Explosives Security have launched an investigation on site and have the Explosives Clearance Service Defense come to the site to disable the explosive in the letter. The letter with content has been transferred to the Dutch Forensic Institute for further investigation for investigation by the criminal investigation department. The bomb letter that arrived at CIB yesterday turned out to be for a company in Maastricht, but did not arrive there. The letter was sent to the CIB in Rotterdam via a postal sorting center on the basis of the falsified sender data. This letter had sustained fire damage, but had not exploded. The police emphasize once again that the CIB in Rotterdam has no involvement whatsoever in this case. During a press conference held in Hanoi on January 4th following the meeting, PM Phuc said the meeting saw the presence of representatives from the two countries 40 ministries, agencies and localities. According to him, Vietnams total development assistance to Laos increased by nearly 19 percent last year while five works joint effort between the two nations, were inaugurated and put into operation. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith at the press conference in Hanoi on January 4th (Photo: VNA) Vietnam has invested over 5 billion USD in Laos. Two-way trade surpassed the target to 1.25 billion USD. Over 16,000 Lao students are studying in Vietnam while nearly 100 Vietnamese students are in Laos. The two PMs expressed delight at the effective and comprehensive development of bilateral ties over the past years. PM Phuc said both sides agreed to realise set agreements and deepen bilateral political, external, national defence security ties, towards achieving the growth of 10-15 percent in two-way trade in 2020. They will enhance connectivity between the two economies, including in transportation, energy, sustainable use and management of water resources and other natural resources. The two sides discussed building a 10-year cooperation strategy, particularly encouraging ministries, agencies, localities, businesses and people to expand ties and offer mutual support. Vietnam and Laos will work closely together at regional and global forums such as ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, among others, he said, adding that nine cooperation agreements in various areas were signed during the meeting. Nine cooperation agreements in areas were signed at the meeting, PM Phuc said, adding that the Vietnamese government will direct ministries, agencies, localities, businesses and units work closely with Lao partners, thus creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms to effectively do business in Laos. The Lao PM, for his part, said the meeting reflects Vietnams appreciation of cooperation with Laos to foster each sides socio-economic development. On the occasion, he asked the two countries ministries and agencies to effectively realise agreements reached by the two governments./. Doctor Who saw the return of one of its greatest villains with a sinister new facade, as The Master came back from the dead in a heart-stopping twist. And as the show continued its 12th series on Sunday, it seems that the character is back with a vengeance, as he chases The Doctor through time after joining forces with a light-like alien race. The episode also sets up one of the key plots that will run across the series, as its revealed that both The Doctor and The Master have been lied to throughout history in what has been dubbed The Lie Of The Timeless Child. Thrilling: Doctor Who saw the return of one of its greatest villains with a sinister new facade, as The Master returned to the show in a heart-stopping twist Picking up mere seconds after last weeks show left off, the Doctor has been trapped in a bizarre other world by The Master, while the TARDIS trio are still hurtling towards the ground in a crashing plane. In a cute nod to the now-iconic episode Blink, the Doctor sends a recorded message to the plane with instructions for Ryan on how to land the plane - using an app! (of course) Elsewhere the Doctor has met a bonnet-clad woman from times past, who describes one of the light creatures as her guardian and after offering her hand, the Time Lady is transported to a 19th Century technology exhibition. Fury: As the show continued its 12th series on Sunday, it seems that the character is back with a vengeance, as he chases The Doctor through time after joining forces with light-like aliens Meanwhile it seems The Master has been travelling in a TARDIS permanently stuck in the shape of a house that could have been plucked from The Wizard Of Oz, and is working with Barton on their sinister plot. Ryan, Yaz and Graham manage to escape the landed plane and go on the run, while back in 1834 - three years before Queen Victoria came to the throne - The Master comes face-to-face with The Doctor. But it seems hes not in control of the light creatures (called the Kasalvian) as he has no idea how she escaped the other realm, and before he has a chance to reveal news from home, the Lady In The Bonnet stops him with a grenade (even in Victorian times!) Problematic: Picking up mere seconds after last weeks show left off, the TARDIS trio are still hurtling towards the ground in a crashing plane Trapped? The Doctor has been trapped in a bizarre other world by The Master High-tech: In a cute nod to the now-iconic episode Blink, the Doctor sends a recorded message to the plane with instructions for Ryan on how to land the plane - using an app Its then revealed that the Lady is Ada Lovelace (then Gordon) one of the creators of the analytical engine, one of historys first ever computers, and she is working with Charles Babbage on their great invention. Elsewhere Ryan, Yaz and Graham have gone off the grid after Barton revealed he was tracking their phones, and end up in an abandoned building site before being pursued by an army of the Kasalvian. Luckily Graham admits that he pinched some of the spy technology, and proceeds to shoot away the aliens with his laser shoes. Old pal: Elsewhere the Doctor has met a bonnet-clad woman from times past, who describes one of the light creatures as her guardian' Back in the 19th Century, the Doctor realises that the creatures are studying moments in different time periods, and uses one of Babbages bizarre acquisitions called The Silver Lady to transport herself back to the modern day, with Ada at her side. But it only takes them halfway, and they end up in Paris in 1943, with The Master clearly following the pair as a menacing Nazi - and after running into an undercover British spy under the codename Madeline - and they team up to try and stop The Master. It may be a decade since they were last heard in a scene that devastated fans, but The Master is still tied to the dreaded four knocks, as The Doctor uses Madelines wireless machine to contact him and lure him to a meeting at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Teleportation: After offering her hand, the Time Lady is transported to a 19th Century technology exhibition The gripping meeting between the pair reveals The Master has cut a deal with the Kasalvian to destroy the human race, while he keeps his hands clean, and all to gain the Doctors attention. This version of the iconic villain seems more terrifying that have come before, and Sacha Dhawan has already made an impact in the iconic role. Back in 2020, Barton reveals that his seven per cent of non-human DNA comes from his decision to be tested for a worldwide experiment, and Lenny Henry proves he can nail a menacing villain who isnt afraid to kill his own mum. Confusion: It seems The Master is not in control of the light creatures (called the Kasalvian) as he has no idea how she escaped the other realm Tracking down The Masters TARDIS (still a house so difficult to miss) the Kasalvian are revealed to be tracking people down throughout history who are pivotal in the creation of computers. An eery scene follows as Barton begins a speech about the introduction/intrusion of cyber security, and he sends a message to every single device on the planet saying: Humanity is over you have 3 minutes to prepare. Barton says hes going to reformat the planet by ripping every element of data and DNA from their bodies and channelling it through The Silver Lady, while The Master arrives back in the 21st Century to see the end of his plan which comes to an unfortunate anticlimax. Revelations: Its then revealed that the Lady is Ada Lovelace (then Gordon) one of the creators of the analytical engine, one of historys first ever computers Having returned to the modern day, The Doctor explains she built a failsafe into Bartons machine to shut down if a mass of Kasalvian was detected, before replaying a recording of The Master promising to wipe out the race once his plan was complete, which as youd expect leaves the aliens infuriated. It seems that the villain gets his comeuppance (for now - it is only episode two and Barton wasnt caught either) as hes transported to the Other Realm, while The Doctor sets about putting in place instructions for Ryan to land the plane. With a laminator. She loves a laminator. Tense: They end up in Paris in 1943, with The Master following the pair as a menacing Nazi Bow tie gone, The Doctor reflects on The Masters request that she go home and take a look, and when she does, she is stunned to see the damage done to her home planet. Back in The TARDIS, she finds a message from The Master, who confesses he caused the damage to their home, and hints that their entire existence was based on The Lie Of The Timeless Child, and she needs to find out what it is. Safe from danger, Yaz, Ryan and Graham ask to finally know more about The Doctor, and she finally comes clean about her history, which is so ingrained in Who history its not worth repeating. The episode ends on a haunting note, strongly hinting that this Timeless child could be a plot point to run throughout the series. Doctor Who continues on Sunday at 7pm on BBC One. A handful of Sydney couples are among the first of thousands to access free genetic testing for more than 700 severe and deadly diseases they could potentially pass onto their children. The pilot phase of the Mackenzies Mission is underway. The landmark trial could pave the way for population-wide preconception carrier screening. Anna and Chris Pratt with their 18-month-old son Freddie. Credit:Dean Sewell The research team of geneticists, genetic counsellors, clinicians and lab scientists have begun guiding 20 to 40 couples through the process - a test-run for the full-scale trial. The project will ultimately recruit roughly 10,000 couples considering having a baby or in early pregnancy. Six Illinois Congress members are among more than 200 who have asked the Supreme Court to consider overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that established a womans right to an abortion. Most of the Illinois legislators were Republicans, with the exception of Congressman Dan Lipinski, who is a Democrat. Others signing a brief Thursday that urges justices to uphold a Louisiana law that severely restricts access to abortions were Illinois Republicans Michael Bost, Rodney Davis, Adam Kinzinger, Darin LaHood and John Shimkus. Roughly 80% of the Republicans in Congress 39 senators and 166 House members and one other centrist House Democrat signed the amicus, or friend of the court, brief in the case of June Medical Services LLC v. Gee. They also asked the justices to consider overturning another landmark abortion ruling in the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The court has exercised that judgment to overrule precedent in more than 230 cases throughout its history, the lawmakers wrote. 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. Planned Parenthood Illinois Action denounced the move. Weve seen 26 abortion bans pass in 2019 and were already seeing people having to cross state lines or wait long times just to access basic healthcare, said Brigid Leahy, senior director of public policy for the group. If the Supreme Court overturns or severely restricts access to abortion, it could pave the way for states to effectively ban abortion for over 25 million people of reproductive age. The court is expected to hear the June Medical case this spring, and a ruling is likely in June. At issue is a 2014 Louisiana law, passed but never enacted, that requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. Only one doctor in Louisiana has been able to meet the requirement, challengers of the law say, and they argue that its sole purpose is to make access to abortion more difficult. Proponents contend the law is needed to ensure the health and the safety of women seeking abortions. The case is certain to inject the divisive politics of abortion into the 2020 presidential race. President Donald 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 Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, both appointed by 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 Reps. 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 Sen. Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, did not sign. Nor did several Republicans facing challenging reelection contests in politically competitive states, including Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Martha McSally of Arizona. The two Democrats who signed, Reps. Collin Peterson of Minnesota and Lipinski, are both from the partys conservative wing. Peterson broke with Democrats last month in voting against impeaching Trump, and 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, 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. Democratic lawmakers have filed their own amicus brief calling for the Louisiana law to be struck down. Stephanie Schriock, the president of Emilys List, a group that works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights, assailed the Republican brief in a statement. Reproductive rights and the ability to make our own health care decisions are fundamental to the freedoms we have under the Constitution, she said. Unfortunately, this amicus brief proves that not only is the threat to those rights very real, but it is at a critical tipping point where the minority is ready to strip our freedom away against the majoritys wishes. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - In 2019, Arizona continued to strengthen collaboration, economic growth and trade with its neighbors in Mexico, especially Sonora. The Arizona-Mexico Commission, which works to improve the economic prosperity and quality of life for all Arizonans, in 2019 celebrated its 60th anniversary. Founded in 1959 by former Arizona Governor Paul Fannin, the commission established binational committees with Mexico to focus on issues like trade, tourism, health services and more. The commissions strong focus on collaboration and relationship-building has benefitted economic growth on both sides of the border and strengthened cross-border ties. Governor Ducey and the Arizona-Mexico Commission also advocated for ratification of the United State-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The House on December 19 passed the USMCA, which will strengthen trade between the U.S, Mexico and Canada. The agreement will go to the Senate, which is expected to ratify. Trade with Mexico and Canada supports more than 228,000 Arizona jobs and $20 billion in combined total trade for the two countries. The USMCA will increase the states trade opportunities with these international trade partners. At the 2019 Governors Luncheon in Phoenix last March, Mexican Ambassador to the United States Martha Barcena told attendees, I just want to close saying how much I appreciate the leadership of Governor Ducey with other governors, other colleagues. Without his leadership, other governors would not be so sympathetic to Mexico and to the USMCA. Tara Moss has shared a moving letter left by firefighters at her Blue Mountains, NSW property. The 46-year-old took to Instagram on Saturday to show her fans the note, which thanked her for allowing fire crew to access her bathroom and kitchen while they fought to defend her home. The model and author had left her doors unlocked and encouraged the crews to make use of her amenities and make themselves some coffee. 'It brought me to tears': Tara Moss (pictured) took to Instagram on Saturday to share a letter left by firefighters, thanking her for leaving her doors unlocked so they could use her bathroom and kitchen while protecting her home from bushfires They were clearly grateful, with the note reading: 'Thanks for such a well prepared property! Shipley RFB. PS Thanks for all the cuppas and amenities.' A second part of the note read: 'We have spent all afternoon at your house doing property protection. It was open so we let ourselves in to use the toilets and coffee. Thank you again.' 'If you want to contact me Captain **** [info blurred out for privacy]. We also filled your pumps with petrol just in case'. Part of the note read: 'We have spent all afternoon at your house doing property protection. It was open so we let ourselves in to use the toilets and coffee. Thank you again' Tara was so moved by the simple letter, writing in an Instagram caption: 'This note left at our home brought me to tears. One third of our property has been taken by this fire' She added: 'I am so grateful for all the work it took to protect it these past few days, and I am aware that others have not been so fortunate despite immense efforts in our area' Tara was so moved by the simple letter, writing in an Instagram caption: 'This note left at our home brought me to tears. 'One third of our property has been taken by this fire but our home (containing 99% of our possessions, but not our lives) is still standing. 'I am so grateful for all the work it took to protect it these past few days, and I am aware that others have not been so fortunate despite immense efforts in our area and many others across Australia. Tara also wrote: 'Thank you for your heroic efforts Shipley Rural Fire Brigade, you absolute champions' 'Thank you for your heroic efforts Shipley Rural Fire Brigade, you absolute champions.' She also added: 'We have signs out the front welcoming firies to our dam water, equipment and house. 'Support our firefighters and emergency and rescue services in whatever way you are able to. They are true heroes.' The model continued: 'Support our firefighters and emergency and rescue services in whatever way you are able to. They are true heroes' If you'd like to donate to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief, click here. To donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society appeal for bushfire victims, click here. For donations to Victoria's Country Fire Authority click here and here for the NSW Rural Fire Service. To donate to Foodbank click here and here for the World Wildlife Fund. Qantas passengers have described the terrifying moment the plane's cabin turned to back after the flight entered a thick fire cloud. The passengers were on a flight from Melbourne to Canberra when the plane entered the huge pyrocumulous cloud. Passenger Hua Tuo described the flight as the scariest she had ever been on. Terrified Qantas passengers have spoken about the moment their flight flew into a huge smoke cloud from the NSW and Victorian bushfires which turned the cabin orange (pictured) before turning pitch black 'The scariest flight that I've ever taken so far - flying from Melbourne to Canberra today,' she wrote to his Facebook page. 'We got hit by a smoke storm. It was orange outside of the window then suddenly it was black, and then the turbulence hit... I was jumping off my seat!' As passengers started to become scared and exceedingly uneasy Mr Hua said the pilots tried their best to keep them calm. 'We circled Canberra for a while and our captain assured us that we had enough to go back to Melbourne if we can't land. I was pretty sure at that point that I didn't want to stay another hour in flight,' crazy!' he wrote. 'We were supposed to land in Canberra around 6, I was very grateful when I got out of the plane at 7.30. Everyone thanked the pilots.' Another passenger, Matthew McIntyre, told ABC News the sky got increasingly darker as the plane approached the smoke cloud. The plane flew into a massive pyrocumulous cloud which is created from rising air from intense heat caused by wildfires or volcanic eruption, the fire produces strong upward moving air current carrying water vapor and ash What is a Pyrocumulous cloud? A pyrocumulus cloud forms from rising air that results from intense heating of the surface by phenomena such as wildfires or volcanic eruptions. The fires that generate these clouds can be man-made or natural. A big fire produces strong upward moving air currents that carry water vapor and ash upward. The water vapor can condense on the ash forming cloud drops. The vigorous upward motions produce these pyrocumulus clouds that look similar to thunderstorm clouds, which also form due to strong upward moving air. Source: The Weather Guys Advertisement 'It just got greyer and greyer, all of a sudden just pitch black, and that's when the plane sort of dropped,' he told the publication. 'One minute we were in daylight, the next, it was midnight.' He said he could hear people losing their calm and swearing while others were even 'vomiting'. It became so dark outside he said most people in the plane had no idea what was going on before the pilots were able to get onto the intercom. The pilots told passengers the cloud did not appear on the radar and they had done their best to navigate the plane after being caught in it. Qantas fleet safety captain Debbie Slade told the publication the pilots were able to react quickly when the plane entered the cloud and turbulence. 'The pilots ascended to a higher altitude before taking a different approach into Canberra, where the aircraft had a normal landing,' she said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Qantas for further comment. 2020. Wow. I have to admit, I was kind of hoping we would have flying cars by now, but it's kind of hard to shake a stick at the progress made in the past decade. Communications, transportation, healthcare, leisure, just about everything in our lives has been enhanced by the continued evolution of technology, and the pace doesnt appear to be slowing. From an investment point of view, 2020 will close one of the best decades in the modern history of finance, and many American families are enjoying a higher net worth today than ever before. It is clearly a remarkable time to be alive. The New Year however is not only a time to reflect on the year we are leaving behind, it is also a time to look forward to the road ahead. With the stock market near all time highs, it's hard to not be positive as we look forward. But 2020 will surely be different than 2019, the winds of change are blowing, and as we consider what comes next, there continue to be new risks on the horizon. The violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday evening led to an opposition attack and counter-attack by the BJP. While Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the attack reflects the fear of those in power, the BJP hit back by suggesting the opposition was fanning flames among the students for their own political resurrection. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Todays violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear, tweeted Rahul Gandhi. Rahuls comment came after videos of the attack, including one showing JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh bleeding and alleging she was brutally attacked by goons wearing masks, were circulated on social media. Also Watch l JNU violence: Masked men allegedly attack teachers & students inside campus CPI-M chief Sitharam Yechuri said the attacks were a ploy by the RSS/BJP. Masked attackers entered the JNU while law enforcers stood by. This video is what RSS/BJP want to convert India to. They will not be allowed to succeed, Sitaram Yechuri tweeted. Congress leader Chidambaram, too, held the government responsible. What we are seeing on live TV is shocking and horrifying. Masked men enter JNU hostels and attack students. What is the police doing? Where is the Police Commissioner? If it is happening on live TV, it is an act of impunity and can only happen with the support of the government. This is beyond belief, said Chidambaram. The Congress party described the developments as revenge on students by the Narendra Modi government. Students beaten up in #JNU. Teachers beaten up in #JNU. Goons vandalising womens hotel. Brutality & beatings unleashed. No Police anywhere, No JNU Administration! Is this how Modi Govt seeks revenge against students & youth? #SOSJNU, tweeted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. While opposition attacked the government, ABVP activists claimed the left-leaning students and their sympathisers from other universities were involved in the attack. A senior Delhi police officer, however, said the violence was started by rival groups of JNU students who were wearing masks. BJP was swift to respond to the opposition charge by claiming the violence was engineered by forces of anarchy determined to use students as cannon fodder to shore up their political fortunes. We strongly condemn the violence on JNU campus. This is a desperate attempt by forces of anarchy, who are determined to use students as cannon fodder, create unrest to shore up their shrinking political footprint. Universities should remain places of learning and education, said a tweet on BJPs official handle. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rued the fact that JNU, once the center of fierce debates and opinions, had become the center of violence. She said the government wanted the universities to be safe places. Horrifying images from JNU the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This govt, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students, said Sitharaman. Reports said home minister Amit Shah had spoken to Delhi police commissioner enquiring about the situation in JNU. ANSONIA The three officers involved in a deadly police shooting on Myrtle Avenue Thursday night were identified by Connecticut State Police Saturday. State police said those involved were Sgt. Christopher Flynn, Officer Brendon Nelson and Officer Wojciech Podgorski. Flynn has been with the Ansonia Police Department since April 11, 1990. Nelson joined the force on Dec. 21, 2012. And Podgorski has been with the department since Dec. 29, 2017. Despite identifying the three officers involved, there was no indication which officer fired the fatal shot or shots. Danbury States Attorney Steve Sedensky is overseeing the Western District Major Crime Squads investigation of the incident. On Friday, the chief medical examiner in Farmington confirmed the person shot dead was 30-year-old Ansonia resident Michael Gregory. Since the shooting, Connecticut State Police have collected police officer statements, witness statements and video evidence, according to an update from the agency Saturday. State police said additional information regarding this incident will be disseminated in the coming days. Ansonia Police Chief Andrew Cota III said in a statement that the incident began with a walk-in complaint at the police station at 7:35 p.m. Thursday. Cota said a woman reported that her boyfriend, who had become physically aggressive, was at the (Myrtle Avenue) residence in violation of a full no contact protective order. The chief said the order was issued on Nov. 18, 2019, after a domestic violence arrest two days prior. Officers responded to the home to speak with the man later identified as Gregory to take him into custody on violation of a protective order. During the course of the investigation, the police officers entered the home and were confronted by the unwanted male brandishing a knife, Cota said, adding that officers attempted to verbally de-escalate the situation and the male retreated further into the house. The officers continued to try to get Gregory to comply with orders to drop the knife, the chief said. But when Gregory refused, the officers used a Taser, which had no impact. The male (Gregory) then ran toward officers with the knife in hand, Cota said. Officers made every attempt to create distance between themselves and the unwanted male/subject. An officer on scene then discharged at least one round from his firearm, striking the male. After the gunfire, officers were able to disarm Gregory and rendered immediate medical assistance, Cota said. Gregory was transported to Griffin Hospital by Ansonia Rescue and Medical Service personnel, where he was later pronounced dead. Since Ansonia police have body-worn cameras, the chief said, that footage was turned over to the state police investigators. We trust that this shooting will be properly investigated and we will wait for a finding from the States Attorneys office, Cota said. She's the only daughter of acting royalty Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas. And the 62-year-old Working Girl actress spent some quality mother-daughter time with Stella Banderas on Saturday. Melanie donned a splash of color as she stepped out with her 23-year-old daughter for a shopping spree in Hollywood. Splash of color: Melanie Griffith donned a splash of color Saturday as she stepped out with their daughter Stella for a shopping spree in Hollywood The actress sported fuzzy tangerine teddy coat over a white crop top with slim faded jeans and tortoiseshell cat-eye sunglasses. Stella, meanwhile, rocked a mustard yellow denim jacket with high-waisted jeans and black Doc Martens. Stella recently accompanied her dad Antonio, 59, to the 23rd Annual Hollywood Film Awards, where he won the Hollywood Actor Award for his role in Pain and Glory. Former stepdaughter Dakota Johnson, 30, presented him with the award, paying tribute with a lovely speech. Cool mom: The 62-year-old sported fuzzy tangerine teddy coat over a white crop top with slim faded jeans and tortoiseshell cat-eye sunglasses Shopping spree: She was accompanied by Stella, 23, who rocked a mustard yellow denim jacket with high-waisted jeans and black Doc Martens She said: 'He loved my mother, and my siblings and I so big, and so fiercely and so loud, that it would change all of our lives together.' Antonio later told E! News at the Palm Springs International Film Festival: 'I thought and felt that all of those years. 'But I knew that it was a confirmation that all of those years that Melanie and I spent together, they were years that was not only just about Melanie and me, they were about the family. They were worth it all.' Melanie has managed to remain close friends with her ex-husband over the years. Both exes have gone on to gush about their friendship five years after getting divorced. Melanie and Antonio were married from 1996 to 2015, announcing they were divorcing 'in a loving and friendly manner.' She also shares daughter Dakota with ex-husband Don Johnson and son Alexander Bauer with ex Steven Bauer. UNI Chandigarh/UNI: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal KIhattar on Sunday condemned the incident of attack and stone-pelting on Sikh devotees at the historic Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan and said that protest would be organised, if required, against Pakistan so as to ensure that the minorities residing there were not oppressed in the name of religion and their rights are protected. Khattar was addressing the gathering after launching the Sampark Abhiyan in support of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Sector-10 at Panchkula. He said that the Parliament has recently passed Citizenship Amendment Act to provide citizenship of India to the minorities coming to India from neighboring countries that are being oppressed there in the name of religion. But few opposition parties are misguiding the people of the country by spreading false information without understanding the provisions of the Act. He said that it is being propagated among the Muslims that it is a law to take away the citizenship of the country from the Muslims, whereas in reality, it is to give citizenship. He exhorted the people to remain cautious and do not fall prey to these rumours and consider this Act as in the interest of humanity. He said that this is not a new Act as it has came into force in the year 1955 as per which minority communities like Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian who are oppressed in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the name of religion come to India to lead a respectable life. Earlier, it was mandatory for them to stay in India for 11 years to get citizenship of India but now Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has implemented a new provision as per which minorities who have come to India before 2014 could be given citizenship of India. He said that during Atal Bihari Vajpayees Government in which Lal Krishna Advani was the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh had himself said in the Lok Sabha that such people should be given citizenship as soon as possible. In Haryana, now decks have been cleared for giving them citizenship, he added. Manohar Lal Khattar said that a number 8866288662 has been started to register participation of people of Haryana in the Sampark Abhiyan in support of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at the Central Level. He said that people could give their consent in favour of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by giving missed call on this number. Earlier, the Chief Minister also visited the houses of prominent people in Sector-10 Panchkula as part of Sampark Abhiyan and garner support in favour of CAA. Notre Dame Cathedral Ceiling Not Saved Yet, Could Still Collapse The ceilings of the Notre Dame Cathedral are still at risk of collapsing following a fire months ago that destroyed the roof of the famed French church. A French general who is overseeing the reconstruction process said he cannot guarantee that the roof wont fall apart. The fire damaged Notre Dames lead roof and its spire. Notre Dame is not saved because there is an extremely important step ahead, which is to remove the scaffolding that had been built around the spire, Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin said, according to The Associated Press. The cathedral is still in a state of peril, he also said, reported The Guardian. Both outlets cited a local French news agency. The condition of the roof and vaults arent fully yet known, he was quoted by AP as saying. A soldier patrols at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. France is urging its European partners to move swiftly to boost intelligence sharing, fight arms trafficking and terror financing, and strengthen border security in the wake of the Paris attacks. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 16, 2019, in the aftermath of a fire that caused its spire to crash to the ground. (Stephanie de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images) To make sure, we need to inspect them, to remove the rubble that is still on them, its a very difficult work that we have started, Georgelin remarked. The scaffolding on Notre Dame should be removed by the middle of 2020, adding that restoration work should begin in 2021, according to AP. Last month, Notre Dames rector, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, told media outlets that there is a 50 percent chance that the landmarks scaffolding might fall onto the vaults. Today we can say there is maybe a 50 percent chance that it will be saved. There is also a 50 percent chance of the scaffolding falling on the three vaults, so as you can see the building is still very fragile, he said in November, reported The Guardian. Monseigneur Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris, said officials will have to remove 500 tons of scaffolding. We will have to encircle the scaffolding, then put a second scaffolding over it. From this new scaffolding, workers will descend by rope and cut it bit by bit into small pieces and this will take a long time, he said, adding that the vault would have to be examined carefully. We cannot take any risks we have to know which ones need replacing and which ones to keep only then will we know how much [the repairs] will cost and how long they will take, Aupetit stated. Potential Da Sen Holdings Group Limited (HKG:1580) shareholders may wish to note that insider Tseng Hon Wong recently bought HK$1.0m worth of stock, paying HK$0.51 for each share. While that's a very decent purchase to our minds, it was proportionally a bit modest, boosting their holding by just 1.1%. See our latest analysis for Da Sen Holdings Group The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Da Sen Holdings Group In fact, the recent purchase by insider Tseng Hon Wong was not their only acquisition of Da Sen Holdings Group shares this year. Earlier in the year, they paid HK$0.50 per share in a HK$10.0m purchase. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at around the current price of HK$0.51. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. While we always like to see insider buying, it's less meaningful if the purchases were made at much lower prices, as the opportunity they saw may have passed. The good news for Da Sen Holdings Group share holders is that insiders were buying at near the current price. Over the last year, we can see that insiders have bought 58.73m shares worth HK$29m. But they sold 20400000 for HK$10.0m. In the last twelve months there was more buying than selling by Da Sen Holdings Group insiders. You can see the insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! SEHK:1580 Recent Insider Trading, January 5th 2020 Da Sen Holdings Group is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Insider Ownership I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Da Sen Holdings Group insiders own about HK$270m worth of shares (which is 54% of the company). Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders. Story continues So What Do The Da Sen Holdings Group Insider Transactions Indicate? It is good to see the recent insider purchase. And the longer term insider transactions also give us confidence. Along with the high insider ownership, this analysis suggests that insiders are quite bullish about Da Sen Holdings Group. Nice! Along with insider transactions, I recommend checking if Da Sen Holdings Group is growing revenue. This free chart of historic revenue and earnings should make that easy. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. 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. By Jess Casey and Lorna Siggins New professorships created exclusively for women at 12 third level institutes will not discriminate against men, according to the Minister for State for Higher Education. In a bid to address the gender imbalance at a senior level across the sector, twenty new professorships specifically for women are to be in place by September. The extra posts, which are focused mainly in the STEM subjects, should help to combat any bias towards women that may take place during the interview process. That is according to Mary Mitchell OConnor, Minister for State for Higher Education. Women are being discriminated against. There's inequality, and women are not being promoted as academics to the highest level. The 20 new posts will be in addition to approximately 50 professorial appointments made every year, she added. For every 100 professors in our universities 76 are men," she told RTE. "So they're getting a great chance, you know. They definitely are reaching those [senior] levels but the women arent. Meanwhile, a leading gender equality expert has said radical tackling of management culture in Irish universities is required to secure equal access. University of Limerick (UL) emeritus professor of sociology Pat OConnor has welcomed the professorships as a necessary start, but says that fundamental action is required for a culture change. Prof OConnor, author of a number of studies on the issue and Higher Education Authority (HEA) expert group representative on the Governments taskforce, said she would prefer to see a clean-up of the management structure at third level. There is a cosy consensus across universities in relation to access by women to senior posts, her own research suggests. Women have, on average, a three times lesser chance than men of accessing a professorship, she found. Her research, published last month in the journal Irish Educational Studies, also shows that mens chance of a professorship, at 1:5, has varied very little since 2013, while womens chance has improved only marginally, from 1:16 to 1:15. This varies a great deal between universities, ranging from a chance of 1:9 to 1:31. Using a special methodology, 305 sites were identified near the border of Russia or Ukraine that could potentially be used as firing positions. There were also 518 recorded fields damaged from shelling.According to the authors, the Russians used howitzers 2A65 "Msta-B". In addition to howitzers, rocket-propulsion systems, including Grad, were also used. MLRS traces were found in 88 positions.A team of investigators claims that the specified number of shelling is the lowest threshold. There is no exact data."The Russian Armed Forces launched artillery bombardment from the territory of the Russian Federation no later than the beginning of July 2014. The frequency and scale of these attacks only increased until the signing of the Minsk Agreements in September 2014 ... The shelling across the border preceded the Russian offensive operations south of Ilovaysk and east of Mariupol, the report said.The main purpose of the investigation is to document the full scale of Russian artillery shelling of Ukrainian forces in the summer of 2014. According to investigators, the recorded shelling can be considered acts of aggression and open military action of Russia against Ukraine. In the 1940s and 1950s, the hunting guide L.S. Quackenbush lived in a cabin in remote Oxbow, Maine. He rented cabins to hunters, cut, stacked and split wood and used his daily walks to keep detailed notes on the spring arrivals of songbirds and the first appearances of flowers and tree leaves. His journals meticulously documenting the changing seasons grew and grew, eventually totaling more than 5,000 pages. Now they are filling gaps on how trees and migratory birds are responding to a changing climate in northern Maine, where historical data is sparse. A new paper by the University of Maine's Caitlin McDonough MacKenzie compares Quackenbush's journals to recent observations, and suggests bird arrivals may be lagging behind the earlier leaf-out and flowering induced by a warming climate. Flora appears to be more directly responsive to local warming, while migratory bird schedules are more complex. A growing body of research uses such historical observations to study seasonal timing and cyclical changes in the natural world, a field known as phenology. So Quackenbush is following in the boot steps of Henry David Thoreau, the proto-hippie philosopher whose detailed nature observations have opened windows into the historic climate near his beloved Walden Pond. In 2008, a pair of Boston University researchers used Thoreau's nature journals from the 1850s to calculate that plants in Concord, Massachusetts, were flowering a week earlier, on average. Others have analyzed Sand County Almanac author Aldo Leopold's Wisconsin journals. McDonough MacKenzie compared Quackenbush's observations on leaf-out and flowering of 10 species to temperature data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She found that the average date of leaf-out advanced 2.3 days for each degree Celsius increase in April temperature. This is different from southern New England, where another study found that leaf-out advanced 6.1 days per degree Celsius. It's good science from an unlikely source, but the oddest thing is the improbable twists that allowed these journals to fall from obscurity into McDonough MacKenzie's hands. "Honestly, they landed in my lap in the most incredible way," she said. The story started more than a decade ago, when College of the Atlantic lecturer Scott Swann was sorting through the papers of the late ornithologist Bill Drury. "Hidden in the eaves of the attic, I came across these three boxes of folders of Quackenbush, and I became fascinated," Swann said. "They are loose-leaf papers, they are the most absolutely unarchivable materials, so it's sort of a miracle that they have withstood the test of time." When Swann heard that Abe Miller-Rushing, science director for Acadia National Park, was looking for historical ecological information, he passed the boxes along. Miller-Rushing asked University of Maine graduate student Adam Derkacz to digitize the files. MacDonough McKenzie, then a PhD candidate in Richard Primack's lab at Boston University, was spending the summer at Acadia studying an 1894 account of the flora of Mount Desert Island. Her desk in the archival lab was near Derkacz's. When they went on long runs together, Derkacz mentioned the tedium of scanning the thousands of pages. But he also noticed the value of the meticulous notes. Miller-Rushing then encouraged McDonough MacKenzie to study the journals. "I started looking through it, and it was just amazing," she said. "A treasure trove." In his later years, Quackenbush had even compiled years of observations into easy-to-read tables. As it happens, Miller-Rushing and Primack were the researchers who published on Thoreau and phenology in 2008. They are co-authors on the recent paper, which also compares Thoreau's observations with those of Quackenbush. It appears that dates of first flowering advanced more in warm years in Thoreau's Massachusetts than in Quackenbush's Maine. McDonough MacKenzie also compared Quackenbush's dates of first arrivals of eight species of migratory birds to 20 years of recent observations in the region by Bill Sheehan, an avid birder. The analysis showed that birds were arriving earlier, but April temperatures had little influence on bird arrivals. Their methods were different. Quackenbush birded mostly in Oxbow, while Sheehan traveled around northern Maine looking for early arrivals. And although April temperatures were not significantly different in the two time periods, McDonough MacKenzie said, it is possible to draw some general conclusions from the observations. "We can see very clearly that leaf-out and flowering are correlated to April temperatures, but migratory bird arrivals are not," McDonough MacKenzie said. "That's where we have this potential mismatch. Adding in more data today will help us figure out if this is an ongoing trend." Miller-Rushing said the journals fill out another piece of the climate puzzle. "We feel really safe to say that Quackenbush's observations add to the story that flowering times and tree leaf-out times and bird migration times are all changing," Miller-Rushing said. "And it's suggestive that they might be changing a little differently in northern Maine than they are in other areas." Miller-Rushing said he would like to find more data sets, to test this hypothesis. This may soon become easier, as a growing number of amateur naturalists are posting their observations online. Theresa Crimmins, the associate director of the USA National Phenology Network, said the network's Nature's Notebook has more than 3,400 active observers. She is pleased that nontraditional data sets such as the Quackenbush journals are coming to light. "This can help us have a window into the past," Crimmins said, "and help us put what we're documenting right now into some historical context." But Crimmins said a standardized online system makes using the data "infinitely more feasible" than using entries from nature journals. Some wonder whether we're losing something along the way. Sheehan, the birder who contributed observations to the paper, has been birding in northern Maine's Aroostook County and taking good notes since 1992. But he has recently transitioned from notebooks to the online database eBird. "These databases are a little too specific. I like the roaming thoughts of Mr. Quackenbush," he said. "He has a lot of little editorial observations that I think are important." "There are so few amateur naturalists. Too many people think it's something they can't do," said Sheehan. "You don't know what you're mailing ahead to another generation by taking good notes." (Bloomberg) -- Would you give up Facebook for one month in exchange for $50? The question, posed by MITs Erik Brynjolfsson and four co-authors of a new paper, may help economists get a better measure of the extent to which new, free technologies are reshaping the economy and our lives. The answer, unsurprisingly, is a lot. They estimate that the social network by itself could add as much as 0.11 percentage points annually to U.S. gross domestic product if measured by its benefit to users. The paper was presented Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Economic Association in San Diego. The paper gets at a broader question facing economists: How much is technology improving our lives? Traditionally, theyve addressed that question by asking how much richer various innovations have made us. Thus the answer would show up in GDP, an imperfect but reasonable measure of aggregate welfare. That task gets harder, however, when the technologies transforming society are free, at least in dollar terms, though the authors also nod to the idea that free goods and services can come at an implicit price. After all, if Facebook, Twitter, GPS map services and a host of other apps on your smart phone come at zero cost, then they wont show up in GDP, nor in traditional measures of productivity -- even if they improve our lives and make us more productive. To solve this, Brynjolfsson and his co-authors first conducted a set of experiments and surveys aimed at teasing out the monetary value people assign to certain free goods and services. This allows them to construct an alternative to GDP, which they call GDP-B, based not on actual costs but on perceived benefits. Among a representative sample of U.S. internet users, they found the median price of giving up Facebook for a month was $42.17. Among a separate group of test subjects in the Netherlands, asked about a handful of free internet-based services, the group assigned the highest value to WhatsApp, owned by Facebook Inc., at a staggering 535.73 euros ($598) for just one months abstinence. Facebook was next highest at around 100 euros. Twitter, used by just a third of the group, was valued at less than 1 euro. Story continues GDP-B and the related metrics proposed in this paper enable a more thorough exploration of the impacts of new and free goods on welfare, with significant potential policy implications, the authors concluded. For starters, they said, the implied adjustments to GDP may go some way to explaining the much documented and debated productivity growth slowdown experienced by industrialized countries since 2004. To contact the reporter on this story: Christopher Condon in Washington at ccondon4@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alister Bull at abull7@bloomberg.net, Ros Krasny For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Congress and the Trump administration are to be commended for their end-of-the-year teamwork to pass a historic public health measure raising the purchase age for tobacco and e-cigarettes from 18 to 21. Future generations will lead longer, healthier lives because the political fortitude existed to make this overdue policy change. Health advocates have long worked at local, state and national levels with varying degrees of success to raise the purchase age. Powerful special interests, from the tobacco industry to retailers, have historically battled the measure, which makes the age change and the relative lack of controversy over it so remarkable. Raising the age will make it more difficult for young people, particularly teens, from getting cigarettes from slightly older friends or from buying cigarettes at retailers with lax compliance policies. In turn, this will prevent them from beginning a lifetime of addiction to products that put them at a higher risk of cancer, heart disease and asthma, among other conditions. Research also suggests that nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco products, can harm still-maturing adolescent brains, impacting cognitive development or raising the risk of psychiatric disorders later in life. The tobacco industry has long known that over 80% of adult smokers begin smoking before the age of 18 and the majority of them before age 16, said Dr. Richard Hurt, a retired Mayo Clinic tobacco cessation expert. If a person makes it to 21 without becoming a daily smoker, the odds are slim that the person will ever become a daily smoker. When the federal age change first gained momentum last summer, there were concerns that the tobacco industry would insert language to weaken the ban or restrict future regulations. But the measure looks to be refreshingly free of industry-friendly loopholes. Theres some confusion about when the higher age requirement starts. The Food and Drug Administration has taken an admirably hard line on this. A spokeswoman told an editorial writer this week that the change went into effect when President Donald Trump signed the law on Dec. 20. It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product including cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes to anyone under 21, she said. There could be some lag time in enforcement and as the agencys rule-making process catches up, but stores shouldnt wait to comply. ClearWay Minnesota, a nonprofit whose mission is to reduce tobacco use, also smartly urges Minnesota legislators to pass Tobacco 21 legislation in the coming session to align state laws with the federal regulations and update compliance checks to include 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds. Legislators also have the opportunity to strengthen the Trump administrations new and disappointingly weak e-cigarette flavor ban. In September, after an outbreak of serious vaping-related hospitalizations, Trump vowed to take rapid action to ban e-cig flavors. On Thursday, the administration announced a partial crackdown. Pre-filled candy- and fruit-flavored cartridges for Juul and similar devices are prohibited, but tobacco and menthol pods can still be sold. Specialty vape shops with open tank systems that allow users to customize e-cig flavors can also still sell candy or fruit flavors. If the intent was to deter young e-cig users, this policy has serious flaws. Mint is a popular vape cartridge flavor, and e-cig users can get the same cool sensation by switching over to menthol. Young users may also seek out sweet flavors in vape stores. Legislators should remedy these flaws in 2020 with a forceful statewide ban on all flavored tobacco products. The federal momentum is welcome, but theres still work to be done. Star Tribune, Minneapolis Its like they say: The pioneers take the arrows. Julian Castro is but the latest example. This week, my friend of nearly two decades who most pundits agreed won the first Democratic debate in June but failed to meet the threshold for recent debates on Thursday abruptly ended his nearly yearlong presidential bid, which was always plagued by a poor showing in the polls. Ah, yes, the polls. Castro hit home runs on multiple fronts: giving voice to the downtrodden, marginalized and forgotten; advancing thorny issues like police violence and whether early-voting states should better reflect Americas diversity; and prodding fellow Democrats to be braver in taking positions on such issues as decriminalizing unauthorized border crossings. But Castro struck out in the polls. Before exiting the race, he was polling at 1 percent. As part of the media, I blame the media. The demise of Castros White House bid isnt just a sad statement about the unwillingness of allegedly progressive white voters in early-voting states to get behind the most progressive candidate in the race. It isnt just an indictment against the Democratic National Committee, which is getting what it seems to have wanted the simplicity of a narrow field of choices bereft of the racial or ethnic diversity that could scare off skittish white voters in Rust Belt states. Its also a poor reflection on the Fourth Estate and how we manipulate presidential races. Media neglect leads to low poll numbers, which hurts fundraising. Then the media cites a lack of money as an excuse to write you off. Its a vicious circle. But who gets polled? Is it mostly people in homogenous states like Iowa (85 percent white) and New Hampshire (90 percent white)? When someone actually bothered to ask Latinos who they supported, Castro did well. In April, a national poll of Latino voters by the polling firm Latino Decisions put Castro in fourth place in what was then still a crowded field. Castro trailed only Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and the liberal white medias official Latino stand-in Robert Francis Beto ORourke, who we were often reminded speaks better Spanish than the former secretary of housing and urban development. Castros lack of Spanish fluency, which seemed to interest white reporters more than it did Latino voters, was just one of the arrows that Castro took. It didnt draw blood. News flash: 80 percent of U.S. Latinos speak English. What ultimately felled Castro were the arrows of neglect, disregard and indifference. He wasnt attacked by the media, the Democratic Party and white Democrats who live in early voting states. Worse, he was ignored by them. Why? Because they didnt have the foggiest idea where to put him, or what to do with him, or where he fit in the national tapestry. As Mexican Americans, Castro and I come from a tribe that makes up the majority of Latinos but which remains concentrated in the Southwest far away from the media capitals of New York and Washington. Among the confused were baby boomers, many of whom believe they are the most enlightened people in the world. Too bad their worldview is outdated. They think that because they were part of the March on Washington or rode with the Freedom Riders, theyre experts on race and diversity. But theyre trapped in a black-and-white paradigm. Talk to them about Latinos, who now outnumber African Americans in the United States, and their heads explode. They just dont have the bandwidth to go through that seminar again. My favorite politician of all time, Robert F. Kennedy, had it right. On June 6, 1966 almost exactly two years before he was assassinated he delivered the speech of his life, at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. In it, Kennedy quoted Niccolo Machiavelli, the famous Italian philosopher, who wrote in his seminal book, The Prince: It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Its easy to do what I do, sit in the stands and throw darts. My friend climbed into the arena. He led the way in introducing a new order of things, which is always difficult and perilous and uncertain. Yet, he held on to his dignity. Bravo, Julian and gracias. You made history. You made our people proud. And no matter what anyone says, you made a difference. ruben@rubennavarrette.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 21:26:18|Editor: zh Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least four illegal immigrants were killed on Sunday when an inflatable boat carrying them hit a Turkish coast guard control boat on the western coast of Turkey. The incident occurred in the Aegean Sea near the Dikili district in the province of Izmir early in the morning, the coast guard said in a statement posted on its website. Following the crash, the coast guard rescued 51 illegal immigrants and rushed 18 of them to hospitals nearby, the statement said. The search and rescue operation was continuing to find one missing person, added the statement. The Aegean Sea is a favorite route for illegal immigrants trying to sneak into Europe via Turkey, despite Turkish efforts to curb the flow of illegal immigration under a deal signed with the European Union in March 2016. A total of 60,544 illegal immigrants attempted to reach Greece via Turkey last year, up from 25,398 in 2018, according to figures released by the Turkish coast guard. At least eight illegal immigrants died on Friday after an inflatable boat carrying 15 migrants sank in the Aegean near the Fethiye district in Turkey's southwestern province of Mugla. Iraq said Sunday it had submitted complaints to the United Nations Security Council over US strikes on Iraq that killed an Iranian general, an Iraqi commander and other local forces. The foreign ministry said it had submitted two letters to the UN and asked the Security Council to condemn the "assassination" of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike on Baghdad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [January 05, 2020] Fuji Xerox to End Technology Agreement with Xerox Corporation on Scheduled Expiration Date Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. has come to a decision to end the Technology Agreement with Xerox Corporation on the agreement's expiration date, March 31, 2021, and notified Xerox Corporation of its decision. The Technology Agreement provides for technology/brand licenses and sales territories applicable to each company. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200105005090/en/ Fuji Xerox and Xerox Corporation have benefitted from the shared use of technologies each company independently developed. Today, however, thanks to improvements in the speed and level of Fuji Xerox's product development, Fuji Xerox develops, manufactures and delivers its original products to Xerox Corporation based on Fuji Xerox's unique technologies. As such, Fuji Xerox will continue to provide Xerox products based on Fuji Xerox technologies after the Technology Agreement with Xerox Corporation ends. Further, under the Technology Agreement, which provided the sales territories for each company, Fuji Xerox has been engaged in sales activities in the Asia-Pacific region with the "Fuji Xerox" brand whereas Xerox Corporation has been engaged in sales with the "Xerox" brand in the other regions. The decision to end the Technology Agreement will result inthe removal of such sales territory restrictions from April 2021, paving the way for Fuji Xerox to expand its business worldwide under a new original brand. Pursuant to the expiration of the Technology Agreement, Fuji Xerox will change its company name to "FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp." as of April 1, 2021. It will also swiftly work to strengthen its document and adjacent businesses, and expand into new business areas. Fuji Xerox aims to foster innovation with the other companies in the Fujifilm Group by accelerating the market introduction of solutions and services that build on technologies related to the cloud, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. "Fuji Xerox is now strongly positioned to conduct businesses dynamically and with more liberty in a truly global manner," said Kouichi Tamai, president and representative director of Fuji Xerox. "Today's announcement of ending the Technology Agreement with Xerox Corporation opens doors for Fuji Xerox to, after April 2021, utilize our own technologies and synergize with technologies owned by other Fujifilm Group companies to produce/market products and solutions under our own new brand worldwide. Additionally, becoming a wholly owned company of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation as announced in November enables us to make business decisions more efficiently regarding investing in new businesses, building alliances, and pursuing acquisitions with a worldwide perspective. These new exciting steps are for all our customers - both our current customers in the Asia-Pacific region as well as our future customers in the US/EU region. By continuously developing innovative products and solutions that improve efficiency, we will help them resolve their business challenges." The product supply agreement with Xerox Corporation will continue to be effective despite the expiration of the Technology Agreement, and Fuji Xerox and Xerox Corporation will continue to act as each other's product supplier. Background on Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. is a Fujifilm Group company, established in Japan in 1962. Since its beginning with copiers, Fuji Xerox has revolutionized office work and continues to provide solutions that increase work productivity. The company has now grown into a U.S. 10 billion dollar enterprise and became a wholly owned subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation on November 8, 2019. http://www.fujixerox.com Xerox, Xerox and Design, as well as Fuji Xerox and Design are registered trademarks or trademarks of Xerox Corporation in Japan and/or other countries. The services and product names specified in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200105005090/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Slamming the mob attack on Nankana Sahib gurdwara and the killing of a Sikh man in Pakistan, Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Sunday said these incidents showed the extent of persecution of minorities there, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take this up with his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan. She tweeted, A day after mob attacked our holy shrine #GurdwaraNankanaSahib, this brutal murder of Sikh youth in Peshawar shows the extent of persecution minorities face in Pak. I urge PM @narendramodi ji to imm take up the issue with @ImranKhanPTI & ensure the safety of Sikh brethren there(sic). While demanding from Pakistani government protection of Sikhs, Hindus and their places of worship, senior BJP leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina said India must welcome the families who were living in fear in Pakistan. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president, Sukhbir Singh Badal, also condemned the Peshawar killing and expressed grave concern over the rising incidents of religious persecution of Sikhs and other minorities in the neighbouring country. Rising attacks on religious places as well Sikhs and other minorities in Pakistan are the direct outcome of the anti-minority policies of its government, he said. Badal said it was because of such policies that Islamic fundamentalists had become a law unto themselves and were persecuting minorities and indulging in forced conversions. Ask Pak govt for strict punishment to culprits: SGPC to MEA Condemning the killing of Sikh youth in Pakistans Peshawar, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Sunday urged ministry of external affairs (MEA) to approach Pakistan government to ensure strict punishment to the culprits. SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said back to back attack on Sikhs and their place of worship in Pakistan has put question mark on the safety of community there. The fresh incident is very unfortunate. Culprits should be given exemplary punishment, SGPC chief said in a statement issued here. These incidents are result of negligence of Pakistan government towards the plight of minorities. If it continues to happen, minority communities will lose faith in Pakistan government. It is duty of Pakistan to ensure safety of its minorities, said Longowal sending condolence to the family of the deceased. Imran lenient towards Islamic hardliners: Sirsa Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjinder Singh Sirsa, condemning the brutal killing of Sikh youth, said, The Sikhs were already in shock after the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. But yet they saw another attack in which a youth was shot dead, he said in a tweet. It is a clear case of target killing. Sikhs and other minorities are attacked in Pakistan because Prime Minister Imran Khan is lenient towards the Islamic hardliners, he added. Hospital officials in Hong Kong raised their alert level to "serious" on Saturday as a mystery viral pneumonia outbreak in mainland China continued to spread. The infection was first reported on December 31 in Wuhan, a central Chinese city with a population of over 11 million -- leading to online speculation about a resurgence of the flu-like SARS virus that killed hundreds of people in 2002-2003. The number of reported cases has now risen from 27 to 44, with 11 people listed in serious condition, according to China's public health watchdog. The outbreak sparked fears in Hong Kong when a woman who travelled to Wuhan during the Christmas holiday was admitted to hospital on Thursday for treatment of respiratory infections. By mid-day Saturday, Hong Kong's Hospital Authority had reported a total of eight cases to the city's health department. Three are being treated under isolation conditions in a public hospital, while the other five have been discharged. Officials in the international financial hub also implemented enhanced monitoring and infection control in public hospitals and clinics. In mainland China, authorities reported that the major cluster of recent infections have centered around a wet market in Wuhan where wild animals were sold. They were still in the process of identifying the cause, but have determined that common respiratory diseases such as influenza, bird flu and adenovirus infection are not to blame. So far, Chinese officials say there has been no human-to-human transmission, but Ho Pak-leung, director of the University of Hong Kong's Centre for Infection, advised the city to brace for that possibility. "Preventive measures should be as stringent as possible," Ho told Hong Kong's public broadcaster RTHK, urging the mainland government to provide real-time updates. Additional thermal imaging systems were put in place on Friday at Hong Kong's international airport to check the body temperature of travellers arriving from Wuhan. In Singapore, the health ministry also announced Friday that all travellers arriving from Wuhan would be subject to temperature checks. In 2002-2003, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome killed hundreds of people around the world, with most of the fatalities registered in China and Hong Kong. Hong Kong has stepped up monitoring and infection controls in its hospitals as a mystery viral pneumonia outbreak spreads in mainland China Your browser does not support the audio element. Phu Cat Airport in the south-central Vietnamese province of Binh Dinh on Saturday welcomed 144 Korean passengers on a Bamboo Airways flight departed from South Korea, marking the commencement of the airports international air service. Flight QH9457 departed from Cheongju International Airport in the namesake city at 9:10 am local time on Saturday and landed at Phu Bai Airport at 12:00 pm on the same day, according to Vietnamese news site Zing. Bamboo Airways said it would operate eight direct flights between Binh Dinh and Cheongju in January. Ho Quoc Dung, chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, was quoted by the Vietnam News Agency as saying the operation of the international route brings a good opportunity for Binh Dinh to connect with the world, thus luring more foreign tourists and investors to the province. The T2 terminal of Phu Cat Airport is capable of receiving 600,000 international passengers a year, he said. Bamboo Airways hopes to contribute to developing the transport network in Binh Dinh and the south-central region of Vietnam towards offering high-quality air services to customers with its strategy to increase domestic and international flights through Phu Cat Airport, the airline's Deputy General Director Truong Phuong Thanh was quoted by the state media as saying. The direct route between Phu Cat and Cheongju airports is the fourth one between Vietnam and South Korea operated by Bamboo Airways. Other routes are between Incheon and the Vietnamese cities of Hanoi, Da Nang and Cam Ranh. As well as being a commercial airport, Phu Cat is also used by the Vietnamese People's Air Force. It has served as the hub of Bamboo Airways since the airline's launch in January 2019. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! February 28, 1941December 29, 2019 Jerry William Hafer, 78, of Twin Falls, passed away on Dec. 29, 2019, with his daughter by his side. Born in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Feb. 28, 1941, to Marion Scott and Annie Lorena Irene Hafer, and 5 minutes after his twin sister and best friend, Jane Lucille. Jerry lived in the Twin Falls area through second grade then transferred to Jerome after his family purchased an 80-acre farm south of town. He attended Canyonside Country School 3rd through 6th grade and then Jerome Junior High, 7th through 9th. HIs parents then sold the farm and relocated back to Twin Falls where he attended and graduated from Twin Falls High School. During his High School years he spent the summers and Saturdays working with his father and two brothers, Bud and Ted, doing construction and carpentry. This is when he learned the basics of building. Jerry continued down this path for over 50 years but only as a second profession. He joined the Twin Falls Fire Department in 1967, where he dedicated 25 years of his life to service. He worked his way up the ladder and retired as Battalion Chief in 1992 at the age of 51. His strong work ethic and desire to do for others was unparalleled. He was an incredibly kind and giving man but also had a bit of a stubborn side. There was the right way, the wrong way and the Hafer way. It was during his high school years that he became interested in cars. He would use the money earned from working with the Hafer men to purchase 3 different cars in a span of three years. A 1948 Ford 2-door coup, a 1951 Ford 2-door coup and a 1952 Mercury hard top. The love for cars continued throughout his life as he purchased and restored countless beauties with his favorite being a 1955 Chevy Belair. This classic treasure was gifted to his grandson, Jordan, with whom he had immense love for and shared an incredible bond. Jerry is survived by his children, Eric Douglas Hafer of Salt Lake City, UT, and Jan Camille Hafer of Ketchum, Idaho. His stepchildren, Kim Kincaid of Boise, Idaho and Brandon Markham (Jacci) of Nampa, Idaho. One grandson, Jordan Mayle of Hailey Idaho and five step grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters, Mary Russell of Salt Lake City, Utah and Marjorie Jensen of Buhl, Idaho and countless nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bud Hafer and Ted Hafer, three sisters, Betty Reinke, Virginia Thaemert, twin sister Jane Canfield and his son, Shawn LaMar Hafer. A celebration of Jerrys life will be at noon Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 at Twin Falls Reformed Church1631 Grandview Drive North. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. A gathering for family and friends will be held on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 at Rosenau Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given in his name to Hospice and Palliative Care of Wood River Valley, who played an intricate roll in his final months. PO Box 4320, Ketchum, ID 83340. www.hpcwrv.orgOr to the Alzheimers Association of Idaho or to Act. ALZ.org Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories at www.rosenaufuneralhome.com 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 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 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. In recent years, however, climate scientists have tried to cut through this confusion by engaging in extreme event attribution, which focuses on probabilities: You cant necessarily say that climate change caused a particular heat wave, but you can ask how much difference global warming made to the probability of that heat wave happening. And the answer, typically, is a lot: Climate change makes the kinds of extreme weather events weve been seeing much more likely. And while theres a lot of randomness in weather outcomes, that randomness actually makes climate change much more damaging in its early stages than most people realize. On our current trajectory, Florida as a whole will eventually be swallowed by the sea, but long before that happens, rising sea levels will make catastrophic storm surges commonplace. Much of India will eventually become uninhabitable, but killing heat waves and droughts will take a deadly toll well before that point is reached. Put it this way: While it will take generations for the full consequences of climate change to play out, there will be many localized, temporary disasters along the way. Apocalypse will become the new normal and thats happening right in front of our eyes. The big question is whether the proliferation of climate-related disasters will finally be enough to break though the opposition to action. There are some hopeful signs. One is that the news media has become much more willing to talk about the role of climate change in weather events. Not long ago it was all too common to read articles about heat waves, floods and droughts that seemed to go to great lengths to avoid mentioning climate change. My sense is that reporters and editors have finally gotten over that block. The public also seems to be paying attention, with concern about climate change growing substantially over the past few years. The bad news is that growing climate awareness is mainly taking place among Democrats; the Republican base is largely unmoved. And the anti-environmental extremism of conservative politicians has, if anything, become even more intense as their position has become intellectually untenable. The right used to pretend there was a serious scientific dispute about the reality of global warming and its sources. Now Republicans, and the Trump administration in particular, have simply become hostile to science in general. Furthermore, this isnt just a U.S. problem. Even as Australia burns, its current government is reaffirming its commitment to coal and threatening to make boycotts of environmentally destructive businesses a crime. The sick irony of the current situation is that anti-environmentalism is getting more extreme precisely at the moment when the prospects for decisive action should be better than ever. On one side, the dangers of climate change are no longer predictions about the future: We can see the damage now, although its only a small taste of the horrors that lie ahead. On the other side, drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions now look remarkably easy to achieve, at least from an economic point of view. In particular, there has been so much technological progress in alternative energy. So will environmental policy play a role in the 2020 campaign? Most Democrats seem disinclined to make it a major issue, and I understand why: Historically, the threat posed by right-wing environmental policy seemed abstract, distant and hard to run on compared with, say, Republican attempts to dismantle Obamacare. But the wave of climate-related catastrophes may be changing the political calculus. The truth is that Trumps environmental policy is the worst thing hes doing to America and the world. And voters should know that. @paulkrugman Trump says Soleimani killing 'to stop war' as Iran tensions soar Global Times Source:CGTN Published: 2020/1/4 16:31:48 US President Donald Trump on Friday insisted he was not seeking war with Iran, as Washington deployed additional troops to the Middle East in the wake of the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Iraq. As Tehran promised "severe revenge" for the killing by US forces, Trump said he approved the strike on Soleimani because the Iranian "was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel." Reports of a fresh air strike emerged on Saturday meanwhile, with Reuters citing an Iraqi army source as saying six people were killed and three others critically injured when an Iraqi militia convoy was hit north of Baghdad. Sixty-two-year-old Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, was killed by a missile fired from a US drone when he was near Baghdad's international airport, according to US officials. Five Revolutionary Guards were also killed, along with five members of a pro-Iranian paramilitary force in Iraq, the Hashed al-Shaabi. China and other countries have appealed for restraint to be exercised in the wake of the killing. How many US troops are being deployed? Trump, who has repeatedly claimed to be pulling US troops out of conflict zones, on Friday sent more soldiers to the Middle East. A Pentagon official said 3,000 to 3,500 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division's Global Response Force, which had already had sent hundreds of reinforcements earlier this week after protests at the US embassy in Baghdad, will go to Kuwait. Some 14,000 other troops have already been deployed as reinforcements to the Middle East this year, and the US already had around 60,000 military personnel in the region. What has Trump said? Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, said 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," Trump said, without providing evidence for the claim. Soleimani "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 on Friday. "He should have been taken out many years ago!" National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien told reporters the intelligence that he said indicated the Iranian general was planning attacks against US citizens was "extraordinarily sensitive." Trump, who has adopted a hardline approach to Iran since taking office, attempted to lower tensions by insisting that he does not want war. "We did not take action to start a war," he said, adding: "We do not seek regime change." How has Iran reacted? Iran reacted with fury to the death of Soleimani, often referred to as the country's second most important leader. On Friday, Tehran told the United Nations Security Council that it reserves its right to self-defense under international law after the killing. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to avenge Soleimani's death. "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," he said in a statement. Earlier, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif described the killing as "an act of international terrorism." Tens of thousands of protesters in Tehran torched US flags and chanted "death to America" following the Soleimani's death. What has the global response been? Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi called the strike a "flagrant violation" of a security accord with the US, warning it would "spark a devastating war in Iraq." Paramilitary figures in Iraq called on their fighters to "be ready," while leading Hashed member Hadi al-Ameri urged Iraqi lawmakers there "to oust foreign troops." United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed deep concerned over the rise in tensions in the Middle East, his spokesman said. "The Secretary-General has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf. He is deeply concerned with the recent escalation,"said Farhan Haq. "This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf." China's foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Friday the country consistently opposes the use of force in international relations, adding that peace and stability in the Middle East must be upheld. China urges relevant sides, especially the US, to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that might escalate the situation, he added. Differences should be resolved through dialogue and consultation, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said on Friday in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. European nations including France, Germany and the UK have urged Trump to deescalate tensions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Zealand will send its Defence Force personnel as well as three NH90 helicopters belonging to its Air Force to assist Australia in its efforts to fight the devastating bushfire raging across the country, New Zealand Defence Minister Ron Mark said on Sunday. In addition, two Army Combat Engineer Sections, as well as a command element, will also be sent to Australia to combat the natural calamity, Mark said in a statement. "This latest NZDF support is being provided in addition to the latest rotation of five NZDF Firefighters deployed to bolster numbers of emergency responders on the ground," the statement read. Fires have wreaked havoc in parts of Austalia for months and are unlikely to stop anytime soon, given that the country is still in the early months of summer and temperatures typically peak in January and February. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, both alumni of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, condemned the violence at the varsity on Sunday evening. The government wants universities to be safe for students, Sitharaman said. "Have seen pictures of what is happening in JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university," Jaishankar tweeted. "Horrifying images from JNU the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This govt, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students," Sitharaman tweeted. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours as masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police. JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh suffered a head injury. The JNU administration said "masked miscreants armed with sticks were roaming around, damaging property and attacking people". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia was not consulted by its ally Washington over a US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, an official said Sunday, as the kingdom sought to defuse soaring regional tensions. Saudi Arabia is vulnerable to possible Iranian reprisals after Tehran vowed "revenge" following the strike on Friday that killed powerful commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia was not consulted regarding the US strike," a Saudi official told AFP, requesting anonymity. "In light of the rapid developments, the kingdom stresses the importance of exercising restraint to guard against all acts that may lead to escalation, with severe consequences," the official added. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry made a similar call for restraint at the weekend and King Salman emphasised the need for measures to defuse tensions in a phone call on Saturday with Iraqi President Barham Saleh. In a separate phone call with Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed "the need to make efforts to calm the situation and de-escalate tensions", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. The crown prince has instructed Prince Khalid bin Salman, his younger brother and deputy defence minister, to travel to Washington and London in the next few days to urge restraint, the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported. Prince Khalid will meet White House and US defence officials, the paper said, citing unnamed sources. The killing of Soleimani, seen as the second most powerful man in Iran, is the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Washington and Tehran and has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump, who ordered the drone strike, has warned that Washington will hit Iran "very fast and very hard" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both allies of Washington, are also vulnerable to Iranian counter strikes, analysts say. A string of attacks blamed on Iran has caused anxiety in recent months as Riyadh and Washington deliberated over how to react. In particular, devastating strikes against Saudi oil installations last September led Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to adopt a more conciliatory approach aimed at avoiding confrontation with Tehran. Analysts warn that pro-Iran groups have the capacity to carry out attacks on US bases in Gulf states as well as against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz -- the strategic waterway that Tehran could close at will. "Expect Iranian reprisals (directly or through partner groups in Iraq, Lebanon or elsewhere) to target US partners in the region including Saudi Arabia," said Thomas Juneau, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa. "Given the climate in the US, where support for Saudi in the media and Congress is at an all time low, it will be difficult for Trump to commit significant resources to come to its aid." Yemen's pro-Iran Huthi rebels, locked in a five-year conflict with a Saudi-led military coalition, have also called for swift reprisals for Soleimani's killing. "The aggression... will not go without a response," said Huthi political council member Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti. "How the response is going to be, when and where will be determined by Iraq and Iran, and we will stand with them as a hub for the resistance." It was unclear if the Huthi warning was directed in part at Saudi Arabia, which has stepped up efforts to end Yemen's conflict amid a lull in Huthi attacks on the kingdom. Saudi Arabian military commanders recently met with counterparts from "friendly countries" to formulate a new strategy to tackle the Yemeni rebels, particularly those "opposing" a political solution, according to Asharq al-Awsat. Riyadh has said it will host a separate meeting of foreign ministers of Arab and African coastal states on Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HONG KONG (AP) Thousands of people marched through a Hong Kong border town on Sunday to oppose traders from mainland China. They rallied in Sheung Shui, which lies across the border from the mainland city of Shenzhen. For years, traders have bought goods from the district to sell at a markup in Shenzhen. The practice is called parallel trading" because it happens in a gray area alongside legal trade. Some black-clad protesters held up signs that read SARS, an apparent reference to a mysterious infectious disease that may have been brought to Hong Kong from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where at least 44 people have been infected. The outbreak has revived memories of the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic that began in southern China and killed more than 700 people. Police used tear gas on demonstrators who hurled petrol bombs at the Sheung Shui police station, authorities said. While the procession ended at 2:50 p.m., some demonstrators refused to disperse and remained in standoffs with riot police. About 100 protesters marched through a Sheung Shui mall last month, demanding that mainland Chinese traders leave the territory. Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese territory, has seen more than six months of anti-government demonstrations. ___ Associated Press photographer Andy Wong contributed to this report. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Protestors stormed Time Square Saturday afternoon to denounce the American killing of an Iranian general. More than 250 people gathered at the red ruby steps in front of the TKTS ticket booth, according to the Daily News. Demonstrators were chanting and held signs, calling out President Donald Trump, who confirmed he ordered the airstrike on Quassim Soleimani. President Trump defended his decision of the assassination, due to the background on Soleimani, who was plotting imminent attacks on Americans. Protestors claim the actions mean things will be escalating, and it is not something America needs. The US government's killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, the elite wing of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards, in an air strike is the latest and most dramatic development in the ongoing proxy conflict between the US and Iran, writes Luca Trenta. Much of that conflict has taken place on the territory of Iraq, including a recent attack on the US embassy compound. The Trump administration explicitly blamed this recent attack on Iran. In turn, Iranian authorities, including Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif, have accused the US of committing an act of international terrorism in killing Soleimani in what they was described as an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation. While it is too soon to say what the consequences of this latest US operation will be, the killing of the Iranian general certainly signals an escalation in the US policy of assassination and targeted killing. It also establishes a dangerous precedent for international politics. In a statement, the Department of Defense justified the drone strike by saying Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It emphasised that the Quds Force is designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US government. It also stressed that the attack was justified to protect US personnel abroad and to deter future attacks. from the Pentagon: 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...General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members... pic.twitter.com/99VAt2l5Jq Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 3, 2020 But Soleimani was also, clearly, a foreign official. It is also not evident that he posed an imminent threat to US nationals. No details are given on this concern. These two points the type of target killed and the nature of the threat have traditionally been crucial elements in any decision by the US government to undertake a targeted killing or pre-emptive strikes. Justifying attack: from Reagan to Obama Since the mid-1970s, an executive order has prohibited US government agencies from engaging in assassination. However, while upholding the ban on assassination, the Ronald Reagan administration worked to create the legal and political space it needed to kill terrorists when it saw fit. Legal opinions from the CIA and the Pentagon at the time suggested using force in counter-terrorism was a different matter altogether and so fell outside the remit of the ban on assassination. A key element of the Reagan administrations justification, as made clear in National Security Decision Directive 138, was that these measures were pre-emptive and were taken in self-defence, against targets that posed an imminent threat to US interests and personnel. In an important precedent for the Soleimani killing, some members of the Reagan administration also argued that not only terrorists, but also leaders of states supporting terrorism, could be targeted. On this basis, while some disagreement remains, several primary and secondary sources seem to agree that the Reagan administration tried to kill Libyan leader Muhammar Gaddafi in an air strike on his headquarters and home in 1986. Gaddafi survived the bombing. While members of the Reagan administration clumsily denied that Gaddafi was an explicit target, they also hoped, like the Trump administration today, that the strike would act as a deterrent. Trump: a dangerous new precedent. In the aftermath of 9/11, targeting terrorists and suspected terrorists became a staple of US counter-terrorism policy. The number of drone strikes increased markedly during Barack Obamas first term in particular. In his second term, however, Obama made an admittedly late and somewhat unconvincing effort to better align US counter-terrorism policy to international legal standards for the use of force in self-defence. This effort relied in part on the argument that the terrorists targeted posed an imminent threat to the US. In this effort, however, the Obama administration adopted a very relaxed standard of imminence. The legal justification has set international precedents that other states (like Turkey and Pakistan) have been more than happy to follow. The drone strike that killed Soleimani, however, goes even beyond recent US policy and seems to make explicit a view that had remained somewhat implicit in the Reagan years. US practice had largely established that the ban on assassination did not apply to non-state terrorist actors who posed an imminent threat. Soleimani was in charge of the undeclared proxy war between the US and Iran. This, however, was not a declared war, something that would make Soleimani a legitimate target (as in the General Yamamoto case during the second world war). While a military figure, he was clearly a foreign official and, thus, his assassination seems to fall within the remit of the ban, or at a minimum to explicitly challenge the prohibition. Trumps policy The justification published by the Department of Defense offers a detailed account of past actions by Soleimani, stating: 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. But there is no detailed evidence of why he posed an imminent threat. This might appear to be a minor point, but its central to the legal justification for the air strike. It all suggests that he was not killed because he posed an imminent threat, but more as a retaliation for recent events and for the deterrence of possible future attacks. Indeed, Agnes Callamard, UN special rapporteur on extra-judicial executions, has already suggested that the US may have acted illegally in this case. #Iraq: The targeted killings of Qasem Soleiman and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis are most lokely unlawful and violate international human rights law: Outside the context of active hostilities, the use of drones or other means for targeted killing is almost never likely to be legal (1) Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) January 3, 2020 The Trump administration has, so far, refused to explain and justify its policy of targeted killing, but this latest operation further undermines international and US domestic norms against assassination is certain to set more dangerous international precedents for targeted killings. This article was written by Luca Trenta, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Swansea University and was originally published on The Conversation. This article is republished from theconversation.com under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Sunday refused to answer questions from journalists and walked away when asked about reports of deaths of almost 200 children and infants in two government hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. Rupani is an MLA from Rajkot West. #WATCH: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani walks away when asked about reports of deaths of infants in hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/pzDUAI231Z ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 The Congress has lashed out at the BJP over the death of the children including newborns in civil hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. Sushmita Dev, president of the All India Mahila Congress and national spokesperson of the party took to Twitter to ask whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union health minister Harshvardhan will remain silent over the death of children in BJP-ruled Gujarat. 134 children died in Rajkot civil hospital. In Ahmedabad civil hospital 85 children died. Will @narendramodi & @drharshvardhan remain silent now. Hope the national media will highlight this tragedy. Concern for children should not be selective? @me_locket do visit Gujarat, Dev tweeted. 134 children died in Rajkot civil hospital. In Ahmedabad civil hospital 85 children died. Will @narendramodi & @drharshvardhan remain silent now. Hope the national media will highlight this tragedy. Concern for children should not be selective? @me_locket do visit Gujarat ! https://t.co/sgXVdqfccM Sushmita Dev (@sushmitadevinc) January 5, 2020 She also tagged BJP MP Locket Chatterjee who was member of a committee comprising four parliamentarians of the party to look into the alarming number of infant deaths at a hospital in Rajasthans Kota. 111 children died in the month of December at Rajkot Civil Hospital, said Manish Mehta, Dean, Rajkot Civil Hospital, according to ANI. GS Rathod, Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital said, In December 455 newborns were admitted in neo-natal intensive care unit (ICU). Of them 85 died. Neither Mehta nor Rathod gave any reasons for the death of the children. In Kota on Saturday, Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot criticized his own government over the deaths of 107 children in the state-run JK Lon Hospital in the city said its response to the infant deaths could have been more sensitive. Mahamudu Bawumia 05.01.2020 LISTEN Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Saturday, 4th January joined Nananom and the people of Abiriw to celebrate this year's Ohum festival in Abiriw, Eastern Region. He underscored that aside from the general social inventions nationwide, Abiriw has benefited enormously under the government of President Akufo-Addo. Apart from flagship programs like free SHS, planting for food and jobs, NABCO. Speaking on the government Flagship program, the free SHS Dr Bawumia explained the logic behind the double-track system. Dr. Bawumia further noted that Abiriw has benefited from the following projects of government. The construction of; the Abiriw, Awukugua, Adukrom and Apirede town Roads the now major highway in Okere, i.e the 20km Amanfro- Tinkong Road. A lot more roads would be constructed this year, including the completion of Abonse-Agomeda Road, the Asamang-Lakpa-Aboa-Koforidua One thousand (1,000) cockerels were last year distributed to farmers free of charge under the Rearing for Food and Jobs. Under the Planting for Export and Rural Development, 10,000 mango seedlings were distributed free of charge to farmers Under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) 3 solar-powered mechanised borehole water closet toilets, teachers quarters, 3-Unit Classroom block and a new modern market for the Asenema market are all under construction and near completion He assured the Chiefs and People of Abiriw that more development projects would be rolled in 2020 to further improve the lives of the people. This is what President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo promised to do in order to make a prosperous Ghana meaningful. New Delhi/Peshawar : Two days after the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistans Punjab province was attacked by a Muslim mob, a member of the Sikh community, Ravinder Singh, was murdered in #Peshawar by unknown gunmen, reports Outlook India. Sources based in Peshawar told IANS that Ravinder Singh was the younger brother of a local journalist Harmeet Singh. A businessman in Malaysia, Ravinder was in Peshawar to shop for his wedding in February, Harmeet told the media. Anguished by the murder of his brother, Harmeet added that without minorities, no country can flourish and progress. Pakistan is beautiful because of minorities but each year, we end up carrying the dead on our shoulders. Pakistan, he said, gets massive funds from several countries to protect minorities. But there is no protection. Thats why I am here to carry my dead brothers body today. I wont rest until the Pakistani government books the murderers of my brother, he added. Religious minorities especially Sikhs in Pakistan have already been complaining of insecurity and fear since the attack on the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. Indian government slams Pakistan over Sikh youths killing in Peshawar New Delhi : India on Sunday slammed Pakistan over the killing of a Sikh youth in Peshawar, days after the attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara by a Muslim mob, and conversion of a minor Sikh girl after her abduction, reports The New Indian Express India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The MEA has asked the Imran Khan-led Pakistan government to take immediate actions to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators. India calls upon the Pakistan government to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts, the statement said. It also lashed out at the Pakistani government for interfering in Indias internal affairs. In fact, in a tweet on Sunday, Imran Khan veered towards criticism of the Narendra Modi-led government while condemning the Nankana Sahib incident. The MEA said, The government of Pakistan should act in defence of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries. #Peshawar hash tag is trending and many are condemning this attack Below are few tweets from the trend, Sikh youth murdered by 'Namaloom Afraad' (#ISI?) In #Peshawar . Silent message to Pak minorities#NankanaSahibAttack#forcedconverions of Sikh, Hindu, Christians girls are ground realities in Pakistan. And somebody's 'Yaar Dildaar' @ImranKhanPTI is silent on this. Ecosystem too https://t.co/Vf8hPWkh68 GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) January 5, 2020 With the reopening of the Supreme Court on Monday after winter vacation, all eyes will be on the adjudication of contentious issues including controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act and abrogation of provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution. The year 2020 will also witness the apex court constituting a seven-judge Constitution bench to examine the issue of entry of women of all ages into the hill shrine of historic Sabarimala temple, which was referred by a five-judge bench for fixing parameters to deal with alleged discrimination against Muslim and Parsi women. The first working day of the new year is also likely to have a mention of the petition filed by Tata Sons Private Limited (TSPL) challenging the December 18 decision of NCLAT restoring Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of the group and saying the verdict had "undermined corporate democracy" and the "rights" of its board of directors. The top court will also take up the contentious issue of whether the creamy layer concept should apply to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes while giving them reservation in promotions. In December 2019, the Centre had urged the Supreme Court to refer its 2018 verdict excluding the creamy layer within the SC/ST community from reservation benefits to a 7-judge bench for a review. The apex court will keep an eye on air pollution matter in which the court has been passing slew of directions from time to time. On January 21, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justices N V Ramana is likely to resume hearing on a batch of petitions challenging Centre's August last year decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The top court had on December 12 indicated that it may consider the question of referring the issue of challenge to the abrogation of provisions of Article 370, to a larger 7-judge bench after hearing the preliminary submission of all the parties. A number of petitions have been filed in the matter including that of private individuals, lawyers, activists and political parties and they have also challenged the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019, which splits J&K into two union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Eyes are also set on the pronouncement of verdict on a batch of pleas including that of Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad challenging restrictions imposed in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir following abrogation of provisions of Article 370. The top court had on November 27 last year, reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas challenging the restrictions imposed in the erstwhile state. The very next day on January 22, a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde, is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the amended Citizenship Act, which 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. The top court on December 18, while agreeing to examine the issue, had issued notice to the Centre and sought its response by the second week of January. It had, however, refused to stay the operation of the act and asked Centre, to consider using audio-visual medium to make citizens aware of the legislation. Parliament had last year cleared the bill which grants citizenship rights to religious minorities such as Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists, who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. President Ram Nath Kovind had given assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on December 12, turning it into an act. Over 59 petitions including that of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, RJD leader Manoj Jha, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, 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 been filed in the apex court challenging the act. Dealing with the contentious issue of Sabarimala, the top court had on December 13 last year said that it would endeavour to constitute the larger bench at the earliest to hear the matter, while declining to pass any order on the pleas by two women activists seeking a direction to the Kerala government to ensure safe entry of women in the Ayyappa temple under police protection. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde had said that the issue was "very emotive" and it did not want the situation to become "explosive". It had said the "balance of convenience" required that no orders are passed in the mater as the issue had already been referred to a 7-judge bench. On November 14, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by then CJI Ranjan Gogoi, in a 3:2 majority verdict, had referred the pleas seeking a review of its historic 2018 judgment to a seven-judge bench, along with other contentious issues of alleged discrimination against Muslim and Parsi women. In September 2018, a five-judge Constitution bench had, by a majority 4:1 verdict, allowed girls and women of all ages to visit the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, saying discrimination on physiological grounds was violative of the fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution, such as the right to equality. Beijing: The Chinese army has begun major military exercises in the high-altitude Tibet bordering India, deploying latest weapons including the Type 15 light battle tank and the new 155-MM vehicle-mounted howitzer, a media report said on Sunday. The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Tibet Military Command started its New Year exercises in which it has deployed helicopters, armoured vehicles, heavy artillery and anti-aircraft missiles across the region from Lhasa, capital of Tibet, to the border defence front lines with elevations of more than 4,000 metres, state-run Global Times reported. India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) covered 3,488 kilometres, including the border along Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet. Both the tank and howitzer, which were revealed to the public on the National Day military parade on October 1 last year, are specifically designed with advantages for plateau regions and can play important roles in safeguarding border areas, the report said. Their deployment in the Tibet Military Command will enhance PLA combat capability in the plateau regions, it quoted a military expert as saying. Both were equipped with powerful engines, enabling them to manoeuvre efficiently in Tibets terrains, a military expert was quoted as saying in the report. Heavier hostile weapons cannot reach the oxygen-depleted border areas, and, if lighter, they do not have enough firepower, he said. The Type 15 tank is the worlds only modern lightweight tank in service and it is equipped with a 105-millimeter gun and advanced sensors that can devastate enemy light armoured vehicles in regions, the report quoted the Chinese military magazine Weapon as reporting. The six-wheeled, 155-millimeter vehicle-mounted howitzer is of high calibre, reacts fast and can be easily deployed, it said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Two days after Sikhs were attacked at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned it saying that he has zero-tolerance toward such incidents and people involved in it wont get any protection from the government. Is against my vision and will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police and judiciary, he said. However, he went on to accuse the Indian government of inciting violence against Muslims in Indian. In contrast, Modi's RSS vision supports minorities oppression & the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police leads anti-Muslim attacks (sic), Khan tweeted. Earlier, Imran Khan has tweeted a wrong video from Bangladesh and linked it to CAA protests. After facing backlash, Khan reupped his pogrom of Muslims posts but there was a twist. This time, instead of any video, Khan used a report by an Indian news website to share his concerns. Khan quoted that report with this post Indian police brutality reaches new lows as its pogrom of Muslims in India continues as part of fascist Modi Govt's ethnic cleansing agenda. The media report talked about how the notices were wrongly sent by the Uttar Pradesh government to people who were not connected to the CAA protest violence. Entrepreneur Harjinder Singh Kukreja slammed Khan for his silence on Nankana attack. Sir, its a shame you havent yet condemned the attack on the holiest Sikh place of worship which you yourself refer to as the Mecca of the Sikhs. The perpetrators should be booked under the same act as they wouldve if theyd attacked a Mosque of similar importance. Waiting!, Kukreja said on micro-blogging site. Another Twitter user reminded Khan about serious condition in Middle East. There is something very serious going on in the middle east. Take some time out and tweet on that issue as well, said one Sahar Zahra. On Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's attempt to spread misinformation against India backfired as he had to face embarrassment for tweeting 'fake news'. Imran Khan tweeted a video of what he claimed was police action in Uttar Pradesh but turned out to be of an incident in Bangladesh from almost seven years ago. Imran Khan shared the video on his Twitter handle claiming that it was of police violence targeting Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. He captioned it -"Indian police's pogrom against Muslims in UP". Twitterati soon called out the Pakistan prime minister for tweeting fake news to target India. Many news and fact checking websites including News Nation did a fact check showing Khan was tweeting old videos. Soon, the tweeted videos were deleted from his account. India's Ministry of External Affairs slammed the Pakistani prime minister for peddling "fake news". "Tweet Fake News. Get Caught. Delete Tweet. Repeat," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted with hashtag 'Old habits die hard'. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The United Kingdom said it will send two warships to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the safety of UK vessels and citizens amid rising tensions in the Middle East in the wake of the killing of a top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani by the United States. "I have instructed preparations for HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to return to accompanying duties of Red Ensign Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time," UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace wrote on Twitter. Wallace added that on Friday, he discussed the situation in the region with US State Secretary Mike Pompeo. The top UK defence official noted that during the recent several months, US forces stationed in Iraq had multiple times been attacked by Iranian-backed militia. "General Soleimani has been at the heart of the use of proxies to undermine neighbouring sovereign nations and target Iran's enemies," Wallace argued. Last year, Iran seized two tankers - a Liberian-flagged one and a UK-flagged one - in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessels were subsequently released but the developments contributed to already-heightened tensions in the region. Soleimani was killed in Baghdad by a US airstrike authorized by President Donald Trump early on Friday. Iran vowed harsh revenge over the killing, while the United States said it was committed to de-escalation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: A tourist bus coming from Odisha's Puri caught fire after it rammed into a parked lorry near Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district on Sunday morning (January 5). Passengers deboarded the bus immediately as soon as the fire broke out inside the vehicle. However, as many as 10 people received burn injuries in the mishap. All the injured have been rushed to different hospitals in Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam and were given medical attention. Andhra Pradesh: A tourist bus caught fire after hitting a parked lorry in Ranastalam Mandal of Srikakulam, today. Six people have been injured in the incident. Fire has been brought under control. pic.twitter.com/cahdiPvIcT ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 According to a report, there were a total of 48 passengers on the bus and were en route to Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram. Iraqi Calgarians say they are angry their home region could see itself engulfed in yet another major conflict, as tensions escalate following the U.S. assassination of a key Iranian military leader on Iraqi soil. Around 100 protesters chanted "Trump is a killer" and "stop aggression in Iraq" outside Calgary city hall early Saturday evening. The U.S. Department of Defence confirmed President Donald Trump had ordered a targeted drone strike on a convoy near Baghdad's airport on Friday, killing Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and nine other passengers. The U.S. said Soleimani, the head of Iran's Quds Force (the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards), was planning an imminent attack but did not release evidence to back that statement. "We felt America had gone too far. Not only are they interfering with Iraqi and regional politics, but they are directly assassinating and doing illegal airstrikes on our sovereign soil," said Zaineb Latif, one of the protest's organizers. Terri Trembath/CBC Soleimani has been credited for a number of military operations throughout the Middle East that have killed hundreds of U.S. troops, and the U.S. considers the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organization. In Iran, Soleimani was a highly regarded strategist who led the fight to push back against ISIS. Officials vowed to take revenge against the U.S. for the killing and declared a three-day public mourning period. Other allied groups like Hezbollah have also threatened to respond. Trump said the U.S. will target Iranian cultural sites if the country retaliates. We don't want [Canada's] armed forces they are our brothers and sisters there we don't want them losing their lives for nothing. - Riyaz Khawaja, protestor Riyaz Khawaja, another organizer of the protest, said he feels Trump doesn't care about peace in the region. "It was a Trump-led invasion, I don't think it was a U.S.-led invasion," he said. Story continues NATO has suspended Canadian-led training of Iraqi forces in the wake of the airstrike, and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said Canada is monitoring the security environment and taking necessary precautions. "We have troops in NATO in Iraq, we don't want the war [to] happen, we don't want the armed forces they are our brothers and sisters there we don't want them losing their lives for nothing. There is no reason for a war," Khawaja said. Terri Trembath/CBC Latif said while she'd like to see the Canadian government take a stand against the U.S., she sees that as unlikely and holds more hope that Canadian people will speak out. "I hope for the Canadian people to understand that a fight for justice anywhere in the world needs to be fought and it needs to be won because injustice, if it's not stopped, will spread," she said. A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada has advised Canadians to avoid travel to Iraq, and leave the country if it is safe to do so. Two Dauphin County wineries and one from northwest Pennsylvania won Governors Cup in the Farm Show judging. The results were announced Saturday. The Vineyard at Hershey, located outside Middletown, won a Governors Cup for the Best in Show Dry Wine, with its 2017 Merlot, while Armstrong Valley Vineyard & Winery, in Halifax, was honored with a Governors Cup for the Best in Show Fruit Wine, with its 2018 Blackberry Merlot. Mazza Vineyards, located along Lake Erie, won the Governors Cup for the Best in Show Sweet/Dessert Wine with its Ice Wine of Vidal Blanc (2017). Wines submitted to the competition must be made of 75 percent Pennsylvania fruit. This years competition included entries from 36 Pennsylvania wineries. Heres the list of other top winners. Other Best in Show Best American- Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2018 Love Rock Best Sparkling- Stony Run Winery, 2017 Brut Double Gold Medals Vineyard at Hershey, 2017 Merlot Mazza Vineyards, 2017 Ice Wine of Vidal Blanc Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2018 Love Rock Presque Isle Wine Cellars, Blushing Heron Courtyard Winery, 2018 Twisted Red Gold Medals Stony Run Winery, 2017 Brut Armstrong Valley Winery, 2017 Cab Franc Benigna's Creek Winery, 2018 Sunshine Blue Mountian Vineyard, Rottie White Bucks Valley Winery, 2015 Cab Sauv Courtyard Winery, 2018 Razzle Deer Foot Farm Vineyards, 2018 Norton Fero Vineyards & Winery, Estate Lemberger Hungry Run Wine & Spirits, 2018 Blue Sapphire Nissley Vineyards, 2018 Cab Frank Reserve Stony Run Winery, 2017 Traminette Stony Run Winery, 2017 Gruner Veltliner The Winery at the Long Shot Farm, 2017 Vidal Blanc Vineyard at Hershey, 2018 Moscato Heres a link to all the medals that were handed out, listed by winery. -- Other recent PennLive stories on wine PLCB unveils refurbished Harrisburg-area store with 4,600 items, tasting center Australian winery proprietor back home in State College to give consumers a taste of his passion Views from a Napa Valley winemaker: Julien Fayard NW Pa. producer lands most finalists on Wine Excellence XVIII list Red, white or rose wine? A look at the PLCB sales breakdown, by county, for 2018-19 Maryland wine community shaken by death of one of its association co-founders New Jersey wine industry looks at 2020 and potentially twice as much money to promote itself N.J. producer to fill hillside overlooking winery with another 5 acres of vines Jean-Bernard Levy became the CEO of Electricite de France S.A. (EPA:EDF) in 2014. This analysis aims first to contrast CEO compensation with other large companies. Then we'll look at a snap shot of the business growth. 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 Electricite de France How Does Jean-Bernard Levy's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? Our data indicates that Electricite de France S.A. is worth 31b, and total annual CEO compensation was reported as 453k for the year to December 2018. It is worth noting that the CEO compensation consists almost entirely of the salary, worth 450k. We looked at a group of companies with market capitalizations over 7.2b and the median CEO total compensation was 3.2m. There aren't very many mega-cap companies, so we had to take a wide range to get a meaningful comparison figure. Most shareholders would consider it a positive that Jean-Bernard Levy takes less in total compensation than the CEOs of most other large companies, leaving more for shareholders. While this is a good thing, you'll need to understand the business better before you can form an opinion. You can see, below, how CEO compensation at Electricite de France has changed over time. ENXTPA:EDF CEO Compensation, January 5th 2020 Is Electricite de France S.A. Growing? On average over the last three years, Electricite de France S.A. has shrunk earnings per share by 11% each year (measured with a line of best fit). In the last year, its revenue is up 5.9%. Sadly for shareholders, earnings per share are actually down, over three years. The modest increase in revenue in the last year isn't enough to make me overlook the disappointing change in earnings per share. These factors suggest that the business performance wouldn't really justify a high pay packet for the CEO. It could be important to check this free visual depiction of what analysts expect for the future. Story continues Has Electricite de France S.A. Been A Good Investment? Electricite de France S.A. has served shareholders reasonably well, with a total return of 30% over three years. But they probably don't want to see the CEO paid more than is normal for companies around the same size. In Summary... It appears that Electricite de France S.A. remunerates its CEO below most large companies. Shareholders should note that compensation for Jean-Bernard Levy is under the median of a group of large companies. But the company lacks earnings per share growth, and returns to shareholders are less than stellar. We would like to see EPS growth from the business, although we wouldn't say the CEO pay is high. If you think CEO compensation levels are interesting you will probably really like this free visualization of insider trading at Electricite de France. Important note: Electricite de France 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. A young Sikh man was shot dead in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar a day after an angry mob threatened to storm the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, prompting India on Sunday to call on Pakistan to take immediate action against the perpetrators of such heinous acts. The body of Ravinder Singh, the 25-year-old brother of Harmeet Singh, the first Pakistani Sikh to join the electronic media, was found in a stormwater drain on Sunday with a bullet injury to the head, according to senior superintendent of police Sajjad Khan. Singh was shot dead in Chamkani area of Peshawar on Saturday night. At about midnight on Saturday, one of the deceaseds brothers received a call from Singhs phone and an unidentified man spoke about where the body could be found, Khan told Dawn newspaper. The Sikh mans killers are yet to be identified and police are yet to establish a motive for the killing. Singh reportedly worked in Malaysia and returned to his home at Shangla in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province last month to get married. He had come to Peshawar to do some shopping ahead of his wedding in February, police officials said. Harmeet Singh appealed to Pakistanis to highlight the incident so that his brothers killers are brought to justice. We do not have personal enmity with anyone, he said. He added that Sikhs were being repeatedly targeted and there is no protection for Pakistans minorities. India strongly condemned Singhs murder, describing it as the targeted killing of [a] minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl, Jagjit Kaur. A statement from the external affairs ministry said India called on the Pakistan government to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts. Pakistan should act in defence of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries, the statement said in an apparent reference to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans recent comments on the status of Indias minorities. On Friday, an angry mob of Muslims surrounded Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, the shrine built at the birthplace of Sikhisms founder Guru Nanak, and threatened to occupy the building if some people detained in connection with the alleged forcible conversion of Jagjit Kaur were not released. Hundreds of people joined the protest, which ended on Friday evening after officials intervened. A sizeable number of Sikhs were caught within the gurdwara and the protest created fear among Sikh residents. India had condemned the protest, which Pakistan had sought to play down as the outcome of an argument between two groups of people. Imran Khan condemned the incident at Nankana Sahib on Sunday. Leaders of India and Pakistan have been taking potshots at each other in recent days over the treatment of minorities in both countries. Indian leaders have criticised the lack of protection for Pakistans Hindus and Sikhs, and cases of forced conversion and marriage of women from minorities, while Khan and other Pakistani leaders have criticised Indias new citizenship law and other measures that they claimed discriminates against Muslims. European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged a de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East in a talk with Irans Foreign Affairs Minister Javad Zarif over the weekend, an EU statement said on Sunday, Trend reports citing Reuters. Days after the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani by the United States in Iraq, Borrell called on Iran to carefully consider any reaction and invited Zarif to Brussels to discuss the situation in the Middle East and the preservation of a nuclear deal with Tehran. From South Korea to China, tech-savvy users had their first taste of 5Gs lightning-fast internet speeds just months ago. While the network promises a future of self-driving cars and data-fuelled cities, tech companies and research facilities in China and around the world are already looking into 6G, the next generation of internet networks. Sixth-generation mobile networks will reach speeds of one terabyte per second, by some estimates. Thats 100 times the rate of even the best existing technology, but is expected to take a decade to roll out. In that time, competitors in the race to dominate the technology will have to grapple with geopolitical tensions and work out exactly how it will be applied. Wang Xi, Chinas vice-minister of science and technology, says the foundations for 6G are being laid. Photo: Handout While 6G is in the early stages, 5G technology is already a major sources of trade tension between China and the United States as defence systems incorporate cutting-edge wireless technologies. Chinese technology giant Huawei, one of the worlds leading 5G equipment vendors, has been accused by the US of being a security threat for its alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Huawei has repeatedly denied the accusations and says it is already researching 6G networks. China is also working at a national level on the technology, forming a team of specialists from universities, think tanks and private companies to oversee its development. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology but involving several other ministries, will create a solid scientific foundation for the development of the telecommunications industry as well as building a nation of innovation, Wang Xi, vice-minister for science and technology, told a conference in Beijing in November. China is not alone in the quest for 6G: the University of Oulu in Finland was awarded 250 million (US$279 million) in April 2018 for the worlds first programme dedicated to researching 6G, according to a release on the universitys website. Story continues And Japan pledged US$2 billion in November to help companies research 6G as part of a stimulus package announced by Prime Minister Shinzo Abes government, Nikkei Asian Review reported at the time. But experts in the telecommunications industry say the applications of 6G are far from certain. The real answer is that we dont know. We can just speculate, said Zahid Ghadialy, principal analyst at London-based tech consultancy 3G4G. Ghadialy, who specialises in telecoms networks, said that much would depend on the deployment of 5G networks and whether they would attract high numbers of consumers. Based on that, we can start planning on what more can we do with 6G, he said. Bi Qi, China Telecoms chief technical officer, projected more specific potential uses for 6G when he addressed the World 5G Convention in Beijing in November. No matter [whether youre] driving, biking or walking with a GPS, 6G will be fully integrated with holographs, Xinhua quoted him as saying. You wont have to keep your head down looking at your phone. There will be a 3D holographic map projected in front of your eyes. But industry insiders said it was still speculative to say what 6G could be used for. Technical barriers, like the transmission of electromagnetic waves at high bandwidths that would make faster internet speeds possible, must be overcome before 6G can become a reality, researchers said. Experts say that for 5G to succeed and 6G to emerge, the geopolitical problems that affect companies like Huawei must be solved. Photo: Reuters He Jiguang, a researcher at the University of Oulu, said the research going on in countries like China and South Korea and by companies like Huawei was in its early stages. Only in two, three years will there be suitable technologies that could be determined, He said, adding that attention may focus on possibilities such as medical operations using remote devices that communicate with each other. But whatever the next generation of telecommunications technology, Martijn Rasser, a senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security think tank in Washington, said it would be even more important geopolitically. Chinas aggressive push into 5G was a wake-up call, and is prompting other countries to pay closer attention to what comes after 5G, he said. 6G, together with other technology areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, will be at the centre of the great power competition with China in the next decades. Greg Austin, who leads the cyber, space and future conflict programme at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore, said that as the technical details of 6G were explored, the US and China would have to resolve tensions over Huawei and wider questions from commercial espionage to a systemic confrontation on Chinas domestic crackdowns. Resolution is more likely, but only after [US President Donald] Trump and [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping] have moved on. Powerful economic interests will ensure there is a resolution rather than escalating confrontation, he said. Sign up now for our 50% early bird offer from SCMP Research: China AI Report. The all new SCMP China AI Report gives you exclusive first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments, and actionable and objective intelligence about China AI that you should be equipped with. More from South China Morning Post: This article 6G: the new frontier if the world can work out how to use it first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. A young woman was bombarded with ten calls and more than 40 text messages from a married man after she gave him her phone number after meeting in a bar. Jessica*, 23, was out with friends in Sydney on June 19 when they decided to move on to the Wynyard Hotel in the CBD about 10pm. As soon as she stepped inside the venue she felt she was being watched by someone in the bar. She got herself a drink and settled into one of the tables against the wall when both she and her friend were approached by a pair of men. 'I could feel him watching me as soon as I walked in, and he came over and struck up a conversation almost immediately,' the 23-year-old told Daily Mail Australia. Jessica*, 23, was out with friends in Sydney on June 19 when they decided to move on to the Wynyard Hotel in the CBD about 10pm (stock image) A young woman was bombarded with ten calls and more than 40 text messages from a married man after she gave him her phone number after meeting in a bar (a message Jessica received) The pair flirted and Jessica was instantly drawn to his charm and Irish accent, and wasn't deterred when he told her he was 38. So when he asked for her phone number, she thought there was no harm in handing it over. But once she had, he revealed he was married. 'There was no wedding ring and he approached me, so I didn't really have any reason to find him suspicious,' Jessica said. 'I thought it was funny he failed to mention that he had a wife waiting at home until after I handed over my phone number.' Jessica immediately thanked him for being nice, but told the 38-year-old she would rather not be involved with a married man and made her way home. 'He kept telling me I was beautiful and that he felt drawn to me, and while it was flattering there was no way I would ever be involved with someone being unfaithful,' she said. While she thought she had gotten away from a sticky situation, the complications had only just began. She awoke the following morning to ten missed phone calls and more than 40 messages from the man. When he asked for Jessica's phone number, she thought there was no harm in handing it over (some of the messages she received, including photos) She awoke the following morning to ten missed phone calls and more than 40 messages from the man 'You're incredibly sexy! Fair play for standing your ground. I would have enjoyed your company all night,' the first message read at 11.30pm. The messages continued well into the morning, with some including links to popular songs such as Childish Gambino's 'This is America' and even a selfie. In another message, the 38-year-old confessed he 'was not happy' in his marriage. He continued to send messages until 2.23am, with one of them reading: 'Hey Jessica... I understand if you block me or decide never to text me back. I'm clearly mad as a box of badgers.' 'When I woke up the next morning to the barrage of text messages I instantly felt sick,' Jessica said. The 38-year-old messaged again about 2.30pm apologising for his behaviour the night before but she chose to ignore. The messages continued well into the morning, with some including links to popular songs such as Childish Gambino's 'This is America' and even a selfie (pictured) In another message, the 38-year-old confessed he 'was not happy' in his marriage But he remained persistent, messaging once again later that night and again on Friday. Jessica became so fed up when he asked if she wasn't interested that she replied with a blunt: 'Still married?' After an hour he then confessed that he wasn't only married, but had 'two little children'. Jessica chose once again to ignore but the married father messaged all until 5am. 'Take it easy Jessica... I'll stop contact with you from now on,' he wrote. The 23-year-old said the experience made her feel uncomfortable and would be more wary about giving her number out to men she meets in bars. But for someone attempting to date in 2019, she struggles with the idea meeting people online as well. Jessica became so fed up when he asked if she wasn't interested that she replied with a blunt: 'still married?' For someone attempting to date in 2019, Jessica struggles with the idea meeting people online as well Clinical Psychologist and Director of Madam Heap Carrie Hayward told Daily Mail Australia young people are becoming increasingly fed up with dating, especially in the age of social media. 'The more time we spend on screens, the less engaged we are in real-life experiences and social interactions that are imperative for psychological health,' she said. 'Many of us are at risk of unhealthy obsessive behaviour, compulsively checking our phone to seek that short dopamine reward, which prevents us from experiencing the fullness of our moments.' 'This is having significant consequences for our mental health.' While dating apps have made meeting potential partners more accessible, Founder of Dating With Dogs Tatum Brown said he does not believe people who meet online really connect. 'Meeting in person allows you connect in a meaningful way,' he said. 'It gives people an opportunity to explore others in a physical, emotional, dialectical and energetic way something you could never achieve online.' But for Jessica, she feels that she now has to be more careful about giving out her number. *Name has been changed as she wishes to remain anonymous. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met injured Jawaharlal Nehru University students at All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Sunday and alleged that it was "deeply sickening" about the government that allowed violence inflicted on students. IMAGE: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrives at AIIMS to visit injured Jawaharlal Nehru University students following violence at university. Photograph: ANI Photo She alleged that "goons" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah were rampaging through universities' campuses and spreading fear among the students. The Congress leader accused the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders of "pretending" before the media that it was not their "goons who unleashed violence" at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. Priyanka Gandhi claimed that the wounded students at AIIMS told her that goons entered the campus and attacked them with sticks and other weapons, with many students having broken limbs and head injuries. The Congress leader also alleged that a student told her that the police kicked him on the head several times. "There is something deeply sickening about a government that allows and encourages such violence to be inflicted on their own children," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted. "Wounded students at AIIMS trauma centre told me that goons entered the campus and attacked them with sticks and other weapons. Many had broken limbs and injuries on their heads. One student said the police kicked him several times on his head," she added. Violence broke out at JNU on Sunday night as masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police which conducted a flag march. At least 28 people, including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences as chaos reigned on the campus for nearly two hours. "India has an established global reputation as a liberal democracy. Now Modi-Shah's goons are rampaging through our universities, spreading fear among our children, who should be preparing for a better future," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted. "To add insult to injury, BJP leaders are all over the media pretending that it wasn't their goons who unleashed this violence. The people are not deceived," she added. US President Donald Trump doubled down Sunday on a threat to attack Iranian cultural sites despite accusations that any such strike would amount to a war crime. After his top diplomat, Mike Pompeo, had insisted that any military action would conform to international law, Trump said he would regard cultural sites as fair game if Iran resorted to deadly force against US targets. "They?re allowed to kill our people, they're allowed to torture and maim our people, they?re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people and we're not allowed to touch their cultural site? It doesn?t work that way," Trump told reporters. "If they do anything there will be major retaliation." His comments on his return from a break in Florida followed a welter of criticism over a Tweet on Saturday night in which he said sites which were "important to... Iranian culture" were on a list of 52 potential US targets. Tehran's foreign minister had reacted to those initial comments by drawing parallels with the Islamic State group's destruction of the Middle East's cultural heritage. And as Twitter was flooded with photos of revered Iranian landmarks in ancient cities such as Isfahan under the hashtag #IranianCulturalSites, leading US Democrats said the president would be in breach of international protocols if he made good on his threat. "You are threatening to commit war crimes," Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of the top Democrats hoping to challenge Trump in November's election, wrote on Twitter. "We are not at war with Iran. The American people do not want a war with Iran." "Targeting civilians and cultural sites is what terrorists do. It's a war crime," added fellow Senator Chris Murphy. In a flurry of interviews on the Sunday talkshows, Secretary of State Pompeo said the US would not hesitate to hit back hard against Iran's "kleptocratic regime" if it came under attack, but pledged that any action would be consistent with the rule of law. Both sides have traded threats since a US drone strike in Iraq on Friday killed Qasem Soleimani -- one of the most important figures in the Iranian government. "We'll behave lawfully. We'll behave inside the system. We always have and we always will," Pompeo told the ABC network. "The American people should know that every target that we strike will be a lawful target, and it will be a target designed with a singular mission, of protecting and defending America." His comments came after his opposite number in Tehran Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that "targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME". "A reminder to those hallucinating about emulating ISIS war crimes by targeting our cultural heritage: Through MILLENNIA of history, barbarians have come and ravaged our cities, razed our monuments and burnt our libraries," said Foreign Minister Zarif. "Where are they now? We're still here, & standing tall." - Threat 'Un-American' - Nicholas Burns, who served as US ambassador to NATO under president George W. Bush, said the Trump administration would be guilty of hypocrisy given it was part of international efforts to deter IS from destroying countless pre-Islamic artefacts, including in the Syrian UNESCO-listed site of Palmyra. "Donald Trump's threat to destroy Iranian cultural sites would be a war crime under UN Security Council resolution 2347 ? supported by the Trump Administration itself in 2017 to warn ISIS+Al Qaeda of similar actions. "His threat is immoral and Un-American," said Burns, now a professor at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Others drew comparisons with the Taliban's 2001 destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan Pompeo refused to give details on the 52 potential targets which Trump said had been drawn up to represent each and every hostage held in the standoff at the US embassy in Tehran four decades ago. But one former official expressed skepticism that military planners would agree to target cultural sites. "I find it hard to believe the Pentagon would provide Trump targeting options that include Iranian cultural sites," said Colin Kahl who was National Security Adviser to former vice president Joe Biden. "Trump may not care about the laws of war, but DoD (Department of Defense) planners and lawyers do... and targeting cultural sites is war crime." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that "every target that we strike will be a lawful target" Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of the top Democrats hoping to challenge Trump for the presidency, said he is "threatening to commit war crimes" Trump's threat drew comparisons with the Taliban's destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan, which once stood at this site By PTI GORAKHPUR/MORADABAD: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Muslim community members in Gorakhpur on Sunday to dispel doubts about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and said the move was in line with India's tradition of giving shelter to persecuted people. Adityanath's deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya, who took part in a similar drive in Moradabad, hit out at the opposition parties, saying they were trying to misguide the public against the citizenship law to create unrest in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday launched a 10-day nationwide campaign in support of the law. ALSO READ | Toll-free CAA number not linked to Netflix, Opposition creating confusion: Amit Shah In his home turf Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath walked down to the shop Haji Chaudhari Kaif-ul-Wara and handed him a booklet on the law which he said was meant to give citizenship to persecuted people. "This is a booklet about CAA, read it and all doubts will be cleared. I thought of beginning the awareness campaign from here," he told Kaif-ul-Wara. Kaifulwara promised to create awareness about CAA and requested the chief minister to release people with no criminal background who were holding protests against the CAA and the proposed countrywide National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Gorakhpur on December 20, saying children make mistakes. On his way to Kaif-ul-Wara's shop from the Gorakhnath temple, of which he is the head priest, Adityanath met many Muslim community members. He explained to them that it was a law to give citizenship. ALSO READ: Conrad Sangmas NPP admits suffering some damage over CAA "Those who did not have citizenship and are living in India, this law gives them citizenship," he said. "It is the tradition of India to give shelter to persecuted people and Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought CAA to give citizenship to such people," Adityanath said. He said it was not meant to take away anyone's citizenship, but the Congress, Samajwadi Party and its allies are "unfortunately" trying to mislead people by spreading confusion and violence. "This people's awareness programme is aimed at clearing confusion and doubts spread against CAA," the chief minister said. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who had arrived in India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh due to religious persecution. Opposition parties have called the law against India's Constitution for making religion a ground for citizenship. In Moradabad, Maurya told reporters that the citizenship of Muslims is fully secure in India and the CAA will help persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. He said the opposition parties who didn't want to see Modi as prime minister are now backing the Popular Front of India which he termed as the new avatar of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Obaxx.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 This CoolSocial report was updated on 15 Apr 2015, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the obaxx homepage on Twitter + the total number of obaxx followers (if obaxx has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the obaxx homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the obaxx homepage on Delicious. 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Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND UK urges Iran on staying diplomatic route Raab on Sunday said that the UK was on the same page with the US in relation to Friday's killing of Suleimani. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Sunday urged Iran to "take a diplomatic route" to de-escalate rising tensions following the killing of Iranian general Qasem Suleimani by a US strike. "US LEFT THE DOOR OPEN BUT IRAN REFUSED IT" Speaking on the BBC, Raab said US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron "left the door open to a diplomatic route through this, to a better place for Iran", but that Tehran decided "not to take it". He stressed the need to "de-escalate the tensions and try and restore some stability" as well as to contain Iran's "nefarious actions". "Iran has for a long period been engaged in menacing, de-stabilising activities," he added. "They have explained the basis on which that was done, and we are sympathetic to the situation they found themselves in," he added. A Kenyan police official says five suspects have been arrested after the al-Shabab extremist group on early Sunday attacked a military base used by U.S. and Kenyan troops. Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia told The Associated Press the five suspects are being interrogated about the attack. The U.S. Africa Command has confirmed the attack on Camp Simba in Lamu county. There is no immediate report of US or Kenyan deaths. The al-Shabab extremist group attacked a military base used by U.S. and Kenyan troops in coastal Kenya early Sunday, with U.S. aircraft and vehicles destroyed, Kenyan authorities said. Kenya's military said the pre-dawn breach was repulsed and at least four attackers were killed. A plume of black smoke rose above the base near the Somali border. Residents said a car bomb had exploded. The U.S. Africa Command confirmed the attack on Camp Simba in Lamu county. Spokesman Col. Christopher Karns called al-Shabab's claims, including of inflicting severe casualties, grossly exaggerated." There was no report of U.S. or Kenyan deaths. The camp has under 100 U.S. personnel, according to Pentagon figures. An internal Kenyan police report seen by The Associated Press said two fixed-wing aircraft, a U.S. Cessna and a Kenyan one, were destroyed along with two U.S. helicopters and multiple U.S. vehicles at the Manda Bay military airstrip. The report said explosions were heard at around 5:30 a.m. from the direction of the airstrip. The scene, now secured, indicated that al-Shabab likely gained entry to conduct targeted attacks," the report said. Al-Shabab's claim of responsibility said the attack destroyed U.S. equipment including aircraft and vehicles. It said fighters covertly entered enemy lines" and that the attack was ongoing. Kenya's military, however, said that the airstrip is safe." It said that arising from the unsuccessful breach a fire broke out affecting some of the fuel tanks located at the airstrip." The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the airstrip was closed for all operations. Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaida, is based in neighboring Somalia and has launched a number of attacks in Kenya. The group has been the target of a growing number of U.S. airstrikes during President Donald Trump's administration. The latest attack comes just over a week after an al-Shabab truck bomb in Somalia's capital killed at least 79 people and U.S. airstrikes killed seven al-Shabab fighters in response. Last year al-Shabab attacked a U.S. military base inside Somalia. The extremist group has carried out multiple attacks against Kenyan troops in the past in retaliation for Kenya sending troops to Somalia to fight it. Al-Shabab also has attacked civilian targets in Kenya including buses, schools and shopping malls. The early Sunday attack comes days after a U.S. airstrike killed Iran's top military commander and Iran vowed retaliation, but al-Shabab is a Sunni Muslim group and there is no sign of links to Shiite Iran or proxies. Analyst Rashid Abdi in Twitter posts discussing the attack said it had nothing to do with the tensions in the Middle East but added that Kenyan security services have long been worried that Iran was trying to cultivate ties with al-Shabab. Avowedly Wahhabist Al-Shabaab not natural ally of Shia Iran, hostile, even. But if Kenyan claims true, AS attack may have been well-timed to signal to Iran it is open for tactical alliances," he wrote, adding that an AS that forges relations with Iran is nightmare scenario." When asked whether the U.S. military was looking into any Iranian link to the attack, spokesman Karns said only that al-Shabab, affiliated with al-Qaida, has their own agenda and have made clear their desire to attack U.S. interests." The al-Shabab claim of responsibility said Sunday's attack was part of its Jerusalem will never be Judaized" campaign, a rarely made reference that also was used after al-Shabab's deadly attack on a luxury mall complex in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, in January 2019. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the last few days, several people in the Progressive media have tried to explain the rise in anti-Semitic attacks, particularly in New York City. Many seem irresistibly drawn to blaming it on Trump or even on the victimized Jews. They are wrong, of course, but even those who struggle towards a correct answer are still blind to the Progressive elephant in the room. Some media figures have acknowledged that the perpetrators are neither Trump supporters nor white supremacists. Still they cannot bring themselves to trace the problem to the minority community. For example, Elad Nehorai acknowledges that the vast majority of the perpetrators over the last two weeks have been black, but says theres insufficient data to explain why. John Sexton rightly calls that a dodge. [I]n New York, the desire to avoid drawing conclusions has been so powerful that the media for the most part hasnt even been willing to connect the dots in any way at all. Sexton observes too that the media have no problem at all connecting the dots when the attacker is a white supremacist. Others in the media, though, having reluctantly acknowledged that blacks are perpetrators, have moved beyond Trump blaming and are looking at different explanations. Jane Coaston of Vox , for example, notes the toxic anti-Semitism thats emanated for decades from the Nation of Islam: Many of these conspiracy theories heard today can be traced to a 1991 book published by the Nation of Islam, The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews. The book falsely argued that Jewish people were the real force behind the slave trade, and a third volume of the book even stated that Jewish people were secretly responsible for the 1920s rise of the Ku Klux Klan, a famously anti-Semitic hate group. University of Chicago Dean David Nirenberg, in an interview in the New Yorker, sees the rise in anti-Semitism as a legacy from the ancient practice of Jewish scapegoating that pervaded the medieval Christian world. He too is correct, up to a point. What both Coaston and Nirenberg leave unstated is a fundamental point: namely, that anti-Semitism is not just infecting urban blacks or Muslim legislators. Instead, it has been growing perceptibly in the Progressive movement as a whole. To the extent urban blacks tend to be Progressive, their hatred is a microcosm of a growing anti-Semitic political movement. Historic anti-Semitism arose in large measure out of the scapegoating problem Dean Nirenberg identifies. Local Jewish populations were invariably a minority in other lands and they kept themselves separated from the general population. As such, they were primed to be scapegoats for societal ills, just as Christians had been scapegoats in ancient Rome in the first three centuries anno domini. By the Medieval era, Jews were forced into only a few professions, including finance and money lending. Influential people indebted to Jewish moneylenders often instigated pogroms as a way to extinguish their debts. It was no coincidence that historic anti-Semitism started to diminish in 17th century Europe with the rise of modern banking and finance. Today's anti-Semitism is different. It began with Marxism and, after an appalling interval in the land of German fascism, it took root in socialism's Western offspring, Progressivism. To the extent socialism sought to replace both the family and traditional morality with centralized state control, it has hated both Judaism and Christianity because both provide a God-given moral basis for ordering society. As a double-whammy for the Jews, Marx, the son of a Jewish convert, was a self-loathing Jew who inextricably bound Jews to socialisms nemesis: the free market. And with those socialist roots, you have both the war on Christianity in the West and the anti-Semitic Cobynization of Britains Labor and the American Democrat Party. The Left has seen Islam as an ally in its war. Although it no intends to follow Islamic precepts than it does Judeo-Christian ones, it operates on the principle that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Part of this alliance means tolerating, or even embracing, Islams virulent, doctrinal hatred for Jews. Given this, its ironic that American Jews continue to be among the most ardent Progressives in America. Even as blacks are embracing the #Brexit movement that Candace Owens, Kanye West, and other prominent blacks spearhead, Progressive Jews are remarkably resistant to a #Jexodus. If America is to address the anti-Semitic attacks on New York Jews (or Jews anywhere else that Leftism reigns supreme), it must do more than address Islam's virulent anti-Semitism or the rag-tag remains of pre-modern Christian anti-Semitism. While both those are factors, the problem is much larger and goes to the core of the Progressive movement. Conservatives, both Jewish and non-Jewish, need to call that out. 04/01/20 Police and forensics at the scene of an incident in Carrickfergus in County Antrim.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia Police have cordoned off a housing estate in Carrickfergus following the sudden death of a man on Saturday evening. A PSNI spokesman said: "Police are currently at the scene of a sudden death of a man aged in his 40s, in the Woodburn area of Carrickfergus this evening. "A post mortem will take place to determine the cause of death. "There are no further details at this stage." UUP MLA John Stewart tweeted that he has spoken with senior PSNI officers about the incident. Financial Security Institute (FSI) President Kim Yeong-gi speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the institute on Yeouido in Seoul, Dec. 12. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul Digital innovation meaningless without security By Lee Kyung-min No development without security, no security without development. As simple and banal as this may sound, no other statement can better encapsulate the growing yet oftentimes neglected importance of financial security amid digitization, according to the head of a private security institute. "Digital innovation is meaningless without security," Financial Security Institute (FSI) President Kim Yeong-gi said in an interview with The Korea Times. "Once compromised, consumer trust is lost. Getting it back is hard, a reason why prevention is the best precaution, especially in the financial industry with people's money at stake," the former Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and Bank of Korea (BOK) official said. The financial industry is undergoing major changes amid digitization, an industry-wide initiative to better meet customers' fast-changing needs. With technological developments, however, come security threats just as fast or sometimes even faster with their methods of attack increasingly varied and wildly sophisticated, posing a greater risk of security breaches and data theft. This is why the functions and responsibilities of the FSI have become as crucial as ever. "The attackers may have improved their methods of attack but so have our capabilities of monitoring, emergency response and information sharing. We are trying to be a step ahead of cyberattackers in preventing what would be irrevocable damage," Kim said. The FSI data showed that of 9.6 million of the most disruptive cyberattacks analyzed in 2019, 2.7 million cases were notified to its 192 members, including banks, securities, brokerages, insurers and card firms, to help them better stay alert and prepared. Of over 41.8 million cases of malware analyzed, the 55,049 most frequently used methods were also shared. Financial Security Institute (FSI) President Kim Yeong-gi speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the institute on Yeouido in Seoul, Dec. 12. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul Do Not Cover up Outbreaks: Experts Call for Transparency After Chinas Pneumonia Outbreak Public health experts outside of mainland China are calling on Chinese authorities for transparency, after a mysterious outbreak of viral pneumonia was reported to have already infected 59 people since December in the Chinese city of Wuhan. On Jan. 5, 7 of the 59 cases were said to be severe. The experts say that efforts to cover up outbreaks can have serious consequences for disease control for Chinas neighboring regions. Hospitals in Hong Kong have now reported five patients who have been to Wuhan showing symptoms of pneumonia or a respiratory infection including fever, according to Hong Kongs Hospital Authority. Singapore also reported Saturday its first suspected case of the mysterious Wuhan virus, according to The Straits Times. The patients travel history revealed time spent in Wuhan. The outbreak had prompted Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan earlier in the week to step up the screening of travelers and hospital patients showing pneumonia symptoms. Cover-Up? The Chinese authorities didnt disclose the outbreak of what it called viral pneumonia until online rumors over the past month linked the outbreak to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which in 2003 infected more than 8,000 people and killed 775. Chinese officials said on Jan. 3 that the cause of the pneumonia is not clear and did not rule out SARS, according to a statement by Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. In an update late Jan. 5, the health commission announced that it had now ruled out SARS, MERS, and bird flu as the cause of the outbreak but is still working on identifying the responsible virus. The officials also didnt provide the date of the first case they found linked to the Wuhan outbreak until Jan 5. The first case happened on Dec. 12. Suspected cases have appeared in Hong Kong and Singapore. Chinese officials have said there hasnt been obvious evidence for human-to-human transmission. Wuhan Central Hospital, where some of the cases are being treated, declined to comment when contacted by Chinese or foreign media. My problem with the current outbreak and Chinese response is that very little information of any kind has been provided by authorities in Wuhan or Beijing, Laurie Garrett, a world health policy analyst and Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist, told NTD in an email on Jan 3. The Chinese police summoned eight people on Jan. 1 for spreading rumors online about the pneumonia outbreak. China appears more interested in maintaining control than in abiding by the principles of the IHR, Garrett said. The World Health Assembly in 2005 passed the legally-binding International Health Regulations (IHR), which requires swift notification to WHO regarding any significant outbreaks. China is a signatory to the IHR. Its imperative to publicize the information about the outbreak immediately, Kuo Hsu-Tah, a Taiwanese pulmonologist who worked as a director of The Center for SARS Response at Taipeis Mackay Memorial Hospital during the 2003 SARS outbreak, told the Chinese language Epoch Times. The more the government tries to cover up, the worse it is for disease control. Expert: the Officials May Know More Sean Lin, a microbiologist who worked at viral diseases branch in the U.S. Army, said that the Chinese authorities may already know the source virus, or at least some potential candidates. Its not just two, three days its probably been more than a month, he told NTD on Jan 3. According to Lin, Chinas Center for Disease Control, which is modeled after the CDC in the United States, is respected in China for their strong infectious disease surveillance program. He believed that if the patients samples have been tested in the labs there, the information available now couldnt be as limited as the official statements have suggested. Lin said the delay in information is either because there are multiple mutations of the virus that need time to identify or I think the authorities have more information in the hands, Lin said. But the public was not allowed to be aware about this situation in more detail, he added. He said the Chinese regime should at least allow the media to follow up with local hospitals and patients, interview scientists, and inform the public with preventative measures. But in China, the problem is that the government has very pathetic reputation on the public health arena, he said. Chinas SARS Cover-Up Parallels in delays of official information between this outbreak and the 2003 SARS outbreak had created panic in China and neighboring regions. In 2002-2003, the Chinese regime covered up the SARS epidemic for weeks before a growing death toll and rumors forced authorities to reveal the truth. Migrant workers wearing protective face masks make their way to the train station as they leave the city over worries about SARS in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, China, on May 2, 2003. (Christian Keenan/Getty Images) The regime didnt alert the WHO or neighboring jurisdictions, consequently allowing a patient to flee to Hong Kong. The virus spread, resulting in 774 deaths in 37 countries. Garrett was in Hong Kong and China during the 2003 epidemic, and subsequently visited hospitals and memorials in Vietnam, Singapore, and Hong Kong where health care workers fought and died from the disease. The lesson was clear to the entire world: do not cover up outbreaks, she said. Fighting outbreaks requires trust, Garrett said, And trust requires openness. The public health world is losing its trust in Chinese government information. From NTD News Former Burberry chairman Sir John Peace, the Midlands productivity and transport tsar, has urged Boris Johnson to get HS2 done. Peace, chairman of Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect, said the Prime Minister should seize the opportunity to build the controversial high-speed railway because it would unify the country after Brexit and stop the South regarding everything north of Watford as a single entity. He said the mega-project would provide fast, frequent and reliable links to Central London, adding: HS2 will cut in half journey times between the city centres of Birmingham and Leeds, Leicester and Leeds and Birmingham and Manchester. An independent review of HS2 by former chairman Douglas Oakervee is due soon It will bring us closer together. It will help us get out of our cars and lorries to tackle climate change and it will upgrade the quality of life in newly Tory Midlands towns and cities, and many more, forever. An independent review for the Government by former HS2 chairman Douglas Oakervee is due soon. A rival analysis by Lord Berkeley, who has said he opposes the plan, is also imminent. Peace said: Levelling up the UK economy does not mean taking away from London in order to add to the North. Levelling up the economy means helping the rest of the country to enjoy the kind of productivity and prosperity the South East takes for granted. He was the first contestant to be eliminated on Dancing with the Stars last year. And Miguel Maestre is apparently worried he will deliver a repeat performance on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! The Spanish chef, 40, has been fretting over his appearance and doesn't want to be eliminated early on, according to a Channel 10 source. Fears: He was the first contestant to be eliminated on Dancing with the Stars last year, and Miguel Maestre is apparently worried he will deliver a repeat performance on I'm a Celebrity 'Nobody wants to be the first out, but it has been weighing heavily on Miguel's mind after Dancing with the Stars,' said the insider. Miguel was reportedly asked to do I'm a Celebrity after being left disappointed by the network's decision not to offer him a role on MasterChef. 'It's a bit of extra exposure for him until the all-new Living Room comes back later in the year,' added the source. 'Obviously he wants to stay in the jungle for as long as possible.' Deja vu? The Spanish chef, 40, has been fretting over his appearance and doesn't want to be eliminated early on, according to a Channel 10 source. Pictured on Dancing with the Stars Worrying: 'Nobody wants to be the first out, but it has been weighing heavily on Miguel's mind after Dancing with the Stars,' said a Channel 10 insider. Pictured on I'm a Celebrity on Sunday In July, George Calombaris, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan quit MasterChef after 11 years because the network wouldn't meet their salary demands. Miguel was not drafted in as a replacement, despite being a staple of Channel 10's lifestyle and cooking shows since 2009. Instead, three relatively unknown new judges were hired: Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo. Overlooked: Miguel was reportedly asked to do I'm a Celebrity after being left disappointed by the network's decision not to offer him a role on MasterChef. Pictured: former MasterChef judges (left to right) Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris Snub: Miguel was not drafted in as a replacement, despite being a staple of Channel 10's lifestyle and cooking shows since 2009. Instead, three relatively unknown new judges were hired: Andy Allen (left), Melissa Leong (centre) and Jock Zonfrillo (right) Miguel, who hails from Murcia in south-eastern Spain, has been a presenter on The Living Room alongside Barry Du Bois, Dr Chris Brown and Amanda Keller since 2012. During his restaurant career, he worked in some of Sydney's premier kitchens including Bather's Pavilion, Bel Mondo, Cru and Minus 5 at Circular Quay The father-of-two moved to Australia in his twenties and became a citizen in 2013. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment. Canadian actress Abigail Spencer has shared a reflective post on the power of nature after it was reported she went on a New Year's Day hike with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Spencer, 38, is said to be one of the closest friends of the Duchess of Sussex, 38, and the Suits actress was spotted with the royals during a hike in Vancouver Island's Horth Hill Regional Park. Sharing a selfie to her Instagram account yesterday, the actress shared a quote from English poet William Wordsworth, which read: 'Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.' She also shared another picture artfully capturing Vancouver Island's sun peering through the trees. Actress Abigail Spencer, 38, (pictured) shared a selfie yesterday after she was spotted on a New Year's Day hike with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Horth Hill Regional Park on Vancouver Island Abigail, one of the Duchess of Sussex's closest friends, shared a quote from English romantic poet William Wordsworth on her Instagram account It was reported Abigail was present when Meghan Markle came to the rescue of a couple struggling with their selfie-stick during a hike last week. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle approached hikers Iliya Pavlovic and Asymina Kantorowicz on New Year's Day. 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?" Meghan Markle and Abigail Spencer were co-stars on the legal drama Suits. Pictured with Bonnie Zane, attending the Third Annual Witness Uganda Concert, present ed by Siren Stuios to Benefit the UgandaProject on in December 2012 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. Abigail and Priyanka Chopra in Windsor on the day of Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding on May 19 2018 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. JERSEYVILLE Jeff Fraley still feels low when he drives the road bordering farms where the Illinois River breached the Nutwood levee near Hardin in June. He is greeted with toppled and leaning grain bins, a few destroyed buildings and land that lay underwater for months. But a little distance away, after a turn to higher ground, where he harvested a pretty decent corn crop this year, Fraley feels better again. The water has mostly receded from farmland covered when the Nutwood levee breached on June 4. But the flooding last spring left long-term effects for farmers and the Nutwood community. In June, Fraleys family including his wife, mother and two teenage sons clambered from a boat to the top of a grain bin surrounded by water to survey the damage. You have to laugh, or you cry, said Fraleys wife, Shannon, who joked in December that the scene might make a good Christmas card. Jeff Fraley is weighing what to do about the damaged and destroyed grain bins on their property. He also is waiting for insurance payments to get the much-needed bins operational again. After the Great Flood of 1993, many farmers had trouble getting insurance payments for damaged bins. Some switched their insurance to what they thought was a more farmer-friendly company, Fraley said. They also scramble to empty the bins of grain anytime floods threaten. Fraley was relieved when he saw a neighbors wind claim successfully go through insurance and be paid. However, the insurance company then chose an independent engineer who determined it was waves, not wind, that toppled many bins, Fraley said. On that basis, the insurance company turned down claims of at least five farmers he knows of, including his own, he noted. Fraley spoke to Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert Jr. and consulted others, but he hasnt found a solution to his insurance woes yet. Without his strategically placed bins, harvest takes about four days longer, Fraley said. Instead of the short trip to the bin, the trucks have to go to the elevators where there can be long lines, especially if wet corn causes delays. The lack of bins also complicates marketing plans. Fraley will have to decide where to place the bins when he does replace them. The 93 flood was supposed to be a 500-year flood but 26 years later they are dealing with another major flood. Although he wants the convenience of nearby bins, he said he doesnt want to go through this again. In 2015, they also emptied the bins twice when there was threat of a flood. Were in limbo about what to do with the bins, Fraley said. When the fields flooded in early June, some of Fraleys fields and grain bins were under 17 feet of water. So he left them and continued planting corn on acres that were not underwater. He estimated that he lost about 430 acres of land he farms for himself, his mother and landowners. Its been six months since the harrowing experience of the flood, but life and agriculture goes on. This fall, it was surreal to be working the land that had been underwater for months. Fraley said he was shocked that still he could see his planter markings on the ground. A fellow farmer in Fieldon, Rick Zipprich, who worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 93, knew where to start in compiling information that the agency would need. Because much of Zipprichs crop was lost in the flood this time, he worked on gathering information for other farmers while they were harvesting this fall. He has compiled a binder a couple inches thick that includes data, maps and many photos to request financial assistance to have ditches cleaned as part of the recovery plan for the area. The Fraleys helped provide photos and information that Zipprich needed. Zipprich estimated that, if the ditches are cleaned at the rate of 1,000 feet a day, it will cost about $52,000 to repair the ditches near the Nutwood levee breach. Farmers have been working together to help each other, and the community, since the beginning of the flooding ordeal. They used their equipment and time to help in the effort to get Illinois routes 16 and 100 open near Hardin. The community wants to be prepared for the future. Six of the top ten last crests have been the in last ten years, Fraley noted. He would like to see the river dredged to prevent more episodes like this, but failing that, he would like to see quicker progress on the levee repair. He said it was tough to accept the delays in September, while workers waited for a specific species of bat to migrate before work could continue on the levee repairs. Some actions taken are difficult for him to understand at times, including why sand has to be trucked in from another state to fill the hole created by the water surge, when neighboring farms have sand on their topsoil that those farmers would like to see moved back, Fraley explained. But, through it all, farmers and the community stick together. The Fraleys saw the best in people during the flooding. Everyone from inmates at the Vandalia Correctional Center to village of Hardin residents and teenagers, including the Fraleys two sons tried to fight back the water by piling sandbags. We thought we were going to win, Jeff Fraley said of those who placed sandbags from daylight to dark during a two-week period. When the Fraleys walk into a popular lunch eatery on a weekday, everyone knows their names. The town banker, other farmers and neighbors leave the food at their tables to greet them. We draw strength from the hardship, Shannon Fraley said of the will in this small community. Xenophobia (Noun): Fear or hatred of anything or anyone alien or foreign. Usage: Its difficult to tell if exercises like the National Register of Citizens are motivated by xenophobia or mere politics. The fear of foreigners is, of course, neither new nor particularly Indian, but the word for it is only a century and a quarter old. It seems to have been coined in the UK in the late 19th century, with an 1880 citation from a London newspaper the earliest one etymologists can find, from two Greek roots, xeno- (meaning foreign, strange) and -phobia (meaning fear). The adjective formed from it is xenophobic. The modern Greek tourist industry likes to tout that Greeks speak a language that does not differentiate between foreigner and guest, for xenos can be used for both those terms. That first citation contrasts xenophobia with another late-19th century coinage, xenomania (an inordinate attachment to foreign things), but that word and the taste it describes -- has not had the same staying power as its antonym. The British writer first cited dismissed xenophobia as always unintelligent, but Americans and other Europeans have been somewhat more receptive. The fear of foreigners invading the States was not unreasonable, given that that was how the country was established in the first place. Today, it crops up more in relation to the dislike of immigrants, with the hostility expressed by Trump supporters in the 2016 elections being matched by the xenophobic rhetoric around Brexit in the UK (directed principally at East Europeans flocking in under EU rules) and the invective of Marine Le Pen and other xenophobes in West European politics. Even in India, it is the passions raised by the issue of alleged illegal immigration from Bangladesh that has led to talk of alleged xenophobia, and it is in that context that it is used most commonly these days in India. Xenophobia is the fear or hatred of that which one perceives as foreign or strange or at minimum unfamiliar. Xenophobia usually involves people in a position of dominance in a society or country reacting with suspicion towards the activities of others, usually minorities, immigrants, outsiders or aliens in some sense, whose presence or growth, it is feared, could cause a dilution or loss of national, ethnic or racial identity. Xenophobia gets dangerous when it translates to a desire to eliminate the presence of these outsiders in order to secure the countrys (or dominant groups) presumed purity. Xenophobia is not merely prejudice towards foreigners: it can also involve the uncritical exaltation of ones own culture, in which one exaggerates to an unreal, stereotyped and extreme extent the quality of the culture one is seeking to protect. According to UNESCO, which defines xenophobia as an attitudinal orientation of hostility against non-natives in a given population, xenophobia and racism often overlap, but this is not necessarily so: the Nazis were xenophobes and racists, as are many of the anti-immigrant politicians in Europe, but Indians who favour citizenship for Bengali Hindus but not Bengali Muslims can hardly be accused of racism, since both groups belong to the same race and ethnicity. History is replete with examples of xenophobia, from the Ancient Greeks denigrating foreigners as barbarians, to the Chinese feeling the same way about foreigners a millennia and a half later, all the way to President Trump declaring that the US is the greatest country on earth and vowing to keep Muslims out of it. In the contemporary world, xenophobia arises in many societies, and particularly in democracies, when people feel that their rights to benefit from the governments programmes, welfare benefits and job opportunities are being encroached upon by other people. By declaring these others to be less entitled to the benefits that are your right, the xenophobe provides a basis for discrimination against the outsider. In the 1990s, xenophobic outbursts were followed by an increase in acts of racist violence in several societies in the world. This rise of xenophobia led UNESCO to theorise about a new racism that developed in the post-war era, since racism no longer was based on biological but rather on cultural differences. Two causes are put forward by theorists to explain the recent resurgence of xenophobic and racist movements. One is the new migration patterns that have developed as an effect of the gradual internationalisation of the labour market during the post-colonial era. In the receiving countries, social groups in unfavourable positions in their societies resented newcomers as competitors for jobs and public services. This cultivated a social and political climate that generated xenophobia and racism (defensive reactions against migrants), as well as nationalism (demands that the state provide better protection against foreigners for its own population). The second cause believed to reinforce xenophobia and racism is the backlash against globalisation, which has led states to reduce their social welfare, education and healthcare services in many developed countries. This reduction influenced in particular the segments of the population living on the margins of society. These groups are often in direct competition with migrants for such services and are the main breeding ground for xenophobia and racism. Research has shown that those perceived to be outsiders or foreigners -- usually migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, displaced persons, and those who cannot prove their nationality -- are the main targets of those suffering from economic inequalities and marginalisation. Their social decline can be exploited by right-wing political organisations through xenophobic ideologies. Unfortunately, countering xenophobia requires leadership from the government to resist it by exhortation and by example. But when a government itself is complicit in whipping up xenophobia, a society is forced to call on its own highest values to resist succumbing to it. This is where we in India find ourselves today. Pakistan said on Sunday that it will not allow its soil to be used against anyone, amidst raging tensions between Iran and the US after the killing of top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike in Iraq. "We will not allow our soil to be used against anyone," Army spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor was quoted as saying by the ARY "Pakistan will not be party to anyone or anything but will be a partner of peace and peace alone," he said quoting Prime Minister Imran Khan. His remarks came two days after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday said that Afghanistan's soil will not be used against any nations as per a Bilateral Security Agreement signed between Washington and Kabul in 2014. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan share border with Iran, which has vowed to avenge the killing of its top general. US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that he has identified 52 possible targets in the country and will hit it harder than ever before if Tehran carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of Soleimani. Responding to a question, Ghafoor expressed concerns over the rise of "tensions" in the region and said the regional situation had been altered after the killing of the Iranian general and Pakistan would play its role in helping peace prevail. Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US 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. His killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the US. Shortly after the killing of Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dialled Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa who emphasised the "need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement". "Pakistan will support all peaceful efforts and hopes the region doesn't go towards another war," Ghafoor quoted the army chief as telling Pompeo. The Foreign Office has also expressed "deep concern" over the tensions in the region, urging all sides to exercise restraint. "Pakistan has viewed with deep concern the recent developments in the Middle East, which seriously threaten peace and stability in the region," said the FO in a statement. "Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which should be adhered to," it said, adding that it is "important to avoid unilateral actions and use of force". The FO urged all parties involved to "exercise maximum restraint and engage constructively to de-escalate the situation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I ran has said it will no longer abide by any limits set by the 2015 nuclear deal, state TV reports. The government's decision ends an accord that blocked Tehran from having enough material to build an atomic weapon. The announcement came on Sunday night after another Iranian official said it would consider taking even harsher steps over the US killing of General Qassem Soleimani on Friday. The Iran Nuclear Deal was a long-term agreement between world powers including the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. It was developed in response to years of tension over Iran's alleged efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. The announcement was made as tensions soar in Iran and across the Middle East / IRAN'S FARS NEWS AGENCY/AFP via The deal meant Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities and allow international inspectors to return and return economic sanctions would be lifted. The US withdrew from the deal in 2018 fulfilling one of his election promises, leaving Iran and the European Union to maintain the agreement. The conflict is rooted in President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the accord and impose sanctions that have crippled Irans economy. Soleimani's death escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that have put the wider Middle East on edge. Irans state TV cited a statement by President Hassan Rouhanis administration saying the country will not observe limitations on its enrichment, the amount of stockpiled enriched uranium as well as research and development in its nuclear activities. Donald Trump holds up a proclamation declaring his intention to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran in May, 2018 / REUTERS The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations watchdog observing Irans programme, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Iran said its co-operation with the IAEA will continue as before. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted in response to the news, writing: "As 5th and final remedial step under paragraph 36 of JCPOA, there will no longer be any restrictions on number of centrifuges. Iran's announcement follows its lawmakers chanting 'death to America' inside the country's parliament as tensions soar over the killing of general Qasem Soleimani. Footage of almost all the 290 members chanting the threat emerged after an emergency session was held on Sunday. Iran, along with Iraq, are observing a three-day period of international mourning and tens of thousands of people flooded the streets as the commander's flag-draped coffin was carried through south western Ahvaz Iran have vowed revenge on the US after the assassination of general Qasem Soleimani / AP The coffin carried the remains of general Soleimani, the former leader of its expeditionary Quds Force that organises Tehrans proxy forces in the wider Mideast. The leader of one such proxy, Lebanons Hezbollah, said General Soleimanis killing made US military bases, warships and service members spread across the region fair targets for attacks. A former Revolutionary Guard leader suggested the Israeli city of Haifa and centres like Tel Aviv could be targeted. Iranians have vowed to carry out "harsh revenge on the US for the killing which shocked Iranians across all political lines however, it is still unclear how they will respond. Iranian officials planned to meet on Sunday night to discuss taking a fifth step away from its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, one that could be even greater than planned, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told journalists prior to the announcement. In the world of politics, all developments are interconnected, Mr Mousavi said. Iran previously has broken limits of its enrichment, its stockpiles and its centrifuges, as well as restarted enrichment at an underground facility. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned the recent incident of vandalism at the Nankana Sahib, saying it goes against his "vision" and the government will show "zero tolerance" against those involved in it. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is a site near Lahore where the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. According to media reports, a violent mob had attacked the Gurdwara and pelted it with stones on Friday. ALSO READ: Protest outside Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan against arrest in forced conversion case A team of police had to intervene briskly to control the situation. Breaking his silence on the incident, Khan said that there is a "major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident and the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims and other minorities". "The former is against my vision & will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police & judiciary (sic)," he tweeted, referring to the Nankana Sahib incident. ALSO READ: Harbhajan Singh urges Pakistan PM to 'do needful' after vandalism at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara Khan claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "vision supports minorities oppression and the targeted attacks against Muslims."He also alleged that the Indian police, supported by the government, are leading attacks against Muslims. India has strongly condemned vandalism at the revered Gurdwara and called upon the Pakistan government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community there. On Saturday, Indian leaders cutting across party lines and various outfits condemned the mob attack on the historic Gurdwara, terming it as "cowardly" and "shameful". ALSO READ | Do protesters need more evidence of minorities' oppression in Pakistan: Puri on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara attack Hundreds of protesters thronged the streets near the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi demanding that Islamabad provide adequate security to Sikh shrines and community members there. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body which manages Sikh shrines in India, said it will send a four-member delegation to Pakistan to take stock of the situation and urged the Pakistan government to take stringent action against the culprits who attacked the gurdwara - one of the holiest sites in Sikhism. Pakistan's Foreign Office on Friday rejected the media reports that the Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib was desecrated in a mob attack, saying the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism remains "untouched and undamaged" and the "claims of destruction" of one of the holiest Sikh shrines are "false". By ANI VADODRA: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Sunday evaded a question on the death of as many as 196 infants during December in two government hospitals of the state. Rupani was speaking to media on sidelines of an event here but walked away from the reporters when his response to the children's death was sought by a scribe. The Chief Minister was vividly speaking about the event wherein he took part but went mum as soon as a reporter began asking a question about children dying in state-run hospitals. He did not even wait for the question to complete and hurriedly left the venue. #WATCH: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani walks away when asked about reports of deaths of infants in hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/pzDUAI231Z ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 As many as 111 children lost their lives at Rajkot civil hospital whereas 85 infants died during treatment at Ahmedabad civic hospital in December, according to the official data. "In December, a total of 455 children were admitted out of which 85 lost their lives during treatment," GS Rathod, Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital said. According to Manish Mehta, head of Rajkot Civil Hospital, 269 children died in October, November and December months. Moreland has a year lease thats good until June 1. The first notice she got in August about beautifying the apartments did mention the option to move units, but three months later when she got the notice that she had 30 days to vacate or risk eviction, she figured that was her only choice. She thought if moving into another apartment was still on the table, the managers would tell her that. She wanted to speak with them but said her work schedule is hectic and when she gets home, the office workers are already gone for the night. A Star reporter spoke with about a dozen residents in the complex. All were planning on moving out because of the increase in rent. A number have children at the neighborhood schools and just hope they wont be asked to move until the end of the school year. There were previously a number of residents at the complex on Section 8 vouchers to help them afford housing. But Wildcat Group is not accepting the vouchers and most of those families have already moved out. Lopez said Wildcat Group provided these residents with a list of Section 8 housing in the area. None of the four places on the list had any units available and one did not accept Section 8 at all. Thousands March in Baghdad to Mourn Death of Iran's Top Military General By VOA News January 04, 2020 Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Baghdad Saturday to mourn the deaths of Iran's military chief and Iraqi military leaders, who were killed in a U.S. airstrike that has significantly increased tensions in the volatile Middle East region. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi joined marchers in a funeral procession, many of whom chanted slogans such as "Death to America" and "America is the Great Satan." Also among the mourners were many men dressed in black military fatigues that were fiercely loyal to General Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, who was killed in a Friday airstrike at Baghdad's airport. After being transported Saturday to the Iranian province of Khuzestan, Soleimani's body will be taken Sunday to Iran's holy Shi'ite city of Mashhad and then to Tehran before he is buried Tuesday in his hometown of Kerman. Also Saturday, the White House formally notified Congress of Friday's drone strike, two senior congressional aides told Reuters. Under the War Powers Act, the notification is required within 48 hours of introducing U.S. forces into an armed conflict that could lead to war. The document, which is classified, was sent to congressional leadership, the aides said. It would likely describe the Trump administration's justifications for the strike against Soleimani, as well as intelligence information behind the decision and the expected scope of the military involvement. It was not known if the information would be released to the public. Many Democrats in Congress have criticized the strike, saying President Donald Trump failed to notify lawmakers ahead of time or seek approval for the attack. The White House did not respond to media requests for comment. Soleimani's background Soleimani, 62, Iran's most distinguished military commander who was the architect of Iran's growing influence in the Middle East. The U.S. killing of Soleimani has forced Washington and its allies in the region, primarily Israel and Saudi Arabia, into uncharted territory on how to confront Iran and its proxy militia groups throughout the region. NATO, which has been training Iraqi security forces on how to prevent the Islamic State militant group from regaining strength, has suspended its training missions in Iraq. NATO spokesman Dylan White said in a statement Saturday "The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount" without specifying why the training activities were suspended. Amid escalating tensions in the region, the Pentagon said more than 3,500 additional U.S. troops would be dispatched to Kuwait, joining 14,000 U.S. troops already in the region. On Saturday, hundreds of soldiers from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, filed into planes and deployed to Kuwait. Video released by the Army showed soldiers filing into planes, while Humvees were seen being loaded and chained in place, according to an Associated Press report. U.S. coalition forces said two attacks also occurred Saturday, near the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad and near Balad Air Base. Both U.S. and Iraqi military officials confirmed the attacks but said no troops were injured. Security sources told AFP the attacks were a possible retaliatory response to rising tensions in the region. Trump comments U.S. President Donald Trump touted the killing of Soleimani late Friday, saying it was long overdue. Speaking publicly for the first time since U.S. defense officials confirmed Soleimani was killed, Trump also warned Iran it risked more strikes if it continues to target Americans. "We took action last night to stop a war," Trump said 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." On Saturday, he tweeted that the United States had identified 52 sites in Iran that it would strike "very fast and very hard" should Iran attack any U.S. personnel or assets. Trump maintained Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans, Iraqis and Iranians, saying the long-time 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. Iraqi officials said another airstrike early Saturday hit a convoy of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary network, killing at least five people. Iraqi state media blamed the strike on the U.S., which has not confirmed the attack. The Iraqi military said in a statement that a rocket landed late Saturday in Baghdad's heavily protected Green Zone near the U.S. Embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya community and two more rockets struck the Balad air base that houses U.S. troops north of the city . No one was killed and there was no immediate claim of responsibility. U.S. officials have yet to provide details about the attack that killed Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. But White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien told reporters late Friday that Soleimani's travel plans played a role in the timing of the airstrike. O'Brien said Soleimani had just come from Damascus where he was planning attacks on U.S. military personnel diplomats. U.S. Democratic lawmakers have demanded more information about the airstrike, which was carried out without consulting Congress, and before Trump's expected impeachment trial in the Senated later this month. Democrats question whether the attack was intended to deflect attention from the trial and whether it was legal. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said in a statement Friday that the attack took place without congressional authorization and "without the consultation of Congress," two requirements to ensure national security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MacDonough McKenzie, then a PhD candidate in Richard Primacks lab at Boston University, was spending the summer at Acadia studying an 1894 account of the flora of Mount Desert Island. Her desk in the archival lab was near Derkaczs. When they went on long runs together, Derkacz mentioned the tedium of scanning the thousands of pages. But he also noticed the value of the meticulous notes. Miller-Rushing then encouraged McDonough MacKenzie to study the journals. By Express News Service MALAPPURAM: The training period of the Thunderbolts, an elite commando force of the Kerala Police under the India Reserve Battalion (IRB), will be considered their service period with the Police department, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He was speaking after receiving the salute at the passing out parade of 150 new Thunderbolt commandos at the IRB parade ground in Pandikkad on Saturday. The chief minister also inaugurated the IRB headquarters and the Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Training School at Pandikkad on the occasion. The Thunderbolt commandos go through the toughest training for 18 months, and they deserve to get benefits like the other police wings in the state. The government notification regarding this decision has already been published, he said. Stating that more educated youngsters are joining the police force these days, Pinarayi said their knowledge and skills would be utilised towards the betterment of the Police department. There are six postgraduates and two graduates in the Thunderbolt batch. Some commandos have a Bachelor of Law degree. The state government is responsible for effectively utilising these educated youngsters in the Thunderbolts. The postings according to their qualifications will soon be given, he said. Pinarayi further said the state government will take steps to strengthen the State Industrial Security Force (SISF) that provides security cover to major public and other undertakings, including the Reserve Bank of India office and Kochi Metro in the state. A total of 150 commandos became part of the Kerala Thunderbolts on the passing out day. The commandos split into six platoons to perform the parade. K Renjith led the platoons, while P K Muneer acted as second in command. Kerala police chief Loknath Behera, Additional Director General of Police M R Ajith Kumar, Deputy Inspector General P Prakash and Chaitra Teresa John IPS were also present at the parade ground.Later, the chief minister distributed trophies to R Sooraj, a native of Alappuzha, for best performance in indoor training; K Renjith, a native of Kannur, for best performance in outdoor training; P Amal Raj from Idukki for becoming the best shooter in the batch and P K Muneer from Wayanad for all-round performance. Talent demonstrations After the passing out parade, demonstrations by the commandos were also held at the ground. A team of commandos showed off their talents in using semi-automatic pistols, AK-47 guns, and light machine guns. Some commandos also performed martial arts like Karate and Kalaripayattu. Demonstrations of rescuing people who were under the custody of a terrorist group in a Metro train, seizing explosives from a moving car, saving people from a hotel (referencing the 2008 Mumbai terror attack) and countering attacks of Maoists in the forest had won applauds from special invitees present. The 2020 New Hampshire democratic primary will take place next month and 24 Rep. Elizabeth Warren supporters from Western Massachusetts, organized by Sen. Eric Lesser, traveled to New Hampshire Saturday to go door to door on the streets of Claremont to gather support. The primary is set for Feb. 11, eight days after Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses. Warren and Sen. Bernie Sanders, have both emphasized New Hampshire's importance to their campaigns. Sen. Jo Comerford and Rep. Dan Carey joined the volunteers on the journey to show their support. Its raining outside and its cold but neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor fog will keep us from our mission, which is to get Elizabeth Warren elected president, have her win the New Hampshire primary, said Lesser. Were up here because we believe in her and we believe in what she stands for and weve seen it firsthand here in Massachusetts. State Sen. Eric Lesser speaks to the bus of Sen. Elizabeth Warren supporters on board the bus in Springfield to head up to Claremont, NH to go door to door for the democratic primary. (Douglas Hook / MassLive) However, in a RealClearPolitics poll taken in December, Warren is showing a decline in support falling below South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in New Hampshire. The drop in support coincides with the announcement of the Medicare-for-all plan costing $52 trillion over the next decade, including $20 trillion in new spending. The poll shows U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders in the lead followed by Buttigieg, former Vice President Joe Biden and then Warren. What I can say is theres a lot of ups and downs in a campaign, said Lesser. So I wouldnt pay too much attention to the thrust and parry of any one day. What I would focus on is the values of the candidates and what theyre fighting for, what they believe in. What I can tell you is that Sen. Warren is on the right side of these issues and its a process and so thats why were going to New Hampshire. Warren has come under fire for the "ultra-millionaire tax" but highlighted the reasons stating that the richest 130,000 families in America now hold nearly as much wealth as the bottom 117 million families combined. Families in the top 0.1% are projected to owe 3.2% of their wealth in federal, state, and local taxes this year, Warrens campaign website states. While the bottom 99% are projected to owe 7.2%. Sen. Jo Comerford, who joined the bus trip to show her solidarity with Warren, sees the commitment to Medicare-for-all and the senators plan as a huge asset to her character. State Sen.'s Jo Comerford, Eric Lesser and Rep. Dan Carey speak to the bus of Sen. Elizabeth Warren supporters on board the bus in Springfield to head up to Claremont, NH to go door to door for the democratic primary. (Douglas Hook / MassLive) This is the best thing about Elizabeth Warren. She's gonna do what's right [and] not always what's popular. She believes in the American people's ability to hear big ideas to hear and digest complex ideas and she's willing to go the distance with them to help explain those ideas and help them understand that, said Comerford. In fact, the cost of a program like Medicare-for-all is small compared to the cost of not doing Medicare-for-all. Data from more than 5.4 million respondents to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that from 1993 to 2017, the black-white gap showed significant improvement. However, measures of health equity and health justice declined over time, and income disparities worsened. As America's health grows poorer, said Comerford. The haves and have nots divide grows even more acute and painful. Jay (Left) and Chris Leonard who are supporters of Sen. Elizabeth Warren are onboard the bus from Springfield and Northhampton to head up to Claremont, NH to go door to door. for the democratic primary. (Douglas Hook / MassLive) Jay and Chris Leonard, volunteers for Warren, spoke of her unique ability to, attack the issues that are facing America right now. Chris has been most impressed by her ability to address former Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan by, holding his feet to the fire. About damn time, Warren tweeted on hearing Wells Fargo announced that Sloan was retiring. Tim Sloan should have been fired a long time ago. He enabled Wells Fargos massive fake accounts scam, got rich off it, & then helped cover it up. Supporters of Sen. Elizabeth Warren board the bus in Springfield and Northhampton to head up to Claremont, NH to go door to door. for the democratic primary. (Douglas Hook / MassLive) Warren has been one of the banking industrys harshest critics and suggested in Aug. 2019 that the account problem indicated that Wells Fargo had not lived up to its promises to fix its corporate culture. A series of scandals in recent years has sullied the banks reputation and cost it more than $1.5 billion in penalties. That was just really impressive to see and really sort of felt hopeful, said Chris Leonard. Somebody was really standing up and listening to us and realize that there are other people besides the 1% out there. Many on the bus agreed that Warrens ability to address the powerful and hold them to account to be her strongest asset. About damn time. Tim Sloan should have been fired a long time ago. He enabled Wells Fargo's massive fake accounts scam, got rich off it, & then helped cover it up. Nowlet's make sure all the people hurt by Wells Fargo's scams get the relief they're owed. https://t.co/l7dYmBWRBo Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) March 28, 2019 A study from academic researchers found that 66.5% of all bankruptcies were tied to medical issues. People who were in the middle and low and poor economic classes, said Comerford. Warren knows this and she's not going to settle for it. She also knows that if she wants to do these big other things, reshaping the middle-class, growing jobs, tackling the climate crisis, she needs to actually also address healthcare because healthcare costs and the health of the nation are going to be impediments to anything, she wants to do. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who holds many of the same ideas and policies as Warren, especially on Medicare-for-all, highlighted the differences between them. I'm not into attacking my colleagues, Sanders told NBC on Dec. 31. We're about differentiating differences of issues. And I think maybe one of the major differences is what I have said over and over again and I just repeated it right now, in my first week in office we will introduce a medicare-for-all, single-payer program. Warren impressed Lesser during the course of his career by demonstrating her organization and management skills. What really stands out is the difference between those two, said Lesser. I think Sen. Warren is one of the examples I point to that is actually getting a very major, very important piece of legislation done, that everyone thought was impossible, which is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which I saw her do firsthand when she was working with the Obama Administration. State Sen. Eric Lesser arrives at the Warren for President Field Office in Claremont, NH to go door to door for the democratic primary. (Douglas Hook / MassLive) Comerford, in 2014 worked with the Run Warren, Run, campaign which formed to try and convince the Massachusetts to run for president but also admitted that she has worked on the Sanders for president campaign as well. I dont really focus on the difference, said Comerford. I just really focus on why Warren ... Ive seen up close Warrens service for the commonwealth and as my federal Senate colleague, she does a kick-ass job for the state. Breaking his silence on the shocking mob attack on Nankana Sahib, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday said that the attack is against 'his vision' and will 'find zero tolerance'. Dragging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, Khan once again accused the Indian government of perpetrating violence against Muslims and other minorities. This brazen attack by the Pakistani PM comes even as he faced humiliation after posting a fake video alleging Police excesses on Muslims in UP. Imran Khan went on to say, in his tweet, that there is a 'major difference' between the Nankana incident and what minorities face in India. He alleged that the Indian government including police and judiciary are in cahoots to unleash violence against minorities. He claimed that the RSS vision support minorities oppression and targets Muslims. The major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident & the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims & other minorities is this: the former is against my vision & will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police & judiciary; Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 5, 2020 Earlier on Friday, in what can be called a deliberate attempt to mobilise, and spread fake news, Khan tweeted a video from Bangladesh claiming it as scenes of violence on Muslims in India. The video posted by Pakistan Prime Minister clearly shows Police personnel wearing vest of Rapid Action Battalion, an anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police. Shame: Pakistan PM Imran Khan forced to delete B'desh video he claimed was from UP Nankana Sahib attacked On Friday, a video 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. 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. Rahul Gandhi condemns attack on Nankana Sahib with a jibe, says 'bigotry knows no borders' 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 refused to convert back to Sikhism. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh asks Pak PM to intervene over Nankana Sahib mob attack PATHETIC: Pakistan PM Imran Khan attacks India with old B'desh video claiming it's from UP TIRUPATI: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) trust board, which manages the affairs of sacred abode of Lord Venkateswara, has decided to stick to tradition and not deviate from the practice of Vaikunta Dwara darshan for two days on Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vaikunta Dwadasi, said Y.V. Subba Reddy, chairman, TTD Trust Board. After an emergency meeting of the trust board held on Sunday evening, Subba Reddy announced that the board had decided to stick to status quo and there would be no change in Vaikunta Dwara darshan for devotees this year. The board decision came in wake of a public interest litigation, which was filed by one Tallapaka Raghavan of Tirupati in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, seeking the courts direction to the TTD to organize Vaikunta Ekadasi festivities for a period of 10 days. The high court directed the TTD to convene a meeting and announce its decision. Following the High Court order, we have convened a meeting and unanimously decided not to deviate from traditional practices. The Vaikunta Ekadasi festivities would be organised as they used to be during previous years, Reddy said. The chairman also said that the board had decided to form a committee under the convenorship of A.V. Dharma Reddy, AEO, to soon take a final stand on the issue in view of the High Court directive. Iran says it would not respect limits set down in nuclear pact but remains open to negotiations with European partners. Iran said it will no longer abide by the enrichment limits in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers after its top general was killed in an air raid by the United States on Friday. Sundays announcement means Iran is abandoning key provisions from the accord negotiated between Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and Germany that prevent it from having enough material to build an atomic weapon. Iran insisted in a state television broadcast it remained open to negotiations with European partners, who so far have been unable to offer Tehran a way to sell its crude oil abroad despite US sanctions. It also did not back off of earlier promises that it would not seek a nuclear weapon. However, the announcement represents the clearest nuclear proliferation threat yet made by Iran since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord in May 2018. It also further raises regional tensions, as Irans longtime foe Israel has promised never to allow Iran to be able to produce an atomic bomb. In response, the leaders of France, Germany and Britain urged Iran to abide by the agreement. We call on Iran to withdraw all measures that are not in line with the nuclear agreement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a joint statement. Irans announcement came after another Iranian official said it would consider taking even-harsher steps over the US killing of General Qassem Soleimani on Friday. Irans state TV cited a statement by President Hassan Rouhanis administration saying the country would not observe limitations on its enrichment, the amount of stockpiled enriched uranium as well as research and development in its nuclear activities. The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has in a statement announced its fifth and final step in reducing Irans commitments under the JCPOA, a state TV broadcaster said, using an acronym for the deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran no longer faces any limitations in operations. It did not elaborate on what levels it would immediately reach in its programme. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations watchdog observing Irans programme, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, Iran said that its cooperation with the IAEA would continue as before. Soleimanis killing has escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after the months of threats that have put the wider Middle East on edge. The dispute is rooted in Trumps decision to pull out of Irans atomic accord and impose sanctions that have crippled Irans economy. Iran has promised harsh revenge for the US attack, which shocked Iranians across all political lines. Many saw Soleimani as a pillar of the country at a moment when it has been beset by US sanctions and recent anti-government protests. Moving away from deal In November, Iran stepped up activity at its underground Fordow nuclear plant a move France said showed for the first time that Tehran explicitly planned to quit a landmark deal with world powers that curbed its disputed nuclear work. With the presence of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA], Iran started injecting [uranium] gas into centrifuges in Fordow, state television reported. Iran insisted that the latest move is not a violation of the nuclear deal, but is based on the Articles 26 and 36 of the agreement. The incident involving an IAEA inspector appeared to be the first of its kind since the landmark deal was struck, imposing restraints on its uranium enrichment programme in return for the lifting of international sanctions. The nuclear accord bans nuclear activity at Fordow, a plant located near the city of Qom and capped the level of purity for enriched uranium at 3.67 percent suitable for civilian power generation and far below the 90 percent threshold for nuclear weapons-grade material. Before the deal, Iran used Fordow to enrich uranium to 20 percent fissile purity. Officials have said Tehran could again enrich uranium to 20 percent but there is no need for that right now. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Havent seen the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree yet? Theres still time. If youre still celebrating the holiday season, you only have a few days left to see the iconic tree in Manhattan. A staple of the holiday season in New York City for more than 80 years, the tree first arrived in Rockefeller Center Plaza on Nov. 9. The 77-foot-tall, 12-ton Norway spruce arrived from the village of Florida, New York, and was lit during the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 4. According to Rockefeller Center, theres just a few days left to see the tree this holiday season. The final night to view the tree covered in lights will be Jan. 11 until 10 p.m. The best Christmas trees come very close to exceeding nature. --Andy Rooney Just one week left in this Christmas Tree season. The final night to view the lights in all their glory will be January 11 until 10pm. Please visit, take lots of pictures and enjoy! (: @212sid) pic.twitter.com/7o4Np0XljJ Rockefeller Center (@rockcenternyc) January 4, 2020 For the 13th consecutive year, the 2019 Christmas Tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. After the holiday season is over, the tree comes down and is milled, treated and made into lumber that is used for home building. In 1931, during the Great Depression, workers at the Rockefeller Center construction site erected and decorated a small tree, and then lined up at the tree to receive their paychecks -- thankful to be working at that time. The tree became an annual tradition in 1933, when Rockefeller Center held the first official lighting ceremony. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. At least 30 BJP workers and members of Bharatiya Hitharakshna Vedike were injured in a police lathicharge when they were trying to take out a procession in favour of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) without permission on Saturday. The office-bearers of the Vedike, comprising BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and some Hindu organisations had sought permission from the police to stage a demonstration in favour of the CAA. The police had refused the permission in view of law and order. However, some BJP and Vedike members tried to take out a procession near the TB on Clock Tower route where members of minority communities reside. Then, the police tried to prevent them. Angered, the BJP and Vedike members pushed the barricades and tried to go ahead. Tension prevailed for sometime when the police and the demonstrators engaged in a verbal due. At this stage, the police caned the demonstrators to control the situation. Some demonstrators fell down and were injured when others tried to escape from the police. Three policemen were also injured in the incident. The Muslim community members also tried to take out a counter protest from the Clock Tower to the TB. Shops and stalls had been closed in view of the protest. India had also asked Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community. New Delhi: On the heels of the vandalism at the historic Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistani Punjab on Friday, India on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of a Sikh man at Peshawar and called upon Pakistan to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts. New Delhi also asked Islamabad to act in defence of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries. According to reports, a 25-year-old Sikh man identified as Ravinder Singh was shot dead in Peshawar by an unidentified man. Ravinder Singh was reportedly a resident of Shangla district at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He had returned home recently from Malaysia and had gone to Peshawar to shop for his wedding, one of his friends told an Indian TV channel. The victim was reportedly the brother of Pakistani Sikh journalist Harmeet Singh. His bullet-riddled body was recovered from the area under the Chamkani police station and sent to a hospital, police in Peshawar had said in a statement. Meanwhile, in a statement, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janamasthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur. The MEA added, India calls upon the Govern-ment of Pakistan to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts. The Government of Pakistan should act in defence of their minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries. India had on Friday lashed out at the vandalism in Nankana Sahib and had strongly condemned these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place. India had also asked Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community. According to media reports, a mob attack took place at the shrine where the Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. Amid the US-Iran escalating tensions, a military base in Kenya used by the US military personnel was attacked by Somalian group Al-Shabab on Sunday. No casualty has been reported. The Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) in a statement said that an "unsuccessful breach" was made to breach the Manda Air Strip. The statement said: "Four terrorist bodies have so far been found. The airstrip is safe. Arising from the unsuccessful breach a fire broke out affecting some of the fuel tanks located at the airstrip. The fire has been put under control and standard security procedures are now on-going." Al-Shabab issued a statement taking responsibility for the attack on the military base. "Seven aircraft and three military vehicles were destroyed in the attack," the group claimed. Al-Shabab is an affiliation of Al Qaeda and has been responsible for carrying out several other terrorist attacks in Nairobi and Mogadishu. Live TV On Saturday, a rocket was fired near the US embassy in Baghdad though no casualty has been reported. The rocket fell inside the city's Green Zone which is a heavily fortified area housing government buildings and foreign missions, Reuters said in a report. Tensions have escalated in the region after US airstrikes killed Qassem Soleimani commander of Iran`s elite Quds Force on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. Soleimani was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran and his killing has caused a huge uproar worldwide. The US, on the other hand, had declared Soleimani as a designated terrorist and have blamed him for carrying out several terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, India and several other countries have expressed their concern over the escalating tension between the US and Iran. "The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, adding, "It is vital that the situation does not escalate further." President Trump is correct in withdrawing from the intermediate range missile treaty with Russia enacted 30 years ago, because Russia broke the treaty with its missile development. Another problem with the treaty was, it did not prevent non-treaty countries from developing intermediate range missiles; and China has developed and deployed intermediate range missiles. The Chinese missiles can outperform our defensive systems that protect Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. As a former Navy enlisted and officer (Penn State 1963, NROTC) I am concerned with the Chinese missiles designed to thwart the capabilities of our aircraft carriers, because the anti-ship missiles can be launched beyond the range of our carrier based aircraft. This places us at a disadvantage countering Chinese threats in the Far East. Previous U.S. administrations were negligent when they supported the treaty. Now we are initiating a huge effort to rebuild our intermediate missile forces. Note: In July 2019 the United States and Israel carried out successful tests of the Israeli Arrow-3 ballistic missile defense system at a base in Alaska. Ostensibly, the test was conducted by Israel in Alaska due to space considerations in Israel. Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, New Hampshire New Delhi, Jan 6 : Hours after the unseen violence swept the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Sunday, eyewitnesses said that the flare-up could have been averted if the police had taken action on time. However, Special Commissioner, Delhi Police, R.S. Krishnaiah said that the police entered into the campus only on the request of the university administration following a clash. In wake of the violence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inquired from the Delhi Police about the situation in the varsity. According to officials, Shah spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik to find about the situation as the police were deployed in the campus to restore peace. The organisation to which masked goons are associated with is also being investigated. Sources said that the clash between the Left-backed students' outfits and ABVP workers started since Sunday afternoon after server snag stalled registration of the students on the last day. The ABVP had alleged that the Left-wing students had closed the server room, causing the technical glitch. Meanwhile, around 3:30 p.m., some activists of ABVP informed the police about the attack on them at Periyar hostel. It is said that Manish, who was a candidate of ABVP Students' Union election, has been roughed up during the scuffle. Soonm after that, the police sought permission from the university administration to enter the campus. By 4 p.m., four to five police vehicles had reached the main gate. Sources also said that the police stood there waiting for permission, till then masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property inside the campus. The whole incident took place between 5 p.m and 6 p.m.. More than 60 students are said to have been injured in the incident. While the left wing students are accusing ABVP workers of assault, the ABVP officials are telling the hand of the left students behind the violence. Eyewitnesses said that by the time the police arrived to find the permission letter, the bloody game had been executed. Sources in the university administration, however, say that police were called by phone when masked goons were reported to have entered the campus. However, what time the administration called the police, at what time the incident happened, there are different statements about it. Police sources said they have waited for written permission because they have been advised on several occasions from high levels not to enter the campus without the permission of the university administration. Earlier, there has been a dispute over the entry of police into some universities including JNU without permission. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites that it would strike if Iran attacks any Americans or any U.S. assets in response to Friday's U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites that it would strike if Iran attacks any Americans or any U.S. assets in response to Friday's U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. Showing no signs of seeking to reduce tensions raised by the strike on Friday that he had ordered, Trump issued a stern threat to Iran on Twitter. Trump wrote that Iran "is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets" in response to Soleimani's death. Trump said the United States has "targeted 52 Iranian sites" and that some were "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!" Trump said, adding that the 52 targets represented the 52 Americans who were held hostage in Iran after being seized at the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979. Soleimani was killed in the U.S. strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in a U.S. strike that has raised the specter of wider conflict in the Middle East. The Republican president's tweets were issued during his holiday stay in Florida. A rising number of Democrats have said Trump's action is bringing the United States to the brink of war. On Saturday, tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq to mourn Soleimani and the Iraqi militia leader. On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone near the U.S. Embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighbourhood and two more rockets were fired at the Balad air base north of the city, but no one was killed, the Iraqi military said in a statement. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Will Dunham) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. A South Carolina airport officer was shot dead during a traffic stop on Sunday morning, police have confirmed. The victim, named as Jackson Ryan Winkeler, 26, from Dillon, is understood to have been gunned down at Florence Regional Airport at around 6am. Authorities say the male suspect, who has not yet been named, initially fled the scene but was later apprehended by Florence County Deputies. In a statement the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said: 'Interviews are being conducted with the responding officers and others. 'Information gathered in the SLED investigation of the incident will be summarized in a case file report to be submitted to prosecutors. This is an ongoing investigation.' Winkeler was also reported to be firefighter with the Latta Fire Department, according to WMBF. Jackson Ryan Winkeler, 26, pictured, from Dillon,was shot dead during a traffic stop at Florence Regional Airport on Sunday morning, according to reports. Authorities say the male suspect initially fled the scene but was later apprehended by Florence County Deputies Florence County Sheriff's Office posted a tribute on Facebook following the shooting. They wrote: 'This morning our community has been again shocked by an act of violence directed at one of our local Law Enforcement officers. 'Soon after being notified of a Florence Regional Airport Police Officer being killed our SRT team was able to mobilize, apprehending the suspect a short time later.' They added: 'The Florence County Sheriffs Office is here and stands ready to respond again if called to assist all local agencies if the need arises. 'On behalf of Sheriff Barnes and Chief Deputy Kirby we ask that the community please keep Jackson Winkelers family, friends, and coworkers in their prayers as they process what has occurred. 'They have our deepest sympathy and we will be assisting them in any way possible.' Authorities in South Carolina are investigating the fatal shooting of an airport public safety officer officer in Florence. A man shot and killed the officer Sunday morning during a traffic stop at Florence Regional Airport, pictured, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said Lexington County Sheriffs Department tweeted: 'Were mourning with the Florence Regional Airport Police Department after the death of Officer Jackson Winkeler. 'Sheriff Koon and the entire LCSD family send heartfelt condolences to Officer Winkelers family, friends, and fellow servants in the Pee Dee public safety community.' The incident in Florence County is said to be the first officer involved shooting in South Carolina in 2020. In 2019, there were 45 officer involved shootings in South Carolina - none involved the Florence Regional Airport. The Midland Development Corp. is on the verge of filling the second empty building at the Spaceport Business Park. The MDC board will vote Monday to allow its executive director to negotiate and execute an economic development agreement with Kepler Aerospace, Ltd., which, according to its website, is developing both highly efficient and economically viable satellite delivery systems. MDC Chief Operating Officer Sara Harris told the Reporter-Telegram that the sublease agreement is in final review with Kepler Areospaces legal team. The agreement calls for Kepler to occupy the empty, 17,000-square-foot building once occupied by Orbital Outfitters at the business park. Harris said the deal does not include a cash inventive, but that if Kepler meets contractually obligated milestones, it will receive lease abatements for three years. The deal is almost identical to the MDCs deal with Avellan Space Technology & Science made in late 2018, she said. AST, which designs and manufactures miniature satellites, took over the hanger once occupied by XCOR Aerospace. The company has received rent abatements for reaching its negotiated goals. Harris said the agreement with Kepler calls for the company to create at least 20 new jobs, $2 million in annual payroll and have $80 million in personal property investment by its third year. Those are conservative estimates, Harris said. That means Midlands spaceport -- which has been a hot-button issue politically after failed deals with XCOR and Orbital -- could be home to two satellite companies that between them promise at least 190 full-time jobs, $15 million in payroll and $94.25 million in capital improvements, personal property and inventory investment at the property. While AST has moved its corporate headquarters to Midland, Kepler Aerospace will continue to have its headquarters at Cape Canaveral, Florida, Harris said. Harris said Midlands spaceport and its location at a commercial airport are factors in Keplers interest in Midland. Keplers website states that it has several technologies in the fields of microwave, propulsion and energy and has recently filed for 8 Trademarks in both the flight and defense-use categories. The company is currently developing and commercializing many of these technologies such as its proprietary plasma, or high energy electrical power, technology to generate propulsion, thrust, lift and flight, Keplers website states. The Company has also developed several other proprietary propulsion, energy and microwave burst technologies, can be used in several configurations and are currently being developed by the company as technologies to be marketed to the military and defense industries. Kepler officials include Buzz Aldrin, a spokesman, government liaison and advisor; and Midlander Autry C. Stephens, chief executive officer of Endeavor Energy Resources. Stephens is listed as an advisory board member and local government liaison. The Midland Development Corp. board will vote on the agreement at its meeting set for 10 a.m. Monday at the basement conference room at City Hall. Thousands converged on San Franciscos streets Saturday afternoon for an anti-war demonstration organized in response to an American air strike on Friday that killed a top Iranian general. People waved Iranian flags, clutched megaphones and held up signs during the rally, which was organized by Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, also known as the Answer Coalition. Protesters gathered around noon near the Powell Street BART Station where activists denounced what they called imperialist war. Many demanded that the U.S. withdraw troops from the Middle East and called on members of Congress to prevent President Trump from declaring war. The rally comes in response to the U.S. air strike in Baghdad that killed Irans top general, Qassem Soleimani, and sparked global concern about the dangerous consequences of the attack. The people of the United States understand Trumps assassination (of Soleimani) as an extremely provocative act of war, said Gloria La Riva, an Answer organizer. People are fearful. La Riva said she hopes the protests across the country send a signal that people are done with endless war in the Middle East. U.S. Airstrike Bay Area lawmakers slam Trump for drone strike that killed Iranian general A steady stream of marchers swept along Market and Mission streets, chanting Trump says more war, we say no more, The road to peace is U.S. out of the Middle East, and Occupation is a crime, from Iraq to Palestine. Onlookers honked and waved. Richard Becker, Answers western regional coordinator, said it is important to call out Democrats who are in positions of power, as well as Republicans. We have a bipartisan imperialist system, he said. For all of us who stand for peace, we have to come together in a united front for peace and justice. Donna Farvard, an organizing director with the National Iranian-American Council, also spoke to the crowd, which grew to thousands after several hours. Im here with you today to call for no war with Iran, Farvard said. The air strike was a profoundly reckless move that will be viewed as a terrorist attack by Tehran. She said she fears the attack will whip up war fever, adding that she thinks it was entirely preventable. Farvard, the daughter of Iranian immigrants, said she worries that her family members in Iran will be in danger from future military strikes and is concerned that American Iranians will feel the consequences of fearmongering in the U.S., a sentiment echoed by others. Were concerned about what we have seen since 9/11 the demonization of Muslims and people of color, La Riva said. Other groups involved in the march include the Democratic Socialists of America, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Veterans for Peace and Jewish Voice for Peace. Many speakers and protesters said they showed up to put pressure on elected officials to prevent and end war in the Middle East and express concern for U.S. troops whose lives are endangered. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. If you care about troops, you might want to make sure they dont get sent overseas, said Liam Curry, a Navy veteran and member of Veterans for Peace. Isaac Harris, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, said he hopes more people will become aware of the consequences of war in the Middle East and think about mistakes made by the U.S. in Afghanistan more than a decade ago. Declaring war in the Middle East would cause a lot of harm to this country and to the world, he said, adding that it would primarily burden the poor and working class. Beyond San Francisco, thousands more took to the streets in at least 73 cities across the United States. Actress Jane Fonda joined a rally outside the White House. If Iran openly assassinated a top U.S. general and bragged about it, there is no question that the United States would initiate full-scale war, said Brian Becker, the national coordinator for Answer, in a statement that accused the president of trying to provoke war. Trump and the Pentagon have acted illegally, in violation of the Constitution, the War Powers Act and international law, Protests were also held in London, Berlin and in the Canadian cities of Toronto and Ottawa. The Pentagon high command is recklessly bragging about this illegal, targeted assassination in the most crude and false manner, Brian Becker said. They want a war with Iran a country of more than 80 million people. Trump wants it too because he thinks it will guarantee his re-election in 2020. Anna Bauman and Peter Fimrite are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: anna.bauman@sfchronicle.com. pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @abauman2, @pfimrite A 25-year-old Sikh man has been shot dead by unknown gunmen in the northwestern city of Peshawar in Pakistan, police and the victim's family said on Sunday, a day after a mob attacked Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. Rowinder Singh had come to Peshawar from Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to shop for his wedding, police said. "His bullet-riddled body was recovered from the area under the Chamkani police station and sent to a hospital," police said in a statement. "Police have already launched a probe into the killing," the statement said. The victim's brother Harmeet Singh told the media that an unknown person called him from Rowinder's cellphone on late Saturday and informed him that "my brother was killed". "The government must arrest the culprits as early as possible. I will not find peace until the criminals are arrested," he said. No group has claimed responsibility of the murder which took place a day after a mob attacked Gurdwara Nankana Sahib where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. India on Sunday strongly condemned the "targeted killing" of the minority Sikh community member Peshawar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan should stop "prevaricating" and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the MEA said. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned the recent incident of vandalism at the Nankana Sahib, saying it goes against his "vision" and the government will show "zero tolerance" against those involved in it. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is a site near Lahore where the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. Pakistan's Foreign Office on Friday rejected the media reports that the Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib was desecrated in a mob attack, saying the birthplace of founder of Sikhism remains "untouched and undamaged" and the "claims of destruction" of one of the holiest Sikh shrines are "false". Minorities in the Muslim-majority Pakistan make up some two per cent of the country's total population. Pakistan has witnessed violence against religious minorities in the past as al-Qaeda and Taliban-led militants regularly target Christian, Sikhs, Hindus, Ahmadis and Shiite communities in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A simple and fast-fading headstone in a small Yorkshire churchyard gives no clues about the tragedy that lies behind the death of a forgotten victim of the Ulster Troubles 47 years ago. For the memorial in the graveyard of St Michael's Parish Church at East Ardsley, near Wakefield, bears no references to how or where Thomas Albert Stoker died at the age of 18 in September 1972. But Australia-based former soldier turned-best-selling writer Ken Wharton knows the story of Tommy Stoker only too well and every year when he returns to Britain from Down Under he visits the grave to pay homage to the teenager, who died in a shooting in north Belfast that few people remember. But it wasn't an IRA bullet that took young Tommy's life in Ardoyne. The shot that fatally wounded him came from another soldier's gun. Ken, who is also from East Ardsley and who attended the same school as Tommy, has researched the young soldier's story. Tommy had joined the Light Infantry Regiment, which was deployed to Belfast in 1972 just before his 18th birthday, but he wasn't allowed to travel there with his colleagues. That was because a 17-year-old squaddie John McCaig had been murdered by the IRA in an infamous 'honey trap' shooting in March 1971 when he was one of three Scottish soldiers lured to their deaths by women who had befriended them in a city centre bar in Belfast. Expand Close Tommy Stokers headstone / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tommy Stokers headstone After the killings Edward Heath's government ruled that soldiers couldn't serve in Northern Ireland until they reached the age of 18, so Tommy Stoker was sent to Belfast after his birthday to join his colleagues in their base in the disused Flax Street Mill, off the Crumlin Road. Just two days after he arrived Tommy and another soldier were assigned to a covert observation post in a derelict house at Berwick Road in Ardoyne. Their mission was to observe and report back on the movements of gunmen known to be operating in the IRA stronghold. Expand Close Author and former soldier Ken Wharton on a visit to Belfast / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Author and former soldier Ken Wharton on a visit to Belfast Ken Wharton says: "While Tommy kept watch from one window, a comrade in an adjoining room was fitting a sniper scope to his SLR 7.62mm rifle; unwittingly he had a round chambered, with the safety catch set to off." As the other soldier struggled with his high velocity weapon a round was fired, passing through a wall and hitting Tommy in the back. He was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital two miles away where he survived for nearly eight weeks. Ken says: "He courageously fought for his life but finally succumbed to the fateful wound 52 days later with his parents at his side." Tommy was accorded full military honours at his funeral at St Michael's Church in East Ardsley, which is where the late comedian Ernie Wise was raised. A nearby war memorial in the St Michael's graveyard records the names of soldiers from the area who died during the two World Wars but it was only after a persistent campaign by Tommy's family that their son's passing was recognised. Ken explains: "He is listed as T.A. Stoker and the inscription says he was killed 'in Ireland', which fails to even record the correct land in which he died. Expand Close Murdered soldiers Donald McCaughey and brothers Joseph and John McCaig / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Murdered soldiers Donald McCaughey and brothers Joseph and John McCaig "The very fact that he is there at all is a tribute to his family, who fought the intransigence of the local parish council to have his name etched alongside with the soldiers who fell during the two wars." Ken has long railed against what he calls "the arrogance and insensitivity" of the British authorities, whom he has claimed refuse to properly acknowledge the hundreds of deaths of soldiers during what became known as Operation Banner in Northern Ireland, which he said was a war in every sense of the word and not just "as a police action in aid of the civil power", as it is recorded in some places. Ken has revealed that by a remarkable twist of fate, Tommy Stoker had been caught up in a murder on his own East Ardsley doorstep in 1968, four years before he was killed in Belfast. He was a friend of an eight-year-old girl, Mary Gibson, who was murdered by a 17-year-old youth called Stephen Bernan. Tommy, who was 13 at the time, had been walking Mary and another girl home when his friend realised she had forgotten a pair of shoes and ran back to her school to retrieve them. Ken says: "Tommy waited for her but there was to be no return as, tragically, Mary was strangled by a predator on her way back to him." Her body was found in the garden of an empty house and Bernan was arrested. Ken said he often reflected on what impact that tragedy had on the young soldier, adding: "One can only wonder, although entirely blameless, were thoughts of Mary still in Tommy's mind on that day in north Belfast a little over four years later?" Ken has penned 10 books about the Troubles, including A Long Long War, many of them focusing on his own experiences of Northern Ireland, and others are written from the perspective of soldiers who, like him, served in the province. In a reference to Tommy Stoker in one of the books, the author said he wasn't embarrassed to admit that during his annual pilgrimages to his fellow villager's grave he invariably sheds a tear as he lays flowers and stands in "silent contemplation of a young life so needlessly lost". Tommy's mother is buried in the same grave which, as well as the names of her and her son, also has an inscription 'Peace' on the headstone. Even though they were from the same village Ken didn't know Tommy Stoker particularly well. He says: "Our paths crossed as we were at the same school and lived very close to each other in the same village. East Ardsley was only small, and everyone knew everyone." Ken has lost track of Tommy's family and has no idea if they received compensation or support from the Army. The families of other soldiers who died in similar circumstances reportedly received 5,000. He says: "No one in the area appears to know what became of the family. There was a court martial and a soldier was found guilty of negligence." Tommy was the third soldier to die in accidental shootings by other troops in north Belfast in the summer of 1972. The others were Ronald Rowe (21), shot when he was mistaken for a terrorist in Ardoyne in August 1972, and Robert Cutting (18), mistaken for a sniper in the New Lodge the following month. Ronald Rowe's death was initially excluded from the RUC's official list of casualties, but was added to it when it was revised in 1995. Ken puts the three deaths down to "tragic coincidences". Tommy's death is mentioned briefly in the Lost Lives book that contains information about all the victims of the Ulster Troubles but the authors said he was not listed on official records. And while an official online Light Infantry roll of honour does include Tommy Stoker among the dead, it doesn't say he was the victim of an accidental shooting. "The Army don't like to broadcast their mistakes, but Tommy's name is on the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire," continued Ken. Lost Lives records that there were conflicting reports and confusion about Tommy's death but didn't elaborate on them. Ken says he spoke to soldiers who were in Ardoyne and based his accounts on what they told him. In his books, Ken has also highlighted the "heartbreaking" deaths of other soldiers around the world who, like Tommy, were shot and killed in "unavoidable circumstances, carelessness or through irresponsible horseplay". Many of the deaths are classed as 'friendly fire' or 'blue on blue' killings. Looking back at past conflicts, Ken says that the US Army killed an estimated 8,000 of their own troops in Vietnam. And he added that 20% of British Army operational fatalities during the First Gulf War were at the hands of their American allies. Ken adds that he is hoping to publish another book linked to the Troubles but this time about a victims' group here and their members' stories about the losses of their loved ones. Man arrested in connection to killing of Minneapolis-area mother originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A 41-year-old man has been arrested in connection to the death of a mother in Minneapolis, officials said. Cedric Lamont Berry was booked into the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center on probable cause murder in relation to the killing of Monique Baugh on Dec. 31, 2019, according to a statement from Minneapolis police on Friday. Police said they wouldn't release any more information at this time, calling the investigation open and active. MORE: Body found buried behind home is missing Alabama woman Paighton Houston Baugh, believed to be in her 20s, was found lying in an alley and "gravely injured" from apparent gunshot wounds, said police, who found her after responding to a shots-fired call on the 1300 block of Russell Avenue North. PHOTO: Spring Lake police officers investigate the scene of a shooting in Spring Lake, Minn., Dec. 22, 2019. (Star Tribune via AP, FILE) She was taken to North Memorial Medical Center, where she died a shortly thereafter, police said. Baugh was the mother of two young daughters and a real estate agent at Blaine-based Kris Landahl Real Estate Listings, according to the company. (MORE: Austin mom strangled to death, baby found alive; friend arrested on kidnapping charge: Official) The real estate agency said on Twitter the company was "devastated" by her death and created a GoFundMe to help support her children. Calls to Baugh's family were not returned. Calls to Berry's family also were not returned, and it wasn't immediately clear whether he'd obtained legal representation. Police are not releasing Berry's mugshot, citing a Minnesota statute that allows law enforcement to temporarily withhold data if the agency believes public access would be likely to endanger the physical safety of someone or cause a perpetrator to flee. By ANI MUMBAI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday dismissed reports of dissent among Congress and Shiv Sena leaders over cabinet expansion, saying that no one is unhappy. ALSO READ| Maharashtra: NCP gets Home, Finance as Uddhav allocates portfolios The clarification came after reports surfaced that several leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government were reportedly upset with the cabinet expansion that took place on Monday. "Order on portfolios might be released tomorrow. Nobody is unhappy with the portfolio allocations," Pawar said after a key meeting with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and other leaders of the coalition. "In today's meeting, we discussed which responsibility should be given to which minister. Other issues were also discussed in the meeting," Pawar said. Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Minister Balasaheb Thorat said that many MLAs wanted to be included in the Cabinet but there are less ministerial berths in the government. The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Federation (JNUTF) expressed concern over the violence in the campus on Sunday and appealed to the students' community to "express disagreement democratically." "JNUTF is extremely concerned about the environment of fear and brutality created by some violent agitating students. JNUTF condemns such violent act by the agitators. JNUTF appeals to agitators and their patrons not to instigate students for violence and criminal activities. We appeal to the JNU community to restore the peaceful environment of JNU where one can express his or her disagreement democratically," the press note issued by JNUTF on Sunday read. In the press note, condemning the violence perpetrated against the faculty members, JNUTF alleged that on Saturday, "the dean of the School of International Studies and one of the faculty members of the same school were humiliated, abused and physically assaulted by a group of vicious agitators when they tried to enter into their offices. In another incident, another faculty member of the School of Social Sciences was heckled, assaulted and his mobile phone was snatched away by the nasty agitators in front of the School of Languages. The associate dean of the School of Languages too was heckled, abused and physically assaulted when he tried to enter the school premise along with some other faculty membersand office staff." Condemning the violence on campus on Sunday, it added, "A group of masked agitators barged into various hostels and have mercilessly beaten up the inmates with iron rods and stick. JNUTF condemns such the violent act by the agitators." It also expressed concern over the financial and academic loss of researchers due to the vandalism and forceful seizure of science laboratories. 18 injured students have been taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the JNU and attacked them and professors with sticks and rods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) File photo showing U.S. servicemen performing flag detail at Camp Simba, Manda Bay, Kenya, on Aug. 26, 2019. (Staff Sgt. Lexie West/U.S. Air Force via AP) Pentagon Says Terrorists Attacked US Base in Kenya The U.S. military said an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a military base in Kenya that houses some American personnel. There were no reports of casualties among Kenyan or U.S. forces, but several attackers were said to have been killed. U.S. Africa Command acknowledges there was an attack at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, and is monitoring the situation, the American military said in a statement. Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the incident, the statement said. As facts and details emerge, we will provide an update. The Kenyan military base, called Camp Simba, has housed U.S. military personnel for years. Its unclear how many Americans are stationed at the base, which has reportedly been a site for U.S. special operations forces operating in Somalia. Map showing the approximate location of the terror attack in Lamu County, Kenya. The U.S. military said an Al-Qaeda affiliated group attacked Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, on Jan. 5, 2020. (OpenStreetMaps) The attack began before dawn and was still underway four hours later, witnesses and military sources told Reuters. Al-Shabaab is a jihadist terror group based in East Africa thats affiliated with Al-Qaeda. The terror group claimed in a statement that attackers had successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base and have now taken effective control of a part of the base. Kenyan military spokesman Col. Paul Njuguna said at least four of the terrorists were killed as their raid was repulsed. Njuguna was further cited as saying that a fire affected fuel tanks at the airstrip, but thats been brought under control. A suicide car bomb reportedly breached the entry to Camp Simba, Manda Bay, according to a tweet by Voice of America editor Harun Maruf, who posted photos showing a plume of dark smoke rising that was said to be from the scene. A Twitter user shared footage of flames and dark smoke billowing, allegedly from the affected location. Al-Shabaab published pictures of masked gunmen standing next to aircraft in flames, Reuters reported, though the images couldnt be immediately verified. Seven aircraft and three military vehicles were destroyed in the attack, the terror group said in a statement that included photos of damage allegedly from the scene. The jihadist organization also claimed that the raid caused severe casualties on both American and Kenyan troops stationed there, although neither Kenyan nor U.S. authorities confirmed they had suffered any casualties. U.S. military spokesman Col. Christopher Karns called Al-Shababs claims, including inflicting severe casualties, grossly exaggerated. The Kenya Defence Forces said in a statement that the terror attack had been successfully repulsed and that the airstrip is safe. Kenyan authorities said some U.S. aircraft and vehicles had been destroyed. Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia told The Associated Press that five suspects were arrested and were being interrogated. Al-Shabaab Activity in Region Based in neighboring Somalia, Al-Shabaab often carries out attacks in Kenya, whose military has committed thousands of troops to fight the terror group. Kenya sent troops into Somalia in 2011 after a spate of cross-border attacks and kidnappings. The troops were later absorbed into an African Union peacekeeping force, now 21,000-strong, that supports the Western-backed Somali government. Last year, Al-Shabaab launched a deadly attack in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, killing 21 people. A boy touches the portrait of the victim of an Al-Shabaab terror attack during her burial ceremony in Nakuru, Kenya, on Jan 25, 2019. At least 21 people were killed in the attack on the Dusit hotel complex in Nairobi on Jan. 15, 2019, which ended after an almost 20-hour siege in which hundreds of civilians were rescued, and the five attackers killed. (Suleiman Mbatiah/AFP/Getty Images) This week, Al-Shabaab gunmen killed three passengers during an attack on a bus in Lamu County, police said. File photo showing Kenyan police officers checking vehicles after an ambush by gunmen in Lamu county, Kenya, on Jan. 2, 2020. (Stringer/AFP/Getty Images) Kenyas Indian Ocean coast is a major tourist destination but, given its location close to Somalia, is vulnerable to attacks perpetrated by jihadi extremists. According to the U.S. military, Camp Simba is operated by the Air Forces 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, part of the 435th Air Expeditionary Wing. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Vance Goodfellow (L), 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron (EABS) commander, speaks with U.S. Army Lt. Col. Todd Martin (R), safety officer assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Safety directorate, about water tanks during a battlefield circulation site visit at Camp Simba in Manda Bay, Kenya, on Feb. 24, 2018. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore) U.S. Africa Command is responsible for military relations with nations and regional organizations in Africa. Reuters contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 05:56:56|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Thomas Wangler, a Siemens engineer, lays a flower in front of John Rabe's tomb during a memorial at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Cemetery in the western suburb of Berlin, Germany, on Jan. 5, 2020. At a corner of a cemetery in the west of Berlin stood the tombstone of John Rabe, an ordinary German businessman who became revered and remembered by Chinese, for he helped protect Chinese citizens during the 1937 Nanjing Massacre. (Xinhua/Ren Ke) by Tian Ying, Zhang Yuan BERLIN, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- At a corner of a cemetery in the west of Berlin stood the tombstone of John Rabe, an ordinary German businessman who became revered and remembered by Chinese, for he helped protect Chinese citizens during the 1937 Nanjing Massacre. Sunday marked the 70th anniversary of the death of Rabe. Some 30 people, Germans and local Chinese expats included, held a memorial at the tomb of Rabe, as in previous anniversaries. Laying flowers, tidying up the tombstone, and standing in silent mourning, many Chinese came to pay homage in deep gratitude. A Chinese student soprano sang a German song with repeated lyrics of "We thank" at the memorial. "As Chinese, we all know John Rabe," said Song Liguo, a middle-aged man who's lived in Germany for 19 years and came to the memorial alone holding a bouquet of flowers. "The well-known movie Schindler's List often reminds me of John Rabe. I was surprised knowing his tomb was in the city I live, and decided to pay my respect in person," Song told Xinhua in his third visit to Rabe's grave. Rabe, a Hamburg-born business representative of Siemens to China, was regarded as the "Oskar Schindler of China," as he set up a security zone in worn-torn Nanjing with a few remaining foreigners there and saved tens of thousands of lives between 1937 and 1938. When Rabe was called back to Germany in early 1938, he took with him a 10-volume diary that recorded the atrocities of the Japanese invaders. Ju Zhengji, a Chinese doctorate student of history in the Free University of Berlin, has a more compelling reason to pay homage to Rabe because he is a Nanjing native. He volunteered to speak in front of all attendees at the memorial, "Representing Nanjing people, I stand here to express our gratitude to Mr. Rabe." As a Nanjing native, Ju has learned about the horrid history and the touching story of Rabe quite young. Here at the grave, he was deeply impressed by the lasting power of the manifestation of the greatness in human nature. "70 years on, still many people rally at Rabe's tomb, remembering him. When man did a great thing, people will never forget him," Ju told Xinhua. Wolfram Wickert from the Erwin Wickert Foundation, the organizer of the memorial, said Rabe helped promote the mutual understanding and friendship between Germany and China. The courage shown by him at those extremely difficult time touched many souls. After the memorial, attendees visited the building where Rabe last lived. There hangs a metal plate on the wall introducing Rabe's life in Chinese, German and English with his portrait on. The designer of the plate, Thomas Wangler, a Siemens engineer, is among those who paid homage to Rabe. He told Xinhua Rabe was a stranger to him until he saw a film about him, though only out of a simple interest that it was a movie concerning Siemens. "I was so impressed by the spirit of humanity and courage shown by John Rabe and decided to take the duty of designing the plate," Wangler said. A German attendee, Egon Schueler, told Xinhua: "Somebody is dead, but what he did in the past should be learned for the sake of future. For this reason, we meet together." The Union Health ministry has sought an action taken report from all states on the number of cases registered, stocks seized and number of traders who have deposited list of e-cigarettes in nearest police stations under various provisions of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act. The legislation was notified on December 5 making the production, import, export, transport, sale or advertisements of such "alternative" smoking devices a cognizable offence attracting jail term and fine. Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan has written to chief secretaries of all states and UTs asking them to issue necessary instructions to departments and officials concerned for effective implementation of provisions of the Act and also undertake a month-long drive with participation of police and other departments. Considering that sub-inspectors of police are authorised officers to take appropriate action for implementation of various provisions of the ordinance, Sudan also wrote to DGPs and DIGs to undertake a special drive for enforcement of provisions of the Act. The government had issued ordinance to ban e-cigarettes in September this year. The new law replaces the ordinance. The Calcutta High Court, while hearing a case challenging the e-cigarette ban, on October 1, had stayed a clause that required submission of stock to government premises, and directed that manufacturers and wholesalers of e-cigarettes can keep it in their own godowns, where a government officer will oversee the inventory. The Centre after that had filed counter affidavits following which in December the interim order made in the writ petition was vacated and the writ petitions were dismissed. "I am to request you to issue necessary instructions for effective implementation of provisions of the Act and also to request to undertake a month-long drive with participation of police and other departments," she said in her letter to all chief secretaries. Referring to letter written on November 18, the health secretary again asked them and the DGPs and DIGs to submit an action taken report on number of cases registered, stocks seized and number of traders who have deposited list in nearest police stations and verification of the same by authorised officers. As per the Act, she elaborated that sub-inspector of police as the authorised officer has been made responsible for implementation of provisions of the Act in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973. Further as per Section 5 of the Act, the owner or occupier of the place with respect to the existing stock of electronic cigarettes shall, suo moto, prepare a list of such stock of electronic cigarettes in his possession and without necessary delay submit the stock as specified in the list to the nearest office of the authorised officer. The authorised officer to whom any stock of electronic cigarettes is forwarded under clause (a) of Section 5 shall, with all convenient despatch, take such measure as may be necessary for the disposal according to the law for the time being in force, the letter stated. "Sufficient time has been given to stock owners from September 18 and the authorised officers may be directed to proceed as per the provisions of the Act. "I look forward to your support in implementing the Act and would appreciate, if an action taken report is sent to the ministry," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday to send an all-party delegation of Sikh MP's to Pakistan immediately for them to study the condition of the community members there. His comments came against the backdrop of a mob attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Lahore and "targeted killing" of a minority Sikh community member in Peshawar. Bajwa said he was alarmed by the violence being faced by the Sikh community in Pakistan, and requested the prime minister to send an all-party delegation of Sikh MP's from both Houses of Parliament, led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the earliest. The delegation would study the conditions of the Sikh community in Pakistan, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Close Brad Pitt wades into Titanic finale debate while winning at the Golden Globes Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Olivia Colman led the night's British winners at the Golden Globes, as host Ricky Gervais stunned the audience with jokes about Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, and was silenced multiple times during the broadcast. Brian Cox, Taron Egerton, and Elton John are also among the Brits who walked away from the 77th Golden Globes with at least one trophy in hand. Gervais hosted the ceremony for the fifth and we are told last time, poking fun at this year's nominees and lamenting the duration of the ceremony in his trademark fashion. The Golden Globes can serve as a predictor of how certain films and actors are expected to fare during the Oscars next month although the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which is in charge of the Golden Globes, doesn't always see eye to eye with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation behind the Oscars. Here are the biggest talking points from the 2020 Golden Globes: British performers had an excellent night Phoebe Waller-Bridge took home the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy, while Fleabag itself was crowned Best Television Series Musical or Comedy. Olivia Colman, meanwhile, won Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series Drama for The Crown. Sam Mendes won Best Director Motion Picture for 1917, which also earned the award for Best Motion Picture Drama. Succession's Brian Cox earned the trophy for Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series Drama, while Rocketman star Taron Egerton accepted the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Speaking of Rocketman, Elton John and Bernie Taupin won Best Original Song for "I'm Gonna Love Me Again". All in all, a great night for British performers. Ricky Gervais hosted for the last time True to form, the comedian poked fun at Leonardo DiCaprio, Cats, and a few other people. In his opening monologue, he questioned the very principle of watching movies (now that "everyone's watching Netflix) and delivered this zinger: You can binge watch the entire first season of [Gervais's show] After Life. Thats a show about a man who wants to kill himself after his wife dies of cancer. It has a second season though, so he obviously doesnt kill himself in the end just like Jeffrey Epstein." He was muted multiple times for swearing during the broadcast. The Irishman was snubbed Martin Scorsese's crime film was considered a strong contender this awards season, but that assessment might change in light of the Golden Globes. The Irishman had scored five nominations but failed to win in any category. Of course, there's always the possibility that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will completely disagree with the HFPA, but it begs the question: is The Irishman not a strong contender after all? Things take an interesting turn for Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood and Joker Also also considered strong Oscar contenders, Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood and Joker did well though perhaps not as well as they could have. Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt and Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood itself won a total of three trophies out five nominations with Tarantino missing out on Best Director Motion Picture, while Leonardo DiCaprio lost to Taron Egerton in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy category. As for Joker, it scored two wins out of four nominations, with Hildur Gunadottir winning Best Original Score while Joaquin Phoenix took home the trophy for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama. It was also up for Best Motion Picture Drama, which went to 1917, while Todd Phillips missed out on Best Picture Motion Picture (a category won by Sam Mendes). Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Acceptance speeches were political Several winners chose to highlight the ongoing wildfires in Australia including Russell Crowe, who couldn't pick up his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television in person, but prepared a message about climate change that was read out by Jennifer Aniston. Patricia Arquette criticised Donald Trump's policy toward Iran, while Michelle Williams dedicated her speech to women's right to choose. Follow the ceremony as it happened here: Find a full list of winners here. Tom Devine was a Black and Tan and he died in Lifford Infirmary on July 15, 1921. It was four days after the truce agreed between the British and the IRA had come into effect, and he was 34. A miner, from Lancashire, Devine had joined the "colours" at the declaration of war in 1914. And after more than three years' "distinguished service", during which time he was wounded seven times, he was discharged "unfit for further service" a few months before the armistice. Returning home to the north of England, he had worked as a shell inspector in a munitions factory and then, in October 1920, he had joined the Royal Irish Constabulary and landed in Ireland. Nine months later, at Kilraine, near Glenties, Co Donegal, he had been shot in both thighs when a small IRA flying column ambushed a convoy of Crossley tenders on June 29, 1921. Evacuated to Lifford, Devine died a slow and painful death over two and a half weeks. The matron of the infirmary, Anna Heslin, attended his funeral in Strabane. Years later, EJ Mullin, a Catholic curate in Glenfin, remembered that, on the day after the funeral, she had remarked to him that the only others present at the graveside had been the dead man's mother who had come over from England, four policemen, and the chaplain. And, according to Mullin, she had said that when the grave was closed, Devine's mother, herself an Englishwoman, had addressed the little group, not only forgiving those who had shot her son but wishing them success: "I want the Irish people to know that I did not send my son on this mission to Ireland and that I forgive the people who shot him. I have another son, and if he came on the same mission to Ireland, I should also forgive the people who would shoot him. I have the greatest sympathy with the Irish people and I wish them every success." Mullin's mention of a small group of mourners is at variance with a report in the Strabane Chronicle that puts 150 RIC men at the funeral; that report also has both of his parents (not just his mother) present and it identifies them as Jane and Thomas Devine, a miner. Expand Close Breandan Mac Suibhne's 'The End of Outrage' (2017) received the inaugural Michel Deon Biennial Prize from the RIA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Breandan Mac Suibhne's 'The End of Outrage' (2017) received the inaugural Michel Deon Biennial Prize from the RIA But those differences are of no great significance. And consistent with the story ascribed to Heslin, other contemporary accounts noted that Jane Devine had made an emotional address at the graveside, with the Freeman's Journal reporting that she had asked God to forgive those who shot her son, as she forgave them and that, despite her sorrow, she had sobbed aloud, "God Save Ireland". "God Save Ireland" uttered in an English accent - therein lies the pity of it all. Thomas Devine Sr (born 1868) was a native of Mayo. His wife Jane (born 1870) was indeed an English woman, but she was the daughter of Irish parents, Mary (born 1831) and James Manley (born 1825). Her mother was a native of Cork, as most likely was her father. Part of the great human haemorrhage occasioned by the Famine, the Manleys had spent the 1850s and 1860s moving back and forth between Liverpool and Manchester, making ends meet and getting by, before finally settling, in 1871, in Wigan, where men dug coal in the deepest collieries in Britain. And here, surrounded by the dusty faces of the immigrant poor - among them the evicted, the orphaned, and the unwanted of Cork and Mayo - Jane Devine would have early learned the cost of the union of Great Britain and Ireland. ******* Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has implied that there was some moral equivalence between the RIC and the IRA, that is, between Tom Devine and the men who killed him. In fact, Flanagan has suggested that the Tans were somehow morally superior. In September, Flanagan attended an inter-denominational service for members of the RIC and Dublin Metropolitan Police killed during the War of Independence: they were "murdered", he said, doing their "duty". And on January 17, he and Drew Harris, the Garda Commissioner, will address an event in Dublin Castle commemorating men who served in those forces prior to 1922. Denying what was at issue in past dissension is a maneuver not uncommon in societies that have experienced violent conflict. In the last three decades of the 19th Century, many white Americans sought to bind up the wounds of the US Civil War (1861-65), and hide class and other tensions, by remembering Confederate as well as Union veterans as brave men who, in Flanagan's phrase, had done their duty. Frederick Douglass, who had been born in slavery and escaped north before the Civil War, was having none of it. On Decoration Day 1871 (May 30, the day when people decorate veterans' graves, now better known as Memorial Day), he gave a speech in Arlington National Cemetery, deploring this tendency: "We are sometimes asked, in the name of patriotism, to forget the merits of this fearful struggle, and to remember with equal admiration those who struck at the nation's life and those who struck to save it, those who fought for slavery and those who fought for liberty and justice. "I am no minister of malice. I would not strike the fallen. I would not repel the repentant - but may my right hand forget her cunning and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I forget the difference between the parties to that terrible, protracted, and bloody conflict." His point was that the US should not remember the dead for having been brave or "manly" or "doing their duty" but because they had fought for a high ideal; it was the cause not the courage of the dead that mattered. "If we met simply to show our sense of bravery, we should find enough on both sides to kindle admiration. In the raging storm of fire and blood, in the fierce torrent of shot and shell, of sword and bayonet, whether on foot or on horse, unflinching courage marked the rebel not less than the loyal soldier. But we are not here to applaud manly courage, save as it has been displayed in a noble cause." Douglas repeatedly returned to this theme in the last decades of his life. "Death has no power to change moral qualities", he argued in a speech in Rochester, New York, on Decoration Day 1882: "What was bad before the war and during the war, has not been made good since the war." "I am not indifferent to the claims of a generous forgetfulness," he told another crowd in 1894, "but whatever else I may forget, I shall never forget the difference between those who fought for liberty and those who fought for slavery; between those who fought to save the republic and those who fought to destroy it." Jane Devine would have understood Frederick Douglass. And so should we, that is, we should not be indifferent to the claims of "generous forgetfulness", but it is the cause for which people fought a century ago - not their courage in the fight nor, indeed, the conclusion of it - that demands remembrance. Ideas matter, and much as Douglass described the American Civil War, the Tan War was fought "between men of thought as well as of action" - there was no moral equivalence between those who fought for a sovereign republic and those who fought, against the will of its people, to keep this country in the union and the British empire. We should not forget why we remember, and if we remember Tom Devine at all, let it be with pity, for how can it be with pride? Breandan Mac Suibhne's 'The End of Outrage' (2017) received the inaugural Michel Deon Biennial Prize from the RIA Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will repatriate Filipinos working in the Middle East who are willing to return home in case conflict in the region further escalates. We will get out everyone who wants to get out and return to poverty in the Philippines to stare at their starving loved ones while b*********** talk about the most dynamic economy in Southeast Asia. Or we will be there with them, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Teddyboy Locsin Jr. said Sunday on Twitter. In another tweet, Locsin indicated that the Foreign Affairs department would not forcibly evacuate or repatriate Filipino workers in the Middle East. He also assured that President Rodrigo Duterte is ready to deal with a crisis in the Middle East. Locsin made these statements as tensions between the United States and Iran escalated after Washington launched an airstrike that killed Tehrans top general, Qasem Soleimani, in Iraq. Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense (DND) said members of the country's security forces were called by President Duterte Sunday to discuss ways to keep Filipinos safe in the Middle East, especially in the wake of heightened tensions between the US and Iran. "The President has tasked the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to prepare its air and naval assets to evacuate and bring home our countrymen if and when open hostilities erupt in the Middle East that may endanger their lives." said DND Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong in a statement. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the United States committed a grave mistake in killing Soleimani and that Americans "will face the consequences of this criminal act not only today, but also in the coming years." But US President Donald Trump said on Twitter that Washington has targeted 52 Iranian sites for attacks in case Tehran strikes any American or American asset. There are 1,006 registered Filipinos in Iran, who are mostly permanent residents with their family members, according to the DFA. It added there are also 50 documented Filipino workers in the country. The DFA had warned Filipinos against going to Iraq until further notice and told Filipinos who were already in the country to coordinate with the Philippine embassy and their employers in the event there is a need for mandatory evacuation. The crisis alert level for all areas in Iraq is currently in Alert Level 3 or voluntary repatriation, except in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region which is still under Level 1 or the precautionary phase. There is also an existing ban on deployment of new workers and household workers to Iraq. There are currently 1,190 documented and 450 undocumented Filipinos in Iraq, according to DFA which cited the Embassy's latest figures. More than half are in the Kurdistan region while 847 are in the Baghdad area. Most of those in Baghdad are working with US and other foreign facilities, while others are in regular commercial establishments, particularly in Erbil. BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of instigating "riots" by "misleading" people on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and sought to reassure Muslims, saying the law has no provision about taking away citizenship of minorities. Addressing a meeting of Delhi BJP workers, Shah, also the Union home minister, attacked Pakistan for "terrorising" Sikhs as he referred to a recent attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib by a violent mob in Pakistan and asked opposition leaders to open their eyes to atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country. "This is an answer to all those opposing the CAA. Tell me if these Sikhs who were attacked the other day in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib will not come to India, then where they will go?" he asked. Opposition leaders were spreading a pack of lies over the CAA, he said, asking BJP workers to carry out an intensive campaign to inform the masses about its features. Its beneficiaries are largely Dalits and poor and those opposing the law are against these people, Shah said, calling Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Gandhis "anti-Dalits" for questioning it. "Prime minister came out with CAA. It was approved by the Cabinet and Parliament passed it. (Arvind) Kejriwal misled people; the Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, instigated riots by misleading people. Do you want a government in Delhi which incites riots for politics," he asked. The opposition was inciting minorities against the CAA by alleging that they will lose their citizenship, he said. "I want to tell brothers and sisters from the minority that none of them can lose their citizenship because the CAA has no provision about taking it away," Shah said. The BJP leader also claimed that Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had extended her support to rioters by saying that she will visit houses of those who carried out riots. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who had arrived in India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh due to religious persecution. Opposition parties have called the law against India's Constitution for making religion a ground for citizenship. The country has been witnessing protests against the amended citizenship law, with protesters arguing that the CAA in combination with other citizenship measures like NPR and NRC can be used to discriminate against people. The Modi government has asserted that it has so far not discussed the proposal for National Register of Citizens. Shah said opposition parties have become habituated to the "politics of opposition and vote bank" and referred to their stand against measures like the law against triple talaq among Muslim men and nullification of Article 370. They also opposed construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said, noting that a recent Supreme Court order had paved the way for building the temple. He asked people to give missed calls to a toll free number put out by the BJP to show their support to the CAA and slammed rumours that the number belonged to Netflix, a streaming service. This number belongs to the BJP, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of missing 15-year-old John Paul Smyth has been recovered after a five day search. The teenager, known as 'JP', was last seen in Warrenpoint town centre on New Year's Eve. Police appealed for anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward. In the following days community search and rescue teams combed the area looking for the missing teenager. On Saturday evening police confirmed that the search for JP had ended. "Thank you to everyone for all your help and support and who shared our appeal to find missing teenager 15-year-old John Paul (JP) Smith," a spokesperson said. "Sadly, we are no longer searching for JP and offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends this evening." JP was a pupil at St Paul's High School, Bessbrook. The school said that the Year 12 pupil's death was "tragic and accidental". Local councillor Jarlath Tinnelly said that his body had been recovered from the water. "Initial indications are this was nothing more than a tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are with John Paul's family at this tragic time. May he rest in peace," he said. Vice Principal at St Paul's Daithi Murray said that he had held out hope JP would be found. "Such sad, sad news," he said. "He was a lovely pupil, friendly and courteous. He had a bright future ahead of him." Writing on social media a school spokesperson said that his death had "shocked and saddened us all". "The thoughts and prayers of the entire St Pauls community go out to JPs family and friends," the spokesperson said. "JPs infectious personality and his friendly smile endeared him to so many pupils and staff at St Pauls." The school's oratory will be open on Sunday from 12 to 2pm for pupils, their families and members of staff who wish to gather and remember JP. Support will also be offered to pupils affected by JPs death when they return to school on Monday. Flash The Canadian-commanding NATO mission in Iraq has suspended its training task after a U.S. airstrike killed an Iranian commander, Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported Saturday. A senior Canadian government official was quoted as describing the move as a "tactical pause." The NATO mission run by Canadian General Jennie Carignan is reportedly a "non-combat, advisory and training" mission. The suspension of NATO's training mission, where 253 Canadians are involved, does not affect the U.S.-led Operation Impact where Canada has approximately 600 soldiers servicing in Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan and Lebanon as trainers and advisers, according to the report. Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Friday called on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation after a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, who was commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force. "Canada is in contact with our international partners. The safety and well-being of Canadians in Iraq and the region, including our troops and diplomats, is our paramount concern. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation. Our goal is and remains a united and stable Iraq," Champagne said in a statement. Canada also urged its citizens in Iraq to consider leaving the country in updated travel advisory on Friday after the attack. "This attack has led to increased tensions in the region," the advisory said. "There is an increased threat of attacks against Western interests and of terrorist attacks in general. Consider leaving by commercial means if it is safe to do so." The United States has urged its citizens in Iraq to leave "immediately," following the attack. Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" against the United States for what Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called a "heinous crime" after Soleimani was killed. Residents and tourists in the Lamu region reported seeing a plume of smoke and hearing gunfire at 3:30 a.m. that continued until midmorning. It was unclear exactly how the attack unfolded, but pictures of the aftermath indicated that al-Shabab was able to detonate explosives where U.S. military equipment such as helicopters and other aircraft would have been stationed. The former chairman of Tata Group, Cyrus Mistry, on Sunday said he was pursuing all options to protect the Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Groups rights as a minority shareholder, including the right to a seat on the Tata Sons board, but that he is not interested in going back to Bombay House (Tata Group headquarters) as chairman of Tata Sons. The SP Group owns 18.5 per cent in Tata Sons and is fighting the Tata Sons, the holding company of Tata Group, since Mistry was ousted as chairman in October 2016. In the last three years, both in conduct and in their statements to the ... Trinamool Congress (TMC) issued a show-cause notice to its MLA, Samaresh Das for sharing a stage with BJP state president and MP Dilip Ghosh during an event in the East Medinipur district. TMC MLA from the Egra Assembly constituency, Samaresh Das was present at the inauguration of the Egra Winter Fair, in which Ghosh too was present as a guest. The TMC also removed its block president Siddeshwar Bera after the incident and installed Bijon Sahoo in his place. TMC East Medinipur district president and MP Sisir Adhikari said that the notice had been sent to the party MLA as per the state presidents orders. As per the state presidents order, we have issued a show-cause notice to the Egra MLA. The Egra block president has also been removed and Bijon Sahoo had been appointed to take his place. The show-cause letter has already been sent, Adhikari told reporters here. Samaresh Das, however, denied having received any such notice and criticized the move to sack the block president. I was there as irrespective of political affiliations people gather at the fair. I did not get any notice in written concerning the same from the party. But in the old days, CPI (M) leaders and Sisir Adhikari have jointly inaugurated the fair. I do not understand how it is ok for him to meet leaders from other parties but not for us, Das said. It is not a zamindari matter in which someone can be removed and someone else appointed. There should be discussion, the district committee should first discuss and then take such decision, Das said regarding the removal of the block president. BJP MP Dilip Ghosh also said that it was his first time at the Egra fair and he had come upon being invited to inaugurate the fair. If Louisiana were a boat, shed be leaking. New population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau show our state as one of only four with a net population drop of five figures or more between July 2018 and July 2019. The Census Bureau reports Louisiana lost 10,896 people during those 12 months. But its even more dire than that. The Bureau also reports more than 26,045 people chose to leave Louisiana and move to other U.S. states during that time. Our net population dropped only by 10,896 because we had approximately 15,000 more births than deaths during those 12 months. Dan Fagan: What if John Bel Edwards actually supported tort reform? What if Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, surprised everyone and worked to ease the heavy burden for Louisianans who pay an average of $2,200 If you think 26,045 locals choosing to leave Louisiana and live in another state in a one-year period is alarming, consider this. The year prior, from July 2017 to July 2018, the Census Bureau reports an additional 27,914 people left Louisiana to live in other states. Theres more. The year before that, the Bureau reports another 27,515 Louisianans left the state to live elsewhere between July 2016 to July 2017. Thats more than 80,000 people over a three-year period giving up on Louisiana and looking for greener pastures elsewhere. What a wake-up call. When you factor in births outnumbering deaths and international migration to Louisiana to counter locals leaving, our state had a net loss of 33,031 people since 2016. We started losing people in July 2016 after gaining population each year prior since Katrina. Dan Fagan: Nancy Pelosi's pettiness is hurting Louisiana farmers When the often braggadocious Donald J. Trump campaigned for president, he promised Americans, if elected, wed win so much wed eventually get Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, was inaugurated in January 2016, and within weeks, raised billions in new taxes and gutted incentives for Louisiana businesses. The year 2016 was also when Edwards, with the help of his trial lawyer donors, launched what The Wall Street Journal described as a shakedown of the oil industry. Maybe the exodus coinciding with the drastic changes in policies brought on by Edwards was a coincidence. I doubt it, especially when you look at the other states losing people. The Census reports there were only six states losing 25,000 or more people from July 2018 to July 2019. They were California (-203,424) New York (-180,649) Illinois (-104,986) New Jersey (-48,946) Massachusetts (-30,274) and Louisiana (-26,045). California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts are all well-known for their high taxes and anti-business bent. Louisiana joined the club once Edwards raised billions in new taxes and adopted his anti-business and sue-happy ways as governor. Where did all these Louisianans go? From July 2018 to July 2019, when we lost 26,045 people, our business-friendly and no-income-tax neighbor, Texas, gained 367,215 Americans from other states. Thats like gaining an entire city. Florida gained what amounts to 640 people a day during those 12 months. The Sunshine State was second only to Texas in net migration, with 233,420 new residents. The Southern region of the United States, the fastest-growing part of the country, saw an overall growth of more than one million people during the time period Louisiana lost 26,045 people. The thing is, people arent stupid. They see the nations economy on fire and hear of all the good-paying jobs across the country. Since President Donald Trump cut taxes and gutted job-killing regulations, the average personal income for Americans is up more than $5,000. And yet college graduates are having a tough time finding good-paying jobs in our state. Most probably want to stay here, but they must go where the good careers are. As we enter 2020, things are good in America, with unemployment rates lower than weve seen in five decades. And African Americans and Hispanics are also seeing record unemployment numbers. One could argue this is the best economy weve ever had. But with the economy so strong, its important now more than ever for Louisiana to compete with her neighboring states by adopting pro-growth policies to entice businesses that will create good-paying jobs. We should reject the stagnant and sluggish anti-growth policies of states like California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Massachusetts. If we dont, well continue to lose people, and that would be a real shame. We owe it to our young people to offer them a future right here in Louisiana. Email Dan Fagan at faganshow@gmail.com. The funeral procession for Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani began Saturday in Baghdad, where he was killed a day earlier by a U.S. drone strike. The next stops for Soleimani's body were the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, sites that are holy for Shiite Muslims. Soleimani's burial was scheduled for Tuesday in Kerman, his hometown in southeastern Iran, state media in Iran reported. Najaf is a center for learning and pilgrimage site for Shiites, who make up about two-thirds of Iraqi and the dominant branch of Islam in Iran. Each year, thousands of Iranians, as well as other religious pilgrims, travel to Najaf to visit the golden-domed shrine of Imam Ali, one of the founding leaders in Islam and highly revered by Shiites. Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of the prophet Muhammad. Shiites consider Ali, who was killed in 661 by a member of a rival sect, as the rightful successor to the prophet. The city, and the clerics based there, has also been a quiet battleground for Iran in its efforts to extend political, economic, religious and military influence over Iraq, as The Post's Erin Cunningham and Mustafa Salim reported last year. "In Najaf's dusty warrens, Iran has bankrolled schools and charities, built elaborate mosques and nurtured links with religious scholars in a bid to undermine the local clergy, who have long been fiercely independent," they wrote. "Clerics tied to Iran are promoting its particular brand of state-sponsored Shiite theology in the city's seminaries and have been maneuvering to install one of their own as Iraq's "marja," or supreme religious authority, Iraqi political operatives say." That position is currently held by Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, 89, Iraq's most influential cleric who has opposed some of Iran's core teachings around religious oversight of state affairs. In November, during the height of protests against the Iraq's political establishment - including its links to Iran - protesters set fire to the Iranian consulate in Najaf. Karbala is another sacred city in Shiite Islam, revered as the burial place of Imam Hussein. In the late 7th century, Hussein was killed in a battle that marked a doctrinal schism in Islam between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. His death is mourned and memorialized yearly in Shiite tradition known as Muharram, named after the month he was killed. Karbala is a major pilgrimage site, with the mosque built in Imam Hussein's memory the main destination. Today the mosque is ornately adorned, but the elaborate renovations are relatively new. Under Saddam Hussein's Sunni-led rule, Shiite sites were marginalized. In the violence and civil war that followed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Karbala also was a battleground. In 2007, an attack against coalition troops killed five U.S. soldiers stationed there. U.S. officials have blamed Soleimani and his Quds Force for orchestrating it. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has urged BJP to clarify whether it was planning to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the country or not. The former Chief Minister had earlier slammed the BJP government's ministers over the NRC, as according to him it was due to the Bill that every Indian would have to prove their citizenship. "We only want to know about NRC. Prime Minister Narendra Modiji says something while Amit Shah and JP Naddaji are saying something else. We want to know whether BJP is planning to bring the NRC or not?" Singh told reporters on Saturday. He further acknowledged the questions related to the contentious Congress Seva Dal booklet claiming a physical relationship between Nathuram Godse and Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. A booklet being distributed in Bhopal at the national training camp of Seva Dal on Thursday has made several claims against Veer Savarkar. Republic TV had accessed the booklet titled How brave was Veer Savarkar? that contains many controversial portions. "First of all it is wrong to make comments on anyone's personal life, but the Congress Seva Dal has not written anything. The people should question Dominique Lapierre about it," he said. The Congress party had come under attack from the BJP, Shiv Sena, and other parties over the booklet. The grandson of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had also urged the Madhya Pradesh government to ban the Congress booklet and requested it to register a case in this regard. READ: 'Made clear to Bangladesh- NRC an internal affair, CAA-NRC not connected': India READ: Mamata Banerjee slams PM Modi; says he is 'PM of India, but always talks about Pakistan' 'Made clear to Bangladesh-NRC an internal affair, CAA-NRC not connected': India Clarifying on India's stance and its communication with neighbouring Bangladesh regarding the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the Ministry of External Affairs has said on Thursday that they have spoken to Bangladesh. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in the weekly briefing said that India has made it clear to Bangladesh that NRC was an internal issue. When asked about the repercussions of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he explained that NRC has nothing to do with the amended citizenship law. He said, "We have explained our position to Bangladesh government on NRC that this is an internal matter of India. All these reports which cannot be verified is difficult to comment upon." "CAA and NRC has nothing to do with each other. NRC is mandated and monitored by the SC and also most of the countries have accepted that this is an internal matter of India," he added. READ: Mamata Banerjee takes a jibe at BJP, says 'will have to use binoculars' to find party READ: 'Common people struggling enough, don't need NRC-NPR': Owaisi slams Centre' (With Inputs from ANI) Heartwarming footage and photos have emerged of a young koala who miraculously escaped the bushfires by hitchhiking a ride in a water tanker. Damian Campbell-Davys was on duty refilling fire trucks in the fire-ravaged town of Nerriga in the Southern Tablelands in New South Wales on Sunday when he came across the distressed marsupial staggering out from burnt bushland. Desperate for shelter, the dehydrated koala climbed inside the truck and was offered a drink from Mr Campbell-Davys' water bottle. The thirsty koala was in desperate need of a drink after fleeing from fires near Nerriga Mr Campbell-Davys later shared adorable photos of his new furry friend enjoying a drink from his water bottle and a cup while making himself at home in the truck. Heartwarming footage of koala in the truck with firefighters watching on outside tanker has also gone viral. 'After the horrors of yesterday if this doesn't put a smile on your face something's wrong,' Mr Campbell-Davys posted on Facebook. Mr Campbell-Davys told Daily Mail Australia he was back on duty refilling fire trucks on Monday, the day after his memorable encounter. He was inundated with messages of praise for rescuing the koala. 'Good to see some happiness today,' one person commented on the post. Another added:'Thank you for sharing this heart warming story in such a sad time.' He said the memorable encounter made his day in the wake of recent devastation. Damian Campbell-Davys shares a heartwarming moment with his new marsupial friend 'If this doesn't put a smile on your face something's wrong,' the water tanker driver wrote 'A little ray of sunshine in this nightmare,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. The koala was later handed over to a wildlife carer and is understood to be doing well. 'On behalf of Native Animal Rescue Group, cheers! According to our vet, he is in good nick and will be off to his new carer in the morning. Thanks again,' a man commented on the post. A significant proportion of Australia's koala population has been decimated by blazes so far this horrendous bushfire season while many more have been injured. The koala enjoys a well-earned drink from a cup after his miraculous escape from bushfires Mr Campbell-Davys nicknamed the koala Tinny A**e - meaning 'lucky' - after a friend who always backs a winner at the races. 'This one was also a winner fires were burning around him on both sides,' he said. 'Kangaroos can hop away, but koalas can't escape.' It's the second time within weeks the Currowan blaze has tore through Nerriga, where dozens of buildings were lost last month. Eighteen fires were still burning at advice level at 8am Monday, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service. Presidents on the brink of war tend to rely on an array of Oval Office assets: teams of experienced advisers, trusted sources of intelligence, strong ties with US allies and credibility with the American public. President Donald Trump may be in short supply across nearly all those categories as he faces the prospect of an escalating conflict with Iran. Trump's decision to approve an air strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's paramilitary Quds Force, came at a moment in his presidency when his national security team has been depleted. But even before the impeachment crisis, Trump had spent much of his first three years in office attacking US intelligence agencies, disrupting relationships with European partners and eroding public faith with conspiracy theories and falsehoods. A special team of the Prayagraj police has succeeded in reuniting lost children with their parents under a special campaign known as Operation Khushi, a police officer said. Additional superintendent of police Amit Kumar Anand had launched Operation Khushi last year, reuniting dozens of lost children with their parents. Circle officer, Bairana, Ratnesh Singh has continued the drive. The police also take help of social activists and NGOs for counselling children. Most of the children rescued from railway stations, bus stations and other public places were those who had run away from home after being scolded by their parents for not concentrating on studies or other reasons. In a recent drive, the police team traced the parents of a nine-year-old boy Gaurav who was lodged at the child shelter in Khuldabad. Childline members had rescued the boy from the Allahabad railway station around 20 days ago. Gaurav provided some clues about his native place Patna, after which the team located the parents after speaking to officials at Khusrupur police station in Patna. The police there confirmed that a missing complaint about Gaurav was lodged at Khusrupur police station. On Saturday, Gauravs parents Guddu Chaudhary and Reena arrived in Prayagraj where they were reunited with their son. The parents said Gaurav ran away from home after they scolded him for playing with his friends and not concentrating on his studies. On December 27, another child Heera Soni, 9, was reunited with parents who arrived from Singrauli district in Madhya Pradesh. Heera was also rescued from Allahabad railway station and lodged at a child shelter in Rajruppur. Heera had left home alone for his uncles house, boarded a train and reached Prayagraj. Circle officer Ratnesh Singh said the drive was putting the smile back on the faces of lost children who were rescued from different places and lodged at child shelters in the city. More such children would be rescued soon and their parents would be traced, Singh added. Photo: A child recently reunited with his parents 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 By Express News Service MAHBUBNAGAR: In a rare show of responsibility, staff of the government junior college here are spending from their pockets to feed students under the mid-day meal scheme every month, to ensure that the students coming from far-off villages get a nourishing meal in the afternoon. M Bhagavantha Chari, principal of the junior college, told Express that most of the students of the college are from a weaker socio-economic background. They travel to college from their villages located about 15-25 km away. Some even come from the Nallamalla forest area. Many of them attend to farm work before coming to college and have to hurry to catch a bus. As a result, they skip breakfast many a time and do not even carry lunch, he said. Chari, who was transferred from Achampet Junior College recently, said: After noticing their problems, we approached the Akshaya Patra Foundation and introduced mid-day meal provision for all students in the college. This even led to increase in attendance and pass percentage in the college, he said. The mid-day meal scheme was launched in December in junior college. The Akshaya Patra Foundation provides meals at Rs 25 per plate to about 750 students of the college, of which `10 is borne by the college staff while Mahbubnagar municipality pays the remaining Rs 15. Excise Minister and Mahbubnagar MLA V Srinivas Goud made this possible. He immediately responded when we approached him and issued necessary directions to the district administration, the principal said. The minister personally donated Rs 25,000 for the scheme and asked teachers to support the initiative, he added. bushfire australia INSTAGRAM @IDASHOPE4STROKE via REUTERS The bushfires in southeastern Australia are raging on with no sign of stopping. Officials were bracing for unfavorable conditions, and temperatures hit a record high in Canberra. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Saturday that 3,000 Australian Defence Force reservists would help with bushfire recovery. He also announced nearly $13.9 million (AUS $20 million) to lease water bomber planes. The first of those evacuated from the holiday beach town, Mallacoota, where thousands were trapped on New Years Eve, reached an area southeast of Melbourne. The city of Melbourne said on Saturday that a relief center would be opening at the convention center for those who had to evacuate. Two people were confirmed by authorities to have died in fires on Kangaroo Island. At least 23 people have died this summer, Morrison said on Saturday, with seven killed during a 24-hour period over the New Year. Large parts of the region have been blanketed with thick smog and blood-red skies. On Thursday, the capital of Canberra recorded the worst air-quality index of all the world's major cities. Food and fuel are running low in remote regions, and power and communications are being cut out in some places. Numerous outlets have described the fires as pushing the country to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been sharply criticized for the disaster, with critics citing his insufficient climate policies and refusal to curtail the coal industry. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Bushfires are continuing to rage across southeastern Australia with no end in sight. At least 18 people have died, hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and the country teeters on the brink of a humanitarian crisis as food and fuel runs out in some areas. The current bushfire season in southeastern Australia, which began in October 2019, is the worst in recorded Australian history. More than 1,400 homes across the southeastern region have been destroyed so far, The Guardian reported. At least four million hectares (9.9 million acres) of land have been burned in the area, the BBC reported earlier this week. Story continues Here's everything that has happened so far. australia bushfire aftermath Glen Morey via Reuters The casualties At least 23 people have died so far, Morrison said according to the Associated Press, with the number likely to rise. Seven people died in New South Wales within the 24-hour period on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, CNN reported. One of them was a 28-year-old volunteer firefighter, who died when wind flipped his fire engine, the BBC reported. Another woman died on Thursday after disembarking a plane from Brisbane to Canberra on Thursday, with relatives believing she went into respiratory distress caused by smoke inhalation, The New Daily reported. Authorities confirmed that two people died due to bushfires on Kangaroo Island, the BBC reported. australia bushfires bateman bay Copernicus EMS On Saturday, the number of people missing from bushfire affected areas in Victoria was 21, according to the BBC. According to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, there were more than 137 fires burning in NSW on Saturday morning. There were more than 48 fires burning in Victoria. australia bushfire canberra cooma Rosie Perper/Insider A humanitarian crisis looms Thousands of people have been evacuated, with photos showing people escaping by boat with their eyes and faces covered under blood-red skies. The state of New South Wales has declared a state of emergency. Insider's Rosie Perper was on vacation in Narooma, located along the South Coast of New South Wales, on December 31, when several out-of-control bushfires broke out near the small beach town. Major roads in and out of Narooma were closed, leaving her trapped along with thousands of others who had evacuated from bushfire affected areas. "We just had to wait in Narooma with no power or cell service until the roads reopened while bushfires roared around us," she said. "It was terrifying." bushfires rosie Rosie Perper/Business Insider On January 1, roads out of Narooma reopened and she was able to drive to the southern New South Wales town of Cooma and onto Canberra. "When we arrived in Canberra the weather was hot and dense, and felt heavy in my lungs. The sky was completely grey." "I went to the pharmacy and all the staff were wearing gas masks, as were many people on the street," she added. australia bushfire plane Rosie Perper/Insider Food and fuel supplies are running low in more remote regions, and there are massive power and communications shortages. In New South Wales, fallen trees have blocked roads, making it potentially difficult to deliver more food, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported. A woman named Kerry described to ABC a line of 50 cars waiting to get petrol and "clearing the shelves" in the local supermarket in Tura Beach in New South Wales. Another supermarket manager in the coastal Ulladulla described seeing 300 people waiting in line for necessities. bushfire australia Jonty Smith from Melbourne/via REUTERS The Australian navy deployed ships to evacuate hundreds of people so far, with air evacuations to be organized for elderly and sick people, The Guardian reported. On Friday, Reuters reported that the "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." The first of those evacuated from Mallacoota arrived just southeast of Melbourne, on Saturday, and the Melbourne Convention Centre was being turned into a relief center for those evacuated. A video posted earlier this week showed a rescue crew being overrun by bushfires and forced to seek shelter in their truck. Authorities have closed major roads and warned that they may have to abandon large areas, meaning thousands of people who refused to evacuate earlier could be trapped in the blaze. australia bushfire map NSW Rural Fire Service A fire so bad it's generating its own weather On Thursday, the Australian capital of Canberra recorded its worst air quality in history, with air 23 times higher than the global hazardous level, according to The New Daily and ABC. Some of the bushfire smoke has even crossed the Tasman Sea to cover parts of New Zealand, ABC reported. Meteorologists have said that the bushfires have gotten so big that they are generating their own weather in the form of "pyrocumulonimbus" clouds, which are giant thunderstorms that start more fires. australia bushfire David Gray/Getty Images Mass evacuations as weather is set to worsen "We are getting high temperatures across most of (New South Wales), including Sydney as well as western and southern parts of the states, as predicted," New South Wales Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers told the Associated Press. The New South Wales government has warned of power and communications outages, and set up a "tourist leave zone" for visitors to evacuate to. Weather conditions were expected to worsen as the week progresses, with temperatures in southeastern Australia expected to soar to as high as 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 degrees Fahrenheit), alongside strong winds and dry conditions, according to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology. On Saturday, the temperature broke records in Canberra reaching 43.6 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit. And weather conditions High winds can force the flames to go in unpredictable directions. australia bushfires temperature map Australian Bureau of Meteorology Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been sharply criticized for being partly responsible for the crisis due to his government's climate policies. Morrison, who came to power in May 2019, has defended the country's coal industry and given what critics say are insufficient pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to The Guardian. Climate change doesn't create bushfires, but can make them worse. In a Thursday press conference he told people to "be patient," and described the need for dairy farmers to "pour the milk down the hill because of the lack of power" as "the tragedy of what is occurring." On Saturday, Morrison announced that 3,000 troops from the Australian Defence Force reserves would be called to help with the bushfires, and that millions would be spent to lease water bomber planes. Rosie Perper contributed reporting. Read the original article on Insider Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky set the bar high with their costumes at their Studio 54-themed New Year's Eve fancy dress party in Byron Bay last week. After Elsa previously shared pictures going underwear free in a sheer dress at the bash, a picture of Chris' eye-catching ensemble has now emerged. Wearing flared trousers with a checkered design, a sleeveless shirt and retro sunglasses, the star looked like he'd stepped straight out of the 1970s. Retro! Chris Hemsworth (second, left) and Elsa Pataky (second, right) set the bar high with their costumes at their Studio 54-themed New Year's Eve fancy dress party in Byron Bay The actor, 36, posed for a picture alongside wife Elsa and several friends, who had all dressed the part for the bash, centered around the New York City nightclub. Elsa, 43, went underwear free in a sheer dress as she danced with friends and family - including Matt Damon's wife, Luciana Barroso. Her glamorous frock featured intricate beading and white feathers at the hem. The mum-of-three also crimped her blonde hair extensions and accessorised with pineapple-shaped sunglasses. Party time! Elsa Pataky (second, left) went underwear free in a sheer dress as they hosted the Studio 54-themed New Year's Eve party at their $20million mansion in Byron Bay 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, left) Chris and Elsa hosted the party at their $20 million Byron Bay mega-mansion, which they finally moved into last month after a two year build. 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. 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 Scams are still a major problem for the auto insurance market and scammers develop all sorts of ingenious ways of tricking people. Using online quotes from legit companies and brokerage websites will help you avoid being ripped off by crooks said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director Compare-autoinsurance.org has released a new blog post that explains the typical car insurance scams and how policyholders can easily avoid being scammed. For more info and free car insurance quotes online, visit http://compare-autoinsurance.org/can-online-quotes-help-you-prevent-car-insurance-scams/ Modern crooks will try to convince unsuspecting victims that they are representatives of important companies and they are here to help them. Crooks will ask the victims to provide sensitive information or purchase inexistent coverage. Do not make any purchase without consulting the insurance company on the phone listed on their official website. Getting unsolicited calls from agents and companies is a big red-flag and people receiving them should always consider themselves targeted by scammers. Furthermore, drivers should not apply to ultra-cheap coverage without researching the agent or the company in the first place. The blog provides more details, including tips on how to avoid these scams. Online quotes will help policyholders avoid car insurance scams. It is recommended to get quotes from licensed, well-established insurance companies. Not from ads promising ultra-cheap coverage and then redirect the user to unknown companies or agents. Online quotes present the average insurance costs for a person with a similar background and vehicle. If the cost of the advertised insurance policy is 90 percent below average, theres a good chance the policy is either fake or provides very little coverage. Carefully read the terms of the contract. For more information and free car insurance tips, please visit http://compare-autoinsurance.org Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. Just shy of his 21st birthday, Richard Cottingham began a vicious killing spree that tore through north New Jersey and New York City. What started in 1967 with the discovery of a Ridgefield Park woman dead, nude and bound in her own car continued until 1980, when the hulking Cottingham, then 33, was arrested after the screams of a would-be victim pierced the walls of a Hasbrouck Heights motel room. He was eventually convicted of five murders in New Jersey and New York and sent to a New Jersey state prison in the early 1980s. Hed been a married father of three, but the Lodi resident - who would brutalize his victims bodies, cutting off limbs, heads and breasts - would later become known as the Torso Killer" for what he left behind. But Cottingham had other victims, and he would later boast of killing 85 to 100 people. In 2010, Bergen County authorities announced hed pleaded guilty to a sixth murder, a 1967 strangling in Bergen County. And last week, three more were added to his grisly toll. On Thursday, authorities told NJ Advance Media that Cottingham confessed to the murders of three Bergen County teenagers in the late 1960s - each a cold case for over 50 years. Richard Cottingham being led out of court in Hackensack in 1982 following a guilty verdict.Photo by Peter Karas Author Peter Vronsky, who has a forthcoming book on Cottingham, and was first to publicly announce that the imprisoned Cottingham was responsible for the three 50-year-old crimes, says authorities want to add more to the list. Its an ongoing process, Vronsky said. Thats why [authorities are] not going to make another statement. Theyre pushing him on multiple other cases. Hes been interviewing Cottingham in state prison for years. What they want is an outright statement and a sign-off of Yes thats me,' Vronsky continued. Hes hedged around and all but confessed. Here are the nine victims Cottingham has confessed to or been convicted of killing: Nancy Schiava Vogel On Oct. 28, 1967, Vogel, 29, told friends she was going to play bingo at a local church. Instead, she ended up shopping at one of Bergen Countys malls, according to Vronsky. At the mall, Cottingham, then a tall, brown-haired young man, met Vogel, a married mother of two. He abducted Vogel and took her to a field in Montvale, where he strangled her. Vogel was found dead in her own car in Ridgefield Park, nude and bound. Jacalyn Harp On July 17, 1968, Harp, of Midland Park, was walking home from band practice when a strange man, Cottingham, tried to coax her into his car, Vronsky said. Knowing better, Harp, just 13 years old, refused. Cottingham persisted. He drove his car ahead of Harp, pulled over and walked back toward her, Vronsky said. And even though Harp ran, Cottingham soon overtook her and dragged her into a grouping of bushes where teens would often go to smoke and make out, he said. This girl did everything right, Vronsky said. Harp was found strangled to death the next day. Irene Blase Irene Blase, 18, of Bogota, New Jersey On April 7, 1969, Cottingham saw Blase, 18, shopping in Hackensack, Vronsky said. Soon, Cottingham persuaded Blase to go for a drink with him. Taking a bus to another location, Cottingham and Blase spent some time together. After their drink, Cottingham offered to bring Blase back to the bus station where they had taken the bus. Blase was found strangled to death in 4 feet of water in Saddle River the next day. Denise Falasca Falasca was walking by the side of the road in Emerson on July 14, 1969, when Cottingham pulled up beside her and offered her a ride. Falasca, 15, accepted. She was found strangled to death the next day in Saddle Brook. Denise Falasca, 15, of Closter, New Jersey Maryann Carr On Dec 15, 1977, Carr was found dead in the parking lot of a Quality Inn motel, in Hasbrouck Heights. Shed been abducted by Cottingham from the Ledgewood Terrace apartments, in Little Ferry, where Cottingham had previously lived, said Vronsky. Deedeh Goodarzi and Jane Doe On Dec. 2, 1979, the murders that earned Cottingham the nickname the "Torso Killer took place in New York City Goodarzi, of Trenton, was a sex worker who had been traveling to the then-seedy streets of midtown Manhattan, Vronsky said. Goodarzi had come to the United States years prior from Iran. That night, city firefighters responded to a blaze at a motel in Times Square, the New York Daily News reported. When they arrived, one firefighter attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation of a woman they found on the bed. He soon realized the woman had no head, the Daily News reported. Goodarzi was later identified as the woman who had been tortured, killed, beheaded and had her hands cut off by Cottingham. After dismembering Goodarzi, Cottingham lit her torso on fire, along with a second unidentified woman, who was found next to Goodarzi on the same bed. Cottingham fled the scene with the victims heads and hands. At the time, Cottingham, who had not been arrested or identified, was dubbed the "Times Square Ripper. The other woman remains unidentified. Valerie Ann Street With Cottinghams next victim, a killers hunting ground of sorts began to form. On May 4, 1980, the body of Street, a sex worker, was found at the same Quality Inn where Cottingham had dumped Carrs body. Cottingham had stuffed Streets body under the bed for housekeeping to find, Vronsky said. Jean Reyner Little more than a week after Street was found, Reyner was found butchered in the Seville Motel in New York City. Her breasts had been severed and torso had been set on fire, Vronsky said. More victims? Although Vogel was the earliest of Cottinghams murder victims, the killer has said she was not his first, according to Vronsky. A killing in Somerset County a week after Cottingham got his drivers license may have been one of his first victims, Vronsky said. That girl was found drowned, similar to Blases killing, he said. Much of Cottinghams crimes were not murders, but other violent crimes like abductions and rapes. His proclivity toward violence and the lack of solid profiling tactics for serial killers made Vronsky believe that Cottinghams claim of 100 victims was possible. Math-wise its possible," said Vronsky. "From the sense of other things that Im uncovering, he was a very busy boy. I think the math worked out to one every six weeks, Vronsky also said. Which is entirely possible, especially in those days. Rodrigo Torrejon may be reached at rtorrejon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rodrigotorrejon. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Jason Gardiner branded Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield 'fake' amid claims they snubbed him following his Dancing On Ice exit. The former judge, 48, spoke to The Sun about his disappointment and alleged that the co-hosts hadn't bothered to even send him a message following his departure. Speaking candidly, he told the publication: 'Since it was announced I was leaving the show I've had nothing from Phil and Holly. Not even a text message. Hurt: Jason Gardiner BLASTED Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield for being 'fake' as he claimed on Saturday that they snubbed him following Dancing On Ice exit 'It is hurtful, especially because when Phillip was getting a lot of negative attention recently I sent him a message of support. 'I thought they would get in touch but I've learned this industry is full of fake and disingenuous people.' Jason also claimed that he had issues with Phil over the years, but said they dealt with things 'man-to-man' and had quashed their differences. MailOnline have contacted representatives for Dancing on Ice, Holly, and Phil for comment. Snubbed: Jason claimed he'd 'had nothing from Phil and Holly. Not even a text message', which made him realise that they were 'fake and disingenuous' Happier times: Jason is seen posing with Holly and Phil at the DOI press launch in December 2018 Jason also claimed that fellow judges, and 'idols', Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill also hadn't been in touch, but Ashley Banjo did reach out to send him support. The dancer was replaced by John Barrowman on the panel, but Jason claimed that the Torchwood star is too inexperienced for the role. In August, the Australian choreographer confirmed that he wouldn't be returning to the show after joining the programme at its inception in 2006. The skating judge addressed speculation that he would be stepping down from his long-running position in an Instagram video and referenced his 'controversies', after it was rumoured he was leaving the show following his dispute with Gemma Collins. Harsh words: The dancer was replaced by John Barrowman on the panel, but Jason claimed that the Torchwood star is too inexperienced for the role Jason said: 'I know there has been a lot of speculation about me and the upcoming series of dancing on ice. I wanted to set the record straight, I've been an original judge since 2006.' 'I've done every series except one, when I was replaced by my good friend and dance sister Louis Spence in 2012.' At the time it was reported Jason told friends he felt 'stitched up' by bosses' decision to replace him with the Pineapple Dance Studios' star. This comes after it was reported that Holly and Phil have been embroiled in a so-called 'feud,' with eight This Morning presenters breaking their silence regarding the 'toxic' atmosphere backstage. A report stated the situation behind the scenes at This Morning had become 'toxic' in recent months, with employees too scared to speak out publicly for fear of backlash. An ITV source told The Sun: 'For so long people have been silenced because they are scared for their job. If they speak out publicly about the atmosphere they fear there could be repercussions.' An insider close to Holly added: 'Its true there have been some issues. Theyre like brothers and sisters - they have ups and downs but love each other.' Hitting back at the reports, a spokesperson for ITV said: 'Its deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip. Ignored: Jason added that fellow judges, and 'idols', Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill also hadn't been in touch, but Ashley Banjo did reach out to send him support 'Phillip is a much respected broadcaster and colleague and this is absolutely not a description of This Morning that we recognise. 'Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off screen and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike.' Phil also slammed the rumours as he discussed their sibling-like relationship during the Dancing On Ice launch. Claims: This comes after claims Holly and Phil have been embroiled in a so-called 'feud,' with eight This Morning presenters breaking their silence regarding the 'toxic' atmosphere The TV star said: 'Can you imagine a feud between us ever happening? It's not as if we have to defend anything. 'It's a shame we are so open on the show, we are so open online and we go on holiday together. Holly is the sister I never had, we think at the same speed. It's so organic it's a shame. 'Everyone who knows us, I mean, everyone at This Morning was like, "What the hell?" The atmosphere in our studio is so wonderful, there's such a lovely team. Everyone is lovely.' Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Investing.com - Oil prices treaded water before settling slightly higher on the first trading day of 2020 amid concerns that U.S. crude production could rebound strongly. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. crude benchmark, settled up 12 cents, or 0.2%, at $60.18 per barrel, after spending most of the day in negative territory. WTI ended the last trading day of 2019 down 1%. Brent, the global oil benchmark, settled up 25 cents, or 0.4%, at $66.25. Brent also lost 1% on New Years Eve. Tuesdays declines barely made a dent on oils gains for last year. WTI rose 11% for December, its largest monthly gain since January. Brent settled up 7% for December, its largest monthly advance since April. For the year, the U.S. crude benchmark rose 34% while its global peer had a 24% gain, the biggest annual rise since 2016 for both. Thursdays weak intraday performance for crude followed worries that U.S. oil drillers who had been restrained in their activity all through 2019 could turn the spigots back on full force this year. The big uncertainty this year and it is already beginning to be talked about is can or will U.S. producers be able to continue to add as much extra volume as they have been for the last seven or eight years, Chris Weafer, a senior partner at Macro-Advisory, told CNBC. This is a huge question, Weafer added. U.S. crude production hit a record high of 12.9 million barrels per day in 2019. Yet U.S. drillers cut the number of actively-operating oil rigs to 677 this year from 885 at the end of 2018, a 24% reduction. Oils 2019 rally was largely helped by production cuts carried out by OPEC. Right from January the Saudi-led OPEC, joined by its ally Russia under the OPEC+ alliance, tried to enforce a daily production cut of 1.2 million barrels. As that arrangement was about to expire in December, OPEC+ said it would deepen the cuts to 2.1 million barrels per day from the start of 2020. Despite its plan for stiffer reductions this year, OPEC+ could have a tougher time keeping oil prices up as U.S. shale oil output could rebound, traders said. Story continues The main reason for the 24% cutback in actively-drilling U.S. oil rigs this year was the price uncertainty that persisted midyear, said John Kilduff, founding partner at New York energy hedge fund Again Capital. WTI hovered between $50 and $55 during most of the summer months, weighing on the broader oil market. Kilduff said with the OPEC decision to double down on production cuts taking effect only in early December, it will take U.S. drillers some time to regain their momentum. With oil prices being the way they are, one can bet on more challenges ahead for production, Kilduff added. WTI at above $60 is very, very remunerable to U.S. shale. Non-OPEC oil supply, led by the U.S. shale, is forecast to grow by 2.1 million barrels a day in 2020, according to the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA). Global demand for oil, meanwhile, is set to increase by 1.2 million barrels a day next year, the IEA said. That means the world will need 900,000 fewer barrels of oil every day from both OPEC and non-OPEC producers alike, a situation that could sharply offset OPEC+ production cuts. Also, Russias crude oil and condensate output hit a post-Soviet high last year even as it curbed production under an agreement with OPEC, Bloomberg reported. "The oil market continues to see robust crude oil production from the USA, Canada, and Brazil, which could lead to a supply glut in 2020," a recent report from Washington think tank Institute of International Finance said. The report, written by a team led by Garbis Iradian, IIF chief economist for the Middle East and North Africa, forecasts world oil production to expand by 1.9 million barrels of oil a day in 2020 versus 2019. More than half that total will come from the United States. While that increase in supply is a little less than 2% of the total, the oil market is always finely balanced, so seemingly small changes in supply or demand can have a significant impact on prices. Related Articles Gold Hits 4-Month Highs as 2020 Starts Gold Hits Three-Month High as Money Flows out of Dollar OPEC Output Falls as Gulf Nations Step Up Delivery of Oil Cuts While the Al Shabab claimed multiple planes and vehicles were destroyed in the attack at the Camp Simba/Manda Air Strip, the Kenyan military said that they had driven off the attackers, while the US' Africa Command also said the attack was repulsed but the situation was "fluid". London, Jan 5 (IANS) Somalia-based, Al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group Al Shabab on Sunday attacked a naval base used by Kenyan and US forces in Kenya's Lamu coastal region, reports said. Gunfire was heard and plumes of black smoke seem emerge from Camp Simba early on Sunday, the BBC reported, citing witnesses. The Kenyan military said it had driven out the insurgents from the base, killing four of them. According to a Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) spokesperson, "an attempt was made to breach security at Manda Air Strip" but the attack was repulsed. A fire caused by the attack had been extinguished and the airstrip was now safe, he added. In a statement, the US Africa Command said the security situation at the base was "fluid" and the airfield was still in the process of being "fully secured". "Initial reports reflect damage to infrastructure and equipment. An accountability of personnel assessment is under way," it added. Al-Shabab said it had "successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base" before taking "effective control of a part of the base" and the Kenyan military used warplanes to repel the attack. vd Theres a real chance the world will have to update their maps very soon. Citizens of Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, overwhelmingly voted for independence on Dec. 11, which means it may become the worlds newest country, CNN reported. A whopping 98 percent of people in the region voted in favor of the historic referendum, according to CNN. However, there are still a number of things that need to happen before Bougainville can officially become its own country. Related: The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020 But what, exactly, is Bougainville? According to Public Radio International (PRI), its a small province within Papua New Guinea. It has held its special status as an autonomous region of the country since 2001 following a long war. Bougainville consists of a small cluster of islands, the two biggest of which are Bougainville Island and Buka Island. According to PRI, the government of Papua New Guinea would have to ratify the outcome of the vote in order for Bougainville to become its own country. This is fairly likely to happen, though Bougainvilleans may have some challenges if it does, especially in terms of sustaining its economy, PRI reported. Bougainville is an incredibly beautiful place to visit, though the journey can be quite difficult, according to CNN. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Bougainville. Instead, travelers can hop over from the nearby Solomon Islands, or go through Papua New Guinea, which has a visa upon arrival program for travelers from certain countries, including the U.S., Canada, Japan, and New Zealand. This means that residents from these countries dont have to organize a visa in advance. From there, travelers can hire a local boat, though it will cost a small fee. Since tourism in Bougainville is a relatively new industry, there are no official ferry companies, according to CNN. Most places on the island are also not equipped with regular Wi-Fi access, so its best to bring cash and get ready to unplug. Travelers willing and able to embark on a particularly long trip, especially those coming from the U.S., Canada, and Europe, will be rewarded with gorgeous, unspoiled beaches, plus plenty of opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and surfing. Coincidence or malevolence? Firefighters were called to intervene twice on Saturday evening to put out burning cars. The numerous cases of car fires in 2019 had suggested the work of an arsonist, one that was never apprehended. On Saturday evening, two new cases of incidents risk rekindling fears even if, at present, neither police nor emergency services have mentioned anything to that effect. The first vehicle fire was reported at 8.30pm on Rue de Bettembourg in Berchem. Safety and Fire Services Roeserbann as well as the Grand-Ducale police turned up. The second occurred during the night, shortly before 3am on the RN22 between Oberpallen and Ell on the Belgian border. The Beckerich Safety and Fire Services and the police responded. New Year's resolutions are overrated, right? Nobody follows them for long. But they also say that it just takes 21 days for something to become a habit. It's a whole new year and time for new beginnings. If not for ourselves, let's do something for the environment this year. Australia bushfires are already taking the lives of millions of animals and people. It's an alarming sign that climate change is upon us. We all need to do our bit. Inspiring us all and keeping her New Year's resolution different from the rest, Bhumi Pednekar cleaned Mumbai's Versova beach recently. The 30-year-old actress joined hands with climate activist Afroz Shah in the world's largest beach clean-up project in Versova by launching her pan India campaign for environment protection and conservation earlier in November. Bhumi Pednekar has been quite vocal about the issue of climate change. This time, when she participated in the clean-up drive and she shared pictures to inspire others on social media. She was seen clearing the clutter around the beach and holding placards with slogans in the photos that she shared. Its our mess to clean #happynewyear India generates 25940 tonnes of plastic waste everyday, of 10376 tonnes is uncollected plastic Start segregating your garbage at home. Make sure you recycle plastic. pic.twitter.com/sNXNALZVUs bhumi pednekar (@bhumipednekar) January 4, 2020 "It's our mess to clean. Happynewyear. India generates 25940 tonnes of plastic waste every day, of 10376 tonnes is uncollected plastic. Start segregating your garbage at home. Make sure you recycle plastic," she wrote in a tweet. "We have to co-exist with nature #circulareconomy #climatechange #plasticpollution #garbagesegregation," she added in another tweet. The actor has earlier posted several videos urging her social media followers to join her in her campaign 'Climate Warriors' for cleaning and protecting the environment. Climate Warrior, launched by the 30-year-old actor, is a concerted social media initiative that will highlight incredible work done by tireless environmental activists and citizen groups across India. Vedanta Ltd on Sunday said it proposes to raise up to Rs 2,000 crore via issuance of non-convertible debentures (NCDs). "We would like to inform you that the company proposes to offer rated, secured, redeemable, non-cumulative, non-convertible debentures aggregating up to Rs 2,000 crore in one or more tranches," Vedanta said in a filing to the BSE. The company will hold a meeting of its committee of directors on Wednesday on this issue. "The above issuance is pursuant to the approval of the shareholders passed vide special resolution at the 53rd annual general meeting of the company held on August 24, 2018 and the board of directors' resolution passed at their meeting held on May 7, 2019," the filing said. Vedanta Ltd is a diversified natural resources company whose business primarily involves producing oil and gas, zinc-lead-silver, copper, iron ore, aluminium and commercial power. The company has presence across India, South Africa, Namibia, Australia and Ireland. Vedanta is the Indian subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, a London-listed company. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the operational guidelines of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide drinking water to 14.6 crore rural households. Keeping in line with the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution, the gram panchayats are expected to take the lead in the implementation of the programme. This, the government feels, will instil a sense of ownership of the programme among the local community, create an environment of trust, and bring transparency in the planning, implementation, management, and the operation and maintenance of water supply systems in the rural areas. The renewed focus on the involvement of the local community in managing water is a welcome step. If implemented properly, it can work wonders. Take, for instance, the case of Chureddhar village (6,693 feet) in Uttarakhands Tehri Garhwal district. Like most mountain villages, the residents of Chureddhar were dependent on natural springs (opening at or near the surface of the earth for the discharge of underground water), which are known as dhara, mool, kuan in the central and eastern Himalayas and chashma and naula in the western Himlayas, for their domestic and livelihood-related water needs. A report of the ministry of Jal Shakti Spring Rejuvenation says that nearly 200 million Indians are dependent on spring water across the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and Aravallis. But by the summer of 2002, the village, which has around 400 residents, was in the throes of a debilitating water crisis: Their only handpump had dried up, and so did many springs due to increased water demand, years of ecological degradation, and climate change-induced erratic trends in precipitation. This adversely affected life, livelihoods, irrigation and drinking water supply of the residents. To understand the importance of springs for a Himalayan village, Guddi Devi, a resident of Chureddhar, told me, one needs to understand the age-old relationship that existed between them and the communities. After a wedding, the newlywed would pray at a spring, fill a container of that water and get it home, she explained. But then as development became infrastructure-centric [the village relocated near a road] instead of resource-centric, everyone forgot to take care of the springs and their catchment areas, leading to water crisis. In 2009, a team of hydrologists and geologists of the Himotthan Society, a local NGO incubated by Tata Trusts, one of the oldest philanthropic institutions in India, started working with the community to solve their water problem. They explained to the villagers, especially women since they and the children travelled extra distances to get water for their families the science behind springs, and how to revive them. Once the community came on board, the next set of work building groundwater recharge ponds and pits, and increasing green cover (springshed management) was started. In a few years, their hard work paid off. There was a reduction in the number of water tankers that came to the village during the lean season (April to July). The water demand of the village in 2002, when the project started, was 2,993 cubic metres and availability was 1,496 cubic metres. Today, it is 5,019 and 6,307 respectively, making Chureddhar a water-positive village. Along with reviving the springs, and managing their recharge zones, the residents have also done rainwater harvesting. The per capita availability of water in 2012 was 12 litre per capita per day (lpcd); today it is 55 lpcd, which matches the government norm. The post-implementation phase is also critical, and so each household pays ~50 per month to take care of the work done. Today, the Himotthan Society is also working in 450 other villages across nine districts in Uttarakhand to solve drinking water problems. The successful implementation of the programme and the socio-economic impact of the project (women and children have more time for other activities and there is an improvement in agricultural output) shows that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive mapping of springs, setting up of data monitoring systems, understanding socio-economic benefits and governance systems of springs. What is also needed is the transfer of knowledge to local communities about springshed management. The list is long but must be completed. Without water, these villages, where we have been living for many generations, will become ghost villages, and people will be forced to migrate, Guddi Devi said, ominously. The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON "Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites... 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," Trump said via Twitter on Saturday. Washington, Jan 5 (IANS) The United States President Donald Trump has said that he has identified 52 Iranian targets and will respond "very fast and very hard" to any reprisal from Tehran for the death of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, which the US leader ordered. "The USA wants no more threats!" added the president, who said the number corresponds to the 52 US diplomats and citizens taken hostage in the storming of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, after which diplomatic relations between the countries were severed, Efe news reported. Trump believed that "Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets" in response to the death in Baghdad of Soleimani and the vice president of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. On Friday, however, the president said he had ordered the death of Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps considered a hero in the country, in order to "stop a war," not start one. The Trump administration has argued that the goal of killing Soleimani was to prevent an "imminent attack" that would have endangered the lives of US forces and diplomats in the Middle East, a region in which 60,000-70,000 US troops are deployed. Trump again held Soleimani responsible for the death on Dec. 27 of an American contractor in an attack against a military base in Iraq and said the Iranian commander also orchestrated the assault on the US embassy in Baghdad, which occurred in response to US bombings in Syria and Iraq. Iran has promised "harsh retaliation" and in response, the US was to send 3,000 to 3,500 extra troops to the Middle East, US media reported Saturday. Trump's decision caused stock market crashes, oil price rises and aroused fear among US allies of armed conflict. Internally, Democratic opposition lawmakers have condemned Trump for not informing Congress beforehand of the attack. Meanwhile, protests were held in more than 70 US cities from Los Angeles to New York to protest the killing of Soleimani and the sending of more troops to the Middle East, according to the Act Now to Stop War & End Racism anti-war coalition, who spearheaded the demonstrations with other organisations. Protesters held signs saying "Stop bombing Iraq," "US troops out of Iraq" and "No war or sanctions on Iran." sdr/ EDWARDSVILLE Riverbend Head Start & Family Services on Thursday will honor Randy and Beth Gori during its 24th annual Circle of Care dinner at the Lewis and Clark Community College Commons. The husband and wife attorney team at Gori Julian & Associates will be recognized for their service to underprivileged children and families in Madison County. Beth and Randy are shining examples of what being a good citizen and corporate citizen means. They lend their time when asked and do everything they can to support local charities in need. They have been generous to our organization and so many others in the area, Chuck Parr, president of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services, said. Gori Julian & Associates have financially supported more than 150 local organizations, totaling a contribution of $2.2 million since the firm opened in 2008. Randy and Beth both play a very active role in helping shape their communities youth members into future leaders of the Metro-East. As an example, under their direction Gori Julian & Associates recently donated $100,000 to the Mannie Jackson Center for Humanities Conversation Towards a Brighter Future initiative happening in Madison County schools. Randy Gori currently serves on the A Better Place to Play Campaign as an executive committee member. The campaign was created to raise money for local parks projects in Edwardsville. He is also a board member for the Boy Scouts of America and the EGHM Foundation. Beth Gori is a board member for Friends of the Wildey, whose contributions and support have turned the Wildey Theater in Edwardsville back into a downtown staple for the Metro-East to enjoy. She also serves on the board of Partners for Pets, and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Together, the Goris serve as co-presidents of the SLU Alumni Board. Gori Julian & Associates is also a member and host sponsor of the Get to know the Metro-East campaign, whose mission is to bring awareness and programs to the communities in the Metro-East. My wife and I are honored to receive this award from such a respected organization, that always strives to make a positive impact in the life of so many children in the Metro-East, Randy Gori said. We both believe in giving back to the community and being generous with our time whenever possible. We also both strongly believe in strong family ties and try to show our children as much as we can the importance of a strong family unit and two parents who both work actively to give back to the community. Riverbend Head Start & Family Services is an organization that tries to mirror many of these same qualities in the families they serve so we appreciate their work in the community and this honor. Spinner Nathan Lyon grabbed two key wickets as New Zealand faltered after a promising start in the third Sydney Test here on Sunday. Lyon removed Melbourne Test centurion Tom Blundell and recalled Jeet Raval after a solid start to the Blackcaps innings. The Kiwis went to lunch at 141 for three on the third day in reply to Australia's 454 with experienced Ross Taylor on 21 and newcomer Glenn Phillips not out three. Lyon could have had another wicket but dropped a straightforward caught and bowled chance to give Phillips a life on two, and cut his right thumb in the process forcing him to require treatment before continuing. "A bit disappointed at having dropped a simple catch," Lyon said as he left the field at lunch. "There's not a lot on that wicket, need to keep putting the pressure on the batsmen, should be an interesting session coming up." Raval, who was dropped after twin batting failures as an opener in the first Perth Test, batted positively at number three. But his innings came to an end when he was beaten by Lyon and was trapped leg before wicket for 31 off 58 balls. Latham was out two balls later in the next over from Pat Cummins, done by a fuller delivery off the slower surface and chipping straight to Mitchell Starc at mid-on. The new skipper, deputising for the unavailable Kane Williamson, was denied a deserved half-century on 49 in his 133-ball vigil and reduced the Blackcaps to 117 for three. Blundell fell in the day's fifth over bowled by Lyon for 34. Blundell attempted to play off the back foot only to miss it and the ball came off the inside of the left leg and on to the stumps. It was a crucial wicket for the Australians, who were frustrated by the openers Latham and Blundell batting through Saturday's entire final session. Blundell faced 105 balls. The Sydney Test is being played against the backdrop of one of Australia's most devastating bushfire seasons with at least 24 people losing their lives in blazes raging across the country, including on the outskirts of Sydney. Play will be suspended in the match at the umpire's discretion, should smoke significantly affect air quality or visibility, but the sky above the ground has remained largely clear so far. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Labour leadership hopefuls clashed over Brexit today as Sir Keir Starmer said the row over the UK leaving the EU had been settled but Jess Phillips suggested she could campaign to rejoin the bloc. Sir Keir said the general election result meant the UK will leave the EU by the end of the month and 'the argument has to move on and we the Labour Party need to accept that Leave/Remain, that divide, goes in a few weeks' time'. The frontrunner to succeed Jeremy Corbyn insisted Labour must now 'focus on what comes next' rather than arguing about the 2016 EU referendum result. But Ms Phillips, the Birmingham Yardley MP, offered a wildly different vision as she refused to rule out campaigning to overturn Brexit. She said she would 'have to look at what was going on at the time' and that 'if it is more economically viable to be in the European Union then I will fight for that regardless of how difficult that argument is to make'. Sir Keir Starmer, pictured arriving at the BBC in London this morning, said Labour needed to recognise that the Brexit argument had been settled But fellow leadership contender Jess Phillips, also pictured arriving at the BBC today, suggested Labour could campaign to rejoin the EU if she becomes leader Labour leadership runners and riders Sir Keir Starmer: 8/11 Rebecca Long-Bailey: 4/1 Lisa Nandy: 8/1 Jess Phillips: 10/1 Ian Lavery: 20/1 Clive Lewis: 25/1 Source: Coral Bookmakers Advertisement Labour's Brexit policy has been widely cited as one of the main reasons why the party got hammered at the ballot box last month. The party campaigned on a pledge to stay neutral on the issue and to hold a second referendum. Sir Keir, who as shadow Brexit secretary was widely credited with steering Labour towards calling for a second vote, has now announced his candidacy for the leadership. Today he insisted the UK's divorce from the EU was now a settled issue and the party needed to look to the future. Asked on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show if Brexit was now 'done and dusted', Sir Keir replied: 'We are going to leave the EU in the next few weeks and it is important for all of us, including myself, to recognise that the argument about Leave and Remain goes with it. 'We are leaving. We will have left the EU. This election blew away the argument for a second referendum, rightly or wrongly, and we have to adjust to that situation.' The shadow cabinet minister added: 'So the argument has to move on and we the Labour Party need to accept that Leave/Remain, that divide, goes in a few weeks time and we need to focus on what comes next.' Sir Keir is the fifth Labour MP to formally enter the race to lead the Labour Party, joining Ms Phillips, Emily Thornberry, Lisa Nandy and Clive Lewis. Fellow frontrunner Rebecca Long-Bailey has said she is considering a bid for the top job but is yet to formally announce her candidacy. The candidates' respective positions on Brexit could be crucial during the forthcoming contest after the Tories seized a swathe of seats in Labour's Leave-voting heartlands last month. Ms Phillips told the BBC that if she becomes leader Labour could in the future campaign to reverse the UK's divorce from Brussels. She said: 'You would have to look at what was going on at the time. What our job is for the next three years is to hold Boris Johnson to account on all the promises. 'So if we are living in an absolute paradise of trade and we are totally safe in the world and we are not worrying about having to constantly look to America for our safety and security then maybe I will be proven wrong. 'But the reality is is if our country is safer, if it is more economically viable to be in the European Union then I will fight for that regardless of how difficult that argument is to make.' Meanwhile, Ms Phillips warned Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) against stopping new party members from voting in the leadership contest. Sir Keir and Ms Phillips, pictured together on The Andrew Marr Show today, are two of five candidates to have formally declared bids for the Labour leadership Labour's ruling National Executive Committee will meet tomorrow to decide the timetable for the contest to replace Jeremy Corbyn, pictured leaving his London home on December 17 Moderate candidates believe new members who have joined the party since Mr Corbyn announced he will step down could swing the result of the race. But there are fears the party's ruling body, controlled by allies of Mr Corbyn, could try to exclude new members from taking part when it sets the rules and timetable for the contest at a meeting tomorrow in a bid to ensure the hard-left maintains its grip on the leadership. Asked if she trusted the NEC to allow new members to vote in the contest, Ms Phillips said: 'Do you know what? I absolutely do trust because the reality is is that at the moment there is a huge amount of buzz around this contest, for lots of different reasons and some of it is nice things being said online and not so nice things being said online. 'But I think that actually in the public glare, lots of people joining the Labour Party, for the NEC to then say we are not interested in you [being included in the leadership contest] that would look so incredibly bad for the Labour Party in a time when it needs to stop looking just inside itself and look outwards.' The chote nawab of B-town, Saif Ali Khan has back-to-back releases in 2020 and both the projects are surrounded by a lot of hype. First up, Saif has period film Tanhaji up for release, followed by a genre he reigns, a romcom titled Jawaani Jaaneman. While the actor is currently consumed with his projects, his daughter Sara Ali Khan too is keeping herself busy with a lot of exciting stuff. In fact, the young actress next film is a sequel to her dads film. Saras next release #Aajkal opposite Kartik Aaryan is a sequel to Saif Ali Khans 2009 release Love Aaj Kal.aaRecently when Saif was giving an interview to a leading daily, the actor was asked about how he feels that his daughter is carrying on the franchise of Imtiaz Alis brand of romance and as usual the witty actor had something cheeky to say, Its great but I dont know how to feel about it. Even I could have acted in the sequel (laughs). I just did the remix of my song, Ole Ole (from Yeh Dillagi) for Jawaani Jaaneman and now my daughter is acting in a sequel of my film. Its lovely and I wish her all the best. Time really is flying.Saif Ali Khan is currently enjoying some quality time with his family in Switzerland where they brought in the new year. Sara, on the other hand, is prepping for the release of #Aajkal along with shooting for Coolie No.1. The White House has sent its formal notification to Congress of the January 3 drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump that killed senior Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, who was traveling in Iraq at the time. The notification was sent on January 4 under a 1973 U.S. law called the War Powers Act, which requires a presidential administration to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action or imminent actions. The White House did not immediately comment on the notification, the details of which are classified, and it is not clear if a redacted version will be released to the public. While most Republicans have praised Trump for his actions, many Democratic lawmakers have criticized the president for failing to seek advance approval or notify Congress of the attack, expressing concerns that it could lead the United States into a war with Iran. The U.S. administration was expected to explain the circumstances, the authority under which the strike was undertaken, and the planned duration of the military mission. The leading Democrat in the House of Representatives, speaker Nancy Pelosi, later said the notification "raises more questions than it answers." "This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner, and justification of the administration's decision to engage in hostilities against Iran," Pelosi said in a statement. "The highly unusual decision to classify this document in its entirety compounds our many concerns, and suggests that the Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security," she added. Trump has said he ordered the attack to stop a war and that Soleimani had been in the process of organizing imminent and sinister attacks on U.S. interests and allies. The 62-year-old Soleimani was commander of Irans elite Quds Force, the foreign arm of Irans hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi misleading people over CAA and instigating riots: Amit Shah India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 05: BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of instigating "riots" by "misleading" people on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and sought to reassure Muslims, saying the law has no provision about taking away citizenship of minorities. Addressing a meeting of Delhi BJP workers, Shah, also the Union home minister, attacked Pakistan for "terrorising" Sikhs as he referred to a recent attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib by a violent mob in Pakistan and asked opposition leaders to open their eyes to atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country. Govt won't budge on CAA despite opposition criticism: Amit Shah "This is an answer to all those opposing the CAA. Tell me if these Sikhs who were attacked the other day in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib will not come to India, then where they will go?" he asked. Opposition leaders were spreading a pack of lies over the CAA, he said, asking BJP workers to carry out an intensive campaign to inform the masses about its features. Its beneficiaries are largely Dalits and poor and those opposing the law are against these people, Shah said, calling Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Gandhis "anti-Dalits" for questioning it. "(Arvind) Kejriwal has misled people. The Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, has instigated riots by misleading people. Do you want a government in Delhi which incites riots for politics," he asked. The opposition was inciting minorities against the CAA by alleging that they will lose their citizenship, he said. "I want to tell brothers and sisters from the minority that none of them can lose their citizenship because the CAA has no provision about taking it away," Shah said. The BJP leader also claimed that Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had extended her support to rioters by saying that she will visit houses of those who carried out riots. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who had arrived in India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh due to religious persecution. Opposition parties have called the law against India's Constitution for making religion a ground for citizenship. The country has been witnessing protests against the amended citizenship law, with protesters arguing that the CAA in combination with other citizenship measures like NPR and NRC can be used to discriminate against people. The Modi government has asserted that it has so far not discussed the proposal for National Register of Citizens. Shah said opposition parties have become habituated to the "politics of opposition and vote bank" and referred to their stand against measures like the law against triple talaq among Muslim men and nullification of Article 370. They also opposed construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said, noting that a recent Supreme Court order had paved the way for building the temple. He asked people to give missed calls to a toll free number put out by the BJP to show their support to the CAA and slammed rumours that the number belonged to Netflix, a streaming service. This number belongs to the BJP, he said. The American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) is now accepting abstracts for its 2020 annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. The abstract submission process is officially open on the AANEM website (www.aanem.org/Abstracts) and will be accepted through March 15, 2020. All abstracts selected for presentation at the 2020 meeting will be published in the association's prestigious journal, Muscle & Nerve. Sharing the latest research developments in neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine is an integral part of each AANEM Annual Meeting. We are thrilled with the incredible abstracts submitted to our meeting year after year. It really is a fantastic opportunity for researchers of all stages in their careers to showcase their work and engage in discussions about it with not only their peers, but experts in the fields of neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine." Shirlyn A. Adkins, JD, Executive Director, AANEM Applicants may be eligible for a number of awards funded by the American Neuromuscular Foundation. Each award comes with a cash prize, the abstracts are published in Muscle & Nerve, and some come with airfare, hotel stay and admission to the 2020 AANEM Annual Meeting. Further details regarding award criteria can be found at www.neuromuscularfoundation.org/awards. The President's Research Initiative Award topic for 2020, as selected by AANEM President Yuen So, MD, PhD, is "Emergent Therapies in Neuromuscular Diseases." "I think anyone in the field of neuromuscular or electrodiagnostic medicine should submit their work to the AANEM Annual Meeting," said Ryan Castoro, DO, MS, recipient of a 2018 President's Research Initiative Award and a 2018 Residency and Fellowship Member Award. "There are few meetings in medicine where nearly all the experts converge in one place, but the AANEM meeting is one of them. Submitting an abstract is a great opportunity to further develop your work and career and the entire submission process was very simple and straightforward." Read more about all of the abstract awards available for 2020: Golseth Young Investigator Award Best Abstract Award President's Research Initiative Award Residency and Fellowship Member Recognition Award Medical Student Research Award Technologist Best Abstract Award Submit Your Abstract Today! Full abstract submission guidelines are available on the AANEM website. Abstracts must be submitted by March 15, 2020. If you have any further questions, please call AANEM at 507.288.0100. Boris Johnson is being urged by senior Tories to kick off parallel post-Brexit trade talks with the US in order to put pressure on the EU and stop the bloc 'dragging its feet' over striking an agreement. The UK is due to split from Brussels on January 31 but there will then be a so-called transition period until the end of the year when the two sides will try to hammer out the terms of a future relationship. However, Brexiteers fear the EU could delay the talks in order to force an extension to the transition period so that the UK would have to make more budget contributions to the bloc. Mr Johnson has repeatedly ruled out any further delay but some Tories believe the prospect of a US trade deal could force the EU's hand and act as an incentive to hold speedy talks. However, the Prime Minister's Cabinet is reportedly split on whether to use US talks as negotiating leverage. Boris Johnson, pictured in Downing Street on December 19, is under pressure to start trade talks with the US immediately after Brexit Brexiteers like Sir Iain Duncan Smith, pictured at a general election count on December 13, believe US trade talks could 'focus minds' in the EU on the need to strike a swift trade deal Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and International Trade Secretary Liz Truss are both apparently keen to begin talks with the White House as soon as possible. But according to the Sunday Times other ministers believe it is 'unrealistic' to believe the tactics would sway Brussels. Mr Johnson is due to meet the new European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Downing Street on Wednesday this week. He is expected to set out to Jean-Claude Juncker's replacement his preferred timetable for trade talks amid concerns the EU was able to dictate terms during initial discussions over the UK's divorce. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former Tory Cabinet minister and a senior Brexiteer, suggested the US trade talks strategy would help speed up discussions with the EU. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, he said: 'We must also recognise that the EU will deliberately drag its feet in the first few months of the year as they want the UK to be forced to extend the implementation phase at the end of 2020, giving the EU billions more in contributions to its budget. 'Which is why we shouldn't sit waiting for the EU to be ready; we should underline our sovereign position by embarking on parallel trade negotiations with the USA.' Sir Iain said he believed the US is 'incredibly keen to get something agreed this year before the presidential elections'. He said UK/US trade talks would 'focus minds' in Brussels. Mr Johnson will meet Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, for talks in Number 10 later this week 'With the EU finally admitting that its floundering economies need this trade deal with their largest trading partner, probably more than the UK does, the prospect of UK/USA trade deals will not only focus their minds but benefit the UK,' he said. Sir Iain also claimed that to make the most of the trade talks with the EU the UK will need to 'revitalise that can-do spirit of a bygone era'. Mr Johnson's Brexit divorce deal will return to the House of Commons this coming week for further votes as MPs get back to work after the Christmas break. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill will then head to the House of Lords for further scrutiny before becoming law later this month. ALBANY A new report finds New York hospitals rank among the lowest nationwide for safety and quality of care even when compared with hospitals in other major urbanized states. When commissioning the study, the nonpartisan New York Public Interest Research Group set out to address a common criticism of hospital rating systems, which is that they dont take a state's population or socioeconomic factors into account when comparing hospitals against each other. So it hired Glenn von Nostitz of Lookout Hill Public Policy Associates to analyze New Yorks hospital ratings from one of the more prominent report cards CMS Hospital Compare against ratings from states with at least 6 million people and 70 percent urbanization (hospitals in large cities tend to serve higher concentrations of sick people). We were trying to make an apples to apples comparison, said Blair Horner, executive director of NYPIRG. The results affirmed what a handful of other rating systems consistently find: that New York hospitals rank poorly on quality and safety when compared to other states hospitals. Code Blue Report by Bethany on Scribd Issued last week, 20 years after the Institute of Medicines landmark To Err is Human report shined a light on the high rate of medical error and preventable death in the nations health system, the NYPIRG report urges state lawmakers to investigate the issue and put patient safety at the forefront of this years budget discussions. We believe this report should act as a clarion call to the governor and state legislators to investigate why New York hospitals perform so badly, Horner said. Star ratings Using the federal governments most recent five-star hospital ratings from 2019, the report found that New York had the most one-star hospitals (34 percent) and the fewest five-star hospitals (1 percent) out of 17 major urbanized states, including California, Florida and Texas. One star is the worst ranking. Five stars is the best. Out of 149 hospitals statewide, 48 earned one star, 45 earned two, 40 earned three, 15 earned four and one earned five. The most common overall hospital rating in the U.S. is three stars. In the Capital Region, Albany Medical Center Hospital and Samaritan Hospital had one star per the federal ranking, according to NYPIRG's report. Albany Med, the region's only academic and level one trauma center, has criticized that ranking in the past, saying it compares "very different hospitals" using the same measure. CMS Hospital Compare assigns a composite star rating to over 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals nationwide, which relies on weighted scores in certain broad categories such as safety, timeliness and effectiveness of care, readmission, patient experience and mortality. The NYPIRG report looked at each of these categories, and found New York hospitals were much more likely to rank below the national average than other states hospitals in the highest-weighted categories. New York City hospitals performed particularly bad. On timeliness of care, for example, 100 percent of New York City hospitals ranked below the national average. On readmission, 97 percent did. On patient experience, 94 percent did. Report card confusion? More for you Capital Region hospitals get mixed reviews from feds CMS Hospital Compare is not the only hospital report card in which New York ranks poorly. Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade which examines errors, injuries, accidents and infections, among other measures and assigns letter grades of A, B, C, D or F as a result ranked New York 47th out of 50 last year for percent of hospitals with an A grade. Similarly, only seven New York hospitals landed on Healthgrades annual Americas 250 Best Hospitals list last year. Thats compared to 41 hospitals in California, 24 in Ohio, 15 in Pennsylvania, 14 in Virginia, 11 in Illinois, 10 in North Carolina and Florida, nine in Maryland, and eight in Arizona and Michigan. No New York hospitals made IBM Watson Healths 100 top-performing hospitals list, published last March. Conversely, three New York hospitals landed on U.S. News and World Report's 20 Best Hospitals list last year. The NYPIRG report notes, however, that these rankings are based more on a hospital's performance in specialties or complex medical procedures than on care for chronically ill patients, who make up the bulk of hospitalizations. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. These are just a few of the more prominent hospital report cards issued each year. More Information Federal rankings for Capital Region hospitals Four stars Albany Memorial Hospital Nathan Littauer Hospital Saratoga Hospital Three stars Glens Falls Hospital St. Mary's Hospital Two stars Columbia Memorial Hospital Ellis Hospital St. Peter's Hospital One star Albany Medical Center Hospital Samaritan Hospital Source: New York Public Interest Research Group, citing U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' annual Medicare.gov/Hospital Compare. The federal ranking shows how individual hospitals performed compared to all hospitals in the U.S. across various categories including readmission, mortality and patient experience. There were no five star recipients in the Capital Region. To read the entire NYPIRG report, go to https://www.nypirg.org/pubs/201912/Code_Blue_report.pdf See More Collapse The Healthcare Association of New York State, which represents hospitals and health systems statewide, has long been a critic of the rating systems. So many different systems, each with their own set of measures and methodologies, does more harm than good, it contends. At HANYS, we support the availability of quality and safety information, spokesman Darren Dopp said. It can help patients make choices about healthcare in consultation with their doctors." "That said, theres been a real proliferation of reports on hospital quality in recent years," he continued. "In fact, more than a dozen entities now issue them annually. The result is confusion for both patients and providers. Thats because theres no standard set of measures and no consistent way of accounting for different healthcare challenges faced by hospitals. With CMS Hospital Compare in particular, HANYS disputes the methodology, which it says assigns disproportionately lower ratings to states like New York that serve patients with socioeconomic risk factors and have large teaching hospitals. "Weve conveyed these concerns to CMS and it has said that it will be making significant changes in its 2021 report," Dopp said. What can be done NYPIRGs Horner said his report did not set out to investigate or recommend how New York hospitals could improve patient safety. But the report did offer some theories, as well as a list of questions it believes lawmakers and policymakers should seek to answer. For example, it noted surprise that the state Health Department hasnt imposed more fines on hospitals that caused, or were likely to cause, patient harm or death. In 2017, the department issued fines to four hospitals totaling $12,000. By contrast, Californias health department issued fines to 53 hospitals that year, many of which were individually fined $50,000 or more. Asked to comment, New Yorks health department said it was reviewing the report. The department takes hospital patient safety seriously and improving quality care is always a top priority, spokeswoman Erin Silk said. The report suggested lawmakers consider convening public hearings to explore the states stunningly poor performance in quality care rankings. Compiling and publishing annual patient outcome data could also help, it suggested. The interesting thing is that people in the policy arena know this data is out there, Horner said, referring to the states consistently poor rankings. The only people who dont are the public, and whats stunning to me is how little interest there is by the political elite of Albany to take a serious look at this issue. CLEVELAND, Ohio East Academy, Cleveland Preparatory Academy and West Park Academy charter schools each scored an F on their latest state report cards. But school leaders are claiming they are quality schools, so they can receive new bonus tax money of up to $1,750 per enrolled student from the state. Officials of the F-rated OhDELA online charter school of nearly 2,000 students are making the same claim. And Chapelside Cleveland Academy is seeking the quality bonus, even though its authorizer the non-profit that oversees the school on behalf of the state has given up on trying to fix the schools F grade and is yanking its support. The fast-growing for-profit Accel charter school chain, which runs all of these schools, has applied for more than $15 million in cash from a new $30 million fund that Gov. Mike DeWine and the state legislature created this summer as a boost for Ohios best charter schools. The 33 Accel schools seeking the money failed to earn the good grades that would qualify them for the bonus. Instead, the chain is applying under language in the state budget bill that declares schools as quality if their operator meets a few criteria with schools it runs in other states. Under a provision in the bill, these F-rated Accel schools may qualify for the bonus because a Colorado Springs charter school run by Accel won a federal grant a few years ago. The Ohio Department of Education is reviewing the applications and will be making final decisions on which schools qualify in the next week. Its a big decision to make, since state law says that any school found to be quality today cant be downgraded until 2022. John Zitzner, a founder of the Breakthrough charter school chain in Cleveland who campaigned for the bonus fund, called the language a loophole that should be closed. The law was never intended to do that, Zitzner said. Chad Aldis of the right-leaning Fordham Institute, which backs charter schools along with laws to hold them accountable, agreed that poor-scoring Ohio schools should not earn high-performing money because of triggers from schools in other states. But Accel founder Ron Packard said he believes report card grades are unfair to schools like his, which are located in poor neighborhoods where students typically dont score well on state tests. Hed like the states value-added grade, a measure of growth and student progress, to count more. He also noted that big-city school districts where most of his schools are located spend far more than the $11,000 statewide average per student, placing his schools further behind their competitors in funding. Even with the $1,700 extra funding, these schools are still dramatically underfunded compared to districts, especially the big eight schools, he said, referring to the Ohio 8 coalition of Ohios largest urban districts. And he said he is just seeking money available under Ohio law. Thats the way the law was written, he said. I didnt write it. Were just complying with whatever the law is and putting in an application based on that. Accel schools founder Ron Packard, the founder and former CEO of the K12 Inc. online charter school company. Charter school funding controversial Charter schools public schools paid for with tax dollars, but which are privately run have long complained that they are hampered by low funding. Charters receive about $6,000 per student from the state, far lower than the $11,000 that traditional school districts spend statewide. Charters can seek grants or donations to make up the difference, but cant seek tax levies, like districts can. Breakthrough, the highest-rated charter chain in Ohio by several measures, has sought more money from the state for several years. Accels Packard, the former CEO of the for-profit and publicly-traded K12 Inc. online school operator, has joined that call in recent years as Accel took over 40 charter schools in neighborhoods across Ohio since 2015 to become the largest charter operator in the state. Charter schools had a big win with the new Quality Community Schools fund added in the budget this year. It is mostly working as intended. Breakthrough had four of its schools automatically qualify for the money because of good grades on state report cards. The Constellation charter school chain had five Cleveland and Akron-area schools qualify out of the 49 statewide that met test score targets. But controversy is rising over how the bills language handles operators with schools in other states. DeWine and charter school backers wanted to offer the extra cash to strong charter school chains in other states that were considering coming to Ohio. We want to incentivize models that work, said DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney. That was the intent of the language. DeWine proposed, and the legislature approved, allowing the bonus for chains that had any schools out-of-state that score better on that states tests than the district where they are located. If a chain has a school in New York City score better than that district, for example, it would qualify for extra money if it opens a school here. DeWine and the legislature also allowed schools that received federal charter school expansion grants from other states to qualify. Schools typically have to prove to their states that they would create or expand a strong school to qualify. But those grants have had mixed results and have been controversial. Ohios use of them came under fire in 2015 from Democratic members of Congress as having low standards. Federal charter grants are key Accel seized on the grants provision and applied for the quality school money for 33 of its Ohio schools, citing a charter expansion grant won in 2016 by Banning Lewis Ranch Preparatory Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. That grant, for a school serving a large planned development, was for $600,000 over three years. The homepage of Banning Lewis Ranch Academy, a Colorado Springs charter whose federal charter expansion grant may open the door for Accel schools to receive millions in Ohio tax dollars. But that grant could leverage millions from Ohio if Accel schools serving nearly 11,000 students qualify because of it. Both Zitzner and Aldis were careful not to blame Accel for the law, but each said that while it may make sense to look at performance in other states for operators that are considering Ohio, it doesnt for those already here. Any network outside the state, if they already have schools here and theyre not good, why would you get money for the schools that arent good, Zitzner said. It doesnt make any sense to me. He said Accel and others should receive the new money for schools that meet the academic standards, a combination of test scores and estimates of academic growth. Following the long winter break, Katy ISD will reopen its doors to students on Tuesday for the second semester of the school year. Teachers are scheduled to be back on their campuses on Monday to get ready for the students return on Tuesday. Area residents are reminded to be mindful of students walking to and from school, pay attention to school zones and following the laws with regards to school buses. Law enforcement is expecting to be out in full force to ensure students return to school safely. As a reminder to drivers, the fine for speeding in a school zone in Katy is $244 for the first 10 mph over the speed limit and an additional $5 per 1 mph higher than 10 mph. Also, in the state of Texas, all drivers are prohibited from texting and using handheld devices while driving in school zones. For more information on Katy ISD or its programs, go to www.katyisd.org. School naming Time is running out to submit a nomination for the name of Elementary No. 43 in Katy ISD. The new school is located at 6631 S. Greenwood Orchard Drive in the Elyson subdivision. The school is designed for 1,030 students. The deadline for receiving nominations is 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10. Those interested in submitting a nomination form and supplemental materials by: Email to schoolnaming@katyisd.org. Mail to Katy ISD School/Facility Naming; School & Community Engagement; P.O. Box 159; Katy, TX 77492-0159. Personal delivery to Education Support Complex; School & Community Engagement; 6301 S. Stadium Lane; Katy, TX 77494. Monthly member meeting The Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly member meeting starting with a meet-and-greet at 7:30 a.m. and the meeting starting at 8 a.m. at Parkway Fellowship 27043 FM 1093, Richmond, TX 77406. The featured presentation is scheduled to be given by Lawson Gow, founder and president of The Cannon, a provider of innovation infrastructure in Texas. He will talk about "Innovation Hubs" in the Houston Region. There is no charge to attend the meeting. For more information go to Fulshear Katy Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.fulshearkaty.com or call 832-600-3221. Ribbon cutting The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce will welcome Jackson Hewitt Tax Service with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9. The ribbon will be cut at 10:30 a.m. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is located at 639 S. Mason Road in Katy. Rope Cutting The Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce will welcome Space City Social with a rope-cutting ceremony from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at the cha mber offices at 29818 FM 1093, Suite 108 in Fulshear. Space City Social is a marketing company. For more information go to https://spacecitysocial.com. rkent@hcnonline.com Increased rollouts of 5G in 2020 will unlock the development of more advanced technologies, said Gianfranco Lanci, corporate president and chief operating officer at Lenovo. With potential speeds of up to 10Gbps, under ideal conditions, 5G is set to be as much as 20-times faster than 4G, Lanci said. Its the additional benefits of greater stability and lower latency though that make it an all-round win. The reason everyone is so keen for 5G to roll out is because those combining factors mean it is the key to unlocking the development of more advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, edge computing and others. South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States are currently leading the 5G rollout race. They all have multiple companies that have deployed networks and are selling compatible devices, Lanci said. In Africa, however, 5G is still very limited. In South Africa, Rain launched their 5G network in September 2019, with coverage in Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Cape Town and Vodacom has a limited-availability 5G network in Lesotho. Lanci said that MTN and Vodacom will have to wait for ICASA to assign more spectrum before they can roll out 5G in South Africa. We will also need more 5G compatible devices available for purchase in the country. While we will have to wait until 5G networks are more universally available to see larger scale adoption, the resulting value companies are already preparing and building towards a more efficient 5G future. AI will go more mainstream Faster, more stable connectivity will enable a superior artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) environment, said Lanci. As we start to gain a better understanding of AI and appreciate how it can make our lives easier, were going to look for more ways to incorporate it so that it can provide consistent, valuable services for our internal and external customers. He noted that in South Africa currently, AI is most commonly used for automation and prediction. Companies, however, will need to become more cognisant of individuals right to privacy, and decide how to handle all that data they collect, as they increase their efforts to incorporate AI and ML into their business and products to streamline operations. Lanci said there is also a need to comply with data privacy regulations such as GDPR and POPI that will dictate how companies approach their governance and data infrastructure. Its an exciting space and AI will prove to be a game changer on the African continent, as AI and ML have the ability to answer to challenges in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, healthcare, and education for example, he said. Organisational security Organisations are going to need to be even more vigilant in the coming year, though, said Lanci. Mimecasts 2019 annual report revealed that 88% of South African organisations experienced a phishing attack in the past 12 months. Impersonation attacks are on the rise, with eight out of every 10 South African organisations experiencing an impersonation attack, and 63% reporting an increase in such attacks. The effects of cybercrime resulted in lost customers, and financial and data losses. As we all become more connected, protection against cybercrime becomes an even greater challenge. Organisations cannot simply rely on technology to stop attacks, you need to ensure that your employees understand the threat, and act in a responsible, proactive manner when it comes to security, Lanci said. The use of a context-based AI-endpoint security solutions will be fundamental, Lanci said. The ability to predict, prevent, detect, and respond to malicious activity at the endpoint will be vital to helping lock-down that endpoint and to be able to remediate in the event of a breach. Smart business The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) has resulted in specific environmental demands causing changes to the way we need to manage our data storage, Lanci added. While the cloud is replacing conventional data centres at the core of the network, an entirely new technology tier, the edge, will emerge as a complementary source of IT infrastructure, supporting many innovative technologies. Edge computing is enabling data transfers in non-traditional server environments, such as manufacturers shop floors, where limited space and increased vibrations and noise levels would traditionally have created a no-go zone, or African border posts where unstable power supplies, high temperatures, and humidity could cause standard servers to crash. With over 20 billion things projected to be connected to the Internet by 2020, more businesses will move data analytics and AI-powered apps from the cloud to edge computing to reduce latency, lighten core server loads, and improve business operations, Lanci said. BusinessTech Now read: MTN sold assets worth R14 billion in 2019 It's in area under Chinese occupation for 60 years: MEA on China constructing bridge across Pangong lake New guidelines for Int'l travellers: From South Africa to Mauritius, here is a list of at-risk countries Iran tension: India highlights its concerns with US India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 05: Amid escalating tension between US-Iran over the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, Foreign minister S Jaishankar on Sunday dialled his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and said India remained deeply concerned about the levels of tension in the region. "Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch," the External Affairs Minister tweeted. After his discussion with Pompeo, Jaishankar tweeted, "Had a telephonic discussion with Secretary of State @SecPompeo on the evolving situation in the Gulf region. Highlighted India's stakes and concerns.". The conversation between the two leaders comes days after Iran's top military commander Soleimani was killed in a US strike. US lacks courage for military conflict: Iran Army chief after Trumps threat NEWS AT NOON, JANUARY 6th, 2020 US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that the US has identified 52 possible targets in the country and will hit it harder than ever before if Tehran, which has vowed "severe revenge", carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of Qassem Soleimani. Maj Gen Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US 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. Soleimani's killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the United States. Spanish police have said they believe a crackdown on criminal biker gangs in northern Europe has pushed the criminals into the Costa del Sol, which saw 24 murders last year. They said it could help to explain the sudden crime wave, as more groups start to battle for their slice of the Malaga coastline. Both Germany and the Netherlands have cracked down on organisations such as Hells Angels, with the Dutch going as far as to ban the outlaws alongside Satudarah, Bandidos and No Surrender. Members of the "Hells Angels" motorcycle club ride their motorbikes in Germany, where here has been a crackdown on bikers. The headquarters of the bikers in the Costa del Sol, where gangs have arrived after being pushed out of Germany and Holland. Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol (stock image). Spanish police have said a crackdown on biker groups may be pushing them south The inspector in charge of Spain's national police team told The Sunday Telegraph: 'The Costa del Sol has long been a favoured destination for Serbian, Russian, Italian and Colombian mafias because of its quality of life and the amount of money on display; rich criminals can go unnoticed. 'But we have seen an increase in tension between criminal organisations in the area over the past year. 'And the other organisations already settled in Spain will have something to say about this nmew element.' The force said the gangs battle over control of drug imports, and also for nightspots where there can be sold. They also joust for control over prostitution. Two Dutch bikers were arrested in 2019 in Marbella, on the Costa del Sol, after being accused of murder. And in November a 38-year-old man was arrested in neighbouring Gibraltar after wielding a replica submachine gun. In the north of Spain, four Canadian Hells Angels bikers were arrested at the port of Pontevedra after being found with 500 kilograms of cocaine. Two more members of the US Department of Defence wounded in the raid on base used by US and Kenyan troops. A US military service member and two US contractors have been killed in an al-Shabab attack on a military base in Kenya used by US and Kenyan military personnel, the US military said. Two other Department of Defense personnel were wounded in Sundays attack on the Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu county. The wounded Americans are currently in stable condition and being evacuated, Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement. There were no immediate reports of Kenyan casualties while Kenyas military said five attackers were killed. The attack by al-Shabab began before dawn and lasted around four hours, witnesses and military sources told Reuters news agency. A Kenyan police report seen by Reuters said the attackers destroyed two planes, two US helicopters and multiple US military vehicles during their assault. In a statement earlier on Sunday, al-Shabab claimed it had destroyed seven aircraft and three military vehicles, without providing other details. It also published pictures of masked gunmen standing next to an aircraft in flames. The attack sent a dark plume of smoke into the air [Screengrab] Kenyan military spokesman Colonel Paul Njuguna said the base had been secured. This morning at around 5:30am an attempt was made to breach security at Manda Air Strip. The attempted breach was successfully repulsed, he said in a statement. Arising from the unsuccessful breach a fire broke out affecting some of the fuel tanks located at the airstrip. The fire has been put under control. There was no indication the attackers had managed to enter the base. The airfield is separate to another on Manda Island used by commercial flights to Lamu. Al Jazeeras Haru Mutasa, reporting from Kenyan capital, Nairobi, said it was an audacious attack by the armed group. The base is heavily fortified and al-Shabab still managed to break through, Mutasa said. The area is near Boni forest where al-Shabab is thought to operate from. In the past, Kenyan security forces have been going in and out of that forest to try to weed out al-Shabab fighters, she added. Al-Shabab has maintained a campaign of deadly bomb and gun attacks despite being ejected from their bases in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and other areas years ago. The group also carries out frequent attacks in neighbouring Kenya, which sent thousands of its troops into Somalia to fight it. This attack comes nearly a year after al-Shabab launched a deadly suicide attack on the upscale 14 Riverside complex in Nairobi, killing 21 people. The US Embassy in Pakistan has issued an advisory to all its personnel and US Government personnel about non-essential travel. The tensions remain high following the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds force and the mastermind behind Iran's proxy wars. The Embassy is also on high alert. US Embassy advisory The US consulate has also begun monitoring its surroundings for possible demonstrations and suspicious activity following the death of Gen Solemani. In a statement, the US Embassy in Pakistan said that US government personnel in Pakistan have been advised to delay all unnecessary official movements. In addition, the US embassies in other countries have issued similar advisories. The US Embassy in Pakistan has also told its personnel to avoid crowds, to keep a low profile in public and to also be always aware of one's surroundings. The advisory also recommended that individuals review personal security plans and exercise caution in the case they find themselves near crowds and protests. Read: US Embassy In Baghdad Attacked; "This Might Be A Show Of Force," Remarks Sushant Sareen Read: Rocket Attack Near US Embassy In Baghdad, Iraq's Balad Airbase & Mosul: LIVE Updates US embassies in Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait & UAE have now issued security alerts (in addition to US Embassy Baghdad telling all Americans to leave the country immediately) Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) January 3, 2020 US Embassy in Pakistan issues advisory. "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" pic.twitter.com/vyN6zFFTN4 Graphenes (@Graphenes1) January 4, 2020 In a stark warning to Iran, US President Donald Trump threatened to hit dozens of targets in the Islamic Republic very fast and very hard if it retaliates for the targeted killing of the head of Iran's elite Quds Force. In unusually specific language, Trump tweeted that his administration had already targeted 52 Iranian sites stating some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture." He linked the number of sites to the number of hostages, also 52, held by Iran for nearly 15 months after protesters overran the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979. Read: Pro-Iran Hashed Begins Leaving US Embassy In Iraq, Hardliners Stay Put Read: Trump Says 52 Targets Already Lined Up If Iran Retaliates Several students, including the president of the students union of the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi were injured in attacks by masked youth carrying rods and sticks on Sunday evening. Confusion reigned supreme with rival political factions accusing each other of engendering the violence that resulted in heavy police deployment on the campus. According to official estimates, at least 18 students were taken to hospitals for treatment. While Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad blamed the left-leaning students in-charge of the JNU Students Union for entering hostels and beating up ABVP activists, the varsity students union said the ABVP men wearing mask targeted left activists. JNU students & ABVP activists brutally attacked by commie goons! Holding university hostage for their vested interests & political gains is all JNUSU & Left goons can do! JNUSU under Left leadership is hell-bent on destroying everything the University stands for. #LeftAttacksJNU, ABVPs official tweet read. Another ABVP tweet claimed that activists of SFI (Students Federation of India), All India Students Association (AISA), and the Democratic Students Federation (DSF) had attacked and injured at least 25 ABVP affiliated students. Watch l JNU violence: Masked men allegedly attack teachers & students inside campus Conflicting claims were posted by JNUSU (Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union) Twitter account Professors who were trying to protect us have been beaten up. These are unknown ABVP goons, not all are students, they have covered their faces, and they are moving towards the hotels near the West Gate. Stay alert. Make human chains. Protect each other. #SOSJNU #EmergencyinJNU. JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh was seen in a state of shock and bleeding in the face in a video circulating on social media. In the video, she was also heard saying that she was brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. Some students said the violence started with members of JNU Students Union and ABVP clashing during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers Association on Sunday evening. A senior Delhi Police official said the violence started with a clash between rival groups and that weapon-wielding masked youth were varsity students and not outsiders. It was a fight between two student groups who vandalized hostels and indulged in violence. Those seen with sticks are also students. There is no such mob outside JNU at present. At least seven students from both sides moved to hospital, said DCP southwest Devender Arya. The university administration released two statements; the first said armed and masked miscreants were roaming around the campus damaging property and attacking people, while the second statement put the entire violence in context in detail. JNU administration blamed the group of students agitating against the hike in hostel fees for shutting down universitys computer servers twice on January 3 and 4 and damaging property to prevent registration of new students. It blamed the same set of students for the Sunday violence. The university says it quickly contacted police asking it to arrive on campus to maintain law and order, however, by the time the police came, the students who are for the registration were beaten up by a group of agitating students opposing the registration. The statement adds that the masked miscreants also entered the Periyar hostel rooms and attacked the students with sticks and rods. Some of the security guards doing duties at these places were also badly injured. Statement says the violent protests by a group were harming the interests of thousands of non-agitating students. Home minister Amit Shah ordered an inquiry to be carried out by a Joint Commissioner of Police level officer and asked for a report to be submitted as soon as possible, said a tweet by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Iraq's parliament has passed a resolution calling for foreign troops to leave the country in the wake of a U.S. air strike that killed Iran's top military commander, Qasem Soleimani, near Baghdad last week. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said more Iranian leaders will be targeted if Tehran retaliates. The Iraqi government "commits to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting [the Islamic State (IS) extremist group] due to the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory," the lawmakers said in the resolution adopted on January 5. The government of Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi "must work to end the presence of any foreign troops on Iraqi soil and prohibit them from using its land, airspace, or water for any reason," they added. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said the United States was disappointed in the decision. "While we await further clarification on the legal nature and impact of today's resolution, we strongly urge Iraqi leaders to reconsider the importance of the ongoing economic and security relationship between the two countries and the continued presence of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS," Ortagus said in a statement, using an alternate acronym for the Islamic State group. Pompeo has since appeared on six U.S. news shows since Soleimani was killed. He said if Iran uses its proxy forces -- in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and elsewhere -- to strike U.S. targets, a response won't be limited to them. "They will be borne by Iran and its leadership itself," Pompeo said. "Those are important things the Iranian leadership needs to put in its calculus as it makes its next decision." The United States has some 5,000 military personnel in Iraq, mainly as advisers. Parliamentary resolutions are nonbinding, but Abdul-Mahdi had earlier urged parliament to take urgent measures and end the presence of foreign troops as soon as possible. "Despite the internal and external difficulties that we might face, it remains best for Iraq on principle and practically," he told lawmakers in a speech. Later in the day, Iraq's military said that two rockets had fallen inside Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone, where the U.S. and other embassies are based, as well as the seat of Iraq's government. Another rocket hit a nearby area, it said. Several people were reportedly wounded in the attacks. Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, the foreign arm of Iran's hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), was killed on January 3 as he left Baghdad's airport in a convoy amid a regional tour. The attack marked a significant escalation between Iran and the United States, with Tehran promising "harsh revenge." Thousands of Iraqis attended a funeral procession for Soleimani before his body was flown to Iran, where hundreds of thousands of mourners on January 5 participated in processions honoring the commander. In a series of January 4 tweets, President Donald Trump said he had ordered the strike on Soleimani because the Iranian commander had organized attacks on U.S. and Iraqi targets and that he was "preparing for additional hits in other locations." "Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters," Trump wrote. "If Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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," he also said. Trump's reference to hostages taken by Iran refers to the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 by Iranian revolutionaries, who held 52 Americans captive for 444 days. The inclusion of "cultural" sites on a potential target list prompted immediate criticism from Iranian officials and observers. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the killing of Soleimani was a breach of international law and that any targeting of cultural sites would constitute a war crime. "Those masquerading as diplomats and those who shamelessly sat to identify Iranian cultural & civilian targets should not even bother to open a law dictionary," Zarif wrote in a January 5 tweet. "Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms of international law, i.e. international red lines. That is, a big(ly) 'no no'." Pompeo on January 5 defended the intelligence assessment that led to the air strike that killed Soleimani, saying not taking action would have posed a greater risk. Pompeo on ABC television defended the U.S. strikes as lawful and said that any target the U.S. military may strike in Iran would be legal under the laws of armed conflict -- which prohibit the deliberate targeting of cultural sites under most circumstances. "Every target that we strike will be a lawful target, and it will be a target designed with a singular mission -- defending and protecting America," he said. Pompeo also said there was no doubt in his mind that Iran "gets clearly the message from the American leadership." In remarks aired later in the day on Fox News, he said that "there is a real likelihood Iran will make a mistake and make a decision to go after some of our forces, military forces in Iraq or soldiers in northeast Syria." Amid soaring tensions with Iran, the U.S.-led coalition battling the IS group in Iraq and Syria said on January 5 it had halted most of its operations against the militants for now to focus on protecting coalition forces and bases. A spokesman said that the coalition could still carry out some operations and would act in self-defense against the militants. As head of the Quds Force, the 62-year-old Soleimani helped orchestrate Tehran's overseas clandestine and military operations. Both the force and the IRGC have been designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. State Department. Demonstrators took to the streets in many American cities to protest against the targeted killing by U.S. forces. Many traditional U.S. allies have also expressed concerns that the military strike could ignite a wider conflict in the already tense Middle East, although some have defended the United States' right to defend itself. Washington has blamed Iran for orchestrating attacks by Iraqi Shiite militias on U.S. and coalition sites, including an assault on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by a mob that included pro-Iran paramilitary groups on December 31. The attackers withdrew on January 1 and no staff was hurt. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa In the backdrop of youth-led agitations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in universities all over the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the latest edition of his Mann Ki Baat (yes, it was the very last one in 2019), averred that the Indian young person possessed an innate dislike for anarchy. He held out high hopes for them in terms of their contributions to nation-building, and rightly, given the size of their demographic, their talent and expertise sets, all of which he openly acknowledged. It is true that Indias youth has the potential of playing an important role in nation-building, but one must not forget that they also suffer the lack of decent educational opportunities and unemployment, and they additionally bear the burden of various anxieties. Their massive participation in recent protests, be they on the issue of increased fees and arbitrary changes to university and hostel rules or the CAA, are a sign of these multiple, deep-seated systemic malaises. Treating them as a mere law and order issue and their participants as minds misled by the Opposition would, therefore, be misguided. The Generation Z, millennials and the social media generation, however, received high praise from the Prime Minister. All of us experience that this generation is extremely talented. It thrives on dreams to do something new, something different. It has its own set of opinions. And the best part is, especially in the case of India, they appreciate the system, they prefer to follow the system. And in the event of system not responding properly, they get restless and even courageously question the system itself, he said, adding that he himself considers this attribute to be a virtue. But he emphasised that the countrys youth detest anarchy of any sort, as well as lack of governance, instability, nepotism, casteism, favouritism and gender discrimination. Various studies conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies during the last decade indicate that Indias youth suffers from various anxieties, unemployment being one. The data from a 2017 study indicates 73 per cent of Indian youth shared anxiety about employment (46 per cent a great deal of anxiety and 27 per cent some anxiety). Anxiety with regard to jobs is most seen among youth in the age group 18 to 25 years. The youth also share anxiety about missing opportunities for a good education (54 per cent), especially those in the age group of 15-17 years (83 per cent), and those aged 18-21 years (74 per cent). But these are not the only anxieties the Indian youth share, they even fear possibilities of being targets of mob violence and riots. The Indian youth also bear anxieties regarding personal and parental health alongside other family problems. There are various reasons behind Indian youth having these anxieties. Negative societal discrimination is one of those. Prime Minister Modi rightly pointed out that sex-based discrimination was prevalent among Indian youth. The CSDS study, too, seconds that finding. It also shows prevalence of bias based on other identities, namely, caste, religion, class and region. While religion-based discrimination is faced more by Muslims as compared to others, dalits and adivasis are the targets of caste-based discrimination. Participation of young people from various social groups in movements during the last one decade is also a result of this discrimination. It will be completely wrong to think that they are dancing to the tune of the Opposition in this regard or are being brainwashed by the tukde-tukde gang or anti-national forces. A very large number of young people have admitted to not being a member of a political party. Still, their participation in protests went up from 12 per cent in year 2011 to about 25 per cent in 2013. One must recall that this is the time that India witnessed Anna Hazares movement against corruption and the social movement on the Nirbhaya issue. The figures of youth participation in protest demonstrations declined to 12 per cent during 2016-17 as young people perceived the government to be doing well. The country had witnessed various agitations by the end of 2019 and there is massive participation of young people in these movements. Besides the immediate reason which angers youth and motivates them to participate in agitations and protests, increased interest in politics has also worked as a catalyst for youths increased presence in such movements over the last decade. Minister for human resource development Ramesh Pokhriyal may be right in the respect of not allowing universities to become a hub of politics, but students interest in politics is on the rise all the same. Also, it will be difficult to think of universities that are not a space for legitimate political activities. The CSDS study indicates that in 1996 only 30 per cent of Indian youth had an interest in politics. That number is 52 per cent in recent times. One must recognise the fact that this is nothing new even in the past universities have been seats of political thought and many leaders of the present and the past are the product of student politics and student movements. Who knows that these new movements might not give the country its political leaders from Generation Next? The Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday arrested a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, wanted in a series of attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities, from Srinagar. On a credible input, police and security forces arrested one active terrorist from Srinagar city. He has been identified as Nisar Ahmad Dar resident of Parray Mohalla Hajin district Bandipora, police official said. The police said that Dar, affiliated with LeT since 2018, was operating in areas of Nadihal, Hajin, Saderkot, Sumbal areas of district Bandipora and Kangan and Kullan areas of Ganderbal. He was wanted by law for his complicity in a series of terror crimes including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities, the official said. The spokesman said Dar was a close associate of LeT commander Saleem Parray alias Billa. He has been part of terror groups responsible for planning and executing several terror attacks on security establishments in the area, besides he was involved in several cases of civilian atrocities. Several terror crime cases are registered against him, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Mases, who have been married nearly 15 years and have three other children ages 11, 9 and 2 joked as the clock in the delivery room inched closer to midnight about how funny it would be if the twins entered the world in two different decades. The babies cooperated. The City of Hamilton experienced a busy and productive year in 2019, thanks to the City Council, employees, county officials, community partners, Hamilton schools and the mayor. In January Councilor Travis Martinez was appointed council president. He met with the mayor, set the agenda and ran the Committee of the Whole meetings. Councilor Rod Pogachar was voted Planning Board representative and Councilor Joe Petrusaitis was voted Zoning Commission representative. A large snowstorm began on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, and accumulated very quickly. By early afternoon the mayor had declared a snow emergency and sent most city employees home before the roads became impassable. The Hamilton Police Department called in extra help due to call volume, accidents and to get notifications out for moving vehicles in the designated routes identified by the snow emergency. The Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department equipped their vehicles with chains and kept the access to the fire truck bays clear. They encouraged residents to keep their hydrants and gas meters cleared of snow. The city, county and school district consulted to consider and declare school closures. The city and county agreed to communicate throughout the storm. City street crews worked until 8 p.m., plowing streets and emergency routes. The street crew returned to work at 4 a.m. on Tuesday to resume plowing. The city reopened at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 26. In the following weeks, the street department had two or three workers from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m., 60-hour weeks. They ran plows, snowblowers, dump trucks and a loader, removing snow as best as they could, but the large volume of snow and the expansiveness of the city created quite a challenge. The city did not contract with private contractors, but some private property owners did. Individuals and groups helped their neighbors remove snow. The Hamilton Christian Academy used one of their snow days as a service day to clear snow and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints formed shovel crews to help city residents in need. Jerry Wessels Les Schwab Tires also dispatched a crew to help dig people out. Many youth groups and private individuals became better neighbors and helped each other get through the extreme winter weather by shoveling and digging out cars and fire hydrants. In April, Hamilton High School freshman Sidney DeLong hosted a cooking competition to bring awareness to childhood hunger in a simple and fun fashion. With the help of 20 classmates, DeLong hosted a cooking competition that showed how to create a healthy, affordable meal with several servings using simple ingredients of meat, vegetables and spices. Ravalli County Commissioner Jeff Burrows, the mayor and teachers helped the teams make the different dishes that were then judged by school officials. Fireworks fundraising began in May and included individuals and businesses dropping donations in buckets placed at various locations, pint nights, the mayors dunk tank and Uncle Sam shenanigans, and a contribution from the county raised all of the $12,000 needed to fund the Annual City of Hamilton Fourth of July Fireworks Display. In June, the Hamilton Police Association put on their annual Bike Rodeo at Hamilton Middle School. Young cyclists learned safety tips, rules of the road and how to navigate an obstacle course. The Hamilton Fire Department grilled hot dogs, prizes were awarded to all participants, and the mayor ran the raffle ticket prizes. Easton Fryer was the grand prize winner and received a Giant XTC24 bicycle from Valley Bikes. In July, Mathew Rohrbach was hired as the city planner, bringing over a decade of experience in the community planning field addressing issues surrounding land use, transportation and economic development. He has an undergraduate degree in geography from the University of Montana and a master of urban and regional planning from Portland State University. Contact him in the city Public Works building, 920 New York Ave., at mrohrbach@cityofhamilton.net or 406-363-6717. On July 1, Hamilton held the grand opening of the new Justice Center, which houses the Hamilton Police Department, the city court and the city attorney. The city posthumously honored attorney and counselor Ken Bell for his many contributions with a shadow box made in his honor that was placed in the lobby of the Justice Center. On July 6, the Hamilton Skate Park had its grand opening, celebrating years of hard work, fundraising, finding a location and other details by the Circle 13 Skatepark Association. Donors, volunteers, skaters and many community members combined their resources and brought this incredible feature to Claudia Driscoll Park. In August, the mayor operated his dunk tank to raise money for nonprofits at the Ravalli County Fair. The nonprofits were: S.A.F.E. of the Bitterroot, Rez-cue Dogs, Emmas House, Linda Massa Youth Home, Ravalli County 4-H, Bitter Root Humane Association, Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department and Velocity Gymnastics. In September, the mayor and students of the Keystone After School Program played The Agents of Discovery game on a free downloadable mobile device app that features historic trail missions. They met at River Park and discovered the history of the Nez Perce on the National Historic Trail Mission. Agents of Discovery in our area River Park, Lake Como, St. Marys Mission and Travelers Rest have missions to complete. On Halloween night the mayor hosted trick-or-treat at City Hall. There was candy and open restrooms for trick-or-treaters. The concept was popular (especially for parents with small children) and will continue in the future. Early in 2019 Hamilton received a technical assistance grant from Community Builders to make the intersection of U.S. Highway 93 and Main Street more welcoming and balance the needs of bikes, cars and vehicles. Community Builders staff visited Hamilton in November for an initial site visit and to meet with community members to hear their concerns and ideas. Community Builders will be back in Hamilton Feb. 3-5, 2020, for community design workshops to dive into some of the specifics of what improvements to this intersection might look like. Meeting dates and times will be posted on the project website www.connect93hamilton.com. In December, the students of Evergreen Kids Corner created decorations for the Christmas tree at the Justice Center. The students also met members of the Hamilton Police Department who taught them that police officers are sworn to help citizens in need, including them. The mayor dressed as Santa Claus and visited a party for Child Bridge (a foster care program) and a party for Child Protective Services. City Council meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month. The Committee of the Whole meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at City Hall, 223 S. Second St., in Hamilton and are open to the public. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 3 An excited American tourist discovers the British pub chain Wetherspoons and is overwhelmed by how cheap it is. TikTok star Mal filmed herself visiting The Benjamin Huntsman in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and posted it to her 8,600 followers. Footage shows her walking towards the pub as she says: 'Okay so the place that I have found which interests me the most is this place called Wetherspoons, in England, and its so freaking good - let's see what they've got.' Mal filmed herself visiting The Benjamin Huntsman in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, where Sheffield City Hall can be seen behind her (left). She peruses the breakfast menu and selects the 3.65 vegetarian breakfast (right) The video shows Mal perusing the breakfast menu which she describes as 'really, really cheap' before opting for the vegetarian breakfast costing 3.65. In the wholesome TikTok clip, which has gathered more than 38,000 likes, she describes the free coffee and tea refills as 'amazing' as she makes her way over to the Lavazza station and selects a latte. 'You can use this as many times as you want', as she zooms in on her coffee filling up. Mal grabs her cup and takes it over to the refill station (left). At the Lavazza coffee and tea station she selects a latte and is overwhelmed by how many times she can refill it (right) Mal pans over the two breakfasts and tells her followers how they got both meals and coffees for 10 (left). As she spoons baked beans onto her plate she says: 'And make sure you put the beans on the toast because its freaking amazing' (right) At the table she pans over two breakfasts on the signature blue-pattered plates and says: 'So we got all of this food plus the coffee for 10!' As she spoons baked beans onto her plate she says: 'And make sure you put the beans on the toast because its freaking amazing.' Mal and her travel partner have documented their trip around the UK and have made sure to update their followers on classic British staples. On day two of their trip Mal says: 'We decided to walk around the city and got some digestives, which sound really gross, but they are actually just little cookies.' She then takes a tour of a 'grocery store', Tesco, and is gobsmacked by the 3 meal deal. 'They have these things called meal deals where you get a sandwich, drink and crisps for only 3. 'Their Lays are also called Walkers and they are crisps instead of chips.' New Delhi, Jan 5 : After unearthing firms that made fake export credit claims, the Department of Revenue has asked the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to seek regular compliance and verification reports from other regulators, besides seeking statutory records of compliance from exporters, including certifications from the banks. According to a Finance Ministry source, the DGFT, which is under the Commerce Ministry, has also been asked to take precautions like "asking exporters to submit 'No NPAs' (non-performing assets, or bad loans) certificates from banks in view of the disclosures of mis-availment of IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax) refunds by certain exporters holding 'star' status." The Revenue Department has identified several star-rated export houses that are bogus or shell export houses claiming fake refunds, the source said. "Of the 241 cases taken up for detailed scrutiny, data of 82 star exporters show that declarations before income tax and GST are at significant variance," he said. Data matching between income tax and GST of the star exporters has also shown that 40 out of 241 entities have declared turnover from business ranging from NIL to less than Rs 1 crore in fiscal 2017-18 and 2018-19, whereas it is understood that an exporter must maintain exports of $3 million in a year to be eligible for the status", the source added. He also said the Revenue Department has drawn the DGFT's attention to the preliminary findings of the investigation which show the "mis-availment" of IGST refunds by certain 'star' exporters. "These instances emphasise the need to make the system of accrediting exporters more robust. Since an exporter enjoying 'star' status is allowed many facilities, including reduced customs inspections, it makes for a strong case for DGFT to continuously, or annually, seek a compliance and verification reports from other regulators or obligate the exporters to produce statutory records of compliance, including 'No NPAs' certifications from banks," he said. "In its drive to check fraudulent availment of IGST refunds, the CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) has extensively used data analytics and matched data with income tax, GST and customs to identify risky exporters," he said. "Ongoing investigations have thrown up at least 9 star export houses as 'non-traceable' at their premises declared on record. All these star export houses have availed IGST refunds, which are now being questioned by the tax officers. There are instances where an exporter with over Rs 50 crore of exports of readymade garments has taken refund of Rs 3.90 crore while the entity's total GST payment in cash was a merely Rs 1,650." In another case, tax payments in cash have been found as Rs 51,201 while the exporter has obtained refund of Rs 9.59 crore. Investigators are of the view that all such cases involve fake invoicing and fraudulent tax credits, which have been encashed through the facility of IGST refunds. The ongoing exercise by CGST field formations has revealed serious issues in compliance. Besides the fact that 9 star exporters were not traceable at the addresses, in two cases the premises were also found sealed and seized by the banks as the exporters had been declared as NPAs. A sample study of 241 star exporters has shown that 40 had declarations of turnover from business ranging from 'Nil' to less than Rs 1 crore in 2017-18 and 2018-19. 'Star' export houses are recognized under the Foreign Trade Policy by virtue of their export performance having crossed a certain threshold, which is presently $3 million in the current and previous 3 financial years. Alarmed at the misuse of IGST refunds by the star status exporters, the CBIC has requested to DGFT to install a more robust accreditation process and take necessary action as per law. At the current toll of 3,066 Trinidad and Tobago now has the highest number of Covid-19 deaths in the Caricom region, both numerically and number of deaths per million people. This unenviable standing could quickly change, depending on when new variants take hold and the impact they have on any given country. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Sun, January 5, 2020 08:00 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320d96b8 2 News rome,tourism,travel,destination Free 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. Read also: Rome cracks down on bad tourist behavior 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. Topics : rome tourism travel destination Dominic Raab has said the Government is careful of aggravating authorities in Cyprus ahead of the sentencing of a British teenager convicted of lying about being gang-raped. The Foreign Secretary conveyed concerns to his Cypriot counterpart over the treatment of the 19-year-old woman, who was found guilty of public mischief. But Mr Raab, appearing on Skys Ridge On Sunday, warned that the case now needs to be handled very sensitively to prevent doing anything counter-productive between now and the teenagers sentencing on Tuesday. Expand Close Dominic Raab (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dominic Raab (Victoria Jones/PA) It comes as one of the 12 Israeli youths accused of taking part in the gang-rape has vowed to pursue the young woman through the courts for compensation. Mr Raab told Sky: I have conveyed our concerns about her treatment and the case to my Cypriot opposite number. I did that on Friday, and I also have also spoken to the young ladys mother to see what more support we can provide to her. So we also need to be careful that we dont do anything which aggravates the situation between now (and) the date of sentencing, which is on Tuesday. But the concerns that we have and that I have, have been squarely and firmly and categorically registered with the Cypriot authorities. The teenager said 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 was charged and the dozen young men, aged between 15 and 20, who were arrested over the incident were freed after she signed a retraction statement 10 days later. So that's what we're doing and we obviously need to handle this case very sensitively to make sure we don't do anything counter-productive.Dominic Raab She maintains she was raped but forced to change her account under pressure from Cypriot police. The teenager could face up to a year in jail and a 1,700 euro (1,500) fine upon sentence after being found guilty of public mischief at Famagusta District Court, in Paralimni. On what he would do if he felt there had been a miscarriage of justice, Mr Raab said Cyprus was sensitive about perceived political interference. Mr Raab said on Sunday: We dont control the Cypriot justice system, theyre very sensitive in Cyprus about perceived political interference, but there are clear questions around the due process, the fair trial, safeguards that have applied in this case. He said the first priority is to see the teenager released, adding: So thats what were doing and we obviously need to handle this case very sensitively to make sure we dont do anything counter-productive. The Foreign Office previously issued a statement 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. One of the men accused of taking part in the gang-rape, Yona Golub, told The Mail On Sunday that the group were preparing to sue her. We deserve compensation for what we went through. I dont know how much I should get, he told the newspaper. They need to put her in prison and only afterwards should they deal with the compensation. The 18-year-old claims he was in a different hotel room, but was arrested because he was on holiday with two friends who had been in the same room. India on Sunday strongly condemned the "targeted killing" of a minority Sikh community member in Pakistan's Peshawar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan should stop "prevaricating" and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. 'Pak should act in defence of their own minorities' "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion, and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the MEA said. It said the government of Pakistan should act in defence of their own minorities instead of "preaching sermons" about it to other countries. The body of 25-year-old Ravinder Singh was found in the area of Chamkani police station on Sunday, who was in the city for a short while to shop for his wedding. This case of cold-blooded murder in Pakistan, only adds on to the multiple cases of discrimination against the minorities by Imran Khan government. Even a report filed by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) had stated back in December that religious freedom has been affected and deteriorated under Imran Khan's government in Pakistan. 'We are just a few left here' The brother of the victim, speaking to the media said, "Such cases are shunned here. Speaking of minorities, only a few of us are left. Minorities are the beauty of a nation. Thousands of rupees in funds flow in the country to safeguard us, be it Sikh, Christians or Hindus, but it is eaten away." Expressing grief over his brother's death, "Today, I have to pick my brother's body. Till the time the government of Pakistan does not bring the killers of my brother in front of me, I will not sit peacefully. The truth is that we always have to pick up dead bodies. Funds come in our name." READ | Not aware of any India-focussed meeting being organised by OIC: MEA READ | MEA urges 'restraint & calm' over assassination of Iran's top commander Soleimani by US India condemned Nankana Sahib Gurdwara attack India had on Friday strongly condemned vandalism at the revered Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan and called upon the neighbouring country to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community there. The 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, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev. The MEA said these 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. READ | Pro-CAA views costs job to Doha-based Indian doctor, MoS MEA pays him a visit READ | MEA tells Imran Khan to 'Pay attention to Pak matters' after Pak PM condemns India's CAB Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday alleged that all deaths during anti-CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh were caused by police bullets and said the BJPs campaign in support of the Act was to mislead people. Yadav, who visited the residence of Mohammad Wakil killed during an anti-CAA protest in the state capital, said, He (Wakil) was not involved in the agitation. The government should probe as to whose bullet hit him. They (police) have the post-mortem report now. All the deaths during the agitation in the state were caused by police bullets, he claimed. Yadav also demanded compensation, house and job for Wakils family, currently living in a rented accommodation. He said families of all those killed during protests should be given adequate compensation. The UP police initially claimed that none of the deaths was caused by police firing, but subsequently admitted some casualties in police bullets when cops fired in self defence. Officials have put the death toll at 19 in widespread clashes in the state, though the opposition parties claimed a higher figure. Yadav asked the government that if it wanted to make someone from another country its citizen, then why has it not given this right to Muslims. This is because you (BJP) want to divide the society and play politics. Every Indian is against CAA and NCR. When Aaadhaar has all information why NPR? he posed. In a village, who has papers...From where will I bring date of birth paper of my mother. Government wants the people to only search for papers and not do daily chores, he lamented. He said his party will resort to Satyagrah by not filling the form. Noting that people of all walks, castes and religions were coming out against CAA and NPR, Yadav said, The BJP knows its decision is wrong and against the Constitution. Asked to comment on the BJPs campaign in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act, he said it was to mislead people. The BJP is misleading the people. What will they tell the people now? They could not convince us in Parliament. Now, they have come out to mislead the people, he said. His remarks came hours after the BJP launched a 10-day campaign to dispel doubts about the law and also inform people 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. The Act 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. Opposition parties have called the law against Indias Constitution for making religion a ground for citizenship. WASHINGTON -- The U.S. and Iran traded threats after the killing of the Islamic Republic's most prominent military man by an American drone, with Tehran promising a protracted response and Washington warning against reprisals. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told the relatives of assassinated general Qassem Soleimani on Saturday that "they won't see the effects of their mistake today, but they will witness it over many many years to come," according to report by Iran's state broadcaster. U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said the Iranian regime should now start behaving like a "normal nation." Some effects were immediate, though. A wave of rocket attacks on Saturday targeted Baghdad's Green Zone, which contains the U.S. Embassy, and the nearby Balad airbase that houses U.S. troops. The Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah warned Iraqi security forces at U.S. faculties in Iraq to stay away. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Twitter that the "end of U.S. malign presence in West Asia has begun." President Donald Trump said he approved the strike in Iraq because Soleimani was plotting "imminent and sinister attacks" against American diplomats and military personnel. Pompeo told Fox News on Friday night that the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Corps' Quds Force was planning an attack of such scale that it would have killed a "significant amount" of Americans as well as possibly Lebanese and Syrians. He said he wasn't able to discuss details. ADVERTISEMENT The U.S. is sending about 2,800 troops from the Army's 82nd Airborne division to join roughly 700 troops dispatched to Kuwait earlier this week as part of the division's rapid-reaction "ready battalion," according to two U.S. officials who asked not to be identified discussing the deployment. The U.S. already had about 60,000 personnel in the region. There is increasing concern that more nations will be drawn into a wider regional conflict as Iran threatens to avenge Soleimani, who led proxy militias that extended Iran's power across the Middle East, by striking at U.S. interests and those of its allies. The killing sent global markets reeling. Oil futures in London and New York at one point surged by more than 4%, gold hit the highest in four months and 10-year Treasury yields headed for the biggest drop in three weeks. The S&P 500 Index declined. "We don't seek war with Iran," Pompeo said in an interview on Fox earlier on Friday. "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 de-escalate the situation." The term "de-escalation" was used repeatedly by Pompeo to describe his discussions with counterparts in the Middle East. O'Brien said the administration would provide Congress retroactive notification of the Soleimani strike as well as classified briefings next week, when lawmakers return from a holiday break. An assistant Defense secretary and two other officials on Friday briefed staff from the House and Senate armed services committees on recent threats, the airstrike that killed Soleimani and the 11 attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq, Pentagon spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said in a statement. Soleimani was killed in a car late Thursday by a Reaper drone capable of firing laser-guided weapons as he was leaving a Baghdad airport access road, a U.S. official said. The strike also killed the deputy commander of an Iraqi militia group, the Shiite-dominated Popular Mobilization Forces, who was with Soleimani. The assault 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. The pressures have been complicated by widespread protests in Iraq and Iran. ADVERTISEMENT As protests continued in Tehran, Rouhani said the U.S. had committed malevolent acts against Iran for decades and referred to the coup that reinstated the Shah in 1953. "We won't ever forget America's crimes," he said. "This is a saga that goes back years." Funerals of those killed got under way in Baghdad Saturday morning, with thousands attending, with many carrying militia banners. Separately, the PMF denied overnight reports that an attack on cars carrying some of its members north of Baghdad was another American airstrike. The Iranian regime will be under "strong pressure" to strike back, said Paul Pillar, a former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency officer and a nonresident 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." Zarif took Pompeo to task for a comment on Friday that Iraqis were "dancing in the street for freedom, thankful that General Soleimani is no more." "An arrogant clown _ masquerading as a diplomat _ claimed people were dancing in the cities of Iraq," Zarif said on Twitter without naming Pompeo. "Today, hundreds of thousands of our proud Iraqi brothers and sisters offered him their response across their soil." 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. Iran named Esmail Ghaani, another veteran of Middle East conflicts, as Soleimani's replacement. The Iranian leadership is signaling it may 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. ADVERTISEMENT 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. Iraqi forces enhanced security around the U.S. embassy in Baghdad after the airstrike, Iraq's al-Sumaria news reported, citing a security official. Trump's actions set off a lightning round of diplomatic phone-tag and meetings. European allies urged the president to find a way to ease the tensions with Tehran and warned of the risks that a cycle of retaliations would spiral out of control. French President Emmanuel Macron is speaking to his counterparts in the Middle East in an effort to contain tensions, 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." In the Gulf, Qatar's foreign minister headed to Tehran to speak with his Iranian counterpart to discuss the killing. The United Arab Emirates' minister of state of foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, called for calm and a reasoned approach, bemoaning the lack of trust between the parties as the situation escalates. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had phone calls with Rouhani and Iraqi President Barham Salih to discuss developments. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone with Zarif and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. ___ (With assistance by Glen Carey, Anthony Capaccio, Kathleen Miller, Zaid Sabah and Jordan Fabian ___ (c)2020 Bloomberg News Visit Bloomberg News at www.bloomberg.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Three Americans were killed in an attack by terrorist group al-Shabab Sunday morning on a military base in Kenya's Lamu County used by American and Kenyan military personnel, U.S. Africa Command confirmed in a statement Sunday. The big picture: One U.S. service member and two Defense Department contractors were killed, while another two Defense Department members were injured but are "currently in stable condition and being evacuated," per the statement. Al-Shabab is affiliated with al-Qaeda. The Kenya Defence Forces said in a statement earlier Sunday that the Manda Bay Airfield was deemed safe after the "attempted breach" was "successfully repulsed." The Kenyan military said later five bodies of the "neutralised terrorists" were recovered, along with munitions including four rocket launchers and a hand grenade. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Go deeper: Don't forget al-Qaeda Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details about the Americans killed, recovered Al Shabab members' bodies and the munitions seizure. Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service PATNA: In a raid conducted by the police and prison officials in all Bihar jails on Sunday, 23 cellphones along with chargers and other banned items including tobacco were found. The raids were conducted after a dispute between two inmates, who were lodged in the Hajipur jail in connection with India's major gold heist, committed in Rajasthan's Jaipur. The dispute over sharing the looted gold allegedly led to the murder of one of the inmates. The victim was identified as Manish Kumar alias Telia of Vaishali district. Prison IG Mithilesh Mishra, who monitored all the raids said, "As many as 23 cellphones along with 16 mobile chargers and 11 SIM cards besides tobacco products were recovered from jails of Bihar including Hajipur jail". He said that the raids were planned randomly to assess the security arrangements and to know whether the rules of Jail manual were being followed strictly or not. Mishra said that departmental actions would be intimated against concerned jail staffs on their failure that benefited the entry of the recovered items into jails. "The FIRs have been lodged in concerned all police stations upon the recoveries of items from jails wards of UTs", he said. On Saturday,the IG Prison had suspended five Hajipur jail staffs including an assistant jail warden in connection with the murder of an imprisoned gold robber. HASTINGS, Australia The evacuees walked down the gangway of the giant naval vessel to the dock, each carrying just a few items of luggage. Some held infants and others their dogs, whose legs were still shaky from the 20-hour voyage down the coast of Australia. They were weary, and their clothes smelled of smoke, but the terrible infernos were finally behind them. Four days after a bush fire ravaged the remote coastal town of Mallacoota, forcing people to shelter on the beach under blood-red skies, more than 1,000 stranded residents and vacationers arrived on Saturday in Hastings, a town near Melbourne. Authorities said it was most likely the largest peacetime maritime rescue operation in Australias history. It was also a symbol of a country in perpetual flight from danger during a catastrophic fire season and the challenge the government faces in getting the blazes under control. Searing heat and afternoon winds propelled fires over large swaths of Australia on Saturday, adding to the devastation of a deadly fire season that has now claimed 23 lives. Thousands of people have been evacuated, while many towns and cities under threat were still smoldering from ferocious blazes that ripped through the countryside earlier in the week. More than 12 million acres have burned so far, an area larger than Switzerland, and the damage is expected to only get worse in the extremely arid conditions that are allowing the fires to spread. The fires are also so hot and so large that they are creating their own weather patterns, which can worsen the conditions. With more than a month still to go in the fire season, the government announced on Saturday a large-scale use of military assets, a deployment not seen since World War II, experts say. About 3,000 army reservists, along with aircraft and naval ships, are being made available to help with the evacuation and firefighting efforts. The government has not taken this decision lightly, said Defense Minister Linda Reynolds. It is the first time that reserves have been called out in this way in living memory. In anticipation of the bad conditions on Saturday, thousands of people were evacuated, largely from communities along the southeastern coast, where the towns swell with tourists during the summer. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that a third Australian Navy ship, the Adelaide, would be used to evacuate people. Morrison, who has been widely criticized for his response to the fires, had resisted a major intervention by the national government, saying firefighting has traditionally been the domain of the individual states. He has also minimized the link between global warming and the extreme conditions that have fueled the fires. The states and their overwhelmingly volunteer force of firefighters in rural areas have been stretched and depleted by a season that started earlier and has been especially ferocious. While Australia has long dealt with bush fires, a yearslong drought and record-breaking temperatures have made for a more volatile and unpredictable season. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that the western Sydney suburb of Penrith, which reached a high of 48.9 degrees Celsius, or 120 degrees Fahrenheit, was the hottest place in the country Saturday. Last month, Australia recorded its warmest day across the continent. As climate change worsens, scientists are predicting that the fires will become more frequent and more intense. John Blaxland, a professor at the Strategic and Defense Studies Centre at the Australian National University, said the country had not seen a catastrophe on this scale, affecting so many people in so many different locations since Australia became independent in 1901. With other obligations in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, the military was not necessarily staffed to handle a looming climate crisis, he said. If this is the new normal, then that model is broken, he said. Officials on Saturday said one major fire had crossed from the state of Victoria north into New South Wales and was spreading quickly. Fire-generated thunderstorms have appeared over blazes in two different places. Emergency workers were using cranes and air tankers to fight the fires, as winds moving up the coast were causing some of the blazes to merge. The fires are blazing ferociously along Australias eastern coast, as well as South Australia, Tasmania and parts of Western Australia. In southern Australia, fire tore through a popular nature reserve known for its koalas, sea lions and other wildlife, killing a man and his grown son. In towns along the southwest coast between Melbourne and Sydney shops closed, power was cut and the authorities went door to door ordering evacuations. In Nowra, a coastal town two hours south of Sydney, the sky went dark, the air filled with choking smoke. At a lawn-bowling club transformed into an evacuation center, people strapped on gas masks, while dogs barked frantically. A chaplain ministered to the anxious. Theres nowhere safe, said Liddy Lant, a hospital cleaner still in her uniform who had fled from her home Saturday. I could seriously just sit down and cry. The fire commissioner of the Rural Fire Service in New South Wales, Shane Fitzsimmons, told reporters Saturday that more than 148 active fires were burning in his state alone, with 12 at an emergency level. Farther south, in Victoria, authorities counted more than 50 active fires. This is not a bush fire, Andrew Constance, the transport minister in New South Wales, told ABC radio. Its an atomic bomb. For Australias wildlife, the toll has been incalculable. About 87% of Australias wildlife is endemic to the country, which means it can be found only on this island continent. And a great many of those species, like the koala, the southern brown bandicoot and the long-footed potoroo, have populations living in the regions now being obliterated by the fires. Because the fires this season have been so intense and consumed wetlands as well as dry eucalyptus forests, there are few places many of these animals can seek refuge. Weve never seen fires like this, not to this extent, not all at once, and the reservoir of animals that could come and repopulate the areas, they may not be there, said Jim Radford, a research fellow at La Trobe University in Melbourne. At the evacuation center in Nowra, about a hundred people sought cover throughout the day. Children chased each other around as paramedics strapped oxygen masks onto elderly residents. Lant, 71, said she received an emergency alert Saturday afternoon telling her to evacuate immediately from North Nowra. She ran home to fetch her dog Kaiser and her bird. Her cat had fled. Firefighters were knocking on doors telling her neighbors to leave. Her brother is in Mallacoota, the town where residents are being evacuated by the navy. Ive just had it, she said. At the next table, the Barwick family and their two dogs were waiting as they had for days. Although their home in Worrigee was not in the direct line of fire, they had arrived here Tuesday night, having lived through a bush fire in 2017. Their two children had been traumatized by that experience. Back then, they had to flee the approaching flames, spending hours on the beach. I dont need them seeing the plumes again, said Daniel Barwick. Im just trying to protect them as much as possible. As people disembarked the naval ships in Hastings on Saturday, emergency service workers offered emotional support and premade sandwiches. Buses then took them either to Melbourne or a relief center in the nearby town of Somerville, where many would be picked up by friends and relatives. The arrivals said they were thankful to be safely ashore. A man who had stepped off a bus in Somerville embraced a woman who had come to meet him and sobbed. What Darcy Brown, 16, craved most was a shower. Brown had just moved with her family to Mallacoota when the fire razed their new home and worsened her asthma. It was devastating, she said. Others said their personal brush with climate disaster had crystallized their view that the government needed to do more not just to reduce heat-trapping emissions but also to help the country adapt to a warmer world. One woman disembarking the boat, Corrin Mueller, 23, carried a sign that read inaction costs more which she described as referring to the Australian governments failure to reduce emissions. Were only here because nobodys acted quick enough, she said. And theres so much more we can still do to stop more people having to go through this. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Iraqi protesters flooded the streets on Sunday to denounce both Iran and the US as "occupiers", angry that fears of war between the rivals was derailing their anti-government movement. For three months, youth-dominated rallies in the capital and Shiite-majority south have condemned Iraq's ruling class as corrupt, inept and beholden to Iran. Following a US strike on Baghdad Friday that killed top Iranian and Iraqi commanders, Iraqi lawmakers urged the government Sunday to oust thousands of US troops deployed across the country. For protesters who were hitting the streets, Iran was also a target for blame. "No to Iran, no to America!" chanted hundreds of young Iraqis as they marched through the southern protest hotspot of Diwaniyah. Young children present carried posters in the shape of Iraq and waved their country's tri-colour. "We're taking a stance against the two occupiers: Iran and the US," one demonstrator told AFP. Nearby, a teenage girl held a handwritten sign reading: "Peace be on the land created to live in peace, but which has yet to see a single peaceful day." Iraqi helicopters circled above, surveying the scene. Relations between Tehran and Washington have been deteriorating since the US abandoned a landmark nuclear deal with Iran in 2018 and reimposed crippling economic sanctions. But tensions boiled over during the last week, culminating in a US drone strike outside Baghdad international airport that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and several Iraqi paramilitary leaders. Some protesters initially rejoiced, having blamed Soleimani for propping up the government they have been trying to bring down since early October. But joy swifty turned to worry, as protesters realised pounding war drums would drown out their calls for peaceful reform of Iraq's government. In a bold move, young protesters in the southern city of Nasiriyah blocked a mourning procession for Soleimani and top Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis from reaching their protest camp. Outraged pro-Iran mourners fired on the protesters, wounding three, medical sources told AFP. "We refuse a proxy war on Iraqi territory and the creation of crisis after crisis," said student Raad Ismail. "We're warning them: don't ignore our demands, whatever the excuse," he said. Later in the day, the offices of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary group of mostly-Shiite factions was set on fire in Nasiriyah, an AFP correspondent said. And in the southern port city of Basra, protesters hurled rocks at a mourning procession for Soleimani, prompting his supporters to respond in kind. Tehran has especially strong ties to the Hashed, which has been incorporated into the state. The US has accused one vehemently anti-American Hashed faction, Kataeb Hezbollah, of attacking US diplomats and troops in Iraq. The demonstrators are calling for early parliamentary voting based on a new electoral law. They hope this would bring transparent and independent lawmakers to parliament. They have also demanded Iran -- their large eastern neighbour, which holds sway among Iraqi politicians and military figures -- reduce its interventions in Iraq. On Saturday, Kataeb Hezbollah told Iraqi security forces to "get away" from US troops, sparking fears they would fire rockets at bases shared by soldiers from both countries. Just moments before, explosions rocked the enclave in the Iraqi capital where the US embassy is located and an airbase north of the capital housing American troops. In the shrine city of Karbala, student Ahmad Jawad denounced Soleimani's killing and the ensuing violence. "We refuse that Iraq becomes a battlefield for the US and Iran, because the victims of this conflict will be Iraqis," he told AFP. Another student, Ali Hussein, was worried about the precarious situation. Iraq's premier Adel Abdel Mahdi resigned last month over the protests, but political factions have not agreed on a replacement and are now focused on the aftermath of the US strike. "The Americans violated Iraq's sovereignty by hitting the Hashed bases and carrying out another strike by the Baghdad airport," said Hussein. For demonstrators whose main rallying cry had been "we want a country", Hussein said the foreign military operations were jarring. "It's proof that there's no state in Iraq," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 00:45:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A man holds a picture of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 3, 2020. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua) The French side hopes to stay in close communication with China and play a positive role in preventing the escalation of regional tensions, said the French foreign minister. BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Unilateral use of force will not solve any problem but only backfire and lead to a vicious circle of confrontation, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday. Wang made the remarks during a phone conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Le Drian expounded the views of the French side on the current situation in the Middle East, stressing that France opposes the use of force in international relations and Iraq's territorial sovereignty should be respected. It is vital to preserve the Iran nuclear deal under the current circumstance, Le Drian said, adding that the French side hopes to stay in close communication with China and play a positive role in preventing the escalation of regional tensions. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (C) addresses the General Debate of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 25, 2019. Rouhani on Wednesday ruled out negotiations with the United States unless the latter lifts sanctions on his country first. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Wang said China shares a similar position with France on the issue. Noting that the two countries are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining world peace and stability, he said it is necessary for them to strengthen strategic communication and play a constructive role in jointly safeguarding the principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms on international ties, and opposing any unilateral use of force. The Iran nuclear deal is an important result of multilateral diplomacy, which pools painstaking efforts of all parties concerned and supports regional peace and stability in the Middle East, he stressed. Wang hopes that all sides will maintain close communication to prevent the attacks from affecting the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal. Amid escalating tension between the US and Iran, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday urged the central government to take urgent steps to ensure the safety and security of 10 million Indians in the Gulf region. He said that India could not afford to simply wait and watch given the rising stakes in view of the threats and counter-threats between the two nations. The chief minister said the Indian government should immediately direct their embassies in the region to connect with the Indians settled there and provide them all possible help in this hour of crisis. Pointing out that besides the US, other countries like Britain were preparing to evacuate their citizens, if needed, Singh asked the Centre to also prepare and initiate plans to evacuate all Indians seeking to return home in these circumstances. The proximity of the Gulf region to the Indian border makes it imperative for the Centre to intervene without delay and issue necessary directions to its missions in the West Asian countries as well as the Indian population there, the chief minister said in an official release. With the conflict showing no signs of easing, the situation is evidently grave and it will be in the interest of the Indians to leave the Gulf region immediately, he added. Referring to the large Punjabi and Sikh diaspora settled in the region, Singh said that his government would extend all support to anyone who wanted a safe return back to the country. Punjab government officials were in direct contact with the community there and had been instructed to move swiftly in response to any plea for help, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alabama litter crews gathered more than 113 tons of roadside litter in the Tuscaloosa area in 2019, officials announced recently. If the litter were measured in plastic bottles, it would stretch from Tuscaloosa to Dallas with a few miles to spare, said John McWilliams, a spokesman for the Alabama Department of Transportations West Central Region. The states costs to clean up roadside litter have reached $200,000 in Tuscaloosa County and $6.8 million statewide. State officials have highlighted problems with roadside litter in the past, The Tuscaloosa News reported. They launched a statewide litter awareness campaign in 2018. They named that campaign Trash Costs Cash." It included public service messages on social media sites, television and radio. Litter is an embarrassment to our region and state, James Brown, ALDOTs West Central Region engineer, said in a news release announcing the 2018 campaign. We dont have funding or personnel to pick up trash thrown on our highways by inconsiderate motorists," he said at the time. All of us need to be mindful of the negative impact we have when we litter our highways." The state defines litter as trash, waste or garbage thats scattered and hasnt been properly disposed. Roadside litter can include fast-food wrappers, beverage containers, cigarette butts and other items that arent properly disposed. Piracy in some of the worlds most critical oil chokepoints is on the rise--but now, pirates are resorting back to another method of income generation better suited to times of lower oil prices: taking human captives. Sometimes, black market oil prices just arent lucrative enough. In the days of $100 oil, oil theft was a hot commodity. Today, pirates are supplementing their stolen oil income with ransomed sailors, creating a whole new set of problems for the oil industry to tackle. Where Piracy is Hot, and Where Its Not Piracy is being dealt with fairly successfully in certain regions of the world. In others, efforts to shore up maritime security have failed. But the threat of pirates taking human captives is alive and well in all regions. East Africa - Once a piracy hotspot, piracy off Somalias coast has fallen in recent years as the international community--including Iran--stepped up to tackle this pressing problem that disrupted the flow of goods, including oil, through the critical oil route. Somalia, too, has stepped up its ability to prosecute pirates. The East Africa area includes the Bab-el-Mandeb between Yemen and Djibouti, as well as the Gulf of Aden. Piracy incidents here hit a high of 54 in 2017, before falling back to just 9 in 2018, according to One Earth Futures annual report The State of Maritime Piracy 2018. But while piracy off Somalia has toned down in recent years, the problem of using captive humans as an additional income stream has not gone away. One Iranian seafarer, for example, who was held captive by Somalia pirates was finally released after four years due to poor health. Three of his shipmates, however, are still being held to this day. West Africa - While things appear to be cooling off in the pirate world off Africas east coast, the west side is seeing a disturbing rise in piracy. And not just any piracy--piracy with a human captive component. The area most subject to piracy here is off the coast of Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea in general. So much so has this alarming shift risen from oil to persons over the course of the last year in West Africa, that India--the most prolific source of maritime sailors in the region--has banned all Indian seafarers from working on vessels in Nigerian waters and in the Gulf of Guinea. On the line here for Nigeria is $10 billion annually in crude oil sales to India, who purchases more than one-third of all Nigerian oil. Just last month, pirates in the Gulf of Guinea hijacked two Indian oil tankers in two separate instances. But they didnt stop with the crude oil. They also took the Indian crewmembers hostage both times. While one set of hostages have since been released, the second batch is still being held in captivity, adding to the growing unrest in the region as shippers and sailors fear for their own safety and for the safety of their crew. Related: Russias Latest Energy Power Play Overall in 2019, there were a total of 89 crew hijacked for ransom in the Gulf of Guinea, and there is now even a special rider offered by one insurer, Beazley, called the Gulf of Guinea Piracy Plus that compensates vessels up to a certain maximum should they fall prey to pirates. This area is where 82% of all kidnappings on the world seas take place, as crime syndicates in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria look to capitalize not only on the countrys sizable crude oil trade but on the ransom for the many kidnapped sailors that traverse nearby waters as well. The rise of this oil-piracy-with-a-side-of-people has been attributed, quite lazily, on poverty in the area, but the extracurricular kidnappings and ransoms come with a special brand of gratuitous brutality that speaks less of poverty-induced desperation and more of wanton criminality and woefully insufficient prosecutorial infrastructure and corrupt governments. Southeast Asia - There is also a rise in piracy off the Singapore Strait, Strait of Malacca, and in the Sulu and Celebes Seas. In the last month of 2019, there were six attempted piracy attacks over a string of just six days. All together for 2019, there were 30 recorded piracy incidents just in the Strait of Singapore alone. The area is another critical path for oil traveling from the Persian Gulf to the booming East Asian market. There has not only been an overall increased risk of piracy in this area, but an increased risk of kidnapping for ransom as well. In the Sulu Sea, most of the ransom incidents were claimed by Islamist terrorist organization Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), based out of the southern Phillippines. Its latest ransom demand for a kidnapped Indonesian national was $567,000. The group is known for beheading hostages when ransoms arent paid. The Cost of Piracy Piracy has a cost, but its more than just stolen oil. All of the costs associated with stolen oil, including the lost oil itself, the ransom money, insurance risk premiums, and so on will invariably be added into the cost of every barrel of oil the world over. Ransom payments, per person, can range anywhere from $18,000 to $570,000. And those ransoms are mostly being paid. Related: Oil Rises On Large Crude Draw Pirates are predominantly taking crew because that is where the money is. People are paying it, Phil Diacon, Dryan Global chief executive told Maritime Intelligence. War risk premiums for ships traveling through the Gulf of Guinea, for example, incurred $18 million in extra charges in 2017. And over a third of all ships traversing the Gulf carried an additional kidnap and ransom rider at a total cost of $20 million--just for the Gulf of Guinea. Contracted maritime security is another expense. All together, piracy in West Africa alone cost more than $800 million in 2017. Then there is the human cost. Some captives are held as little as a few days while payments are arranged. Others are held for years. Case in point: The captives are often subjected to beatings, starvation, threats, and uninhabitable conditions. The most recent incident of oil piracy came over the last days of 2019, as eight sailors were abducted from a Greek oil tanker near a port in Cameroon. Persistent weak maritime security in pirate-stricken oil chokepoints across the globe will continue to weigh heavily on the oil industry and chip away at oil profits. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: New Delhi: Al Shabaab on Sunday claimed it destroyed seven aircraft and three vehicles in military base in Kenyas Lamu county. The aircraft and vehicles were reportedly used by American and Kenyan forces. The terrorist group in a statement said that the attack on US troops was launched at dawn and their fighters engaged in a close-quarters combat with them for several hours. Al Shabaab is a jihadist fundamental group which mainly operates in East Africa. However, Kenyas military too issued a statement saying that it killed at least four terrorists which followed Al Shabaabs attack on an an airstrip located near a US military base, CNN reports. The United States Africa Command took to Twitter to confirm the attack on Manda Bay Airfield. It added that it is monitoring the situation. U.S. Africa Command acknowledges there was an attack at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya and is monitoring the situation. Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the incident. As facts and details emerge, we will provide an update. US AFRICOM (@USAfricaCommand) January 5, 2020 Moreover, Al Shabaab has waged an insurgency against the West-backed Somalian government and Kenya also has sent its troops after cross-border attacks and kidnappings became frequent. The Kenyan forces support the Somalian government which stands on a shaky ground against the fundamentalist terrorist group. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Austria's foreign ministry is facing a "serious cyber attack", it said late Saturday, warning another country could be responsible. Austria's foreign ministry said immediate measures had been taken and a "coordination committee" had been set up. The Consumer Electronics Show opening Tuesday offers a chance to showcase the newest and shiniest gadgetry, looking past the turmoil engulfing the global technology industry. The annual Las Vegas gathering with more than 4,500 exhibitors brings out about 1,75,000 attendees searching for innovations of the future. For an industry facing unprecedented turbulence, the hope is that what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas after it closes on Friday, but filters into the world where consumers can adopt new technologies for health, communication, transportation, the home and lifestyles. The show opens against the backdrop of mounting concerns on how data gathered from connected devices can be exploited by marketers, governments and hackers. There has also been a wave of attacks from politicians and activists against dominant tech platforms, as well as intense trade frictions between the world's economic and technology powers, the United States and China. Roger Kay, an analyst with Endpoint Technologies Associates, said consumers are slowly coming to terms with the digital world and its privacy tradeoffs, and still appear to be driven toward new gadgetry. "People always want to see a shiny new object," Kay said. "I think people are going to adjust to this world and adopt the technology that comes along that suits them." CES 2020 will feature devices infused with artificial intelligence for cars, homes, smart cities and for personal health, with many gadgets embracing voice assistants from Amazon, Google and others. "We will see AI and apps being used to make people's lives easier, such as speech recognition and object recognition," said Sarah Brown of the Consumer Technology Association, which organizes the show that includes media previews Sunday and Monday. "You will see that across the entire CES -- AI embedded in all these technologies." Trade and industry attendees will see wearables offering more precise health monitoring, for both athletes and seniors; cars with better computer vision to avoid accidents; televisions designed as smart home hubs; and robots with features to help understand or express emotion. A series of panel discussions will also explore questions around consumer privacy, the importance of 5G wireless, technology for travel and tourism, the promise of quantum computing and how lifestyles will change in "smart cities." - Emotional issues - Some of the new CES gadgets will collect and analyze data such as facial expressions and tone of voice -- creating the opportunity for more personalized services, but with risks as well. This could mean a robot might be a better personal companion for the elderly, and a vehicle may adapt to signs of driver fatigue or impairment. According to a report by the consulting firm Accenture, emotional data "is reaching a tipping point of opportunity" for firms which can decode human emotions for marketing, market research and political polling purposes. "Emotional data will challenge companies because reading people's emotions is a delicate business," an Accenture report said. "Emotions are highly personal, and users will have concerns about privacy invasion, security breaches, emotional manipulation, and bias." - US-China row on display - Although CES is not about politics, it takes place while US-China tensions simmer over trade, tariffs, industrial espionage and national security. But China will still represent the largest non-US delegation at CES, with hundreds of exhibitors including Huawei, the smartphone and infrastructure giant which has been blacklisted by Washington over national security concerns. "In terms of exhibit space, Chinese space is down slightly from last year, but most of the major exhibitors are returning and some even upping size of presence," Brown said. Simon Bryant of Futuresource Consulting said Chinese firms see the show as an important opportunity to demonstrate their ability to compete globally with Silicon Valley. "Chinese firms are looking at places like Latin America and Europe, where they have enormous opportunities," Bryant said. CES offers big Chinese tech firms like Baidu the chance to show their digital assistant that compete with those of Amazon and Google, for example. "The Chinese tech companies are very aggressive," he said. "Their domestic market is saturated, and they need to grow outside China, but not necessarily in the US market." Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, 59, has been blasted online for blaming the Australian bushfire emergency on God's 'embarrassment' of the nation. In a controversial opinion piece published by The Sun, the British TV host suggested that 'God didn't want people to live in Australia' and that residents Down Under should 'come home' to England. 'Plainly, God is embarrassed. Because he's decided to set fire to it,' wrote Jeremy in an apparent attempt to poke fun at the devastating bushfires, which have destroyed over 1,500 homes and killed 25 people. 'Shame on you!' Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, 59, has sparked outrage for suggesting that 'God didn't want people to live in Australia' amid the bushfire crisis He also joked that Australia was created to house all of God's 'experiments that had gone wrong,' including the country's 'stupid, dangerous creatures'. Outraged Twitter users quickly branded Jeremy's article as 'shameful', 'crude' and 'insensitive'. One angered person Tweeted: 'When an entire nation is in devastation, lives lost, land burnt and half a billion wildlife dead... maybe someone somewhere will find your crude and pathetic humour tasteful... For now an entire nation thinks you are grossly insensitive. Shame on you.' 'Plainly, God is embarrassed. Because he's decided to set fire to it': Jeremy's article was an apparent attempt to poke fun at the devastating bushfires, which have destroyed over 500 homes and killed 25 people 'An entire nation thinks you are grossly insensitive': Outraged Twitter users quickly branded Jeremy's article as 'shameful', 'crude' and 'insensitive' Another added: 'Straight up ignorant. Easy to look down from ivory towers and be smug and critics when it doesn't affect you.' Jeremy, who is known for commenting on topical subjects with mordant humour, responded to one Twitter user who branded his column 'disgusting'. 'Disgusting? Not sure that's the right word,' Jeremy hit back. 'Disgusting? Not sure that's the right word': Jeremy, who is known for commenting on topical subjects with mordant humour, responded to one Twitter user who branded his column 'disgusting' Jeremy is no stranger to controversy, having recently made headlines for calling 16-year-old eco activist Greta Thunberg a spoilt brat after she told the UN they had ruined her childhood with climate change Writing in his column for The Sun, Jeremy raged: 'How dare you sail to America on a carbon fibre yacht that you didnt build which cost 15million, that you didnt earn, and which has a back-up diesel engine that you didnt mention.' 'We gave you mobile phones and laptops and the internet. We created the social media you use every day and we run the banks that pay for it all, so how dare you stand there and lecture us, you spoilt brat.' Public Business Sector Minister Hesham Tawfik told Ahram Online that highly anticipated IPOs of Banque du Caire and e-finance will take place in the second phase of the privatisation programme In an interview with Ahram Online, Egyptian Minister of the Public Business Sector Hisham Tawfik revealed more details about Egypt's Initial Public Offering (IPO) programme, asserting that the IPO has not been postponed. Below, Tawfik talks in detail about Egypt's IPO programme, including the plan to upgrade 119 Egyptian public sector companies, which has resulted in the closure of two companies due to their critical fiscal situation. Why has the implementation of the IPO programme been postponed? The programme has not been postponed at all, but the offerings are affected by the status of financial markets and stock performance, which was not suitable for offering more companies in 2019, as the market witnessed a slump in activity, in addition to other technical and legal issues. So, the decision was made to pick a more appropriate time to offer more companies. Who takes the decision on what offerings should be put forward? The National Investment Bank (NIB) decides what companies are chosen. Could you explain the role that the public business sector ministry plays in the IPO programme, especially given that there is already a ministerial committee responsible for the programme's implementation? Seventy-five percent of the total number of companies listed for offering are under the Ministry of the Public Business Sector, so the ministry introduces the majority of companies to be offered, whether they are being offered for the first time or through offering additional stocks for already listed companies. Is the IPO programme still in its first phase? Which companies have been included? The first phase is not yet finished, it just saw the offering of one company in 2019, which is Eastern Tobacco Company, by offering additional stocks on the EGX. Three more companies will be offered in the same phase during 2020: Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company, Abu Qir Fertilisers Company, and Heliopolis Company for Housing and Development, which is scheduled to be offered last in this phase. What does the second phase involve, and what is its scheduled timeframe? The second phase involves the offering of eight companies, six of which belong to the public business ministry and are already listed on the EGX with the offering of additional stocks to be traded. Not all eight companies will be offered, they will be filtered by the ministerial committee. Are Banque du Caire and e-finance set to be offered in January as has been reported? They will be offered during the second phase. We are now working on selling 20 to 25 percent of the holding company for construction and developments shares. Ten percent of the shares will be sold to a strategic investor who will be a participant in the companys management with authority on the companys board. When will the EGX witness the next offering? As soon as the NIB decides to start the offering process. How will the IPO programme make a difference in the performance of state-owned companies? The public sector has significant resources and assets that are not optimised. Our plan is to make use of this resource by selling the companies with the aim of upgrading them and discharging their debts, which surpass EGP 40 billion. As we do not have the cash liquidity to pay these debts, we are focusing on selling these assets to provide the required cash liquidity. How have Egypts economic reforms impacted your sector? Egypt, under the leadership of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, has put at the top of its priorities for economic reform the maintaining of solid infrastructure and setting a sound monetary policy. This is what has pushed Egypts macroeconomic signs to evolve and record high indices, but it is not sufficient. More structural reforms are needed, especially in companies, as they are the main beneficiary from good infrastructure and the good performance of the macro economy. Attracting investments is also needed, especially domestic ones. Also, the private sector must be stimulated to play its role in Egypts economic renaissance, which is coming ahead. In your opinion, how can the private sector be given a chance to thrive? We must give the private sector the chance to not only play a role in production and manufacturing, but also to draft ideas and form strategies, in addition to sharing its ideas with the government; to be a participant, not just a receiver. If this happens, 2030 would definitely see a significant boost in the Egyptian economy. What is the share of the public business sector in Egypts GDP? Actually, we contribute a very limited share. The sector's workforce numbers around 500,000, 209 of whom are under the public business sector ministry, while the rest are in 107 public business sector companies belonging to 11 different ministries. This is compared to 20 million workers in the private sector. Lets talk about the public business sector ministry's plan to modernise the textile and cotton sectors. Well, currently we are focusing on the 20 percent of matters that are the source of 80 percent of the problems. So, we found that 48 companies in fiscal year 2017/18 were taking losses. Furthermore, we found that 26 of these companies were the main cause behind 90 percent of the total losses in the sector, which amounted to EGP 60 billion. These companies lost their capital, which recorded EGP 16 billion, as well as an additional EGP 44 billion. This was the main problem that is need to be handled. What about other companies? The others are profit-making companies. To upgrade them we changed the number of board members, and we put in place an integrated plan to improve these companies performance to be able to compete with the private sector in the domestic market. How many companies are under your ministry? There are 119 subsidiaries and eight holding companies that belong to the ministry. We did not work on upgrading all of them, but on the companies that are in a critical situation, which account for 50 percent of companies. What is the modernisation plan based on? We applied a SWOT analyses, which is a study undertaken to identify the internal strengths and weaknesses of the companies, as well as their external opportunities and threats. In some cases we found that closure was the solution. Does this mean that there were companies closed due to their fiscal problems and debts? Without a doubt. We have already closed the National Cement Company, and another company is on its way to being closed. The 117 remaining companies will be better after they are upgraded according to the modernisation plan. What about the modernisation of the cotton and textile sector? The ministry has started to apply a modernisation plan in the textile sector with a total cost of EGP 21 billion, which aims to merge nine ginning, pressing, and trading companies into one company, and merge 22 textile and dyeing companies in nine companies. We are also expanding the use of short staple cotton in textile manufacturing with a quality close to the tall staple cotton products, instead of depending on the highly costly tall staple cotton. What are the resources for funding this plan? The Cotton and Textile Industries Holding Company will provide the funding by selling plots and with a fund from Egyptian fiscal corporations. What about the cotton sector? Cotton gins are the backbone of the textiles and ready-made garments (RMG) industry. But, we found that 25 cotton gins in the sector are in a very bad situation. Some of their machines are from 1870 and the most modern one is from 1980. The management was very poor and the pollution was high due to the dependence on hand circulation of cotton. How did you cope with this? We decided to establish 11 new cotton gins at double the production rate to replace the current 25 gins. When the new 11 cotton gins start operating, Egypt will be able to export cotton at a higher quality than US cotton. What is the current estimate for our production and export of cotton? Egypt imports four times its production of cotton. Between 200 and 300 acres are planted with cotton. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has instructed the public business sector ministry to coordinate with both the agriculture and trade and industry ministries to set a modernisation plan to upgrade cotton agriculture and trading, which has started with the new system for trading cotton being applied in Beni Sweif and Fayoum over the past seven months, and will be applied in other governorates soon. What is the expected impact of this plan on the sector? The new system will pave the way for the Egyptian cotton bourse to return and make Egyptian cotton competitive in the global market. In this regard, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has launched a multi-stakeholder pilot project in Egypt to train cotton farmers on the Better Cotton Initiative's holistic approach to sustainable cotton production, to insure the quality of cultivated cotton. What is the anticipated time for this plan to show results? Within two-and-a-half years. And what about the tourism sector? We have launched a plan to modernise the sector through the Holding Company for Tourism, Hotels and Cinema (HCTHC). Three hotels are under development, including Shephard Hotel, which was assigned to Al-Sharif Group Holding, a Saudi company, as an investor to modernise it and turn it from a four star hotel into a five star hotel with an investment of EGP 1.4 billion. Are there arrangements with Egypts Sovereign Wealth Tharaa to invest in the sectors assets? We have already opened talks with Tharaa to invest in four hotels that belong to the sector, and we are preparing a plan to entirely restructure the company to restore its strength in the tourism sector. Moreover, we are currently focusing on one-day tourism through launching an online platform to promote domestic tourism under the name Tof Weshof (Travel and See), for which the HCTHC is responsible. When is this plan expected to show results on the ground? I cannot give a definite time, but I can assert that 2020 will be a milestone in the HCTHS and its role in backing Egypts tourism sector. Search Keywords: Short link: Mumbai Police have arrested two drug dealers and seized six kilograms of heroin worth Rs 12 crore from them, an official said on Sunday. Acting on a tip-off, personnel from the Anti-Narcotics Cell's Bandra unit laid a trap near Malad railway station on Saturday and nabbed the two accused, he said. "Rajesh Tulsidas Joshi (50), who lives in Malad, was caught with four kg of heroin worth Rs eight crore. Besides, Krishnamurit Kawander (42), a resident of Gorai, was nabbed with two kg of heroin worth Rs four crore," the official said. "This is significant as the cartel controlled around 80 per cent of Mumbai's heroin supply, which comes from Rajasthan. We have identified the kingpin, who is yet to be arrested," Anti-Narcotics Cell's Deputy Commissioner of Police Shivdeep Lande said. This is the first major case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act coming to light in Mumbai this year, the police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the Defence Expo- 2020 to be held for the first time in Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) from February 5 to 8 will be the biggest in the country in terms of participation of exhibitors, the area of the exhibition and the revenue to be earned. Singh reviewed the preparations for the Defence Expo along with chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Defence Expo-2020 on February 5. The theme of the expo is India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub. Later, addressing a joint press conference with the chief minister, Singh said the Defence Expo will be a historic event for Uttar Pradesh and the state will soon become an important destination for defence equipment as well as aerospace manufacturing, he said. The previous Defence Expo in Chennai in 2018 was held over a 80-acre area whereas the Defence Expo in Lucknow will be organised over a 200-acre area. In Chennai, 702 exhibitors had participated in the event whereas in Lucknow 925 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies had already registered for participation, Singh said. The defence ministers and army chiefs of 25 countries will participate in the programme, he said. Singh said while 40 MoUs were signed with various defence equipment manufacturing companies in Chennai, 65 MoUs will be signed with the Indian and foreign defence companies at the Lucknow expo. An invitation was extended to 135 countries and 70 countries confirmed their participation, he added. Top defence manufacturers from the United States, Russia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and the Czech Republic are likely to participate in the Defence Expo. Digital transformation in the aerospace and defence sector will be the central theme of Defence Expo-2020. It will focus on bringing to the forefront digital advances in the industry and provide a platform for drivers of such transformation to come together, he said. To woo defence manufacturers, the government had organised road shows in eight countries as well as across the country. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the Defence Expo will lead to the development of Uttar Pradesh and help in creating more employment opportunities in the state. Preparations for the mega event were in full swing in Lucknow, the chief minister said. The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UP Investors Summit in February 2018 had set the tone for investment in the defence sector, he said. The government was expecting investment in the major nodes of the corridor Aligarh, Jhansi, Kanpur, Agra, Chitrakoot and Lucknow, he said. A defence planning committee had also been formed, he said. During the review meeting, Singh released a teaser film which will be aired on different platforms to provide an introduction of the Defence Expo in the run-up to the event. Senior officials from the ministry of defence said the show will have numerous attractions, including live demonstrations by the services at the exhibition site and at the Gomti riverfront. The India Pavilion will exclusively showcase the joint venture between the public and private sectors, including small and medium enterprises (smes)/micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and innovation eco-system, which is the key way forward. Rajnath Singh had launched the Defence Expo app on December 27, 2019. The main features of the app are to inform, engage and feedback. It provides detailed information about the day-to-day events; participating exhibitors, seminars and public sectors units, maps and directions of the venues and city weather. UP industrial development Minister, Satish Mahana and senior officers, including defence secretary Ajay Kumar, special secretary (defence production) Barun Mitra, additional chief secretary, UP, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, joint secretary, ministry of defence, Chandrakar Bharti were present at the review meeting. Yahoo news, October 24, 2019 By Michael Rubin The U.S. war in Afghanistan is winding down, and Pakistan has won. The basic outline of the agreement negotiated by U.S. Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is nothing new: The United States withdraws its forces in exchange for a Taliban pledge not to associate with terrorism or allow Afghanistan to be used as a safe-haven for terror groups. There problems with the agreement are many. Proponents of diplomacy with the Taliban often say that wars can only end through diplomacy. You dont make peace with your friends. You have to be willing to engage with your enemies if you expect to create a situation that ends an insurgency, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton explained. But the agreement outlined by Khalilzad is little different from that which Clinton administration officials struck with the Taliban in the years prior to 9/11: At the time, the Taliban promised to foreswear terrorism and quarantine Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. The subsequent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington underscored their insincerity. Perhaps the Taliban have changed, but not necessarily for the better, as the uptick in attacks throughout Khalilzads negotiations show. In many ways, President Donald Trump and Khalilzad seem to have embraced the John Kerry school of diplomacy, in which desperation for a deal substitutes for bringing leverage to bear and credibly convincing adversaries that failure to bargain will mean for them a far worse fate. A more fundamental problem is Pakistan. The Taliban would not exist without Pakistani support. While Khalilzad and diplomats shroud negotiations in the idea of bringing peace between Afghan factions, the Taliban negotiators were based in Qatar and answered to leadership in Quetta which in turn took direction from Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence in Islamabad. Once upon a time, Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke about the possibility of negotiating with moderate Taliban. He was pilloried at the time but, even if bringing the Taliban into a big tent is now preferable, these were not the Taliban with whom Khalilzad negotiated, but rather their more extreme Pakistan-controlled cousins. Simply put, the Taliban are to Pakistan what Hezbollah is to Iran. There is also the fundamental problem of legitimacy: The Taliban justify their insurgency and terrorism in the fact that they, and not President Ashraf Ghanis administration, are the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan. By cutting Ghanis elected government out of negotiations, Khalilzad played to that Taliban conceit. But the logical problem remains: If the Taliban believe they are legitimate in the eyes of the Afghan public, why not simply put their weapons down and run in the elections? The answer is simple: Most Afghans see the Taliban as foreign puppets and would never cast their ballots for them. Certainly, most Afghan women would not, nor would most Afghan ethnic groups. Americans might think of the Taliban simply as Afghan, but Afghanistan is an ethnic checkerboard, and most Afghans recognize the Taliban as Pashtun supremacists and racists willing to rape and murder minorities. Trump wants to end a war that costs $30 billion annually. That is admirable. Put aside the fact that there are other strategies that could be brought to bear in order to compel Pakistan to cease terror support. But the basic error in his calculation may be that he has a choice between $30 billion and zero. The open secreteven among those towing Trumps lineis that the Taliban deal will bring an American exit but not peace. Indeed, the net result could be far greater expense down the road. The Taliban continues to embrace and incorporate Al Qaedas philosophy and personnel. The Taliban safe-haven remains and will now expand. Refugee flows brought by renewed civil war can destabilize neighbors. Nor is there an international consensus about what terrorism is, giving the Taliban a semantic loophole through which they could drive a truck bomb. There is a strong possibility that todays savings could cost the American people exponentially more should a Pakistani regime and their Taliban proxies high on victory decide to expand their fight, Khalilzads piece of paper be damned. Nor does what happen in Afghanistan necessarily stay in Afghanistan. Speaking at the University of Hargeisa in Somaliland earlier this year, students and faculty asked repeatedly whether negotiations with the Taliban would mean that negotiations with Al-Shabab, an Al Qaeda affiliate in Somalia would be next. Even if that is not the plan, every militant group now understands that the way to advance their interests is not through the ballot box but through violence and terrorism. That is a legacy to the Taliban deal which will not be easy to overcome.Michael Rubin is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. This first appeared in September 2019. Colleges have been around for centuries. College students have also been around for centuries. Yet, college administrators assume that todays students have needs that were unknown to their predecessors. Those needs include diversity and equity personnel, with massive budgets to accommodate. According to Minding the Campus, Penn State Universitys Office of Vice Provost for Educational Equity employs 66 staff members. The University of Michigan currently employs a diversity staff of 93 full-time diversity administrators, officers, directors, vice provosts, deans, consultants, specialists, investigators, managers, executive assistants, administrative assistants, analysts and coordinators. Amherst College, with a student body of 1,800 students employs 19 diversity people. Top college diversity bureaucrats earn salaries six figures, in some cases approaching $500,000 per year. In the case of the University of Michigan, a quarter (26) of their diversity officers earn annual salaries of more than $100,000. If you add generous fringe benefits and other expenses, you could easily be talking about $13 million a year in diversity costs. The Economist reports that University of California, Berkeley, has 175 diversity bureaucrats. Diversity officials are a growing part of a college bureaucracy structure that outnumbers faculty by 2 to 2.5 depending on the college. According to The Campus Diversity Swarm, an article from Mark Pulliam, a contributing editor at Law and Liberty, which appeared in the City Journal (Oc. 10, 2018), diversity people assist in the cultivation of imaginary grievances of an ever-growing number of oppressed groups. Pulliam writes: The mission of campus diversity officers is self-perpetuating. Affirmative action (i.e., racial and ethnic preferences in admissions) leads to grievance studies. Increased recognition of LGBTQ rights requires ever-greater accommodation by the rest of the student body. Protecting vulnerable groups from hate speech and microaggressions requires speech codes and bias-response teams (staffed by diversocrats). Complaints must be investigated and adjudicated (by diversocrats). Fighting toxic masculinity and combating an imaginary epidemic of campus sexual assault necessitate consent protocols, training, and hearing procedures more work for an always-growing diversocrat cadre. Each newly recognized problem leads to a call for more programs and staffing. Campus diversity people have developed their own professional organization the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. They hold annual conferences the last one in Philadelphia. The NADOHE has developed standards for professional practice and a political agenda, plus a Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, which is published by the American Psychological Association. One wonders just how far spineless college administrators will go when it comes to caving in to the demands of campus snowflakes who have been taught that they must be protected against words, events and deeds that do not fully conform to their extremely limited, narrow-minded beliefs built on sheer delusion. Generosity demands that we forgive these precious snowflakes and hope that they eventually grow up. The real problem is with people assumed to be grown-ups college professors and administrators who serve their self-interest by tolerating and giving aid and comfort to our aberrant youth. Unless the cycle of promoting and nursing imaginary grievances is ended, diversity bureaucracies will take over our colleges and universities, supplanting altogether the goal of higher education. Diversity is the highest goal of students and professors who openly detest those with whom they disagree. These people support the very antithesis of higher education with their withering attacks on free speech. Both in and out of academia, the content of a mans character is no longer as important as the color of his skin, his sex, his sexual preferences or his political loyalties. Thats a vision that spells tragedy for our nation. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University in Fairfax in Northern Virginia. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has ordered the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) to intensify checks on all travelers coming to the Philippines amid reports of an unknown form of viral pneumonia spreading in a Chinese city south of Beijing. The Health department assured that the BOQ is on alert and is closely watching all seaports and airports. "I urge the public, especially those with history of travel from China, to seek immediate medical consult if experiencing any flu-like symptoms, Duque said Sunday in a statement. Chinese state media reported Friday that cases of viral pneumonia have reached 44 in the city of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province. Eleven of them were in critical condition, while the rest are stable, the Global Times reported. It also reported that all the patients have been quarantined and around 121 people who came in contact with them have been placed under medical observation. The source of the infection is still under investigation, Chinese state media said, as common flu, bird flu and adenovirus infections have all been ruled out. It added that five similar pneumonia cases have been reported in the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the Strait Times reported Saturday that Singapores Ministry of Health has been notified of the first suspected case of the respiratory infection, involving a three-year-old girl from China who had pneumonia and had traveled to Wuhan. The girl is in a stable condition, the Singaporean newspaper reported. It added that Singapore has started temperature screening for passengers arriving from the city at Changi Airport, while doctors are on the lookout for possible cases. The Global Times said some of the first patients afflicted with the still-unknown infection were vendors at a seafood market in Wuhan. PARISFrances anti-terrorism prosecutors on Saturday took over the investigation of a fatal knife rampage near Paris, saying they had established that the attacker had been radicalized and had carefully planned an act intended to spread terror. A man identified only as Nathan C. stabbed one person to death on Friday in a park in Villejuif, just outside southern Paris, and wounded two others. The attacker, who had a history of drug and psychiatric problems, was shot dead by police. While the troubling psychiatric problems of the individual have indeed been confirmed, the investigations carried out in the last few hours have allowed us to establish a definite radicalization of the suspect, as well as evidence of planning and preparation carried out before the act, the anti-terrorism prosecutors department said. The steps taken to carry out the murderous act were carefully thought through, and were intended to spread intimidation or terror among the general public. The department said it was also looking into whether or not Nathan C., who was born in 1997 in Lilas, a northeastern suburb of Paris, had any accomplices. Religious texts including a copy of the Koran were found among his belongings. The attacker had been to hospital a few months earlier and was undergoing psychiatric treatment. He also had drug problems. Paris has suffered major attacks by Islamic extremists in recent years. Coordinated bombings and shootings in November 2015 at the Bataclan theater and other sites around Paris killed 130 peoplethe deadliest attacks in France since World War Two. By Simon Carraud Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 12:22:32|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close WELLINGTON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will send Air Force airplanes and army personnel to support Australia in its efforts to fight the devastating bushfires, announced New Zealand Defence Minister Ron Mark on Sunday. Three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and crew, two Army Combat Engineer Sections as well as a command element will be sent to Australia next week. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) support will deploy by Australian Defence Force C-17 and New Zealand Defence Force C-130 from Ohakea Airforce Base on a number of flights from Monday to Wednesday. "The latest NZDF support is being provided in addition to the latest rotation of five NZDF firefighters deployed to bolster numbers of emergency responders on the ground," said the defence minister. It is understood that many of the NZDF personnel were called back during their holiday leaves to assist Australian firefighting. The NZDF contingent will deploy to Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh in Adelaide, South Australia and will remain in Australia at least until the end of January. The NH90s will undertake transport tasks. Heavy smoke from Australian bushfires was turning the skyline of Auckland, New Zealand into orange colour from Sunday afternoon. On Friday, the New Zealand government pledged 22 more firefighters to help fight the Australian bushfires. Former Vice President Joe Biden harshly criticized President Donald Trump for his tweets threatening to hit Iranian sites if there was any retaliation for the killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. When he makes statements like that, it just seems to me to be hes going off on a tweetstorm on his own, and its incredibly dangerous and irresponsible, Biden told reporters before a campaign event in Iowa. Biden said that Trump is becoming more irrational as the walls close in. Advertisement The more the walls close in on this guy, the more irrational he becomes. https://t.co/Nba7Color1 Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 5, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former vice president, who is making a point of emphasizing his foreign policy expertise on the campaign trail since the killing of Soleimani, said that Trumps words are particularly worrisome because its unclear what is going through his head or whether he has discussed anything with the countrys allies. No president has a right to take our country to war without the informed consent of Americansinformed consent. And right now we have no idea what this guy has in mind, we have no idea, Biden said. Hes isolated us from our partners. Hes isolated us from our NATO allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While on the campaign trail, Biden has talked about the Soleimani killing as an example of the high stakes on the world stage and why his qualifications make him the right man for the job. This all just reinforces the stakes of this election in my view, Biden said on Saturday. With all due respect, I think Im better prepared than of anybody running for president right now. Advertisement The former vice president was hardly the only Democrat to criticize Trump for his threatening tweets. Fellow presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren said Trump was threatening to commit war crimes. She also warned that Trumps threats put our troops and diplomats at greater risk. Advertisement Advertisement You are threatening to commit war crimes. We are not at war with Iran. The American people do not want a war with Iran. This is a democracy. You do not get to start a war with Iran, and your threats put our troops and diplomats at greater risk. Stop. pic.twitter.com/RoXRgb9GsK Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 5, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called the president a monster for the threats that imply innocent civilians could be killed. This is a war crime, Ocasio-Cortez wrote. Threatening to target and kill innocent families, women and childrenwhich is what youre doing by targeting cultural sitesdoes not make you a tough guy, It does not make you strategic. It makes you a monster. Rep. Ilhan Omar, meanwhile, expressed shock that the president of the United States is threatening to commit war crimes on Twitter. Kamaljeet Kaur and her husband Kanwaljeet Singh have been preparing simple meals of curry and rice for the victims in their Desi Grill restaurant in Bairnsdale in Victoria for the last five days as the bushfire crisis in the country worsened. (Photo: Facebook) Melbourne: Extending a helping hand to the hapless victims of the raging bushfires in Australia, an Indian couple is providing fresh meals from their restaurant to those affected by the disaster. Kamaljeet Kaur and her husband Kanwaljeet Singh have been preparing simple meals of curry and rice for the victims in their Desi Grill restaurant in Bairnsdale in Victoria for the last five days as the bushfire crisis in the country worsened. "We are providing proper meals of curry and rice. We distribute the food at the relief centres as well as give to those who come to our restaurant asking for it," Kaur told PTI over phone on Saturday. "The situation is really bad. Initially there was less fire in the area but later it expanded. People have lost their lives, houses, farms and animals," she said. Victoria is one of the worst affected areas in the disaster. Other areas are New South Wales and South Australia. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday called up 3,000 military reserve troops to combat the raging bushfire crisis which has so far claimed the lives of 23 people with high temperatures and strong winds threatening to worsen the conditions across the country. More than 14,000 hectares have been destroyed in South Australia's Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island. Expressing concern over the situation, Kaur said that people had left their houses and were either shifting to relief camps or moving to Melbourne. The couple, who migrated to Australia over a decade ago, was earlier providing raw materials to Sikh volunteers in the area to prepare food for the affected people but later started preparing it in their restaurant. Even the shortage in staff in their restaurant has not deterred the Melbourne-based couple from helping those in need as they have roped in friends and family to prepare food for the victims as well as manage business hours of the restaurant. "Most of the staff members have left due to the disaster. My family and friends are working in the restaurant," said Kaur, who along with her husband started the restaurant in Bairnsdale in 2016. She said that the loss in the area felt like "personal as we have lived here for seven years before moving to Melbourne." "This place is like a small countryside area. We know almost everyone here and are emotionally connected with the people. So the loss is more personal," she said. "More than anything else, people have lost their memories as mostly old couples stay in the area and they had their farms and animals destroyed in the fire," she said. Evacuation orders were in place across Victoria's Alpine region and the navy was ferrying evacuees to relief centres. "We have seen wind gusts up to 67 km/h already today, up at Mount Hotham. It's predicted when the change comes through we will see gusts up to 80 km/h. We have a long way to go today. Today is a very challenging day for all of us," Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said. Temperatures are expected to hit 40 degrees at Gippsland and 45 degrees in northeast. Fears of dry lightning storms are expected to cause more fires. About 50 fires continue to burn across Victoria with more than 820,000 hectares destroyed - mostly in the East Gippsland and northeast of the State. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Thursday declared the state of emergency, advising residents to leave immediately. Catch the latest news, live coverage and in-depth analyses from India and World. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. The only state representative to vote against accelerating 5G wireless facilities in Connecticut is holding a forum on the issue in Stamford later this month, alleging that the faster internet technology could bring health and environmental concerns. State Rep. David Michel, D-Stamford, is hosting What You Should Know About 5G on Jan. 15 at the Ferguson Library in downtown Stamford. This is raising serious issues for residents and state and local officials charged with protecting public health, safety, privacy, security, wildlife and property values, his flyer for the event said. 5G wireless internet is expected to be 100 times faster than the current fourth-generation internet, and has been touted by Gov. Ned Lamont as critical for economic and workforce development. When representatives voted in June on House Bill 7152, Michel was the only member who opposed it. The law established a council on 5G technology, charged with developing guidelines and reviewing requests from carriers for installing wireless service facilities. It also called for making highways and public rights-of-way available for the new technology. Michel, who is from France, traveled there last year and spoke with French elected officials who are pushing that nation to move more cautiously on 5G technology, he said. This is a whole new technology and it has never been tested with independent, peer-reviewed studies, he said. The state, meanwhile, is moving ahead on telecom technology. Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz are scheduled to make an announcement Monday morning in Norwalk with a telecom provider, in what they are billing as a partnership that will expand access to high-speed, mobile internet. Speakers at the forum will include Frank Clegg, the former president of Microsoft Canada, B. Blake Levitt, author of the book Electromagnetic Fields, A Consumers Guide To The Issues And How To Protect Ourselves, Patti Wood, founder of the nonprofit Grassroots Environmental Education, and Devra Davis, an epidemiologist and founder of the Environmental Health Trust. The event is co-sponsored by Michel, Grassroots Environmental Education and Americans for Responsible Technology. Columnist Dan Haar contributed to this story Liz.teitz@hearstmediact.com BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra on Sunday slammed the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan over the attack on Sikhs in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Patra accused Imran Khan of promoting terrorism in his country. Addressing the media Patra said, "We challenge Imran Khan not to worry about Indian Muslims and Sikhs. We reply to Imran Khan bluntly that you are the head of 'Terroristan'. Why are you talking against India by tweeting? Because after the surgical and airstrike, you have not been able to answer to the people of your country. You have been caught red-handed for promoting terrorism in your country." READ | Imran Khan Breaks Silence On Nankana Sahib Attack; Drags RSS, Preaches 'zero-tolerance' Imran Khan reacts to Nankana Sahib incident Breaking his silence on the mob attack on Nankana Sahib, Pakistan PM said the attack is against 'his vision' and will 'find zero tolerance'. Dragging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, Khan once again accused the Indian government of perpetrating violence against the Muslims and other minorities. This brazen attack by the Pakistan PM came after he faced humiliation after he posted a fake video alleging police excesses on Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. In his tweet, Imran Khan stated that there is a 'major difference' between the Nankana incident and what minorities face in India. He alleged that the Indian government including police and judiciary are in cahoots to unleash violence against minorities. He claimed that the RSS vision support minorities oppression and targets Muslims. READ | "Rahul Gandhi Should Drop His Surname As It Was Stolen By His Family": Sambit Patra The major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident & the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims & other minorities is this: the former is against my vision & will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police & judiciary; Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 5, 2020 In contrast, Modi's RSS vision supports minorities oppression & the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police leads anti-Muslim attacks Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 5, 2020 Earlier on Friday, in what can be called a deliberate attempt to mobilise and spread fake news, Imran Khan tweeted a video from Bangladesh claiming it as scenes of violence on Muslims in India. The video posted by Pakistan Prime Minister clearly showed police personnel wearing vest of Rapid Action Battalion, an anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police. READ | BJP's Sambit Patra Slams Opposition For Spreading Violence Over Citizenship Act READ | Sambit Patra Slams Congress, Says 'It's Main Aim Is To Distort, Divide & Destroy India' Police are hunting a van driver believed to have been involved in the killing of a delivery rider in London on Friday. Takieddine Boudhane, 30, was stabbed to death in Finsbury Park after being involved in an altercation with the driver of a white van at the junction of Lennox Road and Charteris Road. Scotland Yard said the Deliveroo and Uber Eats delivery rider had been riding his motorcycle at the time. The van, a white VW Caddy, was found in Islington on Sunday and taken to a police compound where a forensic examination will take place. Takieddine Boudhane, 30, was stabbed to death in Finsbury Park, north London, on Friday evening. (PA) Detective Chief Inspector Neil John appealed for anyone who witnessed the altercation to come forward, including those with mobile phone footage. The driver and person believed responsible for this tragic matter is now the subject of a police manhunt, he said. At this time I am unable to release any further information concerning the identity of the driver as this may hinder the ongoing police investigation. The incident itself appears to have been spontaneous and not connected to, or as a result of, anything other than a traffic altercation. Boudhane was involved in an altercation with a white van driver at the junction of Lennox Road and Charteris Road. (Google) Mr Boudhane was an Algerian national who had been living in the UK for about three years. His stabbing sparked the Metropolitan Polices first murder investigation of 2020 after officers were called at about 6.50pm on 3 January. The London Ambulance Service also attended the scene, where the victim was pronounced dead at 7.42pm. Although formal identification has yet to take place, Mr Boudhanes next of kin have been informed. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose constituency includes Finsbury Park, visited the scene on Saturday and called for better protection for delivery drivers. People should not be carrying knives. A human life has been taken, Mr Corbyn told reporters. Story continues Fellow delivery riders, who had gathered in nearby Stroud Green Road over the weekend, claimed Mr Boudhane had been a victim of a road rage attack following an altercation. Sourin Aydi said Mr Boudhane was his best friend, telling reporters at the scene on Saturday: I cant believe it, I did not sleep last night. He was a wonderful man, funny with a great sense of humour and always laughing. No arrests have been made and inquiries continue, the Metropolitan Police said. I am writing this letter to express my appreciation and gratitude for the work Congressman Jim Himes has done on behalf of the country and the state of Connecticut. Jim is consistent in his belief and his votes that every eligible person should have voting rights; that medical care and prescription drugs should be available at reasonable costs and preexisting conditions must be covered. He also demonstrates his commitment to future generations and has voted for HR 9 to ensure America stays in the Paris Climate Agreement and addresses the issues of climate change. Flash Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged views and coordinated stances with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a phone call late Saturday over the escalating tensions in the Gulf region. They also discussed bilateral cooperation at the United Nations (UN) Security Council. Wang said that China pays high attention to the intensification of U.S.-Iran conflict, opposes the abuse of force in international relations, and holds that military adventures are unacceptable. China insists that all parties should earnestly abide by the principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms of international relations, Wang said, adding that Iraq's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity should be respected, and that peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region should be maintained. Noting that China and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, bear important responsibilities for world peace and security, Wang said the two countries should strengthen strategic communication, join hands to uphold international law, as well as fairness and justice, and play a responsible role in properly handling the current situation in the Middle East. For his part, Lavrov said that Russia shares the same position with China, adding that the U.S. actions are illegal and should be condemned. Russia opposes gross trampling upon any other country's sovereignty, especially via unilateral military moves, Lavrov said. He said that Russia is willing to stay in close coordination with China and play a constructive role in preventing the escalation of regional tensions. Wang and Lavrov also discussed the latest developments of hotspot issues such as Libya and Syria, and agreed to maintain close communication over safeguarding global strategic stability. New Delhi, Jan 5 : External Affairs minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday spoke to the US Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of Iran, UAE and Oman, expressing concerns about the ongoing crisis and sharing India's interest in the security and stability of the Gulf. The region has been tense since the US killed Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, Major Gen Qasem Soleimani and other military officials in an air strike in Baghdad on Thursday. Iran has called it a state terror act and threatened to retaliate.A Interestingly, the US has asked around a dozen countries to negotiate peace with Iran and deescalate the tensions. It is not clear whether India is one among the mediators even as the External Affairs Minister's tweets suggested that he was talking to all the key players involved in the conflict. In a series of tweets, Jaishankar said that while speaking to the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "on the evolving situation in the Gulf region" he highlighted India's stakes and concerns. Secretary Pompeo, in a tweet, acknowledged the phone conversation between him and Jaishankar but pointedly blamed Iran. "Dr S Jaishankar and I spoke just now regarding Iran's continued threats and provocations. The Trump Administration won't hesitate to act to keep American lives, and those of our friends and allies, safe," he tweeted hinting that the US was taking into consideration India's stakes. In his conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif, Jaishankar "noted that the developments have taken a very serious done." India, he said, remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension in the region and is going to stay in touch with Iran. Separately, he had a "warm conversation" with the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates on the developments in the region. He "affirmed India's shared interest in the stability and security of the Gulf" during his telephonic exchange with the Foreign Minister of Oman about the tense situation. He appreciated his perspectives on the current situation, Jaishankar tweeted. Meanwhile, the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi in a statement expressed gratitude to India for expressing sympathy and solidarity with Iran. While condemned the US attack, the embassy said: "Despite its strategic restraint which stems from the Irani and national and religious values and principles," Iran considered "safeguarding its national and security interest its legitimate right and on the basis of its inevitable right to self defence it shall take appropriate retaliatory action in the suitable time and place." To ensure global peace and stability, the embassy said, "all the governments of the region and the world are expected to condemn this terrorist act in the strongest possible terms." On Sunday, however, the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert about heightened risk of missile and rocket attacks especially for those living and working near military bases and oil and gas facilities and other critical civilian infrastructure. Incidentally, the parliament in Iraq voted on a resolution to terminate security agreement with the US and sought withdrawal of the US troops from the war-torn country. Protesters gathered outside the American Consulate in Istanbul on Sunday, demonstrating against the US-ordered killing of Iranian top general Qassem Soleimani. The demonstrators, some carrying "Down with America" signs and portraits of Soleimani were watched on by police during the protest. Soleimani, who was the architect of Iran's regional policy of mobilising militias across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, including in the war against the Islamic State group, was killed in an airstrike near Baghdad International Airport on Friday. The strike was authorised by US President Donald Trump. The trends! The tones! The ooh-I-like-that touches: everything you need to know for your most stylish year yet 1. Time to decorate? 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Crown Paints has revealed its colour palette for 2020 and we are smitten Powder Blue and Palm Springs emulsion, from 14 each for 2.5 litres, crownpaints.co.uk 34. London medi-spa Linnaean, created by renowned interior designer Martin Brudnizki, is eye-catchingly invigorating rather than neutral and sterile. linnaean.co.uk Luxury hotel and spa, beaverbrook.co.uk and teapot, 82, wolfandbadger.com Ahead of merger, public sector banks who are slated to be merged have advanced the promotions and transfers exercise to the present financial year. Normally public sector banks undertake the exercise in the beginning of financial year. According to sources, promotions and transfers till scale four at officers level for the financial year 2020-21 is being decided by individual banks. Thus for the next financial year, even after the merger, no major changes in terms of transfers and promotions are likely to take place for the merged entity up to a scale four or chief manager. ... Iranian women react as they gather to mourn General Qassem Soleimani in Tehran By Babak Dehghanpisheh DUBAI (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of mourners, many chanting, beating their chests and wailing in grief, turned out across Iran on Sunday to mourn slain military commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in Iraq in a U.S. military strike. Soleimani's body was returned home on Sunday - given a hero's welcome as it arrived in the southwestern city of Ahvaz and then flown to the holy Shi'ite Muslim city of Mashhad. State television showed huge crowds of mourners turning out to pay their respects, their chants, chest-beating and wails in keeping with the style of mourning common among Shi'ite Muslims. Mourners carried posters bearing Soleimani's image as his casket wrapped in the national flag was driven slowly through the crowds. Soleimani, the architect of Tehrans overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, was killed on Friday in a U.S. drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. While many Iranians have rallied in to show grief over the death of Soleimani, regarded as the countrys second most powerful figure after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, others worry his death might push the country to war with a superpower. On Friday, Khamenei promised harsh revenge. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites very hard if Iran attacks Americans or U.S. assets. When Soleimani's body arrived home, IRIB news agency posted a video clip of the casket wrapped in the national flag being unloaded from a plane as a military band played. Thousands of mourners dressed in black marched through the streets of Ahvaz beating their chests, state television showed. The body of Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed in the attack with Soleimani, was also flown to Ahvaz, according to IRIB. Soleimani's body will be taken to Tehran on Monday and then he will be buried at his hometown Kerman on Tuesday. Tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq on Saturday to mourn Soleimani and al-Muhandis, chanting "Death to America". (Reporting By Babak Dehghanpisheh; Additional reporting by Asma Alsharif; Editing by Kim Coghill, Alison Williams and Frances Kerry) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 19:51:07|Editor: zh Video Player Close LAMU, Kenya, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's aviation authorities have closed indefinitely Manda airstrip following a dawn terror attack by al-Shabab militants early Sunday. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has also suspended all inbound and outbound flights to the airstrip located near the military base used by both Kenyan and U.S. forces. Private airlines using the airstrip including Fly 540 and Fly Skyward Express have confirmed cancellations of their flights to the coastal region. The development comes hours after the al-Qaida allied terrorist group, al-Shabab launched a daring attack on the airfield which is used by American and Kenyan forces in Lamu County. The U.S. military has confirmed that there has been a terror attack on a military base at an airstrip that houses some U.S. forces. "U.S. Africa Command acknowledges there was an attack at Manda Bay Airfield," said a spokesperson for U.S. Africa Command in a statement. "As facts and details emerge, we will provide an update," said Africom of the dawn attack in which al-Shabab has claimed responsibility. There were no details of U.S. and Kenyan casualties. However, the Kenyan army said it successfully repulsed the attack and instead killed four al-Shabab terrorists in the fighting. The militant group which shared photos of the incident said it destroyed seven aircraft and three military vehicles in the attack. However, security officials said only four aircrafts belonging to both Kenya (One) and America (three) were destroyed during the incident, noting that several American vehicles at the airstrip were also destroyed. Security forces said they are holding five suspects in connection with the incident which analysts say is unrelated to tensions in the Middle East amid threats for revenge following the assassination of Iranian top military general Qasem Soleimani, who was taken down by U.S. forces in Iraq. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Las Vegas, New Mexico, Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron did whatever she could to make sure city contracts went to her boyfriends construction company, according to documents that are part of the criminal case in which she has been charged with kickbacks and bribery. Shes accused of pressuring city employees to violate procurement codes by ordering them to give contracts to Marvin Salazars company, Gemini Construction. Often, those employees had to remind the mayor that they couldnt just give out contracts without undergoing a competitive bidding process, the criminal complaint against Gurule-Giron says. And once Gemini did get contracts, the invoices were marked up to amounts well over Gemimis original bid without approval or undergoing a competitive bidding process, according to the court complaint. In a case brought by the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office, Gurule-Giron was charged in late December with engaging in an official act for personal financial gain, violation of ethical principles of public service, soliciting or receiving an illegal kickback, conspiracy to commit making or permitting a false public voucher, unlawful interest in a public contract and demanding or receiving a bribe by a public officer or employee. The criminal complaint says Gurule-Giron was giving Salazar information on who else was making bids on city work and what prices they were offering. In return, Gurule-Giron received in-kind kickbacks, like gifts and fancy dinners, the Attorney Generals Office alleges. The two discussed getting married, the complaint says. Salazar, for his part, is charged with offering or paying an illegal kickback and making or permitting a false public voucher. Evidence suggests Gurule-Giron engineered an outcome where she could give her boyfriend, Marvin Salazar, a lucrative contract and that in return Gurule-Giron received and expected to continue to receive benefits from him, the complaint says. Those benefits bolstered, or were expected to bolster, Gurule-Girons own financial position. Both Gurule-Giron and Salazar are scheduled for arraignment hearings on Monday. Their lawyers declined to comment on the case last week. Text messages obtained by investigators through search warrants show a tumultuous relationship between the two, but one that is described as mutually beneficial. Gurule-Giron appears to have been an active participant, business partner, and financier in Salazars company and was personally invested, and had a vested interest in the firm, the complaint maintains. All while serving as Mayor for the City of Las Vegas, it adds. Before the criminal investigation by the AGs Office, Gurule-Giron had told state auditors that she and Salazar, who she said was her campaign manager, were not in a relationship, although she said they did go to dinner and movies together. Hardwood flooring contract In April 2016, Las Vegas municipal government started soliciting bids to install hardwood floors at City Hall. Local firm Prices Furnishings submitted the lowest bid of $6,529. But someone wrote a note on Prices bid that said the company didnt do hardwood floors, according to the complaint, so the bid was disqualified. The companys owner, Ron Price, later told state Attorney General investigators it wasnt true that his business didnt do hardwood floors. Price had the lowest bid and should have been awarded the contract, the complaint says. Its not known who wrote the note on the Price Furnishing bidding document. City Public Works Director Martin Gonzales told investigators that when Gurule-Giron first became mayor, she wanted him to give the flooring contract to Manuel Benavidez of Benavidez Construction. Gonzales told Gurule-Giron that this would be a violation of the procurement code, the complaint says. Therefore, he would not just give the contract over to an individual or a business, but instead would go through the standard competitive-bidding process. Gonzales said that one day Gurule-Giron called him into her office and asked him for the cost of the project. Gonzales told Gurule-Giron that he was unable to provide her with this information since it was once again a violation of the procurement code, the complaint says. Gonzales said the mayor responded, I am the Chief Operating Executive Officer of the city and I was elected to know everything and I will know everything, the criminal complaint alleges. Feeling pressured, Gonzales told the mayor the project would cost $9,000. Gurule-Giron responded by telling him to give the contract to Salazars Gemini Construction, Gonzales said. Gonzales said he told her again that he doesnt just give out contracts and that hed never heard of Gemini Construction. The contract was awarded to Salazar in May 2016, for $8,998, two dollars less than the $9,000 price for the project that Gonzales told the mayor about. Salazars bid was the lowest one after the disqualification of Prices Furnishings. According to a special audit by Porch & Associates, LLC, commissioned to deal with concerns raised by the State Auditors Office, the purchase order for the flooring project was issued two days after Salazar submitted a bid. Later in 2016, the purchase order was increased to $19,422.35. The revised order included hardwood flooring for more of City Hall, including the executive offices. The increase was not put out for a competitive bidding process. There was also no approval signature on the revised purchase order, the complaint says. In August 2016, Gurule-Giron sent Salazar a message instructing him what he needed to write on his invoice to account for the increased cost. Investigators saw that the invoice reflected exactly what Gurule-Giron told Salazar to write. Salazar was paid in October 2016, the complaint says. Sidewalk repair In August 2016, Gurule-Giron sent Salazar other companies bids for a sidewalk repair project, but did so using Salazars daughters email account. It is both probable and reasonable that Gurule-Giron was sending Salazar information regarding the bid using his daughters email address to further remove herself from any culpability, the complaint says. Salazar submitted the lowest bid the following day and was awarded the contract. Water leak In March 2017, a small water leak at City Hall allowed the city to declare an emergency and bypass the normal procurement process for repairs. An emergency purchase order for $10,000 was issued to Salazars Gemini Construction. Darlene Arguello, the citys risk manager, told investigators from the Attorney Generals Office that the only damage she could see was to carpet in three offices and that the situation was not an emergency. Later, the job was expanded by $84,204, with extra work given solely to Gemini with no competitive bidding process, the complaint says. Floors in offices that were not damaged were also replaced, the complaint states. The former city attorney Corinna Laszlo-Henry told investigators the job appeared to be a remodeling of city hall. Lorraine Ortiz, the citys housing director, said the floor in her office was replaced, even though there wasnt any damage. Housing request Ortiz also said that after a hailstorm damaged several public housing units in September 2017, Gurule-Giron told her that she better make sure Salazar gets the contract for repairs. Ortiz said Gurule-Giron was adamant that Gemini Construction get the contract and that Ortiz was just as adamant that she would not get involved, the complaint says. Ortiz said there was no way that she was going to violate the procurement code. Ortiz said Gurule-Giron contacted her on her personal phone in October or November 2017 and demanded a list of all the tenants in the housing units. Ortiz said she couldnt do that because such disclosures would violate federal and state laws. Ortiz said Gurule-Giron became angry and demanded she hand deliver a copy (of the tenants names) to her home by placing the list in a brown manila envelope, the complaint says. Ortiz once again said she couldnt provide a list and Gurule-Giron hung up on her. Ortiz was later terminated. She said she believes it was because she wouldnt violate procurement code like Gurule-Giron had asked her to. Alleged kickbacks Gurule-Giron told one of Salazars own rental housing tenants in May 2016 that Salazar took the mayor to the steakhouse at the El Gancho fitness club, just east of Santa Fe on Old Las Vegas Highway, a few days after the purchase order for the wood floors in City Hall was created, according to the complaint. In June 2016, Gurule-Giron accused Salazar of using her to get ahead. U have acquired enough wealth off my back u have been paid tenfold, Gurule-Giron told Salazar in a text message. Although text messages agents obtained show a tumultuous relationship, the two did discuss getting married. Salazar sent a text to Gurule-Giron in November 2016 in which he says he Was looking so forward to being your husband. In January 2018, the mayor says in a text message to Salazar that she has deleted all messages and photos of him because she wants no memory of him. U erased everything because u afraid to lose your job, Salazar responded. But Gurule-Giron helped Salazar find work with the city until at least May, according to text messages between them. Gurule-Giron continued to provide Salazar with information regarding potential jobs well after the contracts Salazar was awarded with the City, the complaint says. In return, Gurule-Giron expected to still receive benefits from Salazar for providing him with information. In an apparently unrelated case from February, Salazar was charged with misdemeanor counts of contracting without a license and working as an uncertified journeyman. The case was dismissed in April after a client of Salazars told prosecutors that all the parties came to an agreement, court records show. Charging documents say he didnt have the proper license to conduct plumbing work on a home he was contracted to work on and the septic tank didnt meet the state Environment Department requirements. Salazar was charged with felony battery on a household member in 2015, but that case was dropped, as well. The BJPs Meenakshi Lekhi has questioned the silence of Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Fridays mob attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan as she used the incident to justify her partys decision to bring in the Citizenship Amendment Act. Lekhi also referred to Sidhus hug to Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa during his visit to the neighbouring country to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Imran Khan as its prime minister in 2018. She, however, said Sidhu embraced the chief of Pakistans intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI. I dont know where Sidhu paaji has fled If even after all this, he wants to hug the ISI chief, then Congress should look into it, Lekhi said on Saturday. How will you finish off dogmatism with love? They did send Sidhu to hug ISI chief. What happened after that? Did the attacks on Nankana Sahib stop? Did they stop abducting girls? she asked. Lekhi was addressing a press conference to condemn the alleged attack on Gurudwara Nankana Sahib, the shrine built at the birthplace of Guru Nanak, as she said the incident shows how minorities are persecuted in Pakistan. Her party colleague and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab unit chief Shwait Malik had also questioned Sidhus silence over the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. Why is Sidhu now silent when the Sikh community is being attacked in Pakistan? Why the person (Sidhu), who hugged Imran Khan and Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, is not saying anything on the matter? Malik, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, had asked. An angry mob had surrounded Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and threatened to occupy it demanding the release of those detained in connection with the alleged forcible conversion of a Sikh woman, reports in the Pakistani media said. Hundreds of people joined the sit-in protest and a number of Pakistani Sikhs were caught within the gurdwara. The demonstration ended after negotiations between the protesters and representatives of the local administration resulted in the release of the arrested people, the reports said. Lekhi also said there have been consistent acts of violence on religious places in Pakistan and minorities have been subject to threats of conversion and rapes for decades. The BJP leader alleged that there have been thousands of incidents where young girls have been picked up, forcibly converted and married off to Muslim boys, while the police, government and other agencies are part and parcel of the process. The persecution continues unabated since the creation of Pakistan, resulting in the forced migration of such persecuted minorities into India. This not only justifies the necessity of an act like the CAA but also stresses the need for its immediate implementation. Pakistan now proves that CAA is right and is timely, she said. The attack in Nankana Sahib should make those sitting in Shaheen Bagh and in the Kerala assembly understand the importance of the CAA, she said referring to the anti-CAA protests in Delhis Shaheen Bagh and the resolution passed by the Kerala assembly not to implement the law. Lekhi said Nankana Sahib is the holiest shrine for Sikhs and that attacks on it are equivalent to someone attacking Kaaba or Jerusalem. 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, the ministry of external affairs had said in a statement. We call upon Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community, it had said. Pakistan has rejected the media reports that Gurdwara Nankana Sahib was desecrated in a mob attack, saying the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak remains untouched and undamaged and the claims of destruction of one of the holiest Sikh shrines are false. A randy couple were hauled before the courts after they were spotted drunkenly engaging in 'amorous' foreplay at the back of a plane - before takeoff. Christopher Pickering, 45, and girlfriend Rebecca Cross, 37, pleaded guilty to being drunk on a British Airways flight to Marseille, France last year. The passengers had booked seats on the emergency exit row near the wings, but cabin crew at Heathrow decided the couple were too intoxicated to sit there for safety reasons and were moved to the back row. Rebecca Elaine Cross, 37 and Christopher Pickering, 45 leave Uxbridge Magistrates Court in West London on December 3 Christopher Pickering flips the bird at photographers as he leaves the courthouse with his girlfriend on December 3 Prosecutor Ravinder Johal said as the plane taxied down near the runway at around 5.30pm on September 16, a cabin crew member caught Cross with her stockings off and her legs high in the air. Pickering was viewed as having his hand in her crotch area, but as authorities could not decide what the randy pair were up to, they were only convicted of with entering an aircraft when drunk. Mr Johal said: 'The defendants were due to take the British Airways flight to Marseille in France departing at 5.30pm. 'Valerie Hughes, an experienced cabin crew member, gave instructions that Mr Pickering and Miss Cross was not to be sat in the emergency exit seats due to their state of intoxication. 'They were assigned seats in the back and she observed they were stumbling and drunk. 'Mr Pickering had difficulty loading their luggage in the baggage compartment. She did hear that they said 'f*ckers' every other word. 'She felt that they shouldn't be allowed to remain on the flight, but were in fact seated in the 25th row. 'A member of the public was moved from their seat to not cause offence. Cross and Pickerage leave Uxbridge Magistrates court.The couple were hauled before the courts after they were spotted engaging in 'amorous' foreplay at the back of a flight 'Ms Hughes noticed Miss Cross had her legs hanging, they were open wide and raised in the air. 'The male had her left hand on the vagina area and was moving his hand up and down. 'She said, 'what do you think you're doing?' The couple froze and the man kept his hand on the vagina area. 'She instructed her to put her dress down. The flight had not taken off. 'They were taken to the London Heathrow police station and admitted to the charge.' Pickering, of Dunstable in Bedfordshire, and Cross, of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, had said they had 'five or six drinks' in the lounge in two hours while they waited for the delayed flight. A consideration for an adjournment was made at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on December 3 to file for the separate charge of indecent exposure, but this was discarded following the couple's guilty pleas. Carl Woolf, defending both Cross and Pickering, said: 'There is a sexual aspect of the matter. 'There was no formal review in the magistrates court. I have been in contact with the Crown Prosecution Service and confirmed that there is to be no additional charge with outraging public decency. 'It's very clear from the air stewardess there was some amorous behaviour, but she didn't directly see any masturbation or penetration.' Mr Woolf noted that Cross had previously plead guilty for a drink driving charge in July 2019. Christopher Pickering, 45, and girlfriend Rebecca Cross, 37, pleaded guilty to being drunk on a British Airways flight to Marseille, France last year (stock image of BA plane) She was disqualified from driving for 26 months and had completed 100 hours of unpaid service in October last year. Mr Woolf, in mitigation, said: 'It's right to say that following both of their interviews they both returned to the airport the next day. 'Mr Pickering purchased flights at cost of 700 onto Marseille as he was meeting a client there and Miss Cross and he were allowed to fly. 'Subsequently they've had the banning order from British Airways for 12 months. 'There has been no issues whatsoever since that time, and both of them regularly travel for work.' Prosecutor Ravinder Johal said as the plane taxied down near the runway at around 5.30pm on September 16, a cabin crew member caught Cross with her stockings off and her legs high in the air He added: 'This was a flight that was delayed by two to three hours. 'That was the reason why both these defendants sat in the lounge and consumed alcohol to excess. 'Mr Pickering flies many flights a year which does not suggest this was a problem in the past. 'They were travelling together and once they had been seated at the rear of the plane, in effect privacy, they were amorous. 'I make it clear there was no suggestion of any nudity and there is no suggestion she was not wearing underwear. 'It was not appropriate behaviour on a plane, but as they say in their letter they are thoroughly ashamed and thoroughly apologetic.' Pickering, who is listed as being the director of a consultancy firm on Companies House, was said to have a 'substantial income', paying large school fees for his children and financially supporting his ex-wife. Cross, who wore a white blouse, black coat and red trousers, broke down in sobs after Judge Nicholas Wood, at Isleworth Crown Court, after she was told she would not face a custodial sentence for breaching the community order. Judge Wood said: 'I'm not considering a custodial sentence, either immediate or suspended. I am considering either a community order or a fine. I consider the previous order expired.' Sentencing, he said: 'I give you credit for pleading guilty and I will reduce the fine that I'm about to impose by a third. 'I sentence you for being drunk on an aircraft and even though that it in itself is serious, the courts have said there's a distinction between being offensive on an aircraft at 30,000 feet and on being offensive on an aircraft as it is being taxied on the ground. 'You were deemed too drunk to sit in the emergency exit row, and were ordered to sit at the back of the plane. 'I'm not going to sentence you for any charges for the behaviour afterwards, embarrassing and shocking as it may be to anyone who saw it. 'But I can't ignore it, it seems to me, because it is a part of the drunken behaviour. 'No doubt what you did is known to your colleagues at work and I accept you are thoroughly ashamed of yourselves.' Pickering was handed a 2000 fine, while Cross was given a 12-month community order and forced to undertake 60 hours of unpaid work. KEARNEY A Kearney man is serving a prison sentence for sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. Brandon D. Storz, 18, was convicted of felony first-degree sexual assault of a person born in 2010 and felony possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 18 months to six years in prison for the sexual assault and one to two years in prison for possessing child pornography. The sexual assault incident happened April 13, in the 1800 block of Avenue C, records indicate. Further details of the alleged incident were sealed. According to the Nebraska Department of Corrections website, Storz's sentence began Nov. 19. He received 219 days credit for time he already served in jail. You cannot drive at 120 kmph on highways says Madras HC Madras HC to hear actor Vijay's civil lawsuit against his parents, nine others 'What was Chennai Corporation doing since 2015 floods?': Madras HC pulls up civic body Plea to remove TN Governor junked India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Chennai, Jan 05: The Madras High Court 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. Convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case granted month long parole 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 NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 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. Rajiv Gandhi assassination: HC allows Nalini to appear in person to argue her plea for leave 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. LAKE GEORGE An infusion of state funds would translate into a cleaner Lake George under another of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's State of the State-related proposals. The governor hopes to provide $9.4 million for repairs and upgrades at a wastewater treatment plant to safeguard the health of the Adirondack's largest lake. The plant needs updating because the current 85-year-old facility doesnt properly capture nitrates and chlorides that can lead to algal blooms, according to Cuomo's office. Such blooms could make water undrinkable, though Lake George hasnt yet experienced one. The village of Lake George is under state orders to replace the plant no later than 2021. Under the governors proposal, the state will provide the $9.4 million in grants to the village in addition to a $3 million Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grant and a DEC-funded $2.5 million Water Quality Improvement Project grant, bringing total state investment to $14.9 million. The remaining cost of the project will be covered by a zero-interest loan from the Environmental Facilities Corporation. The village had put together enough financing to cover $22.5 million of the cost, but the lowest bid it received was $24.1 million, Lake George Mayor Robert Blais told the Times Union in April. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The $24.1 million figure includes contingency funds for unanticipated overruns and an estimate to cover the plumbing portion of the project. The village plans to complete construction in August 2021. Lake George is a crown jewel of New Yorks many beautiful lakes and waterways. This critical water infrastructure project will both ensure the continued health of the lakes pristine waters and further economic growth throughout the region," Cuomo said in a written statement. Television actor Nehha Pendse and Shardul Singh Bayass wedding festivities are on in full swing. The couple tied the knot on Sunday (January 5), according to Maharashtrian rituals, in Pune. First pictures of the newlyweds have surfaced online. Nehha looks resplendent in a pastel pink-coloured Nauvari saree; she opted for a traditional Maharasthrian look, complete with a nathni (nose ring) and chandrakor tikali (half moon-shaped bindi). Shardul, meanwhile, complemented her perfectly in a white and pink outfit and pink turban. In an earlier interview with The Times Of India, Nehha said that she would give the traditional Nauvari saree her own twist. Usually Nauvari sarees are bright in colours and Maharashtrian trousseau is known for bright colours, but I am doing something different. I dont think there are too many Maharashtrian brides who wear a pastel colour Nauvari saree, she said. Pictures and videos of Nehha and Sharduls engagement ceremony have also surfaced online. While she looks stunning in a jewel green gown, he is seen wearing a powder blue shirt with a pink blazer and grey trousers. Earlier, Nehha shared pictures from her sangeet ceremony with Shardul. The couple looked picture-perfect in colour-coordinated outfits. A little US before the big WE @thecelebstories, she wrote in one of her Instagram posts, while the other was simply captioned with heart emojis. Neha is extremely elated about taking her relationship with Shardul to the next level. In a statement earlier, she said, I am so happy to be in this phase. I am marrying the man of my dreams and entering into a new and amazing family. They are beautiful humans and I cant wait to start my life there. Its the best feeling of my life. I cant thank enough all the people in my life who made this occasion so beautiful and worthy. Nehha, who was seen as a contestant in Bigg Boss 12, has appeared in television shows like May I Come In Madam and Family Time With Kapil Sharma. Follow @htshowbiz for more Rodong Sinmun on Basic Idea, Basic Spirit, of 5th Plenary Meeting of 7th Central Committee of WPK Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Date: 04/01/2020 Pyongyang, January 4 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun on Saturday says in an article that the basic idea, the basic spirit, of the Fifth Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) is to conduct the offensive for a breakthrough head-on, not to wait for the situation to turn better. In other words, we should never dream that the U.S. and other hostile forces would leave us to live in peace, but make a breakthrough head-on on the strength of self-reliance to tide over the difficulties lying in the way of advance of our socialist construction, it stresses. The article says that the basic idea, the basic spirit, of the Fifth Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the WPK reflects the truth and lessons of history that illusions about the enemy and peace and the lingering expectation for the lift of sanctions are a taboo and embodies the iron truth of the revolution that only offensive on one's own initiative, not the passive defense, can turn adversity into favorable situation. It also reflects the requirement to strengthen our internal strength in all aspects and overcome difficulties with the might of self-reliance, the article says, and goes on: As a leopard cannot change its spots, the aggressive nature of imperialism can never change. So is the U.S. behavior today. The real intention of the U.S. is to seek its own political and diplomatic interests while wasting time away under the signboard of dialogue and negotiations and at the same time keep sanctions so as to gradually reduce our strength. The reality shows that now that the ambition of the enemy to stifle our system remains unchanged, it is foolish to dream of the ease of situation and the lift of sanctions. The plenary meeting took accurate and audacious measures on the basis of a cool-headed judgment of the prevailing external situation. The plenary meeting reflects the firm will of our Party to eliminate all the challenges and barriers to our advance with another dynamic offensive and hasten the victory of a drive for building a powerful socialist country. Every field and unit should break through head-on all the barriers to our advance, holding aloft the slogan of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Herein lies the way to glorify this significant year marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Party as the one noteworthy in the history of building our Party and a powerful state of independence. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An FIR has been registered against the Superintendent of Police of a hill district in Assam under the POCSO Act on the charge of sexually harassing a minor daughter of another senior police officer during a new year party. The SP threw the party on December 31 in which a senior lady police official went with her teenage daughter, sources said on Sunday. The IPS officer allegedly sexually harassed the teenager in an inebriated condition inside a room of his official bungalow at the district headquarter town. The girl's mother, who is a senior Assam Police Services officer, lodged a complaint along with her daughter at the All Women Police Station and "a case was registered on January 3 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act," a police source said. The girl's statement has already been recorded but whether the SP has been questioned is not yet clear. At the Crime & Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) website, the status of the FIR has been blocked with a message, "Case considered to be sensitive, cannot be displayed." CCTNS is a project of the central government for creating a comprehensive and integrated system for effective policing through e-governance. When contacted, Guwahati Police Joint Commissioner Debraj Upadhyay said he is "not in a position to reply as I am busy with the security of (Sunday's) Twenty20 match" between India and Sri Lanka. Phone calls made to the SP and the lady officer remained unanswered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The string of developments capped a day of mass mourning over Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets in the cities of Ahvaz and Mashhad to walk alongside the casket of Soleimani, who was the architect of Iran's proxy wars across the Mideast and was blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in suicide bombings and other attacks. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik regarding violence on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and asked him to take necessary action. Home Minister Shah also ordered an inquiry to be carried out by a Joint CP level officer and asked for a report on the incident as soon as possible. "Union Home Minister has spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner over JNU violence and instructed him to take necessary action. Hon'ble Minister has also ordered an enquiry to be carried out by a Joint CP level officer and asked for a report to be submitted as soon as possible," Office of the Home Minister of India tweeted from its official handle. Joint CP, Western Range, Shalini Singh would conduct an inquiry into the incident of attacks on the students of the JNU. This came after a masked mob on Sunday entered the JNU campus and assaulted several students and professors with sticks and rods. According to officials, seven ambulances have been sent to the JNU and 10 more are on standby. Heavy police have been deployed at the main gate of the university following the violence. "I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I am bleeding. I was brutally beaten up," JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh told reporters. She has been admitted to the AIIMS here for treatment. Several other students were also injured in the incident. In a video of the incident, a group of goons with their faces covered can be seen assaulting students with wooden sticks and rods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BAGHDAD - Iraq was the uneasy epicenter of a region on edge Saturday after the killing of Iran's most prominent military leader, with an angry funeral procession winding through its capital in the morning and rockets falling after dark. Adding to the apprehensions was a series of threats and counterthreats from Iran and President Donald Trump, with the U.S. leader tweeting Saturday that targets in Iran would be "hit very fast and very hard" should U.S. assets or personnel be attacked. Early Friday, U.S. drone strikes ripped through two cars traveling outside Baghdad's international airport, killing Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a powerful Iraqi militia leader, along with eight other people. Iran immediately vowed to seek revenge for the killing of Soleimani, as the Trump administration announced that it was sending thousands of additional troops to the Middle East. The tensions continued to build Saturday as NATO announced that it was suspending its training of troops in Iraq and the United States said that it had stepped up security at military bases in the country. An Iranian commander quoted by the Tasnim News Agency on Saturday suggested that dozens of U.S. facilities and military assets in the Middle East were at risk, along with Israel, a key U.S. ally. "Thirty-five vital American positions in the region are within the reach of the Islamic Republic, and Tel Aviv," the commander, Brig. Gen. Gholamali Abuhamzeh, was quoted as saying. "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital thoroughfare for the West, and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf," he added. Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia backed by Iran, warned members of Iraqi security forces to keep more than half a mile from U.S. military bases, beginning Sunday evening. The militia, which led a siege of the U.S. Embassy before Soleimani's killing, did not say why it issued the warning. Trump, tweeting Saturday from his personal resort in West Palm Beach, Florida, appeared to be responding in kind when he said that the United States had targeted multiple sites in Iran and that those targets would be struck should U.S. military sites be attacked or Americans harmed. He also repeated the administration's justification for Soleimani's killing, referring to the Iranian commander as a "terrorist leader" who had been planning additional attacks. "Iran has been nothing but a problem for many years," Trump tweeted. "Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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!" ALSO How President Trump decided to kill a top Iranian general A spokesman for the U.S.-led military coalition against the Islamic State said that "we have increased security and defensive measures at the Iraqi bases that host anti-ISIS coalition troops. Our command places protection of U.S. forces, as well as our allies and security partners in the coalition, as the top priority; we remain vigilant and resolute." The focal point of the anxiety was Baghdad, where thousands of people joined a funeral procession for Soleimani and Muhandis on Saturday as helicopters shadowed the crowds. "Death to America, death to Israel," people chanted. "We will take our revenge!" The procession, which began in Baghdad and moved on to the Iraqi Shiite shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala, offered a vivid display of how both Iran and the United States are deeply entwined in Iraq. The crowds bellowed anti-American cries and vowed to fight to avenge one of Iran's heroes as U.S.-allied Iraqi security forces watched over the chanting throngs. Soleimani's burial is scheduled for Tuesday in Kerman, his hometown in southeastern Iran. Later Saturday, rockets were fired toward Baghdad's Green Zone, site of the U.S. Embassy, and at an air base hosting U.S. troops north of Baghdad, but they caused no casualties, according to Iraqi and U.S. officials, who did not say who had fired the rockets. The White House delivered a formal notification of the drone strike that killed Soleimani to Congress on Saturday, as is required under the War Powers Act. The report is completely classified, according to a senior Democratic aide, but probably details the administration's justification for the strike, as well as the constitutional and legislative rationale used to send troops. It was unclear whether the administration would issue a nonclassified version that could be publicized. NATO, which has several hundred personnel in Iraq, said Saturday that it has temporarily suspended its training of Iraqi forces to counter the Islamic State, according to Dylan White, a NATO spokesman. "The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount. We continue to take all precautions necessary," he said in an emailed statement. Elsewhere, regional governments were scrambling to avoid further outbreaks of violence. Qatar's foreign minister traveled to Tehran on Saturday and discussed "ways to maintain collective security of the region" with his Iranian counterpart, the Qatar News Agency said. In Saudi Arabia, King Salman called Iraq's president, Barham Salih, and discussed "the importance of calm and defusing the crisis in the region," the Saudi Press Agency reported. Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf states have reacted nervously to the escalating tensions because of their proximity to Iran and fears of a backlash due to their close partnerships, including military cooperation, with the United States. The drone attack early Friday local time struck a two-vehicle convoy on an access road near Baghdad International Airport and also killed several of Soleimani's local allies. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi called the attack "an assassination" that was a "flagrant violation of the conditions authorizing the presence of U.S. troops" on Iraqi soil. Abdul-Karim Khalaf, a security spokesman for Iraq's prime minister, said Saturday that authorities were investigating crew members who were on the aircraft that brought Soleimani to Baghdad, reportedly from Damascus - apparently to determine how the United States learned of the Iranian commander's whereabouts. Khalaf, speaking to Iraq's state news agency, reiterated that U.S. forces are not allowed to conduct military operations in Iraq without the approval of the prime minister, and he hinted that their future in the country is in doubt. "We have alternatives to train our armed forces," Khalaf said. - - - Fahim reported from Istanbul. The Washington Post's Louisa Loveluck in Beirut and Seung Min Kim in West Palm Beach, Fla., contributed to this report. Goldman Sachs banker Mark Sorrell, the son of advertising mogul Sir Martin, has emerged as the most successful dealmaker in the City last year. Sorrell, the eldest of three brothers, advised on deals worth of a total of 42.7 billion (32.6 billion) taking him to the top of the Mergermarket league table. He advised on five mega-deals including the London Stock Exchange's 22 billion takeover of data provider Refinitiv, Ocado's 1 billion tie-up with Marks & Spencer and private equity firm Advent's controversial 4 billion takeover of defence firm Cobham. Goldman Sachs banker Mark Sorrell, the son of advertising mogul Sir Martin (pictured) has emerged as the most successful dealmaker in the City last year His father Sir Martin spent 30 years building advertising giant WPP into one of Britain's most successful companies. He left in 2018 amid allegations he misused company money, which he has always strenuously denied, and has since set up rival S4 Capital. Mark Sorrell, who is head of European mergers & acquisitions at Goldman Sachs, went to Cambridge University. His brothers, Robert and Jonathan also went to Cambridge and worked at Goldman Sachs. Robert now works at Moelis, another American merger advice firm, while Jonathan works at US hedge fund Capstone. Sorrell's emergence as Britain's leading rainmaker is likely to irritate his more established, older rivals, such as Sir Simon Robey and Simon Warshaw, who run boutique advisory firm Robey Warshaw, which only advised on one board recommended takeover deal in 2019. That left Robey Warshaw in 17th place on a separate league table by data firm Refinitiv. ROME (AP) A drunken driver plowed into a group of young German tourists in northern Italy early Sunday, killing six people and injuring 11 others, Italian authorities said. The deadly crash occurred in a village of Valle Aurina, northeast of Bolzano in the Alto Adige region, shortly after 1 a.m. as the Germans gathered to board their bus. They were between the ages of 20-25. The largely German-speaking autonomous region of northern Italy, with its ski resorts in the Dolomites and quaint villages around Bolzano, is popular with German tourists. "The new year begins with a terrible tragedy," said the regional president of Alto Adige, Arno Kompatscher. We are left stunned. The driver of the car had a high blood alcohol content and was driving particularly fast, a Carabineri police official in Brunico told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to give his name. He said police had concluded that the car crash into pedestrians was not an act of terrorism. The Lutago volunteer fire service said on Facebook that six people were killed at the scene. The 11 injured, four of whom were in critical condition, were taken to several regional hospitals, including two who were airlifted to a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, said Bolzano Carabinieri Cmdr. Alessandro Coassin. Coassin said the driver, identified by Italian media as a 28-year-old man from the nearby town of Chienes, was arrested on suspicion of highway manslaughter and injury and was being treated at the hospital in Brunico. Most of the victims hailed from western Germany, though two of the injured were Italian, officials said. "We are currently working on the assumption that most of the deceased come from North Rhine-Westphalia," the state's governor, Armin Laschet, said on Twitter. "These young people wanted to spend a good time together and were torn out of their lives or seriously injured from one second to the next." In all, 160 rescue workers and emergency medical personnel responded to the crash, which looked like a battlefield," according to Helmut Abfalterer of the Lutago volunteer fire service. Story continues Mourners later left candles and flowers at the crash scene, which was located along a two-lane road dotted by hotels and piles of snow in the mountainous region. Kompatscher told a press conference the victims were part of a group of young Germans on vacation. He expressed his condolences to their families and declined to provide further details pending notification to their loved ones. The accident occurred on the final long weekend of the Christmas and New Year's holiday in Italy, which will be capped by Epiphany on Monday. ___ AP correspondent Frank Jordans contributed from Berlin. First in a series of stories this week looking at issues before the 2020 Iowa Legislature. DES MOINES Inevitably, a number of hot-button issues come before lawmakers during each session of the Iowa Legislature. This years session could produce much debate on a pair of proposals that, if they become law, will impact all Iowa drivers: a potential ban on hand-held use of mobile phones while driving, and automated traffic enforcement cameras. Here is a look at those and a few more issues that could spark controversy during this years session, which begins Monday, January 13. Hand-held ban Lawmakers took a big step in 2017 by making texting while driving a primary offense. Previously texting while driving was illegal, but law enforcement needed a primary infraction to stop a driver before issuing a citation. Now officers can stop a driver solely for texting, using social media or playing mobile games while driving. But some advocates feel the state should go a step further and ban use of hand-held mobile phones while driving. Only hands-free mobile phone use would be allowed. Gov. Kim Reynolds said she is not initiating any legislation but supports a hand-held ban. If you drive down (Interstate) 235, you see people all the time texting (while driving). Its scary, Reynolds said. The statistics are awful. Just awful. Nationally, 434 people died in 401 reported fatal crashes that involved cell-phone-related distractions in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In those crashes, police reported the driver was talking on, listening to, or engaged in some other cell phone activity at the time of the crash. Leaders in the Senates Republican majority said there is not yet a consensus on a hand-held ban, but Senate President Charles Schneider, a Republican from West Des Moines, said he supports a ban. And it may because I see it a lot more than some other legislators, just driving back and forth from downtown to West Des Moines every day. But Im just tired of seeing people weave in and out of lanes because theyre looking at their phones, or pulling up next to someone at a stoplight or sitting behind someone at a stoplight waiting for them to go because theyre checking email or checking Facebook on their phones, Schneider said. I think its a public safety issue. Im not one who believes in having a heavy-handed government, but this really is becoming I think a public safety issue and its one that we have to address. Traffic cameras The Senate in 2019, for the third consecutive year, voted to ban the use of automated traffic enforcement cameras. The Republican-led Iowa House could not reach consensus on whether to ban cameras or regulate them, so the issue is likely to be debated again in 2020. The camera bill is sitting in the House, said Sen. Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale. I think it is encouraging that there is a change in leadership (in the House) where maybe the potential is there. Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, is the new House Speaker. He was chosen by his Republican colleagues to succeed Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake who stepped down from the post. Grassley said he has supported both proposals. Its a matter of House Republicans agreeing on a path. I voted to ban traffic cameras. I voted to regulate traffic cameras, Grassley said. But that being said, my position on it is Ive shown my willingness to do something. If theres the will of the caucus to do that, Im not going to stand in the way of that happening. Medicaid and work Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, in 2019 introduced bills to require able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work or volunteer at least 20 hours per week, to be making an effort to pay their child support, and for the state to more frequently verify Medicaid recipients eligibility. The bills failed to advance in the Senate, and key House committee leader Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, said the proposals would not be considered because they needed further vetting. But both lawmakers left the door open for the proposals to be tweaked and reconsidered in 2020. Grassley said he expects House Republicans to have a broad conversation on the issue this session. Gun rights Republican majorities in 2019 approved the first step in the process of amending the Iowa Constitution to include language strengthening Iowans right to possess firearms. The proposal which opponents said went too far and could undo all gun regulations in state law must be passed again by state lawmakers by 2021, and then by Iowa voters. Lawmakers in 2019 also considered legislation that would eliminate the requirement Iowa gun owners carry a permit. The proposal was shelved, but the debate could surface again this year. Grassley said House Republicans will bear in mind the constitutional amendment process when considering any other gun rights proposals. Obviously anything we do on the Second Amendment were going to be very mindful. And any issue we (will) look at what the impacts are of our ability to actually achieve that (constitutional amendment), Grassley said. Because that, from the Second Amendment community, has been the priority. So whatever we look at, making sure we dont jeopardize that (constitutional amendment). Abortion Republicans led an effort in 2019 to amend the Iowa Constitution to declare abortion is not a guaranteed right. The effort was in response to Iowa courts striking down as unconstitutional previous legislative attempts to restrict abortions. The proposal was considered at the committee level, but advanced no further. It could come up again this year. Reporters Rod Boshart and James Lynch of the Gazette in Cedar Rapids contributed. Our memorable stories of 2019. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 17:13:54|Editor: zh Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Since the Syrian war broke out in 2011, the prospect of an end to the prolonged crisis has been alternating between hope and disappointment with new developments emerging every year, especially in the year 2019 that has witnessed sophisticated changes in the conflict-torn Middle East country. PROXY RATHER THAN CIVIL WAR In a positive sign of regaining the control of the entire country, the Syrian army in 2019 was able to consolidate the government's grip on key areas across the country including the capital Damascus. However, the Syrian crisis is more like a proxy war than a civil one between the government and rebels, as it has become apparent that many foreign forces stationed on the Syrian soil are not ready to pull back without achieving their own gains. The most prominent development on the ground in 2019 was the Turkish military campaign launched in October to expel the Kurdish forces in northern Syria. The military buildup and operation prompted new understandings between Russia, which supports the Syrian government, and Turkey, which backs the rebels and antagonizes the Kurdish forces. The new deals allowed the Turkish army and its allied rebels to storm areas controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), pushing the SDF to reach understandings with the Syrian army under the Russian mediation. With the understandings with SDF, the Syrian government forces entered areas along the Syrian-Turkish border to strip Ankara of the pretext to continue its assault against the SDF and other Kurdish militias. Also in 2019, the Syrian army renewed the operation against the ultra-radical rebels in the northwestern province of Idlib, the last major rebel stronghold in the country. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad recently highlighted the anti-terror war in Idlib as a priority of the Syrian government, which analysts said could be the title of the military operation in 2020. In addition, after the Turkish decision to deploy troops upon the invitation of Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), about 2,000 Turkey-backed rebels in Idlib are being sent to the North African country to support GNA in its fight against the east-based army led by Khalifa Haftar. A third thorny issue is the presence of the U.S. forces near the oil and gas fields in northeastern Syria as Washington has claimed the control of these energy fields. ECONOMIC SUFFERING With the devaluation of the Syrian pound and the lack of heating fuel and cooking gas, it seems that this economic suffering will last through an entire year of 2020. In December of 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a Syria sanctions bill as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. The bill, formally known as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, authorizes additional sanctions and financial restrictions on institutions and individuals doing business with the Syrian government. The U.S. sanctions are pulling the already suffocating Syrian economy deeper into an abyss of woes, particularly amid the devaluation of the Syrian pound which is now sold in the black market at 940 pounds for one U.S. dollar, losing more than 50 percent of its value compared to the beginning of 2019. Maher Ihsan, a Syrian journalist and political expert, told Xinhua that 2020 will be the year of an economic war after eight years of ground battles in Syria. "The year 2020 will not be easy in terms of the livelihoods of the Syrians, particularly as the neighboring countries of Syria such as Lebanon and Iraq are also facing troubles," he said. The turmoil in neighboring Lebanon has been a key factor behind the steep devaluation of the Syrian pound as most Syrian businessmen have bank accounts in Lebanon during the war, the Syrian expert explained. SLUGGISH POLITICAL PROCESS In 2019, the most significant progress in the rounds of talks regarding the political process in Syria is probably the formation of a constitutional committee. The UN-backed committee, tasked with rewriting the Syrian Constitution, is composed of representatives from the government, opposition and civil societies. Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, said in November following the formation of the committee that the launch of the Syrian Constitutional Committee could be a "door opener" for providing a final solution to the country's brutal conflict. The committee, however, is yet to yield any solid results. Still, the constitutional committee is expected to come up with something in 2020 which is a preparation year for the 2021 presidential elections in Syria, Ihsan noted. CARACAS Lawmakers aligned with Venezuelas repressive leader, Nicolas Maduro, began an attempt to consolidate his grip on the nation on Sunday by wresting control of the National Assembly, the last political institution still dominated by the opposition. In a chaotic session in which security forces surrounded the National Assembly building, intimidating members of the opposition who tried to enter, supporters of Mr. Maduro blocked the re-election of Juan Guaido, the opposition leader, as the bodys head, and named another legislator instead. Members of the Venezuelan opposition immediately denounced the effort, calling it a parliamentary coup detat and saying there had been no quorum to call the vote. The Maduro administrations plunges the countrys already turbulent political situation further into chaos, raising questions about who controls the assembly and whether Mr. Guaido can continue to assert that he is the Venezuelas interim president, in a direct challenge to Mr. Maduro. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish soldiers had begun deploying to Libya after parliament approved such a move last week. "Our soldiers' duty there is coordination. They will develop the operation centre there. Our soldiers are gradually going right now," he told CNN Turk broadcaster during an interview on Sunday. The Turkish parliament passed a bill allowing the government to send troops to Libya aimed at shoring up the UN-recognised government in Tripoli. The Tripoli government has come under sustained attack since military strongman general Khalifa Haftar launched his offensive in April. Haftar is backed by Turkey's regional rivals, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, while the UN-backed government has the support of Ankara and its ally Qatar. Erdogan said Turkey's objective was "not to fight", but "to support the legitimate government and avoid a humanitarian tragedy". Turkey's move comes after the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord made a formal request for military support. Libya and Turkey signed security and maritime agreements in November last year, angering Mediterranean countries including Greece and Cyprus who also seek to exploit energy resources in the region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) If ever an island were misnamed it must be the small Cow island which lies 2.5km off Dursey Head on the Beara Peninsula. It is home to a sizeable guillemot colony and goodly numbers of kittiwakes, razorbills and visiting gannets from the Bull. Part of the delightfully named quartet of Bull, Cow, Calf and Heifer, Cow Island resembles a very different quadruped whose origins lie far from these shores. The island, whose forbidding cliffs and churning seas prevent a landing to anyone other than the very foolish or the very brave, is much more like an elephant striding through the waves whose trunk is coiled rather than the bovine creature of its given name. Crashing over the waves in his RIB with skipper Paul OShea in the recently established Dursey Boat Trips, the uninhabitable Cow island presents itself in inanimated relief an elephant with head bowed and trunk resting in the water. Paul skilfully manoeuvres through the passage and kills the engine affording us a brief respite from the angry seas. The island is split in two with one splinter counterpointed by a 70m cliff-face on one side and utterly inhospitable seas on the other. The great characteristic of Cow is its tremendous sea arch which the sea has carved through its limestone precipices. It reaches high into the sky like the vault of a Gothic church. Kayaker David Walsh and a friend were the first people to record an ascent of the Cow which they managed in 2011. The summit is a bright green of grasses and even looks inviting enough for a picnic. David wrote: The climb is manageable. Remember to mark your route up and in particular the point where cliff meets flat top as getting this wrong on the way back down could prove tricky. Cows largest neighbour is the mighty Bull Rock whose tunnel was thought by one of the first peoples to land on this territory thousands of years ago, the Milesians, to be the gateway to the underworld. Very close by is the Calf whose stump of a lighthouse is all that remains of the structure built there in 1886 before a tremendous storm blew it into the ocean in 1881. That event forced the construction by the Commissioners of Irish Lights to build a new lighthouse on the Bull Rock. And what an awesome sight it is. Sadly, the last lighthouse keeper left in 1991 and now the lighthouse is fully automated. And finally, if you have a bull, a cow and a calf and there is another little rock adjacent you may as well call it a heifer. And that completes the quartet of the bovine family. However, a writer in the 19th century cast doubt on the origins of the names given to the islands. As we have seen in plenty of examples in this series the suffix ay or ey is the Norse word for island as in Lambay or Dursey. And the Vikings indeed sailed these waters. The name Calf is perhaps of Danishorigin; those of Bull and Cow may have subsequently been added, to make out the group, by persons unacquainted with the meaning of calf. However this be, the Calf of Man is an undoubted example. In Normandy, this word is supposed to be represented by cauf. The investigation of certain ruins, adjacent to one of the Greenland firths, was impeded by what are called in Danish kalvissen, by a number of which the firth was blocked up. This word doubtless means ice calves or small masses of ice near the large ones. "The word sound, applied to some of our narrow straits may be likewise in origin, wrote a George Downes for the Royal Irish Academy. Dursey, Dursey Sound and Cauf would seem to be indisputable evidence of the horn-helmeted ones. According to this theory Calf was so named as it resembled an iceberg that the Vikings were used to seeing. Though if that is the case why were the Bull and the Cow not named by them? Perhaps they were. And perhaps artefacts of their marauding still remain to be discovered there. How to get there: Tours but no landing: www.facebook.com/Durseyboattrips Other: Oileain, David Walsh, Pesda Press; On the Norse Geography of AncientIreland, George Downes, Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, Vol 19, 1843 This book by Tucson dentist Michael Mayo opens with this line: Wizardling is the story of Dr. Mayos transformation from a sorcerer to a wizard. Its his third recent text featuring communication with non-human beings. The Source, this books non-human being, leads the speakers transformation to wizard. The difference, he explains, between a sorcerer and a wizard is that while a sorcerer has survived a leap into a metaphysical abyss, a wizard has passed over the abyss as a dis-embodied point of awareness. In this book (Dr. Mayo has experienced all these adventures, he writes), the speaker gets his wizards robes, is protected by an elf and a giant, and encounters fairies and temptresses and an Ancient Mariner in an active-dreaming, rapidly shifting, almost incoherent narrative. Helene Woodhams retired from Pima County Public Library, where she was literary arts librarian and coordinator of Southwest Books of the Year, the librarys annual literature review. Christine Wald-Hopkins is a former educator and occasional essayist. Wald-Hopkins has long been a book critic for national, regional and local newspapers. If you are a Southern Arizona author and would like your book to be considered for this column, send a copy to: Sara Brown, 4850 S. Park Ave., Tucson, AZ 85714. Give the price and a contact name. Books must have been published within a year. JNU violence: A clash broke out between members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students' Union and the ABVP on the university campus on Sunday, sources said. According to the sources, the clash took place during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers' Association. The students' union claimed that its president Aishe Ghosh and many other students were injured in stone pelting by ABVP members. The JNUSU claimed that "ABVP members wearing masks were moving around on the campus with lathis, rods and hammers". "They are pelting bricks...getting into hostels and beating up students. Several teachers and students have also been beaten up," the JNUSU claimed. Members of the Left-backed student outfits alleged that outsiders were allowed to enter the campus and they barged into hostels, including girls' hostels. But the RSS-backed students' organisation alleged that its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits and 25 of them were injured. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) claimed that its members were brutally attacked by students affiliated to Left student organisations SFI, AISA and DSF. "Around 25 students have been seriously injured in the attack and there is no information about whereabouts of 11 students. Many ABVP members are being attacked in hostels and the hostels are being vandalised by the Leftist goons," the ABVP said. Follow Live updates on JNU violence on BusinessToday.In: 11:42 PM: Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray condemns violence against JNU students. A military officers anthology of Sinhala and English poems to be launched on Saturday View(s): Sith Mal Dam, an anthology of poems by Albert Petikitiarachchi, will be launched on January 11 at 9 a.m. at the Town, Council Public Library auditorium on Queen Mary Road in Gamapaha. The book is published by S. Godage and Brothers (Pvt ) Ltd. Having read the book, I realised that the poems both in Sinhala and English are not merely a combination of lines with stressed and unstressed syllables of words being formed into verses, but they are enriched with a combination of feelings and emotions expressed sensitively and imaginatively with control of language to be appreciated critically by the reader. The author has composed the poems both in structured verses and in the form of free style. The symbolism, metaphorical expressions and their impressions and sensibilities to words are found to be in relation to our thoughts conceived in our minds but hidden in the heaving ripples due to superficial distractions. I believe the writer has successfully conveyed the intended message to us through his poetic conversations. I wish to quote a verse from the poem, Marigolds. Marigolds, you look straight up Posing too proud to yield Swaying to the tune of the breeze, That peeps cool through the field. Here he has used the ballad meter, the iambic tetrameter alternates with trimeter rhyming a,b,c,b. The whole poem is about a battle in the human mind between the human pride and social needs. It encourages the present day youth to be proactive in their social behaviour to achieve their targets. Prof. Aruna Munasinghe, a literary critic and visiting consultant physician at the Gampaha District Hospital, in his preface to the book says the poems prompted him to reflect on his schooldays and appreciate the work of Wordsworth and the like. Also Dr. Priyanwada Wanigasuriya, a Kalaniya University senior lecturer, has commended that the author being an ex-serviceman in the rank of Lt. Colonel, has taken a step forward to present his creative work and emerge as a poet as he completes 80 years of his life. Sith Mal Dam is a book that should not be missed by literature lovers. I wish him good luck and long life! - M.P. Priyanka Dilahani Senior Assistant Librarian, the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, the University of Colombo. California Insider: Interview With Williamson Evers on Californias State of Education My next guest is Williamson Evers, an expert on education policy, and today we discuss the state of public education in California. Dr. Evers headed the Trump-Pence transitions agency review for the U.S. Department of Education. He is now a senior fellow and director of the center on educational excellence at the Independent Institute. His articles have appeared in publications such as Education Week, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and the Christian Science Monitor, and he is a past member of the editorial board of Education Next. New Delhi/IBNS: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday termed the mob attack on Gurudwara Nankana Sahib "condemnable" and said the incident of vandalism is against his "vision" and his government will show "zero tolerance" against those involved in it. Gurudwara Nankana Sahib is the birthplace of the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak. Despite the blatant mob attack on the religious site and repetitive incidents of abductions and forced conversions of young women of minority communities, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said the incident was against his "vision" and different from the attacks on Muslims in India. "The major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident & the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims & other minorities is this: the former is against my vision & will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police & judiciary," he tweeted. "In contrast, Modi's RSS vision supports minorities oppression & the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police leads anti-Muslim attacks," he added. A huge mob surrounded the religious site and pelted stones when pilgrims were inside it, local reports said. The situation was controlled after a police force was sent to the spot. India issued a statement strongly condmening the attack and asked the government of Pakistan to ensure protection of minorities on its soil. Leaders across party lines condemned the mob attack on the iconic gurudwara, terming it "shameful" and "cowardly". Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday established a National Bushfire Recovery Agency to co-ordinate recovery efforts ranging from rebuilding infrastructure to providing mental health support even as authorities struggled to tackle the raging bushfire crisis which has so far claimed the lives of 24 people. The agency, headed by former federal police chief Andrew Colvin, will help bushfire affected communities recover, media reports said. Morrison, who is facing widespread criticism in Australia for his handling of the crisis, said: "This organisation will be stood up for at least two years. I have no doubt they will have a long list of recovery tasks that (the states) will be performing rebuilding bridges, roads and other critical infrastructure and we will work hand in glove". The agency will be modelling its operations closely on the successful response provided to the North Queensland floods, he said. "That agency will be drawing on a series of support measures that includes mental health. It's important we are addressing the mental health needs as well as the many other health needs that will need to be addressed," Morrison said. Morrison was criticised for taking a family vacation in Hawaii at the start of the wildfire crisis, with many people complaining about the lack of readiness in utilisation of resources. Last week, he was heckled when he visited a township in New South Wales where houses have been destroyed and one of them belonged to one of the three volunteer firefighters who have died in the crisis. Fresh warnings were issued to hundreds of people sheltering in New South Wales' coastal town of Eden with authorities urging them to vacate the area immediately. Australian authorities continued to struggle with the ongoing bushfire crisis across several states including Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. According to media reports, dozens of people had sought shelter on Eden's wharf, but police said that area was no longer safe. The police officers warning tourists and those not able to defend their homes to leave, said: "We cannot guarantee your safety at present under the conditions that we have now here at the Eden Wharf". New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said reports of property losses "likely to be numbering in the hundreds" as a result of Saturday's fire activity. Morrison, in a press conference in the Parliament house on Saturday, said it was a very difficult day for Australia confirming 23 deaths for the fire season this year. One more person died trying to save a friend's home on Sunday. "I want to start by extending my sincere condolences and sympathies once again to all of those Australians and families who've lost loved ones during the course of these devastating bushfires. Twenty-three confirmed deaths to date and we are facing another extremely difficult next 24 hours," the Prime Minister said. The bushfire crisis has taken a very heavy toll with more than 1,500 homes already lost throughout the course of this fire season, which has been running since September, Morrison said. "I also want to acknowledge the outstanding work that is being done by all of those who've been turning out and responding to these natural disasters, not just in the states currently impacted most dreadfully, in New South Wales and Victoria today, but also up in Queensland, across in Western Australia, down in Tasmania, even today South Australia. This has been touching the entire country," he said. In Victoria, warnings on several fires were downgraded but there were still four emergency level warnings for fires and two evacuation warnings in place. Nearly 40 fires, over 923,000 hectares have been burned across Victoria and 110 homes have been confirmed lost, 220 outbuildings destroyed. Meanwhile, expected rainfall and cooler weather conditions on Sunday in the state including Gippsland region were said to bring no relief to the crisis. Emergency services minister Lisa Neville said rainfall of 200 mm over a few days would be needed to directly impact the flames, and that is "not on the horizon". Emergency Management Commission Andrew Crisp said the rain could in fact make it harder to access remote areas for back burning or other assistance. In NSW, 18 people lost their lives in 150 bushfires burning, 64 un-contained across the state. More than 3.6 million hectares have been burned with over 1300 homes destroyed. In Victoria, two people are confirmed dead while in South Australia three people are confirmed dead with 15 bushfires burning. No loss of life has been reported from Western Australia where 30 bushfires are burning. Queensland has 30 bushfires while Tasmania 23 bushfires burning. Over 3,000 firefighters are on the frontline, with 31 specialist strike teams in place across NSW. Australia's military has been assisting with aerial reconnaissance, mapping, search and rescue, logistics and aerial support for months. Prime Minister Morrison has cancelled his planned first visit to India from January 13 due to the catastrophic bushfire crisis. Iran has promised severe revenge for the United States' killing of Qasem Soleimani, the country's powerful military commander. Across the Middle East, these threats of confrontation have put on high alert the bases, ports and other installations where U.S. troops are based or pass through. On Friday, the Pentagon announced that it was sending an additional 3,500 troops to the region, while troops in Italy were put on standby, according to defense officials. The troop escalation came just days after President Donald Trump ordered an additional 750 U.S. soldiers to the Middle East and 3,000 more to be on alert for future deployment, after pro-Iranian forces stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as part of a worsening cycle of violence. The United States has tens of thousands of military personnel at bases and aboard ships across the Middle East, as well as arrangements with various countries to move soldiers and military equipment through airstrips and ports. Here's a look at some of these places, which could now be targets. - Iraq: Estimated 6,000 troops U.S. officials won't say exactly how many troops there are in Iraq or where they are based. There are an estimated 6,000 troops stationed across the country, including in the Green Zone, Baghdad's walled-off diplomatic area, and at al-Asad Air Base, where Vice President Mike Pence visited U.S. troops in November. Tensions are extremely high in Iraq, which is stuck in the middle of the U.S.-Iranian faceoff. That's put a spotlight on U.S. citizens and installations there: On Friday, the State Department ordered all American citizens to leave the country. Then, on Saturday, rockets were fired at the Green Zone and Balad air base, both of which have U.S. troops stationed there. No one was hurt, and such attacks aren't uncommon. Still, it's left people bracing for more - and worse. - Syria: Estimated 800 troops U.S. officials are also tight-lipped about how many U.S. troops are in Syria and where. As many as 800 remain in the country after the Trump administration abruptly withdrew soldiers in October. At that time, the number was around 2,000. The U.S. garrison at Tanf, by the Syrian-Jordanian border, is now one potential flash point, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group has warned, because Iranian and Iranian-backed forces are deployed nearby. - Afghanistan: Estimated 14,000 troops Afghanistan, where around 14,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed and which is in southern Asia, could become another "arena for U.S.-Iranian contestation," the ICG has warned. In November, Trump made a surprise visit to troops stationed at Afghanistan's Bagram air base. - Kuwait: About 13,000 troops The United States has about 13,000 military personnel spread among several bases in Kuwait, according to the Congressional Research Service. The two countries have had a Defense Cooperation Agreement since the 1991 Persian Gulf War. - Jordan: About 3,000 troops Jordan - bordering Iraq, Syria, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as Saudi Arabia - is a strategically located U.S. ally. Its Muwaffaq Salti Air Base was an important launching point in the battle against the Islamic State, and there are plans to upgrade the complex. In November 2016, three U.S. soldiers were killed by a Jordanian air force sergeant in a rare shooting at King Faisal Air Base. - Saudi Arabia: Estimated 3,000 troops In October, the United States announced that it was sending additional troops to Saudi Arabia as tensions with Iran continued to build. Saudi Arabia and Iran have long been regional rivals: The two are involved in a proxy war in Yemen. Washington has accused Iran of attacking oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia, which Iran has denied. - Bahrain: More than 7,000 troops Bahrain hosts a U.S. Navy base, where several thousand personnel are stationed or pass through. The island nation is a close ally of Saudi Arabia and has supported Trump's aggressive stance toward Iran. Bahrain also suppressed a Shiite uprising in 2011, putting it further at odds with Iran's government. - Oman: About 600 troops Oman hosts only a few hundred troops. In March, it signed a deal allowing U.S. planes and warships to use some Omani airstrips and ports. Most important, Oman is along the Arabian Peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil choke point. It's also where the United States and Iran for months have been engaged in oil tanker standoffs: Since withdrawing from the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal almost two years ago, the United States has increased pressure on Iran, including canceling waivers for countries to buy Iranian oil. Iran has in turn threatened to close access to the strait, which would severely constrain access to oil. Washington has also accused Iran of sabotaging oil tankers in the waterway, which Iran has denied. - United Arab Emirates: Up to 5,000 troops The UAE is another country near the Strait of Hormuz that's been part of the tanker confrontations. It has hosted as many as 5,000 troops in recent years and is traditionally allied with Saudi Arabia and the United States. But rising tensions in the region have put the UAE on edge, and it has taken a somewhat more conciliatory approach to Iran in recent months. - Qatar: As many as 13,000 troops Qatar is home to al-Udeid, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East. In 2018, Qatar announced a $1.8 billion plan to upgrade the base. The move came as Qatar was battling a blockade by rivals Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. - Turkey: Estimated 2,500 troops Turkey hosts U.S. troops at Incirlik Air Base, as well as other sites where NATO forces are deployed. The Turkish government plans to roll out a series of new steps to boost women's employment next year, from flexible working hours to longer leaves and remote working options. It will also endorse the development of digital business models allowing employees to work independently of a fixed location, Daily Sabah reports. The employment rate still lags behind men for women in Turkey and fluctuates around 30%. Turkey aims to boost it to at least 34% by 2023. The Ministry of Industry and Technology will join forces with the Ministry of National Education for women's employment in more qualified jobs. Entrepreneurship training for having more women in the workforce based on their skills will also be supported. The government will also expand daycare facilities in industrial and technology zones where companies are concentrated, to encourage women who had to quit their jobs after giving birth to return to work. Another plan is the expansion of businesses with flexible working conditions, especially in software development and informatics where working from home is possible, to encourage more women to participate in the workforce. Ronald Joseph Ryan from Carlton in Melbourne, was sentenced to death after escaping Pentridge Prison Unseen footage of the last criminal to be hung in Australia has emerged. Ronald Joseph Ryan from Carlton in Melbourne, was sentenced to death after escaping Pentridge Prison with a fellow inmate Peter Walker in 1964. Raised by alcoholic and abusive parents, Ryan had several run-ins with the law from since he was a child after stealing a watch. He was made a ward of a state and at 28 was acquitted of an arson charge, placed on a good behaviour bond for forging cheques. Six years later he was leading gangs to break into stores and was known as a professional criminal. In April 1960, Ryan was arrested but escaped from police and was caught several days later. He pleaded guilty to eight charges of breaking and stealing, and one of escaping from legal custody and was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years' jail. ABC archives show mass demonstrations of the community protesting against capital punishment as then Victorian Premier Henry Bolte refused to commute Ryan's death. The pair hatched the plan during Ryan's first year of his eight-and-a-half year sentence for robbery, which resulted in the death of a prison guard. On December 19, 1965, they climbed a wall and jumped into a tower where they stole a rifle and forced a guard to open the gate. Prison guard George Hodson was one of the few catching up to Ryan and Walker when he was shot in the chest and died. Ryan and Walker stole a car and fled the prison and were on the run for 19 days before a tip-off informed police they were in Sydney. On January 6, the pair were extradited back to Melbourne to be trialled for the Mr Hodson's murder, which began on March 15, 1966. Ryan claimed he didn't fire the shot and no forensic testing was conducted because the bullet could not be found. When was capital punishment abolished? Queensland 1922 New South Wales 1955 Tasmania 1968 Northern Territory and ACT 1973 Victoria 1975 South Australia 1976 Western Australia - 1984 Advertisement Witness statements were also differing with some saying Ryan shot Mr Hodson, while others said another prison guard shot him. A 12-day trial found Ryan guilty of murder and would be hanged on January 9, 1967. His attorney Philip Opas, QC, flew to London to make an appeal to the Privy Council which was rejected setting the new execution date to January 30. Another appeal was ordered the day before his execution due to supposed new evidence but was rejected and the new execution date was set for February 3. Walker was convicted for manslaughter and was released from prison in 1984. A 12-day trial found Ryan (middle) guilty of murder and would be hanged on January 9, 1967 Crowds appeared outside Pentridge jail calling for the stop of Ryan's death penalty Footage shows crowds holding placards calling for the stop of capital punishment while people compared Premier Bolte to Hitler for his decision. Reports described the scenes as 'ugly and rather unpleasant' as people chanted 'don't hang him'. The day before Ryan's execution, his mother Cecilia, was allowed to visit him and said the punishment was 'unjust'. 'As he said, had he been guilty he may have deserved it, but not being guilty, he doesn't deserve it,' she told ABC at the time. 'He's quite sure the gun didn't go off. He said he had it in his hand and he said 'it didn't go off, it didn't'. 'He knows that he didn't do it.' Ryan (pictured) was hanged at 8am on February 3 after being found guilty for the murder of prison guard George Hodson On February 3, a crowd appeared in front of the jail, many with somber expressions with the decision to go ahead and execute Ryan. He was hanged at 8am that day in Pentridge jail and told the hangman, 'God bless you. Whatever you do, do it quickly'. Ryan, who was the last person to be executed to death, is survived by his three daughters. His fellow inmate Walker, then had another stint in jail in 2002 for theft and cultivating cannabis, and was arrested again in 2014 on deception, drugs and firearm offences. In 2016, at the age of 74, Walker was sentenced to seven years and two months in prison. IRGC: Strategic revenge to end US presence in region Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 5:17 PM Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps says the strategic revenge that will follow the United States' assassination of senior IRGC commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani will surely end Washington's regional presence. Major General Hossein Salami, the chief commander of the IRGC, which serves as Iran's elite defense force, made the remarks to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting News agency on Saturday. "General Soleimani's assassination is the beginning of the end of the US's presence in the region," Salami said. On Friday, US drones struck a convoy carrying Soleimani, the commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) anti-terror group, on the Baghdad International Airport road. General Soleimani would cooperate side by side with the PMU in the face of the most deadly terrorist outfits to ever afflict the region, including the Daesh Takfiri group. The Islamic Republic has denounced Soleimani's assassination as "an act of state terrorism," saying it belies Washington's claim of fighting terrorism in the region. Tehran has said it reserves the right to respond in kind, and pledged not to abandon its contribution to regional counterterrorism efforts. Salami said the assassination gave rise to such "vengeance and hatred" across the Muslim world that "naturally produced new energy for a struggle against the Americans not only on one spot, but on an extensive front." The atrocity negated all of the US's previous efforts at representing itself as a friend of nations and mobilizing free and independent regional nations against their ruling establishments. "Soleimani' s assassination caused Washington's policy in the Islamic world to break down," he said. IRGC threatens US with 'revolutionary fury' The remarks were echoed by the IRGC's Navy commander, who vowed a furious revenge. "We are prepared to exact a great revenge on the murderers, operatives, and supporters behind the atrocity, which witnessed the assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani," the IRGC Navy's Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said in a statement carried by IRNA. "We are ready and cannot wait to visit the revolutionary fury of the Muslim world upon the [international] American and Zionist movement." Tangsiri called Soleimani the symbol representing the struggle against terrorism, saying he had been assassinated by the "most ruthless people of the world." Assassinating either Soleimani or any other members of the "zealous revolutionary movement, which has robustly taken form and planted root across the region" would not serve to eliminate the movement, he added. Martyrdom of any member of the movement would conversely inject new blood into its veins, the official said, predicting that the very movement would eventually exterminate the global arrogance and eradicate oppression, atrocity, and occupation throughout the region. Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, a top military advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said since the assassination thousands of American forces had holed up in their hideouts, fearing reprisal by the regional resistance movement. "It is this very fear, which will pave the way for their defeat," he noted, and said outraged by the assassination, the regional resistance movement and nations would face the Americans with "ignominious" expulsion. Former defense minister and the current head of the Supreme Sacred Defense University, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi also said the Americans naturally had to pay for the atrocity. "We are not after war, but will certainly seek restoration of our right and retribution." Vahidi also commented on Ayatollah Khamenei's appointment of Brigadier General Morteza Qa'ani to the position of the Quds Force's commandership. He called Qa'ani the best choice for the position, and said the appointment served to send across the message that General Soleimani's path will continue to be pursued strongly and uninterruptedly. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address TypingDNA, a NYC-based behavioral-biometrics company, raised $7m in Series A funding. The round was led by Gradient Ventures, with participation from GapMinder, Techstars Ventures and other prior investors. The company plans to use the funds to expand its developer support network and offer more tools to integrate their API with existing website development platforms. Led by Raul Popa, CEO and Co-founder, TypingDNA has developed proprietary artificial intelligence algorithms to authenticate users based on how they type. Through a training process of watching user keystrokes, TypingDNA can recognize further attempts from a specific user by matching them against their known account. This technology, known as typing biometrics, will enable existing applications such as authentication, fraud detection, password recovery, and online education assessment to fingerprint users more securely than traditional forms of two-factor authentication. Its Authentication API accepts user keystrokes in a standardized and open-sourced format allowing integration into any desktop or mobile application. Developers can implement TypingDNAs API as a passive two-factor authentication option, password recovery method, or simply to ensure inputs are matched to a given user. The companys mobile developer SDK also currently supports the latest version of iOS and Android applications. TypingDNA is currently ACE compliant for verifying students online, and European Banking Authority considers typing biometrics to be compliant for SCA regulation (2FA in banking and payments in EU). The company previously raised a $1.5M seed round. FinSMEs 04/01/2020 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Saturday stressed the "need for de-escalation" after the US assassination of a top Iranian in Baghdad. After meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Brussels, Borrell tweeted: "Spoke w Iranian FM @JZarif about recent developments. Underlined need for de-escalation of tensions, to exercise restraint & avoid further escalation". US President Donald Trump who ordered the precision drone strike in which Iran's Major General Qasem Soleimani was killed on Friday has said the military mastermind was planning an "imminent" attack on US diplomats and the roughly 5,200 American troops deployed in Baghdad. Borrell said he also urged Zarif to maintain the landmark nuclear accord negotiated between Iran and the UN Security Council permanent members -- Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany. The deal, also known as the JCPOA, offered Tehran relief from stinging sanctions in return for curbs to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons. Agreed in 2015 it has been at risk of falling apart since Trump unilaterally withdrew from it in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. "Also discussed importance of preserving #JCPOA, which remains crucial for global security. I am committed to role as coordinator," Borrell said. A furious Iran has vowed revenge for the killing of Soleimani, the chief architect of its military operations across the Middle East. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A technician works on the construction site of a new container terminal at the port of Abidjan on March 27, 2019. The modernization of Abidjan Port which started in 2012 are led by Chinese engineers and workers whose country finances up to 1,100 billion FCFA (1.67 billion euros). (Issouf Sanogo /AFP via Getty Images) Africa Beginning to Push Back Against Chinas Predatory Strategy News Analysis Yang Jiechi, Chinas top diplomat, recently made several stops in Africa to monitor Chinese interests and bolster bilateral relations on the continent. Yang, the director of the Office of Foreign Affairs and a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo, also made sure to criticize those who accuse the Chinese regime of taking advantage of Africa and engaging in neocolonialism. Some people who are unhappy about the growing ChinaAfrica relations have made groundless accusations to defame and attack our cooperation, Yang said in a speech on Dec. 22, as reported by Xinhua News, the state-controlled media outlet. Those who attempt to undermine the traditional friendship between China and Africa will only fail. The Chinese regime has faced increasing criticism in recent years for its engagement with African countries. Over the past decade, Beijing has become the most important economic partner to Africa across trade, investment, financial aid, and infrastructure financing. But the regimes goals arent entirely altruistic. The belief is that Beijing ensnares developing countries into accepting expensive loans, and when incompetent leaders cant balance the budget to repay such loans, the regime imposes heavy punishment such as asset takeovers and other concessions. More than 10,000 Chinese-owned firms are operating in Africa, with Nigeria, Zambia, and Tanzania attracting the most attention from Chinese companies, according to a 2017 report by consultancy McKinsey & Co. In manufacturing, we estimate that 12 percent of Africas industrial productionvalued at some $500 billion a year in totalis already handled by Chinese firms, according to McKinsey. In infrastructure, Chinese firms dominance is even more pronounced, and they claim nearly 50 percent of Africas internationally contracted construction market. The Chinese regimes most visible involvement in Africa is infrastructure development. Most of the new infrastructure projectsbridges, major highways, skyscrapers, and tunnelsare financed and built by Chinese firms, which use Chinese labor and Chinese materials. Debt Trap France, the United States, and the UK have faced criticism for exploiting Africa historically. Today, that role is being played by the Chinese regime. On the surface, the regimes infrastructure investment in Africa is to assist in development and to increase commerce. But in providing so much financing, Beijing has the future fate of the continent under its thumb. Africa is central to the regimes One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road) initiative in expanding geopolitical influence, which includes access to Africas oil, natural resources, and strategic location. Between 2000 and 2017, Beijing loaned more than $140 billion to African countries, according to a report by Washington-based think tank Brookings Institute. Most of that lending has been concentrated in a few resource-rich countries. By sector, lending has been focused on the important and strategic industries of transportation, power grid, and mining. The debt trap narrative isnt going away. And whats happened recently in Zambia bolsters such criticism against the CCP. Zambia, which has had trouble paying the debt it owes the regime, reportedly has offered major state assets as collateral. The exact amount Zambia owes Beijing is debatablethe U.S. government claims the figure could be as high as $10 billion, but Zambia, according to a December 2018 Reuters report, claims that only $3.1 billion is owed. The real debt figure is unknown, as much of its debt to China has not been fully accounted for, an exercise the Lusaka exchequer is not anxious to complete, for fear of the alarm the figures would cause, Africa Confidential reported. Zambia held talks with the CCP regarding handing over ZESCO, the state utility company, to China as payment in kind, sources told the newsletter. China is already in control of the countrys broadcasting company, ZNBC. There are also fears the main airport in Lusaka could be the next target. Attitudes regarding Chinas presence amid Zambian media is highly polarized, with an increasing number of headlines critical of Beijings motives, as well as the quality and longevity of Chinese-led projects. Some African countries are beginning to push back against Chinas predatory strategy. In mid-2019, Tanzania suspended plans to team up with China to construct East Africas biggest port in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. China Merchant Holding International was slated to be the sole port operator. Citing disagreements with Chinese investors over exploitative and awkward demands, Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli called off the project. They want us to give them a guarantee of 33 years and a lease of 99 years, and we should not question whoever comes to invest there once the port is operational. They want to take the land as their own but we have to compensate them for drilling construction of that port, Magufuli told The Economic Times of India last year. Beijing also demanded from Tanzanian government loss compensation during the project, as well as tax and customs duty waivers. Tanzanias rejection of the Chinese regime follows the cancellation of a Chinese-funded project in Sierra Leone in 2018. A proposed $320 million airportto be financed by Beijingoutside Sierra Leones capital of Freetown was scrapped in late 2018, after the country deemed the project to be uneconomical and unnecessary. The Prime Minister has been accused of not paying attention to events in the Middle East while on holiday in the Caribbean (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has insisted Boris Johnson is in charge and in constant contact despite being on holiday as tensions soar in the Middle East. But Labours shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has accused the PM of sunning himself drinking vodka martinis somewhere else and not paying attention while in the Caribbean. Due to return to Downing Street on Sunday, Mr Johnson is facing mounting calls to make a statement on the fatal drone strike on Irans military leader General Qassem Soleimani. He has stayed silent while celebrating New Year on the private island of Mustique with partner Carrie Symonds. Expand Close Dominic Raab says the Prime Minister has been engaged in diplomatic efforts (Kirsty OConnor/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dominic Raab says the Prime Minister has been engaged in diplomatic efforts (Kirsty OConnor/PA) Mr Raab insisted he has been in constant contact with the PM and spoke to him on Friday over the escalating crisis triggered by US President Donald Trumps air strike in Iraq. He told Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday: The Prime Minister is in charge. In fact Ive been in constant contact with him over the Christmas break on a whole range of foreign policy issues. Mr Raab said he had spoken to the Iraqi prime minister and president and will be speaking to Irans foreign minister before meeting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington on Thursday. He insisted the Government has a clear strategy, adding: And so the diplomatic effort goes on and indeed the Prime Minister has been engaged in that as well. Mr Raab also issued the strongest UK defence of the US attack to date, accusing hardliners in Tehran of nefarious behaviour, describing General Soleimani as a regional menace and saying the United States has the right of self-defence. The Foreign Office has issued strengthened travel advice to Britons across the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, while the Navy will begin accompanying UK-flagged ships through the key oil route of the Strait of Hormuz. Weve had three Cobra meetings where Mark Sedwill, the chief civil servant, has had to chair it because the Prime Minister hasnt been availableEmily Thornberry But Ms Thornberry hit back and accused the Government of doing too little, too late. We should take responsibility, we are international players of course we have other preoccupations and clearly the Prime Minister has a lot of preoccupations, hes sunning himself drinking vodka martinis somewhere else and not paying attention to this, she told Ridge. Weve had three Cobra meetings where Mark Sedwill, the chief civil servant, has had to chair it because the Prime Minister hasnt been available. She accused Mr Johnson of dismissing her concerns the president was ripping up the Iran nuclear deal when he was foreign secretary. I remember saying to Boris Johnson Im really worried that the president is going to rip up the Iranian nuclear deal and he said to me you should spend a bit less time reading the newspapers, Ms Thornberry said. Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn earlier said Mr Johnson should have immediately cut short his holiday to deal with an issue that could have grave consequences for the UK and the world. Acting Lib Dem co-leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Johnsons silence on Trumps dangerous assassination in Iraq is deafening. George Frese, one of the men imprisoned for killing Hartman in 1997, is sworn in before he gives his testimony Thursday afternoon, October 15, 2015 at the Rabinowitz Courthouse. The Four, George Frese, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent and Marvin Roberts were convicted in the killing of 15-year old Hartman 18 years ago. Roberts was released on parole this summer, the other three men remain in jail. Press Release January 4, 2020 De Lima denounces resurgence of fake news vs her Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has denounced anew the resurgence of misleading content and fake news stories directed to her which she counts as a part of an obviously well-oiled and well-orchestrated campaign to discredit her. De Lima, a former justice secretary, said the makers and purveyors of fake news have been working double time again to spread fake news against her as she continues to receive support from the international community, particularly from US lawmakers. "After the passage into law of the United States 2020 Appropriations Bill which includes an amendment imposing an entry ban to government officials responsible for my wrongful imprisonment, there has been a resurgence of fake news against me, including false narratives and misleading headlines," she said. "These evil men and women who resort to the use of social media to spread outright lies and propagate hate speech online will stop at nothing to propel their political agendas to greater heights," she added. Recently, pro-Duterte pages are using various social media platforms, including Facebook, to share and re-share the link of an old YouTube video that ran a misleading headline implying that De Lima tolerates prison gangs who are exerting control over the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). Uploaded by pro-Duterte YouTube channel "Duterte Latest News" three years ago, the video's headline read: "Full story of Gangs control Bilibid prison in Manila with blessing of Leila de Lima." Upon careful fact-checking, the video was actually the 2013 documentary produced by Discovery Channel entitled "Inside the Gangster's code," showing ex-mafia insider Lou Ferrante revealing the untold secrets of prison gang culture, including his meeting with the world's most ruthless prison gangs. The trailer of the documentary series was originally uploaded on YouTube Channel of Discovery UK with the title "Gang Boss Conference - The Philippines - Inside the Gangster Code." De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte administration, pointed out that the purveyors of fake news are re-sharing the link to the old video in a desperate attempt to damage her reputation. "As then justice secretary, I worked hard to combat illegal drugs and stop the luxurious culture of Bilibid inmates. These paid trolls are hell-bent on damaging my good reputation by discrediting my efforts and making me look an evil person," she said. "Whatever lies they spread about me, the good men and women who continue to support my good causes, including the defenders of human rights here and abroad, can never be fooled into believing fake news about me," she added. Last Dec. 20, US President Donald 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 involved in De Lima's wrongful detention. The provision in the US Fiscal Year 2020 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill was introduced by US Senators Richard Durbin and Patrick Leahy last Sept. 27 and adopted at the committee level. After Trump's signing into law of the US 2020 Appropriations Bill, Mr. Duterte's allies launched tirades against Senators Durbin and Leahy and other supporters of De Lima. Takano described how Ghosn would ask his lawyers the same question again and again as the months went by: Could he expect a fair trial in Japan? Their answer was always no no criminal defendant in Japan can expect a fair trial. Still, they argued, the evidence against him was weak, and there was still a good chance they would establish his innocence. A new law extending the minimum jail time that murderers serve hasnt been activated yet so families bereaved by murder are begging Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to implement the Parole Act 2019, writes Liz Dunphy Families bereaved by murder are begging Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to bring them some peace this year by quickly putting into effect the new law on parole. They say the Parole Act 2019 which would extend the minimum term of a life sentence from seven to 12 years would give them some relief, knowing that their loved ones killers will not be released in 2020. The act was passed by the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President in July of last year but it has not yet ben put into effect because Mr Flanagan has not issued the ministerial order it requires to come into operation. The issue is an urgent one for Sinead OLeary. The killer who stabbed her more than 20 times, breaking a knife in her body before murdering her best friend, is due a parole hearing as early as this November. Ms OLeary and Nichola Sweeney were getting ready together for a night out when Peter Whelan, then 19, broke into the Sweeney family home in Rochestown, in Cork City, fatally stabbing Nichola, 20, and leaving Sinead, then 19, for dead on April 27, 2002. Whelan was sentenced to life in prison for Ms Sweeneys murder, and 15 years for Ms OLearys attempted murder. The sentences were to run consecutively. Ms OLeary is now calling on the justice minister to commence the Parole Act before the general election. She said: The nature of the killing meant that Judge Carney did not want him [Whelan] to be released soon and gave him consecutive sentences. He considered him to be a danger. Nichola Sweeney was getting ready for a night out with her best friend Sinead OLeary when Whelan stabbed her to death. He attempted to murder me, so the need to protect my safety is ongoing. He has been fighting for release since his trial. He appealed his sentence straight away, he appealed all the way to the European Court of Human Rights hes always been working away at it. Its frightening and it shows that he has no sense of accountability for his crimes. Yet, hes been granted day releases which we can only assume is in preparation for his parole. The OLeary and Sweeney families discovered to their horror through a journalist that Whelan had returned to Cork multiple times on escorted day releases after serving just six years of his life sentence for killing Nichola, and 11 of the 15 years he was sentenced to for attempting to murder Sinead. Both families said the Department of Justice has repeatedly refused to tell them whether the visits will be discontinued. Ms OLeary said: My biggest concern is that he does not come to Cork at the moment. Its stressful for Nicholas parents. Theyll never get over Nicholas death, and they deserve some peace. Why was he seeing the parole board when he was serving consecutive sentences? The decision went against Judge Carneys ruling. Attempting to murder me meant that protecting my safety should be an ongoing concern. But the State has put Peter Whelan first. Its tainted my view of Irish justice. He gets free legal aid but his victims dont. The State has shelled out a lot of money for him but not for me. I want my victim impact statement to be read out to the Parole Board. So far in the process my voice has not been heard. I wasnt even told that he had been left out on day release. It doesnt make sense allowing him to meet family four times a year when he hadnt even served his life sentence first. Thats crazy to me. She said the only logical conclusion that can be drawn is that Whelan is not facing the consequences of his crimes. It was not a crime of passion, it was not gangland. The nature of the crime shows that he is a very dangerous individual. Something should be set up so there is proper support for the victim. Because now, theres really nothing. A victim has been through intense trauma, and even mentally at least, they will have life-changing injuries. Wheres the support for them? He had only served six years of his life sentence seven years is the minimum term for life. I want to ask Charlie Flanagan when he was let out and why he was let out. Are the visits still going ahead? And when will the new Parole Act be commenced? It was passed in July last year with no opposition to it, but its still not in force. It would have serious ramifications for my family and for her [Nicholas] family if we encountered him [Whelan] in Cork. Ms OLeary said that getting official information on the case has not been easy and the uncertainty of Whelans whereabouts has made her and the Sweeney family deeply uneasy. You have to push for information all the time, she said. The next parole hearing is November 2020. Who knows what will happen then? I always let things go with Peter Whelan before, hes a sick individual. But now I feel like I have rights too. Im the victim here. Ive built a life here, I should not have to move away or feel afraid that he is just up the road. This is something I should fight for. Its shocking to me that the recommendations of the Parole Board was for Peter Whelan to have regular contact with Cork City again. Its clear that the States priority is the prisoner not the safety of the victim or the public. Sarah Hines, her two children and Alicia Brough - all murdered by John Geary Maria Dempseys daughter Alicia Brough was killed while trying to protect her friend Sarah Hines and her two young children from Sarahs violent ex, John Geary. John Geary pleaded guilty to murdering his ex, her two children, and Alicia Brough. Picture: Don Moloney / Press 22 Geary stabbed Alicia, 20, Sarah, 25, baby Amy, and her brother Reece, 3, to death with knives and a screwdriver in November 2010 in Newcastle West, Co Limerick. Mrs Dempsey received Alicias ashes on the day that she should have been celebrating her 21st birthday. Geary pleaded guilty to the four murders and in 2013 he was sentenced to four life sentences. However, unlike the Rochestown murder case, Justice Paul Carney ruled that the sentences should run concurrently or at the same time so the murderer would effectively serve time for only one of the killings. The judge said that he had no power to specify a minimum term to be served and if he ordered the sentences to run consecutively one after the other another court could overturn it. After serving just seven years in prison for the four violent murders, Geary was due his first parole hearing. Mrs Dempsey, from Rockchapel, Co Cork, said the parole system traumatises murder victims families, and that extending the minimum life sentence term from seven to 12 years would give families some reprieve between court cases and parole hearings. His seven-year review was in 2017. Hes due his next parole hearing next year. Im hoping the new Parole Act will be in soon, which would delay his next parole hearing until 2022. That would give us a better recovery time. Its only fair that victims have that peace. The current system isnt really a deterrent because the perpetrator can just carry on creating more trauma for families who are already traumatised. The State has to show that its taking murder seriously. Murder is premeditated. Its ridiculous to have a hearing again after such a short time. Mrs Dempsey has campaigned for victims rights and against domestic violence since her daughters tragic death. I made the conscious decision to try to bring changes. I have to stop this; I have to try. And positive things are happening, like Ireland adopting the Istanbul Convention [to combat violence against women and domestic violence] and Irelands new familicide and domestic homicide review. We can change the future for other families. Members of SAVE [Sentencing and Victim Equality] welcome the new Parole Act, but we would like to go even further so a judge could name a minimum life sentence without parole 18 or 25 years. It would give so much peace to our lives especially after murder. The Parole Act 2019, which extends the minimum life sentence term, and establishes an independent parole board on a statutory basis, was sponsored by Fianna Fails justice spokesperson Jim OCallaghan. He told the Irish Examiner: I hope the act is being prioritised. Im disappointed that its not in force yet. The minister needs to commence the act soon, so that victims of crime can be better supported. Mr OCallaghan said that one of the delays in commencing the act may be in establishing the new parole board, whose members are required to have specific qualifications and experience as laid out in the act. But Mr OCallaghan wants recruitment to happen quickly. I havent seen an advert for the new board members yet. This needs to be expedited by ministers. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said the legislation to establish a new board is extremely complex and a huge amount of planning is taking place to establish the board. Commenting on Rochestown murderer Peter Whelans case, the spokesperson said: The distress that these dreadful events have caused the Sweeney family and Ms OLeary is unimaginable. Peter Whelan who murdered Nichola Sweeney and attempted to murder Sinead OLeary in a knife attack in 2002. The minister is very much aware of the impact that these crimes have had on them and has met and spoken with the Sweeney family in this regard. These are life-changing events from which it is difficult to recover. The minister sympathises greatly with Ms OLeary and the Sweeney family. The role of the Parole Board has always been to make expert recommendations on the management of long-term prisoners sentences. The system of parole seeks to achieve a balance of rights and needs taking account of the rights and needs of victims, of offenders, and of society in general. It is really important that release on parole is not conflated with occasional, escorted and supervised day release for particular purposes as part of a sentence-management programme recommended by the Parole Board. Such conflation may cause unnecessary distress to victims and the wider community. Victims are forgotten about The family of murdered Cork woman Amy McCarthy says victims relatives should be the first people informed of the initial crimes and the ensuing legal processes. Brian OLeary missed the frantic calls to tell him that his daughter had just been murdered and her picture was splashed across the press. When he saw the reports hours later, he found the graphic details of her injuries hard to believe. Brian OLeary holds a photograph of his late daughter Amy McCarthy, flanked by his sister-in-law Debbie McCarthy, left, and his sister Debbie OLeary, right. Mr OLeary says that the family was first told by the Irish Examiner that his daughters killer had lodged an appeal, and that victims families are frequently left in the dark regarding court proceedings. Picture: Denis Minihane Amy McCarthy, 22, had been murdered by the father of her young child, her long-term boyfriend who her parents had initially welcomed into the family home. It was just six days after he had been released from prison on parole. The press found out shortly after her death and published articles about the killing before Amys family was told. Since that first nightmare morning, they have had to grapple repeatedly with a system which they say is slanted towards the offender and against the victim. Now they are joining forces with other murder- bereaved families to push for greater rights for victims and are asking Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to commence the new Parole Act as one step towards recalibrating the scales of justice. Remembering that awful morning in April 2017, Brian said: My phone kept ringing but I missed the calls. When I eventually saw the newspaper article I rang the guards and asked them how much truth was in it. They told me, you cant believe everything you hear. But when I saw her in the morgue, I knew most of it was true. He didnt just kill her, he battered her. I wasnt even allowed to touch her because she belonged to the State then. How did they [the press] get the information first? The family should know first. It hurt. The papers even said her nose was broken and when I saw her, she had a big mark down her nose. I cant understand where they got that information. They used an old picture of her; it didnt even really look like her any more. His sister-in-law Debbie McCarthy insists the family always must be the first to know. Her picture was on the front page of the newspaper, she said. It listed her injuries. There was nothing to prepare us. We should have been told first. Amy, a new mother, was murdered by her babys father, Adam OKeeffe, who she first met aged 17. He killed her five years later in a squat on Sheares St in Cork, in April 2017. Amy McCarthy, aged 22, was murdered by her long-term partner and father of her young child, Adam OKeeffe, at Sheares St, Cork, in April 2017. OKeeffe denied murder but admitted manslaughter, forcing Amys family to endure the agony of a trial. However, after just two hours and 14 minutes, a jury unanimously found OKeeffe guilty of her murder. He is now appealing his murder conviction in a bid to get the charge reduced to manslaughter. Brian said the familys pain and agony continues. Hes still appealing his sentence, said Brian. He wants the charge reduced to manslaughter. So were dealing with that now. They wont even tell us on what grounds hes appealing it. We get no peace. We had to deal with the trial, now the appeal, then therell be a window of four years and hell be up for parole. So youre always thinking about it. Extending the minimum life sentence from seven to 12 years would make a difference, he added. We were first told by the Irish Examiner that he had lodged an appeal. We rang the gardai and they didnt know. We rang the person in the DPP dealing with the case and they didnt know, so they had to contact the appeals department to find out. They should have told us about it straight away. Amys body was found, with extensive bruising to the face, scalp, and neck, in the squat in Cork city centre. There was blood spattered on the wall. A post-mortem found she died from multiple injuries, including blunt-force trauma to the head and asphyxia caused by manual strangulation. Brian said OKeeffe at first claimed Amy had fallen down the stairs. Adam OKeeffe denied the murder of Amy McCarthy but admitted manslaughter. He was found guilty of murder but is now appealing. We didnt know that he did it at first. He was outside the building that day and drinking on the street. He was telling people she fell down the stairs, or that she choked on her vomit. When the ambulance arrived, he said: Oh, do you think she broke her neck? The guards told us that day that it was almost guaranteed to be a murder case. He was the suspect but they couldnt arrest him yet. He was out on the street, saying hed lost his missus, saying Im a widower, said Brian. While he was still out, we were getting messages from friends telling us where he was on what street or in which park. I asked [gardai] why arent you arresting him immediately? They said they needed to gather the evidence first. Having to sit metres away from Amys killer in court and listen to the details of her extensive injuries still haunts her family. No family showed up for him in court, Brian said. I wanted to use myself as a human missile and dive at him. Debbie admits she wanted to exact her own revenge. You get thoughts in your head that you never thought youd be capable of, like getting a squeezy bottle, filling it with acid and squirting it in his face in court, she said. Listening to the coroners report, I just felt myself sinking and sinking. We heard about everything, from the smallest bruise. She read out all the injuries. The poor jury, they had to look at photos that we didnt see. Two of the jurors were crying, Debbie said. He was a bully and a thug, but she loved him. Unfortunately. He killed the only person that ever loved him. He was invited into the home. My sister cooked for him, did his laundry. Just two years after Amys murder, her family was horrified to hear that OKeeffe was in Cork for a family court hearing about their child. Brian said the family was kept in the dark. We, as the grandparents, werent allowed in. Only he was allowed in, and he killed his childs mum, he said. We werent told by anyone in Government; we were just told by a social worker as a courtesy that hed be in court. And he had been up the day before and we didnt know. Debbie said victims are too often forgotten about. It beggars belief that Sinead OLeary was not told [when murderer Peter Whelan was in Cork]. She could be walking down Patrick St and see that monster walking towards her. Youd either crumble or youd attack. And it would traumatise you, she said. Victims are forgotten about. Its all about the murderers rights, not the victims. And its not just the immediate family the parents, siblings, and children the wider family are affected too. I miss her every day. We have pictures of her around the house. I talk to the photos and say hey Amy. She was hyperactive. And even if you had an argument with her you couldnt walk away from her without smiling. Brian recalls the time he noticed changes.When she found out that she was pregnant she changed completely, said Brian. He [OKeeffe] couldnt hack that. He was jealous of his own son. She pushed him aside when the baby was born. When he was born he [her son] was a bit premature so he was in hospital. He [OKeeffe] was seen hitting her on CCTV at the hospital. It was a couple of days after she gave birth. Social workers made it difficult to take the baby home and they wouldnt let us take him home because he [OKeeffe] knew where we lived. But he went into prison then, Brian added. Amy took the baby home and everything was going really well. Debbie remembers the time well. That Christmas was the happiest and healthiest Ive ever seen her, she said. Then he got out of prison on early release and drew her back in. He was only out six weeks when he killed her. For Brian, the most important thing now is protecting Amys son. I feel nothing for [OKeeffe]. Hes just a bully and a scumbag. I dont want Amys son knowing that she was murdered by his dad. The US military may strike more Iranian leaders if the Islamic Republic retaliates for the Trump administrations killing of Tehrans most powerful general last week by attacking Americans or American interests, secretary of state Mike Pompeo said. As Mr Pompeo conducted a round of TV interviews on Sunday to explain President Donald Trumps decision to target Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, the repercussions from that attack played out. The Iraqi parliament called on the 5,200 US forces in the country to leave; the US military coalition in Baghdad suspended training of Iraqi forces to concentrate on defending coalition troops; and in Beirut, the Lebanese Hezbollah chief said US forces throughout the Middle East are fair targets for retaliation. Expand Close A supporter of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah wears the words powerful revenge on her hand (Maya Alleruzzo/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A supporter of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah wears the words powerful revenge on her hand (Maya Alleruzzo/AP) In Tehran, Iranian state television reported that the country will no longer abide by any limits of the 2015 nuclear deal it signed with the United States and other world powers. Mr Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2018 and stepped up economic sanctions on Tehran actions that accelerated a cycle of hostilities leading to the Soleimani killing. Democrats in Congress complained about the administrations failure to consult with legislative leaders before conducting the drone attack Friday against Soleimani, and the White House faced a barrage of questions about the killings legality. Mr Pompeo said the administration would have been culpably negligent in its duty to protect the United States if it had not killed Soleimani, although he did not provide evidence for his previous claims that Soleimani was plotting imminent attacks on Americans. Instead of arguing that an attack had been imminent, Mr Pompeo said it was inevitable. We watched him continue to actively build out for what was going to be a significant attack, thats what we believed, and we made the right decision, he said. He added later: We continue to prepare for whatever it is the Iranian regime may put in front of us within the next 10 minutes, within the next 10 days, and within the next 10 weeks. Mr Pompeo appeared on six news shows while Mr Trump kept silent on the final day of his holiday break in Florida. The appearances by the top American diplomat appeared aimed at dissuading Iran from launching a major retaliation for the Soleimani killing. The Iranians have said the US should expect a strong response. They have a range of options, from cyberattacks to military assaults. Mr Pompeo declined to say whether he had sought to communicate with Iran since Friday. He stressed the US resolve to hold Iran accountable for its interventions in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East. Mr Pompeo said the Obama administration had tried to challenge and attack everybody who was running around with an AK-47 or a piece of indirect artillery. Weve made a very different approach. Weve told the Iranian regime, Enough. You cant get away with using proxy forces and think your homeland will be safe and secure. We continue to prepare for whatever it is the Iranian regime may put in front of us within the next 10 minutes, within the next 10 days, and within the next 10 weeksMike Pompeo Were going to respond against the actual decision-makers, the people who are causing this threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said the cost to Iran if it uses proxy forces to hit American targets will come down on not just those proxies, which are present in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and elsewhere. They will be borne by Iran and its leadership itself, Mr Pompeo said. Those are important things the Iranian leadership needs to put in its calculus as it makes its next decision. Mr Pompeo tip-toed around questions about Mr Trumps tweet Saturday threatening to attack Iranian cultural sites, a military action that is likely to be illegal under the laws of armed conflict and the UN charter. Mr Pompeo said any US military strikes inside Iran would be legal. Well behave inside the system, Mr Pompeo said. We always have and we always will. Christmas might be over for another year - but Vanessa Hudgens is keeping the festive spirit alive and giving us something to look forward to next winter. The actress, 30, began filming the sequel to The Princess Switch this week - Netflix's festive feel good flick which came out in 2018, The much-anticipated sequel is shooting in Edinburgh, Scotland, with the actress playing two identical characters in the parent trap inspired-plot. Festive: Vanessa Hudgens, 30, is keeping the Christmas spirit alive as she began filming The Princess Switch, Switched Again in Edinburgh, Scotland this week The Princess Switch, Switched Again, will follow the same characters: A princess named Duchess Margaret Delacourt and a baker named Stacey De Novo from Chicago. The first film sees the pair switch lives for two days, while the sequel finds the royal inheriting the throne to Montenaro and struggling to deal with the responsibilities of this - as well as the rough patch she's hit with beau Kevin. As such, it's up to her lookalike Stacy to fix things, while another doppelganger, party girl Fiona, comes onto the scene and wreaks havoc. Beauty: Vanessa appeared in character wearing a neat white beret hat over her perfectly curled raven locks with a natural palette of makeup on In character: She was wearing a white polar neck with a black pea coat over the top. She appeared to be acting in character putting a medal around someones neck Vanessa appeared in character wearing a neat white beret over her perfectly curled raven locks. She was wearing a white poloneck with a black pea coat over the top. The surroundings were decked up with Christmas trees and lights. Vanessa appeared to be acting in character putting a medal around someones neck. The high school musical beauty has become a firm favourite in the Netflix festive movie streaming list. Whats going on: The actress plays two identical characters in the parent trap inspired plot and the next instalment, The Princess Switched, Switched Again, will follow the same characters And this is no coincidence. The actress told The Los Angeles Times that she wants to bring some joy into peoples lives as it can be a difficult time of year. She said: 'If I can bring a family together at a special time of year and allow them to escape from their lives and live the rest of their day feeling a little lighter, then I think thats a really beautiful gift'. Her latest feel-good movie appears to mark a trend in the actress' filmography as of late, as her latest Netflix film, The Knight Before Christmas, sees her play science teacher Brooke, a woman from Ohio who accidentally runs into a literal knight, who's been transported through time. Festive favourite: The actress told The Los Angeles Times that she wants to bring some joy into peoples lives as it can be a difficult time of year The Knight Before Christmas appears to follow in the footsteps of the 2001 film, Kate & Leopold and 2007's Enchanted. Kate & Leopold followed Hugh Jackman as a third Duke of New York, while Meg Ryan was the modern-day character. While in Enchanted, Amy Adams was a fairy tale princess who's sent to the modern world, and falls in love with Patrick Dempsey. Legal Justice Advocates Reaffirms its Commitment to Protect Workers, People with Disabilities, and Consumers Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jan. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Washington, DC January 4 2020 - Legal Justice Advocates defends the rights of consumers, disabled persons, and consumers. The firm works tirelessly to fight unequal treatment, abusive debt collection practices, and other matters that require legal intervention. Legal Justice Advocates is becoming well-known for their unwavering commitment to providing aggressive advocacy and results for clients. The firm provides services to clients in all states and understands the legal nuances associated with both state and federal laws. The firm offers comprehensive legal guidance by providing detailed answers to questions posed by clients. With over 40 years of combined legal experience, attorneys at Legal Justice Advocates have extensive knowledge of courts nationwide and covers complex cases to ensure proper laws are being followed in the workplace. Workplace Discrimination Claims Expected to rise in 2020 Unfair employment practices undermine the rights of workers. Legal Justice Advocates makes it easier to initiate legal recourse when faced with discriminatory hiring, promotion, and compensation practices. Federal laws provide clear guidelines on discrimination in the workplace. Workplace discrimination can trigger many negative psychological effects owing to the limited financial and career opportunities. Fortunately, attorneys at Legal Justice Advocates provide legal assistance to employees grappling with discrimination issues. Some of the issues handled by the firm include unequal benefits, harassment, unfair recruitment practices, job loss, and missed promotion opportunities. Disability discrimination People with disabilities enjoy a wide variety of rights in public spaces, workplaces, and elsewhere. Laws protecting these rights make various parts of the country more accessible to disabled persons. Story continues The law firm defends the rights of clients with different types of impairments, including hearing, mobility, learning, and vision disabilities. Attorneys help ensure compliance by litigating on behalf of disabled persons since no government agency enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The law covers the needs of people with wide-ranging impairments and special conditions. It addresses their needs in public accommodations (commercial entities), such as eateries, recreational centers, lodgings, stores, offices, educational institutions, and other public spaces. Consumer protection Debtor harassment is a common issue handled by attorneys at the firm. In many cases, lenders defraud debtors, which is a violation of consumer rights. Debtors can count on lawyers to provide legal advice in matters relating to debt collection, illegal solicitations, and lending fraud. The law prohibits creditors from employing abusive, manipulative, or unfair debt collection practices. Anyone faced with intimidating collection tactics can turn to Legal Justice Advocates for assistance. The attorneys provide support based on the Fair Credit Billing Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Legal professionals at the firm also pursue protections under the FDCPA regulatory framework. The protections prevent creditors from harassing debtors, making false or deceptive statements, and other unlawful practices. If you have a potential claim then please visit the Legal Justice Advocates website to learn more at: https://www.legaljusticeadvocates.com/ Contact: Legal Justice Advocates Phone: 202-290-6671 Legal Justice Advocates Phone: 202-290-6671 jb@legaljusticeadvocates.com Machine-gun wielding jihadists killed four Nigerian soldiers and wounded 11 more during an attack on an army base in the northeast, military officials said on Sunday. Fighters from the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) arrived in six trucks to attack the Jakana base, near the city of Maiduguri, on Saturday evening, the officials told AFP. The troops forced the jihadists to retreat after a prolonged gunfight. In recent weeks, ISWAP, an off-shoot of regional jihadist group Boko Haram, has intensified attacks in the region, targeting soldiers but also mounting fake checkpoints, killing and abducting civilians. The decade-long insurgency in northeast Nigeria has killed 36,000 people, according the UN and displaced a further two million. The conflict has spilt into Niger, Cameroon and Chad -- prompting them to set up a joint military force to combat the threat. Some 1,200 Chadian soldiers returned to Chad this week after a months-long deployment in Nigeria, sparking panic among residents living near the bases they used. Hundreds of people in the small town of Gajiganna fled to Maiduguri fearing an upsurge in jihadist attacks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Libyan deputies voted Saturday for a break in diplomatic relations with Turkey over its controversial agreements with the UN-recognised government that is contested inside the North African country. At an emergency meeting in the eastern city of Benghazi, parliament also urged the international community to withdraw recognition of the Government of National Accord (GNA) which MPs accused of "high treason" because of the maritime and military deals it signed with Ankara in November clearing the way for a Turkish military intervention on its side. Parliament speaker Abdallah Bleheq said MPs voted "unanimously" to scrap the accords, which they likened to "a return of colonialism", and to sever ties with Ankara. The parliament, which was elected in 2014 and took refuge in eastern Libya, has been weakened by divisions within its ranks and the departure of around 40 members to Tripoli, the GNA-controlled capital. Saturday's meeting fell short of the required quorum, according to pro-GNA media, but there was no independent verification of the number of MPs who took part. The parliament is allied with military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is at war with the GNA that is headed by Fayez al-Sarraj. Turkish lawmakers last Thursday approved military deployment in support of the GNA, which has been hit by a Haftar offensive against Tripoli since early April. According to interior minister Fathi Bachagha, the agreements with Turkey were concluded "legally and openly", unlike deals between Haftar's forces and his foreign supporters. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, which have tense or limited ties with Turkey, support Haftar. The UN's Libya envoy, Ghassan Salame, has said Russian mercenaries are operating on the ground on the side of Haftar and has accused several countries of violating a UN arms embargo on Libya. Libya was plunged into chaos with the toppling and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising. It has since become divided between the GNA and rival authorities based in the country's east. Twitter/@NYGovCuomo(NEW YORK) -- In a massive display of solidarity against anti-Semitism, more than 10,000 people, including New York's governor, marched across the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday to protest a recent string of hate attacks in the New York-New Jersey region, including a machete rampage at a rabbi's home Hanukkah celebration. The demonstrators chanted "No Hate, No Fear" as they gathered in Foley Square in Lower Manhattan and marched across the bridge to Cadman Square in Brooklyn accompanied by a heavy police presence. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo kicked off the march by announcing the state will spend an additional $45 million to protect faith-based groups from being targeted for hate crimes. "I'm heartened to see this amazing show of support and solidarity. Literally over 10,000 people have shown up to show support and love for the Jewish community, and that's New York at her best," Cuomo said. The protest came a week after a man armed with a machete stormed a Hanukkah celebration at a rabbi's home in the New York City suburb of Monsey, stabbing six members of the ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jewish congregation. Authorities arrested 38-year-old Grafton Thomas in the attack and discovered his journals contained anti-Semitic sentiments, including references to Hitler and "Nazi Culture" "on the same page as drawings of a Star of David and a Swastika," according to a criminal complaint charging him with federal hate crimes. A Rockland County, New York, grand jury also indicted Thomas on six counts of second-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree assault, three counts of first-degree attempted assault and two counts of first-degree burglary, The Hanukkah rampage followed at least 13 anti-Semitic attacks in the New York-New Jersey region, including nine in New York City. On Dec. 10, a man and a woman stormed a Jersey City, New Jersey, kosher supermarket, in an apparent act of domestic terrorism and fatally shot three people before they were both killed by police. The alleged shooters, David Anderson, 47, and Francine Graham, 50, are also suspected of killing Jersey City Det. Joseph Seals that same day in a cemetery about a mile from the kosher market, and were prime suspects in the killing of an Uber driver, whose body was discovered on Dec. 7 in the trunk of a car in Bayonne, New Jersey, authorities said. Both Anderson and Graham are believed to have expressed interest in the Black Hebrew Israelites, a group that espouses hatred toward Jews and is known for anti-government and anti-police sentiments, sources told ABC News. "The recent rash of anti-Semitic and other hate-fueled attacks in New York and across the nation are understandably causing anxiety, but we will not be intimidated," Cuomo said. He said the funding to protect faith-based groups will come from the state's new Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program and could also go to daycare centers, community centers, cultural museums, day camps, and non-public schools associated with organizations that may be targets of potential hate crimes. "In New York, we stand up to those who try to sow division and fear, and this new funding will provide religious and cultural institutions the support they need to help protect themselves and keep people safe," Cuomo said. "We will not let the cancer of hate and intolerance weaken us, we will continue to stand up and denounce it every time it rears its ugly head." The governor was joined at the demonstration by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and other New York political and religious leaders of all stripes. Sunday's protest was sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee and the New York Board of Rabbis. "We as a Jewish community are standing together with the top elected officials of this state and city of New York and thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers, Jews who have come from across this country and from around the world to say, 'No hate and no fear,'" said Michael Miller, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. These are the last known photographs taken of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani before he was blown up in a US drone strike on Friday. The pictures show the head of the elite Quds Force meeting Hezbollah's secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. Iranian media released the images, which are understood to have been taken last week, showing the friendship between the two as Soleimani prayed behind Nasrallah. The pictures show the head of the elite Quds Force (right) meeting Hezbollah's secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah (left) in Beirut Iranian media released the images, which are understood to have been taken last week, showing the friendship between the two as Soleimani (right) prayed behind Nasrallah (left) The chief of Hezbollah (left) today said the US army will 'pay the price' for killing Soleimani (right) and a senior Iraqi commander in the drone strike near by Baghdad International Airport Nasrallah is pictured talking to Soleimani - believed to be in Beirut - last week, just days before the latter was killed The chief of Hezbollah today said the US army will 'pay the price' for killing Soleimani and a senior Iraqi commander in the drone strike near by Baghdad International Airport. 'The American army killed them and it will pay the price,' the head of the Lebanese Shiite group warned in a televised speech. 'The only just punishment is (to target) American military presence in the region: US military bases, US warships, each and every officer and soldier in the region,' Nasrallah said. The chief of Hezbollah today said the US army will 'pay the price' for killing Soleimani and a senior Iraqi commander in the drone strike near by Baghdad International Airport. Pictured: Supporters of Hezbollah Lebanon's Hezbollah supporters attend a funeral ceremony rally to mourn Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force But he added American civilians such as 'businessmen, engineers, journalists and doctors' should be spared. 'When the coffins of American soldiers and officers... start to return to the United States, (US President Donald) Trump and his administration will realise they have lost the region,' he said. Soleimani and top Iraqi military figure Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a US drone strike Friday near Baghdad airport, sparking fury in Iran and Iraq. Nasrallah's speech was beamed to black-clad supporters gathered in southern Beirut, who waved Hezbollah's yellow flag or held up portraits of Soleimani and Muhandis. Nasrallah also called on Iraq to free itself of the American 'occupation'. A supporter of Hezbollah carries a placard during a mass rally to pay tribute to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force Soleimani in a southern suburb of Beirut 'Our demand, our hope from our brothers in the Iraqi parliament is... to adopt a law that demands American forces withdraw from Iraq,' he said. Iraq's parliament urged the government on Sunday to end the presence of US-led coalition forces in the country, outraged by the American strike. Some 5,200 US soldiers are stationed across Iraqi bases to support local troops preventing a resurgence of the Islamic State jihadist group. They are deployed as part of the broader international coalition, invited by the Iraqi government in 2014 to help fight IS. Hezbollah is the only side not to have disarmed after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war. The United States has designated it a 'terrorist' group and several of its figures are under sanctions, but the party is also a key player in Lebanese politics. T he battle to succeed Jeremy Corbyn was in full swing today as the would-be Labour leaders hit out at the government's handling on the Iran crisis in a round of interviews to kick-start their campaigns. Sir Keir Starmer, Jess Phillips, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry all appeared on Sunday's political shows to make their pitches and bolster their credentials over the crisis in the Middle East. They also criticised the scale of Jeremy Corbyn's radical proposals, and spoke of a lack of "trust" in the Labour Party, as they set out their stalls to succeed him and recover from the disastrous election defeat. Shadow minister Clive Lewis is also standing but did not appear on the Sunday morning shows. There was also no sign of shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, who has not yet declared she is standing, despite hinting that she intended to do so. Sir Keir Starmer and Jess Phillips speak to one another while appearing on the Andrew Marr show / Jeff Overs/BBC via Getty Images He also criticised Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab for failing to "press America" on "making sure there's a viable case for what happens next." Sir Keir, the current favourite in the race, told the BBC Andrew Marr Show that "unquestionably, blindly following Americans is the wrong thing to do". Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, another leadership candidate, said she was "really concerned" about the situation in the Middle East which she said "could escalate into all out war". Emily Thornberry condemns Boris Johnson's response to Iranian crisis She told Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday: "I think this is a really dangerous moment for the entire world, and for Britain in particular. "What we should see is a Prime Minister who, to be honest, should have already recalled Parliament to explain what his strategy is, how he's going to try and work with our European allies to try and de-escalate the situation." Ms Nandy described Donald Trump's air strike as a "reckless unilateral action", adding: "I think we potentially have a really, really dangerous and permanent situation that could escalate into all-out war unless the world leaders step up and speak with one voice and try to make sure that we take a multi-lateral approach to try and calm the situation." Meanwhile, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry warned of a "lurch towards war" because of Mr Trump's "reckless" decision to kill General Soleimani. Also appearing on the Sky show, she said: "To take him out at this stage when there has been escalating tensions seems to me to be not making the world safer, actually we are taking a major lurch towards war. And we are doing that because the president is reckless and hasn't thought through what it is he is doing. "But it seems to me quite clear that the Iranians are going to counter-attack and it means that our interests, our people, our forces are, of course, under threat." Ms Thornberry also criticised Mr Trump for failing to notify the UK before carrying out the fatal drone strike. "He didn't even tell us before he agreed for this man to be killed in Baghdad," she told Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday. Prominent backbencher Mr Phillips, who also appeared on the Andrew Marr show, said she was "shocked to hear Dominic Raab backing Trump all the way over the assassination of Soleimani". She added: "Ministers should be honest - it was reckless and dangerous and there seems to be no plan in place for what will follow. The PM should be in the UK urging restraint." Asked on the show whether she would "always be marching against a potential war", the MP for Birmingham Yardley - who campaigned against the war in Iraq - said she would "absolutely take action to protect British lives" if there is a "moral and legal case". Labour's ruling National Executive Committee will meet on Monday to set the timetable for the contest, which is then expected to formally start on Tuesday. The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on Sunday resorted to blame game after masked miscreants entered the university campus and attacked students. IMAGE: A view of vandalized JNU campus New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo Calling it an "emergency situation", the JNUSU alleged that the ABVP members, with their faces masked, were moving in the campus with lathis, rods and hammers and beating up students. According to the sources, the clash took place during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers' Association. "Several teachers and students have been beaten up. JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh has been brutally attacked," JNUSU said. Members of the Left-backed student outfits alleged that outsiders were allowed to enter the campus and they barged into hostels, including girls' hostels. "Students are trying to save themselves while being chased by ABVP goons while the police is complicit in the crimes, forcing students to chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' slogans," the JNUSU said on Twitter. Countering the allegations, the ABVP claimed that Left activists were behind the violence in JNU. It said that ABVP members were attacked by students affiliated to Leftist student organisations SFI, AISA and DSF. The ABVP claimed that 25 students were injured in the attack. Meanwhile, the JNU administration said it has called police to maintain law and order in the campus. A statement from the registrar's office said that efforts are being made to tackle the miscreants. Venezuelas government disrupted a National Assembly leadership election on Sunday, with security forces forcibly blocking opposition leader Juan Guaido who is recognized by the U.S. and nearly 60 other countries as the legitimate president from entering the chamber so it could swear in a candidate loyal to President Nicolas Maduro. Why it matters: Guaidos international legitimacy rests on the fact that, as assembly president, he is Venezuelas highest-ranking official to have been democratically elected. Sunday's events could muddy those waters and further strengthen Maduros hold on power. The big picture: The hope that desperate Venezuelans placed in Guaido after he proclaimed himself president last January has gradually faded, particularly after an audacious attempt to seize power failed in April. Today , Maduro pressed his advantage. The move followed allegations that Maduro was attempting to use bribery to fix the vote. , his advantage. The move followed allegations that Maduro was attempting to use bribery to fix the vote. The opposition could struggle to regroup now after apparently losing control of what had been the last government institution not controlled by Maduros autocratic regime. Flashback: Asked last month by Axios about this scenario in which a Maduro loyalist claimed the assembly presidency by dubious means Colombias ambassador to Washington shook his head: We don't even want to think about that. Go deeper: Venezuela's Maduro survives 2019 Marcos Brindicci/Reuters Despairing portraits of injusticewrit both small and largedont come much bleaker than Nisman: The Prosecutor, the President and the Spy, Netflixs six-part docuseries about a terror attack in Argentina, the theories and investigations that followed, and the unbelievably shady death of the man accusing the countrys president of colluding with foreign powers to let the perpetrators go free. Even on a streaming platform known for its pessimistic true-crime works concerning the unknowability of truth, Justin Websters documentary is a gut-punch of a non-fiction expose, recounting a tangled tale with few clear answers and considerably less hope. The story of scandals piled on top of crimes piled on top of more scandals, all of it leading to endless questions and unending misery, Nisman: The Prosecutor, the President and the Spy (available now) is, first and foremost, about the July 18, 1994, bombing of the Jewish cultural center AMIA (Asociacion Mutual Israelita Argentina) in Buenos Aires that left 85 dead and more than 200 injured. AMIA was the worst terror attack in Latin American history, and it fell to Jewish-Argentinian native Alberto Nisman to prosecute the case. In that trial, Nisman and his colleagues seemed to successfully argue that the heinous atrocity was carried out via a truck bomb that was procured by known criminal Carlos Telleldin, and that the suicide driver was a member of Hezbollah. Their contention that Telleldin had been in league with a cabal of crooked cops, however, fell apart thanks to mid-trial revelations, resulting in few credible culprits. How Two Online Sleuths Helped Track Down a Hollywood-Obsessed Internet Killer How the Truth Disappears: Chinese Censorship and My Film One Child Nation Nonetheless, the ambitious and morally righteous Nisman was asked to continue investigating AMIA. With the aid of Antonio Jamie Stiusothe No. 2 intelligence agent in the country at the timehe came to believe that those responsible for the tragedy were the powers-that-be in Iran, who had employed their Hezbollah proxies to do the deed in a manner similar to the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center (among others). In the ensuing decade, Nisman mounted a highly public legal campaign against Iran as well as Argentinian President Cristina Kirchner, whoalong with her chancellor Hector Timerman, and others in her cabinethe claimed had conspired with Iran to let the suspected terrorists behind the attack go free. So convinced was Nisman that Kirchner had tried to rescind Interpols Red Notice arrest warrants for the wrongdoers, all in order to solidify business dealings with Iran, that he filed a formal complaint in 2015 charging the president with treason. Story continues And then, on Jan. 18, 2015, a day before he was set to appear before Congress to present evidence in support of that charge, Nisman was found dead in his apartment, the victim of a single gunshot wound to the head. Suspicious timing, no? Anyone with a semi-functioning frontal lobe immediately suspected foul play. And the fact that Nisman had voiced plenty of concern about his personal safety, but shown no signs of suicidal depression (he was a separated father of two who was devoted to his daughters, and living a single life amidst a bevy of models), only amplified such hunches. The problem was, the forensic evidence was, and remains, inconclusive; for all the testimony presented by experts, replete with CGI recreations and gunpowder residue and blood-spatter analysis, theres simply no way to definitively know whether Nisman did the deed himself, or if a third-party shooter was responsible. Even a late eye-opener about ketamine in Nismans system (possibly related to his earlier Wikipedia searches about psychedelia?) cant fully convince one that he was offed by a nefarious agent. Then again, nothing in Nisman: The Prosecutor, the President and the Spy is 100 percent persuasive. The links between Iran and the AMIA bombing come across as frustratingly insubstantial. The same goes for Argentinian intelligence agencies own potential role in the crime. There are tons of wiretap conversations featuring a shadowy inside-man known as Allan Bogado, who was supplying Iran with intel on Nisman and Kirchner. Yet despite director Webster getting Bogado on camera to talk about his conduct, its never clear whether he was a traitor, a double-agent, or a fraud. There are also calls between Stiuso and fellow intelligence cohorts in the hours leading up to the discovery of Nismans body that, according to prosecutor Viviana Fein, point to pre-release knowledge about his deathbut their purpose is never ascertained. That Nisman was flush with an eye-opening amount of cash (far more than his income would have provided) is merely another in a string of questionable details sans decent explanation. In other words, good luck parsing almost any element of Nisman: The Prosecutor, the President and the Spy, which is drowning in dates and developments from the past quarter-century of Argentinian politics. Webster employs timelines, dramatic recreations, crime-scene footage, new and old interviews, and obnoxious TV broadcasts (which function as their own damning critique of a media world gone mad) to try to streamline his knotty material while simultaneously shaping it in a dramatic thriller-mystery mold. The effort, alas, is only partially successful. No matter the six-hour-plus runtime, theres sometimes too much information to lucidly process, especially given that the director eschews a straightforward chronology, jumping backwards and forwards in time to shine a light on various investigative avenues. A working knowledge of recent Argentinian history will help viewers navigate these turbulent waters. Still, a simpler, less adventurous narrative structure would have made this twisty-turn affair quite a bit easier to digest. Nisman: The Prosecutor, the President and the Spy eventually suggests that Nisman may have been the victim of a conspiracy himself, orchestrated by Stiuso, a 30-year intelligence operative whose cagey interviews are marked by Cheshire Cat grins and shrugged-shoulder expressions that imply he knows infinitely more than hes letting on. Stiusos ability to cling to his powerful position through multiple regimes (some dictatorial, some democratic) is a testament to his cunning ability to manipulate and exploit. Ultimately, this formidable and mysterious spy seems to be the true mastermind of this sprawling sagaand a figure who proves that outsiders (such as Nisman) wade into treacherous espionage waters at their own great peril. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dian Septiari and Apriza Pinandita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, January 5, 2020 China is reportedly undeterred and has kept its fishing and Coast Guard vessels in the Natuna Sea, Riau Islands province, despite Indonesias protests and attempts to increase its presence in the waters, which was why experts believe that Indonesia would have to review its China strategy. Over the past week, Jakarta and Beijing have been involved in a diplomatic tug-of-war over the latters claim in Indonesias exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in North Natuna Sea, which borders Vietnam and Malaysia and is located in the southern tip of the South China Sea, a highly disputed body of water on which China has made a sweeping claim that was invalidated by an international tribunal in 2016. The Foreign Ministry summoned Chinas ambassador to Indonesia last week to lodge a formal protest. And just on Saturday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, through his spokesperson Fadjroel Rachman, said "there will be no compromise" on territorial integrity and "at the same time, Indonesia will prioritize pursuing peaceful diplomacy first" in dealing with China one of Indonesia's strategic partners in the region and one of its biggest trading partners. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login By AFP BAGHDAD: Two mortar rounds hit the Iraqi capital's Green Zone Saturday and two rockets slammed into a base housing US troops, security sources said, a day after a deadly American strike. The precision drone strike outside the Baghdad airport on Friday killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, top Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and a clutch of other Iranian and Iraqi figures. In Baghdad, mortar rounds on Saturday evening hit the Green Zone, the high-security enclave where the US embassy is based, security sources said. ALSO READ| US, Israeli flags burn as thousands mourn general Soleimani's death The Iraqi military said that one projectile hit inside the zone, while another landed close to the enclave. Sirens rang out at the US compound, sources there told AFP. A pair of Katyusha rockets then hit the Balad airbase north of Baghdad, where American troops are based, security sources and the Iraqi military said. Security sources there reported blaring sirens and said surveillance drones were sent above the base to locate the source of the rockets. ALSO READ| Fury, tears as thousands mourn Iranian general Qasem Soleimani killed in US attack The US embassy in Baghdad, as well as the 5,200 American troops stationed across the country, have faced a spate of rocket attacks in recent months that Washington has blamed on Iran and its allies in Iraq. One attack last month killed a US contractor working in northern Iraq, prompting retaliatory American airstrikes that killed 25 hardline fighters close to Iran. Tensions boiled over on Friday when the US struck Soleimani's convoy as it drove out of the airport and US diplomats and troops across Iraq had been bracing themselves for more rocket attacks. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Former CIA operative and New Mexico congressional candidate Valerie Plame, who continues to draw criticism for retweeting an anti-Semitic article in 2017, says she has joined a Jewish congregation. Plame, in a recent interview with an Israeli journalist, said she is a member of Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Fe, where she has lived for several years. In videotaped portions of the interview now posted online, Plame said she became interested in her family history after having her twins in 2000 and discovered that her great-grandfather was a rabbi in Ukraine. Ive always been drawn to that aspect of my Jewish heritage, she said. That led her to Temple Beth Shalom, Plame added. I am a big fan of the rabbi, she said, referring to Rabbi Neil Amswych. I am a big fan of their social justice initiatives. The rabbi couldnt be reached by the Journal for comment Saturday. Asked specifically if she is a member of the congregation, Plame nodded her head yes and said Uh-hum. Tuesday, Amswych responded via email to a Journal question about whether he could confirm that Plame is a member of Temple Beth Shalom. Thank you for being in touch, he wrote. Im afraid I cannot help you, though, because our membership information is not public. I can say that Temple Beth Shalom is a welcoming, inclusive community that is open to all. A representative of Plames congressional campaign had no comment in response to Journal questions. Plames infamous tweet from 2017 was of an article entitled Americas Jews are Driving Americas Wars that came from a controversial website. After briefly defending the tweet online, Plame apologized, saying she had merely skimmed the article, which said Jews should be labeled as such when serving as commentators on television news shows. She told Twitter followers, Im not perfect and make mistakes. This was a doozy. All I can do is admit them, try to be better, and read more thoroughly next time. Ugh. Plame had previously tweeted out articles from the same Unz Reader website and the same author before the one that got her into trouble. The American Conservative cut ties with the author of the piece tweeted by Plame after the controversy. Last year, Plame joined a crowded Democratic field running for the U.S. House in northern New Mexicos 3rd Congressional District. Incumbent Rep Ben Ray Lujan is running for U.S. Senate this year. One of Plames Democratic primary opponents, Santa Fe District Attorney Marco Serna, has repeatedly criticized Plame for tweeting the anti-Semitic article and has suggested, without proof, that she has white supremacist supporters. Former Santa Fe Mayor Sam Pick, who was born into a Jewish immigrant family, has also attacked Plame over the tweet. He wrote in a newspaper opinion piece that her apology was not enough, especially since Plame has a history of sharing articles from the same source, including one claiming Israeli-occupied Congress confronts the White House. Pick had no comment when contacted Saturday. Plame has recently emphasized that she has Jewish roots, saying in a popular James Bond-style campaign ad that she comes from Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. She also has issued news releases condemning hate crimes against Jews. Addressing a recent stabbing attack targeting Jews in Monsey, N.Y., she said, I encourage all people of goodwill to support or establish programs in their communities that work to combat anti-Semitism. Mary Jane has long been a mans game. That the common slang term for cannabis associated with the Spanish-based marijuana should be feminine belies the reality that the pot world is made up of a large majority of males on both the business and consumer sides. More often than not, Im the only female in the room or at a table, says Alanna Sokic, a cannabis industry expert with the Toronto consulting firm Global Public Affairs. That has sort of just become the norm for me its hard for me to know anything different, says Sokic, referring to the many pot industry meetings and events she attends. A little more than a year into legalized cannabis in Canada, however, women have begun to make inroads into the field, Sokic and other experts say. Indeed, last month, the first pot shop in Toronto to be owned and operated by a female proprietor opened on Danforth Avenue in the heart of Greektown. I feel privileged to be perceived as a pioneer, says Helene Vassos, whose new shop, Canvas, is the sixth cannabis outlet in Toronto and 25th in the province to open its doors. And like in all industries, women bring a different perspective and creativity and Id like to think this is reflected in the look and feel of the store, Vassos says. Her shop is marked by warm tones, soft woods, preserved moss-covered walls and a live tree separating it from the colder, Apple store look of many other cannabis outlets. I remember personally having gone into a cannabis store and feeling it wasnt warm and inviting enough, the 58-year-old Vassos says. I felt almost awkward being there and I didnt want that for my location. I wanted to capture a casual elegance that embraces anyone of all ages. Vassos points out that in movies, in popular culture and in its illicit iteration, the sale and use of cannabis have been seen as largely male pursuits. Many people that Ive come across identify this as a bit of an issue, she says. Some say its a male-dominated industry, but if you really think about it its more appropriate to say its a corporate-dominated industry. Vassos is mainly referring here to store ownership in Ontario, which she says is being overtaken by a few big cannabis players. But Sokic says the overwhelming male dominance in the broader industry has roots in the wider corporate world. I think there was a sentiment that when you build a regulated industry from the ground up, that there was an opportunity to ensure that equity was at the forefront of that process, Sokic says. But with cannabis, I think what we saw (was) a migration of talent from other highly regulated industries that also happened to be male-dominated. That lack of gender equity at the top C-suite levels is profound, says Jo Vos, managing director of the cannabis resource firm Leafly Canada. Of about 100 cannabis companies that have made public disclosures in the past year, more than 90 were headed by men, Vos says. But she sees it as a distinct part of her job to help women enter and rise in the pot business and to be more comfortable with its products. I certainly feel really lucky to hold the position that I do as a female leader in the industry, she says. My position is that its an opportunity to influence women, to reshape how cannabis is perceived in our Canadian society and, most importantly, to bring other (women) up with me. Vos says the creation of workplace cultures and business models that foster individuality, accommodate family demands and allow women greater access to capital are essential for more inclusive access. Its high risk, high stress, its super volatile; not a lot of women can afford to take the risk and get into this space, she says. And at the executive level it requires almost endless amounts of travel, which is a unique challenge for anyone with a family. At the consumer level, too, the Cheech and Chong perception of pot as a guy thing holds out in real-world statistics. Statistics Canada data last year reported that 22 per cent of men and 13 per cent of women consume cannabis in this country, Vos says. But the introduction of edible and topical products across Canada over the coming months will almost certainly usher more women into the market, she adds. Women are almost three times more likely than men to consume cannabis through edibles and topicals, Vos says. So if were looking at some of the new categories that are coming live, I think consumption will continue to rise. Women, Vos says, are more concerned with the stigma of smoking pot than with its legality. She says the new, non-combustible products will also make cannabis more palatable for many women. And its our responsibility as market leaders and industry leaders to at least lead to educate the nation and normalize cannabis use, she says. Whatever the state of womens cannabis usage, Vos says theres no shortage of female interest in breaking into the business. I have a number of women reaching out to me every single day, every single week, trying to get an understanding of how they can get into this space, she says. And I try to do my part in order to make sure that Im carving out time to share information. Sokic, too, says she feels obliged to help women enter and rise in the industry, to the point that she and her Global colleagues will refuse panel invitations that dont include other female participants. One of my first questions to the conference organizers is Who else is on the panel? she says. And if its an all-male panel, we wont participate. Vassos, whose Greek parents moved her to Greektown as a girl, spent her professional life in the non-profit sector with organizations such as the Childrens Aid Society, ALS Canada and Prostate Cancer Canada. The once staunchly Orthodox neighbourhood, she says, has enthusiastically embraced her new retail entrant. I have been so welcomed by the community, its just unbelievable the positive feedback that I get, Vassos says. Its very supportive for me as a woman in this industry and at this point in my life. Vassos had spent her life largely free of cannabis, but was keen for new challenges so much so that she gave up a planned retirement when her provincial retail lottery win brought her the chance for a coveted store licence. And though shed smoked pot only a handful of times, Vassos says her experience with highly regulated charitable organizations gives her a comfort level with an industry that many say is overburdened by the weight of government rules. I became intrigued by the regulatory side and the concept of how responsible we must be to manage this particular business as individuals and retailers, she says. It just fell into that passion of mine in that regard. I was able to say, My goodness, lets run with this, lets do this. I was invigorated when I found out I won the lottery. Vassos says she eschewed the hip, west-end areas that most of her cannabis shop counterparts chose in order to fill a niche in the place shes called home for most of her life. Its a bit of a love letter to the place, she says. My first job as a teenager was just down the street and it just speaks to my heart. New Delhi, Jan 5 : Accusing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi of misleading people on Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday reiterated that the Act has no provision through which Indian minorities would lose their citizenship. Referring to Friday's mob attack on Nankana Sahib, a revered Gurdwara in Pakistan where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born, Shah said this is an "answer" to those opposing the amended Citizenship Act - known as CAA. Shah said, "I want to ask people of Delhi if they want to choose a government which instigates riots in Delhi for politics". "What is wrong in CAA? Should citizenship not be given to minority immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan?" Attacking Congress, Shah said it was the promise of Mahatma Gandhi which the party did not fulfill in 70 years and it was finally done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Kejriwal misleads people on CAA. Rahul baba and Priyanka Vadra played the role of instigating riots by misleading people on CAA," Shah, addressing hundreds of BJP workers at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, said. "You are provoking people of the country that they will lose their citizenship. I want to tell the brothers and sisters of minority community that any Indian minority citizen would not lose his or her citizenship because there is no provision of getting back citizenship in the CAA." The Congress and the AAP made a mountain of lies by saying that there is no oppression against the minorities in Pakistan. "Kejriwal, Rahul ji and Sonia ji (Congress President), see it by opening your eyes how Sikh community was terrorised by the attacks on Nankana Sahib", Shah said. Over 2,000 people have been arrested and around 5,000 detained since the Parliament passed the law on December 11. Hundreds of security personnel have also been injured in anti-CAA protests across India, the strongest dissent against Modi since he came into power in 2014. The CAA aims to grant citizenship to members of six communities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists and Parsis -- facing persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and having sought refuge in India on or before December 31, 2014. Shah also asked the massive crowd to note down the CAA support helpline number and said it is not a "Netflix number". North Korean leader Kim Jong-un uses a computer in this file photo. / Korea Times file By Park Jae-hyuk North Korea will speed up its transformation into a digital economy this year, following the global trend of integrating cutting-edge information technology (IT) with various conventional industries, according to a Seoul-based think tank. Sah Jin-hwan, a researcher at the Korea Development Bank's Future Strategy Research Institute, said in a recently published report that the country is highly likely to adopt "national development strategies for the digital economy" to transform it into "digital Joseon" in 2020. "Considering North Korea has emphasized the recent global trend of digital transformation and technology policies on digitization, a North Korean version of development strategies for a digital economy will soon come to the fore," he said. "In order to make a breakthrough and boost economic growth under the current situation, it will highly likely announce a five-year plan for digital economic development, keeping close eyes on trends in other countries including China." In his report, Sah cited Rodong Sinmun articles on the concept of the digital economy, global trends and national strategies for digital transformation. According to the researcher, a trade fair in Pyongyang in November introduced new smartphone apps and 3D printing, as well as offering a place for discussion on artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), facial recognition systems, e-commerce and electronic payments. He expected North Korea's political structure will allow the country to set up regulations for easier digital transformation and to pursue science and technology policies as China did. "Pushing ahead with policies focusing on science and technology, North Korea has shown a certain level of achievement regarding IT and AI, while pursuing businesses related to big data," the researcher said. "It has pushed ahead with education, scientific research and cooperation between industries and academies through research institutes, such as the Academy of Sciences, Kim Il-sung University and Kim Chaek University of Technology." His report, however, mentioned international sanctions against North Korea as a major obstacle to the country's digital transformation. "Due to the international sanctions, North Korea has faced difficulties in importing advanced equipment and increasing demand through trade," he said. "Considering the characteristic of hyper-connectivity based on openness and participation, North Korea's closed internet operation and lack of data infrastructure will also hinder it from switching to a digital economy." Overseas experts expressed skepticism about North Korea's successful digital transformation. "It's actually almost amusing to think North Korea will focus on big data since it probably creates less useful data than anyone," Georgetown University School of Foreign Service's adjunct professor William Brown said. "Since the digital economy is all about information spread, enabling people to make better decisions, it can work against the centralization that is so much a feature of their system. But I expect the regime wants to use it in the opposite way; to gather information on the public that it can use for social control." Liang Tuang Nah, a research fellow of the military studies program at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, also said: "While AI, the smart economy and other elements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution do hold promise for improving economic productivity and growth, such technological advancements only make sense for an open economy that is able to buy and sell globally." The researcher suspected that Pyongyang's desire to achieve a "smart economy" for its official sector and palace economy is a showcase or prestige project to communicate progress in line with the state Juche philosophy even as the regime is heavily sanctioned and isolated. "It can be argued that the North Korean economic digitization initiative would have the same impact as the building of swanky apartment blocks in Pyongyang or ski resorts in the North's mountains, which is to say that they would have little or marginal positive economic effect," he added. Fianna Fail led Fingal County Council is coming in for criticism about vacant properties in Swords in Dublin. Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell says two properties on the same street are empty- one for more than a year. Investments in Indian tech-enabled start-ups grew 18 per cent to USD 14 billion (about Rs 99,400 crore) in 2019, with Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru accounting for a lion's share of the funds, a report by research and consulting firm HexGn said. India has performed better both in the number of deals as well as funding in value terms with companies like Oyo, Paytm, Ola Electric, Udaan, Bounce and Delhivery raising large rounds, the report said. "While the number of startup deals in India fell by only 15 per cent (down 27 per cent globally and in Asia), funding in value terms in startups rose by 18 per cent (compared to a 22 per cent decline globally and 56 per cent fall in Asia)," it added. Globally, the total funding for technology start-ups is estimated to have dipped by 22 per cent to USD 293 billion from USD 375 billion in 2018, with a 27 per cent drop in deals, the report said. In Asia, funding dropped by 56 per cent to USD 83 billion in 2019 from USD 158 billion in the previous year. HexGn analysed over 60,000 deals and 1 million data points for the report. Delhi-NCR attracted USD 7.4 billion in funding, while Bengaluru-based start-ups received USD 4.4 billion in 2019, it said. E-commerce has customarily been the sector to attract the most funding in India and in 2019 too, it continued its strong march and attracted USD 2.2 billion in funding, the report added. Transportation and logistics start-ups attracted funding of over USD 2.4 billion, while fintech companies raised over USD 4.1 billion, given the considerable potential of the sector and thrust towards transparency and digital payments from the Indian government, it noted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By assassinating Iran's top general, President Donald Trump's administration has struck at the heart of Tehran's leadership and escalated the shadow war between the two countries and their allies. Major General Qassem Soleimani was the second most powerful man in Iran. He answered only to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But his influence spread to Iraq, Lebanon and Syria too. Khamenei -- shown here with Soleimani -- says a "harsh revenge" awaits his killers, and that his death will only increase resistance to the United States. A holy war, he says. Soleimani was a legendary figure in Iran -- as head of the Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force for two decades, he was the chief architect of Iran's regional alliances -- and its proxy wars. The Pentagon says Trump ordered the strike to disrupt future Iranian attack plans. On state TV, the Quds Force spokesman was in tears -- the black band in the corner of the screen marking the start of three days of official mourning. While Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah said punishing his killers was now the responsibility of all fighters -- that his work would be carried on. The general was responsible for clandestine operations but also became a celebrity, often shown inspiring militias on the battlefield and negotiating with political leaders. His forces intervened in the chaos of the Iraqi war and to prevent the toppling of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. The militia under his influence blamed by the U.S. for attacks on American troops and their allies. Soleimani helped Iran foster regional alliances as it came under pressure from U.S. sanctions. From humble rural beginnings, he fought in Iran's war with Iraq in the 1980s, before rising rapidly through the Quds Force ranks. Soleimani leaves forces and paramilitary proxies that have ample means to respond to his death -- and vast reach. Revenge is seen as a question of not if, but when and where -- with many expecting Iran to respond forcefully, but perhaps not immediately. The dirt racing website DirtonDirt.com is reporting multi-National Dirt Super Late Model champion Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tn., will undergo hip replacement surgery, immediately upon returning home from this weekend's World of Outlaw's Late Model series events in the desert of New Mexico. Bloomquist missed most of the 2019 season after an off season motorcycle crash occurred last Winter, rendering the winningest driver on the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model series out of action until September. The 56-year-old has been hobbled, to say the least, as reports of his mobility ran rampant throughout the pits of the new clay oval of Vado Speedway Park. Bloomquist told Dirtondirt.com exclusively, that he will doubtfully miss any on-track action with the (WoOLM) series, since the next event is slated for mid-February during the lead up in to the Daytona 500, at the neighboring Volusia County Speedway in Florida. Bloomquist expects to take Sunday's $15,000 weekend finale race in New Mexico lightly and just keep his points up for the long (WoOLM) title chase that concludes in November at the Charlotte (N.C.) Dirt Track. KAMPALA The MTN Group has agreed to sell 49 per cent of its tower businesses in Ghana and Uganda to a subsidiary of American Tower Company for $523 million. MTN in a statement revealed that 49 per cent of its holdings in Ghana Tower Interco B.V. and Uganda Tower Interco B.V. will be transferred to AT Sher Netherlands Cooperatief U.A. for $523 million. The transaction which is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2020 is subject to regulatory approval. Firstly, MTN has concluded an agreement to dispose of its 49% equity holdings in the Ghana and Uganda Tower Company investments to a subsidiary of American Tower Company for $523 million, approximately R7.3 billion. This transaction is expected to close in Q1 2020, the statement said. Group President and CEO Rob Shuter commented Following the completion of these transactions, MTN will have realised proceeds of approximately R14 billion within the first 12 months of this program. Realising proceeds from simplifying the group remains a major strategic objective and we expect further progress in this program in 2020. Clashes with regulators in Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and elsewhere have crimped growth, prompting the company to announce a $1 billion three-year asset-disposal plan earlier this year. MTN said it had agreed to sell its 49 per cent holdings in Ghana Tower Interco B.V. and Uganda Tower Interco B.V. to AT Sher Netherlands Cooperatief U.A. for $523 million. The sale is expected to close in Q1 2020 leaving MTN with a profit of 6 billion rand ($425.74 million). Mr. Godfrey Mutabazi, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) executive director, said it was investigating to ascertain whether MTN breached operational guidelines. He said there are many measures to punish breaches under the law. The government last year deported four MTN senior managers including chief executive officer Wim Vanhelleputte for alleged espionage. Under the UCC Act 2013, the commission can suspend or revoke a licence of an operator if it is found guilty of serious and repeated breach of set conditions. The UCC can also suspend or revoke the licence of an operator that is engaged in fraud, intentional misinterpretation or supporting treasonable activities under the Penal Code Act. Related Continue Reading A GRADUATE is hoping to capture childrens imagination with her debut musical about the adventures of a tap-dancing coffee bean. Rosie Dart wrote Tappuccino with her friend and co-star Rhys Rodrigues while they were at the University of Durham, where she studied English. They will be performing the show at the Vault Festival in London on February 29 and March 1 following a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. Rosie, 22, who lives in Station Road, Wargrave, with her parents Annette and Peter, hopes they can perform it at primary schools once the London shows have finished. Tappuccino is the story of a coffee bean, played by Rosie, who is harvested in the Amazon rainforest and exported to a Swiss coffee shop, where she befriends a barista. She warns him about the massive deforestation taking place in her homeland and the pair set out to stop it. The hour-long show features circus tricks, shadow puppetry and several original songs with Rhys, who has a music degree, playing the piano. There is also an interactive section where children come up on stage to add themed props to a washing line. Rosie, who attended Queen Annes School in Caversham, has danced since was seven and learned tap, jazz and ballet at the Redroofs Theatre School in Maidenhead. She and Rhys were both members of the university drama society and directed more than 30 musicals together, including a production of Rent. She thought up the name Tappuccino while sitting in a coffee shop and wanted to build a show around it. The result was a half-hour musical with a fun, silly storyline that was aimed at adults more than children. She and Rhys performed the original version at the coffee shop for an audience of fellow students. They then rewrote it for a younger audience and added the environmental aspects before taking it to the Fringe. They had a month-long stay at the Gilded Balloon, one of the festivals main venues, and were named a festival highlight by the Edinburgh Evening News as well as receiving a four-star write-up in the Edinburgh Fringe Review. Rosie said: We didnt quite know what we were doing at the beginning but it was a fun idea to share with our friends. Later on we realised it worked well with an environmental message because of the link with coffee beans and rainforests. It started out as mostly me with Rhys accompanying but now weve adapted it as a proper two-hander. It was tough marketing ourselves and getting it out there but feedback was a real confidence boost. It feels like a pretty awesome achievement to have started with this jokey idea and taken it to one of the biggest venues at the Fringe. Were looking forward to London and it would be great to bring it to young people in schools. Our friends have been to see it and said they really enjoyed it. Its aimed at children but its got a broad appeal because its really uplifting and fun. Rosie also hopes to write more shows with an environmental theme. B oris Johnson has been accused of sunning himself and drinking vodka martinis instead of dealing with the crisis in the Middle. Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary and a Labour leadership candidate, accused Mr Johnson of a lack of responsibility and said the government was doing "too little, too late". Mr Johnson is on holiday with partner Carrie Symonds in the private Caribbean island of Mustique and is due to return to work on Monday after flying back on Sunday . He has not commented on the US killing of Qasem Soleimani, which took place on Friday , and his silence has been described as "deafening". In a withering attack on Sunday, Ms Thornbery said there had been three emergency Cobra meeting Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, had been forced to chair in Mr Johnson's absence. Emily Thornberry accused Boris Johnson of neglecting his responsibilities / Getty Images Ms Thornberry told Sky News Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: "We should take responsibility, we are international players, of course, we have other preoccupations, and clearly the Prime Minister has a lot of preoccupations - he's sunning himself drinking vodka martinis somewhere else and not paying attention to this. "We've had three Cobra meetings where Mark Sedwill, the chief civil servant, has had to chair it because the Prime Minister hasn't been available." Writing in the Observer, the Labour leadership contender suggested the prime minister was staying silent because he was afraid of angering Trump. Repeating some of her claims, she accused Mr Johnson of previously dismissing her concerns that Mr Trump was heading down a dangerous path over Iran. She told the programme: "I remember saying to Boris Johnson, 'I'm really worried that the president is going to rip up the Iranian nuclear deal,' and he said to me, 'You should spend a bit less time reading the newspapers'". Dominic Raab said he had been in "constant contact" with the Prime Minister She said she voiced her "concerns about where the Americans were going and what was going to happen". One reason she raised this, she said, was because of warnings from the chief of staff of the former US national security adviser Colin Powell that the "same path" was being followed as before the Iraq war. But she said Mr Powell warned that war with Iran could be up to 15 times worse because of loss of life and other costs. Jeremy Corbyn called for an urgent meeting with Mr Johnson / AFP via Getty Images But Mr Raab insisted he had been in constant contact, to discuss the crisis, adding: "What really matters here is that the Government has got a very clear strategy and message is that we want to see de-escalation, we're going to do everything we can to protect the UK diplomatic missions and we're going about that business. He told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme that there "has not been a vacuum at all the prime minister has been in charge." Mr Johnson, who is expected back in Downing Street on Sunday, is under mounting pressure from opposition leaders to make a statement on the killing of General Soleimani. Jeremy Corbyn, who wrote a letter to Mr Johnson requesting an urgent meeting , said: "Boris Johnson should have immediately cut short his holiday to deal with an issue that could have grave consequences for the UK and the world." Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab defends US actions saying they have a right to 'self defence' Acting Lib Dem co-leader Sir Ed Davey added to criticism of the PM. "Johnson's silence on Trump's dangerous assassination in Iraq is deafening," Mr Davey said. "The Prime Minister must speak out now and make clear Britain will not support the US in repeating the mistake of the Iraq war." Qassem Soleimani: Who was the Iranian general? "And it's not good enough for the UK Government just to appeal for a de-escalation, what we expect the UK Government to do is to come out in total and outright condemnation of this act of violence," the shadow chancellor said. A Government source defended Mr Johnson, saying "he's been kept fully up to date" including by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab "at all times". Iran has said it will no longer abide by any limits of an international nuclear deal after the US assassination of top general Qassem Soleimani. In a statement broadcast on state TV, the government said it would no longer respect restrictions on enrichment of uranium, or research and development, representing another major blow to any hopes of restoring relations between Washington and Tehran on a day that saw hundreds of thousands take to the streets of cities and towns across Iran to mourn Soleimani and demand retaliation. The announcement marks the most serious blow yet to the 2015 accord, agreed between Iran and a group of world powers known as the P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - that aimed to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon by imposing restrictions on its sensitive nuclear activities and allowing inspections by international experts in return for the lifting of economic sanctions. 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 It was considered a triumph by the Obama administration after years of tension over Iran's nuclear capabilities and intentions, but President Trump abandoned the deal in May 2018 in favour of a policy of 'maximum pressure' against Tehran, with crippling sanctions against its financial and oil sectors. The other parties disagreed and tried to keep the deal in place, but the new US sanctions undermined the accord and its credibility was gradually eroded. The announcement came hours after Iraqs parliament voted to oust US and other foreign troops fighting Isis, delivering a blow to efforts to fight the jihadi group following Washingtons decision to assassinate Soleimani in an airstrike. Iraqs parliament convened and quickly passed the preliminary vote not only for the removal of foreign troops but also to submit a complaint to the United Nations against the US for violating the countrys sovereignty, marking a nadir in relations between Washington and Baghdad where the airstrike took place in the early hours of Friday. Despite the domestic and international challenges that we may face, this choice remains the best for Iraq, Iraqs caretaker prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, told lawmakers. Iraq lived without foreign forces in the period between 2011 and 2014 and its relationship with the US and any other party did not deteriorate. US forces in Iraq issued a statement saying they had paused anti-Isis efforts over the tensions with Iranian-backed forces a day after Nato nations declared they were pulling all troops out of the country. A pullout of US and other international troops currently training and providing support to Iraqi forces could jeopardise efforts against Isis remnants attempting to stage a comeback. The group took over a third of the country during the three-year period when US troops were absent, sacking the number two city of Mosul after Iraqi forces crumbled. The UK government urged Iraq to allow soldiers to remain in the country to continue the fight against Isis to stop any resurgence by the terror group. Some 400 UK troops are stationed in Iraq to counter the threat from Isis, while the US has 5,200, prompting fears that a withdrawal could seriously harm the battle against the extremist group. The Ministry of Defence was believed to be waiting for the decision of the Iraqi government before taking action over the soldiers, based there as part of a US-led coalition. "We urge the Iraqi government to ensure the coalition is able to continue our vital work countering this shared threat," a MoD spokesperson said. The killings, ordered by Mr Trump in response to attacks on US sites in Iraq by Iranian-backed militias, have roiled the already volatile Middle East and upped preparations for a long-dreaded war as diplomats frantically sought to defuse the crisis. Iraqis carry a mock coffin as they march in a symbolic funeral procession (AFP) The bodies of Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes were transported to the Iranian eastern shrine city of Mashhad on Sunday for burial. Video footage showed thousands of emotional, grieving Iranians swarming around a white truck carrying their bodies through the centre of the city in scenes reminiscent of the death of Irans revolutionary founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, some three decades ago. Mashhad is the city where a late 2017 uprising against the government that turned into a nationwide series of protests began. Soleimani, a pillar of the establishment, was celebrated even in anti-regime hotspots gripped only weeks ago by protests demanding political change. Earlier video footage from a helicopter showed a lengthy procession of Iranians dressed in black gathering stretched along a long boulevard through the streets of central Ahvaz, capital of a largely ethnic Arab southwestern Iranian province that has been the scene of scores of anti-government protests since late 2017. City officials renamed Ahvazs international airport after the martyr Soleimani. The commander of Irans clandestine overseas service was regarded as a popular figure in Iran, credited by many for helping to defeat Isis and respected for publicly declining to use his celebrity to pursue political office. It remains unclear whether his killing will quell the nascent movement against the regime that Washington hawks who have Mr Trumps ear had been counting on to topple it. But for now, few inside Iran were speaking of the economic troubles that had sparked an uprising in November that left scores of people dead, as Iranian officials and some segments of the public sought revenge, and officials spoke of war. As Irans parliament opened, scores of Iranians lawmakers who gathered for an emergency session waved their fists in the air and chanted Death to America. Shia Muslims march to protest against the US strike that killed Soleimani (AFP) But Iranian leaders also went out of their way to insist they did not seek to harm American citizens. Iranian leaders appear to have a sophisticated understanding of US domestic political issues, and state media has highlighted comments by Democratic Party officials criticising Trumps Iran policies, including his decision to abruptly abandon the nuclear deal with Iran that had been forged by his predecessor. We have zero problems with the American people, Hesameddin Ashena, an adviser to President Hassan Rouhani, wrote on Twitter. We even achieved deals with previous US administrations. Our sole problem is Trump. In the event of war, it is he who will bear full responsibility. One hardline Iranian lawmaker, Abolfazl Aboutorabi, said that Iran can attack the White House itself, in retaliation for the killing. We can respond to them on American soil, he was quoted as saying. But more senior Iranian officials sought to place limits on any response, even after Mr Trump threatened to destroy 52 Iranian targets including cultural sites important to Iranian people in a bizarre and angry tweet on Saturday. Iranians gather in the northeastern city of Mashhad (AFP) The response will definitely be military and against military sites, Hossein Dehghan, a military adviser to Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, told CNN. It was America that started the war. Therefore they should expect appropriate reactions to their actions. In a speech from Lebanon broadcast on television, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a staunch ally of Iran and close friend of Soleimani, threatened US troops but cautioned against any attacks that would harm American civilians. When the coffins of American soldiers and officers begin to be transported ... to the United States, Trump and his administration will realise that they have really lost the region and will lose the elections, he said, adding US civilians in the region should not be touched because this would serve Trumps agenda. Iranian hardline lawmaker Mojtaba Zonnour said: If they target our cultural centres, we will hit their vessels and their bases. Diplomatic attempts to defuse the crisis continued. Oman, an Arabian peninsula nation with strong ties to both Iran and the US, urged the countries to turn to diplomacy. State television shows emotional mourners in Iranian city of Mashhad swarming around a truck carrying the bodies of Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes Russia and China, both permanent veto-wielding members of the United Nations Security Council, issued a statement condemning the US assassination and cautioning that military adventurism is unacceptable, according to the Xinhua news agency. Mr Dehghan, speaking to CNN, suggested that US restraint in the face of a face-saving Iranian counter-response could prevent the outbreak of a widespread armed conflict. The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they inflicted, he said. Afterward, they should not seek a new cycle. If youre searching for coupons for a desired product, and youre not seeing them in one area, look to another. For example, if you cannot find a specific coupon in recent newspaper inserts, try browsing your stores app for an electronic coupon offer. Or, head to the manufacturers website and see if they are offering any printable coupons for the product. Some manufacturers require you to register for a free account to print coupons for their brands. However, if youre loyal to a particular brand, this can be a good way to stay notified of any new coupon offers too. (One of my favorite tips when registering for coupons is to use a free email account service. That way, all of my coupon-related emails go to the same account and doesnt interfere with personal emails.) Again, coupons are not a right. No one owes us coupons for coffee, floor cleaner, or any other products we use and purchase. To save the most money, shoppers need to be willing to time their shopping around both sales and available coupons. If you notice that your favorite beverage brand has finally issued a rare, elusive coupon, pair that with a sale before the coupon expires so that you can take advantage of the additional savings. Email your own couponing victories and questions to jill@ctwfeatures.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Kaushani Banerjee By Once upon a time, salt was the most valuable commodity available to mankind and the picturesque village of Hallstatt around the lake Hallstatter See in Austria was the epicentre of all activity with the worlds first known salt mine named Salzwelten. The village now stands as a testament to the life and development that existed in the Bronze Age but is often left unexplored owing to its offbeat path. A weekend or even a day trip from Woflgang Amadeus Mozarts hometown of Salzburg leads to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which translates to city of salt in Celtic language. Hallstatt has yielded a steady supply of salt for 7,000 years and latest archaeological discoveries point to the existence of a rich civilisation dating back to the early part of the first millennium BC. Saltlong known as white goldwas priceless at the time and Hallstatt produced up to a tonne every day, supplying half of Europe, and raising the town to the continents richest and a major platform for trading in 800 BC. All the salt produced was transported for 40 kilometres from Hallstatt to Ebensee via a brine pipeline, which is considered to be one of the worlds oldest pipelines constructed 400 years ago from 13,000 hollowed-out trees. From left: Miners stack up salt in olden times; a slide into the mines deeper levels; rock salts on display inside the mines The small-town appeal makes Hallstatt stand out among other European destinations. It can literally be toured on foot in 10 minutes and looks like a page out of Johanna Spyris childrens bookHeidi. The region pretty much encompasses everything there is to want in a year-round paradise. The snow-capped mountains towering over the quaint town, reflecting off the banks of the pristine waters is a view to behold. Starting from the fairytale-ish view of the Hallstatter See, a trip to the breathtaking cave in Obertraun and a visit to the Lake Gosau with the mighty Dachstein glacierHallstatt has a lot to offer. Residents value their privacy and most doors ask tourists not to loiter, sit on their porch or use drones for photography. Bad Goisern is popular in the summer with hikers and bikers. In winter, the ski areas of Dachstein West in Gosau and the Ski and Freeride Arena in neighbouring Obertraun with perfect slope conditions open up. A walk around the town leads to the local ossuary, which stores a collection of elaborately decorated skulls with the deceaseds name, profession, date of death inscribed on them. There is so little place for cemeteries that every 10 years bones are exhumed and removed into an ossuary, to make room for new burials. No trip to Hallstatt is complete without a visit to the prehistoric salt mines. A recent archaeological expedition unearthed a staircase in perfect condition that led down to the mine. Guided tours go down up to three levels and are conducted all day long. Unlike other historical tours which load tourists with monotonous information, these require quite a bit of participation by sliding down the caves and sitting on buggies that were used by the ancient miners. The jaunt ends on a high with a funicular ride that allows for a birds eye view of the town. The Israeli suspects leaving court earlier this year. (Getty) One of the 12 Israelis accused of raping a British teenager in Cyprus last year has announced plans to sue her after she was convicted of fabricating the claims. The 19-year-old woman was found guilty of public mischief by a Cypriot court last week after claiming to have been raped by up to 12 Israeli tourists in a hotel room in the party town of Ayia Napa on July 17. Following the incident, the dozen young men, aged between 15 and 20, were arrested but later freed after she signed a retraction statement 10 days later. One of the men accused of taking part in the gang-rape, Yona Golub, told The Mail On Sunday that the group were preparing to sue her. The British teenager was convicted of falsely claiming she was raped by the men. (Getty) We deserve compensation for what we went through. I dont know how much I should get, he told the newspaper. They need to put her in prison and only afterwards should they deal with the compensation. The 18-year-old claims he was in a different hotel room, but was arrested because he was on holiday with two friends who had been in the same room. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: The young woman maintains she was raped but forced to change her account under pressure from Cypriot police. She could face up to a year in jail and a 1,700 euro (1,500) fine upon sentence after being found guilty of public mischief at Famagusta District Court, in Paralimni. It comes as Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the Government is careful of aggravating authorities in Cyprus ahead of her sentencing. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the government would be careful of aggravating authorities in Cyprus ahead of her sentencing this week. (Getty) Mr Raab conveyed concerns to his Cypriot counterpart over the treatment of the woman and warned that the case now needs to be handled very sensitively to prevent doing anything counter-productive between now and the teenagers sentencing on Tuesday. Mr Raab told Sky: I have conveyed our concerns about her treatment and the case to my Cypriot opposite number. Story continues I did that on Friday, and I also have also spoken to the young ladys mother to see what more support we can provide to her. So we also need to be careful that we dont do anything which aggravates the situation between now (and) the date of sentencing, which is on Tuesday. But the concerns that we have and that I have, have been squarely and firmly and categorically registered with the Cypriot authorities. The killing of Qassem Suleimani has sent simmering US-Iran tensions boiling over and it could strengthen the position of Tehran's hardliners. Iran has said it will avoid taking "hasty action for the moment. But what made Washington decide to take hostilities to the next level, and why now? Iran's Mehr News Agency quoted army spokesman General Abolfazl Shekarchi as saying: In the event of an Iran-US war or any confrontation, Americans will suffer severely. "Americans have taken an irreversible step." Chain of violent events The assassintation of Suleimani, the chief of Iran's proxy forces abroad, the Quds Forces, is the latest in a series of violent events that began on last week on 28 December. Rockets targeted a US base near the oil-rich city of Kirkuk in the north of Iraq, killing an American contractor and wounding several Iraqi and American service personnel. A day later, the US struck five locations of Iran-supported Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah Shia militia and Quds Forces at al Qaim in Iraq and Abu Kamal in Syria. At least 25 were reported killed, including Iranian officers. In response, an angry mob of pro-Iran demonstrators gathered in Baghdad and stormed the US embassy. Meanwhile, the Israeli website DebkaFile, run by former Mossad agents, claimed that Soleimani had ordered Hezbollah fighters in Baghdad to transfer Iran-supplied rockets from storage to residential areas "as a means of deterring a US attack. This fueled speculation of another impending US assault, which proved to be correct: On 3 January, a precision US drone strike killed Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary heavyweight Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The remains of Suleimani will be transferred from Bagdad to Iran on Monday where he will be buried in his home town of Kerman. Modest man In a lengthy 2013 New Yorker magazine portrait of Suleimani, the al-Quds leader was described as a modest man, who carries himself inconspicuously and rarely raises his voice. The article describes a man who was hardened in the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, becoming the architect of expanding Iranian influence in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. During a brief love affair between Iran and the US, there were indirect negotiations between Suleimani and US officials on how to attack their common enemy, the Taliban after the 9/11 twin tower attacks. But everything changed after George W. Bush's 2002 axis of evil speech, which estranged the Iranians completely and, according to The New Yorker, had Suleimani in a tearing rage, trashing all hopes for any good relationship. In 2003, the US invaded Iraq, and Iran lay low, fearing to be next. But Tehran grew in confidence when the invasion faltered, becoming aggressive and relaunching anti-American attacks often through proxies in a policy that has lasted until today. Mass anti-government demonstrations The US strikes throw into question the future of the US military presence in Iraq, 17 years after US-led forces toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein, says Middle East watcher James M. Dorsey, with at Nanyang Technological University's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. He says that a mass anti-government demonstration movement in Iraq is now likely to turn its attention to US boots on the ground. "If protesters focussed their demand for a withdrawal of all foreign forces primarily on Iranian influence, prior to the US strikes, they now focus equally on the presence of US forces. France: stick to JCPOA Iran says it may continue to step back from the 2015 nuclear deal, which was left in tatters after the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018. A former commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Mohsen Rezaei, wrote on Twiter, Until Iran's decisive and harsh response to [US President Donald] Trump, going ahead with the fifth step in reducing JCPOA commitments as soon as possible is vital." Iran has already overstepped four stages of the agreement, including a cap on 300 kilogrammes of enriched uranium stockpiles, and a 3.67 percent enrichment level limit. French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian repeated calls from the European Union for Terhan to avoid further breaches of the JCPOA. Both Tehran and Washington have reproached Brussels over its stance on the deal. The US says the EU is too soft on Tehran, while the Iranians say the three European JCPOA parnters do not have the courage to stand up to Trump. The firing of the Cayuga County Administrator included in the top ten news stories of 2019 prompted me to read the prior reporting on June 5, 2019 to see which Legislators voted to fire without cause and pay the severance fee of $135,000 and which ones voted to not fire and not pay that penalty, plus an additional amount for a total $150,687. Only four Legislators voted against firing without cause and not paying: DeForest, Daly, Foley, and Batman, all Democrats. One Legislator was absent and all of the rest, including all eight Republican Legislators, voted to fire the administrator without stating any reason and to pay the full amount. The Citizen reported on July 23, 2019 that in 2017 the Legislature had paid the previous County Administrator $80,000 to vacate the same position. That the Legislature has fired our last two County Administrators makes me question if the problem was not those employees, but rather our legislators. Chair Whitman stated that he believed it was worth paying $135,000 because it allows Legislators to publicly explain their reasons for firing and paying. I look forward to further reporting in The Citizen, informing the taxpayers of what our legislators state as their justifications for their expensive actions. John, David, William, Margaret, Mary and Elizabeth have topped the list of the most popular baby names in New Zealand over the past 120 years. The Department of Internal Affairs has compiled a 'Top Baby Names of All Time' list, tracking the trend in baby names between 1900 and 2019. The most popular name used between 1919 and 2019 is John, which saw its peak in 1947, with more than 1600 boys receiving this name. While the number of boys and girls born is about the same, the variety of boys names has traditionally been narrower, so the top name for boys has many more than the top name for girls. James, William, Thomas and Elizabeth have been the most consistently popular over the past 100 years, with most other names having a clear peak. Most of the top 20 girls' names peaked before the 21st century, with Emma, Sarah and Jessica the most recent to peak in popularity. The current top names do not feature in this list of the most popular names ever. Top 10 Boys Names: John, David, William, James, Michael, Robert, Peter, Thomas, Andrew, Paul. Top 10 Girls Names: Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, Patricia, Susan, Helen, Jennifer, Christine, Karen. Tauranga woman, Eleanor Burkin has been keeping records of baby names in New Zealand for more than 30 years. She said she was surprised to see that the most popular names in the last century aren't really popular anymore. Eleanor said she was particularly surprised by the girls' names. "It's all because of fashion and of course those names, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary, those were names the royal family used so they were very, very popular in the past. "People probably think they're a bit dated for a first name and they're more used as second names now," says Eleanor. She said the boys' names have stood the test of time, or circled back into fashion a bit more. "William, David and John, well they are still very, very good classic names, but other names have taken over; people sort of want something different." Eleanor says she has noticed a lot of boys with surnames as first names now, as well as a resurgence in biblical names. RNZ Baby names banned in New Zealand Among the rejected names for New Zealand are Royal, Prince, Justice, Lucifer and Sex Fruit. Since 1995, legislation has provided a set of rules for acceptable names for New Zealanders where a name, or combination of names, should not cause offence, be unreasonably long, or resemble an official title or rank. Below are baby names rejected in New Zealand over the years, by the Department of Internal Affairs. The list of names includes punctuation marks such as a period and asterisk and the use of slashes or brackets. The recent arrest of a 29-year-old Chinese cancer researcher in Boston who allegedly attempted to smuggle laboratory research and samples back to China should be a warning to all American university and corporate laboratories that the federal government is zeroing in on its enforcement against intellectual property and trade secrets theft, an export compliance consultant said. "This case should serve as a wake-up call to any research organization to properly vet foreign nationals that they hire," said Paul DiVecchio, principal of Boston-based DiVecchio & Associates. Zaosong Zheng was arrested on Dec. 10 at Boston's Logan International Airport before boarding a flight to Beijing. In his luggage allegedly were 21 vials of cancer cells generated in the lab of his former employer, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The FBI viewed Zheng's actions as a form of intelligence gathering for the Chinese government, according to a Dec. 31 article in The New York Times. Not only are foreign nationals who are caught subject to potential fines and jail time but the organizations that hired them risk significant monetary penalties and restrictions for noncompliance with the nation's deemed export rules, DiVecchio said. The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls determine whether an export license is required to release technological know-how to a foreign national working in the United States. So-called "deemed export" controls were implemented in 1994 to keep a lid on foreign nationals gaining unauthorized access to certain high-tech commercial technologies that could be used in the development of weapons systems in unfriendly countries. "Dangers of illegal technology transfers are very real," said BIS officials during a "deemed exports overview" presentation at the agency's 2019 Annual Conference on Export Controls in Washington, D.C., last summer. BIS noted that according to the U.S. intelligence community, 56 countries use "clandestine and illegal methods" to gather details on U.S. technology, resulting in billions of dollars lost to American companies and research institutions. China and Iran currently top the agency's list of countries that carry out these activities. Story continues The key technologies targeted by these countries, according to BIS, include biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, quantum computing, advanced materials, submersible vehicles, acoustic communications and sensors, communications and encryption technology, satellites and spacecraft, and weapons systems. During the past 20 years, the Government Accountability Office and congressional lawmakers have been critical of the federal government's handling of deemed export regulations and policies. BIS said U.S. organizations that hire foreign nationals should have an "effective technology control plan," which includes management commitment, a physical security plan, information security plan, personnel screening procedures, training and awareness program, and self-evaluation program. The Commerce Department agency expects a deemed export license application for a foreign national to include a comprehensive resume and job description, his or her qualifications, letter of explanation, visa status and organizational safeguards to limit access to controlled technologies and data. BIS approved 846 deemed export license applications in 2018, compared to 1,394 in 2017. The agency returned without action 150 applications in 2018, compared to 107 the year before. The total number of these applications received by the agency in 2018, however, was 1,007, compared to 1,525 in 2017. "Deemed export compliance benefits from a strong, established and well-maintained technology control plan, successful interaction between internal stakeholders and meaningful annual assessments of its program," BIS said during its 2019 conference. "Meaningful deemed export compliance also requires active partnership between government and all affected stakeholders," the agency added. Image by Julius Silver from Pixabay 0 See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. US tests ways to sweep space clean of radiation after nuclear attack The U.S. military thought it had cleared the decks when, on 9 July 1962, it heaved a 1.4-megaton nuclear bomb some 400 kilometers into space: Orbiting satellites were safely out of range of the blast. But in the months that followed the test, called Starfish Prime, satellites began to wink out one by one, including the world's first communications satellite, Telstar. There was an unexpected aftereffect: High-energy electrons, shed by radioactive debris and trapped by Earth's magnetic field, were fritzing out the satellites' electronics and solar panels. Starfish Prime and similar Soviet tests might be dismissed as Cold War misadventures, never to be repeated. After all, what nuclear power would want to pollute space with particles that could take out its own satellites, critical for communication, navigation, and surveillance? But military planners fear North Korea might be an exception: It has nuclear weapons but not a single functioning satellite among the thousands now in orbit. They quietly refer to a surprise orbital blast as a potential "Pearl Harbor of space." And so, without fanfare, defense scientists are trying to devise a cure. Three space experiments -- one now in orbit and two being readied for launch in 2021 -- aim to gather data on how to drain high-energy electrons out of the radiation belts. The process, called radiation belt remediation (RBR), already happens naturally, when radio waves from deep space or from Earth -- our own radio chatter, for example, or emissions from lightning -- knock electrons trapped in Earth's Van Allen radiation belts into the upper atmosphere, where they quickly shed energy, often triggering aurorae. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/12/us-tests-ways-sweep-space-clean-radiation-after-nuclear-attack After reports about deaths of over 100 children at a state-run hospital in Rajasthan's Kota shocked the country, data shows that 111 infants died at a civil hospital in Gujarat's Rajkot district in December. Further, in Ahmedabad civil hospital, 88 infants died last month, it showed. Confronted by reporters over the issue in Vadodara, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani walked away, without giving any reply. In Ahmedabad, Health Minister Nitin Patel, who shared the shocking data, said cold weather in December was one of the reasons for higher number of deaths in December and added that overall infant mortality had declined in Gujarat. Of the 388 infants admitted to the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay General Hospital in Rajkot in December last year, 111, or 28 per cent, died. As many as 87 and 71 infants died in October and November last year, which was 19.3 and 15.5 per cent of the infants admitted to the hospital's Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), respectively, the data showed. At Ahmedabad civil hospital, 88 infants died in December, which was 21.2 per cent of 415 infants admitted. As many as 91 and 74 infants died in the hospital in October and November, 18.4 and 16.4 per cent of the total number of infants admitted, respectively. Sharing the figures, Patel said that notwithstanding the higher number of deaths in December, the infant mortality in the state had dropped over two decades, from 62 per 1,000 in 1997 to 30 in 2017, with further drop recorded in 2018 and 2019. West Bengal, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Telangana have higher infant mortality rate than Gujarat, as per the Centre's 2017 data, he said. "Infant mortality rate is a matter of concern. The number of deaths rose in December due to winter season. Lack of public awareness, malnutrition among mothers and pre-natal complications are other reasons," the minister said. "We have set up 41 SNCUs and increased number of seats and colleges for medical education, as shortage of doctors remains a nation-wide problem. The government also provides a monetary incentive to private children's hospitals in remote areas with no SNCU facility," he said. He also attacked the opposition Congress. "They're trying to divert attention from Rajasthan. I would like to ask the Congress governments in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh why patients from these neighbouring states come to Gujarat hospitals for treatment," he said. State Congress president Amit Chavda asked if the number of infant deaths should not make the government worry. "There have been 219 infant deaths in two government hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad, and the number could be in thousands when hospitals across the state are taken into account. "Should the government not worry about this, especially when both the prime minister and Union home minister are from Gujarat?" he asked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Families across the South Coast have been left "driving around or sleeping in cars" after their properties have been ravaged by bushfires. "Our farm and house burnt down today and I am trapped from getting home. I don't know if my horses survived," a dental surgeon near Mount Hotham said. Families have also struggled to return home due to evacuation orders and road closures. A Batemans Bay resident said: "We're stuck outside for a while due to highways being closed and conditions unsafe to return home as of yet." There has been an outpouring of support for people that have been made temporarily homeless, with people as far as New Zealand offering to share their homes to provide free accommodation. Facebook communities have emerged as a key source for people to seek safe spaces and receive assistance such as food and everyday necessities. NZ Accommodation for Australians Affected by Bush Fires is a Facebook group connecting Australians displaced by bushfires with Kiwis who want to provide shelter. "Its a long shot but at the rate Australia is burning, NZ might be the closest, safest option for those that have lost their homes," the founder told the Herald. Melissa Cleaver, a pregnant mother of three, said her husband had been planning to "sleep in a tent with the dogs", but she found accommodation in Tuggeranong by posting on the Bushfire Emergency Accommodation for Canberra Facebook page. "We have two dogs, so I asked if there were homes that would accept pets. The situation has been really hard. We had to evacuate twice. We aren't allowed home for I don't know how long," she said. Ms Cleaver has been overwhelmed by the generosity of Facebook users who have also offered to donate everyday essentials. Residents seeking shelter or assistance can also find help through Airbnb homes, with select houses extending free disaster relief accommodation. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has received the Pillar of Peace award of the Africa Premier Leadership Awards (APLA). The award was to recognise him for his peaceful and transformational 20-year reign on the Golden Stool. During a ceremony at the Manhyia Palace, the chairman of the Award Scheme, Prof Tal Edgars indicated that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has consistently managed and arbitrated conflicts with proficiency that has resulted in sustainable peace. Since the beginning of your reign, you have consistently exhibited the knowhow, a repository of wisdom, exemplary leadership and peaceful co-existence. Your imperial skills and peaceful negotiations, arbitrations and complete resolution have resulted in an amicable resolution on the various long chieftaincy crisis and have brought peace, he stated. On his part, Otumfou Osei Tutu II expressed his gratitude to the group for the recognition of the efforts of Manhyia in promoting peace in the country and on the continent. Born as Nana Barima Kwaku Duah, Otumfuo is the 17th Asantehene of the Asante Kingdom. He was enstooled on April 26, 1999. He is in direct succession to the 17th-century co-founder of the Ashanti Empire, Otumfuo Osei Tutu I. The Asantehene is also the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Grand Patron of the Grand Lodge of Ghana and the Sword Bearer of the United Grand Lodge of England. Myjoyonline Thank you, State of Tennessee, for sending Volkswagen a letter holding them accountable for reporting on whether the company has met its commitments in the tax break agreement approved in 2014. Thank you in advance, City of Chattanooga Industrial Development Board, for taking your VW oversight responsibilities seriously when you discuss this letter at your meeting on January 6, 2020. It is the largest incentive package given to any of the major car brands with production facilities in the U.S. The 2014 agreement for the Atlas SUV expansion, coupled with the original PILOT agreement in 2008, made Volkwagen the most incentivized company in the history of our state.It is the largest incentive package given to any of the major car brands with production facilities in the U.S. If the company asks for and is awarded tax breaks for the recently announced expansion for their electric SUV, taxpayers will be on the hook for tax incentives that total over one billion dollars over a 30-year period. Public officials need to make sure that Volkswagen has met previous commitments before approving additional incentives for the recently announced expansion for the electric SUV. Also, the wording in the agreement needs to change relative to the stormwater fee. The 2008 agreement curiously exempts Volkswagen from the responsibility of paying a stormwater fee. The language says that any stormwater fees assessed shall be credited against any in-lieu of tax payments. Since their only in-lieu payments are school taxes, the stormwater fee is currently subtracted from the taxes going to schools. In 2018, $644,000 was deducted from its school tax bill. If this practice continues until 2040, the school system would not receive about $19 million. Volkswagen has been a positive addition to our community. Local tax incentives were warranted for Volkswagen in 2008. In addition to public benefit in terms of jobs and investment, it was one of those rare instances where subsidies may have tilted the scales since the automaker may have had two equally compelling choices (most likely, Huntsville). However, we agreed to give them the sun, the moon, and the stars when the sun and the moon might have been enough to ensure their location. The Mayor of Clare has criticised the holding of a commemorative event remembering the Royal Irish Constabulary. The force policed Ireland under British rule and was involved in reprisals against civilians during the War of Independence. Detention facilities throughout Mississippi are on lockdown until further notice, officials said Saturday, as a result of violence that has shaken several prisons and resulted in five inmate deaths. At the same time, the hunt was on for two inmates believed to be on the loose. Gov. Phil Bryant on Saturday said via Twitter that he has directed the use of all necessary assets and personnel to find the two inmates who escaped from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman. DPS and MBI officers have been responding to restore order and apprehend the two escapees. I have directed the use of all necessary assets and personnel to achieve this result. Over 500 inmates have been moved to a more secure detention and a general lockdown continues. pic.twitter.com/EfMSvLT9UJ Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) January 4, 2020 The state Department of Public Safety has deployed state troopers and the highway patrols special operations group to help the Department of Corrections find them and to help restore order at the troubled facility where several inmates were killed earlier in the week, Bryant said. The Department of Corrections said in a Facebook posting that David May, 42, and Dillion Williams, 27, were discovered missing from Parchman during an emergency count about 1:45 a.m. May is serving a life sentence for two aggravated assault convictions in Harrison County, and Williams is serving a 40-year sentence for residential burglary and aggravated assault in Marshall County. The department said via Twitter Saturday afternoon that there were no major disturbances occurring at Parchman. There was a minor fire at Unit 30 earlier this week. That fire, set by an inmate, was immediately extinguished. Like other facilities in the prison system, the prison has limited movement, the department tweeted. Five inmates have died in prison violence since Sunday; three of those deaths have occurred at Parchman. The prison is a series of cell blocks scattered across thousands of acres of farmland in Mississippis Delta region. Inmates who escape their cells sometimes dont make it off the property. Mississippis outgoing prisons chief said Friday that four of the five killings of inmates since Sunday stem from gang violence, as guards struggle to maintain control of restive inmates. Corrections Commissioner Pelicia Hall said the department wont confirm the names of the gangs for security purposes, but relatives of inmates who spoke to The Associated Press and other news outlets said theres an ongoing confrontation between the Vice Lords and Black Gangster Disciples. It wouldnt be the first time the two gangs have warred behind bars in Mississippi, with previous confrontations at Parchman and other prisons over the past 15 years. A 2015 survey found nearly 3,000 Black Gangster Disciple members and nearly 2,000 Vice Lords in prisons statewide. These are trying times for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Hall said Friday. All state prisons statewide remained locked down Saturday, Bryant said, with inmates confined to cells, and no visitors allowed. The five inmates have been identified as Denorris Howell, 36, and Terrandance Dobbins, 40, who died Sunday at the South Mississippi Correctional Institute in Leakesville. On Tuesday, Walter Gates, 25, was stabbed and several other inmates were injured at Parchman during a fight that spread to multiple units of the sprawling prison. Then on Thursday, Gregory Emary, 26, was killed at the Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility, a county-run jail that holds state inmates. Also Thursday, 32-year-old Roosevelt Holliman was fatally stabbed at Parchman in a fracas that led to multiple injuries. Corrections officials have refused so far to say how many people overall have been injured, or whether there have been other violent incidents in prisons. Mississippis prison system has struggled to fill guard vacancies, with Hall saying its difficult to attract people with salaries that start below $25,000 a year. Some guards end up bringing illegal drugs and cellphones into prisons. Criminal charges were filed in 2014 against 26 state correctional officers. Some prisons, including South Mississippi, have areas where many prisoners are housed in bunks in one large room, instead of individual cells. This can lead to worsened security problems. South Mississippi, in Greene County, was locked down for almost all of 2019, in part because of guard shortages. 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, theres no longer any evidence that the privately run prison is violating inmates rights. Hall announced Tuesday that she will resign in mid-January to take a private sector job, signaling incoming Gov. Tate Reeves wont retain her upon taking office Jan. 14. Working on the case of Ilhan Omar over the past three years, I have been most forcibly struck by what seems like her compulsive lying and the lack of reliable information about her background. Reporters repeat and reiterate her lies as facts. She is under the impression that she proceeds with immunity from the alternative of truth or consequences that most of us live with most of the time, and she has yet to be proven wrong. Omar lies out of habit even when the lies serve no obvious purpose. When a friendly reporter asked her in the fall of 2016 why she hadnt yet divorced Ahmed Nur Said Elmi (her brother, but let it pass), she replied, for example: There are particular challenges to getting a legal divorce. One of those is getting the cooperation and presence of the other person who you are divorcing. Elmi had returned to London, but everything about this explanation was laughably false. Getting a default divorce couldnt be easier, as Omar subsequently did based on false representations regarding Omars inability to locate Elmi for service of a petition for marital dissolution. In her October 2016 interview, Omar could have told the friendly reporter something truthful. Its just not her. She makes up stories as she goes along. Omars compulsion to lie extends to basic political issues. We have the recent matter of her dueling press releases on the bill providing debt relief for Somalia. She claimed credit for the provision in a bill with which she had nothing to do and indeed voted against. Last year I met with several journalists who spent time in Minneapolis on Omars trail. One of them pointed out the work of Yaacov Apelbaum, who has posted his background here. In August Apelbaum posted a long analysis of Omars strange relationship with the truth under the title One Thousand and One Nights and Ilhan Omars Biographical Engineering. In his analysis Apelbaum distinguishes Omar speaking truthfully from Omar telling lies by means of a software based polygraph analysis. Im impressed he could identify a truthful statement by Omar to plug into his analysis for comparative purposes. Its all interesting, but lets pause over Apelbaums introductory remarks: Despite numerous interviews, media write-ups, and multiple biographical sources, Ilhan Abdullahi Omar AKA Ilhan Nur Said Elmi remains an enigma. As strange as it sounds, there is almost no verifiable information about her nor her family in the public domain. This is bordering on the fantastic considering the fact that she is a 34 year old (she has no birth certificate) sitting congresswoman. In an era where comprehensive digital background searches can be executed with a single mouse click, Omars fluid and ever shifting identity and invisible past are a puzzle. The majority of the biographical information that she disclosed has multiple non-reconcilable versions. This includes significant inconsistencies about basic facts Putting everything else Apelbaum has to say to one side, this is indisputably true. It should stand as a continuing reproach to the Star Tribune and the other news outlets (such as the Associated Press) that have taken a look at Omars personal background without noting the obvious omissions and inconsistencies. Islamist militants from Somalia's Al-Shabaab group on Sunday launched an attack on a military base used by US and Kenyan forces in coastal Lamu, a government official said. "There was an attack but they have been repulsed," Lamu Commissioner Irungu Macharia told AFP of the attack which was claimed by Al-Shabaab. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Continued Support of Geothermal Industry Creates Jobs and Contributes to Nations Energy Independence RENO, Nev., Dec. 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ormat Technologies, Inc. (ORA) today commended passage of the United States federal appropriations bill that retroactively revived and extended the full Production Tax Credit (PTC) for geothermal facilities. The PTC provides a credit for each kilowatt-hour of energy produced by the taxpayer from qualified renewable energy facilities. The PTC for geothermal facilities that expired at the end of 2017 was retroactively revived and extended through 2020, continuing U.S. support for the geothermal industry. This support contributes to the ongoing creation of new jobs in the geothermal industry as well as the nations energy independence. On December 17, 2019, the United States House of Representatives passed the tax extenders package, allowing geothermal projects that begin construction before the end of 2020 to claim PTCs when the project is later placed in service, or to elect to receive in lieu of such PTCs, an Investment Tax Credit (ITC). On December 19, 2019, the United States Senate passed this bill and it was signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 20, 2019. Geothermal energy remains a key element of our countrys energy portfolio, enabling higher renewable penetration and greenhouse gas reductions, said Isaac Angel, Ormats Chief Executive Officer. We commend the extension of the PTC available for geothermal, which helps level the playing field with other technologies and provides predictable market signals for project development. This, in turn, helps leverage private investment to create new Jobs and drive economic benefits across the country. A copy of the law can be found at the following link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1865 ABOUT ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES With over five decades of experience, Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading geothermal company and the only vertically integrated company engaged in geothermal and recovered energy generation (REG), with the objective of becoming a leading global provider of renewable energy. The Company owns, operates, designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and REG power plants primarily based on the Ormat Energy Converter a power generation unit that converts low-, medium- and high-temperature heat into electricity. With 77 U.S. patents, Ormats power solutions have been refined and perfected under the most grueling environmental conditions. Ormat has 584 employees in the United States and 762 overseas. Ormats flexible, modular solutions for geothermal power and REG are ideal for vast range of resource characteristics. The Company has engineered, manufactured and constructed power plants, which it currently owns or has installed to utilities and developers worldwide, totaling over 2,900 MW of gross capacity. Ormats current 917 MW generating portfolio is spread globally in the U.S., Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras, and Guadeloupe. Ormat expanded its operations to provide energy storage and energy management solutions, by leveraging its core capabilities and global presence as well as through its Viridity Energy Solutions Inc. subsidiary. Story continues ORMATS SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to Ormat's plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon its management's current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Actual future results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see "Risk Factors" as described in Ormats Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 1, 2019 and from time to time, in Ormats quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that are filed with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Iran's foreign minister has been invited to Brussels, the European Union said on Sunday, urging a "de-escalation of tensions" in the Gulf after US airstrikes that killed a top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell made the offer to Mohammad Javad Zarif during a telephone call this weekend, a press release said. "Borrell invited the Iranian Foreign Minister to Brussels to continue their engagement on these matters," it said. The killing of IRGC commander General Soleimani on the directives of Donald Trump marks a new low in the already resentful, US-Iran relations. The recent developments in the Iran-US tensions play a critical point in the geopolitics of the Missle East and the world at large. READ| US-Iran tensions: Israel, China, Russia pick sides; here's how rest of the world reacted US-Iran tensions Tensions between the US and Iran flared after the killing of IRGC commander General Soleimani on the directives of Donald Trump. As the White House and the Pentagon confirmed the death of Iran's powerful military head, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed "harsh vengeance." The airstrike also killed Iraqi Shia militia Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The attack came in retaliation to the attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad this week. In the aftermath of the attack, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei declared three days of mourning for Soleimani, and, threatened the US saying "a harsh retaliation is waiting." In a similar tone, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani asserted that Iran will take "revenge" against the US. Soon after, the impact was seen on the oil prices that jumped over 4% on Friday after the senior Iranian and Iraqi military officials were killed. The US urged its citizens to 'immediately' leave Iraq citing "heightened tensions in Iraq and the region." Further, Israel put its military on high-alert. The attack drew condemnation from Syria as it called the act a "treacherous, criminal American aggression". While pro-Hezbollah newspaper in Lebanon said called it a "war." The attack drew condemnation from Syria as it called the act a "treacherous, criminal American aggression". While pro-Hezbollah newspaper in Lebanon said called it a "war." (With AP inputs) READ| Trump orders killing of IRGC chief; Iran calls act "foolish" & threatens retaliation WATCH| Video of Trump claiming Obama will start war with Iran to get re-elected surfaces The death toll in the airstrike that targetted a military school academy in Libya's capital of Tripoli rises to 28. Preliminary reports suggest that the attack was carried out by Gen Khalifa Haftar's rebel forces. Libya's government has been fighting an insurgency which is being led by Gen Haftar who is based in eastern Libya. Attacked by rebel forces According to a spokesperson from the Libyan health Ministry, the airstrike took place in the Hadaba area, just south of the city centre on Saturday, January 4. Fighting has been raging there for months. The fighting between the forces of the internationally recognised government of Libya and the forces led by Gen Haftar has been battling in Tripoli since April. The fighting escalated after Haftar declared a final and decisive battle for the capital after Tripoli authorities signed a military and maritime agreements with Turkey, whose parliament authorized the deployment of troops to Libya. As per reports, the Libyan government has publicly blamed the Libyan National Army for the attack. Read: Libya To Mobilize Civilians After News Of Turkish Deployment Read: Benghazi FM Condemns Turkey Vote On Libya Troops Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on January 3 called again for an immediate ceasefire in Libya and a return to political dialogue by all parties. Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesman for Antonio Guterres said in a statement that any foreign support to the warring parties will only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution. Guterres comments followed Thursdays authorization by Turkeys parliament to deploy 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. Read: Libyan Authorities Report Airstrike On Military Academy Read: UN Chief Calls Again For An Immediate Cease-fire In Libya Last month, UN experts said the interference of Chadian and Sudanese fighters in Libya is a direct threat to the security and stability of the war-torn country. They also noted that a leader of the Islamic State extremist group has declared Libya one of the main axes of its future operations. 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. She has been littering social media with snaps of her enviable figure and lifestyle. And Chloe Green was up to her old tricks once more on Saturday as she shared an image of herself posing on an immaculate beach in a mystery, palm tree-laden location. The Topshop heiress, 28, turned up the heat over festive season as she posed up a storm in a variety of racy bikinis, including a topless shot of her doing a headstand on a paddle board. Wow: Chloe Green, 28, turned up the heat over festive season as she posed up a storm in a variety of racy bikinis, this time a strapless khaki green number The star's stunning backdrop this time around was the perfect beach, where she candidly leaned on an exotic tree in a khaki green two piece bikini. On the first day of 2020 she also posed up a storm, looking fierce as she stood with a fire lantern in a beautiful white embroidered dress. '2020,' she simply wrote on her caption. '2020 here we come!! Happy new year!' she said a day previous while posing in front of a huge lit up sign for the new year. Stunner: On the first day of 2020 she also posed up a storm, looking fierce as she stood with a fire lantern in a beautiful white embroidered dress Good start: '2020 here we come!! Happy new year!' she said a day previous while posing in front of a huge lit up sign for the new year At the end of December last year, Chloe's yoga skills were certainly breathtaking as she took to Instagram to pose on the board while opting to go topless for the flexible foray. She shared a cryptic caption alongside the snap, as she penned: 'Looking at the world from a different perspective' - in words that come amid claims she is spending the holiday away from her baby daddy Jeremy Meeks. Chloe shares baby son Jayden, 16 months, with fiance Jeremy, with whom she has been plagued with heavy split speculation this year. During the trip, she appeared to ring in Christmas without her partner of two years as she shared a solo Instagram snap. Woah! Chloe also shared an incredible image while performing a headstand while topless on a paddleboard Hot stuff: The star turned up the heat for the festive season as she posed in the amazing stance before slipping into a racy bikini for another snap On or off? The former Made In Chelsea star shares her baby son Jayden, 16 months, with fiance Jeremy Meeks, who have been plagued with heavy split speculation this year (pictured in May) Ensuring all eyes were on her killer physique, the former Made In Chelsea star slipped into a bandeau top, teamed with a matching pair of briefs. The daughter of billionaire Philip Green complemented her ensemble with a selection of dainty jewellery, featuring a gold necklace and diamond stud earrings. With her drenched tresses scraped away from her face, Chloe went make-up free to showcase her clear complexion. Happy days: She seemed particularly keen on displaying her hot pink bikini Merry Christmas! During the trip, she appeared to ring in Christmas without her partner of two years as she shared a solo Instagram snap Chloe's beau Jeremy, 35 - who attracted the 'Hot Felon' nickname in 2014 after his police mugshot went viral - hit out at rumours about his romance with Chloe being 'strained' last month, confirming they are still on. Detailing all about his swanky new lifestyle following his troubled upbringing and various brushes with the law, the model also went on to paint a picture of his typical day on board Sir Phillip Green's $150million super-yacht. 'Wake up, eat breakfast, talk with everyone about how the night was, what the plan for the day is. We might go swimming. Might go and do some fun activities on the water or go into town,' he revealed in a tell-all interview with The Times. Dazzling: The heiress has been keeping her fans updated with her festive outings Only a matter of months ago, the model was forced to deny they had split after he was photographed arm-in-arm with Romanian-born model Andreea Sasu at two events during Cannes Film Festival. He was signed up by a modelling agency while serving a 27-month sentence and made his catwalk debut during NY Fashion Week in February 2017. Despite the hunk's comments, the blonde - who became engaged with Jeremy last year - has done little to squash talk about her love life after she opted to leave her 'engagement' ring at home during a Cash & Rocket Photocall in June. Romance: Jeremy, 35, has insisted he's still together with Chloe despite the blonde foregoing her engagement ring on multiple occasions amid split speculation (pictured in 2018) NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio -- Kevin Corcoran became mayor of North Ridgeville on Jan. 1. He replaces Mayor David Gillock who retired after 16 years and is now running for Lorain County commissioner. Corcoran won the mayoral election by almost 1,500 votes, besting challenger Paul Wolanski. Corcoran leaves a council-at-large seat open. City Council is preparing to appoint a successor to serve out the two-year balance of that term. Corcoran sounded upbeat and positive on Jan. 2 as he answered questions about his background, taking the reins of the mayors office and his vision for the citys future. The new mayor was commuting to North Ridgeville from his job as an attorney for Bob Schmitt Homes back in 2000. He moved to North Ridgeville in 2001. In 2008, he began his first term on City Council and ultimately served as council president for the past 10 years. On his first day in the mayors office, he and a friend repainted the walls, changing the color from beige to todays popular gray color. When asked if he would be replacing staff, as often happens when a new mayor takes office, he said: Pretty much I will be keeping the same staff, but there are some things I have to think about in the next few weeks. "There are opportunities for everyone to continue in their positions for the moment. A lot of good people have worked here for a long time, and there are quite a few I have never had the opportunity to work with, so until I have that opportunity, I am not looking to make change just for changes sake. All of them have specialized knowledge, and its an opportunity for me to lean on that experience. All my years on council, especially as president, exposed me to a lot of the operations of the city that I have not been involved in on a day-to-day basis. Corcoran said he will meet with each department head and have group discussions about my philosophy and the direction I want to move the city. In addition to continuing Coffee and Conversation talks each month with residents, Corcoran said he wants to continue involvement in the community reflecting the involvement I have had all these years, such as the third-grade field trips to City Hall, involvement with the senior center, the connection with the school system and connections with Community Care. All of these I find to be very important, he said. As to what may be new during his administration, Corcoran said, Overall my focus is going to be trying to bring in new business. He said he is entertaining the idea of a full-time economic development directors position, and legislation has been introduced, as well as budget considerations. In addition, Corcoran said he wants to bring together landowners and developers to make deals happen -- see what they want. Its all about communicating and creating relationships and then trying to leverage those to make things happen, he said. Regarding the citys ongoing headache involving the Center Ridge Road project, Corcoran was optimistic because of how fast things began to move once the cable company stepped up and moved the equipment as they had promised for months. My anticipation is that the road work will be done this year, he said. We are having a meeting in a couple of weeks with ODOT and the contractor. Corcoran spoke about how important communication is going to be. Communication is more complicated these days, he said. Throughout my career, I have improved communication by pushing for more to appear on the city website and city TV channel and Facebook. Its a challenge. There is no one form of communication. It will be a multi-pronged approach, and we will always try to improve access to information. He also noted that city communication can be very fractured and we need to try to create a more structured process. It really needs to be one voice, not just random people being the voice of the city. Will he use former mayor Gillock as a resource? Definitely, he said. He has done this for a long time and has been really good at sharing information. My plan is to continue. Corcoran also said he will support Gillock in his run for commissioner. It came as a bit of a surprise, he said, but I knew how dedicated he was to the community and he has a lot to offer. The decision is a good one and will be good for our county. I will support him. Corcoran and his wife, Lauren, a teacher in the North Ridgeville City Schools, have three children. They keep me humble, he said. I am honored and privileged to be able to lead this city in this position where they have chosen me, he said, and I will do my best at all times to improve the city of North Ridgeville. Read more from the Sun Sentinel. UPDATE: Portland transportation crews fixed the sign and restored the memorial on Monday morning. A small memorial on a pedestrian island on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard constructed in the wake of a Portland teens high-profile death on that busy street in 2016, was damaged and a pedestrian crossing sign knocked over Saturday. Pictures of the damaged pedestrian island on the thoroughfare near 43rd Avenue appeared on Reddit early Saturday morning. Those photos showed flowerpots placed on the mid-block crossing to honor Fallon Smart completely knocked over. One of two large crossing signs the one facing west designed to alert drivers of the midblock pedestrian island, was damaged and sat on the ground. A college student from Saudi Arabia was charged with manslaughter and a slew of other charges in the high-profile hit-and-run crash. Smart was a student at Franklin High School. A reporters visit to the crossing early Saturday evening found the crossing sign still splayed across the island, with multiple ribbons tied around the metal pole honoring Smart. The flowerpots had been placed upright, but were in bad shape. Officer Carlos Ibarra, a police spokesman, said there were no recent reported crashes in the area and he was unaware of the damage. The Portland Tribune reported that a nearby business owner believed a driver struck the sign. The Bureau of Transportation said it first learned of the damage from the Tribune. Spokesman Dylan Rivera said in an email that the city is taking steps to fix the damage. Smarts accused killer, Abdulrahman Noorah, is suspected to have fled the county with assistance from the Saudi government, two weeks before he was to stand trial on manslaughter, felony hit and run and reckless driving charges. The Oregonian/OregonLive has reported on that case and the national trend of Saudi nationals facing criminal charges being escorted out of the country in circumstances that federal law enforcement officials believe are orchestrated by the Saudi government. President Donald Trump last month signed a bill into law that requires intelligence officials disclose what they know about the Saudi governments role in helping its citizens escape criminal prosecutions in the United States. -- Andrew Theen; atheen@oregonian.com; 503-294-4026; @andrewtheen Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. New Delhi: In the latest developments, intelligence agencies sources have warned that at least five ISIS-trained terrorists have entered India through Nepal following which a high alert has been issued in Basti, Gorakhpur, Siddharthnagar, Kushinagar and Maharajganj among others district close to the border. As per the information, the terrorists are believed to be in Uttar Pradesh. Confirming the report, Basti IG range Ashutosh Kumar said that they have received information that two terrorists have entered the country and are currently in Uttar Pradesh. Intelligence agencies sources told Zee News that the two terrorists, identified as Khwaja Moinuddin and Abdul Samad were last seen in West Bengal's Siliguri. In September 2017, Khwaja Moinuddin was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Chennai. The sources added that Moinuddin is associated with ISIS and has been active in south Indian states. The NIA investigation had then revealed that after returning from Syria, Moinuddin had been brainwashing the youths in south Indian states and recruiting them to ISIS. The agency had also claimed that he was in touch with top leaders of Pakistan-backed terrorist organization Indian Mujahideen. According to the information, another terrorist Abdul Samad, who was active in south India, was arrested in February 2018. Samad is accused of providing Rs 3.50 lakh through hawala from a Gulf country to a Lashkar-e-Toiba linked terrorist, with links to Pune blast. He was also associated with banned Islamist organisation SIMI and was responsible for providing arms and ammunition for terror-related activities. A protest by the Stop the War Coalition in Whitehall (Yui Mok/PA) Boris Johnson is due to return UK on Sunday amid mounting criticism over his refusal to cut short his Caribbean holiday to address soaring tensions in the Middle East. The Prime Minister remained silent over the USs fatal strike on Irans top general throughout his trip to the private island of Mustique to celebrate the New Year with his partner Carrie Symonds. Mr Johnson was under mounting pressure from opposition leaders to make a statement on the killing of General Qassem Soleimani. There were fears of all-out war after Iran threatened revenge over the Donald Trump-approved attack in Baghdad on Friday and as the US sent 3,000 extra troops to Kuwait. The Foreign Office issued strengthened travel advice to Britons across the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, while the Navy will begin accompanying UK-flagged ships through the key oil route of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, military chiefs are understood to have ordered 400 soldiers training local forces in Iraq to scrap their duties to switch to force protection to defend themselves and British diplomats from revenge strikes. A Government source defended Mr Johnson, saying hes been kept fully up to date including by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab at all times. And he will be meeting with ministers on Monday and speaking to foreign leaders over the next few days, they said. Mr Trump used Twitter on Saturday night to threaten to hit dozens of targets in Iran very fast and very hard if it retaliates for the killing of Soleimani. Jeremy Corbyn said the assassination risks an extremely serious escalation of a dangerous conflict with global consequences by a belligerent US president. I've written to Boris Johnson requesting an urgent Privy Council briefing and answers to questions following the US assassination of Qassem Suleimani. pic.twitter.com/kOw36b6Ex2 Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 3, 2020 Boris Johnson should have immediately cut short his holiday to deal with an issue that could have grave consequences for the UK and the world, the outgoing Labour leader added. Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, who is running to lead Labour, asked is he afraid of angering Trump? in an article in The Observer. Or, she added, is it simply that, as he lounges in the Caribbean sun, he simply does not care as she detail criticism of his track-recording, including the handling of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffes case. Mr Raab was expected to meet his French and German counterparts in the week before speaking to US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in Washington on Thursday. Expand Close One protester wore a Donald Trump mask (Yui Mok/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp One protester wore a Donald Trump mask (Yui Mok/PA) The meeting, understood to have been arranged ahead of the strike, comes after Mr Pompeo criticised the UKs response. Frankly, the Europeans havent been as helpful as I wish that they could be. The Brits, the French, the Germans all need to understand that what we did, what the Americans did, saved lives in Europe as well, Mr Pompeo told Fox news. Later, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace gave the strongest backing to the US despite urging all parties to de-escalate as he announced the Navy plan to protect UK ships and citizens. After speaking to his US counterpart Mark Esper on Friday, Mr Wallace said American forces have been repeatedly attacked by Iranian-backed militia in Iraq during the last few months. General Soleimani has been at the heart of the use of proxies to undermine neighbouring sovereign nations and target Irans enemies, Mr Wallace continued. "We expect our government to completely condemn this act of brutal violence."@johnmcdonnellMP speaking at today's #NoWarOnIran protest... pic.twitter.com/6Ry59umNrk Stop the War (@STWuk) January 4, 2020 Under international law the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to their citizens. Acting Lib Dem co-leader Sir Ed Davey added to criticism of the PM. Johnsons silence on Trumps dangerous assassination in Iraq is deafening, Mr Davey said. The Prime Minister must speak out now and make clear Britain will not support the US in repeating the mistake of the Iraq war. Earlier in the day Labours John McDonnell vowed during an anti-war protest at Downing Street to press Mr Johnson over the attack, which will set the Middle East and the globe alight yet again. And its not good enough for the UK Government just to appeal for a de-escalation, what we expect the UK Government to do is to come out in total and outright condemnation of this act of violence, the shadow chancellor said. British Navy to Accompany UK-Flagged Vessels Through Strait of Hormuz Sputnik News 00:38 05.01.2020 The Strait of Hormuz is the critical seaborne oil export choke point between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. According to media forecasts, citing pundits, the area could become a hot zone in a possible open confrontation between Washington and Tehran, as the latter mulls its response for the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Several major economic powers - dependent on the clear passage in the Strait of Hormuz - have embarked on preventive measures in the event Iran closes the strait and curbs the free flow of this crucial international oil vein. British Defence Minister Ben Wallace said he had ordered the warships HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare for escort duties for all ships sailing under a British merchant flag in the Strait of Hormuz. "The government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time", Wallace said, cited by Reuters. Wallace said that Washington was entitled to defend itself against a threat, after Iranian military commander Soleimani was assassinated, but urged all parties to exercise restraint. "We urge all parties to engage to de-escalate the situation. Under international law the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to their citizens", Wallace said, cited by Reuters, adding that he had spoken with US Department of Defence Secretary Mark Esper. Before the long-simmering US-Iran tension - caused by the Trump administration's unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal - hit a menacing low on Friday after the US military in an airstrike assassinated the top Iranian general in Baghdad, the Gulf region was already treated as a potential conflict zone. Last year, a series of attacks on tankers in Gulf waters, and a drone attack against oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, worsened the situation, with the Trump administration and its allies placing the blame on Iran. Tehran has refuted all accusations. In September 2019, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani presented an updated version of his plan, dubbed the Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) - or the Hormuz Peace Initiative. Its goal is to form a UN-backed coalition of regional countries to ensure maritime safety and security in the wake of the increased number of anonymous attacks on oil tankers in the Hormuz Strait and the Persian Gulf. Rouhani coined it as a rightful alternative to a US-proposed military coalition. The Iranian leader noted that the protection of maritime routes in the Middle East should be carried out only by local forces. In the wake of a dramatic new turn of the events in the Middle East, unequivocal threats from Iranian leadership vowing "revenge" for the assassinated general and a US full combat preparedness to retaliate, have cast doubt on Rouhani's HOPE initiative to succeed. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Patna (Bihar) [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Allaying fears that documentary proof will have to be furnished for the National Population Register (NPR) exercise, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said that no document or proof would be asked for the same. "No document or proof would be asked for the updation of NPR. It would be updated purely on the basis of what people will tell officials who visit their houses," said Sushil Modi. "RJD is spreading rumours that documents would be asked, which is false," he added. He said that the decision regarding NPR was taken during the tenure of the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh. "In 2010 there was UPA government led by Manmohan Singh. The Gazette of India dated March 15, 2010, mentioned it. In 2015, Narendra Modi government decided to link NPR with Aadhaar," he said. "Only updation will be done in NPR. Names of those who have died will be deleted while new names will be added and anomalies will be corrected," said Sushil Modi. He announced that the NPR would be updated in Bihar from May 15 to May 28 and that the nationwide exercise has to be carried out between April 1 to September 30. The Union Cabinet on December 24 approved a proposal to update NPR. The NPR was discussed thoroughly at the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the meeting, the Prime Minister also asked ministers to reach out to masses to highlight the plight of refugees who came from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan due to religious persecution. (ANI) Australian wildfires are still raging. Because of the hot and dry weather, the fire broke out quite quickly. From claiming lives of millions of animals and more than 20 people to thousands of people becoming homeless, the huge blaze turned quite catastrophic on Saturday. 5.7 million hectares have been burnt already and about 10 million people are poisoned by smoke. This is not a bush fire. Its an atomic bomb, Andrew Constance, the transport minister in New South Wales, told ABC radio. AFP The situation is so worse that skies turned blood red above parts of southeast Australia on Sunday. Government has announced the use of military assets, a deployment not seen since World War II, to curb fire. AFP As the crisis is worsening, a lot of Hollywood celebrities have come out in support, expressing their concern and asking people to donate. Pink and Nicole Kidman are among the celebrities who have sent donations to help Australia battle its growing wildfire crisis. I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires. I am pledging a donation of $500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz pic.twitter.com/kyjDbhoXpp P!nk (@Pink) January 4, 2020 We want to express our deep gratitude to the people in Australia who are fighting these devastating bushfires Our hearts are with everyone impacted especially those who have lost homes businesses and loved ones This is an immense tragedy for our home country #AustraliaBushfires pic.twitter.com/xcsPWSpDeS Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) January 3, 2020 After Hollywood celebs like Leonardo DiCaprio and Naomi Watts among others showed their concern, Bollywood celebrities like Disha Patani, Tiger Shroff, Dia Mirza, Kunal Kemmu have also reacted to the ongoing disaster. Taking to social media, Dia Mirza wrote, "This is real. This is happening. This must stop. We can stop this. Come together. Stay united. Act on climate. Invest in nature. Secure/protect forests. Grow indigenous trees. Empower organisations and individuals who make a difference. Learn the facts. Dont be scared. Dont run. Dont hide. Face it. Feel it. Spend time with children. HEAR them. #AustraliaBushFires #ForPeopleAndPlanet #SDGs #SundayVibes #NoteToSelf." Tiger Shroff shared: My heart is crying after seeing this 6 Million hectares have burned,an area inhabited by 500 millions animals,many endangered.#PrayForAustralia pic.twitter.com/eShkXpDcEU Gautam Gulati (@TheGautamGulati) January 5, 2020 The authorities have warned that the conditions might worsen in the upcoming days. Australian authorities began assessing the damage on Sunday from heatwave-spurred bushfires that swept through two states a day earlier, as cooler conditions provided a temporary respite from blazes that have scarred the country's east coast for weeks. Light rain and cooler temperatures in the southeast of the country were a welcome change from the searing heat that has fueled the devastating fires, but officials warned they were not enough to put out almost 200 fires still burning. "It certainly is a welcome reprieve, it is psychological relief if nothing else," New South Wales (NSW) state Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said in an afternoon briefing on the situation. "But unfortunately it is not putting out the fires." Tens of thousands of homes in both NSW and Victoria states were without power on Sunday as a large-scale military and police effort continued to provide supplies and evacuate thousands of people who have been trapped for days in coastal towns by the fires. Initial estimates put damaged or destroyed properties in the hundreds, but authorities said the mass evacuations by residents of at-risk areas appear to have prevented major loss of life. Twenty-four people have been killed since the start of this year's wildfire season. Fire officials said temperatures were expected to rise again during the week and the next major flashpoint would come by Thursday, but it was too early to gauge the likely severity of the threat. "The weather activity we're seeing, the extent and spread of the fires, the speed at which they're going, the way in which they are attacking communities who have never ever seen fire before is unprecedented," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. Thousands of people have been evacuated from coastal towns at the peak of the summer holiday season, in one of the biggest coordinated operations since the evacuation of Darwin after Cyclone Tracy flattened the northern city in 1974. Australia has been battling blazes across much of its east coast for months, with experts saying climate change has been a major factor in a three-year drought that has left much of the country's bushland tinder-dry and susceptible to fires. Following are highlights of what is happening across Australia: - Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Singapore and Papua New Guinea have made offers of military support; New Zealand was sending an additional three Air Force helicopters and crews, two Army Combat Engineer Sections and a command element to support Australian Defense efforts. - As smoke cleared, about 350 people were due to be airlifted out of the Victorian town of Mallacoota on Sunday, where around 1,000 people were evacuated by sea on Friday. That would leave about 400 people who had chosen to stay in the community, The Age newspaper reported. - No fires were burning out of control in the New South Wales, but four fires in Victoria had Evacuate Now or Emergency Level warnings. - A threat earlier on Sunday to the NSW town of Eden had eased by late afternoon, and authorities said evacuation was no longer necessary. - Haze from the fires was turning skies orange as far away as New Zealand; police there asked people to not call the emergency phone number. - In Canberra, officials asked for 100,000 extra breathing masks from the national stockpile as the country's capital recorded the worst air quality in the world on Sunday, according to the IQAir AirVisual global index. The masks are expected to arrive on Monday. - Actors, popstars and Britain's royal family stepped in to offer support for victims of the fires, helping to raise millions for firefighting services and wildlife shelters. - The death of a 47-year old man who was defending a friend's rural property in NSW took the national toll this season to 24. NSW Premier Berejiklian said there was no one unaccounted for in NSW; Victorian authorities said four people were unaccounted for in Victoria. - The federal government on Saturday announced an unprecedented call up of army reservists to support firefighters as well other resources including a third navy ship equipped for disaster and humanitarian relief. It also announced the creation of a federal bushfires response agency. - RFS Commissioner Fitzsimmons criticized the government for not informing him of its policy proposal, saying he found out about it from the media and it created confusion on one of the busiest days ever for fighting fires. - PM Morrison also faced criticism for a video he posted on social media outlining how the government is tackling the fires. Morrison has been under sustained attack handling of the crisis after he jetted out for a family holiday in Hawaii. He apologized and returned early but was heckled and snubbed when he toured fire-hit regions in recent days. - More than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) of land has been burnt this fire season. Almost 1,500 homes have been destroyed in NSW state alone. ALSO READ: Australia bushfire: Authorities believe worst yet to come amid loss of lives, soaring temperatures ALSO READ: Australia fire: PM Scott Morrison plans to cancel trip to India due to bushfire crisis The volume of gas pumped amounted to 220.05 million cubic meters on December 31, and on January 1 - only 49.3 million cubic meters of gas Since the beginning of 2020, the average transit volumes of Russian gas through the Ukrainian gas transportation system have decreased 5.3 times. This became known from the data published on the website of the company "Operator of the GTS of Ukraine." The average gas transit through Ukraine in December 2019 reached the level of 261 million cubic meters. On December 31, 220.05 million cubic meters of gas were pumped up. On January 1, only 49.3 million cubic meters of gas passed through the Ukrainian gas transportation system, and up to 38.8 million cubic meters on January 2. As we reported, Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk said that Ukraine, Russia, and the EU signed a new gas contract for 5 years with the possibility of prolonging it for 10 years The prime minister noted the coordinated work of the government and thanked his colleagues for their work. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, January 5, 2020 16:30 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320ebab4 1 National Natuna,Riau,foreign-affairs Free The Indonesian Military (TNI) claims that Chinese fishing vessels remained in Natuna, Riau Islands, on Sunday despite the ongoing diplomatic tug of war between Indonesia and China over the latters naval maneuvers in the region last week. Joint Defense Area Command (Kogabwilhan) I commander Rear Adm. Yudo Margono said the foreign vessels had persisted and had been seen catching fish in waters only 130 miles (209 kilometers) from Ranai, the capital of Natuna regency. The ships were accompanied by a couple of Chinese coastguard vessels and one fishing guard vessel, Yudo told the press on Sunday as quoted by Antara news agency. He said the TNI had deployed two warships in an official military operation to drive the foreign vessels out of Natuna. Weve also been actively communicating with the Chinese coastguard vessels, urging them to leave on their own accord, Yudo said, adding that the operation would last until the foreign vessels leave Indonesias maritime regions. We are focusing on adding military power there. We will deploy four additional warships to drive out the foreign vessels tomorrow. Following a series of naval maneuvers by Chinese coastguard and fishing vessels in Natuna waters last week, Indonesia summoned Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Xiao Qian on Monday to lodge a formal protest, with the Foreign Ministry saying that Indonesia would never recognize China's Nine-Dash Line the geographic expression of Beijing's sweeping claims over the South China Sea because it was contrary to international law. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang insisted on Tuesday that the ships were performing "routine" activities to assert its sovereignty over the nearby Spratly Islands as well as its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters nearby, adding that China would like to work with Indonesia to continue managing disputes properly through bilateral dialogue. Indonesia responded on Wednesday by firmly rejecting the asserted historical claims over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the North Natuna Sea. The ministry said they were "unilateral, have no legal basis and have never been recognized by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea". (rfa) The Pakistan Parliament is likely to pass a crucial law on Wednesday empowering Prime Minister Imran Khan to grant a three-year extension to Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, sources said on Sunday. Prime Minister 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 November 28, the apex court granted a six-month extension to Gen Bajwa after being assured by the government that Parliament will pass legislation on the extension/reappointment of an army chief within six months. After initial dithering, the government got the support of the main Opposition parties and on Friday introduced three bills in the National Assembly or lower house to extend the retirement age from 60 to 64 years for the chiefs of army, navy and air force, and the chairman of the joint chief of staff committee. It was expected to pass the laws the same day but decided to send them to the defence committee of the National Assembly and Senate on the insistence of the Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party - the two key opposition parties. The committee in a joint sitting on the same day gave approval to the bills and it was announced that the laws would be passed on Monday. But things changed on Saturday when Opposition alleged that the committee was chaired by its secretary and not by its chairman which was illegal and not empowered to approve the bills. It forced the government to convene another meeting of the committee on Monday so that the legal lacunae could be addressed. Sources in the government told PTI that the laws would be passed on Wednesday if everything went according to the plan. "We hope that the issue would be resolved and the laws passed on Wednesday," according to the sources. But there is one hurdle as Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl led by the veteran cleric and politician Maulana Fazlur Rehamn announced to oppose the bills. Though he lacks numerical strength to bock the legislation but the government is trying to take him on board to create a broader consensus. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain of Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q), an ally of Prime Minister Khan, announced on Sunday to meet the cleric to address his concerns. Sources said that the government can delay the enactment for a day or two if the cleric came up with some demands that could not be met before Wednesday. "Otherwise, there is no hurdle and the issue of extension will be solved during the coming week," according to the government sources. The powerful military, which has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 70 plus years of existence, has wielded considerable power in deciding matters concerning security and foreign policies. TypingDNA, a four-year-old, 18-person startup that was founded in Bucharest, Romania and more recently moved its headquarters to Brooklyn, New York, has closed on $7 million in Series A funding for something interesting: AI-driven technology that it says can recognize people based on the way they type, both on their laptops and mobile devices. We yesterday discovered an SEC filing that showed the company -- which graduated from Techstars NYC in late 2018 and early last year closed on 1.3 million in seed funding -- had so far raised $5.25 million toward that goal. We've since connected with the company's co-founder and CEO, Raul Popa, who confirms the entire amount has been raised. Gradient Ventures, which is Google's nearly three-year-old, AI-focused venture group, led the round; it was joined by the company's previous backers, including Techstars Ventures and GapMinder Venture Partners, a venture outfit based in Amsterdam. Typing biometrics -- the detailed timing information that describes exactly when each key is pressed and released as a way to identify the unique person at the keyboard -- is apparently not brand new. A two-year-old, PC World article says research in the field dates back 20 years. It also says that inaccuracies have kept the technology from being used as a widespread way to authenticate individuals. TypingDNA meanwhile asserts that the typing pattern recognition technology it has developed has an accuracy rate of between 99% and 99.9%. According to Popa, TypingDNA is currently working with banks, financial and payment apps, online education platforms, enterprise apps, consumer apps and government apps that are concerned with identity and fraud prevention. On the education front, for example, it helps organizations ensure they're giving the right students credit for the work they receive. Worth noting: its API is open to anyone -- especially developers -- looking to integrate the technology into their products and apps. In fact, asked how the company will use its new round, Popa says the plan involves "focusing on developers more, coming up with typing biometrics-based products that can easily be integrated to solve various use cases, and helping banks and fintechs where regulation asks for biometrics as a second factor." Story continues As for what TypingDNA is doing that wasn't previously possible, Popa says his team doesn't need a huge body of work to draw conclusions, that they're "able to look at very short and few samples of text in order to authenticate people with great accuracy." The mobile tech, he says, "needs even less data than on desktop, because we also look at other sensors in the device." From an AI point of view, TypingDNA is apparently combining pattern recognition, anomaly detection and what Popa calls one-shot learning techniques -- some of which are "completely novel," he says. Indeed, if all goes as planned, it eventually also could be applied to other technologies, as well to improve binary classification quality when few training samples are used. New Delhi, Jan 5 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday night spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik over the violence in JNU this evening and instructed him to take necessary action. Mr Shah has also ordered an enquiry into the matter to be carried out by a Joint Commissioner level officer , and sought the report of the same as soon as possible. 'Union Home Minister has spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner over JNU violence and instructed him to take necessary action. Honble minister has also ordered an enquiry to be carried out by a Joint CP level officer and asked for a report to be submitted as soon as possible,' the HMO official twitter handle said. It was on Sunday evening that a group of unidentified masked men attacked the students in JNU campus hostels wherein the JNUSU president, general secretary were among those who were injured. The Sabarmati hostel was also vandalised including other places inside campus. According to Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union (JNUSU), some 'masked' men allegedly entered the student's hostel in the evening and assaulted them with stones, rods and sticks. The JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh, general secretary Satish Chandra Yadav, and several other students were injured in the attack. They were rushed to AIIMS for medical treatment, the student's body informed. The goons also attacked a professor, who was trying to help the students. Several videos of attack have emerged on the social media. UNI APS PS 2254 A walk along Avenue de lOpera in Paris on a weekday morning is like a time-machine allowing you to experience the same excitement as 25 years ago, including the frantic search for a functioning metro line a regular occurrence since the beginning of December. As an excessive number of riot vans line up on the sides and a traffic jam builds up around a group of screaming CGT union protesters, the possibility of the use of rubber bullets force you to take a side street. Around half an hour later, you learn from Twitter that the police have used batons to disperse the crowd as soon as you left. It is one of several meeting points spreading across the capital as trade unions call for yet another day of rallying. The protests have lasted a month now, with tear gas used upon demonstrators in Pariss busy Gare du Nord station as recently as Saturday. For anyone who has lived through the escalations of the Yellow Vest movement last year, the anger at the upcoming pension system reform is even more impressive, with the strike receiving the support of man than half the population. The numbers have inched down in recent polls, but a pre-Christmas survey from Ifop still had support at 51 per cent. Strikers have already beaten the 1995 record for the longest round of uninterrupted protests, when the transportation system and public administration went on a three-week-long lockdown against then-Prime Minister Alain Juppe reform programme. While the current prime minister, Edouard Philippe, has taken on that role, this time it feels like the strikers resilience is aimed at a battle against President Emmanuel Macron, rather than the pension reform itself. The Yellow Vests did that and might have been the inspiration. Workers at the state-owned SNCF railways and the Paris transport network started their industrial action on 5 December, later joined by public sector workers have joined in. The SOS Retraites SOS Pensions group has said it will now add its clout too. The CGT has called for a complete blockade of oil refineries from Tuesday to Friday, which could hit supplies to petrol stations. It is a headache for the government. As of today, the French pension system is divided into 42 regimes, some of which enjoy a special status, higher payouts, and a relatively low retirement age in comparison to other EU countries. The government wants one universal points-based system which it is hoped will encourage people to remain in employment beyond 62 to 64, the official retirement age. Although polls stress that the public believes there will be a need to make the system more sustainable for everyones benefit, they also outline the belief that Macron will never be the one to deliver it, nor will he ever be considered credible enough to set the agenda again. His approach to the Yellow Vest demands, such as higher purchasing power and a lighter tax burden, was one of delayed apologies towards a people alienated by high-level politics and perceived deprivation. Recent research has shown that those French people who feel in a state of poverty report the same level of pessimism towards the future, no matter if they live below or above the official poverty line. The Great National Debate that Macron established a few months after the most violent Yellow Vest episodes felt like an overdue attempt at dialogue but did not result in significant changes. Frances rising social spending takes up nearly a third of the countrys GDP, but the rate of satisfaction with the welfare system has gone down from 73 per cent in 2017 to 62 per cent. The governments uninspiring response to this sense of abandonment, of which the Yellow Vest protests were a manifestation, has clearly worsened things. The stalemate will continue until Macron admits the long-lasting impact of his previous mistakes, including missteps in mass politics so distant from his elite background. The Yellow Vests have redefined French politics, expressing discontent with a ruling class perceived to be unaware of daily struggles that cuts across many social strata. Macron is now the symbol of this distaste, and all his actions are doomed to fail. The fact that around 44 per cent of people who voted for far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the European election have shown support for or participated in Yellow Vest marches goes a long way to point Macrons lack of understanding of this political disenchantment. Were Le Pen to appropriate the pension issue too, there is little chance for Macrons reputation to remain clean enough for another presidential race. Talks open again this week to try and end the standoff. However, Until Macron commits to a humble moment of self-reflection, the scenes at Opera will be a testament to a public debate that hasnt yet be fully had. One that still needs to be defined and dealt with via platform of healthy debate. In wake of General Qassem Soleimani assassination, who was the head of Irans Quds Force, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Saturday. Condemning the military adventurism of the US, Yi stressed the need for respecting Iraqs sovereignty. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that both China and Russia would continue to uphold international justice and peace. FM Wang Yi just had a phonecall with Russian FM Lavrov. FM Wang Yi said military adventurism is unacceptable. He called on Iraq's sovereignty respected, UN Charter observed & regional peace maintained. China&Russia will continue to uphold international justice & peace. Spokesperson (@MFA_China) January 4, 2020 Read: US-Iran Tensions: Saudi Not Consulted To Kill Iranian Gen Soleimani, Says Official 'Safeguard global strategic stability' In a tweet, the Chinese Foreign Ministry noted that Yi and Lavrov also discussed avenues for co-operation in the UN Security Council. They agreed to safeguard global stability by maintaining close communication. The importance of the UN Charter was also highlighted in the discussion. On Jan. 4, FM Wang Yi had a phonecall with Russian FM Lavrov. They fully exchanged views & coordinate positions on the cooperation in the UN Security Council. They agreed to maintain close communication to safeguard global strategic stability. Spokesperson (@MFA_China) January 5, 2020 Read: Trump Steps Up Warning To Tehran; Says US Ready To Strike 52 Iranian Sites If Tehran Retaliates US air raid at Baghdad airport While the Iran and the US have been at loggerheads for quite sometime, their relationship took a worse turn after a US air raid killed Soleimani, considered by many as the second most powerful figure in Iran. The Pentagon confirmed that the January 3 attack at the Baghdad International Airport was carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump. Along with Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis- the deputy commander of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iran-backed umbrella organization comprising several militias was also killed. Read: Protests Erupt Across US To Condemn US President Trump-directed Action In Iran And Iraq Key role in spreading Iranian influence Soleimani had acquired a larger than life image due to his role in spreading Iranian influence in West Asia. He was considered to have played a key role in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's war against the rebels. Moreover, he helped armed groups fight the Islamic State. On the other hand, the US accused the Quds Force of providing funding, training, weapons, and equipment to US-designated terrorist groups in West Asia including Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group in Gaza. It alleged that Soleimani and the Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans. Furthermore, the Trump administration contended that he had been "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region". Read: Google Searches For Draft Age Increase Amid Concerns Of War Between The US And Iran Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday lashed out at the Centre for its policy of oppressing dissent as she demanded the transfer of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad to a hospital. Chandrashekhar Azads organisation has said he is unwell and needs immediate medical care, a claim rejected by officials of Delhis Tihar Jail. He has been in the jail after being arrested on December 21, 2019, a day after his outfit organised a march against the new citizenship law without permission from the police. The governments policy of oppressing all expressions of dissent and protest has reached the point of cowardice. The lack of basic humanity in their actions is shameful, Priyanka Gandhi posted on Twitter. There are absolutely no grounds to keep Chandrashekhar in jail, let alone to deny him medical treatment if he is unwell. He should be sent to AIIMS to be treated immediately, she said. Azads personal doctor Harjeet Singh Bhatti has said the Bhim Army chief suffers from a disease which requires biweekly phlebotomy, a procedure to remove extra red blood cells from the blood to treat certain blood disorders. Bhim Army spokesperson Kush Ambedkarwadi, who had met him on Friday, also said Azad is being treated for the disease for the past one-and-a-half years. Ambedkarwadi said he had told authorities at the Tihar Jail. Priyanka Gandhi has been criticising the Centre, as well as the Uttar Pradesh government, over its handling of the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and accused the police in the northern state of brutality and high-handedness. The central and the UP governments have denied her charges and on Sunday Union home minister Amit Shah accused her and her brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of misleading people over the citizenship act and instigating riots. Protests have erupted in different parts of the country, including the national capital and in Uttar Pradesh, and continue to rage. The protests in Uttar Pradesh turned violent in December last year as more than 20 people were killed and several injured. Hundreds of others have been arrested after the protests broke out in the northern state. Saudi Arabian communications service provider Mobily has signed an agreement with Ericsson to use its cutting-edge products and solutions to support the drive to empower the kingdom's government and private sectors towards digital transformation, accelerate deployment of digital services, and expand the provision of Internet of Things solutions. This comes in line with Mobilys strategy to support digital transformation initiatives to achieve the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The signing ceremony took place at Mobilys headquarters in Riyadh in the presence of Mobily CEO Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Badran. The contract was signed by Alaa Malky, Mobily chief technology officer and Ekow Nelson, vice president of Ericsson Middle East and Africa. The end-to-end expansion of Mobilys network will see the deployment of Ericsson products and solutions spanning transport, core, charging and billing and radio access - including 5G products from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio. The Ericsson Radio System products will enable Mobily to boost spectrum assets and enhance customer experiences and operational efficiencies. Ericsson will also provide and integrate a next-generation operation to enhance Mobily's customer experiences, capture new opportunities and drive business efficiencies in addition to offering next-generation communications services for the digital era including 5G and machine-critical Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0 use cases. Moreover, enhanced mobile broadband services for consumers - such as high-definition streaming, immersive virtual/augmented reality and gaming, and connected cloud computing are other services offered by Mobily towards its subscribers. Malky said: We have a long and successful history of partnering with Ericsson whereby we strive to lead in offering telecommunications services and technologies in the kingdom including developing Mobilys journey in the expansion of new generation networks and offering Internet of Things solutions. At Mobily, we strive to make our services and products a unique and viable choice for customers in the government and private sectors towards digital transformation. This is due to our reliance on the best technical solutions in the world to provide high quality and reliable services that our customers expect." Fadi Pharaon, head of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, said: Today marks another major milestone in our long-standing partnership with Mobily in Saudi Arabia as together we will launch 5G in the western region. 5G is set to revolutionise how we use and adopt technology and will have a huge impact on businesses and society in the kingdom. It will bring high speed, ultra-low latency and highly secure connectivity to a massive number of devices and is a technology that will unlock a vast array of new use cases through Mobilys next-generation network. - TradeArabia News Service The bushfires are blazing all across Australia right now. More than 150 fires continue to burn across NSW. Authorities had issued emergency alerts for 10 of those bushfires, down from 13 earlier in the evening. Of most concern are fires burning on the NSW South Coast, including near Nowra and Eden.In Victoria, about 50 fires continue to burn, mostly in the state's north-east and alpine area. Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has confirmed two more people died on Saturday, pushing the death toll up to 23, and has called up around 3,000 army reservists to help battle the fires. Mr Morrison told a news conference: "We are facing another extremely difficult next 24 hours. "In recent times, particularly over the course of the balance of this week, we have seen this disaster escalate to an entirely new level." Australian worship leader Darlene Zschech calls upon all Christians to pray for Australia. "Hey global family... us Aussies need your prayers for rain, for our firefighters, for the thousands of people displaced, for the growing number of people that have lost loved ones and all they own... we have never seen fires like this.. " Zschech continues: "Praying for and super proud of all of our firefighters... whether they are paid or unpaid, they are living selflessly and tirelessly to protect fellow Aussies right now. ThankYou doesn't even come close to how grateful our hearts are for you all." Hillsong's current worship director Brooke Ligertwood also invites us to pray for the firefighters. "Can't comprehend the conditions these incredible firefighters have been working in for weeks on end now, with hundreds of fires blazing across Australia amidst continuous hottest-day-on-record setting temperatures. Gobsmacking courage and stamina. So sad for all those who've lost property and worse." Meanwhile, other Aussies including Keith Urban and wife Nicole Kidman are giving $500,000 to support firefighters in their battle against Australia's devastating wildfires. "Our family's support, thoughts, and prayers are with everyone affected by the fires all over Australia. We are donating $500,000 to the Rural Fire Services who are all doing and giving so much right now," Urban and Kidman both posted on social media Saturday night (Jan. 4). Likewise, pop songstress Pink has opened her wallet to help the victims of the bushfires. "I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires. I am pledging a donation of $500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz." The Salvation Army has launched a disaster appeal to help support evacuees and emergency services during the current crisis. Salvation Army teams are currently active at roughly a dozen evacuation centres where, among other things, they are providing meals to evacuees and firefighters. Relief teams are also providing food and water and emotional and practical support. The Salvation Army has warned recovery will be a long and difficult process. "We know from experience many of those displaced by the fires are going to need us for many months or years ahead," Salvation Army spokesman Major Bruce Harmer said. "We are committed to standing alongside these communities for as long as it takes to get them back on their feet." You can donate to the Salvation Army's disaster appeal at this link. Tags : australian bushfires pray for australia hillsong worship Darlene Zschech brooke ligertwood pink nicole kidman keith urban CANASTOTA, N.Y. The Canastota Police Department is seeking the publics help finding a man who police said committed an armed robbery in the parking lot of a McDonalds. The alleged armed robbery occurred at 2 p.m. today at the McDonalds at 13 North Peterboro St. in the village of Canastota. Police said the suspect was last seen entering a white vehicle before fleeing the scene. The suspect is described as a white man aged mid-20s to early-30s with facial hair. Hes between 5 feet, 7 inches and 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs between 130 and 170 lbs. He wore a gray hat, blue jeans, gray sneakers and a white shirt. Police are asking anyone with information to call the Canastota Police Department at (315)697-8888. Russia kicked off celebration in honor of one of the main holidays of Judaism - Hanukkah. The first Hanukkah candle in Moscow was lit tonight at the Revolution Square with participation of Russia's Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar On December 22, after sunset, Jews around the world began to celebrate one of the main national holidays - the eight-day holiday of light called Hanukkah - in honor of a miracle in the Jerusalem Temple, where, according to legend, the lamp light didn't go out for 8 days. Hanukkah is considered the brightest holiday, accompanied by feasts, songs and games. Extending free GP care to all children under the age of 13 at a time when the "very fragile" service is at breaking point is unrealistic, the Irish Medical Organisation has warned. IMO president, Dr Padraig McGarry, also accused the Government of pursuing an electioneering strategy of offering free services. He was responding to the Government's approval of the extension of free GP care to all children under the age of 13, beginning with children aged six and seven this year. Income limits for medical card assessments for people aged 70 will also be increased, a measure already announced in the budget that will benefit up to 56,000 people. However, the IMO said no agreement had been reached with the doctors' representative group on how free GP care would be extended to under-13s. It is currently only available to children under the age of six. Health Minister, Simon Harris, has asked his officials to begin drafting legislation that will extend GP care without charges to all primary school children. The bill will also increase the medical card income limits for those aged 70 or more to 550 for individuals or 1,050 for couples. GP services are at breaking point both in our day time and out of hours services and without significant additional resources, it is simply not realistic to introduce policies to increase demands on a what is a very fragile service, said Dr McGarry. He said the recent 210m contract agreement between the IMO and the Department was at the early stages of implementation and very significant capacity problems within the service had to be addressed. We still have problems of practices being unable to take on new patients, serious problems in our out-of-hours service and any extension of cards must take these issues into account, he said. Dr McGarry warned that while the IMO had agreed to engage in discussions with the Government on its latest plans for free GP care, these talks had yet to take place. It looks like the Government is prioritising an election promise over the strategic management of scarce health resources, he said. When GPs read of promises like these being made, our hearts sink because we know that the service is already fragile and we despair that people who should know better dont seem to care. Any talks on potential extensions to the service must take into account capacity and adequate resourcing. The minister said the decision to provide free GP care to all under-13s and increase access to medical cards for over 70s reflected the Governments commitment to delivering healthcare for all. "We remain determined to ensure that cost should not be a prohibiting factor in children accessing appropriate healthcare when and where they require it, and this decision is a significant step towards meeting that goal, he said. Mr Harris said the planned legislation would allow GP care without fees to be extended to six and seven-year-olds this year and provide the basis for the phased extension of GP care without fees to all children under 13 in the years ahead. The polling stations across Croatia opened at 0600 GMT on Sunday for voters to elect the countrys new president in a race pitting the candidates of the two biggest parties, Trend reports citing Reuters. In the first round of voting two weeks ago, former prime minister Zoran Milanovic, who is Social Democrats candidate, came first among the 11 candidates with 29.6% of votes. He finished ahead of the incumbent president, the conservative Croatian Democratic Unions (HDZ) Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic with 26.7%. The opinion polls and analysts suggest that the race for the next five-year presidential term, which begins in February, could be tight, although some give a slight advantage to Grabar-Kitarovic. I believe that she has somewhat bigger chances as the Croatian electorate is generally slightly right-leaning. In any case, this election is a kind of a preliminary stage for the parliamentary election later this year, said political analyst Zarko Puhovski. The polling stations close at 1800 GMT and the first preliminary results will be known around 1900 GMT. The presidential role is to a large extent ceremonial as the head of state cannot veto laws, but has a say in foreign policy, defense and security matters. Milanovic, who was the prime minister from 2011 to 2015, ran his election campaign on promises that he would fight corruption that he said had intensified since he left power and the conservatives took over. The conservatives say Milanovics government ran poor economic policy that piled up public debt. Croatia, which took over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union on Jan. 1, is set to hold the next parliamentary election in the autumn. In the opinion polls, the ruling HDZ party is slightly ahead of the Social Democrats in popularity. The 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq have suspended their anti-Islamic State mission to focus on force protection against expected retaliation from Iran or its proxies for the killing of Quds Force Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the U.S. command said Sunday. Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve's statement on its change of mission comes amid growing demands in Iraq's parliament for the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country. A series of rocket attacks on U.S. positions in Iraq over the last two months, including two more Saturday night, "has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations against Daesh [another name for ISIS] and we have therefore paused these activities," the task force said in the statement. The U.S. is still committed to the train, advise and assist mission against ISIS, but "our first priority is protecting all coalition personnel," according to the statement. Related: Thousands of Marines Head to Middle East on Navy Ship as Iran Pledges Retaliation The task force cited at least 11 wide-ranging rocket attacks over the last two months blamed on the Iranian-backed Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) militia, including one on a base near Kirkuk on Dec. 27 that killed an American contractor and wounded several U.S. troops. In response to the Kirkuk attack, U.S. F-15 Strike Eagle fighters carried out airstrikes against five KH targets in Iraq and Syria. Last Thursday, President Donald Trump ordered the strike that killed Soleimani, who has been charged by the U.S. as the mastermind behind attacks that killed hundreds of U.S. troops since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In a statement Sunday, OIR spokesman Col. Myles B. Coggins II confirmed that two more rocket attacks occurred in quick succession Saturday night on Baghdad's Green Zone, which houses the U.S. Embassy, and Balad Air Base. There were no casualties. The first attack occurred at about 7:46 p.m. local time on the Green Zone and the second at 7:50 p.m. at Balad, Coggins said, adding that the latest attacks brought the total over the last two months to 13. He said that reports of a third attack near Mosul in northwestern Iraq were false. The stunning move to suspend counter-terror missions against ISIS in Iraq came as the Iraqi parliament debated demands to order the withdrawal of U.S. forces to show the Baghdad government's condemnation of Soleimani's killing and avoid Iraq becoming the battlefield for a U.S.-Iran war. In an address to parliament, acting Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, who announced his resignation in early December and has stayed on in a caretaker capacity, called for "urgent measures" to bring about the withdrawal of all of the estimated 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. "What happened was a political assassination," Abdul-Mahdi said of the strike that killed Soleimani, a KH leader and several others on an access road at Baghdad International Airport as they traveled in a two-vehicle convoy. Abdul-Mahdi said U.S. forces must leave Iraq "for the sake of our national sovereignty." Despite growing demands in the Iraqi parliament for a U.S. withdrawal, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that "we are confident" the Iraqi people want American forces to remain. However, Pompeo said on Fox News Sunday that "we will have to take a look at what we do" if the formal request for a withdrawal comes from the Iraqi government. The strike that killed Soleimani has set the entire region on edge in anticipation of what form the vow of revenge from Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will take and whether it will lead to full-scale war with the U.S. In Tehran on Sunday, Hossan Dehghan, the former defense minister and now top military adviser to Khamenei, said the Iranian response would be limited to an attack on U.S. forces. "The response for sure will be military and against military sites," Dehghan told CNN, while adding that Iran does not seek a wider war. However, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami warned of reprisals that would not be limited to attacks on the U.S. military. Iran's retaliation will be carried out across "a vast geography that will fire at will with determination for severe revenge," he said, according to Iran's Fars News Agency. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Read more: Trump Says 52 Targets Already Lined up if Iran Retaliates ALBANY In the year ahead, New Yorkers will elect state legislators and congressional representatives in contests that will set the stage for the redrawing of political maps, the 2022 gubernatorial race and the future of the state Republican Party. Democrats are expected to hold the Assembly, but Republicans hope to win back Trump-friendly congressional districts. The GOP is also hoping to avoid further losses in the Senate, a chamber they lost control of in 2018 after more than a half century of domination. But 2020 could cement the Republican Partys losses in New Year for years to come if Democrats pick up seats left open by a wave of retiring GOP state senators and reelect several House Democrats who won in 2018 on promises to stand up to President Donald Trump, according to Grant Reeher, professor of political science at Syracuse Universitys Maxwell School of Citizenship. It solidifes their majority, and puts in place this idea that New York is just blue, full stop, Reeher, also director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute, said. And it seems like it's going to be really tough for Republicans to make a real run at the governor's seat, given what we've seen in recent elections. It's going to become the case where Republican strategy is going to have to be: We try to win seats here and there, he said. Siena College pollster Steve Greenberg said that Democrats growing voter enrollment advantage in suburban and upstate areas once considered Republican strongholds poses a monumental problem for the GOP in a presidential year. The Democrats are likely to have a huge monetary advantage in terms of being able to spend on the races, Greenberg said. Republicans are already attacking House Democrats who voted for Trumps impeachment and plan to go after state-level Democrats for backing new bail reforms and proposals for single-payer health care. Party leaders hoping to win back moderates said theyre confident such tactics will work as Democrats push one another to be more liberal, while Reeher said a more left-wing Democratic presidential nominee could drive Republicans to the polls. Youve got these upstate districts where what's going on in the middle is really important, Reeher said. A lot of these members who are holding these districts now were able to thread the needle or calibrate pretty carefully to appeal to that group. Republicans are down to 23 out of 63 seats in the State Senate, 43 out of 150 state Assembly seats and five out of 27 congressional seats. A look at some races that that observers see as potential pickups for Republicans or Democrats: STATE SENATE DISTRICT 50 Republican Sen. Bob Antonacci was elected in 2018 but decided to run for state judge this year. His win in November has left his sharply divided district without a representative. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, has hinted he would hold a special election for Antonaccis seat on the date of the April presidential primary a day seen as favorable for Democrats. Antonacci won in 2018 with just 2,332 votes more than Democratic challenger John Mannion, who has announced he will run for the seat. The upstate district had voted for Trump and President Barack Obama. STATE SENATE DISTRICT 55 Sen. Richard Funke announced in mid-December that he was retiring, saying he wants to end his time in office on my own terms. Democrats have higher voter enrollment in the western New York district compared with 2014, when Funke first won election. Funke beat his Democratic challengers by roughly 4 percentage points in both 2012 and 2018. His 2018 challenger Jennifer Lunsford, an attorney, announced her run for his seat in September. STATE SENATE DISTRICT 46 Construction businessman George Amedore also announced he wont run for reelection in December. He won by solid margins in his last three elections. But Democrats amped up voter enrollment in a district that pollster Greenberg called historically competitive. A Democrat ousted Amedore in 2012 by just 18 votes. He then ran again and reclaimed the seat. Democrat Michelle Hinchey, daughter of late U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, launched her bid for Amedores seat in September. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 11 National Republican groups have set their sights on ousting Democratic Rep. Max Rose, whose district includes Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. The congressman was one of the last Democrats to announce support for Trumps impeachment. Rose has defended his vote as being carefully thought out, but the White House slammed Rose's vote and criticized him for joining the hyper-partisan, baseless impeachment sham." Rose is facing several Republican challengers, including Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 22 Republicans also think they have a shot at ousting Democrat Rep. Anthony Brindisi, who ousted Republican Claudia Tenney in the upstate district by just 1,422 votes in 2018. Trump campaigned for loyalist Tenney in the district, which he won by 15 percentage points in 2016. Nearly two-fifths of the districts active voters are Republican, while Democrats have shy of a third an edge that Republicans have maintained in recent years. Republicans who want to challenge Brindisi include Tenney, county District Attorney Steve Cornwell and educator Franklin Sager. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 19 Rep. Antonio Delgado beat his incumbent Republican opponent by 15,000 votes in 2018 to become the first African American or Hispanic member of Congress from upstate New York. As a congressman, Delgado focused on issues including contaminated water and help for family farmers. Professor Reeher said Delgado has positioned himself as a more moderate Democrat while also supporting impeachment. His Republican opponents include former National Guard Adjutant General Anthony German, fashion designer Ola Hawatmeh and nonprofit director Mike Roth. But Delgados fundraising has far outstripped theirs so far. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 19:07:05|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised on Sunday the United States for killing Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. "Soleimani initiated, planned and executed many terrorist attacks throughout the Middle East and beyond," Netanyahu told his weekly cabinet meeting. Israel stands "completely on the side of the U.S." in its current military campaign in the Middle East, he said. U.S. President Donald Trump "deserves every appreciation" for ordering the killing of Soleimani, Netanyahu added. On Friday morning, a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport killed Soleimani, sparking outrage in Iran and fears of regional escalation. Kolkata, Jan 6 : Iterating that he was "scared", injured JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh's father on Sunday said with the situation volatile across the country, even he could be beaten up on the morrow. Her mother demanded the varsity Vice Chancellor's resignation and affirmed she won't ask her daughter to back out of the protests. "The situation of the entire country is volatile. We are afraid. My daughter has been attacked, tomorrow someone else will be beaten up. Who knows, even I may be beaten up tomorrow," Ghosh's father said, hours after his daughter was brutally beaten up inside the varsity campus. He has not spoken to his daughter after the attack that left her with five stitches on the head. "I have not spoken to my daughter directly. Others there have told me of the incident, that there was violence. The peaceful movement was raging for long. There were five stitches on her head. We are worried," he said. According to him, Leftists face resistance everywhere. "See, she is with the Left movement. Everybody, everywhere tries to resist Left movement," he said. Aishe Ghosh's mother rapped JNU Vice Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar for not starting a direct dialogue with the students protesting against the fee hike. "The VC should resign. He is not doing anything. He is not entering into a dialogue with the students. So many incidents are taking place," she said. Aishe's mother said she would never ask her daughter to back out of the protests. "There are so many boys and girls with her in this movement. They are all injured, some more, some less. I will never ask her to back out of the protests," she said. Several masked individuals, both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers inside the JNU campus with wooden and metal rods. Two officer-bearers of the Jawaharal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), including Ghosh - who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod, received severe injuries. Six Germans were killed when a car ploughed into them after they left a nightclub in the Italian Alps on Sunday, emergency services said, adding that 11 others were injured. Media reports said the driver may have been drunk. The accident happened at around 1:15 am (0015 GMT) in the village of Lutago near the Austrian border in the South Tyrol region, which is popular with skiers. The group of Germans had spent the evening at the nightclub and were near their bus when the car slammed into them at high-speed. Some of them were propelled dozens of metres by the impact. Six Germans were killed, a fire service official in Lutago told AFP. Eleven other people were injured, including two from the region. Two who were in a very serious condition were flown by helicopter to a hospital in Innsbruck in Austria. The nine others were taken to regional hospitals. According to Rainews24, the driver was a 28-year-old man who lived locally and who "may have had a high level of alcohol in his blood". He was arrested and put in hospital under a police guard. More than 150 emergency workers were mobilised following the tragedy, and a field hospital was set up by the roadside to provide first aid. Lutago, located at an altitude of 970 metres (3,200 feet) in the picturesque Aurina valley, is popular with tourists who use the ski slopes of Klausberg and Speikboden. The village of about 800 residents is the location for a popular Italian television series "A un passo del ciel" ("One step from heaven"). Last week, three Germans - a woman and two girls, one of them aged seven - were killed in an avalanche in South Tyrol. More than 150 emergency workers were mobilised following the tragedy at Lutago in the Italian Alps, and a field hospital was set up by the roadside to provide first aid In a big development, the main culprit behind the Nankana Sahib attack has been arrested during the wee hours of Monday. According to sources, the culprit is identified as Imran Chishti. Further, the police have registered a case against him under the 7ATA (a non-bailable charge). According to reports, several Sikh devotees were stranded inside the Gurdwara which was attacked by a mob on Friday evening. Punjab (Pakistan): Imran Chishti, the person who was accused of inciting violence against Sikhs in Nankana Sahib Gurdwara has been arrested by police. pic.twitter.com/eQJXBflm5d ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 Pakistan in denial After that attack on the Gurudwara Nakana Sahib, the Pakistani government has been trying to downplay the incident and is living in denial. Pakistan's government in an official release had 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." Read: Khattar launches CAA awareness campaign in Haryana, condemns attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara Attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara Earlier on Friday, a video emerged where around 400 Muslims of Nankana Sahib attacked the revered Gurdwara Nanam Asthana and nearby residences of local Sikhs with stones. 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. Read: 'Nankana Sahib Gurudwara attack in Pakistan validates need for CAA': BJP's Pratap Sarangi According to sources, the protesters were proclaiming that they will soon change the name from Nankana Sahib to Ghulaman-e-Mustafa. Further, the mob was allegedly claiming that 'no Sikh will remain in Nankana'. Read: Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used for any regional conflict: FM Qureshi Read: PM should intervene immediately on Nankana Sahib incident: Chandigarh Congress The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration said students agitating over the hike in hostel fees ransacked the server room and intimidated the technical staff on Saturday, hampering the semester registration process. But JNUSU said the administration used masked security guards to attack students. They were shamefully wearing masks. JNUSU president was openly slapped by one of the security guards, alleged the students union, which has called for a boycott of the process over the increase in hostel fees. The semester registration process will end on January 5. The university has been seeing a standoff between the students and the administration over hike in hostel fees for over 70 days. Students even boycotted exams in protest, prompting the administration to send question papers to students through WhatsApp and email, a move condemned by the union. Explaining the events, the university said the technical staff gained access to the communication and information services (CIS) premises Saturday morning, after the servers were made dysfunctional by students on Friday, with the help of security guards and rebooted the servers, the university said. But a group of miscreants entered the server room, intimidated the staff, and damaged the systems around 1pm, it alleged. Around 4pm, the staff once again gained access to the CIS room and were trying to restore the systems. Appealing to students to continue the boycott of the registration process, the JNUSU claimed the administration is extremely rattled by the unity of students. Meanwhile, the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad said its members protested against the disruption of internet, after which they were attacked by the members of the Left Unity. The JNUSU alleged that students were attacked by ABVP members. JNU Teachers Association condemned the incidents of violence at the university. While condemning the violence and appealing to all to maintain peace and preserve the democratic culture of the University, the JNUTA notes the dubious role of the JNU administration whose acts of commission and omission are chiefly responsible for creating this situation, it said. Instead of discharging its responsibility to prevent violence, the administration appears to be going down the dangerous path of provoking and encouraging it, it added. A varsity official said they have given police complaints in connection with the action of the students. The university said it will make every attempt to help students register for the winter semester and continue their academic pursuits. The university has also announced an alternate way of registering for the winter semester to make it easy for the students to register, it said in a statement. According to university registrar Pramod Kumar, they will make the entire registration process online so that students will not have to visit the schools to take the signatures of the deans. Officials said since the servers have been left disarray, it might take time to restore them and the varsity is mulling to extend the registration deadline. However, a final decision is yet to be taken. The agitating students cannot trample upon the fundamental rights of the rest of the student community to pursue their studies. Such hooliganism and uncivilised behaviour by them has seriously affected the image of the university, the varsity said. The administration appealed to the student community not to be misled by the agitators and their advisers, who are trying to derail the normal functioning of the university through their unlawful actions. In mass late yesterday - the Catholic Church operates on the Jewish time system of beginning the day at sundown - it was the feast of the Epiphany, the great peak of the Christmas season recounting how the wise men from the east visited the baby Jesus and brought him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Christians call it Epiphany, meaning, manifestation, because it's the commemoration of how these foreign scholars were the first to recognize the baby Jesus as savior. The scholars, known as Magi, were so sure about this that they traveled more than a thousand miles following a mysterious star that appeared in the sky, which, their own holy books told them to follow to find a savior. For Christians, it's a startling story because those guys had to have some kind of hardcore faith, given the cost, rigors and danger of travel in those days, with just the chimerical specter of a star as guide, which, scholars to this day still can't satisfactorily explain. A couple years ago, I called the Vatican Observatory to ask them what natural phenomenon the star of Bethlehem followed by the wise men likely was and they said they had nothing. Nothing they had computed with their maps or timelines, and all of the theories out there were wrong, too, so they suspected it really might have been a miracle. The Magi, by James Tissot / Minneapolis Institute of the Arts / public domain The priest, in his homily, told the parishioners the Magi came from 'someplace like Saudi Arabia' in the Middle East. Anyone who knows this stuff knows it was Iran. The Magi were Persian. I suspected the priest was trying to keep the word 'Iran' out of his homily because he didn't want to bring up any associations with the news. Which was kind of a shame. Everyone in the world these days is thinking of Iran, owing to the specter of war, President Trump's crushing of a longtime terrorist kingpin, and the likelihood of a crumbling regime that is utterly discredited. Iranians themselves want the dictatorship out, they have been protesting with intensity since 2017, wanting to shake free of the corrupt Shi'ite religious dictatorship. Some of them despise the oppressive mullah regime so much they want to restore the Shah. Others want to restore Iran to its original faith, Zoroastrianism, which, coincidences, was the faith of the Magi. At American Thinker we have had many pieces about how Iranians love attending Zoroastrian festivals feared by the mullahs. Georgetown scholar Shireen T. Hunter, premising her piece on how Saudi satraps love to hurl the word 'Magi' at the Iranians as an insult, wrote this in 2016 about the original faith of the Magi: In fact, Zoroastrianism is the first of the worlds monotheistic religions, although it is often seen as dualistic because it recognizes the existence of an evil force (Ahriman) that fights the good God (Ahura Mazda). But, as in the Old Testament, the good God ultimately triumphs. Zoroastrianism has a sophisticated cosmology and is the foundation of many principles that are part of the Abrahamic religions, including the abstract concepts of heaven, hell, a bridge of judgment, a cosmic denouement at the end of the world, and the coming of a messiah, or Mahdi (Saoyeshant) in Zoroastrianism. In fact, Zoroastrianism offers the first dialectic rather than circular understanding of human history and destiny. The conflict between two opposing forces leads to a final denouement rather than perpetual reincarnations or the souls absorption into a vast center of energy. Its ironic that Westerners, with their emphasis on the battle between good and evil on display during the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, do not recognize its source. Zoroastrianism recognizes free will and enjoins good thoughts, good works, and good words. It is a positive religion and emphasizes the role that the individual should play in the ultimate victory of good over evil. Also a happy religion, its festivals outnumber its mourning ceremonies. Based on what's coming out now, Magi is probably not an insult to Iranians these days. To a lot of Christians, that makes Epiphany Sunday pretty special. The story gives us a religious connection, a link, to Iran, as Iran tries to get rid of its detested mullahs. The Jewish people have always had an unusually close and friendly connection with Iran. The Christians now have something to identify with around Iran, too. The Magi have brought us a an interesting tie to the first two Abrahamaic faith right now. Can Christians call it another gift of the Magi, this common feeling we have with Zoroastrian Iran? It's religious, it's mystical, maybe it is just a coincidence. But we don't understand all the vastly greater forces than ourselves out there churning events, so it's not known. For now, it's vividly amazing that the entire Christian world, whether they know it or not, is thinking about something great to their own faith that came from Iran. Des MoinesWhile campaigning in Iowa on Saturday night, former vice president Joe Biden criticized President Trumps decision to kill Iranian Quds Force general Quasem Soleimani and said that any further military action would require congressional approval. He also blamed the start of the cycle of violence with Iran on President Trumps decision to exit the nuclear deal between the Obama administration and Iran. President Trump has no authority to take us to a military conflict with Iran, period, Biden said at a townhall event in Des Moines. Entering into a conflict with Iran requires the informed consent of the American people through their Congress, he insisted. Otherwise, it is an abuse of power. The bottom line is any further action against Iran requires congressional authorization. Biden did not take questions from the press after the event, and his press secretary did not respond to messages from National Review on Saturday night and Sunday morning seeking clarification about whether Biden would still say the president has no authority to take any further action against Iran if Iran were to launch new attacks on Americans or American interests. Bidens comments came shortly after President Trump tweeted on Saturday night: .hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 .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 The killing of Soleimani was a response to a series of Iranian-backed attacks on Americans, including the killing of an American contractor and wounding of U.S. troops in Iraq and an attempt to storm the American embassy in Baghdad. But Biden appeared to blame President Trump for starting the cycle of violence by withdrawing from the Obama administrations nuclear deal with Iran. Story continues Lets not forget how we got here. What he set in motion was . . . predictable, Biden said of President Trumps decision to cancel the nuclear deal, which I and others in our administration put together. Making America first in his view put America alone. So, folks, its not a surprise that this cycle of violence began, Biden continued. The last thing we need is another war in the Middle East, Biden said to applause. He added that President Trump has moved us precipitously closer to an all-out war that would require America to send over 100,000 troops if it breaks out. Soleimani does have American blood on his hands, so dont mourn his passing, Biden advised. But the administration has given us no confidence they have any plan or strategy in place for what to do next. None. Concluding his remarks on Iran, he said, This just reinforces the stakes of this election in my view. Thats why its so important to elect someone whos already ready on Day One. More from National Review Hristo Ganev from Bulgaria was among a number of foreign visitors at the Tet Festival 2020 at Le Van Tam Park in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 1 this weekend. Despite his regular trips to the Vietnamese southern city during the past ten years, the 39-year-old Bulgarian said he had never experienced Tet before. A Vietnamese friend of mine texted me there was an interesting festival near her workplace and took me here, Ganev told Tuoi Tre News at the event jointly held by the citys Department of Tourism and the Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association. The three-day festival, the first of its kind, lasted from Friday until Sunday and aimed to honor Vietnamese cultural and culinary values, as well as create opportunities for visitors to understand the holidays traditional customs and the meaning behind Tet. Tet Festival 2020 featured numerous booths displaying Vietnamese cuisine, Tet products, folk games, and traditional music. Tet, or Lunar New Year holiday, is considered the most important festival of the Vietnamese people. The holiday will fall on January 25 this year, with preparation and celebration typically taking place a week before and after the date. A Vietnamese artisan is seen displaying a traditional Tet meal at the Tet Festival 2020 at Le Van Tam Park in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 1 on January 3, 2020. Photo: Tuoi Tre/ Ngoc Phuong A good way to promote Tet Accompanied by two of his Vietnamese friends, Hristo Ganev spent time at the festivals ancient houses area which displays meals traditionally eaten during Tet by people in northern, central, and southern Vietnam The houses were also decorated with traditional Tet theme. The meals look really nice and seem to be well-made, Ganev commented. I can realize the differences between the Tet meals of people living in different regions, he added. Bulgarian Hristo Ganev and his Vietnamese friends at the Tet Festival 2020 at Le Van Tam Park in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 1 on January 3, 2020. Photo: Tuoi Tre News/ Bao Anh Ganevs friend Diem Thuy said she wanted to bring him to the event so that he could experience first-hand how Tet is celebrated in Vietnam. With the same thought, Hoang Thu Nga, 41, also brought her American friend to the event. I wanted to show her how Vietnamese Tet is, and also its bustling atmosphere, Nga explained, adding that the festival is a good way to promote Tet to foreigners who had little knowledge of the Vietnamese holiday. Nga knew she had succeeded when her friend Patricia Alford expressed amazement after getting to know all information about Tet, tasting Tet foods like banh chung (a Tet traditional cake made from sticky rice, mung bean, and pork), and listening to Vietnamese traditional music. A lot of people [the organizers] are very proud of what they are doing [and] everyone is happy to share formation, she commented. The 73-year-old American visitor also showed her interest in yellow apricot flowers and peach blossoms, the two must-have ornamental plants in almost every Vietnamese home during Tet. Ive stayed in Ho Chi Minh City for three weeks and seen people decorating the streets with those flowers. I love it. It reminds me of spring coming alive, she expressed. Alford said the only thing that made her unhappy about the experience was that she forgot to wear her traditional Vietnamese long gown ao dai to the event. I see people wearing it everywhere. The costume is very flattering, feminine, [and] it makes the women look graceful. I love it and I also have one, she said. I should have worn it today. Visitors at the Tet Festival 2020 at Le Van Tam Park in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 1 on January 3, 2020. Photo: Tuoi Tre/ Ngoc Phuong Tourist attraction The three-day festival has not only attracted local people but also the citys first-time visitors who could not stop themselves from dropping by the colorfully decorated Le Van Tam Park to see what was happening. Hanna Tomaszewska and a friend from Poland was among those. The two are making a trip across Vietnam in 17 days. Were walking around and saw this so we decided to take a look, the 30-year-old visitor said. I love the way people decorate the festival with yellow and red flowers, as Ive heard those are lucky colors in Tet, she added. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Daniel Matthews from England was drawn to the festival by the smell of the street food stalls. My hotel was across the street and I come here to try some Vietnamese foods. I love street food, he said. A visitor takes pictures of food made from insects at the Tet Festival 2020 at Le Van Tam Park in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 1 on January 3, 2020. Photo: Tuoi Tre/ Ngoc Phuong The festival was also where German Joachim Feiden and his wife Petra Kessler sat down on a small bamboo chair, sipped a beer, tried some BBQ, and reviewed their first trip to Vietnam. We are not young anymore, and one day when we were both over 60, we told each other lets go to Vietnam, Feiden recalled the couples decision. Before coming to the Southeast Asian country, Feiden said he knew almost nothing about the country he was going to visit. But now his head was full of impression. The couple arrived in Ho Chi Minh City a day before the festival took place and decided to stop by the event while walking around their hotel area. The food here is good, Petra Kessler commented, knocking her head when her husband said they would spend two hours exploring the festival. The couple was also sad that they have to leave Vietnam before Tet, but decided that they would come back someday. German Joachim Feiden and his wife Petra Kessler at the Tet Festival 2020 at Le Van Tam Park in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 1 on January 3, 2020. Photo: Tuoi Tre News/ Bao Anh Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Kano State magistrates court, sitting at Nomansland, on Friday remanded a corps member serving in Bebeji Local Government Area, Jepthan Makwin, in custody. Makwin is standing trial over the death of an eight-year-old boy. Makwin was accused of beating the boy, Hassan Suleiman, a class three pupil of Old Mosque Islamiyah School, Bebeji, to death in October 2019. The states NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Ladan Baba, however, claimed the act was an accident. During the arraignment on Friday, the defence counsel filed an application for the bail of the accused person, before the presiding magistrate, Fatima Adamu. The application was however objected by the prosecuting counsel, Nasiru Fagge. The magistrate, after listening to the argument of both parties, adjourned the matter till February 4, 2020, for hearing of the bail application. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates The US has proposed to reduce the import tax on some of its agricultural products, including chicken, some fruits, wheat, potato, pork and dairy products. If Vietnam accepts the proposals, which would start in 2020 and fall to zero percent eventually, Vietnamese consumers would be able to buy American farm produce at prices much lower than they are now. Analysts say that the US has reasons to ask Vietnam to slash import tariffs on its farm produce. The prolonged US-China trade war has put American farmers in a difficult situation as their farm produce cannot enter China as easily as before. In such conditions, seeking alternative markets is a good solution. Vietnam, with nearly 100 million consumers who often prefer imports to domestic products, is a good market for the US. As the US is not a member of the CPTPP trade agreement, US goods wont be able to enjoy preferential tariffs when entering the 11 CPTPP member countries. Therefore, instead of multilateral agreements, the US is seeking bilateral agreements with the countries. As the US is not a member of the CPTPP trade agreement, US goods wont be able to enjoy preferential tariffs when entering the 11 CPTPP member countries. Therefore, instead of multilateral agreements, the US is seeking bilateral agreements with the countries. Meanwhile, Vietnam is lacking meat. The African Swine Fever (ASF) epidemic has caused a pork shortage and pushed pork prices up. Ministries are considering importing pork to ease the shortage. Analysts said the US has taken a wise move when asking Vietnam to reduce tariffs. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) is consulting with relevant ministries and branches on a plan to amend Decree 125 on preferential import/export tariffs, related to the proposal. MOF thinks that Vietnam can cut the tariffs, but with some differences compared with the US-proposed plan. The tariff on chicken may be reduced to 18 percent (higher than the 14.5 percent proposed by the US), which is equal to the reduction for the first year in CPTPP. As for apples and grapes, the tariff is likely to be cut to 8 percent. The import tax on wheat may be lowered to 8 percent, potatoes 12 percent and pork 22 percent. Vietnam has had a surplus in trade with the US since 1997. The trade surplus reached $35 billion in 2018. Vietnam has many times expressed the view that it will increase imports from the US to help balance two-way trade. Experts have expressed their worry about the taiff cuts. The most worrying is that some of the items such as pork and chicken are less competitive than US products. If Vietnam cuts the tariff, this would put pressure on Vietnams livestock industry. Linh Ha Creating brand names for VN farm produce To make their produce competitive in the regional market, farmers in the Mekong Deltas southeastern provinces have created brands for them and adopted new technologies. Baghdad: Tens of thousands of Iraqis mourned a top Iranian commander and others killed in a US drone attack, before near-simultaneous mortar and rocket attacks targeted American troops late Saturday. The killing of Iran's Major General Qasem Soleimani on Friday was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the US, which pledged to send thousands more troops to the region, amid fears of a regional proxy war between the foes. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, mortar rounds hit an area near the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday, security sources told AFP. Moments later, two rockets slammed into an Iraqi base where American troops are deployed, security sources said. The Iraqi military confirmed the missile attacks in Baghdad and on Balad base and said there were no casualties. US troops and diplomats had been bracing themselves for more rocket attacks following the precision drone strike that killed Iran's military mastermind Soleimani. On Saturday, Iraqi political leaders and clerics attended the mass ceremony to honour 62-year-old Soleimani and the other nine victims of the hit on Baghdad airport. Trump had said Soleimani was planning an "imminent" attack on US diplomats and the roughly 5,200 American troops deployed in Baghdad. A furious Iran has vowed revenge for the killing of Soleimani, the chief architect of its military operations across the Middle East. "The response for a military action is a military action," Iranian ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi told CNN, calling the strike an "act of war". "By whom, by when, where? That is for the future to witness." World powers quickly called for a de-escalation, and Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani was in Tehran on Saturday for talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif. The pair discussed Soleimani's killing, with Zarif insisting Iran did "not want tension in the region". Zarif had earlier rebuffed a diplomatic effort by the United States, who sent a letter to Iranian officials through a Swiss envoy, as Tehran and Washington have not had direct diplomatic ties for decades. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Washington had used "diplomatic measures" to urge Tehran to respond "in proportion" to the strike -- a message Zarif slammed as "foolish". Switzerland confirmed Saturday its charge d'affaires had delivered a message from the US to Iran. The US strike killed a total of five Iranian Guards and five members of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary network, whose members have close ties to Tehran. Among the dead was Hashed's deputy head Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a top adviser and personal friend to Soleimani. Mass ceremonies started in Baghdad on Saturday for them, with Iraq's caretaker premier Adel Abdel Mahdi and top pro-Iran figures in large crowds accompanying the coffins. Tens of thousands of mourners across the country waved white Hashed flags and massive portraits of Iranian and Iraqi leaders, furiously calling for "revenge" and "Death to America!" The remains were moved from Baghdad to the shrine city of Karbala and would ultimately end up in Najaf, where the Iraqis will be buried. The Guards' remains would be flown to Iran, which has declared three days of mourning and religious rituals. As head of the Guards' foreign operations arm, the Quds Force, Soleimani was a powerful figure domestically and oversaw Iran's wide-ranging interventions in regional power struggles. He had long been considered a lethal foe by Washington, with Trump saying he should have been killed "many years ago". Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised "severe revenge" for Soleimani's death and Tehran named Soleimani's deputy, Esmail Qaani, to succeed him. Iraqis worry the US strike could unleash tit-for-tat strikes between the Hashed and the US. Early on Saturday, the Hashed claimed a new strike had hit their convoy north of Baghdad, with Iraqi state media blaming the US. But the US-led coalition denied involvement, telling AFP: "There was no American or coalition strike." About 5,200 US troops are stationed across Iraq to help fight IS. They have faced a spate of rocket attacks that the US has blamed on pro-Iran factions and which last month killed an American contractor. Following tensions, NATO said it was suspending its training activities in Iraq and a US defence official told AFP that American-led coalition forces would "limit" operations. "Our first priority is protecting coalition personnel," the official said, saying surveillance had shifted from IS to watching for incoming rocket attacks. Iraq's pro-Iran factions have seized on Soleimani's death to push parliament, which convenes Sunday, to revoke the security agreement allowing US forces on Iraqi soil. While praying over Muhandis's remains in Baghdad, top Hashed official Hadi al-Ameri pledged to avenge him by ousting US troops. "Be reassured that the price of your pure blood will be the departure of American troops from Iraq, forever," he said. As President Donald Trump's allies rushed to defend his decision to authorize a drone strike that killed Iran's top military commander, many have focused less on Qasem Soleimani than another once-prominent actor in Middle East affairs: former president Barack Obama. "Obama drew red lines & ignored them," Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., wrote in a tweet, adding that Trump "never will." "There is a NEW Sheriff in town," proclaimed former Milwaukee sheriff David Clarke Jr., a vocal Trump surrogate. "Maybe they thought Obama was still the Commander in Chief." House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., recycled a misleading claim that Obama had been "sending Iran pallets of cash as they killed Americans." But with Trump in charge, he added, "America fights back." For Trump, the true measure of the dramatic and risky military operation will become clear over time, as the United States braces for a potential retaliatory strike from Iran that could embroil his administration in the kind of complex and intractable Middle East conflict he had pledged to avoid. But amid the immediate fallout from Soleimani's death, the president and his defenders rushed to declare that Trump had bested his predecessor in standing up to a malign foreign power. To Trump's allies, the killing of Soleimani didn't just eliminate Iran's chief military strategist, it was a "bigger deal than Osama bin Laden," according to Ryan Fournier, co-chairman of Students for Trump. The al-Qaida mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks was killed in a Navy SEAL raid in 2011 - one of Obama's top national security accomplishments. The boastful tone aimed to grant Trump a measure of validation and credit at a time of enormous political vulnerability amid an ongoing impeachment proceeding. But it also served to rebut criticism over Trump's move in 2018 to abandon the Iran nuclear deal that the Obama administration negotiated three years earlier. The decision fulfilled a chief Trump campaign promise but exacerbated tensions between Washington and Tehran and, experts said, helped lead to the escalating crisis punctuated by the drone strike on Soleimani. Trump, former aides said, has burned with a desire to erase Obama's foreign policy legacy and prove himself a superior commander in chief. "For whatever reason, President Trump has fixated on President Obama, and I think that he views President Obama as the metric he has to beat," said Fernando Cutz, who served on the National Security Council under both presidents, including a stint as senior adviser to H.R. McMaster, Trump's second national security adviser. McMaster and other top aides, including former secretary of state Rex Tillerson, had strenuously lobbied Trump to stay in the deal that imposed limits on Iran's program to build a nuclear weapon in exchange for economic sanctions relief. But that effort ultimately failed and, Cutz said, and helped cost McMaster his White House job. Trump moved to nullify the deal because it "was a campaign promise and an Obama deal - every time he extended an Obama deal, he was inherently admitting it was a good deal. His whole thing was that it was a horrible deal," Cutz said. He added that in meetings with his national security advisers, Trump groused that he should be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize and complained that Obama received one for campaigning against nuclear weapons before taking office. After news of Soleimani's death emerged late Thursday, Trump allies took to social media to debate with Obama administration veterans, who pronounced the drone strike a reckless and ill-advised act of war that would almost certainly backfire. Ben Rhodes, Obama's former deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, questioned Trump's ability to handle a "complex, enduring, international crisis," prompting conservative pundit Ben Shapiro to mock Rhodes as "a failed novelist who openly lied to the American people while pushing bribery of a terrorist regime to handle this." It was a reference to a 2016 profile of Rhodes in the New York Times Magazine in which he boasted of using inexperienced reporters to shape a "narrative" and create a favorable public impression around the Iran deal. The Trump campaign retweeted a post from Michael Joyce, a Republican National Committee spokesman, juxtaposing an image of Iranian officials mourning Soleimani's death with one of U.S. sailors aboard a Navy command boat captured by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after entering Iranian waters in 2016. "US-Iran relations under Obama vs. US-Iran relations under @realDonaldTrump," Joyce wrote. "I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say the root of much of this is Obama envy," said Ned Price, a former CIA officer who served as an NSC spokesman under Obama. "It was Trump's determination, honed over a year on the campaign trail and the first 1 1/2 years of his administration, to rail against the Iran deal, Obama's deal, the 'worst deal ever.' He got raucous applause and cheers from his base when he associated it with Obama, and that was a decisive factor in Trump's decision to abandon it in 2018." It wasn't just the Iran deal that Trump jettisoned. His administration has begun withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate accord; scrapped Obama's agreement to enter a trans-Pacific trade pact; reversed efforts to warm relations with Cuba and dropped Obama's "strategic patience" strategy to isolate North Korea, instead engaging directly with leader Kim Jong Un. Trump did not mention Obama in brief remarks about the Soleimani operation Friday. But days earlier - as an Iraqi militia aligned with the Iranian general breached security at the heavily fortified U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in protest of an American strike on the group's facilities in Syria and Iraq - Trump made a clear reference to his predecessor by threatening Iran over the incident and declaring the situation the "Anti-Benghazi" on Twitter. He was alluding to a siege on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Libya in 2012 in which two Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stephens, were killed - a tragedy for which Republicans faulted Obama's administration for not securing the facility and for a muddied public accounting of what happened. Robert Spalding, a retired Air Force general who served on Trump's NSC, discounted the notion that the president's actions this week were motivated by a sense of grievance over Obama's legacy. Spalding called Soleimani a longtime threat to U.S. national security who should have been targeted by Obama and his predecessor, George W. Bush. "Those who want to tie it to a broader agenda over differences with Obama's policies I think is a stretch," he said. But Trump's intensive focus on Obama was apparent long before he launched his White House campaign in 2015. Trump was a leading proponent of the "birther" conspiracy theory, which falsely accused Obama of being an illegitimate president who was born outside the United States. In April 2011, on the night Obama authorized the raid that killed bin Laden, Trump was the target of numerous jokes by Obama at the White House correspondents' dinner in Washington. Trump has also falsely accused Obama of ordering his administration to wiretap the phones at Trump Tower during his campaign and transition in an effort to tie him to a Russian interference operation in the 2016 election. Trump's fixation with Obama has grown more acute over his three years in office. The president mentioned Obama 537 times in the first 10 months of 2019 - a 36 percent increase from the same period in 2018 and up 169 percent from that time frame in 2017, according to an analysis from Daniel Dale, a CNN analyst and fact-checker. Some past presidents have been disdainful of their predecessors, said Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley. He cited Franklin Roosevelt's temporary name change for the Herbert Hoover Dam in Nevada back to Boulder Dam and Ronald Reagan's removal of solar panels installed at the White House by Jimmy Carter. But there has been nothing comparable to Trump's relentless trashing of Obama, Brinkley said. "Trump likes the fact that attacking Obama, as an African American president, helped him with the right wing of the Republican Party that he needed," he said. After Trump's embrace of the birther conspiracy theory, Brinkley added, "he needs to show Obama was a really bad president with socialist tendencies to kind of justify his attacks on him. The wiretapping - he fabricates things Obama did to turn him into an all-purpose nemesis. There's been belittling of a predecessor before - but not this sense of a mass destruction of a reputation." A Coca-Cola tractor-trailer crashed into a Pennsylvania house on Saturday, destroying the front of the home and causing road closures. The accident happened around 6:30 a.m. local time on Jan. 4 in foggy conditions in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. The truck was driving on East Broad Street when it approached an intersection that required it to turn. But instead of turning, the truck continued straight over a curb and a large landscaping boulder before going airborne into the twin house, Quakertown police Sgt. Bryan Lockwood told CNN. Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, the local Coca-Cola bottler that owns the vehicle, said in a statement the thick fog in the area that morning may have diminished the visibility of the intersection where the incident occurred. The safety and security for our employees, customers and surrounding residents is our number one priority. Thankfully, there were no injuries and we are deeply sorry to the family at the home that this unfortunate accident happened, according to the statement sent by spokesman Brian Dries. We are conducting an internal review with our driver and vehicle. Though no one was seriously injured, the truck driver had a few minor injuries. He managed to get out of the truck through a window, Lockwood said. Liberty Beverages said the driver is a 23-year veteran of the company and was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. The front of the home was significantly damaged, and the truck is totaled, Lockwood said. Police initially told residents to stay clear of the area, but after six hours, authorities were able to remove the truck from the home and reopen the road, Lockwood said. The-CNN-Wire & 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Regarding the Dec 20 article, E-Checks under fire by some lawmakers: State Rep. Bill Roemer proposes that the E-Check program be eliminated in Northeast Ohio. The Richfield representative considers the program to be burdensome and unnecessary. Legislators that propose ending the program consider it to be an inconvenience. The article, however, also points to health-related measurements. E-Check has removed volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides that are associated with asthma. One conclusion to draw is that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can include asthma, is not an inconvenience. Ken Freeze, Cleveland A 50-year-old man, lodged in a detention centre in Assams Goalpara, died at a hospital on Friday, police said on Saturday. With this, 29 declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunal have died in detention centres in Assam in last three years, as per government records. Sushanta Biswa Sarma, superintendent of Police, Goalpara said, Naresh Koch who was about 50-year-old and a declared foreigner from Goalpara died on Friday at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. He was admitted there after suffering a stroke ten days back. The dead body has been cremated. Ramen Talukdar, spokesperson of the GMCH said Koch died while he was under treatment. He was shifted to the ICU, Talukdar said. Naresh Koch, a daily wager from Tinkonia Para village, who belonged to the Koch community, was apprehended and taken to the Goalpara detention centre in March 2018. He was declared a foreigner in June 2017 by a foreigners tribunal in an ex parte order after he failed to appear in front of the tribunal for four consecutive hearings. Nareshs family claims that his grandfather Harilal Koch had his name in the 1971 electoral rolls. From 2016 to October 30, 2019, 28 detainees died either in the detention centres or in the hospitals where they were referred to, Nityanand Rai, minister of state in the ministry of home affairs told Parliament in November 2019. In October, after a controversy where the family of Dulal Paul, a 65-year-old who died on October 13 after spending two years at a detention centre, refused to accept his body till he was declared an Indian citizen, Assam government appointed a committee headed by a deputy inspector general of police to review the conditions in the detention centres. An official with direct knowledge of the developments said the committee is likely to submit its report later this month. The official said the committee is reviewing the conditions based on various parameters including health, living conditions and legal aid status. A second official of the Assam Police said as many as 175 declared foreigners have so far been released on bail after the May 2019 Supreme Court order that said those who have spent three years or more in detention should be conditionally released. Around 900 persons are presently in detention in six detention centres across the state -- at Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tezpur and Silchar -- set up inside district jails between 2009 and 2015 on the direction of the Gauhati high court to house those declared foreigners by the 100 foreigners tribunals (FTs) in the statetill they are deported or released. An exclusive detention centre with a capacity to hold 3,000 persons is under construction at Matia in Goalpara. The killing of Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike Friday is a devastating blow to pro-Iranian militias across the Middle East, some experts said, warning that the militia groups could turn the region into further chaos through retaliation violence. The powerful Iranian general, along with Iraqi Shiite militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and several other aides, was struck at the Iraqi Baghdad airport in a U.S. operation directed by President Donald Trump. The killing has been received with rage among the Shiite groups, with the Iranian government vowing a crushing revenge against the U.S. Irans web of patron-client relationships and proxies was largely Soleimanis creation, and it was he who brilliantly developed and managed these relationships to Tehrans advantage, said Jonathan Spyer, a research fellow at Philadelphia-based think tank the Middle East Forum. Spyer said that Soleimani used informal relations developed over a long period of time with Shiite militia leaders across the Middle East. Such relationships, he added, cannot easily be bequeathed to a successor. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Friday appointed Brigadier-General Esmail Ghaani to replace Soleimani as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force. Khamenei said in a statement that Ghaani was among the most prominent IRGC commanders and will continue Soleimanis path in directing the Quds Force. FILE - Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Revolutionary Guard commanders in Tehran, Iran, Sept. 18, 2016. Influence on Shiite Crescent The Quds Force is an IRGC unit responsible for undertaking Irans external operations to advance the Islamic regimes revolutionary values. Under Soleimanis command, the unit has succeeded in expanding Irans influence in the so-called Shiite Crescent, a term referring to a crescent-shaped region in the Middle East where Shiite communities reside. Max Abrahms, a nonresident fellow at the Quincy Institute, a Washington-based think tank, told VOA that Soleimani had made sure militant actions by Shiite groups were carefully assessed. Although it is very understandable that Soleimani would be associated with violence, what people dont understand is that the IRGC could have produced over the years much more violence in many more places against a variety of different targets, but chose not to, and the reason is because the leader did not give a green light, Abrahms said. What concerns me is now that weve taken out Soleimani, we are going to see an uptick in violence that will be more indiscriminate than in the past, he added. FILE - Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah Master of resistance In Lebanon, where Iran has empowered Shiite Hezbollah group since its founding in 1985, the groups head, Hassan Nasrallah, Friday mourned Soleimani as a master of resistance. To continue on General Soleimanis path, well raise his flag in all battlefields, Hezbollah-linked al-Manar website quoted him as saying. According to the Atlantic Councils senior fellow Nicholas Blanfold, Hezbollahs extensive networks across the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Africa make it indispensable for Irans global outreach. The Iranian regime through the networks, particularly Hezbollah, which has a global reach, could affect a kind of retaliatory operation almost anywhere around the world, Blanfold told VOA. $700 Million U.S. officials say that Iran for years has funded Hezbollah with an estimated $700 million annually. The funds and arms support have helped the group sustain years of violence against Israel, they said. In Iraq, experts say Soleimani played a decisive role in organizing Shiite militias following the U.S. invasion in 2003 and the rise of the Islamic State in 2014. What youve lost basically is the brain, he is the brain of Shia militias in Iraq, said Boston-based Iraq military expert Michael Knights of the Washington Institute. He added that Soleimani played a role as a centralizing force to unify some 50 militias that would have been otherwise divided under the umbrella of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces. Its going to open up a lot of opportunity, rivalry and competition. If Muhandis died on his own, they would have turned to Soleimani to tell them who is the next leader. Losing them both is really a time of fracture for them, he told VOA. FILE - Members of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces take part in a military parade in the town of Taza, south of the northern oil city of Kirkuk, Iraq, June 28, 2019. Repercussions in Iraq Babak Taghvaei, a Malta-based military analyst, told VOA that some Iraqi Shiite militias with nationalist sentiments in the past have shown their willingness to drift away from Iran. Soleimanis death provides Iraqi leaders an opportunity to encourage those to join the democratic system in the future, Taghvaei argued. Many of the PMF commanders will decide to stop militant activity and will join the world of politics while the radicals will follow orders of new commander of IRGC-Quds Force and will pursue more extremist tactics to confront U.S. troops that will include bombings, he told VOA. According to Sam Bazzi, the director of Washington-based Islamic Counterterrorism Institute, Iran also will likely attempt to leverage its influence in Yemens conflict to pressure the U.S. and its Arab Gulf allies in the wake of recent escalations. Irans regime since 2015 has increased its support of Houthi rebels against the Saudi-backed government. The Shiite rebels in the past have fired several missiles into Saudi Arabia, which, according to Saudi officials, are supplied to them directly by Iran. The Houthis could storm Najran [a city in southwest] in Saudi Arabia, and/or attack commercial vessels or military ships in Bab al-Mandab Strait, and/or launch missiles or attack drones deep into the Saudi territory, targeting critical infrastructure in the kingdom, Bazzi said, adding, Khamenei wont rest before he delivers his publicly pledged revenge. FILE - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, center, speaks to journalists after voting in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 28, 2019. Afghanistan Should the tensions between Iran and the U.S. escalate, violence could expand to also include countries like Afghanistan, warned the former Afghan general Ateequllah Amerkhail. America and Iran need to keep Afghanistan out of it! They [Iran] will pressure America by supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Iran will intensify the conflict by supporting the Taliban, Amerkhail told VOA. Following a telephone conversation with the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Friday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani posted in Dari from his official Twitter account that Afghan soil would not be used against a third country. Iran has been accused of supporting Shiite militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent years. Some experts warn that the country could encourage the Taliban group to end peace talks that intensified in late 2018. It may pose an obstacle if Tehran seeks to use the Taliban as a proxy to attack U.S. forces, said Michael Kugelman, the director for the Asia Program at the Wilson Center. Lets not forget there are still 12,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and there is a precedent for Iran providing some levels of support to the Taliban, he told VOA. According to Fatemeh Aman, a senior fellow at the South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council, while a full-scale war between Iran and the U.S. is possible, it is likely that the Iranian leadership will limit its retaliation and avoid classical warfare with the U.S. and its allies. Definitely without a doubt there is going to be more violence but we dont know the extent of Irans response. Iranians will likely wait and see because they know they cannot compete with the military strength of the United States. But violence towards the U.S. or wherever the U.S. has a base will definitely increase, she told VOA. VOAs Rikar Hussein, Ezel Sahinkaya, Mehdi Jedinia, Niala Mohammad, Sirwan Kajjo, Kasim Abdurehim contributed to this report from Washington. The leader of Lebanons Hezbollah group has vowed to end the US militarys presence in the Middle East, saying American bases, warships and soldiers are all fair targets following the recent killing of an Iranian general. Hassan Nasrallah said the US military will pay the price for the drone strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq on Friday. His comments further heightened tensions in a region already on high alert and bracing for Iranian retaliation. Supporters of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah chant slogans as he speaks on TV (Maya Alleruzzo/AP) President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb 52 sites in Iran if it retaliates by attacking Americans. Iran vowed to take an even-greater step away from its unravelling nuclear deal with world powers as a response to Gen Soleimanis death. The suicide attackers who forced the Americans to leave from our region in the past are still here and their numbers have increased, Mr Nasrallah said. He spoke from an undisclosed location and his speech was played on large screens for thousands of Shiite followers in southern Beirut, interrupted occasionally by chants of death to America. The comments were Mr Nasrallahs first since Gen Soleimanis killing. Mr Nasrallah spoke shortly before the Iraqi Parliament voted in favour of a Bill to expel the US military from Iraq by cancelling the military agreement between the two countries. More than 5,000 US soldiers are in Iraq, based on an invitation by the Iraqi Government in 2014 to help fight the Islamic State group. Mourners on the funeral procession (Morteza Jaberian/Mehr News Agency/AP) Earlier on Sunday, tens of thousands of mourners accompanied a casket carrying the remains of Gen Soleimani through two major Iranian cities as part of a grand funeral procession across the Islamic Republic for the commander killed by an American drone. Mr Nasrallah said Gen Soleimani was not only Irans concern but the entire so-called axis of resistance, a term used to refer to anti-Israel militant groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and the Palestinian territories. Story continues He said it was up to those groups to decide if and how they would retaliate as he praised Gen Soleimani and said the shoe of Qassem Soleimani is worth the head of Trump and all American leaders. Gen Soleimanis killing escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that have put the wider Middle East on edge. The conflict is rooted in Donald Trump pulling out of Irans atomic accord and imposing crippling sanctions. Iran has promised harsh revenge for the US attack, which shocked Iranians across all political lines. Mourners surround a truck carrying the flag-draped coffins of General Qassem Soleimani and his comrades (Mohammad Mohsenifar/Mehr News Agency/AP) After thousands in Baghdad on Saturday mourned General Soleimani and others killed in the strike, authorities flew the generals body to the south-western Iranian city of Ahvaz. An honour guard stood by early on Sunday as mourners carried the flag-draped coffins of Gen Soleimani and other Guard members off the Tarmac. The caskets then moved slowly through streets choked with mourners wearing black, beating their chests and carrying posters with Gen Soleimanis portrait. Demonstrators also carried red Shiite flags, which traditionally both symbolise the spilled blood of someone unjustly killed and call for their deaths to be avenged. Officials brought Gen Soleimanis body to Ahvaz, a city that was a focus of fighting during the bloody 1980-88 war between Iraq and Iran, in which he slowly grew to prominence. Authorities then took General Soleimanis body to Mashhad. His remains will go to Tehran and Qom on Monday for public mourning processions, followed by his hometown of Kerman for burial on Tuesday. Gen Soleimani will lie in state at Tehrans Musalla mosque on Monday. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, January 5, 2020 15:03 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320e70e7 1 Food rendang,Christmas-market,London,food Free Indonesias rendang (slow-cooked meat in coconut milk and spices) finds itself on the menu of a food stall at the United Kingdom's biggest Christmas market, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in London. Visitors were patiently queueing at the Makatcha UK food stall in the winter cold to enjoy the Indonesian signature dish, which was described as "Indonesian coconut curry" and available in three options: chicken, beef and vegetarian. Read also: Why beef rendang is the right food to send to natural disaster victims One of the patrons, David Jones, was looking forward to tasting again the food he had come to know five years ago on a trip to Indonesia. According to a statement, Makatcha UK is owned by Maria Knowles, who has Indonesian relatives and has opened food stalls at London's Bang Bang and Camden Market. "People in the UK generally love Indonesian dishes due to their rich taste, especially soto [aromatic soup], rendang, nasi goreng [fried rice], satay and many more," read a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in London received by The Jakarta Post. "Unfortunately, not many Indonesian restaurants are available in the UK." (kes) US President Donald Trump withdrew the his country from the deal in 2018 and stepped up economic sanctions on Tehran, even as other world powers stuck by the agreement. In a joint statement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Iran to refrain from conducting or supporting further "violent acts". The three European leaders specifically urged Iran to "withdraw all measures" not in line with the 2015 nuclear agreement that was intended to stop Tehran from pursuing its atomic weapons program. They also called on all actors involved to show "utmost restraint and responsibility" and pledged to continue to seek to reduce tensions and ensure stability in the Middle East. Iraq's caretaker prime minister urged parliament on Sunday to take "urgent measures" to force the withdrawal of foreign forces following the strike. In an address to the legislature, Adel Abdul Mahdi recommended that the government establish a timetable for the departure of foreign troops, including the members of the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group, "for the sake of our national sovereignty." "What happened was a political assassination," Abdul Mahdi said. Lawmakers responded by passing a nonbinding resolution calling on the government to end the foreign troop presence in Iraq. But Abdul Mahdi, who resigned in November and has been serving in a caretaker role, is not legally authorized to sign the bill into law. Mourners attend a funeral ceremony for Qasem Soleimani in the south-western Iranian city of Ahvaz on Sunday. Credit:AP As a result, the vote Sunday did not immediately imperil the US presence in Iraq, but it highlights the headwinds the Trump administration faces after the strike, which was seen in Iraq as a violation of sovereignty and as a dangerous escalation by governments across the Middle East. In a sign of the spiraling consequences, the US-led coalition said it had paused its training mission in Iraq because of "repeated rocket attacks over the last two months" by the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia. It would now focus on protecting its bases from attack, the coalition said in a statement. "This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations" against the Islamic State, it said. "We have therefore paused these activities." Iran, meanwhile, said Sunday that it would limit its response to the drone attack to US military targets. Loading "The response for sure will be military and against military sites," Hossein Dehghan, the military adviser to Iran's supreme leader, said in an interview with CNN. "The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted." Deghan's remarks came as President Donald Trump threatened Saturday on Twitter to strike "52 Iranian sites some at a very high level & important to Iran and the Iranian culture" should Tehran retaliate against Americans or US interests in the region. Iran has 24 locations on the UN list of cultural world heritage sites. If Trump were to carry out his threats, Dehghan said, "no American military staff, no American political center, no American military base, no American vessel will be safe." US allies widely share concerns about the consequences of Soleimani's death. NATO will convene an emergency meeting of its ambassadors on Monday to discuss the situation in Iraq. NATO suspended its training programs in the country, and several member nations have scrambled to protect their troops and citizens here. In Saudi Arabia, the US Embassy released a security alert Sunday advising Americans of "the heightened risk of missile and drone attacks" against both civilian and military targets. The US blamed Iran for a brazen drone and cruise missile attack on Saudi state oil facilities in September, a strike that knocked half of the nation's oil production offline. While Saudi officials have long urged the US to take stronger action against what they say is Iran's unchecked expansionism in the region, they have also expressed discomfort at the rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Abdul Mahdi suggested Sunday that Iran and the Saudis had been engaged in dialogue to tamp down their feud, with Iraq playing the role of mediator. Abdul Mahdi said he had been expecting to meet with Soleimani on the day he was killed. "He came to deliver me a message from Iran, responding to the message we delivered from Saudi Arabia to Iran," the prime minister said, without providing details. In Iran, Soleimani's body was flown in a flag-draped coffin to the southwestern city of Ahvaz, following a funeral procession in Baghdad and Iraq's twin Shiite shrine cities, Karbala and Najaf. It was later carried to the northeastern city of Mashhad, home to the shrine of Imam Reza, a revered figure in Shiite Islam. Iran is ruled by a Shiite theocracy. Mourners carry the coffins of Iran's top general Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq, during their funeral in the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq on January 4. Credit:AP Footage broadcast on Iranian state television showed tens of thousands of black-clad mourners waving flags and chanting religious slogans. Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency described the scene as "glorious." "All schools and businesses are closed today - he was popular here and even more popular now," said Farnaz, 33, a computer engineer and resident of Ahvaz, referring to Soleimani. Like other Iranians contacted Sunday, she spoke on the condition that her full name not be used so she could talk freely about his death. A sea of people bearing national flag took to the streets of Hyderabad in what is said to be the biggest ever rally against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Hyderabad on January 4. More than 1,00,000 people participated in the protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The 'Million March' against CAA, National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) drew huge crowds from the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and surrounding districts. The three-hour long protest passed off peacefully. BCCL Roads around Indira Park in the heart of the city were packed with men, women and children carrying Indian flags, banners and placards, raising slogans against the Narendra Modi-led government. The protest organised by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising 40 Muslim and Dalit organisations brought traffic to a halt on the main roads at Indira Park and Hussain Sagar lake, which connect the twin cities. The usually busy Tank Bund and Lower Tank Bund roads, Telugu Talli Flyover, RTC Cross Roads and other major thoroughfares in Liberty, Himayatnagar, Basheerbagh were teeming with slogan-shouting protesters. BCCL Citizens from various walks of life joined hands to participate in the march, so far the biggest protest against CAA in Hyderabad. Traders, lawyers, writers, journalists, software engineers, other professionals, students, activists, religious leaders and house wives converged at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park where police had made elaborate security arrangements. Shops and business establishments were closed in parts of Hyderabad as businessmen and traders turned out to participate in the march. Several educational institutions had also declared a holiday. BCCL The participants were raising slogans like 'Inquilab Zindabad', 'Tanashahi nahi chalegi' and 'We Reject NRC'. They were carrying banners and placards with slogans like "We will die but not accept CAA, NRC and NPR" and "United against hate". "The real issues are economy, education and health, and not Hindu-Muslim, Pakistan and NRC," read a banner. The protesters demanded Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao to announce that NPR will not be carried out in the state. The organisers had invited Rao to lead the march. The protest was originally planned last week, but the police had denied permission. The JAC had approached the high court, which asked the police to consider fresh application by the organisers. BCCL The protesters, many of them women, gathered at the NTR Stadium and Dharna Chowk in the afternoon. They recited the national anthem and also offered 'namaz'. The protesters holding the Tricolour reached in four-wheelers, auto rickshaws and motorbikes while many also came to the venue walking. The march was a big success despite no mainstream political party being part of it. Most of the constituents of JAC were smaller socio-religious groups. However, it looked like the citizens came out irrespective of their political affiliations to speak out in one voice. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), a major political force in the city, was not part of the protest. AIMIM, led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, had approached the police seeking permission for a march under the banner of United Muslim Action Committee on January 4 or 5. However, the police denied permission for the same. JAC convenor Mushtaq Malik said the 'Million March' was successful despite the attempts by some elements to scuttle it by circulating rumours on social media since Friday night. "CAA is discriminatory against Muslims. We will not accept it," said Syed Sajid, a student participating in the march "CAA is not the only issue. The government is going to start NPR which is nothing but the first step towards NRC," said Zohra Begum, a housewife, holding the national flag. "Our ancestors decided to remain in India on a call given by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. This is our country. We were born here and will die here," said another protester. About 100 people gathered at Phillips Square Sunday for an anti-war demonstration, days after the U.S. assassination of a key Iranian military leader on Iraqi soil. Some participants made signs with pictures of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander killed in a drone strike Friday. Other signs had anti-U.S. slogans and calls to pull troops out of the Middle East. The protesters made their way through downtown Montreal, marching toward the U.S. Consulate General on Ste-Catherine Street. While protesters had varying opinions of Soleimani himself, most were united in their fears of a potential war. "The extrajudicial assassination of an Iranian commander ... will escalate the tension in the Middle East, and that's something people do not need there," said Amir Naimi, a member of Montreal's Iranian community. Bijan Jalali, a refugee from Iran who attended the protest, said protesters were portraying a false image of Soleimani, but decried the actions of the U.S. government. "Iranians peoples ... we never ever want wars. We want peace, freedom basically justice," Jalali said. Nassim Noroozi, an Iranian-Canadian, said she's worried the U.S. government will act irrationally. "We're not talking to a rational party," said Noroozi. "We no longer want war. We've had it one time. It didn't bring prosperity. It didn't bring peace to the region and we don't want to have that again. Iran has promised "harsh revenge" for the U.S. drone strike, which killed Soleimani as well as Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and raised the spectre of wider conflict in the Middle East. Simon Nakonechny/CBC Trump has threatened to bomb 52 Iranian sites, including cultural sites, if Iran retaliates by attacking Americans. Also Sunday, Iraq's parliament passed a resolution telling the government to end the presence of foreign troops in that country. Many Iraqis, including opponents of Soleimani, have expressed anger at Washington for killing the two men on Iraqi soil and possibly dragging their country into another conflict. NATO has suspended Canadian-led training of Iraqi forces in the wake of the airstrike, and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said Canada is monitoring the security environment and taking necessary precautions. Join the worldwide Magnificat family by subscribing now: Your prayer life will never be the same! Saint Bernadette Soubirous 1844 -1879 Six million people visit the grotto every year. I've never been there. Franz Werfel, though not himself a Christian, wrote a fine book about Saint Bernadette's visions, and how no one believed her at first, not even her family; how she was ridiculed, slapped in prison, called a fraud by skeptics; how she maintained her simple faith throughout; and her honest account of the facts. The journalist Malcolm Muggeridge he who would introduce the world to Mother Teresa in the 1969 documentary Something Beautiful for God accompanied a pilgrimage to Lourdes with his film crew in 1965. This was long before he and his wife entered the Church in their very old age. He didn't witness what the Church, with her severe criteria, would certify as a miraculous cure. But he recalled the beauty of the place; the light shining in the eyes of a young lady, crippled and dying, whom he had met and spoken to as she went down to the waters. He believed, in a way he couldn't yet describe, that Jesus the healer was present: "At Lourdes, too, bowing their heads, abating their twitchings, holding out their hands, if they have any, as the Blessed Sacrament approaches, they recall his healing words: Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace." There's no place in the world like Lourdes. To go there in faith is to make a pilgrimage into poverty. Muggeridge would understand, because he had seen through the vanity of what the world calls great. Mother Teresa would understand. Muslims go to Mecca, to adore the power of God. Hindus go to the mighty Ganges River to immerse themselves in the waters of an ancient mythology. But Lourdes? It's a mustard seed by comparison. It's a bit of leaven that an ordinary woman kneaded into some dough. It is a pearl hidden in a field. It is a stone that the builders tossed aside. The girl was small To whom should the Virgin Mother appear? To such as Bernadette Soubirous. Her family lived in terrible poverty. At the time the visions came, their rented home was an old jail cell, twelve feet square, with a stinking privy in the back. Bernadette was only beginning, at age fourteen, to learn to read. Lourdes was a forgotten village in the foothills of the Pyrenees. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" asked Nathanael, but that was before he met Jesus. On a cold and rainy day, February 11, 1858, Bernadette, her sister, and a friend went out gathering sticks for firewood. Think of Elijah and the widow and her son, in the years of famine. The grotto of Massabielle had no glorious spired basilica on it then. It was a muddy and miserable place, a watering hole for pigs, where the Gave River washed up all kinds of garbage, some of which the poor children would gather up and sell. There's no place in the world like Lourdes. To go there in faith is to make a pilgrimage into poverty. Bernadette wasn't there to play a game. The other girls had crossed the river, which was so cold it made them cry. Bernadette needed to get across too, so she asked the girls to toss some rocks into the water for stepping stones, while she was busy sitting down, taking off her stockings. That was all she was thinking of, the practical matter of getting across the river without bringing on an attack of her asthma or ruining the stockings. Then she turned and saw a lady dressed in white, silently saying the rosary. She didn't know who it was. She even told the girls to keep quiet about it. She didn't trust her judgment. That's why she brought holy water to the grotto the next time she felt drawn to visit it, to splash upon the lady, in case it was an evil spirit. But the lady smiled. She told Bernadette to come to the grotto every day for a fortnight. We might say that the pilgrimages began then. Her family came with her. People in the village came. The police had to come to keep order. Curiosity seekers came. Scoffers and skeptics came. Christians came. What did they come to see? On February 25, the lady made Bernadette smaller than ever: she told her to do two things that no one could understand. She was to go crawl underneath a projecting rock and drink from the "fountain" there; and to eat some of the grass. There was no fountain. It was a small puddle, more mud than water. Bernadette scratched at it until she could drink a little, and she ate the grass, too. Imagine her muddy face, flecked with weeds. Who could believe in her visions now? Even her family lost heart. But the spring bubbled up beneath the mud. After the miraculous cure of a paralytic woman, the crowds returned, much to the chagrin of the local police. In all of this, Bernadette never put herself forward. All she did was to keep her promise to the lady, to return to the grotto, where she prayed silently, her countenance glowing with both sadness and joy. The Immaculate Conception Bernadette's parish priest, an impatient fellow, finally told the girl to demand from the lady her name. This came after the lady had commanded a sacred procession to the grotto, and a chapel to be built at the site. The procession was the first organized pilgrimage to Lourdes. Ten thousand people were there. But Bernadette still did not know the lady's name. She did not presume to know. She didn't even admit that she had been responsible for any cures. She refused all money. She wanted only to obey the lady, and to study for her First Communion. The fortnight passed. The Soubirous family was as poor as ever. Lourdes was thronged with visitors. Bernadette had returned to her ordinary life. Then on March 25, she heard the call again, and this time the lady revealed her name, in the girl's dialect. Tell the priest, she said, Que soy era Immaculada Councepciou: I am the Immaculate Conception. Bernadette rehearsed the strange words on her way to the priest. She didn't know what they meant. Pope Pius IX had recently declared as a matter of faith that Mary had been conceived without taint of original sin. Bernadette did not know that. The priest did and he was stunned. A young man with his hip devoured by cancer enters the waters of Lourdes. He has, on one side, no hip at all. When he returns from Lourdes, he begins again to walk and run as he used to do. How shall I put these things together? A young man with his hip devoured by cancer enters the waters of Lourdes. He has, on one side, no hip at all. When he returns from Lourdes, he begins again to walk and run as he used to do. X-rays show that there is no more sarcoma. Instead there is a hip, sound and sure. Where did that come from? You can't persuade your body to make new tissue out of nothing. The new bone came from the smallest of places, that mustard seed, that leaven. What lies within the smallest of the seeds? God Almighty does: the power that made the universe from nothing, the eternity that is wholly present in every smallest twitch of an atom. It's no more difficult for God to make worlds than for him to make cells rush in multiplication and build up bone; each is as nothing at all, to God. When the flesh of Mary began to be knit in the womb of her mother Anne, what then was the work of God? He wrought a miracle, preserving Mary from that fall of Adam that is the shadow that falls upon each of us when we are conceived. We are born paralytics, hunched toward sin and death. Mary was born in full health of soul. She stood upright. Christ the healer By 1908, the fiftieth anniversary of the apparition of Mary to little Bernadette, the Lourdes researcher Georges Bertrin counted 3,962 bodily cures. Only about one in fourteen of these were of nervous conditions. Many of the rest involved the inexplicable and immediate growth of healthy tissue. Bertrin says also that even if some of the cures were doubtful, there was a far greater number of cures that were never recorded at all. So the Lord raised up the small against the great. France since the revolution had been riven by materialists on one side, who hated the Church and scoffed at the piety of ordinary people, and faithful Christians on the other. So the Lord raised up the small against the great. Think of the poor parish priest Saint John Vianney, patron saint of students who have trouble with their exams. Think of Bernadette. And think of the thousands and millions of people who came to Lourdes. Think of the spiritual miracle of conversion of heart. Which is more difficult, to heal a clotted artery, or to soften a life-long hardening of the heart in sin? Even in the earliest days, sinners came to Lourdes to sneer, and left in tears of joyful repentance. The fact is, we all need the water from Lourdes. It isn't like the Ganges, one of the most polluted rivers in the world, but which harbors a germ that eats the germs on your flesh. Lourdes water has no such germs. Or it does have germs: the germinal seeds of faith, hope, and charity. Lourdes is available to us at all times. Christ the Healer is ready with the living water. We have only to submit, and to ask and not heed what the scoffers will say. Some of them too will one day come down to the everlasting spring. GAZA (Reuters) - Hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Saturday mourned the death of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani, killed by a U.S. air strike in Iraq. GAZA (Reuters) - Hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Saturday mourned the death of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani, killed by a U.S. air strike in Iraq. Leaders of the Islamist Hamas group, which rules Gaza, and of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad faction, both backed by Iran, joined mourners at a tent erected in Soleimani's honour in the heart of Gaza City. Flags of the United States and Israel were laid on the ground for visitors to tread on as they entered, passing posters of Soleimani. The flags were later set on fire. "We are loyal to those who stood with the resistance and with Palestine and we hold the U.S administration and the Zionist occupation fully responsible for the consequences of this deplorable crime," said Ismail Radwan, a Hamas official. Soleimani, 62, was the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' foreign legions. As head of the Quds Force, he was the architect of Iran's drive to spread its influence in the Middle East through proxy militias, some of them now operating on the doorstep of its arch-enemy Israel. Israel, which defended the U.S. operation on Friday, has fought three wars with Hamas in the last decade, and in 2006 fought a brief war with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia across the Lebanese border. (This story corrects word in paragraph 3 to posters from murals) (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Maayan Lubell and Kevin Liffey) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Dividend paying stocks like P. H. Glatfelter Company (NYSE:GLT) 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. On the other hand, investors have been known to buy a stock because of its yield, and then lose money if the company's dividend doesn't live up to expectations. A slim 2.9% yield is hard to get excited about, but the long payment history is respectable. At the right price, or with strong growth opportunities, P. H. Glatfelter could have potential. Some simple analysis can offer a lot of insights when buying a company for its dividend, and we'll go through this below. Click the interactive chart for our full dividend analysis NYSE:GLT Historical Dividend Yield, January 4th 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. 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, P. H. Glatfelter paid out 141% of its profit as dividends. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, from the perspective of an investor who hopes to own the company for many years, a payout ratio of above 100% is definitely a concern. Another important check we do is to see if the free cash flow generated is sufficient to pay the dividend. P. H. Glatfelter's cash payout ratio last year was 7.5%. Cash flows are typically lumpy, but this looks like an appropriately conservative payout. It's good to see that while P. H. Glatfelter's dividends were not covered by profits, at least they are affordable from a cash perspective. If executives were to continue paying more in dividends than the company reported in profits, we'd view this as a warning sign. Very few companies are able to sustainably pay dividends larger than their reported earnings. Story continues Is P. H. Glatfelter's Balance Sheet Risky? As P. H. Glatfelter's dividend was not well covered by earnings, we need to check its balance sheet for signs of financial distress. A rough way to check this is with these two simple ratios: a) net debt divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation), and b) 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 2.81 times its EBITDA, P. H. Glatfelter'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. With EBIT of 4.67 times its interest expense, P. H. Glatfelter's interest cover is starting to look a bit thin. We update our data on P. H. Glatfelter every 24 hours, so you can always get our latest analysis of its financial health, here. 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. P. H. Glatfelter has been paying dividends for a long time, but for the purpose of this analysis, we only examine the past 10 years of payments. During this period the dividend has been stable, which could imply the business could have relatively consistent earnings power. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was US$0.36 in 2010, compared to US$0.52 last year. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 3.7% a year over that time. Dividends have grown relatively slowly, which is not great, but some investors may value the relative consistency of the dividend. 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. P. H. Glatfelter's earnings per share have shrunk at 25% a year over the past five years. A sharp decline in earnings per share is not great from from a dividend perspective, as even conservative payout ratios can come under pressure if earnings fall far enough. Conclusion To summarise, shareholders should always check that P. H. Glatfelter's dividends are affordable, that its dividend payments are relatively stable, and that it has decent prospects for growing its earnings and dividend. We're not keen on the fact that P. H. Glatfelter paid out such a high percentage of its income, although its cashflow is in better shape. Moreover, earnings have been shrinking. While the dividends have been fairly steady, we'd wonder for how much longer this will be sustainable if earnings continue to decline. While we're not hugely bearish on it, overall we think there are potentially better dividend stocks than P. H. Glatfelter out there. See if management have their own wealth at stake, by checking insider shareholdings in P. H. Glatfelter stock. 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. Susan is a spoiled socialite determined to evangelize her family and friends after returning home from Europe. Her new religious fervor meets with, at best, a lukewarm response from the Park Avenue crowd. But her estranged husband and daughter hope her new faith fuels their ticket back into her life. Susan and God opens on Friday, Jan. 10, at the Vortex Theatre, repeating on weekends through Feb. 2. The play launches the theaters year-long production of Drama Queens 400 years of women playwrights. The series includes such A-list names as Jane Austen, (Sense and Sensibility, opens Nov. 27), Carson McCullers (The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, opens Feb. 14) and Wendy Wasserstein (The Heidi Chronicles, opens Oct. 23). Rachel Crothers penned Susan and God in 1937. In 1940, George Cukor directed the movie starring Joan Crawford and Fredric March. Crothers was the most prolific female on the American theater scene in the first half of the 20th century, director Lauren Dusek Albonico said. This is her best play. Its a dramatic comedy, Albonico continued. Its similar to the Noel Coward plays in that its a social comedy. Crothers plays often dealt with contemporary social themes and moral problems impacting women. Although some of her work stands as clear expressions of sympathy for the challenges of 20th century women, others came wrapped in comedy with an implied criticism of feminist values. She doesnt write specifically about womens issues, Albonico said. You cant pin her down to any perspective; you cant put her in a box. Susans life is a shambles. Her husband is alcoholic. Susan plans to leave him to become an evangelist, a profession for which she is ludicrously unprepared. Its looking at issues of faith, but its not didactic about it, Albonico said. It doesnt make fun of religion. Susan and God stars Bridget S. Dunne (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time); Nick Johnson (Loves Labours Lost) and Tait Peterson (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.) This article, California's new privacy law puts you first. Too bad companies are ignoring it, originally appeared on CNET.com. For 2020, your New Year's resolution might be to have better control of your digital privacy . In California, it's not just a resolution, it's the law. The problem, though, is that some companies are pushing back against key provisions of the California Consumer Privacy Act. The law, which came into effect on Jan. 1, is the most sweeping data privacy law in the US, which doesn't have any federal legislation on the issue. California's new rules require companies to tell people what data they're collecting about them, as well as to allow the state's residents to request that those companies refrain from selling their data and delete any information that's been collected. Many companies have made changes to their privacy policies to follow this new law, and there's a directory that lists how you can request your data and improve your privacy settings. But a handful of companies aren't complying with the new law, whether by failing to provide, essentially, a "do not sell my data" link or button on their websites -- which the law requires -- or arguing that the rules don't apply to them. Facebook said in a December blog post that it doesn't plan to make any changes to its web tracking, believing that the law's definition of selling data doesn't apply to it. The social networking giant argued that it shares data with third parties, which it doesn't consider selling. But under the new law, sharing is still considered a sale, according to Mary Stone Ross, co-author of the CCPA. "The definition of 'sell' is written in a way to include the sharing of personal information," said Ross, associate director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, or EPIC. "They are playing fast and loose with the definition of 'sell.'" Facebook didn't immediately respond to a request for comment for this story. Enforcement of the CCPA won't happen until July 1. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has raised concerns about a lack of resources to hold companies accountable. Ross said that when writing the bill she anticipated companies would seek to interpret the law as they saw fit. A day after the law went into effect, she said she found multiple businesses that aren't complying with the CCPA. That includes The Weather Channel, a company owned by IBM and facing a lawsuit from the city of Los Angeles over its app's collection of location data on roughly 45 million people. In its privacy policy, updated on Dec. 29, The Weather Channel discloses that "we may have sold information within the categories as defined by the CCPA," but it doesn't have a button to opt out of your data being sold. IBM said that it's had a "Do Not Sell My Information" link on The Weather Channel's page and app since Dec. 29, and said that the experience was "specifically customized for users in California," which could explain why out-of-state visitors had not seen the button. But Ross said she is a California resident, and did not see the link when she checked the website. "The Weather Company -- including weather.com and The Weather Channel app -- is fully committed to user privacy," an IBM spokeswoman said in a statement. "We comply with all applicable privacy laws and regulations, including CCPA." Ross also pointed to the pharmacy giant CVS, which is dealing with a lawsuit for a 2017 data breach that revealed the HIV status of more than 6,000 people. CVS doesn't have a "do not sell my data" button on its homepage, even though it shares people's data with advertisers and social media companies, according to its privacy policy. Like Facebook, it has offered the argument that sharing data with third parties isn't the same as selling data. CVS didn't respond to a request for comment. Ross called out TiVo as well. In its privacy policy, the DVR pioneer says that "We do sell De-Identified Data to third parties" and that it shares personal data with service providers. It also doesn't have a button to let people opt out. The policy takes pains to distinguish what's sold and what's not. "TiVo's privacy policy states that 'we don't believe we sell your personal data to third parties' therefore we believe we are in compliance with applicable laws," a company spokeswoman said. Ross noted that even if the data doesn't have a person's name attached to it, it's still considered personal data under the law. "Today, it's not just my name that's personal information," she said. "I wear a smartwatch, I have a phone. They might not have my name attached to it, but for all intents and purposes, it's data on me." Until enforcement begins later this year, Ross said, the best way to keep companies from skirting the law could be public pressure. "You have privacy advocates that are going to be publicly shaming companies that aren't complying," Ross said. Originally published Jan. 2. Update, Jan. 2: Adds response from TiVo. Update, Jan. 3: Adds response from IBM. The New York Times Nellie Bowles has discovered that PragerU is making inroads with teenagers and shes not happy. She's written a long article, a combination of honest facts and oozing snideness, that reveals her disdain for and fear of conservative values. Dennis Prager matters because he is persuasive. In the early 2000s, as I was going through the process of disengaging from a Democrat party I realized bore no relationship to my values, he helped me create a framework for my new worldview. Ive also loved his PragerU videos. While open about their biases, they are temperate in tone and carefully objective in their facts. The videos, which rely on experts in whatever field is at issue, also present complex ideas in ways that are simple without being dumbed down. Here are some good things about Bowles "Right-Wing Views for Generation Z, Five Minutes at a Time." She factually describes Dennis Pragers growing empire, from the videos (over a billion viewed), to the outreach on college campuses, to a new channel for Hispanics. She states correctly that todays teens, having been weaned on Leftist ideology, are becoming conservative curious (my phrase, not hers). She accurately notes that Pragers goal is to spread Judeo-Christian values for societal betterment. After visiting Pragers headquarters, at which roughly 50 people (average age 30-ish) work, Bowles honestly quotes Craig Strazzeri, the Chief Marketing Officer, when he explains the myriad empty offices: A lot of people stayed home because they were scared of being identified as working for Prager. Bowles, though, seems not to realize that this is a sad commentary on todays progressives. But not all is good. One can imagine that, if PragerU were progressive, Bowles would have written in glowing terms, with riffs about Pragers warmth, charisma, and erudition; enthusiastic descriptions about how hes changing minds; and sympathy for the fact that Google-owned YouTube is systematically censoring PragerU videos to prevent young people from seeing them. But thats not what Bowles does. Instead, its sneering, all the way down. The sneering begins with Will Witt, 23, who gives college students the opportunity to reveal on videos what passes for knowledge in Progressive academia. Bowles begins straightforwardly enough by telling how Witt, although raised in a relatively liberal home, was leaning conservative when he reached the University of Colorado in Boulder. Once there, Witt discovered that conservative students were subject to systematic intellectual discrimination. Frustrated, he discovered PragerU, which he found more informative than his classes. Then Bowles gets snide: He did not graduate from college. Had Witt been a David Hogg, its a certainty that she might have written, Realizing that college could not give him the knowledge he craved, Witt left to begin learning about life, or something similar. Instead, Bowles panders to the Jennifer Rubins demographic. Bowles next seeks out the inevitable expert opinions about underhanded way in which PragerU is inveigling good Progressive youth into the conservative cult: The way PragerU presents that alternative voice is in the measured tone of an online university, carefully avoiding the news cycle and President Trump. That is part of its power. They take old arguments about the threat of immigration but treat them as common sense and almost normative, wrapping them up as a university with a neutral dispassionate voice, said Chris Chavez, the doctoral program director at the University of Oregons School of Journalism and Communication. PragerUs website has a fine-print disclaimer that it is not an actual academic institution. PragerUs 5 Minute Ideas videos have become an indispensable propaganda device for the right, the Southern Poverty Law Center warned on its blog, citing videos like Blacks in Power Dont Empower Blacks, hosted by the Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Riley, who is black. Lawrence Rosenthal, chair of the Berkeley Center for Right-Wing Studies, said he has noticed an impact from PragerUs content. It sits at this border between going off a cliff into conspiracy thinking and extreme kinds of prejudices in the name of anti-political correctness, he said. Bowles also denigrates Prager himself for being a conservative who supports Trump. She accurately summarizes Pragers contention that Trumps personal acts are between himself and God, but his public acts are what matter to the country and, as to the country, Trump is a good and moral leader. Bowles sees this as hypocrisy, cluing readers when she writes that Prager carefully threaded the needle for listeners as he made the argument. Proving that she cannot understand the distinction Prager has always made between public and private, Bowles adds This is a new line of argument for Mr. Prager, who spent much of his career focusing on those micro values. He is a longtime opponent of same-sex marriage, which he considers an effort to destroy the foundation of our Judeo-Christian civilization. An episode in his Same Sex Issues collection is titled, Love Is Not Enough. In fact, its not a departure at all. There are societal values, which benefit of society as a whole, and there are individual values, which are between a person, his conscience, and his God. Conservatives understand this; Bowles does not. And it goes, on and on (its a long article), with Bowles swerving between telling the truth and implying nefarious conduct. In a tour de force of subtly biased writing (despite factual honesty) by the end Bowles' own disdain for Prager bleeds through so clearly. Sikh man Parvinder Singh murdered in Peshawar Pakistan, body pumped with bullets by 'unknown persons'. Usually 'unknown persons' in Pak means ISI/ISPR. Ravinder is brother of Pak journalist Harmeet Singh. He was in Peshawar to shop for his wedding. Image Source: IANS News Sikh man Parvinder Singh murdered in Peshawar Pakistan, body pumped with bullets by 'unknown persons'. Usually 'unknown persons' in Pak means ISI/ISPR. Ravinder is brother of Pak journalist Harmeet Singh. He was in Peshawar to shop for his wedding. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 5 : India on Sunday slammed Pakistan over the killing of a Sikh youth in Peshawar, days after the attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara by a Muslim mob, and conversion of a minor Sikh girl after her abduction. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Two days after the attack on Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan's Punjab province, a member of the Sikh community, Parvinder Singh, was murdered in Peshawar by 'unknown' gunmen. Sources based in Peshawar told IANS that Parvinder Singh was the younger brother of a local journalist Harmeet Singh. The MEA has asked the Imran Khan-led Pakistan government to take immediate actions to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators. "India calls upon the Pakistan government to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts," the statement said. It also lashed out at the Pakistani government for interfering in India's internal affairs. In fact, in a tweet on Sunday, Imran Khan veered towards criticism of the Narendra Modi-led government while condemning the Nankana Sahib incident. The MEA said: "The government of Pakistan should act in defence of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries." New York State officials secretly offered Amazon more than $800 million in incentives than previously publicly declared in a bid to win the e-commerce giant's second-headquarters contest in 2017. Documents discovered by the Wall Street Journal laid bare the extent state and local officials went to to grease the palms of the Jeff Bezos-owned company as part of the HQ2 competition just over two years ago, which saw more than 200 cities submit bids to Amazon hoping to secure some 50,000 jobs to their respective regions. Such incentives included lawmakers expressing a willingness to even pay part of some employees' salaries if the company agreed to set up a campus in New York. Amazon announced in November 2018 that the new headquarters would be split between sites in Northern Virginia and Long Island City in Queens, with New York officials agreeing to give $3 billion in incentives to the company in exchange for 40,000 jobs. However, facing a slew of protests and backlash from local elected officials such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amazon ultimately abandoned its plans for a New York hub on Valentine's Day last year. Documents discovered by the Wall Street Journal laid bare the extent state and local officials went to to grease the palms of the Jeff Bezos-owned company as part of the HQ2 competition just over two years ago, which saw more than 200 cities submit bids to Amazon hoping to secure some 50,000 jobs to their respective region The documents from the city's first bid to Amazon, dated October 2017, show that the state had offered up to $2.5 billion in incentives, including $1.4 billion in tax credits dependent on the number of employees hired and an additional $1.1 billion in various other grants. The that amount was $800 million more than Empire State Development (ESD) had agreed to put forward in a memorandum of understanding signed the following year, which said the state had agreed to provide $1.2 billion of tax credits and $505 million to reimburse some construction costs. In reality, on top of their final $1.7 billion package, New York had originally made a discreet offer of as much as $1.3 billion in extra incentives to Amazon, through two different programs open to any company. Officials also suggested alternative campus sites, including a plot next to the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. one in downtown Brooklyn and another near Penn Station. The city also presented an idea that Governors Island, a former coast guard base situated between Manhattan and Brooklyn, could serve as a 'island retreat' for Amazon Workers. The documents from the city's first bid to Amazon, dated October 2017, show that the state initially offered up to $2.5 billion in incentives, including $1.4 billion in tax credits dependent on the number of employees hired and an additional $1.1 billion in various other grants. The total was $800 million more than Empire State Development (ESD) had agreed to put forward in a memorandum of understanding signed the following year Amazon announced in November 2018 that the new headquarters would be split between sites in Northern Virginia and Long Island City in Queens. However, facing a slew of protests and backlash from local elected officials such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amazon ultimately abandoned its plans for a New York hub on Valentine's Day last year ESD then offered to spend $500 million to create a Center for Commercial Innovation near Amazon's desired site that would partner the company with a number of colleges for research relevant to their business, WSJ reported. The center would also help subsidize job-training programs, and the state even pledged to pay 25 percent of certain graduate's first-year wages at the company, in order to help Amazon achieve workplace diversity. According to ESD spokesman Matthew Gorton, the initial offer was inflated to reflect to original - and larger - plans for a single-site HQ2, as well as to lure Amazon into negotiations. 'Throughout the negotiating process, we sharpened our incentive package and ultimately secured a better return on investment for the state and the biggest economic development opportunity in New Yorks history,' told WSJ. Despite the generous offerings, Amazon insisted their HQ2 decision was made on where they believed their employees would prefer to live, rather than just the incentives. In reality, on top of their final $1.7 billion package, New York had discreetly offered as much as $1.3 billion in extra incentives to Amazon. Officials also suggested alternative campus sites to the Long Island City (above) , including a plot next to the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. one in downtown Brooklyn and another near Penn Station The company said they were inundated with generous offers, with many of the prospective packages far more munificent than those offered by Virginia or New York. State Senator Mike Gianaris, one of the leading voices against the Long Island campus, said the city's initial offer emphasized his belief that state incentive programs should be re-examined and reformed. Gianaris described the process as being 'twisted', adding that he thinks 'its good we didnt have to provide any incentives to get Amazon here, because they appear to be coming anyway.' Seven months after they shelved the Long Island plans, in December Amazon announced plans to lease space for 1,500 employees in Hudson Yards. "We have put volunteers at all entry gates and we are frisking everyone so that nobody comes with stones or any weapon and creates ruckus in our protest which is going on peacefully," said one of the volunteers. New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) Volunteers frisked the people coming late in the night at the Shaheen Bagh protest in order to avoid entry of any miscreants or trouble-makers, appealing to people not to get angry over this measure as it was for their safety and to strengthen their protest. The protest at Shaheen Bagh area of south Delhi which is going for three weeks now has been peaceful as women held the fort round the clock with elderly women sitting day and night. Here the protest has drawn a huge crowd with scores of social activists coming to express solidarity with the protesters who have been agitating against the CAA. Zulqarnain, who has been sitting on protest from the first day, said: "We don't want to get disturbed by miscreants as a peaceful protest is hitting international headlines... if the Home Minister says he cannot retreat one inch, so he should not expect us to go back a millimetre." The crowd on Sunday swelled as people came in huge numbers after rumours of police action on the protesters, while a large police contingent arrived there but returned, said an eyewitness. miz/rt/vd The idea of cutting each other down somehow hurting us in the general election, whichever campaign did that would get a lot of pushback, pitchforks and torches from the voters, Ms. Gibson said. Theres just seemingly no tolerance for it. Also in play are memories of 2016, when the bitter campaign between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders left many supporters of Mr. Sanders alienated enough to stay home or vote for a third-party candidate. In place of any negativity has been a focus on generally positive, biographical messaging. More than 25 percent of all ads in both Iowa and New Hampshire were either a general positive message or one about a candidates character, according to Advertising Analytics. In Iowa, the top issue was health care, addressed in about 9 percent of ads. In New Hampshire, it was the economy, also addressed in about 9 percent of ads. There is also the tsunami of ads from Michael R. Bloomberg, who isnt spending on ads in the first four early states but has dropped more than $165 million on television and digital ads in Super Tuesday states and beyond, according to Advertising Analytics. But Mr. Bloomberg has also not gone on the attack against other Democrats. The apprehension toward negativity among the Democratic candidates has largely been evident in real time as well; when the debates have been marked by hostile attacks Representative Tulsi Gabbard attacked Senator Kamala Harriss record as prosecutor, Ms. Harris went after Joe Bidens record on busing, to name a couple other candidates are often quick to try to tamp down any bubbling anger. I did not come here to listen to this argument, interjected Senator Amy Klobuchar at the sixth debate as a heated discussion over a fund-raiser at a wine cave boiled over. She added that the only way Democrats would win was not by arguing with each other, but by finding what unites us in getting this done. The relative comity among the candidates on the airwaves comes after Republican presidential primaries in 2012 and 2016 that were overwhelmingly negative and seemed to signal a new era for presidential campaigns. With the injection of billions of dollars into such races after the Citizens United decision, leading to the proliferation of deep-pocketed super PACs, an explosion of negative advertising was becoming the norm. The so-called Eleventh Commandment popularized by President Ronald Reagan, which declared that thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican, seemed destined for history. Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren said on Sunday that it was a reasonable question to ask if President Donald Trumps killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was a distraction from impeachment. Appearing on NBCs Meet the Press, the Massachusetts senator wondered aloud about the timing of the strike that killed Soleimani in Baghdad. The question is why now? Warren declared. Why not a month ago? Why not a month from now? And the administration simply cant keep its story straight. It points in all different directions. She then contrasted the current escalation of tensions with Iran with the presidents pressure campaign on Ukraine that is at the center of his impeachment, saying the administration did the same thing and that Trump is advancing his own personal political interests. Do you think thats happening here? Meet the Press anchor Chuck Todd asked. I think the question people reasonably ask is next week Donald Trump faces the start potentially of an impeachment trial, the Democratic lawmaker replied. And why now? I think people are starting to ask why now did he do this? Why not delay and why this one is so dangerous is that he is truly taking us right to the edge of war. Todd wondered if Warren wanted to investigate and find out of the impending Senate impeachment trial was a motivation for Trumps attack on Iran. Warren, meanwhile, stuck with her people are saying approach. Well, I think that people are asking why this moment? Warren said. You know, as I said, the administration cant keep its story straight, and in the case of Ukraine, it was all about protecting Donald Trumps skin. We know that Donald Trump was very upset about this upcoming impeachment trial. But look what hes doing now. He is taking us to the edge of war. In another interview on CNNs State of the Union, anchor Jake Tapper pressed Warren on her suggestion that the presidents actions towards Iran were a Wag the Dog situation. Story continues Do you believe that President Trump pulled the pulled the trigger on this operation as a way to distract from impeachment? Tapper asked. Is that what you think? I think it is a reasonable question to ask, particularly when the administration immediately after having taken this decision offers a bunch of contradictory explanations for what is going on, Warren answered. What do you think? Tapper pushed back. I think it is the right question to ask, the progressive senator responded. We will get more information as we go forward, but look at the timing on this, and look at what Donald Trump has said afterwards and his administration. They have pointed in multiple directions. There is a reason that he chose this moment, not a month ago and not a month from now, not a less aggressive and less dangerous response. Tapper, meanwhile, noted that the Trump administration has pointed to the death of an American contractor late last month as the reason for the strike against Iran. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. People with connections to Yellowknife rang in the new decade all over the world on Wednesday, and one woman is helping to connect them online. Shari Wynne moderates YK Memories, a public Facebook group where people can share stories and photos and reconnect with people from Yellowknife. On New Year's Eve, Wynne asked group members to share where they would be celebrating the start of 2020 and the response she got was incredible. "I was just fascinated by how far spread out people were but that they were still wanting to connect with their hometown," she said. Wynne began plotting the locations on an interactive world map. It now has location markers in over 160 communities spanning the globe from Norway to Australia, to Belize and Nunavut. Submitted by Shari Wynne Wynne said her New Year's post was inspired by the CBC North radio call-in shows she listened to when she was in Yellowknife. She lived in the territorial capital for 28 years before moving to Calgary in 2009. "It would just be an hour of people calling in to say hello to people in other communities back before the internet," recalled Wynne. Once the water from the Mackenzie River gets in your blood, you never get rid of it. - Shari Wynne Today, the call-in show still takes place on CBC's Northwind every Friday and all day on Christmas and New Year's Eve. Wynne no longer calls Yellowknife home, but she still feels a strong connection to the North. "I just have so many great memories of my childhood there and the people that I met growing up and it's never left me," she said. "They say once the water from the Mackenzie River gets in your blood, you never get rid of it." ZeeMaps Origin of YK Memories The YK Memories group was originally started a decade ago by Rebecca Hendry. She was doing research on Yellowknife in the 1970s for her novel, One Good Thing, which was published in 2018. While Hendry said she expected the group to just include a few people her parents had known when they lived in Yellowknife, it quickly grew. The group now has over 6,700 members. Story continues "I just feel like it's sort of taken on a life of its own," she said. While Hendry only lived in Yellowknife for a few years as a child, she too still feels strong connections to the city. Submitted by Shari Wynne "I felt very strongly connected with it and I felt like I belonged there and I still feel that way," she said. "I just absolutely love it." Wynne now helps to run the Facebook group. She said one of her favourite things about it is seeing old friends and classmates reconnect. "It's just fantastic to see people who lost touch decades ago reconnect." Offline, Wynne said she regularly gets together with childhood friends from Yellowknife and often meets other people who have lived or travelled to the North. "You find Yellowknifers everywhere," she said, laughing. "When you talk with people from the North, there's just a different light in their eyes when they talk about it." The YK Memories Facebook group is celebrating its 10-year anniversary on Jan. 5. One of the maxims attributed to Napoleon is Never interfere with the enemy when he is in the process of destroying himself. With Leftists across America protesting Qasem Soleimanis death, now is the time for Republicans to stay out of their way. Briefly, Soleimani was a mass murderer. Having gotten his start killing Kurds in Iran, over the years he ranged around the Middle East, and parts of Asia and Africa, where he slaughtered American troops in the thousands and Syrian, Iraqi, and African civilians in the hundreds of thousands. He also contributed to the world opioid crisis because he financed Irans regime by selling Afghani opiates. As Andrew McCarthy explains, Soleimani was a legitimate military target: When there are forcible threats to the United States, the president has not merely the power but the obligation to repel them. In large measure, that is why there is an Office of the President. [snip] Soleimani and al-Muhandis were in the act of making war on the United States. Not just plotting it, though there was plenty of that going on, too. In late 2019, the Hezbollah Brigades, backed by Soleimani, carried out repeated attacks on U.S. coalition forces in Iraq. There were 11 attacks on bases housing U.S. military personnel in just the last two months. [snip] It is worth bearing in mind that an attack on another nations embassy is, by itself, an act of war. [snip] Our government estimates that he was responsible for the killing of more than 600 U.S. troops during the fighting in Iraq and that represents just some of his anti-American operations, coordinating the networks that target Americans and our interests throughout the region. Because Soleimani was one of the worlds most prolific killers, its no surprise that people in Iraq and Syria, the two countries that suffered most from Soleimanis sins, celebrated his death. Sensible people, too, should be pleased that Trump eliminated a military leader who was acting on behalf of a nation at war with the U.S. and who had the blood of countless civilians on his hands. Progressives, however, are not sensible. According to VOA news, on Saturday approximately 200 people gathered in front of the White House to chant, "No justice, no peace, U.S. out of the Middle East." Without any irony whatever, one of the protesters stated, This country is in the grip of somebody who's mentally unstable, I mean Donald Trump, that is. He's not right in the head. In the San Francisco Bay Area, people were also horrified that a global terrorist died. According to ABC7 News, Protesters we talked to said the President's actions won't deter future attacks, but will only lead to more deaths on both sides. "My reason for being here is don't Iraq Iran, we've been there, we've done that, it didn't work," Renay Davis, Code Pink Member. "We've created terrorist. We need this to stop. No more war." Protesters say they're also calling for the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and bases in the region. CBS Chicago described the scene on Saturday as hundreds of people turned out to protest: Hundreds of people gathered to protest downtown after President Trump ordered the killing of a top Iranian general, raising fears of an escalating conflict in the Middle East. The protesters, carrying No War In Iran and U.S. Troops Out Of Iraq signs, gathered near the Trump Hotel on Wacker Drive and marched down Michigan Avenue. The group also shut down Lake Shore Drive, forcing the CTA to reroute buses. There was at least one person arrested, police said. Here are protesters in New York: Oh look! The sleeping anti-war movement has decided to exist again right before an election! How convenient after silence through an entire administration of drone enthusiasts. pic.twitter.com/ojp57W11HR Brandon Darby (@brandondarby) January 4, 2020 USA Today has assembled a gallery of photographs showing protesters on Saturday in New York, D.C., St. Louis, Phoenix, Denver, and elsewhere, furiously angry that Trump ordered a strike on military target. While its easy to dismiss these protests as the work of radical Leftists, as opposed to mere Progressives, keep in mind that everything the protesters are saying is what Democrat politicians, including all of the Democrat primary candidates have said, albeit in more measured tones: 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 (Amusingly, Leftists objected to Warrens use of the word murderer.) 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 My statement on the killing of Qassim Suleimani. pic.twitter.com/DUCVczjNzm Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 3, 2020 My statement on the killing of Qassem Soleimani. pic.twitter.com/4Q9tlLAYFB Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 3, 2020 We'll give Mike Cernovich the last word on this one, since the media are the voices for the American Left: By PTI HYDERABAD: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has asked why losses were not recovered from those who indulged in damage to public property during the Jat agitation in Haryana, while money is proposed to be recovered by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the recent anti-CAA protests. Owaisi, who was addressing a protest meeting at Sangareddy town near here late on Saturday night against the amended citizenship law, also said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan need not worry about Indian Muslims. The AIMIM president also announced that a protest meeting will be held at the historic Charminar here on January 25 against the CAA, adding "We will hoist the tricolour on January 25 midnight and recite the national anthem. The meeting would be to save the Constitution and the country." ALSO READ | Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi instigated riots by supporting anti-CAA drive: Amit Shah On January 10, a peaceful march will also be taken out in Hyderabad against the CAA, he said. Talking about the violent protests against CAA in UP, Owaisi said he condemned violence wherever it occurred but would like to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi whether the Prevention of Destruction of Public Property Act, 1984 applied to them (UP incidents) or not. He claimed destruction of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore occurred in the Jat agitation in Haryana in 2015. "Destruction of Rs 2,000 crore. Modiji, you have taken money from how many? Have you taken money from those people? One paisa was not taken. Why? You did not take because they were not Muslims. Is this not a violation of Article 14 of our Constitution," he said. How much money was recovered for the losses during the Patel agitation in Gujarat, he asked. ALSO READ: Thousands participate in protest against Citizenship Act in Hyderabad More than 600 police vehicles were burnt and more than 1,800 government buildings were damaged during the Patel agitation, he claimed. "Why are (you) doing this injustice that you will not take from Gujaratis, but recover money from Muslims," he said. "...to recover that Rs 14.50 lakh, properties of Muslims were seized, (they were) locked (in UP). This law won't apply," he said. Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan posting a video, Owaisi said Khan has posted a wrong Bangladeshi video claiming it to be from India. "Mr Khan, you worry about your own country. Mr Khan, we would like to tell you, don't ever remember us. We have rejected the message, the wrong theory of Jinnah. We are proud Indian Muslims and till the day of judgment, Inshallah, we will remain as proud Indian Muslims." ALSO READ: Yashwant Sinha's Rashtra Manch to take out 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' demanding withdrawal of CAA "No power on earth can take away my Indianness. No power on earth can take away my religious identity. Why because, the Constitution of India guarantees me that," he said. The Pakistan Prime Minister should safeguard the Sikhs and stop those who attacked a Sikh gurdwara in Pakistan, Owaisi said. According to Owaisi, the CAA was only made towards making India a Hindu Rashtra. "We are not against granting citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Christians, Sikhs from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh...but why are you doing in the name of religion (by excluding Muslims)," he said. He challenged the Prime Minister to let the countrymen know if they plan to make (implement) NRC or not by 2024. Owaisi further said the protests against CAA, NPR and NRC should continue for another four to five months. After the attack on Nankana Sahib, the holy place of Sikhs, the entire Sikh community and India are angry, there has been protest across the country regarding this matter. Earlier, protests against the attack on the historic Gurudwara Sri Nankana Sahib by Pakistani fundamentalists took place in several cities of Punjab on Friday afternoon. People took to the streets and shouted slogans against Pakistan. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's effigy was burnt in Kanhaiya Shock in Faridkot. License will have to be taken to sell fruit plant or buds, otherwise, punishment will be imposed In his statement, District President Vijay Chhabra said that after the infamous worldwide, the condition of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has become like 'Khisyani Billi Khamba Noche'. This incident is a sign of discrimination being done by the Prime Minister on minorities living in Muslim countries. If Pakistan does not desist from these antics, then the central government will have to take strict steps to teach a lesson. Security forces get big success, Lashkar terrorist arrested The district unit of BJP in Gurdaspur also demonstrated a fury. Burnt effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at Dakkhana Chowk. In Rajpura, people shouted slogans against Pakistan. Activists led by BJP District President Vikas Sharma burnt the effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at Shaheed Prabhakar Chowk. BJP workers shouted slogans against Pakistan. Shiv Sena workers demonstrated in Phagwara. BJP workers took to the road in Jalandhar and strongly condemned the incident. In Ludhiana, all religious institutions and Sikh Jatbandhis strongly opposed this act of Pak and protested. People also took to the streets in Fazilka and Bathinda. Maharashtra: Protests in Congress echoes, MLA lodges threat to high command Iran Tension Unlikely to Cause Sustained Oil Price Spike WASHINGTONFears of a conflict escalation in the Middle East following the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike may push oil prices higher in the short term, according to analysts. A sustained surge in prices is unlikely, they said. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated at a time when oil supplies have started to tighten. Members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies agreed last month to reduce oil output by an additional 500,000 barrels per day starting this month. Expectations were also rising for oil demand, following the positive news about the phase one trade deal between the United States and China. Oil prices spiked immediately after the news of the killing of Irans top military commander at Baghdad International Airport early on Jan. 3. The international benchmark Brent crude jumped more than 3 percent to $68.67 per barrel that day. U.S. West Texas Intermediate also increased 3 percent to $63.05. The escalation of tensions could drive Brent prices above $70 in short order, according to Citigroup. The factors in the market pushing oil prices higher are based on the view that Iranian authorities collectively, or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, independently, could potentially take retaliatory actions that increase the likelihood of supply disruption in the Middle East, Edward Morse, the global head of commodities research at Citigroup, said in a report. The scenarios of retaliation by Iran could include attacks on oil facilities in the Gulf area, in Iraq for example, where Western companies are investing in new oil production, Morse said. Other potential retaliations could be attacks on pipeline oil flows or shipping through either the Strait of Hormuz or the Red Sea. The Strait of Hormuz is the worlds most important oil transit chokepoint, as more than a fifth of the worlds oil supply flows through it. And any disruption, even a temporary one, can lead to substantial supply delays and an increase in energy prices, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. While Morse predicts that fears over Iranian retaliation will continue to put upward pressure on oil prices in the short-term, he says its unlikely to cause a long-term concern. Despite clear short-term oil market concerns, there could be bearish factors at work later in 2020, with the possibility that Iran and the United States could find common purpose in working out a new agreement, he wrote. Employees of Aramco oil company stand near a heavily damaged installation in Saudi Arabias Khurais oil processing plant on Sept. 20, 2019. (FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images) September Attacks The killing of Soleimani follows the attacks in September 2019 on major Saudi Arabian oil facilities and a series of attacks targeting oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz earlier, which have raised geopolitical risks in the region. The United States blamed Iran for the attacks. Analysts polled by S&P Global Platts say that the disruption in oil markets will be short term, given a global oil supply glut and the lack of a sustained price spike following the September attacks. On Sept. 14, 2019, Saudi Arabias key Abqaiq processing plant and the nearby oil field were attacked, knocking out more than half of the countrys oil output and nearly 5 percent of global supply. Brent crude oil jumped almost 20 percent following the incident. However, it retreated to pre-attack levels in a few days, after the Saudis assured that production had been restored. The September incident reveals that the oil market will accommodate a very near-term geopolitical risk premium, but wont continue to do so for months, Katie Bays, co-founder of Washington-based Sandhill Strategy, told S&P Global Platts. Iran promised vengeance after the U.S. airstrike that killed Soleimani, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi militia leader and one of Irans top lieutenants in Iraq. He has been blamed by the United States for last weeks assault on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. We believe that an Iranian retaliation is almost certain, Paul Sheldon, chief geopolitical risk analyst at S&P Global Platts, said in a note. The chances of a broader conflict remain below 50 percent, although risks are entering new territory. The initial market reaction indicates Brent is capped at $70 per barrel, 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, he said. Presidents Office says that Zelensky would have some top-level meetings there Volodymyr Zelensky Open source President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is in Oman, where he went with his family on a regular flight at his own expense. According to the Presidents Office on Telegram, Zelenskys meeting at the highest level is planned in Oman. "In Oman, Volodymyr Zelensky will discuss trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, strengthening diplomatic relations and attracting investment in Ukraine," reads the message. Today, Strana.ua outlet published information that Zelensky flew away to rest in Oman. According to media reports, he stayed there at one of the country's most luxurious hotels - the five-star Al Bustan Palace Ritz-Carlton Hotel. As we reported, Lawyer Andriy Portnov said where ex-president Petro Poroshenko was spending his holidays. Ukraine's fifth president did not show up at the State Bureau of Investigation for questioning and flew to Qatar. Friends, I inform you that the main state and war criminal arrived from Qatar to the Seychelles. A little later I will publish where the defendant is exactly and what he is doing, Portnov wrote. He said that taking cases of looting, high treason, and money laundering in offshore Poroshenko rented a 60-meter yacht KATINA. It is anchored near the Seychelles, where the ex-president arrived after a transfer from the flight Kyiv - Doha (Qatar). New Year 2020 began in different ways for two presidents of the United States. They are former POTUS, Barack Obama, and the current incumbent Donald Trump. The former served two terms in the White House and is now enjoying a vacation in Hawaii. The latter is trying to get a second term with an election around the corner. Barack Obama heralded 2020 paddleboarding in Hawaii and President Donald Trump ordered an aerial strike that killed Qasem Soleimani. He is one of the top military leaders of Iran. It happened following an attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad. Republican lawmakers have appreciated the handling of the situation and described it as as a show of strength. Daily Mail UK says on January 2, Barack Obama (58) was in his home state of Hawaii. He was on a paddleboard in the Pacific Ocean dressed for the occasion and trying out various moves. However, Donald Trump had other thoughts on his mind. There had been incidents of escalating conflict in the Middle East: It pertained to the death of an American contractor in Iraq with attacks and counter-attacks and finally an attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad. It was then that Trump planned the most recent attack. Former President @BarackObama was spotted paddleboarding shirtless in Hawaii on the day @realDonaldTrump launched an attack that killed two Iranian military figures in Iraq. https://t.co/Mnf3GijAJp Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 3, 2020 Obama wore shark deterrent band There were sharks in the water and former president Barack Obama had a shark deterrent band around his ankle. One usually wears this $84 gadget on the ankle or wrist. It works on a technology developed by experts associated with marine biology. Its purpose is to drive away the predators from the vicinity of humans. The gadget makes use of powerful permanent magnets to create an effective shark deterrent and does not require batteries or charging. Discuss this news on Eunomia When sharks approach, they feel the strong electromagnetic field, which is several times stronger than what they normally experience in their normal food chain. The result is safety for the wearer. EXCLUSIVE: As Trump plotted airstrike, shirtless Obama enjoyed a paddleboarding session in Hawaii... before falling off https://t.co/PgbmO3Fsn8 pic.twitter.com/W2ayDgMKEj Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) January 3, 2020 Daily Mail UK adds there was a Secret Service agent in a bulletproof vest in a kayak near Barack Obama for protection. He has experience on paddleboards but, in this case, he seemed to have trouble maintaining his balance. He and his family landed in Hawaii in a private plane on December 16 and is enjoying his vacation. Donald Trump, on his part, planned an airstrike on Iran in the New Year. Members of his party praised the move but Democrats and several other world leaders did not agree. They felt it would escalate the conflict in a dangerous way. Two most admired men of 2019 According to TMZ, former President Barack Obama and current incumbent Donald Trump are the most admired men of 2019. This is the finding of Gallup's annual poll. However, both of them kicked off the start to 2020 in different ways. Obama was in Hawaii and went paddleboarding in the ocean for fun. He is killing time in Hawaii, while Trump is behind the killing of a general in Iran. The body of Gen. Qassem Soleimani arrived Sunday in Iran where thousands of mourners thronged his coffin ahead of a grand funeral procession across the Islamic Republic amid soaring tensions between Iran and the US. President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb 52 sites in Iran if it retaliates by attacking Americans. The US drone strike killing Soleimani in Iraq Friday escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that put the wider Middle East on edge. The conflict is rooted in Trump pulling out of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. The accord is likely to further unravel as Tehran is expected to announce as early as Sunday it will break another set of its limits. Iran has promised ``harsh revenge`` for the US attack. Iranians across all political lines were shocked by the death of a commander widely seen as a pillar of the Islamic Republic, at a moment when it is beset by US sanctions and recent anti-government protests. Retaliation could potentially come through the proxy forces Soleimani oversaw as the head of an elite unit within the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. Soleimani's longtime deputy Esmail Ghaani already has taken over as the Quds Force's commander. Late Saturday, a series of rockets launched in Baghdad fell inside or near the Green Zone, which houses government offices and foreign embassies, including the US Embassy. Trump wrote on Twitter afterward that the US had already ``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.'' Trump did not identify the targets but added that they would be ``HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD.'' The 1954 Hague Convention, of which the US is a party, bars any military from ``direct hostilities against cultural property.`` However, such sites can be targeted if they have been re-purposed and turned into a legitimate ``military objective,`` according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. Iran, home to 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites, has in the past reportedly guarded the sprawling tomb complex of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, with surface-to-air missiles. After thousands in Baghdad on Saturday mourned Soleimani and others killed in the strike, authorities flew the general's body to the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. An honor guard stood by early Sunday as mourners carried the flag-draped coffins of Soleimani and other Guard members off the tarmac. The caskets then moved slowly through streets choked with mourners wearing black, beating their chests and carrying posters with Soleimani's portrait. Demonstrators also carried red Shiite flags, which traditionally both symbolize the spilled blood of someone unjustly killed and call for their deaths to avenged. Officials brought Soleimani's body to Ahvaz, a city that was a focus of fighting during the bloody, 1980-88 war between Iraq and Iran in which the general slowly grew to prominence. After that war, Soleimani joined the Guard's newly formed Quds, or Jersualem, Force, an expeditionary force that works with Iranian proxy forces in countries like Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. Authorities also plan to take Soleimani's body to Mashhad later Sunday, as well as Tehran and Qom on Monday for public mourning processions, followed by his hometown of Kerman for burial Tuesday. This marks the first time Iran honored a single man with a multi-city ceremony. Not even Khomeini received such a processional with his death in 1989. Soleimani on Monday will lie in state at Tehran's famed Musalla mosque as the revolutionary leader did before him. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional policy of mobilizing militias across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, including in the war against the Islamic State group. He was also blamed for attacks on US troops and American allies going back decades. Though it's unclear how or when Iran may respond, any retaliation was likely to come after three days of mourning declared in both Iran and Iraq. All eyes were on Iraq, where America and Iran have competed for influence since the 2003 US-led invasion. After the airstrike early Friday, the US-led coalition has scaled back operations and boosted ``security and defensive measures'' at bases hosting coalition forces in Iraq, a coalition official said on condition of anonymity according to regulations. Meanwhile, the US has dispatched another 3,000 troops to neighboring Kuwait, the latest in a series of deployments in recent months as the standoff with Iran has worsened. Protesters held demonstrations in dozens of US cities Saturday over Trump's decisions to kill Soleimani and deploy more troops to the Mideast. In a thinly veiled threat, one of the Iran-backed militias, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or League of the Righteous, called on Iraqi security forces to stay at least a kilometer (0.6 miles) away from US bases starting Sunday night. However, US troops are invariably based in Iraqi military posts alongside local forces. The Iranian parliament on Sunday opened with lawmakers in unison chanting: ``Death to America!'' Parliament speaker Ali Larijani compared Soleimani's killing to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that cemented the shah's power and to the US Navy's shootdown of an Iranian passenger plane in 1988 that killed 290 people. He also described American officials as following ``the law of the jungle.'' ``Mr. Trump! This is the voice of Iranian nation. Listen!'' Larijani said as lawmakers chanted. A spokesman for Iran's armed forces, Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, likewise threatened the US by saying Iran and the ``resistance front will decide the time, place and way'' revenge will be carried out. Iraq's government, which is closely allied with Iran, condemned the airstrike that killed Soleimani, calling it an attack on its national sovereignty. Parliament is meeting for an emergency session Sunday, and the government has come under mounting pressure to expel the 5,200 American troops who are based in the country to help prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group. Also Saturday, NATO temporarily suspended all training activities in Iraq due to safety concerns, Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said. The US has ordered all citizens to leave Iraq and temporarily closed its embassy in Baghdad, where Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters staged two days of violent protests in which they breached the compound. Britain and France have warned their citizens to avoid or strictly limit travel in Iraq. Oman, long an interlocutor between Iran and the West, urged Tehran and Washington on Sunday to pursue dialogue. No one was hurt in the embassy protests, which came in response to US airstrikes that killed 25 Iran-backed militiamen in Iraq and Syria. The US blamed the militia for a rocket attack that killed a US contractor in northern Iraq. Search Keywords: Short link: Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan foreign ministry of the government of national accord Sunday condemned the bombing of the headquarters of the military academy here Saturday evening in which dozens of new students were killed, ordering the Libyan mission in New York to request an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Libya New Delhi: Actress Katrina Kaif maybe some days late in wishing everyone on New Year, but she has totally compensated for it. On Saturday, Katrina welcomed 2020 with a stunning picture of herself and a small note which read, "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year #2020." In the photo, Katrina looks like a million bucks in an embroidered light blue lehenga, which she paired with a net dupatta and her beautiful smile. She poses in front of the sea. Katrina is currently in Goa for the wedding of her makeup artist Daniel Bauer. Here's how Katrina welcomed New Year 2020. Gorgeous in the word, right? Katrina has, meanwhile, also posted a picture from Daniel's beach wedding. He married Tyrone Braganza. The newly-weds were twinning in white kurta-pyjamas sets and paired their outfits with light pink dupattas and turbans. She also shared a picture with Daniel and hairstylist Amit Thakur. Congratulations to the couple! On the work front, Katrina, last seen in 'Bharat', recently finished filming 'Sooryavanshi', her film with Akshay Kumar. 'Sooryavanshi' is Rohit Shetty's fourth film in the cop franchise after the 'Singham' series and 'Simmba'. It also reunites Akshay with Katrina after almost a decade. 'Sooryavanshi' is slated to release on March 27. Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said India is the only shelter for religiously persecuted Hindus, Sikhs and other minorities who come from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Afghanistan, for the safety of their life and honour. "India owes responsibility towards the minorities living in these countries which proclaim Islam as their state religion," Singh said here while launching the BJP's countrywide 10-day mass contact drive to spread awareness about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Accompanied by senior party colleagues, including former deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta and former minister Sat Sharma, he began by visiting the house of veteran columnist, writer and Padmashri awardee K L Pandita, where he spent time with them discussing the Act. Later, he visited prominent social activist Amjad Mirza, eminent Sikh religious leader Baba Swaranjit Singh, retired High Court judge Justice G D Sharma, veteran journalist and former bureau head of Hind Samachar group Gopal Sachar, retired principal of Jammu government medical college Subhash Gupta, social activist and president of Peoples' Forum Ramesh Sabharwal, among others. During his interaction with them, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office claimed that Congress leaders and their allies protesting against the Act are doing so without "conviction". He opined that if a "survey" was conducted among the family members of these Congress leaders, then, even they would not support their "anti-CAA stand". "The tragedy of Congress party and contemporary leaders of Congress is that either they do not read their own history or are blissfully ignorant of the statements made by their own party patriarchs and former prime ministers," he said. The minister recalled that the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950 was inspired by the realisation on the part of the then Congress government headed by prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru that minorities, particularly Hindus, were not getting a fair deal in Pakistan. "In 1949, Nehru had written a letter expressing concern about people coming in from then East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh, and while doing so, he had referred to Hindus coming from there as 'refugees' and Muslims arriving here as 'immigrants'," Singh said. Further, Nehru had stated that India owed a "responsibility" to these refugees, the minister said. Referring to the opposition of senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to the amended legislation, the minister said someone should show them records of proceedings of the winter session of Parliament in 1950 when their great-grandfather (Nehru) had himself said that they deserved to be given citizenship and if the law was inadequate for it, then, the law should be changed. "PM Modi should actually be given credit for showing courage and conviction to carry forward the task, which the Congress government lacked, to accomplish this," the minister opined. Singh reiterated that a false fear psychosis against Muslims is being sought to be manufactured when there is no place as safe and comfortable to live for the community as India. Turning the tables on the opposition to the National Population Register(NPR) and proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), Singh pointed out that PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have been stating that the exercise on NRC is yet to begin. He also said that it was then Union home minister P Chidambaram, who had stated in Parliament in 2010 that NPR could be a basis for NRC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police have registered a case of rape against a senior official of a leading private insurance firm here for allegedly raping a woman colleague after promising to marry her. Accused Harikrishnan V H (45), who is the head of the digital department of the company, has not been arrested yet, the police said on Sunday. The 43-year-old woman, who hails from Pune, said in her complaint that between November 2017 and September 2019, when she was living in Mumbai, the accused befriended her, and raped her at her flat in suburban Andheri many times, having promised to marry her. Later he refused to marry her, the woman alleged. She first approached Kondva police station in Pune, from where the case was transferred to Mumbai on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner of Police Ankit Goel said that while a case under IPC sections 376 (rape) and 417 (punishment for cheating) was registered, no arrest had been made so far. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Nebraska Unicameral is the only nonpartisan legislature in the country. A candidates political party is not listed on the election ballot. The two candidates with the most votes from the primary then face each other in the general election. Unlike other states, leadership in the unicameral is not based on party affiliation. The lawmaking process itself starts when a senator introduces a bill into the Legislature, usually in the first 10 days of when the session begins in January. This year, its Jan. 8, 2020. The lawmaking process actually begins much earlier. Ideas for possible legislation can come from the general public, special interest groups, state agencies or the governor. However, before the idea can be considered, a bill must be introduced by a state senator or a legislative committee, even bills that are proposed by the governor. The Legislature has a research division to help senators research a problem and study possible remedies. They might take the form of new legislation or repeal of or changes to existing law. The idea then goes to a bill drafter, who works with the senator to transform it into proper legal form for introduction. OTTAWA - Canada is closely monitoring developments after Iraq's parliament called for the expulsion of foreign troops from the country, a spokesman for Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/1/2020 (736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, photo, released by the U.S. military, a U.S. Marine with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines that is part of a quick reaction force, carries a sand bag during the reinforcement of the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 4, 2020. The blowback over the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general mounted Sunday, Jan. 5 as Iraq's Parliament called for the expulsion of American troops from the country a move that could allow a resurgence of the Islamic State group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kyle C. Talbot via AP) OTTAWA - Canada is closely monitoring developments after Iraq's parliament called for the expulsion of foreign troops from the country, a spokesman for Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said. But Sajjan's press secretary, Todd Lane, would not say whether contingency plans are in the works for getting Canadian military personnel out of Iraq should the situation there deteriorate further. Iraqi lawmakers approved a resolution Sunday asking the Iraqi government to end an agreement under which American and allied forces have been in the country for more than four years to help fight the Islamic State group, also known as Daesh. The bill is nonbinding and subject to approval by the Iraqi government but has the backing of the outgoing prime minister. The Canadian-led NATO training mission in Iraq has been temporarily suspended in the wake of the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. The training mission, currently led by Maj. Gen. Jennie Carignan, has been under Canadian command since it was launched in October 2018 at the request of the Iraqi government. A U.S. airstrike Friday killed Soleimani and a number of top Iraqi officials at the Baghdad airport. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's proxy wars across the Mideast and was blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in roadside bombings and other attacks. "We continue to monitor and evaluate the situation, and remain in close co-ordination with our international partners," Lane said in an email Sunday. "Our goal remains a united and stable Iraq, and preventing the re-emergence of Daesh." When asked, Lane would not divulge whether Canada had plans to remove its soldiers from Iraq. "We won't have a further comment at this point," he said. Canada has 250 military members working with the NATO training mission as well as dozens of special forces troops who have been working in the northern part of the country with Iraqi security forces. Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since the air strike with both U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders trading threats of retaliation. Those tensions are also now being felt in Canada with a group representing Islamic Americans reporting that dozens of Iranians and Iranian-Americans were detained at length and questioned at the Peace Arch border crossing linking British Columbia to Washington State. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said many more were reportedly refused entry to the United States, including many with U.S. citizenship who were returning to their homes in the United States from an Iranian pop concert that took place on Saturday in Vancouver. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Those detained reported that their passports were confiscated and they were questioned about their political views and allegiances," the council said in a statement posted online. The statement quoted a 24-year-old American medical student who said she was detained and interrogated for more than 10 hours. Email and phone messages sent to the council went unanswered. A spokesman for Border Security Minister Bill Blair said the Canada Border Services Agency "has no involvement in the matter." "All Canadian citizens, regardless of their background, are equal before and under the law, and no one will ever be arbitrarily detained at the Canadian border nor refused entry purely because of their ethnicity or religion," Blair's office said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Jan. 5, 2020. With files from the Associated Press. At least 28 cadets at a military college located in the Libyan capital of Tripoli have reportedly been killed after an airstrike hit the facility on Saturday, local media said, sharing footage from an alleged scene after the attack, Trend reports citing Sputnik. Media reports, citing sources, blamed the air raid on Haftar's LNA forces. There has been no statement issued by the LNA. "An air raid on the military school of Tripoli killed 28 cadets and injured dozens more", a spokesman for the health ministry of the GNA, Amin al-Hashemi, said. In December 2019, Haftar announced the beginning of a new military campaign to capture Tripoli, a conflict that has been underway since April 2019 and has resulted in ferocious fighting near the city's outskirts. By IANS MUMBAI: Actor John Abraham, who is associated with National Association for the Blind, feels that our country is a disaster for visually-impaired or differently abled people, in terms of infrastructure. He added that people of India need to be more kind towards other people and animals. "I feel infrastructure-wise, we are a disaster for the visually-impaired people or differently-able people. We are not prepared, so I think we must move towards a direction where we make things easier for them. We don't have infrastructure for regular people (laughs), so we are very far away from it. This is not my way of criticising the government but I think we must move in a certain direction and I hope at least in our lifetime, we will get to see a differently-able person feeling comfortable in a public space," said John, while launching Braille Edition of Karma Sutra -- Cracking the Karmic Code by Hingori. ALSO READ| John Abrahams 'Attack' to release on Independence Day 2020 Should India draw inspiration from Western countries when it comes to providing facilities to differently able people? "In many European countries and in the United States, they are very inclusive of not just differently-abled people but even animals. It is only in this country where people don't care about them. We pelt stones at animals. I don't understand the mindset. I feel we need to be more kind. We are a beautiful country and we have a beautiful way of life. We are a democracy and we just need to be more kind and concerned to humans and animals alike, which we are not," he said. Talking about the event, John said: "I feel we can't understand their (blind people) situation and problem but it is really important to support them. I am a very small part of it but the media's support is a big thing because you are very active in print, twitter and on television so, I would like to thank media for supporting this cause." ALSO READ| John Abraham-starrer 'Satyameva Jayate 2' to release on October 2, 2020 "I have been working with National Association for the Blind for more than six years. My mother and father are working with them for more than 10 years. I think one must not support a social cause just for a film promotion and you have to be consistently associated with that cause. I am associated with many social causes. You will not see me at parties and film functions but I feel it is necessary to come to events like these, not to create an impression but to share a piece of mind." On work front, John Abraham will next be seen in Sanjay Gupta's "Mumbai Saga", Lakshya Raj Anand's "Attack", and Milap Zaveri's "Satyameva Jayate 2". Conservationists and wildlife experts are anxious that raging bushfires sweeping through Australia have resulted in catastrophic losses, amid fears an entire species may have been wiped out. Populations of small marsupials called dunnarts and glossy black cockatoos may have been destroyed in the fires that burned a third of Kangaroo Island, experts say. The island, located off the countrys southern coast, is known as Australias answer to the Galapagos Islands but what remains has been described as a scorched wasteland. Ecologists are hoping to find survivors of the dunnart population and rescue them before they are completely gone. Heidi Groffen, an ecologist and coordinator for the nonprofit Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife, said the mouse-like marsupials are too small to outrun wildfires and the population of around 300 may have been wiped out. 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 But she remained hopeful some may have found refuge in the crevices of rocks. Even if there are survivors, there is no food for them now, she said. Were hoping to bring some into captivity before they are completely gone. Pat Hodgens, a fauna ecologist for the same nonprofit, told the The Independent: Its early days, fires are still burning but we have lost a lot of critical refugia for endangered species which will affect long term viability of these species. The Kangaroo Island dunnart is our main species of concern and it looks like its entire known [habitat] range has been fried. We are locating unburnt remnant patches of its habitat to see if we can locate it through camera trapping. Mr Hodgens said a team has already set cameras to try and detect any survivors, and hope to locate all potential areas the species may persist in through drone mapping. The 50,000-strong koala population on the island has also suffered devastating losses, with as much as half the population believed to have been killed by the fires. And it is unclear how many from a unique flock of the rare glossy black cockatoos escaped the blazes and whether they have a future on an island where much of their habitat has turned to ash. Daniella Teixera, a conservation biologist working on a doctoral degree about the birds at the University of Queensland, said: We dont know the extent of the damage on the KI glossy habitat but we do know that critical areas of feeding and breeding areas have been burnt. Currently a waiting game. She believes the birds were in the best position to escape the fires because they were able to fly away, but like the dunnarts, the cockatoos may find they dont have enough food left on the island. The birds only feed from a single type of tree known as the dropping she-oak, and many hot spots on the island continue to burn. Ms Teixera said careful conservation work over the past 25 years has seen the glossy black cockatoo population increase from 150, but those gains have been wiped out in the space of a week. Sam Mitchell, co-owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, said: We are seeing kangaroos and koalas with their hands burned off they stand no chance. Its been quite emotional. We will do whatever we can to rehabilitate the native wildlife but its going to take years to recover, he told Adelaide Now. A fundraiser set up for the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park has raised A$183,464 (97,400), far more than its original A$15,000 goal. The park said funds will go towards veterinary costs, koala milk and supplements, extra holding/rehabilitation enclosures, as well as setting up a building to hold supplies to treat these animals. Throughout the country, officials estimate that half a billion animals have been affected since the fires began raging. Professor Chris Dickman from the University of Sydney told 7News the challenge of rebuilding wildlife populations is a long-term one. There are a lot of people out there helping by going into areas that have been burned to look for koalas and any other native wildlife [that have] been affected. In the longer term, the rebuilding of populations of many native species is going to be the issue, he said. A lot will have been undoubtedly very badly affected by these fires. A spokesperson for the Australias Department of the Environment and Energy said: Planning is already underway through the Australian government Department of the Environment and Energy to work with scientists, state organisations, national parks authorities, natural resource managers and indigenous land managers to identify recovery priorities and future protection strategies. Funding is already in place for koala hospitals and additional funding will be directed towards koala habitats. Mapping is already commencing in some areas of northern NSW to understand fire impacts on koala habitats and determine the most effective options going forward. The spokesperson added there was a waiting period for fire-affected areas to be declared safe before authorities can begin to fully assess the impact of the blazes. The diesel prices in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai remained at Rs 68.51, Rs 71.84, Rs 70.87, and Rs 72.39 per litre, respectively. (Photo Credit: File Photo) New Delhi: Fuel Rates Today: The prices of fuel (Petrol and Diesel) witnessed a surge on Sunday, January 5. According to the Indian Oil website, the price of petrol increased by up to 20 Paise per litre. Whereas, the price of diesel increased by up to 25 paise per litre. As per the revised prices, the petrol rates are Rs 75.54 per litre in Delhi, Rs 81.13 per litre in Mumbai, Rs 78.13 per litre in Kolkata, and Rs 78.48 per litre in Chennai, respectively. On the other hand, the diesel prices in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai remained at Rs 68.51, Rs 71.84, Rs 70.87, and Rs 72.39 per litre, respectively. In Noida, petrol is retailing at Rs 76.67 a litre, while diesel price is Rs 68.78 a litre. The price of petrol in Gurugram is Rs 74.87 a litre while diesel was selling at Rs 67.42 a litre. It is to be noted that oil prices jumped $3 on Friday after a US airstrike killed a top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, escalating tension in the worlds biggest crude-exporting region and stoking fears of a supply disruption. The impact of any possible retaliation will lead oil prices to shoot up high. 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. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Dominic Cummings has added the antiquated system for briefing political journalists to his list of things to blow up When asked at a Christmas party about his plans for Westminsters press pack known as the Lobby, Dominic Cummings simply drew a finger across his throat. Whitehalls disrupter in chief has added the antiquated system for briefing political journalists to his list of things to blow up. No longer will the PMs spinners troop to Parliament for utilitarian briefings where any humble hack can hold their feet to the fire twice a day. Instead, a dramatic old court room in 9 Downing Street will form the backdrop for new-style updates from experts. Merry hell has broken loose with accusations the newly powerful No 10 is trying to gag pesky critics. But Government sources blame grandstanding inquisitors, more keen on playing to the crowd than getting answers, for ruining the old system. And I hear No 10 is not done there, with insiders pointing to the unusual blog published by Cummings last week calling for people who have worked in movies to come work for him. The recruits will form a new digital first unit at the centre of Government, slashing spin doctors with resources to be refocused on new media. Dont be surprised if announcements are live streamed online within a year, bypassing the media, whispers a source. A certain No 10 spin doctors favourite line to use when trying to dodge awkward questions is: Thats above my pay grade. But with recently published transparency data revealing that they are one of the best-rewarded people in the building, perhaps it is time for a new defensive shot. A report about British trains is late, of course, but Boris Johnsons long-awaited independent review into the never-ending HS2 rail saga is due to be published imminently. Few in Whitehall expect infrastructure expert Douglas Oakervee to pull the plug on the vast 88 billion project connecting major Northern cities to the capital with 250mph trains, but there is growing chatter he will heed calls to begin the work from the North. Despite plans for the first phase between London and Birmingham being shovel ready and written into law, transport sources expect a dramatic upheaval when the delayed report finally arrives. Boris Johnsons long-awaited independent review into the never-ending HS2 rail saga is due to be published imminently Troubled times for Parliaments choir, which was decimated by the Tory Election landslide. Labours Sue Hayman, the head chorister, lost her totemic Workington seat and four other members quit the Commons. Bernard Jenkin was left holding the fort as a Christmas soloist. We need some new talent, he hoarsely told my musical mole. An interestingly worded denial from well-heeled charity boss David Miliband. The former Foreign Secretary said claims he had pulled the plug on an SAS plan to assassinate Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2007 when he was co-ordinating attacks against British soldiers in Iraq did not tally with my recollection. Indeed, I hear things were a little more complex, with the decision to abort the mission actually being ordered by the Americans... The Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army said on Sunday that the US does not have the "courage" to initiate a war against Iran following the US-ordered killing of General Qassem Soleimani. Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi was responding to a tweet by US President Donald Trump who said that 52 sites in Iran would be targeted if Americans were hurt. Mousavi's deputy, General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, said that "retribution" on the US for Soleimani's death is on Iran's "agenda." He added that "God willing" Iran would deal "irreparable blows to the US. Soleimani was killed in an airstrike near Iraq's Baghdad International Airport, ordered by US President Donald Trump on Friday. AFP By WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump warned Saturday that the US is targeting 52 sites in Iran and will hit them "very fast and very hard" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. In a tweet defending Friday's drone strike assassination of a top Iranian general in Iraq, Trump said 52 represents the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Trump said some of these sites are "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!" Trump took to Twitter after pro-Iran factions ramped up pressure on US installations across Iraq with missiles and warnings to Iraqi troops -- part of an outburst of fury over the killing of Soleimani, described as the second most-powerful man in Iran. The attack has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, two mortar rounds hit an area near the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday, security sources told AFP. Almost simultaneously, two rockets slammed into the Al-Balad airbase where American troops are deployed, security sources said. The Iraqi military confirmed the missile attacks in Baghdad and on al-Balad and said there were no casualties. The US military also said no coalition troops were hurt. With Americans wondering fearfully if, how and where Iran will hit back for the assassination, the Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin that said "at this time there is no specific, credible threat against the homeland." Sabine McNeill, 75, is currently serving time at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey where she has moaned about uncomfortable beds and a 'toxic environment' A pensioner branded 'Britain's worst troll' after falsely accusing four mothers of running a satanic cult has complained prison is 'toxic' and her bed is uncomfortable. Sabine McNeill, 75, was sentenced to nine years behind bars after claiming four primary school mothers 'drank babies' blood' and cooked up children's bodies as part of a twisted cult in Hampstead, north London. She is currently serving time at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey after being found guilty of harassment and six counts of breaching a restraining order last year between 2014 and 2018. But she says conditions at the prison, which is also home to serial killers Joanna Dennehy and Shauna Hoare, are substandard. Writing in the prisoners' magazine Inside Time she moaned that she should be able to buy her own mattress after getting a sore hip. She also claimed it took six weeks to get a wheelchair to ease her chronic pain syndrome. Describing jail as 'toxic', she added: 'Once again, prison creates problems and totally avoidable stress that nobody 'out there' would imagine. 'What happens to the pain I've been feeling every single night, except for three-months when I slept on two mattresses. 'Healthcare were told by the Prisoners Advice Service (PAS) that they are required 'to make reasonable adjustments' so a new mattress was delivered without taking the old one away. 'Health & Safety say the mattress could slip (if there were two) even though it didn't for the three-months I had them.' McNeill claimed four primary school mothers cooked their babies' bodies in a secret room in the McDonald's restaurant in Finchley Road, north London (pictured) She continued: 'In my attempts at getting my Chronic Pain Syndrome recognised so that I can survive in this toxic environment, I have already acquired a wheelchair thanks to my friends and supporters. 'That took six-weeks of begging for permission and the threat of being handcuffed on my back while being carried. 'That was when I sat on the floor because my hip was hurting too much. I was forced to crawl with my crutches. 'Ever since I had my hip dislocated in a car accident I wish I could make my pain visible. 'But here, rules matter and their happiness, not our relieving of pain.' Before she was jailed in January 2019, Southwark Crown Court heard how McNeill harassed four mothers, who cannot be named, by claiming they were members of a cult who cooked babies and ate them. She made a series of baseless allegations against the innocent parents which sparked a police enquiry. The pensioner published details of the cult online saying: 'They would drink the blood of babies and then dance around wearing the skulls on parts of their bodies. 'They would put them to sleep by injecting them, slit their throats, cook the babies and eat them.' She was jailed for nine years at Southwark Crown Court (pictured) in 2019. Judge Sally Cahill said it was one of most serious cases of stalking and harassment she'd seen McNeill even claimed babies were cooked in a secret room in a McDonald's restaurant in Finchley Road, north London. Judge Sally Cahill, QC, told the weeping pensioner as she jailed her: 'This case has to be one of the most serious cases of stalking and breach of a restraining order that there can be. 'The direct consequences of your actions, is that for the four families concerned you have ruined all normal family life. 'Their children have been unable to attend school normally, and are either home schooled or have to carry tracking devices and alarms. 'The families have escape routes planed in case of attack, mothers have slept on the floors of their children's bedrooms to protect them. 'They have had to move home; they have had businesses ruined as a result of being unable to have an online profile. 'As if that is not bad enough, for the children they will never, as things stand at the moment, be able to go online and put in their own names without seeing the vile filth that you have peddled over a period of years. 'The allegations were of murder, cannibalism, satanism and sexual abuse. They could not be more serious or vile. 'The children's lives have been blighted forever. In my judgement you are an arrogant, malicious, evil and manipulative woman.' One of her victims told how her life had been affected by the claims in a statement read out in court. The family have been forced to change their child's name and carry out what police call 'special measures,' changing their route to school and practicing panic drills. The mother said McNeill's campaign of abuse has affected every part of her life. She said she is unable to concentrate at work and her marriage has come under strain. 'I now feel like I'm failing on every level, as a mother, wife and worker,' she said. 'To this day my daughter is fearful and worries that our family will be attacked in our home - my husband keeps a crowbar under our bed. 'She struggles to understand why adults post material of a sexual nature about her online for the world to see. 'My daughter has had to assume an alternative name in certain aspects of her life, which is something that no child should have to do. We may have to consider fully changing our daughter's name by deed poll. 'She may have to live with the stigma of being branded a satanic sexual abuse victim for the rest of her life. 'I can't tell you how it breaks my heart,' told the, at times, visably upset mother. 'Our family was placed under special measures by the police.' Meanwhile the pair whose lies and abuse led to two children making the false claims which inspired McNeill's campaign of hate remain at large. Ella Draper, 45, is believed to be in Spain having evaded arrest in February 2015 when she escaped from police via the back window of her Hampstead home. Her former partner Abraham Christie, who along with Draper forced the eight- and nine-year-olds to peddle fabricated tales of child murder and blood-drinking to police, also remains on the run. An old political story tells about a farmer who suffered a serious cut to his arm while he was operating his tractor one day. His farmhand rushed him to the hospital, and he waited in the emergency room. Soon a woman who was clearly pregnant was escorted ahead of him into the operating room. Just one minute, said the farmer, I have been waiting here with a serious wound. Why did this woman go first? You dont understand, said the nurse, shes in labor. Thats the problem with this country today, said the farmer, everything for labor and nothing for the farmer! While labor organizations deserve praise for the steady growth of Pennsylvanias middle class, and while political leaders recognize its clout, farmers provide more than a backbone for our Commonwealth. They keep us fed. This is the time of year, after the harvest and before the spring planting, that the farming community can relax and take a well-deserved bow. This is the time of year that farmers and consumers flock to the Farm Show arena to celebrate agriculture - Pennsylvanias number one industry. While the original show featured about 440 exhibits, the 2020 version will have over 13,000 of them. These, along with state-of-the-art equipment vendors, rodeo competitions, and every variety of farm function put Pennsylvanias best farm foot forward every year. It is the largest agricultural exhibition in the country. The first show, entitled the Pennsylvania Corn, Fruit, Vegetable, Dairy Producers and Wool Show was held and featured the best corn, and dairy products that the state had to offer. A hundred years later, it is almost too big to comprehend. It is spread over the 24-acre complex of the farm show arena and is expected to draw thousands and thousands of visitors over eight days. The fact is that the entire farm show week was envisioned by William Penn himself. In the mid-1600s, he organized an agricultural show for farmers to gather and share their knowledge. Like Pennsylvania, itself, the show has evolved over the years. The one thing that has remained is its popularity with farmers and families alike. There is a new twist to this years activities that should be noted. While the burgeoning medical cannabis industry is being carefully regulated by the Department of Health, it is not hard to envision its impact on agriculture in the very near future. Already, dispensaries in Pennsylvania have sold more than half a billion dollars of medical marijuana over the past two years. There are 1,200 licensed physicians and 147,000 certified patients that will continue to drive demand for CBD and other products for years to come. This means that a new product is being grown in huge quantities and will undoubtedly be featured in future farm shows. The CBD oils are already seemingly everywhere. But the real economic driver and jobs creator, according to economic analysts, is hemp. Industrial hemp is cultivated with only 0.3 percent THC, the psychoactive ingredient that provides the high in cannabis. Hemp, therefore, is not for recreational use. While it cant get users stoned, it has a number of other uses. Beyond medical applications, hemp could replace plastic items like picnic ware, containers, and consumer goods. It is a promising source of building materials. Hemp received a major boost from the federal government in 2019 when it was removed from the federal controlled substances list. To grow in Pennsylvania, farmers need only obtain a license from the state and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding says there will be no cap on the number of producers. In a sense, this means that Pennsylvania will be returning to its roots since it was a leading producer of hemp as far back as the 1600s. The Pennsylvania Hemp Industry Council points out that William Penn himself encouraged hemp as a cash crop for his fledgling colony. If your curiosity takes you to one of the hemp products displays, make sure you visit one of the worlds largest food courts that features only PA products. Maybe I am biased but there is nothing like the fried mushrooms and pulled pork sandwiches washed down with a famous farm show milk shake. This years Farm Show is a proud display of Pennsylvanias agricultural history, but it is also brimming with new technologies, products, and promise. You owe it to your whole family to participate in this uniquely Pennsylvania tradition. See you at the farm show! Mark S. Singel is a former Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. He and Republican Charlie Gerow can be seen at 8:30 a.m. each Sunday on CBS21s Face the State Afghanistan calls for solving Iran-US tensions IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 4, IRNA -- Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani reacted to the assassination of the IRGC's Quds Force Commander Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani. According to Afghan media, in the wake of assassinating Lieutenant General Soleimani, Afghanistan presidential office in a statement called for solving tensions between Iran and the US through peaceful talks. According to the statement, Afghanistan is concerned about the possibility of escalating violence in the region. "We called on Iran, our neighbor with which we have many commonalities with regard to language, history, and culture and also the US as our strategic partner to prevent tensions," Ghani said. He reiterated that Afghanistan will not let any country use its soil to attack any foreign state. Lieutenant General Soleimani 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. The Iraqi media said the US helicopters targeted both cars. Many international figures and bodies have so far slammed the brutal act as the US state terrorism and condoled with Iranian government over the sad occasion. 9376**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], Jan 5 (ANI): As many as 85 infants have died during treatment at a government-run hospital in Ahmedabad in December last year, an official said on Sunday. The infants' death rate stand at 18.68 per cent of the total children admitted at the Ahmedabad Civic Hospital in the month, GS Rathod, the hospital's superintendent said. "In December, 455 newborns were admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU), of them, 85 died," Rathod said. Rathod, however, said that the children's death saw an over six per cent decline compared to the deaths during December in the previous year -- 2018. "Since it is a referral hospital and tertiary care centre, we receive children from far-flung areas of Gujarat. Due to this, the death rate is considerably high," the superintendent said. He said that over 265 children were referred to Ahmedabad Civic Hospital from other hospitals, constituting over 58 per cent of the total number of children admitted. He further said: "Due to availability of NICO, PICO and other facilities and prompt treatment by our doctors led to decrease from 25 per cent." The official said that premature birth was a major reason behind the children's deaths. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was in Vadodara, was seen evading reporters' question on the children deaths. (ANI) The first call came in about 9:50 a.m. in the 6100 block of South Kenwood Avenue in Woodlawn, according to police spokeswoman Sally Bown. Initial reports were that the animal had gotten free from its pen, but it wasnt clear whether the caller was the owner of the animal, or if the animal flew into his or her yard after escaping its pen elsewhere. At the end of one of Peoria, Illinoiss most sensational murder cases, the victims parents swelled with relief and gratitude. In late 1947, popular Bradley University sophomore Flavel Dean Fueger vanished while headed downtown. After his body finally surfaced almost two weeks later, a homicide arrest, trial and conviction followed in relative short order. After the case ended with the killer on death row, Fueger's parents wanted to offer thanks in a meaningful manner. So, they rounded up dozens of their only child's playthings a collection of wooden and ceramic animals and gave them to the prosecutor, to share with his young son. In that small way, part of their son would not only live on, but offer joy. Eight decades later, those toys were recently discovered by the prosecutor's paternal granddaughter. And she wants to return the act of kindness, by returning the toys to Flavel Fueger's family. "I just know if (the collection) had belonged to one of my family members, I would love to have something from the deceased," she says. *** On Dec. 3, 1947, Flavel Dean Fueger was in high spirits. The 20-year-old aimed his shiny new Pontiac sedan toward downtown to meet his girlfriend for a night on the town. But he never showed up, not for the date or anywhere in Peoria. For almost two weeks, the city was riveted by the befuddling and unsettling disappearance of the responsible and considerate young man. The Peoria native was the son of Mabel and Flavel Fueger, well known as the proprietors of Fueger's Jewelry, 439 Main St. After fighting in World War II with the Navy, Flavel Dean Fueger enrolled at Bradley University. Rather than live on campus, he resided with his parents on Stratford Drive, just north of War Memorial Drive. His future looked bright and steady. But that December night, he suddenly seemed to fall off the face of the earth. Police searched the city for Fueger, with the assistance of his fraternity brothers, local Boy Scouts and other volunteers. They found nary a hint. Nearly two weeks went by before the first break came in the case. A Bradley friend of Fueger's was taking his father to work at the Peoria Stockyards when he spotted the missing Pontiac sedan, parked on South Street near Southwest Washington Street. In the car, a city detective found a cap of the type usually worn by motorcyclists. It was identified as belonging to the wife of a young man named Herman F. Weber. Under questioning, Mrs. Weber let it slip that her husband and a man named Fred Wright of Bartonville were buddies. The police then picked up and questioned the soft-spoken Wright. When they brought up some shady automobile deals between Wright and Weber, Wright's tongue began to loosen. He said Weber had borrowed money from him, saying he was "getting out of town." Wright also mentioned Weber had arranged to meet him in a town near Houston "if things get too hot here in Peoria." Knowing Weber was traveling in a stolen Buick, FBI agents picked him up three days later after a car chase on the outskirts of Houston. Shortly after his arrest, Weber made the first of a long series of purported confessions, which did more to confuse the case than solve it. Weber first said he entered Fueger's car when the victim stopped for a traffic light in downtown Peoria. He said he forced Fueger to drive over the Cedar Street Bridge toward East Peoria. He claimed that on the bridge, he ordered Fueger out of the car, shot him in the head and dumped his body in the Illinois River. But on the way back to Peoria from Texas, Weber changed his story, telling police the shooting occurred near Peoria State Hospital. He named Wright as his companion and said the body had been dumped in a drainage ditch in Fulton County, near Lewistown. But a police search of the area proved futile. Then police caught another break. *** Wright was held as an accessory to Fueger's murder, along with an auto-theft charge. While in custody, Wright supplied an important piece of information: He said Weber had told him Fueger's body was in a drainage ditch below the Sepo Bridge, outside Lewistown near Illinois Route 78. On Dec. 15, 12 days after Fueger disappeared, a Peoria detective and a group of Fueger's fraternity brothers went to the designated spot. There, in water partially coated with ice, they found the victim's body. He had been shot thrice. Weber recanted his statements, saying he had confessed only to protect his wife, purporting that she'd be slain if he were to name the real killer. He identified the murderer as the head of a stolen-car ring, John Crowley. However, police could never find such a person. On Jan. 31, 1948, Weber was indicted by a Peoria County grand jury on three counts, including murder. The next month, Weber was convicted and sentenced to die. Five appeals kept him alive until the early morning of Sept. 16, 1949, when he calmly made the walk from his cell to the death chamber at the new Stateville Prison in Joliet. After his head had been shaved to allow for an electrode connection, he was escorted to the chair by the warden, five guards and a chaplain. He made his last words to the chaplain, who had converted Weber to the Roman Catholic faith: "Thanks for everything." He took his final seat before 33 spectators watching behind a window. Guards strapped him down, placed a black hood over his face and attached electrodes to his head and right leg. At 1:06 a.m., warden James E. Ragen, tears streaming down his face, gave the signal to throw the switch. The chair lurched as the first shock of 2,300 volts coursed through Weber's body. He stiffened and jerked forward slightly as his hands, clenching the chair's arms, whitened from pressure. Three more jolts 600, 2,300 and 600 volts rocked the chair and Weber. At 1:09 a.m., he was pronounced dead. Flavel Fueger's parents were grateful for the work done by Weber's prosecutor, Peoria County State's Attorney Roy P. Hull. So they approached him with a personal gesture of thanks. They wanted him to have a menagerie of wooden and ceramic animals that had delighted their son as a little boy. They knew Hull had a son Stephen, then 10 years old who might enjoy the toys. Hull accepted the unique gift, which he gave to his son. As Stephen Hull grew older, the animals got packed away for a very long time. Recently, though, his daughter Kimberly Hull Story discovered the playthings amid family belongings. Stephen Hull now 82 and living in Georgia explained their unusual history, underscoring the parents offering a gift so personal and irreplaceable. As he told her, "It was one of those things that you just respected." Story, a 43-year-old resident of Alabama, was fascinated by the toys and the tale, which together could serve as an historical family heirloom. But she wondered: whose family? Hers? Or Flavel Fueger's? *** So, Story got online and tried to track down Fueger's relatives. "I just thought they needed the option to have them back," Story says. However, her search hit a dead end in part because of the small size of Fueger's family, and in part because they had moved. His parents eventually moved from Peoria to Arizona, where his mother died in 1984 and his father followed three years later. Both are buried in Peoria's Springdale Cemetery, next to their lone child. A news columnist tracked down some second cousins in central Illinois and elsewhere but they had heard only faint details of the murder. With only a weak link to Flavel Fueger, they politely declined the playthings. Story remains open to any claim to the toys by other Fueger kin. "I would love to pass along these animals to anyone in the family who would like them regardless if they ever knew Flavel," she says. Otherwise, she'll keep the toys for her descendants, a reminder of a kindly gesture amid horrible circumstances. As Story says, "My children and grandchildren will learn the story of Flavel Fueger's beloved animals." Written by Journal Star columnist PHIL LUCIANO and distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Unseen violence swept the Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday as several masked individuals, said to be both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers inside the varsity campus with wooden and metal rods. Two office-bearers of the Jawaharal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), including President Aishe Ghosh - who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod, received severe injuries and accused RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence. "I have been brutally beaten up by masked people. I don't know who they were," Ghosh said as she broke into tears while blood flowed profusely from her head. She has been taken to the AIIMs. JNUSU General Secretary Satish Chandra was also injured in the attack. JNUSU Vice President Saket Moon also accused the ABVP of leading the attack, which was bolstered by outsiders. Hostel rooms, and lobbies were vandalised during the assault while several vehicles standing on roads were damaged. There were terrifying moments for students on campus as masked men and even women with faces covered, barged into hostels, ransacked rooms and beat up the frightened students. A girl student recounted those moments in tears: "I was in the room and I heard loud noises and I saw many girls coming. I asked everyone to lock their rooms. We were in terror. While I was trying to take a video clip, they hit me with a stone." On the other hand, the ABVP blamed Left-affiliated students for earlier attack on its activists that had left several injured. "Around four to five hundred members of the left wing gathered around the Periyar hostel, vandalised the hostel and forcibly entered the hostel to thrash the ABVP activists inside," ABVP's JNU unit President Durgesh told IANS. The ABVP claims its presidential candidate Manish Jangid was injured badly and may have suffered a fractured hand after he was assaulted. According to intelligence reports and students, the genesis of the clashes began in the confrontation between students seeking to stall the semester registration process as part of their agitation against the hostel fees hike and groups opposing them. Members of the earlier group were allegedly behind the disruption of the varsity's Wifi network late on Friday. The JNU administration summoned the police which deployed in the campus and prohibitory orders were imposed. Four goons were nabbed from the varsity's main North Gate late on Sunday night Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the Delhi Police to take all necessary action to control the situation in the campus, and also ordered an inquiry into the matter. According to officials, Shah spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik following the violence. "Union Home Minister has spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner over JNU violence and instructed him to take necessary action. Hon'ble minister has also ordered an enquiry to be carried out by a Joint CP level officer and asked for a report to be submitted as soon as possible," the Home Ministry said in a tweet. The violence was condemned by leaders across the political spectrum. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar - both JNU alumni - on Sunday condemned the violence. "Horrifying images from JNU- the place I know and remember was one for fierce debates and opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This government, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students," Sitharaman, who did her MPhil from JNU, said in a tweet. Jaishankar, who has an MA in Political Science and an MPhil and PhD in International Relations from JNU, also took to Twitter to express his reaction. "Have seen pictures of what is happening in JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university," he tweeted. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who reached the All India Institute of Medical Sciences to meet the injured JNU students, later said, in a tweet, that there was "something deeply sickening about a government that allows and encourages such violence to be inflicted on their own children" Her brother and former party chief Rahul Gandhi attacked the Central government. "The brutal attack on JNU students & teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Today's violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear. #SOSJNU," he said, in a tweet. CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, also a former JNUSU leader, also condemned the violence, and the party's student wing, the Students Federation of India, called for a nationwide protest on Monday. CPI-M leader Brinda Karat also reached the AIIMS to meet the injured students. Jamia students reached the Delhi Police HQ at ITO to protest, while the Jadavpur University Teachers'Association called upon all sections of society to condemn the "heinous act". The BJP also condemned the violence unleashed in the JNU campus on Sunday evening, but called it a "desperate attempt by forces of anarchy" using students as cannon-fodder to achieve their political goals. The BJP's official Twitter handle said: "We strongly condemn the violence on JNU campus. This is a desperate attempt by forces of anarchy, who are determined to use students as cannon fodder, create unrest to shore up their shrinking political footprint. Universities should remain places of learning and education." Sharpening his attack against the issues of Population Register (NPR), Nation Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), BJP ally Janata Dal (United)'s spokesperson Pawan Varma on Sunday said that the acts when put together are discriminatory and divisive and is not among the measures needed by the country at this time. Claiming that NPR was the first step to NRC, Varma told ANI, "Amit Shah may say whatever he wants today. But his own government, his minister and he himself had said that the NPR is the first step towards carrying out NRC. When we see the CAA, NRC together, we have said that it is discriminatory, it is divisive, it's against social peace and harmony in the country and against particularly the poor, the marginalised and vulnerable on whom great hardship will be imposed in the search for requisite documentation." He also said that the Central government should have other priorities like tackling the disastrous state of the economy, agrarian distress, etc, even as he appealed the Bihar Chief Minister to reject NRC. "We believe that this is not a measure that is needed by the country at this time, in the manner in which it is presented. The government should have other priorities and it should deal with the disastrous state of the economy, lack of jobs and agrarian distress. I appeal to Nitish to take a public stand in this regard and since he has rejected NRC, he must also reject NPR," he said. He also stated that his objections were limited to NPR and NRC and he doesn't have any issue with the census which was a regular exercise. "The census is a regular exercise that takes place every ten years and that can continue to be held on the same basis. The NPR when you see in the context of CAA and NRC and the statement that NPR is the first step to NRC, we believe that NPR should not be held at this time. Hence we believe that NPR must be rejected along with NRC," the JDU leader said. Union Cabinet on December 24 approved a proposal to update NPR. The NPR was discussed thoroughly at the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 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. NRC seeks to identify illegal immigrants in the country. It was rolled out in Assam on the directions of the Supreme Court where 19 lakh people were excluded in the final list. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pedro Sanchez speaks in Congress on Saturday. Juan Carlos Hidalgo (EFE) Spain will not break up; there will be dialogue to deal with the political conflict with Catalonia, without straying beyond the confines of the Spanish Constitution; and a coalition government made up of the Socialist Party (PSOE) and Unidas Podemos will implement reformist policies that will cast aside measures from previous administrations with regard to the economy, employment and personal freedoms. Those were some of the commitments set out on Saturday by caretaker Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as he addressed Spains lower house of parliament, the Congress of Deputies, on the first day of his investiture debate. The coalition government proposed by Sanchez was put to a first vote on Sunday, after two days of debate in Congress during which opposition parties responded to the policies and plans set out by both the caretaker prime minister and the leader of Unidas Podemos, Pablo Iglesias. As expected, Sanchezs bid did not prosper at that first vote, given that he required an absolute majority of 176 votes in the 350-seat chamber. In the end, 166 deputies voted in favor: PSOE, Unidas Podemos, Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), Mas Pais, Compromis, Nueva Canarias, Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG) and Teruel Existe, 165 against: Popular Party (PP), Vox, Ciudadanos (Citizens), Together for Catalonia, Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP), Navarra Suma, Coalicion Canaria, Foro Asturias and the Regionalist Party of Catalonia (PRC), with 18 abstentions: Catalan Republican Left (ERC) and EH Bildu. Judging by the tone of the debate this weekend, the future coalition government can expect fierce opposition from other parties in Congress At a second vote on Tuesday, however, Sanchez is expected to win the poll, given that a simple majority of more yes votes than no is required. Sanchez has the support of the aforementioned smaller parties, but most importantly, he has secured the abstention of the ERC thanks to a deal covering the future approach by the central government to the issue of Catalan independence. If just two deputies fail to vote the way that is expected on Tuesday, Sanchezs bid could fail once more. Judging by the tone of the debate this weekend, the future coalition government can expect fierce opposition from other parties in Congress. The leader of the conservative Popular Party, Pablo Casado, yesterday accused Sanchez of destroying national sovereignty thanks to his agreement with the ERC. Never before had the defense of the homeland been such a topic of debate in Congress, an issue that was also taken up by far-right Vox and center-right Ciudadanos. Sanchez, however, insisted that the predictions of these right-wing parties would not come to pass. Spain is not going to break up and the Constitution will not be violated, he told the assembled deputies. What is going to be broken is the blocking of the progressive government that was voted for democratically by Spaniards. 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. The ERC-PSOE deal The text of the deal between the PSOE and ERC sets out a forum with no restrictions on the content of discussions, set to begin 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." During the debate on Saturday, the PP leader Pablo Casado adopted a more hard-line tone than that seen during the last election campaign and this, despite the fact that a shift to the right ahead of the April polls saw the conservative party fare dismally, securing its worst result in its history. Comparisons with the discourse of the leader of far-right Vox, Santiago Abascal, were inevitable. The defense of the homeland and who loves Spain more were a thread that nearly all of those who spoke during the debate adopted. The PSOEs deal with ERC, which is still yet to be explained in detail, inspired speeches about the dismemberment of Spain, which were countered by Sanchez, the leaders of Unidas Podemos, Pablo Iglesias and Alberto Garzon, and other left-wing groups. Tomas Guitarte, a newcomer in Congress representing regional party Teruel Existe, confessed to his shock and concern regarding the speeches he had heard on Saturday. He also denounced the fact that he was suffering an unexpected level of pressure and criticism for supporting Sanchez. The caretaker prime minister thanked him for his bravery and the PSOE deputies gave him a long round of applause. The defense of the homeland, and who loves Spain more, were a thread that nearly all of those who spoke during the debate adopted Sanchez spoke about other issues than just Catalonia, but it was this issue on which Casado focused all of his attention. You have lost the dignity of leading a party that supports the Constitution and you also have lost your decency, the PP chief stated. He threatened Sanchez with legal action should he not back the immediate disqualification from office of Catalan regional premier Quim Torra, who was recently found guilty of disobedience for refusing to obey an order to remove separatist symbols from public buildings in the region. If Torra is not removed from office, Casado continued, Sanchez should implement Article 155 of the Constitution via the Senate. This measure, which was put into action in 2017 in the wake of the Catalan independence drive, would see regional powers suspended in Catalonia and the central government in Madrid take charge. Casados attacks on Sanchez bordered on the personal, accusing him of being a sociopath and also calling him a walking lie. He continued saying that the caretaker prime minister was the leader of those who want to finish with constitutional Spain, saying that communists, populists and Basque radicals were among his number. You do not understand Spain, was the reply to the right-wing politicians of Unidas Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, who is due to become deputy prime minister should the investiture vote be successful on Tuesday. With a serious tone, but without raising his voice, Iglesias announced that the task of the new government would be to defend Spain from the betrayals of the right. Insults for EH Bildu The second day of the debate began on Sunday with moments of great tension, as the spokesperson from EH Bildu, Mertxe Aizpurua, made her speech. Her party, the name of which means Basque Country Unite, is a leftist group that is in favor of independence for the northern Spanish region, and has its roots in parties that were once connected to now-disbanded terrorist group ETA, which killed nearly a thousand people during its decades-long campaign for an independent Basque Country. Aizpurua set out to explain her partys position of active abstention at the investiture vote, but was interrupted by deputies from the start. The jeers were prompted when the deputy began to criticize the televised speech made by King Felipe VI on October 3, 2017 in the wake of the illegal referendum on independence in Catalonia. Aizpurua said that this intervention by the Spanish monarch was evidence of an authoritarian state. Pedro Sanchez loses first vote, after highly charged investiture debate The speech from EH Bildu deputy Mertxe Aizpurua that caused protests and insults from right-wing parties (Spanish audio). From that moment on, deputies from the PP and Vox benches began to shout murderers, shame, and ask for forgiveness at the EH Bildu politician. The general secretary of Vox, Macarena Olona, shouted: You have your hands stained with blood, we wont forget, we wont whitewash. Vox leader Santiago Abascal, meanwhile, left the chamber and stood with deputies from his party whose family members were victims of ETA. PP politician Adolfo Suarez Illana, who is the son of former Spanish Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez, turned his back on Aizpurua while she was at the stand. Ciudadanos politician Edmundo Val was among the deputies who demanded that the speaker of Congress, Meritxell Batet, take action to censure Aizpurua. Val went so far as to conclude that Aizpurua has called the king a fascist, but the EH Bildu deputy shook her head in denial from her seat and was backed by the transcript of her own words. Aizpurua later denounced the insults she received in Congress. This country needs a lot of education about democracy and a lot of anti-fascist education, and what happened today is a good example of that, she said. Freedom of expression should prevail over such grievances. We will analyze what happened and evaluate the measures that should be taken. How Spain got here The outcome of this first-round investiture vote had been widely expected as Pedro Sanchez did not have enough parliamentary support for an absolute majority of 176 seats going into the vote. Instead, the Socialist leader has negotiated an abstention from a regional party at the second round, which is scheduled for Tuesday and will only require a simple majority of more yes than no votes. Securing this indirect backing from the Catalan Republican Party (ERC), a separatist political force whose leader Oriol Junqueras is serving a prison sentence for his role in the 2017 unilateral secession attempt, has required lengthy negotiations and a pledge to open talks between the central and regional governments over what is termed as the "political conflict" in Catalonia. If, as expected, the 13 ERC lawmakers sitting in Spanish Congress abstain on Tuesday, Sanchez will announce his Cabinet appointments in what is to be Spain's first coalition government since the transition to democracy in the late 1970s. The leftist alliance between the PSOE and the anti-austerity Unidas Podemos, which had once seemed improbable, was reached in record time after the inconclusive election in November, when the far-right Vox party surged to become the third-largest force in parliament. Sanchez's investiture bid has also garnered support from smaller regional parties such as the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), Cantabria's PRC, the Valencia-based Compromis and Canary Islands party Nueva Canarias. But the larger, right-of-center Popular Party (PP) and Ciudadanos (Citizens) have consistently refused to endorse a Sanchez administration while criticizing the latter for turning to Catalan separatists for support. English version by Simon Hunter and Susana Urra. Uber May Do the Impossible in 2020 Of all the stocks I covered this year, I was hardest on Uber (UBER). I caught some flak for writing buying Uber stock is the dumbest thing you can do with your money in 2019 . Although my call ruffled feathers, I stand by it. Since Uber IPOd in May, the stock has plunged 35%. And it was just plain wrong how the media hyped up its IPO, luring in novice investors who didnt know any better, only to watch their money go up in smoke. To be clear, I love Ubers service. Its cheap, easy, and way better than regular taxis. But its been a horrible, money-losing business. The fares it charges arent nearly enough to cover its expenses. In the first six months of this year, it blew through over $6 billion!In May, I said Uber will never make money. I now expect Uber to turn a profit for the first time ever next year. And I believe its stock has bottomed and will stage a big rally in 2020.What changed my mind? Remember, Uber essentially invented the formerly red-hot sector of ridesharing. Although Uber was a true disruptor (), it had a big problem: its service is pretty easy to copy.Competitors sprouted up all over the place. In ridesharing, youve got Lyft, Grab, Didi, Juno, Ola, and Taxify. The Uber Eats food delivery service competes with Grub Hub, Doordash, Postmates, Just Eat, and Caviar.In an attempt to steal Ubers customers, its rivals cut prices to the bone. For example, in the six months leading up to its IPO,handed out discount coupons for a third of all rides! And Doordash was deliberately losing money on every order to lure away Ubers customers.In short, Uber was under assault. At least a dozen competitors were losing piles of money, on purpose, in order to steal business from it.Uber was forced to slash its prices, which cost it dearly. As I mentioned, it blew through $6 billion in just the first six months of 2019more than it lost over the previous seven years combined!Have you heard of Masa Son? Hes Japans richest person, and CEO of the worlds largest venture capital firm,. Softbank stands for Software-bank and is famous for handing out generous checks to early-stage disruptors.Back in 2000, Masa Son invested $20 million in Chinas Amazon,. Today Alibaba is the eighth-largest publicly traded company on earth.But back then, nobody had heard of it. It was a private company with a dozen or so employees. That $20 million investment is worth over $100 billion today! Masa banked a mind-blowing 5000X payoff.In 2017, Softbank made headlines again when it plowed $9 billion into Uber. But Masa didnt just invest in Uber. He handed out billion-dollar checks like candy to many of its rivals, enabling them to undercut each other in a race to the bottom.As you may know, Softbank screwed up big time when it invested billions into coworking company WeWork. Once a phenomenon, WeWork became a laughingstock.In October, it was forced to disclose the staggering sums of money it was losing. Its value collapsed, and Softbank took a huge $5 billion loss.Since that debacle, Softbank and other investors have been far more cautious about investing in money-losing businesses. In fact, investors have run out of patience for money-losing ridesharing companies.New Yorks #3 ride-hailing serviceJunowent bust in November. Food delivery company Postmates has shut offices and laid off hundreds of staff. Asias Uber Grab shelved its IPO. And in an effort to slash costs, Just Eat and Grub Hub are looking to merge.Meanwhile, Uber has only one real rival left in America:. For the first time ever, Lyft started raising prices across the board last month.A dozen rivals with seemingly bottomless pockets were trying to run it into the ground. But those days are over. In short, Uber is now free to hike prices and focus on turning a profit.In fact, Ubers adjusted EBITDA margins have crept up from 8% to 22% in the past few months. And the amount of money Uber collects on each trip jumped to its highest level in over two years.Uber expects to be profitable by 2021. I think management is lowballing its forecast, and it will make money in late 2020.Heres the bottom line. Ubers stock was a total disaster in 2019, as you can see here:But now its business is improving rapidly, and its stock is on sale. Ubers stock could easily climb 50% over the next 12 months as profits start to come in. The Great Disruptors: 3 Breakthrough Stocks Set to Double Your Money" Get my latest report where I reveal my three favorite stocks that will hand you 100% gains as they disrupt whole industries. Get your free copy here. By Stephen McBride http://www.riskhedge.com 2019 Copyright Stephen McBride - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. The devastating wildfires sweeping across Australia could force some of the countrys best-loved animals to the brink of extinction, scientists warn. Almost half a billion creatures are estimated to have died in blazes that have now engulfed 12 million acres an area nearly two thirds the size of the island of Ireland. And the crisis shows no sign of abating. The Penrith suburb of Sydney was the hottest place on Earth yesterday as temperatures soared to 48.9C (120F). Elsewhere in New South Wales, 80mph winds fanned the flames, with thousands of people fleeing their homes to take shelter on beaches. The Victoria coastline pictured engulfed in flames and plumes of smoke yesterday as the government steps up efforts to control the rampaging fires Flames have engulfed 12 million acres - nearly two thirds of the land area of Ireland, as wildfires have rampaged across the island of Ireland. These flames were by Lake Conjola last month The Queensland silver-headed antechinus, already listed as endangered (left), may be wiped out by the blaze along with the Australian bittern (right) which has had its home in the Macquarie Marshes devastated On Kangaroo Island, a wildlife paradise in southern Australia, two people and hundreds of koalas are feared dead. The human death toll stands at 23 since the fires began in September, and more than 1,500 homes have been destroyed. Wildlife experts estimate at least 8,000 koalas have perished, almost a third of the entire population in New South Wales. Ecologists say the animals may disappear from some regions and have to be reclassified as an endangered species. On a beach at Bastion Point in Victoria, where thousands of people were taken by boat, locals reported seeing hundreds of dead birds on the sand, including kookaburras. Scientists fear that the destruction of nesting grounds and forests could have long-term implications for the populations of many species of birds. Another creature under threat is the potoroo, a hare-size wallaby its habitat in New South Waless Ngunya Jargoon forest has been destroyed. Koalas may be wiped out from parts of Australia. A dehydrated one is pictured being given water at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital in New South Wales The hip pocket frog, which lives in New South Wales rainforests, may also vanish A Kangaroo is pictured being doused by a watering can as it attempts to cool down in New South Wales There is also mounting concern for the endangered Australasian bittern, a large heron, due to the widespread destruction of the Macquarie Marshes, a wetland in north-western New South Wales. The state has declared a week-long state of emergency, with tens of thousands told to evacuate coastal areas. The potoroo may also be endagenered. Its home in the Ngunya Jargoon forest has been ravaged by fire In the north-eastern state of Queensland, experts said the silver-headed antechinus, an endangered marsupial carnivore, was threatened with extinction. New South Wales transport minister Andrew Constance compared the blazes to an atomic bomb. Its indescribable the hell its caused. Australian prime minister Scott Morrison announced an extra 3,000 defence force reservists were being drafted in to fight the fires. Meanwhile, there are fears that several large blazes could coalesce to form firestorms. There are fires that are coming together that are creating fire-generated thunderstorms, said New South Wales Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. More than 250 activists gathered across the street from the U.S. Consulate in Toronto in a public call for peace amid heightened fears that the killing of a top Iranian general by an American drone strike could lead to war. The grassroots event, called the No War With Iran Action, took over a square on University Avenue, north of Queen Street, for two hours on Saturday. Participants made speeches and held placards opposing further military action. Were here to promote peace and to let the Canadian government know what Canadians want is peace. said Amir Moazzami, one of the events organizers. We dont want the casualties and dont want our troops to have to make sacrifices again. Experts say the killing on Friday of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a powerful Iraqi militia commander, could further destabilize the volatile region. In Baghdad on Saturday, where joint funeral services were held for the two military leaders, tens of thousands of pro-Iranian supporters took to the streets, chanting that revenge is coming for the United States. In Toronto, the activists calls focused on conciliation and avoiding further conflict in a region of the world already riven by war over the past two decades. The world hasnt gotten safer because of these wars. We see a rise in hate everywhere, said Saman Tabasinejad, one of the events organizers. Life hasnt gotten safer since the War on Terror began. Moazzami stressed that a war between the United States and Iran would be unlike other conflicts in the region, saying there would be many more casualties. A war with Iran has no winners, he said. He rejected the statement by U.S. President Donald Trump that the intent of the airstrike was to stop a war as the Iranian general had been plotting imminent and sinister attacks. Moazammi called Trumps words false self-justification meant to legitimatize their attack. We all understand that when a nation attacks another nations general, that in itself is an act of war, Moazzami said. A small group of counterprotesters, some carrying American flags, attempted to antagonize the peace activists with their own chants and placards. The counterprotesters moved to an opposing street corner, where they were flanked and outnumbered by police officers. Organizers of the peace action urged the attendees to avoid the group so there would be no altercations. This way we can promote peace not just through our words but through action, Moazzami said. At dusk Saturday, a second, unaffiliated demonstration took over the University Avenue square, where pro-Iranian protesters held pictures of Soleimani and spelled out the name of the slain commander in tealight candles. Riaz Hussain led a crowd of hundreds in chants of Down with U.S.A. and Trump is a terrorist. Hussain called Soleimani, who led the Quds Force of Irans Revolutionary Guard, a war hero who dedicated his military career to fighting oppressors and stamping out terrorism. It burns my heart. (Soleimanis death) was a total injustice to the world, Hussain said. Others within Torontos Iranian Canadian community, however, celebrated Soleimanis demise. In North York on Friday evening, several dozen people danced and cheered the generals death, which they hoped would spark a rebirth for Iran. We are in a great world now after Soleimanis elimination, Hamid Gharajeh, a spokesperson for the Iran Democratic Association of Canada, told The Canadian Press. I feel wonderful because we really think this is long overdue. With files from Star wire services Read more about: Somalias al Shabaab militant group attacked on Sunday a military base in Kenya used by both U.S. and Kenyan forces and published pictures of masked gunmen standing next to an aircraft in flames. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed an attack on the Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu county, close to the Somali border. The Kenyan military said the attack was repelled and that four militants had been killed. There were no immediate reports of Kenyan or US casualties. Seven aircraft and three military vehicles were destroyed in the attack, al Shabaab said in a statement in which it claimed responsibility for the assault. Major Karl Wiest from AFRICOM told Reuters less than 150 U.S. personnel were at the base, where they provide training and counter terrorism support to East African partners. Initial reports reflect damage to infrastructure and equipment. An accountability of personnel assessment is underway, AFRICOM said in a press release. The assault that began before dawn lasted around four hours, witnesses and military sources told Reuters. Kenyan military spokesman Colonel Paul Njuguna said the base was now secure. This morning at around 5:30 am an attempt was made to breach security at Manda Air Strip. The attempted breach was successfully repulsed, he said. The airstrip is safe. Arising from the unsuccessful breach a fire broke out affecting some of the fuel tanks located at the airstrip. The fire has been put under control. At least four militants were killed, Njuguna said. There was no indication the militants had managed to enter the base. The airfield is separate to another on Manda Island used by commercial flights to Lamu. Kenya sent troops into Somalia in 2011 after a spate of cross-border attacks and kidnappings. They were later absorbed into an African Union peacekeeping force, now 21,000-strong, that supports the shaky, Western-backed Somali government. Al Shabaab has been fighting for more than a decade to overthrow the government and impose strict Islamic law. Independent investigator Benjamin Strick, who analyses satellite imagery for open source investigation websites like Bellingcat, said the photos of gunmen next to a burning plane published by al Shabaab photos matched satellite images of buildings and a distinctive aircraft apron adjacent to the base but outside its perimeter. EXPLOSION IN THE DARK Residents on nearby Lamu Island, a haven for wealthy tourists and visiting European royalty, say a loud explosion jolted them awake before 4 a.m. Abdalla Barghash said he later saw a large dark plume of smoke rising from the Manda Bay mainland, where the airstrip and base are located. Resident Omar Ali said he was on the way to his farm when he heard a huge bang and saw smoke. Fellow farmers reported sustained gunfire, he said. The gunfire was still going on four hours later, a military source said. Lamu county, which is far more impoverished than the island, is frequently targeted by al Shabaab with roadside bombs and ambushes on travellers or attacks on isolated villages. The insurgents killed three passengers when they attacked a bus in the county on Thursday. The group carried out a similar raid in September on Baledogle base in Somalia, which is used by both Somali special forces and American troops. All the attackers were killed and the base was not breached. It comes nearly a year after al Shabaab launched a deadly suicide attack on an upscale hotel and office complex in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, killing 21 people. RICHMOND With reported flu cases in Virginia ticking up, a less frequently seen type of the virus is being discovered more often this season. Of the more than 1,800 cases confirmed by lab reports since the start of the 2019-2020 flu season, 75% have been identified as type B, according to the Virginia Department of Health. We normally see increases a little later, but its not unusual. Its tracking along with what we saw in the 2014-2015 season, said Em Stephens, VDH respiratory disease coordinator. The unusual thing about this season is flu B. The frequency of type B influenza in Virginia mirrors whats being seen across the country. It has been found in 68% of all lab-tested cases reported to the CDC. Health officials said type B generally is more common in children, though not exactly more severe. It also means people older than 65 who usually are susceptible to the flu might not catch it this year. Scott Pauley, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said its the first time since the 1992-1993 flu season influenza B has been identified more often than influenza A nationally. Its good news in the fact that hopefully itll be a less severe season in terms of deaths, but its still looking like it will be a strong flu season, Pauley said. Were not sure when it could peak, but it could be some time between now and February. In the last full week of 2019, 8% of all visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers in Virginia were for people with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough and sore throat, doubling the share of reported admissions for flu symptoms in the first week of December. While the number of flu and flu-like cases have been increasing in the Richmond area during the past month, a larger concentration of cases have been found elsewhere in the state. In Eastern and Northern Virginia, officials have respectively confirmed about 1,000 and 325 flu cases this season. In Central Virginia, which includes the Richmond metro area, there have been 84 confirmed flu cases. That isnt to say the spread of the flu here is not intense. In the Richmond area in the week ending Dec. 28, there were nearly 1,000 hospital and urgent care visits for people reporting flu-like symptoms, Stephens said. Most people who get sick with the flu dont seek medical care. Those that do seek care are often diagnosed using a rapid test or based on their symptoms alone, she said, explaining why VDH publicly reports the number of visits for flu-like symptoms as well. The rapid tests that are available are great for clinical practice, but theyre not as accurate as public health would like. So far through the 2019-20 flu season, there have been 255 reported pneumonia and influenza- associated deaths reported by the Virginia Health Department. There have been no reported pediatric deaths yet this season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there have been 2,100 deaths from flu nationally this season. London Bridge knifeman Usman Khan was handed more than 350,000 in legal aid, with 12,000 to appeal his previous terrorism sentence. Khan was a member of an al-Qaeda-inspired cell which plotted to blow up the London Stock Exchange and kill Boris Johnson, but a case against him for this was never pursued. He later pleaded guilty to preparing terrorist acts and was given an indefinite sentence. Because of his tax-payer funded appeal, he was free from prison on license when he went on a knife rampage killing two and injuring several more in central London in November. London Bridge knifeman Usman Khan was handed more than 350,000 in legal aid, with 12,000 to appeal his previous terrorism sentence Khan was charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and other terrorism offences in late December 2010, along with eight others, but a case against him was never pursued. In 2012, he pleaded guilty to preparing terrorist acts - for plotting to build a madrasah in Kashmir for men who wished to fight - and was sentenced to indeterminate detention with a minimum of eight years. He was handed 124,136 for a solicitor and 217,324 for a barrister, a total of 341,460 for representation at court The Sun on Sunday has revealed. In 2013 Lord Justice Leveson wrote that the original decision had 'wrongly characterised' Khan and fellow group members Mohammad Shahjahan and Nazam Hussein as more dangerous than the other six. Because of this tax-payer funded appeal, he was free from prison on license when he went on a knife rampage killing two and injuring several more in central London in November. Pictured: Members of the public tackle Khan after his rampage 'Although we recognise that training terrorists in the use of firearms could only lead to potential loss of life... the fulfilment of that goal was further removed and there were other obstacles,' Leveson wrote. Khan won the appeal, and his indefinite term was changed to a fixed 16 year sentence, along with five-year extended licence periods. That meant Khan left prison in December 2018, apparently feigning rehabilitation, but committed the London Bridge atrocity only 12 months later. Khan attacked five people including the graduates, armed with two kitchen knives and wearing a fake suicide vest, before he was tackled. Pictured: Police photographer at the scene Cambridge University graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were attacked by Khan during a prisoner rehabilitation event at Fishmongers' Hall. The pair were course co-ordinators on the Learning Together programme, which is aimed at bringing offenders and people in higher education together to 'study alongside each other'. Khan attacked five people including the graduates, armed with two kitchen knives and wearing a fake suicide vest, before he was tackled. He was then shot dead by police at point-blank range. Not everyone will agree with Byron Dorgans conclusions in his latest book, The Girl in the Photograph. The former U.S. senator covers a lot of ground in less than 200 pages and provides a historical perspective to todays Native American issues. Dorgan uses the story of Tamara, who was 5 years old in 1990 when she was beaten in a foster home, to examine Native American conditions in the past and today. Dorgan learned about Tamara when he read a story about her in 1990 in The Bismarck Tribune. A photo of Tamara by Tribune photographer Tom Stromme that accompanied the story is the basis of the title of Dorgans book. The book is a worthwhile read that serves as a reminder of the governments broken promises and treaties with Native Americans. It provides understanding of why Native Americans cite treaties broken more than 150 years ago. Dorgan writes that Tamaras story is a ... microcosm of inequities and shortcomings of this great country that extend far beyond Indian reservations. The statistics used by Dorgan paint a grim picture. High suicide rates, low graduation rates, the lack of health care and jobs. Dorgan tells of a teacher who in her last eight years of teaching at McLaughlin, S.D., and Fort Yates, lost 13 students to suicide. Whats sad is that at different times, resources were focused on suicide prevention on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and other reservations, but the problem persists. As a result of her foster home experiences and her familys struggle with alcoholism, Tamara suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. The PTSD has made it difficult for her to lead a normal life. Dorgans book also offers hope for a better outcome for Native Americans. He profiles a number of Native Americans leading successful careers and making a difference on reservations. He discusses the need for providing health care, working with families, improving educational opportunities, having better staffing for law enforcement, and creating businesses and jobs on reservations. In North Dakota, the relationship between state government and the tribes has been improving since the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. The oil tax agreement with the Fort Berthold Reservation was a major achievement, and there have been other encouraging steps. Congress also has taken significant action. It established the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children to study programs, grants and supports available for Native children at government agencies and in Native communities. The commission of 11 members has three years to issue a report with recommendations for delivering services to Native children. Congress continues to work on legislation dealing with violence against Native American women and children. Dorgan served on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, as did former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D. U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., now chairs the committee. So North Dakota has had influence on legislation. When Dorgan retired from the Senate, he formed the nonprofit The Center for Native American Youth to help Indian youth on reservations. He reconnected with Tamara in 2016, and it prompted his book. Tamaras story doesnt have a happy ending yet, but theres hope. However, the nations reservations need more than hope; they need action thats more prompt. In the end, Dorgans book is a call to action. Its time the Tamaras of the reservations get help. Dorgan will hold a book signing at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Bismarck. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 It seems like every other year that another company enters or exits the U.S. TV market. Sometimes its the same outfit. Take LeEco, for example: The Chinese manufacturer swooped in in 2016attempting to acquire Vizio in the processonly to flame out, leaving Vizio behind. Konka might prove to have more staying power, being the number-five TV vendor in China, with all the ramifications of global trading competition being present. But the big news is not so much another vendor, but a vendor entering with an OLED TVKonka X11 series. OLEDs are notoriously hard to fabricate in larger sizes, but the company isnt saying if its manufacturing its own or sourcing them from an OEMwith South Koreas LG being the most likely supplier. Konka Konka mimics Samsung in describing its quantum-dot Q7 series TVs QLEDs. The company will offer a rather broad range, including the smaller and more affordable H3- and U5-series, a Q7 series with quantum dot color, and even a series of micro-LED TVs similar to Samsungs The Wall. Whats more, Konka says it also show 8K OLED TVs at CES this year. Weve yet to see a Konka TV, but its an impressive and ambitious stab at the U.S. market. Stay tuned for reviews as soon as we can lay our hands on samples. Title: "Glacial Lake Missoula and Its Humongous Floods" Author: David Alt Publisher: Mountain Press Publishing Company, 2001 The late University of Montana geologist David Alt wrote this book in 2001 in support of the theories of geologist Harlan Bretz. His theory that catastrophic floods shaped the landscape of the Columbia River drainage was rejected for years by geologists who supported the theory of gradual change over thousands of years. Alts research and fieldwork as set forth in this book clearly demonstrate what he calls humongous floods. It is a fascinating look at the end of the last ice age in Montana, Idaho and the Pacific Northwest shaped by the mountains covered with ice, unlike Lake Agassiz, which was formed as the glaciers covering the upper Great Plains melted to the north, covering the Red River Valley of Eastern North Dakota and Western Minnesota and southern Canada. In the last ice age ice so deeply filled the valleys of British Columbia that only the tops of the highest mountains rose above it. The southern fringe of that regional ice encroached into the mountain valleys of northern Washington and Idaho and northwestern Montana, reaching its maximum spread about 15,000 years ago. Then the climate abruptly changed, and the glaciers began to melt so rapidly that they would be gone within about 3,000 years. That really is rapid, considering that the ice had been accumulating for more than 30,000 years and was thousands of feet thick in many places. Before Bretz, geologist Joseph Pardee identified Glacial Lake Missoula, which was formed by meltwater blocked by an ice dam on the Clark Fork River. He calculated it held 500 cubic miles of water at 4,250 feet above sea level and was 2,000 feet deep at the ice dam and about 950 feet deep in the Missoula Valley. Alt writes of the ice dams, and there were many over thousands of years, Ice weighs about 10 percent less that an equal volume of water, so a lake floats an ice dam when its water level rises higher than nine-tenths of the height of the dam. But the ice dam breaks as it floats, and it washes out as great icebergs in the sudden flush of the draining lake. It must have been simply tremendous when an ice dam broke. Alt writes, The drainages of Glacial Lake Missoula were great thumping occasions. In a raw way of thinking, a discharge of between 8 and 10 miles of water per hour could empty a lake of 500 cubic miles in about two days. Alt, through his fieldwork, describes section by section the effects on the ground and the valleys through which these tremendous torrents flowed all the way out to the Pacific Ocean through the Columbia River, breaching other ice dams and lakes along the way. Alt provides maps and photographic evidence at each point along the path of these torrents. Through a technique of grading in which layers of deposits are examined identifying heavier deposits to lighter deposits at each level, Alt and other geologists have determined there were 36 to 41 identifiable catastrophic floods. Since the most recent ice age stored enough water to drop the sea level by 300 feet, the rushing water had to run another 40 miles through the Columbia River to reach the ocean. Alt writes, Our earth has seen a good many ice ages come and go, probably a dozen or more, during the past 2 million years or so of the Pleistocene time. All those comings and goings involved widespread, if not global, cooling and warming. Those climatic changes happened through perfectly natural mechanisms that we may or may not understand, except they surely had nothing to do with human activities. In any case, we have no reason to assume that the most recent ice age was the last ice age. So far as anyone knows, a new ice age might start at any time. Yes, it (a new Glacial Lake Missoula) could again. But not for a long time, and not without thousands of years of advance warning. This is a good read for a nongeologist who wants to get a sense of how much of the landscape from western Montana to the Pacific Ocean was affected by the most recent ice age. Alt writes for the benefit of people who live in the area of these floods, as he refers to places which are no doubt familiar to them. His photos show clear physical evidence of what he writes about, like the beaches of Lake Agassiz we can see in the Red River Valley. Bob Wefald is a retired North Dakota State District Court judge, former attorney general and a retired Navy Captain. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 0 More than two years and a lifetime ago, Hollywood's open secrets about Harvey Weinstein finally spilled into public view. Few back then could have predicted all that would follow or where the #MeToo movement would go. Now, for Weinstein, a reckoning is at hand: His criminal trial, on five felony counts, including predatory sexual assault and rape, is scheduled to begin on Monday in state court in Manhattan. Jury selection could last two weeks, the trial six more. The proceedings will mark an extraordinary moment in the still-unfolding story of harassment and abuse by powerful men and the implications for every corner of society. For some in the movement, simply seeing Weinstein facing a jury, and charges that could send him to prison for life, will be a victory. "The fact that this has made it this far is remarkable in its own right," said Tina Tchen, the chief executive of the advocacy group Time's Up. Labour leadership favourite and shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour should have taken a stronger position one way or the other on Brexit. Sir Keir said that people wanted clarity on the issue, which the Labour Party did not provide, and that not enough was done by the party to knock down the Tories Get Brexit Done message. He added that, if he was to become Labours new leader, he would deliver the fundamental change needed to deal with inequality across the country. Sir Keir hopes that his leadership chances will not be hampered because he backed another referendum, which some critics have accused of playing a role in Labours disastrous election. During a campaign visit to Brexit-backing Stevenage, he told the PA news agency: We are leaving the EU in two to three weeks time and that divide between Leave and Remain goes when we leave the EU. The next Labour leader needs to unite the Labour Party, provide really effective opposition to Boris Johnson and needs to be pulling together a strategy so that we can win in 2024. Thats what the next Labour needs to do, and that is what Im determined to do on behalf of the Labour party. Not on my own, but as part of a team. We need people alongside me doing this. Sir Keir said he was visiting the Hertfordshire town that voted 59% for Leave and has a Conservative MP was because it is exactly the type of place where Labour needs to win seats. Meanwhile, he blamed the Labour defeat on four main reasons which cumulatively caused the party to lose the publics trust. Speaking on Skys Ridge On Sunday, he said: The issues, there were many of them, but they were the leadership, rightly or wrongly, fairly or unfairly, was coming up everywhere. The Brexit position and whether we were persuading people, more importantly, whether we were knocking down the Tories claim that they would get Brexit done. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Anti-Semitism came up as a question of values and competence, and there was a general feeling that the manifesto was overloaded. They were the four main reasons. Sir Keir also outlined what a future Labour government led by him would look like, calling for more long term investment for businesses and the government and private sector to set green targets and requirements together. He added: I would like to see private schools as an irrelevant because the state sector was so good, and weve underfunded the state sector. But Labour shouldnt throw away all of the ideas followed by Jeremy Corbyn, he said. I believe another future is possible but we have to fight for it. Thats why Im standing to be leader of the Labour Party. Join me and together we can and we will win: https://t.co/7LQiNItoDU pic.twitter.com/hZQaDBmx3M Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 4, 2020 What Jeremy Corbyn brought to the Labour Party in 2015 was the start of saying we should be anti-austerity and pro public services. That is right. We dont want to throw that away. Im not pretending we need to keep everything as it is, Im not pretending there was anything good about that general election result, it was devastating, but we shouldnt retreat from the radical fundamental change is needed in this country and we must deliver it, he said. Discussing the problems with Labours Brexit position, Sir Keir added: I think clarity about what your position is and not being able to say well would you be leave or remain after a general election was a problem and I made that argument but I accepted the decision. I think people wanted clarity and they wanted leadership. People had bought the idea that if you vote Tory youll get Brexit done and we didnt knock it down hard enough. Expand Close Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Get Brexit Done message resonated with voters, Sir Keir Starmer suggested (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Get Brexit Done message resonated with voters, Sir Keir Starmer suggested (PA) He also said the argument for a second referendum blew away with the election result and that the conversation must move on to the framework for future trade relations. Were going to leave the EU in the next few weeks. At least 36 people died after construction workers and their families were trapped beneath the collapsed building. At least 36 people were killed and 23 injured after a guesthouse under construction in Cambodia collapsed, trapping workers and their families beneath the rubble, officials said on Sunday. The seven-storey concrete building collapsed on Friday in the coastal town of Kep, about 160 kilometres (100 miles) southwest of the capital Phnom Penh, the latest collapse to hit the countrys booming construction industry. Sou Chhlonh, vice president of Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC), who is in Kep, told Al Jazeera that a combination of lax enforcement of the law, corruption, and workers living on site instead of in separate accommodation contributed to the high number of deaths. According to the BTWUCs survey of the site, 59 people were living there including children. Six to seven children who stayed in the building died, Chhlonh said. A pregnant woman died, and a baby of maybe between three and seven months died with the mother. Lax regulations There are an estimated 200,000 construction workers in Cambodia, most of them unskilled, reliant on day wages and without union protection, according to the International Labour Organization. Worker advocates point to low standards at construction sites that increase the risk of accidents. Labourers can often be seen shirtless, working with little protective gear, and sleeping inside partially-completed buildings. The Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation of Cambodia says 59 people including young children were living on the construction site at the time of the collapse [Kep Province Authority Police via AP Photo] The BWTUCs Chhlonh said that the building had received approval for five floors, but seven were built instead. Thats why the quality of the building is not good, he said. The law [permit] says five floors only, why did they allow two more? It doesnt make sense. Kep Governor Ken Satha said that the owners of the building, a Cambodian couple, had been detained for questioning as Prime Minister Hun Sen defended the government response and said that no officials in Kep province would be fired. Building collapses dont only happen in Cambodia they happen elsewhere including in the United States, Hun Sen said in a news briefing. Worker Ei Kosal told AFP on Saturday that he, his wife and two other women were having a meal on site when the structure collapsed. Their two companions were crushed and immediately killed. I did not expect to survive its like I have just been reborn, Kosal said while recuperating in hospital. In June, nearly 30 people died after the collapse of a building under construction in Sihanoukville, a beach town being transformed with an influx of Chinese money. After that disaster, the government had pushed for improved regulation of the construction sector, but Chhlonh said the implementation of the law was lax. 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. With reporting by Leonie Kijewski in Cambodia WAVERLY Even before Collins Kalyebi enrolled at Wartburg College, he started a school in his native country of Uganda as a way to give back. He chose to help with schooling, the Wartburg senior said, because the difference between a good education and a subpar one was one of money and distance: Kids under 15 who make up nearly half of Ugandas population can get a better education at a private school, but its more expensive and often not available in far-flung rural areas. Its a really different education system, Kalyebi said. I was kind of noticing that it was kind of hard, especially for students from rural families, accessing a quality education. The school proved popular too popular. In March 2018, Kalyebi received a $10,000 Davis Peace Project grant that, in addition to fundraising, helped him add four classrooms to the school, located in Tirinyi, Uganda, to reduce overcrowding. But Kalyebi wasnt content with just building a school: He wanted to come up with a way to turn Ugandas national curriculum standards into easy-to-use lesson plans and teaching guides to standardize learning in that school and others. So in 2018, Kalyebi came up with the Heritage Kit-Pad, an Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet loaded with lesson plans and teaching guides teachers can access even with spotty internet. What we did was break down the curriculum to help guide the teacher, because what we noticed (was needed) is the interpretation of the content and making it easily understandable, he said. He won $2,500 in the Wartburg College Incubator in April 2018 to assist in the effort to build and test a prototype. Smartcore Enterprise Limited, a digital learning content development agency based in Tanzania, provides the platform. All of that has become Heritage Prime Academies, the umbrella term for both the Tirinyi school and the curriculum learning guides. Kalyebi is its CEO and founder, leading a team of developers, coders and others. Me, Im just a very small part of the group, Kalyebi said. Its a really big team of committed individuals who want to make this possible. He and his team have been shopping the idea to schools around Uganda, which may only be interested in how much it would cost rather than the accessibility and ease it provides, he said. If we can train these teachers and give them access to education materials, we can actually improve the quality, Kalyebi said. And so, by promising them this kind of approach, we get them to buy into the idea. Teachers may also worry about losing their autonomy in the classroom. But Kalyebi insists Heritage Prime Academies is just a tool, not a mandate. When you bring something like this, youre going to be influencing how (students) learn, and (teachers) are losing part of the control, he said. We say, We dont want any part of control in your school. Were just giving you support. It helps, he said, that he grew up in the country. Most of the trust is built after they see what you bring to them, he said. But, he noted, for the administrators on the fence, We know the father or the mother or we know where hes coming from, it helps, definitely. Kalyebi took the first tablet to Uganda in August, and his company is still in the testing phase, improving the curriculums speed and efficiency as well as user interactions. Now, hes working to get more funds he says about $5,000 should do it to get the curriculum, including videos, theyve developed to be completely off- line. We dont want to have any connection to online because there is no connectivity in some of these places, Kalyebi said. Our hope is by next year (in 2020), we have something. Those interested can donate to Heritage Prime Academies at this link: https://newhorizonsfoundation.com/index.php?option=com_crowdfunding&view=details&id=2114-j-n-heritage-prime- academics&catid=8-j-n-heritage-prime-academics &Itemid=105. Over time, we are trying to make it be self-sufficient and moving forward trying to get some more schools, some qualified teachers, he said. The idea is basically to continue the idea of making education accessible to all. Courier reporter Amie Rivers most memorable stories of 2019. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Nigerian soldiers and suspected members of the Boko Haram last night engaged in hours of fierce battle in Jakana, a village 42km from Maiduguri, the state capital. The attack on Jakana is the latest in a series of hostilities that have been taking place on the relatively safe route that presently links Borno State with the rest of the country. Located along the Maiduguri-Kano highway, which also links the state with Yobe, Jakana has in the past weeks become a major flashpoint of Boko Haram activities. According to an official of the Civilian JTF, the insurgents stormed the village last night at about 7.30 p.m. and began to shoot sporadically. They were however confronted by the troops deployed to the area. The exchange of fire lasted for about two hours but the military alongside our Civilian-JTF members, were able to repel the attack after killing many Boko Haram fighters, said Bello Danbatta, a top official of the C-JTF. He said the full account of what happened and the number of casualties likely incurred in the attack, would be made known later on Sunday morning. But for now, at least eight corpses of the Boko Haram have been recovered, he said. Mid last year, the military embarked on the massive evacuation of the Jakana villagers to a camp for displaced persons as soldiers embarked on general combing of the bushes around the village. The development then generated intense public criticism as the military was generally condemned for not only abusing the rights of the villagers but also of the travelers who had to spend the night on the highway due to closure of the road. The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Olusegun Adeniyi, had in the past weeks informed journalists that we all need to be worried about the conduct of the residents of villages like Jakana and Mainok which are located along Maiduguri-Damaruru. Mr Adeniyi said credible intel indicates that some of the villagers have been aiding and abetting the Boko Haram. The Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria has caused almost 40,000 deaths since 2009, according to the UN. The insurgents who have since split into factions have been restricted to three Northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe by security forces. They've been going strong since meeting on the set of Bohemian Rhapsody in 2017. And Rami Malek and Lucy Boynton looked happier than ever as they attended the YSL party together in Los Angeles on Saturday. Lucy, 25, posed up a storm in a shimmering corded jacket which she wore over a chic black mini dress. Cute: Rami Malek, 38, and Lucy Boynton, 25, looked happier than ever as they attended the YSL party together in Los Angeles on Saturday Lucy added to her sexy ensemble with a pair of sheer tights which allowed her to display her leggy pins. And to accessorise, she added an animal print hair band and a metal heart-shaped clutch bag, while on her feet she wore a strappy pair of Roger Vivier heels. Looking typically dapper next to her, Remi opted for a white shirt and quirky black tie, which he twinned with matching jeans and a stylish dinner jacket. In one picture, Lucy held the hand of a female friend as Remi led the way, while in another she put on a serious look as she posed alongside her beau. Happy couple: Lucy posed up a storm in a shimmering corded jacket which she wore over a chic black mini dress, while Remi looked typically dapper in a quirky tie and dinner jacket She was later seen hand in hand with her beau as she looped arms with her female pal. Lucy met LA native Rami on the 2017 set of Bohemian Rhapsody where he played the late great Queen frontman Freddie Mercury and she played his former fiancee Mary Austin. Their appearance comes after Lucy recently revealed how overzealous fans of her Oscar-winning boyfriend constantly ask for selfies and get 'grabby' with him physically in public. Having fun: Lucy added to her sexy ensemble with a pair of sheer tights and Roger Vivier heels Luxy was was later seen hand in hand with her beau as she looped arms with her female pal The star told Net-A-Porter's Porter magazine: 'It's lovely to see people who are excited about his work...but it's just that thing of people grabbing him... 'I mean, you'd never grab a complete stranger in the street. And I think there's a sense of ownership. 'It's okay to just come up to someone, with your camera already out, and disregard whoever they're with. It happened when we were with my mother, and we were just shoved out of the way. It's quite shocking.' While acting in Bohemian Rhapsody together, Lucy learned from Rami's ability to 'see the full tapestry' and 'be involved in every corner' of an acting project. Happy together: Lucy met Rami on the 2017 set of Bohemian Rhapsody where he played the late great Queen frontman Freddie Mercury and she played his former fiancee Mary Austin '[He's] been doing it longer,' the former child star said of Rami, who's been acting two years longer than her. 'I want to be involved in the evolution of a script coming together, the creative forces. And I think the main thing is to take your time... 'I want to do this for the rest of my life, and it's easy to think that you have to keep the momentum going, a phrase you hear a lot... 'I've learned that's not the case, and that you can take your time to do really good-quality pieces rather than just doing everything.' Mumbai, Jan 5 : Actor John Abraham, who is associated with National Association for the Blind, feels that our country is a disaster for visually-impaired or differently abled people, in terms of infrastructure. He added that people of India need to be more kind towards other people and animals. "I feel infrastructure-wise, we are a disaster for the visually-impaired people or differently-able people. We are not prepared, so I think we must move towards a direction where we make things easier for them. We don't have infrastructure for regular people (laughs), so we are very far away from it. This is not my way of criticising the government but I think we must move in a certain direction and I hope at least in our lifetime, we will get to see a differently-able person feeling comfortable in a public space," said John, while launching Braille Edition of Karma Sutra -- Cracking the Karmic Code by Hingori. Should India draw inspiration from Western countries when it comes to providing facilities to differently able people? "In many European countries and in the United States, they are very inclusive of not just differently-abled people but even animals. It is only in this country where people don't care about them. We pelt stones at animals. I don't understand the mindset. I feel we need to be more kind. We are a beautiful country and we have a beautiful way of life. We are a democracy and we just need to be more kind and concerned to humans and animals alike, which we are not," he said. Talking about the event, John said: "I feel we can't understand their (blind people) situation and problem but it is really important to support them. I am a very small part of it but the media's support is a big thing because you are very active in print, twitter and on television so, I would like to thank media for supporting this cause." "I have been working with National Association for the Blind for more than six years. My mother and father are working with them for more than 10 years. I think one must not support a social cause just for a film promotion and you have to be consistently associated with that cause. I am associated with many social causes. You will not see me at parties and film functions but I feel it is necessary to come to events like these, not to create an impression but to share a piece of mind." On work front, John Abraham will next be seen in Sanjay Gupta's "Mumbai Saga", Lakshya Raj Anand's "Attack", and Milap Zaveri's "Satyameva Jayate 2'". Mourners attend a funeral ceremony for General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in Iraq in a US drone strike, in the south-western city of Ahvaz, Iran (Morteza Jaberian/AP) Tens of thousands of mourners have accompanied a casket carrying the remains of the General Qassem Soleimani through two major Iranian cities. It came as part of a grand funeral procession for the commander killed by an American drone strike amid soaring tensions between Iran and the US. President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb 52 sites in Iran if it retaliates by attacking Americans. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia separately warned Americans of the heightened risk of missile and drone attacks. Meanwhile, Iran vowed to take an even-greater step away from its unravelling nuclear deal with world powers as a response to General Soleimanis death. The leader of Lebanons Hezbollah group said on Sunday that Americas military in the Middle East region including US bases, warships and soldiers are fair targets following the killing of Irans top general. Hassan Nasrallah said evicting US military forces from the region is now a priority. The suicide attackers who forced the Americans to leave from our region in the past are still here and their numbers have increased, Nasrallah said in a televised speech. The US drone strike killing General Soleimani in Iraq Friday escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that put the wider Middle East on edge. The conflict is rooted in Trump pulling out of Irans nuclear accord. Iraqs parliament voted on Sunday to expel the US military from the country. The resolution specifically called for an end to an agreement in which Washington sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. The US has some 5,000 troops deployed in different parts of Iraq. The funeral procession (Alireza Mohammadi/AP) After thousands in Baghdad on Saturday mourned General Soleimani and others killed in the strike, authorities flew the generals body to the south-western Iranian city of Ahvaz. An honour guard stood by early on Sunday as mourners carried the flag-draped coffins of General Soleimani and other Guard members off the Tarmac. The caskets then moved slowly through streets choked with mourners wearing black, beating their chests and carrying posters with General Soleimanis portrait. Demonstrators also carried red Shiite flags, which traditionally both symbolise the spilled blood of someone unjustly killed and call for their deaths to be avenged. Officials brought General Soleimanis body to Ahvaz, a city that was a focus of fighting during the bloody 1980-88 war between Iraq and Iran, in which he slowly grew to prominence. After that war, General Soleimani joined the Guards newly formed Quds, or Jersualem, Force, an expeditionary force that works with Iranian proxy forces in countries like Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. Authorities then took General Soleimanis body to Mashhad. His remains will go to Tehran and Qom on Monday for public mourning processions, followed by his hometown of Kerman for burial on Tuesday. This marks the first time Iran honoured a single man with a multi-city ceremony. General Soleimani will lie in state at Tehrans Musalla mosque on Monday. It is unclear how or when Iran may respond but any retaliation is likely to come after three days of mourning declared in both Iran and Iraq. Iranian officials planned to meet on Sunday night to discuss taking a fifth step away from its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, one that could be even greater than planned, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told journalists. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Francis appeal while "the terrible air of tension is felt in many parts of the world". With his birth, Jesus he wanted to introduce us into his filial relationship with the Father, to make us capable of becoming saints in love, in response to his call. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis called people to "fan the flame of dialogue and self-control and to ward off the shadow of enmity", while "the terrible air of destruction is felt in many parts of the world. War brings only death and destruction," intoned the Pope after the Angelus recitation. His appeal was addressed "to all parties", without mentioning the United States and Iran to whom evidently, his thoughts were addressed. Already yesterday, however, in a tweet Francis had said: "We must believe that the other has our own need for peace. Peace is not achieved if one does not hope for it. Let us ask the Lord for the gift of peace! . Previously, to the 40 thousand people present in St. Peter's Square for the recital of the Angelus, Francis had spoken about the meaning of Christmas, stressing that with his birth, Jesus wanted to "introduce us into his filial relationship with the Father", to make us capable of becoming saints in love, in response to his call." Pope Francis dedicated his reflections to the "full awareness of the meaning of the birth of Jesus", in the light of todays readings from Sacred Scripture. Francis recalled the Gospel that "with the Prologue of St. John shows us the unsettling novelty: the eternal Word, the Son of God," became flesh "(v. 14). Not only did he come to live among people, but he became one of the people, one of us! After this event, we no longer have only a law, an institution to guide our life, but a Person, a divine Person, Jesus, who directs our life, helps us to travel the path which He himself travelled before us". "Saint Paul blesses God for his loving plan made in Jesus Christ (cf Eph 1: 3-6.15-18). In this plan, each of us finds his own fundamental vocation: we are predestined to be children of God through the work of Jesus Christ. For this reason the eternal Son became flesh: to introduce us into his filial relationship with the Father. So, brothers and sisters, while we continue to contemplate the wonderous symbol of the Nativity scene, today's Liturgy tells us that the Gospel of Christ is not a fairytale, a myth, an edifying story, no, it is the full revelation of God's plan for man and the world. It is a message that is both simple and grandiose, which leads us to ask ourselves: what concrete project did the Lord place in me, once again realizing his birth among us? It is the apostle Paul who suggests the answer: "[God] has chosen us [...] to be holy and immaculate before him in charity" (v. 4 )". Here is the meaning of Christmas. If the Lord continues to come among us, if he continues to give us the gift of his Word, it is so that each of us can respond to this call: to become saints in love. Holiness is belonging to God, communion with him, transparency of His infinite goodness. Holiness is guarding the gift that God has given us. Therefore, whoever accepts holiness as a gift of grace cannot fail to translate it into concrete action in everyday life, in the encounter with others. And this charity, this mercy towards our neighbor, a reflection of God's love, at the same time purifies our heart and disposes us to forgiveness, making us 'immaculate' day after day, not in the sense of removing a stain, but in the sense that God enters us ". "May the Virgin Mary help us to welcome with joy and gratitude the divine plan of love made in Jesus Christ". Thousands of North Koreans gathered in a mass rally on Sunday morning expressing support for leader Kim Jong Un after his threats to create a 'new strategic weapon' over anger at stalled nuclear talks with the US. Crowds gathered on the streets and the bridge near Kim Il Sung square amid a heavy police presence in Pyongyang, as reported by NK News. During the rally the local cellphone network is understood to have been switched off, and a number of senior party figures are said to have attended. It is not absolutely clear what the rally is for, but suggestions are that it was a political rally to express support for Kim Jong Un's comments last week where he expressed frustration over stalled nuclear talks. He warned of unspecified 'shocking' action and said his country would soon reveal a new 'strategic weapon' to the world as its bolstered its nuclear deterrent in face of 'gangster-like' US pressure. People stage a rally at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Sunday morning Thousands gathered at the rally, which is understood to be in support of the leader Kim Jong Un A group of men marches at the rally and holds flags at the gathering amid a heavy police presence Mr Kim also said North Korea was no longer obliged to maintain a self-imposed suspension on the testing of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles, which President Donald Trump has touted as a major diplomatic accomplishment. But Mr Kim gave no clear indication a resumption of such tests was impending and appeared to leave the door open for eventual negotiations. Mr Kim has used the diplomatic stalemate to expand his military capabilities by intensifying tests of shorter-range weapons. His arsenal is now estimated to include 40-50 nuclear bombs and various delivery systems, including solid-fuel missiles designed to beat missile-defence systems, and developmental ICBMs potentially capable of reaching the US mainland. Mr Kim has also strengthened his negotiating position, moving the diplomacy closer to an arms reduction negotiation between nuclear states rather than talks that would culminate in a unilateral surrender of the weapons he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival. Lee Sang-min, spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry, said North Korea carrying out its threat to showcase a new strategic weapon would be unhelpful for diplomacy. A group of women dressed in pink attended the rally which took place in Pyongyang Strategic weapons usually refer to nuclear-capable delivery systems such as ICBMs, but North Korea otherwise has been vague about what new arms it would display. It announced in December it had performed two 'crucial' tests at its long-range rocket launch site that would further strengthen its nuclear deterrent. Mr Kim's latest comments, published in state media on Wednesday, were made at a four-day meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee as talks between Washington and Pyongyang have faltered over disagreements on disarmament steps and the removal of sanctions. Some experts say North Korea, which has always been sensitive about changes in US government, will avoid serious negotiations in the coming months as it monitors Mr Trump's impending impeachment trial. Mr Kim may instead seek to strengthen his leverage by promoting a united front with Beijing and Moscow, Pyongyang's traditional supporters, which seek to establish themselves as major stakeholders in North Korean diplomacy. Both have called for the UN Security Council to consider easing sanctions on the North to spur progress in nuclear negotiations. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres 'very much hopes that the tests will not resume,' citing existing Security Council resolutions. 'Non-proliferation remains a fundamental pillar of global nuclear security and must be preserved,' the spokesman said. Mr Kim last year had said the North would pursue a 'new way' if the Trump administration did not make concessions to salvage the negotiations by the end of December. His defiant words entering 2020 indicate his 'new way' could look very much like the old one - a patient determination to wait out sanctions and pressure, which will possibly weaken over time, while cementing the country's status as a nuclear state. People stage a rally at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Sunday At the party meeting, Mr Kim declared the North would never give up its security for economic benefits in the face of what he described as increasing US hostility and nuclear threats, the Korean Central News Agency said. '(Mr Kim) said that we will never allow the impudent US to abuse the DPRK-US dialogue for meeting its sordid aim but will shift to a shocking actual action to make it pay for the pains sustained by our people so far and for the development so far restrained,' the agency said, referring to the North by its formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Mr Kim added that 'if the US persists in its hostile policy toward the DPRK, there will never be the denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula and the DPRK will steadily develop necessary and prerequisite strategic weapons for the security of the state until the US rolls back its hostile policy,' KCNA said. '(Mr Kim) confirmed that the world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future, declaring that we cannot give up the security of our future just for the visible economic results ... now that hostile acts and nuclear threat against us are increasing,' it said. People gather before the portraits of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il displayed on the Grand People's Study House Mr Trump on Tuesday urged Mr Kim to stick to his alleged commitment to denuclearise. After their first summit in Singapore in June 2018 the two leaders issued a vague statement on a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula without saying when and how it would occur. 'Look, he likes me, I like him, we get along,' Mr Trump said as he entered a New Year's party at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. 'But he did sign a contract, he did sign an agreement talking about denuclearisation ... I think he's a man of his word so we're going to find out, but I think he's a man of his word.' North Korea has held to its self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and ICBM testing since 2018, though last year it ended a 17-month pause in ballistic activity by testing a slew of solid-fuel weapons that potentially expanded its capabilities to strike targets in South Korea and Japan, including US military bases there. The targeted assassination in an American drone attack inside Iraq on Friday of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the iconic leader of the Quds Force, the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps external arm which established Tehrans military, political and diplomatic influence in West Asia, particularly Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, brings the prospects of the outbreak of hostilities in the region a step closer. However, grave as the provocation is, there isnt enough to suggest that a war would draw in the key regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Israel on Americas behalf as well as Iraq and Irans proxies Syria and Lebanon with Russias backing. It is also possible that Moscow prevails on Tehran to militarily retaliate against Soleimanis killing in a way that suffices to placate enraged domestic public opinion in Iran but is not of a nature that will persuade the US and its proxies Saudi Arabia and Israel to launch all-out war. Naturally, Moscow and Washington must talk to sort this one out, and this is within the bounds of possibility. Despite their serious differences, the two have collaborated on putting an end to Islamic States territorial possessions in Iraq and Syria, which were the size of Britain. It will be in Indias interest if such a possibility is boosted. New Delhi might do well to crank its diplomacy to get on to Russias bandwagon on this one. If India is unable to find this middle road, it stands to lose in a big way even if full-scale war doesnt erupt. Unable to side with either Iran or the US, India would in that situation risk losing favour with both, and maybe also with the Arab world which will stand with the US for a period of time. In short, this countrys severe diplomatic limitations stands to be harshly exposed. It will also be in this countrys economic and financial interest if hostilities, should they be imminent, are short and swift. In that event the international price of oil will not shoot through the roof, or will do so for a limited duration. Iran has already been pushed to the wall by US sanctions and a long period of fighting or post-fighting pullback is likely to hurt it more than any other country. By assassinating the most important man in Iran after Ayatollah Khamenei under the direct instructions of President Donald Trump, the US has foolishly brought itself in direct confrontation with Iran, the worlds only regional power that has militarily and politically challenged Washington, gathering prestige for its ability to do so. Otherwise, for four decades, the two sides have fought at one remove through proxies. It has been speculated that Mr Trump has chosen this path because he has impeachment proceedings hanging over his head and has to face the presidential election in November this year. That makes the high-profile assassination his Balakot moment, precipitously undertaken with narrow electoral calculations. Americas conduct vis-a-vis Iran may, therefore, also be influenced by domestic political developments. Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned the Turkish parliament's approval of a military deployment to Libya, which is aimed at shoring up the UN recognised government in Tripoli. Turkey's parliament approved the deployment on Thursday following a request for assistance by the beleaguered Government of National Accord. "Saudi Arabia expresses its rejection and condemnation of Turkey's latest escalation in the Libyan issue," the official Saudi Press Agency said, citing the foreign ministry. The GNA has been under sustained attack since April by eastern Libyan national army commander General Khalifa Haftar. Haftar is backed by Turkey's regional rivals -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. "This Turkish escalation forms a threat to security and stability in Libya as well as to Arab security and regional security as it is interference in the internal affairs of an Arab country in flagrant violation of all relevant international covenants and principles," the SPA said. Analysts warn that Turkey's deployment of troops risks plunging Libya deeper into a Syrian-style proxy war between regional powers Libya has been mired in conflict since a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival administrations in the east and the west battling for supremacy. Saudi Arabia's rivals, Turkey and Qatar, have taken the side of the GNA in the capital Tripoli. No date was given for the potential Turkish troop deployment. Search Keywords: Short link: By AFP ROME: A car driven by a suspected drunk driver ploughed into pedestrians in a village in the Italian Alps, killing six German tourists and injuring 11 other people, emergency services said. The accident happened at around 1:15 am (0015 GMT) in the village of Lutago near the Austrian border in South Tyrol province, which is popular with skiers. A group of German tourists had left their bus after spending the evening at a nightclub when the car slammed into them at high-speed. Some of those hit were propelled dozens of metres. Six Germans were killed, a fire service official in Lutago told AFP. Eleven other people were injured, including two who appeared to be from the South Tyrol region. Two who were in a very serious condition were flown by helicopter to a hospital in Innsbruck in Austria. The nine others were taken to regional hospitals. According to Rainews24, the driver was a 28-year-old man who lived locally and who "may have had a high level of alcohol in his blood". He was arrested and put in hospital under police guard. 'A terrible scene' Some 160 emergency workers were at the scene, and a field hospital was set up by the roadside to provide first aid. "A terrible scene, people on the ground, cries and pain, a tragedy - we don't have the words," a hotel receptionist told the Corriere della Sera newspaper. "We have asked several times for a radar on this road as drivers speed up as soon as they leave Lutago, and here, one kilometre from the centre, they go at 100 kilometres an hour." "The New Year has begun with a tragedy," South Tyrol governor Arno Kompatscher told reporters. South Tyrol is a largely German-speaking province with a high degree of autonomy. The German foreign ministry in Berlin said its consulate in Milan was "in close touch with the Italian authorities who are proceeding with the identification of the victims, assisting those who have been affected." Lutago, located at an altitude of 970 metres (3,200 feet) in the picturesque Aurina valley, is popular with tourists who use the ski slopes of Klausberg and Speikboden. The village of about 800 residents is the location for a popular Italian television series "A un passo del ciel" ("One step from heaven"). Last week, three Germans - a woman and two girls, one of them aged seven - were killed in an avalanche in South Tyrol. . : , . . , 28 . . ... Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain has said that Pakistan has turned into 'Punjabistan' -- a land where no oppressed minority, including Mohajir, Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtun, Seraiki, could survive. In a live address on social media, the MQM leader called on the ethnic groups in the country to launch a united freedom movement. Pakistan has often faced criticism for the treatment of these ethnic groups, which continue to face persecution at the hands of its military and other agencies. Hussain told Sindhi lawyers, intellectuals and writers to reckon as to whether Sindh today could truly be called a free province in its own right or is acting just as a mere satellite colony of Punjab. "Sindhis should ponder whether they are the owners and beneficiaries of natural resources such as oil and gas or the ghoulish military of Punjabistan. They should see whether Sindh Police Chief - Inspector general of Police is from Sindh or from Punjab and whether all chiefs of key institutions are from Sindh or from Punjab," Hussain said. "Are Sindhis being recruited in Rangers and army or they all come from Punjab. People of Sindh have to see whether they would continue to live as slaves of Punjab or not, or they would like seeing Sindh as a free state," he added. The MQM leader is currently under detention in London. He is barred from addressing crowds for fear of instigating them and he is bound to stay at the designated address under curfew conditions from morning to evening. Hussain regularly makes television addresses or telephone speeches to his supporters, where he heavily criticises the Pakistan Army and ISI for alleged military oppression of Muhajirs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) - Passaris underwent a successful spinal surgery in India and shared a video of some of the processes she underwent - Some Kenyans called her out for doing nothing to improve the state of health services in the country despite being an elected leader - She was also bashed for claiming she invested KSh 50 million to be elected - Mutua called out netizens attacking the woman rep noting there were better ways of pushing for better policies than spewing venom Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) boss Ezekiel Mutua has come to the defence of Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris following a barrage of criticism from a section of netizens. Passaris, who shared a video after successfully undergoing spinal surgery in India, found herself between a rock and a hard place after a section of Kenyans ganged up and pitched camp on her timeline, slamming her for doing nothing to improve the state of health in the country. READ ALSO: Mombasa pastor stabs wife, takes own life during church service KFCB boss Ezekiel Mutua has defended Esther Passaris from online bile. Photo: KFCB. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Governor Alfred Mutua scolds Kalonzo Musyoka for allegedly bribing leaders to attend his meeting The woman rep was left with an egg on the face after disclosing she had invested KSh 50 million to be elected as a leader. Hundreds of netizens camped on her timeline to slam her for trying to purport she was in office courtesy of her money and not the trust electorates bestowed upon her. READ ALSO: Tanasha Donna: Uhusiano wangu na Diamond hauwezi vunjika Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris came under sharp criticism after claiming she spent KSh 50 million to be elected. Photo: Esther Passaris. Source: Twitter However, Mutua who has on several occasions differed with Passaris in overt and covert manner, called out netizens criticising the woman rep. He challenged them to play their part as responsible electorates and citizens before insulting leaders they themselves elected. "It's the corrupt electorate who need to shape up. The first consideration for anyone intending to run for a political seat is money, not necessarily to bribe people but to run the campaigns. There has to be a corrupt electorate to have corrupt politicians. Drop the hypocrisy!" he responded. On health, Mutua said it was unfortunate that some Kenyans were hating on their leaders even in situations that deserved attention. The KFCB boss noted there were better ways of pushing for better policies than trooping to social media sites to spew venom. "You know that we are a sick society when people attack Esther Passaris for posting about her surgery in India. Listen, while we need universal health care, hating on leaders and posting bile does not improve the situation. There're better ways of pushing for better policy," said Mutua. 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. Source: TUKO.co.ke Chadian troops deployed in Nigeria have been withdrawn by their country, reports said on Saturday. About 1,200 troops from the neighbouring Chad were deployed to give combat support to Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram in 2019. The deployment was part of a regional agreement by countries around the Lake Chad to combat insurgency, which surpassed 10 years in mid-2019. Its our troops who went to aid Nigerian soldiers months ago returning home. They have finished their mission, French newswire, AFP, cited a Chadian military spokesperson as saying Saturday. None of our soldiers remains in Nigeria. The withdrawn troops would be returned to their previous outposts around the Lake Chad to further strengthen security around the border areas, AFP reported citing Azem Bermandoa, a Chadian army colonel. The newswire said Tahir Erda Tahiro, head of Chadian military, indicated that troops would be deployed if the countries agreed to a new joint measure for deployment. Niger, Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon have been waging a collective battle against Boko Haram, which began in Nigeria in July 2019 and has continued to defy military response. The group has continued to claim successful attacks, but its ability to attack military bases appeared to have waned in recent months. The Nigerian Army, on the other hand, has continued to credit troops for successive victories against the insurgents in recent weeks. The extent to which the pull out could affect the counter-terrorism effort was not immediately clear. A spokesperson for the Nigerian Army did not return calls seeking comments Sunday morning. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday ridiculed the BJP's door-to-door awareness campaign about the merits of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. If the controversial legislation -- which offers citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh -- had any merit, such a campaign would not have been necessary, he said, speaking to reporters here. "There was a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered 'Mann Ki Baat' (his monthly radio talk), and the entire country listened to him. "And now for the CAA, party leaders and ministers are forced to go from door to door to convince people. It is a laughable situation," the senior Congress leader said. "Had the Act been good, they would not have been forced to go door-to-door," he said. In the BJP-ruled Assam, 19 lakh people were found to have no documentary proof of citizenship and 16 lakh of them were Hindu, Gehlot said, asking why the government was not giving citizenship to them through the new law. "There are some 10,000 people in Rajasthan who need citizenship. The other day Union home minister Amit Shah was in Rajasthan to address a rally, but he did not even mention offering citizenship to them," he said. "It means they are not serious about their own law," he said. A country formed on the basis of religion does not remain stable, he said. "Pakistan was founded on the basis of Islam. Why did Pakistan split into two countries during prime minister Indira Gandhi's time? Because it was formed on the basis of religion, you have seen what it leads to," he said. Gehlot also alleged that the BJP's "hidden agenda" was to turn India into a "Hindu Rashtra". There were once secessionist tendencies in Tamil Nadu and Punjab, he said, adding "how many countries you want to make out of India?" The Rajasthan CM also demanded that the government bring out a white paper on the state of economy. "The economy has been crippled because of the Centre's policies. Former economic adviser Arvind Subramanian and former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan have already expressed concerns about the economy," he said. "Most of the economic indicators are going down...but instead of focusing on it, the Centre is diverting attention to the Citizenship Act and National Register of Citizens," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 5 people have died and about 60 others were taken to hospitals after a crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike early Sunday, officials and sources at the scene said. Officials said that multiple vehicles, including a tour bus, two semitrailers and passenger vehicles, were involved in the crash, and some of the people onboard were Japanese- and Spanish-speaking travelers. Renee Colborn, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, said the road conditions seemed to be fine in that area. Workers treat the roadway around the clock, so officials did not have any indication that the roadways were anything but treated, she said. A trooper said some precipitation was coming down, but its still early in the investigation. The crash occurred in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, which is about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. The bus was reportedly traveling from New York City to Columbus, Ohio. The cause of the crash unknown. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were called to the scene to investigate. A spokesperson with Excela Health confirmed Frick Hospital in Mount Pleasant received 25 patients. Nine of those patients were younger than 18 years old, and ages ranged from 7 to 52. Two of those patients were then taken to trauma centers. A spokesperson at UPMC Somerset Hospital confirmed that the hospital received 18 patients. Six of those patients were younger than 18. Fifteen of the patients were treated and released. There were 11 patients between the ages of 15 and 67 years old at Forbes Regional Hospital. Two of those patients were in critical condition. Three patients were taken to UPMC Presbyterian and there is a child being treated at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. Mulu Girma (pictured above), 24, of Brighton, was found guilty of assisting an offender and failing to disclose information about Hussain Osman's involvement in the July 21 attacks Two sisters and their brother who were jailed for helping the July 21 2005 London bombers have been awarded 4.5 million in legal aid. They used part of the public funds to fight off attempts to deport them to Ethiopia where they were born. The colossal legal aid sum to jihadi sisters Yeshi and Mulu Girma and their brother Esayas is thought to be one of Britain's biggest. It enabled them to hire some of the best barristers, who secured reduced sentences at the Court of Appeal. The siblings, children of a Roman Catholic diplomat, are now free and thought to be living in the UK. By contrast, the parents of the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena bombing will get just 5,500 each from the official compensation scheme. Lisa and Andrew Roussos were offered 11,000 after their daughter Saffie-Rose, eight, was killed in the terror attack that claimed 22 lives in 2017. Yeshi Girma (left) and Esayas Girma (right) were given legal aid along with their sister Mulu Police sniffer dogs search bins around Shepherds Bush Tube Station, Thursday 21 July 2005 Others who were horrifically injured have faced delays in receiving their payments. Some have only received interim sums of 1,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Yeshi Girma, 43, was the wife of bomber Hussein Osman one of four fanatics who tried to detonate suicide bombs on Tube trains and a bus two weeks after terrorists had killed 52 passengers in the July 7 attacks in 2005. A huge death toll was only averted in the 21/7 attack because the bombers failed to mix the chemical components of their devices properly. Yeshi, who has three children by Osman, knew what he was planning but did not alert police. After Osman's bomb partially exploded at Shepherd's Bush, Yeshi and Esayas, 33, helped him escape to France. He was arrested eight days later in Rome. Terrorists attempted to set off four locations on the capital's network. Pictured above police officers and sniffer dogs in Shepherd's Bush Members of the public are evacuated from Shepherds Bush Tube Station, Thursday 21 July 2005 Before he fled, Mulu, 35, a fashion model and student, treated a burn on his leg caused by corrosive liquid that leaked from his rucksack bomb. London Bridge attackers 355k trial help London Bridge terrorist Usman Khan received 355,560 in legal aid during his prosecution and appeal over a plot to bomb the Stock Exchange. Khan, 28, was shot dead by police on the bridge in November after killing two people at a prisoner rehabilitation event he was attending. Floral tributes are left for Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones, who were killed in a terror attack, on December 2, 2019 in London, England. Usman Khan, a 28 year old former prisoner convicted of terrorism offences, killed two people in Fishmongers' Hall But yesterday it emerged that he received taxpayer-funded help while being tried in 2012 for his bomb plot even though families of the eight victims of the earlier London Bridge terror atrocity in 2017 were told it was not in the public interest for them to receive such funding for the inquest into their deaths. Tory MP Pauline Latham said there was one rule for grieving families and another for people like Khan. He received 217,324 for a barrister, 124,136 for a solicitor, 2,100 for a judicial review and 12,000 for his appeal, The Sun On Sunday reported. Advertisement Had the siblings informed the police of Osman's whereabouts, the death of innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, mistakenly shot by officers hunting the bomber the day after the botched attack, might have been avoided. The trio showed no remorse and protested their innocence during a four-month trial in 2008. Yeshi was jailed for 15 years and her younger siblings were each jailed for ten years. Judge Paul Worsley told them the sentences he was able to pass by law were 'woefully inadequate'. Figures obtained by Freedom of Information requests to the Ministry of Justice show that the siblings received 4.39million in legal aid. Yeshi then used a further 24,000 in public funds to get her term reduced to 11 years at the Court of Appeal. Esayas and Mulu each had their ten-year sentences halved, costing taxpayers 50,000. All three have used more than 50,000 in legal aid to block extradition attempts. Mulu secured a job as a trainee customer services assistant at Southwark Council, and even appeared on the cover of the London authority's magazine. Harry Fletcher, of the Victims' Rights Campaign, said: 'These are extraordinary legal aid payments, especially when compared to the unacceptably low amounts awarded to victims. 'I would urge the Government to review the legal aid scheme for convicted criminals and the pitifully low compensation paid to victims of serious crimes.' Last year, the Mail told how the badly injured survivors of the Manchester Arena attack, as well as the relatives of the dead, received paltry amounts in compensation. Mrs Roussos, 50, who spent six weeks in a coma and only learned of her daughter's death from husband Andrew when she regained consciousness, said: 'We were offered 5,500 each for the death of Saffie. It's a complete insult.' Their daughter, from Leyland, Lancashire, was the youngest to die as she left a concert by pop star Ariana Grande on May 22, 2017, with her mother and sister. Survivors and the bereaved initially struggled for help with legal representation at an inquest due to be held this year. They were given an intrusive questionnaire demanding details of all assets worth over 500. It was described as 'cruel and intrusive' by the charity Inquest, which supports bereaved families. They have finally been awarded aid. But grieving relatives of the eight victims of the 2017 London Bridge terror atrocity did not receive a penny from the Legal Aid Agency even though it granted aid to jihadi bride Shamima Begum, 19, so she can fight the decision to revoke her British citizenship. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'Without a lawyer, a defendant could argue their trial was unfair and any conviction could be overturned. Those who receive legal aid may have to pay it back.' The Rashtriya Janata Dals chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has given a catchy new slogan to his partys workers for the new year. Yadav, who is lodged in a jail in Ranchi in connection with the multi-crore fodder scam cases, has called for the removal of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar from the state, where assembly elections are due later this year. The RJD leader also launched a scathing attack on the Kumar-led NDA government for its misrule as he mentioned the Niti Aayogs Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index report released on December 30 last year to prove his point. Do Hazar Bees, Hatao Nitish (Oust Nitish from power in 2020), Prasad wrote on Twitter on Saturday. Lalus Twitter handle is operated by his partys leaders and family members after he was jailed in the fodder scam cases two years ago. He is lodged in Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi for treatment. The Niti Aayog and central government have given zero marks to Nitishs misrule by declaring it (Bihar) as the worst in the country. Please get your account of 15 years (of development) checked with them as well. Will you do something or fight it out only through posters? the RJD leader questioned. Bihar was adjudged as the worst performer in the SDG India Index 2019, which evaluates the progress of states and Union territories on social, economic and environmental parameters, as Kerala retained the number one rank. When there are no wings, one should not insist on flying. You will fall and get injured, its no use, Lalu added. The tweets by the RJD leader also come as his party and the Janata Dal(United) have indulged in a war of words through posters. On Thursday, the JD(U) had come up with a poster depicting the erstwhile Lalu-Rabri (Devi) regime as one with broken roads, students studying in the lantern light, bloodshed and people holding guns. Nitish Kumars party highlighted the developmental work of the state government and its corruption-free image. The RJD shot back with its own version, which alleged scams and poor governance by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The RJD had fought the last state polls held in 2015 in alliance with the JD(U) and Congress against the Bharatiya Janata Party, which fared badly. However, Nitish Kumar switched side to the BJP-led NDA in 2017 ousting the Congress-RJD combine. It is the largest party in the 243-seat Bihar assembly with 79 seats, followed by JD(U) with 73, BJP with 55 and Congress 27 seats. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. JACKSON, Miss. Two inmates at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman were reported missing early Saturday, the Mississippi Department of Corrections reported. The news of the missing inmates comes after a week of turmoil at prisons across the state. Five Mississippi inmates have been killed since Sunday across the state, including three amid violence at Parchman, where local coroner Heather Burton says "gangs are at war." David May, 42, and Dillion Williams, 27, were discovered missing during an emergency inmate count around 1:45 a.m., MDOC said in a news release. David May, left, and Dillion Williams MDOC officials did not explain what prompted the emergency count. May is serving a life sentence for aggravated assault in Harrison County. Williams is serving 40 years for aggravated assault and burglary in Marshall County. 'Gangs are at war': Fifth Mississippi prison death reported as violence continues Who are they?: Inmates killed during Mississippi's prison violence Gov. Phil Bryant announced Saturday that state officers were searching for the two inmates. Officers with the state Department of Public Safety, including the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, "have been responding to restore order and apprehend the two escapees," Bryant said on Twitter. "I have directed the use of all necessary assets and personnel to achieve this result. Over 500 inmates have been moved to a more secure detention and a general lockdown continues." Mississippi Department of Corrections officials have offered minimal information since locking down the prison system Sunday after an inmate was killed at the South Mississippi Correctional Institution. That inmate's death was followed by another Tuesday at Parchman. Two inmates were killed Thursday: one at Parchman and the other at Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility. The fifth died Friday after a fight with his cellmate. State and local law enforcement this week was called in to help MDOC with the violence at Parchman. Story continues Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Marshall Fisher acknowledged "gang related issues" in an emailed statement Friday night. DPS will continue to work diligently with the Mississippi Department of Corrections and will provide all available resources in order to bring resolution to this current situation, said Commissioner Marshall Fisher. Commissioner Hall and I are in communication regarding the situation and are closely monitoring gang related issues that could be contributing factors. Follow Lici Beveridge on Twitter: @licibev This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi prison riots, deaths: 2 inmates missing from Parchman The Prime Minister of Britain Boris Johnson reportedly uttered the word 'F***' as the first reaction to the news of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani's killing on January 3. According to international media reports, Israel was communicated about US President Donald Trump's directed airstrike in Baghdad but the UK was left unaware. Britain works alongside with the US and has stationed nearly 400 troops in the Middle East. However, in his country, Johnson is being widely criticised for not cutting short his trip and 'holidaying' amidst the rising tensions between the Middle-East and the Western countries. On British PM's absence, Foreign Minister Dominic Raab has issued a statement and a travel advisory for its citizens to not travel in Iraq. Reportedly Raab also said that the nation has 'always recognised the aggressive threat' posed by Iran's Quds force which was led by Soleimani and urged 'all parties to de-escalate'. Iran: UK responds to US airstrike on military commander in Iraq Foreign Office (@foreignoffice) January 3, 2020 Read - Boris Johnson Criticised For 'holidaying' Amid US-Iran Tensions Johnson criticised While Johnson was currently on a vacation with girlfriend Carrie Symonds in the Carribean, the White House and the Pentagon confirmed that the head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was killed by US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport, along with six others. As per international reports, Johnson is expected to be back in Downing Street on January 5, however, the leaders from opposition urged the British PM to make statements on the killing on Soleimani. Read - UK: Boris Johnson To Meet EU Chief Von Der Leyen In London On Jan 8 Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Conservatives main opposition, the Labour Party wrote a letter to Johnson requesting an 'urgent Privy council briefing' on the domino effects on the UK of Soleimani's assassination. Corbyn also raised a number of questions to the ruling government who has not released any official statement regarding the consequences of the recent US airstrike. Corbyn, who has witnessed the worst Labour defeat in 70 years has not only taken this opportunity to criticise Johnson along with other labour MP's. Two days since I asked Boris Johnson these vital questions about the US assassination of Qasem Soleimani and its consequences. And no answer. https://t.co/2iJc95J2Pd Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 5, 2020 The reports also say that the UK was not warned about the airstrike in advance, however, a government source said that Johnson was being updated at all times during his holiday and will also meet the ministers on January 6 and the foreign leaders 'over the next few days'. While Labour leaders feel that British PM should 'cut short his trip', US and Iran have traded threats of 'revenge' on the killing of top commanders. Read - Uncharted Brexit Waters: UK's Boris Johnson Faces 2020 Tests Read - Another One For Boris Johnson To Sort Out: UK Manufacturing Shrinks Again, Data Reveals She's usually dressed up to the nines wearing dazzling ensembles on the red carpet and at glitzy soirees. And Saturday was no different as Victoria Hervey first attended the Art Of Elysium's 13th Annual Celebration at Hollywood Palladium before dashing to the BAFTA Tea Party at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. At the first event, Victoria, 43, wowed in a funky semi-sheer khaki skirt which she twinned with a chic halter neck bralet. Style: Socialite Victoria Hervey, 43, posed up a storm at the Art Of Elysium's 13th Annual Celebration at Hollywood Palladium on Saturday With the bralet allowing Lady Victoria to flash a glimpse of underboob, the socialite kept up the quirky theme with a neck tie which flowed from her skirt. Posing up a storm in the outfit, Lady Victoria accessorised with a metallic clutch bag. And the star's golden tresses were pulled back into a ponytail. At the BAFTA event, Lady Victoria attracted all the attention in a low cut sequin jumpsuit. Wow: Lady Victoria wowed in a funky semi-sheer khaki skirt which she twinned with a chic halter neck bralet Shimmering: Later in the evening, Lady Victoria dashed to the BAFTA tea party at Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills and wowed in a sequin jumpsuit Posing with her hand on her hip in the shimmering outfit, Lady Victoria accessorised with a jewel-encrusted clutch bag. And the jumpsuit also gave Lady Victoria the chance to show off her trim frame, while on her feet she wore a pair of pointy gold heels. Lady Victoria's appearance comes after she revealed how she once fled Jeffrey Epstein's New York apartment amid fears she was being 'watched by hidden cameras'. The aristocrat, who dated Prince Andrew in 1999, claimed she was offered a place to stay in Manhattan by the convicted paedophile in 2001 but 'cut the trip short as I felt I was being watched'. Lady Victoria spoke to ITV's Good Morning Britain in November as sponsors abandoned Prince Andrew's campaigns following his disastrous TV interview about his friendship with Epstein. Amazing: With the bralet allowing Lady Victoria to flash a glimpse of underboob at the Hollywood Palladium, the socialite kept up the quirky theme with a neck tie which flowed from her skirt It takes two: Posing up a storm in the outfit, the star's golden tresses were pulled back into a ponytail and she posed with fashion designer Aliona Kononova Looking good: Lady Victoria accessorised with a metallic clutch bag as she posed for pictured at the event Strappy: Lady Victoria looked as though she enjoyed her time in the spotlight She said she met Epstein in 2000 through his alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell, who suggested she stay at the apartment while working as a model in the US. The flat was 'close' to Epstein's Manhattan mansion where Prince Andrew frequently stayed and where it is alleged the disgraced tycoon sex trafficked numerous underage girls. She claimed that despite being unaware of his predilection for young girls at the time, she still found the experience 'uncomfortable' and was concerned she was being spied on at the flat. Speaking to Good Morning Britain, she said: 'I actually didn't come across any of the other girls staying at the apartments but I felt uncomfortable staying there. Having fun: And at the BAFTA event, Lady Victoria accessorised with a jewel-encrusted clutch bag Holding her own: And the jumpsuit also gave Lady Victoria the chance to show off her trim frame, while on her feet she wore a pair of pointy gold heels Quite the pair: Lady Victoria looked to be in her element as she stood alongside film producer Julia Verdin Easy on the eye: Lady Victoria's second outfit glittered amid flashes from cameras 'I cut my trip short and felt I was being watched, there were hidden cameras and I left after about 10 days and moved in with a friend of mine. But even before I knew anything that's come since out, I felt it.' She denied suggestions that she was 'too old' at 23 to be a victim of Epstein, instead claiming that her ex-boyfriend's friendship with Maxwell may have 'protected' her. Last January, Lady Victoria told The Mail On Sunday that she has frozen her eggs in a fertility clinic, costing her 11,000, in the hope of having a child before she is 45. She explained: 'I had six eggs removed from my ovaries and frozen in a fertility clinic. 'At the end of this month, I intend to go through the exhausting procedure again in the hope that I will produce another half-dozen or so eggs... 'It will, I hope, fill what has become rather a hole in my life.' In good company: Lady Victoria was joined at the event by Jojo Rabbit star Roman Griffin Davis Among the stars: Victoria posed alongside film director Jonathan Heap Glamorous: Victoria was her usual sophisticated and smiley self as she posed for pictures Victoria confessed that she would like 'two children' and turned to freezing her eggs - a decision prompted by Stacey Solomon, whom she met while competing on The Jump in 2015 - following her fears she has 'left it too late' to become a mother. Explaining that she wants the 'emotional aspect' of a relationship, rather than favouring a sperm donor, Victoria added: 'I'm hoping science might be able to stop the clock until I find the right man to be a father to my babies. 'A major part of the problem is that I'm still single. Despite some intense relationships in my early 20s, they all fizzled out eventually. 'I do have a back-up plan if my Prince Charming doesnt materialise,' Victoria claimed. 'Ive got friends whove said theyd be prepared to father my child, and Im considering that option very seriously.' Bollywood actors Swara Bhasker, Shabana Azmi, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub and Taapsee Pannu, and filmmakers Aparna Sen and Hansal Mehta on Sunday condemned the violence at the Jawaharlal Nehru University and urged Delhi Police to intervene. Violence broke out at JNU on Sunday night after masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police. At least 18 people were injured and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). JNU students' union president Aishe Ghosh suffered a head injury. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the RSS-affiliated ABVP blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours. Several disturbing videos that show masked people carrying sticks and bats have gone viral on social media. Swara, whose mother Ira Bhaskar is a professor at the JNU, took to Twitter to appeal to the people on social media to reach the campus "to pressure the government and Delhi Police" to control the violence. "Urgent appeal!!!! To all Delhiites PLS gather in large numbers outside the Main Gate of JNU campus on Baba Gangnath Marg.. to pressure the govt. & #DelhiPolice to stop the rampage by alleged ABVP masked goons on JNU campus," the actor captioned the video, adding that she was concerned about her parents' safety who live at the campus. Commenting on Swara's video, Azmi said she was shocked by the violence and called for immediate action against the perpetrators. "Is this really happening ? Im not in India and it all seems like a nightmare. 20 Students Admitted To AIIMS As Violence Breaks Out In JNU. Students and Teachers beaten. Reprehensible, Appalling Condemnable. Immediate action must be taken against the perpetrators," she tweeted. Aparna alleged that the JNU students were being beaten up by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) "goons". "How much longer are you going to look the other way? Or r u spineless? Yes I AM a liberal! Yes, I AM secular! And proud to be so if THIS is the alternative. Shame! Shame on ABVP & the police who are aiding & abetting them!" she tweeted. Taapsee said it was saddening to see an educational institution "getting scarred forever". She shared a video allegedly showing the situation on campus. "Such is the condition inside what we consider to be a place where our future is shaped. It's getting scarred for ever. Irreversible damage. What kind of shaping up is happening here, it's there for us to see..." Taapsee tweeted. Zeeshan asked people to reach the JNU in large numbers. "By closing the doors and roads they have given free hand to their goons. Tell your friends and relatives, tell everyone and gather there together," the actor said in a tweet. "Friends in Okhla and Jamia go to Shaheen Bagh. This #JNUAttack has been done to divert attention and they'll surely attack Shaheen Bagh at night," he tweeted. Zeeshan further called for peace amid violence and urged people to exercise patience and take care of their friends. Director Anurag Kashyap retweeted several purported videos of violence and vandalism from the JNU. Mehta asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to intervene. "Dear @ArvindKejriwal. Can you do something to stop the violence in JNU?" the filmmaker tweeted. Writer Kanika Dhillon too asked Kejriwal to step in. "Sir!!! Pls atleast reach there!!!! Ur presence will help!!!!" she said. "Masaan" fame director Neeraj Ghaywan asked the police to help the students. "Extremely distressing video from JNU. @DelhiPolice, these are students, the future of our nation, like your own. Help them please!" Ghaywan wrote. Filmmaker Vinod Kapri also shared an alleged video from JNU campus. "This is a horrifying video. At least 30-40 masked goons are vandalising JNU hostel. Delhi Police is nowhere to be seen. This has full political support. TV channels have shut their eyes," Kapri tweeted. Filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj also condemned the violence. "It's shameful and enraging to see what's happening in #JNUViolence," he said. Director Bejoy Nambiar questioned the silence of many in the film fraternity. "All you silent friends of mine watch this !!! Watch this & then come and talk to me about how concerned you are about the damage to public' property. How is THIS OK ? How can we watch students & teachers being brutally attacked like this and stay quiet ?" he asked. "#SOSJNU @DelhiPolice this is NOT OK. JNUSU president has been brutally beaten up. She is severely wounded. Media Please het there @ndtv @BBCIndia #JNU," tweeted director Onir. Actor Richa Chadha said: "A few months ago JNU gave the world a Nobel laureate. Now JNU teachers and students are being beaten up for protesting a fee hike. World watches." "Frightening visuals from #JNU. Praying that the #Delhipolice intervene swiftly and protect the students. Stay safe students. What a scary world we live in," wrote actor Siddharth on the microblogging site. Director Anubhav Sinha tweeted: "Either this Government is not capable of maintaining law and order or they are complicit..." Writer Gaurav Solanki called the attack on the varsity "an act of terror by terrorists". Director Anurag Basu said: "We can't remain mute spectators anymore! #SOSJNU". Actor Renuka Shahane wrote on the microblogging site: "Complete lawlessness! How could masked goons enter JNU & terrorize students and teachers? What is @DelhiPolice doing?... Unbelievable!! Scary!! Shameful. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Impending long shift duties trigger anxiety and stress among them. Nurses are sleeping, on an average, less than recommended, because of the sheer length of their work shift, which may be impacting their health and performance on the job. Hyderabad: In 2020, a year declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, a shocking new study shows that nurses, popularly referred to universally as sisters, hardly have ideal work conditions, get less sleep on most days and are paid less. Impending long shift duties trigger anxiety and stress among them. Nurses are sleeping, on an average, less than recommended, because of the sheer length of their work shift, which may be impacting their health and performance on the job. Health-care managers should consider interventions to support nurses sleep to improve patient care, the study says. In return for all their troubles, nurses are not paid according to norms. In many hospitals, nurses, who are freshers, and join after completing the General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) diploma, are paid as low as Rs 8,000 per month in small nursing homes in urban areas, while it is even lower in rural areas at Rs 6,000 per month. Corporate hospitals pay Rs 11,500 per month for freshers, but in many hospitals even senior nurses are paid more or less the same. In the case of nurses who have completed BSc (nursing), pay in rural hospitals remains the same as diploma holders, while in corporate hospitals, they are paid Rs 12,900 per month when they join as freshers, There are over 8,000 private hospitals and nursing homes in Telangana state, wherein over 80,000 nurses are working to keep the healthcare sector going, but most of them, working on very low salaries, said Mr Laxman Rudavath, working general secretary, Nursing Officers Association, Telangana state. In 2011, the Trained Nurse Association of India (TNAI) filed a case in the Supreme Court, seeking the grant of minimum wages to all nurses throughout India. On January 29, 2016, the Supreme Court ordered the Central government to form a special committee to look into the matter. Subsequently, the Dr Jagadish Prasad commit-tee came out with recommendations and guidelines for the Central government on improving wages and working conditions of private hospital nurses across the country. Mr J.P. Nadda, the then health minister, had said, Health is the responsibility of the state. It is a subject on the state list. We have framed guidelines and sent it to all states. All governments in all states and union territories have to implement these guidelines for the welfare of the nurses. TS yet to follow guidelines for nurses In Kerala, the government has imposed a rule to be followed by private hospitals. Karnataka has adopted it and is working on ensuring it is followed by all hospitals. Delhi is in the process of implementing it. Apart from this, all other states are considering it and in the process of implementing it. When the Central government gave its order, following the recommendation by Supreme Court, all states have to enforce it. There is no other go. But we want to know why some states are not implementing it? said Dr Roy K George, president, All-India Trained Nurse Association of India. Most states are in the process to implement this rule but Telangana is the only state which is not even considering it. Why is our state reluctant to look into this matter? Nurses here are yet to be considered as medical professionals and given wages properly. Currently, they are paid less than plumbers, said M. Rajeshwari, president, Telangana unit of the Trained Nurses Association of India. It has been more than one year since I completed my B.Sc (nursing) degree. I am working in a private nursing home. I am paid Rs 6,000, which is very less. Our work timings are also more when compared with the guidelines. We took this up as a noble profession and we give our best to treat and serve patients. But, at the end of the day, we are left with no money, said Monica Velpula, working as a nurse in a private nursing home in Adilabad. They have taken the Florence Nightingale pledge to serve humanity, but for how long would they have to wait for getting their dues?human habitations. Multiple rockets have been launched at the US embassy in Baghdad. They are believed to have missed the embassy, with local reports suggesting they hit an apartment complex instead and killed civilians. It is the second night in a row that the embassy has been attacked and comes after the US killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Iraq's military said in a statement on Sunday that three Katyusha rockets had fallen in Baghdad; two inside the heavily fortified Green Zone and one in the nearby Jadriya area. Six people were wounded, police sources said, with one rocket thought to have hit a family home. Residents of the Iraq's capital of Baghdad said explosions rang out inside the heavily-fortified Green Zone, home to the US Embassy and the seat of Iraq's government. Alert sirens were sounded Sunday in the area on the west bank of the Tigris river. #Iraq: Multiple explosions heard in Baghdads Green Zone as the countrys security comes under increasing strain. pic.twitter.com/CJXq02kYkI Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) January 5, 2020 Multiple rockets landed near the US embassy in Baghdad tonight. Iraqi counter-terrorism forces stand guard in front of the US embassy on January 2 Multiple explosions were heard within Baghdad's Green Zone, with shocked residents sharing footage on social media The rocket attack is the second in as many days and comes after the death of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani The rockets hit shortly after the deadline from a hardline pro-Iran faction for local troops to get away from US forces. The vehemently anti-American group, Kataeb Hezbollah, had warned Iraqi security forces to 'get away' from US troops at joint bases across Iraq by 5.00pm (1400 GMT). Sunday's attack marks the 14th time rockets have been fired towards US installations in Iraq over the last two months. Yesterday, at least two rockets landed near the embassy, which is located in the security-tight Green Zone, according to Sky News Arabia. Iraqi counter-terrorism forces stand guard in front of the US embassy in the capital Baghdad after it was stormed by pro-Iran protesters earlier in the week Members of Iraqi Shiite 'Popular Mobilization Forces' armed group and their supporters set fire outside the U.S embassy inside the high security Green Zone area, in central Baghdad on January 1 Security at the embassy's perimeter was stepped up after the rockets fell. Another three rockets were fired at Balad Airbase housing American troops, about 50 miles north of the city, according to Reuters. Of those, two Katyusha rockets fell inside the base. It's not clear how many US troops are being house at the base. A number of rockets also landed in the Al-Jadiriya neighborhood, according to the Iraq Army, although it is not clear if that was the intended target. There have been no reports of injuries and it is not clear who fired the rockets. Pro-Iran protesters previously stormed the US embassy in a siege that lasted just over a day. 'We can attack the White House itself, we can respond to them on the American soil. We have the power, and God willing we will respond in an appropriate time,' Iranian MP Abolfazl Abutorabi (pictured) Soleimani, the architect of Tehran's overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, was killed on Friday in a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. On Saturday, Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Hossein Salami promised 'a strategic revenge which will definitely put an end to the US presence in the region'. However, Trump, who Iranian leaders branded as a 'terrorist in a suit', threatened to hit 52 critical targets in Iran in retaliation if Tehran strikes any American interests in the region. He upped the stakes after Iran said it had identified 35 targets for potential strikes and raised its red 'flags of revenge' over a key mosque. Meanwhile, Iran placed an $80million bounty on Trump's head and threatened to attack the White House in response to his warning. An organizer for a funeral procession for General Qassem Soleimani called on all Iranians to donate $1 each 'in order to gather an $80million bounty on President Trump's head'. The organizer made the remarks during the procession in Mashad. Iran has also announced it they will no longer abide by any of the limits of its 2015 nuclear deal. British Prime Minister Boris Johson called for a 'de-escalation' of violent tensions in the Middle East earlier today, before the latest rocket attack. Iraqi protesters gather as smoke rises from a burning truck after clashes between protesters and an unknown armed group, suspected to be Shia militia members, in Nasiriyah today Protesters in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah blocked a mourning procession for Soleimani and top Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis Iraqi parliamentarians voted on a resolution to remove the US troops and cancel the security agreement between Iraq and US Donald Trump meanwhile warned Congress on Sunday that he would 'strike back' harder at Iran if it retaliates against the U.S. for taking out Soleimani. 'These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner,' Trump tweeted Sunday afternoon. 'Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!' he continued. Earlier today, Iraq's parliament voted in favour of a resolution to remove foreign troops from the country, in response to the US drone attack. Iranians surround a vehicle carrying the coffin of Qasem Soleimani in the city of Mashhad, in northeastern Iran Demonstrators attend a protest against the killing of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, who died in an air strike at Baghdad airport, outside the US Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the coffins of slain major general Qassem Soleimani and others, as they pay homage in the northeastern city of Mashhad People carry the casket of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani upon arrival at Ahvaz International Airport in Tehran on Sunda. The casket was greeted by chants of 'Death to America' as Iran issued new threats of retaliation Around 5,000 US soldiers are currently stationed in Iraq, to aid the fight against ISIS. But today, lawmakers approved a resolution asking the government to end a security agreement between Iraq and the US and expel American forces. There are fears that a potential US troop withdrawal could allow a resurgence of the extremists. While parliamentary resolutions are non-binding to the government, this one is likely to be heeded after outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdihad earlier called on parliament to end foreign troop presence as soon as possible. It came as sectarian violence broke out across the country in response to the assassination of Major-General Soleimani in a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport on Friday. Elsewhere in the country Iraqi protesters flooded the streets today to denounce both Iran and the US as 'occupiers', angry that fears of war between the rivals was derailing their anti-government movement. For three months, youth-dominated rallies in the capital and Shiite-majority south have condemned Iraq's ruling class as corrupt, inept and beholden to Iran. Trump came into office with Iran denuclearized and with an open channel of communication in place for the first time in 40 years, he said. Now theres no diplomatic channel. Theyve been imposing sanctions without signaling what Iran could do to get them lifted. Pompeos demands were a way of saying they will never get lifted, unless they get rid of their entire foreign policy and reform their entire system. Iran saw itself with little option. I raq's foreign ministry has summoned the US ambassador over the airstrike which killed top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. It denounced the repeated airstrikes as a "blatant violation of sovereignty and break of agreement with the US-led coalition." The ministry also said Iraqi soil should not be used to attack neighbouring countries. It added that the US started adopting a policy of "with us or against us" after it pulled out of the nuclear agreement with Iran. General Soleimani was killed on Friday in a strike on Baghdad's international airport. The strike escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that put the wider Middle East on edge. The conflict is rooted in Mr Trump pulling out of Iran's atomic accord. Mr Trump has threatened to bomb 52 sites in Iran if it retaliates by attacking Americans. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia separately warned Americans "of the heightened risk of missile and drone attacks." Meanwhile, Iran vowed to take an even-greater step away from its unravelling nuclear deal with world powers as a response to Soleimani's slaying. It came as Iraq's parliament started its extraordinary session on Sunday with Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in attendance. Iraqi lawmakers said they would use the special session to push for a vote on a resolution requiring the government to tell Washington to withdraw U.S. troops from the country. The United States-led international coalition against Islamic State said on Sunday it had paused its training and support of Iraqi security forces due to repeated rocket attacks on bases housing its troops. "Our first priority is protecting all Coalition personnel committed to the defeat of Daesh. Repeated rocket attacks over the last two months by elements of Kata'ib Hezbollah have caused the death of Iraqi Security Forces personnel and a U.S. civilian," it said in a statement. Responding to the Oppositions allegations about the BJPs missed call campaign, the partys IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya on Sunday asserted that the number in question belonged to the BJP. He claimed that the dirty tricks department of the Opposition had been exposed. To buttress his point, he posted the official statements of Vodafone Idea and Cosmic Information & Technology Limited. Vodafone Idea clarified that the number had been assigned to Cosmic Information & Technology Limited since February 2017. The latter has been carrying out the missed call campaign on behalf of the BJP, which wants to solicit support for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Furthermore, Cosmic Information & Technology Limited mentioned that the number had not been assigned to anyone other than the BJP until now. Read: Amit Shah Targets Opposition Over CAA Double-speak On Pakistan, Cites Nankana Sahib Attack Dirty tricks department of opposition exposed. The missed call number belongs only to BJP. #IndiaSupportsCAA pic.twitter.com/ZwB2inil5A Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 5, 2020 Read: Shiv Sena Responds To Amit Shah's 'Won't Rollback CAA' Challenge, Says 'We Will Make You' BJP's outreach campaign Since the last few days, BJP has embarked on a massive outreach campaign regarding the CAA. It has asked people supporting the legislation to give a missed call on a number. The Opposition has alleged that some BJP-affiliated social media handles have been trying to get more missed calls by misleading people about the consequences of calling the number. Give a missed call on 88662 88662 to pledge your support to the Citizenship Amendment Act - 2019. This is a humane legislation, which ensures that India fulfils its civilisational responsibility and shelters religiously persecuted minorities from Af-Pak-Ban. #IndiaSupportsCAA pic.twitter.com/lv0QtShQYd Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 5, 2020 Read: Amit Shah Slams CM Gehlot, Says No Courage To Implement CAA Due To Vote Bank Politics 'An answer to all those who are opposing CAA' Speaking in the national capital on Sunday, BJP president Amit Shah countered the Opposition's narrative on the CAA. He gave an assurance that there was no provision to take away the citizenship of any Indian. Moreover, Shah cited the Nankana Sahib attack to emphasise that the religious minorities in Pakistan required protection. Amit Shah said, "The opposition is saying that the citizenship of minorities will be taken away, I want to assure you that citizenship cannot be taken away because of CAA because in the law there is no such provision. They are asking that where are the minorities in Pakistan tortured? Kejriwal Ji, Rahul Ji, Sonia Ji, open your eyes and see that a day before in the holy place of Nankana Sahib was attacked and attempts were made to terrorize our Sikh brothers. This is an answer to all those who are opposing the CAA." Read: 'Will Translate It To Italian, Read It': Amit Shah Challenges Rahul Gandhi To CAA Debate DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Irans ancient and rich cultural landscape has become a potential U.S. military target as Washington and Tehran lob threats and take high-stakes steps toward a possible open conflict. President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday evening that if Iran attacks any American assets to avenge the killing of a top Iranian general, the U.S. has 52 targets across the Islamic Republic that WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. Some are important to Iran & Iranian culture, Trump wrote on Twitter. That vague comment drew immediate anger across Iran. Im not sure when he says cultural sites, does he for example mean our Persepolis? said Mehrdad Khadir, a cultural and political analyst in Tehran, referring to the ancient ruins invaded by the Greeks in 330 BC. Does he want to be seen as the new Alexander (the Great) by Iranians? If the U.S. were to directly bomb Iran, it could spark a war and lead to region-wide violence, potentially drawing other countries into a global conflict. Irans earliest traces of human history reach as far back as 100,000 BC. Its historic monuments preserve the legacy of a civilization that has kept its Persian identity throughout the tides of foreign conquests, weaving in influences from Turkic, South Asian and Arab cultures, and the footprints of Alexander the Great and later Islam. Through MILLENNIA of history, barbarians have come and ravaged our cities, razed our monuments and burnt our libraries, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif tweeted in response Sunday. Where are they now? Were still here, & standing tall. Trumps threat also raised questions about the legality of such an attack on heritage of global importance. Targeting cultural sites is a war crime under the 1954 Hague Convention for the protection of cultural sites. The United Nations Security Council also passed unanimously a resolution in 2017 condemning the destruction of heritage sites. Attacks by the Islamic State group and other armed factions in Syria and Iraq prompted that vote. Im really sorry that we are living in a world where the president of the biggest so-called superpower still doesnt know that attacking cultural sites is a war crime, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told journalists in Tehran. Telecommunications minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi compared Trumps threats to strike cultural sites to the Islamic State group, Adolf Hitler and Genghis Khan, calling the U.S. president a terrorist in a suit. The United Nations cultural agency UNESCO called on governments to remember that cultural sites are not targets, after meeting with Irans ambassador to the Paris-based organization on Monday. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson put some distance between London and Washington over Trumps threat. There are international conventions in place that prevent the destruction of cultural heritage, said James Slack, Johnsons official spokesman, on Monday. Trumps tweet also caused concern in Washington. One U.S. national security official said Trumps threat to target Iranian cultural sites had caught many in his administration off-guard and prompted calls for others in his government, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to clarify the matter. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly to the issue, called such a clarification necessary to affirm that the U.S. military would not intentionally commit war crimes. Among Iranians, pride in the countrys culture supersedes the divisive and nationalistic fervour whipped up by current politics that has put a chasm between hard-liners in Tehran and the diaspora of Iranians in the West. Tensions sharply escalated between Washington and Tehran following Americas targeted killing early Friday in Iraq of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans powerful Quds Force. The U.S. Defence Department said it killed Soleimani because he was developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in the Middle East. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed harsh retaliation, calling Soleimani the international face of resistance against Western hegemony. Zarif also wrote on Twitter Sunday that after committing grave breaches in killing Soleimani, Trump is now threatening a WAR CRIME in targeting cultural sites. Long before the 1979 Islamic Revolution birthed Irans Shiite theocracy, the land historically known as Persia was the birthplace of towering Islamic figures like the mystic poet Rumi and the philosopher Abu Hamid al-Ghazali. Its also home to the tombs of great scholars, including Ibn Sina, also known as Avicenna and the father of modern medicine. Iran is home to two dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Persepolis with its ancient ruins that date back to 518 BC, the 17th century grand mosque of Isfahan located in a teeming bazaar, and the Golestan Palace in the heart of Tehran, where the last shah to rule Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was crowned in 1967. The countrys cultural sites reflect the expanse of Irans history: Geological and archaeological sites date back several thousand years, while 1,000-year-old sites reflect Irans contributions to the Golden Age of Islam. In Qom, the Feizeh Religious Science School and a shrine of a Shiite saint, Masoumeh, attract Muslim pilgrims from around the world, reinforcing Irans preeminent place among Shiite clerics, theologians and scholars. More recently, though, some of the most iconic cultural sites have come to embody the nations defiance in the face of the United States. For example, the iconic Azadi Tower, or Freedom Tower, with its famed white marble arch is where hundreds of thousands gather in Tehran each year and chant slogans against the U.S. to mark the anniversary of the 1979 revolution. On Monday, the famed Musalla mosque in Tehran will be used by mourners to grieve Irans fallen commander. Soleimanis body will lie in state there before his burial in the city of Kerman on Tuesday. If culturally prominent sites were targeted, the Trump administration might argue they were being used to covertly stockpile weapons that could target U.S. interests and personnel in the region. Irans Revolutionary Guard has in the past deployed HAWK anti-aircraft missiles around the sprawling tomb complex of Ruhollah Khomeini where the Islamic Republics late supreme leader is buried. The complex was attacked by Islamic State militants in 2017. ___ Associated Press journalists Mehdi Fattahi in Tehran, Iran, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. Baghdad [Iraq], Jan 5 (ANI): Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi declared three days of mourning in the country, following the killing of Iran's IRGC Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani, Iraqi PMF commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and six others in the US targeted airstrike in Baghdad. Thousands of mourners on Saturday joined the formal funeral procession in Iraq for Soleimani, who was killed a day before near Baghdad's international airport in an airstrike ordered by US President Donald Trump, reported CNN. US President Donald Trump on Saturday said the killing of Iran's elite IRGC Qassem Soleimani by US military was aimed 'to stop a war, not to start a war.' He also said that Qassem was plotting attacks on US diplomats and military personnel before he was killed. The attack came just days after Hashd members and supporters attempted to storm the US Embassy in Baghdad, in response to the air attacks against Kataib Hezbollah - a member of the umbrella organisation that operates in Iraq and Syria. Iran is also observing three days of national mourning in honour of Soleimani who is widely believed to have been the second-most powerful figure in Iran. Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has promised to exact "harsh revenge" for the targeted killing. (ANI) Advertisement A coastal town which had been a refuge for bushfire victims is no longer considered safe, with authorities telling locals: 'We cannot guarantee your safety'. Eden, on the New South Wales south coast, is currently under threat from an out-of-control bushfire approaching the town from the Victorian border. The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is urging Eden residents to evacuate the town and head to nearby Pambula or Merimbula, both about 25 minutes north. The announcement comes after another person died on Saturday night, taking the death toll for this fire season so far to 23. David Harrison died of a heart attack while trying to defend his friend's home, making him the ninth person to die in NSW since Monday. The 47-year-old had no prior heart conditions, and travelled to Batlow from his home in Goulburn to help his friend Geoff battle the blaze. He has been remembered as a hero. Dozens of homes are feared lost in Batlow, while seven hours south-east in Eden, the sky was shrouded in darkness from Sunday morning to night. Photos taken in the seaside suburb show the apocolyptic red glow increasing as the fire nears. At one stage the fire was moving at 6km/h with the thick smoke making aerial assistance impossible, leaving crews on the ground completely isolated. Hundreds of locals gathered by the wharf at Eden, on the NSW south coast, were told to leave the town as the Border Fire approaches from the south. 'We cannot guarantee your safety,' one NSW Police officer told residents A car and caravan remain standing just metres from a home which has been burned to the ground on the outskirts of Eden Fire has already ravaged homes (pictured) on the outskirts of Eden, but the blaze is now bearing down on the town itself 'If you are in Eden and surrounds monitor the conditions and know what you will do if the fire threatens,' the RFS said in a statement. 'Be alert for falling trees and branches. Remain in place. A number of roads are fire affected, blocked or closed.' One police officer told residents who sought refuge by the water at Eden Wharf that it was no longer safe. 'We cannot guarantee your safety at present under the conditions that we have now here at the Eden Wharf,' a police officer told locals, according to the ABC. As the fire edged closer to the town on Sunday afternoon, locals were forced to seek shelter onboard a number of tug boats which were docked at the wharf. Despite those on the wharf being urged to leave, the 100 locals bunkered down on boats were assured it was safe to stay as they are fitted with firefighting equipment. 'Last night we had about 60 people and 10 dogs,' Jodie Mundey, who spent the night on-board the tug boat with her two children, told Nine News. 'None of us have had any sleep. 'We've been assured by the engineers and skippers that we're completely fine.' The evacuation of Eden comes after a number of towns near the NSW and Victorian border were cut off after the fire 'blew up' late on Sunday morning. As many as 30 people may be isolated in the small village of Wonboyn on the NSW south coast after the 52,000-hectare Border Fire tore through the region. 'There's a search and rescue operation for those who may still be trapped in townships such as Wonboyn,' RFS spokesman Ben Shepherd told the ABC on Sunday afternoon. 'Indications are (that) there were at least 20 to 30 people who were at the Rural Fire Service shed at Wonboyn. We are working to get access to them.' The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) urged Eden residents who had planned to evacuate to do so on Sunday afternoon as an out-of-control bushfire approached from the south More than 60 people and 10 pets spent last night on a tugboat docked at Eden wharf (pictured). It was a place of refuge for a group of about 100 people on Sunday as fires crept closer to the small coastal town The sky darkened by smoke from bushfires is seen in Port of Eden, on the NSW south coast. An evacuation notice has now been issued for the town, with authorities telling locals: 'We cannot guarantee your safety' The town is normally filled to the brim with holidaymakers over summer, but the Pacific Ocean could hardly be distinguished on Sunday as a thick blanket of smoke plunged the town into darkness An incredible image shows the enormous plumes of smoke billowing from the Border Fire between NSW and Victoria Bega-based RFS liaison Greg Potts said Wonboyn residents had sheltered successfully inside the shed and firefighters were now planning how to get supplies to them. 'Wonboyn and north Wonboyn came under direct attack. The residents there - 20 remain sheltered successfully in the RFS shed. 'We are working with those communities to look at all sorts of arrangements to get fresh food and provisions into them, probably by sea.' Mr Potts said the border fire, which was still burning at an emergency level on Sunday afternoon, 'blew up' on Saturday night when a southerly wind change swept through. 'We saw extraordinary fire behaviour last night,' he said. 'The fire basically created its own weather and ran at an extraordinary speed from the NSW border.' Mr Potts said there was 'no margin for safety' as crews battled the blaze. NSW Rural Fire Services commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons (pictured) said 'lots of people' had evacuated the town of Eden as the fire approached on Saturday night 'These terrible skies extend from the north of our shire to the south of our shire. They are truly horrible skies to live under' Bega Valley Shire Council spokesman Ian Campbell said NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said 'lots of people' had evacuated the town of Eden as the fire approached on Saturday night. 'It's moving a bit further north and towards rural and isolated property just to the west of Eden,' he told reporters on Sunday morning. 'It's still pretty active down there, and there is lots of attention from local firefighters.' Containment efforts were hampered overnight after firefighters lost power at an important water pump. Commissioner Fitzsimmons said there were still 150 fires burning across NSW, but there had been an 'easing of conditions' following rain on the south coast. 'It's certainly a welcome reprieve, it's psychological relief if nothing else but for all the communities being affected by those fires. But unfortunately, it's not putting out the fires,' Commissioner Fitzsimmoms said. 'It's not helping us with the furthering of the work of backburning and consolidation work, so we will have to wait to see this moisture dissipate, so we can get on with the important work of containment lines and backburning and consolidation right across the enormity of those fire grounds, (which is) hundreds of thousands of hectares.' 'There's lots of damage and destruction.' 2019/2020 FIRE SEASON DEATH TOLL The national death toll of Australia's 2019/2020 bushfire season was 33 as of Monday, March 2, with 25 confirmed deaths in New South Wales, three in South Australia and five in Victoria. OCTOBER New South Wales: Robert Lindsey, 77, and Gwen Hyde, 68, were found in their burned out Coongbar home near Casino on October 9th. NOVEMBER New South Wales: The body of 85-year-old George Nole was found in a burnt out car near his home in Wytaliba, near Glen Innes. Vivian Chaplain, a 69-year-old woman from Wytaliba, succumbed to her injuries in hospital after attempting in vain to save her home and animals from the blaze. The body of 63-year-old Julie Fletcher was pulled from a scorched building in Johns River, north of Taree. Barry Parsons, 58, was found in a shed at Willawarrin, near Kempsey. Chris Savva, 64, died after his 4WD overturned near burnt-out South Arm bridge, near Nambucca Heads. A 59-year-old man was founded sheltered in a Yarrowitch water tank on November 7. He died of injuries on December 29. Victoria: David Moresi, 69, died after being involved in a traffic incident while working at the at the Gelantipy fire in East Gippsland on November 30. DECEMBER New South Wales: Firefighters Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, and Geoffrey Keaton, 32, died on December 19 after a tree fell on their truck while they were travelling through Buxton, south of Sydney. Samuel McPaul, 28, was battling a blaze in Jingellic, in Green Valley, about 70km east of Albury on the border of NSW and Victoria, on December 30 when a 'fire tornado' caused his 10-tonne firetruck to roll. South Australia: The body of 69-year-old Ron Selth was found in his Charleston home, which was destroyed by the Cudlee Creek blaze on December 21. NEW YEAR'S EVE FIRES New South Wales: Dairy farmer Patrick Salway, 29, and his father Robert, 63, died trying to save their property in Cobargo, near Bega, on December 31. A 70-year-old man, named by local media as Laurie Andrew, was found dead outside a home at Yatte Yattah, west of Lake Conjola. The body of a 70-year-old man was found in a burnt vehicle on a road off the Princes Highway at Yatte Yattah on the morning of New Year's Day. The body of a 62-year-old man was found in a vehicle on Wandra Road at Sussex Inlet about 11.30am on New Year's Day. A body, believed to be a 56-year-old man, found outside a home at Coolagolite, east of Cobargo on New Year's Day. An off-duty RFS firefighter, believed to be 72-year-old Colin Burns, was found near a car in Belowra after the New Year's Eve fires swept through. Victoria: Beloved great-grandfather Mick Roberts, 67, from Buchan, in East Gippsland, was found dead at his home on the morning of New Year's Day. Fred Becker, 75, was the second person to die in Victoria. He suffered a heart attack while trying to defend his Maramingo Creek home. JANUARY New South Wales: David Harrison, a 47-year-old man from Canberra, suffered a heart attack defending his friend's home near Batlow on Saturday, January 4. A 71-year-old man was found on January 6. Police have been told the man was last sighted on December 31, 2019 and was moving equipment on his property in Nerrigundah. An 84-year-old man who stayed to defend his home in Cobargo, NSW, dies in hospital three weeks after fire hit. His pet dog Bella, who stayed by his side as fires raged, was also killed in the disaster. Three American firefighters are killed when Coulson Aviation C-130 Hercules water bomber Zeus crashed while fighting fires near Cooma on Thursday January 23. They have been named as Capt. Ian H. McBeth, 44, First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr, 43. On January 24, Michael Clark, 59, was found in a Bodalla home destroyed by bushfires near the NSW South Coast town of Moruya. Victoria: Forest Fire Management firefighter Mat Kavanagh, 43, was killed Friday January 3 when he was involved in a two-car crash on the Goulburn Valley Highway. Bill Slade, a 60-year-old father of two from Wonthaggi was fighting fires with Parks Victoria at Omeo when he died on January 11. He has been remembered as one of the longest serving, most experienced and fittest firefighters. South Australia: Well-known outback pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his 43-year-old son, Adelaide surgeon Clayton Lang, died in the Kangaroo Island bushfire after their car was trapped by flames. Advertisement This picture taken on December 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 on the NSW south coast Business owner Sally Anne Wilson (left) stands in front of her destroyed shop with her partner Christopher Lee in Cobargo, NSW, Wednesday, January 1, 2020 Across the nation, people are questioning the link between climate change and the most recent bushfire season - which has been unprecedented by every account. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in November said it was 'inappropriate' to discuss the link between climate change and the bushfire crisis while fires were raging - but has since changed her tune. Ms Berejiklian on Sunday acknowledged NSW was in 'uncharted territory'. 'We can't pretend this is something we have experienced before - it's not,' she told reporters when asked about United Kingdom travel advice warning tourists visiting Australia to 'stay safe'. 'The weather activity we're seeing, the extent and spread of the fires, the speed at which they're going, the way in which they're attacking communities who've never ever seen fire before, is unprecedented. We have to accept that.' East Gippsland CFA incident controller Andy Gillham told reporters on Saturday the fires are likely to last for at least another eight weeks. 'We are only at the beginning of summer. In a normal year we would start to see the fire season kick off in a big way around early January, but we're already up there at more than a million hectares of burnt country. 'We are in it for the long haul, this is a marathon event, we expect to busy for at least the next eight weeks.' A statewide total fire ban is in place on Sunday while a week-long state of emergency - the third in as many months - continues. A supplied image obtained on Thursday, January 2, 2020, shows smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland, Victoria Five people were killed and about 60 were injured on the Pennsylvania Turnpike early Sunday morning, when a loaded bus went out of control on a hill and rolled over, setting off a chain reaction that involved three tractor-trailers and a passenger car. The injured victims, ranging from 7 to 67 years old, are all expected to survive, though two patients remain in critical condition, authorities and hospital officials said Sunday afternoon. The crash, which happened at 3:40 a.m. on a mountainous and rural stretch of the interstate about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh, shut down the highway in both directions for several hours before it reopened Sunday evening. Two UPS drivers, Daniel Kepner, 53, and Dennis Kehler, 48, were killed in the crash, company spokeswoman Kristen Petrella said. Both were driving together in a tractor-trailer out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Petrella said. State police have not identified the other three victims who were killed. The bus was traveling from Rockaway, New Jersey, to Cincinnati, Ohio, Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Stephen Limani told reporters. He said the bus, operated by a New Jersey-based company called Z & D Tours, was traveling downhill on a curve, careened up an embankment and rolled over. Two tractor-trailers then struck the bus. A third tractor-trailer then crashed into those trucks. A passenger car was also involved in the pileup. Photos from the scene show a mangled collision of multiple vehicles including a smashed FedEx truck that left packages sprawled along the highway. It was kind of a chain-reaction crash, Limani said. FedEx did not provide any other details besides that they are cooperating with authorities. A message seeking comment was left Sunday with the bus company. I havent personally witnessed a crash of this magnitude in 20 years, Pennsylvania Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo told WTAE, calling it the worst accident in his decades-long tenure with the turnpike. Its horrible. Excela Health Frick Hospital in Mount Pleasant said it treated 31 victims, transferring a child and three adults to other facilities. Hospitals brought in teams of social workers and psychologists to deal with the mental trauma, said Mark Rubino, president of Forbes Hospital, which treated 11 victims. The people coming in were not only physically injured but they were traumatized from a mental standpoint as well, he said. Most were covered in diesel fuel when they arrived. The hospital treated fractured bones, brain bleeds, contusions, abrasions and spinal injuries. The victims included students and people returning from visiting family in New York City. Many traveling on the bus were from outside the United States, Limani said, some of whom do not speak English and who lost their luggage and passports in the wreckage. The Tribune-Review reported Leticia Moreta arrived at a hospital about 11:30 a.m. to pick up her children Jorge Moreta, 24, and Melanie Moreta, 16 who were on the bus. She said her children, returning from visiting their father in New York, were in stable condition. I was devastated, she said. Exactly what caused the crash remains unknown, and Limani said it could take weeks or months to determine. The National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a team to investigate. Officials said it was too early to determine if weather was a factor in the crash. Angela Maynard, a tractor-trailer driver from Kentucky, said the roads were wet from snow but not especially icy. Maynard was traveling eastbound on the turnpike when she came upon the crash site and called 911. It was horrible, she told The Tribune-Review. She saw lots of smoke but no fire. She and her co-driver found one person trapped in their truck and another lying on the ground. I tried to keep him occupied, keep talking, until medical help arrived, Maynard said. He was in bad shape. He was floating in and out of consciousness. The crash left families terrified and scrambling. I was crying, said Omeil Ellis, whose two brothers were on the bus. I was like crazy crying. Im still hurt. Ellis, from Irvington, New Jersey, told The Tribune-Review that his brothers were traveling to Ohio for work. He was planning to meet them a few days later. But both of his brothers, one of them 39 years old and one 17, were sent to hospitals. Im just weak right now, he said. __ Associated Press reporter Sophia Rosenbaum contributed to this report from New York. A conman on the run from an eight year British prison sentence in Dubai has been flaunting his luxury lifestyle on Instagram. Sami Raja, 32, was sentenced for his part in the 2.4million fraud in January 2019 after fleeing to Dubai before his trial at Southwark Crown Court. The cold caller from Grays, Essex, duped elderly victims into handing over their life savings by posing as a broker and selling them useless 'carbon credits' for 25 times the market value. He was first arrested in September 2013 but the trial took several years to make it to court, Raja is believed to have fled for Dubai in November 2017. Sami Raja, 32, is seen on the run from eight-year jail term in Dubai as he flaunts his luxury life Website with a crime an hour Police are battling an Instagram crimewave with a new offence linked to the site being reported every hour in the UK. The social networking site has been used by paedophiles, stalkers, burglars and drug dealers to commit 15,143 crimes since 2017, new figures suggest, with a 43 per cent increase in the past year. The figures were obtained by think-tank Parliament Street, which made a Freedom of Information request for offences that mentioned Instagram or Facebook in the crime notes. The total number of cases associated with the two sites since 2017 is 70,786. Figures from 23 forces show Instagram was linked to offences including child grooming, blackmail, burglary, rape and even murder. Andy Heather, of cyber security firm Centrify, said: This new wave of crime poses huge challenges for police officers. Advertisement Now the fraudster, who conned 130 victims, can be seen brazenly living out a luxury lifestyle, posing with designer goods such as a 4,000 Rolex and even a 33,000 Aston Martin, reports The Telegraph. Raja is appealing his conviction and sentence whilst on the run. Victims of the crimes conducted by Raja and four accomplices have spoken out calling the lavish display 'sickening'. Kevin Cresswell, 50, who invested 300,000 in Park First airport parking spaces, another scheme of Raja's that continued whilst he was on trial, told the Telegraph: 'It is unbelievable that he is not in prison, it's ridiculous. Sami Raja pictured with a woman at Al Marjan desert safari camp in Dubai Just days after Raja was sentenced in January of last year he posted on Instagram from the Maldives at a resort that costs up to 10,000 per night, captioning an image of himself in a hot tub 'ain't no one bursting my bubble.' 'How can he just disappear after he has ripped so many people off? If it is within their power police should be doing everything they can to bring him to justice, they should be banging down doors.' He is believed to still be running Sami Raja Consultancy Adding: 'Raja is living the life of luxury on the proceeds of fraud. You can't get sentenced and then just carry on living the life of Riley.' Just days after Raja was sentenced in January of last year he posted on Instagram from the Maldives at a resort that costs up to 10,000 per night, captioning an image of himself in a hot tub 'ain't no one bursting my bubble.' Another 89-year-old victim, Dennis Smith, who lost over 250,000 to Raja, told The Telegraph: 'The way Raja is living now makes you sick. I think that the police should be pursuing him to wipe the smile off of his face.' Using their 'investment' companies Harman Royce Ltd and Kendrick Zale Ltd the four fraudsters targeted those over 50 living in affluent areas of London. Victims received unsolicited calls from 'brokers' who used high-pressure sales techniques to persuade them to invest in the scam products. His new consultancy claims to help investors 'set up and expand their businesses in the UAE and the UK' As a fugitive in Dubai, he is believed to still be running Sami Raja Consultancy, which claims to help investors 'set up and expand their businesses in the UAE and the UK'. Senior investigating officer Hayley Wade, of the City of London Police's fraud squad, said: 'Raja cruelly targeted often elderly individuals with the intention of defrauding them of their life savings. He clearly felt no remorse.' Raja was one of five men convicted over the scam which took place between 2012 and 2013. Cartwright King, who are representing Mr Raja, have contacted MailOnline to release the following statement: 'The suggestion Mr Raja absconded the UK is incorrect, he was prevented from returning for trial by a civil order imposed by the Dubai Courts. The trial was subsequently conducted in Mr Rajas absence and without the benefit of legal representation. A number of assertions made in the article regarding Mr Rajas travel, business and current lifestyle are wildly inaccurate. It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst appeal proceedings remain on-going. Slamming the mob attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and the killing of a Sikh man in Pakistan, Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Sunday said they showed "the extent of persecution" of minorities there, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take this up with his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan. She also criticised Congress for its opposition to the new citizenship law, which seeks to grant Indian citizenship to minorities escaping religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, asking when Punjab CM Amarinder Singh and his party will stop its "double speak" on the issue. "A day after mob attacked our holy shrine #GurdwaraNankanaSahib, the brutal murder of sikh youth in Peshawar shows the extent of persecution minorities face in Pak. I urge PM@narendramodiji to immediately take up the issue with @ImranKhanPTI and ensure the safety of Sikh brethren there," Badal said a tweet. "How much blood has to be spilled before @RahulGandhi and his coterie come to the senses? After vandalisation of #GurdwaraNankanaSahib, now a Sikh youth has been shot dead in Peshawar. Killings of minorities in Pak underline the need for #CAA, their hope for safe and dignified life," she wrote in another tweet. "@Capt_amarinder, another Sikh has been killed just because his brother, the first Sikh anchor in Pakistan raised his voice against persecution of minorities there. How many more Sikhs need to die before you and your @INCIndia stop this double speak?" she said in a third tweet. In Pakistan's Peshawar, a 25-year-old Sikh man wa shot dead on Saturday by unknown gunmen, a day after a mob attacked Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. India on Sunday strongly condemned the "targeted killing" of the Sikh man. The Ministry of External Affairs said Pakistan should stop "prevaricating" and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the MEA said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi, Jan 6 : The government has cleared the appointment of one more advisor to assist the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In its communication dated January 5, the union ministry of home affairs has conveyed to the chief secretary of the recently formed union territory that retired IPS officer Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar has been approved for appointment as an additional advisor to the Lieutenant Governor. Bhatnagar's appointment will be effective from the date he assumes charge of his responsibilities. Although he did make it to the Statue of Liberty, 'Money' Mike Thornton's two months in New York City this summer were no vacation. That's just what the Baton Rouge tattoo artist told his friends, as he couldn't disclose his real mission in the Big Apple: to compete on the 13th season of Paramount Network's "Ink Master." It wasn't until a few weeks ago that 32-year-old Thornton could tell the world he would be one of 20 contestants on the reality competition series' new season subtitled "Turf War." Four teams of five tattoo artists each are representing the East, West, South and Midwest regions of the country. Up for grabs: $100,000, an editorial feature in Inked magazine and the Ink Master title. "It's not just going for the most talented artist," Thornton said in between appointments at The Code Fine Art Gallery & Tattoo Studio in Baton Rouge. "Just those things that make for good TV." Thornton was describing the contestant selection process, which began with the casting team checking out Thornton's artistry online. When show reps left a message on his phone, Thornton was skeptical. A follow-up email persuaded him to contact "Ink Master." "The producers said it was a combination of the talent, the area and personality," Thornton said of his selection. He is joined on Team South by Nychelle Elise, Dallas; Jason Elliott, College Station, Texas; Patrick Flynn, Asheville, North Carolina; and Jordi Pla, Miami. "Our opening scene is at the Statue of Liberty and they rented out the whole island for us," Thornton said. "Even though we had to do 30,000 takes, I still got to be up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty. It was a real good experience." Shooting days routinely began at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. in the loft the contestants shared. "We'd go through wardrobe, fight with 18 to 20 other people for two-and-a-half bathrooms to get situated, get miked up, then everybody's clamoring in the kitchen to eat, then it's hurry up and wait," Thornton said of the tedium that is television filming. "Most times we wouldn't get to the studio until 11, 11:30 (a.m.)." Each episode has the artists creating various tattoo types on different body parts of live models. A twist this season, Thornton said, is that the teams have a say in what their opposing teams are challenged to ink. Then it's critique time. Musician Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction) serves as host/judge, joined on the panel by renowned tattoo artists Chris Nunez and Oliver Peck. "Tattooing in this competition is totally different from tattooing at home," Thornton said. "When you get on there and you're in that pressure cooker, with the time limit and being out of your comfort zone and having three people that's going to rip your tattoo to shreds, I've seen a few people crack. Where To Go, What To Eat Each week we'll highlights the best eats and events in metro Baton Rouge. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "The biggest challenge was getting over the fact you're not at home and you're actually being judged for everything that you do." But Navarro was a bright spot. "Dave Navarro is as funny as hell. He was the silver lining among all three judges," Thornton said. "He's giving his perspective as a tattoo connoisseur. He's looking at it from the aspect of the person who's coming in to get tattooed. He can tip the scale either way. " He sees what you're trying to do, and he knows from the client perspective, 'I would wear that tattoo. That tattoo looks good.' And he knows what a bad tattoo looks like." Thornton describes his tattooing style as "neotraditional realism." "It's more lifelike, but you add a little flair to it. Instead of seamless portraits, I like to add a bold outline around it, some more cartoonish effects, just kind of put my own little stamp on it to make my work stand out against anybody else's," he said. Although show rules prohibit Thornton from revealing how he fared in the competition, he said he returned to Baton Rouge with a renewed passion for his art. "It made me mentally tougher, a better all-around artist to just go back and focus on my craft, and go back to the drawing board and get that hunger back in me." 'Ink Master' WHEN: 9 p.m. Tuesday CHANNEL: Paramount Network INFO: https://www.paramountnetwork.com/shows/ink-master Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images The Trump administration was scrambling on Sunday to justify its claim that the killing of Irans most powerful general was about stopping a war rather than starting one, as tensions spiralled by the hour. Related: Trump vows to hit 52 sites 'very hard' if Iran retaliates over Suleimani killing Amid growing scepticism over the intelligence behind the lethal strike against Qassem Suleimani, the US president and Iranian officials hurled increasingly dire warnings at each other. Opponents cautioned that if Donald Trump carries out a tweeted threat to attack dozens of Iranian sites including non-military cultural targets, he would be guilty of a war crime. The president went to his golf course in Florida and left secretary of state Mike Pompeo to defend the assertion that the drone strike against Suleimani in Baghdad prevented an imminent attack on US interests. We would have been culpably negligent had we not taken this action, Pompeo said on NBCs Meet the Press. The American people would have said that we werent doing the right thing to protect and defend American lives. President Trump has been crystal clear. Qassem Suleimani, killed by a US drone strike in Baghdad, had become well known among Iranians and was sometimes discussed as a future president. Many considered Suleimani to have been the second most powerful person in Iran, behind supreme leader of Iran Ali Khamenei, but arguably ahead of President Hassan Rouhani. He was commander of the Quds Force, the elite, external wing of the Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the Trump administration designated as a terror organisation in April last year. He was born in Rabor, a city in eastern Iran, and forced to travel to a neighbouring city at age 13 and work to pay his fathers debts to the government of the Shah. By the time the monarch fell in 1979, Suleimani was committed to the clerical rule of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and joined the Revolutionary Guards, the paramilitary force established to prevent a coup against the newly declared Islamic Republic. Story continues Within two years, he was sent to the front to fight in the war against the invading Iraqi army. He quickly distinguished himself, especially for daring reconnaissance missions behind Iraqi lines, and the war also gave him his first contact with foreign militias of the kind he would wield to devastating effect in the decades to come. By the the time the Iraq government fell in 2003, Suleimani was the head of the Quds force and blamed for sponsoring the Shia militias who killed thousands of civilian Iraqis and coalition troops. As fighting raged on Iraqs streets, Suleimani fought a shadow war with the US for leverage over the new Iraqi leadership. Once described by American commander David Petraeus as a truly evil figure, Suleimani was instrumental in crushing street protests in Iran in 2009. In recent months outbreaks of popular dissent in Lebanon, Iraq and Iran were again putting pressure on the crescent of influence he had spent the past two decades building. Violent crackdowns on the protests in Baghdad were blamed on militias under his influence. Eighteen months before his death, Suleimani had issued Donald Trump a public warning, wagging his finger and dressed in olive fatigues. You will start the war but we will end it. Michael Safi The secretary went on the claim that there were in fact plots that [Suleimani] was working on that were aimed directly at significant harm to American interests throughout the region, not just in Iraq. But he was unable to provide specifics. When host Chuck Todd asked if retaliation against US citizens should now be expected, Pompeo admitted: It may be that theres a little noise here in the interim. It was a remark that could come to be seen as flippant if American lives are lost. Suleimani, Irans top military commander held responsible for thousands of deaths, was killed on Friday in a drone strike at Baghdad airport, a stunning attack analysts said brought the US and Iran closer to war than at any point in the past 40 years. Critics fear Trump has opened Pandoras box. On Sunday the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution calling on the government to expel US troops. Around 5,000 remain in Iraq, most in an advisory capacity. Wendy Sherman, a former under secretary of state for political affairs, tweeted: The Iraqi parliament vote to expel US troops is a major win for Iran. Just one piece of fallout against our interests by [Donald Trumps] decisions. Iran also announced it would no longer meet its commitments under the international nuclear deal Trump left in 2018. US media reports have suggested that the evidence Suleimani was plotting an attack was circumstantial at best and that a strike was among several options presented to Trump that few expected him to take. Pompeo, however, insisted the action taken without congressional authorisation was both lawful and necessary. Related: Making of a martyr: how Qassem Suleimani was hunted down On ABCs This Week, he said there had been no scepticism among senior leaders. The intelligence assessment made clear that no action allowing Suleimani to continue his plotting, his planning, his terror campaign created more risks than taking the action that we took last week. We reduced risks. Pompeo was pressed on CNNs State of the Union about how imminent the attacks were. If youre an American in the region, days and weeks this is not something thats relevant, he said. We have to prepare, we have to be ready, and we took a bad guy off the battlefield. Democrats seized on the lack of details. Pete Buttigieg, a military veteran and candidate for president, told CNN: The secretary of state just now, when asked whether this strike prevented directly an attack, he did not prove, he did not demonstrate, he did not even claim that the answer was yes. Buttigieg added: Now, lets be clear Qassem Suleimani was a bad figure. He has American blood on his hands. None of us should shed a tear for his death. But just because he deserved it doesnt mean it was the right strategic move. This is about consequences. The jarring intervention by Trump who is facing an impeachment trial and tough re-election campaign seemed to fly in the face of his America first policy and pledge to pull troops out of the Middle East. After Tehran promised retaliation, Trump threatened to hit 52 sites some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture if Iran attacked Americans or US assets. Such an action would almost certainly result in civilian deaths. On Sunday, he followed up with a tweet he claimed was sufficient to notify Congress that should Iran strike any US person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. The word disproportionate was sure to raise alarm. Hossein Dehghan, military adviser to Irans supreme leader, told CNN that if Trump went ahead with an attack, he should accept that he is a war criminal and must be tried in a relevant court. Dehghan warned that Irans response to the airstrike for sure will be military and against military sites, adding: The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted. Afterward they should not seek a new cycle. Related: Trump campaigns with patriotism after airstrike but election is still far off Iranian information minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi tweeted: Like Isis, Like Hitler, Like Genghis! They all hate cultures. Trump is a terrorist in a suit. He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat the Great Iranian Nation & Culture. Targeting cultural sites is a war crime under a 1954 Hague convention. In 2017, the United Nations security council passed unanimously a resolution condemning the destruction of heritage sites. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a Democrat on the Senate foreign relations committee, tweeted: Targeting civilians and cultural sites is what terrorists do. Its a war crime. Trump is stumbling into a war of choice. A war entirely of his making. A war that will get thousands of Americans killed. Congress must stop him. Americas top diplomat didnt seem to hold out much hope for diplomacy. We will respond with great force and vigor, he told CNNs Jake Tapper on State of the Union. In an indirect reference to one of Trumps potential election rivals, he added, It is important that [the Iranians] understand that America will no longer behave the way that it did during the Obama-Biden Administration. We will no longer appease. Well no longer tolerate. Frankly, this war kicked off when the [2015 Iran nuclear agreement] was entered into. It told the Iranians that they had free rein to develop a Shia crescent that extended from Yemen to Iraq to Syria and into Lebanon, surrounding our ally Israel, and threatening American lives as well. Rocket Attacks Hit Baghdad's Green Zone, Balad Base Hosting US Troops Sputnik News 19:52 04.01.2020(updated 21:14 04.01.2020) Tensions are running high in the Middle East as Iran promised a decisive retaliation against the United States following the killing of Iranian top military official Qasem Soleimani. Two Katyusha rockets have hit the country's Balad Air Base north of Baghdad hosting US forces, Reuters reported citing security sources. There are no immediate reports of casualties. Reuters previously cited the local police as saying that a rocket of the same type landed inside the Green Zone's Celebrations Square near the US Embassy in Baghdad, causing no casualties. According to al Arabiya broadcaster, the road leading to the US Embassy was closed in the wake of the attack. Meanwhile, five people were injured in a mortar attack in the Jadiriya district of the capital hosting ministerial buildings, Al Arabiya broadcaster reported. However, Iraqi security sources have stated that there were no casualties in all three separate incidents. "Several rockets exploded on Saturday in the center of Baghdad, in a residential area of Al-Jadriya and the Balad military base to the north of the capital. There are no casualties at the moment", the statement read. Tensions Mounting in Wake of Soleimani's Killing On Friday, Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of an Iraqi Shia militia group, were among those killed by a US drone attack near Baghdad International Airport. President Trump called the attack a preemptive, defensive strike, while Rouhani has warned that Tehran will take revenge for what it views to be a heinous crime. The attack comes days after turmoil erupted in Iraqi capital Baghdad as protesters, angered by US airstrikes against Iraqi Shiite militia, stormed the US Embassy in the city. President Trump blamed the embassy storming on Iran, saying that Tehran will "pay a big price", adding that this was "not a warning, it is a threat". A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A one-year-old girl nearly died of sepsis after her mother was left waiting eight hours to speak to a doctor before storming into a GP surgery demanding to be seen. Rachael Pedrick became concerned about her daughter Holly at their home near Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, on December 23. Holly had started to suffer with flu-like symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as 'sticky eyes'. Rachael Pedrick became concerned about her daughter Holly (pictured together) at their home near Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, on December 23 Ms Pedrick contacted her GP surgery to ask for advice who said that it could not book her an appointment and she would have to wait for a call back. She said that she was eventually forced to storm into the surgery and demand to see a doctor after being left to wait for 'eight hours'. Holly spent the night in Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil before she was rushed in an ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on Christmas Eve. Holly had started to suffer with flu-like symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as 'sticky eyes' The one-year-old was eventually rushed to hospital where she was diagnosed with sepsis and skin infection cellulitis It was there that the one-year-old was diagnosed with sepsis and skin infection cellulitis. Doctors were then forced to to cut through her nose to drain an abscess from behind her eye in a two-hour operation. Ms Pedrick said that Holly was 'lifeless' for four days but that she is now back at home and making a full recovery. She said that the hospital has since been in contact with the family. Doctors were forced to to cut through her nose to drain an abscess from behind her eye in a two-hour operation which left her 'lifeless' for four days Rachael added: 'The hospital staff phoned me and said If I hadn't taken her to the doctor's then she would be dead. I was frantic. 'I knew it was serious but not how serious until I had the phone call. 'If I didn't take her in she wouldn't be running around now,' according to Wales Online. The mother-of-two has said that she has shared her story to help raise awareness. A spokeswoman for the surgery said that they cannot comment on individual cases but was keen to reassure patients that the practice of offering appointments is taken very seriously. AP Bernie Sanders and fellow progressive Ro Khanna have introduced a law to block funding for military force in or against Iran without congressional approval, in an effort to stall a potential new war in the Middle East. The pair introduced the legislation just a day after Donald Trump approved a targeted airstrike against Qasem Soleimani, a general with the Iran Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force. Today, we are seeing a dangerous escalation that brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East, Mr Sanders, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, and Mr Khanna, a member of the House, said in a joint statement. The statement continued: A war with Iran could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars and lead to even more deaths, more conflict, more displacement in that already highly volatile region of the world. The pair have previously criticised their fellow members of Congress for approving a $738 billion military budget that did not include safeguards to limit Mr Trumps ability to wage a war against Iran. When that legislation was passed last month, Mr Sanders and Mr Khanna called it a bill of astonishing moral cowardice. In their Friday statement, they said their legislation provides an opportunity to reconsider the matter: Congress now has an opportunity to change course. Our legislation blocks Pentagon funding for any unilateral actions this president takes to wage war against Iran without congressional authorization. The legislation comes amid fears in Washington that Mr Trump and his administration may be preparing to go to war with Iran, and that such a decision may be made without input from Congress a requirement in the US Constitution. Those fears have arisen from the air strike that killed Soleimani, an attack against a foreign official that was approved without consultation from many top members of Congress. Democrats have said they were not told about the attack before it happened. At least one Republican, senator Lindsey Graham, has said he were consulted beforehand, but only during a trip to the presidents Mar-a-Lago resort. Story continues I was briefed about the potential operation when I was down in Florida, Mr Graham told Fox News, adding that he appreciate[d] being brought into the orbit. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, slammed the presidents decision to go ahead with the operation against Soleimani without congressional approval. The need for advance consultation and transparency with Congress was put in the Constitution for a reason because the lack of advanced consultation and transparency with congress can lead to hasty and ill-considered decisions, he said. Read more Nato suspends Isis operations in Iraq, as Iran vows revenge on Trump Iran says Trump has started military war follow live Trump may have miscalculated with killing of Soleimani, Hunt warns Trump deploys thousands more troops after Soleimani killing Let's start with some facts on global carbon emissions. There have been international agreements for decades (from Kyoto to Paris) that focus heavily on emissions targets but haven't translated to substantial action in reducing overall global carbon dioxide output. That's not to say there has been no progress, but since the Kyoto protocol, man-made global emissions have increased over 60% and are trending even higher. Estimates for the use of fossil fuels globally show an increase for at least the next 30 years. There has been a massive push of industrialization the last three decades that has driven the carbon emissions increases. The underlying prerequisite for this scale of industrialization is affordable, efficient, scalable, and secure energy sources. In most cases, this has been hydrocarbons. The conversation on climate change action has become highly politicized and strayed a long way from reality. There are political leaders, media, and climate advocates portraying a world in dire straits, calling climate change an emergency. This amounts to fear-mongering and has led to the rise of groups like Extinction Rebellion and teenagers suing governments over "climate anxiety" and inaction. There are prescriptions for population control, people not having children, and others targeting groups or companies and accusing them of ecocide. The philosophies driving these viewpoints are highly deterministic and usually anti-humanist. The continued rise of this misguided thinking is driven by fear, not science, and it has the potential to get dangerous the more mainstream it becomes. One extreme example is the group Extinction Rebellion calling for rapid decarbonization to net zero by 2025. This approach would impoverish and cast aside billions of people globally. The group fails to mention the uprisings, riots, starvation, displacement, and inevitable global conflict that would arise from such a draconian enforcement of energy poverty. It is absolute lunacy that normally wouldn't be given a second thought. However, in today's public debate, we have mainstream political parties supporting such groups and many more activists lining up behind. Rapid decarbonization globally without economically viable alternatives is absurd and fundamentally immoral. Energy affordability and security are fundamental to advanced economies and required for industrialization. Without a miracle, attempts to rapidly decarbonize will inevitably reduce affordability and increase energy poverty. We have some capacity in the First World to absorb some increased costs to promote efficiency and technological innovation, but the developing world does not. To understand the scale of transition required to reach net zero by 2050, Roger Pielke, Jr.(one of the most cited UN-IPCC contributors) calculated that it would require a new nuclear power plant every day from now until 2050, with corresponding reductions in CO2-emitting energy sources. He wrote this a couple months ago, so we are already about 60 fully functional nuclear power plants behind. How much closer will we be in six months? The simple fact is that no major shift to a green economy, or major transition from fossil fuels will occur globally until economically advantageous alternatives exist. Can we acknowledge that we aren't going to hit our targets? The developing world is not going to sacrifice energy affordability or security any time soon. Overall, humanity's experience over the last 100 years has been advancement and progress. The progress, particularly the last 30 years, is the miracle, we shouldn't discount the lessons. There has been a complete flip in global poverty over the last century. Today's middle class enjoys luxuries unimaginable 100 years ago. Nearly 1 billion people have risen from extreme poverty in just the last 20 years. For the first time in human history, over half the global population is now middle-class. Prosperous societies are better equipped to deal with extreme and challenging situations, including weather events. A recent global study published in Global Environmental Change highlights this: "The more a country is developed the higher are the investments in protection measures to natural hazards, early warning systems, and disaster risk management strategies." There has been a steady reduction in catastrophic losses from climate events over the last 30 years. Another remarkable statistic is that over the last 100 years, climate-related deaths have decreased 95% while the global population quadrupled. It is no coincidence that such advancements have been made as more of the world industrializes and builds economic capacity. These remarkable developments support the hypothesis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). The hypothesis is the "idea that as an economy develops, market forces begin to increase and economic inequality decreases. More specifically that as the economy grows, initially the environment suffers but eventually the relationship between the environment and the society improves." Evidence seems that on a macro scale, the above progress supports this. There are currently over 7.5 billion people, and we can expect the population to reach 1215 billion in the next several generations. Fear-mongering, climate theatrics, and target fixation aren't an answer to prepare for a successful future. Rational conversations on adaptation, efficiency, affordability, and the promotion of prosperity driven initiatives is what's needed. Advancing and liberalizing trade and rapidly reducing energy poverty globally are needed. Developed countries should continue to develop, innovate, and export affordable energy options and technology. Whether it's climate change or some other future challenge, having the economic capacity to deal with it provides humanity the best chance to handle it. This is a tale of two municipalities, separated by the Delaware River, each led by elected officials belonging to a single political party. Phillipsburg on New Years Day swore-in Mayor Todd Tersigni, along with Councilmen Randy Piazza Jr. and Harry Wyant Jr. All are Republicans, as are the other council members, Robert Fulper, Frank McVey and Danielle Degerolamo. Easton had its 2020 reorganization meeting on Thursday, to swear-in Mayor Sal Panto Jr. to his fourth consecutive four-year term (in addition to his two terms in the 1980s) along with Councilmen Peter Melan, David OConnell and Ken Brown and Controller Chris Heagele. All are Democrats, along with the other members of council, Sandra Vulcano, Roger Ruggles and James Edinger. During the P'burg meeting at Phillipsburg Elementary School, Piazza was unanimously elected council president and McVey drew council's unanimous support as vice president. Despite the change of venue for the reorganization, council will continue to meet at the Phillipsburg Housing Authority's Heckman House, 525 Fisher Ave. At Easton's meeting, in City Hall where council sessions are generally held, Brown was unanimously elected vice mayor to run meetings when Panto is absent. Easton officials also bid farewell, officially, to retiring city Solicitor William Murphy and Controller Tony Bassil, who was elected controller of Northampton County. Murphy is succeeded by newly appointed Solicitor Joel Scheer, who had been assistant solicitor. Council on Wednesday approved the hiring of Jeremy Clark as first assistant solicitor, with an additional assistant solicitor expected to be hired in June, according to Panto. Both mayors gave inaugural addresses, and here is some of what they said: Tersigni opened by saying he looks forward to working with all members of council, including Wyant, a former Phillipsburg mayor whom Tersigni described as his adviser. Voters in November chose Tersigni over incumbent Democratic Mayor Stephen Ellis, whose tenure with the GOP-controlled council was marred by infighting. "I want to say that they vowed to me today that we will work together to unite this town and bring it back to the people," Tersigni said of the council members. "I will be a hands-on mayor, 24/7; transparent and accountable for the decisions that I make. "I will not put the blame on any previous administrations and the past. We will start today and give our town back to the people." Tersigni described himself as business-friendly, as evidenced his longtime support -- dating to his time on town council beginning in 2010 -- for the sprawling Bridge Development Partners LLCs conversion that is underway on former Ingersoll Rand land into the 3.85 million-square-foot I-78 Logistics Park. Tersigini took credit for helping to shepherd the town police departments long-delayed move from its mold-ridden headquarters on Corliss Avenue to the former Andover-Morris Elementary School on South Main Street. "Before we were sworn-in, we were able to get the police out of Corliss," Tersigni said. "Our police deserve the very best. I want to thank Superintendent Greg Troxell and Chief Robert Stettner and Councilman and former Mayor Harry L. Wyant Jr. Together we put this together in one day. And how we did it: by working together." Tersigni returned again and again to themes of cleaning up the town, including neighborhoods and parks. "We need to change the perception and we need to work together and make our town clean and safe," he said, adding later: "You will see the passion that I have for all our residents to improve our quality of life, better security for all our residents and businesses alike." You can watch Tersignis full remarks in this video, beginning around minute-marker 22:45. In Easton (you can read the mayors complete inaugural address here), Panto looked back at the accomplishments of his administration and forward at the work yet to be done, including the completion of numerous development projects citywide and construction of a new parking garage on North Fourth Street projected to open in 2021. "When I took office in 2008, Easton was facing millions in deficits and our neighborhoods were plagued by gang violence, drugs and blighted properties," Panto said. "All that has changed and today it is a different place, a different city. "Crime has decreased annually, our finances are much better, we had annual surpluses in all 12 years, we haven't raised real estate taxes and there's been no increase in sewer and trash since 2009. Our reserve account -- (formerly) millions of dollars in deficits -- is now more than $5 million in reserves. The results are unheard of in most other Pennsylvania cities and those in the Northeast." On the development front, Panto offered a preview of proposals to develop the vacant, former Days Inn lots at 185 S. Third St. that had been eyed for Da Vinci Science City before the project shifted to Allentown. A committee of residents is expected in the first quarter of this year to make its recommendation to council on the proposals, which are all in excess of $60 million, Panto said. "While our critics will say things like, 'Da Vinci was a failure,' watch out: What we're working on right now will be even better," Panto said during an overview of development projects -- including some "that I can't even talk about at this time." Throughout this Renaissance we will continue to be mindful of our history, optimistic about our future and determined to fulfill a vision that will be appreciated by each new generation, Panto said, adding later: Our work is not done. We face significant challenges with our ever-increasing pension legacy costs, affordable housing and affordable rental rates, preserving our historic structures, improving our infrastructure, strengthening our economic base and tourism, preparing for the impacts of climate change and addressing the opioid crisis. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Two summers ago, I took my son on his first bus ride for Christmas. It was a simple gift from the heart that was a present for me too, of a special memory and time filled with innocence and wonder. Fast forward to Christmas 2019 and things are vastly different. He is older and more daring, while Australia is boiling and on fire. Christmas morning for us in Canberra comes and goes as expected, but a family lunch in sweltering heat is punctuated with news updates of bushfires massing in the region. They are yet to threaten our urban enclave but their toxic smoke has lingered in the air for weeks. The firefighters are heroes. Most are volunteers and unable to enjoy Christmas with their families. The unluckiest will never return home at all. By mid-afternoon, the youngest members of the family are overtired and due a sleep, and so is their mum. Meanwhile, the eldest child has worn his father down with impassioned pleas to try out his most beloved gift. Reluctantly, and with a pensive view to the skies, I close all the household windows and take him up the nearby mountain on his new bike. The trails are slippery and treacherous beneath our tires, the rocks bone dry and shifting like ballbearings on polished glass. My bike is caked in dust, its chain thick with grit. We ride slowly, cautiously, feeling the drift of the earth, and hearing its crunch like a million corn flakes. A hot wind whips up a dust storm, sending particles into my sons eyes. He rubs at them, pushing them further in. I instruct him to blink them away, to flush them out, and we ride on. I scan the track constantly for brown snakes. Kangaroos soon appear beside the trail, adults and joeys, dull-eyed and listless, searching for a trace of precious moisture or greenery amid the arid brown tinderbox of bush. My son stops to admire them. They flare their nostrils, smell the air and bounce away. The bush hums around us. Magpies sit with their bills open, panting to dissipate heat. A flock of white cockatoos squawk overheard, their wings visibly dirty from clouds of floating ash. We ride past a dam where we used to skip stones across. Its now nothing more than barren earth with cracks my son could fall into. The northerly arrives with a vengeance. Pale blue smoke follows ominously on its coattails and quickly engulfs the city. The sun hanging low in the sky becomes muted and the land takes on a decidedly apocalyptic feel. Everything is brown, grey, white, and eerie. My son again rubs his eyes and coughs hoarsely, the noxious ether filling his pink lungs. I better get him home. My sons voice is filled with youthful protest and disappointment as we ride home, but he doesnt yet understand the emergency that is unfolding. His will ultimately be the generation to properly tackle the challenge of climate change, of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, while those who came before them merely bickered as to its existence. Riding down the mountain, we see people out walking with particulate filter masks. I had tried to buy some but they had sold out. Over the course of the next week, we would watch as public pools and major tourist attractions closed. Evacuees from nearby coastal towns would start arriving in Canberra with harrowing stories of bushfire survival. Long queues formed at petrol stations and supermarkets sold out of bottled water. Public schools became evacuation centres for these climate refugees. And our quiet city of 400,000 residents attained the unenviable honour of becoming the worlds most polluted city with air that was 25-fold worse than what is considered hazardous. I would explain it all to my son as best I could. I am hopeful of a solution, but also realistic. Immediate action is imperative. Otherwise, by the time my son is old enough to have his own children, riding your bike outside with your old man over Christmas may have become an activity that is impossible to do. When top American military officials presented President Donald Trump with the option to kill Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Irans most powerful commander, they didnt actually think he would take it, reports the New York Times. Pentagon officials usually include a far-out option when they present possibilities to the president in order to make the others seem less extreme. The other options presented to Trump in Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach resort, included strikes against Iranian ships or missile facilities or militias backed by Iran that are operating in Iraq. The Pentagon also tacked on the choice of targeting General Suleimani, mainly to make other options seem reasonable, reports the Times. Advertisement At first, it seemed everything was going according to plan. Trump rejected the option to kill Soleimani to respond to a wave of recent Iranian-sponsored violence in Iraq. Instead, he authorized airstrikes against an Iranian-supported militia group, Kataib Hezbollah. The strikes ended up hitting three locations in Iraq and two in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then things changed when protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday. Iranians saw the U.S. response as disproportionate, but Trump became increasingly angry at the images he saw on television as protesters stormed the embassy. Suddenly, Trump was worried that failing to respond to the protests would look weak. By Thursday, Trump had decided to go forward with the killing of Soleimani, and top Pentagon officials were stunned, reports the Times. CNN also reports that some officials emerged surprised when the president decided to target Soleimani, as many expected he would go for a less risky option. There was immediate concern about what kind of retaliation that could spark from Iran, but it is unclear whether top military officials pushed back against Trumps decision. Advertisement Advertisement Although top U.S. national security officials continue to insist that the killing of Soleimani was in response to an imminent threat against Americans, there continues to be skepticism about that claim as the administration has failed to provide convincing evidence to make its case. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley also made clear that the attacks could still happen, meaning that killing Soleimani did not get rid of the supposed imminent threat. Several Democratic lawmakers have expressed skepticism at the presidents claims. My staff was briefed by a number of people representing a variety of agencies in the United States government and they came away with no feeling that there was evidence of an imminent attack, Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico said. HALIFAX - A passenger jet skidded off the end of a runway at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport during a snowstorm on Sunday, but a spokeswoman for WestJet said there were no injuries. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/1/2020 (736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Passengers disembark a Westjet aircraft that skidded off the runway at Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. The airline confirmed Flight 248 was en route from Toronto to Halifax and had landed on Runway 14 when the jet skidded off the end of the runway with 172 passengers and seven crew members aboard. The company said there were no injuries. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan HALIFAX - A passenger jet skidded off the end of a runway at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport during a snowstorm on Sunday, but a spokeswoman for WestJet said there were no injuries. The airline confirmed Flight 248 en route from Toronto to Halifax landed just after noon and overshot Runway 14 with 172 passengers and seven crew members aboard. Photos from the scene suggest the Boeing 737-800 escaped major damage. However, the airport authority confirmed the aircraft was left disabled at the end of the runway. Passenger Eric Wynne, a photographer with the daily Halifax Chronicle-Herald, said the landing was "a little chaotic." "It was a little more violent, in that I'm sure (the plane) had a bit of wind shear," he said in an interview. "As we hit the tarmac, it was rocking, rolling side to side, but the aircrew kept it true and straight." Wynne said once the aircraft settled down, everything seemed normal until the plane came to a stop. "We saw snow-covered grass outside the windows," he said. "And then the pilot came on and said we slid off the runway." The transition to the grassy area was a smooth one, Wynne said. "It was just like me driving my car and ending up on the shoulder," he said, adding that the jet appeared to have travelled about 50 metres beyond the runway. "It was snowing, but not a lot," he said. "But there was an accumulation on the ground." Wynne said the crew and passengers remained calm as buses arrived to take them to the terminal. All passengers were removed from the stricken airplane by 2:30 p.m. However, the plane had yet to be moved by 6 p.m. local time. The eastern half of the province, including the region east of Halifax, was under a winter storm warning when the jet landed. Heavy snow and whiteout conditions were evident at the airport soon after the plane came down. WestJet spokeswoman Lauren Stewart said the airline later issued an apology to travellers and cancelled three flights into St. John's, N.L., Halifax and Toronto. Later in the day, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada confirmed it had sent an investigative team to the airport. The independent agency, which investigates air, rail, marine and pipeline accidents, released the aircraft to WestJet at 4:30 p.m. On Nov. 7, 2018, a Boeing 747 cargo jet overshot the same runway, plowed through some approach lights and navigation gear, and came close to crashing through the airport's outer fence. The SkyLease Cargo plane was badly damaged as it slid 210 metres off the end of the runway in rainy conditions while being buffeted by a crosswind with a potential tailwind. Flight KKE 4854, which had arrived from Chicago just after 5 a.m., was to be loaded with live lobster destined for China. At the time, the airport authority was in the process of installing a runway-end safety area, a kind of buffer strip that gives planes extra stopping distance and can reduce damage and risk to passengers in the event of an overrun. The Transportation Safety Board says all runways longer than 1,800 metres should have a 300-metre runway-end safety area or a means of stopping aircraft that provides an equivalent level of safety. Runway 14 is 2,300 metres long. Since 2005, there have been 140 runway overruns in Canada, 19 of which have been the subject of a comprehensive TSB investigation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2020. With files from Andrew Vaughan. Even as the service is ending and no new editions will be released, users will have access to their existing library of purchased content. To read the latest articles, users are encouraged to follow that publication in Google News or visit their official website. Google is sending out emails to its news subscribers informing about the discontinuation of its print-replica magazine service. According to Android Police, paid subscribers with an outstanding subscription will receive a full refund somewhere during the next month. Even as the service is ending and no new editions will be released, users will continue to have access to their existing library of purchased content. To read the latest articles, users are encouraged to follow that publication in Google News or visit their official website. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment If the reports are true, then a tentative plan has been put in place to split the [Methodist] church over differences on same-sex marriage and the inclusion of gay clergy. In 2019, The division, which has been brewing for years, came to an impasse last May when delegates in St. Louis voted 438-384 to ban gay marriage and the inclusion of gay clergy. A majority of U.S.-based churches opposed the Traditional Plan but were outvoted by conservatives in the U.S., Africa and the Philippines, Fox News reported. Assuming that this split actually takes place, what will happen to these two branches, one conservative and the other liberal? The answer is easy, based on history and common spiritual sense. History says that the conservative branch will grow and the liberal branch will diminish. This has been the pattern for decades, as I documented in 2015, citing a major study dating back to 1972 written by Dean M. Kelley: Why Conservative Churches are Growing: A Study in Sociology of Religion. As Kelly wrote almost 50 years ago, Amid the current neglect and hostility toward organized religion in general, the conservative churches, holding to seemingly outmoded theology and making strict demands on their members, have equaled or surpassed in growth the early percentage increases of the nations population. As for the liberal churches, he noted, The mainline denominations [which were becoming increasingly liberal] will continue to exist on a diminishing scale for decades, perhaps for centuries, and will continue to supply some people with a dilute and undemanding form of meaning, which may be all they want. For a host of reasons, this pattern will continue with the two Methodist branches. The conservative branch, preaching the Scriptures without apology, adhering to timeless moral values, and offering adherents a true encounter with the risen Lord, will gain members. The liberal branch, reinterpreting the Scriptures and apologizing for the Bible and redefining morality, will lose members. As I pointed out in my 2015 article, Writing in The Federalist in August 2014, Alexander Griswold noted that, Every major American church that has taken steps towards liberalization on sexual issues has seen a steep decline in membership. (His article was titled, How to Shrink Your Church in One Easy Step.) More broadly, this is confirmed by data just released by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. Roughly 120 years ago, the Center claims that there were about 80 million Evangelicals and less than 1 million Pentecostals/Charismatics worldwide. (These terms might be anachronistic for the year 1900, but they are being used to trace particular groups over the last 120 years. And, of course, there is overlap between the two groups, which are both very conservative theologically.) Today, those numbers, globally, are put at 354 million Evangelicals and 694 million Pentecostals/Charismatics. Projection for 2050 puts these groups at 581 million and 1 billion, 89 million respectively. This is the growth-curve of Bible-based Christianity, especially one that emphasizes the ongoing ministry of the Spirit. The Centers data, does not isolate liberal denominations, so their decline cannot be pointed to in the chart linked here. But further confirmation comes from a Jan. 4, 2017, article in The Washington Post, which noted that, Liberal churches are dying. But conservative churches are thriving. A Canadian study found that conservative churches are still growing, while less orthodox congregations dwindle away. No surprise in the least. To be sure, if the conservative congregations are hypocritical, dead, and legalistic, they too will dwindle away. But if they preach Jesus, welcome the Spirit, exalt the Word, and reach out to their community, they will thrive. And this leads us to the subject of spiritual common sense. The liberal branch will become more liberal. Specifically, they will question some of the fundamental tenets of the faith (including the inspiration of the Scriptures, the virgin birth and the resurrection, the second coming, and more; much of this is happening already). They will become more universalistic (meaning, salvation is not exclusively through Jesus). And they will move further and further away from biblical morality. In short, fidelity to LGBT activism will trump fidelity to Gods Word. Watch and see. (For a recent, shocking example from Sweden, see here.) In contrast, the conservative churches will remain steady, since they are not reacting. They are simply maintaining their historic stance, believing what John Wesley, the founder of the Methodists believed, and affirming what Jesus and Paul taught. As one African Methodist leader stated in early 2019, Im happy to go back to old ladies and old men in villages who received the Bible from missionaries and let them know that the Bible hasnt changed. In the end, while it is sad to see division and separation, some of it is necessary and even for the best. When it comes to the Methodist Church, as the years unfold, it will not be seen so much as a separation between fellow-Christians. Instead, it will be seen as a separation between the wheat and the weeds or the sheep and the goats, to use the imagery of Jesus. Watch and see. One man was killed and six people were injured in a clash between two groups over a farm-related dispute in Maharashtra's Akola district, police said on Sunday. The clash took place on Saturday evening in Sangwi village in the district, Inspector Sheikh Rahim Sheikh Ghafar of Murtijapur Rural police station said. "Duryodhan Khandekar (50) was attacked with sharp weapons by a group, killing him on the spot. Six people were injured. We have arrested seven people. The dispute was farm- related," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sushil Modi added that punitive action would be taken against officials if they refuse to carry out NPR. (Photo Credit: PTI File) New Delhi: Bihar deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi on Saturday said updation process of the National Population Register (NPR) will be carried out in the state from May 15 to May 28. This comes after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan penned a letter to 11 non-BJP chief ministers, including his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, regarding apprehensions over NRC, NPR. The statement comes after Kerala and West Bengal governments decided to put the exercise on hold in their respective states. Sushil Modi went on to add that administrative and punitive action would be taken against officials if they refuse to carry out the constitution mandated NPR. Addressing the press conference on Saturday, Sushil Modi said the process of preparing NPR began in 2010 during the UPA regime which was completed between April 1 to September 30 that year. The NPR process in 2020 will be carried out between April 1 to September 30 in the country. In Bihar it will be done between May 15 and May 28, 2020, Sushil Modi told reporters. He also dared West Bengal and Kerala chief ministers, Mamata Banerjee and P Vijayan respectively not to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the NPR if they can. Sushil Modi said that no state including can refuse to implement the CAA or NPR as the Centre has the power to bring legislation over citizenship. He added that preparing NPR is a statutory provision which no state can refuse to implement. Earlier, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan wrote a letter to 11 non-BJP chief ministers, including Nitish Kumar, citing a resolution passed by the state demanding scrapping of the amended Citizenship Act and asking them to take similar steps against the contentious legislation. Kerala State Assembly on Tuesday passed resolution demanding the withdrawal of Citizenship Amendment Act. The resolution was earlier moved by Kerala chief Minister Pinarayi Vijyan. While presenting the resolution, Kerala CM said that CAA goes against the secular fabric of the nation and 'would lead to religion-based discrimination'. (With PTI inputs) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday "unequivocally" condemned the violence at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, saying "it is against the tradition and culture of the varsity". "Have seen pictures of what is happening in #JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university," he tweeted. Jaishankar is also an alumnus of the JNU. Jaishankar's tweet came after a mob of masked goons entered the university campus and assaulted several students and professors with sticks and rods. According to the Delhi government officials, seven ambulances have been sent to JNU and 10 more are on standby. Heavy police have been deployed at the main gate of the university following the violence. "I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I am bleeding. I was brutally beaten up," JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh told reporters. She has been admitted to the AIIMS here for treatment. Several other students were also injured in the incident. In a video of the incident that went viral, a group of goons with their faces covered can be seen assaulting students with wooden sticks and rods. Meanwhile, 18 people sustained injuries and have come to AIIMS Trauma Centre with complaints of bleeding in the head, abrasions among others, an AIIMS Trauma Centre official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Zarif's statement on Gen. Soleimani's assassination ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 4 January 2020 / 08:50 Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif has released a statement on the US assassination of IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani. "Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration," he said. Zarif in the statement expressed disgust at and strongly condemned the American forces' terrorist and criminal move to martyr the honoured commander of the army of Islam, IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani. He also offered condolences and congratulations to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the country's Armed Forces especially the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), the great nation of Iran and his dignified family as well as the Islamic resistance forces over the great tragedy. "The malice and stupidity of American terrorist forces who assassinated General Soleimani, a hero martyr and a commander of fight against terrorism and extremism, will undoubtedly further strengthen the tree of resistance in the region and the world," Zarif said in the statement. "The Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran will tap into all its political, legal, and international capacities to implement the decisions made by the Supreme National Security Council in order to hold the criminal and terrorist regime of the US accountable for this blatant crime," he added. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address To the Editor: Re How to Fix Our Prisons? Let the Public Inside (Op-Ed, Dec. 18): Neil Barsky is right when he writes that the way to fix prisons is to let the public inside them. When I ran juvenile corrections for Washington, D.C., we invited in a raft of outsiders. Georgetown students came every week to visit and tutor, as did a theatrical group from the University of the District of Columbia. Both a parents advocacy group and the Public Defenders Service had offices inside the locked perimeter of the facility. I put the private, nonprofit Maya Angelou Academy in charge of educating the young people, and school officials extended school into the evening and on Saturdays so that the young people who were behind in credits could catch up, often using volunteers to augment paid staff. The police and victims groups worked with the young people to design artwork made from disabled guns confiscated during arrests. A group of formerly incarcerated people provided regular mentorship. We even held a mayoral debate inside the facility moderated by the young people. Each crack in the previously impenetrable juvenile prison gates helped normalize the young peoples experience and humanize them. Mr. Barskys proposal to take that kind of approach nationwide deserves serious consideration. Operating as a one-man tech support is one of the perils of the job for Slack co-founder and chief technology officer Cal Henderson. Meeting Henderson for coffee on his most recent visit to Melbourne, I can't help but suggest a few tweaks to the workplace messaging service like prohibiting double messaging via both email and Slack. Cal Henderson is the co-founder of Slack which has 85,000 paid customers globally. Credit:Jason South After all, Slack is supposed to be an alternative to communicating primarily through email with Henderson describing the service as "at its core, a messaging platform for teams". "We have been using email in the workplace for 30 or 40 years and a lot of what we think about how we communicate is dictated by the shape of the tools," he says. US President noted that these 52 targets correspond to the number of Americans who have been hostages in Iran for more than a year since the end of 1979 If Tehran makes another attack on American targets, the United States will strike 52 Iranian targets. US President Donald Trump stated this after Iran promised to avenge the assassination of General Qasem Suleimani, BBC news agency reported. The US does not want more threats! President Trump emphasized. He warned that the United States is holding 52 Iranian targets on the gun and will deliver a very quick and very strong blow if Tehran attacks American property. According to the American leader, some of the 52 listed Iranian sites are of high value to Iran and its culture. The US President noted that these 52 goals are consistent with the number of Americans who have been held hostage in Iran for more than a year since the end of 1979 after they were captured at the US Embassy in Tehran. As we reported, US President Donald Trump said the Iranian General Qasem Suleimani, who was killed on his orders, was "the number one terrorist in the world." Police are looking for a man who spat at an Orthodox Jewish woman outside at a New York yeshiva, or Jewish school, in another shocking antisemitic incident in the city. The male suspect attempted to enter the Talmud Torah Siach Yitzchok Yeshiva on Central Avenue near Bayport Place in Far Rockaway about 9.40 am on December 24. The man, who was in his 20s, and was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and carrying both a backpack and a roller-bag, was later told by a school official that he couldn't enter, the New York Daily News reported. It was then that he allegedly walked over to a nearby vehicle and made anti-Semitic remarks to a woman before spitting into her car through an open window and running away. Police are looking for a man who spat at an Orthodox Jewish woman outside at a New York yehsiva in another shocking antisemitic incident in the city The male suspect attempted to enter the Talmud Torah Siach Yitzchok Yeshiva on Central Avenue near Bayport Place in Far Rockaway about 9.40 am on December 24 He allegedly threatened to 'kill all Jews' before running away, sources told the New York Daily News. Police released CCTV footage of the suspect just after the shocking incident in addition to a photo-fit of him. Police say there were 14 documented incident of anti-Semitic violence in New York in less than four weeks in December. Grafton Thomas, 38, is accused of storming into the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg, a prominent Hasidic Jewish leader in a predominantly ultra-Orthodox community of Monsey, New York on December 28. Thomas allegedly took out a machete and started stabbing and slashing people in the home packed with dozens of congregants. Five of his victims suffered serious injuries - including a severed finger, slash wounds and deep lacerations. He has been charged with six counts of attempted murder in addition to other counts of assault and burglary. The attack in Monsey capped a string of incidents in which Jews have been physically attacked or accosted in the New York metropolitan area in recent weeks, including a shooting at a kosher supermarket in New Jersey that left two members of the Hasidic community dead. Moshe Hirsch Deutsch, 24, and Leah Mindel Ferencz, 33, were killed in the JC Kosher Supermarket in Jersey City along with Miguel Douglas, 49, by shooters Francine Graham and David Anderson on December 10. Ferencz was the wife of the supermarket's owner. The man, who was in his 20s, and was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and carrying both a backpack and a roller-bag, was later told by a school official that he couldn't enter They were preyed upon by the shooters who drove to the supermarket slowly and calmly from a cemetery a mile away where they had killed police detective Joseph Seals. Graham and Anderson were killed by cops after fatally shooting a police detective and three civilians on December 10, in an attack that investigators say was motivated by anti-police and anti-Semitic hatred. Four guns - an AR-15 style weapon, a shotgun, a semiautomatic firearm and a Glock handgun - were recovered from inside the kosher market. A fifth - a weapon with a homemade silencer and a homemade device to catch shell casings - was discovered in the stolen U-Haul they drove to the market. Grafton Thomas, 37, (pictured), was indicted on Friday on six counts of attempted murder over his alleged attack at the home Hasidic rabbi on New Year's Eve An image was taken apparently moments before last Saturday night and shows Rabbi Chaim Leibush Rottenberg (sitting), who is the leader of Congregation Netzach Yisrael-Kosson The mayor and governor of New York have announced a series of measures, including an intensified police presence in Jewish communities, while US President Donald Trump has called to 'eradicate the evil scourge of anti-Semitism.' New York Governor Andrew Cuomo attributed the alarming rise in anti-Semitic violence in the city to the hate that is spreading 'like cancer' across America currently. 'This is an intolerant time in this country. We see anger, we see hatred exploding,' Cuomo said. 'It is an American cancer that is spreading in the body politic.' New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to increase police presence in affected communities. Francine Graham, 50 and David Anderson, 47, (right and left), were killed by cops after fatally shooting a police detective and three civilians on December 10, in an attack that investigators say was motivated by anti-police and anti-Semitic hatred The storefront of the JC Kosher Supermarket is seen soon after the attack, which ended when cops crashed through the plate glass in an armored vehicle and shot the attackers dead Besides making officers more visible in Borough Park, Crown Heights and Williamsburg, police will boost visits to houses of worship and some other places, de Blasio tweeted. 'Anti-Semitism is an attack on the values of our city - and we will confront it head-on,' de Blasio, the Democrat, wrote. Last Friday, a Brooklyn woman screamed 'F*** you, Jews!' and then slapped three other women in the face and head after encountering them on a Crown Heights corner. The victims, who range in age from 22 to 31, suffered minor pain, police said. Tiffany Harris, 30, was arrested on a hate-crime harassment charge. Also on Friday morning, an unidentified man wearing a hoodie walked into the headquarters of the ultra-Orthodox Lubavitch movement on Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights and stated he was going to 'shoot up the place', according to WABC-TV. The man then walked away, in the direction of the Utica Avenue subway station. The Lubavitch movement is one of the largest sects of Hasidic Judiasm. Also known as Chabad, it has made Brooklyn the center of its activities since the leaders of the movement were forced to flee Europe at the start of the Second World War. By ANI PATNA: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi on Sunday accused the opposition parties of spreading myth among Muslims about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). "Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other opposition parties have spread myth among the Muslim community about the CAA," the BJP leader told a gathering. ALSO READ| NPR update in Bihar to begin on May 15, says Deputy CM Sushil Modi He said that some clerics, who are staunch opposer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also instilled fear among Muslims. "They said that Muslims will be thrown out of India after the implementation of this Act, but the people have now started understanding their lie. That is why the protests against the CAA have died down now," he said. The event was a part of the BJP's massive public outreach programme on the citizenship law, which grants citizenship to non-Muslim refugees of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who arrived in India until 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted Dr Murli Manohar Joshi on his 86th birthday on Sunday, saying the BJP stalwart has made an "indelible contribution" to the nation. "Greetings to Dr Murli Manohar Joshi Ji on his birthday. Joshi Ji has made an indelible contribution to our country during his long years in politics, Parliament and as a Minister. He is unwavering when it comes to safeguarding interests and furthering progress," tweeted Modi. "I consider myself fortunate to have got the opportunity to work with Dr Joshi for many years. Like me, several 'karyakartas' learnt so much from him. His role in strengthening the party is extremely valuable. I pray for Dr Joshi's long and healthy life," he said in his subsequent tweet. Former Union minister and a veteran parliamentarian, Joshi was born on this day in 1934 in Nainital, now in Uttarakhand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Surveillance shows last known image of missing Ohio 14-year-old Harley Dilly: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Police provided new background information on a Port Clinton, Ohio, 14-year-old who has been missing since the morning of Dec. 20. PHOTO: Port Clinton residents search for Harley Dilly, 14, who has been missing since Dec. 20, 2019, in Port Clinton, Ohio. (WEWS) A surveillance image believed to be Harley Dilly crossing the street in front of his house is the last known sighting of the teenager, said Detective Ronald Timmons with the Port Clinton Police Department on Saturday night, during an appearance on "Live PD on A&E." MORE: Reward money nearing $10,000 for information on missing Ohio teen Harley Dilly It is out of character for Harley to just disappear, Timmons confirmed. The teen has a very specific schedule eating certain foods, bathing several times a day and typically "stays around his home," Timmons said. Police believe Harley is in danger. It was 18 degrees with snow on the ground when he left his home and he was last seen wearing a thin sweater, sweatpants and a thin "puffy" coat, 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) All of which "leads us to believe he wasnt planning on being outside for an extended amount of time," Timmons said. "He was going to meet with somebody, somebody we havent identified yet." Several organizations have raised almost $10,000 in reward money for any information leading to the teens safe return. 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. 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) "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." Story continues MORE: 14-year-old Ohio boy Harley Dilly missing for over a week, police 'concerned for his safety' Timmons said that Harleys cellphone was broken at the time he left his residence. The 14-year-old also has a "big social media presence" with accounts on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Reddit. There has been no activity on those accounts since his disappearance. Harley is 4 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 100 pounds, has brown hair and green eyes and was wearing glasses when he disappeared. Officials are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to call the Port Clinton Police Department 419-734-3121. ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway contributed to this report. Hundreds of students from different universities in the national capital staged a protest outside the old Delhi Police headquarters at ITO after violence broke out at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. IMAGE: JNU students protest outside Delhi Police Headquarters after some masked miscreants attacked in the JNU campus in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo Students from the Jawaharlal Nehru University were joined by those from Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia. The protesters raised slogans and demanded that police leave the JNU campus. Students of the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune and Aligarh Muslim University also staged a protest condemning the attack on students of Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. FTII students held a demonstration outside the gate of the premier film institute, holding banners with message "FTII stands with JNU, condemns the violence of ABVP Goons". A spokesperson of protesting students at AMU said that a march was held in the night to express solidarity with the students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University. In a statement, the AMU Teachers' Association condemned the violence. AMUTA secretary Najmul Islam urged the Chief Justice of India to take suo motu cognizance of the "unprecedented situation arising from Sunday's assault on JNU students and teachers". Jim Watson/Getty President Trump warned Iran in a series of tweets Saturday that if the country strikes any Americans or American assets in retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the U.S. has chosen 52 Iranian sites to target. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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, Trump said. The presidents comments came a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. remains committed to de-escalation with Iran. Trump, whose threats against Tehran on Saturday seemed to be a far cry from his claim immediately after the airstrike that he simply wanted to stop a war, also defended his decision to kill Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. He said the top Iranian general had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations, Trump wrote. Hours after his first tweetstorm, he issued another taunt noting that the U.S. just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way...and without hesitation! The president has said Soleimani was preparing imminent attacks on American interests, and administration officials on Friday told lawmakers at a classified briefing that Iran had plans to kill hundreds of Americans, though they offered no details on these plots. Critics of the move have largely agreed with the assessment that Soleimani was a a foe to the U.S. but have questioned the timing of the killingahead of Trumps impeachment trial and amid his 2020 re-election campaign and his decision to order the airstrike without congressional approval. Story continues Trump Told Mar-a-Lago Pals to Expect Big Iran Action Soon Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. By Mark Peterson We used to joke, when I was a student in Korea in the 1970s, that the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom was more democratic than the Park Chung-hee era in then contemporary Korea. The joke had some truth to it. Both at the level of criticism of the Park administration for its lack of democracy on the one hand, and the amount of democracy we find in Joseon. Of course, therein lies the irony that the time of kings, the Joseon dynasty, had democratic institutions. But there were several. I could write a column on each for example, student demonstrations. Korea's student demonstration were hallmarks of Korean political life from April 19, 1960, through the 60s, 70s and 80s, until true democracy evolved in Korea. The "samsa" was the censorate the three offices of government that had the duty of criticizing the king and the government (and the censorate had great power in the Joseon court; the three arms of the censorate often, really often, criticized the king and his appointments). The king would sometimes withdraw the offending appointment or decision, and sometimes he would not, but he had to deal with the censors who were obliged to keep him on the straight and narrow of good Confucian, moral government. The king was required to attend lectures on Confucianism, which implied the adherence to ethical government. Among the indicators of democratic institutions in Korea, the one I want to address in today's column is that of petitioning. Joseon people could petition the king or the government for all kinds of things. It was acceptable, and oft-seen. It was not a rare or dangerous thing to do it was the heart of interaction between the government and the people. I want to tell you about a document I have I bought it from an antique dealer when I was a Ph.D. student, researching in Korea. I bought several documents to have as "show-and-tell" samples that I would be able to use at a future time, when I would finish my Ph.D. and get a teaching position in a university. The document is, quite obviously a petition obvious, because after a block of text, there is a large block of signatures. The signatures follow a name with minimal acquaintance with the language, one can see the typical three syllable name of a whole bunch of people, each followed by a highly stylized character which, like our signatures today, may be legible, may be illegible, but are clearly unique and unforgeable, supposedly. Signatures! Written, highly stylized signatures. But the well-versed modern Korean or Koreanist, or Korean resident, will say, "wait a minute" Koreans used the dojang a seal or stamp. When I first arrived in Korea, back in 1965, I was told that I needed a dojang to do banking, and to use the post office and other official actions. One could not just sign one's name, I was told. Well, it turns out that the use of the dojang was apparently a Japanese innovation, because Joseon dynasty Koreans used signatures for all kinds of legal and quasi-legal documents. Yes, there were dojang in red ink for art works, both for artist or owner. And government officials used red stamps for authenticating various kinds of documents. But private affairs called for a signature. There are numerous examples. Agreement to a division of inheritance, buying and selling property, awarding gifts to others all carried signatures, not dojang stamps. There were two exceptions I know of. One was for those who were illiterate and in the place of a signature, they would trace the outline of their hand. The other case was that of a widow. It was assumed that a widow either did not know how to write, only wrote in Hangeul, or, because of her widow status should not be using a signature I'm not sure why. But I know that widows used the dojang. But unlike other dojang (in contemporary use, government officials, artists), the widow did not use a red or vermillion inkpad. They inked their dojang in black ink. We can see black dojang on numerous documents and the widow's stamp is always in black ink. The signatures on the petition I am referring to were all highly stylized. They were most often a single syllable one character written in a way that was unique and supposedly impossible to forge like our signatures on checks and other documents today. Mark Peterson (markpeterson@byu.edu) is professor emeritus of Korean, Asian and Near Eastern languages at Brigham Young University in Utah. Oman Air achieved one of its best on-time-performance (OTP) rate of 90 per cent over the past calendar year of 2019. This metric measures the airlines flight punctuality important criteria amongst customers, particularly frequent international air travellers, when selecting an airline to fly with. Oman Airs achievement of 90 per cent for 2019 makes it one of the best performing airlines globally in terms of flight punctuality. In December 2019, the years busiest month for air travel, the airline earned an industry high of 92 per cent OTP rating. This is a noteworthy accomplishment in one of the years most challenging months in terms of winter weather and seasonal peak volumes with year-end rush of travellers criss-crossing the globe at busy airports. The 90 per cent OTP rate is Oman Airs highest since 2015, when it flew almost 25 per cent fewer flights than it did in 2019. In the just-concluded year, Oman Air flew 69,656 flights, 34,225 of which departed from Muscat International Airport. Abdulaziz Alraisi, Oman Air CEO, commented: We are pleased with our on-time-performance reaching the 90 per cent mark. This means we are delivering our promise on punctuality. This is an important element of the customer journey. And we will ensure our overall guest experience remains at the top of industry standards. I am grateful to all my hard-working colleagues across Oman Airs global network for this marvellous achievement in flight punctuality for 2019." Year-on-year, we have been improving in many aspects of our flight operations. The last quarter of 2019 was our best quarter of the year for on-time departures, which once again shows that our ongoing Transformation Programme is delivering increased efficiency within the airline and better experiences for our guests," he said. - TradeArabia News Service Dhaka, Jan 6 : A Bangladeshi court has ordered the arrest of former chief justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, who is in exile in the US, in a case filed by the country's Anti-Corruption Commission over alleged money laundering and embezzlement. Special judge Emrul Kayesh issued the order to arrest Sinha and 10 others after examining the charges, chief prosecutor of the anti-graft body Khurshid Alam Khan told Efe news. "The arrest warrant was issued since he (Sinha) is absconding. The case was taken into cognizance against the offense of money laundering and embezzlement," Khan said. "The matter is now within the jurisdiction of court. ACC will now act upon the court order," he said, adding that the police would have to bring a report to court on the carrying out of the order on January 22. Given that Sinha is out of the country, it'll be then when procedures can begin for the issuing of an international arrest warrant. On December 9, the ACC filed charges to the court against Sinha and 10 others for allegedly siphoning off 40 million taka ($472,000) from the account of a local bank between November 2016 and September 2018. The anti-graft body began an inquiry in April 2018 against Sinha four months after he resigned as chief justice amid controversies. Sinha was criticized by several government ministers after he penned down a verdict that struck down the Constitution's 16th amendment, nullifying the Parliament's power to remove Supreme Court judges for misconduct or incapacity. Sinha left Bangladesh on October 13, 2017, allegedly under pressure from the government, and submitted his resignation from abroad on November 10, 2017. He published a book in 2018 entitled "A Broken Dream: Rule of Law, Human Rights and Democracy" in the United States in which he described how he was forced to leave the country. Sinha was appointed Bangladesh's chief justice in January 2015. Oh, the irony. For many years now, one of the more effective tools to counter robocalls has been an invention from the days of copper-wire transmission and Princess phones: The answering machine. And later on, digital voicemail. People still use these screening tactics today, largely because federal and state efforts to block unsolicited phone messages such as Do Not Call registries havent been able to keep up with the scammers. Robocalling is a growth industry. YouMail, a private phone blocking service, says Americans were ear-blistered with 54 billion robocalls in 2019, up from 48 billion the year before. Those numbers are no longer astounding. Its the failure of technology and regulation to weed out the noise that is so frustrating. The everyday intrusion is bad enough, yet even with call-blocking apps and knowledge of fraudulent pitches, many thousands of people are robbed of money, privacy and personal information each year. Businesses and emergency services have to deal with the interference, too. Is relief finally in sight? Last month President Trump signed a bipartisan bill designed to choke the flow of robocalls. While industry reps and consumer advocates caution that Congress latest remedy wont eliminate unwanted calls, they expect to see a noticeable dent. Maureen Mahoney of Consumer Reports called the legislation a big victory in the war against unwanted calls, many of which cant be uprooted at the source because they originate overseas. The key is requiring these phone companies to help stop the calls before they reach the consumer and do it at no additional charge, Mahoney said. Thats a big part of what this bill does. Telecoms such as Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T will be required to implement number-authentication programs, at no charge, to help consumers identify whos calling and hopefully, weed out the chaff. Only businesses with an established relationship with a person will be legally permitted to call. Automated calls that are wanted and legal such as a drug store calling about a prescription or a school announcing a snow day should still get through. The Federal Communications Commission will now be able to fine robocallers up to $10,000 per illegal transaction, but its not the amount that really counts. Until now the FCC has had little luck in collecting the fines it imposes, and it lacked the power to require effective blocking measures. The new bill should bolster the existing STIR/SHAKEN authentication system used by carriers to counter spoofing phone numbers that show up on caller ID as a local call. Even with sharper tools, some experts predict it will take years to squelch the robocall network, which has proven resilient to firewalls and consumer protections. Until a fix is achievable, phone users must stay on top of the protections afforded to them. The FCC and Congress must keep updating the law as needed. And those who still like to answer every call should heed the adage: If something seems too good to be true Union minister and Senior BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday accused the Congress of doing appeasement politics and creating confusion among people over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). "The Opposition is creating confusion and misleading people over the issue of CAA. Congress president Sonia Gandhi released video statement but she did not condemn the violence. The Congress is standing with those who committed violence," she told a press conference at the BJP office here. She said religious minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have faced persecution in their respective countries and sought asylum in India during the last six decades. "In the last six years, over 2000 refugees, mostly Muslims, who have come from Pakistan got Indian citizenship. In the same period, more than 900 people, mostly Muslims, from Afghanistan and nearly 200 people, mostly Muslims, from Bangladesh also got citizenship. There is no exclusion. Even today, they can acquire citizenship under the Citizenship Act," Sitharaman said. Earlier in the day, she launched a door-to-door awareness campaign on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Kagzi Mohalla, Khudabaksh Chowk in Sanganer here and accused the opposition of spreading misinformation about the new citizenship law. "The CAA is not for taking away anyone's citizenship. The Opposition has no other issue and therefore they are deliberately creating misconception. They are wrong. Confusion is being created by linking CAA with NRC and we have to clear it," she told a Muslim family. She also visited Laxmi Colony near Kagzi Mohalla for the campaign. She was accompanied by Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra and other leaders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition parties on Sunday attacked the BJP over the violence in JNU, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging that "fascists" in control of the country are afraid of the voices of brave students, but the ruling party sought a probe into the role of "tukde tukde gang" in the incident. Senior BJP leader and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a JNU alumnus, described the violence as "horrifying" and asserted that the Modi government wants universities to be safe spaces for all students. Violence broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday night after masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police. At least 18 people, including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured. Gandhi expressed shock over the incident and claimed it was a "reflection of fear" that "fascists in control of our nation" have of the students. "The brutal attack on JNU students and teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Today's violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear," he said in a tweet. BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said violence in any form needs to be condemned but added that it is equally important to note that a certain group of people in JNU subscribe to a "mindset that calls for dismemberment of India and considers death sentence of a known terrorist by the Supreme Court to be an act of murder". These people are often called "tukde tukde gang", he said, and added, "obviously their ideology can't be one of peace. It must be ascertained as to what is their specific role in this culture of violence, especially in this specific incident today." BJP and its affiliates refer to groups with alleged sympathy with Maoists and Islamists as "tukde tukde gang". The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP, which is affiliated to the Hindutva group RSS, blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours. CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said reports point to a collusion between the administration and "goons" of ABVP to inflict violence on students and teachers. It is a planned attack by those in power, which is afraid of the resistance provided by the JNU to its Hindutva agenda, he said. Congress leader P Chidambaram noted that visuals of violence were captured in videos that showed masked men entering JNU hostels and attacking students. "If it is happening on live TV, it is an act of impunity and can only happen with the support of the government. This is beyond belief," he said. Expressing her shock at the violence, Sitharaman tweeted, "Horrifying images from JNU the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This govt, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students." External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, also a JNU alumnus, tweeted, "Have seen pictures of what is happening in #JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) How Much Is The Russian Military Helping Turkmenistan? By Bruce Pannier January 04, 2020 There are some indications that Russia might be doing more than simply warning Turkmenistan about the threats spilling across its border with Afghanistan. Unconfirmed reports suggest there may be some Russian soldiers present in Turkmenistan along one part of the Turkmen-Afghan border. A correspondent for RFE/RL's Turkmen Service, known locally as Azatlyk, went to the Kerki and Koytendag districts in the southern part of Turkmenistan's eastern Lebap Province on December 23 to check on reports of increased military activity to deal with possible border incursions. The correspondent met the same day with a border guard who told him, on condition of anonymity, that the troops there had "significantly strengthened security" due to warnings about possible attacks from militants in Afghanistan. The border guard said "dozens" of Turkmen warplanes had recently started making daily reconnaissance flights along the border, "at least five flights along the border between Serhetabad [in Mary Province] and Koytendag." The timing of these flights is interesting because on December 18, Russian Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev said "more than 2,000" militants from the so-called Islamic State of Khorasan (ISK) were strengthening their positions in northern Afghanistan, preparing to use those areas as a launching point for an "incursion into Central Asia through Tajikistan and Turkmenistan." The Azatlyk correspondent contacted a known source in the State Border Guard Service on December 27 to check on the reported military activity along the Afghan border. The official, again speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russian and Turkmen troops were already operating together along the frontier with Afghanistan and that Russian troops had been in Turkmenistan for more than a year. "Such cooperation is kept quiet, it is a state secret," the source told RFE/RL. The border guard's statement could not be independently verified, and Turkmenistan's government has never said anything about Russian troops being stationed along the border with Afghanistan. But the Turkmen government has also never admitted there was a problem along its 744-kilometer border with Afghanistan, even when reports from inside Afghanistan indicated there was fighting on the Turkmen border and that Turkmen troops had been killed in the clashes. Turkmen authorities have repeatedly stated that the country has UN-recognized neutral status and needs no outside help because there is no threat to it. Afghan Threats But Russian officials have repeatedly talked about threats from Afghanistan for Central Asia and about increasing cooperation with the militaries of those countries. On December 26, 2018, the then-commander of Russia's Central Military District, General Yevgeny Ustinov, spoke about increased cooperation with the Central Asian states and mentioned "renewed preparations with the militaries of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan." Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are the only two Central Asian countries not in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Ustinov's comment came after the director of Russia's second Asia department, Zamir Kabulov, warned on September 30, 2018, that ISK militants were getting prepared "to destabilize the political situation in Central Asia," and CIS border guards noted on November 14 there was a deterioration in security in northern Afghanistan along the border with Turkmenistan, which Ashgabat on November 16 called "unfriendly" and a "distortion" of the facts. Acting CSTO General-Secretary Valery Semerikov added to the speculation when he said on November 23 there was a threat from extremists assembling along the Tajik and Turkmen borders. Interestingly, Gazprom chief Aleksei Miller visited Turkmenistan at the end of November 2018 to discuss the possibility of renewing Russian purchases of Turkmen natural gas that were suspended early in 2016. The Kremlin may have been dangling an economic lifeline in front of threadbare Turkmenistan in return for cooperation in allowing Russian advisers to be deployed along its border with Afghanistan -- the same way Russian military advisers are operating along Tajikistan's Afghan border. Did a desperate Turkmenistan accept the offer? The Koytendag and Kerki districts are on the other side of Afghanistan's Jowzjan Province. A mutinous Taliban commander named Qari Hikmatullah briefly raised the black flag of ISK in the Darzab district of Jowzjan Province in 2017 until he was killed in April 2018. His unit, which fought against government and Taliban forces, seemed to be comprised of similarly disaffected Taliban fighters and essentially mercenaries, militants roaming northern Afghanistan who hook up with groups as the opportunity arises. After Hikmatullah was killed his unit seems to have been scattered. The Taliban remains the dominant militant group in northern Afghanistan and for more than five years they have been fighting against government and paramilitary forces (Arbaky) in Jowzjan, including in the Qarqeen district that borders Turkmenistan. As usual, it is difficult to know exactly what is happening inside Turkmenistan. But it does appear Turkmen troops in Lebap are on heightened alert. Apparently in the Mary Province to the west, security along the main roads was recently increased. And Russian-Turkmen cooperation is certainly better now than it has been for a decade. Russian border guards were stationed in Turkmenistan until 1999, so the Russian military is very familiar with Turkmenistan's Afghan border. Turkmenistan's acceptance of Russian troops on its territory -- if that is what is happening -- would be another indication that Turkmenistan is falling back into the Kremlin's orbit. RFE/RL's Turkmen Service contributed to this report Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/how-much-is-the-russian- military-helping-turkmenistan-/30360150.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address San Antonio religious leaders said a new plan that would formally split the United Methodist Church over same-sex marriage was the result of irreconcilable differences that have been simmering for years. Were clearly not united, said Eric Vogt, senior pastor at Travis Park Church downtown, which long has advocated for more inclusivity within the worldwide UMC. Its only now finally coming to a head. Unfortunately, were not going to be able to work this out. Were all trying to follow Jesus, but we have irreconcilable differences on how we interpret Scripture. The plan, announced Friday, was hammered out by a group of UMC leaders from across the globe during mediation sessions in Washington. It would create a new traditionalist Methodist denomination that would continue to prohibit same-sex marriage and forbid gay and lesbian clergy. The existing UMC would become a more liberal-leaning denomination that likely would be more supportive of the LGBT community. Early response from conservatives and liberals indicates the plan, which will be presented at UMCs world conference in Minneapolis in May, will be approved. A separation in the United Methodist Church, a denomination long home to a varied mix of left and right, had become widely seen as likely after a fractured conference in St. Louis in February. At the time, 53 percent of church leaders and lay members voted to tighten the ban on same-sex marriage, declaring the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Vogt said the conference in February had sounded promising at first but resulted in the language that was more punitive to the LGBT community than before. People in our congregation were really upset and hurt, Vogt said. It wasnt that it didnt get better, it actually got worse. Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey of Louisiana was part of the group of leaders who negotiated the plan to sunder UMC. We tried to look for ways that we could gracefully live together with all our differences, Harvey said. But after last years conference, she said, it just didnt look like that was even possible anymore. In the months following that conference, UMC leaders gathered in an informal committee that eventually determined separation was the best means to resolve our differences, allowing each part of the church to remain true to its theological understanding. For its part, the Travis Park congregation took its own action following the February conference. Its been something for us to navigate for a while, but that time in March, we came out with a statement saying that we would conduct same-sex weddings even if thats not allowed by the UMC, Vogt said. The church voted to reduce the amount of money it regularly gives to the UMC by about half, Vogt said, and decided to conduct same-sex marriages and support the ordination of LGBT-identifying folks. Travis Park Church also rebranded itself, taking out United Methodist from its name in protest. Based on the latest UMC proposal, each churchs regional conference Travis Park belongs to a South Texas annual conference can choose whether it wants to belong to the new traditionalist Methodist denomination, which is considered more conservative and less inclusive of LGBT congregants, or remain UMC. Individual churches that dont agree with what their regional network wants can choose to opt out and belong to the other denomination. There are no second-class citizens in the kingdom of God, so we really feel like there should be full equality for all people, Vogt said. We think people can be faithful within LGBT relationships, and that that shouldnt matter for who they are, what they do and how theyre treated as leaders in the church. On San Antonios North Side, officials at Coker United Methodist Church didnt comment directly on the proposed plan for a new denomination or whether Coker supports same-sex marriage. At Coker, we believe everyone is made in Gods image, wrote Jennifer Clauser, the churchs communications director. Everyone is deeply and unconditionally loved by God through Jesus Christ. She said all of its parties whether for or against same-sex marriage have a deeply rooted desire to maintain a love of God and a love of others, and all wish to continue in ministry without letting the intricacies of ideologies distract from the message of Jesus Christ as our Savior. Clauser emphasized that all people are welcome at Coker UMC. We will continue to open our doors to everyone and continue prayerfully seeking the guidance of God in all that we do now and in the future, she said. The UMC isnt the only denomination to be roiled by heated theological disputes over the role of LGBT members and clergy. Battles have led to an exodus of congregations from various denominations in recent years. The Presbyterian Church (USA), for one, grappled with similar questions several years ago. We always seemed to have these huge fights and discussions every periodic meeting between Presbyterian church leadership, said Sallie Watson, the General Presbyter of Mission Presbytery, a network of about 134 churches that stretches from North Austin to the Rio Grande Valley. In 2014, around the time that same-sex marriage became federal law, the Presbyterian Church (USA) changed its definition of marriage from being a union between a man and a woman, to a union between two people. Not all congregants agreed with the change. In 2015, San Antonios First Presbyterian Church voted to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA). It joined the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians, or ECO. That was the major one, the most heartbreaking one for everyone, Watson said. They felt like they couldnt stay in a denomination that would allow for the ordination of the LGBT community. Across San Antonio and the country, conservative congregants flocked to other Presbyterian denominations, such as ECO or the Presbyterian Church in America, Watson said. The PCA, known for being conservative, split from the Presbyterian Church more than 40 years ago because it did not believe in ordaining women. The United Methodist Church appears to be doing something slightly different, by creating the traditionalist Methodist denomination to split its church, Watson noted. This may be the only way forward for them and their policy. I guess in essence we did the same thing except our denominations are not still connected, Watson said. She said she believes the LGBT community should be welcomed and allowed leadership positions at churches. Who did Jesus turn away? she said. No one. As for UMC, both sides seemed pleased that the yearslong fighting appears to be over. The solution that we received is a welcome relief to the conflict we have been experiencing, said the Rev. Thomas Berlin, who represented groups that opposed discrimination against LGBT people in the mediation. I am very encouraged that the United Methodist Church found a way to offer a resolution to a long conflict. Conservatives, who seemed to have the upper hand after the February vote tightening a ban on same-sex marriage, would get $25 million once their new denomination is formed and incorporated. All current clergy and lay employees of the denomination, even if they affiliate with the traditionalists, would get to keep their pension plans. It is not everything that we would have hoped for, but we think it is a good agreement that gets us out of the decadeslong conflict that we have experienced and enables us to focus on ministry in a positive way, said Tom Lambrecht, vice president of Good News, one of the conservative groups. The factions agreed to allocate $39 million to support communities historically marginalized by the sin of racism, according to the agreement. That sum includes $13 million the traditionalists contributed instead of receiving as part of their portion. A plurality of American Methodists consider themselves conservative but six in 10 believe homosexuality should be accepted, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center Religious Landscape Study. The study found almost half of respondents favored same-sex marriage. There have been Methodists in the United States since the early 1700s. The denomination has a long history of valuing local congregations over a top-down structure and it has split many times, most notably over slavery before the Civil War. Bushfire in suothern australia (Image: Reuters) A dangerous fire flared up in southeastern Australia on Sunday even as cooler conditions elsewhere allowed authorities to begin assessing the damage from heatwave-spurred blazes that swept through two states on Saturday. Officials told residents and others in the New South Wales (NSW) state town of Eden to leave immediately and head north if they did not have a bushfire response plan. "If your plan is to leave, or you are not prepared, leave towards Merimbula or Pambula," the Rural Fire Service said in an alert. Tens of thousands of homes in both NSW and Victoria states were without power on Sunday as a large-scale military and police effort continued to provide supplies and evacuate thousands of people who have been trapped for days in coastal towns by the fires. Initial estimates put damaged or destroyed properties in the hundreds, but authorities said the mass evacuations by residents of at-risk areas appear to have prevented major loss of life. Twenty-four people have been killed since the start of this year's wildfire season. Sunday's cooler temperatures and light rain forecast in some coastal areas in coming days could bring some relief, but officials said that would not be enough to bring the almost 200 fires still burning under control. Fire officials said the next major flashpoint would come later in the week, but it was too early to gauge the likely severity of the threat. "The weather activity we're seeing, the extent and spread of the fires, the speed at which they're going, the way in which they are attacking communities who have never ever seen fire before is unprecedented," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. Thousands of people have been evacuated from coastal towns at the peak of the summer holiday season, in one of the biggest coordinated operations since the evacuation of Darwin after Cyclone Tracy flattened the northern city in 1974. Australia has been battling blazes across much of its east coast for months, with experts saying climate change has been a major factor in a three-year drought that has left much of the country's bushland tinder-dry and susceptible to fires. Following are highlights of what is happening across Australia: - Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Singapore and Papua New Guinea have made offers of military support; New Zealand was sending an additional three Air Force helicopters and crews, two Army Combat Engineer Sections and a command element to support Australian Defence efforts. - In the Southern Highlands region south of Sydney, a new fire was burning out of control after the winds helped drive an existing blaze to jump the Shoalhaven and Kangaroo rivers. - Another fire near the southern coastal town of Eden was at Emergency level, and the ABC reported police have warned people should leave for evacuation centres. - Five fires in Victoria had Evacuate Now or Emergency Level warnings. - Haze from the fires was turning skies orange in New Zealand; police there asked people to not call the emergency phone number. - The death of a 47-year old man who was defending a friend's rural property in NSW took the national toll this season to 24. NSW Premier Berejiklian said there was no one unaccounted for in NSW; Victorian authorities said seven people were unaccounted for in Victoria. - The federal government on Saturday announced an unprecedented call up of army reservists to support firefighters as well other resources including a third navy ship equipped for disaster and humanitarian relief. It also announced the creation of a federal bushfires response agency. - RFS Commissioner Fitzsimmons criticised the government for not informing him of its policy proposal, saying he found out about it from the media and it created confusion on one of the busiest days ever for fighting fires. - PM Morrison faced criticism for a video he posted on social media outlining how the government is tackling the fires. Morrison has been under sustained attack handling of the crisis after he jetted out for a family holiday in Hawaii. He apologised and returned early but was heckled and snubbed when he toured fire-hit regions in recent days. - More than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) of land has been burnt this fire season. Almost 1,500 homes have been destroyed in NSW state alone. JAKARTA, Indonesia Landslides and floods caused by torrential downpours have killed at least 60 people in and around Indonesias capital, as rescuers struggled to search for people buried under tons of mud, officials said Saturday. Monsoon rains and rising rivers submerged a dozen districts in the greater Jakarta area and caused landslides that buried at least a dozen people. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Agus Wibowo said the fatalities included those who had drowned or been electrocuted since rivers broke their banks early Wednesday after extreme torrential rains hit on New Years Eve. Three elderly people died of hypothermia. Its the worst flooding in the area since 2007, when 80 people were killed over 10 days. Rescuers recovered more bodies as flash floods and mudslides destroyed Sukamulia village in Bogor district. They were searching for a villager who was missing in a landslide in Lebak, a district in neighboring Banten province, Wibowo said. The number of fatalities was expected to increase, with rescuers and villagers also searching for at least three people believed to be buried in another landslide in Cigudeg village in Bogor district, said Ridwan, the villages secretary, who goes by a single name. Ridwan said bad weather, blackouts and mudslides were hampering rescue efforts. He said rescuers on Saturday managed to reach eight hamlets that had been isolated for days by cut-off roads and mudslides and rescued more than 1,700 villagers. Four days after the region of 30 million people was struck by flash floods, waters have receded in many middle-class districts, but conditions remain grim in narrow riverside alleys where the citys poor live. 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. Government data showed that 92,200 people were still unable to return home from damp, congested emergency shelters, mostly in the hardest-hit area of Bekasi. Much of the city was still submerged in muddy waters up to 2 6.5 feet high, according to the disaster agency. Indonesias Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said more downpours were forecast for the capital in the coming days, and that the potential for extreme rainfall will continue until next month across the vast archipelago nation. The government on Friday started cloud seeding in an attempt to divert rain clouds from reaching greater Jakarta to prevent more flooding, the agency said. Indonesia is hit by deadly floods each year, and Jakarta, the capital of Southeast Asias largest economy, is not immune. But this years have been particularly severe, with about 397,000 people seeking refuge in shelters across the greater metropolitan area. Niniek Karmini is an Associated Press writer. 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. In his Dec. 15 guest column, Whos there for Gisell?, retired Albuquerque Police Department Sgt. Dan Klein addresses the tragic case of Gisell Estrada, the 17-year-old girl who was misidentified by APD, arrested and jailed for six days for a crime she did not commit or know anything about. The headline of the column asks a critical question: Whos there for Gisell? And I can tell you this: Her public defenders at the state Law Offices of the Public Defender were there for her every step of the way. Gisell was targeted by police after an employee at her school misidentified a Facebook photo provided by the detective investigating the shooting death of Calvin Kelly. Rather than talk to Gisell, her teachers or her family, police and prosecutors simply got an arrest warrant for her and got a judge to seal it. Media reports and the Journals Dec. 10 editorial, Teens 6 days in jail show social media no substitute for police work, rightly challenge the way the investigation was conducted. And Klein rightly rails against a lack of checks and balances for the innocent when he asks who was there for Gisell. LOPD public defenders Todd Farkas and Craig Acorn, and LOPD investigator Ed Medina did their absolute best for Gisell, as they do for all their clients. They rang the alarm bells from Day 1 that police had made a grave mistake. They counseled her terrified family. And they worked tirelessly, eating quick lunches at their desks or on the run, coming in early and staying late. Its not that they had extra time on their hands; they regularly juggle dozens of high-profile and time-consuming murder cases, several of which have impending trials. They arent overflowing with resources, especially when compared to the police and prosecutors. They like nearly every other public defender on a daily basis worked themselves ragged because, well, because who else was going to be there for Gisell? When prosecutors finally relented, Gisell had spent six days in juvenile jail, which is, in every real sense, a jail especially for a shy girl who would eat lunch with her teachers at school and who had never been in any legal trouble. How much longer would she have stayed in juvenile jail but for the strong advocacy of her public defender team? The Journals Dec. 10 editorial claims that the system ultimately worked because Gisell had access to a free attorney. This statement minimizes the depth of work involved for the public defender team and seems to assume that a free and adequately resourced attorney will always be there for people in need. Thats a dangerous assumption in this time of critically underfunded public defenders carrying crushing caseloads. And it should be a scary assumption, too, since, as Klein concludes, what happened to Gisell could happen again. And the next time it does, it could be you or your child. Pakistan must act in defence of their minorities instead of preaching sermons, MEA says. New Delhi: On the heels of the vandalism at the historic Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistani Punjab on Friday, India on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of a Sikh man at Peshawar and called upon Pakistan to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts. New Delhi also asked Islamabad to act in defence of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries. According to media reports, a 25-year-old Sikh man identified as Ravinder Singh was shot dead in Peshawar by an unidentified man. Ravinder Singh was reportedly a resident of Shangla district at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He had returned home recently from Malaysia and had gone to Peshawar to shop for his wedding, one of his friends told an Indian TV channel. The victim was reportedly the brother of Pakistani Sikh journalist Harmeet Singh. In a statement, the MEA said, India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janamasthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur. The MEA added, India calls upon the Government of Pakistan to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts. The Government of Pakistan should act in defence of their minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries. India had on Friday lashed out at the vandalism in Nankana Sahib and had strongly condemned these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place. India had also asked Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community. James Durbin I first met Jerry Morales in Dallas, while reviewing the quality of pipe that was going to be used on the T-Bar water line project. I could tell during that visit that he really had a passion for our city and its citizens. Later, I discovered that he was going to run for mayor, and I called him to offer my help and financial assistance to help win that election. What most impressed me about Jerry during his pursuit to becoming mayor was his willingness to not only accept criticism and advice but his ability to succinctly convert that criticism and advice into actionable and meaningful results. He also made himself available to anyone and everyone for almost any reason or purpose. He woke up every day pursing his dream and desire to become mayor, and it paid off. Jerry is the most humble, caring, honest, trustworthy, dependable person I know. When he listens to a complaint, he does so with compassion and without being argumentative and demeaning. He is the hardest-working person I have ever met. He can delegate as good as anyone I have known. He loves Midland as much or more than anyone I have met. He cares about people. He is the happiest and most loving mayor that Midland may ever see or know. An entrepreneur who left school when he was 16 is in line for a payout of up to 60 million after hiring bankers to work on a sale of the media business he set up 22 years ago. Sources said Pageant Media has appointed financiers from advisory firm Livingstone to carry out a strategic review of the company which sells data and puts on events for City firms and fund managers. It was set up in 1998 by Charlie Kerr a decade after he left Stowe boarding school. Pageant Media was set up by Charlie Kerr a decade after he left Stowe boarding school. Bankers said they expect Pageant to be sold for between 100 million and 120 million. Kerr owns 56.5 per cent of the shares. Sources said he could choose to hold on to some of his shares if a private equity buyer snaps up the business. Buy-out firms such as Intermediate Capital Group and Bowmark Capital are said to be in advanced talks with Pageant Media. It has grown via a series of acquisitions, including that of HedgeFund Intelligence, which it bought from FTSE 250-listed Euromoney in 2017. HedgeFund Intelligence was set up in 1998 by journalist Iain Jenkins in his West London home. He made a 11 million profit when he sold it to Euromoney in 2003. Pageant Media declined to comment. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 23:22:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close A supporter holds a portrait of Qassem Soleimani during a rally in southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on Jan. 5, 2020. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah urged on Sunday its fighters to attack U.S. soldiers in the region in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian top commander Qassem Soleimani by the United States. (Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua) BEIRUT, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah urged on Sunday its fighters to attack U.S. soldiers in the region in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian top commander Qassem Soleimani by the United States. "The resistance should force American soldiers to leave Iraq and our region. This is the least that can be done in retaliation for this awful crime," Nasrallah said during a Beirut memorial for Soleimani and the others who were killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq on Friday, Al Manar local TV channel reported. Nasrallah said that when American soldiers return to their homeland in coffins, U.S. President Donald Trump will then be aware that he has lost Iraq and the region and only then will he lose the upcoming elections. Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were assassinated by the United States in Baghdad. Nasrallah said that if the resistance does not retaliate, this would take the region into a dangerous phase where it will be opened to further attacks by the United States and Israel. Nasrallah said that Trump resorted to violence by assassinating Soleimani because he aims to improve his image in front of the American population ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. Nasrallah explained that Israel considers Soleimani as being the most dangerous man in Iran and a threat to its existence. Iranian Commander Warns 35 US Positions in Mideast, Tel Aviv are Within Tehran's Reach Report Sputnik News 13:39 04.01.2020(updated 14:32 04.01.2020) The report comes in the aftermath of the murder of Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian military commander who was killed in Baghdad on Friday in an airstrike authorised by US President Donald Trump. Thirty five vital American targets in the Middle East, as well as Tel Aviv, are "within Iran's reach", Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander, Gholamali Abuhamzeh, said as cited by Tasnim news agency. "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there ... vital American targets in the region have been identified by Iran since a long time ago ... some 35 US targets in the region as well as Tel Aviv are within our reach", he said. The commander added that Tehran reserves the right to retaliate against the US for the assassination of the Quds Force chief. Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen quoted the leader of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc in Lebanon, Mohamed Raad, as saying that the response of the Iran-supported resistance axis to the general's murder would be decisive. Raad added that Soleimani's murder was a US "error" that they will come to realise "in the coming days". US Strategy on Iran Earlier this day, Al Arabiya broadcaster quoted the US State Department as saying that the US strategy on Iran following the assassination of the Quds Force commander Soleimani will remain unaltered. The State Department underlined that Washington will continue its harsh sanctions policy towards Iran and has already undertaken necessary measures to protect its assets in the Middle East, the broadcaster added. Soleimani's Assassination Tensions between the United States and Iran have spiked in the wake of an aerial strike in Baghdad carried out by US forces as a result of which top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani as well as 11 others, including the deputy commander of Iraqi Shia militia Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, were killed. The US described its action as a preemptive move to avoid a military conflict and protect its personnel in the region. Following Soleimani's assassination, Iranian authorities threatened retaliation to avenge the general's death. The military official served as the head of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force. He was succeeded by Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghaani who previously held the post of Deputy Head of the unit. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, January 5, 2020 16:55 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320ec3b1 1 Business Iran,US,air-strikes,oil-price,erick-thohir,SOE-Minister Free The strained diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran following the killing of a top Iranian general by the US military would likely affect Indonesias national economic growth as oil prices are bound to surge in the wake of the latest development, a minister has suggested. State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir said that, although such an event was unpredictable, the country would do well to mitigate the repercussions as it concerned national economic stability. The world economy has always fluctuated its unpredictable. The situations in the Middle East, especially what has happened between the US and Iran, will have an impact on Indonesia specifically on oil prices, Erick said on Sunday as quoted by tempo.co. The US announced on Friday that it had killed a top Iranian general the commander of the Iranian Quds Forces in a strike on Baghdad's international airport, in which the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force was also killed. AFP reported that the US had launched another air strike in Iraq on Saturday. Erick said the government had taken steps to anticipate a possible rise of oil prices amid the heated conflict between the US and Iran. The government had, for example, focused on implementing the B30 biodiesel program, he said. We have anticipated [the development] since a few months ago. Our measures included the implementation of the B30 program, which is expected to limit our reliance on oil imports, he said. Other anticipatory measures would also entail purchasing oil directly from producers themselves without any intermediaries to reduce costs, he said. Weve been directly engaged in a tender with oil producers, including American oil companies, without the assistance of any trader in order to cut down on unnecessary costs, he said. The government is currently importing oil directly from French multinational oil and gas company Total, saving up to US$6 dollar per barrel, Erick said. (rfa) In apparent slip of the tongue on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Israel as a "nuclear power" before correcting himself with a nod and a smile. It happened during a weekly cabinet meeting, while Netanyahu was reading in Hebrew prepared remarks on a deal with Greece and Cyprus on an underwater gas pipeline. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING: "The significance of this project is that we are turning Israel into a nuclear power" (NETANYAHU CORRECTING HIMSELF, SAYING:) "to [an] energy power" (NETANYAHU PAUSING FOR A BIT AND SMILING). Israel is widely believed to have nuclear weapons but has never confirmed or denied it, maintaining a so-called policy of ambiguity on the issue for decades. The rare blooper from one of Israels most polished politicians swiftly spread on social media. Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival in a March 2nd vote after two inconclusive elections in April and September. In November, he was indicted on corruption charges, which he denies. It is forecast that by the end of 2019, the country will fulfill the target of USD 264 bn in total exports, up by 8% compared to 2018, with an export surplus of USD 10 bn. Vietnam not yet self-sufficient The main export markets of Vietnam are still the US, Europe, China, ASEAN, Japan and South Korea. We still maintain commodity groups with export turnover from USD 10 bn or more, including phones and components; electronic products; computers and computer accessories; textiles; footwear; machinery and spare parts. There are also dozens of export commodity groups with a turnover from USD 1 bn or more. Currently, Vietnam is the 22nd largest exporting country in the world. However, behind these impressive figures, there are still industries that made efforts but have not been able to achieve their target. In 2019, textiles and garments was still behind by USD 1 bn to complete the target of USD 40 bn, despite being one of the key export sectors of Vietnam for many years. Talking to Saigon Investment, Mr. Pham Xuan Hong, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Textile and Garment Association, said: In 2019, there were many favorable factors which turned into obstacles, such as the trade war, which reduced consumer demand, making competition more intense between countries. Or the fact that Vietnam is not self-sufficient in the textile and garment industry and needs to import a lot of raw material from China. Similarly, the seafood industry also encountered many difficulties when the selling price of key export products such as shrimp and shutchi catfish plummeted. For a while, shrimp price dropped by 25% compared to the same period in 2018. This made the industry export only about USD 9 bn, USD 1 bn lower than expected target. In addition, seafood in 2019 also continues to face a problem on how to remove the IUU yellow card as well as consecutive anti-dumping lawsuits. Meanwhile, fruits and vegetable exports have continued to decline from the beginning of 2019 when China tightened the quality of imported goods, shifting from border trade to official imports. It is expected that this year the fruit and vegetable industry will not be able to meet its target. Trade fraud will hinder exports Even though the US-China trade war is providing opportunities for a number of Vietnamese industries, it is also causing an explosion of trade fraud and counterfeit of goods. Due to high taxes in the US, many Chinese products are being disguised as Vietnamese products with lower tax to export to the US. Specifically, Vietnam's aluminum which is exported to the US is only taxed 15%, while Chinese aluminum is taxed 374%. In October, the General Department of Vietnam Customs discovered 1.8 million tons of Chinese aluminum worth about USD 4.3 bn imported to Vietnam for further export to the US. Chinese wooden products are also subject to anti-dumping duties of 183.36% by the US, while on Vietnamese wood, tax is only 8%. Therefore, Vietnam's wood industry is also facing commercial fraud, counterfeit of goods and fraud in source of origin. At a recent conference on reducing risks of origin fraud and trade remedies, Mr. Chu Thang Trung, Deputy Director of Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV), emphasized that increased origin fraud will hinder Vietnam's exports not only to the US but the EU as well. According to statistics of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, so far Vietnamese exports have faced more than 150 cases of trade remedies initiated by 19 countries and territories, focusing on anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and self-defense. Challenges in 2020 Up until now, Vietnam has 16 bilateral and multilateral FTAs, of which 12 FTAs are in effect, one FTA has been signed but is not yet in effect, and three FTAs are still under negotiation. But in fact the understanding of FTAs is still very limited. For example, Vietnam-EU FTA (EVFTA) is being talked about a lot because the EU has been a key export market of Vietnam for many years. But a recent survey by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) showed that nearly 80% of enterprises have only just heard about EVFTA for the very first time. Same goes for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) which has been in effect for nearly a year. But still about 70% of businesses do not know about this agreement. The remaining few enterprises that know about FTAs cannot easily take advantage of the tariffs because they have to meet many requirements on product of origin as well as other regulations from importing countries. On the other hand, foreign investment enterprises (FDI) are actively welcoming this opportunity. Thus, in order to take advantage of opportunities from FTAs in 2020, it is necessary to remove many bottlenecks for smooth operations between businesses and State. Translated by Hoa Nam Thanh Lam Actor Vijay Varma reflects on the year gone by with utmost gratitude, as "Gully Boy" gave him the kind of appreciation he was craving for, setting him up to do more challenging work in 2020. Vijay stood out for his portrayal as Moeen in the Zoya Akhtar directorial which chronicles the rise of a rapper from Mumbai slum. "I reflect on 2019 with utmost gratitude and a wide smile on my face. It is the year things started to move for me, I got the acceptance and appreciation I was so badly craving for,' Vijay told PTI. The actor says the struggle now is to "take up a challenge and live up to that." "I know there are expectations attached. To match up and explore myself even further, to be able to surprise people again," he adds. The 33-year-old says post "Gully Boy", his life has been eventful and the work has kept flowing. "A lot of personal life has taken a backseat because there has been so much running around. But it has been a year full of work, going out there and diligently putting myself in front of the camera, trying to find new truths, new explorations and characters. I have been on the move." Vijay has been on the move for quite a while. The actor, hailing from a non-film background from Hyderabad, ran away from home to study in FTII. At the film institute, it was all about just getting work for Vijay, who knew his stakes were already high. "I had run away from home, it was difficult to support myself. I was being taken care of by other people. So for me, to stand up on my own two feet was the first challenge. For that I needed work and I thought I would do any work. "But then I realised I have strong choices. Without any work, I still felt I don't resonate with certain kind of work, characters." After FTII, Vijay had plans to enter the industry as a "certain personality" with a set of roles he would want to do. But then he realised things weren't moving in the direction or at the pace he felt was right. The next step was to course correct himself. "Then I started doing roles which I would not do initially. I kept changing my plan according to what the need of the hour was." Vijay went on to feature in films like "Rangrezz", "Gang of Ghosts" and Guneet Monga backed "Monsoon Shootout". "When 'Monsoon Shootout' happened, I was out there, it travelled to Cannes, my first festival, my first red carpet ever. But there was nothing about it in India, for long. Then I had to start from scratch," he adds. Next up for Vijay was Amitabh Bachchan-starrer "Pink", which the actor was hesitant to do because it was an out-an-out bad character. "But I did it because I wanted to be seen in a Shoojit Sircar movie, I wanted to work with these phenomenal actors. I would put my head down and go to work. That still continues. Just that today I have a lot more options to choose from, therefore I am careful with my choices because I have the luxury of choice now." Even after "Pink", he started getting similar roles, until "Gully Boy" happened and the actor's life changed. "There has been a variety of work post 'Gully Boy' and I am so happy with it," he says. Vijay recently teamed up with Zoya again for the Netflix horror anthology "Ghost Stories". Next up, he would be seen in "Hurdang", "Baaghi 3" and Mira Nair's "A Suitable Boy". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donnie Yen poses with a wooden dummy after signing it. Donnie Yen poses with a wooden dummy after signing it. In 2008, Donnie Yen took the world by storm with his highly praised portrayal of the titular kung fu master in "Ip Man", a martial arts movie based on the real-life Wing Chun grandmaster. The success of the movie gave birth to the Donnie Yen-fronted "Ip Man" franchise, which spawned three sequels starring the actor and one spinoff produced by him, 2018's "Master Z: Ip Man Legacy". Fans would notice that there was only a two-year gap between the first and second movies, but about five years between the second and the third. This was because there had not been real plans for more "Ip Man" movies after the 2010 release but a third movie materialised in 2015 due to director Wilson Yip's keenness on making a movie focusing on Ip Man and his most famous disciple, Bruce Lee. Donnie stated back then that "Ip Man 3" was to be his final time reprising the title role, though added that he would consider a fourth movie if the team could come up with a new angle. It seems that they succeeded there because Donnie's back on the big screen for his real final reprisal of the kung fu master. Donnie, along with co-star Danny Chan who portrayed Bruce Lee since "Ip Man 3", producer Raymond Wong who's produced all instalments in the franchise and screenwriter Edmond Wong who wrote all four "Ip Man" movies, were in Malaysia last week to promote the fourth and final movie. Cinema Online had a chance to speak to the stars, here's what they have to say about "Ip Man 4: The Finale": L-R: Raymond Wong, Donnie Yen, Danny Chan and Edmond Wong at the press conference held prior to the interviews during "Ip Man 4" promo tour in Kuala Lumpur. Cinema Online: You previously said that "Ip Man 3" was your final "Ip Man" movie, what made you decide to do "Ip Man 4"? Donnie: You know, at the time I actually thought that was the last one. I'm not only saying this. It was every one of my intention that the last time, the last episode, we wanted to make a stop to it. But then, I travelled around, making other films, Mr. Wong went to produce other films and Wilson Yip went on to direct other films. But then, there were so many fans in the world that were asking, "Can you guys make another one?" And everywhere I went, there were so many fans, from all walks of life, different ways, different countries. I'm talking about not only in the film industry. For example, last year I went to Kenya in Africa. I went to a little village. The Maasai tribe, they don't have any television and they only watch DVDs. And when I met them, [they went] "I.P. Man! I.P. Man!" Feedback like this from fans gave me inspiration. So, we decided to do it one last time but only if Wilson Yip came up with an idea, a storyline, to conclude the very last episode. You've played Ip Man four times now, did you make any changes in your portrayal of him for this final movie? Donnie: I don't think anyone wants me to change the way...everyone loves this character since day one. In other words, I didn't make it different. The difference is in the story, it's in the issues he faces and how he solves the issues. I think the audience fell in love with this character since the very first one because of who he is and how he is. Through the course of years of following this journey, everyone kinda grew older with the story. There's a lot of feelings and emotions we all invested into this character. How about you, Danny, how was it like playing Bruce Lee? Danny: For me, it's kind of great as a Bruce Lee fan I can act as Bruce Lee. I felt really happy and excited. I really want, if I can, I'll always keep acting as Bruce Lee until I'm 90. [Laughs]. Bruce Lee is too famous. As I play Bruce Lee, some people would challenge me, some would say I'm very good. The movie gave me confidence [in playing him], however. Story continues Danny Chan demonstrating the kung fu skills that earned him his Bruce Lee role. Donnie, was it tough fighting Scott Adkins? Or was there someone else you were hoping to fight? Donnie: Scott? For me, I fought so many people. I've been in the film industry for 37 years and I've fought Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Jacky Wu, Mike Tyson. Actually, there's one person I wanted to fight: Bruce Lee, which is Danny. I think it'd be interesting to fight...to me it's not the difficulty of fighting the character or the actor. For me, it's how refreshing, how challenging. Not so much, 'oh the most powerful opponent'. So I think encountering his student Bruce Lee, I think that could be refreshing but unfortunately, that didn't happen. Edmond Wong didn't put it in the script. People are still talking about you supposedly quitting action movies after "Ip Man 4", would you like to comment on this? Donnie: I wanna clarify again because people think I'm only saying this to promote the film, to get more attention. That is not my, uhm...I'm very known in the industry [as someone who] speaks the truth. I don't like to B.S., I don't like to make propaganda just for the sake of promoting the film. To make a long story short, kung fu movie is action movie but action movies are not necessarily kung fu movies. Action movies can be action comedy, war movies, Marvel, sci-fi, cop movies, detective. But kung fu movie, it's very particular. It only happens with China as background, if you think about it, right? All kung fu movies. You never see a Caucasian doing [kung fu] fighting. So it's very cultural and unique and I've done it so, so many years. It's very difficult to make kung fu movies, you need a lot of money to make kung fu movies and it takes a lot of skills from the actors because you really gotta know your kung fu and the other person gotta know their kung fu as well. I'm gonna give you guys an example, me and Jet Li in "Once Upon A Time In China", it takes two actors really, really good in kung fu, to create classic kung fu scenes. I want to move on and I want to make other action films. "Ip Man 4: The Finale", starring Donnie Yen, Danny Chan, Scott Adkins, and Vanness Wu, is now showing in cinemas nationwide. Militants have killed 60 Democratic Republic of Congo soldiers since October in the restive east of the country, the army said in a statement Saturday. "In the space of two months, 60 brave combatants have fallen in the field of honour" in the military campaign against fighters of the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces around the eastern city of Beni, military spokesman General Leon Richard Kasonga said. A total of 175 other soldiers have been wounded, he added. Kasonga added that there was an ongoing campaign online and in certain media accusing the FARDC (Congolese armed forces) as well as the UN's MONUSCO peace-keeping mission of "colluding with the slaughterers". This he said was merely a bid to discourage the troops who remain "determined to carry out their mission to eradicate the ADF". ADF fighters have killed more than 200 people since the army launched an offensive against the militia on October 30, according to a toll compiled by civil society groups. Such figures have sparked anger over the authorities' response. The Islamist militant group began as a rebellion hostile to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, one of Africa's longest-ruling leaders having seized power in 1986. The group fell back into eastern DRC in 1995 and appears to have halted raids inside Uganda. Its recruits today are people of various nationalities. Army chief of staff General Celestin Mbala and his team have been based in Beni since the end of November. General John Numbi, a close associate of former president Joseph Kabila and the army's inspector general, arrived a few days later. He is under EU sanctions for his part in deadly crackdowns on protesters during Kabila's rule. Last month, the Congolese army said it had "neutralised" 80 ADF fighters, including four of its six main commanders since the operation began in October. The ADF has been active in the region for nearly 25 years, attacking both civilians and security forces. They are accused of killing some 1,000 civilians since October 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) GAZA CITYJana Tawil was born in 2012, the same year that the United Nations released an alarm-raising report on the state of the Gaza Strip: If the prevailing economic, environmental and political trends continued, the organization warned, the besieged coastal enclave sandwiched between Israel and Egypt would become unlivable by 2020. The United Nations revised its initial rating in 2017 to warn that de-development was happening even faster than it first predicted. Janas father, 35-year-old Mahmoud Tawil, never thought much of that assessment. When the UN report (said) that Gaza would be unlivable, I felt that Gaza was not fit for life in the same year, not in the year 2020, he said. That is the bleak reality facing Gazas 2 million Palestinian residents as they enter a new year and new decade: still stuck living in a place the world has already deemed uninhabitable in perhaps the most surreal of 2020 predictions. The Tawil family lives in Gazas al-Shati refugee camp, or the Beach camp, where cramped and crumbling rows of homes sit adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea. It is in theory a scenic view but life here persists on a parallel plane. The elder Tawil, a psychologist, fears the sea: Its full of sewage, pumped in because theres not enough electricity and infrastructure to run Gazas war-torn sewage system. Hospitals, schools and homes are similarly running on empty, worn down by the lack of clean water, electricity, infrastructure and jobs or money. Barely anyone has enough clean water to drink. The only local source of drinking water, the coastal aquifer, is full of dirty and salty water. By 2020 basically, now that damage will be irreversible, water experts have warned. There is no stability in work, and there is no money for people, Tawil said. We cannot drink water or eat vegetables safely, (as) there is a fear that it will be contaminated. He continued: We need a just life, and we need hope that there is a possibility for us to live on this earth ... The various Palestinian parties do not help us in Gaza to live, just as Israel imposes a blockade on Gaza. Unfortunately, no one cares about the residents of Gaza. Perhaps the hardest part of it all is that, relatively speaking, none of this is new. When the United Nations issued the 2012 report setting 2020 as the zero hour for Gazas unlivability, the organization knew even then that no one should be living in Gazas already dangerous conditions. From our perspective, (the report) was a useful sort of ringing the alarm bell a couple of years ago, said Matthias Schmale, the director of operations in Gaza for the UN Works and Relief Agency (UNRWA), the UN body responsible for Palestinian refugees. But for us its no longer really the issue that by 2020 it will be unlivable ... The key question is how do we prevent total collapse? Gazans battle daily with the same crushing question. It has been a dark decade, and then some, in a place Palestinians liken to an open-air prison. In 2007, the extremist group Hamas seized control after ousting its rival, the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, which is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel and Egypt in response imposed a land and sea blockade, citing security concerns and the aim of squeezing Hamas out. It hasnt worked out that way. Instead, since 2009, Hamas and Israel have fought three bloody wars, alongside countless flare-ups. In the meantime, Israel flexes control via policies on who and what can enter and leave Gaza, barring most Gazans and goods from leaving. Hamass repressive and conservative rule has in turn caused people to feel squeezed from all sides. Schmale cited four factors keeping Gaza afloat: Palestinian solidarity, such as businesses writing off debts; the inflow of cash sent by Palestinians abroad; Hamass autocratic rule, which has restricted internal unrest; and support from international bodies such as the United Nations. All of these factors also remain subject to change. In 2018, President Donald Trump cut aid to UNRWA and other Palestinian aid programs, threatening to topple the whole model set up in the 1950s to serve displaced Palestinians. Of Gazas 1.9 million residents, 1.4 million are refugees, and 1 million of them depend on UNRWA for food assistance. The rate of dependence on food aid only grows, Schmale said. Despite the Trump administrations much trumpeted economic-focused Middle East peace plan, no tangible progress has come out of it for Palestinians. A long-term, political solution to Gazas impasse (and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) remains far-off. The depletion of Gazas coastal aquifer was one of the main factors in the United Nations uninhabitable calculus. According to World Health Organization standards, 97 per cent of the aquifers water is unsuitable for human consumption: Its been so heavily pumped that saltwater and other pollutants have poured in where groundwater was taken out. Gazans who can afford to do so buy water from private companies using small-scale desalination projects. But the water from these sources can also become contaminated during unregulated distribution and storage in unclean tanks. One-fourth of all illnesses in Gaza are water-borne, the WHO found. Tamer al-Aklouk, 21, is one of those water sellers finding any way to get by. He is fed up with reports making dire predictions when theyre released at fancy events while the situation on the ground remains the same or worsens. Neither the United Nations nor the United States nor Europe nor the Arabs are concerned with what is happening in Gaza, he said. All the reports they issue in order to talk ... but the ink will remain on paper, and no one will move a finger. Thats why 27-year-old Iman Ibrahims New Years wish, like so many of her generations, is a way out. Ibrahim studied agricultural engineering in the hope that she would find a job. Now shes an unemployed graduate, and she and her father, who paid her university fees, are frustrated. Ibrahim is looking for a scholarship to leave, like many of her peers. In the last two years, Gaza has had a painful brain drain of those who can afford to pay the hefty fees and bribes to exit through Egypt. An estimated 35,000 to 40,000 people had left Gaza since mid-2018. Hamas even started preventing doctors from leaving as so few remained. I am trying to get a chance, but this is not easy for a girl who lives in a conservative society, Ibrahim said. Thats the crux of the matter: Unlike some involved in policies and programs for Gaza, Ibrahim doesnt have the luxury of moving on. Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, the Arabs and the United States are responsible for what is happening in Gaza, and they must work to help some people here in Gaza, she said. We are on the threshold of the year 2020, and Gaza has been uninhabitable for years, not next year. Inside Hook On Monday, January 6th, Harvey Weinsteins criminal trial will begin in New York City. As Megan Twohey, Jodi Kantor and Jan Ransom write in The New York Times, this moment feels like its been in the works for a while: someone who abused his power and caused vast amounts of pain being held to account for his actions. But for all that the trial can seem like a referendum on Weinsteins actions, the articles authors note that its scope is more specific than that. They write that for all the expectations about the high-profile trial, the jurors will be hearing a narrow legal case, with an already-fraught back story and a highly unpredictable result. New Delhi/Kolkata, Jan 5 : The CPI-M-affiliated Students Federation of India has called for nationwide protests on Monday against the violence that swept the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU Aon Sunday. "Tomorrow (Monday) we will protest not only in Delhi, but across the nation," said SFI General Secretary Mayukh Biswas. Accusing the police of not responding to the students' fervent pleas for help, Biswas said the students would lay siege on the Delhi police headquarters. Several masked individuals, both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers inside the JNU campus with wooden and metal rods. Two officer-bearers of the Jawaharal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), including President Aishe Ghosh - who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod, received severe injuries. They blamed RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence in the campus. "They brutally attacked the students, and vandalised the hostel. A large number of students are injured. We are now at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) trauma centre. There is no ambulance. Police are not responding. Students are in a helpless state," said Biswas. He said with every passing minute, more and more ambulances were entering AIIMS trauma centre with injured students. A day after the US killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike, international reports state that the US embassy in Baghdad has come under rocket attack. Reports citing local sources state that the missile has landed inside the Green Zone near the US embassy. Moreover, reports state that witnesses that an explosion was heard in the Iraqi capital, but it was not immediately clear what caused it. US embassy attacked BREAKING: US embassy in Baghdad comes under rocket attack - reports https://t.co/j2139SeWjo pic.twitter.com/LTXwd6hqTE Sputnik (@SputnikInt) January 4, 2020 Moreover, Sky News Arabia has stated that a missile hit the Green Zone and blocked the entrance to the road leading to the embassy. US helicopters were seen in the sky over Baghdad soon after the blasts were heard, state reports. Katyusha rocket was reportedly used in the attack, as per sources. More details awaited. US drone strike kills Iran's General Qassem Soleimani Earlier on Friday, the White House and the Pentagon confirmed the death of Iran's powerful military head General Qassem Soleimani 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. Six others were killed along with Major General Soleimani including Iraqi militia head - Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Iran vows revenge In response to the killing of its top Army General, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani in a tweet said that 'Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime'. Moreover, he added that 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. Soleimani's IRGC, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US - last year. 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. India calls for calm India in a statement called for calm and restraint over the prevailing situation. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) acknowledging the death of the senior Iranian official, asserted that peace, stability, and security of the region are of utmost significance to New Delhi. It added that it is vital that the situation does not escalate further. By AFP TEHRAN: Iran's army chief said Sunday that Washington lacked the "courage" to initiate a conflict after US President Donald Trump threatened to hit dozens of targets inside the Islamic republic. "I doubt they have the courage to initiate" a conflict in which the Americans threatened to strike 52 targets, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said, quoted by state news agency IRNA. Trump warned Saturday night that the US would hit Iran harder than ever before if it retaliates over the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force foreign operations arm. ALSO READ | US will hit 52 vital targets, cultural sites in Iran if Tehran attacks Americans: Trump Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike Friday near Baghdad international airport ordered by Trump, who accused the general of planning an imminent attack on American diplomats and troops in Iraq. "Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have... targeted 52 Iranian sites... some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture," Trump tweeted. The targets "WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!" he added. ....hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have..... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 But Iran's army chief dismissed the threats as an attempt to distract the global opinion "from the heinous and unjustifiable act they have done". Has anybody noticed or become alarmed that our President and Congress have passed three successive deficit budgets that have us on track, according to the Office of Management and Budget, for 2 trillion dollars in deficit spending? This is the President who campaigned on reducing the deficit. Back in October the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released data to show the deficit growing each of the last 3 years by: 2017-$665 billion, 2018-$779 billion and now 2019-$984 billion. If our economy is judged by fatter 401Ks, stock investment portfolios and massive federal tax cuts, this is missing the point of a healthy economy. Running up the debt today to let someone else worry about it tomorrow is wrong (sounds like our President's ideas about the environment but that's for another day). Didn't we learn anything from the devastating hit our economy took from the sub-prime loans debacle that bankrupted many people and provided bailouts for corporate America in the mid-2000s? The stock market may be doing better and unemployment's lower, but how long can we keep up this false economy by deficit spending with reduced revenue streams? There will come a day when this "sugar high" will end. It is called a recession due to this uncontrolled spending. Let's not forget, our current President loves to spend and not worry about money based on his 4 bankruptcies that we know of. Unable to get financial funding from American lending institutions as a businessman, he had to go overseas to Germany and Russian oligarchs to get funding for his bankrupt projects. America cannot just walk away from its debt like our President has done. Finally, ask a Midwest farmer about the economy when China's new soybean contracts with Brazil and Argentina replace what U.S. farmers use to supply. Referring to the suicide of an 18-year-old girl Mahima, a resident of Kanpur who committed suicide because she could not continue her education due to lack of finances, Priyanka said: "BJP government in Uttar Pradesh does not pay attention to any such issues." New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday lashed out at Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government over not paying attention to issues like education. Raising the issue through a Tweet, Priyanka said: "Facing a financial crunch, Mahima committed suicide when she could not continue her education." "We all should take resolution to protect the rights of education and security of girls like Mahima," the Congress leader said. Priyanka posted a picture of the girl and a Hindi newspaper report, which mentions that Mahima hanged herself after she could not continue her education after High School. As per the report, Mahima, the daughter of a rickshaw puller, was found hanging from a ceiling fan by her mother. The reason behind her suicide, established in initial inquiry, suggests that she was upset as she had to drop her education because of financial problems after completing her 10th class education, the report said. rak Amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran after the killing of the commander of Iran's Quds Force, an official from Saudi Arabia has said that the kingdom was not consulted by Washington before US drone strike, reported AFP. This comes after the kingdom sought to defuse soaring regional tensions. Saudi Arabia is vulnerable to possible Iranian reprisals after Tehran vowed "revenge" following the strike on Friday that killed powerful commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia was not consulted regarding the US strike," a Saudi official told AFP, requesting anonymity. "In light of the rapid developments, the kingdom stresses the importance of exercising restraint to guard against all acts that may lead to escalation, with severe consequences," the official added. READ: US-Iran tensions: Israel, China, Russia pick sides; here's how rest of the world reacted Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry echoed a similar call for restraint at the weekend and King Salman emphasised the need for measures to calm tensions in a phone call on Saturday with Iraqi President Barham Saleh. In a separate phone call with Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed "the need to make efforts to calm the situation and de-escalate tensions", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. The crown prince has instructed Prince Khalid bin Salman, his younger brother and deputy defence minister, to travel to Washington and London in the next few days to urge restraint, the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported. Prince Khalid will meet White House and US defence officials, the paper said, citing unnamed sources. READ: Iran-US faceoff: Amid Trump's threats, Iranian Minister says 'we know how to respond' The killing of Soleimani, seen as the second most powerful man in Iran, is the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Washington and Tehran and has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump, who ordered the drone strike, has warned that Washington will hit Iran "very fast and very hard" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. READ: US secretary speaks to Pak army chief over the killing of Irani General Qassem Soleimani Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both allies of Washington, are also vulnerable to Iranian counter strikes, analysts say. A string of attacks attributed to Iran has caused anxiety in recent months as Riyadh and Washington deliberated over how to react. In particular, devastating strikes against Saudi oil installations last September led Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to adopt a more conciliatory approach aimed at avoiding confrontation with Tehran.Analysts warn that pro-Iran groups have the capacity to carry out attacks on US bases in Gulf states as well as against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz -- the strategic waterway that Tehran could close at will. READ: MASSIVE: Trump claims Iran's Gen Soleimani planned "terror plots as far away as Delhi" Banihal, along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, is agog with activities over the past one month, thanks to the resumption of the train service in Kashmir and the normal functioning of the internet in the highway township. The resumption of the train service between Srinagar and Banihal on November 17 last year after remaining suspended for over three months following the nullification of Article 370 saw residents of Kashmir thronging the highway town, which falls in the Jammu region, to get access to the internet facility and convert prepaid mobile SIM cards to postpaid. The internet services continue to remain barred in the entire Valley except for some government offices, hospitals and business establishments since August 5 last year, the day the Centre announced abrogation of Article 370 provisions and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. While the postpaid mobile phone service was restored in the valley on October 14 last year after remaining suspended for 72 days, the prepaid mobile service is still blocked. Banihal, which houses the Jawahar Tunnel, known as the gateway to Kashmir - is just 110 kilometres from Srinagar and a two-hour journey by train. "Over half a dozen internet cafes are functional in the town and many telecom service providers are having good business, mostly because of the heavy rush of students, employment seekers, businessmen and professionals from the valley," Danish Muzaffar, a local, told PTI. He said since the train arrives from Kashmir at 10.30 am and departs at 3.15 pm daily, majority of the visitors return the same day but many prefer to stay overnight to complete their work, also boosting the business of hotel and restaurant. "Due to the heavy rush of the customers at the internet cafes, we sometimes are unable to file our reports in time. The rush increased manifold after the resumption of the train service," Muzaffar said. Bilal Ahmad Bhat, who owns one of the internet cafes in the town, said the internet speed was a problem earlier but now it is normal and the users leave satisfied after finishing their work. On the complaints of overcharging, Bhat said, "The customers are charged as per normal rates but since there are frequent power cuts, we have to use the generators and in such a case, the customers have to pay extra money." The internet service in most parts of the Jammu region, where it was suspended, was restored by August end due to overall normal law and order situation. Hotelier Manzoor Ahmad said winter usually remains a lean period for their business but this time the occupancy is around 100 per cent. "We are doing good...the guests are staying for a night or two," he said, adding the frequent closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in view of landslides sometimes adds to the pressure. There is also a heavy rush of customers from the valley to telecom service providers to convert their prepaid mobile SIM cards to postpaid. Shoukat Ahmad Wani, a contractor from Srinagar, said he visited the town on Friday and utilized the internet service to upload tenders besides converted the prepaid mobile SIM card to postpaid. "The government has set up internet touch points at different places but these are inadequate to cater to the heavy rush," he said, requesting for restoration of the internet and prepaid mobile service in Kashmir. Farooq Ahmad Bhat, another Srinagar resident, accused the hoteliers of "overcharging". "I used to pay Rs 700 to Rs 1,000 for a room depending on the facilities but this time they are charging between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 for different categories of rooms," he said. A police official said they have stepped up patrolling and are keeping a close vigil in the town to maintain peace. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No police personnel was involved in the deadly shootings following the fire incident that razed Akesan Market of Oyo Town on Sunday morning, a spokesperson for the police said. The police blamed a sister security agency for the shootings instead The police also said only one person was killed contrary to the claim by witnesses that three people were killed. The fire, which started in the early hours of Sunday, destroyed most of Akesan Market, leaving only a few shops and a filling station, witnesses, including two traders who suffered losses, said Videos shared on social media by residents show extreme destruction of the ancient market, a walk from the lalace of the Alaafin. Many indigenes in Oyo, a town of four local government areas and five higher learning institutions, have connections with Akesan Market directly or through family members trading there. No early response There was no early response as the firefighters stationed just opposite the market failed to stop the fire due to non-functioning equipment. However, at about 6 a.m., a response came from Ogbomoso, 50 kilometres away, with firefighters based in that neighbouring town mobilised to stop the Akesan-Oyo fire. But residents said the fire had already caused massive damage before the efforts of the external firefighters. Many then went wild, sacking the local fire service station near Akesan by starting a fire just outside the gate. Hoodlums tried to exploit the situation and loot goods, and the police spokesperson for Oyo State, Olugbenga Fadeyi, said the police mobilised to prevent crimes. Residents corroborated this. Mr Fadeyi said the police did not kill anybody; rather, a sister agency Operation Burst fired shots resulting in the death of one person and which injured two more. The police are not part of the Operation Burst, which is an Ajimobi-era special security measure, comprising army and civil defence, and usually accused of extra-judicial approaches. There was no single shot fired by the police personnel deployed proactively and professionally to provide security at the scene of the fire incident at Akesan market in Oyo town, he said. Instead, the police personnel under the able supervision of DPO Durbar and Area Commander, Oyo Area Command prevented hoodlums and mob from attacking the Oyo State Government Fire Station in the town as well as the Durbar Police Station, Oyo from being set ablaze. He added that More importantly, adequate security measures were provided at the market to deter hoodlums massed at the scene of the fire incident in the early hours of the day (at about 2:30 AM) from capitalizing on the situation to loot shops and properties at the scene. But, at about 0700 hrs, a report was received at the Durbar Police Station by the DPO that a sister security agency has arrived at the scene of the incident to assist in the provision of security. Unfortunately, gunshots rang out from their direction skywards. But, unfortunately, one Warred Aderoju Akano m aged 14 yrs was allegedly hit and died while three others namely, (i) Jimoh Idris m age 14 yrs, (ii) Sulu Qudinai m 20 yrs, and Wasiu Taiwo m age 21 yrs also sustained gunshot injuries and are currently recuperating in a hospital in Oyo town. Fire started from a shop In a video shared with PREMIUM TIMES, the head of the fire service, Moshood Adewuyi, told journalists and residents Sunday afternoon at Akesan that the fire started from a shop. He explained to the gathering, which included Kehinde Ayoola, Oyos commissioner for the environment, that the services response vehicle had developed a fault on Saturday after an operation. Another one, Mr Adewuyi said, has a major problem and was not an option to fight the fire in the first place. When it (response vehicle) came back (from a fire incident at Akunlemu), the driver discovered the gearbox was about falling down and we immediately invited a mechanic that was handling it, Mr Adewuyi said. He added that the technician could not complete the task Saturday night and was going to get a vehicle part on Sunday morning. But the fire reportedly started 2 a.m. after the public electricity was restored, he said. It affected only a shop. My people were there physically and only requested people to help them get water with buckets but the people did not respond. Oyo group demands compensation from victims Oyo Global Forum, the towns civic group of professionals, blamed the ravaging impacts of the fire on the failure of firefighters to respond early and condemned the security operatives for disproportionate use of force. It also condemned the security operatives for use of disproportionate force, with three feared killed as a result. We demand the operatives involved in this heinous act be brought to justice, the group said. It then made further demands: People should be compensated for their losses. This is even more in order because the late response of the public firefighters caused the extreme impacts of the fire. Temporary relief measures should be put in place, including the opening of Atiba Town Hall or any other place deemed suitable for traders to use temporarily. In the context of a setting without social security and insurance, the government has to help people towards livelihood recovery urgently. Advertisements Akesan Market should be rebuilt. This is even long overdue. The rebuilding has to be undertaken as a matter of emergency. We expect a significant output is delivered in six months. A thorough investigation into the cause and impacts of the fire should be undertaken. We expect this involves non-governmental or independent participation, comprising professionals with demonstrable integrity and a mind for the society. The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, reacted to the statement in a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon expressing shock and appealing for calm. Seyi Makinde: Oyo State Governor I sympathise with the victims, said Mr Makinde. I appeal for calm as we investigate the circumstances around the unfortunate incident. Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also said, I commiserate with the victims of the fire for the disruption of their economic activities as a result of the unfortunate incident. New Delhi: Extending her support to the Dalit leader Chandrashekhar Azad, who is in jail for anti-CAA protest in Delhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Sunday, has demanded his immediate release. Priyanka slammed the government for keeping the Dalit leader in jail. Azad, who hails from Saharanpur, has considerable influence among the Dalits and is rising in prominence. Priyanka Gandhi tweeted, "The government`s policy of oppressing all expressions of dissent and protest has reached the point of cowardice. The lack of basic humanity in their actions is shameful. There are absolutely no grounds to keep Chandrashekhar in jail, let alone deny him medical treatment if he is unwell. He should be sent to AIIMS to be treated immediately." Congress General Secretary has been touring the state and meeting the victims of police action during anti-CAA protests. p>Live TV "Priyankaji has made considerable impact in the state while taking up the cause of the oppressed and has been meeting the victims, the kind of ill treatment the government has meted out to the Dalits and minorities, the way they have dealt with Chandrashekhar Azad case is unacceptable," said Jitin Prasada, who is trying to woo Brahmins, and meeting the victims kin in the state who have been killed during the BJP regime. It's because of his effort that the government, under pressure, ordered a CBI probe in girl student`s death in Navodaya School in Mainpuri, a party leader said. Priyanka Gandhi, on Saturday, met the victims in Muzaffarnagar and Meerut who were brutally beaten by the police in anti-CAA protests including children and elderly people. The way Priyanka Gandhi has reached out to the victims has rattled the opposition and the government in the state. Now Congress is the main opposition which is taking up the people`s cause, said spokesperson of the party, Rajiv Tyagi. The Congress which is in the opposition in UP since 1989 is now trying to woo its core support of Dalit Muslim and Brahmins. The Week In Russia: War And (The Supply Of) Peace By Steve Gutterman January 03, 2020 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 world's "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 Putin's 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 Germany's defeat in World War II. Zeman's 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 "Prague's 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, Moscow's 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 Moscow's 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 war's 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 Putin's 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 Moscow's 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 Russia's recent pronouncements. Putin's remarks in Prague in 2006, and similar statements in Budapest during the same trip, were seen as deeply pragmatic: He acknowledged Moscow's 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: Don't 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 Year's 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: There's 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 "Hitler's 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. Peace Supply In an article in the government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta providing a foreign policy prescription for the coming decade, Karaganov called for Russia to promote itself as "the main supplier of peace, the defender of sovereignty and freedom of choice for all countries and civilizations, and the guarantor of a new nonalignment and the prevention of hegemonism." The killing by the United States of one of the most powerful figures in Iran, military commander Qasem Soleimani is the kind of thing that Moscow might see as a chance to make the case for that. The Russian Defense Ministry said as much several hours after the air strike that killed Soleimani in Iraq, calling the U.S. action "shortsighted" and warning that it would escalate tensions in the Middle East and could have "serious negative consequences for the entire global security system." Some observers opined that behind the criticism, Moscow may have cause to welcome the development. In any case, Russia's own recent record suggests that it could take a major shift in conduct to make the moniker of "peace supplier" less of a hard sell. The second devastating post-Soviet war in Chechnya helped catapult Putin to power 20 years ago, and since then Russia has been heavily involved in at least three wars abroad: in Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria. All those conflicts have caused -- in the hundreds, thousands, or many more, depending on the war -- which in some cases have been blamed on Russia. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/the-week-in -russia-war-and-(the-supply-of) -peace/30359130.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Elrika Hamdi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 6 2020 Capital idea: President Joko Jokowi Widodo (center) and his ministers inspect several designs for a new capital city presented at the Presidential Office in Jakarta. The new capital would need an estimated 1,555-megawatt power supply. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay) Expert analyses of Indonesias plan to relocate its capital have been floating around since President Joko Jokowi Widodo announced the intended location. The capital will be moved from densely populated Jakarta to the forested environment of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan. The 10-year relocation process is expected to move about 1.5 million people, including key civil servants and their families. The impact will be similar to moving the entire population of Semarang in Central Java out of Java. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Sadly, the fires are also an illustration of the principle that while a nation might share the same facts, its people can still refuse to share a reality. Morrison likes to note that Australia produces just 1.3 percent of the worlds greenhouse-gas emissions. But Australia is also the worlds biggest exporter of coal, and we have regularly sided with other big, fossil fuel-dependent nations to stymie global climate negotiations. At Decembers climate talks in Madrid, we came under fire for attempting to fiddle with the books to hide increased emissions. Australia is not just dragging its feet on climate change; it is actively making things worse. Internationally, there is a sense that we are getting what we deserve. The mother of a missing New Jersey woman made a frantic 911 call where she said her daughter's now-dead ex-boyfriend may have slept over on the night she vanished in October. Stephanie Parze's mother, Sharlene, made the claim to officers during the call on October 31, a day after Stephanie vanished from her home in Freehold Township at 10pm after attending a psychic seance. During the eight-minute exchange, Sharlene told investigators she had already made contact with her daughter's on-again, off again boyfriend, John Ozbilgen, 29, in attempt to locate 25-year-old Stephanie. '[Ozbilgen] said that he saw her last night, he stayed there and he was getting ready for work this morning and has not heard from her since all day,' Sharlene can be heard telling the dispatcher in audio obtained by NJ.com. Scroll down for video Stephanie Parze (left) vanished from her home in Freehold Township at around 10pm on October 30. Her mother Sharlene told police her ex-boyfriend John Ozbilgen (right), 29, claimed to have slept over at her home the night she disappeared '[Ozbilgen] said that he saw her last night, he stayed there and he was getting ready for work this morning and has not heard from her since all day,' Sharlene (left) can be heard telling the dispatcher in audio of her 911 call Sharlene then revealed how she'd found Stephanie's car in her driveway and discovered her cell phone had been stuffed down the side of the couch inside her home. 'I've been calling and texting her all day,' a frantic Sharlene is heard saying during the call. 'I've reached out to almost every friend that she has.' More than a week later, Ozbilgen was deemed a 'person of interest' in Stephanie's disappearance. He was already under investigation by the authorities after Stephanie filed a domestic violence complaint against him in September. She accused the stockbroker of striking her hand and then back-handing her across the head. During the call, Sharlene casts suspicion over Ozbilgen's claims that her saw her on the morning she vanished. 'Who's to say he really slept over and saw her this morning? I don't know,' Sharlene is heard saying. In November, Ozbilgen was arrested on child pornography charges after authorities searched his phone and computer as part of the missing persons investigation. Days after being released from jail, Ozbilgen committed suicide by hanging inside his parents' garage. Sharlene then revealed how she'd found Stephanie's car in her driveway and discovered her cell phone had been stuffed down the side of the couch inside her home In November, Ozbilgen was arrested on child pornography charges after authorities searched his phone and computer as part of the missing persons investigation. He was already under investigation by the authorities after Stephanie filed a domestic violence complaint against him Parze's car was found found in the driveway of her late grandmother's home on Meadowbrook Lane, where she had been staying (pictured) When speaking to police to report her daughter missing, Sharlene walks the dispatcher through her various efforts to find her daughter - the panic and worry evident in her voice. Stephanie was said to have returned to her late-grandmother's home, where she had been living, after a girls night out with family members at the Stress Factory in New Brunswick the night before Halloween. The following day, Sharlene said she had started to worry when her daughter stopped responding to her text messages and stopped by the house twice but found no sign of her. During the second visit at 8pm on October 31, Sharlene said she found Stephanie's phone down the side of the couch with text messages indicating that she'd failed to show for a 9am babysitting job. The lights had also been left on. There was no sign of forced entry or a struggle and her dog had been left alone inside. Stephanie's white Hyundai Sonata was also say in the driveway. 'No one has heard from her,' Sharlene tells the operator. 'She started going on the dating page on Facebook and was talking to a couple guys, so I don't know whether but she'd never meet someone in the morning.' According to Stephanie's Facebook profile, she was in a relationship with Ozbilgen from August 19 but at the time of her vanishing she was single. While investigating Stephanie's disappearance, detectives noticed marks around Ozbilgen's neck, and he was named a 'person of interest' in the case. During a search of his home a little over a week after Stephanie disappeared, police found at least nine images of children as young as three being sexually abused, according to NJ.com. Ozbilgen was then arrested and charged with possessing child pornography. Just days after he was released from jail, Ozbilgen was found dead in an apparent suicide Stephanie is the eldest of four daughters who works as a makeup artist and a nanny The pornography charge was unrelated to the disappearance of Stephanie, who received several angry, profanity-laden text messages from Ozbilgen the night before she vanished, authorities said. Ozbilgen sent at least 10 texts and Facebook messages to Stephanie, prosecutors said. He told her that 'she always has to make their relationship suck' and called her a 'f***ing c**t,' Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin Sidley said. 'Ozbilgen's violence against women is borne out in his history, as well as pornography he seeks out of very young children. There are no conditions that can keep this community safe,' Sidley added. Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Swendenman said two electronic devices were seized during the search of Ozbilgen's home, but would not clarify whether they were seized in relation to Stephanie. Last month, Stephanie's family revealed that they are hanging onto hope that they will get to see their daughter again and said they would never give up on finding her. 'It's been horrific. It's been a nightmare,' Sharlene told Fox29 'Just waiting to wake up from it and to see our daughter again.' Her father, Edward, added: 'We're just trying to keep her picture out there and let people obviously know we're obviously looking for her. It's a big area, she could be anywhere.' The family (Sharlene pictured left, Edward right) of missing New Jersey woman, Stephanie Parze, said they are holding onto hope that the 25-year-old is still alive despite authorities finding her ex-boyfriend dead last month Edward described his daughter Stephanie as tough and independent, but also caring Following their interview with Fox, Edward shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook. 'Today was a hard day. Harder than the rest it seemed. The girls, Shar and I, drove to Philadelphia early this morning to do a news segment on Good Day Philadelphia about Stephanie. Sitting on the set, watching the teleprompter beginning the story was painful. 'All of us fought to hold it together before going live. Then the interview. It lasted only 6 minutes but its felt like an hour. You notice that even the hosts are tearing up just feeling our pain unable to do anything to to comfort us,' Ed wrote. He explained that the important thing was that the message about their daughter 'gets out, yet again'. Ed continued: 'As we drive home, our girls fall asleep. Shar and I look back at them and smile to one another, then cry as the back seat lies empty. Its quiet... As I drive, all I can do is look into the what seems like endless wooded areas along the highways. 'All of the bodies of water, abandon structures you never noticed before, now call out to you. She could be anywhere! As the rain and snow fall harder and harder, covering up any clues, any trace as to where she might be out there,' the grieving father wrote. The family has since conducted multiple searches throughout wooded areas in Freehold with the help of hundreds of volunteers recruited from social media Search parties gathered in both Staten Island and New Jersey 'You wonder to yourself, is she up in heaven with God and all of people who love her so. Happy and no longer afraid, or is she hear, living in HELL ON EARTH, praying to be found, fighting to stay alive. 'The funny thing about Hope, You reach for it, you embrace it and you fight to hold onto it but, as time goes by it seems like that's all it is, is a word! A thought process. a needle in the haystack getting harder and harder to find each and everyday. Hope is all we have, so the fight continues. 'Stephanie, we love you and we will never stop doing all that we can to find you. Don't be afraid, stay strong, hold on to what ever HOPE you can. PLEASE ...DON'T GIVE UP!' The family has since conducted multiple searches throughout wooded areas in Freehold with the help of hundreds of volunteers recruited from social media. Police have already searched through Long Pond Park in Staten Island, near to where Ozbilgen lived and worked as a stockbroker, which yielded no leads. He was fired by his employer, Woodstock Financial Group, on October 31. Another search was carried out on January 4 at Sandy Hook, in the northern part of Monmouth County and a second search is scheduled to take place today in Old Bridge at 9am. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is being urged to contact Detective Shawn Murphy of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 732-431-7160 ext. 7032, or Detective Daniel Valentine of the Freehold Township Police at 732-462-7908. was not consulted by Washington over a drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, an official said Sunday, as the kingdom sought to defuse soaring regional tensions. is vulnerable to possible Iranian reprisals after Tehran vowed "revenge" following the strike on Friday that killed powerful commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. "The kingdom of was not consulted regarding the strike," a Saudi official told AFP, requesting anonymity. "In light of the rapid developments, the kingdom stresses the importance of exercising restraint to guard against all acts that may lead to escalation, with severe consequences," the official added. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry echoed a similar call for restraint at the weekend and King Salman emphasised the need for measures to calm tensions in a phone call on Saturday with Iraqi President Barham Saleh. In a separate phone call with Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed "the need to make efforts to calm the situation and de-escalate tensions", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. The crown prince has instructed Prince Khalid bin Salman, his younger brother and deputy defence minister, to travel to Washington and London in the next few days to urge restraint, the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported. Prince Khalid will meet White House and defence officials, the paper said, citing unnamed sources. The killing of Soleimani, seen as the second most powerful man in Iran, is the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Washington and Tehran and has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump, who ordered the drone strike, has warned that Washington will hit "very fast and very hard" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both allies of Washington, are also vulnerable to Iranian counter strikes, analysts say. A string of attacks attributed to has caused anxiety in recent months as Riyadh and Washington deliberated over how to react. In particular, devastating strikes against Saudi oil installations last September led Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to adopt a more conciliatory approach aimed at avoiding confrontation with Tehran. Analysts warn that pro- groups have the capacity to carry out attacks on US bases in Gulf states as well as against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz -- the strategic waterway that Tehran could close at will. Will Chamberlain: Conservatives Should Be Open to Using Government Power to Protect Free Speech [TPUSA Special] At Turning Point USAs 2019 Student Action Summit, we sit down with Will Chamberlain, the editor-in-chief of Human Events, to discuss the vision behind his publication and why he thinks the government should step in to curtail censorship of conservatives on college campuses. American Thought Leaders is an Epoch Times show available on Facebook and YouTube In 2016 Jim Judge was appointed CEO of Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES). This report will, first, examine the CEO compensation levels in comparison to CEO compensation at other big 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. This method should give us information to assess how appropriately the company pays the CEO. Check out our latest analysis for Eversource Energy How Does Jim Judge's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? According to our data, Eversource Energy has a market capitalization of US$27b, and paid its CEO total annual compensation worth US$15m over the year to December 2018. While we always look at total compensation first, we note that the salary component is less, at US$1.3m. We note that more than half of the total compensation is not the salary; and performance requirements may apply to this non-salary portion. We looked at a group of companies with market capitalizations over US$8.0b and the median CEO total compensation was US$11m. (We took a wide range because the CEOs of massive companies tend to be paid similar amounts - even though some are quite a bit bigger than others). It would therefore appear that Eversource Energy pays Jim Judge more than the median CEO remuneration at large companies, in the same market. However, this fact alone doesn't mean the remuneration is too high. We can get a better idea of how generous the pay is by looking at the performance of the underlying business. You can see, below, how CEO compensation at Eversource Energy has changed over time. NYSE:ES CEO Compensation, January 4th 2020 Is Eversource Energy Growing? Earnings per share at Eversource Energy are much the same as they were three years ago, albeit with a positive trend. In the last year, its revenue is up 2.4%. I would argue that the improvement in revenue isn't particularly impressive, but I'm happy with the modest EPS growth. Considering these factors I'd say performance has been pretty decent, though not amazing. It could be important to check this free visual depiction of what analysts expect for the future. Story continues Has Eversource Energy Been A Good Investment? Boasting a total shareholder return of 64% over three years, Eversource Energy has done well by shareholders. 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... We examined the amount Eversource Energy pays its CEO, and compared it to the amount paid by other large companies. As discussed above, we discovered that the company pays more than the median of that group. Over the last three years returns to investors have been great, though we might have liked stronger business growth. So, considering these tasty returns, the CEO compensation may be quite appropriate. Shareholders may want to check for free if Eversource Energy insiders are buying or selling shares. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:08:10|Editor: zh Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The UN-backed Libyan government has condemned the deadly airstrike that hit the military academy in the capital Tripoli on Saturday. "The Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord condemns in the strongest terms this coward act and offers the families of the victims, their colleagues, and the military institution its deepest condolences," the UN-backed government said in a statement obtained by Xinhua in the early hours of Sunday. The Libyan government also declared a three-day mourning for the victims of the airstrike that killed and injured many students. "We will hold responsible those who committed these violations and their supporting countries that took part in killing the Libyans," the statement said. The UN Support Mission in Libya also condemned the airstrike, saying increasing military escalation complicates the situation and threatens chances to return to the political process. On Saturday, an airstrike hit the military academy in Tripoli, killing 30 students and injuring 33 others, according to the Ministry of Health. The forces of the UN-backed government blamed the rival east-based army for the airstrike, while the east-based army denied and accused the UN-backed government of shelling the academy. The east-based army, led by Khalifa Haftar, has been leading a military campaign in and around Tripoli since early April, 2019, trying to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government. Thousands have since been killed and injured in the fighting, and more than 120,000 people fled their homes from the violence. Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. (Newser) Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido was violently blocked Sunday from presiding over a special session of congress where rivals tried to install a substitute in what was condemned as a hijacking of the country's last democratic institution, the AP reports. As a scuffle broke out with security forces in riot gear, the US-backed leader tried unsuccessfully to mount an iron fence surrounding the neo-classical palace where the opposition-controlled National Assembly was set to elect its leader for the final year of its 2015-2020 period. Inside, the situation was similarly rowdy, as a rival slate headed by lawmaker Luis Parra tried to swear themselves in as legislative leaders with the support of socialist deputies loyal to President Nicolas Maduro. story continues below Lacking quorum, there was no vote for Parra, the opposition said. Guaido's allies, who despite some defections still enjoy a comfortable majority in the 167-seat assembly, immediately denounced the impromptu session as invalid. "This is nothing more than another blow to our constitution," said Guaido, whose blue suit was ripped during the chaotic fisticuffs. Still, state TVa mouthpiece for Madurocelebrated the initiative, raising the possibility of rival claims to the legislature's leadership in the days ahead, just as Guaido a year ago asserted that he was Venezuela's interim president following Maduro's 2018 re-election following a campaign marred by irregularities. Guaido said lawmakers would gather later Sunday at the headquarters of the country's sole opposition newspaper. (Read more Venezuela stories.) - A Ghana Fire Service vehicle on duty reportedly broke down due to a lack of fuel - Calls that were placed to the top officials in an attempt to obtain funds for fuel proved futile - A local resident at Kwahu Nkawtia in the Eastern Region had to step in and pay GHc100 for fuel before the vehicle moved again - A 5-bedroom house burnt completely as a result Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in A Ghana Fire Service vehicle that was on duty to provide services has reportedly been immobile due to fuel shortage until a local resident by the name Eric Kwamina Asare Royce intervened to buy the fuel. According to CelebritiesBuzz.com, the incident happened on Friday, January 3, 2020 at Kwahu Nkawtia in the Eastern Region. The Good Samaritan Eric said that the fire broke close to his house in a 5-bedroom house around 10 am in the morning. According to Eric, the magnitude of the fire compelled them to call on the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) personnel. READ ALSO: Young lady starts 2020 with serious broken heart (Video) After they placed the call, they had no response from the fire service at Kwahu Mpreaso. Eric narrates that there was no response after about 25 minutes. The residents could not come to terms with the delay as the distance from Mpraeso (the fire service station) to Kwahu Nkwatia (the fire scene) is a 3-minute drive. This development caused Eric to chatter a taxi to the station only to learn that the vehicle that was supposed to be used was immobile because of a lack of fuel. READ ALSO: 14-year-old Ghanaian boy creates app that can save Free SHS policy GHc4m yearly Narrating how things unfolded at the station, Eric affirmed that several calls to the personnel's various DFOs failed. One DFO at Nkawkaw reportedly told the firemen to leave the car there and return to the office because he has no money for fuel. Eric Kwamina had to deep hands in his pocket to buy fuel worth GHC100 before the Ghana National Fire Service personnel were able to quench a fire that erupted in the 5-bedroom house. Due to the fuel shortage, about 55 minutes were wasted, leaving the 5 bedrooms to burn to ashes at the fire scene before the crew finally arrived to quench the fire. READ ALSO: Man driving brand new Mercedes flees after filling petrol to avoid paying (Video) See photos of the incident below: 1. When the firefighters finally got to work: 2. The damage that was done even after the fire was put out: A number of uncomfortable news articles about fire ravaging places in Ghana have surfaced lately. YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Aduni Achana, a hardworking farmer from Bonia, near Navrongo in the Upper East Region has been filled with grief as his 2-acre local rice farm has gotten burnt into ashes. Enjoy reading our stories? Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news! Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh Milly Dowler's killer Levi Bellfield (pictured) has renewed speculation about his involvement in the murders of Lin and Megan Russell in letters from prison Milly Dowler's killer Levi Bellfield has renewed speculation about his involvement in the murders of Lin and Megan Russell in letters from prison. The murderer told a penpal that Lin, 45 battered to death in a daylight hammer attack with her six-year-old daughter in 1996 was his 'type'. He also described how he liked 'outdoor afternoon action' in his 'addictive hobby' and had 'links' to the family's home county Kent. Bellfield, 51, wrote in prison letters seen by the Sunday Mirror that the murders were not his problem 'at present'. He used a hammer to batter two victims, Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange, to death in attacks in London in 2003 and 2004. Michael Stone was convicted of the killings of Lin and Megan Russell in Chillenden in 2001. Bellfield had killed 13-year-old Surrey schoolgirl Milly Dowler in 2002 about six years after the attack on the Russells. Two years ago Bellfield denied claims that he had confessed to the Chillenden murders. Bellfield had killed 13-year-old Surrey schoolgirl Milly Dowler (pictured) in 2002 about six years after the attack on the Russells But when his penpal asked about the type of woman the killer liked, Bellfield spoke about TV blondes Holly Willoughby and Emily Atack before moving on to a description matching Lin, according to The Mirror. He wrote: 'You mention the Chillenden murders. I was also attracted to the older woman. 'Dark curly hair, 40-45, slim, the horse type, outdoor dog walker, house-wife type. I had a thing for this type of woman, again who don't.' Michael Stone (pictured) was convicted of the killings of Lin and Megan Russell in Chillenden in 2001 In another letter he spoke of being 'addicted to sex' and how his bouncer and taxi jobs made it easy for him to carry out his 'addictive hobby'. He also described the county where Lin and Megan lived - Kent - in detail. Bellfield who now calls himself Yusuf Rahim and has converted to Islam was first linked to the Chillenden attacks in 2011 when Stone's legal team tried to overturn his conviction by claiming he was 'much more likely' to be the killer. In 2017 Frankland Prison inmate rapist Richard Baker wrote to Stone's lawyers alleging Bellfield had confessed. Lin Russell and daughter Megan. When it came to the Russell murders, Bellfield had an alibi accepted by police All of this was denied. When it came to the Russell murders, Bellfield had an alibi accepted by police. His ex-partner Johanna Collings, 48 told them he was with her in Windsor celebrating her birthday. Bellfield's crimes were dramatised in the TV series Manhunt, starring Martin Clunes, which aired last January. A Scotland Yard spokesman said an investigation into Bellfield's other suspected crimes was closed in 2016 'as there was no evidence'. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians have attended government-organized funeral rallies for Qasem Soleimani, who had led the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' influential Quds Force. The processions took part in Ahvaz, near Iran's border with Iraq, and in the Shi'ite holy city of Mashhad on January 5, two days after Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone attack near Baghdad. The Quds Force has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States. By Trend Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry, with financial and technical support from the Asian Development Bank, is implementing a pilot project on the exchange of knowledge and technical support for the development of floating solar panels, Zaur Mammadov, the head of the ministry's office, told Trend. Mammadov was commenting on the new projects related to the use of renewable energy sources. According to Zaur Mammadov, this project provides for the creation of a system of solar panels with a capacity of 100 kilowatts on the Boyuk Shor Lake. "The project also provides for the formation of business models to encourage private sector participation in the use of solar energy and strengthen national capacity in this area through training," Mammadov added. The ministry official added that tenders are being held and after the selection of the relevant companies, construction will begin. Renewable resource may replace traditional energy sources such as oil, natural gas and coal, which, when burned, emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to an increase in the greenhouse effect and global warming. The reason for the search for alternative energy sources is the need to receive it from the energy of renewable or practically inexhaustible natural resources, while environmental friendliness and economy can also be taken into account. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:48:14|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BANGKOK, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- As Thailand faces water shortage and drought declared in 31 provinces, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has made clear to his government that he will head the command center in tackling drought, government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said on Sunday. "The National Water Resources Committee (NWRC) which was the brainchild of Prime Minister Prayut, will be responsible in finding budget and managing the drought," said Narumon, "this year's drought would be more severe than those in the past." The spokeswoman said the NWRC will also be responsible in informing, updating and advising residents in drought affected provinces and work on mitigation efforts throughout the drought season. Prayut is fully aware of the severity of the problem and had already instructed all state agencies to assist drought-affected victims as first priority, said Narumon. She also said that in the long run, the NWRC will be drawing up a 20-year water management plan, to ensure that every village will have access to clean water for consumption, for agriculture and industry. In Bangkok's neighboring province of Pathum Thani, the Irrigation Department has developed a water sharing system, with the provincial administration, community leaders and farmers' representatives, for rice farmers who need water for crop irrigation. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has earlier instructed farmers to refrain from growing off-season rice as there will be insufficient water to irrigate their farm. The Thai Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) on Jan. 1 issued a warning to all Thais to brace for serious drought in 31 provinces. This year's drought will affect 61 water production facilities in 31 provinces, 15 in the Northeast, nine in the North, six in the South and one in the East, said PWA in a press release. An 18-year-old faces murder and weapons charges accusing him of stabbing a Camden County deli owner and leaving him in the street to die Friday afternoon. Dyheam Williams, 18, killed Shamrock Deli owner Jerome Pastore, 52, of West Berlin, outside his Audubon store, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said in a statement. Police responded to the 100 block of Cuthbert Boulevard in Haddon Township adjacent to the deli shortly before 5 p.m. and found Pastore lying in the street, suffering from stab wounds all over his body, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at Cooper University Hospital about 20 minutes later. A GoFundMe for Pastores family has raised more than $22,000 by Sunday. A vigil to remember Pastore will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at the Shamrock Deli. Authorities have not provided a motive for the murder. Witnesses told News 12 New Jersey that Pastore was chasing a shoplifter who tried to steal a tip jar when he was stabbed. Williams was arrested at his home in Lindenwold, police said. Hes being held in Camden County Jail pending a detention hearing. Authorities released a surveillance image of a man with a bike as they sought leads in Pastores killing. Its unclear if Williams is the man in the photo. The Camden County Prosecutor's Office released an image of a man who they may want to speak with after a deli owner in Audubon was fatally stabbed. Jenna Wise may be reached at jwise@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennaRWise. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. (Newser) If your idea of a good time involves meth, mangled attempts at bird calls, running around in your birthday suit until the law gets called, and then becoming an old headline-writing cliche, well, we bring you the case of Donald Watts, who, yes, is from Florida. As Action News Jax reports, cops were called to a residential complex in the aptly named High Springs where a woman told them Watts, 38, had been using meth. In this, another call comes in about a man in a neighbor's yard with a flashlight. Spotting a flashlight in the dark and hearing "strange noises," the Columbia County Sheriffs Office arrest reports says that officers found Watts in a shallow creek "completely naked with mud covering his body," pacing back and forth laughing, and making "his attempt at bird noises. story continues below Police say that Watts then fled; when a deputy attempted to detain him, he punched the deputy repeatedly. A fair amount of tasing ensued, to no effect. Cops then deployed a K9 officer named Casper, at which point the report states that Watts "got on his hands and knees and began to growl like a dog." When Casper was ordered to nab Watts, Watts "leaped, grabbed Casper by the head and bit Caspers ear as he drove Casper to the ground," per the report. Casper eventually escaped and bit Watts' head. Charges: simple battery of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and aggravated battery of a service dog. (Read more strange stuff stories.) Turkey has denied President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described slain Iranian General Qassem Soleimani as a 'martyr' or that he 'felt sorry' following his assassination. It was claimed by Russian state media that Erdogan told Iranian president Hassan Rouhani he felt 'sorry for the loss of the martyr Qassem Soleimani'. The deepening crisis between Tehran and the Washington reached new levels when a drone strike killed the leader of the elite Iranian Quds Force at Baghdad airport on Friday. The Arabic-language version of Russian outlet RT said the remarks were made by Erdogan during a conference call yesterday. RT quoted Erdogan as saying: 'I feel sorry for the loss of the martyr Qassem Soleimani, and I understand the anger of the people of Iran. 'I witnessed Soleimani's funeral in Iraq as it shows his popularity with the Iraqi people.' President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan attending a joint live broadcast of CNN TURK in Istanbul today Iranian President Hassan Rouhani meeting with the family of late Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps General ,Qasem Soleimani, at his home in Tehran yesterday But today a spokesman for Erdogan denied the Turkish president called Soleimani a 'martyr', according to Turkish state news. Erdogan offered his condolences to Rouhani and urged him to avoid an escalation with the US, but 'did not use ''martyr'' to describe him', a Turkish official told TRT World. He reportedly added that there was a need 'not to allow external interference in a way that does not endanger peace and stability in the region' and that killing Soleimani was 'a grave mistake'. Today Erdogan again called for de-escalation between Iran and the US, saying the slaying of the top commander will likely not go unanswered, and voiced concern about regional security risks. During a televised interview today, he said he was surprised by the killing because the strike occurred just hours after a phone call with President Trump. Erdogan said he 'especially had suggested to [Trump] that tensions with Iran should not be heightened' during that call. Tehran has since abandoned all limits of its 2015 nuclear deal, and Iraq's parliament called for the expulsion of all American troops from Iraqi soil. Turkey shares a border with Iran, Iraq and Syria. Mohsen Rezaee, a former leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, said the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa can be targeted to avenge the killing, along with at least 35 US targets. Russian state media reported that Erdogan told Iranian president Hassan Rouhani he felt 'sorry for the loss of the martyr Qassem Soleimani' Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (second left) shaking hands with Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani (second right) in 2015 Earlier today Iraq's parliament voted to expel US military from the country after Soleimani was targeted on their soil. The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group says America's military in the Middle East region, including US bases, warships and soldiers are now fair targets. Protesters took to the streets in Iran to demonstrate against the US actions. Demonstrators in Iraq called for both the US and Iran to leave the country and blamed them for the growing crisis as sectarian violence erupted across Iraq. Yesterday President Trump threatened to hit 52 critical targets in Iran in retaliation for any strikes on US interests in the region. He upped the ante after Iran said it had identified 35 targets for potential strikes and raised its red 'flags of revenge' over a key mosque in Tehran. On Saturday, Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Hossein Salami promised 'a strategic revenge which will definitely put an end to the US presence in the region'. The US said its military may strike more Iranian leaders if the Islamic Republic retaliates, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said today. TOWAMENCIN If votes from hundreds of North Penn High School students are any indication, 2020 could be a very good year for the Yang Gang. Andrew Yang was the runaway winner in the high schools simulated 2020 Democratic presidential nominating convention, an all-day event that led Yangs student campaign manager Brandon Vu to call his fellow students to action. Talk about the issues people dont want to talk about, the conflicts that are usually ignored, and speak for the people that do not have a voice of their own, Vu said. Rise to the challenges of today, be a beacon of hope for the rest of the world, and show those boomers weve got it covered, he said. His remarks closed out a day full of debate and discussion involving roughly 1,200 students, representing all 50 states and a handful of American territories, each casting their votes for the possible next leader of their country. In a day-long simulated convention organized and run by students, the delegations took turns debating major platform issues in the morning, sharing their thoughts on topics including climate change, immigration, foreign policy, jobs and student loan debt. Students also heard from their own local lawmakers, including State Rep. Steve Malagari, D-53rd, and state Sen. Maria Collett, D-12th, who encouraged the students to stay engaged in their communities. You are the future leaders and voices of our nation, Collett said. Once the student convention chose their chairs, adopted rules, and finalized their platforms, campaign managers took the stage to tout the backgrounds and credentials of each of the eleven Democrats still in the running for their partys nomination. As students made the case for Joe Biden, Michael Bloomberg, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Deval Patrick, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren, and Yang, anchors from the student-run NPTV channel provided commentary on a live broadcast, as their classmates sat in groups organized by state delegations under handmade signs showing their states shapes and slogans. Based on their total delegate count, 682 votes were needed to secure a winner, and the first round of balloting produced a solid lead of more than 400 votes for Yang, but no formal winner. As students took turns announcing the votes from each state delegation, organizers tracked the totals on a live bar chart depicting the numbers for each candidate, providing state by state updates in a modern twist on the ladder and handwritten numbers used when the schools student mock conventions started in 1976. Representing the various candidates were students Lucas Kile for Biden, JoJo Dalwadi for Bloomberg, Kevin McLaughlin for Booker, Quinn Slayton for Buttigieg, Elijah Slayton for Klobuchar, Danny Halovanic for Sanders, Michael Xander Malin for Steyer, Ethan Baker for Warren and Vu for Yang. As the votes were cast and counted, Biden and Sanders took turns trading an early lead until the student delegates from Ohio and Pennsylvania gave Yang a lead he never relinquished. Once the first round of balloting was finalized, staff advisor Brian Haley announced that candidates Booker, Gabbard, Klobuchar, Patrick and Steyer would be dropped from the second round due to low totals, and added another layer of student voters meant to mimic the national partys elite. Super-delegates get to come and vote in 2020, but only if theres not a winner on the first ballot. We did not have a winner on the first ballot, so we have two groups of super-delegates who will vote in this round, Haley said. Those super-delegates gave Sanders an early lead in the second ballot, before the Yang Gang turning out in force, claiming around ten votes each via the full delegations from Alabama, Alaska, and Delaware, before Floridas 70 votes bumped Yang well ahead of the field. Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico and North Dakota continued the momentum by casting all of their votes for Yang, before the Ohio delegations 32 votes put Yang above 600 total. Pennsylvanias announcement they would like to delegate all 53 votes to the Yang Gang, followed by 74 more from Texas, amid a handful of references to the Yang Train (and one unfortunate quote from the Utah delegation declaring a Yang Bang) made the candidates victory inevitable. To the current seniors: I urge you to register and vote, and make your voices heard, Vu said. I challenge everyone to talk about the local issues, like we did today, with your friends, your families, and your teachers. Bring up these uncomfortable conversations, because thats the only way we advance as a society, Vu said. The voting endured through a handful of minor mishaps, including students having trouble pronouncing Buttigieg or Klobuchar, and trying to cast votes for candidate Julian Castro, who dropped out of the race this week. During the first round, power temporarily went out to the school auditoriums lights and screens, prompting chuckles from students and a joke from Haley that Russians had hacked the schools systems, which he followed with thanks to the high schools Junior ROTC cadets for keeping the room secure. After Vus speech, a handful of balloons fell from the auditoriums stage, followed by hundreds more still entangled in netting, a scene reminiscent of a snafu following the partys nomination of John Kerry in 2004. Haley said afterward (as students gathered and popped the balloons) that he wasnt surprised to see the students choose Yang, since that was the sense he got from students over the prior few days. He encouraged the teens to make their votes count at the polls later this year. It is your civic responsibility to be informed, to be active. Im not saying youve got to run for office, but active means being an informed voter, Haley said. My generation is done. We did some great things, weve done some interesting things, were done. Were going to pass the torch to you, and its going to be your responsibility to deal with climate change, immigration, civil rights, electoral reform. Its going to be your country to lead, he said. Asking for a show of hands, Haley asked how many students were satisfied with the way the country is run now about a dozen raised hands, some joking and how many were not almost all of the others hands went up. You can choose to be unsatisfied, and sit on the sidelines, and be apathetic. Or you can choose to lead us, in the new generation. I hope you do, Haley said. Staff writer Rachel Ravina contributed information for this story. By PTI JAIPUR: Accusing the Congress of indulging in appeasement politics and creating confusion over the amended Citizenship Act, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday claimed that the Congress of today was different from the one which had led the freedom movement as it now stands with those who commit violence. The BJP was clearing confusion among people over the new law through its door-to-door campaign, she said. "The opposition is creating confusion and misleading people over the issue of CAA. Congress president Sonia Gandhi released a video statement but she did not condemn the violence (during protests). Congress is standing with those who committed violence," she told a press conference at the BJP office here. The party's former president Rahul Gandhi had stood by those who raised the slogan 'desh tere tukde honge', the Union minister alleged. "Congress repeatedly tells the country that it ran the freedom movement. They ask (us) where were you. That Congress which had led the freedom movement cannot stand with 'tukde tukde' gang and cannot support violence. This is a different Congress," Sitharaman said. "They are not habitual of staying away from power. They are in the habit of doing appeasement politics," she alleged. About the citizenship issue, she said religious minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have faced persecution in their countries and sought asylum in India during the last six decades. "In the last six years, over 2,000 refugees, mostly Muslims, who have come from Pakistan got Indian citizenship. In the same period, more than 900 people, mostly Muslims, from Afghanistan and nearly 200 people, mostly Muslims, from Bangladesh also got citizenship. There is no exclusion. Even today, they can acquire citizenship under the Citizenship Act," Sitharaman said. She said the Congress in its election manifestos had promised citizenship to religious minorities arriving here from neighbouring countries. But now, when the Narendra Modi government was doing it, they were siding with those involved in violence, the Union minister alleged. Asserting that the BJP too in its manifesto had promised citizenship to refugees, she said, "We do not do votebank politics while the Congress is still doing the politics of appeasement for Muslim votes and spreading lies. Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament after debate. There can be protest in democracy but violence cannot be tolerated." When asked about the Centre's reaction over Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's decision of not implementing CAA in the state, the Union minister said that Gehlot has forgotten that he had written to Centre during his earlier term for giving citizenship to Pakistani refugees. "He should remember that he had written a letter to the Centre. He should now support the government when it is being done," she said. She also targeted the chief minister over the deaths of children in a Kota hospital saying he should listen to what the deputy chief minister has said. "The chief minister is focusing on CAA rather than on deaths of children. He is concerned about minority votes," Sitharaman added. Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Saturday criticising his government over the deaths of 107 children in Kota's state-run JK Lon Hospital, saying their response to the infant deaths could have been more sensitive. Earlier in the day, Sitharaman launched a door-to-door awareness campaign on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Kagzi Mohalla, Khudabaksh Chowk in Sanganer here and accused the opposition of spreading misinformation about the new law. "The CAA is not for taking away anyone's citizenship. The Opposition has no other issue and therefore they are deliberately creating misconception. They are wrong. Confusion is being created by linking CAA with NRC and we have to clear it," she told a Muslim family. Accompanied by Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra and other leaders, she also visited Laxmi Colony near Kagzi Mohalla for the campaign. I spent my Christmas Day this year in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with the majestic Himalayan mountains as a backdrop, as I sipped Kashmiri tea with people displaced from Indian Administered Kashmir. The Kashmiris here call it Indian Occupied Kashmir IOK. These families have spent three decades living in temporary housing, separated from their family in IOK. Prior to the Aug. 5 Indian lockdown, the families communicated with relatives in IOK through social media, but no more. The most astonishing aspect of my visit to Thotha, Ambore, and Manik Puniyan refugee camps was the lack of international attention these communities have received. Refugees in Ambore and Manik Puniyan camps said this was the first visit from the international community in the 30 years since they were exiled from IOK. There are 40,000 people living in camps in AJK, but aside from the humanitarian aid provided during the October 2005 earthquake when 100,000 people in the region were killed, the world has been silent. These families live in dire conditions, with three generations cramped in drafty, leaking two-room shelters that serve as eating, living and sleeping space, without refrigerators, with a two-burner gas stove and separate communal washrooms. Not one person of about 100 people I talked with in the four camps I visited had been able to talk to their family in IOK since Aug. 5. I also talked to people from outside AJK, and while some have over the last month been able to have brief calls with their family members, the Indian army monitors all calls. To get through, the refugees said they call daily but connect only about once in two weeks for only a couple minutes. For those living in the refugee camps in AJK this is not even a possibility due to lack of resources and fear for the safety of their relatives in IOK. I heard how residents of Thotha refugee camp lived in even more dire makeshift homes after the 2005 earthquake until about two years ago. A model project was built, funded by the AJK government as well as Pakistan with some external funding. These 200 new homes, still two rooms with small pantry have a dedicated washroom outside the house, are free from the leaky roofs and walls. I heard many stories of the difficult journey people made during the early 1990s from IOK, leaving in terror after their family members were badly beaten and some killed by the Indian army, as well as some homes being burned. Most left expecting they would return when hostilities calmed down, but instead I heard repeated stories of those who tried to return to bring back family members but were killed by the Indian army. One family told me they had five children under 8 years of age, and since they could only travel as a small group, they left the oldest two with grandparents. Thirty years later, they have still not been able to see the two children. Another man living outside the camps left three children under 4 years of age with his wife, with the intention of bringing them later. Recently diagnosed with severe case of Parkinson, his now suffers physical pain as well as the psychological trauma of realizing he will not be reunited with his family. During my visit to AJK I heard stories of survival, resistance, and pain. The reality on the ground is shocking, but the people are grateful that the AJK government provides education, health care, shelter such as it is and a meagre allowance of about $20 Canadian each month per person. Kashmiris from IOK are not being recognized internationally as refugees. In order to be deemed a refugee, the Kashmiris would have to agree that IOK belongs to India, which would provide precedent for India to further claim the land, permanently separating Indian Occupied Kashmir from Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The message from Kashmiris in AJK was clear they want to return to their own land in IOK, and they want freedom through the right to self-determination to be realized through the plebiscite promised by the United Nations in 1949. Canadas UN representative Andrew McNaughton took the lead in this resolution as president of the UN Security Council at that time. People said they hope the Canadian government would take a leadership role now 71 years later to insist India end the lockdown and humanitarian crisis in IOK immediately and to hold the UN supervised plebiscite promised them seven decades ago. Even while the nation was struggling to digest the fact that the death toll at a state-run hospital in Kota had crossed the 100-mark in the month of December, fresh reports emerging from Gujarat suggest that as many as 111 infants died at a civil hospital in state's Rajkot district in December last year. An official confirmed the figures to news agency PTI. Read More Amid Protests, UP Becomes First State To Implement CAA On December 31, the Kerala government passed a resolution against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), leading the way for politics of defiance. The resolution demanded that the CAA be scrapped. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also wrote to 11 non-BJP CMs asking them to take similar steps against the argumentative law and pitching for unity to protect democracy and secularism. Even as disagreement mounts and government resorts to cheap missed call tactics, Yogi Adityanath led Uttar Pradesh government became the first to have ordered identification of migrants Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians from the three neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Read More Why World Must Speak For The Rights Of Sikhs In Pakistan Indian leaders cutting across party lines and various outfits have condemned the recent mob attack on the historic Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore, terming it as "cowardly" and "shameful", while hundreds of protesters thronged the streets near the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi demanding that the neighbouring country provide adequate security to Sikh shrines and community members there. Pakistan has been accused of ill-treating its Sikh community since the very beginning of its existence and yet the international community, as well as the United Nations, has failed to take a serious note of it. Read More Free Sex Chat & More: Cheap Tactics To Get Support For CAA On Friday, Home Minister Amit Shah asked supporters to give a missed call to gather support for Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Soon, the Twitter was flooded with tweets, both from verified and unverified handles, to give a missed call to that number. The tactics they resorted to were just like the advertisements for free sex chats. Asking for a date, promising a free ride on a Merc, sex chats, hot summer chill body massage, to "anyone free, let's have a beer", were among some of the tweets that asked for a missed call. Read More Over A Hundred Thousand March In Peaceful Anti-CAA, NPR & NRC Protest A sea of people bearing national flag took to the streets of Hyderabad in what is said to be the biggest ever rally against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Hyderabad on January 4. More than 1,00,000 people participated in the protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The 'Million March' against CAA, National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) drew huge crowds from the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and surrounding districts. The three-hour-long protest passed off peacefully. Read More There was a rockphone, bungee jumping, rats, farting and a fake elimination. 10s Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here premiere last night revealed most of its celebrity cast. The rumour-mill managed to guess many of the participants from the world of television, comedy and social media. 4 were confirmed in advance of the premiere: Miguel Maestre, Charlotte Crosby, Myf Warhurst and Tom Williams. Others included music theatre star Rhonda Burchmore, comedians Nikki Osborne & Dilruk Jayasinha, YouTuber Tanya Hennessy and reality TV faces Erin Barnett & Ryan Gallagher. While the show again included several lesser known faces, previous seasons have proven they can sometimes provide the most drama by contrast top talent such as Tom Arnold proved to be a snoozefest. Crosby provided opening night nerves by declining to bungee jump from a helicopter and uttering that get me out of here line for the first time this season. She had to walk to camp alone while others faced off against the usual squeamish reptiles and arachnids. Hosts Julia Morris and Dr. Chris Brown were back to their trademark repartee in the family-friendly series. The 10 show may have been just what the doctored ordered given the bad news that has overwhelmed the nation of late it even managed to push bushfires off Twitters #1 trending spot. 10 will also be matching dollar for dollar all the proceeds raised in support of the celebrities chosen charities to the state based fire services and other charities supporting those affected by the bushfires. 10 hasnt indicated how long the show will run but it is expected to wrap in early February ahead of Australian Survivor and Dancing with the Stars both of which were heavily promoted last night. It isnt clear if it wraps before the return of official ratings on February 9. Indeed, Warhurst is required on the Gold Coast by February 8 for Eurovision: Australia Decides and presumably earlier for rehearsals. Tonight ex-AFL players Billy Brownless and Dale Daisy Thomas are widely expected to arrive, while the identity of the Artist remains under wraps. Africa could emerge as a venue for confrontation between the U.S. and Iran as Tehran threatens to retaliate after the U.S. airstrike that killed the Iranian Quds Force commander, General Qassem Soleimani. Iran has sought to increase its influence in certain countries in Africa in recent years through activities such as arms sales, training fighters for combat in the Middle East and funding Shia sects. It also has significant trade relations with several countries, including South Africa. Phillip Smyth, a Soref Fellow at The Washington Institute who studies Shia Islamist militarism, said that he does not necessarily expect the Iranians to strike immediately. He noted that they have historically been cautious and look for what he calls plausible deniability to avoid detection when they attack. When they do strike, he said, it is possible they will look for a soft target in an unexpected location. The Iranians are going to want to show that they have influence on a global scale and they may look for low-hanging fruit or easier targets that they can go after, Smyth said. And that may very well occur in Africa. And it could very well occur in North America or Europe or in many other places, he said. FILE - Military officials stand near ammunitions seized from suspected members of Hezbollah after a raid of a building in Kano, Nigeria, May 30, 2013. Smyth said Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran, has recruited and trained Nigerians for years. A 2018 report by the Middle East Institute said Iran had instructed Hezbollah to increase its training of Nigerians and hoped to use Nigeria as a base of operations to launch attacks and thwart Israeli and Western ambitions in the region. There have also been West African fighters who, after converting to Shia Islam, traveled and fought alongside Iranians in Syria. Iranians have similarly supported fighters from other parts of the world to join them in various conflicts. There are tens of thousands of fighters that the Iranians have mobilized and used for conflicts in Iraq, in Syria and in Yemen. They have a very strong alliance and kind of proxy relationship with Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis. So they have quite an extensive presence and they have continued to try and grow that presence, Smyth said. Terror cells A June 2019 report by the British newspaper The Telegraph said that Iranians were setting up terror cells in Africa under Soleimanis direction. The paper reported that Iranian cells may be active in Sudan, Chad, Ghana, Niger, The Gambia and the Central African Republic. However, Ryan Cummings, director of Signal Risk, an Africa-focused political and security risk management consultancy, said there is no evidence to date that Shia groups in Africa pose a threat to the U.S. or the West. Groups which have a distinct Shia theology and which would place them in the orbit of Iran have demonstrated no intent to carry out acts of violence against U.S./Western interests on the continent despite suggestions that they have embedded in these countries for several years, he told VOA in a written statement. FILE - A woman prays for the victims at the memorial site in Nairobi, Kenya, Aug. 7, 2013, during events marking the 15th anniversary of the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in the city. Profit motives Much of Irans engagement on the continent is less ideological and more profit-driven. One favored outlet has been weapons smuggling. A 2013 Conflict Armament Research report found Iranian bullets in 14 locations across nine African countries. At the time, the group said Sudan was partnering with Iran to funnel the ammunition to African armed groups. Theres actually a whole issue over the past couple of years of Iranian ammunition winding up throughout Africa, Smyth said. I mean from east to west. And it was rather interesting how these weapons systems and also the ammunition was arriving there. Smyth added that, in some cases, weapons are sent to Somalia, packed in wooden ships known as dhows and then smuggled across the Red Sea to Houthi fighters in Yemen. Iran has also sought to exert influence on the African continent through religion. One prominent example of this is the Shia sect the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and its controversial leader Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. The group has been charged with inciting violence and El-Zakzaky has been imprisoned and formally accused by the Nigerian government of trying to form an Islamic State in Nigeria with the backing of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Although Africa does not appear to be a focal point of the emerging conflict between Iran and the U.S., that could change. Smyth noted that al-Qaida linked groups historically sought to attack U.S. interests in Africa, viewing it as a more favorable operating environment for terror groups. This occurred in the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania and a 2002 attack against an Israeli-owned hotel and a failed attempt to shoot down a passenger jet taking off from Mombassa, Kenya. People will look at the continent and say, Can we smuggle weapons in, are there populations there that we can target, do they have lower security, how is the connection that goes back to, lets say, the Israeli, or back to the Americans, Smyth said. He added that Iran will not want to damage its own trade and diplomatic relations in Africa but it will look for ways to make a loud and, possibly violent, statement. They dont want to harm their other interests in the continent. However, I believe, if push came to shove, and if they really thought it would be a good place to get their revenge, they may actually pick the continent to do it on, he said. DENVER Health officials say an incubation period has expired for people who may have been exposed to three children infected with measles and had traveled from New Zealand to Los Angeles and to Denver last month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued warnings for travelers who passed through Denver International Airport or Los Angeles International Airport on Dec. 11. Colorados Tri-County Health Department told KCNC-TV that the incubation period expired Friday. The departments Dr. Bernadette Albanese says authorities detected a secondary case of measles affecting a passenger on the international flight. She says that individual lives outside Colorado and that Tri-State had no additional information. In Colorado, Tri-County notified 258 people who were at Childrens Hospital Colorado on Dec. 12 while the infected children were being treated there. No new cases were reported. The children who contracted the highly contagious disease did not have the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Measles symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash. The illness can lead to pneumonia and swelling of the brain. Long lost half-sisters found each other through ancestry website living 3,500 miles apart after their father had an affair during the Second World War. Rilba Jones, 79, and Mary Brand, 73, discovered each other after uploading their DNA to a genealogy website. The pair originally thought that they were first cousins until they discovered that their father, John Norman Harris, had an affair after joining the RAF in 1937 which made them half-sisters. Rilba Jones, 79, (left) and Mary Brand, 73, (right) met up after they uploaded their DNA to a genealogy website - despite living 3,500 miles apart Mrs Jones, from Hull, East Yorkshire, said that growing up her mother told her that her father had been a Flight Lieutenant who was killed when she was just two years old. But Mrs Jones had suspicions and made attempts as a teenager to investigate the matter further which were constantly rebuffed by her mother. Now a mother-of-two herself, her children bought her a membership to ancestry.com for Christmas in 2018 to help her find the answers she hoped for. It was then that she made the 'life-changing' discovery of her half-sister, Mrs Brand, from Ontario, Canada. The pair discovered that their father, John Norman Harris (pictured), had an affair after joining the RAF in 1937 Mrs Brand had also been on the site searching for long-lost family. She made multiple attempts to get in contact with Mrs Jones, who had been flagged as a potential first cousin, but the requests had been dismissed as a scam. Mrs Brand became increasingly desperate for a response and so asked her daughter to send a message in a last-ditch attempt. Mrs Jones read the notification and asked one of her daughters to help her find out if it was legitimate. And then, just a few days later, she received a phone call revealing that the pair were indeed related. Mrs Jones (left), from Hull, East Yorkshire, and Mrs Brand (right), from Ontario, Canada, originally thought that they were first cousins Flight Lieutenant Harris's plane was shot down in 1942 during a raid on Hamburg and spent the rest of the war at the Luftwaffe-run camp Stalag Luft III Mrs Jones, a retired nurse, said: 'I've wondered all my life about my identity and this has been life changing. 'I was only really looking to see what my ethnicity was. I thought I might find out I was Danish or Swedish, but it turns out I'm actually mostly Scottish. 'All of sudden Mary's at my doorstep and I couldn't have felt more at home - I got such a warm welcome. 'It's better late than never. I couldn't believe it, I'd been waiting for this moment for over 70 years. 'I was so pleased to learn who my father was - he led such an interesting life and was a war hero. 'I didn't know what to expect all those years wondering and searching for answers - but it wasn't this. 'Now I can tell everyone I'm half-Canadian.' The two sisters continue to speak regularly and Mrs Brand said that she now plans to attend Mrs Jones' 80th birthday later this year Mrs Jones daughters, Harriet, 44, and Charlotte, 40, thought the gift of membership to ancestry.com could help their mother find the answers that she had sought her whole life. Harriet said: 'When we bought my mum the DNA test I secretly longed for answers about her identity. 'I wanted them for her, because I knew she was troubled by not knowing. Six months after giving the test to her the answers came. 'We were utterly bowled over to discover how all of our identities had been determined by DNA. Meeting Mary was the icing on the cake.' Speaking about initially thinking that Mrs Brand's emails were a scam, Mrs Jones said: 'I thought there was no way this was right, as I knew all of my cousins and half cousins - I didn't trust the website. 'Then a younger person emailed me and I thought I'd let my daughter speak to her, as I thought it was a scam. 'My daughter then called me to say she found my dad. It was a stunning phone call, I just couldn't believe it. 'I spent so much of my youth trying to find this man, but when you don't find answers you just give up. 'Now, years and years later, I'd completely forgotten about it and I've got all of the answers and I've got a sister.' Meeting her sister also helped Mrs Jones find answers about her father. She was told as a youngster that her father was Flight Lieutenant Blair White who was shot down and killed in the invasion of Sicily in 1943. But she had later found a hidden account which revealed her mother's secret pregnancy and subsequent efforts by relatives to find a 'suitable' husband. In meeting Mrs Brand, she discovered that her real father was actually a war-time hero who played a part in the famous 'Wooden Horse' escape from German prisoner-of-war camp Stalag Luft III. Mr Harris was also a talented writer best-known for his mystery novel The Weird World of Wes Beattie which was published shortly before his death in 1964 John Norman Harris, who left Canada to join the RAF in 1937, is thought to have met Mrs Jones's mother when he was being treated for injuries at Torbay Hospital in Torquay in 1939. Mrs Jones was born in September 1940 - nine months later. Flight Lieutenant Harris's plane was shot down in 1942 during a raid on Hamburg and he spent the rest of the war at the Luftwaffe-run camp Stalag Luft III which held captured Western Allied air force personnel. In 1943 prisoners constructed a gymnastic vaulting horse to disguise men, tools and containers of soil while they dug an escape tunnel, which allowed three men to escape to safety. Mr Harris's role in the break-out was re-enacted in the 1950 film titled The Wooden Horse. He returned to Canada after the war and went on to have four more children. He was also a talented writer best-known for his mystery novel The Weird World of Wes Beattie which was published shortly before his death in 1964. The two half-sisters continue to speak regularly and Mrs Brand said that she now plans to attend Mrs Jones' 80th birthday later this year. She added: 'My daughter Googled her and we found her right away. 'She looks very much like my older sister Elizabeth and my younger brother John. 'We had no idea that there was a half-sister in England. I'm positive he had no idea either. 'Meeting Rilba was like a wonderful gift from our father. He has been dead for 55 years but now I have another piece of him. 'She's smart - just like our dad.' Hundreds of young men arrested after last years violent protests against the amended citizenship act in Uttar Pradesh stare at a dismal future with their image tarred and their records tainted. The arrests came after one person was killed as the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests turned violent in the state capital of Lucknow on December 19 last year. The next day, similar protests erupted in more than a dozen districts and 21 people, all civilians, were killed and hundreds injured. The police filed more than 325 first information reports (FIRs) across the state and arrested around 1200 people after protests spiralled out of control. About 75% of them are between the ages of 18 to 35 years. The arrested men have been languishing in various jails across the state since a fortnight after they were picked up by the police. Majority of the youngsters in jail are from the minority community and many have been branded as dangai or rioters on social media platforms. They are facing serious charges, including those of attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and rioting. Their families are a worried lot. Tedious procedure The legal battle is going to consume time and money as experts say the cases against these youngsters will drag on, even though those with strong evidence may be cleared quickly. However, much will also depend on the pace at which the police file the chargesheet and the prosecution take up the cases, they said. Even if some of them are innocent, they will not get rid of all this quickly. Legal procedures are so tedious that it sometimes takes years even in some simple cases, lawyer BK Gupta said. Till then, many may face problems getting admission to educational institutions and while applying for jobs and passports. They are innocent Such is the case of a college student from Khadra in Lucknow, who according to his family and CCTV footage was at home and did not participate in the violence. He had gone to buy some stationery when the police arrested him in the afternoon, the mother of the 20-year-old, Yasmeen Siddiqui, said. When the ruckus erupted, Osama, who was on the way home from the stationery shop, entered a house, followed by a few of those involved in the violence. Tell me what was his fault? Siddiqui asked. When her son was in jail, she also received a show-cause notice for recovery of damage done during anti-CAA protests in Lucknow on December 19. I am not much bothered about this notice but will my son be ever cleared of these charges? Will he get a government or a private job? she asked. He is good at studies, but I dont know how will he carry on with the case. Mujeeb Anwar is another worried parent. He claimed his son Samad Anwar, an asthma patient who worked as a driver for an educational institution, was arrested on December 19 while he was going to attend his grandfathers funeral. Even if he is released from jail, will he get his job back or get to work somewhere else? I know he is innocent but it will take years to be acquitted of all the charges. But who will compensate for his losses? he asked. Lucknow-based lawyer Syed Mohammad, who is contesting some of the cases, said the police arrested many of those who were not even protesting. This is an act of a mob. Police have arrested those present there even if they were not a part of this protest. Police were on an arresting spree and picked up some innocent people, Mohammad said. Dark future Not only those aspiring for government or private jobs, but daily wagers arrested by the police also fear a dark future. The wife of Mohammed Mehmood, a street vendor in Rampur, said he was arrested as he stepped out of their home after someone knocked on their door. When there was a protest call, my husband remained indoors as I insisted, Shabnam said. He is in jail while I have a two-year-old daughter to look after. I dont know till when he will be in jail and how will I survive. So far, people around us are kind enough to help but for how long? she asked. She is also sceptical whether her husband will be able to re-start his daily business even after he is released. I am told fighting court cases will drain finances. We do not have any savings. Not a single penny to hire lawyers. Does it mean my husband will have to live with all the charges forever? she asked. Like Mehmood, Bijnors Zafar, who was arrested from the protest site as per the FIR, is the lone breadwinner of the family. He was planning to go to a Gulf country for earning a livelihood. We were consulting people for guidance. When he was planning to go abroad, why would he indulge in such activities? his father Zaheer asked. Now, I am worried about his future. He has serious charges against him and no one is listening to us. Can someone guide me? How can we prove his innocence? he asked. Give evidence Inspector general (IG) of police (law and order), Praveen Kumar, said those arrested and booked will be given a chance to prove their innocence during the course of the investigation. He said special investigation teams (SITs) have already been constituted at the district level under the supervision of additional superintendents of police to ensure that people were arrested only after verifying evidence regarding their involvement in the violence. He said the SITs will also consider the cases of those people if they or their family members present evidence to prove their innocence. As police have done in Muzaffarnagar in the case of four people, who were wrongly picked up and booked for the violence, by sending a report under section 169 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to release them after finding them innocent, the same could be done in other cases if a person is innocent, he explained. SITs have been asked to conduct an investigation on merit and arrest people only after collecting proper evidence against them. The IG, however, emphasised that stern action will be taken against those if evidence pictures and videos of violence as well as intercepts of telephonic conversation, documentary proofs and other electronic footprintsincriminate them. Kumar cited the example of the 25 members of Popular Front of India (PFI) and said the Kerala-based organisation was actively involved in mobilising people during violent anti-CAA protests across the state that claimed several lives on December 19 and 20. He said the police had ample proof to prove PFIs involvement in the violence. Implications Faizan Mustafa, the vice-chancellor of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, said a criminal case will always come to bite people time and again. The senior constitutional law teacher said even for innocent people, police inquiry has always been a cause of embarrassment. Nobody wants to call themselves a rioter. It is a blot. More so, if you are innocent and are being implicated falsely by the state. It has consequences in the passport too, Mustafa said. Putting (an) innocent (person) in jail for 10-11 days amounts to a negation of civil liberty which is against natural jurisprudence, he also pointed out. Lawyer Harjot Singh explained those arrested in connection with the violent anti-CAA protests will face issues while applying for a job and passport and even for a bank loan. They will have to declare they have an FIR against them. With respect to private jobs, it will be difficult Government job certainly miles away, Singh said. He also said they will have to declare that they have a criminal case against them while applying for a passport. Getting a passport will not be difficult. They cant get a visa for the UK or the US if they have been charged with a criminal offence. Getting a visa will be very difficult, he pointed out. Under bank regulations, if anyones name figures in an FIR, the bank will take it into account because if you are convicted, how will you repay, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned the recent incident of vandalism at the Nankana Sahib, saying that it goes against his vision and his government. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is a site near Lahore where the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. On Friday, a mob in Pakistan surrounded gurdwara and threatened to occupy it, if some people detained in connection with the alleged forcible conversion of a Sikh woman were not released. In a series of tweets on Sunday, Khan highlighted that the incident was against his vision and will find zero tolerance and protection from the government including police and judiciary. The PM said that the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims and other minorities are backed by Modis RSS vision. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police leads anti-Muslim attacks, PM Imran added. The Indian government has repeatedly dismissed any allegation of prejudice and atrocities against minorities in the country. Pakistan interior minister Brigadier (retd) Ijaz Ahmed Shah, too, visited the gurdwara on Sunday and promised action against the accused. What happened here on Friday is a conspiracy by those who are against the brotherhood and national sovereignty, said Shah. International media projected it wrongly and twisted the facts. PM Imrans government is standing by the Sikh community and those who were behind this incident will be brought to the book. Pakistan, however, maintained that the incident was not communal in nature and the gurdwara was not desecrated. Attempts to paint this incident as a communal issue are patently motivated...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, the Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement. The Indian government, meanwhile, had 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. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib (Image: Reuters) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned the recent incident of vandalism at the Nankana Sahib, saying it goes against his "vision" and the government will show "zero tolerance" against those involved in it. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is a site near Lahore where the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. According to media reports, a violent mob had attacked the Gurdwara and pelted it with stones on Friday. A team of police had to intervene briskly to control the situation. Breaking his silence on the incident, Khan said that there is a "major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident and the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims and other minorities". "The former is against my vision & will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police & judiciary (sic)," he tweeted, referring to the Nankana Sahib incident. Khan claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "vision supports minorities oppression and the targeted attacks against Muslims." He also alleged that the Indian police, supported by the government, are leading attacks against Muslims. India has strongly condemned vandalism at the revered Gurdwara and called upon the Pakistan government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community there. On Saturday, Indian leaders cutting across party lines and various outfits condemned the mob attack on the historic Gurdwara, terming it as "cowardly" and "shameful". Hundreds of protesters thronged the streets near the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi demanding that Islamabad provide adequate security to Sikh shrines and community members there. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body which manages Sikh shrines in India, said it will send a four-member delegation to Pakistan to take stock of the situation and urged the Pakistan government to take stringent action against the culprits who attacked the gurdwara - one of the holiest sites in Sikhism. Pakistan's Foreign Office on Friday rejected the media reports that the Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib was desecrated in a mob attack, saying the birthplace of founder of Sikhism remains "untouched and undamaged" and the "claims of destruction" of one of the holiest Sikh shrines are "false". Qatar urges de-escalation in regional tensions after Soleimani's assassination Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 3:27 PM Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani urges a peaceful solution to ease tensions and restore peace to the region following the assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), in a US airstrike in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Saturday, Al Thani expressed his concern over the ongoing sensitive and worrying situation in the region in the wake of General Soleimani's assassination. The Iranian foreign minister, for his part, slammed the "terrorist" measure by the American military forces to assassinate General Soleimani and said the US regime is accountable for the consequences of the attack. "The Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek tension in the region, but the presence and interference of foreign and extra-regional forces are leading to instability, insecurity and an increase in tensions in our critical region," Zarif added. Al Thani, who also serves as Qatari deputy prime minister, held two rounds of talks with the Iranian foreign minister in Tehran on Saturday about a range of issues, including the latest developments in mutual relations and regional and international issues, particularly the new situation in Iraq following the US assassination of General Soleimani. General Soleimani along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy chief of the Iraqi pro-government Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), was assassinated during the early hours of Friday. Four other Iranians and four more Iraqis in their company were also martyred. The Pentagon said in a statement that President Donald Trump ordered the US military to assassinate the Iranian commander. "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 Guards Corps-Quds Force," the Pentagon said. US should stop 'abusing' use of force: China In a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the United States should stop abusing the use of force and seek solutions via dialog. According to China's Foreign Ministry, Wang added that the risky behavior of the US military violates the basic norms of international relations, warning that it would worsen tensions and turbulence in the region, Reuters reported. He emphasized that his country will play a constructive role in maintaining peace and security in the Middle East region. Russia FM expresses condolences over General Soleimani's assassination Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also on Saturday spoke with his Iranian counterpart over the phone and discussed the US assassination of the top IRGC commander, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Lavrov expressed his condolences over the killing," the statement said. "The ministers stressed that such actions by the United States grossly violate the norms of international law," it added. In separate phone calls with Zarif, Chief Executive of Afghanistan's Unity Government Abdullah Abdullah and foreign ministers of Tajikistan and Turkey Sirodjidin Aslov and Mevlut Cavusoglu, respectively, also offered their condolences over General Soleimani's martyrdom. The Azerbaijani and Omani foreign ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov and Yusuf bin Alawi Zarif, respectively also held separate telephone calls with Zarif, during which they offered condolences to the Iranians over General Soleimani's assassination. The top Iranian diplomat also spoke on the phone with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali al-Hakim to discuss the recent developments in the Arab country and the region after the assassination. General Soleimani's assassination act of terrorism: Zarif tells UN chief In a phone call with Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres on Friday, the Iranian foreign minister said the US regime's move to assassinate General Soleimani was a "terrorist" act. "Given the great popularity of General Soleimani among the region's people because of his role in the fight against terrorist groups, his martyrdom has effects and consequences that cannot be controlled by anyone," Zarif added. He held the "terrorist regime of the United States of America" accountable for all the consequences of the assassination. The UN chief also voiced concern over the US move and said it would heighten tensions in the region. Following General Soleimani's assassination, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said those who assassinated the IRGC Quds Force commander must await a harsh revenge. Ayatollah Khamenei said the "cruelest people on earth" assassinated the "honorable" commander who "courageously fought for years against the evils and bandits of the world." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May Quinn whose brother Robert Walker was driving the minibus targeted by the IRA places a wreath during the Kingsmill memorial service at the scene of the atrocity in Co Armagh. A memorial service marking the 44th anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre was held at the site in south Armagh where 10 Protestant workers were shot dead. The textile workers were shot when their minibus was ambushed outside the village of Kingsmill on their way home from work on January 5 1976. Those on board were asked their religion, and the only Catholic was ordered to run away. The killers, who had hidden in hedges, forced the 11 remaining men to line up outside the van before opening fire. Alan Black was the sole survivor. Expand Close Pastor Barrie Halliday speaking at the Kingsmill memorial service at the scene of the atrocity in Co Armagh. PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pastor Barrie Halliday speaking at the Kingsmill memorial service at the scene of the atrocity in Co Armagh. The attack took place close to where Catholic brothers John Martin Reavey, 24, and Brian Reavey, 22, were shot dead a day earlier by the UVFs Glenanne Gang. A third brother, Anthony, 17, died several weeks later from his injuries. One the same day as the Reavey murders, three members of the ODowd family were killed near Gilford by the same gang. Barry ODowd, 24, and his brother Declan, 16, died along with their uncle Joe, 16, after armed and masked men burst into their home during a family reunion. Families and friends of the victims held a commemorative service on Sunday morning to mark the anniversary of the Kingsmill attack, which took place on a small rural road in south Co Armagh. We remember in sadness & recommit ourselves to the relentless upholding of The Good Friday & subsequent Agreements in pursuit of peace & reconciliation. https://t.co/8qYdRO0lHQ Charlie Flanagan (@CharlieFlanagan) January 5, 2020 The families and victims campaigners gathered at the scene where the killings took place in Co Armagh. They laid wreaths at the spot and said prayers during a short service. A memorial there lists the names of those who died, featuring gold lettering against a polished black backdrop. Pastor Barrie Halliday told the PA news agency the families of the victims are still in the dark. The families still have no answers. There is no closure for the families four decades on and they still feel the same anguish, he said. The inquest is stuck in the mud but the families are optimistic the new legislation may mean we get some answers from the Guards, he said. Gardai in the Republic of Ireland will be permitted to give evidence at Troubles era inquests in Northern Ireland after urgent legislation was passed by the Oireachtas last year. No-one has ever been convicted of the murders, which have been widely blamed on the IRA, even though the organisation never admitted responsibility. The Kingsmill inquest opened in May 2016. Proceedings were delayed shortly afterwards when a palm print found inside the van suspected of being the getaway vehicle was positively matched. The inquest resumed sittings in 2017 and there have been more than 30 sessions. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said it was 'shameful' that Sadaf Jafar, SR Darapuri and Pavan Rao were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police for violence without any evidence against them New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said it was "shameful" that Sadaf Jafar, SR Darapuri and Pavan Rao were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police for violence without any evidence against them. He also said that it was a shocking admission by the police that there is no evidence of their involvement. "Sadaf Jafar, SR Darapuri and Pavan Rao Ambedkar released on bail after police ADMITTED no evidence of their involvement in violence. Shocking admission," he said on Twitter. "If that were so, why did the police arrest them in the first place? And how did the Magistrate remand them to custody without looking at the evidence," he asked. "The law says 'find evidence, then arrest'. The reality is 'first arrest, then search for evidence'. Shameful," Chidambaram tweeted. The Maserati (left) and other car (right) involved in Sunday's (5 Jan) accident. (PHOTOS: SG Road Vigilante - SGRV / Facebook, Video screengrab) UPDATED at 1.45pm on 6 January 2020 to include mention of second vehicle involved in the accident. SINGAPORE A 69-year-old woman was killed in a traffic accident involving two cars near the Pinnacle@Duxton residence on Sunday (5 January) morning. The woman was riding a power-assisted bicycle at the time of the incident along Cantonment Road, which also involved a red Maserati and a yellow car. According to local media reports, the authorities responded to the accident at around 5.50am. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the Maseratis driver a 25-year-old man was arrested for dangerous driving causing death. The driver of the other vehicle left the scene before police arrived. Police investigations into the incident are ongoing. Pictures of the accident site posted on social media showed a damaged red Maserati facing the opposite direction of the traffic flow in the middle lane on Cantonment Road. A blue bicycle is seen lying near the vehicle while a police blue tent was also set up along the road. A video circulated over social media showed the red Maserati and another red car at the accident site, with the woman lying on the traffic lane closest to the kerb. A man in the video is seen crossing the street to speak to the driver of the other red car. As he does so a yellow car is seen travelling fast along the lane that the woman was lying on, dragging her body a few metres down the road. The yellow car is not seen stopping after running over the woman. More Singapore stories: Man charged with murder of his wife at Esparina Residences Shanmugam rejects application by States Times Review founder to cancel correction directive Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 04:52:52|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday evening that Turkey is "gradually" sending troops to Libya under a deal inked with its UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). "Our soldiers are gradually going," Erdogan told the CNNTurk broadcaster in a televised interview, saying "The duty of Turkish soldiers is to ensure ceasefire and not to fight." "What we will do in Libya is to strengthen the legitimate government," he added, noting an operation center would be established in the North African country torn by a raging civil war, which pits the GNA based in the capital Tripoli against the Libyan National Army and its allies based in the east. The mission for Turkish troops in Libya is to make coordination at the operation center, said the Turkish leader. "As an opposition force, we will have different teams there," he added. The Turkish parliament on Thursday passed a motion authorizing the government to deploy troops to Libya in support of the GNA, as Ankara signed with it security and military cooperation agreements as well as a controversial maritime boundary memorandum at the end of November. The Turkish move has prompted opposition from some of its regional neighbors, while Libya's elected parliament, the GNA's rival in the war, voted on Saturday to sever ties with Turkey. The Federal Depository Library Program makes federal government publications freely available to the public. In their message, the hackers made reference to the death of Soleimani, and depicted US President Donald Trump being hit by a fist with Iran's Revolutionary Guard insignia. Iran's retaliation for the killing of Soleimani is expected to include cyberattacks, with a top US cybersecurity official already asking businesses and government agencies to be more cautious, said the report. Iran's state-backed hackers are known for their aggressiveness and ability to cause major disruptions. Earlier, websites of major US banks including Bank of America as well as the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ suffered major disruptions after Iranian state-backed hackers carried out cyberattacks in response to the US sanctions in 2012 and 2013. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned Americans to be prepared for "cyber disruptions, suspicious emails and network delays" amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran after the killing of Soleimani. The Department bulletin, which the agency describes as "current developments or general trends regarding threats of terrorism", was issued on Saturday, reports Xinhua news agency. Citing Iran's public statements that it intends to retaliate against the US, the bulletin said there was no information at this time "indicating a specific, credible threat" to America. It claimed that Iran "maintains a robust cyber program and can execute cyberattacks against the US". "Iran is capable, at a minimum, of carrying out attacks with temporary disruptive effects against critical infrastructure in the US." gb/dpb Jason Gardiner, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield at the Dancing On Ice Launch Showcase at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink, Kensington,. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Its all a bit chilly in Dancing on Ice world as former judge Jason Gardiner has lashed out at former colleagues, labelling ex-pals Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby fake and disingenuous. Gardiner announced his plans to quit the show, which hes been involved with since 2006, back in August 2018, saying to fans via social media he wished to return to things I have been putting on hold and have been on the back burner for a while. However, after working with many of the same people throughout his stint on the show, he expected some messages of support from colleagues, but according to the 48-year-old this was not the case. Read more: Dancing On Ice launch to make TV history with first same-sex pairing The star was particularly disappointed with Schofield, who he says he sent a supportive message as the This Morning host was caught up amidst feuds with co-hosts Amanda Holden and Ruth Langsford. Discussing the snub, Gardiner told The Sun: Since it was announced I was leaving the show Ive had nothing from Phil and Holly. Not even a text message. It is hurtful, especially because when Phillip was getting a lot of negative attention recently I sent him a message of support. I thought they would get in touch but Ive learned this industry is full of fake and disingenuous people. Known for not being shy when it comes to criticism, Gardiner also lifted the lid on other former colleagues. He revealed the only other judge to wish him support after he announced his decision to quit was Ashley Banjo, while idols Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean also snubbed him, which Gardiner described as upsetting. Read more: Dancing On Ice 2020: Who are the contestants? Former contestant John Barrowman is replacing Gardiner for the new series, a decision the latter isnt entirely convinced by as the former didnt even make it to the final while taking part on the show. John Barrowman during the Dancing On Ice 2019 photocall at ITV Studios on December 09, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) 12 contestants have already been announced for the new series, which starts on ITV today (5 January) at 6pm. Former Steps star Ian H Watkins will be joined by Love Islands Maura Higgins, talk show host Trisha Goddard and former Eastender Joe Swash amongst others. Iran has appealed to the UN Security Council over the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in the US airstrike in Iraq, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Abbas Mousavi said. He said the Foreign Ministry had already initiated political, legal and international measures, including at the level of the UN and the Security Council, RIA Novosti reported. A US airstrike killed Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Qasem Soleimani at Baghdads international airport early on Friday. The Pentagon said in a statement that US President Donald Trump had ordered the attack. Washington believes he was behind the attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on 31 December, 2019. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei declared a three-day mourning in Iran and said harsh and severe revenge is awaiting the criminals, while Trump promised to hit 52 Iranian targets if the Americans are attacked. A police dog named Bear apprehended three men charged with stealing $20,000 in jewelry from an area Costco, Illinois officials say. At 2:20 a.m. on Saturday, police responded to a burglary alarm at a Costco in Mettawa. When they arrived, they found broken glass and an open security door, Lake County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. As officers were establishing a perimeter around the store, they received word that three people were running across I-94 toward an Illinois Department of Transportation utility truck parked on an exit ramp, police say. When the three men saw the truck, they immediately dropped the bags they were carrying and ran off, police say. The bags were filled with $20,000 worth of Costco jewelry and burglary tools, according to the release. Officers also found masks and gloves nearby. Police in Illinois say three men stole $20,000 in jewelry from an area Costco. Thats when officials called in a police dog named Bear. Bear tracked the burglars from where they had dropped the bags to a concrete wall which supports an overhead sign near I-94, police say. The three men were hiding behind the wall and after Bear began to bark, they surrendered to police, according to the release. Joseph Park, 24, Cortez Morrow, 37, and Clarene Blanchard, 26, were arrested and charged with burglary, criminal damage to property and possession of burglary tools all felonies, the release says. Mettawa is roughly 33 miles northwest of Chicago. With microphones in hand, Violet Caballero and Yaneth Gutierrez offered prayers to the homeless and one more paycheck. For the past nine Saturdays, the pair from Thrive Outreach have led a bilingual prayer service behind Redeemers Praise Church for low-income families and the homeless on the East Side. The service began with a moment of silence, followed by a reading of scriptures. When Caballero asked who needed prayer, Gilbert Sandoval, 74, was among those who raised his hands. His hands remained above his head as he walked with those Caballero called to receive blessings. Standing on a worn patch of grass, Caballero, 31, said those who had answered her call had made their best decision of the morning. Gutierrez, 29, translated Caballeros words into Spanish as she placed a hand on each recipients shoulder. With eyes shaded behind dark sunglasses and his palms open to the bright sky, Sandoval received the pairs devotion. The self-described evangelist said he wasnt perfect, but the blessings help him stay strong. This is like reading the Bible, Sandoval said. Theyre doing a great service to the Lord and the people. On Saturday, more than 70 people gathered behind Redeemers Praise Church for fellowship, a meal, ministry and worship music. The church at 107 Pine St. is the groups newest location. The ministrys, Thrive Outreach, has another site at 2903 W. Salinas. There the pair minister to an average of 200 people. This morning, volunteers served nine tables of guests coffee, water, pancakes and breakfast tacos. Caballero said they offer handshakes, smiles and sometimes hugs for those in need of a human touch. The nonprofit, founded by Stoney and Kathy Jeppson, started with one table in April 2016 on the West Side, with members from different churches and backgrounds. Its motto is Where broken people find hope. Caballero and her husband, J.J., were with the program when it launched in 2016. They rely on team members and volunteers to help carry out much of the good works. Their focus is on building a relationship with homeless people on the East Side, helping them become self-reliant. The couple said they have seen their efforts at work. Last Saturday, a homeless widower they had prayed over arrived in tears. He thanked them for the prayers he said helped him find a temporary place to live, a job and food for his table. Thats why we do what we do, Caballero said. Were all broken, every single person out here. Were just a beacon of light for them, providing hope and serving them. Everyone is welcome. In November, the nonprofit partnered with Pastor Shetigho Agbuke to bring their service to the East Side neighborhood. On Saturdays, the Nigerian-born pastor and her volunteers deliver food to the homeless. Theyre a beautiful addition, Agbuke said inside her church sanctuary. Were blessed to have them. Outside, Carlos Aguilar, 46, led a group of volunteers who provided boxes of food to drivers lined up at the curb. Maria Salazar, 61, an East Side resident for 41 years, said she was glad to help her church and Thrive Outreach provide meals for those in need. Gutierrez, originally from Colombia, arrived in San Antonio with her husband, an active duty military member, and small daughter without the comfort of relatives or friends. She calls her team members and the people they serve her family. I come here every Saturday to recharge my battery, Gutierrez said. I love to be here around the people to bring a little hope. Before the morning program ended, the prayer leaders briefed the guests about a long-honored church practice of call and response. God is good! Caballero shouted. And the crowd responded, All the time! Vincent T. Davis is a reporter in the Greater San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | vtdavis@express-news.net | Twitter: @vincentdavis TEPOZTLAN, Mexico -- Juan Carlos Quiroz was working late in Mexico City on March 16, 2017, when his older sister called with distressing news. That afternoon, in the family's hometown a few hours away, their 71-year-old father had gone missing. A retired middle-school principal who often had his nose in a newspaper, Albino Quiroz Sandoval had left home that afternoon to run an errand at a nearby hardware store. Family members searched the cobblestone streets of Tepotzlan, a town of 14,000 set high in a mountain range in the state of Morelos, and eventually found his Toyota sedan nearly a mile from the store. Going on the assumption that his father had been kidnapped, Juan Carlos set out the next morning to file a missing person's report _ a process that took 12 hours and required him to visit four separate government offices. That same day, police sent a lone officer from the state capital of Cuernavaca to investigate, but she left after finding no leads. As the hours passed and nobody called demanding ransom, it became clear Albino had not been kidnapped. ADVERTISEMENT The story might have ended there: another unsolved disappearance in a nation where more than 40,000 people are registered as missing and the homicide rate this year is at a record high, with more than 31,000 killings. Rampant impunity prevails in Mexico despite a 2016 overhaul of the justice system aimed at winning more convictions. At least in the short term, the sweeping changes appear to have only made it harder to prosecute crimes, as new due-process requirements are routinely violated by under-equipped forensic agents, poorly trained prosecutors and bribe-taking police officers. Just 5% of killings in Mexico end in a conviction. The obstacles are especially daunting in Morelos, where in 2018 the conviction rate was less than 1%. Juan Carlos and his family quickly realized that they were up against not only whoever was responsible for Albino's disappearance _ but also their own government. Many families _ especially those with less education or fewer resources _ would have given up. But Albino, who rarely missed a day of work in his 48 years as an educator, had imbued each of his four children with a strong moral compass and devotion to the truth. He gave Juan Carlos a copy of "The Odyssey" when he was just 8 years old and watched proudly as his son left to study at a prep school in Mexico City at 15, earned a master's degree in international relations at Johns Hopkins University at 31 and eventually became an energy analyst for the Mexican government. And so Juan Carlos put his pain aside and launched his own probe. "I realized that it wasn't my job to grieve," he said recently. "I had to look for answers, or I wasn't going to get any." ADVERTISEMENT ___ Two days after his father disappeared, with morning mist still clinging to the mountains, Juan Carlos set out on foot to search for shops outfitted with surveillance cameras. The police hadn't checked. By that afternoon, he had his first clue: a video showing his father leaving the hardware store, getting into his car and driving in the opposite direction of his home. The family scored another breakthrough that night. Rumors were circulating that Albino had contacted a municipal official for help recovering money he had lent to a local man who was putting him off with threats of violence. The family rushed to Albino's wooden desk and found several handwritten receipts showing that he had indeed lent more than a thousand dollars to a man named Juan Carlos Reyes Lara. The name was instantly recognizable to Albino's wife, Maricela, who remembered Reyes coming to the house three times asking for money to help a daughter he said was in the hospital. Albino paid him twice, explaining to Maricela that it was "the humane thing" to do. Reyes, who worked as an attorney specializing in land deals and had once served on the Tepotzlan police force, was known around town to brag about his karate skills and supposed connections to organized crime. His small storefront office was located on the street where Albino's car had been found. ADVERTISEMENT Juan Carlos told police about what he viewed as an explosive new lead, but they showed little interest. So he began to comb Tepotzlan for anything he could learn about the karate-loving ex-cop. Five days after his father's disappearance, he found a retired teacher who said she, too, had once loaned money to Reyes _ and that he had threatened her when she asked to be repaid. "I'll kill you and your family," she said he had shouted at her in a busy market. "And I'll disappear the bodies!" Juan Carlos had been holding on to hope that his father was still alive, but that evaporated when another woman told him that a witness _ who she was too afraid to name _ had seen a man who looked like Albino being attacked and had reported it to a local police officer. When Juan Carlos returned to Cuernavaca to recount the story for police, the officer taking his report asked him to lie and say that he himself had witnessed his father being beaten. "He told me that it wasn't enough, that no judge would give an order to apprehend a suspect based only on secondhand declarations," Juan Carlos recalled. "I told him, 'No, this is all I'm saying.'" His older sister Georgina worried that Juan Carlos was out of touch with the realities of Mexico. "You don't know how corrupt it is," she told him. "You believe in laws, but the laws aren't followed here." ___ It didn't take long for Juan Carlos and his siblings to track down the officer who had been on duty near Reyes' office the day of the disappearance. The officer explained that he had been too busy directing traffic to investigate the complaint about the beating and that his supervisors had also ignored the tip. He didn't apologize _ but he offered the name of the witness. Juan Carlos found the witness working in a nearby shop, but the man was too nervous to speak in Tepotzlan. They met that afternoon in a cafe in Cuernavaca, where the man told his story _ which he later recounted to The Times. He was passing Reyes' office on the afternoon of March 16 when he heard screams. Inside the open storefront a younger man loomed over an older man sitting in a chair, striking him with his fists. "He's elderly!" the witness yelled. "There's a better way to resolve this." The old man struggled to his feet and looked down for a moment _ only to be surprised by a knockout punch. He collapsed to the floor, where he lay motionless. Reyes ordered the witness to leave: "Go away or I'll hit you, too!" Then he slammed shut the metal door to his storefront. At Juan Carlos' urging, the witness agreed to share his story with authorities. In the months afterward, the man's wife would grow so terrified that they would be targeted for snitching that they stopped letting their children play outside. But the witness said he believed it was his obligation to participate in the case, even if many Mexicans would have stayed silent out of fear of organized crime. "We all want the system to change," he said. "But if you don't do your part, it will never happen." ___ Two Sundays after the disappearance, in the early morning hours of March 26, a caravan of state police trucks rumbled into Tepotzlan. Officers burst into the home that Reyes shared with his wife and took him away in handcuffs. Investigators said his office appeared to have been recently scrubbed with bleach and repainted, but DNA testing showed with near certainty that a few drops of blood found on a chair there had come from Albino. Justice seemed tantalizingly close, but Juan Carlos realized that government incompetence, indifference and possibly corruption remained serious obstacles. Albino's body was still missing, and authorities were doing little to find it. In August, his family persuaded state investigators to help them search on land that Reyes owned. But the officials showed up to the muddy tract without shovels or other basic supplies. It also became clear that prosecutors had made critical errors. In a preliminary court hearing a few days after the arrest, prosecutors somehow failed to mention that they had an eyewitness account of the beating. The judge reduced the charge against Reyes from kidnapping to illegal detention, giving Reyes the right to ask to be released while waiting for the trial. When Reyes petitioned the court to be let out of jail, a prosecutor told Juan Carlos and his family that the best option would be to avoid a trial entirely and instead try to negotiate a deal with the defendant through an alternative dispute resolution mechanism that is a key feature of the new justice system. Reyes would have to pay the family restitution, but not admit guilt. The family was stunned. Maricela walked out of the meeting thinking the family had no other choice. They were supposed to be receiving guidance from an attorney appointed by the government in accordance with a mandate of the new justice system, but the attorney had missed crucial court dates and complained she was overworked. Not ready to give up, Juan Carlos turned to a human rights group for assistance. That's when he found Efrain Marquez Duran. ___ The son of an electrician and a seamstress, Marquez always dreamed of being a doctor. He switched paths when he got a scholarship to study law. He graduated in late 2007 and took a job clerking for judges in Morelos on the cusp of the most radical overhaul of the justice system since the Mexican Revolution. The old system was notoriously opaque, with cases argued via stacks of paperwork presented to a judge. Bribery and torture were common, and police and judicial appointees were often correctly viewed as instruments of state control. The system was especially ill-equipped to deliver justice in the growing number of cases related to drug trafficking and other organized crime. In 2008, with homicides rising, the government made a constitutional change that then-President Felipe Calderon said would modernize the justice system. The transition was carried out over eight years and was supported with more than $400 million in U.S. aid. The new system was supposed to strengthen the independence of judges, turn police into impartial investigators and shift trials to public events held in a courtroom. But in holding officials to a high standard, the new system has created its own controversies. The changeover was chaotic, with some states waiting until just a few months before the system took effect to begin training personnel. Police complain about stacks of new paperwork, judges complain about mistakes on police reports and prosecutors blame judges for letting criminals go. Suspects are now presumed innocent, putting the burden on prosecutors to prove their guilt and follow due process to prevent defendants from going free on procedural violations. Lawmakers in some parts of the country have blamed the new system for a spike in killings across Mexico. This year, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador successfully pushed lawmakers to roll back part of the reform and triple the number of crimes that require mandatory pretrial detention. Judicial experts insist that the new system was badly needed and will improve with time. For them, people such as Marquez represent the great hope that the overhaul will eventually succeed. He was trained by a U.S. program in the new system, including how to carry out oral trials, and led workshops of his own in which he explained the new system to judges. He eventually became a criminal defense attorney, often helping drug traffickers beat the justice system by finding flaws in the state's investigation and presentation of its case. But when Juan Carlos and his wife, Valerie, came to his office in Cuernavaca in late 2018 and told them about Albino, Marquez was moved. Years earlier, his sister-in-law had been killed by a drug trafficker, and Marquez had represented her family in his very first trial, helping prosecutors win a murder conviction. Looking over the documents Juan Carlos had brought, Marquez instantly spotted problems. Investigators, for example, had obtained some of Reyes' phone records without proper authorization, and they had also failed to present in their documents to the courts the receipts that showed that Reyes owed Albino money. If he took the case, Marquez said, the biggest challenge would be making the state do its job. It seemed to Juan Carlos that somebody finally understood his situation. His wife texted him there in the meeting: "Hire him!" ___ This past spring, a three-judge panel convened in western Morelos in a sprawling new courthouse built next to a prison that is notorious for frequent riots. It had taken a year of news conferences and tense meetings with Morelos officials, but Marquez had successfully lobbied the state to assign a new prosecutor to Albino's case, and that prosecutor had pushed for Reyes to be tried on the more serious charge of kidnapping with intent to harm. On the first day of court, March 6, Marquez and the prosecutor sat together at a small desk. Behind them was the Quiroz family, with Juan Carlos sitting up perfectly straight, his hands held tensely in his lap. On the other side of the courtroom, Reyes sat alongside his defense attorney dressed in an orange polo shirt. Juan Carlos' mother took the witness stand in all white later that day. She told the judges about Reyes' visits to the house and the last time she had seen Albino. They had shared a lunch of pozole and he had assigned their granddaughter some math problems to work on while he ran to the hardware store. A few days later, the state's most important witness spoke: the man who said he had seen Albino being attacked. The man's name was withheld and his testimony was broadcast to the courtroom on a monitor that obscured his face and voice. When asked by the prosecutor if Reyes was in the room, the man said: "I'm looking at him." In seven days of hearings, held over a three-week period, 22 witnesses and experts testified. On March 27, the judges deliberated for less than 10 minutes before returning a verdict: guilty. Reyes slumped in his chair. A few days later, he would be sentenced to 50 years in prison. In the gallery, the Quiroz family sat stone-faced, Juan Carlos gripping his mother's shoulder. In their view, the verdict was only partial justice. Authorities had failed to pursue two possible accomplices who were seen driving with Reyes two hours after the disappearance. The family says there are phone records that could have led police to identify one of the men, but prosecutors never requested them. Prosecutors have told the family that they should be happy with the conviction, which is much more than most victims ever get. The state attorney general's office celebrated the outcome, releasing a statement saying it helps "guarantee the prosecution of justice in the State of Morelos" and that investigations into Albino's whereabouts continue. The office did not respond to multiple requests for additional comment. Juan Carlos says he will not rest, because without his father's body, without a grave, the family can't properly mourn. Many of his relatives have lost hope in the justice system. But he says he believes that if Mexico continues to invest in the overhaul, its promise will eventually be realized. "I think it's our only option to escape the cruelty of the violence that we're living," he said. "We have to be able to come together again as members of the same community and make the criminals responsible for their actions." Earlier this year, he moved to Rome, where his wife, an art restorer, got a job. He has continued to try to pressure authorities from afar. Back home, his family members are making sure that the case is not forgotten. Earlier this month, on the day before what would have been Albino's 73rd birthday, the family attended Sunday Mass in Tepotzlan and then led a solemn march through town. "Albino Quiroz, return home," Maricela cried over a portable loudspeaker. "Albino, your family is looking for you." Their destination was Reyes' former office, where Albino was last seen. Maricela walked into the middle of the cobblestone road, forcing traffic to stop for her. Cars honked. A driver leaned out of his window and told her to move out of the way. She waved them off. She looked at the office as if her husband was still there. "Albino, we should be celebrating your birthday," she cried. "If only these four walls could talk." ___ Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez in the Mexico City bureau contributed to this report. ___ (c)2019 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Early Friday morning, as guests arrived at Urmila Sharmas house, she rushed to a confectionary shop to buy samosas, kachoris, and cold drinks. But instead of paying cash or with a credit card, she handed over a bag of old plastic bottles at the shops counter. Pooja and Ramesh Sharma, the owners of New Hira Sweets in Dwarka Sector 23s Vardhman City Mall, have partnered with the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to turn their shop into a garbage cafe. So what happens at a garbage cafe? The concept, which is already popular in Europe, the USA and in Cambodia, allows customers to pay for their food and drinks with plastic waste. The idea is to incentivise garbage collection and control the use of single-use plastic. The plastic collected by eateries is deposited with a municipal agency, which recycles and reuses it. From garbage cafes to bartan bhandars, the citys administration is trying different ways to curb the use of single-use plastic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, in his address on August 15 last year, asked people to abandon single-use plastic. Food discounts are a good incentive, but the larger aim of this move, to control single-use plastic from going into landfills, is what got us to come here, Urmila said. Pointing at the pile of trash right outside the shopping complex, most of which comprised plastic waste, Ramesh said that the primary reason behind signing up for this scheme with the local municipality was to do something for the city. People ask us what we get in return when we give discounts and free food coupons to customers in exchange for their plastic waste, which would have ended up in garbage bins. We wanted to do something to manage waste and thought this would be a great way to do it, Ramesh, who added that publicity for their shop is a bonus, said. His wife, Pooja, who managed the garbage bank, said that many in the neighbourhood from children to the elderlyhave shown interest in their initiative. We have kept a bank outside our shop. People look at the banner, ask us how this works and return with plastic bottles. Many dont do it for discounts, they just want to contribute and that encourages us further. With more publicity, we are confident that more and more people will join us, Pooja said. While at Sector 23, only one shop offers discounts in exchange for plastic waste, an entire mall at Dwarka Sector 12 hosts visitors who come there with sacks of plastic bottles. As soon as one enters the City Centre Mall, just beside the Sector 12 Metro station, banners offering lunch and snacks in return for at least 1kg plastic waste invite one. Kuldeep Rathi, the manager of the City Centre Mall, said that since the initiative was kicked off only a fortnight ago, they have not been weighing the plastic waste before giving out coupons to people. People are making the effort, it would be wrong to dissuade them by weighing it and sending them back if they are short by a few grams, Kuldeep said. After depositing the plastic waste at a counter, customers are given coupons that can be used at any counter at the food court. Data provided by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) shows that Delhi generates about 10,000 metric tonnes of garbage every day. Of this, about 690 metric tonnes is polythene and discarded plastic items. Only around 55% of the entire solid waste generated in the city is processed at its three waste-to-energy plants, located at Ghazipur, Okhla, and Narela-Bawana. Though many visitors to the mall appreciated the initiative of the municipality, most rickshaw-pullers and waste-pickers around the area, who were supposed to have benefitted the most from this project, remain unaware. We can get them a sack full of plastic bottles, but do you think they will let us inside a mall? The actual test would be when they offer food to the needy, Manohar Singh, a cycle rickshaw-puller outside the mall, said. For instance, the first such garbage cafe, which opened at Ambikapur in Chattisgarh last year, mainly serves waste-pickers and the homeless who do not have money to pay for their meal. They collect plastic bottles from railway stations and roadsides and deposit them at the cafe to earn lunch. The waste collected at the cafe is used to develop the citys public infrastructureto pump plastic into something productive. A road was built using eight lakh crushed plastic bottles in Ambikapur last year. We have got a great response from eatery owners. Looking at the success of the concept, we are converting popular eating joints into garbage cafes in areas such as Lajpat Nagar, Defence Colony, Moolchand, New Friends Colony and Sunder Nagar market, Radha Krishan, SDMC spokesperson, said. Meanwhile, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation has been experimenting with the concept of bartan bhandar (utensil bank) to encourage religious groups in the area to make a bank of steel crockery that can be taken while organising community lunches during festivals and religious functions. The north civic bodys standing committee chairperson Jai Prakash said that the maximum amount of plastic waste is generated by religious congregations wherein people organise lunches for devotees and serve food in cutlery made of plastic or Styrofoam. In his office at Sadar Bazars Azad Market, he has set up a bank of 250 steel plates, glasses, spoons and bowls that can be loaned for religious functions. The bartan bhandar concept is to dissuade people from using single-use plastic in any form. Till now, bartan banks have been opened at 20 places, including Ashok Vihar, Azad Market in Sadar, Peeragarhi, Shastri Park, Shalimar Bagh, Tri Nagar, Moti Nagar. Here, the organisers can borrow steel utensils free of cost. They have to return them when the event is over. It is much more economical than to purchase new plastic cutlery every time, plus it helps reduce plastic waste, Prakash said. He said that his team has been working towards informing more people in the area of the bank by distributing pamphlets. They have also roped in school students to become brand ambassadors of the ongoing plastic-ban campaign. The students are being told how harmful single-use plastic is and what are the alternates available for it. They will then be able to educate their siblings and parents. All councillors of the north body will also distribute handbills in their wards to make each citizen aware of the subject, he added. Kamal Singh, the manager of one such bartan bhandar at Azad Market in the Sadar area of the city said that the experiment was a success last year especially during the festive season of Dussehra, Durga Puja, and Bada Mangal when devotees usually organise religious lunches. He, however, said that to get people to return the borrowed utensils, they charge a nominal security fee. We were short of utensils when we first launched in August because we had received advance bookings . Initially, people took utensils and did not return them so now we charge a nominal security fee of 500 to 1,000, which is returned after the utensils are, Kamal said. Users of the service said that they have not only benefitted financially from borrowing utensils from the bartan bhandar but have also found it easy to manage the waste after mass lunches. This has not only helped a lot in cutting on plastic waste but has also made cleaning up after such functions easier. Earlier, I had to spend around 3,000 on plastic cutlery but this money was saved this time. Plus, there was no fear of getting penalised for using plastic items, Vijender Sinandi, who organises religious lunches on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti every year, said. In the power centre of the Capital too, steps are being taken to involve people in cutting down plastic waste. The NDMC areas produce 40 metric tonnes of plastic waste every day, of which 20 metric tonnes are picked up by waste collectors and the rest gets dumped at the Okhla landfill site, where it is processed at the waste-to-energy plant. Along with centralised bartan bhandars at Laxmi Bai Nagar and Madhu Limaye Marg last year, the civic body has also distributed steel plates to pradhans (heads) of 66 slum clusters for community usage. We have provided steel utensils at community centres. Now we are mulling making it mandatory for people who wish to hold events there to use these steel utensils instead of plastic cutlery, a senior NDMC official said. Besides, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has also set up kiosks at different locations such as Connaught Place and Khan Market among other places where people can get cloth bags in exchange for plastic bags. When we shop, cloth bags are extremely useful. We drink soda and water from plastic bottles and just throw them away. If we just deposit them at the NDMC counters instead, we get cloth bags, which can be used for future grocery shopping, Mridula Warrier, a shopper at Connaught Place, said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pakistan army chief calls for maximum restraint following General Soleimani's assassination IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Islamabad, Jan 4, IRNA -- Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) stressed the need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement following the assassination of IRGC Quds force commander Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani by the US, a military statement said. Army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said General Qamar Javed Bajwa received a telephone call from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and discussed regional situation, including possible implications of recent escalation in Middle East. "COAS emphasized the need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement by all concerned to de-escalate the situation in broader interest of peace and stability. COAS also reiterated the need for maintaining focus on success of Afghan Peace Process," said the statement. Earlier, Pakistan's foreign ministry via a statement expressed "deep concern" over the tensions, urging all sides to exercise restraint. The IRGC in a statement said that the glorious commander of Islamic forces was martyred in a US helicopter attack on Friday morning at the culmination of his lifelong efforts to promote the path of God in Baghdad. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei announced three days of public mourning on the martyrdom of the Commander. 272**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two people have been killed in a plane crash at an airport in central Alabama. The incident occurred at Cullman Regional Airport-Folsom Field in Vinemont between 12.30pm and 1pm Sunday, authorities say. It involved a Vans RV-6 plane that crashed at the end of a runway during departure. Two people were killed in a plane crash at Cullman Regional Airport in Vinemont, Alabama, on Sunday afternoon. Investigators are pictured at the scene The Cullman County Sheriff's Office, Cullman County EMA, and Vinemont Fire Department are assisting in the investigation. CRA General Manager Ben Harrison said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified. According to FlightAware data, four planes were scheduled to take off and land at the airport on Sunday. All four planes were single-engine and privately owned. Cullman is located roughly 50 miles north of Birmingham. Fox News host Tucker Carlson has questioned Donald Trumps decision to kill a top Iranian leader, marking a significant break from many Republican war hawks in Washington who have celebrated the presidents actions. Carlson a popular conservative political host who the president himself praised by name during a rally in Florida on Friday night said that he does not mourn the death of Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani, but questioned the justification provided by the Trump administration. Yes, Soleimani was linked to the deaths of Americans. Nobody mourns his passing. But Mexico and China are also linked to the deaths of Americans. Each has flooded our country with narcotics from which tens of thousands of Americans die every single year, Carlson said during his show on Friday. He continued: Not that anyone in power cares. So does that mean we get to bomb Oaxaca? Can we start assassinating generals in the [Chinese] People's Liberation Army? The comments came as many Republicans were praising Mr Trumps targeted attack in Baghdad that left Soleimani dead. Among those celebrating the death was senator Ben Sasse, who attempted to distil the issue in a statement. 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 This is very simple: General Soleimani is dead because he was an evil bastard who murdered Americans, Mr Sasse's statement read, in apparent response to questions about why Mr Trump would have decided to attack Soleimani when he did, and why. The President made the brave and right call, and Americans should be proud of our service members who got the job done. Carlson took issue with that explanation, too, during his show. Nothing about life and certainly nothing about killing is ever very simple, Carlson responded. And any politician tells you otherwise is dumb or is lying. It is unclear what, if any, response the Iranian government might have to the killing of its leader, but top officials have vowed to avenge their fallen general. Carlson has been a prominent defender of the president, even as he has avoided falling completely in line behind Mr Trump's boasts and lies. In November, for instance, Carlson highlighted the Washington Post's ongoing list of lies or untruths uttered by the president, which has reached over 15,000 at this point. The Fox News host acknowledged that Mr Trump often exaggerates, and even called him a "BS artist". But, soon after, Carlson turned the argument and defended the president by claiming he is disliked by the left because of the times when he actually tells the truth, and challenges the power structures in Washington that profit off the status quo of the government. Mr Trump, notably, has not released his tax returns or removed himself from his businesses, raising concerns about conflicts of interest stemming from his presidency and foreign policy dealings. Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see UDG Healthcare plc (LON:UDG) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 3 days. You can purchase shares before the 9th of January in order to receive the dividend, which the company will pay on the 5th of February. UDG Healthcare's upcoming dividend is UK0.12 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of UK0.17 per share to shareholders. Last year's total dividend payments show that UDG Healthcare has a trailing yield of 1.6% on the current share price of 8.1. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing. Check out our latest analysis for UDG Healthcare Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. UDG Healthcare paid out more than half (73%) of its earnings last year, which is a regular payout ratio for most companies. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. Fortunately, it paid out only 45% of its free cash flow in the past year. 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. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. LSE:UDG Historical Dividend Yield, January 5th 2020 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Companies with falling earnings are riskier for dividend shareholders. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. UDG Healthcare's earnings per share have fallen at approximately 15% a year over the previous five years. When earnings per share fall, the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid also falls. Story continues The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. In the past ten years, UDG Healthcare has increased its dividend at approximately 3.5% a year on average. That's interesting, but the combination of a growing dividend despite declining earnings can typically only be achieved by paying out more of the company's profits. This can be valuable for shareholders, but it can't go on forever. The Bottom Line Has UDG Healthcare got what it takes to maintain its dividend payments? We're not enthused by the declining earnings per share, although at least the company's payout ratio is within a reasonable range, meaning it may not be at imminent risk of a dividend cut. Overall, it's hard to get excited about UDG Healthcare from a dividend perspective. Ever wonder what the future holds for UDG Healthcare? See what the ten analysts we track are forecasting, with this visualisation of its historical and future estimated earnings and cash flow If you're in the market for dividend stocks, we recommend checking our list of top dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. 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. Cork scientist Dr Ivor Guiney's graphene startup Paragraf has raised an additional 3.4m (4m) in its series A funding round, which has been significantly backed by Dublin and London-listed VC firm Draper Esprit. The funding means that the Cambridge University spinout has secured a total of 16.2m, when the 12.8m it raised last July is taken into account. The business said it would now "significantly accelerate the delivery of its first graphene-based electronics products to market, transitioning the company into a commercial, revenue-generating entity". Graphene is a super-strong, lightweight material which could be used in the manufacture of longer-lasting smartphone batteries; lighter, stronger cars and planes; and bendable touchscreens. It is about as valuable as gold. "Paragraf has achieved very early delivery to market of its first product, a super-high sensitivity magnetic field detector," the company said in a statement. "The technology also provides operational capabilities over temperature, field and power ranges that no other device can currently achieve. On the back of this success, the company has made a strategic decision to take on additional financing, enabling the business to super-charge its development roadmap." David Cummings, partner at Draper Esprit, said: "Graphene is known to be a material with huge potential, but Paragraf's approach takes this into the realm of the commercially possible. We're delighted to be able to support this dynamic company in accelerating the delivery of its first graphene-based electronics products." Guiney, who is Paragraf's CTO, said in September that he expected to add up to 15 more engineers, scientists, a business development specialist and lab technicians, to bring his team up to about 40 staff. The firm, which the UCC engineering graduate from Ballincollig founded with two fellow scientists at Cambridge, has also established a facility near the university that it hopes will become a global centre of excellence for two-dimensional, materials-based device R&D. Other backers include Austrian billionaire Hermann Hauser's Amadeus Capital Partners, and London and Cambridge deep-tech VC firm IQ Capital. Kailash Gorantyal was a three-time MLA and was also councillor earlier and had worked hard to strengthen the party in the district. (Photo Credit: ANI/Twitter) New Delhi: The drama over the portfolio allocation in Maharashtra continues. Even as Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari gave nod to the portfolio list submitted by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, senior Maharashtra Congress leader Kailash Gorantyal resigned from the party on Sunday. Upset over the ministerial snub, Gorantyal took the decision and sent his resignation to Maharashtra Congress chief. There are reports that Gorantyal is likely to meet Balasaheb Thorat later in the day. Not only the Jalna legislator, there are reports that several office-bearers and workers will also quit. Gorantyal had defeated Shiv Sena's Arjun Khotkar in the October Assembly polls. City Congress president Shaikh Mahmood said Gorantyal was a three-time MLA and was also councillor earlier and had worked hard to strengthen the party in the district. Gorantyals resignation comes a day after reports surfaced that Shiv Senas lone Muslim lawmaker Abdul Sattar has also quit from the Maharashtra government. However, now Sattar has reportedly said that he has not quit. There were also reports that Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut was unhappy with the party as his brother Sunil Raut did not get a place in the cabinet expansion. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has approved the allocation of portfolios as proposed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said on Sunday. The list of portfolios to be allocated to ministers was sent to the governor on Saturday evening, state NCP chief Jayant Patil earlier said. The Governor has approved the allocation of portfolios, a spokesperson of the Raj Bhavan said. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government is facing criticism from the opposition BJP for delay in the allocation of portfolios despite being in power for over a month now. Chief Minister Thackeray and six of his council members - two each from the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress took oath on November 28. Thackeray expanded his month-old ministry on December 30 by inducting 36 ministers. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Hello and welcome back to TechCrunchs China Roundup, a digest of recent events shaping the Chinese tech landscape and what they mean to people in the rest of the world. This week, TikTok, currently the world's hottest social media app, welcomed the new decade by publishing its first transparency report as it encounters rising scrutiny from regulators around the world. TikTok tries to demystify The report, which arrived weeks after it tapped a group of corporate lawyers to review its content moderation policy, is widely seen as the short video app's effort to placate the U.S. government. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, is currently probing the app for possible national security risks. TikTok is owned by Beijing-based tech upstart ByteDance and has been rapidly gaining popularity away from its home turf, especially in the U.S. and India. As of November, it had accumulated a total of 1.5 billion downloads on iOS and Android devices, according to data analytics firm Sensor Tower, although how many materialized into active users is unknown. The transparency report reveals the number of requests TikTok received from local regulators during the first half of 2019. Such orders include government requests to access user information and remove content from the platform. India topped the list with 107 total requests filed, followed by the U.S. with 79 requests and Japan at 35. The numbers immediately sparked debates over the noticeable absence of China among the list of countries that had submitted requests. This could be because TikTok operates as a separate app called Douyin in China, where it claimed to have more than 320 million daily active users (in Chinese) as of last July. TikTok has taken multiple measures to ease suspicions of international markets where it operates, claiming that it stores data of U.S. users in the U.S. and that the app would not remove videos even at the behest of Beijing's authority. Whether skeptics are sold on these promises remains to be seen. Meanwhile, one should not overlook the pervasive practice of self-censorship among China's big tech. Story continues "Chinese internet companies know so well where the government's red line is that their self-regulation might even be stricter than what the government actually imposes, so it's not impossible that [the TikTok report] showed zero requests from China," a person who works at a Chinese video streaming platform suggested to me. It's worth revisiting why TikTok has caused a big stir on various fronts. Besides its nationality as a Chinese-owned app and breathtaking rise, the app presents a whole new way of creating and consuming information that better suits smartphone natives. It's been regarded as a threat to Facebook and compared to Youtube, which is also built upon user-generated content. However, TikTok's consumers are much more likely to be creators as well, thanks to lower barriers to producing and sharing videos on the platform, venture capitalist David Rosenthal of Wave Capital observed. That's a big engagement driver for the app. Another strength of TikTok, seemingly trivial at first sight, is the way it displays content. Videos are shown vertically, doing away the need to flip a phone. In a company blog post (in Chinese) on Douyin's development, ByteDance recounted that most short-video apps budding in 2016 were built for horizontal videos and required users to pick from a list of clips in the fashion of traditional video streaming sites. Douyin, instead, surfaces only one video at a time, full-screen, auto-played and recommended by its well-trained algorithms. What "baffled" many early employees and job candidates turned out to be a game-changing user experience in the mobile internet age. Douyin's ally and enemy A recent change in Douyin's domestic rival Kuaishou has brought attention to the intricate links between China's tech giants. In late December, video app Kuaishou removed the option for users to link e-commerce listings from Taobao, an Alibaba marketplace. Both Douyin and Kuaishou have been exploring e-commerce as a revenue stream, and each has picked its retail partners. While Kuaishou told media that the suspension is due to a "system upgrade," its other e-commerce partners curiously remain up and running. Left: Douyin lets creators add a "shop" button to posts. Right: The clickable button is linked to a Taobao product page. Some speculate that the Beijing-based company could be distancing itself from Alibaba and moving closer to Tencent, Alibaba's nemesis and a majority shareholder in Kuaishou. Yunfeng Capital, a venture firm backed by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, has also funded Kuaishou but holds a less significant equity stake. That Douyin has long been working with Alibaba on e-commerce might have also been a source of discordance between Kuaishou and Alibaba. New Delhi [India], Jan 6 (ANI): Hundreds of students on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday gathered outside the Police Headquarters at ITO to protest against the violence which had broken out on January 5 in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus. Meanwhile, students have continued their protest outside the main gate of JNU against the attack on students and professors which took place on Sunday. More than 18 students have been taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the JNU and attacked them and professors with sticks and rods. Protesters also gathered outside AIIMS, New Delhi and raised slogans of "Jai Bhim" and "Bhim Army Zindabad" outside the Trauma Centre where the injured students are being treated. Earlier, the JNU administration and political leaders, cutting across political lines, had condemned the attack on students and urged the police to take action against the perpetrators of violence. Congress' student wing, National Students Union of India (NSUI) has said that it will carry out nationwide protests against the JNU violence on Monday. "NSUI will protest tomorrow all across the country from college level to national level against this JNU violence. Students will fight against this anti-education government," NSUI's national president, Neeraj Kundan's tweet on Sunday read. (ANI) By Trend On January 4, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov had a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran Javad Zarif, Trend reports citing Azerbaijans foreign ministry. Reportedly, during the conversation the ministers discussed the latest developments in the region and aggravation of the tension. The Azerbaijani side calls on all parties involved to refrain from violence and be committed to strengthen regional security. Minister Mammadyarov expressed deepest condolences to the leadership and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the death of general Qasem Soleimani, said the ministry. On Jan. 3, Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Femi Falana(SAN) says Minister of Justice and attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami exposed the judiciary to ridicule through his comment on the release of Omoyele Sowore and Sambo Dasuki. After the release of Sowore, convener of RevolutionNow Movement and Dasuki, a former national security adviser (NSA), Malami had said the federal government was right to have continued to detain them despite court orders granting them bail. Reacting to Malamis comment, Falan in statement on Sunday, urged Malami to check Sowores case file as there was no time the government appealed judgments granting him bail. Read Also: Falana To Malami: You Have No Powers To Release Anyone Based On Mercy Since the release of Sowore and Dasuki from illegal custody on December 24, 2019, the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN has put himself under undue pressure, Falana wrote. In the process, he has embarrassed the executive and exposed the judiciary to ridicule. After announcing that he had directed the state security service to release Sowore and Dasuki from custody in compliance with the court orders that had granted them bail the justice minister turned round to say that the release was an act of compassion and mercy on the part of the executive. With respect, the ministers statement is factually and legally erroneous in every material particular. If the justice minister has had time to review Sowores case file which he had withdrawn from the State Security Service he would have confirmed that no appeal was filed against the two decisions of the federal high court which admitted him and his co-defendant, Mr Olawale Bakare to bail. Instead of challenging the orders granting bail to Sowore and Bakare at the court of appeal, the State Security Service had actually attempted to constitute itself into an appellate court over the federal high court by insisting on approving the sureties that had been verified by the trial court. As defence counsel, we rejected the illegal request to produce the sureties before the director-general of the State Security Service until the Honourable Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu gave him a 24-hour ultimatum to release the duo from illegal custody. Since no notice of appeal or motion for stay of execution was ever filed by the federal government against the orders of bail for Sowore and Dasuki, the justice minister ought to tender a public apology for misleading the Nigerian people. However, if the justice minister can produce any notice of appeal or motion for stay of execution in respect of the two cases, I will publicly apologise to him for misleading the Nigerian people. The British defense chief says the countrys navy will accompany U.K.-flagged ships through the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid raised regional tensions following the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq. Defense Minister Ben Wallace said on January 4 that he had ordered the HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare for renewed escort duty in the major oil shipping lane. "The government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time," Wallace said in a statement. Wallaces comments came as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson came under criticism for not speaking about the U.S. killing of Soleimani. Media reports have said Johnson is on holiday in the Caribbean. Britain last year escorted ships through the shipping lane after Iranian commandos seized a British-flagged tanker in the strait. Wallace also said he had spoken to U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and urged restraint on all sides following vows of revenge from Iranian leaders. But he defended Washingtons strike on the leader of the Quds Force, which has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States. "Under international law, the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to their citizens," Wallace said. U.S. President Donald Trump said the strike was carried out to prevent attacks that had been planned by Soleimani. Based on reporting by Reuters The Victorian Premier has begged people to stop donating food and clothes to bushfire victims, but urged them to send cash instead. Daniel Andrews made the plea as he discussed the state's bushfire crisis on Sunday. 'I don't want to appear harsh in any way, but we don't need any more clothes, food, trucks on our roads, we don't have the warehouse capacity, the people or the time to sort through,' Mr Andrews said. 'I know it all comes from a place of kindness and I thank everybody who's made those donations but we are getting to a point where we don't have the space or the people or the need.' Premier Daniel Andrews was discussing the easing conditions of the bushfires in Victoria on Sunday when he asked people to stop donating food and clothes A state of emergency has been declared for the next week in Victoria. Pictured: blazes burn between Orbost and Cann River He said the best way to help people impacted by the blazes is to donate cash to the appeal announced by Bendigo Bank. 'That way money can be given to the families and they can make decisions that are much more flexible and local if you like, rather than us having to set up warehouses and deal with many, many truck loads of clothes and food and other things,' he said. Bendigo Bank set up a community appeal to help bushfire victims, which Mr Andrews said would be converted into a fund where 100 per cent would be used for direct and immediate relief. Mr Andrews said the Victorian Government would donate $2million, on par with what was donated following the 2009 Black Saturday fires. Victoria will remain in a state of emergency throughout the next week after evacuation orders were made for Dandongadale, Freeburgh, Wandiligong and surrounding areas in northeast Victoria overnight. Bak 2 Basics charity organisation has packed thousands of bags filled with necessities for firefighters for the last two days Dozens of fires were burning in Victoria as dawn broke on Sunday, 11 of which were subject to emergency warning, the highest alert level. Currently three fires are on an emergency warning alert level. Six people remain missing in East Gippsland blazes, on top of two confirmed dead. More than 900,000 hectares of land has been overrun by flames, with about 110 properties and 220 outbuildings razed so far. Temperatures soared to the early and mid-40s in parts of East Gippsland and northeast Victoria on Saturday, with total fire bans in place for a swag of weather districts. Dozens of fires were burning in Victoria as dawn broke on Sunday, 11 of which were subject to emergency warning, the highest alert level Currently three fires are on an emergency warning alert level. Six people remain missing in East Gippsland blazes, on top of two confirmed dead More than 70 new fires were sparked in the 24 hours to 6pm on Saturday. Rain is expected for some parts of the state on Sunday night. Light mist fell on Sunday at some centres including Bairnsdale, on the western edge of the East Gippsland fire ground. But Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Keris Arndt warned the showers are a 'double-edged sword'. But while rain may help dampen the fireground, it could also prove a 'double edged' sword for crews by making some areas more difficult to access When rain mixes with ash on the ground, firefighters will find it more difficult to navigate the terrain. 'The conditions are much cooler, moisture's a lot higher than we've seen over previous days and the winds are also easing off a fair bit, especially through Gippsland today,' Mr Arndt told AAP on Sunday. 'Hopefully that gives the fire agencies a bit of a chance to have a go at the fires and try to get a bit more control in there.' Nancy Pelosi complains that the Trump administrations decision to assassinate Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani was provocative and disproportionate and that it risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders also have denounced the killing. Pelosi further charges that the operation was unauthorized. Specifically, Pelosi says the action was taken without an authorization for use of military force against Iran. But the airstrike happened in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, not in Iran. The Trump administration argues that the Iraq AUMF empowered the president to take this action, a position shared by many critics not ordinarily inclined to view the president with a great deal of indulgence, my friend David French among them. The administrations case here is not obviously implausible. Pelosi also complains that she was not notified of the operation prior to its execution, even though protocol calls for her and a few other top congressional leaders to be briefed. She must be especially irritated that she was left in the dark and Senator Lindsay Graham was advised of the operation while paying court to Trump in Florida. But Nancy Pelosi is the speaker of the House, not a passive bystander unable to do anything at all about a situation that, if we take her at her word, she believes to be potentially catastrophic. She can do more than stamp her foot. She could, if she were so inclined, begin the process of repealing the Iraq AUMF which is long overdue, irrespective of the wisdom or propriety of the killing of Qasem Soleimani. Congress has the power to remove any ambiguity in this matter, and it should. The Iraq AUMF has been on the books since 2002, when it was enacted to empower the administration of George W. Bush to depose Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, who is long gone. It is supplemented by an earlier AUMF, passed shortly after 9/11, which authorized the U.S. government to go after those responsible for the attacks of that day and any associated forces. But the version of al-Qaeda responsible for 9/11 is long gone, too, even if the name lives on. Also gone is the principal actor behind the attack, Osama bin Laden, killed by U.S. forces and buried at sea. Conversely, the Tehran-backed militias (Kataib Hezbollah et al.) causing havoc in Iraq today and killing Americans in the process did not exist in 2001 or 2002. And if either AUMF was meant to include the Iranian state, then that certainly was not made explicit in the relevant texts. Story continues On the one hand, we have an ongoing U.S. presence in Iraq and a wide array of legitimate U.S. interests in that country and in the broader Middle East; on the other hand, we have an Iranian regime looking to export its Islamist revolution far and wide in ways that pose direct and specific threats to Americans and U.S. interests. Fortunately, there is a solution right there in the Constitution. But it is a solution that will require Nancy Pelosi to do something more than carp: It will require the speaker of the House to do her job. We should forthrightly admit that the 2001 and 2002 authorizations have outlived their rationales, that both the organization behind 9/11 and the troublemaking regime of Saddam Hussein have been eliminated mission accomplished, at last. But Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden were not the only threats in the world, nor the only threats emanating from the Middle East. Tehran is a problem. So is the rats nest of new terrorist outfits and regional militias that have sprung up after the vanquishing of al-Qaeda. The use of the 2001 and 2002 authorizations in the current military and political context is obviously pretextual, the barest little fig leaf to cover up the fact that Congress has abandoned its duties in the matter of war-making, delegating them to an increasingly imperial presidency. These things have a way of getting out of hand. When the USA PATRIOT Act was passed (damn the authors of these cutesy acronyms), purported civil libertarians such as Barack Obama fretted that the law would empower Dick Cheney and sundry spooks to go peeking at Americans library accounts. (Note for Millennials: Libraries once were places where people went to borrow books rather than places where homeless people go to masturbate to Internet porn; ask your parents.) But once he himself was invested with the awesome power of the presidency, Obama saw things differently and enacted several innovations of his own, notable among them ordering assassinations of American citizens. Of course Pelosi and her cronies were largely silent about that such criticism as there was came largely from Senator Rand Paul, the libertarian-ish Republican from Kentucky. Those associated forces considered in the AUMF grew to encompass a man known as the Osama bin Laden of . . . Facebook. And Democrats bent to President Obamas will for much the same reason that todays Republicans bend to Trumps. The 2001 and 2002 authorizations have served their purposes. They are open-ended enabling acts, and they should be repealed and replaced if they must be replaced with an instrument that is much more narrowly tailored and takes into account the current political and security realities, which are not what they were nearly 20 years ago. If the Democrats really believe that Donald Trump is a uniquely dangerous threat in the White House morally unmoored and psychologically unstable, as many of them charge then they should act on that belief and begin the process of tying his hands. Yes, that would mean a fight with Senate Republicans. But Pelosi is ready to have a fight with Senate Republicans over impeachment, and launching a war on Iran surely is a much more serious matter than Donald Trumps telephone call with the Ukrainians and his assorted acts of petty, apple-stealing corruption. If Pelosi is not willing to have a political fight when it really matters, then of what use is she? Congress and Congress alone has the power to declare war. The plain language of the Constitution is clear about that. If Nancy Pelosi wants to rein in the Trump administration and leave a lasting legislative legacy that is worth a damn she should reclaim that power for the legislature and guard it jealously. More from National Review Indore, which has been adjudged the cleanest city in the country three times in a row, has been earning about Rs four crore annually by putting garbage to good use, an official said on Sunday. A private company has invested Rs 30 crore under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode by setting up a plant to process 300 tonnes of dry waste through artificial intelligence, Asad Warsi, the Centre's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan's adviser for Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), told PTI. With its robotic technology, the plant, spread over an area of four acres, segregates dry waste items like plastic, glass and metal. "As per an agreement, the firm has been paying Rs 1.51 crore premium from its profit to the IMC," he said. The IMC has been producing compost and bio-CNG fuel from the wet waste, Warsi said. "Besides, the construction and demolition waste is being turned into bricks, tiles and other stuff, which fetches the civic body Rs 2.5 crore annually," he added. The IMC has given the task of garbage collection to three NGOs. In the first phase, these NGOs have started collecting dry waste from 22,000 households by paying Rs 2.5 per kg of waste to the house owner, Warsi said. Besides, these NGOs have been paying a premium to the IMC as per the terms and conditions on which they have been handed over the work, he said. Nearly 1,200 tonnes of waste, comprising 550 tonnes of wet waste and 650 tonnes of dry waste, was being disposed of daily in Indore, which has population of about 35 lakh. Last week, Indore took a lead in the cleanliness survey 2020 in the country. The survey's final and decisive lap started on Saturday and will complete this month-end, in a prelude to rank the country's cleanest city next year. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced results of the Swachh Survekshan League 2020 (Quarter 1 and Quarter 2) on December 31. In the two surveys (Swachh Survekshan Leagues) carried out between April and June and between July and September last year, Indore emerged as the cleanest city of India. The result of the survey conducted from October to December is yet to be announced. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Express News Service BHOPAL: Two state government officials whose names recently cropped up in charge-sheet of a high-profile alleged honey-trap racket related case, have been removed as an officer of special duty (OSDs) to two key cabinet ministers of Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh. According to the orders released by the General Administration Department (GAD) the two officials, Harish Kumar Khare and Arun Nigam have been removed as OSDs to two cabinet ministers and shifted back to their parent departments. While Arun Nigam has been removed as the OSD to Mining and Mineral Resources Minister Pradeep Jaiswal, the other official Harish Kumar Khare has been removed as OSD to Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pradumn Singh Tomar. Nigams services have subsequently been returned to his parent department, the Scheduled Tribe Welfare Department, while Khares services have been returned to his parent department Women and Child Development department. Importantly, both Khare and Nigams name had cropped up in the charge-sheet of the honey-trap related human trafficking case, which was filed by the SIT before a court in Bhopal last month. The names of two officials were mentioned in the seven-page statements of a young girl (among the five women arrested on September 18, 2019, for running the racket) whose father had filed a case of human trafficking against the four women operatives of the racket. In her statements recorded by the SIT (which were submitted in the court along with charge sheet), the young girl had mentioned that both Khare and Nigam were in contact with one of the key operatives of the racket Arti Dayal. Both of them were also among those who were honey trapped using their sleazy videos that were recorded through hidden cameras. With both officials now removed as OSD to two key ministers and their services returned to their parent departments, it now remains to be seen whether their parent departments and SIT probing the racket act against them or not. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 17:31:55|Editor: zh Video Player Close ROME, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed as a car drove into a crowd of 17 German tourists in northern Italy, local media quoted police sources as saying on Sunday. The accident, which also left 11 injured, happened around 1 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) in Luttach, a popular ski resort near Italy's border with Austria, when the German holidaymakers were gathering to board their tourist bus, local media said. The Luttach volunteer fire service said via Facebook that the six victims were killed at the scene, and the injured were taken to several nearby hospitals. The victims have yet to be identified, local media said. Police are investigating a 28-year-old local man who was believed to be the driver. He had a high alcohol blood content when police first arrived, they said. Over 160 members of Italy's rescue services were dispatched to the scene, they added. Enditem Airstrike hits military academy in Tripoli, killing at least 16: An airstrike slammed into a military academy in Libya's capital, Tripoli, on Saturday, killing at least 16 people, most of them students, health authorities said. Malek Merset, a spokesman with the Tripoli-based Health Ministry, told the Associated Press that the airstrike took place in the capital's Hadaba area, just south of the city center where fighting has been raging for months. He said the strike also wounded at least 37 others, who were taken to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment. For the county and for Baltimore City, who would be the big winners in Kirwan . . . the big issue is how do you pay for it, said David C. Harrington, a former state senator who now is president of the Prince Georges Chamber of Commerce. If the formula can be weighted more to the state than the county, theres nobody [in Prince Georges] whos going to be against that. In Pakistan, the miscreants created a ruckus in Nankana Sahib in the past. On this matter, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi strongly condemned Pakistan's bumbling science and technology minister Fawad Chaudhary. Fawad had tried to target Meenakshi Lekhi's statement in the matter. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Lekhi condemned the attack on the gurdwara. In his statement, he further said that Nankana Saheb has great symbolic importance. This Gurudwara is a sacred place for Sikhs, because Baba Nanak was born here. Fawad Chaudhary had accused the BJP of spreading hatred and said that the people of BJP should stop false propaganda. For your information, let us tell you that on this, BJP National Secretary Tarun Chugh said, 'Fawad Chaudhary first tell about the video of Imran Khan that he is from which he tweeted. Taking a seven year old video of India Was put on the forehead. The Prime Minister of Pakistan spread such a big confusion. Chugh said, 'Pakistan is the name for writing a lie. Imran Khan is saying the same army that is speaking there. Also Read: Digvijay Singh raised the question on BJP, says 'We only want to know about NRC' Bihar assembly elections: Grand alliance is going to face big challenge from opposition, phase of sparring begins US Embassy attack on Iraq, American helicopters seen in the sky War signs in America and Iran, Donald Trump announced this As part of plans to catch up with developed economies, Vietnam is looking to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR), with 5G coverage one of the key steps. The number of 5G subscribers in Vietnam is expected to reach 6.3 million by 2025. Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong last year signed Resolution 52-NQ/TW on behalf of the Politburo outlining guidelines and policies to actively participate in the FIR, which set a target of affordable nationwide 5G network coverage by 2030. To realise this ambitious vision, the Government is planning to test fifth-generation mobile networks in major urban centres such as Hanoi and HCM City. The Government has issued the first licence to test 5G for Viettel, the country's largest mobile operator, with more than 60 million subscribers in a country with a population of nearly 100 million. The company tested 5G in Hanoi and HCM City in May last year, and tests are expected to be completed this month. In April 2019, Viettel said it had successfully tested a 5G broadcasting station in Hanoi at a speed of 600 to 700 Mbps, on a par with Verizon's network in the US. Other mobile carriers including MobiFone and Vinaphone are also expected to launch their own 5G networks next year. MobiFone has received a licence to become the second operator to conduct 5G network testing. Notably, Viettel claimed that it had developed its own core technologies for 5G networks, including chips and devices. In fact, the group said it was aiming to produce 80 percent of the core network infrastructure needed for the network this year. The rest would come from outside suppliers. MobiFone has chosen to go with Samsung technology, while Vinaphone is cooperating with Nokia. In the process of Vietnam deploying 5G, many leading technology corporations in the world have expressed their interest in working closely with the Government, carriers, and private enterprises to help the country properly implement its 5G coverage plan and commercialise the technology this year. 5G technology would bring a new economy, helping the country create a series of new products for smart cities, said the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA) under the Ministry of Information and Communications. In the first phase of 5G technology, many Vietnamese enterprises will focus their resources on producing 5G chipset processors. These are considered the "heart" of 5G technology. Although there have been proactive steps in deploying a 5G network, analysts said the road ahead for Vietnamese carriers is full of challenges and opportunities. The number of 5G subscribers in Vietnam is expected to reach 6.3 million by 2025, according to a 5G development report published by Cisco in October. By deploying 5G services, Vietnamese telecom companies could raise their revenue by up to 300 million USD each year from 2025, it noted. However, Vietnamese mobile service providers would have to invest 1.5-2.5 billion USD in infrastructure development from 2020-25 to launch and operate 5G services, the report said. Cisco suggested Vietnam and Southeast Asian countries need to address the release of a slow frequency spectrum for 5G services while carriers need to introduce 5G services with appropriate prices to encourage users to move to higher speeds. Le Dang Dung, chairman and acting general director of Viettel, said when 5G technology started to boom, Viettel will need its own 5G equipment. Therefore, the group must find a way to successfully develop 5G technology, he said. More importantly, all 5G hardware and software products will be researched and produced by Viettel in Vietnam to ensure information security, Dung said. Determining the production of 5G chipsets is extremely difficult and expensive, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Phan Tam said, adding that the ministry wants to form a community of businesses and experts to share experiences of 5G chipset production in Vietnam in the near future./. VNA Vietnamese companies prove ready for 5G technology As part of the governments plan to create incentive for domestically manufactured 5G products, three major Vietnamese enterprises have officially announced their 5G research and production roadmap. United States President, Donald Trump United States President, Donald Trump has warned Tehran that the U.S. will target 52 Iranian sites if Iran attacks Americans in the wake of the killing of a top Iranian general. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), Trump tweeted Saturday. He described some of those targets as being at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture. The purported targets, Trump added, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats! Top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad in what the Pentagon called a defensive action. The strike was ordered by Trump, who justified the move by saying that Soleimani was plotting to kill many more Americans. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened the U.S. with harsh retaliation for the strike near Baghdad airport that killed Soleimani late Thursday or early Friday. Irans President Hassan Rowhani said his country would avenge the killing. In mentioning 52 hostages in his tweet, Trump was apparently referring to the occupation of the U.S. embassy in Tehran by radical Iranian students in November 1979 during Irans Islamic Revolution. They took 52 U.S. embassy officials hostage and demanded the extradition of Irans Shah Reza Pahlavi. Washington imposed sanctions and the hostage-taking ended after 444 days. [dpa/NAN] Share this: A 45 year-old farmer and his minor daughter were detained outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence in suburban Bandra on Sunday when they came to meet him over some bank-related issue, police said. The duo was later released and the Shiv Sena asked the officials concerned to find out the purpose of their visit, a party spokesperson said. Farmer Mahendra Deshmukh, who hails from Panvel in neighbouring Raigad district, came along with his 12-year-old daughter to meet the chief minister and Sena president at his residence 'Matoshree' in connection with some bank-related issue, a police official said. "When the security guards did not allow Deshmukh to enter the premises, he said he will sit outside until he gets to meet the chief minister. He was then detained and taken to Kherwadi police station along with his daughter. He was later released after being questioned," senior police inspector Nikhil Kapse said. The farmer has an account in a government-owned bank and had some issue pertaining to it which he wanted to discuss with the chief minister, he said. "During questioning, the farmer said he had been coming to 'Varsha', the chief minister's official bungalow in south Mumbai, and 'Mantralaya' (secretariat) for last five days to meet Thackeray, but in vain. He then decided to approach the CM at his Bandra residence," the official said. Meanwhile, a Sena spokesperson said the farmer was released after being detained for some time. "The farmer came to meet Thackeray along with his daughter. We have asked the officials to find out the purpose of his visit to Mumbai," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The leaders of Germany, France and Britain on Sunday agreed to work towards bringing about de-escalation in the Middle East amid heightened tensions following the US drone strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, a German government spokesman said. "The chancellor, the French president and the British prime minister agreed to work together to reduce tensions in the region," said the spokesman. Following German Chancellor Angela Merkel's telephone calls with France's Emmanuel Macron and Britain's Boris Johnson, the spokesman said the leaders were "in agreement that de-escalation is now urgent". "Iran in particular is urged to exercise restraint in the current situation," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Raghottam Koppar By Express News Service GADAG: It was a unique marriage! There were no pundits, no mantras, and also no band-baaja, but only heads from the Hindu, Muslim and Christian faiths, who gave the preamble to the new couple, and a book was also released during the occasion. Basavaraj Bieyali and Sangeeta Gudimani tied the nuptial knot here at Ambedkar Bhavan in Gadag on Friday. Shantalinga Swamiji of Bhairanahatti, Maulvi Shabbir Moulana and Father Ebinajor witnessed the occasion and blessed the couple. There were many surprises for those in attendance and the marriage ended with the felicitation of pourakarmikas. When Basavaraj and Sangeeta were thinking of arranging their marriage function differently, they consulted senior writer Basavaraj Sulibhavi of Hubballi and others, and came to the conclusion that the marriage should be held in a simple way. Both the bride and groom were given the preamble, which they read in front of the idols of Buddha and Basavanna. Then the marriage was followed by reciting of Vachanas and guests showered flowers instead of Akshate and blessed the couple. An artistic impression of a section of the proposed HS2 rail network, which has come under fire from Lord Berkeley, the deputy chairman of the review panel charged with investigating whether the project should proceed (HS2 Handout/PA) Those in charge of the HS2 project have been been accused of fiddling the figures by the deputy chairman of the projects review panel. Parliament was seriously misled over the costs of HS2, which would be poor value for money and bad for the environment, the former Labour transport spokesman Lord Berkeley has said. He also accused the project of being completely out of control financially. But a HS2 Ltd spokesperson said there have been many individual views expressed about the HS2 project, of which Lord Berkeleys is just one. Lord Berkeleys comments come after his hard-hitting 70-page dissenting report into the high speed rail proposal was published, listing several grave concerns. Chief among them is the blow-out of estimated costs. The network was initially expected to cost 50.1 billion. Latest estimates by HS2 Ltd the private company in charge of the project put the price at 88 billion. But Lord Berkeley says independent analysis arrives at a figure of at least 107.92 billion. I believe that Parliament has been misled because the costs were clearly known to the department, and I believe ministers, three or four years ago theres a lot of evidence to that. The costs at that stage, they were saying well they were probably over 100bn. Now I think the figure which I believe is about right is 107bn. Its an enormous figure and Parliament should have had an opportunity to debate this. This project is probably two or three times over budget even before the construction has started. Now thats a completely different level of cost overrun and it does need looking at again, Lord Berkeley told Skys Sophy Ridge On Sunday. He added: For me, HS2, if it were almost cancelled except for the bit in the Northern Powerhouse area and replaced by about half the investment on local services, local rail network in the north and the Midlands, it would be much better for everybody who lives up there. Saving 50 billion at this stage, I think, is quite something that well want to look at. But responding to Lord Berkeleys comments, Director of the Northern Powerhouse project Henri Murison said they sound like the views of someone who has always been a sceptic of HS2 simply making the points theyve made before. He added: He accused the Government and others of misleading Parliament which is wrong, but he also gets the numbers wrong. Regional transport organisation Midlands Connect criticised the Labour peers report. Director Maria Machancoses said: Lord Berkeleys suggestion that the Government should consider building only small sections of HS2 in the north of England shows a disgraceful ignorance of how important the scheme is to the Midlands. Contrary to Lord Berkeleys view that the benefits of HS2 have been overstated, I believe firmly that they have been vastly underestimated. Lord Berkeley said he wrote his dissenting or minority report because he disagreed with, and was not given the chance to amend, some conclusions of the draft report overseen by Doug Oakervee, the former HS2 Ltd chairman appointed by Boris Johnson to lead the review into whether and how we should proceed with the project. In his report, Lord Berkeley says he wrote to Mr Oakervee to detail his concerns with the review, including a bias towards accepting HS2s evidence in preference to those of others. Lord Berkeley concluded HS2 was the wrong and expensive solution to providing better North-South intercity services, adding that it would be poor value for money. #HS2 has a crucial role delivering #NorthernPowerhouseRail - the backbone for an integrated northern rail network. Together these better connections will help to rebalance Britain. Find out more: https://t.co/6NjThhOYyd pic.twitter.com/JlILl7lyp6 HS2 Ltd (@HS2ltd) January 5, 2020 Phase one of HS2 is planned to run between London and Birmingham. It was initially planned to launch in 2026, but a recent report by HS2 Ltd stated that this could be pushed back until 2031. An HS2 Ltd spokesman said: There have been many individual views expressed about the HS2 project, however we await the publication of the Governments official review. HS2 Ltd has provided full cooperation to Mr Oakervee and his review team, and if the Government decides to proceed we have a highly skilled team in place ready to build Britains new railway. Investment in a state-of-the-art high speed line is critical for the UKs low-carbon transport future, will provide much needed rail capacity up and down the country, and is integral to rail projects in the North and Midlands which will help rebalance the UK economy. Tim Wood, Northern Powerhouse rail director at Transport for the North, said: Whilst we appreciate Lord Berkeleys strong support for investment in northern infrastructure, were concerned about the view that the North doesnt need HS2. More rail capacity and better connectivity will be vital if were going to get people out of their cars and encourage more sustainable travel. The holiday season may have come and gone for you, but its going to last for at least another month for Queen Elizabeth. According to reports, the monarch is planning to leave the holiday decorations up at her Sandringham estate through early February for one particularly heartbreaking reason. While many believe it to be bad luck to keep holiday decorations up past the Epiphany on Jan.6, the Queen apparently doesnt believe in religious superstition. %image1 Hello! Magazine reported the Queen traditionally keeps the beloved estate decked out in holiday joy through at least Feb. 6 every year. That date is significant to the royal family as it marks the anniversary of her fathers death. Queen Elizabeth II's father, King George VI, passed away on that date in 1952 inside Sandringham House, the magazine explained. Since his passing, the Queen has spent each anniversary inside the home in private before returning to her regular duties at Buckingham Palace. Beyond the remembrance of her father, Sandringham has long been a special place for the Queen and her entire family. Each year, the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, travel to their home away from home just before Christmas. They are then usually joined by other members of the royal family, including Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, along with Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children. The Queen is expected to return to Buckingham following her personal time at the house. The rest of her family is also expected to get back to their regularly scheduled royal duties soon. That includes her grandson, Prince Harry, who took an extended personal leave with his wife, Meghan Markle, to visit both the United States and Canada over the holidays. Though things may not be royally rosy for the couple when they fly back to the United Kingdom. Theyve spent the last six weeks we believe in Canada and I think this will be a tricky year, BBCs former royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, recently said. Weve got to see if they can hack it, can they take the public scrutiny? The public role that is theirs. Because theyve both spoken about their fragile state, Harry very openly about his mental problems. So they are coming back to full-time work I hope they can manage it. Maybe the Queen will allow them to escape to Sandringham if they want to find solace too. This story was originally published by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering public education. Sign up for their newsletters here: chalkbeat.org/newsletter. The head of the Newark school system is calling for the closure of four local charter schools and a ban on most new charter schools, a clear signal that the district hopes to rein in the citys fast-growing charter sector. The schools M.E.T.S., Peoples Prep, Roseville Community, and University Heights are up for renewal, meaning they must apply for state approval to continue operating after this academic year. In a series of letters this month, Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger Leon asked the state to reject their applications, arguing that the publicly funded, privately managed charter schools sap funding from traditional public schools and are failing to serve their fair share of students with special needs. The state education commissioner is expected to make a decision by Feb. 1. Leon also urged the state to deny any and all applications for new charter schools or the renewal of existing charter schools unless they serve a specific educational need. While other local officials have sought to halt the expansion of Newarks charter sector, whose student population quadrupled over the past decade, Leon is taking a more extreme position by demanding that existing charter schools be phased out. The writing is on the wall for corporate charter schools, said Newark Teachers Union President John Abeigon, an outspoken critic of charter schools, which tend to be non-unionized. The days of unchecked charter school applications are over. Leon, who spent his entire career working in Newark Public Schools before becoming superintendent last year, has walked a fine line when it comes to charter schools, which enjoy significant public and political support in the city. He has publicly praised some high-performing charters and sought to preserve the citys common application system for traditional and charter schools. Yet he has also made clear his desire to draw more families back into district schools, and expressed alarm at the swelling share of tax dollars funneled to Newarks charter schools, which educate more than a third of the citys public-school students. Leons letters to the state including one implying that he plans to eject a charter school from a district building remove any doubt that he intends to use all the means at his disposal to staunch the flow of students and funding to the citys charter sector. Some charter school leaders, who have already accused Leons administration of trying to limit families access to charter schools, view his new stance as an open attack. The call to close all four schools is reckless and does not take into consideration whats best for students and families, said Harry Lee, president and CEO of the New Jersey Charter Schools Association. This was surprising and an aggressive move by the district. During the periodic charter renewal process, which all New Jersey charter schools undergo, the state education department visits the schools, conducts interviews, and reviews each schools application, academic data, and financial records. The department must also consider the recommendation of the local traditional school board, according to state regulations. Leons letters are not signed by Newarks board, but a state spokesperson said the department will consider all relevant records during the review process. Leon raised a number of general objections in his letters to Lamont Repollet, the education commissioner. First, he cited the financial impact of charter schools on the district. Because school aid follows students in New Jersey, districts must hand over most of the funding attached to each student who enrolls in a charter school. (Districts keep a small portion of that funding to cover expenses such as building maintenance that remain constant even when students opt out of the district.) This year, about 30% of the districts revenue was redirected to charter schools, Leon said. As that budget is barely sufficient to meet the districts needs, he wrote, the impact of such a large payment stream cannot be [overstated]. Second, he suggested that the schools do not offer students a better education than they could receive in the district. He cited data showing that the district, on average, outperformed all the schools except Peoples Prep on state tests in terms of the percentage of students who met grade-level expectations, students year-over-year improvement, or both. Finally, he questioned whether the schools adequately serve a significant number of students with special needs. He pointed to data in the schools renewal applications showing that they serve a smaller share of students with disabilities or those still learning English than the district, and argued that the schools own descriptions of their programs suggest students are not being properly served. Data in the renewal application shows that the school currently fails to address the educational needs of Newarks most vulnerable students, he wrote in each letter. Leon added a few specific objections. He noted that the state put M.E.T.S. and University Heights on probation this year due to poor performance and safety concerns. He also accused Peoples Prep of enrolling more students than it is authorized to serve, admitting students regardless of their order on a district-made waiting list, and exceeding its allotted space in the part of a district building it rents. The letter says Peoples Prep will likely need to vacate the building, which it shares with Bard Early College High School, after its lease expires in June. The heads of Peoples Prep, M.E.T.S., and University Heights did not immediately respond to emails. A district spokesperson also did not respond to a request for comment. Lee pushed back on several of Leons claims, arguing for instance that the district controls the common enrollment system and could send more students with special needs to charter schools if it chose to. In an interview, the leaders of Roseville Community Charter School defended the school, which enrolls students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Newarks North Ward. They said Roseville serves a sizable share of students with special needs this year, 15.5% have disabilities and 18.4% are still learning English which is comparable to Newark Public Schools, where each group accounts for 17% of students. The school has also expanded its services for those students, including by hiring additional staffers, despite the district poaching one of its English-language teachers in September, they added. It appears the leadership of Newark Public Schools is seriously misinformed and misguided, said Rashon Hasan, the chair of Rosevilles board of trustees, adding that Leon has not visited the school. Shutting down the school would be devastating for families, he added. Dionne Ledford, Rosevilles principal and executive director, said a group of parents sent their own letter imploring the state to keep the school open. Its a true community school, she said. A true family. Six people have been killed and 11 hurt after a suspected drink driver crashed into a group of German tourists at an Italian ski resort. The deadly collision happened in the small town of Luttach, also known as Lutago, near Bolzano in South Tyrol shortly after 1am. It is believed the group of young people had been gathering to board a coach when they were struck by the vehicle. The fire service said in a Facebook post the six dead were killed at the scene, while the injured were taken to several nearby hospitals. The Italian Red Cross, which sent a rapid reaction team to help the victims, posted pictures of the emergency response on social media. The 27-year-old driver of the car, who failed a breath test for alcohol, has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, police said. Arno Kompatscher, regional president of Alto Adige, told a press conference the victims were part of a group of young Germans on holiday. Mourners have now left candles and flowers at the crash scene. The tragedy happened on the final long weekend of the Christmas and New Year's holiday in Italy. The Democrats anger at President Trumps successful strike against Soleimani has led them to say, in effect, Sure, he was a bad guy, but he wasnt being a bad guy at the precise moment Trump ordered the hit that will start WWIII. This is wrong at so many levels. Thomas Friedman exemplifies the Leftist mindset, writing that Soleimani should have been spared because he was a liability to Iran: One day they may name a street after President Trump in Tehran. Why? Because Trump just ordered the assassination of possibly the dumbest man in Iran and the most overrated strategist in the Middle East: Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani. Think of the miscalculations this guy made. In 2015, the United States and the major European powers agreed to lift virtually all their sanctions on Iran, many dating back to 1979, in return for Iran halting its nuclear weapons program for a mere 15 years, but still maintaining the right to have a peaceful nuclear program. It was a great deal for Iran. Its economy grew by over 12 percent the next year. And what did Suleimani do with that windfall? He and Irans supreme leader launched an aggressive regional imperial project that made Iran and its proxies the de facto controlling power in Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad and Sana. This freaked out U.S. allies in the Sunni Arab world and Israel and they pressed the Trump administration to respond. Friedman essentially argues that Soleimani should have been allowed to pile up American and Middle Eastern bodies because, while his tactics were good, his strategy was bad. Likewise, Wellington probably shouldnt have shown up at Waterloo, because Napoleon was never going to prevail in his second attempt at world domination. Derek Hunter caught Nancy Pelosi making the same calculation about Soleimani being bad, but not that bad. Speaking about those Democrats lamenting that it would have been better to let Soleimani run his course, Hunter wrote: Nancy Pelosi seems to think so, saying the killing risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence. That implies that to her and Democrats there is an acceptable level of killing Americans by foreign powers. Fine, you can kill 50-75 Americans per year, but dont go too far beyond that or we might issue a scathing statement and start a hashtag against you, depending on who the president is is not a foreign policy strategy. Secretary of State Pompeo sought to block this line of thinking when he appeared Friday night on the Sean Hannity show, saying Soleimani was not a spent force but was planning to escalate in spectacular fashion: Watch the latest video at foxnews.com Soleimani, the terrorist, was engaged in active plotting. There was an attack that was imminent that could have killed dozens or hundreds of Americans. We found an opportunity and we delivered. [snip] He was traveling the region when he landed in Baghdad. The travels before that put him in places all around the region, which were aimed solely at building out what they were referring to as the big attack. They were aiming to take down significant amounts of Americans. It wouldve undoubtedly killed locals too. Iraqis, Lebanese, Syrians, perhaps, people all throughout the region. This was an attack that would have been to some scale. The anti-Trump media could not let that narrative stand. Relying on leaks, Rukmini Callimachi, of the New York Times, tweeted that the Trump administration was exaggerating the risks Soleimani presented: 1. Ive had a chance to check in with sources, including two US officials who had intelligence briefings after the strike on Suleimani. Here is what Ive learned. According to them, the evidence suggesting there was to be an imminent attack on American targets is razor thin. Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) January 4, 2020 The whole thread reveals, though, that razor thin is an opinion, not a fact. What Suleimani was doing and what Callimachi dismisses as business as usual -- was working with proxies throughout the Middle East to kill Americans: 2. In fact the evidence pointing to that came as three discrete facts: a) A pattern of travel showing Suleimani was in Syria, Lebanon & Iraq to meet with Shia proxies known to have an offensive position to the US. (As one source said thats just business as usual for Suleimani) Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) January 4, 2020 Additionally, Suleimanis upcoming plan was so big it needed approval from Tehran: 3. More intriguing was b) information indicating Suleimani sought the Supreme Leaders approval for an operation. He was told to come to Tehran for consultation and further guidance, suggesting the operation was a big deal - but again this could be anything. Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) January 4, 2020 Soleimanis escalation in December also indicated that he had big plans to kill Americans: 4. And finally, a) and b) were read in the context of c) Irans increasingly bellicose position towards American interests in Iraq, including the attack that killed a U.S. contractor and the recent protest outside the American embassy. Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) January 4, 2020 Still, Callimachi sources thought that these plans were not big enough to justify killing a legitimate military target engaged in a hot war against the U.S.: 5. But as one source put it a) + b) + c) is hardly evidence of an imminent attack on American interests that could kill hundreds, as the White House has since claimed. The official describes the reading of the intelligence as an illogical leap. Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) January 4, 2020 With news of Soleimani escalation, Trump received a range of proposed reponses, with kill this maniac at the bottom of the list: 6. One official described the planning for the strike as chaotic. The official says that following the attack on an Iraqi base which killed an American contractor circa Dec. 27, Trump was presented a menu of options for how to retaliate. Killing Suleimani was the far out option Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) January 4, 2020 In several more tweets in the same thread, Callimachis sources told her that Trump, who is not the war monger the Left insists he is, first tried a light response, which led to Soleimanis attack on American soil (i.e., a U.S. embassy). Trump therefore decided it was time to remove Soleimani entirely. Military intelligence successfully located Soleimani and rapidly put together the plan that killed Soleimani and al-Muhandis. Some might call the whole operation a success, but thats not the Democrat way. In her remaining tweets in the same thread, Callimachi reports on all the bad things Iran might do to Americans as if Iran has not already been doing bad things to Americans. For the final word on Democrats preference for letting American troops die rather than stand up to Irans 42 years of warfare, Susan Rice waffled on about what Obamas administration would have done if had received the same intelligence: Had we been presented with such an opportunity what we would have done is weighed, very carefully and very deliberately, the risks versus the potential rewards. We would have assessed all of the ways in which this could have enhanced our security and degraded our security and I think that what judging from what I know and what we're likely to see I think that the real reason to believe that in all likelihood that the benefits will be outweighed by the risks," she said. "And we also would have taken all sorts of time and effort to prepare to ensure that our personnel, diplomatic and military, in the region were protected against the likelihood of Iranian retaliation. Aside from turning a military decision into a bureaucratic slow-mo spectacle, the above is a lie. In 2015, when Israel reported to the Obama administration that it had an opportunity to kill Soleimani, the administration skipped the bureaucratic dance Rice describes and tattled to Iran instead. For Democrats, no threat is ever imminent enough. Notwithstanding their official anti-war stance, theyre always all right with more American troops dying, as long as they do so in small batches. NAIROBI, Kenya Al-Shabab extremists overran a key military base used by U.S. counterterror forces in Kenya before dawn Sunday, killing three American Department of Defense personnel and destroying several U.S. aircraft and vehicles before they were repelled, U.S. and Kenyan authorities said. The attack on the Manda Bay Airfield was the al-Qaida-linked groups first attack against U.S. forces in the East African country, and the military called the security situation fluid several hours after the assault. Five attackers were killed, Kenyan military spokesman Paul Njuguna said. Al-Shabab, based in neighboring Somalia, claimed responsibility for the assault. One U.S. serviceman and two contractors with the U.S. Department of Defense were killed in the fighting, according to a statement issued late Sunday by the U.S. Africa Command, or Africom. The attack on the compound involved indirect and small arms fire. After an initial penetration of the perimeter, Kenya Defense Forces and U.S. Africa Command repelled the al-Shabaab attack, said the AFRICOM statement. Reports indicate that six contractor-operated civilian aircraft were damaged to some degree. Manda Bay Airfield is utilized by U.S. forces whose missions include providing training to our African partners, responding to crises, and protecting U.S. interests in this strategically important area. Al-Shabab claimed that there were 17 U.S. casualties, nine Kenyan soldiers killed and seven aircraft destroyed. The U.S. Africa Command dismissed the al-Shabab claims as exaggerated and said U.S. and Kenyan forces repelled the attack. Kenya is a key base for fighting al-Shabab, one of the worlds most resilient extremist organizations. A large plume of black smoke rose above the airfield Sunday and residents said a car bomb had exploded. Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia told The Associated Press that five suspects were arrested and were being interrogated. An internal Kenyan police report seen by the AP said two fixed-wing aircraft, a U.S. Cessna and a Kenyan one, were destroyed along with two U.S. helicopters and multiple U.S. vehicles at the military airstrip. The report said explosions were heard at around 5:30 a.m. from the direction of the airstrip. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the airstrip was closed for all operations. The militarys Camp Simba in Lamu county, established more than a decade ago, has under 100 U.S. personnel, according to Pentagon figures. U.S. forces at the adjoining Manda Bay airfield train and give counterterror support to East African partners. A U.S. flag-raising at the camp in August signaled its change from tactical to enduring operations, the Air Force said at the time. According to another internal Kenyan police report seen by the AP, dated Friday, a villager that day said he had spotted 11 suspected al-Shabab members entering Lamus Boni forest, which the extremists have used as a hideout. The report said Kenyan authorities didnt find them. Al-Shabab has launched a number of attacks inside Kenya, including against civilian buses, schools and shopping malls. The group has been the target of a growing number of U.S. airstrikes inside Somalia during President Donald Trumps administration. The latest attack comes just over a week after an al-Shabab truck bomb in Somalias capital killed at least 79 people and U.S. airstrikes killed seven al-Shabab fighters in response. Last year, al-Shabab attacked a U.S. military base inside Somalia, Baledogle, that is used to launch drone strikes but reportedly failed to make their way inside. The extremist group also has carried out multiple attacks against Kenyan troops in the past in retaliation for Kenya sending troops to Somalia to fight it. This attack marks a significant escalation of al-Shababs campaign of attacks inside Kenya, said analyst Andrew Franklin, a former U.S. Marine and longtime Kenya resident. Launching a deliberate assault of this type against a well-defended permanent base occupied by (Kenya Defence Forces), contractors and U.S. military personnel required a great deal of planning, rehearsals, logistics and operational capability, he said. Previous attacks against security forces have mainly been ambushes on Kenyan army or police patrols. The Sunday attack came days after a U.S. airstrike killed Irans top military commander and Iran vowed retaliation, but al-Shabab is a Sunni Muslim group and there is no sign of links to Shiite Iran or proxies. No, this attack was no way related to that incident in the Middle East, an al-Shabab spokesman told the AP on condition of anonymity for security reasons. One analyst, Rashid Abdi, in Twitter posts discussing the attack, agreed, but added that Kenyan security services have long been worried that Iran was trying to cultivate ties with al-Shabab. Avowedly Wahhabist Al-Shabaab not natural ally of Shia Iran, hostile, even. But if Kenyan claims true, AS attack may have been well-timed to signal to Iran it is open for tactical alliances, he wrote. But a former member of the U.N. committee monitoring sanctions on Somalia, Jay Bahadur, said in a tweet that the attack is far more related to AS wanting a do over on their spectacular failure at Baledogle four months ago. When asked whether the U.S. military was looking into any Iranian link to the attack, U.S. Africa Command spokesman Col. Christopher Karns said only that al-Shabab, affiliated with al-Qaida, has their own agenda and have made clear their desire to attack U.S. interests. The al-Shabab claim of responsibility said Sundays attack was part of its Jerusalem will never be Judaized campaign, a rarely made reference that also was used after al-Shababs deadly attack on a luxury mall complex in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, in January 2019. Somalias government, which is fighting al-Shabab with the help of a multinational African force, The Federal Republic of Somalia joins the rest of the world in condemning the cowardly attack that targeted joint Kenyan and U.S forces based at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya earlier today. ___ Anna contributed from Johannesburg A U.S. Coast Guard vessel capsized in the Columbia River near Astoria, dumping four crew members into the river. The 26-foot vessel came under a series of heavy wakes that overtook the bow, according to a news release, sending the ship into an unrecoverable starboard list that plunged the crew members into the river. The crew members were in the river near Pier 39 in Astoria at the time. Emergency beacons alerted officials at the 13th U.S. Coast Guard District Command Center in Seattle that crew members were overboard at 11:39 a.m. It took another 11 minutes until a MH-60 Jayhawk crew from the Coast Guard and a 47-foot agency lifeboat were ordered to respond to the capsized crew members. Petty Officer Michael Clark, a coast guard spokesman, said the incident remains under investigation. Folks on the rivers edge also called 911 and saw the crew members in the river. The four crew members were pulled safely out of the water by a Columbia Bar Pilot vessel, those boats that help ships navigate the treacherous Columbia River Bar at the rivers mouth, at 12:09 p.m. The ship responded to the emergency distress signals. The crew members were all reported in good condition after evaluation at a local hospital. Clark said its not clear if air support crews were deployed. -- Andrew Theen; atheen@oregonian.com; 503-294-4026; @andrewtheen Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Ibrahim Muhammad Tanko, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says he has never had anything to do with Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker, currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged extortion. Sani was arrested by the anti-graft agency last week for allegedly collecting money from Sani Dauda, owner of ASD Motors, with a promise o pass it on to Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the agency. Sani, was also accused of saying he could assist Dauda in influencing the outcome of some cases using his influence with the CJN and some other judges. However, in a statement on Sunday, the CJN denied being involved in such corrupt practice and ever meeting Sani, who represented Kaduna central senatorial district in the last Senate. Read Also: Why Shehu Sani Was Arrested: EFCC He said those who carryout such falsehood can never be allowed to walk away with the dastardly act, Muhammad said the lesson that those behind the defamation would learn will surely serve as deterrent to other potential name droppers and extortionists, who are apparently wanting in noble candor that may also be eagerly waiting in the queue to thread the same path of infamy. Our attention has been drawn to the story making the round in some national dailies where it was reported that Senator Shehu Sani allegedly approached Alhaji Sani Dauda of ASD Motors and purportedly demanded for the sum of N4, 000,000 to give to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Dr Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, to settle some unnamed four Judges over a case he (Shehu Sani) allegedly claimed wont see the light of the day, the CJN said in a statement which Festus Akande, spokesman of the supreme court, issued on his behalf. Let it be known that if the statement credited to Shehu Sani was actually made by him, it is simply a blatant lie, a figment of his imagination and an orchestrated falsehood immodestly concocted to malign, smear and disingenuously tarnish the good image and reputation of the CJN with a view to gaining financial reward. Even though the veracity of the true source of the unsubstantiated statement has not yet been ascertained to know if it was really from the former Senator, it is, however imperative to keep the records straight by letting the public know that Justice Tanko Muhammad has never, in his entire life, seen or had any form of encounter or interactions, either directly or remotely with Shehu Sani, let alone giving him assurances of what is not only unethical but equally despicable and inglorious, to say the least. The outcome of the ongoing investigations will determine the next line of action to be taken regarding the flagrant defamation of the character of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. 1. Yes. The downtown area needs a good draw. Some quality taverns would be a plus. 2. Yes. Too many storefronts are vacant. Bars could help to bring in needed revenue. 3. No. Putting a number of bars downtown is just asking for trouble. Dont change things. 4.No. Several churches have located downtown. Putting bars close by would be a bad fit. 5. Unsure. It would depend on how the law is written and what standards are enacted. Vote View Results - The leaders led by Laikipia West MP Patrick Mariru insisted Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri was best fit to lead the region after Uhuru retires - Kieni MP Kanini Kega, a close ally of the president, said the region will seek alliances with like-minded politicians from other areas - The ruling Jubilee Party has been divided into two factions; Tanga Tanga and Kieleweke, with both having different agendas A section of Central Kenya leaders are pushing for formation of a new political vehicle to represent the vote-rich region ahead of the 2022 General Election. The leaders led by Laikipia West MP Patrick Mariru insisted Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri was best fit to lead the region after President Uhuru Kenyatta serves his second and final term in 2022. READ ALSO: AP officer decries child support order which requires him to pay ex-wife KSh 84,000 Laikipia West MP Patrick Mariru said Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri was best fit to succeed Uhuru as Mt Kenya's political kingpin. Photo: Patrick Mariru. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Netizens welcome Miguna Miguna as he boards plane to Kenya The leaders called for a new party citing divisions in the ruling Jubilee Party, Citizen TV reported on Saturday, January 4. We cannot allow other people to dictate our political direction. We are asking Hon Kiunjuri to take the mantle and lead us going forward, Mariru said. A section of Central Kenya leaders are pushing for a new party ahead of 2022 General Election to be led by Mwangi Kiunjuri. Photo: CS Mwangi Kiunjuri. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Trump atishia kutekeleza mashambulizi zaidi iwapo Iran italipiza kisasi kufuatia mauaji ya Soleimani Kieni MP Kanini Kega, a close ally of the president, said the region will seek alliances with like-minded politicians from other areas. The leaders were speaking at a burial in Naromoru, Nyeri county in an even attended by the CS. Kieni MP Kanini Kega (third left) converses with Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiujuri at the burial of the late Pharis Murage Gitahi in Nyeri on Saturday, December 4. Photo: Kanini Kega. Source: Facebook The Jubilee Party has been divided into two factions; Tanga Tanga and Kieleweke. The Tanga Tanga wing is allied to Deputy President William Ruto and has been calling for the president to honour his pledge to support him for the 2022 presidency. The Kieleweke faction on the other hand is led by Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu and is opposed to the DP saying he is conducting early campaigns instead of engaging in development. 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 Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Toyotas luxury brand Lexus sold 200,521 vehicles in China in the whole year of 2019, which was a year-on-year sales jump of 25%, according to the brand. The sales for the first eleven months totaled 180,239 units and the final month saw 20,282 units sold, making the annual sales exceed 200,000 units for the first time. Reasonable and extensive product portfolio contributes to Lexus' sales growth. Currently, the luxury brand has 11 models on sale in the Chinese market, some of which are popular in mainstream car and SUV field. The UX, filling Lexus gap in the small-sized SUV segment, competes with the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1. At the Chengdu Motor Show 2019it launched the mid- to large-sized all-new RX and the RX L. In addition, its new ES, NX, UX, and LS boast intelligent connectivity functions and safety configurations. Besides, the 2019 China sales of Lexus hybrid electric vehicles rose 39.3% from the year-ago period to 69,027 units. The brand expects to further expand the lineup of hybrid electric models in the future. This year, Lexus is expected to offer a fire-new MPV model, the LM, on February, 24 and its first pure electric model, the UX300e, in between April and May (photo source: Lexus). 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 Met Eireann has issued wind weather warnings for a number of counties ahead of a possibly stormy and cold week of weather. The forecaster has issued a Status Yellow Wind Warning is in place from midnight until 8am on Monday for Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Kerry. Southerly winds will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65 km/h with occasional gusts of 90 to 100km/h. A separate Status Yellow Wind Warning is in place for Wexford, Cork and Waterford. Southerly winds will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65 km/h with occasional gusts of 90 to 100km/h. The warning is in place from 3am on Monday until 11am on Monday. Apart from the wind Met Eireann is forecasting heavy and persistent band early on Monday. More strong winds are expected as the week progresses. There is also cold weather in the forecast. MORE BELOW TWEETS. Our Atlantic chart shows precipitation and pressure forecast in 6 hour intervals for the next 7 days. https://t.co/9Giuj4CR5m The national forecast and the national outlook for the coming days is available herehttps://t.co/9gKN6SVok4 pic.twitter.com/NadWoHomVW Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 5, 2020 Status Yellow - Wind warning issued by Met Eireann. Effective early on Monday morning. For weather updates visit. https://t.co/YJqxvBBwTs pic.twitter.com/M8OA0wOnq1 Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 5, 2020 Met Eireann forecast details issued at 12.12pm on its website on January 5 as follows: TODAY - SUNDAY 5TH JANUARY Staying mostly cloudy this afternoon though largely dry with just patchy light rain or drizzle. Temperatures will be between 9 and 11 degrees with a freshening southerly wind developing through the day. TONIGHT The southerly wind will strengthen further through the evening, becoming strong for tonight, with gale force winds at the west coast. It'll stay mostly dry for the night, with rain arriving on western coasts before morning. Lowest temperatures of 7 or 8 degrees. TOMORROW - MONDAY 6TH JANUARY Tomorrow, Monday, will be windy for a time with strong southerly winds reaching gale force at the west and south coast through the morning. The rain in western areas will move quickly eastwards in a heavy and persistent band, clearing the west early and the east by lunchtime. As the rain clears the winds will ease for a time and veer westerly and the sun will come out with just a few showers to follow, most frequent in the north. It'll become cooler as the rain clears with afternoon temperatures of 7 or 8 degrees. The outlook for Monday night is for winds to freshen again as they back southerly once more, reaching gale force on the coasts again. Temperatures will fall in the early part of the night to 3 or 4 degrees, then rise overnight as the wind freshens and cloud thickens, bringing rain and drizzle in to the north and west. On Tuesday strong southerly winds will veer westerly and steadily ease through the day. Outbreaks of showery rain will mostly affect western and northern parts of the country. Temperatures in the afternoon will be 13 or 14 degrees, dropping overnight to between 3 and 6 degrees, coldest in the north. The outlook for the midweek period is uncertain in detail with an area of low pressure tracking northwards over the country giving changeable wind patterns and bringing outbreaks of rain from the south. At the moment the suggestion is for a cold morning on Wednesday with light variable or southerly winds and, after a mainly dry start, outbreaks of rain developing from the south and west. There's a spell of heavy rain for Thursday in the south, spreading north and eastwards, then temperatures dropping through Thursday to give a cold frosty night on Thursday night. The extended outlook currently suggests a westerly airflow bringing mostly dry weather for Friday with rain for the weekend. Sunday, January 5, 2020 Writers Conferences and Confabs are a great place to learn about publishing and writing from agents, publishers, authors and publicists. By Scott Lorenz Westwind Communications If you are a serious writer with high aspirations, then youll want to go to a writers conference. Want to meet authors and exchange ideas, tips and techniques? Then sign up for a writers conference today. A writers conference is a think tank for authors to build on each others ideas and inspire new achievements in their own work. For the cost of lodging and registration, the payoff for attending a writers conference could be tremendous. Attending a writers conference gives you a chance to pitch your book, learn about the various publishing options and meet book editors, agents and book marketing specialists. If your book is six months or a year from being finished, you can talk to people with valuable input on shaping your book. At a writers conference, youll get all sorts of advice to help you wrap up your project when you return home. Of course, you will want to prepare for any writers conference you attend by having a plan of what you want to find out and what you will do while there. I suggest you develop an elevator pitch about your book that you can deliver in 30 seconds. Have a one-pager available with your book cover, author headshot, short 50-word synopsis, short bio, website URL, Twitter handle and your contact information. You never know who youll meet so be prepared for that moment! Here are some upcoming writers conferences in 2020: January 21-26, 2020 StoryCamp (St. George Island, FL) StoryCamp is a womens writing retreat with writing and creativity workshops in a quiet, supporting atmosphere. http://aroundthewriterstable.com/storycamp/ February 13-16, 2020: San Francisco Writers Conference (San Francisco, CA) At this writers conference, you can expect over 100 presenters, which will be editors, literary agents, and bestselling authors. https://www.sfwriters.org/2020-conference/ February 21-23, 2020 Asheville Christian Writers Conference (Asheville, NC) The Asheville Christian Writers Conference will offer one-on-one mentoring, writing workshops, and discussion groups. https://ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/ March 7, 2020: Atlanta Writing Workshop (Atlanta, GA) The title of the Atlanta Writing Workshop is How to Get Published. It focuses on classes and advice intended to help you get your works published. https://atlantawritingworkshop.com/ March 20, 2020: Kentucky Writers Conference (Bowling Green, KY) This writers conference offers workshops put on by the bestselling authors and educators in the SOKY Book Fest. https://sokybookfest.org/programs/ky-writers-conference/ March 28, 2020: Kansas City Writing Workshop (Kansas City, MO) At this writing workshop, you can learn about how to write queries and pitches, what you can do to market yourself and your books, and more. https://kansaswritingworkshop.com/ April 2-4 2020: Las Vegas Writers Conference (Las Vegas, NV) At the Las Vegas Writers Conference, writers can meet and learn from some of the greatest agents, authors, and professionals in publishing. https://lasvegaswritersconference.com/ April 3-5, 2020: The Muse & the Marketplace Writers Conference (Boston, MA) Here youll find over 130 interactive sessions led by authors as well as a happy hour session where you can network with agents, publishers, and authors. https://museandthemarketplace.com/ April 4, 2020: Get Published in Kentucky Workshop (Louisville, KY) The Get Published in Kentucky Workshop is essentially a full day of classes and advice that are designed to help you get your books published. https://kentuckywritingworkshop.com/ April 18, 2020: North Carolina Writers Workshop (Charlotte, NC): At the North Carolina Writers Workshop, you can gain all of the information you need to get your work to the publishing phase. https://carolinawritingworkshops.com/ April 25, 2020: Seattle Writers Conference (Seattle, WA): The Seattle Writers Conference aims to provide participants knowledge that can help them get their books published. https://theseattlewritingworkshop.com/ April 25, 2020: Michigan Writers Conference (Detroit, MI) At this writers conference, participants will enjoy a day of intense instruction on how to get their works published. https://michiganwritingworkshop.com/ April 30-May 2, 2020: Northern Colorado Writers Conference (Fort Collins, CO): The Northern Colorado Writers Conference will hold workshops, sessions, and four-hour master classes to inspire authors. https://northerncoloradowriters.com/Conference May 2, 2020: Missouri Writers Guild (Cape Girardeau, MO) The Missouri Writers Guild offers market information, contests, and networking opportunities for writers. https://missouriwritersguild.org/ May 7-9 2020: Storymakers Conference (Provo, UT): The Storymakers Conference will consist of various classes that cover various topics such as cover design, marketing, creating a writing business, and the nuts and bolts of screenwriting. http://ldstorymakersconference.com/ May 8-9 2020: Washington Writers Conference (North Bethesda, MD): At the Washington Writers Conference, there will be one-on-one pitch sessions with literary agents from New York, Boston, and DC. http://www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/index.php/page/2020-washington-writers-conference May 15-17, 2020: PennWriters Conference (Pittsburgh, PA): The PennWriters Conference offers three days of workshops, panels, networking opportunities for current and aspiring writers. https://pennwriters.org/ June 13, 2020: Tennessee Writers Workshop (Nashville, TN) Writers can learn the ins and outs of getting their works published at this conference. https://tennesseewritingworkshop.com/ June 14-19, 2020: Santa Barbara Writers Conference (Santa Barbara, CA) At the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, writers can enjoy six days and nights of over 30 writing workshops, speakers, and agents. https://www.sbwriters.com/ June 22-28, 2020: Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference (Bemidji, MN) This writing conference is full of workshops, Q&A sessions, panel talks. https://www.northwoodswriters.org/ July 26-July 31, 2020: Napa Valley Writers Conference (St. Helena, CA): At the Napa Valley Writers Conference, writers can participate in small workshops related to poetry, fiction, or translation that meet for two hours daily over a five day period. http://www.napawritersconference.org June 27, 2020: The Writing Workshop of Chicago (Chicago, IL) The Writing Workshop of Chicago gives writers the opportunity to pitch editors and literary agents and get their questions answered. https://chicagowritingworkshop.com/ July 30-August 1: Mendocino Coast Writers Conference (Mendocino, CA): At this conference, writers can participate in morning workshops that related to various genres. http://mcwc.org/ August 19-22, 2020: Killer Nashville Writers Conference (Franklin, TN) Writers who attend the Killer Nashville Writers Conference can expect writing workshops, pitch sessions, panel discussions, author signings, and a book fair. https://www.newpages.com/writing-conferences/killer-nashville October 23-25, 2020: La Jolla Writers Conference (San Diego, CA) At the La Jolla Writers Conference, writers can attend two types of classes: 50-minute lecture sessions or 110-minute workshops. https://lajollawritersconference.com Select a writers conference of interest to you and be prepared to enjoy the benefits of meeting other writers. You may acquire knowledge you can use immediately, find a new market for your book, elevate your professional effectiveness, meet editors, agents and publishers, become inspired and return home energized. The Bottom Line: Take a little working vacation and hit some writers conferences. Make it a priority to sign up for one in the coming weeks and months. Youll be glad you did! About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether its their first book or their 15th book. Hes handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Womans World, & Howard Stern to name a few. Learn more about Westwind Communications book marketing approach at http://www.Book-Marketing-Expert.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist The killing of Qasem Soleimani, Irans most powerful and iconic military commander who headed the elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), is a major blow to the Islamic republic on many levels. At the same time, Soleimanis death -- at a time of increased U.S. pressure and following last months bloody crackdown on anti-establishment protests in more than 100 cities and towns -- has allowed the Iranian government to display unity and popular support by organizing mass street funeral ceremonies. That includes on January 5 in the southern city of Ahvaz and Mashhad in the northeast, where hundreds of thousands of mourners dressed in black were seen honoring the influential military commander who played a key role in advancing Irans foreign policy interests from Lebanon to Yemen and many places in between. The 62-year-old Soleimani was killed in a U.S. air strike in neighboring Iraq on January 3 ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump -- who said the Iranian commander had organized attacks on U.S. and Iraqi targets and was planning further acts of terror against U.S. interests. Images on Iranian television and state-controlled media showed men and women, young and old, crying while holding images of Soleimani that said: Your Way Will Continue and signs with state slogans including Death To America. State-controlled television, which does not cover anti-establishment protests, called the demonstration in Mashhad unprecedented, referring to Soleimani -- blamed for the deaths of thousands of civilians in several Middle Eastern countries due to conflicts involving pro-Iran militias -- as the fatherlands soldier. Iranian officials declared January 6 a holiday in Tehran and January 7 a holiday in Kerman while inviting Iranians to attend a funeral ceremony for Soleimani in the capital and a day later in his hometown of Kerman, where he is to be buried. On social media, some Iranians have in past days paid tribute to Soleimani while condemning his assassination as government-sponsored terrorism. But the reaction to his death has also been very mixed. A large faction of anti-regime activists and demonstrators are unhappy with Irans activities -- organized and carried out by Soleimani -- and large military expenditures supporting regional conflicts when the Iranian economy is in such desperate straits and facing enormous budget shortfalls in virtually all spheres due to U.S.-led economic sanctions that have destroyed Tehrans oil revenues. Such sentiments were also echoed by people in other countries in the region, who even celebrated Soleimanis killing. Fearing War Still others expressed fear over the consequences of Soleimanis killing, which is considered a major escalation in the already heightened conflict between Tehran and Washington. Some of the comments appeared to highlight a fear of war rather than support for the clerical establishment which, according to Amnesty International, killed at least 304 people in the November crackdown on protests triggered by a significant hike in the price of gasoline. Reuters reported that some 1,500 people were slain in the nationwide demonstrations. That figure could not be confirmed. Regime supporters have been using the hashtag #hardrevenge to underline comments by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who vowed harsh retaliation for Soleimanis killing. We wont rest until we avenge your death, commander of the hearts, tweeted user Morteza Ben Hassan, whose profile photo was Soleimani. Reformist figures including former President Mohammad Khatami and cleric Mehdi Karrubi -- whos been under house arrest since 2011 for challenging the Iranian establishment after a purported fraudulent presidential election -- also praised Soleimani while expressing their condolences over his martyrdom. Ali Fathollah Nejad, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Doha Center think tank, noted that Irans state propaganda had portrayed Soleimani as a nationalist hero masterfully protecting Iran from regional threats such as [Islamic State] while erecting Iran as the regions supreme power. Beyond the fact that Soleimanis killing has raised fears among various sections of Iranian society of an impending war ravaging the country and the empowerment of the most hard-line domestic elements, the pro-Soleimani statements by the Islamic republics reformists are a reflection of demonstrating elite unity in the face of internal and external pressure as well as a reminder of how engrained the marriage of Islamism and nationalism is among the Islamic republics establishment, Fathollah Nejad told RFE/RL. [More] blood spilled on the wall of mistrust; poor #peace; poor justice, human rights activist Hassan Assadi Zeidabadi, who went to prison several times because of his activism, said on Twitter. Reformist journalist Maziar Khosravi complained that he had used 10 anti-filtering tools to be able to access Twitter, which is banned in Iran except for top government officials, to condemn "state terrorism." "Domestic tyranny and an external enemy are pulling the rope on both sides of our throat and choking us," Khosravi tweeted. Prominent journalist and human rights advocate Emad Baghi, who was also jailed in Iran for his peaceful activities and public dissent, noted that Soleimanis death had made some happy and others sad while adding that not condemning the terrorist action by the Trump administration would mean prescribing the violation of human rights and international laws. But Baghi also appeared to blame the Iranian establishment, writing that a series of causes and effects brought matters to this point. He suggested that reason on the issue could have brought a different outcome. I see Soleimanis martyrdom as the result of a past process that could have been definitely different, Baghi said. A journalist in Tehran who did not want to be named said the establishment needed to rally the public at a sensitive time. Clearly, even those who are not regime supporters were shocked by Soleimanis killing, he said. Soleimani was seen by many as a national hero. But he added that does not necessarily mean that people have forgotten the recent bloody crackdown against protesters. Many are still upset, he said. Sussan Tahmasebi, a well-known human rights activist and the executive director of FEMENA, an organization focused on womens rights in the Middle East, said Soleimanis killing is likely to make it more difficult to raise human rights issues due to an increased securitized atmosphere. The cost of dissent and criticism will increase, Tahmasebi said, while adding that those killed and those in prison following last months protests are likely to be forgotten. In an emergency war situation, even the less politicized demands for rights will take on a lesser priority, she told RFE/RL. HUDSON, Ohio -- As the 2020 election looms closer by the day, we wait to see which direction our country wishes to go in for the presidency. However, while the chaos in Washington, D.C., endures, we neglect to focus on elections closer to home. Yet this is a time when a new generation of Ohio politicians is moving into office. Ohios current senators and governor are moving towards the end of their political careers. Sen. Sherrod Brown is 67, Sen. Rob Portman is 64, and Gov. Mike Dewine is 73. As we move closer to a changing of the guard in generational leadership, a new pack of leaders has emerged that, when the time comes, will be ready to step in to fill the giant shoes left behind by these politicians. Josh Rogers of Hudson is a political science major at Clark University. These are six of the rising political stars in Ohio. D-Emilia Sykes: Minority leader of the Ohio House. Age 34 In 2013, following a stint in the Summit County Fiscal Office, Sykes followed in her fathers footsteps and ran for public office. She easily defeated her Republican opponent for the 34th Ohio House seat, receiving 72 percent of the vote. Since then, she has become the leader of her party in the Ohio House. As a young African American woman from Akron, she is the perfect representation of the modern Democratic Party and will surely continue rising through the ranks. R-Jon Husted: Ohio lieutenant governor. Age 52 Husted is someone who has already climbed the political ladder in Ohio. However, at just 52 years old, we could see him ascend to a higher office soon enough. In 2001, Husted joined the Ohio House, then quickly garnered a lengthy resume, including two terms as Ohio secretary of state. During his 2014 bid for re-election as secretary of state, he knocked off political juggernaut and one of Bernie Sanders closest allies, Nina Turner. He has the resume and experience, and could soon climb to the top of Ohio politics. D-Joe Schiavoni: Former Ohio Senate minority leader/2018 candidate for governor. Age 40 Despite not holding any office currently, Schiavoni is not done with politics. Despite finishing third in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary election, he stayed competitive with Ohio heavy-hitters Dennis Kucinich and Richard Cordray. His time in the Ohio Senate is also noteworthy: He consistently fought for better education, water quality, collective bargaining rights, and protection of minors. While he is currently out of politics, do not be surprised if he jumps at the opportunity to run for office again. R-Frank LaRose: Ohio secretary of state. Age 40 Following his return from Iraq, LaRose burst onto the Ohio political scene, quickly rising from a state senator to the current secretary of state. Despite a battle over inactive voters, his influence has been felt in Ohio politics throughout the last decade. LaRose was the chair of the Ohio Senate Transportation, Commerce, and Workforce Committee. His quick rise in Ohio politics will continue. Expect to hear his name frequently in the coming years. D-Casey Weinstein: 37th District representative to Ohios House. Age 37 Endorsed by former President Barack Obama, Weinstein won the tightly contested 37th Ohio House District by 700 votes in 2018. While not a household name, Weinstein is someone to watch. He is an Air Force veteran who, despite being a first-term representative, has already proposed more legislation than many of his more experienced colleagues. That includes a proposed prohibition on large-capacity magazines, increasing the use of clean energy, and creating a holiday honoring women veterans. Expect Weinstein to be a force in Ohio politics. R-Larry Obhof: President of the Ohio Senate. Age 42 Obhof has been a force to be reckoned with in the Ohio Senate for most of the past decade. He has fought relentlessly for education, civil and criminal law reform, election administration, and taxation reform. Obhof has also received numerous awards throughout his political career, from his work with child protection services to religious freedoms. He is a highly influential politician as is; it would not be surprising to hear his name more in the future. Josh Rogers of Hudson is a student at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, majoring in political science. The author previously volunteered for Weinstein, but does not intend this column as an endorsement of any of the politicians he mentions. *************************** Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Follow option at the top of the comments, and look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com. Hundreds of protesters, including women and children, gathered around Bannerghatta Road's Masjid-e-Bilal (Bilal mosque) on Saturday morning to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act-National Register of Citizens (CAA-NRC). By noon, the protesters packing the mosque premises spilled over on to the main roads, amid a sea of placards and posters. Despite the big crowd, the protest organised by the Jayanagar Masjid Federation was peaceful. A saffron-clad Hindu religious head joined the Muslim leaders on the stage supporting their demand. Mohammed Iliyas, treasurer, Jayanagar Masjid Federation, said his family had been living in India since 1940 and asking them to prove their citizenship now would be disrespectful. "The prime minister and the home minister are giving contradicting statements. There is no other way forward, but to repeal the act," Iliyas said. Quoting the Preamble of the Constitution, Qazi Muhammad Ali, one of the speakers at the protest, pointed out that it does not refer to any particular community. Women were emotionally charged as they each tried to explain the reasons for protesting. Rihana Khanum (49) said her mother gave birth to nine children at home with help from a midwife. "Nobody recorded the place and time of our birth. The midwives didn't give us certificates," she said. Mubeen Taj (52) said non-Muslims should be opposing the act more than the Muslims. "They will come after you. Today it is Muslims, tomorrow it will be Dalits. They will come after all minorities," she said. When Facebook was searching for another New York office, one big enough to fit as many as 6,000 workers, more than double the number it currently employs in the city, it had one major demand: It needed the space urgently. After the company settled on Hudson Yards, the vast mini-city taking shape on Manhattans Far West Side, existing tenants were told to move and a small army of construction workers began to revamp the building even before a lease had been signed. Facebooks push to accommodate its booming operations is part of a rush by the West Coast technology giants to ... Premier Gladys Berejiklian says NSW is in "uncharted territory", as towns face being "completely wiped out" by new weather patterns and ferocious fires never before experienced in the state. Speaking on Sunday morning, Ms Berejiklian said the speed at which bushfires were tearing through communities across the state was "unprecedented". "The weather activity we're seeing, the extent and spread of the fires, the speed at which they're doing, the way they attacking communities that have never seen fire is unprecedented. We have to accept that," Ms Berejiklian said. Two "overground workers" of Hizbul Mujahideen were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, police said on Sunday. Bashir Ahmad Mengnoo of Khraipakhnoo and Wali Mohammad Sheikh of Swarbati were among 10 persons who had been identified by police for providing support to Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Mohammad Amin alias "Jehangir Saroori", who is active in the hilly district for the last three decades, a police officer said. All the 10 persons were booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in police station Dachan on Saturday for their alleged involvement in providing logistic support, finance and transport to the most wanted terrorist, he said. "While Mengnoo and Sheikh were arrested on Saturday itself, the search for others is going on," the officer said, adding they are being questioned. Saroori, a longest surviving terrorist who joined Hizbul Mujahideen in early 1990s, was evading arrest and is hiding in the forest of Kishtwar. He emerged as the brain behind the revival of terrorism in the district in 2018 after it was declared terrorism free about a decade ago, police said. On October 23 last year, police in Kishtwar had announced a bounty of Rs 30 lakh on the head of Saroori and two of his associates -- Riyaz Ahmad alias "Hazari" and Mudassir Hussain. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A different inmate informed jail personnel that Tawfeeq asked him for a favor" and said he raped a ... girl in his Uber cab and that he needed someone to threaten the girl, kidnap her, or beat her so she wouldnt testify, according to prosecutors court filing seeking to revoke or increase Tawfeeqs bail. In their request, prosecutors noted that Tawfeeq was born in Iraq and has been there as recently as 2009, saying his ties to a foreign state indicate (he) poses a flight risk. You could ask if he was dissembling then, or now, but the answer seems too obvious. The Israeli radio host later told The Guardian that some listeners "were terribly angry at us for airing such extremist views". He seemed surprised that a former Australian prime minister held them. Illustration: Reg Lynch Credit: The incident led me to consider a strange thought experiment what if Tony Abbott had been prime minister during this unprecedented, vicious and terrifying bushfire crisis? It is safe to say he would not have left for a secret Hawaiian holiday during it, then tried to conceal the holiday from the public, and he would not have later defended that misstep by parrying, as Morrison did, that I dont hold a hose, mate, and I dont sit in a control room. Abbott would have been holding the hose. You could not have kept him from the control room. Loading But the corollary of climate-change denial or climate change whatareyagunnado? which seems to be the Morrison government position, is that your reactions to the suffering inflicted by the bushfires are complicated by the mental calibrations you must do to ensure you don't imply any of it is worse than usual, or will be into the future. And it may have challenged even Abbott. After that prime ministerial press conference at Bligh Street during which Morrison was brittle and defensive when asked about the governments plan to protect Australians against the long-term economic and environmental effects of climate change the PM left to visit the fire-affected zones. The ensuing footage of him being rejected and abused by some locals went global. His tepid leadership during the crisis has united voices as disparate as loudmouth conservative British TV host Piers Morgan, celebrity Lara Bingle (now Worthington), American actress and diva Bette Midler, and NSW Liberal Minister Andrew Constance in their condemnation. The body language Morrison exhibited during those community encounters was extraordinary. When visiting Cobargo, on the NSW South Coast, he went to shake the hand of local woman Zoey McDermott. She said she would only shake his hand if he promised more funding for the Rural Fire Service. Zoey McDermott refuses to shake the hand of the Prime Minister during his visit to Cobargo. Credit:Nine News The Prime Minister took her hand and shook it anyway, her voice cracking as she begged for more relief money. Morrison then put a hand on the woman's shoulder and edged away, as someone awkwardly avoiding the eye of a panhandler on the street. The incredible part was not even the lack of instinctive empathy, the failure to take the woman aside to engage with her in some way. The incredible part was that this woman was not even particularly hostile, and what she asked for more money is well within the power of a prime minister to promise, or at least commit to looking into. Loading A few moments later, he is shown being roundly abused by locals, and beats a hasty retreat. Separate footage shows him again imposing a prime ministerial handshake on a firefighter who clearly wishes to refuse him. Morrison stands about awkwardly for a moment before wandering off. On Friday, he handled a friendlier crowd in Victoria with a bit more assurance. Every prime minister faces angry constituents and every prime minister deals with them according to his or her own style. In 2018, at the national apology to the survivors of institutional sex abuse, Morrison was heckled by angry, traumatised survivors in the Great Hall of Parliament (where Gillard, who initiated the royal commission, was cheered and embraced). Scott Morrison got a friendlier reception in Gippsland. Credit:Joe Armao He took it humbly. Later that day, he walked out to the Parliament forecourt, where the survivors had gathered, and spent time talking quietly with them and sympathising with them. But that was on his turf, in an environment he felt comfortable in, a short walk from the refuge of the blue carpeted-PMO. The Indian market felt the heat of rising tensions between the United States and Iran which pushed prices of safe-haven assets higher and dragged riskier equities lower on January 3. Major markets across the globe declined, global crude oil prices rose about 4 percent and gold and other safe-haven assets jumped as the US killing of a top Iranian commander in an airstrike in Iraq stoked tensions in West Asia. The Sensex ended 162 points, or 0.39 percent, down at 41,464.61, while the NSE benchmark Nifty settled with a loss of 56 points, or 0.45 percent, at 12,226.65. For the week, both the Sensex and Nifty shed around 0.3 percent each. The Nifty Midcap Index is the only major index to end the week with gains of nearly 2 percent, while the volatility index, India VIX, recorded its best weekly gain since August 2019, up over 20 percent. The Nifty was near its all-time high of 12,293 on January 2. On January 3, however, the index fell from the upper end of the consolidation zone. The index closed negative for the second consecutive week. "Investors turned cautious as tensions emerge in West Asia. Crude oil prices rose, while the strong dollar held IT and pharma stocks higher. With market testing new highs, the 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 at Geojit Financial Services. We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades: Key support and resistance level for Nifty According to the pivot charts, the key support level for Nifty is placed at 12,190.13, followed by 12,153.57. If the index continues moving up, key resistance levels to watch out for are 12,264.43 and 12,302.17. Nifty Bank Nifty Bank closed 1.15 percent down at 32,069.25. The important pivot level, which will act as crucial support for the index, is placed at 31,909.8, followed by 31,750.4. On the upside, key resistance levels are placed at 32,279.21 and 32,489.2. Call options data Maximum call open interest (OI) of 23.94 lakh contracts was seen at the 12,500 strike price. It will act as a crucial resistance level in the January series. This is followed by 12,200 strike price, which holds 17.09 lakh contracts in open interest, and 12,700, which has accumulated 17.09 lakh contracts in open interest. Significant call writing was seen at the 12,400 strike price, which added 3.2 lakh contracts, followed by 12,200 strike price that added 2.3 lakh contracts. Call unwinding was witnessed at 12,000 strike price, which shed 39,300 contracts, followed by 12,100 which shed 25,500 contracts. Put options data Maximum put open interest of 39.84 lakh contracts was seen at 12,000 strike price, which will act as crucial support in the January series. This is followed by 12,200 strike price, which holds 20.86 lakh contracts in open interest, and 11,800 strike price, which has accumulated 15 lakh contracts in open interest. Put writing was seen at the 12,200 strike price, which added nearly 1.54 lakh contracts, followed by 11,900 strike, which added 1.44 lakh contracts. Put unwinding was seen at 12,300 strike price, which shed 1.15 lakh contracts. Stocks with a high delivery percentage A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in these stocks. 21 stocks saw long buildup Based on open interest (OI) future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which long buildup was seen. 70 stocks saw long unwinding 46 stocks saw short build-up An increase in open interest, along with a decrease in price, mostly indicates a build-up of short positions. Based on open interest (OI) future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which short build-up was seen. 9 stocks witnessed short-covering A decrease in open interest, along with an increase in price, mostly indicates a short covering. Based on open interest (OI) future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which short-covering was seen. Bulk deals (For more bulk deals, click here) Upcoming analyst or board meetings/briefings Infomedia Press: Meeting of the Board of Directors of the company will be held on January 10, 2020, to consider and approve the unaudited financial results of the company for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2019. Delta Corp: A meeting of Board of Directors will be held on January 13 to consider and approve the financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2019, and to consider and if thought fit declaration of interim dividend. Bandhan Bank: A meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on January 14 to consider and approve the financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. Stocks in News Ashoka Buildcon: Arm executes concession agreement worth Rs 1,000 crore with NHAI. Tata Motors December auto sales: Total JLR US sales went down 2 percent at 13,801 units against 14,079 units (YoY). Total Jaguar US sales reduced 4.4 percent at 3,311 units against 3,462 units (YoY). HDFC: Cuts retail prime lending rate on housing loans by 5 bps w.e.f January 6. Manpasand Beverages: Dhirendra Singh appointed as MD with effect from January 3 for a period of 5 years. Abhishek Singh appointed as whole-time Director with effect from January 3 for a period of 5 years. KPI Global: Commissions additional 1.20 MW solar power project w.e.f. November 29 in Bharuch. State Bank of India: Six employee unions to be on nationwide bank strike on January 8. Adani Ports: Intends to acquire 75 percent stake in Krishnapatnam Port Co. for Rs 13,572 crore. Sobha: October-December sales volume up 17 percent at 1.1 million sq ft YoY. HDFC: To raise up to Rs 5,000 crore Via 5-Year bonds on January 7 at 7.5 percent. Force Motors December Auto Sales: December total sales grew 48.3 percent at 2,517 units against 1,697 units (YoY). Bank of Baroda: To consider raising funds Via debt on January 8. Birlasoft: Rajeev Gupta resigned as CFO, effective March 31. Dixon Technologies: The company has inked a pact with Samsung India Electronics for manufacturing LED TVs for the latter. Info Edge: The company said it will divest its total shareholding in Applect Learning Systems (Meritnation) to Aakash Educational Services for Rs 50 crore. FII and DII data Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth Rs 1263.05 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), sold shares of worth Rs 1029.2 crore in the Indian equity market on January 3, provisional data available on the NSE showed. Fund flow Stock under F&O ban on NSE Yes Bank is under the F&O ban for January 6. Securities in the ban period under the F&O segment include companies in which the security has crossed 95 percent of the market-wide position limit. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Verizon Fios customers in Syracuse will now be able to watch local Fox channels after the two companies resolved a contract dipsute. Fox Syracuse (WSYT) and Verizon Fios had previously failed to reach a deal to keep WSYT on the air with Verizons cable provider, Fios. The following four Fox stations have been restored for customers: WSYT Fox 68, WSYT Zuus Country, WNYS My Network TV and WNYS getTV. Before the contract dispute was resolved, a Verizon spokesman said the owners of WSYT demanded a huge rate hike Verizon pays to broadcast the station. The owners of WSYT had demanded Verizon pay increases of over 70% so customers can continue watching their channel - increases that were not willing to pass on to our customers," said David Weissmann, communications manager for Verizon Consumer Group. This is like the price of gas going from $2.99 a gallon to over $5 overnight. But the CEO of Foxs parent company, Cox Media Group, said every other local TV provider has been able to reach an agreement to carry Fox channels. Our competitors offer nowhere near the same high-quality, compelling programming that our stations provide to their local communities, said Cox CEO Kim Guthrie. "Verizon is seeking the right to carry our stations at well below current market rates and on terms that no other video provider has demanded. Fox has been blacked out for customers of different TV companies three times in the last three years over contract disputes. DirecTV removed the station in 2019 and Spectrum removed it in 2018 (both disputes were eventually resolved). A blackout over a similar dispute at the beginning of 2017 lasted about five weeks. 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. Autocratic governments do not like freedom of speech, says Benyamin. He says the conviction within people that prompts them to rebel against dominant forces and act in ways that could even land them in prison should serve as a lesson to all governments. This is not the story of a single nation. It can happen anywhere, at any time. So I thought I must write about it, says Benyamin. His latest novel, a sequel to his JCB Prize-winning book Jasmine Days, explores the lives of people in a fictional Middle Eastern city, in the aftermath of a failed revolution. He recalls having planned one novel to narrate the events of the uprising against an autocratic system. The sequel took shape only when he realised that he was in fact telling two stories: one, of the incidents that occurred during the revolution, and two, of events that transpired following the uprising. Al Arabian Novel Factory begins with the story of Pratap, an investigative journalist from Toronto who is sent on an assignment that involves travelling to several countries and researching for an author putting together a new book. Prataps first stop is the City, filled with people who have survived the Jasmine revolution, living in the shadow of a dominant power, with spies and officials lurking in every corner of the street. Originally from Kerala, the author lived and worked in the Kingdom of Bahrain for two decades. Upon first setting foot in the Arab country, he wondered how people could live peacefully under an autocratic regime and not raise their voices against the oppression. But I gradually understood, he notes, all of them are not satisfied. Many have political visions and democratic ambitions. But they are suppressed and their dreams are restlessly sleeping. These dreams were realised when the Jasmine revolution broke out; the subsequent series of protests across the Middle East would come to be known as the Arab Spring. A time of conflict and turmoil, these uprisings sought to overthrow a state-controlled economy, calling for democratisation and fair elections. As a first-hand witness of the protests, strikes and riots, Benyamin remembers how the police and military treated the rioters, how a society was divided in the name of sects, and how a revolution was suppressed. He also witnessed the derogatory treatment accorded to migrant labourers. Once, while at medical college, he remembers seeing these workers brought to the hospital after being beaten up by the locals. Their only crime: they were migrants. In a third-world country, the author emphasises, the immigrant community is the first one to come under fire during times of internal strife. Innocents are accused and blamed for the conflict. People demand that they be deported. His identity was questioned too, Benyamin admits, and his work aims to address these concerns. * In writing Jasmine Days and its sequel, Benyamin attempts to discuss the face and attitude of an overpowering government towards its people. In Jasmine Days, the story follows Sameera, a radio jockey living in the fictional 'City' who writes A Spring Without Fragrance, a book describing the events of the revolution as it unfolds around her. Following the uprising, in Al Arabian Novel Factory, this book is banned in the City, and a reader can get into trouble for even searching for a copy. Yet, some courageous people across the globe ensure that the text reaches every corner of the world. "In the age of the internet and social media, censorship or bans are a senseless act. Nobody can stop the spread of words, the author explains. What will happen to a book which is written in one place and banned in another? How can a ruler stop people from reading? What can they do to a person who has already read the book and entered the country? Will they kill him? are some of the pertinent questions he raises through the novel. Autocratic governments do not like freedom of speech, says Benyamin. In such states, any criticism will be considered "anti-national". When Pratap embarks on a search of the book and starts reading Sameeras account of the revolution, you wait with bated breath to witness the inevitable catastrophe that will befall him and his colleagues. They pay a steep price for reading literature that was never supposed to fall in the hands of the citizens of the City. Benyamin maintains that this conviction within people that prompts them to rebel against dominant forces and act in ways that could even land them in prison should serve as a lesson to all governments. They must pay heed to the demands of the people. Drawing attention to India, he says that our government wants to play "religious politics" and escape having to deal with real issues. No such state was spared from the common peoples rage, he adds. Translated into English by Shahnaz Habib, Benyamins new book is peopled by colourful characters and their myriad emotions. There is Daisy, unlucky in love; Pratap, going to increasingly dangerous even criminal lengths to find his lost love Jasmine; and Perumal, Daisys husband, helpless after discovering his wifes love for another man. Each of his characters, Benyamin explains, represents different forms of the mind. Each of them have different opinions about love, courage and even marriage. In Al Arabian Novel Factory, Pratap jumps at the opportunity to visit the City so as to search for Jasmine, the love of his youth, with whom he has recently connected over the internet. Both Pratap and Jasmine are married to different people but find solace in writing to each other. Of the strain that such relationships might put on a marriage, Benyamin quotes a character from his novel: Marriage is not a supermarket where you can get all the items you need, it's just a small grocery. You get only very essential items from there. This not only highlights the stark issues inherent in matrimony as a social institution, but also begets the question of the significance of marriage in the modern world as a relationship based on mutual love, trust, and companionship. In response to the question of Pratap and Jasmines friendship in the context of their respective marriages, Benyamin suggests that one must not expect everything from a partner. A human being has vast interests and one must look beyond the partner, perhaps to find a friend to fulfill those mental needs. To be relieved from narrow thoughts is to acknowledge that a partner will not enjoy all the same interests of an individual. As an institution, marriage is proving to be an utter failure because of its patriarchal structure, the selfishness and ego it harbours, he remarks. A recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Benyamin's books have been translated into several languages. According to him, this is a prosperous time for Malayalam literature from the point of view of translation. A decade ago, he says, this was not the scenario and getting translated and published was a Herculean task. Nobody considered regional fiction as important as English fiction writing. The author, who has previously authored the popular novel Goat Days (Aadujeevitham) which explored the life of an Indian labourer in Saudi Arabia, has already started envisioning a new story around the history of Travancore in Kerala. He dreams in Malayalam, he says, and those ideas translate into his novels because it is the only language in which he can express himself fluently and thoroughly. Benyamins Al Arabian Novel Factory has been published by Juggernaut Books - President Donald Trump has said US has identified 52 sites to attack in Iran - He said those sites are very important to Iran and are of great cultural value to the Middle East country - Trump said the attacks will hit the country fast and hard should it revenge Soleimani's killing - The world's powerful president remained unapologetic over killing of the military general United States President Donald Trump has threatened to stage more attacks in Iran should it make real its threats to revenge the killing of military general Qassem Soleimani. Trump said the US has already identified 52 high-profile sites in Iran that it will strike should the Middle East country revenge. READ ALSO: Somali man alleged to be Betty Kyallo's new lover distances himself from news anchor Trump says the US will stage a deadly strike in Iran should it revenge Soleiman's death. Photo: CNN Source: UGC READ ALSO: Nakuru family finds KSh 36K in old currency notes hidden in house 14 years ago In a Twitter post on Sunday, January 5, the world's powerful president said he was unapologetic for killing Soleimani and maintained the Iranian general was a terrorist leader who had killed several Americans and wounded others. "He was already attacking our embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years," said Trump. The number of chosen sites was meant to match the number of hostages taken in the 1979 takeover of the US embassy. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Photo: PBS News Hour Source: UGC READ ALSO: Nathael Julan: 23-year-old French striker dies in car accident "Let this serve as a warning that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level and important to Iran and the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, will be hit very fast and very hard. The USA wants no more threats!" said Trump. Tension between the US and Middle East countries has risen following the killing of the military general in an airstrike at an airport in Baghdad. The US remained unapologetic over the killing saying the deceased was responsible for a recent attack at US embassy in Baghdad. Mourners surround a car carrying Qasem Soleimani's coffin on Saturday in Baghdad. Source: Getty Images READ ALSO: 11 lovely photos of Senator Murkomen on romantic hike in the village with wife Soleimani was killed alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces. Mourners in Iraq chanted "Death to America" at a funeral procession for Soleimani and al-Muhandis. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday the US had committed a "grave mistake" in killing their commander. "The Americans did not understand what grave mistake they committed," Rouhani said while visiting the house of Soleimani's family in Tehran. Rouhani has since mobilised other leaders in the region to support Iran in the war to end dominance of America in the region in what some say may be the beginning of Third World War. Meanwhile, Iran embassy in Kenya invited Kenyans to join in praying for the slain general and al-Muhandis at Jaffery Islamic Centre Mosque in Lavington on Sunday, January 5. 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 Source: TUKO.co.ke Loading Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester tweeted at 3.50pm on Saturday he was "disappointed to report the Spartan aircraft unable to land at Mallacoota due to poor visibility and couldn't bring anyone out, or deliver supplies at present". "Hopefully conditions will improve and and all aircraft based at East Sale RAAF Base will be back in action," Mr Chester, who is the Member for Gippsland, tweeted. Sarah Beer, who has children aged 1 and 3, said the sky had turned black on Saturday afternoon and their caravan on the foreshore was being soaked with water as a precaution. Its pitch black outside now so I am a little bit scared - we are getting another attack coming through, she said. Ms Beer said they were told that only able-bodied adults and school-aged children would be evacuated via HMAS Choules. Sarah Beer with daughter Elsie and son Xavier holed up in the caravan. Credit:Justin McManus About 1100 people - along with their belongings and pets - were safely evacuated on Friday aboard Navy ships HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore. In hindsight, Ms Beer wishes she had been on a ship. It was put to us we didnt have a choice, she said. Both of my children have shown respiratory issues because of four days of constant smoke. We need to get out of the smoke but there are no planes or choppers going anywhere. We are still stuck. Mike and daughter Elsie wait for help getting out of fire-ravaged Mallacoota. Credit:Justin McManus Tim Buckley, who was holidaying in Mallacoota with his Canadian wife and children aged 2 and 5, queued to register for evacuation. However Mr Buckley said his file was marked V for vulnerable, because he had small children, and was told he would instead be airlifted out of the town on Friday night. One of the biggest ironies of the situation is people who were marked with a V are still here, Mr Buckley said. Tim Buckley, Meaghan Wegg and children Jackson and Georgia are stranded in Mallacoota. Credit:Justin McManus Mr Buckleys family spent Friday night on the floor of the Mallacoota Cinema after both a Chinook helicopter and RAAF Spartan military transport aircraft were unable to land at Mallacoota airport. He said they went to the cinema at midnight when the aircraft were unable to land because they had packed up their tent and left it in a car in the middle of town and donated all their food and supplies. Loading There were several Red Cross ladies at the cinema who were just awesome, Mr Buckley said. He said the Red Cross women had donated their own houses to stranded families with young children and were themselves sleeping on mats on the cinema floor. Mr Buckley said it was a bit of an emotional blow when the aircraft had been unable to land after circling overhead and the operations manager informed them their flights had been cancelled. However, he said his children were OK and had enjoyed the adventure of sleeping on the cinema floor. I asked my five-year-old if he liked Mallacoota and he said he loved it, Mr Buckley said. But I think its going to be a hard sell to bring my wife back here. The family and 21 others were taken back to the airport on Saturday afternoon to be choppered out on a Black Hawk or Chinook. However the flights were again cancelled and the group bussed back to the cinema. Its pitch black here again, Mr Buckley texted on Saturday afternoon. Were on a bus full of elderly, young children, babies and someone with a disability. German Kai Kirschbaum, who was holidaying in Mallacoota with his wife Deniz and three children aged between 1 and 5, were also among those stranded. Yesterday the boats went with people sufficiently fit or children beyond school age and therefore we are basically still waiting to be carried out by aircraft, Mr Kirschbaum said. Two recent cases of nepotism make Onondaga County look awfully swampy. Twice in the past week, people in power sought to hire family members. When relatives are put on the public payroll, it undermines confidence that government is being administered for the peoples benefit. It causes them to ask: Did the best person get the job, or did it go to the person with the closest connections? Worse, the public officials involved know what they are doing is unethical, and are unapologetic about it. Solvay Police Chief Allen Wood wants to hire his son as a Solvay police officer, a blatant violation of a local law that prohibits department heads from directly supervising their relatives. The village board is considering appointing Woods son anyway, against the advice of its lawyer and the opposition of Solvay Mayor Derek Baichi. Solvays government already is a mess, thanks to Baichis bad behavior in public meetings and conflicts with his fellow village officials. The last thing Solvay needs is another controversy or a lawsuit. The villages anti-nepotism policy is clear. The board simply ought to obey it. Board members should choose another qualified candidate, or send the chief back to the civil service list to find one. If Woods son would make such a good police officer, he should have no trouble catching on with another local department. Lots of them are hiring. Last week, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick hired his daughter, Sara, to be a prosecutor in his office. Before voters re-elected him in November for an eighth, four-year term, Fitzpatrick should have disclosed that he intended to hire his daughter. The DA was brazen about the nepotism: To those ... who question the hiring and say she has an advantage because shes my daughter, youre right." Ultimately, Sara will rise or fall on her own abilities, Fitzpatrick said. Please. What supervisor or co-worker will have the temerity to bring any performance issues to the boss, who also happens to be her father? Sara Fitzpatrick might well be qualified for the job. Other candidates might have been better qualified. Nepotism also is unfair to the relative who was hired. For the duration of her career in the Onondaga County DAs office, Sara Fitzpatrick will have to contend with the notion that she only got the job because she is the bosss daughter, or is getting special treatment for the same reason. Federal and state laws prohibit nepotism in government, and for good reason. In addition to undermining the publics trust in government, its bad for workplace morale. Co-workers perceive the bosss relative to have more power than he or she has earned, or given responsibilities beyond his or her experience. Onondaga County does not have a law on the books prohibiting county officials from hiring their relatives. Its time it did. About Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte, Jason Murray and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Post a comment below, or submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines. If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader, at mmorelli@syracuse.com 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. My husband doesnt want me to look after my granddaughter If you have a problem, email z.west-meads@you.co.uk. Zelda reads all your letters but regrets that she cannot answer them all personally Im worried that my husband is not as nice as I thought he was when we met eight years ago. My daughter has a four-month-old baby and is due to return to work as a nurse part time in a couple of months. She has asked me to look after her daughter two days a week. I adore my new grandchild and would happily do so but my husband is really against the idea. He has no children of his own and he says it will ruin his retirement plans (hes 63, Im 64). He was looking forward to a quiet life and he wants to go on holiday more if Im taking care of my granddaughter (and any future grandchildren) we will be stuck at home. He is being quite belligerent about it and asks why my granddaughter cant go to a childminder. I explained that I would much rather look after her myself and that my daughter and her husband would really struggle to afford childcare. When I said that it could be nice that we could sometimes take my granddaughter out for the day and he could get to know her and enjoy being a step-grandfather he said that he had no interest in that and if I was with my granddaughter, he would do something else for the day. I was shocked and now I dont know what to think. Unfortunately, it sounds as though you and your husband have very different priorities and he may not be the person you thought he was. I do have some sympathy for him, as he hasnt got children himself, so may have imagined his future very differently and didnt expect to be an involved step-grandparent. However, he knew that you had grown-up children when he married you and he could perhaps have anticipated that you would become a grandparent and would want to be involved. It sounds as though hes a little jealous of the time you spend with your daughter and grandchild and he may feel as though you should put him and his needs first but Im afraid that this doesnt say a lot for him. You can still go on holiday together which is important and if he really loves you he should want to support you in helping out your daughter. It is only for a few years 63 is still relatively young and there would still be plenty of time left for a quiet life and travelling when your grandchildren are older and at school. It is shocking that your husband doesnt plan to get involved at all. I think that, unfortunately, you could quickly come to resent this and sadly in time it could affect your love for him. Perhaps you should tell him this. I feel guilty that Im so happy with my new love Three years ago, my wife died of cancer. We were happy and she was a great mum to our two children (now ten and 14). I loved her but I was probably not in love with her. Now, however, I have been lucky enough to meet the love of my life. We have so much in common and she is amazingly kind I have realised that I have stronger feelings for her than I ever had for my wife. The trouble is I feel so guilty. We have been together for six months and I want her to meet my friends and, of course, my children but I feel that it will be so obvious that I am madly in love and that they will see it somehow as if I am betraying my late wife. Try not to worry so much. In your longer letter, you also say that you feel guilty because you know that if your wife hadnt died, you would never have met this woman. These thoughts are very normal and I assure you there is no need to feel guilty. It is not as though you wished your wife dead. You were a good and loyal husband, and losing the mother of your children was incredibly painful for you. You cant help the way you feel. It is wonderful that you have fallen in love so deeply. Just confide in one or two really close friends so that you have an opportunity to talk about your new love. With your children, take it slowly and let them get to know her gradually. She sounds lovely and as she is so kind, hopefully she will be a good stepmother. I am sure your children will learn to love her, too, which may be just what they need after such an early and tragic loss. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Chef Fernando Olea had a soft reopening in mind for Sazon, the New World cuisine restaurant on Shelby Street that was closed for seven months after a Mothers Day fire. But the only soft day was Dec. 12, the day we reopened, said Olea. Weve been sold out every day since then. Helping to drive the restaurants bookings is its rating as the top restaurant in Santa Fe on the website TripAdvisor. Olea said he doesnt look at reviews, but has heard from his employees and customers about his restaurants TripAdvisor ranking, which stood at No. 1 on Jan. 2 and has sometimes dipped to No. 2 since its reopening. The TripAdvisor kudos is just the latest honor for Sazon, which is a AAA Four Diamond winner, and Olea, its chef and co-owner along with Lawrence Becerra. Olea was recently named Restaurateur of the Year by the New Mexico Restaurant Association. Olea said he heard about the fire at about 9:30 a.m. on May 12 in a call from the general manager of the nearby Inn of the Governors hotel, who could see smoke pouring out from the second floor. The damage was largely confined to the second-floor office, Olea said, but the restaurant had to make improvements to come into compliance with city construction codes in order to reopen. Sazons insurance allowed Olea to collect a paycheck and cover the salaries of the restaurants roughly 30 employees during the seven months it was closed, he said. What we are most proud of is that we were able to pay our entire staff for the full seven months that we were closed, he said. We just felt it was the right thing to do. As for the chef, he said he helped supervise the renovations, but mostly he was going crazy while the eatery was shuttered. Olea, a Mexico City native who has been in Santa Fe for 28 years, opened Sazon in September 2015. Prior to that, he ran Epazote on Agua Fria across from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church for 12 years. Before that, it was Berts La Taqueria at St. Michaels Drive and Llano Street. Olea describes the menu at Sazon as New World cuisine and said his signature dish is sopa de Amor, or love soup. A sweet and savory concoction, the soup is a cream of poblano soup with a lump of blue crab that features Amaretto foam and is sprinkled with chocolate. Among the favorites cited by commenters on TripAdvisor are yellowtail crudo, the pepper-encrusted beef entree, salmon and flautitas. The Degustacion tasting menu is also a crowd pleaser. In addition to awards for its food, Sazon has won acclaim for its wine list, including The Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine in August. The wine list has an extensive selection of Baja wines from the Valle de Guadalupe, which Forbes magazine has dubbed the Napa Valley of Mexico. Tru Miller, owner of the label Adobe Guadalupe and a pioneer of Baja wines, invited Olea to cook at her August charity event to benefit Bajas Fiestas de la Vendimia. It was the first time a chef from the U.S. was chosen to participate in the event, according to a spokeswoman for Sazon. Olea said he was inspired to open his restaurant after being disappointed in eateries in cities across the U.S. that friends took him to in search of authentic Mexican cuisine. Olea said one of the best things about the reopening of Sazon was that it laid to rest the rumor that the restaurant, which seats 100 in the main dining area and 30 at the bar, was closed for good. People love to gossip, noted Olea. Many of the reservations at Sazon are coming from online services, such as OpenTable, which allow diners to book far in advance. Olea said the restaurants patrons are a mix of tourists and locals. Its amazing how supportive people have been. We received much love and many good wishes during the time that we were closed and now that weve reopened, he said. Donald Trump President Donald Trump warned Saturday that the US is targeting 52 sites in Iran and will hit them "very fast and very hard" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. In a tweet defending Friday's drone strike assassination of a top Iranian general in Iraq, Trump said 52 represents the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Trump said some of these sites are "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!" Trump took to Twitter after pro-Iran factions ramped up pressure on US installations across Iraq with missiles and warnings to Iraqi troops -- part of an outburst of fury over the killing of Soleimani, described as the second most-powerful man in Iran. The attack has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, two mortar rounds hit an area near the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday, security sources told AFP. Almost simultaneously, two rockets slammed into the Al-Balad airbase where American troops are deployed, security sources said. The Iraqi military confirmed the missile attacks in Baghdad and on al-Balad and said there were no casualties. The US military also said no coalition troops were hurt. With Americans wondering fearfully if, how and where Iran will hit back for the assassination, the Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin that said "at this time there is no specific, credible threat against the homeland. Prison Enterprises, the for-profit arm of the Louisiana Department of Corrections that uses inmate labor in various businesses, was scrutinized for the second time in two decades by the state Legislative Auditor's office, finding some of the same issues have lingered. Flash Unilateral use of force will not solve any problem but only backfire and lead to a vicious circle of confrontation, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday. Wang made the remarks during a phone conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Le Drian expounded the views of the French side on the current situation in the Middle East, stressing that France opposes the use of force in international relations and Iraq's territorial sovereignty should be respected. It is vital to preserve the Iran nuclear deal under the current circumstance, Le Drian said, adding that the French side hopes to stay in close communication with China and play a positive role in preventing the escalation of regional tensions. Wang said China shares a similar position with France on the issue. Noting that the two countries are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining world peace and stability, he said it is necessary for them to strengthen strategic communication and play a constructive role in jointly safeguarding the principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms on international ties, and opposing any unilateral use of force. The Iran nuclear deal is an important result of multilateral diplomacy, which pools painstaking efforts of all parties concerned and supports regional peace and stability in the Middle East, he stressed. Wang hopes that all sides will maintain close communication to prevent the attacks from affecting the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal. ALBANY A week after a man stabbed five people at a rabbi's home during a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Sunday highlighted that the state is making $45 million available for a grant program that helps protect religious organizations from hate crimes. Cuomo promoted the funding at the "No Hate. No Fear." march in New York City, where thousands gathered to show support and speak out against hate-fueled attacks following a rise in anti-Semitic crimes across the state. The administration said institutions can now apply for funding from the state grant program that, since its creation in 2017, has provided $25 million to bulk up security measures at day cares, community centers, schools and other institutions that could be targeted because of their faith or ideology. In 1998, then Portland Mayor Vera Katz proposed making the area's transit system fareless. A work group created by the city examined whether a regional parking tax could be used to transition Tri-Met to fareless operation. The work group's final report concluded that more modest steps to increase employer subsidies of transit passes would be more realistic in the near term. Paedophile Fred Talbot has been spotted going for a stroll in the same outfit he wore to court days after his release from prison. The disgraced weatherman, 70, was seen walking near his home in the Cheshire village of Bowdon today. Dressed in the same blue jacket that he wore during his 2015 trial, he appeared to have lost a large amount of weight, with onlookers describing him as a 'shadow of his former self'. He was freed on December 20 after serving just half of his nine-year sentence for abusing young boys when he was a teacher. Talbot was known for giving his forecasts while jumping around a large floating map of the UK on ITV's This Morning. Disgraced paedophile weatherman Fred Talbot, 70, was seen walking near his home in the Cheshire village of Bowdon today. He appeared to have lost a large amount of weight during his stay in prison A local told The Sun when he was seen out and about last week: 'He was well covered up with a big scruffy jacket and a hat, but his face is still unmistakable.' He abused pupils while working as a biology teacher at Altrincham Grammar School for boys. The pensioner was jailed for five years in 2015 for indecently assaulting two boys then in 2016 he got another five years for abusing seven boys on camping trips. Talbot (pictured during his 2015 trial at Manchester Crown Court wearing the same coat) was released on December 20 One of his victims reacted with fury when the predator was freed last month. The ex-pupil was just 14 when Talbot plied him with booze and abused him during a canal trip. The furious victim said of the release: 'I'm angry he didn't serve more time. I feel sick.' Talbot was convicted on 'overwhelming and compelling' evidence, including from Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown and a witness appearing over a video link from Australia. Mr Brown told the court that Talbot set him masturbation homework and described the teacher as a 'wrong'un'. Talbot's offences, against boys aged 15 to 17, took place between 1978 and 1981 during separate trips near the St Mary's Loch area in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, and the Caledonian Canal, Inverness in the Highlands. A series of witnesses, now men in their 50s who cannot be named for legal reasons, told of their excitement at going on the excursions - sometimes the first time away from their parents. Fred Talbot is pictured leaping around his weather map of the UK and Northern Ireland when he was a presenter on ITV's This Morning in 1990 Many of them recalled how Talbot used his position to engineer situations to target those he should have been looking after. The court heard the attacks could be at night when a victim was isolated or after they had consumed alcohol. One man told of his 'horror' when he awoke - after being 'singled out' to go to the pub - to find Talbot touching him in a tent while partially-clothed. Talbot was cleared of two charges - of indecent assault and lewd, indecent and libidinous practices - on not proven verdicts. BAGHDAD - The U.S. military presence in the Middle East was thrown into jeopardy Sunday, as Iraq's parliament voted to expel U.S. troops from their country while the leader of Lebanons Hezbollah group said the U.S. military across the region will pay the price for killing a top Iranian general. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/1/2020 (736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2019 file photo, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Pat White, III Armored Corps Commanding General, second left, and Commanding General for U.S. Central Command Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. center, take part in a transfer of authority ceremony at Union III, base in Baghdad, Iraq. On Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, Iraq's parliament voted in favor of a resolution that calls for ending foreign military presence in the country two days after an Iranian general and a top commander were killed in a U.S. airstrike. The resolution specifically calls for ending an agreement in which Washington sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, File) BAGHDAD - The U.S. military presence in the Middle East was thrown into jeopardy Sunday, as Iraq's parliament voted to expel U.S. troops from their country while the leader of Lebanons Hezbollah group said the U.S. military across the region will pay the price for killing a top Iranian general. Hassan Nasrallah said that U.S. bases, warships and soldiers in the Middle East were all fair targets after the U.S. drone strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the architect of many of Iran's regional military campaigns in recent years. The two developments were new signs of the backlash from Friday's killing of Soleimani and a number of top Iraqi officials at the Baghdad airport, and further heightened tensions in a region already on high alert and bracing for an Iranian retaliation. Supporters of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah chant slogans as he makes televised remarks at a rally in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 following the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, seen on a poster at left, and Iraqi Popular Mobilizartiin forces commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was also killed. Nasrallah called the killing of Soleimani a "clear, blatant crime" that will transform the Middle East. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Later Sunday, at least three explosions shook the Iraqi capital and sirens sounded across the Tigris River. The blasts appeared to be mortars or rockets that landed inside the heavily fortified Green Zone where the U.S. and other embassies are based, as well as the seat of Iraq's government. There was no immediate word on casualties. It was the second such attack in two days. The suicide attackers who forced the Americans to leave from our region in the past are still here and their numbers have increased, said Nasrallah. It was not clear which suicide bombings Nasrallah was referring to. But a 1983 attack on a U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killed 241 U.S. servicemen and led President Ronald Reagan to withdraw all American forces from the country. "When American troops return in coffins, when they come vertically and return horizontally to the United States of America, then Trump and his administration will know that they lost the region and will lose the elections," Nasrallah said. He added that U.S. civilians in the region should not be targeted, because attacking them would play into President Donald Trump's hands. Nasrallah spoke from an undisclosed location, and his speech was played on large screens for thousands of Shiite followers in southern Beirut, interrupted by chants of Death to America! The comments were Nasrallahs first since Soleimanis killing. A child peeks from behind a picture of slain Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani as supporters of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah gather for his televised speech in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 following the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Soleimani. The headband reads, "death to America." (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) The stark warning by Nasrallah came as Iraqs parliament voted in favour of a nonbinding resolution calling for the expulsion of U.S. troops from their country in a move that that could pave the way for a resurgence of the Islamic State group. The resolution asks the Iraqi government to end the agreement under which Washington sent forces more than four years ago to help fight the IS extremists. The bill is subject to approval by the Iraqi government but has the backing of the outgoing prime minister. Amid threats of vengeance from Iran, the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq said Sunday it is putting the battle against IS militants on hold to focus on protecting its own troops and bases. In a strong speech before lawmakers in Iraq's parliament, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said that after the killing of Soleimani, the government has two choices: End the presence of foreign troops in Iraq or restrict their mission to training Iraqi forces. He called for urgent measures to remove foreign forces including the estimated 5,200 U.S. troops. In this Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, photo, released by the U.S. military, a U.S. Marine with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines that is part of a quick reaction force, carries a sand bag during the reinforcement of the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 4, 2020. The blowback over the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general mounted Sunday, Jan. 5 as Iraq's Parliament called for the expulsion of American troops from the country a move that could allow a resurgence of the Islamic State group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kyle C. Talbot via AP) Asked shortly before the parliamentary vote whether the U.S. would comply with an Iraqi government request for American troops to leave, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would not answer directly, saying the U.S. was watching the situation. But the added: It is the United States that is prepared to help the Iraqi people get what it is they deserve and continue our mission there to take down terrorism from ISIS and others in the region, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State. Abdul-Mahdi resigned last year in response to the anti-government protests that have engulfed Baghdad and the mostly Shiite southern provinces. Political factions have been unable to agree on a new prime minister, and Abdul-Mahdi continues in a caretaker capacity. Experts said such a government is not legally authorized to sign such a law. American forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011 but returned in 2014 at the invitation of the government to help battle IS after it seized vast areas in the north and west of the country, including Iraqs second-largest city, Mosul. A U.S.-led coalition provided crucial air support as Iraqi forces, including Iran-backed militias, regrouped and drove IS out in a costly three-year campaign. A pullout of U.S. troops could could cripple the fight against the Islamic State and allow it to make a comeback. Militants affiliated with IS routinely carry out attacks in northern and western Iraq, hiding out in rugged desert and mountainous areas. Iraqi forces rely on the U.S. for logistics and weapons. An American withdrawal could also enable Iran to deepen its influence in Iraq, a majority Shiiite country like Iran. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Fox News that the parliamentary vote is a bit concerning. The Iranian government is trying to basically take over Iraqs political system. Iran is bribing Iraqi politicians. To the Iraqi people, do not allow your politicians to turn Iraq into a proxy of Iran," the South Carolina Republican said. The majority of about 180 legislators present in Parliament voted in favour of the troop-removal resolution. It was backed by most Shiite members of Parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. Killing Irans most powerful general a step Abdul-Mahdi called a "political assassination marked a turning point in U.S. Mideast policy by elevating a conflict that had previously been more of a shadow war, and by putting in doubt the Pentagons ability to keep troops in Iraq. ___ Mroue reported from Beirut. Seven people, including five members of the notorious Bawariya gang, were arrested in Sihani gate area here on Sunday, an official said. Bawariya gang is infamous for looting people after attacking them with sharp weapons, he said. During interrogation, the gang members -- Shiv Ram, Amit, Tilku, Vikas and Sonu -- confessed that they had robbed several families and recently targeted a house in the area, the official said. Police recovered two country-made pistols, four bullets and three knives from them, he said. In another incident, the city police nabbed two snatchers in Vijay Nagar area and recovered weapons from their possession, Superintendent of Police (city) Maneesh Mishra told PTI. The suspects -- Haroon and Arman -- were on a motorcycle when the policemen stopped them, he said, adding that two country-made pistols and four bullets were recovered from their possession. Haroon was carrying a reward of 25,000 on his arrest, the SP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) We'll force US Navy out of Persian Gulf soon: Iran's chief admiral Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 6:51 PM US forces and allies will soon be forced out of the Persian Gulf waters, where they have been seeking to establish a foothold for years, says Iran's navy commander. In an interview with the Tasnim news agency published on Saturday, Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said that in his view the United States has come to find itself with very little elbow room in the regional waters to advance its attempted objective of setting up a coalition to protect its interests. "We should force them out as soon as possible. God willing, this will happen and it is shaping up in various aspects already," said Khanzadi. The interview came in the wake of recent joint military drills with the participation of the naval forces of the Islamic Republic, Russia and China in regional waters. The interview was also made before the US military conducted a vicious operation in Baghdad during the early hours of Friday, assassinating Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). Khanzadi had said the United States had gone to considerable lengths to peel Russia and China away from the joint war games in the Sea of Oman and in the India Ocean in late December. He said the presence of the US Navy and its allies, including the British, in the Persian Gulf is not a matter of concern to Iran. Repeated attempts by the Pentagon, the Iranian commander said, to establish the coalition with a stated aim of policing regional waters have failed because other countries are aware of the "deceitful" nature of such an endeavor. "Each aircraft carrier dispatched to the region is deployed within 300 miles from the Iranian borders. Such massive equipment floats idly and this piles huge pressure on the Americans and the British," said Khanzadi. "Others do not wish to pay the cost for such a deceitful game. This is why no country is joining their coalition." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Grote pulled to the side of the road in the 4700 block of East 23rd Road in an unincorporated area near Sandwich. He threatened that he had a firearm and remained in his vehicle, officials said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) Nine new names have been added to the Eastwood Walk of Fame's roster, among them a big name in stand-up comedy, and one of the most beautiful women in the universe. The announcement was made Saturday by Federico Moreno, president of Walk of Fame Philippines, and the son of the late German "Kuya Germs" Moreno. The inductees are: Kim Atienza - television Catriona Gray - television Jo Koy - television Rachelle Ann Go - theater Nanette Inventor - music Jiggy Manicad - news and public affairs Jun Banaag - radio Edu Manzano - movies Alex Gonzaga - social media Moreno also said this was the first year of the "social media" category. "Ms. Rachelle Ann Go will be flying in from London to accept the honor. Jo Koy has confirmed his attendance," he said on social media. Peruvian artists collaborated to showcase the impact of climate change on the indigenous people in the country through the creation of a comic anthology. The name of the comic anthology is Puro Pero. It consists of ninety-two pages of stories that were inspired by the stories from the knowledge of ancestors provided by the locals. The stories include the locals' traditions and myths. It was created to inspire the youth to be aware of the issues involving climate change and other environmental controversies. The book contains eight stories that showcase environmental elements such as the different bodies of water (examples are lakes and rivers). It also showcases the relationship of each environmental element with each other such as the relationship of the bodies of water to the earth and mountains. According to the head of CESAL Jose Fernandez Crespo, The comic starts with a story that depicts the effect of climate change in a global setting. The remaining chapters are set in different places in Peru. CESAL is a non-government organization that piloted the La Vanguardia Project in the country. It had exerted intense efforts to showcase its support to multiple environmental issues such as the protection of riverbeds and agroforestry. According to CESAL, one of the major objectives of the comics is to give light on the negative consequences of climate change in a global setting and on a per-region setting. The target readers of the comics are children but it also aims to influence a collaboration for development in Peru, specifically in the communities between Ucayali in the Amazon and Apurimac. The comic's artists were Teresa Valero, El Rubencio, Nuria Tamarit, Alex Orbe, Ana Miralles, Calo, Pam Lopez, and Paco Roca. Each had shared their unique styles in the art of making comics. The first two chapters of the comics anthology express the worldwide effect of climate change while the remaining six chapters illustrate its effect on the region of Peru. The last six chapters included Peruvian stories. The comic anthology is free. CESAL is distributing a hard copy of the comics all over Peru and there is also a digital one. It can be downloaded by anyone on the planet through a downloadable digital version available on the internet. Climate change affects many aspects of the indigenous peoples' lifestyles. Climate change affects the number of wildlife inland and in bodies of water where most indigenous people in Peru rely on for their source of food. The migratory schedules of animals and the meat and fish that these people had been eating for years are shifting and some of the animals are becoming endangered. Clean and drinkable water from rivers is also shifting as some of the rivers in Peru are becoming endangered. One of the causes of the endangerment of some bodies of water in the region is the intense activities involving gas and oil explorations. As food and water become scarce due to climate change, many heads of the families leave their area to work in the city to provide for their families. This means that wives are left behind to take care of their home while their husbands are away. This increases the stress levels of women because of the multiple works they had to accomplish every day by themselves. A Nigerian man by the name Adebayo Moyosore has taken to the Twitter to narrate how his aunt was sacked by a Nigerian bank for no reason. According to Moyosore, his aunt received a letter from the bank after 12 years of service, asking her to resign or she will be sacked. Read Also: Are You A Creative? Get 500 Million From Uba Bank To Push Your Music, Tech Or Fashion Business In 2020 I just received a call from my aunt. UBA bank just sent her a letter last night as well as many other victims to resign, if not they will be forced out. No due process, no criminal record, over 12 years of service. Is this how Nigeria will be better in 2020? His tweet has since gone viral. HUEYTOWN, Ala.Human remains found buried in a shallow grave in a backyard has been identified as Paighton Houston, an Alabama woman who texted she feared she was in trouble before disappearing last month, police said Friday. The Trussville Police Department said in a statement that the discovered body was identified as Houston, 29. The police department said investigators recovered the body Friday in a shallow grave at the home in Hueytown, about 13 miles (20.9 kilometers) west of Birmingham. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Houston family as they begin the grieving process, police said in the statement. The Trussville woman was last seen Dec. 20 leaving a Birmingham bar with two men. Family members told news outlets that she later sent a text to a friend asking the person to answer if she called because she didnt know who she was with and I feel in trouble. Her family had posted social media pleas for information about their daughter since her disappearance. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey had issued a $5,000 reward in the case. Lynneice Washington, district attorney for the Bessemer Cutoff District of Jefferson County, told news outlets Friday that police searched the area after receiving tips in the case. The womans body was found wrapped in cloth in a shallow grave in the backyard. Its always hard whenever you find remains of a person because there are family members. The only thing we can do at this point is to try to give them justice, Washington said before the body was identified. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office is taking the lead in the investigation, Chief Deputy David Agee told reporters. Right now, we have a lot more questions than answers, but we hope to have those answers soon, Agee said. Photograph: US Army/Reuters In the aftermath of the US drone strike that killed the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in Baghdad, the phrase World War III began trending on social media. More startlingly, a US government agency which registers young men for a potential military draft saw its website crash. Related: Iranian Americans on edge as tensions surge: 'The fear is palpable' Due to the spread of misinformation, the Selective Service System (SSS) tweeted on Friday, our website is experiencing high traffic volumes at this time We appreciate your patience. It added that it was conducting business as usual and emphasised that a return to the draft is not imminent: In the event that a national emergency necessitates a draft, Congress and the president would need to pass official legislation. On Saturday, as Twitter panic subsided, the SSS website was up and running, if slowly. The US first drafted soldiers during the civil war in the 1860s, prompting deadly, racist riots. A hundred years later, opposition to conscription fuelled protests against the Vietnam war. There has been no draft since 1973. I think its fair to say that the draft has never been wildly popular, Jennifer Mittelstadt, a history professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey, told the New York Times. Experts including Mittelstadt, however, have said reinstating the draft might in fact help build a more inclusive society. Should the US and Iran go to war, Americas fighting will be done by its volunteer military, about 1.3 million strong and dominated in the enlisted ranks by recruits from working-class and minority groups. Writing for the Guardian in 2014, the long-serving New York Democratic congressman Charles Rangel said: The same familiar faces have served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. A more inclusive military draft would compel everyone in the nation to stop and rethink about who we send to wars, how we fight and why we fight them at all. All American men aged 18 to 25 are required by law to register with the SSS. Many do so when applying for a drivers license or applying for student loans. Those who do not register cannot receive federal financial aid or work for the federal government. Story continues Related: The US military is as unequal as America. Want a fair fight? Reinstate the draft | Rep Charles B Rangel The agency says it has registered 91% of eligible men. Despite playing an increasing role in the US military and filling combat roles, women are not required to register. A return to the draft may remain unlikely, but the SSS says it is prepared to rapidly provide personnel in a fair and equitable manner while managing an alternative service program for conscientious objectors. According to the agencys website: Current plans are frequently tested, evaluated, and revised as necessary. If implemented, they will guide the Selective Service System in making a smooth transition from current reduced readiness levels to full conscription within six months. The Russian government has published a plan to adapt the economy and population to climate change, aiming to mitigate damage but also use the advantages of warmer temperatures. The document, published on the government website on Saturday, outlines a plan of action and admits that changes in the climate have had a prominent and increasing effect on socioeconomic development, peoples lives, health and industry. Russia is warming 2.5 times quicker than the planet on average, and the two-year first stage plan is an indication that the government officially recognises this as a problem, even though President Vladimir Putin denies that human activity is the cause. It lists preventive measures such as dam building or switching to more drought-resistant crops, as well as crisis preparations including emergency vaccinations or evacuations in case of a disaster. The plan is needed to lower the losses and use the advantages. It says climate change poses risks to public health, endangers permafrost, increases the likelihood of infections and natural disasters. It also can lead to different species being pushed out of their usual habitats. Possible positive effects are decreased energy use in cold regions, expanding agricultural areas and navigational opportunities in the Arctic ocean. Unseasonably warm Christmas The document lays the groundwork for various agencies and stresses the need for more research on economic vulnerabilities, without detailing financing. Among a list of 30 measures, the government will calculate risks of Russian products becoming uncompetitive and failing to meet new climate-related standards as well as prepare new educational materials to teach climate change in schools. Russia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with vast Arctic regions and infrastructure built over permafrost. Recent floods and wildfires have been among the planets worst climate-related disasters. Russia formally adopted the Paris climate accord in September of last year and criticised the US withdrawal from the pact. Putin however has repeatedly denied the scientific consensus that climate change is primarily caused by man-made emissions, blaming it last month on some processes in the universe. He has also criticised Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, painting her as an uninformed impressionable teenager possibly being used in someones interests. He also voiced scepticism on numerous occasions about solar and wind energy, expressing alarm about the danger of turbines to birds and worms, causing them to come out of the ground by vibrating. While there is evidence of that large wind-power installations can pose a risk to birds, known research does not suggest they harm worms. On Sunday, Russias meteorological service predicted temperatures up to 16 degrees Celsius higher than normal Monday and Tuesday, when Russia celebrates Orthodox Christmas. Weather on Christmas will be warmer than normal almost on the entire Russian territory, it said on its website. The service said temperatures were expected to be four to eight degrees higher than normal in the European part of the country, and 10 to 16 degrees higher beyond the Urals. SOURCE: AFP | PHOTO: AFP Korean and Japanese lawmakers met in Tokyo, July 31, to discuss ways to find a breakthrough in relations following Tokyo's imposition of trade restrictions against Korean firms. Korea Times file By Park Ji-won Members of the National Assembly Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union will visit Japan this week for a meeting with their Japanese counterparts. They will discuss measures to create a breakthrough in the chilled relations between Seoul and Tokyo as a possible liquidation of Japanese companies' assets nears. According to political sources, several lawmakers of the bipartisan Korean parliamentary body aimed at boosting friendly relations between lawmakers from the neighboring countries will visit Tokyo from Wednesday to Saturday to meet key Japanese lawmakers. The Korean representatives include Kang Chang-il, head of the organization and a member of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK); Yun Ho-jung of the DPK; Lee Jin-bok and Kim Seok-ki of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) and Chung Dong-young of the Party for Democracy and Peace. They will try to find an "exit-strategy" over a Korean Supreme Court ruling ordering Japanese companies to compensate Koreans forced to work for them before and during World War II, and the liquidation of the assets here of those firms that refuse to do so. The liquidation is expected to happen between March and May. One option is to discuss the effectiveness of National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang's proposal to establish a fund with "voluntary" financial contributions from South Korean and Japanese companies, as well as individuals. However, this suggestion was rejected by Korean civic organizations. The move comes as relations between the two countries are at their lowest point in years after Japan opposed the ruling and took "retaliatory" economic measures. Tokyo also pledged further measures, including visa restrictions on Korean citizens and additional export controls if the liquidations take place. The union is also pushing for a meeting with Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). However, this is unlikely as Nikai has rejected official requests for meetings with Korean lawmakers since last year, citing his busy schedule. His response is considered to be a political move to show his opposition to the Korean court's ruling. The group of lawmakers is scheduled to have dinner with Fukushiro Nukaga, who heads the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union and is a member of the LDP, Wednesday; meet Korean businessmen in Tokyo, Thursday; and have dinner with Takeo Kawamura, a senior member of the Japanese bipartisan body and an LDP member the same day. The group also plans to attend a New Year's event of the Korean Residents Union, Friday, and hold a joint meeting between lawmakers of the parliamentarians' unions of both countries. File image BJP Working President J P Nadda Saturday said senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has no knowledge about the Citizenship Amendment Act and challenged him to speak "ten lines" on it. Nadda threw the challenge at Rahul Gandhi at a mammoth rally here of booth-level presidents of BJP in Assam. "I challenge Rahul Gandhi to speak ten lines about the CAA and say in two lines what he opposes in the Act," said the BJP leader. "He (Rahul) does not know anything. He tells people they will be deprived of their passports and Aadhaar cards. But the CAA is for giving and not taking away citizenship," Nadda said. "There is fault in your (Gandhi's) thinking as you are inspired only by politics. You don't see the nation, but see only votebank politics which you put above the nation. For BJP, the country is above vote as we are inspired by love for the nation," he asserted. Nadda accused Congress leadership of shedding crocodile tears in the name of opposing CAA. "Your (Sonia Gandhi) son (Rahul) does not make statements in Parliament but instead gives slogans. You send him there to speak, but he does not. I take pity on the party and its leadership's mental ability". Keeping up his attack on the Congress, the BJP working president said "The Assam Accord was signed in 1985 and you slept till 2017 despite ruling the country for 70 year. You even had a chief minister here. But BJP came and woke you. You are in pain because the chair was taken away from you", Nadda said. He also challenged the Congress leaders to go to the camps where non-Muslims who fled Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh due to religious persecution in those countries are staying to see for themselves their condition. The BJP working president referred to Mahatma Gandhi saying shelter should be given to such persecuted people in India, followed by prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru wanting to give relief funds to them and former prime minister Manmohan Singh saying arrangements be made for them in India. "Where will these people who fled to India go? Narendra Modi and Amit Shah brought the amendment in the Act to allow them to live with dignity and honour", Nadda said. The BJP leader sought to allay the fears of the people of Assam that CAA will threaten their language, identity and culture. He said when the amended act is implemented, clause 6 of Assam Accord granting them constitutional safeguard will be implemented in letter and spirit as it will be "the responsibility of BJP to do so". BJP leader Ram Madhav, who too spoke at the programme, said that those who oppose the CAA do not understand it fully, while others don't want to. He accused the Congress of instigating people with lies and false propaganda about the amended act and said that BJP workers have the responsibility to remove those fears. He assured the people that CAA will never harm their interests but safeguard them. Claiming that the Congress has been spreading false alarm that crores of Bangladeshis will come to Assam due to CAA, he assured that no new immigrants will enter the state and citizenship will be granted to those who are already here after fleeing their countries due to religious persecution. The Iraqi military has said 22 ballistic missiles were fired at two bases used by US and coalition forces in Iraq, as Iran claimed responsibility and dozens of casualties, in a dramatic development of the crisis sparked by the killing of Qassem Soleimani. The Pentagon confirmed Wednesdays early morning attacks on the al-Asad and Erbil facilities saying they were still evaluating the damage and their response. President Donald Trump downplayed the reports of wounded and dead saying assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! Iranian state television, however, claimed 80 American terrorists had been killed and US helicopters and military equipment damaged, but offered no evidence of how it obtained that information. Iraqs military said there were no Iraqis injured in the assault, adding that 17 missiles landed on al-Asad base in the western province of Anbar and five on Erbil city, the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan region. The Iraqi prime ministry condemned "any attacks on its territory" adding that Iran notified Baghdad shortly after midnight that its response to the killing of its top military commander had begun, and that retaliation would be limited to locations where the US military is present. Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Show all 24 1 /24 Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Kerman - Final stage of funeral processions Iranian mourners gather around a vehicle carrying the coffin of top general Qasem Soleimani during the final stage of funeral processions, in his hometown Kerman. Soleimani was killed outside Baghdad airport in a drone strike ordered by US President Donald Trump, ratcheting up tensions with Iran which has vowed "severe revenge" AFP via Getty Images Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran Iranian people carry a coffin of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani during a funeral procession in Tehran Official Khamenei website via Reuters Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Kerman - Final stage of funeral processions The assassination of the 62-year-old heightened international concern about a new war in the volatile, oil-rich Middle East and rattled financial markets AFP via Getty Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Kerman - Final stage of funeral processions West Asia News Agency via Reuters Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran Mourners packed the streets of Tehran for ceremonies to pay homage to Soleimani, who spearheaded Iran's Middle East operations as commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force and was killed in a US drone strike on January 3 Iranian Supreme Leader's Office/EPA Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Kerman - Final stage of funeral processions AFP via Getty Images Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran Iranians set a US and an Israeli flag on fire during the funeral procession AFP via Getty Images Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, centre, with Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, second left, and President Hassan Rouhani, third left, standing next to him as he leads a prayer over the caskets of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at Tehran University Khamenei.IR/AFP via Getty Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Kerman - Final stage of funeral processions AP Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, openly weeps as he leads a prayer over the coffin of Qassem Soleimani AP Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran Mourners holding posters of Qassem Soleimani AP Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran 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, at the Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square AP Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Kerman - Final stage of funeral processions An Iranian mourner holds a placard AFP via Getty Images Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran Downtown Tehran was brought to a standstill as mourners flooded the Iranian capital Khamenei.IR/AFP via Getty Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran Former Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps chief Mohamad Ali Jafari prays on the coffins of Qasem Soleimani and of other victims during their funeral ceremony EPA Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Kerman - Final stage of funeral processions AFP via Getty Images Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran EPA Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran EPA Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Kerman - Final stage of funeral processions West Asia News Agency via Reuters Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran Official Khamenei website via Reuters Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Kerman - Final stage of funeral processions AFP via Getty Images Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Kerman - Final stage of funeral processions West Asia News Agency via Reuters Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran Satellite image Maxar Technologies/AP Qassem Soleimani: Mourners fill Iran streets for funeral Tehran EPA The missile barrages came hours after tens of thousands of Iranians turned out to mourn the slain Iranian military commander Soleimani and more than 50 died in a stampede. Responsibility for the attacks was swiftly claimed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), whose nonconventional Quds Force Soleimani commanded. This morning, courageous fighters of the IRGCs air force launched a successful operation called Operation Martyr Soleimani, the IRGC said in a statement. The fierce revenge by the Revolutionary Guards has begun. On Twitter, Irans foreign minister, Javad Zarif, added: Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defence 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. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the missile barrage saying it was a "slap in the face" for the Americans. He did not appear to call for further strikes but repeated demands that Washington pull its troops from the region. "When it comes to confrontation, military actions of these kinds are not enough...the corrupt presence of the US should come to an end," he said to crowds chanting "death to America". In Washington DC, Mr Trump tweeted: 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. In a statement, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the UK condemn[s] this attack on Iraqi military bases hosting Coalition including British forces. We are concerned by reports of casualties and use of ballistic missiles, he said. We urge Iran not to repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks, and instead to pursue urgent de-escalation. A war in the Middle East would only benefit [Isis] and other terrorist groups. Huge crowds surround funeral procession of Soleimani as it moves through Kerman, Iran A spokesman for the Pentagon confirmed it also believed the missiles had been fired by Iran, rather than one of its proxy forces. It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al Asad and Erbil, Jonathan Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of defence for public affairs, said in a statement. We are working on initial battle damage assessments. He said the base had already been on high alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack our forces and interests in the region. He added: As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the region. Donald Trump had previously made a personal visit to the Al Asad base, in December 2018. The Iraqi prime ministry said it refused "any violation of its sovereignty and any attacks on its territory." It added that Iraq is doing everything in its power to contain the situation to avoid a "devastating all-out war." The development marked a rapid escalation in the crisis between Tehran and Washington, and a major challenge for Mr Trump, who had campaigned on keeping the US out of further wars in the Middle East. Tehrans missile strike came as senior members of congress were finally briefed on the purported threat presented by Soleimani, which led to the decision to kill him. Mere hours before the attacks, Mr Trump had told reporters in the Oval Office: If Iran does anything they shouldnt be doing, they are going to be suffering the consequences, and very strongly. Irans Revolutionary Guard warned Washington against retaliating, and told its regional neighbours that if any military action were launched from their territory, they could expect to be attacked in turn. Mr Esper had warned the US was anticipating a reaction from Iran to the killing of Soleimani, a major regional power broker. I think we should expect that they will retaliate in some way, shape or form, he told a news briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday afternoon. He added: Were prepared for any contingency. And then we will respond appropriately to whatever they do. In turn, a senior Iranian official said Tehran was considering several scenarios to avenge Soleimanis death. Other senior figures have said the Islamic Republic would match the scale of the killing when it responds, but that it would choose the time and place. We will take revenge, a hard and definitive revenge, the head of the IRCG, General Hossein Salami, told throngs who crowded the streets for Soleimanis funeral in Kerman, his hometown in southeastern Iran. Soleimanis burial went ahead after several hours of delay following a stampede that killed at least 56 people and injured more than 210, according an emergency official quoted by Irans semi-official Fars news agency. The next steps on both sides remained unclear. Some experts suggested the actions by Iran, which had been promised by its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, may have been calculated to satisfy domestic demands for revenge, without provoking a major response from Washington. Much of the uncertainty lies in the fact that the decision on how the US responds will be made by Mr Trump. Additional reporting by Reuters This is an opinion column. Imagine, Dr. Jill Biden urged, its Wednesday, November 4th, 2020, the day after Americans elect our next President. Maybe a few days after. Or a few weeks, or even months. Shes addressing about 30 volunteers gathered inside a crowded room on Birminghams Southside on a brisk Saturday morning to make phone calls in support of her husband of nearly 43 years, former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. You check the paper and the headline isnt about some late-night tweetstorm, she says. Instead, theres a story about how American children will still benefit from universal pre-K, about how families finally may have a path out of homelessness because they can get emergency relief and were creating more affordable housing. You turn on the TV and the anchors arent talking about how were on the brink of some ill-advised war. Theyre talking about building on the Affordable Care Act with a public option and bringing down prescription drug prices and finally, someone is standing up to the [National Rifle Association]. And when they cut to President of the United States, you dont turn the channel because theres a president you can feel proud of, who feels our best days are ahead of us. Thats my husband, Joe Biden. Thats the future I want and know you want, too. You expect such declarations from a candidates spouse, especially now. At this juncture of the presidential campaign season, less than a month from the Iowa caucuses, the byzantine process that kicks off the primary season in a state that may least demographically reflect the rest of the nation. You expect them even when you know the words are stumped, canned musings spouted at every stop along the trailoften with a bit of local spice. Im here one day, Dr. Biden told supporters at a fundraiser hosted by Sen. Doug Jones and his wife, Louise, and Im already saying yall. You expect it, but its still intriguing. More so, certainly, than hearing the candidates. Especially now, now that weve heard them ad nauseam, though endless debates and interviews, such that they sound like Seinfeld characters: So, I want to be president yada yada ya. So, hearing from spouses, partners, childrenwhomeveris another voice. Its different. Its intriguing. Because it speaks to trust. Whom do you trust to stand for you? To speak for you? Especially now. Dr. Biden landed in Birmingham just before midnight Friday, from Iowa via Chicago. Before Sunday morning she was on her way to Denver, then Salt Lake City, before taking a redeye that night to Philadelphia, then driving home to Delaware. You dont do that to just anyone. Not anyone you dont trust. Imagine, a presidential debate in which each candidate was represented by someone who knew them. Actually knew them. As a spouse. As a partner. As a friend. Sure, theyd have canned lines. But theyre not politicians, so at some juncture, at some point on that stage, theyd likely reveal something, some core truth about the candidate that the practiced politician could shield, even under fire. Frankly, Id rather see more of them than them. Dr. Biden was joined throughout the day by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who has not yet publicly announced a presidential endorsementalthough her mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell (The real Congresswoman, Sewell regularly calls her) is an unabashed Biden supporter. The two women began the morning at Continental Bakery in Mountain Brook. They purchased cookies for the phone bank volunteers and caboshed with a few customers before heading downtown. At the phone bank, where written on a board at the back of the room was: 59 Days until the Alabama primary, Dr. Biden shared her Trumpless, post-election future before she and Rep. Sewell posed for photographs with each volunteer. The Trump presidency has been exhausting, she told me afterward. I think people just want to breathe. The final event of the day was a fundraiser for her husband, hosted by Alabama Sen. Doug Jones and his wife, Louise, at their home atop a steep and woodsy hill a few miles from downtown again. There, Dr. Biden reiterated largely what was expected before nearly 100 attendees. Mindful of being ruby-red Alabama, Dr. Biden encouraged those there to reach toward others with whom they may disagree. We just cant write off our conservative family, coworkers, and neighbors, she said. We have to work with them. When we make the case for our values, for our ideals, we really can change hearts and minds. But then she veered towards her faith, an area few candidates shared deeply, let alone their surrogates. Im not very public about my faith, she said. But its always been something thats been very important to me. Prayers, especially, are how I connect with people, and the world around me. She shared a personal story, however, of how she felt abandoned and "betrayed by her faith after the death of their oldest son, Beau, in 2015. I just couldnt go [to church], she said. I couldnt even pray. Then one Sunday morning during the campaign earlier this year, while she and Biden were doing the expectedvisiting a churchshe was approached by a parishioner while sitting in the front row with her husband. She kneeled down beside me, she put her hand on me and said, Dr. Biden, I would like to be your prayer partner, she shared. I never had even heard of a prayer partner. I dont know if she sensed how moved I was my the sermon that morning. I dont if she could see the grief that hides behind my smile, but I do know that her kindness opened something up inside me. Its as if God was saying to me, Jill, youve had time. Its time to come home. At that moment, I felt for the very first time, that there was a path to recovering my faith. Of all the things I expected to find on this campaign trail, that experience was not one of them. Of all the things I expected to hear on this day, a deep and personal expression of faith was not one of them. Imagine that. A voice for whats right and wrong in Birmingham, Alabama (and beyond), Roys column appears in The Birmingham News and AL.com, as well as in the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register. Reach him at rjohnson@al.com and follow him at twitter.com/roysj Iran said it will no longer respect any of the commitments it made under the 2015 nuclear deal and will abandon any restrictions on uranium enrichment and production. It marked the latest in a string of blowbacks to the U.S. assassination of a top Iranian general that could reshape the region. Iran said Sunday it would be abandoning its final limitations in the nuclear deal and its nuclear program will now be based solely on its technical needs, according to a statement carried by state news agencies. Advertisement Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also said on Twitter that the country would no longer respect any kind of restrictions on the number of centrifuges it could operate. But the government emphasized it would continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and would be ready to return to the nuclear deal if economic sanctions were lifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As 5th & final REMEDIAL step under paragraph 36 of JCPOA, there will no longer be any restriction on number of centrifuges This step is within JCPOA & all 5 steps are reversible upon EFFECTIVE implementation of reciprocal obligations Iran's full cooperation w/IAEA will continue Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 5, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement The announcement was made hours after hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Iran to mourn Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani, the commander of Irans elite Quds force who was killed near the Baghdad airport Friday. His remains were carried through the cities of Ahvaz and Mashhad Sunday and they will go to Tehran and Qom Monday for public processions ahead of a burial in his hometown of Kerman. The Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was agreed to between Iran and China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and the European Union. President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and since then Iran has repeatedly criticized European countries for failing to do more to make sure the deal could be saved. Advertisement Advertisement Experts noted that Irans announcement is vague enough that it leaves Tehran open for negotiations. They are not saying how far they will push the enrichment or the number of centrifuges theyll operate, Mark Fitzpatrick, associate fellow and nuclear non-proliferation expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Reuters. I think they have reserved a lot of room for negotiation and for taking further steps if they need to. Iran has already violated some of the limits outlined in the deal as part of an effort to obtain relief from economic sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Iran openly dropping all of its commitments to the 2015 agreement came on the same day as the Iraqi parliament voted for a measure to expel all foreign troops and the U.S.-led coalition announced it was halting its anti-ISIS operations in Iraq and Syria in order to protect its bases from attack. Although Trump had said that killing Soleimani was part of an effort to prevent a war, so far, it has unleashed a host of unintended consequences that could dramatically alter where the United States operates and Irans ability to develop advanced weapons, notes the New York Times. Increasingly, the killing appeared to be generating effects far beyond Mr. Trumps ability to control. WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites that it would strike if Iran attacks Americans or U.S. assets in response to a US drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. Showing no signs of seeking to reduce tensions raised by the strike on Friday that he ordered, the US president issued a stern threat to Iran on Twitter. Trump wrote that Iran "is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets" in response to Soleimani`s death. Trump said the United States has "targeted 52 Iranian sites" and that some were "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!" Trump said, adding that the 52 targets represented the 52 Americans who were held hostage in Iran after being seized at the US embassy in Tehran in 1979. Trump`s suggestion that the United States could strike targets of importance to Iranian culture raised eyebrows. Colin Kahl, a former Obama administration national security official, wrote on Twitter that he "found it hard to believe the Pentagon would provide Trump targeting options that include Iranian cultural sites. Trump may not care about the laws of war, but DoD planners and lawyers do ... and targeting cultural sites is war crime." The Pentagon declined to comment on the 52 targets and referred questions to the White House, which did not respond. Soleimani was killed in the US strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in a U. strike that has raised the specter of wider conflict in the Middle East. Earlier on Saturday, the White House submitted a formal notification of the attack under the 1973 War Powers Act. Trump`s tweets were issued during his holiday stay in Florida. A growing number of Democrats have said the Republican president`s action is bringing the United States to the brink of war. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Saturday "the Trump Administrations provocative, escalatory and disproportionate military engagement continues to put servicemembers, diplomats and citizens of America and our allies in danger." On Saturday, tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq to mourn Soleimani and the Iraqi militia leader. On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdad`s heavily fortified Green Zone near the US Embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighborhood and two more rockets were fired at the Balad air base north of the city, but no one was killed, the Iraqi military said in a statement. Published on 2020/01/05 | Source Korean automakers suffered from sharply falling sales last year but are rolling out innovative new models this year. They are equipping new cars with cutting-edge technology to appeal to customers at a time of a global fall in sales of conventional cars. Advertisement Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis releases its first-ever SUV, the GV80, this month. Renault Samsung is also rolling out a coupe-type SUV called XM3 and five other new models, while GM Korea unveils the mid-sized Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV. Hyundai and affiliate Kia are set to launch new versions of multiple bestselling models and eco-friendly cars. One industry insider said, "A string of new cars will hit the market this year, and competition will become more intense everywhere". Hyundai on Wednesday unveiled the interior and key innovative features of the GV80 and said it will be ready for release by the end of this month. It faces an uphill struggle in China, Europe, the U.S. and other key overseas markets where it simply lacks the clout of segment heavyweights Audi, Bentley, Daimler at al. The GV80 will be Hyundai's flagship SUV. The price will be announced when it hits showrooms. A Hyundai staffer said, "The Genesis brand has gained recognition for rider comfort at reasonable prices just like Lexus did in the past. That will particularly help sales in North America". The GV80 has all the latest gadgetry. An AI program analyzes the driving patterns of owners to let the vehicle run according to the familiar pattern of the driver even in self-driving mode, while being equipped with automatic lane-changing and distance-keeping features for the first time among domestically made vehicles. Hyundai will roll out a smaller SUV called GV70 later this year. It will also unveil face-lifted versions of the Avante compact car, the Tucsan compact SUV and the Santa Fe mid-sized SUV, as well as an expanded lineup of eco-friendly hybrid and plug-in hybrid models targeting customers in Europe and the U.S. Hyundai wants to hold on to its traditional customer base with the upgraded versions, while reeling in new customers with brand-new cars. Renault Samsung is rolling out six new models this year, including the XM3 SUV and small electric hatchback ZOE. With the exception of a face-lifted SM6 sedan, all are recreational vehicles. GM Korea is now betting on the mid-sized Trailblazer SUV, which is even bigger than the Traxx but smaller than the Equinox. A GM Korea staffer said, "We will manufacture them here for export". One industry insider said, "The new vehicles will determine the fates of Renault Samsung and GM Korea", which are desperate to turn their performance around with the new models for their production lines. Communist Party Secretary of Shanxi province Luo Huining attends a session of his province on the second day of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing By Keith Zhai SINGAPORE (Reuters) - China has replaced the head of its Hong Kong Liaison Office, the most senior mainland political official based in the Chinese-controlled territory, following more than six months of often-violent anti-government protests in the city. Wang Zhimin, who had held the post since 2017, had been replaced by 65-year-old Luo Huining, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on its website late on Saturday. Until November, Luo was the top official of China's ruling Communist Party in the northern province of Shanxi. Reuters reported exclusively in November that Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis, the worst since the city reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997. Saturday's statement gave no other details on the change. Luo, a loyalist of President Xi Jinping, has not previously held any Hong Kong-related position and is at the age when top Chinese officials typically retire. In Shanxi, he had been tasked with cleaning up a graft-ridden, coal-rich region where corruption was once likened to cancer. The Liaison Office, which reports to China's State Council, serves as the platform for Beijing to project its influence in the city, and has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and mainland China for misjudging the situation in the city. Wang is the shortest serving Liaison office director since 1997. Ma Ngok, a political scientist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said it had been only a matter of time before Beijing made Hong Kong-related personnel changes, and that the switch did not necessarily indicate a change in policy. "Beijing is having trouble devising new policy in Hong Kong," Ma said. "Given his age it is possible he is only a stop-gap appointment," Ma said of Luo. Johnny Lau, a political scientist and commentator, said Wang's exit was unlikely to placate Hong Kong protesters who have demanded that the city's leader, Carrie Lam, step down. Story continues Writing in the Communist Party's official People's Daily in 2017, Luo said Shanxi province had been ardently following instructions from Xi to clean up the mess there. "All the province's people have deeply felt that the all-out efforts to enforce party discipline have been like spring rain washing away the smog," Luo wrote. Before moving to Shanxi, Luo had been the top party official in the western province of Qinghai. "Shanxi has gone from being a victim of a regression in its political environment to being a beneficiary of all-out efforts to enforce party discipline," he wrote in 2017. 'STAUNCH SUPPORT' Mass protests erupted in June in Hong Kong over an extradition bill that would have allowed individuals to be sent for trial to the mainland, where justice is controlled by the Communist Party. Though the bill was withdrawn, protests have continued over a broad perception that Beijing is meddling improperly in city affairs and complaints of police brutality. Lam said in a statement on Saturday that the Liaison Office would continue under Luo's leadership to work with the Hong Kong government for the "positive development" of the relationship between the mainland and Hong Kong. She added that Luo's predecessor had provided "staunch support" to the Hong Kong government's efforts to curb violence and uphold the rule of law during the unrest of recent months. (Reporting by Keith Zhai in Singapore and Vincent Lee in Beijing; additional reporting by Twinnie Siu, Marius Zaharia and Clare Jim in Hong Kong; Writing by Engen Tham, Tony Munroe and Sumeet Chatterjee; Editing by Toby Chopra and Gareth Jones) New Delhi, Jan 5 : Attack on students by masked persons, both boys and girls, on the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus, here on Sunday evening, that left many, including two JNU Students Union office-bearers, injured stemmed from a showdown between groups of students earlier during the day. According to sources, groups of students had an altercation over the JNU registration process. The clashes at at around 6 p.m, which left as many as 18 students injured, were between ABVP supporters/cadres and the pro-Left students. After this, two separate groups of 25-30 people, allegedly the ABVP supporters, entered the Sabarmati and Periyar hostels. They had their faces masked and were armed with sticks and stones. According to the report, the group started thrashing activists of pro-Left student organisations. They went from room to room and assaulted students. On receiving calls for help, activists of AISA, SFI and other groups, led by Aishe Ghosh, JNUSU president, rushed towards the Sabarmati T point. In the scuffle, Ghosh received injuries on her forehead. She has been admitted at AIIMS Trauma Centre. Nepal on Sunday released 122 Chinese nationals who were detained for alleged cross border cyber crimes last month. The District Administration Office, Kathmandu, released the Chinese nationals on bail of Rs 1,000 each after they accepted their crime, police said. The 122 Chinese nationals were detained last month for alleged economic offences and hacking into bank cash machines. Over 500 laptops were seized in the raids which were held in different houses in the outskirts of Kathmandu. The Chinese Foreign Ministry had confirmed the arrests. The arrested were also charged with misbehaving with the police during interrogation. The Kathmandu district administration will handover the accused to the Department of Immigration, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Petrol bombs were hurled at a Hong Kong police station and dozens of people were arrested Sunday following a march against so-called parallel trading near the Chinese border. The Democratic Party said about 10,000 people marched peacefully in Sheung Shui district, but violence erupted after police ordered protesters to disperse. Several petrol bombs were thrown at the Sheung Shui police station, about 1.5 kilometres (a mile) from where the rally took place. The Sunday protest comes during a period of heightened anti-mainland sentiment in Hong Kong, where a pro-democracy movement demanding greater freedoms from Beijing has raged for nearly seven months. The marchers were protesting against parallel trading, which sees thousands of mainlanders cross the border every day to bulk-buy goods such as infant formula to sell at a profit in China. There is significant resentment against the practice, which frequently leaves goods in short supply in border towns, and has driven up the price of commodities as well as shop rents. "If the police could spare one of the cars they drove here to handle the march to instead deal with the trading problem, we would not have to organise this protest," said Dino Chan, a Sheung Shui district councillor and one of the rally organisers. He added that 42 people were arrested following the violence. The anti-government protests have been blamed for helping plunge Hong Kong's economy into recession for the first time in a decade. The protests were triggered by a proposal to allow extraditions to mainland China, but have morphed into a broader revolt for democratic freedoms. They often descend into violent clashes, with protesters using petrol bombs and other makeshift weapons, and the police responding with tear gas and rubber bullets. On Sunday the violence was not at the level seen during many previous protests, with police using pepper spray to disperse crowds but not tear gas. China and the Hong Kong administration have refused to bow to protester demands, which include direct elections, an inquiry into alleged police misconduct and amnesty for the nearly 7,000 people arrested so far. Two men were arrested for allegedly robbing a man after offering him a lift near Shankar Chowk in Sector 33, Gurgaon, police said on Sunday. Alim Khan (27) and Faizel (25) were nabbed on Friday in the Mahipalpur area here with the help of technical surveillance after the location of their mobile numbers was traced, they said, adding the duo was coming to Delhi from Haryana when they were arrested. A complaint was received from a man that he boarded a cab at 8:15 pm on December 5 at Mahipalpur Chowk for Shankar Chowk. When the cab reached near the destination, he was robbed of Rs 8,000, mobile phone and other valuables by its occupants, three-four in number, and dumped there, police said. A case was registered at Vasant Kunj (South) police station and investigation taken up, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Devender Arya. "During interrogation, the accused disclosed that on the day of the incident, they offered a lift to a passenger from Mahipalpur at NH-8. They took the victim along with them in the car, which belonged to one of the co-accused, driven by Alim Khan," he said. They had put on a fake number plate instead of the original of the car, Arya added. The man was robbed of his belongings, including the mobile phone. When they reached near Shankar Chowk, they dumped him there and returned back to Delhi, he said. After that, the accused distributed the robbed items and the cash among themselves, the DCP said. The accused also disclosed that they used to rob people after offering them lifts, he said. They would also take ATMs of the victims and withdrew cash and spray paint on CCTvs to hide their identity, Arya said. Three other co-accused have also been identified and all the robbed articles recovered, the DCP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TORONTO - The arrival of legal cannabis edibles, vapes and other products in Ontario won't necessarily meet the government's stated goal of cutting into the black market, according to industry observers. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/1/2020 (736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Soft-baked cookies from Aurora Cannabis Enterprises are photographed at the Ontario Cannabis Store in Toronto on Friday, January 3, 2020. The arrival of legal cannabis edibles, vapes and other products in Ontario won't necessarily meet the government's stated goal of cutting into the black market, according to industry observers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin TORONTO - The arrival of legal cannabis edibles, vapes and other products in Ontario won't necessarily meet the government's stated goal of cutting into the black market, according to industry observers. The Ontario Cannabis Store, the province's pot distributor, has announced that a raft of new products is slated to start appearing in brick-and-mortar retailers on Monday and be available for online purchase 10 days later. But those keeping an eye on Canada's burgeoning cannabis industry said a combination of federal health regulations and Ontario's own track record around product prices may fail to make the legal wares as enticing as alternatives still readily available through illicit channels. "I know the OCS wants to move towards a thousand stores, but eventually you're going to have to have a thousand people willing to participate in the legal market," said Omar Khan, national cannabis sector lead with Hill+Knowlton Strategies. "They'll only do that if they can be price-competitive with the illicit market." Edibles and comparable cannabis products became legal across the country in October, marking the second wave of the federal government's legalization scheme launched the year before, but Monday will mark the first time such products are available for government-sanctioned purchase in Ontario. The OCS said 59 new products, including a variety of vapes, edibles and a tea, will hit store shelves on Monday and be available for sale online effective Jan. 16. The province's pot distributor said the number of products is expected to rise to 100 as they receive regulatory approval in the next few months. But the OCS warned that supplies will be tight during the first few weeks of edible sales, echoing warnings that sounded across the country in the early days of legalization. While industry observers said the supply crunch may have kept the black market thriving early on, they cite different potential hurdles facing Ontario this time around. Khan said federal health regulations that limit the amount of cannabis contained in legal products will pose a likely barrier. He said the rules currently limit consumers to a maximum purchase of 30 grams worth of dry flower products at a time and don't allow any individual edible item to contain more than 10 milligrams. The United States, by contrast, have allowed products to be sold in up to 100-gram packets in jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalized. "This makes it more difficult to get regular consumers to shift away from the illicit market where ingestible products are readily available without these restrictions," he said. But Khan said a more formidable barrier comes from the way Ontario's cannabis market has evolved, with the OCS acting as both an online retailer and wholesaler of all cannabis products. The OCS has the power to purchase goods from their producers, set prices and distribute them to retailers, Khan said, noting such a system isn't conducive to lower prices. He cited the system in place in Saskatchewan, which sees producers negotiate directly with retailers to set prices, as more likely to keep retail costs down. For its part, the OCS argues that its new slate of products can cut into black market sales. Edibles will cost between $7 and $14, beverages are priced at between $4 and $10, vape products will sell for between $25 and $125, topicals will be available for between $15 and $55, and concentrates are expected to sell for between $30 and $70. "We've compared our offerings to similar products in the illegal market to ensure that our initial retail will be competitive," OCS Senior Director of Merchandising Kevin Lam said when the new products were unveiled last week. But Michael Armstrong, an associate business professor at Brock University who analyzes cannabis market data, said Ontario has a history of pricing products on the higher end of the spectrum. Numbers he calculated after the first six months of legalization suggested Ontario implemented a 70 per cent markup on goods available at the time. That figure, while shy of the 90 per cent markup seen in Newfoundland, was also well above rates set in other provinces such as Quebec and New Brunswick. Federal records show that Ontario's current cannabis excise tax of about 11.4 per cent also falls in the top half of the national range, though considerably lower than jurisdictions such as Alberta and Nunavut. Armstrong cautioned, however, that assessing prices on edibles is more complex than comparing costs of raw cannabis products. He said producers will be working hard to distinguish themselves and their offerings through quality control, formulation and other factors, noting some consumers may well prove willing to pay a premium for what they perceive to be a better product. That quality issue, he said, may prove fruitful in combating illicit sales even if prices stay high. "The producers are hoping that these new products are going to allow them to differentiate themselves," Armstrong said. "If they can come up with a cookie or a tea that people really like, then they can charge a higher price than the black market and still attract customers." This report by the Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2020. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version, based on information provided by an analyst, gave an incorrect unit of measurement in referencing Health Canada's purchasing regulations. MILL CREEK The trail up to the Mill Creek climbing area doesnt need a stay out sign written in the English language. The sticks, branches and logs that have been dragged over and dropped like railroad ties on a 100-yard stretch of trail to the canyon pretty much get that message across. The vandalism on the trail is the most recent spat in a conflict over Mill Creek that has gone on nearly a decade. Climbers say they need the sport routes they've established there to offer a much-needed area for beginning and moderate climbers, while the locals have an eye on the damage from overuse and protecting the raptors that nest nearby. Attempts to meet in the middle have so far failed. The process to bring the matter to a wider public conversation, by including it in the Bitterroot National Forest plan revision, has been kicked down the road by delays to get the revision itself underway. Both groups say they want to reach an agreement on sustainable use of the area. But since climbers put anchors into the rock walls about 10 years ago, foot traffic came along with it. Cutting trees and moving them over the trail is illegal, but so is the user-created trail climbers made in getting to the rock faces in the first place. "Neither of them are right," Bitterroot District Ranger Steve Brown said this week. Its easy to see why groups believe the canyon is worth fighting for. It's a beautiful area, with high rock faces and a short enough distance from the trail head for young and old folks who want to enjoy it. The local discussion speaks to the larger conversation around public land across the U.S., in which every one is "for" public lands, but might find themselves against another person's idea of how it might be used. Rick Torre, 68, said on a recent hike into the area that, while open to everyone, climbers just see Mill Creek differently. The opportunities are astonishing. "I think you've got to be a climber to come up here and say, 'I've never seen so much rock before,'" he said. But some users are sending climbers a message they aren't wanted there. Beyond the obstructed trail, Torre spotted bolts up the rock face that had been damaged. One smashed bolt was close to a ledge in the rock, signaling the route is essentially for a child. Torre fancies himself in the middle of the conflict, having been frustrated with the growing use of the area, but he shudders at the thought of a child falling from a broken bolt. "These climbs are set up for the kids, you know?," he said. "And as much as I hate what happened up here, I totally condemn this." *** At his office in Stevensville, Brown has been the district ranger only since November, but "as soon as I got in here, everyone wanted to talk to me about Mill Creek." As someone who's worked in the area for several years, he's already acquainted with a blue reusable grocery bag on his desk packed full of the history on the Mill Creek climbing controversy. Brown said his office doesn't know who is engaging in the trail clutter or bolt smashing, nor has it opened an investigation. It would appear to be anti-climbing folks, he said, but it could be other climbers who are hard on the side of traditional climbing, trying to discourage overuse by the sport climbers, Brown said. In traditional climbing, climbers place protective gear into the rock and remove it after the pitch. In sport climbing, the bolts remain in place after the climbers have left. "It had been really quiet for a year until August, and then somebody stuffed epoxy in one of the bolts," Brown said. "But they did it on a hot day, so the epoxy melted and ran down the rocks. Then nothing happened again until this last week, (when) somebody smashed some bolts." The bolts in Mill Creek that Brown speaks of might not look damaged to the beginning-to-moderate climber, but a climber might not know if the bolt's integrity might be compromised until it breaks. Still, Brown said the Forest Service didn't put the bolts in, nor did they permit the bolt placements in the first place, so those bolts are considered private property, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Office. Recent recreation conflicts in the Bitterroot include a user-created ATV route where people put nails or wire across the trail. Such activity would rise the the level of reckless endangerment if authorities could determine who did it, Brown said. But the Forest Service does not have the resources to post a Forest Service law enforcement officer to stand watch in areas where conflict can occur, Brown said. Brown describes the "explosion" of recreation in the Bitterroot National Forest as product of both the tourism industry and city of Missoula booming over the past 10 years. As word got out about Mill Creek as a much-needed climbing resource, the Forest Service sought to accommodate that, starting with a correctly engineered trail to the climbing area, Brown said. "The thought was, let's provide for this (and) have it done in a much more managed atmosphere," Brown said. *** Citizen groups came along next. Gary Milner, of the Mill Creek Monitoring Association, said local residents saw what they believed to be "inappropriate and uninformed" development of sport climbing in the area, especially in consideration of the migratory raptors who nest there. The area had also been recommended for wilderness area protections in the 1987 forest plan. "Sometimes it feels like they were putting their own interests in front of the raptors in the area," Milner said. "We have never been able to speak with them (the climbing community) regarding the raptors and closures and voluntary closures and what locals want to see, and that's a disappointment." On the other side, climbers clearly have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the area and are typically advocating for protecting the land, said Cole Lawrence of the Western Montana Climber's Coalition. The fact is there are just too few sport climbing areas in the Bitterroot National Forest, he said, and placing restrictions on fixed anchors also reduces rescue opportunities, multi-pitch opportunities and alpine climbing opportunities. "The thing is, rock climbing is a recreation that has a community who deeply cares about the environment and the conservation of our public lands," Lawrence said. "The development in the Bitterroot is sparse. We have this growing user group that only has a few places to go." *** The Bitterroot Front Project could provide an avenue to manage the Mill Creek area in a way that has not yet been accomplished. The Project is a proposal by the Bitterroot National Forest primarily driven to mitigate the fire risk for homes, residents and firefighters in the urban-wildlife interface. Over the past 20 years, more than 90% of all new homes in Ravalli County have been built in areas deemed high hazard for wildfire, the Ravalli Republic reported in October. The plan would also look at managing new issues have that popped up since the last forest plan was set in place. Folding the Mill Creek conversation into the Bitterroot Front Project would allow Forest Service officials to hash it out through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which makes public input and involvement mandatory. Brown said this week the Forest Service hasn't embarked on the NEPA process for Mill Creek yet because he knew the process would burn up agency resources on its own, so it just made more sense to package it with the other recreation issues at hand. The process to complete the blueprints for new management of the area could take a few years, but Brown said the process of gathering input for recreation could begin as early as late March or early April. "Another state in the union, and this might be a national park," Brown said. "The take home is that the use has increased dramatically. The Bitterroot has been discovered." Lawrence said he hopes the process would establish management done with less of a broad brush. "I really would like to see the Forest Service regulate on a case-by-case basis," he set. "Let the community self-police." Lawrence said climbers are looking for areas with less impact on non-climbing parties, where they can minimize bolts and base area impact. "We understand it needs to be managed directly," he said. "It takes a vast knowledge of the kind of nuances that surround climbing" to do that. Milner said the citizens groups are "very open" to the public input process and a path toward resolution. He and the citizen groups involved have been engaged in the process this whole time, he said, and would like to see collaboration produce some results after a decade of conflict. Milner also said he does not know who has been vandalizing the bolts or the trail in that area. "There's no one that's against climbing in our group," Milner said. "We felt the way this area was developed can and should be done in a more responsible manner, but no one in our group would ever support any type of actions like that." You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has not provided any legal argument to refute the 1978 formal opinion that establishment of civilian settlements in the occupied territories is inconsistent with international law, which, as confirmed by Robert Malley in 2016, has represented the U.S. position since 1978 and has never been repudiated or changed internally. Furthermore, the illegality of the settlements has been affirmed by the International Court of Justice, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. General Assembly. In fact, in 1967, Israels own legal adviser submitted the opinion to Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, less than two weeks before he authorized the first settlement in the West Bank, that the establishment of settlements in the occupied West Bank violates the Fourth Geneva Convention and that this prohibition is categorical and is aimed at preventing colonization of conquered territory by citizens of the conquering state. Israel has seriously maintained that the territories are not occupied. The Israeli Supreme Court, however, has been consistent in its rejection of that argument. In a 2004 decision, the court stated: Since 1967, Israel has been holding the areas of Judea and Samaria in belligerent occupation. Islamabad: Days after the stone-pelting incident at Nankana Gurdwara in Pakistan, a 25-year-old Sikh youth was shot dead in Peshawar on Saturday (January 4). The victim has been identified as Ravinder Singh who is the brother of well-known news anchor Harmeet Singh. Two days earlier, the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara was attacked by a mob while Sikh devotees were inside the shrine. The victim's brother Harmeet Singh told reporters, ''For how long will the minorities continue to suffer in the state. The Pakistan government should take quick action and bring out the names of people who killed my brother.'' He appealed the media to support him in the matter so that they can get justice. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the killing on Sunday, it issued a statement to this effect saying: ''India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur.'' The statement also demanded the Government of Pakistan to "stop prevaricating and to take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts." The statement urged the Imran Khan-led government to defend the rights of their minorities. ''The Government of Pakistan should act in defence of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries.'' Live TV This is the second statement issued by the MEA in the last three days in relation to the situation faced by Sikhs in Pakistan, following the statement on Nankana Sahib Gurudwara incident where it strongly condemned the act of vandalism and stone-pelting at the Nankanan Gurudwara in Pakistan. Earlier in the day, Imran Khan condemned the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara attack and targeted the Indian government over minority protection issue. Khan said, "The major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident and the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims and other minorities is this: the former is against my vision and will find zero tolerance and protection from the government including police and judiciary..." He added, ''In contrast, Modi's RSS vision supports minorities oppression and the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police lead the anti-Muslim attack.'' Hundreds of protesters took to the streets near the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi demanding that Islamabad provide adequate security to Sikh shrines and community members there. Boris Johnson was preparing to return to the UK amid mounting criticism over his failure to cut short his Caribbean holiday to address soaring tensions in the Middle East. The Prime Minister remained silent over the USs fatal strike on Irans top general throughout his trip to the private island of Mustique, to celebrate the New Year with his partner Carrie Symonds. Mr Johnson, who is expected back in Downing Street on Sunday, was under mounting pressure from opposition leaders to make a statement on the killing of General Qassem Soleimani. There were fears of all-out war after Iran threatened revenge over President Donald Trumps authorisation of the attack in Baghdad on Friday, and the US sent 3,000 extra troops to Kuwait. A Government source defended Mr Johnson, saying hes been kept fully up to date including by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab at all times. And he will be meeting with ministers on Monday and speaking to foreign leaders over the next few days, they said. Jeremy Corbyn said the assassination risks an extremely serious escalation of a dangerous conflict with global consequences by a belligerent US president. I've written to Boris Johnson requesting an urgent Privy Council briefing and answers to questions following the US assassination of Qassem Suleimani. pic.twitter.com/kOw36b6Ex2 Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 3, 2020 Boris Johnson should have immediately cut short his holiday to deal with an issue that could have grave consequences for the UK and the world, the outgoing Labour leader added. Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, who is running to lead Labour, asked is he afraid of angering Trump? in an article in The Observer. Or is it simply that, as he lounges in the Caribbean sun, he simply does not care, an exact duplicate of the blase approach to Iran that he took in 2018 when he was foreign secretary and Trump was driving the nuclear deal to destruction and the previous year when he recklessly jeopardised the fate of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe? Mr Raab was expected to meet his French and German counterparts in the week before speaking to US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in Washington on Thursday. Expand Close One protester wore a Donald Trump mask (Yui Mok/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp One protester wore a Donald Trump mask (Yui Mok/PA) Mr Raab has called for calm and urged all aggressors to de-escalate following the killing of the head of Irans elite Quds Force and mastermind of regional security strategy. His department issued strengthened travel advice to Britons across the Middle East while the Navy will begin accompanying UK-flagged ships through the key oil route of the Strait of Hormuz. But acting Lib Dem co-leader Sir Ed Davey said: Johnsons silence on Trumps dangerous assassination in Iraq is deafening. The Prime Minister must speak out now and make clear Britain will not support the US in repeating the mistake of the Iraq war. Earlier in the day Labours John McDonnell vowed during an anti-war protest at Downing Street to press Mr Johnson over the attack, which will set the Middle East and the globe alight yet again. "We expect our government to completely condemn this act of brutal violence."@johnmcdonnellMP speaking at today's #NoWarOnIran protest... pic.twitter.com/6Ry59umNrk Stop the War (@STWuk) January 4, 2020 And its not good enough for the UK Government just to appeal for a de-escalation, what we expect the UK Government to do is to come out in total and outright condemnation of this act of violence, the shadow chancellor said. Labours shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, who is expected to enter the Labour leadership race, said: We stand at a dangerous moment. Boris Johnson must urgently make a statement on what the UK Government is doing to avoid war. Labour MP Lisa Nandy, another leadership hopeful, demanded the PM recalls Parliament to explain how he plans to keep British personnel safe in the region, where hundreds of UK troops are based. She said Mr Johnson must outline how he will work with European allies to ensure a much more international and concerted action to rein in what has been quite a dangerous and reckless act by a president without real thought about what comes next. Amid the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Sunday (December 5) visit households across the country in order to raise awareness about the new legislation and mobilise support for the CAA. On Sunday, Shah will launch the campaign in Delhi, BJPs working president J P Nadda will visit households in Ghaziabad, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lucknow, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Jaipur. In a related development, BJP general secretary Anil Jain said that Muslims living in India should not worry over any citizenship exercise, including National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Jain stressed that Indias only religion is its Constitution and the BJP is committed to uphold the Constitutional values. The senior BJP leader made it clear that the BJP will hold a nation-wide consultation before taking a decision on rolling out the NRC at the national level. Jain, however, stressed that there is no such proposal now. As BJPs 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. Live TV Jain slammed the Congress and other opposition parties of trying to mislead the Muslims for their political gains. The Congress and some other parties are inciting rebellion and anarchy in the country due to their politics of appeasement, Jain said. Jain said that the CAA will benefit the persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and those opposing it have shown extreme insensitivity. He added that people will be urged to extend their support to the CAA by posting messages and photographs on social media. Iraq's Parliament called for the expulsion of US forces from the country in reaction to the American drone attack that killed a top Iranian general, raising the prospect of a troop withdrawal that could cripple the battle against the Islamic State group and allow a resurgence of the extremists. Lawmakers approved a resolution asking the Iraqi government to end the agreement under which Washington sent troops more than four years ago to help fight ISIS. The bill is nonbinding and subject to approval by the Iraqi government but has the backing of the outgoing prime minister. But the vote was another sign of the blowback from the US airstrike Friday that killed Iranian Gen Qassem Soleimani and a number of top Iraqi officials at the Baghdad airport. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's proxy wars across the Mideast and was blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in roadside bombings and other attacks. Speaking to lawmakers in Parliament, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said that after the killing of Soleimani, the government has two choices: End the presence of foreign troops in Iraq or restrict their mission to training Iraqi forces. "As a prime minister and supreme commander of the armed forces, I call for adopting the first choice," Abdul-Mahdi said. Abdul-Mahdi resigned last year in response to the anti-government protests that have engulfed Baghdad and the mostly Shiite southern provinces. Political factions have been unable to agree on a new prime minister, and Abdul-Mahdi continues in a caretaker capacity. Asked shortly before the parliamentary vote whether the US would comply with an Iraqi government request for American troops to leave, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would not answer directly. "We'll watch. We're following very closely what's taking place in the Iraqi Parliament, he told CBS' Face the Nation. "It is the United States that is prepared to help the Iraqi people get what it is they deserve and continue our mission there to take down terrorism from ISIS and others in the region. A pullout of the estimated 5,200 U.S. troops could not allow ISIS to make a comeback but could also enable Iran to deepen its influence in Iraq. US Sen Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Fox that the parliamentary vote is a bit concerning. The Iranian government is trying to basically take over Iraq's political system. Iran is bribing Iraqi politicians. To the Iraqi people, do not allow your politicians to turn Iraq into a proxy of Iran," he said. The attack that killed Soleimani has dramatically escalated regional tensions and raised fears of outright war. Amid Iran's threats of vengeance, the US-led military coalition in Iraq announced Sunday it is putting the fight against Islamic State militants on hold to focus on protecting its troops and bases. The coalition said it is suspending the training of Iraqi forces and other operations in support of the battle against ISIS. Also, the leader of Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group vowed to end the US military's presence in the Middle East, saying U.S. bases, warships and soldiers are now fair targets. "The suicide attackers who forced the Americans to leave from our region in the past are still here and their numbers have increased," Nasrallah said. It was not clear which suicide bombings Nasrallah was referring to. But a 1983 attack on a US Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killed 241 US servicemen and led President Ronald Reagan to withdraw all American forces from the country. Nasrallah spoke from an undisclosed location, and his speech was played on large screens for thousands of Shiite followers in southern Beirut, interrupted occasionally by chants of Death to America! The comments were Nasrallah's first since Soleimani's killing. The majority of about 180 legislators present in Parliament voted in favour of the troop-removal resolution. It was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. "The government should work on ending the presence of all foreign forces," Parliament Speaker Mohamed a-Halbousi said after the vote. Iraqi officials have decried the killing of the general a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. Abdul-Mahdi called it a "political assassination." Killing Iran's most powerful general marked a turning point in US Mideast policy by elevating a conflict that had previously been more of a shadow war, and by putting in doubt the Pentagon's ability to keep troops in Iraq. More broadly, the killing appears to have lessened chances that President Donald Trump will achieve the central goal of his "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran: to compel its leaders to negotiate a new, broader nuclear deal. The administration also faces troubling questions about the legality of the Soleimani killing, its failure to consult Congress in advance, and the prospect of plunging America into a new Mideast war. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form BJP leader and MP Uday Pratap Singh on Saturday has opined that Presidents rule could be imposed on those states which are opposing the amended Citizenship Act and fail to implement it. The lawmaker said that the President would have to exercise his powers under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution to dismiss state governments if they do not implement the CAA. The state governments that are opposing the CAA can be dismissed and Presidents rule can be imposed there," Singh said adding that the states are bound to implement the law. Article 356 of the Indian constitution empowers the President to impose Presidents rule in the event that a state government is unable to function according to constitutional provisions. Several state governments such as that of Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, West Bengal have opposed the Act and have refrained from implementing the Act in their states. Kerala has gone a step ahead and passed a resolution in the state Assembly against the Act. READ | BJP Neta Orders Copy Of Constitution For Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi & Mamata Banerjee Over CAA Home Ministers reassurance 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 will give citizenship to persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. READ | Harsimrat Kaur Slams Rahul For Misleading People On CAA, Not Calling Out Pak's Atrocities 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 the 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 | Anti-CAA Protests: Priyanka Makes Unscheduled Visit To Muzaffarnagar 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. (With ANI inputs) READ | Keshav Maurya Slams "totally Mad" SP For Bizarre Promise Of Pension To Anti-CAA Protesters Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Sunday announced a solatium of Rs three lakh each to the families of three men hailing from Tamil Nadu, who were killed in a recent fire mishap in Sudan. Expressing grief over the death of R Ramakrishnan from Nagapattinam and S Jayakumar and M Rajasekar of Cuddalore districts, Palaniswami said they were killed in a fire mishap on December 3 following a gas leak at a ceramic company in Sudan. As soon as he learnt about it, the Chief Minister said he requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend all help to identify and bring their bodies home. Following the plea, he said their bodies were sent to their respective villages by the authorities. Condoling their deaths, Palaniswani said he has ordered disbursal of Rs three lakh each to the families of the three men. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In later years her smoky voice had a 'lived in' quality which confirmed a long love affair with cigarettes, a glass of wine and the general experiences of life, while her fondness for phrases like "well it has to be said" and her sometimes drawled out sentences added to a personality unusual in today's broadcasting world. There was no hint of celebrity if you saw Marian Finucane having a cigarette outside The Bailey pub off Grafton Street; she appeared to be just another well-groomed middle-aged woman enjoying a night out with friends. Although she did a couple of stints on television, she was essentially a radio person and as such protected from the unwanted attention that often befalls home-grown 'stars' when they venture into the real world. She was regarded as businesslike and courteous within RTE, but she carefully chose where and with whom she socialised and was seldom seen in public without her husband John Clarke, if not by her side at least in the vicinity. Nor did she open up her own life the way she had others do for her. One profile writer quoted her as saying: "I hate doing interviews, I dread these things." The few that she did seemed awkward and guarded from someone in the forefront of the media, as she stone-walled questions about her background, her first failed marriage, her general beliefs and her enormous salary at RTE for what for years was essentially four hours of weekend broadcasting. She insisted that her day started at 7am with Morning Ireland and told one interviewer "just in case people think I'm sitting around having a nice time only working at weekends, I'm working all the time". But, then again, so are many others in the media and elsewhere, who may have had much greater output but less impact. She compartmentalised her personal life, traumatic as it was at times, from her professional life. The queen of extracting "personal testimony" from others was rigidly reticent when it came to her own. Expand Close Marian in the RTE studio in the Eighties / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Marian in the RTE studio in the Eighties Following her death last Thursday at the age of 69, the most frequent reference has been to her searing, semi deathbed interview with her friend, the writer Nuala O'Faolain. But there was more to Marian Finucane than that one piece of extraordinary journalism. Essentially she spent her career seeking scoops and she managed to hit the target frequently. Managing the often banal aspects of a magazine programme, keeping the ratings high and the listeners entertained is not an easy feat. It requires a steely ruthlessness to discard the public relations flim-flam in pursuit of the story. One businessman, going on the show to promote a book he had written, got a cursory mention of it in the opening salvo with "we'll come back to that later" before she got down to unravelling the angst of his involvement with Nama (National Asset Management Agency). They never got back to the book, but over the next hour she extracted every ounce of news value from the put upon multi-millionaire. They say that there is a "splinter of ice" in the heart of all good journalists and Finucane had a few of them. On another occasion a politician asked that the death of her infant child should not be brought up in the interview. It was. The guest then replied, "But you know all about it, having suffered the death of your own daughter." There was a stalled silence, at which point Marian broke down and the producer went to an advertising break as the two women composed themselves. Expand Close Marian Finucane. Photo: Damien Eagers / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Marian Finucane. Photo: Damien Eagers Marian Finucane, who died in her sleep at home near Naas, Co Dublin on Thursday, January 2 at the age of 69, was born in Dublin on May 21, 1950, one of six children of Cork-born public servants. She was educated at the Irish speaking Scoil Chaitriona in Glasnevin, Dublin and did her Leaving Certificate at the age of 16. She then spent a year as a boarder in the St Louis Convent in Monaghan. She studied architecture at the College of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin. She was a keen debater and politically aware, taking part in protests at the demolition of a row of Georgian houses in Hume Street, Dublin in 1970, where she was a lesser-known figure among budding aspirant politicians like Garret FitzGerald, Mary Robinson and Ruairi Quinn. Like many Irish students, she spent a summer in New York, where she considered switching to an arts degree, before returning to Bolton Street and graduating in 1974. She worked briefly in an architectural practice but according to herself a chance meeting with broadcaster John O'Donoghue at a party led to an interview for the national broadcasting service that did not go particularly well. But she would claim that it was a "light-bulb" moment and eventually after several attempts, she joined RTE as a continuity announcer where she spent two years before moving up the ranks in Montrose. She married architect Larry Granville at the age of 24, but the relationship broke down within five years. "We got on brilliantly but we weren't a good marriage, simple as that," she told Mike Murphy, the host of The Big Interview series in 2011. Asked if the marriage had an "acrimonious ending", she replied, "I suppose the endings tend to be but he was a really, really, nice guy". Commentator Eoghan Harris, then a producer in RTE, recruited her to his books programme Paper Chase, she worked as a reporter on the current affairs show Day by Day, a summer filler presented by another novice, Pat Kenny and later presented Saturday View and Women Today which was launched in 1979. In February, 1981 she edited the magazine Status, which came from the Magill stable and promised to be "an investigative news magazine for women". However, it closed after just 10 issues, by which time Marian Finucane had already left, because "it failed to generate the advertising support that was necessary". In the intervening years she also presented Consumer Choice and Crime Line on television and made a number of well-received documentaries, receiving a Jacobs Award, a Prix Italia for a documentary on abortion and a radio journalist of the year award in 1988 for the Marian Finucane Show on afternoon radio. While she was involved in some ground-breaking programmes, her early broadcasting career sometimes verged on a desire to shock, both her listeners and her bosses in the male-dominated world of RTE, at that time. It was an era when the national broadcasting service could afford to alienate listeners as they had nowhere else to go and as she grew older she adopted a more mature sense of good radio journalism. Liveline, which was devised as a format to give ordinary people a voice on radio, was an ideal platform for Finucane to further her broadcasting career, particularly as a majority of the listeners at the time were women and she was tuned-in to the issues that were exciting interests in her audience. It lasted for a gruelling 13 years but made her a household name and one of the station's top earners. By now an accomplished and influential figure in RTE, she remained on contract rather than a full-time RTE employee, something that in more recent years allowed her to continue working in radio while others around her were reluctantly retired as the station attempted to save money and listeners were offered greater choice with the advent of new technology which has changed the media landscape beyond recognition. It also led to controversy in 1993 when she was among a group of people who purchased apartments in the Mespil Flats complex off Baggot Street, Dublin which had been sold by Irish Life. She bought one with a sitting tenant with a loan of 42,000 from the Irish Nationwide Building. Following adverse comment she took legal proceedings for libel against several newspapers. Although these went to court, they were eventually settled and her barrister Garrett Cooney SC said she was not a "get-rich-quick merchant" and she had purchased the flat as part of her pension. She and her partner, John Clarke, a sheep farmer, lived originally outside Mullingar, Co Westmeath, before moving to Kildare. They had two children together, Sinead who developed leukaemia and died at the children's hospital in Harcourt Street, Dublin in 1990 and Jack who is now in his late 20s and was the subject of an horrific attack when burglars targeted their home in 2007, while his parents were on a trip to South Africa. After nearly 30 years together, they married in 2015. He also has three adult sons Jocelyn, Neil and Timothy. On Gay Byrne's retirement in 1999, she took over his early morning radio slot to present the Marian Finucane Show, and then, in 2005, moved on to the Saturday and Sunday flagship programmes which earned her a huge audience and a salary that peaked at 500,000 a year, making her one of the most highly-paid broadcasters of her era. She had managed to boost it substantially at one point by threatening to defect to rival station Newstalk. "It was what the market was, because I'd had offers from other stations and anyway why shouldn't the girls get it if the boys are getting it," she said by way of justification. However, the "boys" in question spent far more time in both the radio and television studios at Montrose than she did. In recent years her salary had fallen in line with others but her take-home package in 2019 was still a very healthy 300,000, which was managed through her own production company, Montrose Productions. There was talk in RTE that Marian Finucane would retire after her 70th birthday next May, and there was already speculation within media circles about who her replacement might be. But sadly, as she often said when commenting on the sudden deaths of others, 'You never know the day nor the hour'. That hour came too soon for her to enjoy some well-deserved years in retirement. Lawmakers have criticized Mr. Trump for not telling them in advance of the strike on General Suleimani. Among those attacking Mr. Trumps actions is a Republican, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who wrote on Twitter that the main question is whether the assassination of Soleimani will expand the war to endanger the lives of every American soldier or diplomat in the Middle East? When asked Sunday by several interviewers whether the United States would attack cultural sites, Mr. Pompeo avoided answering directly. He said on ABCs This Week that the United States would behave lawfully and behave inside the system. In one appearance, Mr. Pompeo said the costs of any attacks by Iran or its partners on American interests would be borne by Iran and its leadership itself. Mr. Pompeo made his statements as Iraqs Parliament voted to expel more than 5,000 American troops from Iraq. The United States military has been fighting the Islamic State, a Sunni militant group that seized enormous swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014 but is now transforming into an insurgency after years of military defeats. Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi of Iraq, a Shiite leader who has ties to Tehran, has criticized the presence of American troops following the strike on General Suleimani, though he has not yet signed Parliaments bill. American military officials said Sunday that they were suspending operations against the Islamic State as American forces braced for retaliation by Iran and its partners. Asked about the Iraqi Parliaments vote, Mr. Pompeo said on the CBS program Face the Nation that the United States would continue to battle the Islamic State. It is the United States that is prepared to help the Iraqi people get what it is they deserve and continue our mission there to take down terrorism from ISIS and others in the region, he said. President Donald Trump speaks to media before departing the White House on Marine One on Oct. 11, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Trump Responds to Tehrans Threats: We Have Targeted 52 Iranian Sites Trump warns Iran not to attack Americans or American assets President Donald Trump has taken to Twitter saying that the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites after threats from the Iranian regime. Trump warned Iran not to attack any Americans or American assets on Saturday night. Earlier in the day, senior Revolutionary Guards commander General Gholamali Abuhamzeh threatened that 35 U.S. targets were within reach for the Islamic republic following the killing of Iranian top general Qassem Soleimani by U.S. airstrikes. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters, Trump wrote. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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! he declared. .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 blasted Soleimani for his involvement in the deaths of hundreds of Iranian protests back home, and for orchestrating attacks on the U.S. Embassy and as well as additional hits in other locations Tehrans Threats In his threats on behalf of the regime in Tehran, Abuhamzeh had said that vital American targets were identified by Iran since long time ago. Some 35 U.S. targets in the region, as well as Tel Aviv, are within our reach, he was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying. Related Coverage Iran Vows to Take Revenge After US Kills Top Commander He had also raised the prospect of possible attacks on American destroyers and warships in the Strait of Hormuz. In further veiled threats, the Kataib Hezbollah (also Kataib Hizbollah) Iranian-backed militia, which the United States has designated a terrorist group, warned Iraqi security forces on Saturday to stay away from U.S. bases in Iraq, according to al-Mayadeen television. However, experts and people familiar with the situation told The Epoch Times that Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is unlikely to order attacks on U.S. assets while theyre mourning Soleimani. Khamenei is unlikely to go to war during the coming days, as hes scheduled to pray over Soleimani on Monday at Tehran University, said Sam Bazzi, Middle East expert and founder of Hezbollah Watch. Circle of Violence Soleimani was killed near Baghdad International Airport overnight on Jan. 3 during an airstrike ordered by Trump. The hit came following months of attacks by the Iranian-backed militias on American forces in Iraq starting October 2019, including the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by Iranian-backed militiamen and their supporters on Dec. 31, and the death of a U.S. military contractor on Dec. 27. Several U.S. and Iraqi soldiers were also wounded in the rocket attack the United States has attributed to Kataib Hezbollah. Trump had also ordered the bombing of five Kataib Hezbollah-linked facilities on Dec. 29 in response to the loss of American life. According to State Department officials, Soleimanis killing had been in response to the years of deadly attacks that he had personally orchestrating in the region. They stressed that another major attack in Iraq had been imminent but is now not likely to happen. We cannot promise that we have broken the circle of violence, a senior State Department official told reporters on Jan. 3. What I can say from my experience with Qassem Soleimani is, it is less likely that we will see this now than it was before, and if we do see an increase in violence, it probably will not be as devilishly ingenious. The Jan. 3 airstrike that killed Soleimani also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (or al-Mohandis or Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi), the deputy commander of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella grouping of paramilitary forces mostly consisting of Iran-backed Shiite militias that was formally integrated into Iraqs armed forces amid efforts to defeat ISIS. Trump told reporters in Florida that afternoon that the strike was carried out to stop a war, The Epoch Times reported. Reuters contributed to this report. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday announced a financial aid of Rs 3 lakh each to families of three persons from Tamil Nadu who died in the tragic LPG tanker blast at a ceramic factory in Sudan in December last year. Ramakrishana Ramalingam, Jayakumar Selvaraju and one more person, who has not been identified yet, lost their lives in the blast at the ceramics factory in Khartoum on December 3. Their families will get financial assistance from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund. At least 14 Indians were killed in the fire, according to the Indian embassy in Sudan. As many as 58 Indians were working at the factory. The explosion occurred while a gas tanker was unloading its cargo at the factory, as per a statement by Sudan's Council of Ministers, as cited by Xinhua news agency. The blast also injured 130 others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) San Francisco, Jan 3: In a bizarre incident, a Christmas gift landed a seven-year-old boy in the hospital in the US after he accidentally swallowed an Apple AirPod. An X-ray image taken at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia displayed the device resting peacefully inside the boy's stomach, reports WSB-TV. Doctors told Kiara Stroud, the boy's mother, they will not attempt any procedure as the gadget will pass through on its own after a few days. Apple AirPods Pro With Noise Cancellation Might Be Launched This Month: Report X-rays showed the wireless headphone was still intact inside the body. There are no reports that the boy suffered an injury or illness after swallowing the AirPod. The boy is home, and doing fine now. "Today, we didn't yell at him, didn't curse, didn't ask why, didn't tell him he was too old, didn't shame him, and didn't make the situation worse. He already felt bad. He was scared and nervous. Apple AirPods Pro With Active Noise Cancellation Feature Hailed By Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kapoor & Other Celebs (View Instagram Pics) "We let him know that everything was going to be okay, stayed calm, and it helped him to relax so that the doctors could do their jobs," Stroud posted on Facebook. Thanks for all of the prayers," she added. This is not the first time someone has swallowed an AirPod. According to Fox News, a Taiwanese man accidentally swallowed an AirPod last year. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2020 03:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Harvey Weinstein trial due to start in Manhattan - AP Harvey Weinstein hopes to rebuild a career in the film industry should he be acquitted, the disgraced Holywood mogul has said in an interview with CNN. The former film producer, whose trial begins in Manhattan on Monday, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of predatory assault. He has faced allegations of harassment and assault from more than 80 women including some of Hollywoods biggest names. Many are planning to be in court, including Rosanna Arquette. Justice James Burke, the presiding judge, will set out the schedule for the trial, which is expected to last two months. Jury selection alone is predicted to take two weeks. Last month the producers legal team reached a tentative $25 (18.6) million legal settlement with more than 30 women who took out a civil suit against him. The deal saw Weinstein escape personal liability and having to make an admission of wrongdoing. But it left two cases outstanding. One woman accuses Weinstein of raping her at a Manhattan hotel in 2013 and another alleges he forced her to perform oral sex at his townhouse in 2006. Weinstein, 67, has repeatedly denied all allegations of non-consensual sex. The wave of allegations, which emerged following an investigation by the New Yorker and New York Times, raised the profile of the #Me Too movement, which had been campaigning against sexual harassment since 2006. In the interview, which was conducted via email, Weinstein told CNN he believed he could make a comeback in the industry although the studio he co-founded in 2005 with his estranged brother, Bob, no longer exists. Harvey Weinstein leaves Manhattan Criminal Court following an earlier hearing Credit: Bryan R Smith/AFP "It will take a bit of work to build back to it," Weinstein wrote. "If I can get back to doing something good and building places that help heal and comfort others, I intend to do so." The trial will include testimony from the two alleged victims as well as evidence from Annabella Sciorra, a former Sopranos actor who alleges she was raped by Weinstein at her apartment in the early 1990s. Story continues Initially, the allegation was considered too old to be considered. But the evidence was deemed admissible with prosecutors seeking to prove a pattern of behaviour to justify the charges of predatory sexual assault. Weinstein, who has been on $1 million bail, declined to be drawn on whether he felt any empathy for his alleged victims. "While I do have many empathetic opinions regarding many people, I am following the advice of my lawyers on the eve of my trial to not offer any commentary on this, "The public's biggest misconceptions come from the assumptions that have been made through the help of media," he wrote. "That is also all I can say on this for now." Rosanna Arquette, one of Weinstein's accusers who plans to attend Manhattan trial Credit: Matt Licari/Invision In the interview, Weinstein described the past two years as gruelling. "I realize now that I was consumed with my work, my company and my drive for success. This caused me to neglect my family, my relationships and to lash out at the people around me, he wrote. Asked what he would do if acquitted, Weinstein replied: "I plan to focus on my children, my health and rest. If I can do something positive to advance the causes that I had always championed, I hope to find a way to do so." Last week 25 women who made allegations against Weinstein issued a statement ahead of the trial. "This trial is critical to show that predators everywhere will be held accountable and that speaking up can bring about real change," "We refused to be silenced and will continue to speak out until this unrepentant abuser is brought to justice. Pakistan has extended tacit support to the United States over its action against Iran earlier this week in exchange for the resumption of military cooperation with Washington, DC -- in a move that led to the latter authorising the reinstatement of a military training and educational programme which had remained suspended for two years. Citing Intelligence sources, Asian Lite reported that Islamabad, which blamed Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Major General Qassem Soleimani for Baloch militant attacks against its forces, found an opportunity to 'kill two birds with one stone' when Washington sought its support after the airstrikes near the Baghdad international airport. It may be noted that the United States' announcement to authorise the resumption of International Military Education and Training (IMET) for strengthening 'military to military cooperation on shared priorities and advance US national security' came hours after US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo spoke to Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa in the aftermath of the airstrike. '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 destabilising and our resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities, and partners will not waver,' Pompeo had tweeted. Pakistan has remained conspicuous by its silence over the US airstrikes and subsequent escalation of tensions between Washington, DC and Tehran. Citing a leaked letter of Pakistan foreign ministry, the Asian Lite report further asserted that as many as 14 members of Pakistan Armed Forces were killed recently by 'Baloch militants' based in Iran. It was one of the several attacks sponsored by Iranian intelligence chief Soleimani against Pakistan. The IMET programme was frozen for Pakistan by the Trump Administration two years ago due to Islamabad's lack of action against terror groups. It may be noted that the State Department administers IMET, a programme which offers spaces to foreign military officers at US military education institutions, such as the US Army War College and the US Naval War College. Pakistan-based The News International has reported a State Department spokeswoman as saying that the programme 'provides an opportunity to increase bilateral cooperation between our countries on shared priorities... We want to continue to build on this foundation through concrete actions that advance regional security and stability'. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoo antiwar protesters joined others across the country in denouncing the recent American drone strike in Bagdad that killed Irans head intelligence commander on Sunday, Jan. 5. The Kalamazoo Nonviolent Opponents of War switched out its weekly prayer vigil for peace with a protest against potential war in Iran, organizer Daniel Smith said. A group of six members have been congregating outside of Western District of Michigan federal courthouse every Sunday at noon since 2002, Smith said. But Sunday, the group grew to roughly 50 peaceful protesters holding signs that said No War on Iran in response to the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, Friday, Jan. 3. We believe in solidarity and we are standing in solidarity with Iran, Smith said. We dont want the people of Iran to suffer the same way the people of Iraq have. Among the protesters on West Main was former Kalamazoo City Commissioner Don Cooney, who spoke to the crowd before joining in we want justice, we want peace, chants. Thats what were here for, he said. To say we need a new policy in this country. A policy based on human rights and social justice. The action by the Trump administration along with the decision to send thousands more troops to the Middle East has sparked fears about a war between Iran and the United States. President Donald Trump has pledged to quickly and fully strike back if Iran retaliates against the United States. There were dozens of protests organized over the weekend, including in New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C. People also protested in other countries such as Toronto, Canada and London, England. Michigan Republicans applauded Trump for holding Iran responsible for recent violence against Americans, while Democrats said he is recklessly moving the U.S. closer to another costly war in the Middle East. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, voicing India's concerns over the escalating tensions in the Gulf region after the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. Jaishankar also separately spoke with Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Alawi and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the tense situation in the region. The External Affairs Minister's telephonic conversations came as concerns mounted across the globe over fast-deteriorating diplomatic ties between the US and Iran, and the spiralling tensions in the Gulf after Soleimani, the head of Iran''s elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport. Noting that developments have taken a "very serious turn", Jaishankar said he had a conversation with Zarif and asserted that India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension in the region. "Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch," the External Affairs Minister tweeted after his discussion with Zarif. After his discussion with Pompeo, Jaishankar tweeted, "Had a telephonic discussion with Secretary of State @SecPompeo on the evolving situation in the Gulf region. Highlighted India's stakes and concerns.". Defending the killing of the Iranian commander, President Donald Trump on Friday had said "reign of terror is over" and claimed Qassem Soleimani had contributed to "terrorist plots as far away as New Delhi and London." "A warm conversation with FM @ABZayed of UAE. Exchanged views on recent developments in the region," Jaishankar tweeted after his conversation with his UAE counterpart. "Discussed with FM Yusuf Alawi of Oman the tense situation in the region. Reaffirmed our shared interest in the stability and security of the Gulf. Appreciated his perspectives on the current situation," he said in another tweet. Trump has warned Iran that the US has identified 52 possible targets in the country and will hit it harder than ever before if Tehran, which has vowed "severe revenge", carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of Soleimani. Maj Gen Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran''s elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US 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. Soleimani''s killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the US. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in France have shot and wounded a knifeman who rushed at a group of officers shouting 'Allahu akbar' just one day after another attacker left one dead and two hurt. Local officials said the incident in the city of Metz was being monitored closely and that a probe had been launched to determine the motivation of the attack which saw a 28-year-old man attack officers in the Borny district. 'The man was known to be radicalised, and to have a personality disorder,' said Christian Mercuri, the Metz public prosecutor. Mr Mercuri said police had fired shots at the man so as to overpower him soon after midday, because he was threatening passers-by with a knife. Scroll for video Police officers were pictured on the scene today following the attack in the French city of Metz Police officers rushed to the scene where they managed to get the suspect on the floor (left and right) The man was on an 'S-file' in France, which means he was considered to be a serious threat to national security because of his obsession with radical Islam, including groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda. It comes just days after a man went on a knife rampage in the suburb of Villejuif just outside Paris on Jan 3. The attacker killed one person and wounded two and was subsequently shot dead by police. The Metz local public prosecutor's office said it was in contact with the French anti-terrorism prosecutor's department over the incident, while French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner added he was monitoring the situation closely. 'I praise the quick thinking of the @PoliceNat57 (Moselle police force), which intervened to apprehend the individual. A probe is underway to determine the precise motivation and circumstances behind the act,' Castaner wrote on Twitter. The attack happened in Metz (stock image above) just days after another attack hit France The Metz local prosecutor's office said the suspect suffered gunshot wounds to the thigh. He was then taken away. It added that the suspect, whom it did not name, was on an official list of those monitored for links to militant groups. Paris has suffered major attacks by Islamist militants in recent years. Co-ordinated bombings and shootings in November 2015 at the Bataclan theatre and other sites around Paris killed 130 people - the deadliest attacks in France since World War Two. WASHINGTON Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren raised $21.2 million from October through December, with more than $1.5 million coming on the last day of the year. But the Massachusetts senator still trailed other top rivals in fundraising and fell short of her total from the three previous months. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said she took in $11.4 million for her White House bid to close out the year, while New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker said he raised $6.6 million. It was the best fundraising quarter so far for both Klobuchar and Booker. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the strongest progressive voice along with Warren, said he raised more than $34.5 million in the same quarter, proving that his heart attack in October hasnt slowed his fundraising prowess. Sanders and Warren both rely heavily on small contributions from donors that primarily come online. Former Vice President Joe Biden rebounded from a summer slump to take in $22.7 million, also his best quarterly haul as a presidential candidate, while Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., raised $24.7 million. Both typically use more traditional fundraising methods, including frequent gatherings with big donors that Warren and Sanders have shunned. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who has not yet scored high enough in recent polls to qualify for the next Democratic presidential debate scheduled for Jan. 14, announced receiving $16.5 million. In the third quarter last year, Warren raised $24.6 million as months of strong, summer polling lifted her to front-runner status along with Biden and Sanders. But lately, Warrens support has plateaued as Buttigieg has vaulted among the front-runners. Warren and Buttigieg have feuded for weeks about fundraising tactics, but Warrens latest donations total further suggests her overall momentum is slowing. In a message Friday, Warren campaign manager Roger Lau said the senators average contribution was $23, proving the grassroots nature of her appeal. Lau wrote that, all told last year, nearly 1 million donors provided more than 2.7 million contributions to raise more than $71 million for Warren. Klobuchar said 145,126 people donated between September and December, with an average contribution of $32. Campaign manager Justin Buoen struck a similar tone to Laus, citing a massive surge in grassroots support. Buoen attributed that rise to the Minnesota senators strong performances in fall debates, which he said helped the campaign double its staff in Iowa and New Hampshire, where voters cast the first votes for the Democratic nomination beginning Feb. 3, and invest in the next two states Nevada and South Carolina. The campaign also is spending money in states that will vote in the March 3 Super Tuesday contests. Sara Burnett and Will Weissert are Associated Press writers. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. The owner of Shamrock Deli in Audubon was fatally stabbed Friday afternoon and police were trying to identify a person on a bicycle as part of the investigation, authorities said Saturday. Jerome Pastore, 52, of West Berlin, was found by police across the street from his deli on the 100 block of Cuthbert Boulevard in Haddon Township suffering from apparent stab wounds, acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill Mayer said in a statement. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, the prosecutor said in a statement. A motive has not yet been given by authorities for the stabbing. Audubon Police and Camden County detectives are still processing the scene at the Shamrock Deli after a reported stabbing earlier this evening @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/3Xy0YLzjc7 Drew Smith (@drewsmithtv) January 4, 2020 Police from Oaklyn, Audubon and Haddon Township responded to the deli, located on South Davis Avenue, at approximately 4:50 p.m. after receiving calls about the stabbing. Pastore was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he died from his injuries shortly after 5 p.m., authorities said. The prosecutors office released a photo of a person on a bicycle and asked for anyone who recognized the individual to call detectives. It was not clear how the person was tied to the investigation or if they were considered a suspect. Anyone with information should contact Camden County Prosecutors Office Detective Jeremy Jankowski at (856) 580-5950 or Haddon Township Police Detective Jessica Camacho at (856) 854-1176. Information may also be emailed to ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org. Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaPanico. Louise McGuane, 42, is the founder of whiskey bonding company J. J.Corry. She lives in London and in Ireland with her husband, Dominic McCarthy, and their dog, Ruby. I fell into the drinks industry by chance in my early 20s. I grew up in Ireland, and after college, moved to America, where I met someone at Moet Hennessy who invited me for an interview. I started in marketing, but moved around departments in different multi-national drinks companies, always in the luxury high-end sector. Louise McGuane (pictured), 42, is the founder of whiskey bonding company J. J.Corry. She lives in London and in Ireland with her husband, Dominic McCarthy, and their dog, Ruby Getting married, in 2012, changed things. Working for global corporations you're expected to live all over the world, but my husband ran a business in London. After our honeymoon, I returned to Singapore, where I was living, and he to London. After two years something had to give. I'd noticed the Irish whiskey industry which had collapsed in the 1930s starting to grow. So, in 2015, I decided to start a whiskey business on my father's dairy farm in County Clare. My dad is nearly 80 and as neither I nor my brother are farmers, I wanted to give the farm a future. She realised it was a lost art and decided to bring it back, under the brand name J. J.Corry a piece of heritage from her community The first thing I did was research the local history of distillation. I found an antique dealer on eBay selling whiskey labels from the 1890s in my town, so I drove to his house and asked about them. He had a shed full of receipts, telegrams, wrapping and adverts from J. J.Corry, a local whiskey bonder from the 19th century. I'd never heard the term 'whiskey bonding', but it was once the prevalent way whiskey was sold. A bonder sources whiskey from distilleries then matures, blends, bottles and brands it. I realised it was a lost art and decided to bring it back, under the brand name J. J.Corry a piece of heritage from my community. I built a warehouse and, in 2016, I bought my first casks, of young whiskeys to mature and older ones ready for blending. I was in a state of terror leading up to the launch in 2017: I needed that first whiskey to prove I could make something special through bonding. Incredibly, it won a prestigious Gold Medal award at the Irish Whiskey Awards. Today, we are stocked at clubs and restaurants worldwide including Annabel's and J. Sheekey in London. But I still keep innovating. A Catholic university in New Jersey will pay the U.S. government more than $4.8 million to resolve its role in a scheme defrauding veterans' GI Bill. (zimmytws/iStock) University to Pay U.S. Government $4.8 Million for Part in Defrauding Education Program for Veterans A Catholic university in New Jersey has agreed to pay the U.S. government more than $4.8 million to resolve its role in a conspiracy that fraudulently obtained over $24 million from a federal education program designed to help veterans, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced Friday. The conspiracy, according to a U.S. Attorneys Office statement, involved two individuals from Ed4Mil, a for-profit online correspondence course provider, and former administrators at Caldwell University, a Catholic liberal arts institution located in Caldwell, New Jersey. From 2009 through August 2013, the co-conspirators applied for tuition benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to provide online courses to veterans under a post-9/11 GI Bill. Those classes, however, were developed and taught by an Ed4Mil correspondence school in Pennsylvania, which was not eligible for GI Bill benefits. As a result, thousands of veterans enrolled in what they thought were Caldwell courses. The court document (pdf) suggests that while most courses at the correspondence school would cost between approximately $600 and $1,000 per course for tuition, Caldwell charged between $4,500 and $26,000, even though it contributed no content or value to the courses. Altogether, the conspiracy caused the VA to pay over $24 million to Caldwell in a span of nearly four years. Caldwell University tried to hoodwink the Department of Veterans Affairs and, worse, veterans themselves, by claiming to offer online classes developed and provided by Caldwell that were in fact marked-up offerings by an online correspondence school, U.S. Attorney Carpenito said in the statement. Our veterans should never be treated this way, and we will continue to work to ensure that they receive all of the benefits that they deserve as a result of their service to the country. Three individuals involved in the bait-and-switch scheme have already pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. David Alvey, Ed4Mils founder and president, was sentenced in 2018 to five years in prison. Helen Sechrist, a former Ed4Mil employee, and Lisa DiBisceglie, a former associate dean at Caldwell, were each sentenced to three years of probation. The Attorneys Office statement does not specify whether the co-conspirators personally benefited from the scheme. It states, however, all three were ordered to pay $24 million in restitution. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, formally known as Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, came into effect in 2009 to provide financial support for many veterans who served on or after September 11, 2001, by paying for their tuition, housing costs, and other expenses as long as their courses meet certain criteria. The committee said it will contact the NATO and Mediterranean parliaments to gather as much world support in condemning Turkey's military deployment in Libya The Egyptian parliament's foreign affairs committee said Turkey's decision to send military troops to Libya to shore up the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated government of Prime Minister Fayez Al-Serraj represents a direct threat to Egypt's national security following an extraordinary meeting on Sunday The committee's meeting, led by MP Karim Darwish, said it will soon hold communications with the NATO and Mediterranean parliaments to expose the illegitimacy and illegality of the Turkish move and its destabilising effect on the Mediterranean region. "To achieve this, a sub-committee will be formed to follow up developments in Libya, coordinate positions with NATO, the Mediterranean and world parliaments, and form an international front against Turkey's military aggression," the committee said. In an official statement, the committee said the Turkish escalation in Libya represents an invasion aimed at imposing hegemony on Libyan territories, and that the move is in violation of UN resolutions on the sovereignty of member states. "It is an interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign Arab country in flagrant violation of all international covenants and principles," said the statement. It also said that Turkey's military assault on a "brotherly Arab country" is a direct threat to Arab national security in general and Egyptian national security in particular. "The Turkish deployment of troops risks plunging Libya into a Syrian-style civil war which terrorist groups and organisations always like to use to proliferate and target other North Africa countries, particularly Egypt," said the statement, adding that "all necessary measures should be taken to preserve Arab interests in face of these threats." The committee also praised the Libyan parliament's rejection of a recent agreement between Turkey and the Tripoli-based government of Prime Minister Al-Serraj. "It is important for all the Libyan people, tribes, religious clerics, and officials to unite and mobilise against the Turkish invasion that aims to plunder the fortunes and wealth of Libya. "This is the best means available to defend the country against Turkish invasion and occupation of Libyan lands," the statement said, also urging the Egyptian people to support their government in taking all measures necessary to protect Egypt's national security. Egypt's parliament is expected to discuss the 27 November agreement between Turkey and the Al-Serraj government when it reconvenes on 12 January. Search Keywords: Short link: Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 07:37:13|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Photo taken on Jan. 4, 2020 shows the military academy hit by an airstrike in Tripoli, Libya. An airstrike hit a military academy in the Libyan capital Tripoli late on Saturday, killing 28 students and injuring 18 others. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua) TRIPOLI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- An airstrike hit a military academy in the Libyan capital Tripoli late on Saturday, killing 28 students and injuring 18 others. "Initial casualties indicate that 28 students of the military academy were killed and 18 others were injured as a result of an airstrike by foreign air force supporting the war criminal Haftar (commander of eastern-based army)," the UN-backed government's forces said in a statement. The UN-backed government's forces posted photos on their official Facebook page showing bodies and injured students, as well as ambulances rushing to the academy's headquarters in Tripoli. The eastern-based army has not committed on the airstrike so far. The eastern-based army, led by General Khalifa Haftar, has been leading a military campaign in and around Tripoli since early April, trying to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government. Thousands have been killed and injured in the fighting, and more than 120,000 people fled their homes from the violence. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened Iran with very fast and very hard reprisals for attacking American people or assets in retaliation for the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, who had headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and said US military has 52 Iranian targets in its cross-hairs. The US president, who is holidaying in his private resort in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, was responding reportedly to intelligence Iranian ballistic missile units being in a heightened state of alert and presumably to a threat from a senior Iranian military leader who had said dozens of American facilities and bases were within the reach of Iranian forces, and Tel Aviv. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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. he wrote in a string of tweets. The USA wants no more threats! Trump was referring to the 52 American diplomats and citizens who had been held hostage for 444 days at the US mission in Tehran from November 1979 to January 1981 by Iranian students in support of the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini. Also Watch | Soleimani responsible for terrorist plots in New Delhi & London: Donald Trump The United States killed General Soleimani in a drone strike outside the international airport in Baghdad on Friday, along with the leader of an Iran-backed Iraqi militia and five other men. He was planning imminent and sinister attacks on Americans and their military facilities, the US has said. Iranians, their allies and their proxies have responded with expected outrage and have vowed to avenge the assassination, with President Hassan Rouhani assuring the generals relatives everyone will step up to it. An Iranian military commander, Brigadier General Gholamali Abuhamzeh, is reported to have said, Saturday, Thirty-five vital American positions in the region are within the reach of the Islamic Republic, and Tel Aviv. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital thoroughfare for the West, and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf. This might have set off the president, or, as The New York Times reported that US intelligence had detected Iranian ballistic missile units in heightened state of alert. The report also said that some officials believed it was unclear if the Iranians were dispersing them in anticipation of an American attack or they were being mobilised for a strike against the US. US officials have said they are prepared for retaliatory strikes and that was a risk factored into the decision to kill Soleimani and have argued that the cost of not doing anything would have been far higher While theres always a risk in taking decisive action, theres a greater risk in not taking that action, National Security Adviser Robert OBrien told reporters Friday. The United States has deployed 3,500 additional troops to the region to bolster its forces there and carried airstrikes on five targets associated with Kataib Hezbollah, which is an Iranian-sponsored Shiite militia group, and three targets in Western Iraq and two targets in Eastern Syria. Officials described these facilities as command and control facilities or weapons caches of the militia. I would note also that we will take additional actions as necessary to ensure that we act in our own self-defense and we deter further bad behavior from militia groups or from Iran, defense secretary Mark Esper said to reporters in Florida after briefing the president, along with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other top officials. Thousands of anti-war protesters gathered in communities across the country Saturday to condemn the American drone strike in Baghdad that killed Irans top security and intelligence commander. In cities and towns across the U.S., more than 80 demonstrations were planned to oppose the killing of the commander, Qassem Soleimani, and the Trump administrations decision to send thousands more troops to the Middle East. The protests were spearheaded by Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, an anti-war coalition, and Code Pink, a women-led anti-war organization. Unless the people of the United States rise up and stop it, this war will engulf the whole region and could quickly turn into a global conflict of unpredictable scope and potentially the gravest consequences, the coalition said in a statement. More than 1,000 demonstrators in Washington gathered outside the White House, carrying No War signs, Brian Becker, national director of the coalition, said. Others marched in New York City in Times Square, repeatedly chanting U.S. out of the Middle East. Crowds also assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Indianapolis; Memphis, Tennessee; Miami and St. Louis. In Philadelphia, demonstrators outside City Hall carried signs demanding that the U.S. stay out of Iraq and avoid war with Iran. In San Francisco, an anti-war rally included chanting, singing and speakers. In downtown Chicago, hundreds of demonstrators stood outside Trump Tower, some with signs that read Stop bombing Iraq. In Seattle, a rally was held at a park next to Pike Place Market. Hundreds of people gathered, including 19-year-old Ethan Cantrell, who held a sign that read please no more war. Cantrell said that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that spanned almost his entire life had been 20 years of pointlessness. Aliza Cosgrove, an 18-year-old protester in Seattle, said she would like to see more young people who grew up in the digital age particularly those who come from privileged backgrounds demonstrating in public. When you go on the internet, you see so many people talking about the world and talking about whats going on, and they just make jokes or repost something and thats all they do, she said. Theres good in spreading the message on social media, but theres also direct action in going out and raising your voice. Act Now to Stop War and End Racism and Code Pink began calling for nationwide protests Tuesday, ahead of the drone strike that killed Soleimani but as tensions were escalating between the U.S. and Iraq, Becker said. Protests were initially planned in 10 to 15 cities and the number grew to 30 by Thursday. When the general was killed near the Baghdad airport early Friday, the number of participating cities more than doubled, Becker said. As of Saturday afternoon, more than 80 protests were organized, Medea Benjamin, a director of Code Pink, said. She said she hadnt seen numbers like this since 2003. One thing thats very different this time is that more young people and people of color came out to protest, Benjamin said. Benjamin said the surge of protesters reflected a momentum and energy that she hoped would be seen and heard by lawmakers. It felt like this in September 2002 when we were putting out calls to organize, Becker said. There was the same sense of alarm. This is extremely reminiscent of the months before the Iraq invasion. The drone attack drastically ratcheted up tensions between Washington and Tehran, causing online interest in military conscription and World War III to surge Friday. On Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security updated its National Terrorism Advisory System to warn that Iran is capable, at a minimum, of carrying out attacks with temporary disruptive effects against critical infrastructure in the United States. The systems bulletins, which are shared among law enforcement across the country, also reiterated that there was no current, specific, credible threat against the U.S. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. London (AFP) - Britain will not lament the death of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sunday, though he warned that reprisals would lead to greater violence. The United States killed top military leader Soleimani outside Baghdad airport in a drone strike on Friday. In his first intervention on the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Johnson said he had spoken Sunday with US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He said he would speak to other leaders in the coming days. "General Qasem Soleimani posed a threat to all our interests and was responsible for a pattern of disruptive, destabilising behaviour in the region," Johnson said in a statement. "Given the leading role he has played in actions that have led to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians and Western personnel, we will not lament his death. "It is clear however that all calls for retaliation or reprisals will simply lead to more violence in the region and they are in no one's interest." Johnson said that following ministerial meetings and further international calls, MPs would be updated on the situation on Tuesday. Meanwhile London has urged Baghdad to allow international coalition soldiers to stay in Iraq, where the parliament on Sunday pressed the government to oust foreign troops. The cabinet would have to approve any such decision. British troops are part of an international coalition of forces stationed in Iraq -- invited by the government in Baghdad in 2014 -- to help fight against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. A British government spokesman said: "The coalition is in Iraq to help protect Iraqis and others from the threat from Daesh (IS), at the request of the Iraqi government. "We urge the Iraqi government to ensure the coalition is able to continue our vital work countering this shared threat." Some 5,200 US soldiers are stationed across Iraqi bases to support local troops preventing an IS resurgence. For most of us, we schlep through airports on long haul flights like cattle on their way to the big house. Long faces and sore bones, we uncomfortably contort ourselves into small seats only to do the same whilst waiting for connecting flights. Then theres those who get to experience the comfort of the very best in airline lounges. A little oasis amongst a sea of tired people where you can escape to relax and recharge. That said, not all lounges are created equal. There are the likes of the Aspire lounge in Amsterdam which guarantees warm Heineken, dirty toilets and a pay per use shower or Cathay Pacifics incredible The Wing lounge located in Hong Kong Airport. We experienced the highest form of luxury last week on a 5-hour layover en route to the Porsche Driving Experience in Kittila, Finland. The Wing takes the lounge experience beyond champagne and caviar and goes ten better with the introduction of the Cabana, possibly the most self-indulgent 90-minute lounge experience ever. Lets see what all the fuss is about. Flight: QF 117 (Sydney to Hong Kong) Airport: Hong Kong Lounge: Cathay Pacific The Wing First Loyalty Status: Oneworld Emerald Cathay Pacifics The Wing is one of Asias maybe the worlds most luxurious and well-appointed lounges. Having landed at 5:30 am we were just in time for The Wing to open. The lounge was deathly quiet in comparison to a few hours later. Adorned with chesterfield sofas and soft leather recliners, its supreme luxury for business travellers. Food and beverage heaven in The Haven. By 7:00am the lounge is buzzing, not with First Class passengers, rather businessmen and women scooting throughout Asia on daily hops. The Haven offers an a la carte menu which I presume if more suited to evening flights. A simple breakfast buffet is also available in the main lounge area. Pour you own Perrier Jouet champagne is also a nice touch. Cathay Pacifics Cabanas are very well hidden only available to Oneworld Emerald and First Class passengers. Usual curiosity and question asking opened the doors to this oasis. Your very own self contained space to relax and recharge. Due to our very early arrival, we made sure we booked a Cabana for the full 90-minutes allowed. Note: Bookings are essential. The Cabanas First Class service means you can get changed and relax while they take care of everything. Get your clothing pressed and returned promptly whilst you shower and freshen up in a fluffy white robe. Sadly I did not need anything pressed. Next time Ill bring all my laundry. Your private Cabana is stocked with premium amenities. Bodywash, shampoo and conditioner provided by Jurlique. More toothbrushes and shower caps than you have teeth or heads. One thing missing was hair product for men with wild post-flight hair. The Cabana has six main features in the space. Wardrobe, vanity, washbasin, day bed, shower and and wait for it a bath. The Bath An airline lounge that goes one up on a massage. What to do when you have a 5-hour layover? Thats right, you try said bath. Good thing you have 90-minutes because the bath takes a while to fill. Im the last of the selfie-takers but this one was too good to pass up. After said photo, I sat and waited patiently for 20 minutes for the bath to fill to a modest but not greedy level. (Thinking of the environment here as a blast across the world in a carbon unfriendly jet.) I used the remaining 60 minutes to soak like a big fat crocodile However, Im not a bath guy. I find them incredibly boring, even on a 5-hour layover. Regardless I was very clean, relaxed and had time to make some calls, post some Instagram stories and generally be a wanker. An amazing Hong Kong day awaited upon my triumphant return. What a difference 90 minutes can make. Beautiful sunshine in one of the worlds best airports before jumping on my next Finnair flight to Helsinki. If youre passing through Hong Kong and are Oneworld Emerald status do yourself a favour and book a Cabana in advance. Youll be happy with the over the top and unnecessary experience of having a bath in transit. Read Next As she made her daily commute from her home in a sleepy Derbyshire village, a mother received a phone call from her daughter in Cyprus. Mum, Ive been gang-raped, her only child told her. From the harrowing moment she heard the words, spoken softly by the teenager, the conscientious, middle-class mother has seen the life she built for her golden little girl torn apart. The Briton (right) leaves court after being found guilty of lying her mask with lips sewn up signifies the fact that her voice is being silenced. Her mother says she cannot 'visualise going home' as the trial has been 'so unpredictable' Its the call nobody wants to receive. It was just devastating, the mother told the Daily Mail yesterday. The woman who remains anonymous to protect her daughters identity has spoken of the anguish of the past five months as she fought to restore a normal family life. Not only has she been faced with the hopelessness of trying to defend her daughter in the islands unfamiliar court system but also on the streets. The student has been stranded since July after being accused of making up claims that she was raped by a group of Israeli youths in Ayia Napa. Some of the Israeli men who were initially accused of rape are seen arriving in court on July 25. The woman's family say police protected them and treated her as a criminal from the start And tomorrow, her mother will sit in the public gallery of the tiny Famagusta District Court to see if her daughter will be jailed over charges of causing public mischief. The worlds media will be watching as will Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has said he has serious concerns about the teenagers treatment. The woman flew to Cyprus after her daughters phone call on Wednesday, July 17, but it was ten days later that the teenagers fate went from tragic to unjust. Pictured: A diagram illustrating bruising found on the teenager She was asked to go to the police station for a chat with Detective Sergeants Marius Christou and Andreas Nikolettis. She told her mother it was just a routine chat and she would be back in time for dinner. But instead she was thrown into a police cell, scared and alone. She was then interrogated for eight hours until she signed a retraction statement saying she made up the rape claims because she was embarrassed she had been filmed without her consent. The mother suddenly found herself alone and facing the worst possible scenario in a foreign country she now had to somehow negotiate the language barrier and chaotic court system to find a way to help her child. The bedroom where the teenager claimed the attack had taken place The room of the Aiya Napa hotel room where the teenager claimed she had been attacked I was in shock at what had happened already. I was still dealing with the emotional impact of that, she said. I had to deal with my daughter being raped and we were scared witless that she might have HIV. Then all of a sudden she is in prison. Justice has been served, says boy's father The father of one of the Israeli youths accused of gang-raping the teenager says he is glad she has been convicted. The man, whose 17-year-old son was arrested in Ayia Napa in July, expressed no sympathy for the young woman, who was left with extensive bruising and suffers from PTSD. The man, who lives in Jerusalem, said: Im very happy. Justice has been served. We knew from the beginning that the girl was not speaking the truth but we were just waiting for justice to be served. The teenagers uncle added that he wanted the 19-year-old woman to face the full force of the law. Even if it was my own father, I would want them to face the full strength of law and for justice to be served, he said. Whoever does the crime should be punished in whatever way the law decides. He said his nephew had no sympathy for the teenager. Advertisement That whole series of events... those three things individually for an ordinary person are life-changing, you dont get all three of them. Hopefully you dont get any of them. And it was not only in the courts that she was forced to prove the innocence of her bubbly, beautiful girl. The case had become the primary topic of conversation on the island and everyone assuming the mother was just another British tourist on holiday wanted to know what she thought about the girl who cried rape. For the sake of her daughters safety and anonymity, she would have to answer as a tourist completely disconnected from the events. It happened a lot in the summer months, as soon as they realise you are British they want to know what you think. I was having to defend my daughter incognito, she said. I always say, if that was your daughter, how would you feel? While the mother was trying to come to terms with the dire situation, pictures were emerging of the Israeli boys, now exonerated, returning home to a heroes welcome popping champagne corks and chanting the Brit is a whore. Asked how she felt seeing those celebrations as her daughter was put in a foreign jail, the mother paused for a long time and fought back tears. I felt utter disbelief. I think thats because the parents of those boys were involved as well. I was just devastated. I felt completely heartbroken for my daughter. She has never been in trouble before. She is my golden girl. The teenager was remanded in custody for more than a month. She spent her 19th birthday in jail, and received her exam results by phone. She did well (in her results), I was proud, but it is hard to be happy when you are in that kind of situation, her mother said. The trial was expected to last just three days, but has dragged on for months. We had no way to plan the logistics of it all, the mother said. We sort of gave up trying. It has been like that from the beginning. We cannot visualise going home because we have struggled with the decision-making all the way through. It has been so unpredictable. She also watched helplessly as district judge Michalis Papathanasiou directed several outbursts at her daughter. The statement is the crux of a case that has sparked a diplomatic incident, with the teenager dragged to court and convicted of lying If the teenager even glanced back at her mother for reassurance during the stop-start trial, he would shout angrily at her to show him respect. Torn between wanting to stand up and defend her or simply give her a hug, the woman said: I had to separate myself from it, I think I told myself that it wasnt real. I would have been sobbing otherwise. It was horrific. Seriously horrific. She is deeply worried for the mental health of her daughter, who is suffering from PTSD and vacillating between hypersomnia in which sufferers struggle to keep awake during the day and insomnia. After she was convicted last Monday, the teenager suffered a panic attack often triggered by men shouting in a foreign language outside court after hearing a policeman yelling. She froze before grabbing her mothers arm and saying: Im so sorry, I cant help acting like this. It will be all right in a minute. A petition has been launched to have all charges dropped against the teenager dropped following her conviction Her mother said: Its very physical, she will become incredibly anxious and try to get away. Her body sort of takes over and she cant always rationalise what is going on. It can be paralysing. She seizes up. She said her over-riding priority was to get her daughter home and treated. Im very worried about it. She has to get treatment for it or she will be affected by it for the rest of her life. An online fundraiser entitled 'Help Teen Victim Get Justice In Cyprus' has raised more than 114,000 towards the family's legal fees so far So much harm has already been done, we need to minimise that as much as possible. She was very confident, very intelligent, and its really affected her self-confidence. The mother had no qualms when her confident and intelligent daughter then just 18 said she wanted to go to Ayia Napa for a working holiday before she took up an unconditional offer at university. Cyprus trial judge Michalis Papathanasiou The woman had thought it was safe and had previously visited the island herself. To me it was just another party destination at another resort that attracts young people looking for sun and a good time, she said. The softly-spoken project manager from Derbyshire could never have known the anguish that was to follow after her daughter set off on Wednesday, July 10. If I had known then what I know now I would have done anything in my power to stop her coming here, she said. She has since backed calls to boycott the unsafe island, adding: It could happen to anyones daughter, niece, mother or sister. (Natural News) At the start of the new year, the embattled United Methodist Church came to an agreement about dividing the denomination in order to please its LGBTQ contingent, which is demanding full access to all leadership positions within the religious institution as well as sanctioned same-sex marriages. Signed by 16 different church leaders on both sides of the issue, the agreement allows for same-sex marriage ceremonies to be held, and openly LGBTQ clergy to work, at all United Methodist locations. More conservative congregations that object to these two allowances would be free to leave the denomination and take their property with them, according to the agreement. United Methodists have been at odds with each other for many years over the LGBTQ issue, as loud and proud members and clergy want to openly celebrate lifestyles and behaviors that the Bible prohibits, while more traditional Methodists say no way. But this ideological and theological impasse could finally have a resolution in the form of an official split. If the agreement is officially accepted, United Methodist churches that prefer to stick with the Word of God rather than capitulate to the shifting sands of our spiraling society would be given $25 million to start their own denomination, and associated clergy would be allowed to keep their United Methodist pensions. The LGBTQs, on the other hand, would assume full ownership of the original United Methodist denomination. In order to take effect, the agreement will have to be approved at the denominations next general conference, which takes place in May. Because advocates on all sides of the issue have been actively involved in the negotiation process, Ken Carter, president of the United Methodist Churchs council of bishops, is reportedly optimistic that it will pass. Last year, the United Methodist Church actually convened a special general conference specifically to address the LGBTQ question and soon to be the LGBTQP question, as pedophilia joins the rainbow but it ended without a clear resolution. The denominations members ultimately voted against allowing same-sex marriage, but this hasnt stopped the more progressive United Methodist congregations from continuing to conduct them anyway, as well as hire LGBTQ clergy to their ranks. This United Methodist split is just the wheat separating from the tares, just like the Bible said would happen Because there hasnt been an agreed-upon solution to this irreparable wheat and tares division within the United Methodist denomination, some of its more Bible-based members have suggested dissolving the denomination entirely. This new agreement hopes to accomplish that in a more amicable way, though the more conservative wing of the denomination will have to pay the bigger price. There are simply some convictions and matters of conscience that do not allow people to be in unity with each other, Carter is quoted as saying during a recent interview, emphasizing that while he doesnt want the denomination to split, there appears to be no other option. Nobody likes the idea of division, but as were seeing in our nation politically, division exists whether we like it or not. Heck, even Jesus Christ himself stated, as per the gospels, that he didnt come to bring peace on earth, but rather a sword a sword analogizing the cutting, or dividing, that his gospel message would accomplish. Its unfortunate that a large enough contingent of pro-LGBTQ Methodists has driven the denomination to this point, but its not surprising. The fact that a United Methodist location in Durham, North Carolina, recently held a Drag Me to Church drag queen performance in its sanctuary suggests that Jesus and his teachings have long been abandoned and replaced with the gospel of LGBTQ within the rotting core of the United Methodist establishment. To keep up with the latest news about the attack on Christianity thats taking place from within, be sure to check out Evil.news. Sources for this article include: CatholicCitizens.org NaturalNews.com BibleHub.com RedState.com German automaker Daimler AG said on Saturday it will recall 744,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the United States from the 2001 through 2011 model years because the sunroof glass panel could detach and pose a hazard. The large recall covers more two dozen vehicles from C-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class and E-Class model lines. The automaker said the bonding between the glass panel and the sliding room frame might not meet specifications and could lead to sunroofs detaching. Owners who paid for repairs for the issue will be able to seek reimbursements from Daimler. A Mercedes-Benz USA ... The presidency has confirmed that at least five people were killed in the gas explosion that occurred Saturday in Kaduna. President Muhammadu Buhari also expressed deep sadness over the explosion which led to the death of the Chairman, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Simon Mallam, his son and three others at Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna on Saturday. PREMIUM TIMES reported the accident which occurred Saturday afternoon. Apart from the five deaths now confirmed by the presidency, properties worth millions of naira were also destroyed in the explosion. Residents of the area said the explosion occurred at the gas refill centre, trapping many people in the inferno. Many shops, mostly salons, plumbing materials, a boutique and others were affected. The exact cause of the explosion has not been confirmed with the Kaduna government saying on Saturday that an investigation was ongoing. Reacting to the incident, President Buhari said: I am deeply touched by this unfortunate incident that claimed the lives of Professor Simon Mallam, his son and others. The death of the erudite Professor has robbed Nigeria of a great scientist whose services were acutely needed at a time we are increasing emphasis on science and technology for development. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his family and those of other victims of the gas explosion. May God comfort these families and give them the fortitude to bear the loss, Mr Buhari added in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu. Anxiety about climate is plague of our times, DiManno, Jan. 3 The plague of our time is actually global warming and the reluctance of those controlling our governments and industries all over the world to take the necessary action required to reverse the increase of hothouse gases in our atmosphere. The more that young people speak out to remind us that we must take action now not later, the more likely it will be that we can reduce the threat that is looming ahead. The hole in the ozone layer was caused by some very reversible actions, something that is not true for global warming. It will not be easy to replace the use of fossil fuels in our factories, transportation systems, the heating of our homes and food production, especially since world population is projected to grow to 10 billion by 2057 from our current population of 7.8 billion. Publications by the scientific community about climate change are not scientific hysteria but carefully researched and conservatively stated scientific conclusions. At age 83, I was fortunate to have lived through the golden age of oil. The same blessing will not be passed on to our grandchildren and their children. We have left a legacy that we cannot be proud of and that we should regret. We certainly should not downplay the seriousness of this legacy. William Phillips, Toronto Although Canadians may only produce 1.6 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions, we represent just 0.4 per cent of the worlds population. We are actually ranked fourth in per-capita emissions. Although China is the biggest polluter, it actually produces significantly less per capita and, according to Forbes, is leading globally in renewable energy output and related technologies. Meanwhile, what is Canada doing now? Several provinces are fighting even the modest carbon tax, Ontario is paying hundreds of millions to dismantle green energy projects and the federal government is supporting the expanded exploitation of the tarsands with public funds for a pipeline. Weve taken a wrong turn. G.W. Byron, Toronto Rosie DiManno says the ozone hole has healed itself. Yet she also says it took the 180 nations who signed the Montreal Protocol to bring that about. Likewise, it will take the nations of the world to solve the even bigger crisis caused by our greenhouse gas emissions. All nations, including Canada. Yes, there are big emitters, but the small emitters together make up 30 per cent of the total. So we need everyone on board, just like with the Montreal Protocol. Sitting back and waiting for someone else to make the first move is a recipe for disaster. No wonder kids are depressed. Doug Pritchard, Toronto Rosie DiManno uses the common excuse that Canada is responsible for a mere 1.6 per cent of global emissions, ignoring the fact that, in 2018, the average person in Canada emitted twice that of the average person in China. In addition, Canada exports much of its manufacturing emissions to China. Although Chinas increased use of coal power is unacceptable, Tecks Frontier tarsands project has been granted conditional approval and would add an estimated six million tonnes to our annual emissions. Patricia Warwick, Toronto Read more about: Iran condemns Germany's backing for US brutal, illegal actions ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 4 January 2020 / 13:04 Tehran (ISNA) - Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has condemned supportive positions attributed to the German government regarding the US assassination of senior Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani. In a statement, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi said such remarks show Germany is not aware of realities. "Such comments indicate Berlin is not aware of realities on the ground in the region, and will, intentionally or unintentionally, align this country (Germany) with the United States' state terrorism," said the spokesman. "The Islamic Republic of Iran regards the German government's stances in support of brutal and unilateral US actions which are against international law as complicity in these actions, and Iran reminds the German government of General Soleimani's key role in fighting the terrorism of ISIS, whose continued existence would have endangered the lives of countless number of people even in Europe," he said. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sucharita Sen, faculty of JNU, at AIIMS after masked miscreants with sticks attacked the staff and students on JNU campus, on Sunday. (PTI) New Delhi: At least 30 students and teachers were injured during a clash which broke out between members of the JNU Students Union and the RSS-affiliated ABVP on the university campus on Sunday evening. The clash reportedly erupted during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers Association. It was at the request of the JNU administration that the Delhi police entered the campus late in the night to track down the miscreants and also conducted a flag march. Witnesses said about 50-odd goons, wearing masks and armed with rods and hammers, barged into the hostels around 6.30 pm. They reportedly indulged in stone-throwing and started beating students and teachers. Even students in the girls hostels were attacked. JNU Students Union president Aishe Ghosh, who was injured in the violence, said she was attacked by goons wearing masks. She said: I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I have been bleeding. I was brutally beaten up.. Ms Ghosh, bleeding profusely, was taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre. ABVP attacked with help from outsiders The JNU administration said the masked miscreants armed with sticks were roaming around on the campus, damaging property and attacking people, prompting it to call the police to maintain law and order. After violence broke out on the campus, JNU registrar Pramod Kumar said in a statement: This is an urgent message for the entire JNU community that there is a law and order situation on the campus. Masked miscreants armed with sticks are roaming around, damaging property and attacking people. The JNU administration has called the police to maintain order. This is the moment to remain calm and be on alert. Efforts are already being made to tackle the miscreants. A professor, Atul Sood, said the mob threw huge stones and entered the hostels, vandalising property. He said: These were not small stones, these were big stones that could have broken our skulls. I fell on the side and when I came out, I saw cars completely vandalised, including my car. Accusing the ABVP of working in tandem with outsiders who arrived armed on campus, Saket Moon, vice-president of the students union, claimed the mob went from one room to another, indiscriminately attacking students. All through, he claimed, the security guards remained mute spectators. Terrified students were also seen phoning professors for help. The JNUSU has claimed some masked persons entered the JNUs Sabarmati and other hostels and thrashed students with sticks and rods. The students union has alleged that the attack was orchestrated by the ABVP. It alleged that ABVP goons pelted stones and vandalised property at Sabarmati hostel. The ABVP attackers, with covered faces, are trying to enter Periyar Hostel by climbing the pipes, the JNUSU said on Twitter. The ABVP has, however, alleged that members of the organisation protested against the disruption of internet, after which they were attacked by members of the Left Unity. The ABVP claimed its members were brutally attacked by students affiliated to Left student outfits SFI, AISA and DSF. Around 25 students have been seriously injured in the attack and there is no information about the whereabouts of 11 students. Many ABVP members are being attacked in hostels and the hostels are being vandalised by Leftist goons, the ABVP said. Tagged as #EmergencyinJNU and #SOSJNU, a tweet from the students unions official handle read: Professors who were trying to protect us have been beaten up. These are unknown ABVP goons, not all are students, they have covered their faces, and they are moving towards the hotels near the West Gate. Stay alert. Make human chains. Protect each other. On Saturday, the JNU administration had said students agitating over the hike in hostel fees ransacked the server room and intimidated the technical staff. The university has been seeing a standoff between students and the administration over the hike in hostel fees for over 70 days. TAMPA, Fla. - A man shot two teenagers, one of them fatally, when the pair broke into a Florida home through a back patio door and tried to rob the man and his fiancee at gunpoint, authorities said. The Tampa Bay Times reports the second teen is in critical condition after Saturdays incident. According to a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded to a call around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. A man and his fiancee told deputies that two young men broke through the screen of their back patio and entered the home through an unlocked door. One of the alleged intruders had a gun and issued unspecified demands, according to a news release. Thats when the male resident grabbed his gun and shot at the alleged intruders. The man had a legal firearm, officials said. When authorities arrived they found two other teenagers in a nearby car. They stopped the car, and found that the two inside were also likely involved in the incident, the release said. All four suspects are between the ages of 16 and 17. As of Sunday morning, none of the teens alleged to have been involved had been named by the sheriffs office, and none had been charged. Officials said neither the resident who shot the teens nor his fiancee were hurt. Their names havent been released. Deputies do not believe the incident was a random event, according to officials. By BettyLou DeCroce Its been almost 10 months since Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law banning employers from including workplace sexual harassment in non-disclosure agreements a great step forward to ensuring victims have and can use their voice. However, the governors administration is still holding women hostage through the gag orders he required them to sign during his campaign and transition. Its no secret that his campaign was toxic towards women. Katie Brennan followed all the protocols when she reported being raped by a fellow worker on Governor Murphy's election campaign in 2017, but the system let her down. Her report was ignored as the accused was hired into the Schools Development Authority and remained employed for months after the allegations finally came to light. In a recent media report by NJ Advance Media, 20 women shared stories of how they were the victims of sexual misconduct while working in New Jersey politics. What Ive found most shocking is how many people in Trenton are feigning shock over such news. Sad? Yes. Shocking? Hardly. Many of the stories of inappropriate behavior and worse came from women participating in the annual Chamber of Commerce train trip to Washington, D.C. and the League of Municipalities convention. Like Gov. Murphy, I agree that these two organizations have a responsibility to clean up their events. However, the governor needs to lead by example. He has said that his campaign staffers are free to talk, but what about the non-disclosure agreements they were required to sign and what about his transition team and consultants? The governor shouldnt be silencing women. Period. Full stop. His administration grossly mishandled the Katie Brennan case and hasnt made protecting women in the workplace a top priority. Women are afraid to come forward and report sexual harassment and rape because of how Katie Brennan was treated. The Legislature has proposed some solutions, and I urge Gov. Murphy to make them a priority. There is a bi-partisan 10-bill package, sponsored by Assemblywomen Nancy Munoz (R-Union) and Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Essex), which was passed by the full Assembly in June, which tackles many of the issues at hand today. The bills were created as a result of the findings by a legislative panel responsible for providing oversight and transparency of the administrations hiring practices. They expand requirements for the state to combat discrimination and harassment, streamline the employee compliant process, tackle deficiencies in hiring processes during a gubernatorial transition, and more. Many of the bills have the full approval of both houses of the Legislature. There is no excuse for delaying action on them. Im proud to be a Republican a party that has a strong history of championing womens rights. The Republican Party pioneered the right of women to vote and was the first major party to advocate equal rights for women and the principle of equal pay for equal work. New Jerseys Legislature now has 38 women the greatest number of women legislators in state history. There is strength in numbers. The times are changing and we need to be on the right side of history. Trenton needs to do a better job at condemning reprehensible behavior, holding people accountable, punishing the perpetrators and protecting the innocent. However, it needs to start with the man at the top. The time to act is now. Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, a Republican, represents parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties in the 26th Legislative District. The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar gave an assurance to take up necessary measures to resolve border tension between Tungjoy village which falls under Senapati district in Manipur and Khezhakeno village in Phek district of Nagaland. He was speaking at the inauguration of the Tungjoy Glory-Day celebration held at Glory hall, Tungjoy, Senapati district on Saturday. He gave the assurance responding to a memorandum by the chairman of Tungjoy Village Authority Council, ZH Dahrh. The memorandum specifically pointed out long-drawn border tensions between Tungjoy village and Khezhakeno village dating back as early as the 19th century. Joykumar also assured that he will consult with the minister concerned for constructing a community hall for the village and for up-gradation of sub-primary health centre into a primary health centre. He said any community must not forget their tradition and culture in the global race for development. Culture and tradition is a medium to link the past, present and future of a community, he added. He expressed his gratitude and lauded the villagers for preserving their rich culture and tradition. Most of the villagers of Tungjoy village are of the Poumai tribe with an approximate population of 10,000 as per census report of 2011. The memorandum submitted to the deputy CM pointed out that row between the two villages has remained unsettled. The state government of Nagaland along the border is carrying out many developmental works in the said area such as the construction of a NAP Camp, an office for extra-assistant commissioner, one forest beat, one border magistrate office, construction of blacktopping road, etc it read. Further, it demanded the construction of a road from Tungjoy village to Anyothro, the present area causing tension, between Tungjoy village and Khezhakeno village "in order to protect the land of the Tungjoy village and the land of the state of Manipur. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (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. New Delhi: As the Delhi government organised a mega parent-teachers' meet (PTM) on Saturday, Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia expressed happiness at the large participation of parents. "Proud to see the parents turning up in large numbers. A child learns from teachers in school and from parents at home. When parents and teachers come together, it benefits students. Thus, organising mega PTMs at regular intervals is crucial," Sisodia said. Started in 2016, mega PTMs allows a communication platform for teachers and parents of students. Live TV "It helps teachers-parents exchange feedback about the student`s performance. It also allows parents to open up about issues at home that could possibly be coming in the way of their child`s studies. A PTM helps both of them develop a better understanding and be aligned in reaching the goal of creating a better learning environment for students," Sisodia said. The Education Minister said the PTM also helped boost parents` confidence as they get to know about their children`s performance. They become more supportive, he added. Sisodia visited schools and interacted with students and their parents. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also interacted with parents and students during his visit to a school in Rouse Avenue. Kejriwal said parents were getting inclined towards the Delhi government schools rather than private schools. He appreciated the efforts of teachers for improvements in education at government schools. Storyful An affable deer created somewhat of a buzz in a neighborhood near Salt Lake City, Utah, he regularly visited over the holiday period.The deer, nicknamed Cooper by local residents, has been playing with children in the neighborhood of Herriman and was even spotted posing for photos, reports said.Herriman resident Angelica Lujan recorded footage of the tame deer interacting with her children outside of her home on South Rowell Drive.Speaking to KSTU, a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources representative said despite the deers friendly attitude, the best thing for the animal is for people to leave him alone.People dont realize these beautiful, cute deer can be aggressive as they get older. Weve had times in the past where these friendly deer, they do get aggressive, said Scott Root, Conservation Outreach Manager, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.Weve had kids hurt at bus stops. Bad things happen when we feed deer in a residential area, Root added. Credit: Angelica Lujan via Storyful By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Violence broke out on Sunday evening at Jawaharlal Nehru University where goons wearing masks were seen vandalizing the hostel premises. In videos that are being circulated on social media platform show president of JNUSU Aishee Ghosh suffered from a severe head injury and bleeding heavily. I have been brutally attacked and beaten up by goons who merged in. I am bleeding and not in a condition to talk, Aishee said. "ABVP terrorists from DU have entered campus in large numbers with iron rods, and they have been told to single out students' representatives. The JNUSU President, Aishe Ghosh, has been attacked. The Police and guards are aiding and abetting the attackers," JNUSU tweeted. Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union (JNUSU) President Aishe Ghosh at JNU: I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I have been bleeding. I was brutally beaten up. pic.twitter.com/YX9E1zGTcC ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 Another video emerged of Sabarmati hostel in JNU being vandalised by masked people who were seen holding sticks and creating terror. Professors who were trying to protect us have been beaten up. These are unknown ABVP goons, not all are students, they have covered their faces, and they are moving towards the hotels near the West Gate, the students body tweeted. Pinjra Tod, a women's collective of students and alumni of colleges across Delhi, shared on Twitter that there is a 'complete breakdown of normalcy at JNU and open stone pelting, beating of students with rods and lathis.' #SOSJNU Police helping ABVP in JNU to attack Students. We need help. Lots of ABVP goons have entered campus with Rods. Police asking students to chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai at JNU North Gate. pic.twitter.com/wV7KayC6XB Pinjra Tod (@PinjraTod) January 5, 2020 About 20 ABVP students gathered in front of Periyar hostel with sticks, bats, rods and wickets shouting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. Can't say whether all of them are from JNU, said a JNU student. Meanwhile, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has accused left inclined students of vandalising the Periyar hostel of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and severely injuring various students present inside the hostel. "Around four to five hundred members of the left wing gathered around the Periyar hostel, vandalised the hostel and forcibly entered the hostel to thrash the ABVP activists inside," said ABVP's JNU unit President Durgesh. #NewsAlert | Sucharita Sen, faculty of CSRD, admitted in AIIMS with a head injury after the #JNUViolence inside Campus.#JNUProtests pic.twitter.com/WNaQ4olbqY The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) January 5, 2020 The ABVP claims its presidential candidate Manish Jangid was injured badly and may have suffered a fractured hand after the assault on him. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter and said that he was shocked to know about the violence at JNU. I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police shud immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus? Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 5, 2020 All you need to know about the JNU violence Battleground JNU: What triggered the latest clashes? What started with a minor scuffle between two groups of JNU students over registration in the new semester, within days turned the varsity campus into a battle field on Sunday, leaving several students and teachers severely injured. (READ MORE) JNU students recall fearful moments of campus violence A girl student recounted those moments in tears, "I was in the room and I heard loud noises and I saw many girls coming. I asked everyone to lock their rooms. We were in terror. While I was trying to take a video clip, they hit me with a stone." (READ MORE) Fascists in control of our nation: Rahul Gandhi on JNU violence Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Central government over the violence that erupted in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Sunday. (READ MORE) Prohibitory orders imposed in JNU after violence Prohibitory orders have been clamped on JNU campus in the aftermath of the violence unleashed by masked attackers on Sunday evening. With tension on the rise and the university on the boil, Section 144 has been imposed in the area. (READ MORE) Jadavpur University teachers body horrified by JNU violence "Astonished and horrified" at the violence unleashed against students and teachers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) by masked miscreants, the Jadavpur University Teachers'Association (JUTA) on Sunday called upon all sections of society to condemn the "heinous act". (READ MORE) JNU re-issues statement on violence after recalling it In wake of the unprecedented violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday, the varsity administration said there was a "law and order situation" in the campus and police had been called to maintain order. (READ MORE) Twitter war rages over JNU violence As reports of violence on Jawaharlal Nehru University campus came in on Sunday evening, Twitter saw eruption of a war of words between supporters of Leftist students' body and those on the opposite side, with both blaming the other for the violence. (READ MORE) Attack on JNU students 'state-sponsored mayhem', alleges Congress The Congress alleged that the attack on JNU students by masked miscreants on Sunday was "state-sponsored mayhem" and asked whether this was a "revenge by the Modi government" against students and youth. (READ MORE) Arvind Kejriwal urges Lt Governor to direct police to restore order on JNU campus Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said he spoke to Lt Governor Anil Baijal shortly after violence erupted at the Jawaharlal Nehru University and urged him to direct police to restore order on the campus. (READ MORE) HRD minister Nishank urges JNU students to maintain peace, ministry seeks report Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' urged JNU students to maintain the dignity of the university and peace on the campus, as his ministry sought an immediate report from the registrar Pramod Kumar on the violence that erupted there on Sunday night. (READ MORE) Union Ministers Jaishankar, Sitharaman condemn violence at JNU campus Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, both alumni of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, condemned the violence at the varsity on Sunday evening. (READ MORE) 25 of our members seriously injured, 11 missing: ABVP The ABVP on Sunday alleged that its members, including its JNU unit secretary, were attacked by members of the Left-backed students' outfits and 11 of the RSS-affiliated outfit's members were missing. (READ MORE) Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav manhandled outside JNU Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav was allegedly manhandled outside the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus where a clash broke out between members of the students' union and the ABVP. (READ MORE) Priyanka Gandhi reaches AIIMS, meets injured JNU students Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reaches AIIMS in Delhi to meet the JNU students injured during violence at the campus. (READ MORE) (With inputs from Online Desk and Agencies) Rivals for the traditional fattah dish on the Coptic Christmas dinner table abound, telling a story about the evolution of Egyptian culture It is a very busy evening for the upscale Maadi grocery shop on the weekend separating the beginning of the New Year and the advent of Coptic Christmas that Egypt celebrates on 7 January. Nevine, a housewife in her late 40s, is going through her shopping list. She is done with the meat, the poultry and the pastas. It is now time to go through the cheese section and then to leave the grocery shop to the patisserie to order cakes and cookies. Cheese is essential on my dinner table for Christmas. I get a wide range. I love cheese and I observe the fast, but also my children and my husband who do not observe the fast are always delighted to indulge in the cheese platter that I put on the table. It is a particular element of my table that is also appreciated by my brother and sisters and their spouses and children, Nevine said. The devout Copts of Egypt observe an over 50-day fast before they celebrate Christmas on 7 January. Unlike lent, for this fast they are allowed to eat fish but they have to refrain from dairy, poultry and meat. For Christmas dinner, which traditionally takes place after the end of midnight service, they are allowed to indulge. Well, we dont necessarily wait until the end of the full [Christmas] mass. This used to be the case before, but it has been changing a lot, Nevine added. During the life of her parents, both very observing Coptic Orthodox, Nevine and her siblings would not have even entertained the thought of sitting down to the Christmas dinner before the early hours of 7 January. They had to attend the full mass and then go home for the dinner. Things change a bit with times; today we start a bit earlier and in fact we have a very different menu for our Christmas dinner, she added. Before which is until the late 1980s Nevines family would have the very traditional Christmas dinner that almost everyone had. It was essentially about fattah (a layered mix of rice, toasted slices of baladi bread, dipped in meat broth and splashed with fried garlic) and meat which was either simply boiled or boiled and then fried in ghee, she recalled. A few years down the road, by the mid-1990s, Nevine saw her mother adding a rich dessert, usually a fruit or chocolate cake. And she would always put some kahk el-Eid, Egyptian style Christmas cookies filled with Turkish delight, processed dates or nuts and coated with powdered sugar. Then, the dinner menu expanded to include favourite dishes of family members that were not allowed during the fast, including macarona bechamel (a derivative of lasagna with thick white sauce), fried chicken and chicken soup with fried orzo. Things change; the very menus change and evolve. When we were young, chicken would be generally boiled and fried or grilled or roasted. Today, we have endless chicken recipes, including Chinese ones, Nevine said. She was actually planning chicken with soy sauce and noodles for her dinner table this Christmas. Nadia, a Coptic lady in her late 60s from the more traditional Zeytoun neighbourhood, acknowledges the changes in the Christmas dinner menu. Nadia and her husband and children still attend the Christmas mass until the very end. However, what they eat for dinner is not confined to fattah and meat. We have been watching TV and learning new recipes and doing them especially to please the children and the grandchildren, Nadia said. Nadias Christmas dinner does not have a cheese platter or assorted gateaux soirees; and they have no room for recipes of Chinese cuisine. However, they have place for saniyet kobeiba (baked minced meat and cracked wheat), potatoes stuffed with minced meat and topped with bechamel and mahshi fetaryi (vegetables stuffed with rice and minced meat and cooked with ghee). For dessert, Nadia usually gets rice pudding from her Muslim neighbour. It is a tradition in our apartment building. The Muslims give the Christians rice pudding for the feast and we offer them fried fish for the second day of Eid after Ramadan (the Muslim fasting month) because they dont traditionally eat fish in Ramadan, she said. The changes in the components of Christmas dinner also been a function of waves of migration Copts embarked upon since the late 1960s. Those who went to live in North America or Europe have been coming back with their recipes when they visit for the holidays. Hoda, a resident of Heliopolis in her early 70s, has seen her Christmas dinner table feature stuffed baked turkey and apple pies since Hany, her brother, who had lived in the US for close to 40 years, came back with his wife to retire in Egypt. Our Christmas dinner was never very traditional because we in Heliopolis have lived for long with Christians from the Levant, and also with Europeans. So for us it was never really fattah and boiled fried meat. There was always kobeiba and zucchini with bechamel and there was always a chocolate cake from Groppi (an old Heliopolis patisserie), Hoda recalled. Now, Hoda and her family go for the Christmas dinner at her brothers. So there is really everything; it is quite diverse now for us, she added. But in the 1950s, as today, we always had a real lovely banquet for Christmas. That is the tradition that we have always observed, and we still do, Hoda said. Feasting banquets have always been an Egyptian tradition since the times of the Pharaohs, according to an article published by Salima Ikram in the most recent issue of RAWI, Egypts heritage review. Writing under the title of Abundant delicacies and flowing wine, Ikram described how banquets in ancient Egypt celebrated a variety of occasions, including religious festivals, with lavish and sometimes special menus. Entire oxen were roasted together with ducks, geese, pigeons and various other foul, Ikram wrote. According to Ikram, stews of meat were cooked and different types of bread accompanied by a profusion of fresh vegetables and fruits Cakes and confectioneries using dates and honey, as sweetening agents, were also served. Sometimes fish was served, baked, boiled or grilled but rarely, as it was considered more of everyday food not fit for special occasions, she wrote. Ikram added that pigs would not necessarily appear on banquet menus given that they were considered to be a lesser status meat in ancient Egypt. According to a separate article by Cornelia Roner in the same issue of RAWI, the status of pigs changed during the Greco-Roman period, as the new residents of the country introduced their culture, foods and recipes. A recipe of pork from the era shows the use of a wide variety of herbs and spices, Roner added. In a period of changing fashion and traditions, food trends in Egypt mirrored diverse influences around the Mediterranean, Roner wrote. Roner added that olive oil found its way next to traditional oils extracted from radish and sesame. Wine red and white found a more prominent place on the tables of Egyptians during the Greco-Roman period, as they slowly took over from beer, the more common drink for most Egyptians, including during festive banquets. With the Arab conquest, Nawal Nasrallah wrote in a subsequent article in RAWIs issue dedicated to "Egypts culinary history, that it was a new gastronomic phase. The Arab conquest of Egypt played a major role in adding to its already abundant harvests by introducing important crops such as rice, sugarcane and citrus fruits, Nasrallah wrote. She added that along with the new crops, the Arab conquest brought new recipes, as Egypt was gradually becoming home to Turks, Kurds, Moroccans, Sudanese, Persians, Iraqis and more. This, Nasrallah reminded, was what brought dishes like Moroccan Kouskous or a Kurdish recipe for a whole lamb roast to the Medieval Egyptian cookbook. And food continued to travel to Egypt, and so did recipes, according to an article by Alan Mekihail in same issue of RAWI. By the mid-15th century, Mekhail wrote, Egypt came to have crops that came from the New World. This included corn, tomatoes and potatoes, and of course new recipes came along. RAWIs issue on Egypts culinary history qualifies the 19th century as definitive in the history of Egyptian cuisine, as waves of Syrio-Lebanese migration began, particularly with the persecution of Christians in Ottoman Syria. The arrival of waves of Greeks and Italians, who came looking for better economic prospects, and of Armenians who were escaping the genocide in the early 20th century, added to the multiplicities of cuisine of Egypt, the editors of RAWI remind. Cities turned into cosmopolitan hubs with people of multiple ethnic and religious backgrounds living together in the same buildings, the editors write. Egyptian families would send over a plate of ashoura, kahk or bisara and likely get back some Greek fasolada or perhaps artichokes with fava beans a popular dish during Jewish Passover and Coptic Lent, the issue added. While Levantine, Greek and Italian culinary culture were most influential with regular Egyptians, French culture was to have a greater effect with the Turko-Circassian ruling class and Egyptian notables. These influences would continue throughout the 19th and early decades of the 20th century until the later introduction of canned and frozen foods, both local and imported, that allowed for yet another wave of culinary innovation and diversity. Oh absolutely; this is how I am planning my mushroom, walnut and parmesan salad, my steamed Brussels sprouts and homemade pecan pie for the dinner on Monday night, Nevine said. Of course, we have our local varieties of mushrooms. But in some supermarkets we get imported ones too, and the pecans are imported. The world is changing and so are our menus. Especially those that we cook for special occasions where family and friends get together, she added. Search Keywords: Short link: Anti-war activists take out a protest march from the White House in Washington, DC. (AFP) Washington: Demonstrators in dozens of cities around the US gathered protest the Trump administrations killing of an Iranian general and decision to send thousands of additional soldiers to the Middle East. More than 70 planned protests were organised by CODEPINK and Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, a US-based anti-war coalition, along with other groups. From Tampa to Philadelphia and San Francisco to New York, protesters carried signs and chanted anti-war slogans. President Donald Trump ordered airstrike near Baghdads international airport that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force who has been blamed for attacks on US troops and American allies going back decades. Iran has vowed retribution, raising fears of an all-out war, but its unclear how or when a response might come. Protest organisers said the Trump administration has essentially started a war with Iran by assassinating Soleimani. In Miami, nearly 50 protesters gathered. Drivers heard people shouting, No more drone murders, We want peace now and What do we want? Peace in Iran. A few hundred demonstrators gathered in Times Square on Saturday chanting No justice, no peace, U.S. out of the Middle East! The United States is trying to use Iraq as a proxy war, said Russell Branca, 72, of Queens. If the United States and Iran are going to fights its not going to be in the United States and its not going to be in Iran, itll be in other places. And its just crazy because none of this is necessary. In Minneapolis, protesters gathered near the University of Minnesota holding signs and chanting. The Lenovo Legion Y740S is the thinnest, lightest gaming laptop from Lenovo to date, measuring just 0.6 inches thick and weighing just under 4.2 pounds. Theres just one catch the 15.6 inch laptop doesnt have discrete graphics. While the laptops integrated Intel graphics may be good enough for some games, youll need to plug in an external graphics dock if you want to take advantage of an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card. Fortunately, Lenovos got one of those too the new Lenovo Legion BoostStation is an aluminum eGPU dock that lets you use a desktop-class graphics card when gaming at home. The Legion Y740S laptop and the Legion BoostStation should be available in May with starting prices of $1100 and $250, respectively. Lenovo says the laptop supports up to a 15.6 inch, 4K IPS display with Dolby Vision and support for up to 600 nits of brightness and a 60 Hz refresh rate. The Legion Y740S will be powered by a 10th-gen Intel Core H-series processor with support for up to a Core i9 chip. Intel hasnt officially announced these processors yet, but theyre said to be coming soon. The laptop has a 60 Wh battery and supports up to 32GB of DDR4 memory and 1TB of PCIe solid state storage. It has a 60 Wh battery, and the laptop will be powered by one of Intels not-yet-announced 10th-gen Core H-series processors. The notebook also features a 180-degree hinge that allows you to set the screen to the most comfortable angle, and the laptop has exclusive thermals with a 5-point sensor array and 4 fans. It also features Dolby Atmos audio, and the laptops keyboard features an oil and abrasion-resistant coating. You can connect the optional Lenovo Legion BoostStation graphics dock via a Thunderbolt 3 port (which means you could also use the BoostStation with non-Lenovo laptops). The $250 starting price for the graphics dock gets you an empty case that allows you to add your graphics card of choice. But Lenovo will also offer versions bundled with NVIDIA GeForce RTX2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT GPUs. While the laptop is designed to be portable, the BoostStation is a lot less so it weighs 20 pounds. The graphics dock has an aluminum body with one transparent side panel. In addition to allowing you to connect an external GPU, the dock has a few USB ports, an HDMI port and Ethernet jack, allowing you to use it as a desktop docking station. Lenovo isnt the first company to release a so-called gaming laptop that lacks discrete graphics. The Razer Blade Stealth notebook I reviewed a few years ago was ostensibly a gaming laptop but it was really just a thin and light notebook that you could use for gaming if you plugged in an optional graphics dock something you could do to turn any supported laptop into a gaming PC. But in late 2018 Razer added discrete graphics to its Blade Stealth line of 13 inch gaming laptops. Meanwhile, Lenovo is taking its discrete GPU away sort of. If you really wanted a Lenovo Legion gaming notebook with built-in graphics, you can still buy the current-gen Lenovo Legion Y740. It sells for $1360 and up and features a 9th-gen Intel Core H processor and NVIDIA graphics. But with a starting weight of 4.9 pounds, its a bit heavier than the new Legion Y740S. Its also bulkier, measuring about 0.9 inhces thick. Lenovo is also introducing a new Studio Edition version of the Legion Y40 featuring NVIDIA Studio Drivers for folks that want the performance of a gaming laptop, but who plan to use it for graphic design, video editing, or other content creation tasks. press release The cost of HS2 is 'out of control' and could result in a 40 billion loss for taxpayers, a report by the deputy chair of the project's review panel has claimed. Lord Tony Berkeley said he believes 'Parliament was misled on the question of HS2 costs' from the evidence he has seen, adding it is 'highly unlikely' the legislation would have passed if it had been given the 'real costs figures by the Department of Transport'. He added there is 'overwhelming evidence' that costs for the high-speed railway are 'out of control' in a report submitted to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Based on independent analysis, the Labour peer puts the cost of HS2 at around 108 billion and suggests taxpayers are on course to make a 40 billion loss on the project. HS2 Ltd's latest official estimate of the project is 88 billion. In 2015, the price was set at 55 billion. Lord Berkeley found there is 'overwhelming evidence' that costs for the high-speed railway HS2 are 'out of control', according to a report (stock image) The deputy chairman launched a scathing attack on the government-commissioned review in November, after a leaked draft recommended the high-speed railway should be built in full despite soaring costs. Lord Berkeley raised a series of concerns in a letter to former HS2 Ltd chairman Doug Oakervee, who was appointed by Mr Johnson to lead the review. At the time, the Labour peer declared he 'cannot support its conclusions or recommendations' and 'serious problems with its lack of balance'. In the newly unveiled report - which the government said represents the peer's personal view - Lord Berkeley accuses HS2 Ltd of a lack of co-operation with the review panel. Based on independent analysis, the Labour peer (pictured) puts the cost of HS2 at around at least 107.92 billion and suggests that taxpayers are on course to make a 40 billion loss Lord Berkeley says he believes 'that Parliament was misled on the question of HS2 costs' from the evidence he has seen (stock image) But a spokesman for HS2 Ltd said that they had provided 'full co-operation' to Mr Oakervee and the rest of the review team. 'Ministers must urgently look again at HS2 and either put a new budget to Parliament for approval, change the scope of the project or cancel it,' Lord Berekely told the Sunday Telegraph. Stop HS2, a campaign group against the high-speed railway line, said the report leaves the project so 'irrevocably damaged' that there is no choice but to cancel it. Penny Gaines, chairman of Stop HS2, said: 'The case for HS2 has always been poor, and is simply getting worse. 'In the last six months the expected cost has nearly doubled, the timescale massively increased and the environmental damage from HS2 is becoming increasingly apparent. 'It is time for this white elephant of a project to be cancelled as quickly as possible.' Phase one of HS2 is planned to run between London and Birmingham. It was originally planned to launch in 2026 but a recent report by HS2 Ltd stated this could be pushed to 2031 The executive director of Greenpeace UK, John Sauven, said the Government needs to start listening to 'HS2's critics' if they were serious about climate change. 'The protection of ancient woodlands must be a priority for rail development, alongside more cost efficient investment in rail links in the North and hard pressed commuter lines across the UK,' he said. The review was due to be completed this autumn, although the decision on the project's future was pushed back by the general election. Phase one of HS2 is planned to run between London and Birmingham. It was initially planned to launch in 2026, but a recent report by HS2 Ltd stated that this could be pushed back until 2031. An HS2 Ltd spokesman said: 'There have been many individual views expressed about the HS2 project, however we await the publication of the Government's official review. 'HS2 Ltd has provided full co-operation to Mr Oakervee and his review team, and if the Government decides to proceed we have a highly skilled team in place ready to build Britain's new railway. 'Investment in a state-of-the-art high speed line is critical for the UK's low-carbon transport future, will provide much needed rail capacity up and down the country, and is integral to rail projects in the North and Midlands which will help rebalance the UK economy.' Australia took a commanding 243-run lead over plucky New Zealand in the third Test in Sydney on Sunday, looking set for a clean sweep of the series. The Australians dismissed the Black Caps for 251 to lead by 203 runs on the first innings before batting a second time in a bid to build an overwhelming total with two days remaining. At stumps on day three, the hosts were 40 without loss with David Warner on 23 and Joe Burns not out 16, and were expected to bat on for some time on the fourth day. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon captured five for 68 to lead the Australian bowling attack, with Kiwi Test debutant Glenn Phillips top-scoring with a charmed knock of 52. Phillips, who only flew in on the eve of the Test as cover for a team weakened by a virus outbreak, was dropped twice and given a reprieve when caught off a no-ball. Lyon put down the two caught-and-bowled chances when Phillips was on two and 17. The Kiwi batsman dodged another bullet on 28 when he was caught by Travis Head at deep midwicket only to be recalled when James Pattinson was found to have over-stepped for a no-ball. Phillips hit a cracking pull shot off Pat Cummins to raise his debut half-century before Cummins got him two balls later, ripping through his defences to take off-stump for 52. Lyon bowled Will Somerville and Neil Wagner for ducks and fast bowler Matt Henry came out to bat despite fracturing his left hand earlier in the match. Henry ducked out of the way of a couple of Mitchell Starc thunderbolts directed at his body before he was stumped off Lyon's bowling to end the New Zealand innings. - Bushfires backdrop - It was the longest innings of a disastrous lost series for the Kiwis, bettering the 71 overs they faced in the second innings of the second Test in Melbourne. The Black Caps lost three wickets in the middle session with the experienced Ross Taylor out lbw to Cummins for 22 in the second over after lunch. Taylor remains 20 runs away from becoming the highest-scoring New Zealand batsman in Tests, behind Stephen Fleming (7,172). Wicketkeeper BJ Watling chopped a wide Starc delivery on to his stumps for nine off 30 balls to put his team under more pressure. Colin de Grandhomme was needlessly run out for 20, taking on Matthew Wade's throw from the deep to wicketkeeper Tim Paine while attempting a second run. Lyon grabbed two key wickets in the morning session, removing Melbourne Test centurion Tom Blundell and recalled Jeet Raval. Raval, who was dropped after twin batting failures as an opener in the first Test in Perth, batted positively at number three before he was leg before wicket to Lyon for 31 off 58 balls. Tom Latham was out two balls later in the next over from Cummins, done by a fuller delivery and chipping straight to Starc at mid-on. The new skipper, deputising for the sidelined Kane Williamson, was denied a deserved half-century on 49 in his 133-ball vigil. Blundell fell in the day's fifth over, bowled by Lyon for 34. The Sydney Test is being played against the backdrop of one of Australia's most devastating bushfire seasons, with at least 24 people losing their lives in blazes raging across the country, including on the outskirts of Sydney. Play will be suspended in the match at the umpire's discretion, should smoke significantly affect air quality or visibility, but the sky above the ground has remained largely clear so far. A COUNTY Limerick man has been sentenced to three months in prison for not removing waste from around his property. Tom OShea, of Kilmore, Bruree was prosecuted by Limerick City and Council for waste management. It follows a site visit by Paul OGrady, of the council, on August 14, 2018. Mr Leahy, solicitor for the council, said the matter has been before Kilmallock Court on eight occasions. It concerns a considerable amount of waste being held at the rear of his property in Bruree. In September, he said would clear the site and not burn waste. There is evidence of fresh waste, said Mr Leahy. Read also: Limerick farmer appears in court for water pollution Mr OGrady took the stand and said Mr OShea has failed to comply with a notice to remove waste. He handed in a number of new photographs to Judge Marian OLeary. There is a slight deterioration at the front of the house. At the back there has been fresh waste brought on site. There is a double glazed window and an oil tank which is of particular concern as to what it contains, said Mr OGrady. Brendan Gill, solicitor for Mr OShea, said his client had contacted a skip company and certain items were removed in a skip on October 17. Note the cost of the skip. He is not a man of means, said Mr Gill. Judge OLeary said the new photos, after the skip has been taken away, are worse. Mr Gill said Mr OShea says the skip was full. There is more on the site than before the skip. I dont know how he can say that, said Judge OLeary. With regard to the oil tank, Mr Gills instructions are that Mr OShea is going to make it into a kennel for his dog. Judge OLeary asked what Mr OShea is going to do with the kennel that is currently there? Remove it. He is willing to tidy it up, said Mr Gill. He is willing a long time, said Judge OLeary. Mr Gill said Mr OSheas health isnt great. He is 63. He has been in poor health for a number of years. He has no ESB in his house. He remains willing. Time and money is the problem, said Mr Gill. Mr Leahy said the councils costs stand at 2,670. Judge OLeary sentenced Mr OShea to three months in prison. She put a stay on the order of three months. The judge fined him 400 and pay the councils costs of 2,670. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal. Cross-stitching, anyone? Or how about archery? As new research reveals that an old-fashioned pastime is good for our health, workaholic Marisa Bate reluctantly puts it to the test Get a hobby? Do I have to? Recently my partner sent me an email with the subject line: Get a Hobby. I opened it to see a link to a new study by the University of Sheffield, which had found that having a hobby unrelated to your job can make you happier at work by boosting your confidence. I dont get hobbies. In my head, they are the grown-up habits of the girls who were register monitor at school. They took pleasure in being productive, helpful and involved. I, on the other hand, was the girl who hid behind a wall during cross-country. At university I was accused by friends of having FOTP Fear of Taking Part. But, armed with the study, my partner had me cornered. Its authors found leisure activities that are either different from work or similar but pursued in a lighthearted, playful, less serious way can help to keep people happy and healthy by acting as a buffer between their personal and professional lives. This barrier gives people time to develop themselves and recharge their batteries, which is particularly important in helping to generate and preserve psychological resources such as confidence. The reason my partner wanted me to take up a hobby was because when Im not working, Im still kind of working. I write about womens issues for a living, and in the evenings Ill listen to a podcast about the rise of child brides in the US or watch a Netflix series about rape (so zero personal/professional barriers). He believes spending time thinking about something other than injustices against women would be good for me and he may have a point. But theres another reason this study was his trump card. Since leaving a job to go freelance, Ive had a massive crisis of confidence, one he has been the brunt of as tears have flooded the kitchen table night after night. Now theres solid evidence that if I had a hobby I might be able to rebuild my morale. Eventually I caved: Im getting a hobby, I announced over dinner. I told him I was joining a book club. He looked at me the same way he does when I tell him that Im going to start going to the gym four times a week. You read all the time for work. OK. How about a writing club? He pointed out that its not a hobby if its also your job. And so began the hardest part of having a hobby: finding one. I thought of my friend Louise who does salsa dancing. My mum booked me and her lessons when I was 14, and I was partnered with a 70-something by the name of Snake Hips so thats a no-go. Then I made a list. At first, it all sounded a bit Womens Institute: pottery, knitting, flower arranging, upholstery. Next my mind turned to summer camps archery, go-karting... Then I remembered a yoga teacher friend telling me that her career started as a hobby so thats where I decided to start, too. Once youve found your hobby the next hurdle is commitment: being organised enough to turn up at a certain time each week when work and life get in the way. So I eased into it with a few drop-in classes. I quickly remembered why I never got into yoga (its very repetitive) but I enjoy the stretch and feeling in touch with my body. Im calm and clear-headed after each class. The crop-top-wearing bendy brigade at the front didnt do much for my confidence but as the weeks went by I enjoyed the learning process. Seeing yoga for the first time as a hobby (ie time out of life) rather than exercise (ie how to get thinner) was a massive plus. I no longer associated it with the guilt of a dress size but more as a moment to catch my breath. Reading an article about how millennials are bringing stamp collections online made me realise this is a type of hobby that doesnt have to involve other people. With my FOTP, Id struck hobby gold. I decided to collect second-hand Agatha Christies Poirot and Miss Marple novels. Brought up on the ITV series, I owned the complete Poirot box set, but I wanted to read Christies originals. Although this hobby is technically reading, it was firmly out of my usual remit, and scouring old book stalls for the copies felt like the closest Id ever get to orienteering. And so began the hardest part of having a hobby: finding one A dim memory of a school exchange to Toronto began to surface: a friend and I went indoor rock climbing and, as I recall, we had actually been quite good at it. Was this the hobby that got away? I looked up climbing walls near me and wrote it down on my to-do list. Having told one of my most chic friends about my new mission, she mentioned how cool cross-stitching had become, and that she does it to relax. I spent that evening downloading a free course and watching YouTube videos, after buying a kit off Amazon. But as weeks passed, Try out climbing wall remained on my to-do list and the stitching kit lay under a pile of newspapers. The climbing classes were on Saturday mornings but the weeks were clogging up with plans. When are people supposed to do hobbies? I looked at the kit on the table. Who, exactly, was I kidding? While I was still doing the occasional yoga class, I hadnt found a second-hand Agatha Christie novel in a while. So I was feeling guilty that my hobbies had not materialised. If this exercise was about restoring my confidence, Id fallen at the first hurdle. Impulsively, I emailed the members of my former writing club. Years ago, a few of us would meet in the pub after work to discuss our creative writing. Now all leading busy lives, I tentatively asked that we skip the wine and perhaps cram it into a Friday lunchtime once a month. They were as excited about the prospect as I was. I had found my hobby. Now Ive gained pleasure from my second-hand Christie collecting, and a sense of achievement from building my strength at yoga. I can see that doing something simply for the sake of it has its own rewards not everything has to be a race to the top. Todays value system is rooted in exposure; the more people see you, the more influence and money you gain. A private project seen by no one else but me, driven by a simple just because, is a relief from the relentless show-offy hustle. But Im also lucky enough to have a job that sometimes feels like a hobby, and maybe thats why I dont need extra activities to bolt on to my life. I can appreciate the confidence derived from mastering a new skill, yet I cant accept the motivation; why would I want to become expert at origami when I could improve my writing the thing I find most fun of all? Google co-founder Larry Page once said, You never lose a dream, it just incubates as a hobby. My dream has always been to write well. If Ive lost confidence in my writing, perhaps the best thing for me isnt wall climbing or cross-stitching but to actually write though, crucially, in a lighthearted, playful way as the study suggests, so that I remember why I found it fun to begin with. In writing club theres no deadline or fee to negotiate, just people helping you get better at something you enjoy. And surely thats the foundation for any worthwhile hobby? Marisa Bate is a journalist who covers stories that impact the lives of women for national magazines and newspapers. She is also the author of The Periodic Table of Feminism 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 that deliveries had been halted as of January 1. Two trading sources told Reuters that Russian oil transit to Europe via Belarus was so far continuing uninterrupted. Europe receives around 10pc 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 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 contract 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 said the country's oil companies had not sent any oil to Belarus since January 1, 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. Belneftekhim said on Friday it had temporarily suspended the export of petroleum products as of January 1. Reuters GRATIOT COUNTY, MI -- Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash in Gratiot County that left a 62-year-old woman dead and a 27-year-old man in the hospital. The crash took place around 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 on Lumberjack Road and Harrison Road in Sumner Township, southwest of Ithaca. A preliminary investigation has revealed a work van driven by Garrett Land, 27, of Midland was headed east on Harrison Road at Lumberjack Road when the vehicle ran the stop sign and hit a northbound vehicle driven by Carson Nokes, 62, of Bannister. Patricia Nokes, 62, of Bannister was a passenger in the northbound vehicle, police said. She was later pronounced deceased at the scene. Carson Noked was transported to Mid Michigan Medical Center Gratiot and later flown to Hurley Medical Center in Flint for additional treatment. Lang was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, police said. All occupants in both vehicles had on their seat belts. Sumner Seville Rescue, Alma Fire Department, and the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction unit assisted the Gratiot County Sheriffs Office at the scene. The incident remains under investigation. SPRINGFIELD The first day of legal sales of recreational marijuana in Illinois went extraordinarily well, according to one industry representative, with total sales on Jan. 1 of nearly $3.2 million. I just I cannot express the gratitude from the dispensary operators to our customers about their courtesy and civility and patience. It was really a lovely, very successful rollout, I think, on the first day, Pamela Althoff, executive director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, said in an interview Thursday. On New Years Day, Illinois became the 11th state to allow legal sales of recreational marijuana to adults. As the clock ticked down to midnight on New Years Eve, many dispensaries were reporting long lines outside their stores, in some cases stretching around their block. The much-anticipated event was made possible by passage of a new law during the 2019 legislative session, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, which legalized the sale, possession and use of marijuana for people 21 and older. Former state Sen. Toi Hutchinson, an architect of that law who now serves as Gov. J.B. Pritzkers senior advisor for cannabis control, reported during a news conference Thursday that dispensaries across the state conducted 77,128 transactions on Jan. 1, with sales totaling more than $3.1 million. That happened despite a few snags on the opening day of sales, Althoff said. First, she said, there were glitches in the software that dispensaries use at the point of sale, which contributed to long wait times. Previously, dispensaries were allowed to sell only to qualified medical patients, but now they must keep close track of both medical and recreational sales, which are taxed differently. Adjustments made by the software company to address that change, Althoff said, caused a few problems. There were a few glitches, not everywhere, but in a few of the dispensaries, she said. But my understanding is that they were rapidly corrected. But it did add to some of the wait times that people experienced. In addition, she said, many dispensary operators had made design changes to their stores to accommodate a larger retail clientele, but state officials had not yet inspected all of those changes and some dispensaries were unable to open for recreational sales on Jan. 1. And then there were issues of supply. Under the new law, Althoff said, medical dispensaries, which were the first to receive licenses for recreational sales, are required to keep a 30-day supply of marijuana products for their medical customers, leaving only a limited amount of inventory available for recreational customers. She said supply shortages are expected to continue until April or May, when cultivation centers that have been licensed to grow recreational marijuana reap their first crop. * * * NEW LAWS: The state's minimum wage increaseD by $1 to $9.25 hourly on Wednesday, Jan. 1, the first such increase since 2010. The wage will increase to $10 hourly in July before increasing $1 each January until it hits $15 by 2025. Some new taxes and fees which will help fund a multi-year $45 billion capital infrastructure plan also took effect starting in January. Registration fees for passenger vehicles increased to $151 from $101, while electric vehicle registration fees increased to $251 annually from $34 every other year. The licensing fee for a trailer weighing less than 3,000 pounds also raised from $118 from $18, with every weight class above that also seeing a $100 increase. A new tax on parking garages also took effect as the new year began, with a 6 percent rate applied to hourly and daily garages and a 9 percent rate applied to monthly. The state will began taxing the value of traded-in vehicles starting after $10,000 of value, down from $20,000. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 0 YEREVAN, JANUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The man who was behind authoring a fake news report through a fake Facebook account which made it to Azerbaijani headlines has been detained by the Armenian National Security Service (NSS). The suspect ran a Facebook account by the name of Diana Harutyunyan and used the account to spread false information, the latest of which was a fake report claiming that Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated US President Donald Trump on the assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani. Azerbaijani news media even cited this fake report and published it in their local outlets. The report was also published in the Iranian press. This fake report was refuted on the same day, but the seriousness of the matter in question made PM Pashinyan personally comment earlier : This is the case when the fake freedom of speech has created a threat for our national security. The authors of the report and their motives must be revealed. The public distribution of fake news with such content aimed at inciting ethnic, racial and religious hostility, manipulation in the information-propaganda arena has inflicted significant damage to the national security interests of the Republic of Armenia, the NSS said on January 5. The NSS said it revealed the suspect and detained him. In an NSS video, the suspect whose identity is not disclosed at the moment is claiming that he is an oppositionist of the government and disapproves the jailing of former president Robert Kocharyan and thats why he was running the fake account since 2018 and was spreading disinformation to defame the authorities. The suspect says he did not intend to cause damage to the national security and did not think that the fake news report authored by him would be re-published to that extent. He said he regrets having written the fake report. The suspect has been placed under arrest amid an ongoing investigation. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying that he abused him instead of talking about the capital's development in his speech. "I heard the entire speech of Home Minister Amit Shah. I thought he would point out the shortcomings of our work and talk about the development of Delhi. But he did not say anything except to abuse me. If he has some suggestions for Delhi, then tell me. We will implement good suggestions in the next five years," tweeted Kejriwal. Union Minister Shah while addressing a 'Booth Karyakarta Sammelan' in the capital targeted the Delhi Chief Minister for not doing enough for the development of the capital. "They (AAP) promised that they will install 15 lakh CCTV cameras across the capital. So far, they have not fulfilled their promise. They also promised to make the contractual teachers and employees permanent. This task has also not been completed by them," he said. "And whatever development we want to bring in Delhi, Kejriwal is becoming an obstruction in that also. The people of Delhi now know them properly," Shah had said. "I urge the people of Delhi to seek a report of the work undertaken by the Arvind Kejriwal government while being in power for the past five years," the Union Minister said in his concluding remark. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New liaison office head to usher in new period in HK: expert Global Times Source:Global Times Published: 2020/1/4 18:30:24 The State Council, China's cabinet, appointed Luo Huining, former secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, as the new head of liaison office of the central government in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which, according to analysts, signals the central government's determination of ushering in a new period for the city gripped by continuous protests. Carrie Lam, chief executive of Hong Kong SAR government, extended her greetings to Luo Huining on the assumption of his new role. Lam expressed confidence that under the leadership of Luo, the liaison office will continue to work jointly with the Hong Kong SAR government to fully implement the Basic Law and "one country, two systems" in the interest of Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Luo, 65, who was appointed as the vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee's Financial and Economic Committee on December 28, has previously served as a top leader in Northwest China's Qinghai Province and North China's Shanxi Province, according to his resume available in the public domain. Appointing an official with no Hong Kong-related experience to the liaison office shows the central government's determination to lead Hong Kong to a new chapter and restore peace in the city gripped by protests, Li Xiaobing, an expert on Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan studies at Nankai University in Tianjin, told the Global Times. "His past experiences show Luo is politically mature and has a tacit understanding with the central government," he said. Luo served as the Party secretary in Shanxi from 2016 to 2019. During his tenure in the coal industrial region, he clamped down on a large scale corruption that was seriously weighing on the local governance. His anti-corruption crusade played an important role in helping the province enter a new era. Luo is so far the only official with experience as a provincial Party secretary to be appointed to lead the liaison office, according to media reports. It was also the first reshuffle for the post since anti-government protests started in June 2019 in Hong Kong. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan said on Sunday that it will not allow its soil to be used against anyone, amidst raging tensions between Iran and the US after the killing of top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike in Iraq. "We will not allow our soil to be used against anyone," Army spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor was quoted as saying by the ARY News. "Pakistan will not be party to anyone or anything but will be a partner of peace and peace alone," he said quoting Prime Minister Imran Khan. His remarks came two days after Afghan President Ashraf ... New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Sharpening his attack against the issues of National Population Register (NPR), Nation Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), BJP ally Janata Dal (United)'s national spokesperson Pawan Varma on Sunday said that the acts when put together are discriminatory and divisive and is not among the measures needed by the country at this time. Claiming that NPR was the first step to NRC, Varma told ANI, "Amit Shah may say whatever he wants today. But his own government, his minister and he himself had said that the NPR is the first step towards carrying out NRC. When we see the CAA, NRC together, we have said that it is discriminatory, it is divisive, it's against social peace and harmony in the country and against particularly the poor, the marginalised and vulnerable on whom great hardship will be imposed in the search for requisite documentation." He also said that the Central government should have other priorities like tackling the disastrous state of the economy, agrarian distress, etc, even as he appealed the Bihar Chief Minister to reject NRC. "We believe that this is not a measure that is needed by the country at this time, in the manner in which it is presented. The government should have other priorities and it should deal with the disastrous state of the economy, lack of jobs and agrarian distress. I appeal to Nitish to take a public stand in this regard and since he has rejected NRC, he must also reject NPR," he said. He also stated that his objections were limited to NPR and NRC and he doesn't have any issue with the census which was a regular exercise. "The census is a regular exercise that takes place every ten years and that can continue to be held on the same basis. The NPR when you see in the context of CAA and NRC and the statement that NPR is the first step to NRC, we believe that NPR should not be held at this time. Hence we believe that NPR must be rejected along with NRC," the JDU leader said. Union Cabinet on December 24 approved a proposal to update NPR. The NPR was discussed thoroughly at the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 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. NRC seeks to identify illegal immigrants in the country. It was rolled out in Assam on the directions of the Supreme Court where 19 lakh people were excluded in the final list. (ANI) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Posters opposing a war in Iran and against President Donald Trump have surfaced on utility poles on Staten Island. A Staten Island resident sent several photos of the posters, which were spotted on utility poles mainly on the South Shore to SILive.com. They appear to be in response to the recent conflicts and protests amid Middle East tensions caused by a U.S. drone strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, one of Irans top military leaders, on Thursday night. The posters were spotted in Richmond Valley, Tottenville, Huguenot and Pleasant Plains. Its unclear when the posters were placed. Its great that people can avail themselves of their First Amendment right, said Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore). I hope they clean it up at some point when it rains. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently called for beefed up security measures across the state, especially at transit hubs and airports. The ramped up security measures includes Cuomo deploying the National Guard to all New York City airports. On Friday, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the citys top cop said New York City faces no specific credible threats following the U.S. airstrike attack. The mayor, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea and Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Miller said the department would ramp up security at prominent locations across New York City and use unpredictability as a deterrence. President Trump declared a reign of terror is over on Friday after he marked the death of the Iranian general. The United States is sending about 3,000 more Army troops to the Mideast in the aftermath of the killing ordered by Trump, according to defense officials. Associated Press material was used in this report. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. Advertisement Britain faces gales of 80mph as a freezing storm over Iceland pushes in causing temperatures to plummet and travel chaos over the next few days. The Met Office has warned of an 'unsettled' week ahead as a yellow weather warning has been issued across northwestern Scotland and the North East of England for Tuesday. Forecasters have also warned of delays on the rail, road and ferry services with closures to some bridges with fears of 1.6in (40mm) of rain over 24 hours in Northern England on Monday. Storms will sweep in from the Atlantic yet temperatures are a lot milder for January with highs of 14C compared to an average of 7C. However Tuesday will be a cold start for many with lows of -1C across parts of Scotland and 1C for the rest of the country as the UK will be affected by a wintry storm centered over Iceland. Iceland will bear the brunt of the freezing storm with temperatures of -2C with strong winds from the south west and heavy snow pushing in on Tuesday. Footage shows snow sweeping in as roads and service stations are covered in white as arctic gales drive in. Iceland is battered by wintry storms as the weather system centres over the country causing strong winds and heavy snow showers on Tuesday Roads are covered in snow as wintry storms push in from the south west causing poor visibility as temperatures plummet to 3C A service station is seen covered in snow as the roads are left deserted as sleet showers push in causing people to stay indoors The Icelandic Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning alert along the Eastfjords coastline and in the southeast of the country. Gusts of up to 35mph are expected in the east and forecasters are advising people to drive carefully and to secure loose objects. Powerful jet stream winds from Iceland will steer bands of low pressure across the UK through the coming days. The RNLI crew is hit by sea spray as it cuts through waves off Tynemouth in the North East of England as storms sweep in from the Atlantic The RNLI Cullercoats B811 hits the crest of a wave as its crew patrol Tynemouth in the North East of England as Britain braces for gales of 80mph which will see high waves along coastal areas Met Office issued footage today showing rain pushing in across parts of Scotland and patchy rain in the west however temperatures will remain mild Coastal areas in Scotland and the North West of England are at risk of 'injuries or danger to life' with large waves and flying debris being flown onto sea fronts. Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson told MailOnline: 'Today most places are cloudy but many places will be dry throughout. There will be some rain mainly across Scotland and some outbreaks of rain.' 'Over the next few days it will be a little more interesting as a band of rain pushes in. Exposed areas, especially in northwestern Scotland, will see severe gale force winds and gusts of 60 to 70mph or possibly 80mph. 'An area of low pressure will move in over the north of the UK - winds will be stronger on Tuesday but it will be very mild for January with highs of 14 degrees. 'Across the west there could be some wintry showers and hill snow.' Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna added: 'One low pressure system will come in on Monday followed by another on Tuesday and a third on Thursday. 'The centres of these lows are over Iceland, our wet and windy weather will be associated with these lows. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Tuesday 'There will be a risk of severe gales on Tuesday before it turns briefly calmer but colder on Wednesday, another low pressure comes in on Thursday.' Mr Petagna said: 'It is going to be unusually mild through much of the week and we could see temperatures in the mid-teens. 'While there is air coming in from quite far south, around the Azores, the high temperatures will be driven by the foehn effect which sees air fall over the hills drying, compressing and warming as it does. 'On Wednesday it will be colder especially across Scotland and the north where it will still be quite windy, we could see snow over the hills and even to lower levels at times. 'By the end of the week it looks as though the worst of the weather will remain over northern Britain with drier conditions starting to set in further south. 'These low-pressure systems will be steered in by the jet stream which is very strong at the moment as it travels across the Atlantic from America. 'The jet is also helping to deepen these lows as they come into Britain.' In the dictionary according to Celeste, melancholy is defined as the week between Christmas and New Year. Baby Jesus has been celebrated. Santa has come and gone and left a mess in the den. In the front yard, Frosty has wilted from weather. The lights dangle in need of dismantling. The festivities need untangling. The manger scene needs to go back to the attic. Ugh. Tomorrow. The solstice passed, but only just. The days lengthen by mere imperceptible seconds. Spring is a weary trudge away. The azalea and dogwood buds sleep deep in the dark. Oh, to be bears and snuggle through the dreary and wake when birds chirp again, to skip from the death of winter to the life of spring. We pop the bubbly and turn the calendar. We resolve that this is the year weve been waiting for. Heres to the new year. May she be a damn sight better than the old one, Colonel Potter cheers annually on M*A*S*H. As the clock strikes midnight, we croon the New Years anthem: Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne? But in August, he got involved in a fight between his family and another group and was charged with assault. The next day, after he was released on bail, Richardson was again arrested when someone involved in the earlier altercation said Richardson threatened her with a handgun. Though no gun was found, he was charged with a felony that triggered a parole violation that sent him back to prison. 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. When you see lists of the greatest guitarists of all time, Jimmy Page almost always turns up in the top five. From his days as a session ace through his run as the leader of Led Zeppelin, Page laid down some of rocks best riffs and followed them with solos that werent far behind. The thing about Page is, he didnt just wander into a band and record some blazing guitar lines for a few years. After founding Zeppelin, he wrote much of the bands music and produced Zeps albums for the 12 years the group lasted together. The 300 million records Zep sold attest to the connection Page and the band found with fans around the world. (Only a handful of artists ever sold more.) And Pages admirers in the music business cemented his legacy. So when one of musics elite guitarists calls out the top player of all time, its worth a listen. In answering that question in a 1975 interview, Page named Jimi Hendrix. Page called Hendrix the best any of us ever had Jimi Hendrix plays Hamburg in 1967. | Peter Timmullstein bild via Getty Images When Cameron Crowe asked Page about his favorite American guitarists in a 75 Rolling Stone interview, Zeps guitar player had many names to cite. Clarence White, who played with the Kentucky Colonels and The Byrds, received special mention from Page. So did Amos Garrett, Elliot Randall, and Les Paul. But Page started out mentioning the man whod ended his run on earth some five years earlier. Well, weve lost the best guitarist any of us ever had and that was Hendrix, he said. Page didnt elaborate on that comment (probably because he didnt need to). From Hendrixs start in London in 66 to the Experiences breakout performance at Monterey Pop the following year and beyond, Hendrix had the admiration of every guitar player who heard him. Hendrixs reputation has, if anything, grown since his 1970 death. For some reason or other, the same cant be said for Page. (Pete Townshend in particular has had nasty things to say about Page and Zeppelin over the years.) But everyone seems to agree Hendrix was the king. Page normally ranks 2nd or 3rd among guitarists, depending Led Zeppelin performs live on stage in Germany, March 1973. |Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns In polls like Rolling Stones top guitarists of all time, you usually see Hendrix at the top and Page landing in second or third place. On the 2015 list that had the best living guitarists rank one another, Page placed third behind Hendrix (first) and Eric Clapton (second). However, when most people point to Clapton as a guitar god, they are talking about his 60s work with Cream and other early alliances. The Clapton who later became ultra-famous for unplugging and crooning Layla on MTV is quite a different animal. Speaking with Rolling Stone in 75, Page saw that shift coming Fking hell, Eric, he said. At least [at a recent show] he had some people with some balls with him. Ever since hes laid back further and further. That sentiment has been a common one among rock fans over the past four decades. While Clapton once stood above Page, many rate Zeppelins guitar master as the one who came closest to Hendrix. Fifty years later, that heaviness still rules among guitar fans. Also see: The Statement Led Zeppelin Was Making With the Cover of Led Zeppelin IV [January 05, 2020] ALLPCB Customer Salon Was Successfully Held, Summarizing the Past Experience and Interpreting Production Upgrading in 2020 HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 28, 2019, the ALLPCB Customer Salon was successfully held in Hangzhou. 12 VIP customer representatives attended the event, which consisted of clients sharing, chairman sharing, company visit, Q&A by COO, clients feedback and dinner party. Clients Sharing: Why Choose ALLPCB? 1. Speed After working with ALLPCB for many years, they conquered me with integrity. Many companies claim "overdue refund," but only ALLPCB has truly fulfilled its promise. --Mr. He Our main business are industrial control development and internet hardware, thus needs from customers are normally pretty urgent. ALLPCB is an ultra-fast PCB supplier with satisfactory service and excellent quality, its speed achieving 30% faster than other manufacturers. --Mr. Yang 2. Service ALLPCB is doing PCB business based on internet thinking. We used to cooperate with another Chinese top manufacturer, but it was the considerate service that made us come round to ALLPCB, which turns out a wise decision. --Mr. Li My company's main business is ergonomic desks, thus good supplier is of great significance for us. I am very satisfied with the service and speed of ALLPCB, and I will expand our cooperation in the future. --Mr. Wang Chairman Sharing The chairman of ALLPCB made a sharing with the theme of "The Operation of the Platform." ALLPCB has transformed from an Internet company to a manufacturer, and then to today's industrial internet platform. In the era of the industrial internet, ALLPCB is breaking boundaries between different industries, and stopping making the manufacturing end an information island. In virtue of the "1 + N" mode, ALLPCB aims to empower the factories and finally create an ECMS (Electronic Collaborative Manufacturing System). Q&A by COO Q: In terms of production, will there be any changes to ALLPCB next year? A: All production factors can be customized next year. Customers can customize products according to their individual needs such as plates, ink, process, etc. We can even "reverse" produce, which means customers only need providing product demands, and ALLPCB will complete the rest. Q: Will the production capacity further increase next year? A: The production capacity of PCB products is expected to reach 1,000,000? next year, while the proofing level being increased from 6 to 12 layers. In terms of components, the 6,000? automated components storage center will cover more than 400,000 varieties. 10 new SMT production lines will be built, to realize one-stop shopping (PCB-SMT-BOM) service and improve the industrial pattern. Regarding to Aluminum PCB, its monthly output value is expected to be 200,000?, and the maximum delivery time is 48 hours regardless of the size of the single panel. In addition, next year we will introduce third parties, banks or institutions, improving the issue of payment period to provide better service for the valued customers. Q: Will ALLPCB manufacture unconventional PCB products next year? A: Of course. The width and depth of the production process will be further expanded. After capacity sharing, the production lines will be more flexible and can even accomplish single processes such as semi-finished products and electroplating. At the end of the event, a questionnaire was conducted, to collect customer feedback and improve itself. The tradition of self-reflections is bound to guide ALLPCB go further. About ALLPCB ALLPCB is an ultra-fast PCB super factory as well as an internet-based manufacturing company, committed to building an electronic collaborative manufacturing service platform. It offers professional one-stop service, including PCB prototype, PCB assembly, and components sourcing. Since its establishment, ALLPCB has reconstructed the traditional PCB industry through data-driven technology. For more information, please visit: https://www.allpcb.com/ View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allpcb-customer-salon-was-successfully-held-summarizing-the-past-experience-and-interpreting-production-upgrading-in-2020-300981261.html SOURCE ALLPCB [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] THOMAS VANDEWALKER INDEPENDENCE -- When does cruelty become a crime? When does seeking safety warrant punishment? They call it family separation. However, when reduced to its lowest common denominator, it is little more then kidnapping. What about the victims? What is their crime? It would appear that the proper punishment is to take children away from their parents, and worse yet, is the idea of taking parents away from the children. He or she who commits such a travesty against a child also commits such a travesty in the eyes of God. Now if you happen to be an atheist, then you have nothing to worry about, as you can never be punished no matter how egregious your behavior. However, if you are an agnostic, you might want to re-evaluate your position. I guess the real question is: Who is committing a crime and who deserves to be punished. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Today: From Iraq to Washington, consequences are mounting after the United States assassinated Iranian General Qassim Suleimani. Helene Cooper on why President Trump chose to do it. Its Monday, January 6. Helene, what do we know about what led up to this extraordinary decision by the U.S. to take out General Suleimani? helene cooper Well, from what weve been able to piece together over the past few days, all of this started on December 27. archived recording And just into Fox, an American contractor was just killed in northern Iraq in a rocket attack, and several U.S. troops were also injured. helene cooper When an Iranian-backed Shiite militia group launched an attack in Iraq that ended up killing an American contractor. archived recording This is just the latest in a spate of similar rocket attacks, but its the first time that were actually seeing U.S. casualties. helene cooper Right after this happened, the Pentagon drew up the perennial list of options that the Defense Department is always keeping for the president to respond and decide what hes going to do in order to respond to the attack. General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Mark Esper both flew to Mar-a-Lago, where President Trump was spending the holidays, and met with him, presenting him this list of how do you respond to what the administration immediately determined was an Iranian-backed attack. One option included striking Iranian ships. Another option was striking, perhaps, a missile site or two, or looking for a way to launch airstrikes against the Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq that had started this. Also on the list was one extreme option, which was to launch an attack, which would really be a targeted assassination, actually, of General Qassim Suleimani, who is the head of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpss Quds Force, and its basically Irans very muscular, yet covert, arm of the Iranian military. Hes, in essence, the most senior military commander in Iran. This is something that the Defense Department often does, is they will put an extreme option on the table because they will always give all options to the president, but its almost their way of nudging the president toward an option that they prefer, right? If you put something that is viewed as a little bit crazy out there, then you get him to do what you want. President Trump, at the time, did not choose the nuclear option. archived recording (mike pompeo) What we did was take a decisive response that makes clear what President Trump has said for months and months and months, which is that we will not stand for the Islamic Republic of Iran to take actions that put American men and women in jeopardy. helene cooper He went for, lets launch an attack on the Shiite militia group that launched the attack that killed the American contractor. archived recording 1 The Pentagon says it carried out military strikes in Iraq and Syria, targeting a militia group. archived recording 2 A spokesman for the group says U.S. airstrikes killed at least 25 of their fighters and hurt more than 50 others. This happened in Iraq and Syria yesterday. michael barbaro So the president, in the end, chooses a pretty measured kind of tit-for-tat response. We were attacked by missiles, so we will attack with missiles. helene cooper Exactly, and well attack who attacked us. michael barbaro Got it. archived recording (mark esper) I would add that, in our discussion today with the president, we discussed with him other options that are available, and I would note also that we will take additional actions as necessary to ensure that we act in our own self-defense, and we deter further bad behavior from militia groups or from Iran. helene cooper So then, a couple of days later, President Trump is still at Mar-a-Lago, and hes watching TV. Hes still angry about the initial Shiite militia attack that killed the American contractor, but now hes seeing, on TV, all of these video images of Iranian-backed protesters attacking the American Embassy in Baghdad. archived recording 1 A chaotic scene as protesters stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad today, scaling the walls, forcing the gates, and setting fires inside the heavily guarded compound while diplomats were trapped inside. Some protesters were chanting, Death to America. archived recording 2 [CHANTING] helene cooper And one of the first things that come to his mind is Benghazi and the attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi in 2011 that led to the death of four Americans, including the ambassador to Libya. michael barbaro Which was an attack of protesters helene cooper Yes. michael barbaro on an American, essentially, embassy-like building. helene cooper Yes. archived recording How would you have handled that, if you were watching, in real time, Americans under fire at the American Consulate, and an ambassador under fire? archived recording (donald trump) Well, it would have never taken place, because I think helene cooper President Trump, during his campaign, and for years after the initial attack in Benghazi, really went after Hillary Clinton, who was secretary of state at the time, for not doing enough to prevent that. And this had been a rallying cry during his 2016 campaign, so this was a pretty big deal for him. archived recording (donald trump) Horribly handled. A horrible leadership. Shes a horrible leader. helene cooper So hes watching, now, these attacks that are happening under his own watch, and hes thinking about Benghazi, according to his aides that we talked to. Hes also thinking about the 1979 attack on the American Embassy in Iran that led to the hostage crisis. Hes getting more and more angry, according to his aides, and then he calls for his menu of options again, and this time, he picks the extreme option. michael barbaro And so this is the moment when the president calls for the strike on Suleimani, this top general. helene cooper Thats right. Pentagon officials and administration officials were very surprised, because its one thing to give an option to a president. Its another thing for him to actually do it. They had put that option on the menu for President Trump, not thinking that he would take it, and now he has taken it. So the Defense Department went into action. This is something that the American Defense Department, quite tragically, almost, is very good at doing. We know how to kill people, and we have been tracking, for more than a decade, almost two decades, Qassim Suleimani. So intelligence-wise, we had intelligence reports that he would be flying into Baghdad International Airport that night. There was some question now, as the military is setting up, just sort of the mechanics of how this strike is going to be conducted. The Pentagon had determined that, if he was met, for instance, by Iraqi officials who were friendly towards the United States, they would not go ahead with the strike. If he was not, they would. When General Suleimanis plane landed, he was met by the head of one of Iraqs Iranian-backed Shia militias, who was viewed by the United States as somebody who I think the phrase they used was a clean party, meaning its O.K. to kill him. Its kind of a weird way of saying it. michael barbaro So a clean party means somebody we dont mind killing? helene cooper Exactly. Exactly. And so they authorized the strike and blew up the two-car convoy as it was leaving Baghdad International Airport. archived recording 1 In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, a U.S. airstrike has killed Irans most important military commander. archived recording 2 This was a swift, precise military strike that has huge, unpredictable and possibly long-term consequences. michael barbaro So help us to understand the significance of this decision by the president. Why was this ever an option given to him, even if it was the most extreme option? And why do we think he chose it? helene cooper Its hard to explain why President Trump chose to take this option. I think many of us dont understand it ourselves. The administration will tell you that hes a very bad guy, and theres no denying that. The administration will also tell you that hes responsible for the death of hundreds of American troops. That is true as well. The issue, though that has been true for years and years, as American troops have battled some Iranian-backed Shia militias in Iraq, and both Presidents Bush and Obama made the decision not to kill Suleimani because he was a general with the Iranian military, and the United States traditionally does not go around assassinating military generals. The last time we did this was in 1943 during World War II, when we took out a Japanese admiral. Iran is a sovereign state. Assassinating one of their officials is pretty much almost the same thing as assassinating the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or a high-ranking American official, and then own up to it and take credit for it. Its just not something that is normally often done in broad daylight. But we should also remember that, just a month ago, President Trump authorized the killing of Baghdadi that ISIS had, and he got a lot of very good and deserved credit for that. The administration now, today, will try to make the equivalent that General Suleimani is the same as Baghdadi, that hes a terrorist, and he has certainly been behind many proxy terrorist acts by Iranian-backed groups in Yemen, in Lebanon, in Iraq and in Syria. So that has been increasing in recent months as the United States has choked off Iran economically. archived recording 1 Were following multiple breaking stories, including Irans seizure of at least one oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz today, and there are now conflicting reports about whether a second tanker was seized. Iran is clearly messaging that they hold cards here, but as this continues to go on, what will Iran continue to do? archived recording 2 Well, you know, Brianna, I think its important that we understand whats motivating Iran right now. Look, since the United States pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, and the administration imposed new sanctions on Iran, those sanctions have absolutely crippled Irans economy. helene cooper That led the Iranian regime to start, as a lot of people at the Pentagon say, acting out, and you saw an increase in attacks from Iran, which has been punching out because it was being punched. And that is one of the reasons that the administration has now given for why this strike was taken. The other big reason, though, leads back to this, which is that the administration is saying that Suleimani was planning additional, even more high-profile attacks on the United States and on American interests and assets in the region, and that this was eminent. archived recording (mike pompeo) We could see that he was continuing down this path, that there were in fact plots that he was working on that were aimed directly at significant harm to American interests throughout the region, not just in Iraq. helene cooper You know, youre hearing that from General Milley, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. You heard that on Sunday from Secretary of State Pompeo. archived recording (mike pompeo) We wouldve been culpably negligent had we not taken this action. The American people would have said that we werent doing the right thing to protect and defend American lives. helene cooper Which is the argument that Suleimani was about to launch another imminent attack on American interests. michael barbaro Helene, of all the rationales that weve heard from the Trump administration, this seems to be the most important in terms of explaining why we would do this now, take out Suleimani. But of course, the U.S. has a very complicated history of using potential threats to American interests as a rationale for actions overseas, especially in the Middle East. So what does your reporting show about how we should be thinking about this explanation of an imminent attack? helene cooper Thats such an interesting and key question, how we should be thinking about the administration rationale for this attack. Do we believe them, or do we not? Our reporting shows that it depends on where you stand. There is no question that General Suleimani has planned, and was continuing to plan, attacks against the United States through these groups, but thats been going on for more than 15 years. So the question then becomes, why now? The administration says there was something imminent and big that was about to happen, and they appear to be basing that on intelligence reports that theyve received about General Suleimanis travels in the last few days leading up to the attack that took his life. But these same intel sources also say that he had been asked by Ayatollah Khamenei, whos the supreme leader of Iran, to come back to Iran, that Khomeini had not authorized anything. He had requested permission, and he was not given it, and he was told to come back to Iran. So that then belies the whole question of imminent. Does it become something that is happening in two days, or something that hasnt even been approved yet? So what the administration, then, will have to answer to the American people, if this leads to war, which it might, is whether or not this assassination was worth it. [music] michael barbaro Well be right back. Helene, what has been the response in the Middle East in the days since the U.S. killed Suleimani? helene cooper The response since the U.S. killed Suleimani in the Middle East has been huge. archived recording [YELLING AND CHANTING] helene cooper In Iran, where protesters had, two weeks ago, been protesting against the regime, they had now united, apparently, behind the regime, and had turned their ire on the United States. archived recording [YELLING AND CHANTING] helene cooper Youre seeing these familiar views of American flags being burned in the streets. archived recording [PROTESTORS SPEAKING] helene cooper This massive outpouring of mourners. Its certainly ramped up the anti-American sentiment in Iran. archived recording [MOURNING PRAYER] helene cooper Meanwhile, in Baghdad, youre seeing similar outpourings of grief, but thats been accompanied by the Iraqi Parliament voting unanimously this morning to expel the United States from Iraq. They didnt put forth a timeline for withdrawal, so theres still some wiggle room there. But particularly the Shiites and the Iraqi government are very, very angry at the United States right now. archived recording [YELLING AND CHANTING] helene cooper You have to understand that Iraq is made up of three very distinct groups Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds but it is predominantly Shiite. Iran is Shiite as well, and the Iraqi government is very close to Iran. The Shiites in Iraq are particularly close to General Suleimani and view him, in many ways, as one of their own. Theyre also upset, though, because this was a targeted killing in their country. So in much the same way that if something like this happened in the United States, the United States government would be upset. Thats another reason why the Iraqi government is so angry. michael barbaro Helene, can Iraq and its legislature do that? Can they kick the U.S. troops out of the country? helene cooper They can. Iraq can say, you are no longer welcome. Remember, we are there at the invitation of the Iraqi government, ostensibly to fight the Islamic State. That battle is largely over. So yes, the Iraqi government can kick the United States military out of Iraq. Whether they do or not, whether this is posturing, I dont know yet. Every couple of hours, you see something else. Right after the Iraqi Parliament voted, we saw the Pentagon announced that it was suspending the anti-ISIS coalition effort in Iraq. There are 4,000 American troops whove been there, and that the troops who are in Iraq will be focused on protecting the American citizens who are still in the country, but who are being advised to leave as soon as possible. Its like 2013 all over again, when the Obama administration ended combat and pulled troops out of Iraq. And you saw the rise of ISIS because once the United States is gone and out of the country, these other factions are given more room to maneuver and more room to thrive. And so you can see how these events could lead to a resurgence of ISIS if the ground becomes clear for them to move around more freely. michael barbaro And wasnt Suleimani also leading an Iranian militia that was an enemy of ISIS? helene cooper Yes, there was a de facto cooperation between Suleimani and the United States in the fight against ISIS. They were both opposed to ISIS, and they were both fighting ISIS on the same turf. michael barbaro Right, which would have made, in a very narrow and complicated way, Suleimani an ally in our fight against ISIS, even though hes our enemy in many other respects. helene cooper He was an ally in our fight against ISIS. That is correct. [music] michael barbaro Helene, the ripple effects of all this are very complicated, but I wonder if theres a simple way of thinking about this, which is that after all these months of provocation and response between the U.S. and Iran, that President Trump felt it was time for the U.S. to remind Iran that, at the end of the day, we are the military superpower, and our advantages over them are extraordinary and represent the kind of deterrent that means, whatever Irans ultimate response to this is, it will not be all that severe that, in a sense, we just called Irans bluff. helene cooper That would work if we hadnt started this to begin with by pulling out of the Iranian nuclear deal, which was signed in 2015 under the Obama administration, and which was hated by President Trump and many Republicans. archived recording (donald trump) I have been in business a long time. I know deal-making, and let me tell you, this deal is catastrophic for America, for Israel, and for the whole of the Middle East. helene cooper They viewed it as too weak, and said that it gave Iran rewards, as it did, by lifting sanctions for stopping their uranium enrichment, but did not address Irans misbehavior, and this is the General Suleimani-type misbehavior, in other areas. archived recording (donald trump) The problem here is fundamental. Weve rewarded the worlds leading state sponsor of terror with $150 billion, and we received absolutely nothing in return. helene cooper When we pulled out of the nuclear deal, we reimposed sanctions on Iran, and put even stiffer sanctions on the country. We started to punish companies and basically told the world, you either do business with Iran, or you do business with America. And of course, most of the world chose America. That had the result of completely putting a strangle on the Iranian economy, and that is kind of what has led to the Iranian regime then starting escalating attacks against the United States, because this is a hard-line regime, and they clearly believe that if theyre hurting, theyre going to pull the United States down into the mud with them. michael barbaro But doesnt it still stand to reason that if that is the situation that we are in, in a post-nuclear deal world, where Iran decides that the only way that it can operate is with attacks through militias that it organizes against the U.S., that taking out a person like Suleimani is a reasonable option, given our superiority over Iran? We have nuclear weapons. They do not. We have superpower military capabilities. They do not. That doesnt leave them with a whole lot of options. Does it? helene cooper Back in the 80s, there was this tanker war, where Iran, Iraq and the U.S. were all going after each other. And they made the Persian Gulf an impossible place, and the price of oil went way up. And it ended up with the United States, by mistake, shooting down an Iranian passenger jet. And Iran made a lot of noise after that happened, and then they quieted down. So there is precedent for that, but I think its easily as much of a chance that they dont quiet. Iran has a whole lot of options to make us hurt. Certainly, the United States is much better equipped, but unless were actually suggesting that were going to drop a nuclear bomb on downtown Tehran, its never that easy once you get into a conventional war. So we went to war in Iraq, which lasted years, and which we are still seeing some of the consequences from. A war with Iran would be so much worse than any kind of war with Iraq. Theyre way more sophisticated than Iraq ever was. They have the ability to make it hurt. So the question can be phrased as, is the United States willing to give up the blood and treasure it would take to subdue Iran? Which of course, it could, but its going to cost us something. So are we willing to pay that fee? [music] michael barbaro Helene, thank you. Thank you for talking to us on a Sunday. Thank you. helene cooper Thank you, Michael. michael barbaro For everything. We appreciate it. helene cooper All right, bye-bye. michael barbaro On Sunday, Irans leaders and their allies began to openly discuss plans for retaliation against the United States, saying that they would target Americas military bases and its soldiers. In an interview with CNN, a high-level adviser to Irans supreme leader said, quote, The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow that they have inflicted. On Twitter, President Trump warned Iran against such a response, writing, quote, They attacked us, & we hit back. If they attack again, which I would strongly advise them not to do, we will hit them harder than they have ever been hit before! Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today. archived recording (elizabeth warren) Look, it was a targeted attack on a government official, a high-ranking military official for the government of Iran, and what its done has moved this country closer to war. We are not safer today than we were before Donald Trump acted. michael barbaro In interviews on Sunday, the leading Democratic candidates for president, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Mayor Pete Buttigieg, on CNN, challenged the Trump administrations rationale for killing General Suleimani and predicted that it could backfire on the U.S. archived recording (pete buttigieg) Now, lets be clear, Qassim Suleimani was a bad figure. He has American blood on his hands. None of us should shed a tear for his death. But just because he deserved it doesnt mean it was the right strategic move. This is about consequences. michael barbaro In a statement, former Vice President Joe Biden said that the president, quote, just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and Senator Bernie Sanders, at a campaign stop, accused the president of violating his campaign pledge. archived recording (bernie sanders) Trump promised to end endless wars. Tragically, his actions now put us on the path to another war, potentially one that could be even worse than before. michael barbaro Could have been more sensitive to Kota deaths: Pilot India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Jaipur, Jan 05: Criticising his government over the deaths of 107 children in Kota's state-run JK Lon Hospital, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Saturday said their response to the infant deaths could have been more sensitive. Pilot said it was not a small incident and also stressed that accountability for the entire episode should be fixed. As many as 107 children have died in the hospital. This is very painful. Our response to the entire matter was not satisfactory to some extent. The response could have been more sensitive and we should have been more compassionate, he told reporters. Kota infact deaths: Mayawati demands sacking of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 Pilot, who is also Congress' state party chief, had earlier visited some of the families who lost their children and also went to the hospital. Ahead of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha polls, a poster war has begun in the state. At around 6 in the morning today, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led by Lalu Prasad Yadav put up posters showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a power-hungry politician. The RJD had also placed an image of Lalu Prasad on the left with the top band 'Janta Ka Sarthi' (people's charioteer). On the right, it had placed the photo of Nitish Kumar with a wide smile with words describing his tenure as one full of crimes and murders. On January 2, a poster comparing the 15 years governance of RJD and JD-U was seen outside the Income Tax intersection in Patna. Bihar is scheduled to go to Assembly polls in October this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has asked why losses were not recovered from those who indulged in damage to public property during the Jat agitation in Haryana, while money is proposed to be recovered by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the recent anti-CAA protests. Owaisi, who was addressing a protest meeting at Sangareddy town near here late on Saturday night against the amended citizenship law, also said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan need not worry about Indian Muslims. The AIMIM president also announced that a protest meeting will be held at the historic Charminar here on January 25 against the CAA, adding "We will hoist the tricolour on January 25 midnight and recite the national anthem. The meeting would be to save the Constitution and the country." On January 10, a peaceful march will also be taken out in Hyderabad against the CAA, he said. Talking about the violent protests against CAA in UP, Owaisi said he condemned violence wherever it occurred but would like to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi whether the Prevention of Destruction of Public Property Act, 1984 applied to them (UP incidents) or not. He claimed destruction of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore occurred in the Jat agitation in Haryana in 2015. "Destruction of Rs 2,000 crore. Modiji, you have taken money from how many? Have you taken money from those people? One paisa was not taken. Why? You did not take because they were not Muslims. Is this not a violation of Article 14 of our Constitution," he said. How much money was recovered for the losses during the Patel agitation in Gujarat, he asked. More than 600 police vehicles were burnt and more than 1,800 government buildings were damaged during the Patel agitation, he claimed. "Why are (you) doing this injustice that you will not take from Gujaratis, but recover money from Muslims," he said. "...to recover that Rs 14.50 lakh, properties of Muslims were seized, (they were) locked (in UP). This law won't apply," he said. Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan posting a video, Owaisi said Khan has posted a wrong Bangladeshi video claiming it to be from India. "Mr Khan, you worry about your own country. Mr Khan, we would like to tell you, don't ever remember us. We have rejected the message, the wrong theory of Jinnah. We are proud Indian Muslims and till the day of judgment, Inshallah, we will remain as proud Indian Muslims." "No power on earth can take away my Indianness. No power on earth can take away my religious identity. Why because, the Constitution of India guarantees me that," he said. The Pakistan Prime Minister should safeguard the Sikhs and stop those who attacked a Sikh gurdwara in Pakistan, Owaisi said. According to Owaisi, the CAA was only made towards making India a Hindu Rashtra. "We are not against granting citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Christians, Sikhs from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh...but why are you doing in the name of religion (by excluding Muslims)," he said. He challenged the Prime Minister to let the countrymen know if they plan to make (implement) NRC or not by 2024. Owaisi further said the protests against CAA, NPR and NRC should continue for another four to five months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The change will take effect in early February, outlawing cartridges with fruit, mint and candy flavors, which are particularly popular. The ban will exempt large, tank-based rechargeable vaping devices, however, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adults. (Photo: Pixabay) The US government announced Thursday it was banning most flavored e-cigarettes in a bid to curb the rising tide of youth vaping, but under industry pressure it stopped short of the full ban promised in September by the White House. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said cartridge-based e-cigarettes in flavors other than tobacco or menthol would be illegal unless specifically authorized by the government. The change will take effect in early February, outlawing cartridges with fruit, mint and candy flavors, which are particularly popular with young people. Juul, the e-cigarette industry leader, had anticipated the decision and withdrew those flavors from sale in the US, leaving only tobacco and menthol. The ban will exempt large, tank-based rechargeable vaping devices, however, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adults. "The kids simply are not using in any material level the open tank vaping systems," he added. Companies that do not cease making and selling such cartridges will face punishment, the FDA said, without specifying the potential sanctions. "The United States has never seen an epidemic of substance use arise as quickly as our current epidemic of youth use of e-cigarettes," Azar said in a separate statement. "We aim to see whether e-cigarettes could serve as an effective off ramp for adult smokers addicted to combustible cigarettes. We believe that remains a possibility," he added. In late summer, a health crisis marked by severe and sometimes deadly lung ailments added to overall concerns over the success of Juul products among American youths. Some 28 per cent of high school seniors said they had vaped in the previous 30 days, according to a government survey in 2019, compared with around 11 percent in 2016. Azar had said in September after a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office that all flavors would be banned in an effort to curb youth vaping. His announcement triggered a pressure campaign from the tobacco and vaping industries for the administration to reverse the decision. On Thursday, demonstrators chanted "We vape! We vote!" as Trump's limo drove by in Florida. Speaking for a group of anti-tobacco advocates and public health officials who met with Trump in November, Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, expressed dismay at the new rule, which he said "creates a giant loophole that will benefit the current existing tobacco companies." Nancy Brown, CEO and president of the American Heart Association, called it "a huge victory for Juul, vape shops and the rest of the cigarette industry over the interest of this nation." Hands-off approach The industry push highlighted the risk that Trump could lose votes in the 2020 election because of the proposed ban. Trump said he would ultimately settle for raising from 18 to 21 the minimum age for buying vaping products, and the US Congress obliged late December with a vote banning both e-cigarette and tobacco sales to under-21s. The change is due to take effect nationwide by September. Since 2016 the FDA has had authority over vaping products and technically a specific pre-market authorization was needed to sell any of them. But the agency chose not to enforce the rule. It preferred to watch how the market evolved in the hope that vaping could become a public health solution for tobacco smokers who want to quit. Flavors other than menthol and tobacco will be banned starting in February for cartridge-based e-cigarettes. For other types of e-cigarettes, all flavors will remain authorized. But all vaping products will need to request a pre-market authorization by May. They will be able to remain on the market for up to 12 months afterward. Azar said prioritizing flavors most widely used by children would ensure e-cigarettes were not an "on-ramp" to nicotine addiction for youngsters. "We will not stand idly by as this crisis among America's youth grows and evolves, and we will continue monitoring the situation and take further actions as necessary," he added. TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ChemChina and Sinochem today announced that they are consolidating their agricultural businesses into a new holding company within ChemChina, domiciled in Shanghai, which will be called the Syngenta Group Co. The Group is expected to become the world's leading agriculture inputs company, spanning crop protection, seeds, fertilizers, additional agricultural and digital technologies, as well as an advanced distribution network in China, reaching farmers nationwide. ADAMA (the Company), Syngenta and Sinochem's agriculture-related activities, the businesses comprising the newly-formed Group, have made significant advances in their collaboration over the last year, generating meaningful additional revenue through cross-sales and benefiting from procurement and operational savings. The forming of the Group will further bolster the alignment between the companies, and capitalize on the value creation and synergy opportunities identified. ADAMA is becoming a distinctive member of this newly-formed industry leader through the contribution of the stake that ChemChina currently owns in ADAMA into the Group. As such, there is no change in the Company's ultimate controlling shareholder. ADAMA will continue to be headquartered in Israel, and remain traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, as well as maintain its unique brand and positioning. Chen Lichtenstein, President and CEO of ADAMA, was offered the position of CFO of Syngenta Group, with responsibility also for Strategy and Integration. This builds on his successful 14-year track record with ADAMA and his strong experience in capital markets. Over the past six years, Mr. Lichtenstein has led the Company as CEO to continuous strong performance and market share gains. During his tenure, ADAMA successfully combined with a publicly traded company and is now listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Prior to running ADAMA, Mr. Lichtenstein was President and CEO of ChemChina's strategic business division China National Agrochemical Corporation (CNAC), as well as an Executive Director of Goldman Sachs in New York and London. Mr. Lichtenstein will be based in Basel, Switzerland. Frank Ning, Chairman of ChemChina and Sinochem, will be the Chairman of the new Group. After the completion of the transfer of ADAMA's shares into the Group, Chen Lichtenstein is expected to remain on ADAMA's board of directors, and be joined by Erik Fyrwald, CEO of the new Group, who will replace Yang Xingqiang as Chairman. Ignacio Dominguez, currently co-Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of ADAMA, is intended to be appointed as President and CEO of ADAMA. Mr. Dominguez is a leading crop protection industry expert, and uniquely qualified to lead ADAMA through its next phase of growth. He has been with the Company for almost 20 years and currently serves on its Executive Committee that has directed the Company's business transformation over the last several years. Mr. Dominguez has been instrumental in crafting and implementing the Company's global commercial and offering strategy. Aviram Lahav, ADAMA's CFO, is intended to be appointed as Deputy CEO of ADAMA and CEO of its wholly-owned subsidiary ADAMA Agricultural Solutions, alongside his current roles. Mr. Lahav joined Adama in 2010. Before joining Adama, he served as CEO of Synergy Cables, a publicly traded manufacturing company. He had also served as CFO, COO and eventually CEO of Delta Galil Industries over a span of 11 years. In 2000, he was awarded the Israel CFO of the Year. Shaul Friedland, currently co-CCO of ADAMA, will be ADAMA's sole CCO, leading the company's commercial activities worldwide. Joe Krkoska will continue in his role as EVP, Head of Global Operations. These appointments are expected to be formalized and take effect in the course of the first quarter. On the announcement, ADAMA President and CEO Chen Lichtenstein said: "ADAMA has never been stronger. Our fantastic people have built together a wonderful company with clear strategy and direction, able to continuously grow and navigate confidently through the rough seas that our industry has seen in the last few years. I now move on to an interesting yet challenging role at Syngenta Group, and I look forward to bringing my ability and experience to bear. I am confident that Ignacio will continue to lead the Company to further growth and achievements, and wish him, Aviram, Shaul and Joe, as well as all of ADAMA, tremendous success in the future." Ignacio Dominguez, ADAMA's CEO-designate, commented: "I am excited to be leading with my colleagues this amazing company. Having been at the company for 20 years, and part of its Management and Executive Committee for more than a decade, I look forward to continuing its strong momentum and strategic direction. We are focused on listening to and serving our customers worldwide, while pursuing new opportunities for collaboration across the Group. Together with ADAMA's people, with their passion and commitment, I am confident that we will drive our Company forward to ever greater heights." About ADAMA ADAMA Ltd. is one of the world's leading crop protection companies. We strive to Create Simplicity in Agriculture offering farmers effective products and services that simplify their lives and help them grow. With one of the most comprehensive and diversified portfolios of differentiated, quality products, our more than 7,000-strong team reaches farmers in over 100 countries, providing them with solutions to control weeds, insects and disease, and improve their yields. For more information, visit us at www.ADAMA.com and follow us on Twitter at @ADAMAAgri. Contact Ben Cohen Public Relations Email: [email protected] Zhujun Wang China Investor Relations Email: [email protected] SOURCE Adama Ltd By PTI NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held telephonic conversations with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, voicing India's concerns over the escalating tensions in the Gulf region after the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. Jaishankar also separately spoke with Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Alawi and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the tense situation in the region. The External Affairs Minister's telephonic conversations came as concerns mounted across the globe over fast-deteriorating diplomatic ties between the US and Iran, and the spiralling tensions in the Gulf after Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport. ALSO READ: US military would only hit lawful targets in Iran, says Mike Pompeo Noting that developments have taken a "very serious turn", Jaishankar said he had a conversation with Zarif and asserted that India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension in the region. "Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch," the External Affairs Minister tweeted after his discussion with Zarif. After his discussion with Pompeo, Jaishankar tweeted, "Had a telephonic discussion with Secretary of State @SecPompeo on the evolving situation in the Gulf region. Highlighted India's stakes and concerns." Pompeo also took to Twitter and said, "Dr S Jaishankar and I spoke just now regarding Iran's continued threats and provocations. The Trump Administration won't hesitate to act to keep American lives, and those of our friends and allies, safe." ALSO READ: Europe not 'helpful' as could be over Soleimani killing, says Mike Pompeo Defending the killing of the Iranian commander, President Donald Trump on Friday had said "reign of terror is over" and claimed Qassem Soleimani had contributed to "terrorist plots as far away as New Delhi and London." "A warm conversation with FM @ABZayed of UAE. Exchanged views on recent developments in the region," Jaishankar tweeted after his conversation with his UAE counterpart. "Discussed with FM Yusuf Alawi of Oman the tense situation in the region. Reaffirmed our shared interest in the stability and security of the Gulf. Appreciated his perspectives on the current situation," he said in another tweet. Trump has warned Iran that the US has identified 52 possible targets in the country and will hit it harder than ever before if Tehran, which has vowed "severe revenge", carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of Soleimani. Maj Gen Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran''s elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US 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. Soleimani's killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the US. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In December, China's Vehicle Inventory Alert Index (VIA), which measures the inventory level of automobile dealers, stood at 59.0%, dropping 7.1 percentage points from the year-ago period and 3.5 percentage points over the previous month, according to the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA). As of December, 2019, China's VIA had been exceeding the official warning threshold for 24 consecutive months. In the year-end spurt, dealers strived to sell as many as possible cars by lowering car prices and offering greater discounts. Besides, the auto shows and the promotion for Double 12 shopping festival and Christmas to some degree spurred the car consumption, said the association. However, the positive affect on the overall market was quite limited. Compared to the previous years, sales were whittled down due to consumers' weaker demands. The CADA said the VIA of imported and premium auto brands was 56.5%, up by 1.6 percentage points from a month ago. Premium brands defied the overall downturn trend with their Jan.-Nov. retail sales jumping 11.5% year on year to 2,003,077 units, according to the China Passenger Car Association. Nevertheless, the number shows that upscale car dealers still faced a relatively high inventory pressure. On the other hand, both mainstream joint-venture brands (58.4%) and Chinese indigenous brands (61.7%) posted lower VIAs compared to November. Moreover, the CADA pointed out that the auto sales in January is forecasted to tumble compared with December, 2019 due to fewer workdays and expected fewer new car deals as consumers will return to homeland to visit families or go travel during the Spring Festival Holiday. Asserting that the CAA would not affect any Muslim in the country, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Sunday accused the opposition parties, including the Congress, of trying to create a fear psychosis among the community. Launching the 'Gruha Sampark Abhiyaan programme' (Awareness on Citizeship Amendment Act-2019) here, he said the act was not against the interests of any community in the country. No Muslim in the country will be affected by the CAA and the Narendra Modi government brought the act for the well being of all... None of the Indian Muslims will be asked to leave the country and no Muslim needs to feel threatened, the Minister of State for Home said. He sought to know from Congress and AIMIM on why and on what basis they were staging protests and provoking the public and were trying to create a fear psychosis among Muslims over the act. The CAA offers citizenship to persecutedminoritiesin Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan as the religious minorities Hindus, Parsis, Buddhists, Sikhs and Christiansin these countries were living in tough conditions and the CAA intends to help them, Kishan Reddy said. He further said a large number of Hindus, Parsis, Buddhists, Sikhs and Christians migrated to India over 40 years ago from Pakistan and Bangladesh do not have any rights. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh had also stressed on the need to protect the interests of the refugees, he added. Telangana BJP President K Laxman was among those present at the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rain has fallen in parts of New South Wales and Victoria, bringing reprieve to some of Australia's most fire-ravaged towns. There were showers in Eden, in NSW, and Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia on Sunday after a horror weekend for firefighters. Acclaimed bush pilot and Dick Lang and his son Clayton died in catastrophic bushfires on Kangaroo Island on Saturday. Eden, on the New South Wales south coast, was under threat from an out-of-control bushfire approaching the town from the Victorian border. But rain brought temporary relief to firefighters and some residents were able to return to their homes. However, the respite will be short lived as horror conditions are forecast to return on Thursday and Friday this week when temperatures will soar to 38C. On Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a cyclone blue alert for the communities of Kuri Bay, Wallal and Broome, in Western Australia. It rained in Bundanoon (pictured), in the Southern Highlands region of NSW, on Sunday, with more showers forecast everyday until Friday The reprieve comes after the Morton fire, a new front of 400,000-hectares stretching from Batemans Bay to the Southern Highlands, jumped the Shoalhaven River on Saturday evening. Pictured: Bundanoon, NSW The Bureau of Meteorology advised a tropical low is estimated to be 255km northwest of Broome and 405km west of Kuri Bay, moving at 15kms an hour. The system is likely to strengthen and reach tropical cyclone intensity by Monday afternoon or evening. The Bureau of Meteorology also said it was expecting some showers to cooler conditions across fire grounds in the NSW south. It rained in Bundanoon, in the Southern Highlands region of the state, on Sunday, with more showers forecast everyday until Friday. 'Though not a huge amount, that (rain) should slow down the fires,' duty forecaster Jake Phillips said late on Sunday. The reprieve comes after the Morton fire, a new front of 400,000-hectares stretching from Batemans Bay to the Southern Highlands, jumped the Shoalhaven River on Saturday evening. But the Rural Fire Service warns the rain won't put out the largest and most dangerous blazes before conditions worsen ahead of Friday's heatwave. Welcomed rain begins to fall on an RFS fire truck on Sunday in Bundanoon, in the NSW Southern Highlands Rain falls on the burnt landscape lining Benalong Road leading to Benalong which came under intense fire threat yesterday south of Nowra, NSW At least 60 homes were destroyed in Saturday's blazes, taking to 576 the number lost since New Year's Eve. Areas thought to be hardest hit on Saturday included Bundanoon, Wingello, Batlow, Adelong, the Jervis Bay area, Boydtown, Kiah, Wonboyn, Towamba and Cabramurra. Some early forecasts for later in the week show warmer conditions, with warm northerly winds expected to cross the west on Thursday and reach the east on Friday. 'It doesn't look as bad as Saturday or New Year's Eve but it's definitely something we'll be watching closely,' Mr Phillips said. The cool weather that has also brought relief to Victoria will continue on Monday, with showers expected to give firefighters some respite before the heat returns later in the week. Cann River (pictured on Sunday) and Mallacoota in the far east of Victoria, are forecast to receive a few millimetres of rain Rain is due to extend across the state, with light falls of up to 15mm forecast through Gippsland and the northeast ranges during the day An RFS truck travels through town as rain begins to fall on Sunday in Bundanoon, in the NSW Southern Highlands Steady rain over the next two days could help fire crews gain more control over massive blazes ravaging Victoria's east and north east. Light mist fell on Sunday at some centres including Bairnsdale, on the western edge of the East Gippsland fire ground. More widespread cooler conditions are expected to bring respite to the affected areas, Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Keris Arndt says. 'The conditions are much cooler, moisture's a lot higher than we've seen over previous days and the winds are also easing off a fair bit, especially through Gippsland today,' Mr Arndt said on Sunday. 'Hopefully that gives the fire agencies a bit of a chance to have a go at the fires and try to get a bit more control in there.' However while rain may help dampen the fireground, it could also prove a 'double edged' sword for crews by making some areas more difficult to access, Mr Arndt said. Four emergency warnings remain, with three in East Gippsland and one in northeast Victoria. Two evacuation orders are in force near Mt Buffalo and Mt Hotham in north east Victoria. Rain is due to extend across the state, with light falls of up to 15mm forecast through Gippsland and the northeast ranges during the day. The sprinkling will cover firegrounds up near Mt Hotham as well as fires burning through most of East Gippsland. 'It's really through central Gippsland and the ranges, that's most likely to see most of the rain today,' Mr Arndt says. AUSTRALIA'S BUSHFIRE CRISIS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Evacuations are underway and emergency alerts are in place in NSW, Victoria and South Australia as authorities predict the devastating bushfires will continue burning until at least March. At least 28 people have been killed in blazes across the country since the bushfire season began in October. NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT Around 90 fires were burning in NSW on Thursday morning 20 people dead More than 5.2 million hectares burned - equal to the metro areas of the five mainland state capitals 1,870 homes confirmed destroyed, more than 3,774 outbuildings and 200 facilities razed VICTORIA 19 bushfires burning in the Gippsland, northeast and alpine regions as of Thursday morning Five people dead More than 1.5 million hectares burnt 387 homes have been damaged or destroyed 602 non-residential structures have also been damaged SOUTH AUSTRALIA Three people, including two from Kangaroo Island, are dead More than 274,000 hectares burnt 161 homes confirmed destroyed, along with 413 sheds and outhouses QUEENSLAND 2.5 million hectares burnt 48 homes confirmed destroyed WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1.5 million hectares burned One home confirmed destroyed TASMANIA 30,000 hectares burned Two homes confirmed destroyed NORTHERN TERRITORY Five homes confirmed destroyed Advertisement Meanwhile Cann River and Mallacoota in the far east, are only forecast to receive a few millimetres of rain. Only lighter falls are expected in the northeast, too. 'The fires up near Corryong in the far north east probably won't see much rainfall today,' Mr Arndt said. Monday is likely to bring similar light steady rain in the same places, with forecasts of up to 15mm through Gippsland and the ranges before clearing up with some finer days ahead. 'There's not a huge amount of wind and still pretty mild conditions continuing all the way through to mid week,' Mr Arndt said. A state of emergency remains in place for Victoria throughout next week. The fire danger rating forecast for East Gippsland (pictured) and the north east of Victoria on Monday is low to moderate, with temperatures of under 20C forecast The fire danger rating forecast for East Gippsland and the north east of Victoria on Monday is low to moderate, with temperatures of under 20C forecast. The intense fire activity in the southeast and northeast of Victoria, however, is producing hazardous smoke conditions that are likely to worsen on Monday, EPA Victoria said. Emergency warnings are in place for East Gippsland communities in the path of bushfires at Cann Valley and in the Drummer and Merremingger state forests. More than a million hectares have burnt statewide, 800,000 of them in East Gippsland alone. Early on Monday, more than 130 bushfires were burning across the state, including more than 60 uncontained. Two were subject to a watch-and-act alert. Eighteen people, including three firefighters, have died in the NSW bushfires since October. At least 1482 homes, 100 facilities and 2339 outbuildings such as sheds have been confirmed destroyed across NSW since July. Close to 20,000 buildings have been saved. Pressure against the US in Iraq ramped up Sunday, as rockets hit near the American embassy and parliament demanded the ouster of thousands of US troops over the killing of a top Iranian general. Ties have deteriorated after an American precision drone strike Friday on the Baghdad international airport that killed Iran's Major General Qasem Soleimani and top Iraqi military figure Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. A pair of rockets hit near the US embassy in Iraq's high-security Green Zone for the second night in a row on Sunday just hours after Iraq's foreign ministry summoned the American ambassador over the strike. Earlier, caretaker prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi attended an extraordinary parliamentary session during which he slammed the US strike as a "political assassination". He joined 168 lawmakers -- just enough for quorum in Iraq's 329-seat parliament -- to discuss the ouster of US troops. Some 5,200 US soldiers are stationed across Iraqi bases to support local troops preventing a resurgence of the Islamic State jihadist group. They are deployed as part of the broader international coalition, invited by the Iraqi government in 2014 to help fight IS. "The parliament has voted to commit the Iraqi government to cancel its request to the international coalition for help to fight IS," speaker Mohammed Halbusi announced. The cabinet would have to approve any decision but the premier indicated support for an ouster in his speech. "We face two main choices," he told MPs: either immediately voting for foreign troops to leave or setting limits and a timeframe for withdrawal through a parliamentary process. - US-led coalition 'pauses' ops - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reacted to the parliament's move by saying: "We'll have to take a look at what we do when the Iraqi leadership and government makes a decision". Britain, a key member of the US-led coalition against jihadists, urged Iraq to allow soldiers to stay in the country, saying their work was "vital". Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary, said US troop presence in Iraq after the Iraqi parliamentary decision would be considered an "occupation". Hardline parliamentarians with ties to Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, a military force close to Iran, had demanded the immediate expulsion of all foreign troops. No Kurdish and most Sunni MPs boycotted the session as they were more supportive of an American military presence, seen as a counterweight to Iran. Tom Warrick, a former US official and current fellow at the Atlantic Council, said Soleimani and pro-Iran factions within the Hashed had long sought the US's ouster. "If US forces do end up withdrawing, it could grant Soleimani a post-humous victory," Warrick told AFP. As the session got under way, the US-led coalition announced it was suspending its Iraq operations due to deadly rocket attacks on their bases. "This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations against Daesh (IS) and we have therefore paused these activities, subject to continuous review," it said. Late Saturday, two missiles slammed into the Green Zone and another two rockets hit an airbase north of the capital housing American troops. There had been fears of a volleys of rockets following a warning from a hardline Hashed faction for Iraqis to move away from US forces by Sunday afternoon. Increased tensions had already prompted NATO to suspend training activities in Iraq and a US defence official told AFP American-led coalition forces would "limit" operations. - 'Blatant violation' - Iraq's foreign ministry said it summoned US ambassador Matthew Tueller and submitted complaints to the United Nations Security Council over the strikes. "They were a blatant violation of Iraqi sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement, and "contradict the agreed-upon missions of the international coalition." The US strike on Baghdad international airport early Friday killed five Iranian Revolutionary Guards and five members of Iraq's Hashed. After a procession that made its way across various Iraqi cities on Saturday, the remains of the Iranians, plus those of Muhandis and another Hashed member, were flown to Iran where mourners packed the streets to pay tribute to them. DNA testing was required to separate the Iraqis' remains so they could be properly buried, the Hashed said. As head of the Quds Force, the Guards' foreign operations arm, Soleimani oversaw Iran's wide-ranging interventions in regional power struggles. In Iraq, protesters taking to the streets since October had blamed him for propping up a government they see as corrupt and inept. Demonstrations still rocked the capital and south on Sunday, with many protesting against Iran and the United States. US President Donald Trump claimed Soleimani was planning an "imminent" attack on US personnel in the region and threatened Iran -- which has promised "severe revenge" -- with more strikes. The US' killing of top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani came days after pro-Iran protesters attacked the US embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone Iraq's parliament will meet on Sunday, with many lawmakers pushing for a vote demanding that US troops leave the country The remains of Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, killed alongside Soleimani, arrived at Ahvaz International Airport in southwestern Iran on Sunday Many fear the American strike that killed Iran's military mastermind Soleimani would set off a wider conflict with Iran, and have braced for more attacks YEREVAN, JANUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Armenia cannot be drawn into neither anti-Iranian nor anti-American actions, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a live broadcast Facebook video amid the tensions in the Middle East following the US airstrike that killed top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. In the statement, he reminded that earlier the foreign ministers of Iran and Armenia have discussed the developments over the phone. The ministers discussed the regional situation, and the Armenian foreign minister expressed condolences to the Iranian government and people on the occasion of the situation that led to human losses. You know that Iran is a friendly country for us, the United States is a friendly country for us, and in this situation, we, certainly, cannot be embroiled in anti-Iranian actions, we cannot be embroiled in anti-American actions. And our message is for our partners of Iran and United States to refrain from steps that would aggravate the already tense situation in our region and international relations, PM Pashinyan said. He said that all directives have been issued to relevant governmental bodies to strictly monitor the situation.. He said all necessary actions have been done. You understand that this work contains various nuances and I dont think we should present all details. The government and all officials in-charge are in contact 24\7 and whenever needed we also meet, discuss and talk, he said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan Justin E. H. Smith at his own website: There are two very different essays Ive been meaning to write, both of which equally merit the title of the present one. The one would address the special meaning of existence as distinct from being in the Heideggerian tradition, and would ask whether that special meaning applies to trees. Heidegger had dismissed even animals as merely being rather than existing, to the extent that they are poor-in-world and therefore do not have that special and rare power human beings supposedly have of standing outside of being, ex-isting as Heidegger the etymologist emphasises, and beholding being rather than simply being whisked along by it as everything else is. A fortiori, it is usually assumed, the world of plants must be even poorer, and thus trees are taken as exemplary instances of being without existing. Looking at the hanging branches of Louisiana oaks though, as I am at present, reaching down to the bayou in search of something they want, I wonder if this is true, and it seems to me, at least fleetingly, that I can imagine what it is like to be a tree, that there is something it is like, and that it is weltreich indeed. If it is difficult to grasp this, this may only be because we are limited in our sympathy by the radical difference of time scale that separates their experience from ours. I am fairly certain that if this difference were removed, we would see that trees too have projects, and experience feelings of accomplishment, defeat, joy, pensiveness, and wistfulness. But thats not what Im writing about here. More here. Long queues, stolen equipment, slow and delayed process, amid allegations of extortion by registration officials have characterised the Ghana Card registration in the Ashanti Region. Women who have been in queues for long hours summed up the mood of potential applicants in their interaction with Luv FMs Erastus Asare Donkor at one of the centres in Ayigya. These complaints come on the back of three missing laptops belonging to the Authority used for registration exercise at Aboabo in the Asokore Mampong Municipality. But Executive Secretary, Professor Ken Attafuah, who describes the hardships as needless blames indiscipline on the part of some registration officials and the attitude of some unscrupulous section of the public as the cause of it. The system itself is not slow but the processes. Peoples behaviour to get things done their way has contributed to the artificial go-slow, he said. Prof Attafuah said he cannot understand why there are registration challenges in view of the level of personnel and equipment deployed for the exercise in the region. In the Ashanti region, we have put about 5,400 machines and we have so many people properly trained to do the work and make the experience much better; much smoother than any other region. All the other regions, we had just a 1050 machines but in the Ashanti region, it was over 5000, he said. The NIA has also opened 873 centres in the region in comparison with other regions, which had 350 centres. So this should be a much better, smoother experience," Prof Attafuah said. Amid the frustrations, Prof Attafuah, is encouraging people to report misconduct of unpatriotic registration officials to security agencies or NIA office for immediate attention. Meanwhile, the NIA has extended the registration period by one week to make up for the lost days during the Christmas holidays. A woman who posed as the president of the Spanish branch of UN Women, requesting funds and giving interviews to the media has been arrested in Spain. The woman of Nigerian origin with Spanish nationality was detained in Denia on Spains eastern Mediterranean coast on charges of impersonation and fraud. The woman allegedly provided online legal courses and solicited funds to carry out different projects related to the institution she claimed to represent, police said in a statement. She participated in conferences and gave interviews in different media, police said. The investigation began in mid-2018 when the police received a complaint from the New York-based UN Women about a woman posing as the president of UN Women in Spain and the Spanish National Committee of UN Women. UN Women, a body dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, does not have a country office in Spain, according to its website. After the complaint, there were several communications between the organization and the woman in order to make her understand the illicit actions. She was asked to stop, but refused. Spanish media identified the woman as Helen Mukoro Idisi. On her personal website, she describes herself an archduchess and Nigerian aristocrat, as well as a Spanish politician, detective, author, legal expert, business and finance consultant. The books she allegedly wrote, including such titles as Make Wealth Anywhere, were sold on Amazon. Her other claimed titles are president of the African Europe Chamber of Commerce, a non-existent organization, and advisor on diaspora and auxiliary affairs of the Delta State of Nigeria, where she was born. She also established a political party, Union de Todos (Union for All), and participated in at least three elections. According to El Confidencial newspaper, she received the fewest votes to be Spains head of government in the last election, with just 31 votes. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Eva Mendes is always keeping it classy, even when defending herself against critics. On Sunday, the 45-year-old actress and designer clapped back at an Instagram troll who criticized the multi-color patterned dress she wore in a video she shared that day. I think I resemble a horse at times, she captioned the video. Its not a bad thing. It just is. If I was an animal Id clearly be a horse. Or a Shetland pony. Anyway here I am horsing around in my new favorite dress. The Natalya dress. I LOVE THIS DRESS!!! Thank you @alejandroblanco for creating this with me! Love love love this! . In the comments section, one of her followers criticized Mendes choice of attire, writing, Dont like these designs you need a better Designer you to [sic] pretty for these ugly patterns. RELATED: Eva Mendes Says Ryan Gosling Is Always in Awe of Her New York & Company Clothing Line In response, Mendes delivered a classy response, while also promoting fellow celebrities Kate Hudson and Gabrielle Unions fashion lines. Im so sorry you dont like this one, she wrote. It happens to be my favorite piece of my new collection. But Im sure theres other stuff you may like. If not @katehudson and @gabunion design some great things. So there may be something for you there. Sending love for 2020 . Eva Mendes/Instagram In September, Mendes spoke to PEOPLE about how Ryan Gosling has been her No. 1 fan in support of her New York & Company clothing line. Story continues Ryan is incredibly supportive and hes always in awe, Mendes said. The Hitch actress has been designing with the brand for six years now, and Gosling still has to remind Mendes of her hard work. He makes me realize that [making the collection] is actually a lot of work, Mendes added. I have so much fun doing it, that I dont really realize. Eva Mendes & Ryan Gosling | Sonia Recchia/Getty Images Gosling also gives his input on his favorite pieces. Hes been loving the pants Ive been doing, she said. Ive been getting into pants more, especially soft pants like joggers. When shes looking for inspiration in the design process, Mendes always turns to the women in her family. Ryans mom, Ryans sister, my mom, my sisters, my grandma are all my fashion guinea pigs, Mendes explained. Nobody is going to be more honest than family, and our family is very honest. Its something I really appreciate because when designing something, you need real feedback. Eva Mendes | New York and Company RELATED: Eva Mendes Opens Up About Fashion, Her Two Daughters and Date Nights with Ryan Gosling And then of course when you see your family in one of your dresses, your creations, its beautiful, because you know theyre not doing you any favors, she added. Mendes also is inspired by vintage items worn by her mother when shes thinking up new designs. Im totally emotional about clothes, she said. I use my own memories and photographs of my family to create clothes. Ill randomly text or email [NY & Co.] at 4 in the morning and say, We need to recreate this silk jogger pant with this silk bow blouse, please! My mom wore something like this in the 80s. Premier Daniel Andrews has vowed to rebuild bushfire-ravaged Victoria's roads, schools and community infrastructure as cooler conditions on Sunday offered a brief reprieve for firefighters battling more than 40 blazes across the state. Four people remain missing in East Gippsland, revised down from seven earlier on Sunday, with fires having burned through more than 1 million hectares, destroyed hundreds of properties and left 18 communities isolated across Victoria. A charred Australian flag in front of a burnt-out home in Sarsfield, East Gippsland. Credit:AAP Mr Andrews warned the clean-up bill for the state would run into the "hundreds of millions" and welcomed Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement of a National Bushfire Recovery Agency, to focus on rebuilding infrastructure and provide mental health support. He said the full damage would not be known until authorities can get into the communities and complete disaster assessments. Senator Lindsey Graham has urged Republicans to 'take matters in our own hands and change Senate rules' in an effort to kick-start Donald Trump's impeachment trial. Seeking to break a deadlock, the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee said on Sunday he wants the matter wrapped up by the end of January. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives last month voted to impeach Trump for abuse of power in pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival and for obstructing the House impeachment probe. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, however, has not yet sent the articles of impeachment to the Republican-led Senate, where the president would be tried, as Democrats have sought to pressure Republicans to call witnesses. Republican Graham now says he will push for a change in rules that would allow a Senate trial to move forward immediately if Democrats do not agree to its format this week. But it seemed uncertain how receptive Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell might be to an extraordinary rules change to bypass Pelosi. Lindsey Graham, pictured, said he wants the Senate to launch an impeachment trial of Donald Trump within days and wrap it up this month, even if it means changing Senate rules It seemed uncertain how receptive Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell might be to an extraordinary rules change to bypass Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is stalling House-passed articles of impeachment against Trump in a bid to get new witnesses to testify McConnell has been clear he is aiming for Trump's swift acquittal in the Republican-controlled Senate. GOP Sen. Graham of South Carolina called Pelosis delay a 'political stunt' and that she should move the articles along to the Senate so a trial can begin. 'If we dont get the articles this week, then we need to take matters in our own hands and change the rules. Deem them to be delivered to the Senate,' he said. Changing the Senate's rules would require 51 votes in a chamber where Republicans hold a 53-47 edge. But such an extreme move would almost certainly ratchet up tensions in the already divided Congress. While senators have agreed on a 51-vote threshold to confirm judicial and administrative nominees, they have been wary of doing so on other legislative matters. McConnell, at least for now, has said he is content to simply wait out Pelosi, D-Calif., while the Senate moves on to other business. Graham suggested that GOP patience is wearing thin over Pelosi's delay. 'My goal is to start this trial in the next coming days, not let Nancy Pelosi take over the Senate,' he said. Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said it was up to Pelosi to decide when to release the articles, but 'I dont think it's going to be indefinite.' 'The desire is to get a commitment from the Senate that they're going to have a fair trial,' he said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, pictured, has been clear he is aiming for Trump's swift acquittal in the Republican-controlled Senate The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives last month voted to impeach President Donald Trump, pictured, for abuse of power in pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival and for obstructing the House impeachment probe A top McConnell ally, former aide Josh Holmes, said Democrats have little to gain by dragging out the process. Most expect the Senate will ultimately vote to acquit the president and Trump will not be removed from office. 'This ends only one way and thats when she sends the papers over without any kind of preconditions,' Holmes said. Graham spoke on Fox News Channels 'Sunday Morning Futures,' Schiff was on CNNs 'State of the Union,' and Holmes appeared on 'Fox News Sunday.' Advertisement The burnt bodies of hundreds of animals line the road into Batlow, one of the towns worst hit by the weekend's bushfires. A haunting sign of the horror the area experienced on Saturday evening was caught on camera as people returned to the small rural New South Wales town on Sunday. While smoke still fills the air around the famous apple growing community, Batlow Road - the main road in and out of the town - is lined on both sides with blackened bodies of sheep, koalas and kangaroos. Scroll down for video The burnt bodies of hundreds of animals line the road into the small town of Batlow, New South Wales, which was one of the worst hit areas by bushfires overnight As the fire front approached, the sky was filled with orange flames and thick, grey plumes of smoke Pictured: A fire fighter trying to dampen bushes near buildings to avoid any ember attacks catching alight and creating new fires Much of the small town of Batlow near Canberra was decimated when the fire tore through, leaving in its wake scorched earth and destroyed structures 'Absolutely gut wrenching driving into Batlow this morning, never seen anything like it,' ABC cameraman Matt Roberts posted on Twitter. 'Sorry to have to share these images... it's completely heartbreaking. Worst thing I've seen. Story must be told.' Just metres away from the roads lined with marsupials, paddocks are filled with dead sheep. A video uploaded by the Batlow Hotel shows sheep carcasses piled up, where hours earlier they had attempted to break down fences to flee for their lives. Authorities fear dozens of homes could have been lost on the outskirts of town, where 47-year-old David Harrison died defending his friend's home. Mr Harrison died of a heart attack after returning to a car to refill water to help battle the blaze. He had travelled to Batlow from his home in Goulburn to help his friend Geoff battle the blaze. He has been remembered as a hero. Mr Harrison's brother Peter told 9News his brother would 'do anything for anyone'. David Harrison (pictured) has been identified as the man who died helping a friend save his home near Canberra on Saturday night Fire and rescue, as well as waterbombing helicopters, did their best to help out in Batlow on Saturday, but low visibility made it difficult and risky Dozens of homes are feared lost in Batlow. Pictured: A dwelling completely up in flames on Saturday The fire completely scorched the path it travelled, leaving rubble in its place once it finally passed through on Saturday 'He didn't want to leave Geoff on his own. He was just that sort of guy. He would help anyone at the drop of a hat - he would drive hours to help you,' Mr Harrison said. 'He's a hero in our eyes.' Mr Harrison said David and Geoff had planned to evacuate but he believes they were 'overcome with the heat, smoke, exhaustion and running around putting out spot fires everywhere.' A report will be prepared for the Coroner. NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said Saturday was a trying day statewide. 'It was an awful day yesterday. It was a very difficult day,' he told reporters at RFS headquarters on Sunday morning. 'We are getting reports that the property losses, the damage and destruction, is likely to be numbering in the hundreds as a result of yesterday's fire activity and fire spread. 'We're talking a considerable number, a considerable impact.' NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said early indications suggest hundreds of homes were lost across NSW in Saturday's blaze The fires ravaged the small coastal town of Batlow when they tore through on Saturday, destroying nearly everything in their path There were reports of properties being lost in the southern slopes, the NSW south coast and the southern highlands regions. Thirteen bushfires burnt at an emergency level on Saturday. 'That's second only to what we saw a couple of months ago, where 17 concurrent fires were burning (at emergency level),' Mr Fitzsimmons said. Although fire weather eased on Sunday, conditions remained 'volatile' and dynamic at a number of fire grounds, Mr Fitzsimmons added. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said as of Sunday morning there were no people missing in the fires. 'That's a huge relief. Our mission yesterday was to save life. Our mission during the night was to save human life,' she told reporters. With more than four million hectares of land burnt across the nation, there are fears some of Australia's native species could be on the brink of extinction. Authorities previously suggested the fires could have wiped out more than 500million animals. In South Australia, thousands of koalas are feared dead after a wild blaze devastated Kangaroo Island. Burning more than 100,000 hectares of bush, the out-of-control fire could have long lasting effects on the island's population of 50,000 marsupials. Home to just 1,700 people, the fires that hit the small town claimed the life of one man who was trying to help his neighbour defend a property In South Australia, thousands of koalas are feared dead after a wild blaze devastated Kangaroo Island (pictured) Firefighters have spent weeks defending lives and property from the blazes. Pictured: Two firefighters doing what they can to stop the fire in Batlow on Saturday The fire front tore through Batlow on Saturday, a day where authorities were forecasting catastrophic conditions Kangaroo Island's koala populations is potentially the only in Australia not to be infected with chlamydia. Authorities have urged locals not to take injured koalas to the mainland for treatment as they could contract the disease. 'We've received reports that some koalas from Kangaroo Island have been taken to Adelaide by people who want to get help for them,' the Department of Environment bushfire recovery coordinator Brenton Grear said. 'It's understandable and heartening that people want to rescue these animals, but unfortunately it will mean that those koalas can't be returned to the island because of the risk of contamination of the population there.' Zoos Victoria CEO Dr Jenny Gray said it is impossible to know the extent of the damage to Australia's wildlife population yet. 'Across the nation's bushfire-affected areas it is estimated that as many as 500 million animals, including critically endangered species, have already perished in the bushfires,' she said. 'The full impact is impossible to determine at this early stage.' Two staff from Zoos Victoria working at Healesville Sanctuary described signs of hope among the ashes. 'Despite their injuries and trauma, the bravery shown by the koalas and wildlife at Mallacoota is inspiring,' Dr Leanne Wicker said. Dr Wicker is working alongside veterinary nurse Evie Tochterman at the Incident Control Centre established by Victorian government. WEST CHESTER Dick Bingham has not always been a Chester County Democrat. For years, the research chemist at DuPont had been a registered Independent, picking and choosing among the candidates he saw running at his home in East Marlborough. But in the early 2000s, with the Republican Party still firmly ensconced in the county courthouse, Bingham made the choice to register as a Democrat and begin helping the party get candidates elected at the local, state, and national levels. His work, and that of many others, paid off. On Saturday, Bingham, now chairman of the Chester County Democratic Committee, was among those making up an overflow crowd in the Emilie Asplundh Concert Hall at West Chester University as 11 Democrats were sworn in as county elected officials Commissioner, District Attorney, Sheriff, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Common Pleas judge, and Magisterial District Court judge. The historic day in Chester County, as one of the officials involved in the oath administering ceremony put it, means that every executive elected office in the county government save one, that of Minority Commissioner, mandated by law is held by a registered Democrat. The change from red to blue began in 2017 when county voters elected four Democratic women to take control of other Row Offices. It has flipped, Bingham said Friday in advance of the ceremony, referring to the former composition of county government that was ruled by Republicans. And not only has it flipped, it has totally flipped. It has been pretty amazing. Taking the ceremonial oaths official oaths of office were administered for the commissioners, row officers, and judges on Thursday were Josh Maxwell of Downingtown and Marian Moskowitz of Tredyffrin, the two new Democratic commissioners, and Michelle Kichline of Tredyffrin, now the boards lone Republican; Deborah Ryan of Birmingham, district attorney; Fredda Maddox of Birmingham, sheriff; Debbie Bookman of Coatesville, prothonotary; Michelle Vaughn of East Whiteland, register of wills and clerk of Orphans Court; and Chris Pielli of West Goshen, recorder of deeds. Also sworn in were Bret Binder of East Bradford and Analisa Sondergaard, as Common Pleas judges; and Martin Goch of West Goshen and James Kovaleski of Phoenixville, as Magisterial District Court judges. The officials were sworn in by judges of their choice from the state Supreme and Superior courts, to Common Pleas Courts in Chester County, Luzerne County, and Philadelphia, and the District Court in Coatesville. They were joined by spouses, children and parents. But despite overtones of a partisan party, the event was conducted with a nod to the bipartisan nature of county government that has marked the county commissioners for the past 12 years. Acting as masters of ceremonies were departing commissioners Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell, who each served three terms as commissioners before losing their respective reelection bids in 2019. The Chester County Board of Commissioners must work together on the many issues that are very important to its citizens finding solutions and practical ways to serve the needs of Chester County citizens, Cozzone said in her welcoming remarks. Words like task force and coalition arent just rhetoric in Chester County, she declared. They have true meaning and purpose because Chester County has set a precedent for working together to address issues like homelessness, incarceration of those with mental health issues, workforce development, and the battle against substance abuse. Cozzone quoted the founder of tech giant Infosys, N. R. Narayana Murthy, as saying: When you run a part of the relay and pass the baton, there is no sense of unfinished business in your mind. There is just the sense of having done your part to the best of your ability. I commend the members of the new Chester County Board of Commissioners as well as everyone else taking the oath of office today for their decision to accept the baton and run with it, said Cozzone. Echoing her was Farrell, who spoke of the Chester County way of working together to make the county healthy, wealthy and well educated. But Farrell also spoke of the responsibility of government to pay attention to the needs of those less fortunate and undergoing life challenges and stresses. Half of the expenditures within county government support our most vulnerable citizens, Farrell said. It is the duty of the Commissioners and leaders of county departments to help real people in need. Chester County is a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire, and it is great because of what county officials and county employees do together. The need for a thoughtful switch from one party to the other in the county has not escaped the three commissioners. On Thursday, after they took their oaths of office but ahead of their first official day of the 2020 to 2024 term, they announced creation of a transition team, that will ensure a seamless process, and that will encourage the review of county procedures and practices, according to a press release. West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino will chair the transition team, along with Vice Chairman David Thornburgh, president and CEO of the Committee of Seventy, the non-profit civic leadership organization in Philadelphia. Thornburgh, a government professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is the son of former Gov. Dick Thornburgh, a Republican, and is Maxwells father-in-law. This is an important time in the history of Chester County, said Moskowitz, in the release. Building on the good work that has been done, it is time for all of us to come together and move forward as we make Chester County even better. I know that this is common ground that all of us stand on proudly. Reinforcing our shared values is what makes Chester County one of the best counties to live in, added Maxwell. We are dedicated to partnering and convening citizens from all corners of this county as we work to strengthen opportunity and inclusion. Chester County has rightfully earned a reputation for good government that provides tremendous programs and services to citizens, said Kichline. Part of good government is to review procedures and practices, see what works, and to be open to what can be improved upon. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in this process. Echoing Binghams remarks about the head-spinning thought of a complete switch from Republican domination in the courthouse to a Democratic rule was former county Commissioner Patrick ODonnell, attending the monumental event he had no idea would come so slowly, or so quickly. ODonnell recalled the first campaign he worked on in the county, a Congressional campaign that pitted a Democratic Commissioner, Louis Waldman, against Oxford Republican John Ware III. ODonnells candidate lost, and he spent decades trying to reverse that fortune, he said. We never thought we could come this far, but 50 years later we did, he said as faces from the past and present of the party swirled around him, hugging and grinning in celebration. Said Pielli, one of the new generation of county Democratic leaders, I dont think any of us expected to see this success so soon. But we always worked as if it would come about. The voters have asked us to be open, transparent, and responsible. They have put a lot of trust in us. Now, it is up to us to live up to that responsibility. To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544. Details of the chilling 000 call made by a woman who watched her husband being mauled to death by a great white shark have been revealed. Gary Johnson's body still hasn't been found after he was attacked by the shark on Sunday off Cull Island, in Esperance, south-east of Perth. His wife Karen Milligan - who was just metres away in their boat as Mr Johnson was killed - desperately called for help as she watched the horror unfold. 'My husband's been taken by a great white,' she told the police operator, The Australian reported. Gary Johnson (right) was attacked and killed by a great white shark on Sunday while his wife Karen Milligan (left) was treated for shock Emergency services are still searching for Mr Johnson while his diving partner Karen Milligan - who witness the attack - is being treated for shock. Police pictured at the scene Ms Milligan, who ran the Esperance Dive Club along with Mr Johnson, is being treated in hospital for shock. Western Australia Police say they are still scouring the waters for Mr Johnson's body and are using specialist divers along with a search plane. Peter Hudson, who was friends with Mr Johnson, said he was a 'very nice bloke'. 'People liked him. He did a lot to encourage people to appreciate the beauty of the ocean,' he said. One of the first responders - Glen Quinlivan - was setting up his power boat for a day trip when he heard the cries for help. 'We tried to find him. We tried to help her but to no avail,' Mr Quinlivan told The West. 'I really feel for her, she's obviously witnessed something you don't want to see.' Mr Johnson was a recreational diver who loved to share his passion for the ocean He said the winds were blowing towards Charley Island when they found evidence Mr Johnson had been taken. Mr Quinlivan said they saw no sign of Mr Johnson, but found his flippers and part of his wet suit. 'I've done plenty of free diving around the area. I've dived in that spot before... I won't be again. You always have it in the back of your mind,' he said. The tragic incident marks the second fatal shark attack in three years in the region after a 17-year-old died in 2017. The attack happened at about 1.30pm off Cull Island in Esperance, south east of Perth, on Sunday Laeticia Brouwer was attacked by a great white at Wylie Bay when she was holidaying with her family over the Easter long weekend. Sean Pollard was attacked in 2014 by two great white sharks in the area and he lost his left arm and right hand. A local told 9 News on Sunday it was 'only a matter of time' before the next shark attack. 'It's frustrating,' the person said. This is the second fatal shark attack in three years in the region after a 17-year-old died in 2017 'There have been so many hanging around lately. But what can you do? History is going to keep repeating itself, unfortunately.' Esperance Shire president Ian Mickel told The West that losing people in the ocean to sharks was tragic. 'We have thousands of people having a good time on the water and [to] get a fatal shark attack - it's a major concern,' he said. Laeticia Brouwer was attacked and killed by a shark at Wylie Bay when she was holidaying with her family over the Easter long weekend 'There is a lot being done with Shark Smart, we've got the majority of our surfers contributing to that. Tagged sharks are registering against the buoys [receivers]but this is really tragic.' Swimmers have been advised to stay clear of the area and follow local beach closures. Last month Shelley Payne, Shire of Esperance councillor, said more needed to be done to warn locals about sharks. She said she wanted signage near the entrance informing people to check online about shark sightings. By Kwak Yeon-soo International oil prices are likely to continue on an upward spiral in the wake of the U.S.-Iran conflict triggered by Friday's drone assassination of the head of Iran's elite Quds Force Qasem Soleimani, according to market experts, Sunday. They expect this will lead to a spike in local gasoline and diesel prices, putting an additional burden on the Korean economy. The price of gasoline increased for the seventh consecutive week in the first week of January to 1558.7 won ($1.34) per liter, up 4.6 won from the previous week. The price of diesel increased for the sixth consecutive week. Experts expect that oil prices will undergo wild fluctuations for some time but will not stay elevated for long. According to online oil price tracker oilprice.com, Friday, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the international benchmark, gained 3.06 percent, reaching $63.05 a barrel following the coordinated attack on the top Iranian general. "It is inevitable for oil prices to soar in the short term because such attacks exacerbate tensions within the Middle East," KB Securities economist Kim Doo-un said. With the opening of the first Uniqlo store in Vietnam, HCM City has added another fashion giant to its growing list of popular brands. Thousands of people wait in line to shop at the first Uniqlo store in Vietnam on its opening day. Photo courtesy of thanhnien.com.vn On its opening last month, the Japanese-owned Uniqlo store on District 1s Dong Khoi Street attracted more than 2,000 customers waiting in line to shop, generating VND5.5 billion worth of sales. According to the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper, queuing to have the first shopping experience in HCM City is not new, as similar cases were seen when H&M opened its first store in Vincom Centre downtown. Uniqlo, Zara and H&M are three giant fashion names that have chosen HCM City as their first market in Vietnam. Similarly, Calvin Klein, Mothercare, Old Navy and Mango initially settled in HCM City before expanding their business to Hanoi and other cities. In addition to world-famous fashion brands, local firms such as Canifa, NEM and Ivy Moda have successfully grown their business nationwide, with the first stop being HCM City. More than half of about 110 Canifa stores are located in HCM City along Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Vo Van Tan Street and Hai Ba Trung Street, among other prime locations. While Canifas revenue was over VND1,000 billion last year, other brands generated VND400 billion to 500 billion each. Local shops Thanh Huong, a shop owner in District 3, said that it is easy to score some fashion items at reasonable prices from Marc, Guma, Toto, Clothe or Angle Lam while wandering around Le Van Sy or Tran Quang Dieu streets. These brands have high-quality clothing and do not sell mass products. Clothing from Zara or H&M might be considered cheap overseas, but they are not affordable to HCM City residents, she added. Thai Thanh Hien, a retired official, said that she has been wearing dresses from Miu Rex Tokyo for years. The store always gives me a heads-up when it has a promotion. I usually buy up to four pieces of clothing when they're on sale, she added. In addition to districts 1 and 3, District 5 hosts many popular fashion stores, including Yame, Toto, Lime Orange, MWC, Song Nhac, SuSu, and Kboy, among others. As many foreign retail groups enter HCM City for business, the fashion market has become very competitive and expensive to invest in. A representative of Uniqlo said that high real estate prices had made it challenging to find a perfect spot to launch the premium fashion store. This explains why many Vietnamese fashion chains cannot expand their businesses as their financial resources are not sufficiently strong. Huge potential HCM City is a young, attractive market with huge consumer potential, according to experts. According to research conducted by Nielsen a year ago, Vietnamese peoples love for branded items ranks third worldwide, after China and India. This statistics are surprising as Vietnam is officially classified as a low- to middle-income country. Meanwhile, Statistics Portal, a German research company, predicts that the annual growth of the Vietnamese fashion market will reach more than 22 per cent between 2017 and 2022. By 2022, the market could generate revenue of US$988 million, it said. Vu Quoc Chinh, a marketing expert from HCM City University of Economics, said that HCM City has a large market size with 10 million people who have a higher than average income. Fashion brands and luxury brands always aim for cities with the largest purchasing power, like HCM City. Though locals' higher incomes do not necessarily mean they are willing to pay, HCM City people love to try new things, Chinh said. Most market researches have pointed out that southern consumers are sensitive to experiencing new things and taking challenges. This has shaped a fast-changing consumer culture, which is beneficial to business development plans, he added. Northern people are also fond of luxury products, but being a more conservative part of Vietnam, it takes more time to successfully introduce a product to northerners. As such, it is safer for fashion brands to start from HCM City. Despite this, Chinh admitted that a good piece of cake often attracts lots of flies and the fashion market in HCM City is highly competitive. It is important for fashion firms to constantly update their portfolios and services. A retail expert from Hanoi, Vu Vinh Phu, said that purchasing power in HCM City is higher than that of Hanoi, particularly for fashion goods. The young generation from the north might be able to catch up with the south soon, but it is not the case with the older generations. As HCM City is a centre for young artists and passionate youth, it is easy to understand that it is the perfect spot for fashion brands to settle their business there, Phu added. VNS NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday condemned the attack on students of Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, calling it an "undemocratic act". "JNU students and professors were subjected to a cowardly but planned attack. I strongly condemn this undemocratic act of vandalism and violence," Pawar tweeted. "Use of violent means to suppress democratic values and thought will never succeed," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asaduddin Owaisi claimed destruction of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore occurred in the Jat agitation in Haryana in 2015. (Photo Credit: File Photo) Hyderabad: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has asked why losses were not recovered from those who indulged in damage to public property during the Jat agitation in Haryana, while money is proposed to be recovered by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the recent anti-CAA protests. Owaisi, who was addressing a protest meeting at Sangareddy town near here late on Saturday night against the amended citizenship law, also said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan need not worry about Indian Muslims. The AIMIM president also announced that a protest meeting will be held at the historic Charminar here on January 25 against the CAA, adding We will hoist the tricolour on January 25 midnight and recite the national anthem. The meeting would be to save the Constitution and the country. On January 10, a peaceful march will also be taken out in Hyderabad against the CAA, he said. Talking about the violent protests against CAA in UP, Owaisi said he condemned violence wherever it occurred but would like to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi whether the Prevention of Destruction of Public Property Act, 1984 applied to them (UP incidents) or not. He claimed destruction of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore occurred in the Jat agitation in Haryana in 2015. Destruction of Rs 2,000 crore. Modiji, you have taken money from how many? Have you taken money from those people? One paisa was not taken. Why? You did not take because they were not Muslims. Is this not a violation of Article 14 of our Constitution, he said. How much money was recovered for the losses during the Patel agitation in Gujarat, he asked. More than 600 police vehicles were burnt and more than 1,800 government buildings were damaged during the Patel agitation, he claimed. Why are (you) doing this injustice that you will not take from Gujaratis, but recover money from Muslims, he said. ...to recover that Rs 14.50 lakh, properties of Muslims were seized, (they were) locked (in UP). This law wont apply, he said. Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan posting a video, Owaisi said Khan has posted a wrong Bangladeshi video claiming it to be from India. Mr Khan, you worry about your own country. Mr Khan, we would like to tell you, dont ever remember us. We have rejected the message, the wrong theory of Jinnah. We are proud Indian Muslims and till the day of judgment, Inshallah, we will remain as proud Indian Muslims. No power on earth can take away my Indianness. No power on earth can take away my religious identity. Why because, the Constitution of India guarantees me that, he said. The Pakistan Prime Minister should safeguard the Sikhs and stop those who attacked a Sikh gurdwara in Pakistan, Owaisi said. According to Owaisi, the CAA was only made towards making India a Hindu Rashtra. We are not against granting citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Christians, Sikhs from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh...but why are you doing in the name of religion (by excluding Muslims), he said. He challenged the Prime Minister to let the countrymen know if they plan to make (implement) NRC or not by 2024. Owaisi further said the protests against CAA, NPR and NRC should continue for another four to five months. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. NEW DELHI: India and the United States are nearing the conclusion of a trade package which would provide enhanced market access to both the countries, Indias outgoing Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla said. He was addressing a group of Indian-American entrepreneurs at a farewell lunch on Friday. Shringla, however, did not mention any date for the much-anticipated trade deal. We are close to concluding a trade package that would provide enhanced market access to both countries, he said. ALSO READ | From Balakot to Mahabalipuram via Houston: India's foreign policy report card for 2019 Shringla, who will take up his new assignment as next foreign secretary later this month, said the signing of the trade package would pave way for a bigger bilateral trade deal between the two countries. Top commerce ministry officials said the trade package will involve a trade-off between US restoring GSP benefits for Indian exports and India opening up to imports from the US, including medical devices and agricultural goods as well as reduction of tariff on high-value information technology imports. Officials said the sticking points on farm product import rules and tariff structures and Indias demands for relaxations in trade in generic drugs were being dealt with. Last year, the US had withdrawn preferential tariff treatment to more than 2,000 kinds of products worth some $6 billion, complaining of unfair trade practices by India, including higher duties. According to officials, the talks will be taken forward for a more comprehensive trade pact at a later stage. We are hurrying up the deal as both sides are keen at putting this behind us, said a senior commerce ministry official. US President Donald Trump had first announced the trade deal when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York in September last year on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The aim was to boost economic ties between the two nations. Illinois, the largest Midwestern state in the U.S., is beginning 2020 with the implementation of a new law that allows people to legally buy marijuana for recreational use. The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act also also allows the governor to pardon thousands for past low-level cannabis convictions. On December 31, Kerala government passed a resolution against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), leading the way for politics of defiance. The resolution demanded that the CAA be scrapped. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also wrote to 11 non-BJP CMs asking them to take similar steps against the argumentative law and pitching for unity to protect democracy and secularism. The country is boiling with dissent as the government leaves no stone unturned to curb it. Jamia and Aligarh Universities have witnessed violence like no other. Police brutality hit peak when they barged into Jamia campus premises in December and lathicharged students, while also using tear gas and firing. Irrespective, protests have continued unhindered. On January 4, Hyderabad gathered on streets to protests the law. More than 1,00,000 people holding flags marched peacefully on the streets. Even as disagreement mounts and government resorts to cheap missed call tactics, Yogi Adityanath led Uttar Pradesh government became the first to have ordered identification of migrants Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians from the three neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan. UP is the first state to begin the exercise of shortlisting eligible migrants for granting citizenship. A report by The Times of India, quoting sources, said this will also help collate data on illegal migrants. Additional chief secretary (home) Avanish Awasthi told TOI district magistrates have been asked to track down migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have settled here for decades, without citizenship. Though the number of people from Afghanistan living in UP is low, estimates indicate theres a substantial number from Pakistan and Bangladesh, who settled here after being persecuted in their countries, said Awasthi. This is the first step towards implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act. The purpose of the compilation list to ensure the state government could act and offer citizenship to genuine migrants. The presence of migrants from the two countries has been found mainly in Lucknow, Hapur, Rampur, Shahjahanpur, Noida and Ghaziabad. Awasthi added that citizenship will be granted to migrants on the basis of new CAA provisions. The report also adds that the state government will update the Union Home Ministry on Muslim migrants in the state and they could be deported to their countries though no decision has been taken on this so far. So far, at least 28 have been killed in protests in Uttar Pradesh. The state witnessed heavy violence where protesters were met with lathis, tear gas and bullets, even as the state police claims it never fired a single round. Even women and children were not spared as videos that emerged later showed police barging into houses belonging to Muslims and ransacking the entire place. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday called on Recep Tayyip Erdogan to take united stance against Washington following the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by a U.S. air strike on Friday, Ahval reports. Describing the killing of Soleimani as a grave mistake, Rouhani during a phone call with Erdogan said that silence in the face of such aggression would embolden the United States, Sozcu newspaper reported. "If we do not take a unanimous stance against the U.S.' mistakes, a great danger will threaten our region, Rouhani said. "Iran and Turkey have always negotiated on complicated matters, he added. According to the Russian news agency RT, Erdogan expressed his "regret" for the loss of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on the phone, calling him a martyr. He also reportedly said he understood the anger of Irans people and leaders. He also reportedly expressed his distaste for external interference, which he said destabilizes the region. Erdogan discussed regional developments and bilateral relations in phone calls with his Iranian and Iraqi counterparts on Saturday, state-run Anadolu news agency reported. National Programme Manager Job 2020 in Islamabad Latest Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination NHSRC Medical Posts Islamabad 2022 Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination Government of Pakistan required medical, health, mbbs, doctors and experienced candidate for the position of National Programme Manager in Islamabad 2020. How to Apply on Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination NHSRC Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. Nigel Farage is planning to host a 100,000 Brexit Celebration Party in London to mark the UKs exit from the European Union. Up to 10,000 Leave supporters are expected at the event in Parliament Square on January 31, featuring fireworks and bands, climaxing at 11pm when Big Ben bongs to mark the official moment of leaving. Nigel Farage, pictured, is planning to host a 100,000 Brexit Celebration Party in London to mark the UK's exit from the European Union The Brexit Party leader told The Telegraph: There will be a few short speeches but they wont be very political. There will be music and singing. 'It will be a good-natured, upbeat, optimistic, genuine celebration. The event is subject to approval from the Greater London Assembly this week. It follows Mr Farage giving his blessing to Boris Johnson's Brexit blueprint even though he conceded it would not meet all of his demands. The Brexit Party leader praised the Prime Minister for driving the country to 'the right place' but braced his supporters for compromises on key negotiation battlegrounds such as fisheries. Longtime figurehead of the Eurosceptic movement, Mr Farage has over the years banged the drum for a prosperous Britain outside of the UK, which would see a massive return of powers from Brussels. Mr Farage gave his blessing to Boris Johnson's Brexit blueprint even though he conceded it would not meet all of his demands Yet as divorce from the bloc now appears certain, he has admitted the future trade deal will likely be a watered down from his ideal Brexit vision. In an interview on LBC, he said: 'As a Brexiteer, I know I'm not going to get everything I want. That's just not possible. 'There are going to be all sorts of compromises on fishing, I'm sure. But have we turned the corner? Are we heading to the right place? Yes.' The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE killed several Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno. The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibukunle Daramola, revealed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday. According to Daramola, they recorded the success near Bula Bello when a NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft spotted a BHT gun truck under a tree along with scores of BHT fighters converged around the tree on the outskirts of the settlement. Read Also: Dont Give Boko Haram Any Breathing Space: Burutai To Soldiers He said, Accordingly, the ATF scrambled its attack aircraft to engage the location, neutralising some of the terrorists. Follow-on attacks were also carried out to take out some locations within Bula Bello where the BHTs were tracked to. The jets took turns attacking the target area, killing more of the BHTs and destroying some of their structures, he said. Daramola said the NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, would sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the North East. Iraq Military Says No Strike Took Place in Taji, North of Baghdad Report Sputnik News 08:30 04.01.2020(updated 10:27 04.01.2020) Earlier in the day, Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) issued a statement, claiming that a two-car convoy of PMF medics has been hit in a new airstrike in northern Baghdad. Sky News Arabia cited sources as saying on Saturday that the Iraqi Army had denied that an airstrike was conducted on a medical convoy near Camp Tahi in northern Baghdad. This comes after the US-led coalition to defeat Daesh* in Iraq and Syria insisted that they had not carried out any airstrikes in the area over the past couple of days. "[] The coalition did not conduct airstrikes near Camp Taji (north of Baghdad) in recent days", Army Col. Myles B. Caggins III, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTFOIR), said on his Twitter page. The statement followed Iran's Popular Mobilisations Forces (PMF) claiming that a new airstrike targeted a convoy of PMF medics near Camp Taji in northern Baghdad. Shortly after, however, the PMF asserted that no medical convoys were targeted in Taji. PMF refuted reports regarding the death of at least six senior officials, including Shebl Al-Zaidi, Hamid Al-Jazaeri, Raed Al-Karawi. Earlier, Reuters quoted unnamed sources as saying that the airstrike killed at least six people near Camp Taji. While some reports suggested that the parties involved in the incident are unknown, others asserted that the US attacked a PMF convoy carrying the commander of the Kataib Imam Ali militia, Shbl al-Zaidi, and other yet-to-be-identified PMF leaders. The developments come after the US armed forces carried out an airstrike in Iraq's capital Baghdad on Friday, killing the head of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis along with 10 other people. The Pentagon said that the airstrike was authorised by US President Donald Trump and was aimed at "deterring future Iranian attack plans". Iran's top officials, for their part, pledged to retaliate against the US "crime" and accused Washington of engaging in "international terrorism". *Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/Islamic State), a terrorist group banned in Russia and an array of other countries. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vigilance sleuths had caught the bank official red-handed when he was accepting the bribe on the behalf of the IAS officer for releasing the firms bill of Rs 50 lakh. BHUBANESWAR: Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, who was arrested in a bribery case, was on Sunday, sent to judicial custody in Jharpada Special Jail in Odisha capital for 14 days. Court of Special Judge, Vigilance allowed the anti-corruption agency to take him on remand till January 5 for questioning. After completion of the remand period, he was produced before the court, which remanded him to judicial custody. On the other hand, the courts next hearing on the bail plea of Upadhyaya will take place on January 8. The bureaucrat is accused of demanding a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from a company through Santosh Kumar Pattanayak, relationship manager of Yes Bank, Bapuji Nagar branch, who was allegedly acting as a conduit. Vigilance sleuths had caught the bank official red-handed when he was accepting the bribe on the behalf of the IAS officer for releasing the firms bill of Rs 50 lakh. ALBANY The second half of 2020 will certainly be consumed by aggressive political campaigns and endless speculation about which party will rule Washington, D.C. The same cant be said at the state level. Sure, there will be some aggressive campaigns, and pundits will never stop speculating but Democrats are sitting pretty in Albany. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo isnt up for re-election until 2022, the state Assembly has been solidly blue for 45 years, and Republican state senators are dropping like flies making it look increasingly likely that Democrats will capture a supermajority this fall. So, then, wheres the political fun in New York? Its right in the state Capitol building, folded into a front-loaded legislative session in which state lawmakers will tackle an increasingly progressive agenda while also balancing a significant budget shortfall. Get the latest on New York state politics. Sign up for our Capitol Confidential newsletter. The 2020 session starts Wednesday and ends June 2. Heres what to keep your eyes on: Budget deficit New York is facing a $6.1 billion problem. Its the largest state budget gap since the Great Recession, mostly attributed to $4 billion in Medicaid overspending. Its an issue that has already created friction among leading lawmakers: Unsurprisingly, Republicans have jumped to attack progressive agendas that require mass funding, but the states most liberal lawmakers have continued to push for more public programs that would multiply the states spending. The Democratic leaders of the state Legislature are also split: Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said he would prefer raising revenue to cutting spending, but Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has said that raising taxes would not be the first fallback. For the governors part, hes yet to hint what his solution is, sending reporters the same statement from his spokesman Richard Azzopardi for the past month: Opinions are relevant when they are based on facts, and we will present actual numbers and options when we do the budget, as otherwise, this is all just speculation. The governors office declined to say whether Cuomo is in favor of raising taxes to alleviate the budget gap, though the states mid-year budget report indicated plans to delay billions in payments until the next fiscal year a tactic that has been used to limit overruns since 2014. Ideally, cooler heads in the Assembly and Senate would recognize that the current situation was caused by unsustainable spending and bad fiscal management, and take the opportunity to restore some sanity, said Bill Hammond, the director of health policy at The Empire Center. The danger is that lawmakers will take their cues from industry lobbyists whose clients have a vested interest in bigger Medicaid spending and resort to closing the gap with higher taxes and fiscal gimmicks. Criminal justice reform State legislators passed sweeping criminal justice overhauls in last years budget plan, eliminating pre-trial detention and cash bail for most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies and speeding up the discovery process. In the months since, Republican state legislators and law enforcement officials across the aisle have assailed the changes, especially bail reform, saying the law does not give judges enough discretion to detain dangerous criminals. Critics of the reforms pounced last week when an Albany man charged with stabbing a 29-year-old woman to death was released back into the community. Democrats, meanwhile, have called the attacks disingenuous, accusing opponents of fear-mongering and reiterating that the changes make the criminal justice system more equitable. They note that criminals who could afford to post bail would also return to their communities. Still, repealing or adjusting the reforms is an immediate priority for Republican lawmakers returning to Albany this week. "At the top of the list is correcting the dangerous, pro-criminal reforms that have resulted in killers, bank robbers and serial offenders (being) back on the streets, said state Senate GOP spokeswoman Candice Giove. Senate Republicans believe that victims and the public must come first. Marijuana legalization It could be the year that New York legalizes the recreational use of marijuana, after years of buildup and increasing pressure to do so nationwide. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The governor said in a September radio interview that he would unveil a plan during his State of the State address to legalize cannabis, which he then intends to include in state budget negotiations. Cuomo had introduced a bill during his budget address last year to legalize marijuana, but legislators could not reach an agreement on the proposal before the end of the session. In the months since, Cuomo has discussed embracing a legalization plan that states surrounding New York can also agree on regional symmetry, if you will. Lawmakers have also suggested that legalizing marijuana could help the states budget shortfall, though others have also noted that the fiscal benefits of legalization likely would not be seen for several years. Other priorities While the reality of the state budget deficit stands to crush hopes of a totally left-wing agenda, state Democrats are building a war chest of priorities tackling education, voter rights and gun safety. The Senate Majority has compiled a nine-point agenda with points ranging from improving college affordability to limo regulation reforms to protecting children by advancing day care safety. In the Assembly, Democrats are continuing to push our families-first agenda to help end the cycle of poverty for New Yorkers, Heastie said. That focus includes plans to tackle homelessness, increase school aid spending and make health care more affordable, he said. Across the aisle, the Assembly Republican conference is also hoping to revisit bail reform and tackle the budget deficit without raising taxes, but members are looking at an overall goal of re-prioritizing, according to a statement issued by the conference. Legislative leaders and the governor need to refocus their efforts on helping New Yorkers who are breaking their backs paying their taxes, the statement reads. When Albany does that, we'll really begin to address some of the structural problems we have. But, of course, any priorities from the legislative chambers will almost certainly require support from the governor, who will reveal his top issues in his State of the State address Wednesday in Albany. In the weeks leading up to the address, Cuomo has slowly released a number of concerns hell touch on in the speech including cracking down on vaping and re-evaluating high-speed rails in New York all under the motto Making Progress Happen. Cuomo spokesman Jason Conwall declined to identify any additional priorities the governor will discuss, including marijuana legalization: We have already announced nearly 20 of our top priorities for 2020, and next week, the governor will lay out his full agenda, which will further build on the progress we've made in New York. The candidate from Croatias main opposition party, the Social Democrats, and former prime minister Zoran Milanovic looked set to become the countrys next president, Trend reports citing Reuters. The poll showed that in the second round of the presidential election Milanovic won 53.25% of votes ahead of the incumbent centre-right Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, the candidate for the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), who won 46.75% of votes. The first preliminary official results are expected at 1900 GMT. Milanovic, who was prime minister from 2011 to 2015, ran his election campaign on the promise to fight corruption that he said had intensified after he left power and the conservatives took over. Milanovics victory would consolidate the Social Democrats and strengthen the party ahead of a parliamentary vote (in the autumn), political analyst Branko Caratan told state television. In the first round two weeks ago Milanovic beat 11 other candidates to come first with 29.6% of votes ahead of Grabar-Kitarovic who won 26.7% of the votes. The presidents role is largely ceremonial in Croatia. The head of state cannot veto laws, but has a say in foreign policy, defense and security matters. This election is a kind of preliminary stage for the parliamentary election later this year, said political analyst Zarko Puhovski. Croatia, which took over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union on Jan. 1, is set to hold its next parliamentary election in the autumn. The State Electoral Commission said turnout had reached 43.5% by 1530 GMT. Voting closed at 1800 GMT. Minister of state for home G. Kishan Reddy interacts with Muslims during a door-to-door awareness campaign in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act, in Padmaraonagar, Secunderabad, on Sunday. (Photo: S. Surender Reddy) Hyderabad: Union minister of state for home G. Kishan Reddy on Friday appealed to the Muslims not to believe the propaganda of Opposition parties against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR), which have been the subject of so many protests across the country. He was addressing the audience after launching a Gruha Sampark Abhiyan, an awareness campaign on the CAA at Padmaraonagar, Secund-erabad, on Sunday. The Union minister accused the Congress, MIM and Telangana Rashtra Samiti of trying to disturb the peace and create animosity. India, he declared, is a secular state, and the new law (CAA) was made in order to grant citizenship to refugees coming from the Islamic States of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan due to attacks on them, and the Modi government has decided to grant citizenship to the refugees and protect them. He said the law would not cancel the citizenship of a single Muslim and there would not be any trouble for anyone. Mr Reddy said that under the Gruha Sampark Abhiyan, BJP cadres will visit people in their homes and explain the features of the CAA and clear the misconceptions in the minds of communities, and party leaders will contact the Muslim residents and explain the CAAs provisions. Pointing out that the CAA is meant to protect the human rights of refugees who are facing trouble in Islamic countries, he found fault with human rights activists for not supporting the CAA. Party state president Dr K. Laxman, MLC N. Ramchander Rao and core committee member P. Sudhakar Reddy participated in the campaign. RLSP chief and former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha on Sunday announced that his party will form a "human chain" on January 24 on the twin issues of education and employment across the state. Talking to reporters here at party office, Kushwaha said that the party has decided to form a human chain keeping in mind the issues of education and employment as the twin issues have become problems in the state. The education system of Bihar has become "bad to worse" under Nitish Kumar government regime in past 15 years and so is the case with the issue of dealing with the problem of migration from Bihar to other states in search of jobs, said Kushwaha. The party's human chain programme - which will be held on former Bihar CM and veteran socialist leader Karpoori Thakur's birth anniversary on January 24 - will be carried out with the slogan of "Hame Chahiye Shiksha aur Rozgar, isliye Maanav Kataar", the former Union minister said. "We have decided to form a human chain once again on January 24 on the twin issues of education and employment. The human chain will be organised outside the government school where parents and local people would congregate to show their solidarity for half an hour between 11:30 to 12 noon on the two issues," Kushwaha said. The RLSP chief said that he would make the two issues a big agenda in the state assembly elections scheduled to be held later this year. Kushwaha, when he was a member of Narendra Modi government, had formed a human chain on January 30, 2018 to spread awareness among the people regarding educational reforms and importance of various provisions of Right to Education Act. Kushwaha, however, termed as "misuse of public money" the Nitish Kumar government's decision to organise a "human chain" on January 19 in support of prohibition and climate change and against dowry and child marriage. On Kumar's announcement that this year's human chain will break the past record, RLSP leader said that Kumar's 2017 human chain on prohibition could be termed as "OK" as it was participated by all parties while the 2018 human chain formed against dowry and child marriage was a "big flop" and he is talking of breaking past records. JD(U) is trying to deflect people's attention by coming out with a poster comparing its (NDA's) 15 years versus RJD's 15 years, he said, adding that instead of making comparisons, Kumar should rather tell people about his actual achievements. Kushwaha asked Kumar to tell the people whether his government could pull the state out of BIMARU tag. The RLSP chief said Kumar always says that opposition wears spectacle made of "tin" and that's why they (opposition parties) could not see the development taking place in the state. "If it is so, then which kind of spectacle the Niti Aayog has put on as the recent Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) survey, put Bihar at the bottom in all respects... Niti Aayog is an institution under the Central government which is supported by Kumar's JD(U)," Kushwaha questioned. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran Saturday that America has targeted 52 Iranian sites and Iran will be hit "very fast and very hard" if it attacks any American or U.S. assets. "We have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level and important to Iran and the Iranian culture," Trump tweeted on Saturday evening. Trump's threat came after a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport on Friday killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Quds Force, sparking outrage and vows to revenge from Tehran. Earlier Saturday, the White House reportedly formally notified Congress of the U.S. operation that killed Soleimani. Major cities in America, including Washington, New York and Los Angeles, are on alert after the deadly incident while local authorities said there is no credible or specific threats toward the cities. Meanwhile, anti-war protests took place across the United States on Saturday. "For all who believe in peace, for all who are opposed to yet another catastrophic war, now is the time to take action," a coalition known as ANSWER, for Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, which organized the events, said in a statement. Members of the Sikh community and others staged protests at different places in the city on Sunday against the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Raising slogans against Pakistan and its Prime Minister Imran Khan, they held demonstrations and took out rallies condemning the attack, police said. Agitators held placards that read "Protect Minorities in Pakistan," "We want Justice" among others. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is the site near Lahore in Pakistan where the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. On Friday, a violent mob had attacked the gurdwara and pelted it with stones. India had strongly condemned vandalism at the revered Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and called upon the neighbouring country to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community there. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China: US' risky behaviors escalate tensions in region IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Beijing, Jan 4, IRNA -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday that the US' risky behaviors have both violated international norms and escalated tensions in the region. Yi made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in reaction to US recent terrorist operation which resulted in assassinating IRGC's Quds Force Commander Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani. China is against using force in international relations, he said. There is no way for military issues and US pressures against Iran are illogical, he said adding that China urges US not to use force and to solve issues through negotiations. He noted that China supports impartial and fair stance and will have constructive role in preserving peace and security in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Zarif elaborated on Iran's position with regard to assassination of Iranian commander. He also seriously slammed US brutal behavior, saying US measures will have severe consequences. Referring to Iran's letter to UN, Zarif called on China to play important part in preventing escalation of tensions. Earlier, Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi in a letter to the international body described the assassination of IRGC's Quds Force Commander as a terrorist act. "At the same time, it is incumbent upon the Security Council to uphold its responsibilities and condemn this unlawful criminal act, taking into account the dire implications of such military adventurism and dangerous provocations by the United States on international peace and security," the letter reads. Iraqi media quoted official resources as saying that the Lieutenant General Soleimani 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. Iraqi media said the US helicopters targeted both cars. 9376**1430 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Setting the stage for razing down of four multi-storey illegal apartment complexes here later this week, the authorities on Sunday came up with a detailed plan including declaration of exclusive zone around the structures where "no entry" is allowed. Police said people will not be allowed to enter within a 200m radius of the apartment complexes in Maradu municipal area on January 11 and 12, the dates fixed for demolishing the illegal structures using controlled implosion method. "Section 144 (CrPC) would be imposed within the exclusion zone. No entry is allowed in the exclusion zone. The exclusion zone would be implemented and maintained by the police and any entry in the exclusion zone area would be illegal", police said. The authorities are implementing the Supreme Court order directing to demolish the water front high-rises constructed in violation of coastal regulation zone norms. Close to 500 police personnel would be deployed at every demolition site, Kochi City Police Commissioner and Inspector General Vijay Sakhare told reporters here. The 19-floor H2O Holyfaith apartment complex having 90 flats and the Alfa Serene complex with 73 flats in its 17 and 12 floors twin towers would be demolished on January 11 in a gap between 11 am and 11.05 a.m. While the 17-floor Jain Coral Cove apartment complex with 122 flats would be razed at 11 a.m on January 12, the Golden Kayaloram with 40 flats and 17 floors would be demolished at 2 p.m, authorities said. The water bodies around the flat towers are also part of the exclusion zone and entry in the water bodies is also prohibited, police said. The authorities have issued guidelines to media directing not to stand immediately on the exclusion zone boundary and set up their equipment only after some distance from the exclusion zone boundary. Flying drone cameras within the exclusion zone has been banned. "The entire exclusion zone is a No-fly Zone. Any unauthorised drones flying would be taken down. Any unauthorised drone flying near the building may trigger the explosives and may lead to premature detonation," police said. "We are ready and hopefully everything will go on well without causing inconvenience to people, without causing any harm to anybody," Sakhare said. The companies awarded contract for demolishing the structures have started filling explosives in the interconnected holes drilled into their pillars. The intermediate walls of the buildings have been demolished through pre-demolition works and now the apartments are standing on bare structures. Ernakulam district authorities and other agencies, including Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, have started completing formalities, including issuing No Objection Certificates and clearance certificates to the firms which won the contracts to bring down the structures. According to reports, around 850 kg of explosives are required for the demolition of the buildings using controlled implosion. Sakhare said the probability of any mishap is "very very rare" as the explosives which have been placed on columns have been covered properly with a protective material. A total of 343 waterfront flats were built in the Maradu municipality by violating the Coastal Regulation Zone norms. The Supreme Court in September last year had directed demolition of the apartment complexes within 138 days, a timeline given by the Kerala government. On May 8 last year, the apex court had directed that these buildings be removed within a month as they were constructed in a notified CRZ, which was part of the tidally- influenced water body in Kerala. The court had passed the order after taking note of a report of a three-member committee, which said when the buildings were built, the area was already notified as a CRZ and construction was prohibited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Once completed listing on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, Vietnam Rubber Group would be the second largest firm in terms of registered capital, behind BIDV. The Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE) has approved the listing of Vietnam Rubber Group with four billion shares, equivalent to registered capital of VND40 trillion (US$1.72 billion). As of present, Vietnam Rubber Group is the largest firm in terms of registered capital and fourth in market capitalization (VND58 trillion or US$2.5 billion) on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM), which is considered a transitional step before listing on two main exchanges, behind Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) with market cap of VND161 trillion (US$6.93 billion), Viettel Global with VND77 trillion (US$3.32 billion) and Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corporation with VND60.4 trillion (US$2.6 billion). In February 2018, Vietnam Rubber Group launched its initial public offering (IPO) with over 475 million shares on offer, however, only one fifth of the amount was sold for proceeds of VND1.31 trillion (US$56.39 million). Once completed listing on HoSE, Vietnam Rubber Group would be the second largest firm in terms of registered capital, behind Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV). The government currently owns a 96.77% stake at Vietnam Rubber Group, which consists of 106 subsidiaries and 21 affiliates. At the close on January 2, Vietnam Rubber Groups share value reached VND11,300 (US$0.49). Last December, the firm stated it would complete its transition from state-owned enterprise status to joint stock company in the first quarter of 2020 at the latest. Vietnam Rubber Group estimated its revenue in 2019 at VND29.82 trillion (US$1.28 billion), exceeding 23% of the years target, and a pre-tax profit of VND5.13 trillion (US$220.82 million), or 98% of the target, according to CafeF. As of September 30, the groups assets stood at VND76 trillion (US$3.27 billion), of which the majority are long-term assets worth over VND58 trillion (US$2.5 billion). Of total asset value, fixed assets were estimated at VND27.7 trillion (US$1.19 billion) in value, up 9% year-on-year. Hanoitimes Ngoc Mai Rubber plantation ended for Long Thanh Airport Project Authorities in Dong Nai Province have recalled 1,800 hectares of rubber plantations for the Long Thanh Airport project. People left behind in Mallacoota farewell their loved ones aboard HMAS Choules on Friday. Credit:Justin McManus Firefighters The NSW Rural Fire Service and Victoria's Country Fire Authority are running their own donations for those wanting to support the firefighters. They are accepting cash donations only. Donate to the RFS here and the CFA here. Victorian Bushfire Appeal This appeal was launched by the Victorian government in coordination with the Bendigo Banks Community Enterprise Foundation and the Salvation Army. The Community Enterprise Foundation has already raised $2 million from the public, to which the Victorian government pledged an additional $2 million at the weekend. A firefighter battles a blaze near Batemans Bay. Credit:Kate Geraghty The government says 100 per cent of all donations will go to communities in need, "covering the cost of everything from a grocery shop to replacing school uniforms". "The Appeal will also help address the most immediate priorities of communities, including the rescue and rehabilitation of local wildlife," the government says. People are being asked to donate cash, as "monetary donations are quicker, more effective and logistically provide far more flexibility than donations of material items or pre-loved goods". Donate here. A kangaroo flees a bushfire in NSW. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen St Vincent de Paul Society During its bushfire appeal, Vinnies only accepts cash donations. The charity is currently running appeals for victims of bushfires and drought in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT. Donate here. Salvation Army The Salvos are also after cash donations and say the logistics of transporting, storing and distributing items in disaster-affected communities is often not practical. "Cash allows Salvation Army emergency services to meet the need as it emerges ... and stay in communities as they rebuild in long-term recovery," the Salvos' Steve Speziale says. "Today at numerous locations we are feeding firefighters and evacuees, and answering the needs of communities devastated by bushfires and we do this with the support of so many Australians." Donate here. Foodbank Cash donations are preferable, but the organisation is also accepting good-quality tinned food (with ring pull), UHT milk, and items that are easy to "grab and go" like muesli bars, cereals, biscuits and pantry staples. Foodbank also accepts pet food and personal hygiene products. Do not donate clothes, razors, medicine, alcohol, clothes or bedding. Drop off between 10am-5pm on the weekend, and between 9am-5pm during the week. If you're in Queensland, Foodbank is accepting donations via their Morningside warehouse from 7am until 3pm Monday through Friday only. Donate here. Wildlife Victoria The group has started a Victorian Bushfire Appeal where donations will be distributed to wildlife shelters and carers across the state affected by the fires. Donate here. World Wildlife Fund WWF Australia is raising money to help restore homes for the koalas when the fires have cleared. More than 2000 koalas have perished in NSW alone. Donate here. A koala named Pete from Pappinbarra is treated at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital after fires in November. Credit:Getty Images Port Macquarie Koala Hospital Staff at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital are treating about 30 koalas, which they spent weeks rescuing following devastating bushfires on the NSW Mid-North Coast. They are raising money to install animal drinking stations in burnt areas, and to set up a koala breeding program. Donate here. WIRES The New South Wales agency is accepting donations to its emergency fund to help rescue wildlife, including flying koalas and flying foxes, affected by drought and bushfires. Donate here. Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund GERF was set up in 1978 to help Gippsland locals recover from natural disaster. The charity is calling for cash donations. Donate here. Gippsland Farmer Relief Ayatollah Sistani says US violated Iraqi sovereignty by targeting Soleimani IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 4, IRNA -- Iraq's Grand Cleric Ayatollah Ali Sistani said in a statement that US violated Iraqi national sovereignty by targeting Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq, calling on all parties to exercise self-restraint. In his statement, Ayatollah Sistani said that US brutal attacks led to assassination of a number of champions in fight against ISIS terrorists. He added that the US aggression is vivid violation of Iraq's sovereignty and the UN Charter. Lieutenant General Soleimani 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. Iraqi media said the US helicopters targeted both cars. Earlier, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei commented on the martyrdom of the great commander of the IRGC's Quds Forces and said harsh and severe revenge is awaiting the criminals. 9376**1416 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thousands Mourn Iranian General In Iraq By RFE/RL January 04, 2020 Thousands of people gathered in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq on January 4 to mourn Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and an Iraqi militia leader killed one day earlier in a U.S. air strike in the Iraqi capital that has escalated already heightened tensions in the region and Iran warned has "started a military war." In the evening of January 4, a rocket fell inside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone near the U.S. Embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighborhood, and two more rockets were fired at the Balad air base north of the city, but no one was killed, the Iraqi military said in a statement. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Meanwhile, a southern Iranian military commander pledged on January 4 that his country "will punish Americans wherever they are within Tehran's reach," Reuters reported, citing Iran's Tasnim news agency. General Gholamali Abuhamzeh, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander in Kerman Province, said "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there." He said that Iran had identified "vital American targets in the region" and that "some 35 U.S. targets in the region as well as Tel Aviv are within our reach," the agency quoted Abuhamzeh as saying. NATO announced later on January 4 that it is suspending a training mission for soldiers in the Iraqi army. "The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount. We continue to take all precautions necessary," acting NATO spokesman Dylan White said in a statement. Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign legions, was killed in the U.S. strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. Iran-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed. Many of the participants in the funeral procession in Iraq waved Iraqi national flags or the banners of militias amid chants of "Death to America!" Mourners later brought the bodies by car to the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala, south of Baghdad, then to Najaf, another sacred Shi'ite city, where they were met by the son of Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and where Muhandis and the other Iraqis killed will be laid to rest. Soleimani is to be buried in his hometown of Kerman on January 7, state media reported. Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi was among those who joined the march. Abdul-Mahdi has stayed on to head a caretaker government since his resignation 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. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif by telephone on January 4 and emerged urging the United States not to "abuse" the use of force and resolve issues "via dialogue," according to Reuters. Wang also said Beijing would play a constructive role in maintaining peace and security in the Persian Gulf region. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said he had spoken with Wang and with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas about the situation in the Middle East and that all agreed on the need to preserve Iraqi sovereignty and stability, Reuters reported. Le Drian also said Paris, Berlin, and Beijing agreed on the importance of ensuring that Tehran does not violate the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers to trade sanctions relief for limits on Iran's nuclear activities. Zarif also discussed the killing of Soleimani with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a phone call on January 3, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Lavrov expressed his condolences over the killing," according to the statement issued January 4. "The ministers stressed that such actions by the United States grossly violate the norms of international law." Tehran has taken what it has described as "steps toward" abrogating the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) since Trump announced in 2018 that the United States was withdrawing from it and reimposing tough sanctions on Iran. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Majid Takht Ravanchi, said late on January 3 that the attack "in fact was an act of war on the part of the United States and against Iranian people." "Last night they started a military war by assassinating by an act of terror against one of our top generals. So what else can be expected of Iran to do? We cannot just remain silent. We have to act and we will act," Ravanchi told CNN. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of "severe retaliation." Ali Fadavi, a top IRGC commander, told Iranian state television late on January 3 that the United States "resorted to diplomatic measures...on Friday morning" after the attack. He claimed that the Americans had "even said that if you want to get revenge, get revenge in proportion to what we did," according to AFP. U.S. President Donald Trump said that he ordered the attack to "stop a war" and that the slain general had been in the process of organizing "imminent and sinister" attacks on U.S. interests and allies. Trump's comments came shortly before new reports out of Iraq suggested that a second drone strike early on January 4 near Camp Taji north of Baghdad had hit the convoy of an Iran-backed militia. But a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq said early on January 4 that its forces have not conducted air strikes near Camp Taji in recent days. The Iraqi military later similarly denied that any such attack had taken place. Trump's order to strike at Iran's top general has met with praise from his supporters, concern from his domestic and foreign critics, and calls for an easing of tensions from many in the global community. "We took action to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war," Trump said. "We do not seek regime change in Iran," he said, but added that the United States knew the location of its enemies and that he was "prepared to take any action that's necessary," in particular regarding Iran. Washington blames Iran-backed militias for attacks on U.S. and Iraqi personnel and sites, including on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which was overrun by pro-Iran groups earlier in the week. Trump and many in the West also blame Iran for sponsoring terror groups throughout the region, an accusation Tehran has denied. Late on January 3, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cited conversations with Middle Eastern and other partners in the previous two days, hinting at tensions between Washington and Europe. "I spent the last day and a half, two days, talking to partners in the region, sharing with them what we were doing, why we were doing it, seeking their assistance. They've all been fantastic," Pompeo told Fox News. "And then talking to our partners in other places that haven't been quite as good. Frankly, the Europeans haven't been as helpful as I wish that they could be." Members of the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants have suspended the training of Iraqi security forces amid the heightened tensions, according to announcements by Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden quoted by dpa. The German military reportedly said it was a precautionary step to protect soldiers deployed in Iraq under Operation Inherent Resolve. Later on January 4, a NATO spokesperson confirmed the alliance had suspended its training missions in Iraq. The United States last week sent in some 750 additional troops amid the unrest. The United Kingdom on January 4 advised its nationals against travel to Iraq or parts of Iran. Soleimani was head of Iran's Quds Force, the foreign arm of Iran's IRGC, and has been blamed for orchestrating deadly attacks throughout the region. The Quds Force has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States. Mohsen Rezaee, secretary of Iran's influential Expediency Council, suggested that Israel had provided intelligence that contributed to the operation that killed Soleimani. "[Soleimani] entered Baghdad from Syria last night," Rezaee said on Iranian state television late on January 3. "After his plane landed, he got into the car with Abu Mahdi [al-Muhandis], who had been waiting for him, and...they were [killed] by a U.S. air strike after passing a checkpoint. There is a high possibility that Israel had taken information from Syria about his flight and passed the intelligence to America." The IRGC, which helps oversee the Quds Force, said Soleimani would be laid to rest on January 7 in his hometown of Kerman after three days of ceremonies across Iran. The attack also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a deputy commander of the Iran-backed PMF militia in Iraq. Prior to the official U.S. and Iraqi denials, Newsweek quoted unnamed Pentagon officials as saying that a drone strike targeted the Iman Ali Brigades and that there was a "high probability" that leader Shubul al-Zaidi was killed. The militia cited an attack but said the convoy was a "humanitarian" mission and that medics, not senior militia leaders, were killed. The January 3 U.S. strike on one of Iran's most powerful military leaders raised concerns of potential retaliatory action by Tehran that could lead to a widespread armed conflict. Iran on January 3 sent a letter to the UN secretary-general and the Security Council stating that Tehran "reserves all of its rights under international law to take necessary measures" in response to the killings. The United States said it was sending some 3,000 more troops to the Middle East and it urged Americans to immediately leave Iraq amid the raised tensions. With reporting by Radio Farda, AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iraq-pfm-militia-attack -baghdad-iran-us-drone/30359681.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ARE you too cool for your local school? This is just one of the questions being asked by the students of Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ, as they take part in this year's BT Young Scientist Exhibition. Three groups will represent Laurel Hill next week. Karen Kinnerk, who teaches science and maths at the school gave a breakdown of what projects will be submitted in the competition this January. This senior submission is titled: Working Waves and is by Aoife-Marie Costello, Caoimhe Cahill and Nadine McMahon. Working Waves are a student orientated company who have been working hard on developing a product that will be installed on the bows of ships and will decrease the amount of fossil fuels used to power engines on-board sea vessels, minimizing port companies carbon footprints, said Ms Kinnerk. The next project, which is in the intermediate level, is titled: Are you too cool for your local school by Jane Burke and Roisin Ryan. This project is investigating if there would be a reduction in carbon emissions if every secondary school student was to attend their local school. As global warming is very topically at the moment the girls wish to see if they can make a difference locally, said Ms Kinnerk. Read also: Limerick householders urged to recycle their Christmas trees The final project submitted by Laurel Hill is titled Kefir in and Irish Kitchen: Jane OBrien, Kate ODoherty and is also in the intermediate class. This project wishes to investigate the benefits of using kefir particularly focusing on it as a probiotic for the gut (GI). The girls are investigating the different types of beneficial bacteria present in kefir in different types of milk. They are also investigating the pH and mass of the kefir. The girls went to the UL microbiology lab to test and analyse their samples with Dr Achim Schmalenberger. They have also received funding from Irish food company Truly Irish to help with their project, said Ms Kinnerk. The girls have worked exceptionally hard to get to where they are. We are very proud of their efforts and achievements to date. All of the groups are highly motivated and set high standards for themselves and they are great advocates for our school. They are a pleasure to work with and I have no doubt they will enjoy the week in Dublin, she added. Advertisement Infrared pictures taken from space show thick plumes of toxic smoke billowing from the catastrophic bushfires in Australia. Satellite images taken on Saturday showed wildfires burning around East Gippsland and Kosciuszko National Park. The eerie photos showed the scale of the blazes, after high winds and 46C heat on Saturday increased the ferocity of the fires. A shortwave infrared image shows wildfires burning east of Orbost on the south east coast of Victoria The eerie photos showed the scale of the blazes (pictures near Orbost, Victoria), after high winds and 46C heat on Saturday Officials confirmed more than 1,500 homes had been destroyed - 1,365 in NSW alone - with more than 300 fires still ravaging the parched land across the country. Late on Saturday, thousands of residents in fire-ravaged Victoria were given evacuation orders as out-of-control blazes threatened several towns. Up to 24 communities were isolated on Saturday night as the Princes Highway closed between Orbost in southern Victoria and the NSW border, the Herald Sun reported. Cann River was evacuated via an old road to Orbost as an out-of-control fire threatened lives and homes. A bus and 40 cars convoyed out of the town at 3pm. Residents in Freeburgh, Harrietville, Smoko and Wandiligong were also told their homes and lives are in danger as fires spread due to the high winds. A shortwave infrared image shows fires burning in a forest near Lake Eucumbene in Kosciuszko national park, New South Wales This satellite image provided by NASA on Saturday January 4 shows wildfires in Victoria and New South Wales Australia's prime minister called up about 3,000 reservists on Saturday as the threat of wildfires escalated in at least three states. Pictured: satellite images of smoke billowing from fires near Orbost, Victoria Of around 100,000 residents in East Gippsland, 70 per cent have fled. Residents over in NSW were begged to limit their energy use, with people asked to not turn on dishwashers or washing machines. It came as key lines in the Snowy Mountains were ravaged by fires, causing around 15,000 to lose power. Fires continued to spread in the state overnight, with residents of Kangaroo Valley, a lush green area west of the popular tourist town of Berry, being told it's too late to leave. As of early Sunday morning, there were 150 bushfires in NSW - seven at emergency level - and 50 fires burning in Victoria - 13 of which are at emergency level. This image taken from the International Space Station on Friday January 3 and shows wildfires surrounding Sydney Theyre not representational in the way a photo would be, Kelsey said of her work in the series. They get at the collective, sensory experience of walking all day: the sights, the sounds and the smells the sensory experience of being outside. Kelsey and her husband Luke Kloberdanz hiked from Door County to Lodi that summer, encountering all kinds of weather and geological structures. We saw giant rocks that seemed like they were just set down where they were, said Kelsey, an art professor in Baraboo since 2005. I did a lot of drawings in the tent and then worked from memory, recalling the shapes and patterns of light and weather. Other work on display is from a series Kelsey calls, Homing. Ice Age Trail paintings were all about being away, she said, but her Homing pieces explored the domestic life. They contain a lot more collage, much more mixed media, Kelsey said of Homing, which she displayed in a Wisconsin Academy Gallery exhibit in Madison in 2017. I was really thinking about the repetitions of the everyday in the domestic realm, the way that pattern and color can talk about the things that we do: the repetition of taking care of a small child or whatever those needs are at home. January 05 : Moroccan-Canadian actress Nora Fatehi, who set the internet on fire with her sizzling dance moves, is known for her sensuous beauty. The actress, who nails the fashion game with ease, slays in desi look. Lets check out the sizzling dancers looks in traditional attires. Styled by Lakshmi Lehr, Nora Fatehi slew in this stunning bright yellow kurta with golden embroidery on it from Ranian By Neha Gupta. She teamed it with grey and white printed sharara pants. The actress looked a desi beauty with a side-parted messy plait, huge chandbaalis, and subtle makeup. The belly dancer looked exquisite in an all-white ensemble that included a white crop top and a long white skirt, designed by Mohamed Saad. Giving out angelic vibes in the white attire, Nora was a vision to behold with her wavy hair, red pout and intense eyes. The actress looked super gorgeous donning a grey Indian suit from Pleats by Kaksha & Dimple. She paired the long kurta with zari work around the neck with a stunning printed organza dupatta. Nora left her wavy hair open and opted for the right pouty pink colour, enhancing her desi look. Fatehi looked drool-worthy in this Indian ensemble. Styled by Ami Patel, Nora looked gorgeous in a white long kurta with typical Indian prints in multi-hues. Her multi-coloured kameez and churidar set along with a stunning white dupatta are from Asal By Abu Sandeep. Nora looked mesmerising in this Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla outfit. Her pista green slit kurta had gota embellished work all over, which she paired with palazzos. Her pink lips and loose wavy hair made her look like a vision. Weve all probably seen now-infamous Peloton ad. Maybe you also saw some of the wild parody videos bouncing around the internet. At this point, almost everyone has an opinion on what it says about society, not to mention the future of marketing. Clearly the luxury fitness brand was looking for some attention heading into the recent holidays. But not this kind. If we can put aside for a moment debating whether the message of this particular spot was tone-deaf or not, or what it says about social and sexual politics, what seems clear is why this happened. Given the timeliness of this topic, we brought together some of the marketing industrys leading minds for a special edition of our podcast, Authentic Influence. Andrew Essex, Former CEO of Droga5, Peter Horst, former CMO at Capital One and Hershey, and Mike Shields, a journalist for Business Insider and WSJ, joined to speak with us about faking authentic. The focus of our conversation: Pelotons 2019 holiday ad. Click here to listen in. Peloton, like so many big marketers, was striving for authenticity, which is increasingly viewed as vital in breaking through to younger, more skeptical generations. What they got instead was "fake authenticity," which is perhaps the ideal way to alienate these young, skeptical consumers. The Peloton ad was designed to look as though a real person was chronicling her Peloton "journey" through the use of her smartphone. Like so many marketers, the brand and its trusted agency tried to script an authentic moment. What happened to Peloton, according to Mike Shields, should come as no surprise. If youre trying to figure out how to be authentic, and find a way to make sure you come across like youre real to consumers, you probably shouldnt do it, because youre probably going to end up with fake authenticity. Whats so striking, however, is what a lost opportunity this represents. If there was ever a brand whose users scream out their genuine brand passion (literally) every day, it's Peloton. Related: How Peloton Found the Secret to Scale The insight that peer-to-peer validation is more compelling than commercial validation is like saying the sun will come up in the east and go down in the west, comments Essex. "I think the professional response to that is: duh Peter Horst echoes this sentiment, Anytime you can use real people telling their stories in an authentic way ... thats incredibly powerful. Yet so few brands are willing to take that leap and partner with customers as their top marketers. Just imagine if Peloton executives had found a way to tap into their customers' love for the exercise machine by actually showing real people using it. You can envision an inspiring series of real maybe rough, but definitely authentic selfies and videos tracking peoples lives being changed through workouts and distributed to those peoples peers. Brands crave direct relationships with consumers. What if this relationship could extend beyond simply selling to them, to having them market with you, as your partner? Yes, theres no doubt this sounds a bit scary. Brands are used to controlling their own stories and hiring third-party "experts" to help them do so (and to deflect blame when things go wrong). Handing over some control to "regular people" can feel risky. But Peloton seemingly had control over their messaging, and look how that turned out. The brands that will win in the future are those daring enough to partner with their customers and smart enough to leverage robust technologies to ensure brand safety at the same time ... those who crack the code on partnering with customers as marketers at scale, predictably and in a way that can be brand-safe, measured and optimized over time. Related: The Actor in Peloton's Cringey Holiday Ad Says His Few Seconds of Airtime Led to 'Malicious Feedback That Is All Associated With My Face' After all, wouldnt every brand rather spend 80 cents to acquire a new customer, rather than one dollar, and have 70 of those 80 cents spent go as value to their best existing customers instead of to third-party media companies (with perhaps now only ten cents going to the technology solution powering it all)? As so much of the digital ad world struggles to compete with Facebook and Google, the future of advertising will evolve into helping marketers channel the power of their customers and, in turn, shift more and more of the money traditionally spent on third-party advertising platforms into value for the customers who are partnering with your brand as marketers. This vision is a much more effective and powerful marketing ecosystem one where customers and "real authenticity" rule (not third-party platforms). So instead of seeing the Peloton ad as a great mishap, perhaps it's the perfect teachable moment, as we head into the next decade, regarding the far more customer-led future of advertising. Related: 3 sencillos pasos para generar engagement en LinkedIn A New Era Of Digital And Social Communication Awaits Us In 2020 Four Ways To Boost Customer Experience (And Thus Hold Onto Your Clients) Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved At least 36 people have been killed in a building collapse in southern Cambodia. A seven-floor tourist guesthouse which was under construction fell to the ground in Kep province on Friday. The rescue operations which continued for two days managed to pull out 23 people from the rubble. Six children dead Authorities have estimated that 30 workers remained trapped under the rubble but Ros Udong, provincial spokesman told the international media that the number of dead and injured was higher than anticipated. The list of causalities included 14 women and six children though the authorities have still not been able to explain the presence of children on the site. Read:Cambodian National Held With Wild Boar Teeth At Bengaluru Airport Read:Cambodia Offers Some Breathtaking Adventures Worth Experiencing, Check Them Out Workers advocacy groups have always pointed out low safety standards at construction sites in Cambodia. Describing the horrors, Ei Kosal, a worker told international media that he, his wife and two other women were having a meal on the site when the entire building collapsed in front of their eyes. He also said that his two companions were also killed in the collapse. Kep governor Ken Satha said that the couple who owned the building have been detained for further questioning. Meanwhile, in a press briefing, Prime minister Hun Sen defended the government response. In a statement, he said that no officials in Kep province would be fired. He further said that building collapses happen all over the world adding that this kind of accidents dont only happen in Cambodia but also elsewhere including the United States. Read: Cambodia Dismayed Over US Sanctions For Corruption, Logging Read:Cambodia PM Hun Sen Accepts Trump's Invitation, Offers To Renew Relations A similar incident happened six months ago in Preah Sihanouk province in Southwest Cambodia where a building collapsed at a Chinese owned construction site leaving 28 people dead. Seven people were also charged with involuntary manslaughter. PM Hun Sen also fired a disaster management official over the incident. Cambodia is currently undergoing a construction boom with hotels, high rises and casinos springing up in the small nation. A day after senior Congress leaders in Karnataka met to build consensus for the way ahead, the race for the post of KPCC President hotted up on Sunday with aspirants and their supporters stepping up efforts to secure the coveted posts. Senior leader D K Shivakumar, seen as a frontrunner for the post, met former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his residence amid reports that he was lobbying in favour of one of his confidants. Meanwhile, another senior party legislator Satish Jarkiholi made it clear he was capable of discharging the responsibility if the high command asked him to do so. Also, loyalists of senior leader and former Minister Ramalinga Reddy came up with social media posts, pushing forward his name for KPCC President. Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao quit their posts after the party fared poorly, winning only two of the 15 seats in the bypolls while it had held 12 of them. According to party sources, though Siddaramaiah is likely to retain the position of Leader of Opposition, the CLP leader post may be given to some one else. The sources also said replacement of KPCC President was most likely as Dinesh Gundu Rao's resignation could be accepted. Shivakumar is seen as the frontrunner for the KPCC President post and has already held discussions with high command in this regard. His meeting with Siddaramaiah, who is expected to travel to Delhi soon to hold discussions with the high command, assumes significance amid reports that the former chief minister was favouring one of his confidants for the post. Shivakumar during the meeting sought Siddaramaiah's cooperation for his appointment to the coveted post, with a promise to work under his leadership, sources said. However, speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shivakumar said he had worked under Siddaramaiah as legislator and Minister, and there was nothing special about the nearly two-hour-long meeting. "...Im not a competitor for any post, I won't ask for any post, that time is over. I'm a karyakarta of the party and will work as karyakarta," he said in response to a question, adding he will abide by the party's decision. On the other hand, Congressleader andYamakanamaradi MLASatish Jarkiholi said he was ready to take up the responsibility if the party high command decides so. "It has been decided to cooperate and work under the leadership of anyone, whom the party high command decides (as President). Let's see, it is for the high command to decide (who will be KPCC President)," he said. In response to a question from reporters in Belagavi if he was aspiring for the post, Jarikholi said, "I havent asked, but if given I will manage it efficiently..." Meanwhile, loyalist of seven-time Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy, came up with a social media post, demanding KPCC President post for the leader. "Seven-time @INCKarnataka MLA and former Home Minister Sri @RLR_BTM for #KPCC President. #Congress #Karnataka #RamalingaReddy #BTMLayout #BBMP #Bengaluru," former Mayor of Bengaluru City and a close confidant of Reddy, B N Manjunatha Reddy tweeted. Last year during the political turmoil faced by the coalition government, Ramalinga Reddy had threatened to resign, unhappy at being sidelined in the party. He had later decided to stay with the Congress after the high command intervened. With a virtual vacuum in the state Congress following the resignation of its top leadership after the rout in the recent Assembly bypolls, senior party leaders had met here on Saturday with an aim to build a consensus for the way ahead. According to sources, the meeting was convened after instructions from the high command to iron out differences and build consensus on taking the party forward and regarding appointments to key posts, before coming to Delhi for discussions. Senior leader K H Muniyappa and KPCC Working President Eshwar Khandreare seen as the other aspirants for the President post. Ssenior leaders G Parameshwara along with H K Patil are among those seen as the frontrunners for the CLP leader post vacated by Siddaramaiah. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has insisted on reaching agreement on property tax reforms with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin before agreeing on a date for the forthcoming general election, the Sunday Independent can reveal. In a letter sent to Mr Martin before Christmas, the Taoiseach suggested he was open to dissolving the Dail after Easter, as suggested by the Fianna Fail leader, if he agreed to an ambitious legislative programme for the coming months. Mr Varadkar said agreeing to reforms of the property tax system should be central to any deal struck between two party leaders, who are expected to hold talks on an election date in the coming days. The move puts property tax at the centre of the election debate after the Government last year deferred any changes to the charge until 2021, and is also an attempt to out manoeuvre Mr Martin on a key issue before the vote is called. Since freezing the tax, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said he planned to introduce a modest property tax increase next year by broadening the house valuation bands and cutting the rates at which it is paid. However, he has been reluctant to give details of how much property owners will pay. Fianna Fail wants to adjust property tax rates separately for each local authority to ensure revenue streams are maintained and increases for homeowners are limited. Both parties want to end exemptions from the tax for houses bought after 2013. Meanwhile, it can also be revealed Fine Gaels election manifesto will promise to introduce free GP care for all children under 16 if the party is returned to government. The election pledges comes ahead of Minister for Health Simon Harris announcing tomorrow he has received government approval to legislate for free GP care for all children under 13, starting with extending the scheme to seven- and eight-year-olds this year. In his letter, the Taoiseach also insisted on allowing the Dails ethics committee to conclude its investigations into allegations of irregular voting by TDs, which includes Fianna Fails Timmy Dooley and Niall Collins. The committee is also examining a new complaint about Fianna Fails Brexit spokesperson Lisa Chambers, who was previously reprimanded for voting for her colleague Dara Calleary. Mr Varadkar said the two parties should also agree to introduce a new expenses system for members of Oireachtas, following the 'fobbing-in' controversy sparked by Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy. "We need an ambitious programme for the period from the resumption of the Dail in January to the dissolution of the Dail, as proposed by you in April to the Easter recess," the Taoiseach said. "I am firmly of the opinion that no Government or Dail should be 'wound down'. Governments and the Dail should be active in their duties to the last moment." Mr Varadkar said their policy priorities for the coming months should also include enacting the Climate Change Bill, the Official Languages Bill and the Land Development Agency Bill. He said his other priorities include negotiating a future relationship with the UK after Brexit and engaging with the British government and the Northern Ireland parties to restore power-sharing in Stormont. Finally, he said the two leaders should agree to publishing an Action Plan for Rural Ireland which would "capitalise" on the recently signed off on National Broadband Plan. The Taoiseach also noted the Dail arithmetic has changed significantly since the confidence and supply arrangement was first agreed and said: "Fine Gael voting in favour of a confidence or money vote and Fianna Fail abstaining is no longer sufficient. I think it is reasonable of me to ask that you formally secure the support of all your TDs for this arrangement or agree to vote with the Government, where necessary, rather than abstain. This is the only way we can both be sure that it is sustainable." Fine Gael has lost three TDs since the deal was agreed and Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness said he would vote in favour of a motion of no confidence in the Government if it was tabled in the new year. A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said Mr Varadkar would be seeking a meeting with Mr Martin in the "near future" to discuss these matters further. "Any next steps would require a strongly stable voting basis," he added. Mr Martin set out his priorities for supporting the Government up until the Easter in a letter he sent to Mr Varadkar before the Dail recess. They include the enacting of a bill on open disclosure for healthcare workers in the wake of the CervicalCheck scandal, a nursing home support scheme legislation and new laws to increase the income threshold for those over 70 who are not in receipt of medical cards. He said there was also "an urgent need" to address online abuses in terms of spending during election campaigns that could be addressed through amending the social media transparency bill. Meanwhile, Minister for State Michael D'Arcy has said the country faces having its first left-wing government if Fine Gael is not returned to power after an election. Mr D'Arcy said if Fine Gael is the largest party after the election it will not support a minority government led by smaller parties. The minister said this means the next government could consist of Fianna Fail, the Labour Party, the Green Party and Sinn Fein. "I think that's the other choice and I think people need to think long and hard before they elect Fianna Fail, Greens, Labour and Sinn Fein," Mr D'Arcy told the Sunday Independent. "Fianna Fail has always argued they are a centre-left party but then you put the Greens in and then you put Labour in and you really throw the can of petrol on it and you put in Sinn Fein - that's a left-wing government." Mr D'Arcy said Fine Gael's election pitch against its nearest rival will be "one party destroyed the economy and another party fix it". Speaking in the Department of Finance, he said: "I sat in this building, getting a briefing halfway through May of 2011 and it was the most shocking briefing I've ever received in my life. "We had six weeks' money left... And after that, when I asked what happens in six weeks (I was told) we survived on what we brought in. And we were bringing in two-thirds of what we were spending in that period. So we were 20bn short," he added. A website operated by the U.S. government has been hacked by a group claiming to represent the government of Iran. The website operated by the little-known Federal Depository Library Program, fdlp.gov, was hacked and defaced on Saturday, and has been taken offline. A message from the hackers left on the website read: 'in the name of god. >>>>> Hacked By Iran Cyber Security Group HackerS ... ;)<<<<<. This is only small part of Iran's cyber ability ! We're always ready.' The FDLP is a program created to make federal government publications available to the public at no cost. The image above appeared on fdlp.gov on Saturday before the website was taken offline The hackers in their message made reference to the death of Qassem Soleimani, and depicted President Donald Trump being beaten by a fist with the Revolutionary Guard insignia Current Google results show the defaced page title text of the fdlp.gov website It followed the similar hacking of websites for a number of obscure, non-governmental entities, including the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, the Taiwan Lung Meng Technology Company, and the Human Rights Protection Association of India. The website for a British company called Bigways was also struck in the cyber attacks. Security experts have already warned that cyber attacks could be part of Iran's retaliation for the U.S. airstrike on Friday that killed Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, a top official in Iran and beloved there. Iran's state-backed hackers are already among the world's most aggressive and could inject malware that triggers major disruptions to the U.S. public and private sector. Potential targets include manufacturing facilities, oil and gas plants and transit systems. A top U.S. cybersecurity official is warning businesses and government agencies to be extra vigilant. The websites of several obscure, non-government entities were also defaced on Saturday In 2012 and 2013, in response to U.S. sanctions, Iranian state-backed hackers carried out a series of disruptive denial-of-service attacks that knocked offline the websites of major U.S. banks including Bank of America as well as the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Two years later, they wiped servers at the Sands Casino in Las Vegas, crippling hotel and gambling operations. The destructive attacks on U.S. targets ebbed when Tehran reached a nuclear deal with the Obama administration in 2015. The killing early Friday in Iraq of Quds Force commander Soleimani - long after Trump scrapped the nuclear deal - completely alters the equation. 'Our concern is essentially that things are going to go back to the way they were before the agreement,' said John Hultquist, director of intelligence analysis at the cybersecurity firm FireEye. 'There are opportunities for them to cause real disruption and destruction.' Iran has been doing a lot of probing of critical U.S. industrial systems in recent years - trying to gain access - but has limited its destructive attacks to targets in the Middle East, experts say. It's not known whether Iranian cyberagents have planted destructive payloads in U.S. infrastructure that could now be triggered. 'It's certainly possible,' Hultquist said. 'But we havent actually seen it.' Member of the Iranian Basij paramilitary militia, affiliated to the Revolutionary Guard, mourn Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in Tehran, Iran on Saturday Iranians take part in an anti-US rally in Tehran, Iran on Saturday Robert M. Lee, chief executive of Dragos Inc., which specializes in industrial control system security, said Iranian hackers have been very aggressive in trying to gain access to utilities, factories, and oil and gas facilities. That doesn't mean they've succeeded, however. In one case in 2013 where they did break into the control system of a U.S. dam - garnering significant media attention - Lee said they probably didn't know the compromised target was a small flood control structure 20 miles north of New York City. Iran has been increasing its cyber capabilities but is not in the same league as China or Russia - which have proved most adept at sabotaging critical infrastructure, witnessed in attacks on Ukraines power grid and elections, experts agree. And while the U.S. power grid is among the most secure and resilient in the world, plenty of private companies and local governments haven't made adequate investments in cybersecurity and are highly vulnerable, experts say. 'My worst-case scenario is a municipality or a cooperative-type attack where power is lost to a city or a couple of neighborhoods,' Lee said. Consider the havoc an epidemic of ransomware attacks has caused U.S. local governments, crippling services as vital as tax collection. While theres no evidence of coordinated Iranian involvement, imagine if the aggressor - instead of scrambling data and demanding ransoms - simply wiped hard drives clean, said Hultquist. 'You could see many cities and hospitals targeted at once with ransomware that encrypts data to make it unusable, but there is no way to decrypt it by paying a ransom,' said cybersecurity veteran Chris Wysopal, the chief technical officer of Veracode. Members of Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite armed groups popular mobilization forces carry the coffin of slain Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis during a funeral procession in Karbala city, southern Baghdad The only known cybersecurity survey of U.S. local governments, county and municipal, found that the networks of 28% were being attacked at least hourly - and that nearly the same percentage said they didnt even know how frequently they were being attacked. Although the study was done in 2016, the authors at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County dont believe the situation has improved since. The top cybersecurity official at the Department of Homeland Security, Christopher Krebs, urged companies and government agencies to refresh their knowledge of Iranian state-backed hackers' past exploits and methods after Soleimani's death was announced. 'Pay close attention to your critical systems,' he tweeted. In June, Krebs warned of a rise in malicious Iranian cyberactivity, particularly attacks using common methods like spear-phishing that could erase entire networks: 'What might start as an account compromise, where you think you might just lose data, can quickly become a situation where youve lost your whole network.' Wysopal said the Iranians are apt to have learned a lot from the 2017 NotPetya attack, which the U.S. and Britain have attributed to state-backed Russian hackers and which caused at least $10 billion in damage globally. The worst cyberattack to date, it exploited unpatched software after being delivered through an unwitting Ukrainian tax software provider and spread on networks without human intervention. When then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper blamed Iran for the Sands Casino attack, it was one of the first cases of American intelligence agencies identifying a specific country as hacking for political reasons: The casinos owner, Sheldon Adelson, is a big Israel backer. Clapper also noted the value of hacking for collecting intelligence. North Koreas hack of Sony Pictures in retaliation for a movie that mocked its leader followed. The vast majority of the nearly 100 Iranian targets leaked online last year by a person or group known as Lab Dookhtegan - a defector, perhaps - were in the Middle East, said Charity Wright, a former National Security Agency analyst at the threat intelligence firm InSights. She said its highly likely Iran will focus its retaliation on U.S. targets in the region as well as in Israel and the U.S. Iran is widely believed to have been behind a devastating 2012 attack on Aramco, the Saudi oil company, that wiped the data from more than 30,000 computers. It was also a victim of the Stuxnet computer virus. First uncovered in 2010, it destroyed thousands of centrifuges involved in Iran's contested nuclear program and is widely reported to have been a U.S.-Israeli invention. The commander of Irans elite Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, was indispensable to his country now he is gone. The significance and potential ramifications of his death far exceed the 2011 assassination of Osama bin Laden. His assassination changes the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East on a scale unseen in generations. Subject to several assassination attempts and operating in conflict zones, Soleimani has been thought to be dead before. However, an abrupt strategic air strike at Baghdad International Airport on Friday finally brought down the man Iranians called a living martyr. A symbol of resilience against several decades of United States pressure, Soleimani was the embodiment of Iranian nationalist identity. So who exactly is Qassem Soleimani, and why was he so revered in Iran and feared by his enemies? The son of a small-time farmer in Kerman Province, south-east Iran, Soleimanis upbringing was modest. Kerman is close to the Afghan border and is dominated by tribal politics. Like many young Iranians, he found his calling with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard following the 1979 revolution. Soleimanis participation in the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s was his introduction to conflict and where he developed a fearsome reputation. He served at almost every critical front during Saddam Husseins invasion of Iran including the pivotal liberation of Bostan from capture by Iraqi forces in December 1981. Hectares of bone-dry bush and farmland in the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands were turned to smouldering matchsticks in a matter of hours as a massive bushfire swept north through the region, destroying homes as far north as Wingello. Fuelled by southerly wind that firefighters described as "horrendous", the Currowan fire came within several kilometres of picturesque Kangaroo Valley before breaking north-west towards Bundanoon and neighbouring communities on Saturday night. A firefighting Landcruiser lies burnt in Kangaroo Valley. It crashed after hitting a fallen tree on Saturday. Credit:Wolter Peeters Casey Kirchhoff, who fled Wingello several days before the fires arrived, was informed on Sunday morning that her home to the south of the town had been destroyed. "Its hard not to be sad about it but at the same time we feel really lucky that were in a safe place, theres a lot of people doing it so much worse," she said. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Simon Mallam, was one of the many people killed in a gas explosion on Saturday, an official said. PREMIUM TIMES reported the explosion which occurred around 2.00 p.m. on Kachia road by Anguwn Boro in Kaduna. Residents of the area said the explosion occurred at the gas refill centre, trapping many people in the inferno. Many shops, mostly salons, plumbing materials, boutique and others were affected. The Kaduna State Government had said on Saturday that it could not disclose the actual casualty until the conclusion of investigation. Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna commissioner, who released Saturdays statement, did not pick calls to his phone on Sunday. However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in a statement on Sunday said the explosion claimed the lives of several people including the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Prof. Simon P. Mallam, and destroyed properties worth millions of naira. Mr Gbajabiamila said he sympathizes with the state government, the survivors and the families of those that died during the explosion. Read Mr Gbajabiamilas full statement below. Gbajabiamila commiserates with Kaduna State Govt over gas explosion The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Sunday expressed shock and sadness over the gas explosion incident in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna. The incident, which occurred at a gas shop, claimed the lives of several people including the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Prof. Simon P. Mallam, and destroyed properties worth millions of naira. While expressing sadness over the incident, Gbajabiamila said: It is with shock and sadness that I received the news of the gas explosion incident that claimed the lives of some Nigerians that included Prof Simon Mallam, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission. While I sympathize with the State government, the survivors and the families of those that died during the explosion, I also pray for the repose of the souls of those that lost their lives to the explosion. I also want to assure them that they are not alone in this trying times of theirs, Gbajabiamila said. Read Mr Mallams profile as stated on the energy commissions website. Simon P. Mallam was born in Kagoro, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State on June 12th 1955. He attended Government Secondary School Zaria where he obtained West African School Certificate in 1973. In 1978 and 1984 he graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria with B.Sc. in Physics and M.Sc Nuclear Physics respectively. READ ALSO: In 1984, Prof. Mallam proceeded to France to further his education. Between 1984 and 1985, he enrolled at the C.A.R.E.L. Royan, FRANCE, for an Intensive French Language Course and CERAVUM Montpellier, FRANCE Technical French Language Course. In 1987, he graduated from the University of Paris VI, France with DEA. Molecular Biophysics. He obtained his Doctorate in Physics in 1990 from the University de Grenoble 1, France. Prof Mallam has held several positions as an academic and administrator. From 1979 to 1984, he was Graduate Assistant Assistant Lecturer, Physics Department, ABU, Zaria. In 1984 he was made Research Fellow II and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2001. His specialized area of teaching over the years are in the fields of nuclear physics, health physics, instrumentation and dosimetry, solid state physics, application of radiation in the life science and radiation and radioactive waste safety and management. He has supervised and graduated numerous postgraduate thesis and dissertations. Between 1999 to 2006 he was on several occasions Acting Director, Center for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Zaria. Other positions held by Prof. Mallam include amongst others; Head, Health Physics and Radiation Biophysics Section, CERT, ABU, Zaria (October 1995-Feb. 1996, October 1997-Jan 1998, April 1999 Nov. 2006), Chairman, Radiation Protection Committee, and Chief Radiation Protection Officer ABU, Zaria 1999-2006, and National Project Coordinator (Nigeria) AFRA/IAEA Project on Radioactive Waste Management (Oct. 1996-date). A Fellow, Nigeria Institute of Physics (2007) he has carried out researches in several areas and published numerous articles and journals. His researches are in the fields of Radiation and Nuclear Techniques in Biophysics, Medical Physics, Environment and Radiation Effects and Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Radioactive Waste Management. He has served in many Technical Advisory Committees both at the University, National and international levels. He has been the national coordinator of efforts at entrenching a radioactive waste management regime in the country. Prof. Mallam is currently the Chairman of Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC). He is married with children. New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Congress national spokesperson Meem Afzal on Sunday said the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan is a slap on the face of the neighbouring country and outlined that the incident should be condemned in strong words. "The incident at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib should be condemned in strong words. What happened there is a big slap on Pakistan. They tried to show a good face while opening the Kartarpur corridor recently. But now the truth has come out," Afzal told ANI here. An angry group of local residents, led by the family of a boy who had abducted a Sikh girl, had pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Friday evening. Afzal said the incident reflects poorly on Pakistan and that it shows that the holy site is not looked after. Targetting the central government for "dragging the controversy over the National Register of Citizen (NRC)", the Congress leader said that the BJP-led central government is using the issue as a diversion tactic to divert the attention of the people from other issues. "The government is not interested in talking about anything other than NRC. They are using this as a diversion tactic to divert the attention of the people from issues like economic slowdown, unemployment and farmers' distress," Afzal said. "BJP is trying to hit two targets with one arrow," he added. (ANI) The Congress on Sunday blamed the BJP government for the attack on JNU students by masked miscreants, terming it a "state-sponsored mayhem", with Rahul Gandhi saying that it was a "reflection of fear" that "fascists in control of our nation" have of the students. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met injured JNU students at AIIMS and alleged that "goons" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were rampaging through universities' campuses and spreading fear among the students. "The brutal attack on JNU students and teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Today's violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted. On Twitter, the Congress retweeted a tweet of the BJP where it condemned the violence, saying: "Condemnation means nothing when the actions of this govt have allowed this carnage to take place." "Why are the PM & HM still silent? Why did Delhi Police not take action faster? Why are violent thugs able to act with such impunity?" the Congress asked. "The BJP govt must answer for #JNUAttack" Violence broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday evening as masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police. At least 18 people were injured and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). JNU students' union president Aishe Ghosh suffered a head injury. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours. Priyanka Gandhi alleged that it was "deeply sickening" about a government that allows and encourages such violence to be inflicted "on their own children." "Wounded students at AIIMS trauma centre told me that goons entered the campus and attacked them with sticks and other weapons. Many had broken limbs and injuries on their heads. One student said the police kicked him several times on his head," she tweeted. The Congress leader accused the BJP leaders of "pretending" before the media that it was not their "goons who unleashed violence" at the JNU. "India has an established global reputation as a liberal democracy. Now Modi-Shah's goons are rampaging through our universities, spreading fear among our children, who should be preparing for a better future," Priyanka Gandhi said on Twitter. "To add insult to injury, BJP leaders are all over the media pretending that it wasn't their goons who unleashed this violence. The people are not deceived," she added. In a tweet, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Students beaten up in JNU. Teachers beaten up in JNU. Goons vandalising women's hotel. Brutality and beatings unleashed. No Police anywhere, No JNU Administration! Is this how Modi Govt seeks revenge against students and youth?" "Enmity of Modi Govt to JNU is well known. Delhi Police is at the gate of JNU. Despite this, goondas brandishing lathis & rods beat up students and teachers in Sabarmati & other hostels. Is this state sponsored mayhem being unleashed(sic)?" he posed in another tweet. Surjewala wondered what "animosity" does the Narendra Modi government have against students and the youth of the country as "they were earlier attacked during their agitation to save the constitution and this time for protesting against hostel fee hike". "All limits have been crossed now after armed goons entered the JNU campus and attacked the students, teachers as well as the JNUSU president," the Congress spokesperson said. "What is the Delhi police which is under (Home Minister) Amit Shah doing? PM Modi and Shah should not persecute the youth and students so much that the entire nation stands up against this government. Arrest the goons and take action against them, otherwise what will happen to the future of the country?," he said. Congress leader P Chidambaram said it is shocking and horrifying to see live telecast of "masked men entering JNU hostels and attacking students" and alleged that such an "act of impunity can only happen with the support of the government". "What we are seeing on Live TV is shocking and horrifying. Masked men enter JNU hostels and attack students. What is the Police doing? Where is the Police Commissioner?" the former finance minister tweeted. "If it is happening on live TV, it is an act of impunity and can only happen with the support of the government. This is beyond belief," he wrote on the microblogging site. Senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said, "The violent attack on students and faculty by organised gangs of thugs and lumpen elements is outrageous and unacceptable." "Democracy cannot be held hostage by fascist forces. Delhi Police should do its duty. Urging all democratic forces to rally and rise for JNU and democracy," he said. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said that after Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University, now JNU was "under attack". "The miscreants supported by the regime at the Centre is turning our prestigious universities into battlefields. BJP-sponsored violence being unleashed on innocent students to silence and terrify them" he alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, to rescue its strategic plans, tried to reassemble his forces in Iraq and to end the uprising with a conspiracy, but this time the situation was different. The popular protests in Iraq began on 1 October 2019. Their purpose was to protest 16 years of corruption, unemployment and inadequate public services and the call for the overthrow of the Iraqi government and to stop the intervention of the Velayat-e Faqih regime (Irans form of clerical rule) in Iraq. On 3 November, Iraqi protesters in Najaf changed the name of the main street leading to the citys international airport from Khomeini Street to Martyrs of Tashrin Revolution / October. This clearly aroused the wrath of the Iranian regime. On several occasions, Iraqis attacked the Iranian regime consulates in various cities, including Karbala and Najaf, but the turning point was the burning of the consulate in Najaf. Logically the protests in Iraq and Lebanon against the policies of the Iranian regime have reached the streets of Iran. The leaders of the Iranian regime have repeatedly said that if they do not line up in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, they would fight in Tehran. Now that Iraq and Lebanon have risen against the regime of the Velayat-e Faqih, it was inevitable that the blow of the uprisings in Iraq and Lebanon would reach Iran based on the law of the situation in the Middle East and the historical relation between these counties. In November, following a rise in gasoline prices in Iran, a massive uprising broke out and went on to disrupt the Iranian regime. Khamenei inevitably ordered a massacre. Some 1500 Iranians were killed in two days. Khamenei found out that his strategy has lost its effects and that he would have to close the front line in Tehran if it does not stifle the uprising in Lebanon and Iraq. In Iraq, things were worse for Khamenei, and Iraq had to be determined first. Khamenei sent his forces to Iraq with fear. Threat, killing, assassination of the activists of the Iraqi Peoples movement did not have the desired effect so he was forced to continue it. Iraqi security forces launched a bloody crackdown on the cities of Najaf and Nasiriyah on 28 November and opened fire on protesters and killed 44 people. But the Iraqi peoples demonstrations were not extinguishable. Following the incident, with the message of Iraqs Ayatollah Sistani, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was forced to resign. Fear of this resignation embraced Khamenei. The protests continued despite Abdul Mahdis resignation, while people blocking roads and rallying in Baghdad and several other cities, insisting that the protests would continue until the complete fall of the Iraqi government, with the motto abandoning and prosecuting all corrupted people in the government. Protesters in Iraq set fire to the entrance to the tomb of Muhammad Baqir Hakim, who was part of the Iranian regimes proxy groups in Iraq. On 6 December, a militia affiliated with the Iranian regime, Asayeb Ahl al-Haq, opened fire on protesters in Baghdads Khalani Square, killing 19 people and injuring several others. Also, on this day, the US Treasury Department sanctioned militant leaders backed by Khamenei, including Qais Khazali, his brother Laith Khazali, Hussein Faleh al-Lami, a Hashed al-Shabi commander, and Aziz Al-Lami who killed innocent Iraqi people. A large rally was held in Baghdads Tahrir Square on 8 December. Iraqis declared in Tahrir Square: They want to scare people, but we are staying in Tahrir Square and our numbers are increasing. The demonstration will continue until the fall of the regime. On 10 December, Iraqi protesters gathered in Tahrir Square in Baghdad. The Iraqi government shut down the Jomhuri bridge to focus on the Tahrir Square leading to the Green Zone so that the protesters would not enter the Green Zone. On this day, residents of the southern Iraqi provinces also went to Baghdad for demonstrations. Following the resignation of Iraqi Prime Minister Abdul Mehdi, Khamenei who did not understand the message of the Iraqi peoples uprising tried to impose another candidate to follow his interests in Iraq. But the Iraqis stood in the street and said no to Khamenei. Several candidates have been introduced to the Iraqi President Barham Saleh by the Iranian regime puppets in Iraq as a replacement for Abdul Mehdi: Mohammad Shia Sudani, Qassi al-Soheyl and Asad al-Eidani. But the Iraqi protesters identified all of them as agents of the Iranian regime and refused to accept them. On 13 December, a large protest rally was held in several Iraqi provinces in opposition to the election of Hizb al-Dawas leader, Mohammed Shia Sudani, as Adil Abdul Mehdis successor. On 15 December, a supporter of anti-government demonstrators, Mohammed al-Dujaili, was shot dead in Baghdads Tahrir Square by Iranian regime assassination forces. This increased the anger of Iraqi protesters who announced a general strike on 21 December, in al-Diwaniyah and Basra and blocked roads and government buildings entrances in southern Iraq the following day. On 24 December, a new wave of protests and demonstrations erupted in Iraq, and people filled the Tahrir Square as they held large photos of government-nominated candidates for prime minister with cross over it. Protesters in southern Iraq also blocked major roads, schools, universities, and offices. They demanded an independent prime minister and government and put Iraqi officials in a desperate position who were under the pressure of the Iranian regime parties in Iraq. On 26 December, Iraqi President Barham Saleh rejected the nomination of an Iranian-backed coalition candidate for the post of prime minister and cabinet. Assad al- Eidani was a candidate for prime minister of the Al-Banna coalition, comprising both the Fatah coalition and the State of Law Coalition led by former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Saleh refused to accept him to prevent further bloodshed and bring peace to Iraq. After rejecting the nomination of Assad al-Eidani, Barham Saleh submitted his resignation to the Iraqi parliament. In Statement 158 on 27 December, the October Revolution Demonstration Committee said: The demonstrators will not nominate a candidate for prime minister until the dissolution of parliament. A parliament whose members have become members of the parliament with the deception and dominance of the Iranian regime. On 28 December, Iraqi protesters closed the Nasiriyah oil facilities in the south of the country by cutting the electricity and gathering in front of the oil facilities. On 28 December, the Iraqi Human Rights Commission announced that three months after protests in Baghdad and the south of the country, at least 490 were killed and 22,000 wounded, including 33 protest organizers were targeted directly by Iranian militias. The Associated Press reported on 28 December, Faisal Abdullah, member of the commission, said that 33 of the killed were activists, who were clearly targeted and assassinated. Khamenei found that the Iraqi people could no longer be deceived by these plots. So, the plan had to be changed and the Iraq issue should be changed from the uprising of the Iraqi people against the puppet Khameneis opposition to hatred American. Khamenei had tried this way once in the early days of the second Iraqi war, and this time he had the same plan, to threaten and provoke the United States in Iraq, and in the event of a possible US military response to those threats in Iraq, to embark on a wave of Iraqi peoples emotions and to counter the Iraqis protests while rising the people of the Iraq against the presence in this country. Khameneis mistake was here. Khamenei did not know that when the waves of the uprising reached Iran, a larger and more rebellious Iraq would turn against him. On 28 December, a US civilian contractor was killed in a missile attack by the Iranian-backed militias on the K1 military base near Kirkuk, Iraq. On 29 December, in response to Khameneis mercenaries in Iraq, US forces launched an attack on these forces. During the raids, 41 IRGCs soldiers and 25 of the Iranian regimes mercenaries were killed. Khamenei had succeeded so far and was ready for the next step. Iranian militias in Iraq attacked the US embassy in Iraq on 31 December and destroyed parts of it. The attackers came in front of the US embassy with the flags of Hashed al-Shaabi, Asaeb-Ahl-Haq, and Kataeb Hezbollah. Hadi Ameri, Qais Khazali, Fatih al-Fayyad, and Abu Mahdi Muhandes were among the attackers at the US embassy. US President Donald Trump accused the Iranian regime of organizing the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad and warned that Iran will be held accountable for this action. The protesters withdrew from the US Embassy in Baghdad on 1 January following a threat from the US and pressure on the Iraqi government. . 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! US President Donald Trump said on 31 December, in his response to the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad. On 2 January, after attacking the US embassy in Baghdad, the Hezbollah of Iraq threatened Iraqi parliamentarians with the consequences if they did not approve a plan to expel US troops from Iraq. Khamenei used the keyword anti-American excitement in Baghdad and throughout Iraq after the attack on the US embassy in Iraq and thought his plan would go well to quell the uprising. Saleh Mohammed al-Iraqi, a representative for the Sadr Movement, said on 1 January, The protest in front of the US Embassy in Baghdad is to end the popular reformist demonstrations. But the end of Khameneis plan came on the night of 3 January. The poised wave of Khamenei returned bigger and more rebellious to himself. In the early hours of 3 January, official Iraqi television reported that Qassem Suleimani, commander of the Iranian regimes IRGC Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi Mohandes, deputy of the Iranian-backed Hashed al-Shaabi militia, were killed by a US drone attack near Baghdad Airport. On that day, the US Department of Defense said in a 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. 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. 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. Khameneis plan was completely revealed Trump hit back and destroyed all of Khameneis plans and tweeted: 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! With this failure, in addition to Iraqi people continuing to focus on the expulsion of the Iranian regime and dismantling Khameneis political structure, the Iranian regime has entered a new phase of tension with the United States escalating tension that will intensify in the coming days and will deepen Khameneis crises in the coming weeks and months. Press Release January 5, 2020 Angara--The creation of judges-at-large posts will result in the faster resolution of cases in the courts Senator Sonny Angara welcomed the announcement of the Supreme Court on the creation of 50 judges-at-large posts as a significant step towards providing swift justice in the country. Angara, the principal author of Republic Act 11459 or the Judges-at-Large Act, said the implementation of the law will help ensure that justice is served swiftly by freeing up the courts of its dockets. "Our justice system has long been criticized for being excruciatingly slow. The huge caseload of the courts has resulted in the slow disposition of cases, to the detriment of both the victims of crimes, as well as the accused, many of who are innocent but are deprived of their liberty," Angara said. "For the victims of crimes and their families, the long wait for the resolution of cases adds to the emotional and financial burden that they have to bear on top of the pain they already experienced. For the accused who are innocent, the fact that they are deprived of their liberty is an injustice to them. This is why we want cases to be resolved expeditiously," Angara added. The law mandates the creation of 100 judges-at-large posts for the Regional Trial Courts (RTC) and 50 posts for the Municipal Trial Courts (MTC). These appointed judges-at-large will have no permanent salas and may be assigned by the Supreme Court as acting or assisting judges to any RTC or MTC in the country "as public interest may require." They are entitled to salaries, privileges, allowances, emoluments, benefits, rank and title of regular RTC and MTC judges. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court announced the creation of 50 judges-at-large posts--30 for the RTCs and 20 for the MTCs in partial implementation of RA 11459. "This is the first step towards our objective of decongesting the courts of its dockets. Eventually, the law will be implemented in full and we will have more judges to handle the cases that have piled up in our courts," Angara said. The 2020 General Appropriations Act, which is scheduled to be signed by the President tomorrow, contains a P2.5 billion augmentation of the budget of the judiciary for the creation of new positions in the Supreme Court and the lower courts; the repair and maintenance of halls of justice nationwide; the hiring of decongestion officers; hazard pay of judges; and to fund the 50 judges-at-large posts. This will also fund the construction of an office building of the Sandiganbayan and the operating expenses of the Court of Appeals and Court of Tax Appeals. HALIFAXWinter storm warnings remained in effect for much of eastern Nova Scotia and eastern Newfoundland as a slow-moving snowstorm moved into the region on Sunday. Environment Canada said up to 25 centimetres of snow was expected to fall on Cape Breton and eastern parts of mainland Nova Scotia, and the winds could reach up to 80 kilometres per hour. There was growing list of delayed and cancelled flights at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport and the St. Johns International Airport. Marine Atlantic, the Crown-owned company that provides ferry services between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, delayed some Sunday night departures to Monday morning. The storm was expected to dump up to 40 cm of snow on parts of eastern Newfoundland, and peak gust could reach 100 kilometres per hour. The heaviest snow was expected over the northeastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula. However, the snowfall warnings cover a large area that includes communities as far west as the Terra Nova and Connaigre regions. Snow and blowing snow will result in reduced visibility, which may impact Monday morning commuters, Environment Canada said. Whiteout conditions are expected over exposed areas overnight and into Monday morning. Conditions are expected to begin improve near noon on Monday. Read more about: Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 06:44:11|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW YORK, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of anti-war protesters rallied Saturday in Times Square of New York City (NYC), in the wake of a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport, which killed an Iranian commander and resulted in Iran vowing to retaliate. The protesters held signs that read "Jobs, healthcare, education, housing, human needs, not endless war," and "No war/sanctions on Iran!" The protesters chanted "No justice, no peace. U.S. out of the Middle East!" and "No war with Iran." They also marched down a stretch of Broadway. The protest came hours after a rally outside U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer's apartment in Brooklyn on Friday night. A number of anti-war groups helped set up the rally to decry the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force. New York City has stepped up security at key locations following the targeted killing of Soleimani. During a press conference on Friday morning, New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea said there will be "heightened vigilance in terms of uniformed officers -- many with long guns" at some sensitive and critical places, and urged New Yorkers to stay vigilant. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference that New Yorkers may face more bag checks in the subway and at car stops on bridges and tunnels. On the last day of 1994, just over two weeks after Moscow began its first war against separatists in Russia's southern republic of Chechnya, Russian forces launched their first major assault on the capital, Grozny. Instead of ringing in the new year, Grozny's residents cowered under shelling and bombing. The initial attack ended in a crushing defeat for Russian forces, although it was just the beginning of a long fight for the city. RFE/RL Russian Service contributor Vladimir Voronov was on assignment in Grozny for a Russian newspaper at the time. Twenty-five years later, he looks back on his memories of covering the battle. *** In the first days of January 1995 it was difficult to get lost on the way to Grozny. Pillars of dense black smoke were rising from afar, paving the way -- oil tanks and fuel dumps blazing from aerial bombardment. The Russian military's assault on Grozny -- started on December 31 -- was still in full swing. Getting into the Chechen capital actually turned out to be simple: by taxi from the neighboring republic of Ingushetia right to the center of Grozny's Minutka Square. There were no checks or roadblocks on the way from the town of what is now Sunzha in Ingushetia (known as Ordzhonikidzevskaya before 2016). Even the sole traffic police post on the outskirts of Grozny, lined with concrete blocks, was empty. Russian TV assured viewers that the city was completely blocked by federal troops. Official reports proclaimed that they controlled two-thirds of Grozny, but many armed locals strolled through the streets. Grozny welcomed visitors with a Soviet-era message written on an entrance sign to the city: "People, take care of the world." Everywhere there was the rotten smell of natural gas as pipes were damaged in hundreds of places by shelling. Many houses faced the risk of an explosion. In the evening, bluish-red flames gave the sky an amazing crimson hue. It was better to stay away from the gas lines as they were a frequent target of Russian artillery or missile bombing for air strikes. It looked like a random dropping of bombs from great heights, mostly landing in residential areas. The Battle Of Grozny And The First Chechen War Dzhokhar Dudayev, a retired Soviet Air Force general, was elected president of Chechnya in 1991. Under Dudayev, Chechnya promptly -- and unilaterally -- seceded from the Russian Federation. Over the next three years, tensions with Moscow steadily grew as Dudayev took steps to build a national army in a bid to prop up Chechnya's independence. Russian Federation President Boris Yeltsin hesitated on how to bring the rebellious general back into the fold. Finally, after several attempts to forcibly depose Dudayev through proxies, Moscow issued an ultimatum on November 29, 1994. Russia's National Security Council told Chechnya's government to disarm and submit to Moscow, or face retaliation. On December 11, 1994, Russian troops entered Chechnya. Officially, their mission was to restore Moscow's authority over the secessionist republic. On December 31, 1994, Russian troops began bombing Grozny and sent four armored columns toward the city's center. The initial street battles ended with thousands of Russian and Chechen casualties, and the destruction of hundreds of Russian fighting vehicles. The Russians retreated, but then mounted a second assault on January 4. Read more here The scene on the streets of Grozny in the first week of January was truly apocalyptic: wrecked cars and armored vehicles along with hungry dogs showing their teeth and growling when they were driven away from their prey: the bodies of Russian soldiers who died in the first hours of the assault. Ruins were everywhere. The closer I got to the center of the city, the more the debris of residential quarters resembled a monument to a lost civilization. I had a vivid recent memory of this city being alive and flourishing. Now, however, it seemed that in some absurd way I was in an old movie about the battles of Stalingrad or Berlin. The city was living its new life underground, in the cellars. There were thousands of civilians in these basements and nobody evacuated them. In one of these cellars, we awaited another attack as a 17-year-old girl was giving birth next to us. The husband of this woman in labor was a year older than her. We asked him why he didn't move away from Grozny with his wife when it was already clear that attacks were coming. "Well, how could we know that Russian soldiers would attack residential neighborhoods?" he said. Basements were jam-packed with women, old people, children, teenagers, living in fear. The vast majority were old Russian pensioners. Chechen citizens mostly managed to get out to stay with relatives in villages, but these people had simply nowhere to go. People just burst out: "When will this all stop?" They shouted, mistaking us, apparently, as officials: "What is going on in the world? They just beat us constantly! They bomb us all the time! These pilots are worse than the fascists. We lived here normally without your bombs!" [Russian President Boris] Yeltsin said that all the residents left the city," my colleague told them. "But all the basements in the city are full of people," they screamed. "How could we leave? We have nowhere to go, nobody is waiting for us anywhere. And what do we do for money if we haven't been paid pensions for more than two years now?" Minutka Square was full of people carrying weapons and looking off into the distance. These were the so-called "ceremonial militants." They were not in a hurry to fight, but they were eagerly posing for photographers, hastily retreating into underpasses when somebody shouted "Air!" as an aerial bombardment came in. The real fighting rebels were different. They were dusty, dirty, exhausted. It seems that there were very few of them in comparison with Russian forces. They really had no heavy weaponry -- only machine guns, grenade launchers, and hand grenades. I saw one antiaircraft gun: a heavy machine gun apparently taken from a damaged armored personnel carrier and mounted on the back of a truck. Occasionally, a tank and an armored personnel carrier with Chechen flags would drive back and forth along the main street, Lenin Avenue, at full speed. On my previous visit to Grozny a month earlier, I saw more serious equipment. Apparently these weapons had already been lost in the battles or, perhaps, taken out of the city to hiding places. The square in front of the former Chechen Communist Party headquarters, which became the makeshift presidential palace of separatist Chechen leader Dzhokhar Dudayev, resembled a dump: crushed stones, broken glass, burned-out cars, heaps of spent cartridges, along with unexploded tank shells and aircraft missiles. We could not move much because of mortar shelling. From time to time, the militants jumped out of their shelters and rushed, one at a time, like hares, through the shooting zone toward the palace. Some of the wounded were taken out in Zhiguli or Moskvich cars flashing through the square at full speed, or by an armored personnel carrier, on which Russian federal troops immediately opened fire. The sight was truly mind-boggling: An armored car rushed out of the palace as two old women walked by carrying shopping bags. Skeletons of armored vehicles burned near the bodies of Russian soldiers. One vehicle stood out: On a rear door there was the number "684" and on the turret, the charred remains of a man. The fire that took his life was so hellish and merciless that his skull split, exposing his brain. The left rear door of the fighting vehicle was wide open and burned ammunition was visible -- machine-gun belts, charred shells, blackened bullets with leaking molten cores. Another charred silhouette was seen in a thick layer of gray ash. I forced myself to pick up the camera and take a few pictures. A moment later there was a series of explosions very close to me and I fell on the asphalt. The same damaged vehicle whose armor did not save its crew protected me from the shells. This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal A Russian armored vehicle "684" with the remains of a soldier Several months later, Voronov sought out details about the crew in the destroyed Russian infantry vehicle: In the summer of 1995 in Samara, in Russia. I was introduced to Captain Viktor Mychko, who was at the District Military Hospital, healing from the wounds he received in Chechnya. He talked about the assault on Grozny. I showed him my photographs. The officer literally clung to one of them: "This is my vehicle! And on the turret Major Belov, the commanding officer of our battalion!" He added: "They hit us on the afternoon of December 31." A few days later, in Samara, I met with Nadezhda and Anatoly Mihkaylov. They saw my photograph of a horribly burnt vehicle that was published in the Sobesednik newspaper. Their son was in it: Senior Sergeant Andrei Mikhaylov. Little by little, I found out about the fate of the entire crew. It was an infantry fighting vehicle of the second battalion of the 81st Motorized Rifle Regiment. Four people were inside: Major Artur Valentinovich Belov, the chief of staff of the battalion; his deputy, Mychko; driver mechanic Dmitry Gennadievich Kazakov; and the signalman, Senior Sergeant Andrei Anatolyevich Mikhailov. Mychko was the only survivor. Belov had also served in Afghanistan and was considered one of the best officers of the unit. Mychko told me during our meeting that no one mentioned any combat mission to them in Grozny: "Only an order on the radio: to enter the city. Kazakov was sitting at the levers, Mikhaylov was in the aft, next to the radio. He maintained the signal. Well, then it was me and Belov." They entered Grozny at noon on December 31: "We really didnt understand anything, didnt even manage to fire a single shot -- not from a cannon, not from a machine gun, or from rifles. It was hell. We didnt see anything or anybody. Our vehicle was shaking from hits. Everything fired from everywhere and we had no other thought than to get out of here! The radio was brought down by the first hits. We were just a...target. "We didn't even try to shoot back and we didnt even know where to shoot because we didnt see the enemy. Everything was like in a nightmare. Even now it seems that it lasted for ages, although it was just a few minutes. We were hit, the car was on fire. Belov rushed into the upper hatch and blood poured on me right away. He was cut down by a bullet or debris, and he hung on the tower. Then I myself rushed to get out of the vehicle." Mychko himself was wounded: "I leaned out of the hatch and suddenly I felt terrible pain, fell back, and apparently lost consciousness, I dont remember anything else. I woke up in some basement, as it turned out, of Dudayevs palace. Chechens said that they dragged me by the arms..." A shard pierced Mychko's chest and lung. His arm and leg were also wounded. The first surgery was done by a Chechen doctor in the basement of Dudayev's palace. Pus was pumped out of his lung. Then there was a release, not even an exchange: "Just like that." A group of prisoners who were in that basement were transferred to the Russian command. On May 8, 1995, Andrei Mikhailov's remains were officially identified. In the summer of that year his parents said to me: "Yes, we received a coffin and buried it, but it was not our son." For a while after that assignment, almost every night I had the same terrible dream: as if I were running past that infantry vehicle again and again with Major Belov, into this damned shooting area in front of Dudayev's palace. Nearby, those same two old women are still wandering around with their tote bags. The US military says the situation at a Kenyan airfield used by US forces is ``fluid`` as fighting reportedly continues. A statement by the US Africa Command says the Manda Bay airfield ``is still in the process of being fully secured.`` It does not say whether any US or Kenyan forces were killed. The Somalia-based al-Shabab extremist group has claimed responsibility and asserts that intense combat continues. The US statement calls the al-Shabab claims exaggerated and says US and Kenyan forces repelled the attack. This is the first known al-Shabab attack against US forces inside Kenya, a key base for fighting one of the world's most resilient extremist organizations. A plume of black smoke rose above the base near the Somali border Residents said a car bomb had exploded. Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia told The Associated Press that five suspects were arrested and were being interrogated. The US Africa Command confirmed the attack on Camp Simba in Lamu county. Spokesman Col. Christopher Karns called al-Shabab's claims, including that its attack inflicted severe casualties, ``grossly exaggerated.`` There was no report of US or Kenyan deaths. The camp, established more than a decade ago, has under 100 US personnel, according to Pentagon figures. A US flag-raising there in August signaled its change ``from tactical to enduring operations,`` the Air Force said at the time. An internal Kenyan police report seen by the AP said two fixed-wing aircraft, a US Cessna and a Kenyan one, were destroyed along with two US helicopters and multiple US vehicles at the Manda Bay military airstrip. The report said explosions were heard at around 5:30 a.m. from the direction of the airstrip. The scene, now secured, indicated that al-Shabab likely entered ``to conduct targeted attacks,`` the report said. According to another internal report seen by the AP, dated Friday, a villager that day said he had spotted 11 suspected al-Shabab members entering Lamu's Boni forest, which the extremists have used as a hideout. The report said Kenyan authorities did not find them. Kenya's military, however, said that ``the airstrip is safe.`` It said that ``arising from the unsuccessful breach a fire broke out affecting some of the fuel tanks located at the airstrip.`` The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the airstrip was closed for all operations. Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaida, has launched a number of attacks inside Kenya, including against civilian targets such as buses, schools and shopping malls. The group has been the target of a growing number of US airstrikes inside Somalia during President Donald Trump's administration. The latest attack comes just over a week after an al-Shabab truck bomb in Somalia's capital killed at least 79 people and US airstrikes killed seven al-Shabab fighters in response. Last year al-Shabab attacked a US military base inside Somalia that is used to launch drone strikes. The extremist group also has carried out multiple attacks against Kenyan troops in the past in retaliation for Kenya sending troops to Somalia to fight it. This attack marks a significant escalation of al-Shabab's campaign of attacks inside Kenya, said analyst Andrew Franklin, a former US Marine and longtime Kenya resident. ``Launching a deliberate assault of this type against a well-defended permanent base occupied by (Kenya Defence Forces), contractors and US military personnel required a great deal of planning, rehearsals, logistics and operational capability,'' he said. Previous attacks against security forces have mainly been ambushes on Kenyan army or police patrols. Analyst Rashid Abdi in Twitter posts discussing the attack said it had nothing to do with the tensions in the Middle East but added that Kenyan security services have long been worried that Iran was trying to cultivate ties with al-Shabab. ``Avowedly Wahhabist Al-Shabaab not natural ally of Shia Iran, hostile, even. But if Kenyan claims true, AS attack may have been well-timed to signal to Iran it is open for tactical alliances,`` he wrote, adding that ``an AS that forges relations with Iran is nightmare scenario.`` When asked whether the US military was looking into any Iranian link to the attack, spokesman Karns said only that ``al-Shabab, affiliated with al-Qaida, has their own agenda and have made clear their desire to attack US interests.`` Search Keywords: Short link: In this image released by the US Defense Department, equipment assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division is loaded into aircraft bound for the US Central Command area of operations from Fort Bragg. - Thousands more US troops were ordered to the Middle East after the US assassinated Iran's military mastermind and Tehran promised "severe revenge." (AFP) Beirut: Iraq's parliament has voted to expel the US military from the country. Lawmakers voted Sunday in favour of a resolution that calls for ending foreign military presence in the country. The resolution's main aim is to get the US to withdraw some 5,000 US troops present in different parts of Iraq. The vote comes two days after a US airstrike killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani inside Iraq, dramatically increasing regional tensions. The Iraqi resolution specifically calls for ending an agreement in which Washington sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. The resolution was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. While Iraqi lawmakers urged the government to oust US troops deployed across the country, Iraqi protesters flooded the streets on Sunday to denounce both Iran and the US as "occupiers", angry that fears of war between the rivals was derailing their anti-government movement. For three months, youth-dominated rallies in the capital and Shiite-majority south have condemned Iraq's ruling class as corrupt, inept and beholden to Iran. For protesters who were hitting the streets, Iran was also a target for blame. "No to Iran, no to America!" chanted hundreds of young Iraqis as they marched through the southern protest hotspot of Diwaniyah. Young children present carried posters in the shape of Iraq and waved their country's tri-colour. "We're taking a stance against the two occupiers: Iran and the US," one demonstrator told AFP. Nearby, a teenage girl held a handwritten signing reading: "Peace be on the land created to live in peace, but which has yet to see a single peaceful day." Iraqi helicopters circled above, surveying the scene. When Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US air strike, some Iraqi protesters initially rejoiced, having blamed Soleimani for propping up the government they have been trying to bring down since early October. But joy swifty turned to worry, as protesters realised pounding war drums would drown out their calls for peaceful reform of Iraq's government. In a bold move, young protesters in the southern city of Nasiriyah blocked a mourning procession for Soleimani and top Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis from reaching their protest camp. Outraged pro-Iran mourners fired on the protesters, wounding three, medical sources told AFP. "We refuse a proxy war on Iraqi territory and the creation of crisis after crisis," said student Raad Ismail. "We're warning them: don't ignore our demands, whatever the excuse," he said. The demonstrators are calling for early parliamentary voting based on a new electoral law. They hope this would bring transparent and independent lawmakers to parliament. Zara Tindall put on a glamorous display in a red animal-print frock as she joined husband Mike Tindall at the Magic Millions Carnival and Raceday in Queensland today. After posing for some pictures alongside former rugby player Mike, 41, she couldn't contain her smile as she took part in a charity polo match to raise money for victims of the devastating Australian bushfires. The Queen's granddaughter, 38, beamed and laughed as she took to the saddle, appearing in high spirits at the polo match, donning a smart navy polo shirt with white jodhpurs and a matching white helmet for the event. Zara, who is currently holidaying in the country with her husband Mike, 41, and their children Mia, 5, and Lena, 1, had previously vowed to do to help victims of the 'indescribable' bushfire crisis 'in any way possible'. Zara Tindall, 38, put on a glamorous display in a red animal-print frock as she joined husband Mike Tindall at the Magic Millions Carnival and Raceday in Queensland today After posing for some pictures alongside former rugby player Mike, 41, she couldn't contain her smile as she took part in a charity polo match to raise money for victims of the devastating Australian bushfires The royal took part in the charity polo match earlier today, having vowed to help those affected by the bushfires 'in any way possible' The 38-year-old was one of many celebrity ambassadors helping to raise funds for those affected by the out-of-control blazes. 'We just want to do something to help in any way possible,' Zara, who is the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, told The Daily Telegraph. 'Some of the images we have seen from the bushfires are just indescribable.' Equestrian silver Olympic medalist Zara joined fellow ambassadors Prince Harry's close friend Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras, as well as jockey Frankie Dettori and Winx jockey Hugh Bowman at the event. Details: Zara's accessories included a pair of dark, heavy-rimmed sunglasses, round diamond earrings, a number of rings and a watch with a black strap The equestrian appeared in high spirits as she took to the saddle, beaming and laughing while playing in the charity match The mother-of-two could be seen smiling and laughing as she took part in the annual polo tournament The week-long event includes an annual polo tournament, yearling sales and a raceday - with each event including a fundraising initiative. It's believed almost half a billion animals have also been lost in the devastating blazes. Magic Millions have confirmed they're also providing temporary homes to horses in the stables on their property, for those affected by the horror fires. Zara is currently in the country with her rugby star husband, 41-year-old Mike Tindall, and their two children, daughters Mia, five, and Lena, one. Red-dy for action: The blonde equestrian opted for an edgy red dress with an animal print. She carried a red, quilted shoulder bag with a metallic clasp and gold chain strap Fab: The 38-year-old royal and her 41-year-old husband made a glamorous pair as they posed hand in hand at the prestigious event The royal donned a smart pair of a navy polo shirt with a pair of white jodhpurs and a matching helmet for the event Zara appeared relaxed and confident in the polo charity match during the Magic Millions Carnival and Raceday in Queensland The royal could be seen beaming and laughing as she took part in the charity polo match to fundraise for the Australian bushfires The Tindalls have been regular visitors to Australia since Zara was named the inaugural Magic Millions Racing Women Ambassador in 2012, spending January between the Gold Coast and Sydney for the past seven years. She and Mike saw in the New Year in spectacular style in Sydney, watching the fireworks with friends including actress Rebel Wilson from a mansion overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Posting on Instagram, Pitch Perfect star Rebel said she celebrated the New Year with a 'fun gang'. Zara recently revealed that she would 'think' about moving to Australia with her husband Mike and their two young daughters once she retires from eventing, after falling in love with the laid-back banter and relaxed pace of life Down Under. MotherCare, the baby and maternity clothes retailer that annually sourced garments worth Rs 100 crore from a single exporter in Tirupur, filed for bankruptcy in the UK and will close all its 79 shops in that country. It was the latest world-famous brand to pull down Tirupurs fortunes. Tirupur, the garment hub that makes exports worth Rs 26,000 crore annually, had a forgettable year in 2019. At least four world famous brands that sourced their products from the Tamil Nadu city either filed for bankruptcy in the US and Europe as demand slowed down due to competition from online channels and costs going up. MotherCare, the baby and maternity clothes retailer that annually sourced garments worth Rs 100 crore from a single exporter in Tirupur, filed for bankruptcy in the UK and will close all its 79 shops in that country. It was the latest world-famous brand to pull down Tirupurs fortunes. Media reports quoting Coresight Research said that as of November 1, nearly 9,000 textile retail stores were closed in major markets across the US and Europe. The closures were 55 per cent higher than last year's. As many as 10 major brands, including Forever 21, Payless and Barney's, filed for bankruptcy between January and October, estimated CB Insights, which tracks private company financing and angel investments. Textile Magazine, in its latest issue, counted JCPenney, GAP, Sears and Victoria's Secret among major companies that have downsized. It said Zalando, the European e-commerce brand, is winding up sourcing from India after closing its private-label segment zLabels. The company once sourced garments worth nearly Euro 20 million annually from Indiamainly from Bengaluru and Tirupur - but has decided to end that. Mothercare had slumped to 36.9m loss in the financial year ending March 2019, struggling amid a period of turmoil for high street retailers. It followed the likes of Bonmarche, Jack Wills and Karen Millen, which have gone bust in recent months, according to UKs Daily Mail tabloid. One of the key reasons for these brands to shutdown is changing consumer trends and competition from e-commerce players. R Raj Kumar, managing director of BEST Corporation Ltd that supplies garments to various brands, said his company used to get around Rs 100 crore worth of business from MotherCare alone but orders reduced by 50 per cent after UK brands scaled down. Kumar, who believes that the brand will come to its glory dates after the current consolidation phase will get over. Till the time, he decided to look for new customers and new geography. To be cost competitive, his company already set up a facility at Ethiopia, which enjoys duty free status from major markets, and exploring other countries. Another exporter recalled his association with an American brand, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US recently. He said some big retailers have opted for Chapter 11 because they wanted to get out of leasing contracts. Most of these retailers have set up shops in locations which are taken for lease for long years. In the current market conditions they can't afford to pay such a hefty rent and can't cancel the lease, which will call for heavy compensation. Chapter 11 gives cushion for retailers to come out from this problem for the retailers. "What we are seeing is a temporary phase, most of these brands will come back in a franchisee model or through a different route. "We are confident of getting back the orders. "Our only challenge is to be cost competitive, for which we need Government's support," said the exporter on condition of anonymity. Photograph: Krishnendu Halder/Reuters Orleans Parish Clerk of Criminal District Court Arthur Morrell has called off his plan to furlough nearly all of his office's dozens of employees, a day after announcing it. Morrell said Saturday that he was backing down on his threat to furlough about 80 workers at the request of Karen Herman, the chief judge of Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. The two were set to meet to discuss the situation on Monday, the same day that the furlough would have gone into effect. In a telephone interview on Saturday, Morrell said the furlough was being called off until further notice. Morrell's decision averts for now a move that could have brought the rest of the city's criminal justice system to a halt. Under state law, only the clerk's office is legally authorized to perform many functions. It acts as a central hub for processing bail paperwork and storing official court records. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up New Orleans clerk of court announces near-total shutdown, furloughing employees and stranding inmates Orleans Parish Clerk of Criminal District Court Arthur Morrell announced Friday that he is going nuclear in his long-running budget dispute wi Morrell has been locked in a budget dispute with the city of New Orleans since the administration of former Mayor Mitch Landrieu. He contends that the city has failed to fulfill its obligation under state law to pay for the salaries of the full contingent of staffers he says he needs. While Morrell has won several rounds in state court, the city under Mayor LaToya Cantrell has continued to fund his office at a lower level than his budget request. Cantrell's office said that funding for Morrell's operations was actually increased in the 2020 budget, to $4 million. But he said the funding bump didn't come with his most important objective, added manpower; he had asked for $4.6 million. Morrell's announcement on Friday that he was essentially closing up shop as a result of the budget battle seemed to catch others in the criminal justice system by surprise. Some worried that inmates would not be able to post bail or courts would not be able to generate dockets. Its Farm Show Week! Pennsylvanias annual indoor state fair, the largest indoor agricultural expo in the nation, is underway. Im an admitted Farm Show groupie. However, growing up in Philadelphia and its close suburbs, Id never heard of The Farm Show before I moved to central Pennsylvania. When I first arrived in this area, I knew I had to be missing something. I made my first trip to the farm show in 1974. I dont think Ive missed one since. Whats not to love about The Farm Show? There are more than 12,000 exhibits, almost half of which are animals. There are another 300 commercial exhibitors. Every exhibit has a fascination all its own. The crowds are fun to watch, too. Hundreds of thousands of spectators pour through the Farm Show doors for the week-long event. Theres no exact attendance figure, only estimates. Thats because there are no turnstiles. Did I mention that the entire event is FREE? And then theres the food. From the famous milkshakes to just about anything on a stick to fried berry Oreos, the stuff we eat elsewhere throughout the year somehow seems to taste a little better when served up at the corner of Cameron and Maclay Streets in early January. As it is for so many Pennsylvanians, the Farm Show is now a tradition for me. Im especially happy to celebrate Pennsylvanias farming community and our agricultural economy. The economic power of Pennsylvania agriculture cant be understated. Its the biggest piece of our economy. The nearly 60,000 farms spread across our commonwealth produce an annual economic impact of more than $35 billion. They support more than half a million jobs, and $30 billion in wages. Pennsylvania has more than 2,300 food-processing companies. We lead the nation in canned fruit, vegetable specialty products, chocolate and cocoa products and snack foods. We lead the nation in mushroom production, we are third in egg production, fifth in milk production and in the top 10 in turkey production. Agriculture is the cornerstone of the Keystone economy. Although William Penn hosted the first agricultural show in Pennsylvania in 1686, the currently constituted show has been running for more than a century. It began in 1917. Covering 24 acres under roof, the Farm Show complex boasts 11 halls and three arenas. The show itself has more than 6,000 animals, 300 commercial exhibitors and 12,000 competitive events in just about every aspect of agriculture imaginable. From beef and dairy cattle to swine, sheep, horses, poultry and goats to plants, mushrooms, and corn to beer, wine and hard cider, there something for everybody, so see and enjoy. The theme of this years Farm Show is Imagine the Opportunities. Its a call to our agricultural community to continue pushing their limits to help Pennsylvanias and the nations economies propel into the new Roaring 20s. In addition to the traditional staples, there will be lots of new things to see and eat. Our friends at PennAg will have hemp tea and the Mushroom Farmers of PA will introduce the Philly Port Sandwich, a plant-based alternative to the famous cheesesteak. Farm Show week also allows me to perform my most important duty for the year, judging food competitions. This year it looks like Ill again be judging the sticky bun competition. Thats my highest and best use. How could I ever get a better gig than that? The Farm Show is also important to our region. The week-long trek of visitors to the area generates nearly $100 million for our local economy. Farm Show week is not only a great time to celebrate our agricultural heritage and all that farming does for our quality of life, but also an opportunity to consider ways to improve the lives and fortunes of our farming community. Farming isnt an easy life and there are many challenges. Strong pro-agriculture public policy helps. As we enjoy all the Farm Show has to offer, lets take a minute to focus on how we can help to improve the lives and lot of our farmers and agricultural community. Its Farm Show week! Ill look forward to seeing you there. PennLive Opinion contributor Charlie Gerow is the CEO of Quantum Communications in Harrisburg, and a Republican strategist. He and Democrat Mark Singel appear each Sunday morning at 8:30 on CBS-21s Face the State. Mumbai: Activists have welcomed the announcement of MLA Aaditya Thackeray as the state environment and tourism minister. Environmentalists also expressed hope that the minister, who has been vocal about environmental causes, will fulfil the promises he made before Shiv Sena came to the power. One of the activists major bugbears is the introduction of the metro car shed on a 33-hectares plot in the verdant Aarey Milk Colony. Aaditya Thackeray has been raising concerns over the cutting of around 2,141 trees in the colony, while also highlighting leopard movement and local wildlife species. It is a very positive development that someone who loves nature and the environment has been appointed as the environment minister. It is a technical area and it is good that Aaditya is qualified to understand environmental and conservation issues. The future of Aarey is in his hands now, as the car shed is a polluting industry and the MPCB, being his department, now can refuse permission for it, said Stalin Dayanand, project director, Vanashakti. Mahul residents, reeling under the excessive air pollution from chemical units and refineries, also sought to remind the Sena leader of his claim that Mahul is not livable and families must be shifted from there. Business has come a long way from the classic brick and mortar stores. Nowadays you dont even need a physical storefront to make millions of dollars in sales. Stores can operate entirely online and this is becoming more popular due to the many opportunities available on the web and because of the costs saved by not having to rent and maintain a physical storefront. While brick and mortar stores still exist, it is important that businesses incorporate digital marketing into their advertising plan in order to capture all the opportunities the digital world has to offer. Did you know that you can increase your brand exposure and target your market better by implementing digital marketing strategies for your business? Using Social Media to Build your Brand You can harness the power of social media to help your business grow. Popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram all offer unique digital marketing opportunities. There are over 2 Billion people on Facebook alone, and if your business does not yet have an online presence, you are definitely missing out. One of the most important steps to building a successful social media marketing plan is to first build your online presence. This can be done by creating a website and a Facebook page. Once you have created those, you can start to focus on building your marketing campaign. Digital Marketing service providers can help you create advertisements that target your specific target market. For example, one of the benefits of advertising on Facebook is that they allow you to select what kinds of people will view your advertisement by selecting specific factors such as age, sex, marital status, and their interests on Facebook. Using social media is one of the many ways digital marketers help grow your business. Using SEO Service Providers to Get More Traffic A common issue that most businesses face after they create a website is getting visitors to view their website. You may have a very good website, but if your website is hard to find, no one will see it. That is why it is important to use SEO services from a reputable digital marketing agency. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and the goal of SEO is to help rank your website higher on search result pages, which will lead to more people finding your website. There are many companies out there that will help you with your search engine optimization, but you should consider doing your research before picking a company. Edge Online based in the Gold Coast says that while there are cheap SEO companies out there, you may want to consider opting for the more experienced companies with slightly higher prices. It is important that you find a reliable SEO company to help rank your page higher on Google, because the cheaper companies will often promise you a lot, but deliver very little results. Building Email Lists Another important aspect of using digital marketing to help your business grow is the utilization of your email lists. By gathering a large list of emails from people that visit your website is a good way to know who your potential customers are. Many digital marketing campaigns will involve creating an email list of potential customers who you can then send emails about your latest products, services, promotions, or newsletters. One way to gather an email list is by having an area on your website where people can voluntarily enter their email. If you really want to grow your email list, you can offer your site visitors promotional coupons that will be sent to their emails after signing up for a monthly newsletter. Sending periodic updates to your email list is a good way to maintain your presence online and help remind your customers of what your offering. If you have a business, you may want to consider implementing digital marketing strategies into your advertising campaigns so that you can capture all the opportunities available online. Building a website, a Facebook page or making use of other social media platforms are great ways to start creating your digital presence. Remember that social media can be used to reach wider audiences and that the advertising tools available on these social media platforms will allow you to specifically target the people that are most likely to purchase your products or services. If you have not started using digital marketing for your business, you may want to start thinking about developing your presence online before you are left behind. (Natural News) On Thursday President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to take out Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Quds Force, after he was tracked to the airport in Baghdad, Iraq. After months of Iranian provocations, to which Trump responded patiently and appropriately, the decision was made to target Soleimani after Iranian proxy forces killed an American contractor at a U.S.-occupied base, then besieged the American embassy in the Iraqi capital. Not only was President Trump legally and constitutionally authorized to order the strike, he was morally obligated to do so as well, for a presidents first job is to protect our homeland and protect our military and diplomatic personnel worldwide. In addition to the Iranian actions this week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said after the attack became public on Friday that the president was acting to preempt Soleimanis forces from carrying out a major attack they were planning against U.S. forces in the Middle East. What was sitting before us was his travels throughout the region, his efforts to make a significant strike against Americans, Pompeo said, as The National Sentinel reported. There would have been many Muslims killed, Iraqis, people in other countries as well, Pompeo continued in an interview with Fox News. It was time to take action, Pompeo noted further, while also citing dozens and dozens of attacks by Iran and its proxies over the last few months. But because this action was taken by President Trump, Democrats and their media propagandists lambasted him because thats just what they do. It wouldnt matter if a foreign force landed on American shores, these lunatics would criticize Trump for ordering them stopped. The Trump-bashing was led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who bizarrely claimed that Trump lacked the authority to protect American interests and target Soleimani, a man responsible for thousands of deaths, many of them American soldiers. The Iran pandering is disgusting and traitorous 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, Pelosi said in a statement after the Pentagon confirmed the strike had killed him. What? Obama launched more than 3,000 strikes against targets and people in Iraq and Syria without first consulting Congress. She wasnt alone. Anti-Semitic Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), always first to trash America in defense of Muslims, chimed in, claiming the president does not have the authority to do what he did and that shes committed to stopping him. 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 Absolutely disgraceful. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) claimed Trumps action brings us to the brink of war with Iran. President Trump is bringing our nation to the brink of an illegal war with Iran with no congressional approval. Passing our bipartisan amendment to prevent unconstitutional war with Iran is urgent. Congress needs to step in immediately. https://t.co/tBFRwQMp51 Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) January 3, 2020 Seriously? How long does this jerk think Iran would last in a real-live shooting war with the United States? When it comes to Iran, this administration has time and time again chosen rash provocation over any coherent strategy. I fear tonights escalation may be no different. My first thought is with the men and women serving our country in the Middle East and around the globe. https://t.co/eBPJHMiS3C Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) January 3, 2020 Behold, the party of weakness, as Carper demonstrates. Im so fearful! Pathetic. The lamestream Democrat propaganda media was no better. As Paul Joseph Watson of Summit.news noted, New York Times journalist Farnaz Fassihi offered what some of her critics described as a eulogy to killed Iranian terrorist leader Qasem Suleimani after she posted a video of him reciting poetry. Rare personal video of Gen. Suleimani reciting poetry shared by a source in #Iran. About friends departing & him being left behind.#_ pic.twitter.com/vUX4LrkMQY Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) January 3, 2020 Look, there is political opposition to Trump and there is out-and-out treason to the country. They arent even close to being the same things. Dont like Trumps policies? Okay, fine. Got it. Didnt much care for Obamas policies. But we never provided aid and comfort to an enemy by choosing sides when the former president acted on behalf of Americas interests. This behavior by Democrats and their media sycophants is treasonous, period. They should be charged accordingly. Sources include: GellerReport.com TheNationalSentinel.com USAFeatures.news Summit.news An employee working at the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour in the United Kingdom was slapped with charges of stealing merchandise worth almost 37,000. According to reports, Adam Hill took away 1,040 things between the time period of December 2017-March 2018. Hill stole merchandise such as key rings, badges, wands and ties and sold them on online selling platform eBay. In addition to this, Hill was sending items from the post room within the company's premises. The 35-year-old employee was caught after his colleagues started to notice official merchandise on his desk and then disappearing after a while. According to reports, the Police conducted a search Hill's house and his car in Cambridgeshire, coming across a total of 12 parcels ready to be shipped to potential buyers. Adam Hill pleaded guilty to the charges of theft and was suspended to 14-month prison sentence alongside 250 hours of mandatory community service. Read: Book Quotes: 'The Alchemist', 'Harry Potter' And Others To Inspire Your Instagram Captions Harry Potter festival 'dissappointing' Canadian Potterheads were left fuming after a festival dedicated to the Harry Potter Universe turned out to be utterly disappointing. The people who attended the festival that was held in Montreal said their experience was far from 'magical'. The event was organised by LOL events. Some even called it a 'scam'. Read: UK Man Finds His 1p Harry Potter Book Is Actually Worth 2,500 Many guests claim that their attempts to get a refund were unsuccessful. "What bothers me the most is that people spent their money-making fabulous costumes, signs, travel expenses, babysitters, etc... to come and be scammed. We should be compensated for damages, not just ticket prices," said a guest. She also ran a youtube page dedicated to exposing the event group. 'The CA$50 (29/US$37) ticket apparently included a 'free themed alcoholic drink', along with 'samples of wizard themed treats, unlimited access to photo opportunities, games, prized trivia, live music, debauchery and mischief' as quoted by the company's website description of the event which has now 'disappeared'. Read: Harry Potter Tattoo Ideas: 10 Amazing Quotes Would Make Great Tattoos Read: Harry Potter Series: Throwback To Helena Bonham Carter's BTS Videos From The Show (With inputs from agencies) John Krzyzaniak in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Early Friday morning, Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, was killed on the drive back from the international airport in Baghdad, Iraq, in a US drone strike authorized by President Trump. Soleimani has been at the helm of the elite Quds Force since 1998, and its difficult to overstate his importance. In the Atlantic, Andrew Exum, former US deputy assistant secretary of defense for Middle East policy, wrote that from a military and diplomatic perspective, Soleimani was Irans David Petraeus and Stan McChrystal and Brett McGurk all rolled into onereferring to two former US military generals and a former special presidential envoy. Some had speculated that Soleimani, given his popularity in Iran, might one day run for president. But that would have arguably been a demotion; as leader of the Quds Force, Soleimani reported directly to Irans Supreme Leader, commanded more than 10,000 troops, and essentially set Irans Middle East policy. Indeed, after the assassination, US Sen. Chris Murphy referred to Soleimani as the second most powerful person in Iran. In the Senators estimation, then, Soleimani ranked in power above the Iranian president, the speaker of the parliament, the head of the judiciary, and even the chief of staff of the armed forces in Iran. More here. The Beatles: George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Vinyl is now outselling compact discs for the first time in four decades with more than five million records expected to be sold in Britain this year. The resurgence of interest has turned a once near obsolete playing format into not just the purest way to enjoy music but also a shrewd investment. The driving force behind the renaissance has been a realisation that the quality of sound you get from enabling a needle to track the grooves on a 12-inch disc can be far superior to anything you get from listening to music streamed or downloaded off the internet or the sound of a digital compact disc. This is because many believe records are able to provide a greater depth of sound providing warmth and a power to give you goose bumps. Vinyl is also more tactile with far better artwork on the record cover than you might find on a CD box. And even the pops and crackle from a scratch can add a sense of nostalgia. The best vinyl investments are records of bands with international appeal that have stood the test of time and can be enjoyed by several generations of music lovers. This means music from bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd is always in demand. Much-loved solo artists such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and David Bowie also command top price for early recordings. But before getting excited about that trunk packed with vinyl, you should be aware that it is usually only first pressings that have any value and are sought after as investments. These represent the first time the music was released before anyone knew a timeless classic record had arrived. Discover a copy of The Beatles White album in the attic from 1968 and it might be worth as much as 7,000 if in the initial batch of releases. The 'number one' disc first off the press was owned by band member Ringo Starr and is worth 730,000. Although reissues of this album still offer the same fantastic music, they sell for only 20. The record company logo and issue code on the disc and sleeve provide you with the specific details required to find out if it is a first pressing. The industry bible The Record Collector offers all the information of each release and what makes collectable vinyl. Its publication the Rare Record Price Guide 2020 costs 24.95 and is an invaluable resource for record collectors. Only a 100 copies of this cult album were made. One copy recently sold for 10,000 Website Discogs is another invaluable source of information offering details of all the different pressings of records made over the years as well as a marketplace where you can look at prices and trade in old vinyl. Although website dealers provide a good way to find records that you might be interested in buying, there is no substitute to visiting a record store especially for novice investors. You should also be wary of bidding on auction websites for vinyl that is unseen where descriptions can sometimes be misleading. Jean Michel Jarre's Music For Supermarkets is rare as the masters were destroyed Visiting in person also enables you to see first hand the quality of the record that is being sold. Vinyl is professionally graded and collectors understandably want the best quality available. Be wary of buying a grade 'good' as this description is misleading. The record might be playable but badly scratched so not good at all. Even 'very good' is not that great because it indicates the record is well played even if not too damaged. Investors are usually most interested in buying 'mint' or 'near mint'. Some of the prices vinyl records have sold for recently. Rare records go for thousands A mint quality record is worth more than double that of 'very good' vinyl. The grading system is separate for the disc and sleeve so ideally you want both in tip-top condition with an original inner sleeve also included. Browsing through racks of records in search of inspiration is a key part of the appeal of collecting vinyl and when deciding to invest it is worth scouring the market in search of music you enjoy to make the pursuit more rewarding. It is not just first pressings but limited edition covers, coloured vinyl and picture discs that can turn out to be good investments. For example, The Rolling Stones 1967 album Their Satanic Majesties Request is worth 2,000 if it is issued on the rare silk-padded sleeve but without this the same record might cost just 50. It is not just older records that can be worth money as the resurgence of vinyl means current artists are also releasing their music as records. To keep modern listeners entertained this vinyl often comes with download codes included within the packaging to enable customers to listen to their music through their smartphones when on the move and not sitting by their record player at home. Despite the success of vinyl, it is still dwarfed by online streaming with its sales of 1 billion. The last David Bowie album Blackstar released two days before his death in 2016 initially sold for about 20 but first pressings can sell for more than 100 if still in top condition. Clear vinyl 30 Blackstar special editions can fetch 300. For details of your nearest independent record shop visit website Record Store Day UK. Every year more than 200 of the listed shops take part in a one-off sale in 2020 it is on April 18 which includes vinyl specially released for the day. toby.walne@mailonsunday.co.uk JACKSON, Miss. Five Mississippi inmates have been killed in less than a week, including three at the state penitentiary at Parchman, where the local coroner said Friday "gangs are at war." Sunflower County Coroner Heather Burton said the three killings in three days at Parchman is "unprecedented" in her 12 years in office. "Things are kind of surreal at this point," Burton said. "Every time the phone rings at this point, it's another one." Inmates and their families have contacted media outlets, including the Clarion Ledger, sending photos and videos and claiming the violence is unchecked and smoke from fires has made it hard to breathe. The flurry of killings also brings renewed attention to funding and staffing shortages in the state prison system, where guards are sometimes paid around minimum wage. Who are they?: Inmates killed during Mississippi's prison violence Mississippi Department of Corrections officials have offered minimal information since locking down the prison system Sunday after an inmate was killed in a south Mississippi prison. A spokeswoman for Gov. Phil Bryant did not respond to a request for comment about the violence. Bryant is vacationing with his family. On Friday evening, he posted about the situation on social media, saying he'd been in contact with prison officials throughout the week. MDOC and the Department of Public Safety are to be commended for their response to this tragic situation. I have been in contact throughout the week with Commissioner Hall and MBI. Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) January 3, 2020 "The people who perpetrated this violence will be charged and brought to justice," Bryant wrote. "Gang violence will not be tolerated in state prisons or on our streets." The latest death was Denorris Howell, 36, Burton said. He was serving a 17-year sentence for manslaughter. Burton said the inmate's cellmate was taken to a Memphis hospital to be treated for stab wounds from their fight. Story continues Sunflower County Coroner Heather Burton said Howell was not stabbed as she initially reported. He sustained a neck injury. Denorris Howell We are continuing to be vigilant and mindful of the situation," Corrections Department Commissioner Pelicia Hall said in a Friday statement. "These are trying times for the Mississippi Department of Corrections. It is never a good feeling for a commissioner to receive a call that a life has been lost, especially over senseless acts of violence. On Thursday, two inmates were killed. One was a stabbing at Parchman. His identity has not been released, pending notification of family. The second was 26-year-old Gregory Emary, who was killed at Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility in Houston. Two additional inmates were killed and others were injured earlier this week. Walter Gates, 25, died Wednesday during a riot at Parchman, and Terrandance Dobbins, 40, was killed during a fight Sunday at South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville. Corrections officials confirmed Friday that some of the "major disturbances" at prisons across the state are gang-related. Officials said they would not name the gangs for security reasons. This file photo shows a Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol trooper waiting by the front entrance to the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman. For days, prison officials had refused to provide details on the violence and ignored most questions from media. Hall announced she was stepping down earlier in the week as a new administration prepares to take over. In a statement, she said she understands "the public's right and need to know." But my department will not rush to release information for the sake of perpetuating rumors," Hall said. "Contrary to what is being said, we are providing information. There is a process to releasing accurate information and that takes time. She also warned against "misinformation" on social media, saying it was "fanning the flames." Cellphones smuggled into the prisons, she said, "have been instrumental in escalating the violence." Prison officials added that open-bay housing units are a challenge to manage because not all inmates are secure in single cells. Parchman inmates have been moved to "more secure housing units on prison grounds" to contain the violence. The Corrections Department said all state prisons will remain on lockdown until further notice. The Clarion Ledger has repeatedly asked the department how many inmates have been injured and has not received a response. GerondaSue Skinner-Holmes said her son was stabbed in the eye on New Year's Eve during a fight at Parchman. Corrections officials didn't notify her of his injury for days, she said, and her son might lose an eye. Skinner-Holmes awoke on New Year's Day to the news of the previous night's riot at Parchman, which Burton previously said lasted for several hours. "I haven't slept, haven't eaten (since)," Skinner-Holmes said. Some inside the prison told Skinner-Holmes to check in on her son, who is housed in Unit 29, where much of the violence has centered. The unit has 1,568 beds and houses some of the system's worst offenders. Skinner-Holmes said she contacted prison officials to try to learn more, but she hasn't heard back. "The people are understaffed and overworked," she said. "Ain't no way they can run the prison system with the people they have working there and as many inmates they got." 'Major disturbance': Fourth inmate killed as violence escalates in Mississippi prisons 'Ticking time bomb': Violence surges amid guard shortage at Mississippi prison The number of correctional officers at Department of Corrections has plummeted in recent years, according to a recent report by the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting. At the end of 2019, the number of correctional officers, 732, was fewer than half the number of guards five years earlier, according to the Mississippi State Personnel Board. The state has cut its overall spending on prisons over the past several years, the news outlet reported, even as the number of inmates has stayed the same. Hall previously said the state saved about $40 million since criminal justice legislation passed in 2014 and the incarceration rate went down somewhat. Follow Lici Beveridge on Twitter: @licibev. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Parchman riot: Fifth inmate killed amid Mississippi prison violence Cambodia building collapse kills 36 people, injures 23 others Cambodia PM Hun Sen visits the site where a building being under construction collapsed in Kep By Prak Chan Thul PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Thirty-six people were killed and 23 more injured when a tourist guesthouse under construction in Cambodia collapsed, trapping workers under rubble, officials said on Sunday. Officials said rescue operations ended two days after the seven-storey concrete building collapsed on Friday in the coastal town of Kep, about 160 km (100 miles) southwest of the capital Phnom Penh. The 36 dead included six children and 14 women, officials said in a statement that did not detail why children were at the construction site. Kep Governor Ken Satha said that the owners of the building, a Cambodian couple, had been detained for questioning. However, Prime Minister Hun Sen defended the government response and said that no officials in Kep province would be fired. "Building collapses don't only happen in Cambodia ... they happen elsewhere ... including in the United States," Hun Sen said in a news briefing. Cambodia is undergoing a construction boom to serve growing crowds of Chinese tourists and investors. The Kep building collapse came six months after 28 people were killed when a Chinese-owned construction site collapsed in Preah Sihanouk province. Seven people were charged with involuntary manslaughter and Hun Sen fired a disaster management official over that accident. (Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Kim Coghill and Jane Wardell) Mexico's president calls for Assange to be released: Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be released from prison in London, urging an end to what he described as his "torture" in detention. Assange, 48, is in a British jail for skipping bail when he sought asylum in Ecuador's embassy in London, where he spent nearly seven years to avoid extradition to Sweden over allegations of rape that were dropped in November. Assange is also battling U.S. attempts to extradite him over WikiLeaks' publication of vast caches of leaked military documents and diplomatic cables. He could face a lengthy prison term if extradited to the United States. Fourteen civilians, including many schoolchildren, have died after a roadside bomb blew up a bus in north-western Burkina Faso, security sources said. Four others were seriously hurt in the blast a security source told AFP. The attack occurred on Saturday morning in Toeni in the region of Sourou near the border with Mali, as children returned to school after holidays. "The vehicle hit a homemade bomb [IED] on the Toeni-Tougan road," a second security source said. "Most of the dead are schoolchildren." It is not yet clear who was behind the attack but jihadists have been strengthening their actions of late. On 24 December, 35 civilians were killed in the north of Burkina Faso in a suspected jihadist attack on a military base. On Saturday the army reported an attack against gendarmes at Inata in the north on Friday, saying "a dozen terrorists [had been] neutralised". Since 2015, increasingly deadly jihadist attacks in Burkina Faso have killed more than 750 people, and forced 560,000 people from their homes according to UN figures. The entire Sahel region, especially Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, is fighting jihadist insurgency with help from Western countries, but has not managed to stem the bloodshed. In a televised New Year's address on Tuesday, Burkina Faso's president Roch Marc Christian Kabore assured his compatriots that "victory" over terrorism was certain. Expressing concern over the recent turn of events in the Middle East, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said that developments in the region have "taken a very serious turn" in the wake of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani's killing in a US airstrike. "Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch," Jaishankar tweeted after talks with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif. The External Affairs Minister also spoke to his Omani counterpart Yusuf Alawi over the 'tense situation' in the region. "Discussed with FM Yusuf Alawi of Oman the tense situation in the region. Reaffirmed our shared interest in the stability and security of the Gulf. Appreciated his perspectives on the current situation," Jaishankar said. The External Affairs Minister said he had a 'warm conversation' with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. "Exchanged views on recent developments in the region," Jaishankar said in another tweet. Tensions have soared in the Gulf following the killing of Soleimani in the US airstrike near Baghdad international airport on Friday. India, on the same day, had advocated 'restraint' in the context of tension in the US-Iran relationship. "We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the US. The increase in tension has alarmed the world," the MEA said in a statement. "Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India," the statement said adding that it is "vital that the situation does not escalate further". "India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so," the statement has said. The recent developments have led to a sharp rise in international oil prices. Earlier today, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stressed that tensions in Iran should subside, otherwise India will have look to import oil from countries apart from Gulf countries. "In today's times, when there is a tension in the oil-producing countries then there is a direct impact on the prices of oil in the markets. India hopes that there is no tension in the oil-producing countries. It is in the interest of everyone," Pradhan told reporters here. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, who ordered the attack, said that the raid was made to stop a war and not start one, as tensions between the two countries were already escalating. He also said that US' response will be "very fast and very hard", adding that Soleimani was plotting "imminent and sinister attacks" on Americans. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A farmer in a paddy field hit by drought in the Mekong Delta's province of Soc Trang, June 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen. Vietnam's Mekong Delta is bracing severe drought and salinity in the coming months, and local authorities have been told to take every step possible to mitigate the damage. For this dry season, which has already started in southern Vietnam and normally lasts until late April, drought conditions are likely to be more severe, resulting in more salinity in the delta, which spreads over 40,577 square kilometers (15,670 square miles). The nation's most fertile region for long, the Mekong Delta has been called the Vietnams rice granary. It is also the nations aquaculture hub. To cope with upcoming crises, the government wants all localities in the region to apply every method they can to make sure farmers and other locals have enough water for their crops and daily actitives, said Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung at a meeting Friday with officials of the Mekong Deltas 13 localities, held in Ben Tre Province. According the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the rainy season arrived late last year in the Mekong Delta and was shorter than usual, with the total rainfall of 1,240 mm, 8 percent lower than the average level of previous years. Water levels in the Mekong River sections flowing through the delta has decreased rapidly since the dry season started in late November and is currently 2.33 meters lower than in previous years, as measured at the Kratie station in northeastern Cambodia, it said. It is expected that the water level at this station will be 35 percent lower than previous years in the first two months of 2020 and the water amount in Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater body in Southeast Asia, is now at 5.1 billion cubic meters, which is 15.7 billion cubic meters lower. Worse than the worst Saline intrusion has already happened at sea gates in the delta since the middle of last month, which is much earlier than normal, the agriculture ministry said. It said that seawater could intrude 35-110 km inland, even more than in 2016, when the region was hit by the worst drought and salinity ever. Drought and salinity could hit 10 of the 13 delta localities, with the three exceptions being Dong Thap, Can Tho and An Giang. The entire region has more than 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres) of rice fields where farmers have already started planting for a new crop, and 330,000 hectares could be affected by the adverse conditions. The ensuing water shortage could also hit 130,000 hectares of orchards, 40 percent of the total area, affecting 150,000 households. With funds allocated by the state along with financial aid from local companies and international organizations, more than 20,000 tanks to store fresh water have been provided for the region, apart from projects to install 1,600 km of water supply pipes and build dozens of wells. The ministry has requested local authorities to build plans to send water tank trucks to remote areas with little access to fresh water, supply pipes as needed, apart from investing in more tanks, storage bags capable of holding 30 cubic meters of freshwater and saltwater filters made by local companies. For the long term, the ministry has suggested that the central government continues to set aside funds for digging fresh water lakes and building embankments to prevent salt water intrusion, as also devices to automatically monitor salinity levels at sea gates throughout the region. It also mentioned the need for large-scale solutions to help locals switch to growing crops more appropriate with current conditions. The government should also raise its voice and ask operators of hydropower dams upstream the Mekong River to release water to downstream sections, the ministry said. A recent Florida International University graduate was shot dead while driving along Interstate 95 in Miami. Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect or suspects who killed Melissa Gonzalez, 22, as she drove near Miami's West Little River neighborhood around 8.30pm Friday evening. Gonzalez was traveling with 26-year-old Julian Cortina when she was struck in the head. Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect who killed Melissa Gonzalez (left and right), 22, as she drove near Miami's West Little River neighborhood around 8.30pm on Friday. She was traveling with 26-year-old Julian Cortina (right) when she was struck in the head Cortina told police that he heard multiple gun shots and then noticed that Gonzalez was bleeding profusely from her head. He said he immediately called 911. First responders rushed Gonzalez to Ryder Trauma Center hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later Cortina told police that he heard multiple gunshots and then noticed that Gonzalez was bleeding profusely from her head. He said he immediately called 911. First responders rushed Gonzalez to Ryder Trauma Center hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later. Officers from the Florida Highway Patrol are actively investigating the shooting. They are currently trying to determine whether Gonzalez's vehicle was struck by a stray bullet or if she was a target. Police are also looking through security cameras in order to try and find the gunman. Cortina told investigators that he believed the gunshots came from a dark-colored car. Gonzalez's mother, Shiella Nunez, said her daughter would have turned 23 later this month. Nunez said Gonzalez had just graduated from FIU in the summer of 2019 Cortina told investigators that he believed the gunshots came from a dark-colored car. Police at the scene of the shooting Police (pictured at the scene) are looking through security cameras in order to try and find the gunman No other injuries were reported during the shooting. Gonzalez's mother, Shiella Nunez, told NBC 6 that her daughter would have turned 23 later this month. Nunez said Gonzalez had just graduated from FIU in the summer of 2019. Gonzalez was getting ready to take the LSAT and apply to law school, her mother said. Seven children and four women were among 14 civilians, killed when a roadside bomb blew up their bus in northwestern Burkina Faso, the government said. "The provisional toll is 14 dead," a statement said, adding that 19 more people were hurt, three of them seriously in Saturday's blast. The explosion happened in Sourou province near the Mali border as students returned to school after the Christmas holidays, a security source said. "The vehicle hit a homemade bomb on the Toeni-Tougan road," the source told AFP. "The government strongly condemns this cowardly and barbaric act," the statement said. No one claimed responsibility for the attack but jihadist violence in Burkina Faso has been blamed on combatants linked to both Al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups. Meanwhile, the army reported an assault against gendarmes at Inata in the north on Friday, saying "a dozen terrorists were neutralised". The deaths came the week after 35 people, most of them women, died in an attack on the northern city of Arbinda and seven Burkinabe troops were killed in a raid on their army base nearby. Burkina Faso, bordering Mali and Niger, has seen frequent jihadist attacks which have left hundreds of people dead since the start of 2015 when Islamist extremist violence began to spread across the Sahel region. In a televised address on Tuesday President Roch Marc Christian Kabore insisted that "victory" against "terrorism" was assured. The entire Sahel region is fighting a jihadist insurgency with help from Western countries, but has not managed to stem the bloodshed. Five Sahel states -- Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad -- have joined forces to combat terrorism in the fragile region that lies between the Sahara and the Atlantic. Increasingly deadly Islamist attacks in Burkina have killed more than 750 people since 2015, according to an AFP count, and forced 560,000 people from their homes, UN figures show. Is this war by accident or war by design? We've all said that a major war in the Middle East could start by accident. But no one thought Donald Trump would go for the jugular quite like this. To kill General Qasem Soleimani is a sword at the heart of Iran, without doubt. And on whose behalf? Trump boasts of his relationship with the Saudi king who has talked of "cutting off the head of the Iranian snake" and whose oil facilities were attacked with drone-fired missiles - which the US blamed on Iran - last year. Or Israel? Or is this just another decision with incalculable results, taken by a crackpot president in the US? Just imagine what would happen if a leading American general - or two, since Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was a leading pro-Iranian figure in Iraq - was blown up on a tour of the Middle East. There would be airstrikes, attacks on Iran's nuclear centres, threats by Washington to close down all traffic between Iran and the outside world. The death of an American near Kirkuk on December 27 and the riots outside the US embassy in Baghdad scarcely justify US attacks on this scale. Qasem Soleimani was one of the most powerful men in Iran, although the Revolutionary Guards al-Quds forces he commanded are not quite the elite army which Iran likes to pretend. Soleimani, according to his fellow commanders, would take risks at the various al-Quds front lines in Syria and his men admired him for his courage under fire. So he regularly expected to die. But Baghdad International Airport is the last place you would expect to see an American drone put him and al-Muhandis to death. The Americans have long grown used to staging attacks on pro-Iranian militia bases in Iraq and Syria. Over recent months, these strikes have become normal, regular - like Israel's frequent raids into Syria and Lebanon. But it was a US military operation which also killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria, a Sunni Muslim who was an enemy of Tehran and whom the Iranians would have been happy to liquidate. The Americans have been used to this sort of assassination - or "targeted killings" as the Israelis call them - wiping out their enemies when they choose. Osama bin Laden was the first, Baghdadi the second, Soleimani the third. Yet it's easy to take these men as important - as they think they are. Iran's forces in Syria, for example, are often grossly exaggerated by the US. Claims of the presence of 10,000 Revolutionary Guards al-Quds members in Syria are wildly inaccurate. Two thousand may be more accurate at any one time. True, Iranian intelligence men are scattered around the Middle East. But so are American agents. One of Tehran's most senior intelligence men was Ghadanfar Rokon Abadi, who was Iran's man in Beirut, and later its ambassador there. He probably knew more about Hezbollah and Syria than anyone else and returned to Tehran in 2014. This was not long after Sunni Islamists, reportedly with Saudi support, staged a suicide attack against his embassy, killing 23 embassy employees, Hezbollah guards and civilians. Rokon Abadi was spared. His top security man was killed. But in 2016, he made the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca where 2,300 people - 464 of them Iranians - were crushed to death in panic and riots for which Iran blamed the Saudi monarchy. Rokon Abadi was among them. It was months before his remains were returned to Iran. According to an Iranian official, all his organs had been removed. They never discovered why. But in the Middle East, intelligence agents are always in danger. It was a Hezbollah satellite group called Islamic Jihad which killed CIA Beirut station chief William Buckley, and Imad Mougnieh, his reported murderer - or the man who gave the order - was killed by a car bomb in Damascus in 2008. In 1983, a suicide bomber blew up his truck bomb at the front of the US embassy in Beirut, killing 32 people and wiping out most of the CIA agents who were holding a meeting inside. Oh yes, and one more thing. Isn't there a US election coming up this year? And doesn't Trump want to win - and Soleimani as a target in Baghdad will play pretty well with Republicans. Iran has always responded to insults or attacks by waiting and delaying its own retaliation. Remember two oil tankers called the Adrian Darya and the Stena Impero? But now it's getting personal. Katyusha. An old Soviet missile system, part of the massed artillery strategy during the Second World War, was the weapon of choice for Iran backed Shia militia to respond to the grave provocation by the Americans. Uncle Sam had just taken out Major General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike. The bonus was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis; leader of the Iran backed Popular Mobilization Forces, also dead. In todays day and age, you dont use a 1941 Katyusha to harm. You use it to send a message. President Trump was waiting for that message. How he will respond is anyones guess but he is clear that 52 Iranian targets have been identified. If Iran chooses to respond, America will unleash the dogs of war. Dramatic? Thats exactly how Trump likes his day. READ | Middle East On Boil As Iran Vows Revenge On US Post-Soleimani Assasination It is clear, even to the most benighted that Trump, caught in between an ugly impeachment following years of showdowns with the Democrats and the Iranian leadership of Khamenei and Hassan Rouhani dealing with years of massive unrest on the streets of Iran, would be looking at this synthetic conflagration as godsend. Provocative Tweets in US. Red flags on mosques in Iran. Both have ensured that in times of crisis, questioning the national leadership is tantamount to treason. Iranians have already rallied behind their leaders. Social media is abuzz with talk of World War 3. Hyperbole is the staple of Twitter. What exactly will happen, if not doomsday? Trump is still smarting from his North Korean adventure. In spite of nuclear threats, Kim Jong Un did not blink. When Iran downed a US drone, Trump had no answer. This, amongst many other things, led Trump to sanction the killing of Soleimani. There is no secret sauce in this conflict. It is largely about how Trump sees himself; a ruthless negotiator and a tough guy. That he is being impeached does help. Iran and the US have had no formal diplomatic relations from 1980 onwards. Before the 1979 revolution, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavis regime was perhaps Americas closest ally. There could be many reasons why this relationship cooled off to the present freezing point. Irans post-1979 Shia Muslim clergy saw America as the Great Satan. To establish its still untested credentials with the Iranian masses, an external bogeyman was created. There are many other theories. From 1980-1988, Iran and Iraq were at war. Iran, overwhelmingly Shia and Iraq, a Sunni led Shia majority nation, inflicted horrendous casualties upon each other. READ | EAM Jaishankar Expresses Deep Concern To Iranian Counterpart, Agrees To 'remain In Touch' Saddam Hussain, the President of Iraq, was a Sunni in a nation that was sixty-five percent Shia. His army was equipped by America. Iran, on the other hand, tried to get Iraqi Shia soldiers to revolt. Eight years and a million dead and displaced later, there were no victors. But Irans hatred for America had been institutionalized. Qassem Soleimani is a hero to Shias across the world. From Kashmiri students to African taxi drivers in London, Shias see him as a hero. He broke the back of the ISIS, they say proudly. Also true is that Soleimani was directly and indirectly responsible for planning and executing terror attacks that killed Americans. Some have called him a bigger threat than Osama bin Laden. Iran may not go head-to-head with the US on this one. America is simply too powerful. Red flags on mosques are a great rallying point, but a B-52 sortie is the more compelling argument. With Iran not having any known nuclear capabilities, the US could push the envelope further. And this leaves India in a quandary. That we have major investments in Chabahar Port is well known. Lesser known is the fact that the Indian Air Force operates a base in Farkhor, Tajikistan. And, Tajikistan is land-locked. The North Korean miscalculation forced Trump to understand the unique Eastern obsession with face. If you back down, you lose respect. Trump will not back down. In the remote chance that he does, he will find it almost impossible to recover. The Iranians are watching. They will play the long game. They will get their proxies to attack US assets and personnel, thus playing the deniability card. The world understands that Iran doesnt have to attack the US mainland. Any US embassy is deemed to be US soil. That is what just happened yesterday in the Green Zone in Baghdad. Its not Armageddon, but our neighborhood just got a lot more interesting. READ | Iran Army Chief Mousavi Says US Lacks 'courage' To Initiate War Mike Pompeo said that the escalation in Iran that led to the killing of military leader Qasem Soleimani comes from Barack Obama 'appeasing' the country during his time as president. The Secretary of State made the rounds on Sunday morning political news shows after President Dondald Trump ordered an attack on an Iraqi airport in Baghdad that killed top Iranian military general Soleimani on Friday. While on CNN's State of the Nation, he said: 'Obama appeased Iran. It is important that they understand that America will no longer behave the way that it did during the Obama/Biden administration. We will no longer appease, we will no longer tolerate. Mike Pompeo said that the escalation in Iran that led to the killing of military leader Qasem Soleimani comes from Barack Obama 'appeasing' the country during his time as president While on CNN's State of the Nation, he said: 'Obama appeased Iraq. It is important that they understand that America will no longer behave the way that it did during the Obama/Biden administration. We will no longer appease, we will no longer tolerate 'Frankly, this war kicked off when the JCPOA was entered into,' he continued in a hit at the former president's so-called Iran nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew the U.S. from in May 2018. Friday's airstrike came after the American embassy in Baghdad, which has never been breached before, was raided on New Year's Eve by demonstrators who support Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militia. The raid on the embassy and killing of Soleimani followed continued escalation in the region. Pompeo said that Soleimani's death has already made the U.S. and the world a safer place. But he also told NBC anchor Chuck Todd on Meet the Press on Sunday morning that he expects some retaliation for the attack. 'We're definitely safer today, 100 per cent certainty that America is safer today,' Pompeo said. Pompeo said Trump was ''focused deeply on keeping Americans safe over the long haul. Preserving, protecting, defending America is the mission that we have' Pompeo hit out at former president Barack Obama's (left) so-called Iran nuclear deal. He also brought up former Vice President Joe Biden (right) and his claim he did not oppose Obama's decision to kill Osama bin Laden when he told reporters in 2012 he told then-president 'don't go'. 'We do expect retaliation against American citizens now, correct?' Todd aksed the secretary of the Department of State. 'You're concentrating on the second and the moment. President Trump is focused deeply on keeping Americans safe over the long haul. Preserving, protecting, defending America is the mission that we have,' Pompeo said. 'It may be that there's a little noise here in the intermittent, that the Iranians make the choice to respond. I hope that they don't. 'President Trump has made clear what we will do in response if they do. That our response will be decisive and vigorous just as it has been so far.' In his Sunday morning criticism of the Obama administration, Pompeo also brought up former Vice President Joe Biden, and the 2020 presidential candidate's claim that he did not oppose Obama's decision to attack and kill then-al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in May 2011. The Secretary of State made the rounds on Sunday morning political news shows after President Dondald Trump ordered an attack on an Iraqi airport in Baghdad that killed top Iranian military general Soleimani on Friday While on the campaign trail in Iowa, Biden changed his story about the 2011 Navy SEAL mission that resulted in bin Laden's death. 'As Commander in Chief, if you were ever handed a piece of intelligence that said you could stop an imminent attack on Americans but you have to use an airstrike to take out a terrorist leader would you pull the trigger?' a Fox News reporter asked Biden. Biden, who was VP at the time said: 'Well we did - the guy's name was Osama bin Laden.' 'Didn't you tell President Obama not to go after bin Laden that day?' the reporter followed up. 'No, I didn't,' Biden asserted before getting on his campaign bus. That is in a contradiction to a story Biden told eight years ago during a 2012 congressional Democrat retreat in Maryland, where he described a tense 2011 strategy session ahead of the raid. 'Mr. President, my suggestion is, don't go - we have to do two more things to see if he's there,' Biden said of the strategy session at the time. Solemani was classified as a terrorist by the Obama administration. Solemani, whose funeral drew thousands of people on Saturday, was classified as a terrorist by the Obama administration. Iranian mourners react as Soleimani's body passes by them at his funeral in Iraq Supporters of Hezbollah carry Hezbollah flags and pictures of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force Qasem Soleimani as they shout slogans 'Death to America' Several politicians and political pundits have criticized Trump's directive to take out the Iranian terrorist leader, but the president insists more attacks will come if Iran decides to retaliate against the latest hit. He specifically said in a tweet Saturday that the U.S. would carry out attacks on '52 Iranian sites,' which he said was 'representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago.' Ten madrassa students held in connection with the violence that took place during anti-citizenship law protests in the city on December 20 have been granted bail. (Photo Credit: File Photo) New Delhi: Ten madrassa students held in connection with the violence that took place during anti-citizenship law protests in the city on December 20 have been granted bail. The SIT found the students not involved in any serious offence and withdrew all charges against them except that of violation of prohibitory orders, the prosecution said. It has been learnt that 18 people were released after being found innocent in the SIT investigation. Over 70 people had been arrested for violence during the protests against the amended Citizenship Act here. On Saturday, activist, actor and Congress worker Sadaf Jafar, ex-IPS officer S R Darapuri, Pawan Rai Ambedkar and thirteen others were granted bail in Lucknow. The court of Additional Sessions Judge SS Pandey asked the accused to furnish two sureties of Rs 50,000 each and personal bonds of an equal amount. The judge had reserved his orders on the bail applications of Jafar, Darapuri and the other accused on Friday, after hearing the individual pleas as well as the submissions of the government lawyer. Jafar and others were arrested on December 19, 2019 for protesting against the amended citizenship law in Lucknow. According to government lawyer Deepak Yadav, the Hazratganj police had booked the accused on December 19 under IPC sections, including 147 (rioting), 307 (attempt to murder), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 120B (criminal conspiracy). 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?" For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A drunk driver has ploughed into a group of young German tourists in northern Italy, killing six of them and injuring around a dozen other people, Italian authorities said. The accident in the town of Lutago, near the Austrian border in the South Tyrol region, happened shortly after 1 a.m. The group of Germans had spent the evening at a nightclub and were gathering to board their bus when the car slammed into them at high-speed. Some of them were propelled dozens of metres by the impact. Six were killed, a fire service official in Lutago told AFP. Eleven others were injured, including two from the region. Two who were in a very serious condition were flown by helicopter to a hospital in Innsbruck in Austria. The nine others were taken to regional hospitals. According to Rainews24, the driver was a 28-year-old man who lived locally. He had a high blood alcohol content and was driving particularly fast, a Carabineri police official in Brunico told Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity. Police concluded that the accident was not an act of terrorism. The driver was arrested and put in hospital under a police guard. More than 150 emergency workers were mobilised following the tragedy, and a field hospital was set up by the roadside to provide first aid. The largely German-speaking autonomous region of northern Italy, with its ski resorts in the Dolomites, is a popular tourist spot. Lutago, located at 970 metres in the picturesque Aurina valley, is a village of about 800 residents and the location for a popular Italian television series "A un passo del ciel" ("One step from heaven"). Last week, three Germans - a woman and two girls, one of them aged seven - were killed in an avalanche in South Tyrol. (Agencies) Former Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic won the second round of presidential election on Sunday, according to results from the State Electoral Commission, Trend reports citing Reuters. With over 99 percent of votes counted, Milanovic scored 52.7 percent of the votes in Sunday's presidential runoff against the incumbent President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic who got 47.3 percent. A total of 11 candidates competed in the first round of presidential election on Dec. 22, 2019. Milanovic, who was running as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and several other center-left parties, won in the first round with nearly 30 percent of the votes, while Grabar-Kitarovic, a conservative candidate supported by the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), came second with almost 27 percent. Since none of the candidates had obtained over 50 percent of the vote, a second round with the top two candidates was held on Sunday. According to the State Electoral Commission, nearly 55 percent of over 3.8 million eligible voters had cast their ballots in the presidential runoff. The Croatian president is elected once every five years. In his victory speech on Sunday night, Milanovic promised that he will listen and represent all citizens. Grabar-Kitarovic congratulated Milanovic on his victory. "I am giving my hand out to Zoran Milanovic to show the voters how a peaceful transition of the government looks like," she said. Milanovic, 53, served as Croatian prime minister from December 2011 until January 2016. WATERLOO The American economy is going great, Democratic candidate for president Tom Steyer said but only for corporations. Speaking promptly at 6 p.m. Saturday evening inside the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum in Waterloo to a crowd of a couple hundred, the Need to Impeach and NextGen founder made the case he was the best person to debate and win against President Donald Trump. (Trump says), Youre all going to vote for me because the Democrats are all a bunch of socialists who dont know anything about business or the economy, Steyer said. Instead, Steyer said Trump was a terrible steward of the economy, noting the trade war with China that has killed American farmers as well as the exemptions to the Renewable Fuel Standard. Somebodys gotta take him down. Nobody has ever been able to call me a socialist, Steyer said. We have a fake, hollow success that isnt reaching the working people, and somebodys gotta take him on and say it. There is nothing I would rather do than take on a loudmouth bully who is hurting Americans. Bridget Saffold, a nurse who also runs the group Focus on Diabetes, asked Steyer how he planned to turn out African Americans to vote for him, particularly as Waterloo has the highest percentage of African Americans in Iowa. Steyer talked about the bank he started with his wife, Kat Taylor, devoted to economic justice that particularly helped support women and minorities starting small businesses. He noted he was for reparations in the form of investing billions in historically black colleges and universities, and said it was important the federal government retell the story of America with regard to black peoples contributions over the last 400 years. In Berlin, Germany, he noted the monument dedicated as an apology to victims of the Holocaust, and noted there was no such acknowledgment of wrongdoing with regard to slavery in the U.S. Were not going to be the country we want to be until we start telling the truth about what happened in the last 400 years, Steyer said. Saffold said afterward that she saw Steyers bus as she was driving to go shopping Saturday and decided to drop in. He brought up reparations, which I have to give him a big high-five on, because people dont really talk about that, she said. Saffold said shes appreciated both U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker for their engagement in Waterloos black community Warren took a tour of black-owned businesses, while Booker has his Waterloo headquarters located in the heart of the African-American community. But she hasnt yet decided. I really liked what I heard, she said. Others were similarly going to as many campaign events as they could before deciding, like Cindy Li of Iowa City Steyer was her third so far, but she liked him better than Pete Buttigieg and Andrew Yang, she said. I think, with the questions, (Steyer) took his time to be more in-depth versus repeating what he already said, Li said. Mark Conklin of Waverly stood in the photo line and spoke one-on-one with Steyer for a bit, particularly about Conklins belief there should be an upper-age limit on elected officials. While Steyer didnt commit to that, Conklin still liked what he heard on climate change an issue Steyer spent quite a bit of time on Saturday night and term limits, as Steyer said he favors a 12-year limit for those in Congress. I like him more (than the other candidates) hes straightforward, he said. I watched him down at the Iowa State Fair and he said (to a question), Right now, I dont know the full extent. When I think about other candidates, theyd just snowball it. Besides Waterloo, Steyers five-day People Over Profits tour also stopped in Hampton, Mason City and New Hampton in Northeast Iowa on Saturday. Steyer is currently polling at an average of 2.5% among likely Iowa Democratic caucusgoers, according to Real Clear Politics. Thats about where he was polling when he entered the race in July 2019, and puts him in the company of Sen. Cory Booker, polling at an average of 2.8%, and businessman Andrew Yang at 2.3%. Though hes met the threshold of 225,000 unique donors to qualify for the Jan. 14 presidential debate in Des Moines, Steyer hasnt yet met the polling threshold: He has two qualifying polls where hes reached 5%, and needs two more at that 5% level to be on the stage. Photos: Presidential candidates campaign in the area. Love 0 Funny 5 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 07:18:12|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's premier tech show, will kick off on Jan. 7 in Las Vegas. More than 4,500 exhibitors will launch nearly 20,000 new transformative tech products to more than 170,000 attendees, encompassing 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, smart cities and resilience, sports, robotics and more, according to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), organizer of the CES. "Trends on the show floor will include the latest in 5G and mobile connectivity, vehicle technology, smart cities and digital health," CTA President and CEO Gary Shapiro told Xinhua in an interview ahead of the annual show. "Top Chinese companies, including BYTON, Changhong, DJI, Haier, Hisense, Huawei, Konka, Lenovo, Segway, TCL and ZTE, are returning to CES 2020, along with hundreds of others," Shapiro said. CES 2020 will feature new and expanded exhibit areas, 300 conference sessions with 1,100 speakers, and more than 1,200 startups from over 45 countries. Some 1,550 new exhibitors will join this year's show, according to the CTA. CES 2020 will run from Jan. 7 to 10. President Donald Trump warned Saturday night that the United States would hit Iran harder than ever before if Tehran retaliates to the assassination of one of its top generals. He tweeted: "If they attack again, which I would strongly advise them not to do, we will hit them harder than they have ever been hit before!" Trump followed up with another tweet, saying the US would use its "brand new beautiful" military equipment "without hesitation" if the Iranians retaliate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) THE Bombo Radyo Philippines is eyeing to expand its power and reach in the country in 2020. The radio network, which has a dominant presence in 24 key cities, will hold its traditional top level management conference (TLMC) in Iloilo City on Jan. 6-11, 2020. Multi-awarded businessman Rogelio Florete, Bombo Radyos chairman emeritus, is still leading the 31 strong AM and FM radio stations. For this year, he said Bombo Radyo will set up AM and FM radio stations in more cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, bringing its coverage to at least 30 key cities nationwide. As the media mogul is clearing the way for Bombo Radyos leadership transition to Margaret Ruth Florete, the networks president and chief executive officer, Bombo Radyo dictates the pace among its competitors by keeping In Step with Digital Technology, which is the TLMC theme this year. All area managers, station managers, news directors and chief technicians are to be assembled in one roof. They will be told to use the strong Bombo Radyo content to conquer digital platforms. Bombo Music Festival Margaret Ruth is inviting all music-loving Ilonggos not to miss the once-a-year chance to experience the third National Bombo Music Festival on Saturday, Jan. 11. The 12 finalists will perform live at the newly renovated West Visayas State University Cultural Center in La Paz, Iloilo City. The Bombo Music Festival is the networks contribution to to Filipino music. A 31-piece Bombo Symphony Orchestra will provide the live accompaniment for the interpreters. A prestigious board of judges will select this years Bombo Music Festival champion and other top winners. The finalists songs have been playing in all Bombo Radyo and Star FM stations. Their songs are available for listening or download in all digital platforms, including Spotify, ITunes, YouTube Music and Google-Music. This years heavyweight jury is composed of Ryan Cayabyab, the National Artist and Magsaysay Awardee in Music; Vehnee Saturno, certified gold record producer and renowned composer; young hit makers and artists Bituin Escalante and Myrus Ramirez; and Jesuit composer Fr. Peter Pojol. With the death of one more infant on Saturday at the state government-run JK Lon Hospital here, the toll touched 107 since December 1, officials said. A multi-disciplinary team of the Union ministry of health and family welfare, sent on Thursday, began a probe into the deaths. Chief medical and health officer, Kota, Dr BS Tanwar said that the team will investigate the reasons behind the infant deaths after interacting with the hospital authorities and will also track the private hospitals and other government health centers from where such infants were referred. The central team will give its report to the GoI [Government of India and also Rajasthan government, he said. A team of the experts and pediatricians including Dr Kuldeep Singh, head of the pediatrics and dean academics, AIIMS Jodhpur, Dr Deepak Saxena, senior regional director, Rajasthan, H&FW, GOI, Dr Arun Singh, professor of neonatology, AIIMS Jodhpur and Dr Himanshu Bhushan advisor, NHSRC, MOHFW visited the hospital and sought information about the hospital and infant deaths. Congress president Sonia Gandhi had sought an explanation from Gehlot on Friday and asked state incharge Avinash Pande to discuss the issue with the party leadership. She had also asked state Congress chief Sachin Pilot to visit the hospital and assess the situation. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma had earlier claimed that the number of infant deaths at the hospital was less compared to the number of deaths during the previous BJP regime. Gehlot had said the government acted quickly and initiated immediate measures after the deaths. Meanwhile, deputy chief minister and Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot termed the his governments response to infant deaths at the hospital as not satisfactory and added that accountability should be fixed on people who are responsible for the situation. Pilot talked to media persons after visiting aggrieved families at the hospital on Saturday said that The death of so many infants at the JK Lon Hospital in less time is heart-wrenching and it has shaken up the whole country, as its mostly the poorest among poor who comes to the hospital.. An investigation is being done on whether there was any lack of facilities, administrative issues, criminal negligence or any other reason, Pilot said. But accountability for deaths needs to be fixed, he said. You cannot escape responsibility by merely comparing the figures of the infant deaths with the past, he said referring to the official version of the government. Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota MP Om Birla met the aggrieved families of deceased infants in Kota on Saturday. While addressing media, Birla said that The death of the infants is a serious issue and I have written two letters to the CM for taking steps to check further death of infants. I will stand with the Rajasthan government to prevent further deaths of infants. Regarding the deaths, superintendent of the hospital, Dr Suresh Chand Dulara said that maintenance of equipment is being undertaken and new equipment and staff are being brought in. A high alert has been issued along the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh, according to police. Basti range IG Ashutosh Kumar informed that there is information about two terrorists trying to enter UP via the Basti-Gorakhpur range. The high alert has been issued in districts including Siddharthnagar adjacent to Nepal. READ | J-K: Police Arrests Lashkar-e-Taiba Terrorist After He Escaped From An Encounter READ | MASSIVE: Trump Claims Iran's Gen Soleimani Planned "terror Plots As Far Away As Delhi" Police informed that photos of both the terror suspects have been found. Local intelligence agencies have been put behind the two individuals Khwaja Moinuddin and Abdul Samad. READ | Terrorists Hurl Grenade On CRPF Personnel In Srinagar, Vehicles Damaged READ | J&K: Lashkar-e-Toiba Terrorist Nisar Dar Arrested By Police & Security Forces In Srinagar This article is for investors who would like to improve their understanding of price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll show how you can use China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited's (HKG:2319) P/E ratio to inform your assessment of the investment opportunity. Based on the last twelve months, China Mengniu Dairy's P/E ratio is 31.28. That means that at current prices, buyers pay HK$31.28 for every HK$1 in trailing yearly profits. Check out our latest analysis for China Mengniu Dairy How Do I Calculate China Mengniu Dairy's Price To Earnings Ratio? The formula for P/E is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Share Price (in reporting currency) Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for China Mengniu Dairy: P/E of 31.28 = HK$28.48 (Note: this is the share price in the reporting currency, namely, CNY ) HK$0.91 (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2019.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio implies that investors pay a higher price for the earning power of the business. That isn't a good or a bad thing on its own, but a high P/E means that buyers have a higher opinion of the business's prospects, relative to stocks with a lower P/E. Does China Mengniu Dairy Have A Relatively High Or Low P/E For Its Industry? The P/E ratio indicates whether the market has higher or lower expectations of a company. As you can see below, China Mengniu Dairy has a higher P/E than the average company (15.9) in the food industry. SEHK:2319 Price Estimation Relative to Market, January 5th 2020 Its relatively high P/E ratio indicates that China Mengniu Dairy 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 Generally speaking the rate of earnings growth has a profound impact on a company's P/E multiple. Earnings growth means that in the future the 'E' will be higher. 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 It's nice to see that China Mengniu Dairy grew EPS by a stonking 43% in the last year. And its annual EPS growth rate over 5 years is 12%. I'd therefore be a little surprised if its P/E ratio was not relatively high. A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank The 'Price' in P/E reflects the market capitalization of the company. That means it doesn't take debt or cash into account. In theory, a company can lower its future P/E ratio by using cash or debt to invest in 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). How Does China Mengniu Dairy's Debt Impact Its P/E Ratio? Since China Mengniu Dairy holds net cash of CN3.3b, it can spend on growth, justifying a higher P/E ratio than otherwise. The Bottom Line On China Mengniu Dairy's P/E Ratio China Mengniu Dairy's P/E is 31.3 which is above average (10.7) in its market. Its net cash position is the cherry on top of its superb EPS growth. So based on this analysis we'd expect China Mengniu Dairy to have a high P/E ratio. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. 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. But note: China Mengniu Dairy 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. WhyArts community program director Stephanie Anderson said shes seen the performers become more seasoned theater veterans since their first camp three years ago. Stage fright has faded into confidence and more fast-paced rehearsals. We see that these performers have the same potential that anyone else has, but theyre not always given the opportunity, Anderson said. One of the lead actresses, Reggie Stednitz, is a repeat performer. Stednitz said she looks forward to her parents watching her performance as the yellow submarine and a dancing baby shark. With some prompting from her buddy, Shelby Hindman, Stednitz said her favorite parts of camp this year have been the shadow puppetry and dancing during the last musical number. Several of the WhyArts staff also have returned year after year, Anderson said. Cairncross even came home from London to participate in this years production (and visit family, of course), Anderson said. For some performers, the camp built the necessary skills and confidence to try theater productions and dance classes in the wider community, Bentzinger said. WASHINGTON Presidential impeachments are inevitably fueled by reciprocal political furies, so the Senate's role, although called a trial, is imperfectly analogous to one. Senate jurors are, by profession, partisans; none is disinterested. Alexander Hamilton warned (Federalist 65) that impeachments would divide the nation into "parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused" and that the final decision would reflect less "real demonstrations of innocence or guilt" than the comparative strength of "pre-existing factions." So when Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., says, "I'm not trying to pretend to be a fair juror," he is flamboyantly coarse, as is his wont, but within the parameters of expected behavior. Jeffrey Tulis of the University of Texas says the Framers assumed that the Senate would not be "as tightly tethered to factionalism and political passion as the House." But this assumption became anachronistic with the emergence of political parties, direct election of senators and the eclipse of Congress by the modern presidency. Under today's degenerate norms, party loyalties extinguish legislators' concerns for their institutions' duties and residual dignity. An impeachment process requires the Senate, as Tulis says, "to recompose itself into a new institution an impeachment court." Members take a juror's oath: "I solemnly swear (or affirm) that in all things appertaining to the trial of ____, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws." This, Tulis says, reminds senators "that they are not sitting as senators" but as jurors. But not as jurors are usually understood. In theory, for the trial's duration the Senate is, in Tulis' words, "a new institution with new rules, new norms and new responsibilities." In fact, the theory is incompatible with the political dynamic Hamilton foresaw, and with new norms reflecting the dominance of presidents and parties. Most of today's Republican senators will think of themselves only as senators and, worse, as modern senators: passive passengers on a minor planet, the Senate, orbiting the presidential sun. Democratic senators, too, have been complicit in creating, through sloth and carelessness, today's swollen executive, and are equally subservient to presidents of their party. When Rep. Sam Rayburn, D-Texas, who was speaker for 17 of his 48 years in the House, was asked "You served under eight presidents, didn't you?" Rayburn replied, "I did not serve under any presidents. I worked with eight presidents." This constitutional-political world has vanished. According to Tulane Law School's Stephen Griffin, the House's 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 president's 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. Today's impeachment has had benefits and will have more. Attentive Americans already have learned much about the difficulty and potential perils of lassoing a runaway president with a lariat woven of concepts such as "abuse of power" (which presidents were innocent?) and "obstruction of Congress" (how defined, and by whom?). Soon Americans will learn much, not about the president he is an open comic book who has read himself to the country for years but about senators, a slew of whom aspire to be his successor. Intelligent, informed, public-spirited Republican senators can conclude that because America is riven by recriminations hurled by irreconcilable factions, and because institutions are indiscriminately distrusted, it is imprudent to remove the president 10 months before voters can neuter him. Or such senators can decide that this president's deeds, regarding Ukraine and in frustrating congressional investigation thereof, are execrable but insufficient to justify truncating a presidential term that is almost 75% percent over. Or blinkered Republican senators can affirm the president's self-assessment as perfect yet persecuted. And incandescent Democratic senators can demand his removal due process and valuable norms be damned because he threatens due processes of law and valuable norms. Senators must now risk indecent exposure of their minds. In 10 months, voters will decide what to do about the president's malignant frivolousness. George F. Will is a columnist for The Washington Post. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (C), Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff US army general Mark A. Milley (R) speak on stage during a briefing on the past 72 hours events in Mar a Lago, Palm Beach, Fla., on Dec. 29, 2019. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) US Military Would Only Strike Lawful Targets in Response to Iran: Pompeo Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that any target the U.S. military may strike in Iran, in retaliation to a possible attack on America or its interests by Tehran, would be a lawful target orchestrated solely to safeguard American interests, as Iran announced it would end its commitment to the 2015 nuclear deal. In a Jan. 5 interview with ABCs This Week, Pompeo said hes seen what the Pentagon is planning in terms of the target set, adding that the Department of Defense is continuing to develop options. He said any U.S. military action wont break the laws of armed conflict, adding that the current administration has changed its strategy about how it combats threats from Iran. The American people should know that every target that we strike will be a lawful target, and it will be a target designed with a singular mission, of protecting and defending America, Pompeo said. The Iranian regimes top military official, Qassem Soleimani, was killed early on Jan. 3 in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport. President Donald Trump ordered the strike following repeated attacks in recent months on bases hosting U.S. troops in Iraq by Iranian-backed Shiite terror groups. On Dec. 27, 2019, one such attack killed a U.S. defense contractor and injured four U.S. troops and two Iraqi Security Forces members. The Islamic Republic of Iran has been at war with the United States and its allies since 1979, when the regime took power, and it has since carried out massive numbers of terror attacks, Peter Huessy, a senior defense consultant and director of strategic deterrent studies at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, told The Epoch Times. The Iranian IRGC directed these attacks, and thus the administration taking out its head thug was a welcome, long overdue, and perfectly legal developmentthe first serious military pushback against Iran since Reagan, Huessy said. In April, the United States officially designated Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which was led by Soleimani, as a foreign terrorist organization. The Trump administration has abandoned the previous U.S. administrations focus on countering Iranian proxy groups, said Pompeo, who suggested the U.S. strike in Baghdad that killed Soleimani is an example of the new strategy. Were going to respond against the actual decision-makers, the people who are causing this threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pompeo said. Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies International Security Program, told The Epoch Times that the United States has a lot of experience aligning its air campaigns with the laws of war. Strikes on Iran would likely be limited to military targets, particularly the Quds force, of which Soleimani was the head and which has led the strikes on U.S. forces, he said via email. The legality will be disputed. White House lawyers will argue that any strikes were in self-defense. The Iranians will argue that strikes violated its sovereignty and were acts of aggression. Trump commented a day earlier on Twitter, warning Iran that if the regime attacks Americans, Washington would target 52 Iranian sites some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture. The laws of armed conflict prohibit the deliberate targeting of cultural sites under most circumstances. Pompeo said the president doesnt want war but added that he would not shy away from protecting America. Iran, meanwhile, remains the worlds worst state sponsor of terrorism, according to the Country Reports on Terrorism 2018 report published by the U.S. Department of State on Nov. 1, 2019. The regime has funded such international terrorist groups as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The [Iranian] regime has spent nearly $1 billion per year to support terrorist groups that serve as its proxies and expand its malign influence across the globe, the report said. Iran Nuclear Deal Iran said on Jan. 5 that it would no longer abide by any of the limits of its unraveling 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Tehran would be abandoning the accords key provisions that block the regime from having enough material to build an atomic weapon. The Iranian regime had already formally breached that deal months ago, when officials announced they had begun to increase uranium enrichment above a previously agreed purity limit. Iranian officials announced the increase on July 7, 2019, in line with earlier signals that they planned to push ahead with raising uranium enrichment to a 5 percent concentration. In a live news conference that day, senior Iranian officials said Tehran would keep reducing its commitments every 60 days unless European signatories of the pact protected it from U.S. sanctions. Iran insisted on a state television broadcast that it remained open to negotiations with European partners, who so far have been unable to offer Tehran a way to bypass U.S. sanctions and sell its crude oil abroad. It also didnt back off from earlier promises that it wouldnt seek a nuclear weapon. Tensions between Iran and the United States and its allies, including Saudi Arabia, have risen since Washington pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report After years of war, Libyas economy often seems to be characterized by whats missing rather than whats there. Speak to entrepreneurial Libyans and theyll often tell you whats lacking, from reliable electricity to transport networks, experienced management or up-to-date regulations. One businessman sums it up as a lot of missing encouragement for startups. Whats also missing is finance. Simply put, there arent many places a young business can go if it wants to raise money. Moaad Zagzoie, chief executive of local mobile games developer Techneon Group, says local banks will offer credit, but most are afraid to give loans without guaranteed personal involvement from members in the banks management or someone well-known. Most start-ups have to find other means, like local competitions or small grants from accelerators. A more typical image of Libya in recent years, south of Tripoli, Libya May 2019 Perhaps the biggest missing element, though, is the lack of peace. Since April 2019, Khalifa Haftars Libyan National Army (LNA) has been trying to seize Tripoli from the internationally-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). A dangerous proxy war has developed, drawing in players from around the region including Turkey and the UAE. Fighting continues close to the city in early 2020, but for residents the proximity of battle is relative. The fight is more than 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the center of Tripoli so its a really far place from where we are, says local executive Ahmed Albibas. In this challenging environment, there is still money available for those who know where to look. Techneon has raised up to 1 million Libyan dinars ($714,000) from a group of local business owners Zagzoie met through a few personal connections acquired from participating in a local competition. Story continues Anonymity is preferred in Libya, where affluent locals stay under the radar for fear of kidnapping or worse. He declines to name the backers though. Anonymity is preferred in Libya, where affluent locals stay under the radar for fear of kidnapping or worse. People with money want to be low profile these days, says Tariq Benarwin, founder of co-working space 1st Centre, which also runs an investor-entrepreneur matchmaking service. We have our own networks of businessmen or people who have inherited lots of money and we match them with businesses, he explains. Such personal connections are everything. Another young company which managed to navigate this route is iStudy, which has developed an app allowing parents to keep an eye on the progress of their children in school. Its chief executive Zakaria Gwaila turned to friends and family to gather the initial capital to start his business, raising enough for three members of staff for a year. Thats a typical fundraising method for startups all over the world. The real difficulty in Libya is finding larger, follow-on investments. Some international assistance is helping to improve the situation, such as the Stream incubator and accelerator, which opened in Tripoli in November. It is backed by the UK government and run by Expertise Francethe French public agency for international technical assistancein partnership with local mobile telecoms company Libyana. It also runs a matchmaking service and offers grants of 5,000 to 9,000 ($5,600 to $10,000). For some it will be enough to grow their business, says Victoria Dussardier, project manager at Stream. For some who are quite advanced its not enough if they want to scale up or go international, so its also a way for them to have enough cash to be able to go and find other investors. The interior of the Stream incubator in Tripoli Raising money is made harder by the lack of transparency. You cant really know who invested in what, says Sohaib Sbeta, project manager at another co-working site in Tripoli, Space340. Techneon used the money it raised to buy new hardware and pay the salaries of the companys staff for two years, but Zagzoie says he is hoping to raise another $200,000 by the end of 2020 to hire more people and possibly secure a new officebigger and betterin Europe. The country he is aiming for is Estonia, but securing that money is unlikely to be easy. Many start-ups are struggling to find investors who are interested in long-term investment, he says. What the business environment is lacking is people who are willing to invest in services, new solutions to daily tasks, willing to support anything new. Libyas extreme political challenges have meant local startups havent been able to easily capture some of the advantages of being regionally categorized as part of the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) when it comes to funding. While startups in Sub-Saharan Africa get decent amount of coverage and input from Silicon Valley and other Western funding centers, North African startups have enjoyed a different geographical advantage. With backing from wealthy Gulf nations, they are able to access significant funding pools solely dedicated to the MENA region and can expand to and operate in Middle East markets more easily than startups in other African regions. Different image Libyan business executives say the public perception of entrepreneurs is slowly improving and that may, in time, lead to a greater willingness to lend money to young companies. The situation is being helped by initiatives such as the Sleidse (Support to Libya for Economic Integration, Diversification and Sustainable Development) program, set up by Frances foreign ministry and the European Union. There are lots of services that dont exist. If you start a business the chances of succeeding are very high. In its efforts to raise awareness about entrepreneurship, foster small business development and facilitate access to finance, it has organized bootcamps in Tunisia and Libya, set up the Libus online business school and a coding academy. In September, a further 800,000 in funding was announced for Sleidse, adding to the previous 7.8 million. There is also the 7 million, EU-funded EU4PSL program, which works with government ministries, civil society organizations and credit guarantee funds to improve the business environment. There are ideas for other programs too. We plan to work on venture capital but, as you might imagine, there are many barriers to that, says Elsa Berry a spokeswoman for Expertise France. Libya is not connected to international financial markets. This is a key issue. For those right at the beginning of their business plans, some microfinance is also available, backed by funding from the UK and others. Two microfinance agencies have been set up in Tripoli and Benghazi in partnership with Assaray Trade and Investment Bank, which between them have LD15 million ($10.1 million) to channel through to small entrepreneurs. Funding isnt the only problem for entrepreneurs though. The World Bank reckons that only four other countries have a less welcoming business environment. Basic services like power and decent wifi can be hard to come by and personal safety is a constant consideration. But for businesses which can raise funding, those conditions also mean they might not face many rivals. Competition is pretty low, says Benarwin. There are lots of services that dont exist. If you start a business the chances of succeeding are very high, especially if its a new idea. Sign up to the Quartz Africa Weekly Brief here for news and analysis on African business, tech and innovation in your inbox Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: U.S. Designates Iraqi Shi'ite Militia As Foreign Terrorist Organization By RFE/RL January 04, 2020 WASHINGTON -- The United States has designated Asaib Ahl Al-Haq as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), saying the Iraqi militia is a proxy for Iran. The U.S. State Department statement on January 3 said that it was also sanctioning two of the group's leaders. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the militia and its leaders "violent proxies of the Islamic Republic of Iran." The State Department said Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, also known as the League of the Righteous, is backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, which has been similarly designated by the United States. The State Department said it also designated Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, and his brother Laith al-Khazali, another leader of the group, as specially designated global terrorists. Such designations will freeze the U.S.-related assets of the group and the two leaders, generally ban Americans from doing business with them, and make it a crime to provide support or resources to the militia. The move comes hours after a U.S. drone strike killed the powerful commander of the elite Quds Force in an attack in Baghdad, igniting outrage in Iran. Qasem Soleimani, one of the most powerful military men in Iran, was killed in an attack on two vehicles at Baghdad's international airport in the early morning hours of January 3. Tehran has vast influence and supports many Shi'ite militias based in neighboring Iraq. Baghdad has attempted to balance its relations between the United States and Iran, both of which provide crucial military and financial support to the struggling government. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-designates-iraqi- shi-ite-militia-as-foreign-terrorist -organization/30359784.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Our Divisions Copyright 2021-22 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. Northwestern Ontario may not have had much farmland the thing most immigrants to Canada were looking for in the late 1800s and the early 1900s but it had plenty of other economic assets: beautiful scenery for tourists, abundant fish stocks, vast forests of marketable timber, promising mining sites and huge lakes and powerful rivers that could be harnessed to generate hydroelectric power, the new engine of economic growth. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 4/1/2020 (737 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Northwestern Ontario may not have had much farmland the thing most immigrants to Canada were looking for in the late 1800s and the early 1900s but it had plenty of other economic assets: beautiful scenery for tourists, abundant fish stocks, vast forests of marketable timber, promising mining sites and huge lakes and powerful rivers that could be harnessed to generate hydroelectric power, the new engine of economic growth. Focusing on the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake watershed in his new book, Jamie Benidickson recounts how the exploitation of these valuable resources over the next 100-plus years either preserved the regions natural environment (Quetico Provincial Park, for example) or, more often, degraded it such as with the mercury poisoning at Grassy Narrows First Nation. Benidickson teaches environmental law at the University of Ottawa, and is a member of the Centre for Environmental Law and Global Sustainability. This is essentially a metropolis-hinterland story. But, as Benidickson shows, there were really three metropolitan centres pulling the development levers in northwestern Ontario: Toronto, Ottawa and Winnipeg. In fact, all three capitals initially claimed the region. Ottawa argued that by signing treaties in the region, Indigenous Peoples had conveyed "every acre... to the people of Canada and not to the people of Ontario." Winnipeg maintained that Manitoba needed to annex the region for its rich timber resources and to get a port on Lake Superior. Toronto won the contest in court in the late 1880s, but by the early 1900s, Winnipeg needed more hydroelectric power and a better source of drinking water. Since Winnipeg was the gateway to western expansion, Ottawa played a critical role in making sure it got both. To generate more electricity, Winnipegs power producers required a "dependable flow" of water through the Winnipeg River that is, a flow that did not wane in the winter. To get it, Ottawa planned to "store" the water for the winter months behind dams built at the outlets of the two northwestern Ontario lakes that flowed into the Winnipeg River: Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul. When Toronto balked at the plan in 1921, Ottawa introduced legislation declaring the dams to be for the "general advantage" of Canada. Toronto immediately denounced the legislation as an invasion of provincial authority to serve extra-provincial interests. But the only real political resistance to the project was based in the hinterland itself. Soon, Toronto was reconciled to providing Winnipeg with "dependable flow" and Ottawa repealed the offending legislation. The result was that Winnipeg got more hydro power and the people living around the Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul got flooded shorelines and the fluctuating water levels required to produce electricity. The impact on Aboriginal wild rice cultivation, navigation and domestic water supply was Benidickson says, "commonly dismissed or inadequately considered." As for drinking water, Winnipeg has piped it in from Shoal Lake in northwestern Ontario since 1919. But, as Benidickson notes, the water aqueduct divided Shoal Lake 40 First Nation in two, forcing part of the community onto an island without road access and onto a long-term boil-water advisory. This is not a "detail" one would expect to find in a history of Canada or even of Winnipeg. But herein lies the value of Benidicksons regional environmental history: it offers the backstory on the environmental cost to northwestern Ontario in the making of Winnipeg. He says he offers this volume as "a potential source of guidance to those concerned with managing other shared water systems." If we are to do better in the future, we need to understand where we went wrong in the past. David Leitch is a lawyer representing First Nations in northwestern Ontario. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Image: Twitter/@BSKoshyari) Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has approved the allocation of portfolios as proposed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said on Sunday. The list of portfolios to be allocated to ministers was sent to the governor on Saturday evening, state NCP chief Jayant Patil earlier said. The governor has approved the allocation of portfolios, a spokesperson of the Raj Bhavan said. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government is facing criticism from the opposition BJP for delay in the allocation of portfolios despite being in power for over a month now. Chief Minister Thackeray and six of his council members - two each from the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress - took oath on November 28. Thackeray expanded his month-old ministry on December 30 by inducting 36 ministers. When her children asked if they could take taekwondo lessons, she was torn. She thought that learning a martial art could help them with their behavioral issues, but money was tight. Ms. Ramirez, a single mother, usually works three jobs two in security and one as a home health aide. But she had been forced to take time off after a recent operation on her wrist. When I saw the price, I thought, I cant do $200, she said. I was really stressed about it, and then I got the call. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, one of the seven organizations supported by The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund, told her that it would pay $178 to cover the cost of 12 taekwondo lessons and uniforms at Champions Martial Arts in the East Village. The children started the lessons in November. I didnt even know how to react, it was such a blessing, she said. Ms. Ramirez first reached out to Catholic Charities about a year and a half ago when she signed Edwin up for Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring. The program is a Catholic Charities affiliate. By PTI MUMBAI: The police have registered a case of rape against a senior official of a leading private insurance firm here for allegedly raping a woman colleague after promising to marry her. Accused Harikrishnan V H (45), who is the head of the digital department of the company, has not been arrested yet, the police said on Sunday. The 43-year-old woman, who hails from Pune, said in her complaint that between November 2017 and September 2019, when she was living in Mumbai, the accused befriended her, and raped her at her flat in suburban Andheri many times, having promised to marry her. Later he refused to marry her, the woman alleged. She first approached Kondva police station in Pune, from where the case was transferred to Mumbai on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner of Police Ankit Goel said that while a case under IPC sections 376 (rape) and 417 (punishment for cheating) was registered, no arrest had been made so far. President Trumps decision to take out terrorist mastermind Qassem Soleimani has had the predictable effect on Democrats. Where once they derided him for weakness and sought to impose the vision of Benghazi on the assault on our embassy in Baghdad, they now criticize Trump for his bad manners. They say that politics makes strange bedfellows, but this is insane. Joe Biden joined the Democrats parade on behalf of Soleimani. He too would give the orders to take out a terrorist leader. Biden put it this way: No matter how rightly reviled he was in the West, he was a senior figure in the Iranian government. Students of ancient history may even recall that the Obama administration treated the Iranian regime as something of a friend to be raised up and empowered. Biden nevertheless wanted no one to question his manliness. He too would give the order under the right circumstances. Indeed, he says, he counseled President Obama to do so in the case of Osama bin Laden. He had this exchange with Peter Doocy on Friday: As commander in chief, if you were ever handed a piece of intelligence that said you could stop an imminent attack on Americans but you have to use an airstrike to take out a terrorist leader would you pull the trigger? Fox News asked Biden. Well we did the guys name was Usama bin Laden, Biden replied. Didnt you tell President Obama not to go after bin Laden that day? Fox News followed up. No, I didnt, Biden said. Doocy observed that Biden is rewriting his own version of events (see the video below): Thats not the story Biden told almost eight years ago during a retreat in Maryland for congressional Democrats, as he described a tense 2011 strategy session ahead of the raid. Mr. President, my suggestion is, dont go we have to do two more things to see if hes there, Biden had said in January 2012 of the strategy session. Bidens rewrite is not a recent development. This past June the Washington Examiners Jerry Dunleavy provided a detailed account of the Biden rewrite in From Dont go to Go: Joe Biden has told opposite stories about his advice on Osama bin Laden raid. Given Bidens lack of mental acuity, one might wonder whether Bidens memory was playing tricks on him. Dunleavys article, however, suggests that Bidens revision of history is a product of intention and forethought rather than accident. Cardi B is no stranger to getting political. Although it's not necessarily evident in her music, she does use her social media and celebrity platforms to shed light on injustices. Sometimes, she even chimes in on political and social issues revolving the lives of everyday Americans. So it should come as no surprise that Cardi had some thoughts on the Trump-authorized military airstrike that killed general Qasem Soleimani. The rapper hit Twitter to chime in on the matter while also delivering some quality memes to the WWIII talk. First, she acknowledged the hilarious memes before digging into the matter at hand. "Naaaaa these memes are fuckin," she wrote alongside a slew of laughing emojis. "but shit aint no joke ! Specially being from New York. Its sad this man is putting Americans live in danger.Dumbest move Trump did till date ...Im filing for my Nigerian citizenship." She added that she's "Picking my tribe." She did get in on the meme fun, sharing images of herself and her daughter Kulture in traditional Nigerian headwear. Cardi recently performed in Nigeria and Ghana where she appeared to have a ball. While making her debut in Africa, she hit the strip clubs, where she made it rain, and also donated diapers, waters, and other supplies to an orphanage in Nigeria. Clearly, West Africa holds a special place in Cardi's heart. By ANI MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said here on Saturday that center would be pushed back on the issue of Citizenship (Amendment) Act. "The government has said that it will not move an inch. Well, you might not move but we will push you out. This much power we have," said Raut while addressing an event here. In an apparent reference to the Maharashtra state assembly results following which Shiv Sena had cut ties with BJP, Raut said that it was a lesson for the whole country. "Maharashtra's lesson to the country is to not to fear anyone. We have shown the way to the country", he said. Earlier on Friday, Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah had reiterated his party's firm stand on the Citizenship Amendment Act asserting 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 in Jodhpur. Shah also accused Congress of spreading misinformation over the issue. 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. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images On Meet the Press on Sunday, overzealous Iran hawk and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave quite the understatement for his expectation of how the conflict with Iran will unfold in the days following the targeted killing of Qasem Soleimani early on Friday morning in Baghdad. When host Chuck Todd asked Pompeo if he could confidently say America is safer today, he responded absolutely. Todd followed up, asking how that perspective could accommodate the administrations expectation of retaliation on American citizens. Pompeo replied by accusing Todd of concentrating on the second and the moment. It may be that there is a little noise here in the interim and that the Iranians make the choice to respond, Pompeo said. I hope that they dont. President Trump has made clear what we will do in response if they do, then our response will be decisive and vigorous just as it has been so far. WATCH: @chucktodd presses @SecPompeo on his statement that America is "absolutely" safer today after the killing of Soleimani. "We do expect retaliation on American citizens, correct?" "It may be that there's a little noise here in the interim." #MTP #IfItsSunday pic.twitter.com/xYqM7ZYFOd Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 5, 2020 Its a statement that cant age well, considering that the White House warned Congress the day before that it anticipates retaliatory action within weeks. If the administrations own prediction is fulfilled, Pompeos little noise is going to have quite the echo. Already, the fallout from the killing of Soleimani is proving too substantial for Trump allies to manage with Sunday talking points: On Sunday, Tehran announced its full withdrawal from any commitments made in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, otherwise known as the Iran deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran will end its final limitations in the nuclear deal, a government statement read. Therefore Irans nuclear program will have no limitations in production including enrichment capacity and percentage and number of enriched uranium and research and expansion. The news came hours after the Iraqi parliament approved a measure to work toward ending the presence of all foreign troops on Iraqi soil. Even Pompeo suggested that the noise could get a little louder, claiming on Sunday that the administration will respond with great force and great vigor if the Iranian leadership makes a bad decision. Trump, for his part, made it deafening, when he referred to his own tweets as notice to Congress of a potential future strike on Iranian targets: These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2020 Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. NAIROBI, Kenya Al-Shabab extremists overran a key military base used by U.S. counterterror forces in Kenya before dawn Sunday, killing three American Department of Defense personnel and destroying several U.S. aircraft and vehicles before they were repelled, U.S. and Kenyan authorities said. The attack on the Manda Bay Airfield was the al Qaeda-linked groups first attack against U.S. forces in the East African country. Five attackers were killed, Kenyan military spokesman Paul Njuguna said. Al-Shabab, based in neighboring Somalia, claimed responsibility for the assault. One U.S. serviceman and two contractors with the U.S. Department of Defense were killed in the fighting, according to a statement issued late Sunday by the U.S. Africa Command, or Africom. The attack on the compound involved indirect and small arms fire. After an initial penetration of the perimeter, Kenya Defense Forces and U.S. Africa Command repelled the al-Shabaab attack, said the statement. Reports indicate that six contractor-operated civilian aircraft were damaged to some degree. Manda Bay Airfield is utilized by U.S. forces whose missions include providing training to our African partners, responding to crises, and protecting U.S. interests in this strategically important area. Al-Shabab claimed there were 17 U.S. casualties, nine Kenyan soldiers killed and seven aircraft destroyed. U.S. Africa Command dismissed the al-Shabab claims as exaggerated and said U.S. and Kenyan forces repelled the attack. A large plume of black smoke rose above the airfield Sunday and residents said a car bomb had exploded. Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia told the Associated Press that five suspects were arrested and were being interrogated. Kenya is a key base for fighting al-Shabab, one of the worlds most resilient extremist organizations. The militarys Camp Simba in Lamu county, established more than a decade ago, has under 100 U.S. personnel, according to Pentagon figures. U.S. forces at the adjoining Manda Bay airfield train and give counterterror support to East African partners. 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. Al-Shabab has launched a number of attacks inside Kenya, including against civilian targets such as buses, schools and shopping malls. The group has been the target of a growing number of U.S. air strikes inside Somalia during President Trumps administration. The latest attack comes just over a week after an al-Shabab truck bomb in Somalias capital killed at least 79 people and U.S. air strikes killed seven al-Shabab fighters in response. Abdi Guled, Tom Odula and Cara Anna are Associated Press writers. A Bangladesh court ordered the arrest Sunday of former chief justice Surendra Kumar Sinha and 10 others on charges alleging they embezzled nearly half a million dollars, a prosecutor said. "All of them are fugitives from justice," prosecutor Khurshid Alam Khan told AFP, adding Sinha was accused of embezzling money and laundering it from one bank account to another. Sinha headed the South Asian nation's Supreme Court for a landmark verdict on judicial independence that went against the government, but fled Bangladesh in late 2017 amid allegations he had been forced to step aside. Opposition groups and rights activists said the departure of Sinha, a Hindu, was a blow to the credibility of the judiciary in the Muslim-majority country. Sinha, 68, now lives in North America. He was the first Hindu to be made chief justice of the officially secular Muslim-majority nation of 168 million since its independence from Pakistan in 1971. Sinha's departure came after a rare statement from the Supreme Court in October 2017 said other judges had accused him of graft and refused to sit with him on the top bench. Just months earlier, Sinha had led the Supreme Court in a decision that scrapped parliament's power to sack top judges. The ruling overturned a 2014 constitutional change introduced by authoritarian Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In a written statement issued before he left the country, Sinha expressed dismay over criticism he had faced from the government over the ruling, saying he was "worried about the independence of the judiciary". He later wrote a book titled "A Broken Dream: Rule of Law, Human Rights & Democracy", detailing the saga, saying he had been forced to resign and flee after being threatened by a military security agency. Surendra Kumar Sinha was the first Hindu to head the Supreme Court in Muslim-majority Bangladesh JERUSALEM 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. Its 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. air strike near Baghdads international airport on Friday. 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 air strike. Iraqi 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 Irans 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 air strikes over the weekend that killed 25 of his fighters. The militias fall under the umbrella of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces, 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. Hezbollah: 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. 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 U.N. experts has accused Tehran of providing arms to the rebels, including the long-range missiles they have fired into Saudi Arabia. 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. 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 Hamas 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. Hamas appears to get most of its aid from Qatar, making it less likely that it would rally to Tehrans side in a regional conflict. But Islamic Jihad, still smarting from the recent fighting, could join in any regional conflict by firing rockets. Joseph Krauss is an Associated Press writer. Photo: Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage Please allow Vulture to pitch a cool new game as we enter 2020: the Terry Gilliam Stop Doing Interviews Challenge. The Monty Python star and tenured director did a new interview with Britains Independent under the guise of discussing his eternally gestating film, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, but, a few minutes in, he sharply turned the conversation to the intricacies of #MeToo and modern masculinity instead. Im tired, as a white male, of being blamed for everything that is wrong with the world, Gilliam explained. I dont like the term black or white. Im now referring to myself as a melanin-light male. I cant stand the simplistic, tribalistic behavior that were going through at the moment. Gilliam, who joked that hes decided to become a black lesbian in transition, added that this type of remark was the backbone of the Pythons humor but they werent offending people because it made others laugh. Im talking about being a man accused of all the wrong in the world because Im white-skinned. So I better not be a man, he said. I better not be white. Okay, since I dont find men sexually attractive, Ive got to be a lesbian. What else can I be? I like girls. These are just logical steps. Gilliam also got riled up thinking about the #MeToo movement and how women have been blaming higher-ups for abuse of power. Were living in a time where theres always somebody responsible for your failures, and I dont like this, he explained. I want people to take responsibility and not just constantly point a finger at somebody else, saying, Youve ruined my life. Gilliam, echoing director Michael Haneke, also compared the hundreds of #MeToo accusations within the Hollywood community as a witch hunt. Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan 5 (ANI): The Meerut district administration has issued a notice to as many as 134 people who were allegedly involved in the violence in connection with the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protests here. Meerut city Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Pandey told ANI, "A notice has been issued through police stations to 134 people who had alleged involvement in the incidences of violence that occurred on December 20." "As per the reports provided by Meerut Municipality, Meerut Development Authority (MDA) and Public Works Department (PWD), public properties worth 48 lakhs were destroyed in the protest," he added. Speaking further, he added: "The notice was issued based on the footages and videos of the violence and we have sent notices to those people who were seen carrying weapons during the clash." The official also stated that the city's law and order is under control now. Recently, Uttar Pradesh police released a video alleging that a few violent protestors had tried to set some police personnel on fire during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the area on December 20. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday made a surprise visit at Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) in Sector-28, Panchkula and inspected the reading of the meter measuring the quality of the water after the treatment. According to a press release, Khattar later expressed satisfaction over the quality of treated water. The release stated that it was worth mentioning that sewerage water from sectors 23 to 28 flows into the treatment plant. As per the guidelines of Green Tribunal Authority, the water is cleaned through the plant and poured into the Ghaggar river. The Chief Minister also directed the officials that treated water from this plant should be utilised in various parks in the city instead of pouring into Ghaggar river. He also directed the officers of Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) to explore the possibility to utilize this water to grow vegetables in the vacant land near the STP. With this, the vacant land, as well as precious water, could be utilized, he added. Among those present on this occasion included Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Ahuja, Deputy Commissioner of Police Kamaldeep Goyal and Haryana State Pollution Control Board Chairman Ashok Khetrapal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 16:57:53|Editor: zh Video Player Close Smoke rises from a U.S. millitary base in Lamu County, Kenya, Jan. 5, 2020. The Somali extremist group al-Shabab said it has attacked the U.S. military base in Kenya's coastal Lamu County on Sunday morning. The police said the airstrip used by the U.S. marine was destroyed and aircraft were burned. (Xinhua) LAMU, Kenya, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Somali extremist group al-Shabab said it has attacked the U.S. military base in Kenya's coastal Lamu County on Sunday morning. The police said the airstrip used by the U.S. marine was destroyed and aircraft were burned. "There was a lot of gunfire between the militants and soldiers in the military base. Some aircraft and vehicles belonging to the U.S. were burnt," a police officer who declined to be named told Xinhua. But the Kenyan military said in a statement that the airstrip was safe after soldiers repelled the attack and killed four attackers. Paul Njuguna, spokesman of the Kenya Defense Forces, said that the Manda airstrip, which is near a military camp that is estimated to host more than 160 U.S. soldiers, is safe after an attempt to raid it by the Somali extremist group was successfully repulsed. "The attempted breach was successfully repulsed. Four terrorists' bodies have so far been found," Njuguna said in a brief statement. "The airstrip is safe," he said, adding that "arising from the unsuccessful breach a fire broke out affecting some of the fuel tanks located at the airstrip. The fire has been put under control and standard security procedures are now ongoing." Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack in Lamu County, saying their fighters' "suicide infantry" was involved in the attack. "Our fighters inflicted severe casualties on both U.S. and Kenyan troops, destroyed U.S. military aircraft and vehicles," al-Shabab said in a statement. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 10:45:25|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Death toll in the collapse of a six-story building in southwest Cambodia's Kep province on Friday has risen to 22, a provincial spokesman said on Sunday. "By 8:10 a.m. (local time) on Sunday, 22 people were confirmed dead, and 23 others were injured in the building collapse," Kep Provincial Information Department director and spokesman Ros Udong told Xinhua. He said all of the victims were Cambodian construction workers and their family members. "The rescue operation is still going on, and is expected to be completed at noon today," he added. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, who has led the rescue team to search for the people trapped under the collapsed building, said the building came down at around 4:30 p.m. (local time) on Friday in Kep city when workers were pouring concrete to build the seventh floor. More than 1,000 rescuers had taken part in the rescue operation, and 12 excavators, four crane trucks, 10 ambulances, five firetrucks, and more than 10 dumper trucks had been used to remove the debris of the collapsed building. An official at the Kep Provincial Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction said the building's owner had applied for a license to construct a five-story building, but he illegally built it up to seven floors. Located about 160 km southwest of capital Phnom Penh, the coastal province of Kep is an emerging tourist destination, and the province is known for its seafood and tropical islands. An online headline on an NJ Advance Media article recently asked: This massive road project will cost $900M. Is it worth it? The most obvious answer, if you travel regularly in South Jersey, is: Itll be worth it when they finally stop doing it. The story served as an annual checkup on the Direct Connection, that attempt to untie the knot of congestion and confusion that awaits motorists at the junction of I-295, I-76 and Route 42. The choke point is, literally, the crossroads of limited-access highway travel for Gloucester, Camden and Burlington counties, with what should be convenient connections to Philadelphia and Atlantic City. As things stand, navigating the course, plus the added construction-related lane shifts, is anything but convenient. Alas, like a groundhog seeing its Feb. 2 shadow, the annual checkup brought the news that there will be at least four more years of construction until completion of the long, dark winter of Direct Connection work. State Department of Transportation officials have reasons why the project is about two years behind schedule, but they will seem like excuses to harried drivers. Progress has, indeed, been made. You cant miss the short, tunnel-like covered roadway where eastbound traffic coming from the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges merges with three lanes of traffic headed north toward Cherry Hill from I-295 and Route 42. For what its worth, the DOT says that some temporary ramps it built mitigated some possible traffic snarls. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, says hes already seen some improvement in congestion. Maybe. It still sticks in peoples craws, however, that New Jersey spends so much money and time on this sort of project. This one began in 2013, but it seems like longer. And, while some reports about the cost of per-mile road building in New Jersey being way above any other state are suspect, concrete panels, sound barriers and such do not come cheap. (One local mayor, years ago, pointed out one study showing that planting trees reduced highway noise for residential neighbors at least as effectively as all the precast cement.) But, people who live elsewhere in New Jersey should understand that the Direct Connection is not an outlier as far as cost goes. We in South Jersey deserve relief just as much as those in the more populous north. When the Gateway Tunnel rail project is conservatively estimated at $12 billion, its unfair to beef that a critical South Jersey road upgrade tops out at a mere $900 million. While South Jersey awaits its Nirvana at the exit ramps, the DOT and NJ Transit should be aware that smaller things can make a difference. Back in 2012, NJT endorsed creation of express bus lanes along Route 42 for just $46 million but inexplicably said theyd take eight years to build. This was supposed to be a reasonable remedy for the fact that another delayed project, a light rail line through Gloucester County, would not run along the Route 42 corridor. Its 2020. Still no express lanes. Heck, still no light rail. And, can we mention the existing signs on roads that form the Direct Connection? Theres room for improvement. Even with GPS or Waze, motorists must make split-second lane-change decisions aided only by overhead signs showing several road icons with from and to, all running together. Good luck if you just arrived at Philadelphia International from Phoenix and are guiding your unfamiliar rental car to Atlantic City. Talk about distracted driving. Wonder if thats why there are so many crashes where these roads converge? Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Today: In the streets of Tehran, Iranians are mourning the loss of General Qassim Suleimani. My colleague Farnaz Fassihi on what they feel theyve lost. Its Tuesday, January 7. archived recording [CHANTING] farnaz fassihi Monday morning was the start of the official state funeral for General Qassim Suleimani. archived recording [SINGING] farnaz fassihi By 8:00 a.m., there were millions of people out in downtown Tehran. He was being celebrated as a national hero, but also as a religious martyr and a saint. archived recording [SINGING AND DRUMMING] farnaz fassihi There were families. There were men, women, children. They had the symbolic Shia ritual symbols out feathers, swords, drums, music, eulogies, songs. archived recording [CHANTING] farnaz fassihi And the crowd also had a very anti-American and defiant mood. People were sad, but they were also very angry, and we heard a lot of revenge, revenge, and no more negotiations with the U.S., its time for battle, chanted by the crowd. archived recording (ayatollah ali khamenei) [SPEAKING] farnaz fassihi Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, recited the Muslim prayer of the dead on General Suleimanis coffin. archived recording (ayatollah ali khamenei) [SPEAKING] farnaz fassihi In the middle of the prayer, several times he paused and openly cried. archived recording (ayatollah ali khamenei) [SPEAKING] [CROWD MOANING] farnaz fassihi And the crowd also wept very loudly with him. As a reporter whos covered Iran for over 25 years, what struck me was that the people who had attended were not just supporters of the regime, but a lot of people who were generally very critical of the regime. michael barbaro Hmm. farnaz fassihi To be clear, there are plenty of Iranians who did not love or respect General Suleimani. But there were activists, there were opposition figures who had been jailed by the regime who attended. And when I asked them, why are you there? Why are you going? The response was, General Suleimani protected our national security. He transcended politics. He was a national hero. And I was talking to some young people who had attended his funeral, and I spoke to a 22-year-old young man, a university student, and I asked him, why are you at the funeral? And he said, knowing General Suleimani was out there made me feel safer. He was like a security umbrella above our country. And thats a sentiment that I heard over and over. michael barbaro You know, what youre describing feels like the kind of unified national outpouring that is reserved for a small handful of figures in any country, right? I mean, a beloved president, a civil rights leader like Martin Luther King in the United States, not for what our colleagues have described as a general who specializes in covert operations in Iran. farnaz fassihi I think its difficult for most people in the United States and outside of Iran, and perhaps the region, to grasp the unique place and role that General Suleimani played in Iran and in regional politics. He was singlehandedly the most revered and influential character in Iran. michael barbaro So how did Suleimani cultivate that role? How did he make Iranians feel that way? Where does that story start? farnaz fassihi In many ways, General Suleimanis story begins with the story of Irans revolution in 1979. [music] farnaz fassihi He was a young man working construction jobs in the small city of Kerman in the southwest, from a low-income family. michael barbaro Mm-hmm. farnaz fassihi His education was high school diploma level, and he got swept up in the revolution, in the promise of Islam becoming the foundation of a government, and of promises to empower the oppressed and low-income class in Iran, which had been neglected and sidelined under the pro-Western monarchy of the shah. So General Suleimani gets a job at the local water plant and volunteers for the local chapter of the Revolutionary Guards, and quickly rises up and shows a lot of promise as a military man. When the war with Iraq happened in the 1980s, he was a commander for eight years. And after the war ended, he was named the commander of the Quds Forces. And that was really the beginning of the Quds Forces, and the Islamic Republics ambition to create a paramilitary in the region, and to kind of export the idea of an Islamic revolution of Shia dominance outside of the borders of Iran. michael barbaro And why does Iran, and someone like Suleimani, want to export this revolution? farnaz fassihi The Islamic Republic theocracy was the first time that a Shia government had come to power in the Middle East. The Islamic faith is divided along Sunnis and Shias, and the division and rivalry go back all the way to the early days of Islam and the succession of Prophet Muhammad. And Shias have always been a minority in the faith. With Saudi Arabia sort of as the custodian of the Sunni faith, Iran has, for centuries, wanted to establish itself as the protector of the minority Shias. And the theocracy of the Islamic Republic gave them the foundation and the structure to do that. And as soon as they had established their government in power in the country, they started looking externally. And General Suleimani was pivotal in expanding the ambitions of Irans military and political apparatus in the Middle East. michael barbaro And how exactly does he do that? farnaz fassihi So General Suleimani was instrumental in elevating Irans strategy in the region through the proxy militia groups that it had created. And he started in Lebanon, where Iran had already created two Shia militia groups, Amal al-Islami and Hezbollah, and he helped them in their fight with Israeli soldiers that were occupying Lebanon, and later on in the battles that Hezbollah and Lebanon fought. General Suleimani also becomes very involved with Palestinian militant groups Hamas, Islamic Jihad who also see an alliance between their ideologies and Islamic Republic of Iran. michael barbaro And when you say that Suleimani becomes involved in these groups, what does that actually mean? What is he doing? farnaz fassihi He helps them come up with battlefield plans, and he dispatches his underlings to go and train and fund and form these groups, providing them with weapons, providing them with money, and providing them with strategy. And he gains this reputation of being the shadow commander, the man whos everywhere but nowhere. If General Suleimani is present on the ground, then Iran is present. michael barbaro So under Suleimani, Iran is making itself felt across the Middle East through these relationships to these militias. Does that strategy succeed? farnaz fassihi Irans strategy succeeds, but its limited to the shores of the Mediterranean with Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. But that changes in 2003 with the United States invasion of Iraq. [music] michael barbaro Well be right back. archived recording U.S. warships and planes launched the opening salvo of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The attack came in waves michael barbaro So Farnaz, how exactly did the U.S. invasion of Iraq provide an opportunity for Suleimani and for this strategy that hes pursuing for Iran? farnaz fassihi Until the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the country was ruled by Saddam Hussein and Sunnis, and Shias who were aligned to Iran were marginalized. When the United States toppled Saddam Hussein, Shias rose to power, and many of these Shia leaders and political and religious figures had very close ties to Iran. And Iran really seized that opportunity. It used these contacts and networks and relationships to gain influence and penetrate Iraqi society. And General Suleimani once again becomes the pivotal character in helping realize this strategy and this aspiration. michael barbaro So an unintended consequence of America invading Iraq is that it ends up empowering Iran. farnaz fassihi When I was living and working in Iraq in those early days after the invasion, most of the Sunni Iraqis that we would meet and interview would say that the U.S. invasion delivered Iraq on a golden platter to Iran. michael barbaro Wow. So what does Suleimani do with this opening that he sees in Iraq? farnaz fassihi General Suleimani uses the opening to further expand Irans influence in Iraq and in the region. He helps create Shia militia. He recruits allies, a network of politicians, religious men and militant groups who were loyal to Irans ambitions in Iraq. The Shia militia that he helped create were also responsible for attacks on U.S. soldiers, for the killing of U.S. soldiers, and for civilian deaths. When the Civil War started in Syria in 2011, Iran vowed to keep President Bashar al-Assad in power. Mr. Assad and his constituents are an offshoot of Shia Islam, and religiously and politically aligned with Iran. This is where Iraq comes in. Because of the relationships and networks and influence that General Suleimani had in Iraq, he was able to use Iraq by land and by air to funnel support for Syrias war. Weapons, missiles, even soldiers that were trained in Iran were shipped to Syria by way of Iraq. michael barbaro So Suleimanis strategy in Iraq it doesnt just fend off the Americans who have invaded there. It means that Iran and Suleimani could use Iraq to assist allies like Assad in Syria and in all these other battles throughout the region. farnaz fassihi Exactly. Iraq becomes a geographic extension of Iran and its interests in the region. And by the time ISIS takes over parts of Syria in Idlib and parts of Iraq in Mosul, the Iraqi government and even the Americans were at wits end on what to do to battle this growing threat of ISIS. michael barbaro So what does the rise of ISIS mean for Iran, and what does that mean for Iranian influence and for Suleimanis role? farnaz fassihi The rise of ISIS was a threat to Iran. It was an existential threat to the Shia government of Iran, because ISIS represented the most extreme version of Sunni faith. And again, General Suleimani mobilizes. He goes to Iraq and he repeats a true and proven formula once again by recruiting volunteers, the instrumental ground force in helping the United States and Iraqs army to battle ISIS. Therefore, Mr. Suleimani, although hes seen as a foe of the United States, in the battle of ISIS actually becomes a default ally. For General Suleimani, the rise of ISIS was a turning point. He went from being a commander in the shadows, a mystery figure, to being a household name. michael barbaro Hmm. And why is he suddenly a public figure because of ISIS? farnaz fassihi Because Iran wanted to counter ISISs propaganda machinery. archived recording 1 ISIS is using its cash and media-savvy Western militants to recruit and radicalize. archived recording 2 The branded content. Theyre mixing graphics, moving images, music, chants, all the archived recording 3 cataloging and posting in near real time their war crimes. farnaz fassihi They utilize social media and Twitter and Facebook to recruit, to spread their propaganda to target their messaging. archived recording And this is a mujatweet, a short, promotional video which shows a softer side of jihad. Here, a Belgian hands out ice cream to excited Syrian children. farnaz fassihi And they create a personality around their leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the same way that Al Qaeda had created a personality around Bin Laden. So in response to ISISs very successful propaganda campaign, Iran decides to turn General Suleimani into the public face of the so-called resistance, and somebody that Shias could love and emulate and respect. archived recording Enter Qassim Suleimani. Here he is, celebrating gun in hand. farnaz fassihi His pictures began appearing in public in battlegrounds, videos of him visiting soldiers unannounced. archived recording Hes been up and down the country in the North, in the South, in the capital, checking up on the defenses, mobilizing the Shia militias, making sure that the Iraqi states are able to confront the threat from ISIS. farnaz fassihi Videos of him reciting poetry, saying that he wants to become a martyr, the highest honor in Islam, and join his friends. archived recording General Suleimani is increasingly being elevated and recognized as a key player on the world stage as Iranian influence in the region grows. farnaz fassihi So by 2014, Mr. Suleimani is so well-known that his pictures are being printed on T-shirts, and his posters are sold in shops in Damascus and Beirut and Tehran. michael barbaro Wow. farnaz fassihi And that summer, his mother passed away, and the funeral of his mother in Tehran became the whos who event of every militant group in the Middle East. From the head of Hamas, to Islamic Jihad, to senior members of Hezbollah, all showed up to pay respects to the general that they saw as the patron of their cause and movement. michael barbaro Hmm. So this is vivid evidence that he is very much the source of power in the Middle East that all these groups owe him. Theyre literally showing up at his door. farnaz fassihi It was like watching a king hold court. And that was really the first public glimpse that we got of his status regionally, and what he means to these groups. michael barbaro So at this point in 2014, how is Suleimani viewed by the U.S.? Im struck that all of these figures and groups that youre describing as turning out to pay respects to Suleimanis mother at this funeral, they are all pretty much mortal foes of the U.S. farnaz fassihi So the U.S. was watching him, but not really taking action. And that was really in line with the previous administrations policies of engagement with Iran, and not escalating confrontation. That changed with the election of Donald Trump as president. michael barbaro Right, and the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal that President Trump ordered. farnaz fassihi Yes. Since the withdrawal of the Iran nuclear deal by the U.S., Iran and the U.S. have been on a collision path, increasingly taking provocative actions and policies toward one another. archived recording The past 48 hours saw a dangerous escalation in the feud between Washington and Tehran. farnaz fassihi Culminating these past few weeks of violence in Iraq archived recording 1 An American contractor was killed on an Iraqi base. archived recording (mark esper) The Department of Defense took offensive actions by launching F-15 Strike Eagles against five targets. archived recording Protesters stormed the American Embassy, and the U.S. says Iran is responsible. farnaz fassihi that ultimately led to the decision by President Trump to assassinate General Suleimani. michael barbaro Right. Because in the minds of U.S. officials, Suleimani is very much responsible for those actions. farnaz fassihi Exactly. michael barbaro And Farnaz, how much do you think that the very public role that Suleimani occupied, and that Iran created for him and wanted for him how much do you think that that played a role in the Trump administrations decision to take him out, the understanding of what it was he represented to Iran? farnaz fassihi I think the Trump administration may have not known what he represented to Iran. michael barbaro Hmm. farnaz fassihi I think that they miscalculated the level of admiration, perhaps, or nationalistic sentiment that weve seen pouring out of Iran. I think the White House probably thought that it was taking out a military commander, that it may not be very popular with ordinary Iranians, that theres been a lot of discontent in November against the government, and maybe Iranians would support this decision. For sure, we have voices in Iran, outside and inside Iran, among Iranians, who think that taking Mr. Suleimani out is justified, and they didnt like him, but what weve seen is that the U.S. has effectively turned General Suleimani into a martyr. michael barbaro So this response that we saw at the funeral on Monday are you saying that the United States may not have expected this? Because it sounds like the U.S. understood one aspect of Suleimanis role in Iran, as the leader of this military strategy, but perhaps they didnt understand something thats equally as important, which is what he meant in the hearts of Iranians. farnaz fassihi I think thats absolutely right. And I think, you know, we have to remember Iran has been an island of stability in a region ablaze with terrorism and car bombs and beheadings and kidnappings and women being sold by ISIS. And Iranians have, like, watched the whole region unravel around them refugees and displacement for the past 20 years. And by and large, they credit General Suleimani for that. They say that they trusted him and respected him for protecting Iran, for keeping Iran safe. And I think the outpouring of emotion we see is related to that sentiment. michael barbaro Help me understand this idea, because the strategy that you have described over the past decade of violence and provocation that Suleimani oversaw and he came to personify, it doesnt feel protective. Why did it feel that way to Iranians in a way that the U.S. might not have understood? farnaz fassihi You know, Michael, thats a really good question, and its one that Ive struggled to understand myself. This is a man who was responsible for a lot of violence and a lot of mayhem in the region, and a lot of activity that most Iranians may not agree with, that do not like. But because they felt that it gave them a buffer between their day-to-day lives inside Iran and the instability and violence happening all around the Middle East, they came to respect him and view him as a protector. [music] michael barbaro What does Suleimanis meaning to people in Iran what does that mean for the response we should expect from the government there? farnaz fassihi The public momentum is building, and pressure is building, on Irans leadership to take action. At the funeral this morning, millions of people were out. archived recording [CHANTING] farnaz fassihi They were carrying the red flag of Shia Islam, which is a call to battle. They were chanting, No to negotiations, no to a deal, only war with the United States. archived recording [CHANTING] farnaz fassihi And the combination of the publics defiant mood and calls for revenge, and the rhetoric were seeing from Iranian officials, increases the possibility that in the next few days or next few weeks, Iran will respond and retaliate. How it will do it, what it will do, we dont know. michael barbaro Farnaz, thank you very much. farnaz fassihi Thank you so much for having me, Michael. michael barbaro The JNU on Sunday night said students opposing the semester registration process "moved aggressively" in a bid to stop those supporting the process, triggering a clash, while "masked miscreants" carrying sticks and rods went on a rampage in hostel rooms. It warned that those who were "trying to disrupt peaceful academic atmosphere of campus will not be spared" and said it is filing a police complaint to bring the culprits to book. Explaining how scuffles turned violent, it said those who had registered in the winter semester wanted to enter the school buildings but they were physically prevented by students agitating against the hostel fee hike. The JNUSU had also called for a boycott of the registration process to press for a complete rollback of the increase in hostel fees. Since Sunday afternoon, the varsity said in a statement, "the campus witnessed scuffles at the schools as well as inside the hostel premises between groups of students who wanted to stop the registration and those who wanted to register and continue their studies." A group of students opposed to the registration process moved aggressively from the front of the administration block and reached the hostels around 4.30 pm. The administration immediately contacted police. "However, by the time police came, the students who are for the registration were beaten up by a group of agitating students opposing the registration," the university added. "Some masked miscreants also entered Periyar hostel rooms and attacked students with sticks and rods," it said, adding a few security guards were also badly injured in the clashes. The JNU administration said it is with the students during the "difficult time". "It is unfortunate that a group of students with their violent means of protests are preventing thousands of non-agitating students from pursuing their academic activities," it added. JNU adminstration appeals to all the stakeholders to maintain peace on the campus. The registration process started on January 1 but a group of students opposed to it made the servers used in the process dysfunctional on January 3, according to the university. This led to the discontinuation of the registration process on January 3. A police complaint was filed immediately identifying the students. However, on January 4 morning, the technical staff again made the CIS functional. "Immediately, thousands of students started registering by paying the new hostel room rent. A group of students who are bent upon stopping the registration process, again entered the CIS premises with a criminal intent to make the servers dysfunctional," the varsity said. The varsity alleged that the students damaged the power supplies, broke the optical fibres and made the servers dysfunctional again disrupting the registration process. A police complaint was again filed against the miscreants. "For the past few days, the group of agitating students also closed the buildings of some Schools preventing the non agitating students, staff and the faculty members," the varsity said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RACINE Mayor Cory Masons appointments to newly reconfigured city committees has sparked a conversation about the lack of female leadership at City Hall, despite women being the majority on the City Council. The city has condensed the six committees pertaining to city development the City Plan Commission, Community Development Committee, Downtown Area Design Review, Landmarks Preservation Commission, Loan Board of Review and the Redevelopment Authority of Racine down to four committees: Planning, Heritage and Design Committee; Community Development Authority; Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board; and the Board of Zoning and Appeals. Diverse decision-makers Mayor Cory Mason submitted his list of nominees for the newly restructured committees to the City Council earlier this month for approval. A few aldermen voiced concerns that many of the same people were appointed on multiple committees. Mason, Alderman Trevor Jung of the 9th District, Mario Martinez, Marvin Austin, Christina Hefel and Sam Peete were appointed to both the Planning, Heritage and Design Committee and the Board of Zoning and Appeals. The only difference between the members of the two committees is Alderman Mollie Jones of the 2nd District, who previously sat on the Landmarks Preservation Commission, was appointed to the Planning, Heritage and Design Committee. I think it is important to diversify who is on these committees, said Alderman Melissa Lemke of the 15th District. Mason said the reason for the overlap was that the committees cover similar subject matters. If the members are familiar with the items on the agenda, they can move more expeditiously, said Mason. Mason also pointed to the racial diversity of the appointees. I would say they are the most racially diverse group of committee appointments that weve seen on these kind of committees in a long time, said Mason. And I think its overdue to diversify the people who chair and serve on these committees. But one group that was mostly absent was women aldermen. Six women were nominated to the committees, but only one is a sitting alderman, Alderman Mollie Jones. Out of the eight positions reserved for aldermen on the new boards, seven of those nominees were men. The Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board had the most women nominees with three, but they are outnumbered by a male civilian appointee, the mayor, council president and chairs of the three standing committees Finance and Personnel, Public Safety and Licensing and Public Works and Services all of whom are men. Both Alderman John Tate II from the 3rd District and Trevor Jung from the 9th offered to rescind their nominations in order to open up those spots for women aldermen. Mason stated they should wait until after the start of the year, so those committees will have a quorum at their meetings at the beginning of January. Also, in Tates case, the ordinance creating the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board explicitly states that it includes the standing committee chairs. Tate is chair of the Public Works and Service committee. If people wanted to propose that moving forward it could be any four alders to allow for a larger breadth of consideration of whom might be considered and it not be tied to committee chairs, that would certainly be an appropriate communication that could be communicated in the new year, said Mason. Lemke pointed out that that would still not address the lack of women in leadership positions on the council. For the first time we have a majority plus one and theres almost no women on the standing committee leadership, said Lemke. This needs to change. So far, based on who has filed for the spring 2020 election, women aldermen could lose their a majority after April 7. Alderman Tracy Larrin of the 4th District resigned in November and Alderman Sandy Weidner of the 6th District has filed for non-candidacy. So far the candidates who have filed for those districts are all men. Only one woman has filed so far to run against a male incumbent: Stacy Sheppard has filed to run against Alderman Henry Perez of the 12th District. Conflict of interest? Weidner raised concerns about the nomination of William Martin to chair of the Community Development Authority, which is one body that makes decisions about how intergovernmental funds are used. Martin, the citys chief information officer, is a contractor paid by Racine County Economic Development Corporation with intergovernmental funds granted to RCEDC to cover consulting services related to economic development. Essentially he would be chairing the committee that makes decisions about the funds that were used to finance his position. Lemke also expressed concerns that Martins initiatives such as Smart City projects would go before the committee he chairs. The appointments were passed 9-4. Aldermen Mollie Jones, John Tate II, Jen Levie, Maurice Horton, Q.A. Shakoor II, Trevor Jung, Mary Land, Natalia Taft and Jason Meekma voted in favor. Aldermen Sandy Weidner, Carrie Glenn, Henry Perez and Melissa Lemke voted in opposition. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Davido, has said he wont go to America till the tension between the country and Iran is over. Tension began between the United States of America and Iran after US drone strike ordered by President Trump assassinated a top Iranian commander, Qasem Soleimani. Trump, in a statement from his Mar-a-Lago resort on Friday, said he ordered the assassination of the commander to stop a war and not to start a war, a statement which seems to have fallen on the deaf side of Iran. Reacting to the on-going tension, Davido wrote: Not going to America till the draft is over !! Crazy ass Trump trynna have me shouting Shekpe from Iran. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Paul Taylor Hobgood Jr., 72, of Waldorf, MD passed away peacefully although unexpectedly on January 2, 2020 at his residence. Born on October 10, 1947 in Washington, D.C. he was the son of the late Paul Taylor Hobgood, Sr. and Mary A. (Maxin) Hobgood. Paul proudly joined the United States Army in September, 1966 and served his country honorably. During his enlistment, he received several awards and commendations. He was proud of his service during Vietnam and was honorably discharged in March, 1969. Paul met his wonderful wife, Carolyn M. (Lenzner) Hobgood after he returned from Vietnam. He fell in love with her beauty and kind soul. Together they recently celebrated fifty (50) years of blissful marriage. Their love was evident to all who knew them, respect and admiration were the keys to their successful marriage. He supported his family working for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). He began working for them as a bus driver and moved up within the company, until he became a supervisor working on the rail side. He enjoyed his career and made many wonderful friends throughout his years. He was happy and sad at his retirement in 2001. They say the man is only as great as the legacy he leaves behind. Paul was a pillar in his family and his absence will be felt for generations. He loved his family beyond measure and they are his greatest accomplishments. When he was surrounded by his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchild he embraced their joy and laughter, seeing his own sense of humor come out in their giggles. He was a computer "geek" and enjoyed spending many hours playing on his computer. Paul also enjoyed nature and found peace in sitting beside a lake with a line in the water. Some of his favorite lakes were located in Wisconsin and he loved to take his family with him. He enjoyed being able to introduce his love of camping, fishing and the great outdoors to his family. Paul was greatly loved and will be missed by many family and friends. Paul is survived by his wife, Carolyn M. Hobgood of Waldorf; daughters, Nancy Brookbank (Steve) of Waldorf, MD, Stacy Hobgood of Naples, FL, and Dawn Cappel (Andy) of Colonial Beach, VA; six (6) grandchildren; and one (1) great-grandchild. He is also survived by his brothers, David Hobgood of Annapolis, MD, James Hobgood of Purcellville, VA; and sister, Susan Fry Rayfield of Ocean City, MD. He is preceded in death by his parents. Paul's family will receive friends for a Celebration of Life on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Waldorf Elks Lodge, 2210 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, MD 20601. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers would like donation to be made in Paul's name to American Lung Association, 55 W Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601-1796. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., Charlotte Hall, MD ROSEAU, Minn. - Prosecutors in northern Minnesota accused a man of fatally shooting a woman who yelled at him to hurry up and honked her horn while waiting for him outside his home. Angelo Borreson, 56, was charged Friday with second-degree murder and second-degree assault in the death of 51-year-old Angela Wynne. Borreson told authorities Wynne drove to his home near Badger on Wednesday morning to help him get gas for his vehicle. According to the complaint, Wynne arrived before Borreson was ready to leave and started yelling at him to hurry while honking her horn. Borreson told authorities that he accidentally shot Wynne multiple times. He said he did not mean for his shotgun to fire, the complaint said. He then called 911. Borreson remained jailed Sunday with bail set at $750,000 ahead of a March 16 court appearance, the Star Tribune reported. A message could not be left Sunday for his public defender. Cooling temperatures and calmer winds brought some relief Sunday to Australian communities raked by wildfires, but the heat stayed on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to accept responsibility for the crisis and take action. "There has been a lot of blame being thrown around," Morrison said at a conference. "And now is the time to focus on the response that is being made. ... Blame doesn't help anybody at this time and over-analysis of these things is not a productive exercise." Morrison announced Saturday that he would dispatch 3,000 army, navy and air force reservists to help battle the fires. He also committed 20 million Australian dollars (USD 14 million) to lease fire-fighting aircraft from overseas. But the moves did little to tamp down the criticism that he had been slow to act, even as he has downplayed the need for his government to address climate change, which experts say played a key role in supercharging the blazes. As dawn broke over a blackened landscape Sunday, a picture emerged of disaster of unprecedented scale. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service said 150 fires were active in the state, 64 of them uncontrolled. The wildfires have so far scorched an area twice the size of the U.S. state of Maryland, stretching across Australia's southeast quadrant, its most densely populated. The fires have killed at least 24 people, including a 47-year-old man who died Saturday night while trying to defend a friend's home from encroaching flames. Nearly 2,000 homes have been destroyed. In New South Wales alone, the fires have killed nearly 500 million birds, reptiles and mammals, Sydney University ecologist Chris Dickman told the Sydney Morning Herald. Australians know to expect summer wildfires. But the blazes arrived early this year, fed by drought and the country's hottest and driest year on record. "It's not something we have experienced before," New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. The weather activity we're seeing, the extent and spread of the fires, the speed at which they're (moving), the way they are attacking communities that have never seen fire is unprecedented," she said. Scientists say there's no doubt man-made global warming has played a major role in feeding the fires, along with factors like very dry brush and trees and strong winds. Morrison, chided for past remarks minimizing the need to address climate change, has deflected criticism while trying to change his tone. "There is no dispute in this country about the issue of climate change globally and its effect on global weather patterns, and that includes how it impacts in Australia," the prime minister said. I have to correct the record here. I have seen a number of people suggest that somehow the government does not make this connection. The government has always made this connection and that has never been in dispute, he said. Morrison has faced widespread criticism for taking a family vacation in Hawaii at the start of the wildfire crisis, as well as for his sometimes distracted approach as the disaster has escalated and his slowness in deploying resources. His handling of the deployment of reservists also came in for criticism Sunday. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, who is leading the fight in New South Wales, said he learned of the deployment through media reports. "It is fair to say it was disappointing and some surprise to hear about these things through public announcements in the middle of what was one of our worst days this season, with the second-highest number of concurrent emergency warning fires ever in the history of New South Wales," he said. Morrison was also forced to defend a video posted on social media Saturday that promoted the deployment of reservists and the government's response to the wildfires. On Sunday, cooler temperatures and lighter winds brought some relief to threatened communities, a day after thousands were forced to flee as flames reached the suburban fringes of Sydney. Thousands of firefighters fought to contain the blazes, but many fires continued to burn out of control, threatening to wipe out rural townships and causing almost incalculable damage to property and wildlife. On Saturday, a father and son who were battling flames for two days died on a highway on Kangaroo Island, off South Australia state. Authorities identified them as Dick Lang, a 78-year-old acclaimed bush pilot and outback safari operator, and his 43-year-old son, Clayton. Their family said their losses left them "heartbroken and reeling from this double tragedy. Lang, known as "Desert Dick," led tours for travelers throughout Australia and other countries. Meanwhile, Australia's capital, Canberra, was enveloped in a smoky haze Sunday and air quality at midday was measured at 10 times the usual hazardous limit. In New Zealand, the skies above Auckland were tinged orange by smoke from the bushfires and police were inundated with calls from anxious residents. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Illustrative image (Photo: AFP) China remained the top buyer of Cambodian rice during the year. Exports to China accounted for 40 percent of Cambodias rice total compared to 27 percent in 2018. Cambodia also shipped more than 202,900 tonnes of rice to European markets, down 24.5 percent annually. Director General of the General Directorate of Agriculture Hean Vanhan said Cambodias rice market share in the European Union (EU) dropped to 32.7 percent in 2019 from 43 percent in 2018, due to the EUs imposition of tariff on rice imported from Cambodia to protect producers in the bloc. The General Directorate of Agriculture also reported that China shipped over 620,100 tonnes of rice to 59 countries and the region in 2019, down 0.9 percent from 2018./. London, Jan 5 : British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was the butt of the Twitterati's jokes, as they posted funny comments and memes on his whereabouts. It all started when a Twitter user posted a sketch showing a crowded beach and Boris wearing a Christmas cap peeping from the side: "Wheeeeere's Boris? #wheresBoris." It got 535 retweets and 1.5K likes. Boris Johnson has faced criticism for not cutting short his luxury holiday in the Caribbean with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds in wake of the crisis in the Middle East following an Iranian General's killing by US forces. One user commented: "Boris would never be found on a beach with so many people; Boris would never be on a beach with so many people." One post read: "Stop pissing on my humour bonfire." One user remarked: "Cooling off in a fridge! #NeverTrustATory #NotMyPrimeMinister." One user sought to complete the name: "His name is Johnson." "In the fridge,' said one Twitter user. "Not there. He has a private beach he can't hang out with voters/real workers!!" posted one user. "Oh this is brilliant!" remarked a user. One post read: "Not on a public beach." "It's probably safer to keep Boris out of the way," opined a Twitterati. "Under a pole dancer?" was a tongue-in-cheek response. 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. Northern New Mexico has found a voice to articulate four centuries of pain and pride in the form of a 26-year-old poet named Olivia Romo. By day, Romo is a constituent liaison for Santa Fe County Commissioner Ed Moreno in District 5. Nights and weekends, you might find her reciting one of her epic poems at the annual Congreso de las Acequias in Taos, a watch party for a local heros national TV appearance at Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino or even the National Cowboy Poetry Festival in Elko, Nevada. Romo is well acquainted with the folkways and byways of the Land of Enchantment. In her previous job doing outreach for the New Mexico Acequia Association (NMAA), she traveled the state advising acequia leaders on water rights and transfers, updating bylaws and other matters. The protests of Gabriel Estada of the Rio Gallinas-Roundhouse Ditch scrawled on a piece of notebook paper inspired Romo to write a poem called Fighting the Tragedy of the Commons and create a mixed media art piece that was part of an exhibition called Without Borders last year at the Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo, Colorado. Romos poem Roadrunner: The Chosen Prophet tells the story of blue-eyed invaders, Natives suffering from smallpox and, ultimately, reconciliation, as seen through the eyes of the state bird whose existence long predates statehood. Romo performed Roadrunner at the 35th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering last year and most recently at the Dec. 10 watch party for CNN Hero of 2019 finalist Roger Montoya of Espanola, where she riveted the crowd of more than 1,000 with her electrifying performance. Oddly enough, on the telephone and during meetings, Romo has a quiet voice and a calm, unassuming presence. I feel like I can fly when Im on stage, Romo said. But Ive only gotten to that place after years of performing and with the love and support of my community. A Taoseno, Romo today makes her home in Pojoaque, where she commutes to her job in Santa Fe. But Romos roots lie firmly in Taos, where she is an active participant in Los Hermana/os Comanchitos in Ranchos de Taos. The group just celebrated their feast day on Jan. 1, dancing from the Santuario de San Francisco de Assisi to neighboring homes and valleys celebrating their mestizo heritage. Taosenos may remember Romo as the New Mexico State Slam Poetry Champion in 2011. She credits her mother with buying her empty books to fill with drawings and poetry when she was a child. But it wasnt until she was a student of Taos High School teacher Anne MacNaughton that she began to identify as a poet. Romo, who is of mixed Native and Hispanic heritage, grew up speaking the northern New Mexico Manito dialect of Spanish at home with her parents, a schoolteacher and a former rancher. An only child, Romo jokes that she is her fathers son that he never had, and indeed she exudes both fierceness and femininity. Like New Mexico itself, Romo is officially bilingual. Even when speaking English, she sprinkles her speech with Spanish expressions and said that when she writes poetry, she thinks in Spanish. Sometimes, Spanish speakers from outside of New Mexico laugh at my dialect, but they always understand what Im saying, she said. https://www.facebook.com/westernfolklife/videos/473856286680060/ Not many poets can say their work got them their first day job, but thats what happened to Romo. After graduating with a dual bachelors degree in communications and Chicano/a Studies from University of New Mexico, Romo recited a poem called Bendicion del agua (Blessing of the water) at the annual Congreso de las Acequias in Taos in 2015. That performance ultimately led to her position with NMAA. Romo plans to continue telling the tales of Northern New Mexicos unique culture through her poems, but she also wants to go to law school. That would give her the credentials to help litigate on behalf of the mayordomos and parciantes who maintain the ditches that bring melting snow down from the mountains to irrigate the fields each spring. But Romo said her long-term goal is to get back to her gente (people) in Taos, her quarencia, an abstract Spanish word that means the place where one draws strength and feels at home. FINDING A VOICE Excerpts from Olivia Romos Roadrunner: The Chosen Prophet: A diamondback rattlesnake curls beneath a rock Her belly vibrates to Mother Earth Siren of the desert can smell the water and is a guardian of these sacred grounds Only one creature is willing to challenge her dominion: Roadrunner He once had an affair with a cactus. She provided him refuge during battle Targeted by the Opposition for taking time to allocate portfolios after last Mondays cabinet expansion, the ruling Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress blamed Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari for the delay in giving his nod to the list sent to him on Saturday evening. After several rounds of meetings between leaders of all three parties, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray sent the final list of allocation of portfolios to the Raj Bhavan around 9.45pm on Saturday. Koshyari, however, signed it on Sunday morning, a delay of more than 10 hours. The governor (BS Koshyari) has set a record by holding a swearing-in ceremony [of Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar on November 23] very early in the morning. Now I have heard that he is retiring for the day by 10pm. This is surprising, said NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday. A report in Sena mouthpiece Saamana stated the list was sent at 9.45pm. Raj Bhavan officials refused to comment on the controversy, while Governors secretary Santosh Kumar didnt respond to HTs calls and text messages. It was expected that the Governor would immediately clear it. Instead, the government was informed that the Governor is now taking rest and will clear the list only on Sunday, the Saamana report stated. Water resources minister and state NCP president Jayant Patil had on Saturday tweeted that the list was sent to the governor at 7.30pm, and he was expecting the Governors nod as early as possible. After reports of unhappiness appeared in the media, the Raj Bhavan swung into action. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has approved the allocation of portfolios as proposed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, tweeted Raj Bhavan at 8.18am from its official handle, Governor of Maharashtra. A Texas man was arrested for allegedly shooting his fiancee dead near her Houston apartment just days after he proposed to her on New Years Eve. Kendrick Akins, 39, was taken into custody by authorities on Saturday evening hours after he arrived at a Houston police station for questioning in the afternoon. Investigators say he fatally shot 33-year-old Dominic Jefferson in the parking lot of her apartment building on Holly View Drive during an argument at around midnight on Saturday. One neighbor overheard the couple argue and came outside to help the woman, police told the Houston Chronicle. Akins allegedly fired a shot at the neighbor, but missed, according to police. Kendrick Akins, 39, proposed to his girlfriend on New Year's Eve (pictured). Just days later, he allegedly murdered her Kendrick Akins (left), 39, was arrested on Saturday evening. Houston police say he fatally shot his fiancee, Dominic Jefferson (right), at around midnight just hours earlier The shooting took place in the parking lot in front of Jefferson's apartment in Houston at around midnight on Saturday Witnesses at the apartment complex told police they saw Akins shoot Jefferson Police arrived at the scene and found Jeffersons body on the ground next to a car with its door still open. Akins had left the parking lot by the time officers arrived, according to the Chronicle. Police said they began searching for Akins after he was identified by witnesses as the victims fiance. Akins then went to a police station to speak with investigators. At the time he arrived at the station, he was considered a person of interest rather than a suspect. The shooting took place just days after Jefferson posted video on her Facebook showing the live stream of Akins proposing to her on New Year's Eve Jefferson is seen above wearing her engagement ring while holding the t-shirt that her fiance wore when he asked her to marry him Jefferson posted photos on Facebook showing off her engagement ring. 'I just feel like crying God I never new [sic] I would be happy and getting married soon to some one who loves me for me all me my crazy my good and my bad and my pasts,' she wrote Nobody deserves to die like that, Jefferson's sister, Charmone Onyeije, told KHOU-TV. Im not going to let her die in vain, but I am going to celebrate her life as we know it. Jeffersons family said the couple had been together for about three months. During that time, they had never heard of any problems in the relationship, according to KHOU-TV. Police said they are searching for surveillance videos from the area for more evidence. Akins live streamed his proposal to Jefferson on Facebook on New Years Eve. Family and friends posted tributes to Jefferson on Facebook Video posted to Facebook shows Akins wear a white t-shirt with the words Dominic will you marry me? written on the front. In the video, Jefferson is wearing a blindfold and is seated on a couch in what appears to be a living room. Akins then proposes to her by revealing an engagement ring. Jefferson posted video and photos on New Years Eve to document the joyous occasion. Happy new years to us 2020 its up there, she wrote in a post. According to her Facebook account, Akins worked as a cashier at Wendys. Jefferson owned a company called All About BLACC Enterprises, which promoted live shows and events. Somalia's al-Shabab extremist group attacked a military base used by US and Kenyan troops in coastal Kenya early Sunday, destroying US aircraft and vehicles, Kenyan authorities said. Kenya's military said the pre-dawn assault was repulsed and at least four attackers were killed. It was the first known al-Shabab attack against US forces inside Kenya, a key base for fighting one of the world's most resilient extremist organizations. A plume of black smoke rose above the base near the border with Somalia, where al-Shabab is based. Residents said a car bomb had exploded. Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia told The Associated Press that five suspects were arrested and were being interrogated. The US Africa Command confirmed the attack on Camp Simba in Lamu county. Spokesman Col. Christopher Karns called al-Shabab's claims, including that its attack inflicted severe casualties, grossly exaggerated." There was no report of US or Kenyan deaths. The camp, established more than a decade ago, has under 100 US personnel, according to Pentagon figures. A US flag-raising there in August signalled its change from tactical to enduring operations," the Air Force said at the time. An internal Kenyan police report seen by the AP said two fixed-wing aircraft, a US Cessna and a Kenyan one, were destroyed along with two US helicopters and multiple US vehicles at the Manda Bay military airstrip. The report said explosions were heard at around 5:30 am from the direction of the airstrip. The scene, now secured, indicated that al-Shabab likely entered to conduct targeted attacks," the report said. According to another internal report seen by the AP, dated Friday, a villager that day said he had spotted 11 suspected al-Shabab members entering Lamu's Boni forest, which the extremists have used as a hideout. The report said Kenyan authorities did not find them. Al-Shabab's claim of responsibility said Sunday's attack destroyed US equipment including aircraft and vehicles, and it posted photos of blazing aircraft it asserted were from the attack. A second al-Shabab claim issued hours later asserted that "ntense close-quarters combat" against US forces continued. Kenya's military, however, said that the airstrip is safe." It said that arising from the unsuccessful breach a fire broke out affecting some of the fuel tanks located at the airstrip."The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the airstrip was closed for all operations. Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaida, has launched a number of attacks inside Kenya, including against civilian targets such as buses, schools and shopping malls. The group has been the target of a growing number of US airstrikes inside Somalia during President Donald Trump's administration. The latest attack comes just over a week after an al-Shabab truck bomb in Somalia's capital killed at least 79 people and US airstrikes killed seven al-Shabab fighters in response. Last year al-Shabab attacked a US military base inside Somalia that is used to launch drone strikes. The extremist group also has carried out multiple attacks against Kenyan troops in the past in retaliation for Kenya sending troops to Somalia to fight it. This attack marks a significant escalation of al-Shabab's campaign of attacks inside Kenya, said analyst Andrew Franklin, a former US Marine and longtime Kenya resident. Launching a deliberate assault of this type against a well-defended permanent base occupied by (Kenya Defence Forces), contractors and US military personnel required a great deal of planning, rehearsals, logistics and operational capability, he said. Previous attacks against security forces have mainly been ambushes on Kenyan army or police patrols. The early Sunday attack comes days after a US airstrike killed Iran's top military commander and Iran vowed retaliation, but al-Shabab is a Sunni Muslim group and there is no sign of links to Shiite Iran or proxies. Analyst Rashid Abdi in Twitter posts discussing the attack said it had nothing to do with the tensions in the Middle East but added that Kenyan security services have long been worried that Iran was trying to cultivate ties with al-Shabab. Avowedly Wahhabist Al-Shabaab not natural ally of Shia Iran, hostile, even. But if Kenyan claims true, AS attack may have been well-timed to signal to Iran it is open for tactical alliances," he wrote, adding that an AS that forges relations with Iran is nightmare scenario." When asked whether the US military was looking into any Iranian link to the attack, spokesman Karns said only that al-Shabab, affiliated with al-Qaida, has their own agenda and have made clear their desire to attack US interests." The al-Shabab claim of responsibility said Sunday's attack was part of its Jerusalem will never be Judaized" campaign, a rarely made reference that also was used after al-Shabab's deadly attack on a luxury mall complex in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, in January 2019. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On this site last November, our columnist Garvan Walshe wrote about the Iran-wide protests against the countrys ruling regime. They were different from those of 2009, he said, because they were wider and deeper. Whereas those were largely confined to the middle class, these represented a crisis of legitimacy for Irans government, because they take place, not against a hardline president whose agenda aligns with the Supreme Leader and the Revolutionary Guards, but against a moderate, Hassan Rouhani, who has been unable to deliver the economic improvements he promised. The prescient Garvan also mentioned an under-reported figure within the regime by way of describing a Shia militia, the al-Hashd al-Shabi, which operates in Iraq but is controlled by Irans Revolutionary Guard, and which operates under their commander, Qasem Soleimani. Much of the domestic reaction to Soleimanis assassination begins with the man who ordered it, Donald Trump. But America may be the wrong place and its President the wrong person with which to begin considering it. Intensified sanctions against Iran are biting hard. Dissatisfaction with the ruling cliques and the corruption in which Soleimani had a hand is rife among the population. Trump has abandoned Barack Obamas nuclear deal. A case can therefore be made for the killing of Soleimani as part of a coherent strategic plan. This would be to cause chaos at the top of Irans ruling structure, the workings of which are deeply obscure, in the hope that the resulting confusion will further western strategic goals and help to collapse Irans terror-promoting regime. As this re-election year begins in America, it is clear, looking back on the bulk of this Presidents term, that much of the criticism of him is wide of the mark. The bulk of the evidence suggests that he has a strategic foreign policy aim, namely to keep the United States out of wars abroad, or at least conflicts in which ground troops are committed. Abroad, he acts through proxies, as against ISIS, or through massive displays of air power. This combines with a deeply personal tendency to engage with what he sees as other strong leaders in pursuit of the art of the deal. His abandonment of the Kurds and engagement with Recep Tayyip Erdogan is an example. The classic instance is his talks with Kim Jong-un of North Korea. He engages when he judges that the United States has a sufficient interest in diplomacy. Although he has not been gung-ho about confrontation with Iran last June, he backed off an airstrike against Iran as not proportionate, and has said that he has good feelings about a successor deal to Obamas he seems to have concluded that there is no such or not sufficient negotiating interest in this case. In sum, his take on Iran seems to be: hit it hard if essential. And his judgement was that it was necessary to strike at a regime that, very recently, has seized vessels in the Persian Gulf, attacked Saudi oil refineries, fired mortar against US forces in Iraq and assailed the countrys embassy in Baghad. The President argues that Soleimani, a mass murderer, was planning further anti-American terror. He would because that covers the necessary legal base. But the truth is that we do not know why the strike against Soleimani took place now. Cynics claim that it is nicely timed for Americas electoral cycle and to distract attention from the impeachment imbroglio. But it isnt obvious that the killing will win supporters who dont back the President already. All this suggests that Trump did not act order to help collapse the Iranian regime but, rather, to assert American power against a government with which he thinks he cannot strike a deal. His critics will rage, but it is not clear that his impulsive approach has been less effective overall than George W.Bushs activism or Obamas passivity. Nor can he fairly be accused of starting a conflict with Iran: one is raging already. But the question is whether his caution last June was more or less sensible than his commitment now. Iran has a long record of what the wonks like to call asymmetric response. In other words: proxy actions, suicide bombs, IEDs, kidnappings, assasinations, attacks on embassies, civilians and military personnel. The Middle East is rich with American targets. Or Iran may look to the United States itself. Then there are that countrys allies to consider including the Little Satan, Britain itself. What is Trumps plan if Iran hits back? Or if Soleimanis killing solidifies rather than dissipates support for the regime? What happens in Iraq? On Tuesday, Parliament resumes, and it will fall to Dominic Raab (presumably) to state the Governments view at length. Jeremy Corbyn will do all but openly support Iran, which will be par for the course. Labours leadership contenders will be up and about doing much the same, in order to drum up support among the membership for the coming leadership election. To date, the Foreign Secretary has not said all that much. 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 tweeted on Friday. We may be leaving the EU at the end of January, but British solidarity with its position on Iran continues. How does Boris Johnson plan to deal with Trump if the conflict between America and Iran intensifies particularly if Britain is dragged into it? The regime will not have forgotten the business of the Prime Ministers blunder over Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. He will want to stick to his diplomatic position on Iran while not fouling up any trade deal with America. So far, the President seems to have taken Johnsons alignment with France and Germany well. It may be that he wont mind having the Prime Minister as a candid friend. But if Johnson decides that his best course for now is to say as little as possible and seek to change the subject, that will be understandable. As we write, Downing Street may well be sifting through the bodies of a few dead cats to sling on the Cabinet table and out to the media. Time perhaps for another incendiary blog from Dominic Cummings. Trump has decided to hit Iran very hard and no-one knows what will happen next. The United States should stop abusing the power of force, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has said, adding that Washingtons risky behaviour violates the basic norms of international relations. Speaking to his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif over phone on Friday, Wang said Beijing will continue to pay a constructive role in maintaining peace and security in the Middle East. The exchange between the two foreign ministers took place after a US airstrike in Baghdad killed Irans most prominent military commander, Qassem Soleimani, head of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander of Iraqs Shia Hashd al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization Units. On January 4, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi took a telephone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif, the Chinese foreign ministry said in statement. Wang Yi said that the military adventurist act by the US goes against basic norms governing international relations and will aggravate tensions and turbulence in the region. China opposes the use of force in international relations. The statement added: Military means will lead nowhere. Maximum pressure wont work either. China urges the US to seek resolutions through dialogue instead of abusing force. Wang told Zarif that China will continue to uphold an objective and just position and play a constructive role in safeguarding peace and security in the Gulf region of the Middle East. Zarif, according to the statement, stated Irans position on the attack targeting the Iranian commander. He strongly condemned the flagrant action by the US and said it is bound to have serious consequences. Iran has sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and hopes China can play an important role in preventing an escalation of regional tensions, the statement added. Chinese state media said the US action will trigger angry reactions across the volatile region. One certain thing is that the US action will cause much more anger and hostility than fear against the US in Iran and areas that support Iran. Since the war in Afghanistan, the US has killed many senior officials and even leaders of its deemed rivals, the nationalistic tabloid, Global Times said in an editorial. With the high price it paid, did Washington successfully deter those in the Middle East who hate the US? The answer is apparently no. Anti-US forces have been growing all the time, it added. Its fair to say the US Middle East policy is a failure. Washington today cares more about how to woo American voters to support the current government. It has little interest in working out a long-term solution to the Middle East problem, but is more willing to conduct short-term operations. Former President Trump blasts Sen. Mike Rounds in emailed statement Former President Donald Trump criticized South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds after Rounds said the 2020 election was fair on national television Sunday. Advertisement Protesters across the world have come out for a second day to condemn the US's killing of an Iranian military commander last week. More than 100 people demonstrated against the strike against Qassem Soleimani on Friday outside the US embassy in Nine Elms, London. Waving Iranian and Iraqi flags, the protesters chanted 'Donald Trump - terrorist' and labelled the US a 'terror state'. The demo was organised by The Union Of Islamic Student Association In Europe following Friday's air strike in Baghdad, which killed the head of Iran's Quds Force. As well as Donald Trump, the chants were aimed at Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who were accused of 'standing for terrorism'. It came as Pope Francis called for dialogue and restraint during a speech at the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican. More than 100 people demonstrated against the strike against Qassem Soleimani on Friday outside the US embassy in Nine Elms, London (pictured) Waving Iranian and Iraqi flags, the protesters chanted: 'Donald Trump - terrorist' and labelled the US a 'terror state' outside the embassy As well as Donald Trump, the chants were aimed at Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who were accused of 'standing for terrorism' Iranians march behind a vehicle carrying the coffins of slain major general Qassem Soleimani and others as they pay homage in the northeastern city of Mashhad It came as Pope Francis called for dialogue and restraint during a speech at the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican (pictured) The pope did not mention Iran by name but spoke of a terrible air of tension that could now be felt in many parts of the world. 'I call on all sides to keep the flame of dialogue and self-restraint alight and ward off the shadow of hostility,' he said. 'War only brings death and destruction.' The US drone strike on a convoy at Baghdad International Airport killed Soleimani, drawing promises of harsh revenge by Tehran. Iraqi protesters flooded the streets on Sunday to denounce both Iran and the US as 'occupiers', angry that fears of war between the rivals was derailing their anti-government movement. For three months, youth-dominated rallies in the capital and Shiite-majority south have condemned Iraq's ruling class as corrupt, inept and beholden to Iran. The US drone strike on a convoy at Baghdad International Airport killed Soleimani, drawing promises of harsh revenge by Tehran. Pictured: The protest in London Iraqi demonstrators block a road with burning tyres in the central shrine city of Najaf, to protest Shiite Muslim children stand on the US flag as they hold pictures of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani during a protest in Islamabad People hold posters showing the portrait of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Major General Qassem Soleimani and chant slogans during a protest outside the US Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey Shiite Muslims burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump during a protest in Iraq, in Multan on Sunday Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims carry flags and signs to protest the death of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a airstrike near Baghdad, as they march on a road leading towards the US consulate in Karachi, Pakistan Shiite Muslims burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump in Iraq, in Multan on Sunday Following a US strike on Baghdad Friday that killed top Iranian and Iraqi commanders, Iraqi lawmakers urged the government Sunday to oust thousands of US troops deployed across the country. For protesters who were hitting the streets, Iran was also a target for blame. 'No to Iran, no to America!' chanted hundreds of young Iraqis as they marched through the southern protest hotspot of Diwaniyah. Young children present carried posters in the shape of Iraq and waved their country's tri-colour. 'We're taking a stance against the two occupiers: Iran and the US,' one demonstrator told AFP. Nearby, a teenage girl held a handwritten signing reading: 'Peace be on the land created to live in peace, but which has yet to see a single peaceful day.' Iraqi helicopters circled above, surveying the scene. Relations between Tehran and Washington have been deteriorating since the US abandoned a landmark nuclear deal with Iran in 2018 and reimposed crippling economic sanctions. Shiite Muslims hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the US in Islamabad on Sunday Iranians gather in the northeastern city of Mashhad to pay homage to slain major general Qasem Soleimani, after he was killed in a US strike in Baghdad An Iraqi demonstrator poses next to burning tyres as angry protesters blocked roads in the central shrine city of Najaf Supporters of Hezbollah carry placards and pictures of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force Qasem Soleimani Some protesters initially rejoiced, having blamed Soleimani for propping up the government they have been trying to bring down since early October An aerial view shows mourners attending a funeral ceremony for General Qassem Soleimani and his comrades in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, Iran But tensions boiled over during the last week, culminating in a US drone strike outside Baghdad Airport that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and several Iraqi paramilitary leaders. Some protesters initially rejoiced, having blamed Soleimani for propping up the government they have been trying to bring down since early October. But joy swifty turned to worry, as protesters realised pounding war drums would drown out their calls for peaceful reform of Iraq's government. In a bold move, young protesters in the southern city of Nasiriyah blocked a mourning procession for Soleimani and top Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis from reaching their protest camp. Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayed Hassan Nasrallah delivers a speech during a mass rally in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon A supporter of Shiite Hezbollah movement holds a poster of slain Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani (right) and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (left) On Saturday, Kataeb Hezbollah told Iraqi security forces to 'get away' from US troops, sparking fears they would fire rockets at bases shared by soldiers from both countries Flowers and a portrait of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani left by mourners outside the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Moscow Russian military personnel attend a memorial service for the late Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, at the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria Outraged pro-Iran mourners fired on the protesters, wounding three, medical sources told AFP. 'We refuse a proxy war on Iraqi territory and the creation of crisis after crisis,' said student Raad Ismail. 'We're warning them: don't ignore our demands, whatever the excuse,' he said. The demonstrators are calling for early parliamentary voting based on a new electoral law. They hope this would bring transparent and independent lawmakers to parliament. A protester holds an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump, close to United States' consulate in Istanbul They have also demanded Iran - their large eastern neighbour which holds sway among Iraqi politicians and military figures - reduce its interventions in Iraq. Tehran has especially strong ties to the Hashed al-Shaabi, a military network of mostly-Shiite factions which has been incorporated into the state. The US has accused one vehemently anti-American Hashed faction, Kataeb Hezbollah, of attacking US diplomats and troops in Iraq. On Saturday, Kataeb Hezbollah told Iraqi security forces to 'get away' from US troops, sparking fears they would fire rockets at bases shared by soldiers from both countries. Just moments before, explosions rocked the enclave in the Iraqi capital where the US embassy is located and an airbase north of the capital housing American troops. In the shrine city of Karbala, student Ahmad Jawad denounced Soleimani's killing and the ensuing violence. 'We refuse that Iraq becomes a battlefield for the US and Iran, because the victims of this conflict will be Iraqis,' he told AFP. Another student, Ali Hussein, was worried about the precarious situation. Iraq's premier Adel Abdel Mahdi resigned last month over the protests but political factions have not agreed on a replacement, and are now focused on the aftermath of the US strike. 'The Americans violated Iraq's sovereignty by hitting the Hashed bases and carrying out another strike by the Baghdad airport,' said Hussein. For demonstrators whose main rallying cry had been 'We want a country,' Hussein said the foreign military operations were jarring. 'It's proof that there's no state in Iraq,' he said. A man with flowers and a portrait stands outside the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran next to a floral tribute to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in Moscow Protesters, holding placards a picture of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, gather during a demonstration against his killing, close to United States' consulate in Istanbul Silly me. As an observer of local government for more than a half-century, I have come to believe, as I have mentioned many times, that it is the purest form of democracy. Sure, local government has its faults but, like pizza, even when its bad its still pretty good. Most local governments have taken strides towards transparency in recent years, which means providing the public with as much information as possible about what is going on. There is one area in particular, however, where I think government falls short. I have always had a problem with public hearings being held immediately before councils vote on important issues. The hearings are usually required by law so the public can have its say. But by holding the hearing immediately before the vote, council members havent had time to digest what citizens have said and to consider possibly changing their mind on how they were going to vote. Instead, the hearing is just a formality to comply with the law rather than being a useful tool in government. Why not hold the public hearing at a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the vote? That would at least give the impression that citizens views were given consideration before the vote. One of the problems with this approach is that many times, no one shows up at public hearings. It could mean officials would be taking time off from their schedules to show up for public hearings in which there is no public. But government at least would have done its part. The emphasis should be on convenience for the citizens, not the government. Thats suggestion No. 1 for the new year. Here are a few others, most of which dont require much explanation. Meeting agendas should include the council/boards mission statement and goals for the year useful information for the public and a reminder to officials as to why they are there. Mason City School Board meetings should be televised. Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors meetings should be televised. Supervisor meetings should be held at night, at least occasionally, when the public has more of a chance to attend, rather than in the morning. Mason City should continue its practice of holding quarterly town hall meetings, rotating in each of the citys four wards and hosted by the council member from that ward as well as the two at-large council members. These meetings have been successful in the past because they have provided opportunities for good give-and-take between the public and the council. Anyone can attend. You dont have to be a resident of the ward where the meeting is being held. You may have ideas of your own on how to streamline local government -- or you may think mine are way out of whack. With the latter, all I can say is Silly me. Happy new year, everyone. John Skipper retired from the Globe Gazette in February 2018 after 52 years in newspapers, most of that in Mason City covering North Iowa government and politics. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Several explosions have rocked Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone, where the US Embassy is located. The Iraqi military confirmed that some rockets were fired, targeting the area, RT reports. Several unguided Katyusha rockets landed inside the Green Zone, the military said in a statement cited by Reuters. There have been no reported casualties so far. Some accounts say one rocket landed not far from the US embassy. One blast allegedly blocked the road leading to the American diplomatic mission in the Iraqi capital. Mortar shells also hit the neighboring Jadriya district, where Baghdad University is located, injuring at least five people. A separate report suggests that Balad Air Base, located some 60 kilometers north of Baghdad, has also come under rocket attack. The base houses some American troops. Meanwhile, Iraqi Shia militia Kataib Hezbollah has issued a warning to local security forces implying more attacks are coming. People must stay at least one kilometer away from US bases and facilities housing American troops in Iraq starting Sunday evening, they were quoted saying by local media. They stopped short of claiming responsibility for Saturdays rocket attacks, though. She is currently holidaying in Thailand alongside ex Sam Gowland. And Chloe Ferry, 24, left little to the imagination when she took time to relax by the pool on Saturday in an eye popping pink bikini. She stood and took selfies before lying back down on the sunbed revealing her skimpy thong bottoms which just covered her perky derriere, the results of her Brazilian bum lift. Selfie: Chloe Ferry, 24, left little to the imagination when she took time to relax by the pool on Saturday in Thailand in an eye popping pink bikini The reality star left her long blonde locks loose with a natural wave and wore a pair oversized aviators over her makeup free face. She put on a cheeky display as she soaked up the sun avoiding tan lines in the skimpy ensemble. The outing came after Chloe sparked reconciliation rumours with ex Sam Gowland, 24, as they were spotted in a swimming pool together while watching the sunset, before a enjoying a romantic dinner in the evening. Dare to bare: The star put on a cheeky display as she soaked up the sun avoiding tan lines in the skimpy ensemble Relaxing: She stood and took selfies before lying back down on the sunbed revealing her skimpy thong bottoms which just covered her perky derriere Skimpy: The reality star left her long blonde locks loose with a natural wave and wore a pair oversized aviators over her makeup free face The Geordie Shore star and her on/off beau have been careful to avoid sharing any videos of photographs of each other on their respective Instagram accounts, but were outed by friends who'd joined them on their group getaway. Chloe's pal also shared a clip of her walking along in the sunshine an hour after posting a video of Sam strolling on the beach with the other two men in their group. The couple also took to their Instagram Stories to give fans a glimpse of their romantic dinner. Pool time: Last night she sparked reconciliation rumours with ex Sam Gowland, 24, as they were spotted in a swimming pool together while watching the sunset Yum: The duo then enjoyed a romantic dinner together in the evening putting up Instagram stories of their food but avoiding to show each others faces On Friday night Chloe and Sam enjoyed a night out together with their pals, with Chloe dressed in a black crop top and shorts with her red bra on display. Sam stepped out in a salmon T-shirt and white shorts while he carried his belongings in a bum bag across his body. Earlier in the day, Chloe appeared to be soaking up the sun as she slipped into a tiny triangle bikini top while enjoying the sunny climes. Students of the Madrassa Hoja Ilmiya were granted bail on the basis of a special investigation team report that found no evidence against them Muzaffarnagar: Ten madrassa students held in connection with the violence that took place during anti-citizenship law protests in the city on 20 December have been granted bail. The students of the Madrassa Hoja Ilmiya were granted bail by a court on Saturday on the basis of a special investigation team (SIT) report that found no evidence against them. The SIT found the students not involved in any serious offence and withdrew all charges against them except that of violation of prohibitory orders, the prosecution said. It has been learned that 18 people were released after being found innocent in the SIT investigation. Over 70 people had been arrested for violence during the protests against the amended Citizenship Act in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar. A leading Arctic expert argues if Canada improves search and rescue capability in the Far North, it will be able to better keep the region secure without raising alarm in countries like Russia. Michael Byers, with the University of British Columbia, put forward the proposal in the December 2019 issue of International Journal with colleague Nicole Covey. In the article, they call for Canada to bolster its search and rescue equipment in the North like helicopters and Coast Guard icebreakers for two reasons. Firstly, Byers says, people in the North deserve services on par with their southern counterparts when there's an emergency. Gary Morgan/Submitted by Canadian Coast Guard But secondly, the equipment used for search and rescue over the air and sea could also be used for security duties like boarding a cargo ship to investigate human smuggling, or flying out to respond to accusations of illegal fishing in Canadian waters. A similar thing is already happening in southern Canada. Coast Guard officials don't make arrests, but on the Great Lakes and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, RCMP officers enforce laws on patrol boats with the Coast Guard. And unlike a navy ship, these non-combat outfits wouldn't give off the impression to other countries like Russia that Canada is gearing up for a fight. "The choices that Canada makes actually changes the signals that that Russia receives," Byers said. That's important, Byers notes, because history has shown when a nation's leadership perceives a threat from another country, it often builds up its own military, leading to a cycle of armament that becomes dangerous and costly on both sides a phenomenon known as the "security dilemma." Submitted by Michael Byers "Russia has lots of Arctic already unquestionably to itself, and doesn't want to have conflict in the Arctic," he said. "But the Russians are paranoid." Canada's navy is scheduled to receive six new Arctic offshore patrol ships in the next few years, but Byers says those ships should go to the east and west coasts of Canada instead. Story continues In addition to those ships, the Trudeau government announced just before the October election that they would be building six new Coast Guard icebreakers. If that promise is fulfilled, Byers says those boats will be able to handle the Arctic, and the offshore patrol ships can be moved south of 60. Armed ships give Canada more options: ret. colonel Other Arctic security experts offer mixed views. The Canadian Forces wasn't able to answer specific questions before deadline, citing the holiday season. But retired Canadian Forces Colonel Pierre Leblanc, who still consults on security issues, thinks that sticking to the existing plan beefing up the military's northern presence with a handful of naval ships that can also perform search and rescue gives Canada more tools to handle security in remote regions. JTFA/Twitter Leblanc agrees that Russia is uninterested in turning the Arctic into a war theatre, pointing to Russia's participation in the Arctic Council's 2011 search and rescue agreement and a 2018 Arctic fishing moratorium. But he says because other countries, including China, don't agree that the Northwest Passage is an internal Canadian strait, and conflict could come up with another country in the future. Between Russia's willingness to collaborate in the North and the continued questions around Canadian sovereignty, Leblanc thinks Russia shouldn't take a bit more military equipment personally. "It's minute compared to the Russian inventory of military capabilities," Leblanc said. The Canadian Press Russia: neutral in the north? Rob Huebert, with the University of Calgary, sees things differently. He believes viewing Russia as a "neutral actor" in the region is unrealistic. Huebert said the Russian military has built up Arctic communities such as Murmansk as central military locations, and has been building new submarines and aircraft. He said Canada should be updating its combat equipment in response. Byers said he's "not naive about Russia," but rather, "this is an argument based upon my concern to maintain stability ... where no conflict is presently foreseen." Huebert says it's hard to see if he's right, or Byers and Covey are, because they're both trying to interpret another country's intent from afar. That's why US Naval War College associate professor Rebecca Pincus says that a bigger presence in the North, through search and rescue tools, could clear up exactly these kinds of knowledge gaps for North Americans gaps that have lead to confusion and, occasionally, undue fear about what other countries are doing in the North. "Uncertainty breeds mistrust," she said. She also said it could also show other countries that Canada is invested in the region. "Presence demonstrates resolve...and resolve will signal to other states whether that be Russia or China or others that Canada really cares about this area." Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa, on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send an all party delegation of Sikh MPs to Pakistan. The MP raised the issue in light of the recent events that are unfolding in Pakistan. The day after Guru Gobind Singh jayanti, a mob gathered outside the gates of gurdwara Nankana Sahib calling for its destruction. The crowd also shouted slogans of removing all Sikhs from Nankana Sahib and renaming the town. Following this, on the fifth of January, a Sikh youth was found brutally murdered in Peshawar. Bajwa said the violence faced by Sikh community in Pakistan was alarming and requested the PM to send an all party delegation of Sikh MPs from both Houses led by minister of external affairs at the earliest. The delegation would study the conditions of Sikhs in Pakistan. President Donald Trump has warned Tehran that the U.S. will target 52 Iranian sites if Iran attacks Americans in the wake of the killing of a top Iranian general. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), Mr Trump tweeted Saturday. He described some of those targets as being at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture. The purported targets, Trump added, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats! Top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad in what the Pentagon called a defensive action. The strike was ordered by Mr Trump, who justified the move by saying that Mr Soleimani was plotting to kill many more Americans. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened the U.S. with harsh retaliation for the strike near Baghdad airport that killed Soleimani late Thursday or early Friday. Irans President Hassan Rowhani said his country would avenge the killing. In mentioning 52 hostages in his tweet, Mr Trump was apparently referring to the occupation of the U.S. embassy in Tehran by radical Iranian students in November 1979 during Irans Islamic Revolution. They took 52 U.S. embassy officials hostage and demanded the extradition of Irans Shah Reza Pahlavi. Washington imposed sanctions and the hostage-taking ended after 444 days. Meanwhile, Geman Foreign Minister Heiko Mass has said he wants to seek talks with both Iran and key international partners to ease tensions following the US airstrike which killed Mr Soleimani. In the coming days, we will do all we can to work against a further escalation of the situation at the United Nations, in the EU, and in a dialogue with our partners in the region, including talks with Iran, Maas told the Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag. Iran has vowed revenge in the wake of the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Irans elite Quds Force. Maas said the situation had become more unpredictable. Everyone must be aware that any provocation could now lead to an uncontrollable spiral of violence, with unforeseeable consequences for the entire region and also for our security in Europe, the German official asserted. Maas also mentioned three goals. First: avoid a war-like escalation. Second: preserve Iraqs stability and integrity and third: make sure that ISIS (the terrorist militia Islamic State) does not gain ground again in the slipstream of these upheavals. According to Maas, there is currently no acute danger for German tourists in the Gulf region: So far, there have been no concrete threats against Germans in the main travel areas there, he said. But the situation in the region has become more volatile. In a series of tweets on Sunday, the Congress leader said that all Hindus consider Lord Ram as reincarnation of God and would contribute to the temple construction. Bhopal, Jan 5 (IANS) Rajya Sabha MP and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh has said that the Ram temple at Ayodhya should not be constructed with government funds. Taking a potshot at Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Singh said that it should keep the funds collected in the name of temple construction for itself or use it for eradicating social evils. Digvijaya's tweets came just a day after his spiritual guru Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati of Sharda Pith gave a similar statement. In another tweet, Singh said that the Ram temple should be constructed under Hindu religious leaders and not by organisations run by political parties. "Lord Ram belongs to everyone and the responsibility of constructing the temple on the Janma Bhoomi should be given to the Ramalaya Trust only," Singh said. He said that the Ramalaya Trust includes all Shankaracharyas and members of Akhada Parishad linked to Ramanandi community. Swaroopanand Saraswati is the head of this trust as he is the senior most religious leader. The Supreme Court in November 2019 had ruled that Ram temple will be constructed at the Ram Janmabhoomi site and Muslims will be given an alternate 5 acre land for mosque. hindi-skp/ Jan. 1 Jan. 2 The Helena Police Department responded to 75 calls for service. A brief summary of some of the calls the Officers responded to are as follows: (1) assault, (3) disorderly/disturbance calls, (8) suspicious incidents, (3) thefts, (6) trespass incidents and conducted (1) welfare checks. As of Friday morning, the county jail held 109 inmates (99 for felonies and 10 for misdemeanors). In total, the county has 121 inmates at various detention facilities. 85 clients are serviced by the 24/7 sobriety program. Of these, 59 are on PBT (Personal Breath Test), 18 are on SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor bracelet), 6 are on GPS, and 2 are on house arrest. Pretrial Services is currently working with 381 clients. Robert Ginn hanged himself in HMP Pentonville, north London, on November 29 A lonely paedophile who was caught with child abuse manuals including a sick Harry Potter themed handbook killed himself in prison, it has emerged. Robert Ginn hanged himself in HMP Pentonville, north London, on November 29, 2018 - just nine days after being put in a cell on his own. The 54-year-old was arrested after he made a series of internet searches for child pornography. Police found a collection of 1,733 indecent images and videos featuring children and babies when they raided his east London home. Ginn also had instructional manuals, including one titled: 'Hogwarts School for Pedo Wizards.' The paedophile from Bethnal Green, east London, was caged for a year on November 5, 2018, after he admitted three counts of making indecent images of children and five counts of possessing a paedophile manual. The convict was a 'vulnerable member' in prison, according to the Mirror, and was at risk due to being a known paedophile. He had been in a shared cell in a closed off wing, before being moved to a lone cell. Senior coroner for North London Mary Hassell said similar deaths will occur unless preventative action is taken during his recent inquest. The convict was a 'vulnerable member' in prison (pictured, HMP Pentonville) and was at risk due to being a known paedophile After consulting bodycam footage from Care UK nurses, Mrs Hassell said they did not check the inmate's breathing. She added that his oxygen mask was taken off after only two minutes, with chest compressions being 'variable' and some 'sub optimal. But Mrs Hassell did admit it was 'highly unlikely' Ginn could have been resuscitated. Ginn's paedophile manuals were discovered by police as part of Operation Belladonna on his devices. They had not been deleted and were 'easily accessible.' Three of the manuals, each called the Jazz Guide, included tips on 'how to rape a child under-six without causing them harm'. Bespectacled Ginn hobbled into the dock at Snaresbrook Crown Court with the aid of a walking stick during his trial. Bespectacled Ginn hobbled into the dock at Snaresbrook Crown Court with the aid of a walking stick. He admitted three counts of making indecent images of children and five counts of possessing a paedophile manual during his trial in 2018 Michael Williams, defending, said Ginn was a 'depressed' and 'lonely' man. He asked Judge Grace Amakye to give Ginn a suspended sentence with a rehabilitative element rather than immediate custody. Mr Williams said: 'A custodial sentence is likely to be one which will result in him losing his accommodation.' He also asked the judge to consider Ginn's pet cat and said: 'He has a cat, which is all he has for company. 'It will be a much darker place he finds himself in when he comes out. 'It is a plea of mercy on his behalf that he can put this most dreadful episode behind him and try to rebuild his life.' Judge Grace Amakye told Ginn: 'I am of the view that your offences are so serious that they do pass the custodial threshold. 'The victims contained within these images were vulnerable because of their ages and they undoubtedly suffered and may still be suffering from the violence meted out upon them.' She sentenced Ginn to a total of 12 months and passed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. Michael Oatley, from the Crown Prosecution Service, spoke out following Ginn's conviction. He said: 'Robert Ginn kept a number of paedophile manuals that detailed horrific ways in which to sexually abuse and manipulate young children. 'He also admitted he had downloaded thousands of indecent images of children - more than 500 of these were extreme in their nature. 'It is illegal to download indecent images of children and we will prosecute those who break the law and pose a risk to young people.' Britain on Sunday urged Iran to "do the right thing" and seize the opportunity to come in from the cold by de-escalating tensions with the United States. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said a war was in no one's interest as he described Iran's assassinated top general Qasem Soleimani as a "regional menace". Britain is preparing to deploy the Royal Navy to escort UK-flagged commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The US on Friday killed Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad international airport that raised fears of a new war in the Middle East. "The US will take their own operational judgement call but they've got the right of self defence," Raab told Sky television. Raab said he spoke to Iraq's President Barham Saleh on Saturday and Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi on Sunday. "We want to see de-escalation, we're going to do everything we can to protect the UK diplomatic missions and we're going about that business," he said. Raab said there needed to be "a route through this which allows Iran to come in from the international cold -- and that opportunity is there for them if they do the right thing". Raab also confirmed that he has a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo next week. Meanwhile the Ministry of Defence said late Saturday that the frigate HMS Montrose and HMS Defender, a destroyer, "will resume accompaniments of UK-flagged commercial vessels" in the strait. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "I have instructed preparations for HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to return to accompanying duties of Red Ensign shipping. The government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time." The practice of escorting ships in the Strait of Hormuz was stood down in November, after being used during the fall-out from the seizure of the British-flagged Stena Impero tanker by Iran in July. In a statement on Twitter, Wallace said he spoke with his US counterpart Mark Esper on Friday. Wallace said US forces had been "repeatedly attacked by Iranian-backed militia" in Iraq during "the last few months". "General Soleimani has been at the heart of the use of proxies to undermine neighbouring sovereign nations and target Iran's enemies," he said. "Under international law the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to their citizens." The British government on Saturday advised UK nationals to avoid travelling to Iraq and Iran. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was due home from his Christmas break in the Caribbean on Sunday and Raab defended him for not returning earlier following Friday's assassination of Soleimani. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 21 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on Jan. 5, 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 districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday dismissed calls by Iraq's caretaker prime minister for a timetable for all foreign troops to exit the country, in the wake of a U.S. strike that killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, arguing that the Iraqi people want the United States to remain and continue the fight against terrorism. Pompeo appeared on all of the Sunday morning news shows to discuss U.S. strategy following the strike, which also killed eight others, including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a powerful Iraqi militia leader. Earlier Sunday, Iraqi leader Adel Abdul Mahdi called the U.S. strike "a political assassination" and told parliament that the government must establish a timetable for the withdrawal of all foreign troops "for the sake of our national sovereignty." Pompeo brushed aside those remarks, calling Mahdi "the resigned prime minister" and "the acting prime minister." Mahdi resigned in November amid sustained anti-government protests in Iraq but has been operating in a caretaker role. "He's under enormous threats from the very Iranian leadership that it is that we are pushing back against," Pompeo said on "Fox News Sunday." "We are confident that the Iraqi people want the United States to continue to be there to fight the counterterror campaign. And we'll continue to do all the things we need to do to keep America safe." Iraqi lawmakers responded to Mahdi's remarks by passing a nonbinding resolution calling for an end to the foreign troop presence in the country. To cancel the agreement that grants U.S. and foreign troops access to Iraqi territory, however, parliament must pass binding legislation. Pressed by host Chris Wallace on what the United States will do if the Iraqi parliament passes such a measure, Pompeo declined to say. "We'll have to take a look at what we do when the Iraqi leadership and government makes a decision," he said. "But the American people should know we'll make the right decision. We will take actions that, frankly, the previous administration refused to take to do just that." About 6,000 U.S. troops are stationed across Iraq. Democrats on the Sunday morning news shows continued to hammer the Trump administration over the strike, with some questioning whether the president timed it to divert public attention away from a potential Senate impeachment trial. "Look, I think people are reasonably asking about the timing and why it is that the administration seems to have all kinds of different answers," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who is running for president, said on CNN's "State of the Union." Warren suggested that there is "a reason that he chose this moment - not a month ago, not a month from now, not a less aggressive, less dangerous response." "In the first 48 hours after this attack, what did we hear?" she added. "Well, we heard it was for an imminent attack. Then we heard, no, no, it was to prevent any kind of future attack. Then we heard from the vice president himself, no, it was related to 9/11. And then we heard from press reports of people in the intelligence community saying that the threat was overblown." Another Democratic presidential contender, former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg, also cast doubt on the timing of the strike and pressed the administration to release more information on the reasons for its decision. "Until we get answers on that, then this move is questionable, to say the least," Buttigieg said on CNN. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said that although it's accurate that Soleimani was plotting an attack against the United States, as administration officials have said, "it's also true that Soleimani has been plotting against the United States for decades." "When Secretary Pompeo says that this decision to take out Qasem Soleimani saved American lives, saved European lives, he is expressing a personal opinion, not an intelligence conclusion. ... I haven't seen intelligence that taking out Soleimani was going to either stop the plotting that's going on or decrease other risks to the United States," Schiff said on "State of the Union." Other Democrats renewed their criticism that the strike will increase, not decrease, the likelihood that the United States will remain embroiled in the "endless wars" that President Donald Trump has long pledged to wind down. "I really worry that the actions the president took will get us into what he calls another 'endless war' in the Middle East," Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said on ABC News' "This Week." "He promised we wouldn't have that. And I think we're closer to that now because of his actions." Schumer also argued a host of questions still need to be answered by the administration. Foremost among them, he said, is: "What do we know Iran has in its range of retaliations and how are we going to prepare for them?" On Fox, Pompeo rebutted some of the criticism, arguing that reducing the U.S. troop presence abroad remains the administration's overarching foreign policy goal. "Endless wars are the direct result of weakness, and President Trump will never let that happen," Pompeo said. "We're going to get it right. We're going to get the force posture right. ... But make no mistake: America's mission is to have our footprint in the Middle East reduced while still keeping America safe from rogue regimes like the Islamic Republic of Iran and from terrorist activity, broadly, throughout the region." As news spread Sunday morning of Mahdi's remarks and the parliament vote, however, some Democrats argued that by killing Soleimani, the Trump administration had inadvertently advanced his goal of undermining U.S. influence in Iraq. "We have parliament meeting to talk about expelling U.S. forces," Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said on "Fox News Sunday." "What was Soleimani's main goal in Iraq? It was to get the Americans out, to undermine our influence. So, we seem to have accomplished what Soleimani was trying to do but couldn't. So in death, he's actually accomplished his goal. That turns back U.S. interests in the region." Van Hollen also argued that although Soleimani was "a very bad, despicable guy," the Trump administration had erred in carrying out the strike because "you have to look at what the consequences are." "We don't go around killing all the very bad people in the world," Van Hollen said. "We have President Trump embracing Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, who's got a lot of blood on his hands and is responsible for the death of Otto Warmbier, an American citizen, and yet he's getting love letters from the president of the United States." In an interview on "This Week," Pompeo was also asked about Trump's Saturday night tweet pledging to target 52 unspecified Iranian sites, "some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture," should Iran retaliate for Soleimani's death by striking any Americans or American assets. Those sites, and Iran itself, "WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD," Trump tweeted, adding, "The USA wants no more threats!" Trump's tweet drew swift condemnation, with critics arguing that striking cultural sites would be a war crime. Pompeo insisted Sunday that the United States will "behave lawfully" and "inside the system." "Previous administrations let militias take shots at us and we responded in theater," he said. "We have told the Iranian regime, 'Enough.' We're going to respond against the actual decision-makers, the people who are causing the threat." Several Republican members of Congress on Sunday voiced support for the Trump administration's actions, casting the strike as a defensive move rather than an offensive one. "Everything the president is warning about is all defensive," Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a key GOP foreign-policy voice, said on CBS News' "Face the Nation." "He is not saying, 'Congress, I need a hundred thousand American troops to invade Iran.' That's why all this talk about war powers and congressional authority is so silly. ... He's talking about responding to anything that Iran may do in the future." While Trump has repeatedly said that he is not seeking regime change in Iran, Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of his key allies, struck a different note. On Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures," the South Carolina Republican suggested that regime change is a widely sought - but likely unachievable - goal. "Everybody wants the regime to change," Graham said. "You'd have to be crazy to want it to stay the same. ... But here's what's missing: What would it take for them to change? What kind of change do we want? Lay it out. Let the world know that we're reasonable. And if they don't accept the offer to change, then, you know, you've got very limited choices when it comes to Iran." "I don't think they'll change," Graham added, noting that the "ultimate change" would be for the Iranian people to "take their government back from the ayatollah." - - - The Washington Post's Andrew Van Dam in Washington and Erin Cunningham in Istanbul contributed to this report. - Two Manchester United stars have been viewed as surplus to requirements at the club - Marcos Rojo and Matic are set to depart Old Trafford in the January transfer window - The pair have only made a handful of games for the Red Devils Nemanja Matic and Marcos Rojo have reportedly been told by Manchester United chiefs that they are free to leave Old Trafford before the transfer window closes. These two players have not been having it rosy this season at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They never got active playing time also under Jose Mourinho. READ ALSO: Victor Wanyama: Premier League side Westham join race to sign star Matic has only played a handful of games this season. Photo: Getty Images Source: UGC READ ALSO: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hits out at Van Persie after dutchman said he was too nice And according to the report by Daily Star, Nemanja Matic and Marcos Rojo have been told that they have no future at Manchester United. The report added that Manchester United manager Ole Solskjaer is looking forward to sell these two players so as to raise funds to buy new stars. Solskjaer is aware that he has to perform this season in the Premier League so as for him to keep his job with Manchester United at the end of the term. Matic has played only nine games this season for Manchester United and two unnamed Premier League side are said to be interested in signing him. Marcos Rojo's situation at Manchester United also looks bleak. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images READ ALSO: Jamaa afikishwa mahakamani kwa kuiba nyama kilo 150 Rojo on the other hand could be set for a money-spinning move abroad after also just featuring nine times in the current campaign. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been under serious pressure at Manchester United, and the Norwegian is planning to bolster his squad in January 2020. Red Devils are currently occupying fifth position on the Premier League standings with 31 points after 21 games played so far this term. Solskjaer's Manchester United currently occupy fifth in the Premier League. Photo: Getty Images Source: UGC READ ALSO: Victor Wanyama: Premier League side Westham join race to sign star United stars have also reportedly told the club to allow France international Paul Pogba to leave the club this summer after being linked with Real Madrid and Juventus. United players believe it would be best for Pogba to go this summer to avoid continued distractions caused by his unhappiness. 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 Kenya's youngest Reverend- Victor Githu | Tuko Talks | Tuko TV: Source: TUKO.co.ke Traveling America in his recently aborted bid for the presidency, former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro said he managed to find good Mexican food even in Iowa and South Carolina, and was reminded that people everywhere are refreshingly friendly. He also uncovered a darker truth about the mood of Democrats. There was a very clear strain of anxiety, of the urgency of defeating Donald Trump because hes been a uniquely bad president, Castro said Saturday in an interview with the San Antonio Express-News. The electorate is in a certain mood right now. A cautious mood. A mood of replacing Donald Trump and thinking about more than that later. Throughout his long-shot campaign, Castro insisted that the Democratic primary electorate should think about more than just defeating Trump. He pushed voters to care about the poor and the homeless; to consider the fears of minorities caught in the glare of police lights; and to imagine a more humane way to greet undocumented immigrants at the border. But Castros message of racial and economic justice failed to catch on with voters. Despite bursts of momentum, he languished at 1 or 2 percent in polls nationally. On Thursday, he announced that he was ending his presidential bid. My vision was for an America where everyone counts, Castro, 45, said. Thats the vision that I laid out in uncompromising terms. I knew that wouldnt be an easy vision for a lot of people to accept or to champion than perhaps a more comfortable vision for the future. But if youre going to run for president, I think you need to lay it all out there. Castro sat in a conference room at his campaign headquarters near downtown surrounded by reminders of a once-hopeful campaign. Artwork celebrating his homegrown candidacy decorated the room. On a nearby wall, campaign staff had scribbled their answers to the question, Why are you on Team Julian? Because I felt SEEN, wrote one. Castro said the hesitancy of Democrats to embrace his vision is not necessarily unique to the Trump era. Its harder to sell in the Donald Trump era, he said. But you think about American history, you think the New Deal, the Great Society, the civil rights legislation, the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments rarely in American history has the country completely embraced and moved forward with action toward a vision for full equality and helping those that are among the most marginalized. One of the things that Im proud of is, I believe we put forward a vision that addressed both racial justice and economic justice better than any other candidate more boldly, more articulately than any other candidate in the race. My hope is that this will become a blueprint for others later. The spectacle of an electorate too cautious to embrace Castro upended a narrative that has dogged the former mayor for years: that Castro himself is too cautious in his politics, too wary to run for the Senate, for instance, in a state that has long shunned Democrats. Castro said the mettle he displayed on the national stage has always been part of his political DNA. He noted the City Councils passage of a resolution when he was mayor nearly a decade ago opposing Arizonas controversial immigration law, and he recalled his televised clash with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in 2014 over immigration policy. Is it fair to say at some points Ive been cautious on certain things? Of course, because I wanted to make sure we had success in certain things, Castro said. But Ive also gone out there and swung for the fences on plenty of things, whether it was Pre-K or stepping up to take on Dan Patrick when other people wouldnt. Before Castro was disqualified from the debate stage in November and December due to low polling numbers, he unleashed a couple of withering attacks on his fellow Democrats. The first was on Beto ORourke, whom he blasted onstage for not doing his homework on immigration law. The second came during an exchange with former Vice President Joe Biden over health care policy. Castro skewered Biden with a line that was widely seen as a swipe at Bidens age. Are you forgetting already what you said just two minutes ago? Castro said to Biden, who is 77. While Castros take-down of ORourke gave his campaign a boost, his attack on Biden and the backlash it provoked seemed to blunt any momentum. Castro reiterated on Saturday that his remark had nothing to do with Bidens age. A narrative developed very early on, moments after that exchange, based on what the media had been writing about a candidate, he said. And they fit those remarks immediately into that narrative. And I said right after the debate and since then that our conversation was about the disagreement in policy and what was said or not said in that exchange. Castro doesnt buy that his clash with Biden compromised his campaign. In the end, he blamed a variety of factors. I started this campaign from scratch, he said, without the name ID, without the decades of a national political presence, without some of the tools that are essential today like a big email list to raise money from. Other factors: At base, a lack of resources, said Castro, who launched his campaign a year ago. Obviously, a message that some people responded to very well, but for whatever reason this time there was a good number of folks who were looking for a different message. And all of the other parts of the ecosystem you deal with: the media coverage, where we start off these campaigns, the feeling, the anxiety of the Trump era and the cautiousness. All of those things. Castro raised about $10 million last year for his campaign, compared with more than $100 million raised by Bernie Sanders. Castro acknowledged his campaign could have done some things better, but he declined to specify them. He also demurred on the question of whether he would run for office again. But he signaled he wants to stay in the fight. We built a strong vision for the future of the country and, I believe, a lot of goodwill out there, he said. I look forward to doing what I can to make sure that the Democratic nominee wins in 2020. Im going to work as hard as I can for the Democratic nominee. We absolutely have to defeat Donald Trump. In his own defeat, Castro said he hasnt been embittered. It was almost all positive, he said. Im coming out of it with a positive sense of whats possible. Obviously, all of us have our frustrations with the process. It never feels good not to win. Anybody whos running for president is probably a type-A personality that is used to succeeding and you dont like to lose. And it never feels good to lose. He continued, At the same time, Im walking away with a sense that we did the right thing. We spoke up for people who needed a voice. And even a lot of the people out there who werent necessarily supportive of my candidacy particularly, they said, Hey, look, I like you. Youre a good guy. You have a future, you know. I hope you continue to contribute. I appreciate that. bchasnoff@express-news.net (Natural News) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is in the throes of celebrating Christina Koch, whos become the latest woman astronaut to spend the longest time in space. But whats the point of celebrating her achievement now that a biological man who thinks hes a woman can just sweep on in and claim the new record? Koch reportedly spent 289 days in space during a recent extraterrestrial excursion, and is expected to spend a total of 328 days in orbit by the time she treks back to Earth. But, again, what is NASA going to do once a transgender astronaut comes along to steal the top prize for longest time spent in space by a female? Were already seeing this kind of thing in womens sports, as fake females smash records while leaving real females in the dust. Where does it all end, and do actual females stand a chance at winning anything ever again in this new LGBTQ paradise were all being forced to accept? A female high school athlete from New England recently spoke out about how she lost a regional track meet to two transgender females who stole the title from her due to their size and strength, both of which were reflective of their biological maleness. Her arms were much more defined than the average girls and same with her legs, but she had long hair, long braided hair, and I didnt think much of it, and then I watched the race and I saw that this girl was blowing away the competitors, and I thought, Hey, this isnt right, this usually doesnt happen,' this athlete, Selina Soule, is quoted as saying. For all she knows, Koch could soon encounter the same thing if some transgender astronaut comes along and decides, Im going to steal the record for the longest time spent in space by a woman and theres nothing Koch will be able to do about it because any objection on her part will be seen as exemplifying transphobia. Transgenders ruin everything, dont they? Koch is quoted as saying that she hopes someone out there will surpass her record as soon as possible because that means that were continuing to push the boundaries. But our guess is that she doesnt hope a biological man dressed up as a woman will be the one to push the boundaries though we could be wrong on that. We havent actually spoken to Koch about any of this, but chances are the concept isnt even on her radar. Heck, most rational Americans probably still arent conceiving of the fact that all of these new-wave transgenders are pushing the boundaries every day to see just how much perversion they can get away with in the name of progress. Keep an eye on this because theres certain to be at least one gender-confused man claiming to be a woman who, at some point, will attempt to become the first fake female to spend the longest amount of time in space, eclipsing Kochs accomplishment faster than you can shout out the word tolerance. Im waiting for the headline about the longest LGBTQ spacewalk or longest non-binary POC (people of color) rover deployment, joked one Breitbart News commenter in response to this story. Im curious when the first transgender black male will give birth (with sperm from a Muslim transgender Asian female) to a non-binary gender fluid interracial child who is accepting of all races, religions and creeds, joked another. In space. For more related news about the trans takeover of Western culture, be sure to check out Gender.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com Retailers were charging up to 180 taka for a kg of the kitchen staple on Friday after the maximum prices remained between 100-110 taka over the past week, bdnews24 reported on Saturday. Dhaka: After a drop following imports and arrival of new produces, onion prices have shot up again in Bangladesh, it was reported. Traders have blamed a supply squeeze due to sudden winter rains from Thursday night for the hike in onion prices in a day. Almas Hossain, a grocer in Mirpur's Pirerbagh, said he was selling new local produces at up to 120 taka a kg two days ago. "But I had to buy at 160 taka per kg from the wholesalers in the morning. So I can't charge less than 180 taka," he said. Onions imported from China and Egypt priced between 45-55 taka kg last week, but the prices rose to 70 taka on Friday. The latest onion price hike has hit the residents of Dhaka a day after Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi demanded an explanation for onion price hike from businesses before warning them against spiking commodity prices during Ramadan in April, said bdnews24. Onion consumption rises in Bangladesh during Ramadan, which will start in the second half of April, due to the use of the kitchen staple in most Iftar items. The country usually needs 200,000 tonnes of extra onion in the month, according to Munshi, who said the government was preparing to meet the demand by bolstering import. U.S. prepares for Iran's retaliation following Soleimani killing People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 16:29, January 04, 2020 WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States is preparing itself for any possible retaliation from Iran after a U.S. strike killed a top Iranian commander, a move that was concerned about by countries around the world and even questioned by some U.S. lawmakers. A U.S. airstrike on Thursday night (Washington time) killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force, along with an Iraqi militia commander, near Baghdad International Airport, triggering a harsh revenge threat from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response to "increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities" in the Middle East, the United States will deploy a brigade to Kuwait "as an appropriate and precautionary action," said the Pentagon in a statement on Friday, without specifying the number of the troops. U.S. media reported on Friday that America will deploy some 3,500 more troops to the Middle East as early as this weekend. 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. Following the strike, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on Friday urged all U.S. citizens to depart from Iraq immediately. Besides, the U.S. embassy in Beirut issued a security alert on Friday, warning U.S. citizens in Lebanon to exercise increased caution. After the deadly attack, Washington has tried to justify its move and called for de-escalation in the region. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that America's action Thursday night was "to stop a war," not "to start a war," adding that the United States is not seeking regime change in Iran, something repeatedly mentioned by senior Trump administration officials. "If Americans anywhere are threatened, we have all of those targets already fully identified, and I am ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary. And that, in particular, refers to Iran," Trump said in a speech delivered at his resort Mar-a-Lago in the state of Florida on Friday afternoon. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke on Friday with the Middle East and European allies, his Russian counterpart and other countries' senior officials by phone over the U.S. killing of Soleimani, claiming that "the United States remains committed to de-escalation," according to multiple readouts provided by the State Department. The strike also stirred up U.S. lawmakers, who mostly voiced their opinion along the party lines. "Tonight's airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence. America -- and the world -- cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return," U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement on Thursday. On Friday, Pelosi, a California Democrat, called on the Trump administration to immediately brief lawmakers on the U.S. airstrike and what the White House plans to do next. Several senior Republican lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, praised Trump's move. "No man alive was more directly responsible for the deaths of more American service members than Qassem Soleimani," McConnell said Friday on the Senate floor. McConnell also revealed that the Trump administration planned to give a classified briefing to all senators early next week. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of instigating riots by misleading people on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and sought to reassure Muslims, saying the law has no provision about taking away citizenship of minorities Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday, at a rally in New Delhi, accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of instigating "riots" by "misleading" people on the Citizenship Amendment Act and sought to reassure Muslims, saying the law has no provision about taking away citizenship of minorities. He made this statement at a meeting of Delhi BJP workers. Shah also took a swipe at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of "wasting" public money on advertisements and misleading people. 'Opposition spreading lies' During the meeting, Shah, referring to a recent attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib by a violent mob in Pakistan, accused the neighbouring country of "terrorising" Sikhs and asked Opposition leaders to open their eyes to atrocities against minorities across the border. "This is an answer to all those opposing the CAA. Tell me if these Sikhs who were attacked the other day in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib will not come to India, then where they will go?" he asked. Opposition leaders are spreading a pack of lies over the CAA, he claimed, asking BJP workers to carry out an intensive campaign to inform the masses about its features. The CAA's beneficiaries are largely Dalits and poor and those opposing the law are against these people, Shah alleged, calling Kejriwal and the Gandhis "anti-Dalit" for questioning it. "(Arvind) Kejriwal has misled people. The Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, has instigated riots by misleading people. Do you want a government in Delhi which incites riots for politics," he asked. The Opposition was inciting minorities against the CAA by alleging that they will lose their citizenship, Shah claimed. "I want to tell brothers and sisters from the minority that none of them can lose their citizenship because the CAA has no provision about taking it away," Shah said. The BJP leader also claimed that Priyanka, the Congress general secretary, extended her support to rioters by saying that she will visit houses of those who carried out riots. 'Kejriwal favours anti-nationals' Launching a strong attack on Kejriwal, Shah alleged that he came to power in Delhi fives years ago by misleading people with a host of promises. Addressing party workers, Shah alleged that Kejriwal was "wasting" public money on advertisements and said somebody can mislead people once but not all the time. He exuded confidence that the BJP will come to power in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP has been out of power in Delhi since 1998. Asking whether the AAP government has completed any work during its tenure, the BJP president listed the works done by the Centre for Delhi in the past five years. He also accused Kejriwal of "favouring the tukde tukde" gang by not giving sanction to prosecute Kanhaiya Kumar, the former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), in the JNU sedition case. Urging party workers to undertake door-to-door campaign to take the BJP's message to the people, Shah said he will himself take part in 'mohalla sabha' campaign in the National Capital. Delhi will go to polls in the coming weeks. With inputs from PTI A month after the teachers of Delhi University announced an indefinite strike and evaluation boycott mainly to demand the regularisation of jobs, the demonstrations are continuing. On December 4 last year the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) had called for an indefinite strike and an evaluation boycott after the university issued a circular which would threaten the jobs of ad hoc teachers. Following a meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the DUTA said it was assured that the matter would be resolved. Even as temperatures continue to dip, teachers have been sitting outside the vice-chancellors office to press for the absorption of ad hoc and temporary teachers, as well as the immediate beginning of the promotion process with the counting of past services at every stage. We have continued with the strike as reliefs promised on December 5, 2019, by the University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Human Resource Development have not been implemented yet, DUTA president Rajib Ray said. On Friday, teachers marched from the vice-chancellors office to the Swami Vivekananda statue. The University is at a standstill, but there is no action. The situation remains as it was; the administration is responsible for this impasse. Several principals of Delhi University colleges said the strike had caused an atmosphere of uncertainty at the varsity despite the semester beginning on January 1. The ad hoc teachers did come and register for the new semester but normal functioning has been affected. Outstation students have not come back so the attendance is less. The pressure will increase when they are back. Besides there is confusion among teachers as well regarding what will happen, Manoj Sinha, the principal of Aryabhatta College, said. The principal of Hindu college, Anju Srivastava, added that due to problems in evaluation, the results have been delayed. The only saving grace is that this is the odd semester and it has spilled over to the next semester. The results have been delayed. The strike has affected functioning across the university and the complete picture will only come on Monday when all students return. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Kroger, the parent company of King Soopers, is the nation's largest grocery chain and it plans to be plastic-bag free at all of its nearly 2,800 stores by 2025. Current state law prevents local governments from enacting their own bans on plastics, such as polystyrene or plastic grocery bags, but legislation in 2020 is expected to lift that prohibition. File photo OTTAWA COUNTY, MI Rough waters have paused the search for the missing Flint teenager who was washed into Lake Michigan on New Years Day. Eliza Jane Trainer, 16, a junior at Flushing High School, was knocked off the pier in Holland State Park after 11 p.m., Jan. 1 along with a 19-year-old male friend, who survived. Trainer is presumed drowned. The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office announced Sunday, Jan. 5, the weather and water conditions were too dangerous for search crews to go out on Lake Michigan. We will be continuing to monitor conditions and when appropriate water operations and divers will be activated, Ottawa County Captain Mark Bennett said. On Saturday, a sheriffs boat, equipped with sonar, was again used in the search. However, the boat was removed from the water as it became unsafe for personnel, Bennett said. Rough waters postponed search efforts on Friday, Jan. 3, as well. Winds coming from the north posed a threat to divers and could possibly push divers into the rocks near the pier, Ottawa County Capt. Jake Sparks said Friday. Linda Woods told MLive Saturday her grandson, Kade Goodrich, was the teen on the pier with Trainer. He was able to get out of the water and call for help. Woods said Trainer was part of the family and she saw her as a granddaughter. She went to the pier on Saturday. If they do find her," she said. "Id want to be here. Goodrich had hold of Trainers hand as he tried to pull her to the rocks when another wave hit, Woods said in an MLive interview. Trainer, who is presumed dead, is remembered as being kind and loving by loved ones who set up a GoFundMe for her funeral expenses. A candlelight vigil was held for Trainer Saturday night at Trinity Assembly of God in Genesee County. Iran or its proxies fired a few mortars and rockets at the Green Zone in Baghdad today: Two mortar rounds hit the Green Zone in Baghdad on Saturday and two rockets slammed into a base housing US troops, security sources said, according to AFP. No one was injured. This is a pretty lame response to the killing of General Soleimani, and I assume there is more to come. I do think, however, that Irans most likely move is to de-escalate the conflict by launching an attack that allows it to save face but doesnt harm any Americans. The Democrats are hoping for something more serious, maybe even war, but I dont think they are going to get it. There is no point in setting out and deconstructing all of the Democrats partisan foolishness, so lets settle for noting this bizarre headline from CNN: Dems question order to kill Iranian military leader. Trump hasnt publicly explained his reasoning. To which one can only reply, he most certainly has. In Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu supported Trumps action: Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday praised US President Donald Trump for acting to eliminate Irans Qassem Soleimani. *** Trump acted swiftly, forcefully and decisively, Netanyahu said, adding that Israel stands by the US. Netanyahus statements were made just prior to embarking on the flight home from Greece, pushed earlier due to concerns of backlash from the Soleimani elimination. Just as Israel has the right of self-defense, the United States has exactly the same right. Qassem Soleimani is responsible for the deaths of US citizens and many other innocents. He was planning more such attacks, and 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. You might think American Democrats would respond in similar fashion, or at least you might have thought so in an earlier era of American history. In fact, Democrats have pretty much universally condemned President Trump for taking strong action in retaliation for Irans besieging the U.S. Embassy in Baghdadin some cases, just hours after they criticized Trump for responding weakly to the embassy attack. No one expects consistency from Democrats. Iran has been issuing threats nonstopno surprise thereand President Trump has again responded via (what else?) Twitter: Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 .hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 .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 I like that52 sites for the 52 American hostages, taken during a low ebb of American history and now, perhaps, to be avenged. Is Trump serious? I think so, yes. It reminds me of a story about Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses Grant. Or maybe it was Sherman. I couldnt readily find it in my Civil War library, but it goes something like this: Lincoln was riding in a carriage in close proximity to Union troops, maybe he was reviewing them. A Union soldier approached Lincolns carriage and accosted the president, telling him a story that he thought Lincoln would hear sympathetically. The soldier had had some sort of conflict with the commanding generalGrant, I think, although it might have been Shermanand the general had threatened to shoot the soldier if he didnt obey orders. The soldier related this story in an outraged manner, but Lincoln replied along the lines of: I know General Grant [or Sherman], and I believe he would do it. If I were you, I would do what he says. President Trump has his faults, as did Grant and Sherman. But like them, if he says he will do something, you can be pretty confident he will do it. I believe that; more important, I think the Iranians believe it. I think that is the reality that will govern events in the weeks to come. Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev has written to heads of departments in the Delhi government, warning them against any delay in payment of salaries to contractual employees. In his letter, the chief secretary said non-compliance of the order would be viewed seriously and appropriate action taken against the defaulting officers. Heads of departments are required to send a certificate by the 20th of every month saying all contractual employees have been paid due wages pertaining to the previous month. The Labour Department had also recently asked other departments to ensure timely-payment of wages to contractual employees of the Delhi government. In the letter, Dev said it had been observed that some departments and organisations under the Delhi government were defaulting in implementing these directions. "All concerned HODs are directed to scrupulously follow the instructions in letter and spirit and send certificate on or before 20th day of each month. "Any lapse in this regard shall be viewed seriously and appropriate action shall be taken against the defaulting officers in a time-bound manner," he said. The chief secretary said that sometimes delays can be caused for want of requisite concurrence from the Finance Department. "Such cases necessitate proactive actions on the part of the departments and agencies to get their proposals cleared," he said. The wages should be paid by the seventh day of every month if the establishment has engaged less than 1,000 workers and by the 10th day if the department or organisation has hired more than 1,000 workers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former foreign minister Julie Bishop says Australia needs to show global leadership on climate change by putting forward a "coherent energy policy" in response to the nation's bushfire crisis. Amid growing international criticism of Prime Minister Scott Morrison's climate change policies as fires burn across six states, Ms Bishop said on Monday other countries looked to Australia for "direction, guidance and leadership". "Australia is a highly developed country," Ms Bishop said in an interview on Nine's Today show. "We should be showing leadership on the issue of climate change." "We don't have a national energy policy in this country and a national approach to climate change so we are part of a global effort. Jakarta is regularly hit by floods during the rainy season AFP/BAY ISMOYO More than 170,000 people took refuge in shelters across the massive urban conglomeration - home to 30 million - after whole neighbourhoods were submerged. Torrential rains that started on New Year's Eve unleashed flash floods and landslides in the region and neighbouring Lebak at the south end of Java island. On Saturday, Indonesia's disaster agency said the death toll had climbed to 60. "We've discovered more dead bodies," said National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Agus Wibowo. Officials would be visiting the homeless on Saturday in the hardest-hit areas, he added. Shelters filled up with refugees, including infants, resting on thin mats as food and drinking water ran low. Some had been reduced to using floodwaters to clean themselves and dishes. "We badly need clean water in this shelter," Trima Kanti said from one refuge in Jakarta's western edges. "We're cleaning ourselves in a nearby church but the timing has been limited since it uses an electric generator for power," the 39-year-old added. DEBRIS AND CARS In hard-hit Bekasi, on the eastern outskirts of Jakarta, swampy streets were littered with debris and crushed cars lying on top of each other - with waterline marks reaching as high as the second floors of buildings. The government said on Friday it would start cloud seeding to the west of the capital - inducing rain using chemicals sprayed from planes - to prevent approaching rainfall from pounding the region. Waters had receded in many areas and power was being restored after being cut off in hundreds of districts. In neighbouring Lebak, where half a dozen people died, police and military personnel dropped boxes of instant noodles and other supplies into remote communities inaccessible by road after bridges were destroyed. "It's tough to get supplies in there... and there are about a dozen places hit by landslides," Banten police chief Tomsi Tohir told AFP. "That is why we're using helicopters although there aren't any landing spots." Local health centre chief Suripto, who goes by one name, said injured residents were flowing into his clinic. "Some of them were wounded after they were swept away by floods and hit with wood and rocks," he said. The health ministry has said it deployed around 11,000 health workers and soldiers to distribute medicine, disinfectant hygiene kits and food in a bid to stave off outbreaks of Hepatitis A, mosquito-borne dengue fever and other illnesses, including infections linked to contact with dead animals. Around Jakarta, a family - including a four- and nine-year-old - died of suspected gas poisoning from a portable power generator, while an eight-year-old boy was killed in a landslide. Others died from drowning or hypothermia, while one 16-year-old boy was electrocuted by a power line. Jakarta is regularly hit by floods during the rainy season, which started in late November. But this week's disaster marked Jakarta's worst flooding since 2013 when dozens were killed after the city was inundated by monsoon rains. Urban planning experts said the disaster was partly due to record rainfall. But Jakarta's myriad infrastructure problems, including poor drainage and rampant overdevelopment, worsened the situation, they said. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has announced a plan to move the country's capital to Borneo island to take pressure off Jakarta, which suffers from some of the world's worst traffic jams and is fast sinking due to excessive groundwater extraction. United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran that the US has identified 52 possible targets in the country and will hit it harder than ever before if Tehran, which has vowed "severe revenge", carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of top military commander Qasem Soleimani. Maj Gen Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US 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. Soleimani's killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the US. On Saturday night, Trump warned that the US will target 52 sites in Iran some of which are "at a very high level and important to Iran and the Iranian culture" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. "Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters, Trump tweeted. "He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years," he said. "Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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!" Trump said. Within 10 hours, Trump issued another warning and said the US would hit Iran harder than ever before if Tehran retaliates. "They (Iran) attacked us, & we hit back. If they attack again, which I would strongly advise them not to do, we will hit them harder than they have ever been hit before!" Trump said in a past-mid night tweet amidst remarks of retaliation coming from Tehran. "The US just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way...and without hesitation!" Trump said in another tweet. Responding to Trump's remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said targeting cultural sites was a 'war crime'. "Having committed grave breaches of int'l law in Friday's cowardly assassinations, @realdonaldtrump threatens to commit again new breaches of JUS COGENS; Targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME; Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun (sic)," Zarif tweeted, referring to the principles which form the norms of international law. "Those masquerading as diplomats and those who shamelessly sat to identify Iranian cultural & civilian targets should not even bother to open a law dictionary," the top Iranian diplomat said. Soleimani was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran behind the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reported directly to the Ayatollah Khamenei and he was hailed as a heroic national figure. Ayatollah Khamenei has vowed a revenge against the killing of his general, saying "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday expresses shocked over violence at JawaharlalNehru University and wondered how the country would progress if students were not safe inside the university campus. "I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police shud immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus?" Kejriwal tweeted. Members of JNU Students' Union and ABVP clashed on the campus Sunday evening, sources said, adding it happened during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers' Association. The students' union claimed that its president Aishe Ghosh and many other students were injured in stone-pelting by ABVP members. But the RSS-backed students' organisation alleged its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits and 25 of them were injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Sunday questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the alleged deaths of many children in a year at a hospital in Gujarat's Rajkot district and blamed the state government for them. Congress leader Rajeev Satav, who is in charge of his party's affairs in Gujarat, alleged that more than 1250 children died in a year at the hospital. He said Modi and Shah have maintained silence over the deaths of so many children in their home state and asked if the prime minister will act against the state government headed by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The Congress' attack on the BJP came after it faced criticism over deaths of many children in a hospital in Rajasthan, where the party is in power. Satav also hit back at Shah over his allegation that Congress leaders Rajiv Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra instigated riots by misleading people over the amended Citizenship Act, as he raked up the BJP leader's internment due to his alleged involvement in a criminal case. Shah was later discharged from the case. The entire country knows which party runs the "vote for riots factory", he said. Satav also condemned the murder of a Sikh man in Punjab and blamed Pakistan government for it. "Our prime minister should intervene. Why has he maintained silence (over the issue)," he asked. Referring to the deaths of children in Gujarat, he said over 250 children have lost lives in Gandhinagar in the last three months and noted that this is Shah's home constituency. Noting that Rupani walked away when asked about the deaths of children, Satav said Modi often talks about the works done in the state and asked if he would now act against the chief minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 2.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren called out Trump for picking this attack on an Iranian top general to distract from impeachment. Warren said on CNNs State Of The Union: I think it is right question to ask. We will get more information as we go forward, but look at the timing on this, and look at what Donald Trump has said afterwards and his administration. They have pointed in multiple directions. There is a reason that he chose this moment, not a month ago and not a month from now, not a less aggressive and less dangerous response. He had a whole range of responses that were presented to he didnt pick one of the other ones, he picked the most aggressive and the one that moves us closer to war. So what does everybody talk about today? Are we going to war? Are we going to have another five years, ten years of war in the Middle East and dragged in once again. Are we bringing another generation of young people into war? That is every bit of the conversation right now. Donald Trump has taken an extraordinarily reckless step and we have seen it before, he is using the foreign policy and uses whatever he can to advance the interests of Donald Trump. Video: Elizabeth Warren makes the case that Trump is using his Iran attack to distract from impeachment. pic.twitter.com/E1UjrhNW5S Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 5, 2020 Trumps Twitter account makes it clear that he used the Iran strike to distract from impeachment. The administration has offered constantly changing reasons for the strike that killed Irans top general, but no details or evidence to support their claim that it had to happen right now. Sen. Warren deserves credit for saying what few others have on television. Donald Trump has used foreign policy to distract in the past, and there is no reason to believe that he has not done so again. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook The Maharashtra Congress is facing discontent over allocation of portfolios, with a section of leaders blaming state unit chief Balasaheb Thorat for the party getting a "raw deal" as compared to the Shiv Sena and NCP in the Uddhav Thackeray-led alliance government. Their ire is also directed towards NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who emerged as the key player in the alliance, with a Congress leader claiming that they need someone in the state unit who could stand up to the Maratha strongman. Some Congress leaders say they demanded at least two ministries from the list comprising agriculture, rural development, industries, housing, transport and cooperation, but the allies Shiv Sena and NCP refused to pay heed. Instead, ministries like culture, salt pan and port development, which were earlier with the Shiv Sena, have been handed over to the Congress. "The Congress has got a raw deal in power-sharing among the three alliance partners. Thorat has not been able to put forth the Congress' interest during deliberations on power-sharing," a senior party leader told PTI on condition of anonymity. According to sources, Congress leader Nitin Raut, who has been made the energy minister, is unhappy over the Public Works Department being given to his senior colleague and former chief minister Ashok Chavan and Thorat being allocated the revenue department. Citing how intense was the bitterness in the Congress rank and file, a leader said vandalising party office and burning effigy of a party general secretary never happened earlier, and added that "such acts of indiscipline need to be taken seriously". Some alleged supporters of Congress MLA Sangram Thopte ransacked the party office in Pune on December 31 to protest against his exclusion from the state ministry. Besides, some party workers in Solapur, who were unhappy over MLA Praniti Shinde not getting a ministerial berth, burnt an effigy of AICC general secretary in-charge of Maharashtra Mallikarjun Kharge. When contacted, former Maharashtra Congress president Manikrao Thakre admitted that such outpouring of anger was earlier unheard of in the party. He, however, said, "Both MLAs (Thopte and Shinde) have nothing to do with these incidents. They have said they are with the Congress and abide by the leadership's decisions." Meanwhile, a senior party functionary has written to AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, complaining about there being no discipline in the party. "Several Congress leaders and workers are unhappy because most of the party decisions are being taken after discussion with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. This is very dangerous," the functionary wrote. He also gave an example of the recent Ahmednagar zilla parisahd polls where the Congress has 23 members and NCP 18. Out of the 23 Congress members, 10, including Congressman-turned-BJP MLA Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil's wife, had promised to obey the party whip. Despite this, Thorat let the Congress settle for the vice president's post, giving the post of zilla parishad president to the NCP, the Congress functionary said. Another Congress leader said as part of the three- party alliance government, the Shiv Sena and NCP would boost their cadre strength and improve organisationally, but the Sonia Gandhi-led party should also not be left behind. "The Maharashtra Congress needs a president who can stand up to Sharad Pawar to ensure we don't fade into oblivion in the state," he said. A leader close to Thorat, however, said the Congress state chief managed to get the best for the party, keeping in mind the fact that it has just 44 MLAs in the 288-member Assembly. As per the allocation of portfolios, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar has got the finance and planning department while party colleague Anil Deshmukh is the state's new Home minister. Besides, first-time Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray, who is the son of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, has been given the environment, tourism and protocol departments. State Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat has got the revenue ministry while his party colleague and former chief minister Ashok Chavan got PWD-excluding public undertakings. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP has got most of the 'plum' ministries in the allocation of portfolios. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A car ploughed into a group of young German tourists in northern Italy early Sunday, killing 6 people and injuring 11. The deadly crash occurred in Luttach, also known as Lutago, in South Tyrol, at around 1.15 am as the Germans were gathering to board their bus, officials have confirmed. The group of 17 had been standing at a roadside, waiting for their tourist bus to return them to their hotel after spending the night in a club when the car, driven by a local man who had allegedly been drink-driving, crashed into them at speed. Some of those hit were propelled dozens of metres. Emergency services at the scene after an Audi ploughed into a group of German tourists, killing six and injuring 11 more Media gather near the sight of the crash after an Audi ploughed into a group of people in Luttach The deadly crash occurred in Luttach, also known as Lutago, in South Tyrol The Luttach volunteer fire service said in a Facebook post that the six dead were killed at the scene, after being struck by an Audi. The majority of the injured were taken to hospital in South Tyrol, while two victims, a man and a woman, were rushed to a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, in a serious condition. Among the injured were two people from South Tyrol, police spokesman Marc Kaufmann said in a press conference on Sunday morning. The remaining victims were German nationals, aged between 20 and 25, Kaufmann said. Most of those who died were from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, according to German media reports. Two of them were from the city of Wuppertal. The victims have not yet been formally identified. After news of the tragic incident broke, people gathered to light candles at the scene of the crash. A commemoration letter was also placed at the site. People gather to light candles at the spot where car fatally ploughed into a group of mostly German tourists early Sunday morning The street where the tragic incident took place. Among the injured were two people from South Tyrol, police spokesman Marc Kaufmann said in a press conference on Sunday morning A man lights a candle at the scene of the incident. Some 160 emergency workers were at the scene of the crash, and a field hospital was set up by the roadside to provide first aid Police have identified the driver as a 28-year-old local man who had a high alcohol blood content at the time of the incident, who reportedly failed a breath test. He has been arrested on suspicion of vehicle manslaughter and admitted to hospital under police guard. Some 160 emergency workers were at the scene of the crash, and a field hospital was set up by the roadside to provide first aid. Candle and a commemoration letter placed at the at the scene where a car had plowed into a group of people in Luttach Media gather near a police car. 'A terrible scene, people on the ground, cries and pain, a tragedy - we don't have the words,' a hotel receptionist told the Corriere della Sera newspaper 'A terrible scene, people on the ground, cries and pain, a tragedy - we don't have the words,' a hotel receptionist told the Corriere della Sera newspaper. 'We have asked several times for a radar on this road as drivers speed up as soon as they leave Lutago, and here, one kilometre from the centre, they go at 100 kilometres an hour.' 'The New Year has begun with a tragedy,' South Tyrol governor Arno Kompatscher told reporters. The German foreign ministry in Berlin said its consulate in Milan was 'in close touch with the Italian authorities who are proceeding with the identification of the victims, assisting those who have been affected.' Luttach is a mountain village in Italy's majority German-speaking South Tyrol region, and a popular tourist destination among Germans, attracting skiers and snowboarders in the winter months thanks to the nearby ski slopes of Klausberg and Speikboden. The village of about 800 residents is the location for a popular Italian television series 'A un passo del ciel' ('One step from heaven'). Last week, three Germans - a woman and two girls, one of them aged seven - were killed in an avalanche in South Tyrol. Trump Warns of US Attack Against 52 Iranian Targets If Tehran Strikes US Citizens, Assets Sputnik News 02:02 05.01.2020(updated 02:55 05.01.2020) Top Iranian military commander, Qasem Soleimani, was assassinated on Friday in Baghdad in a US airstrike authorized by President Donald Trump. Iran vowed revenge over the killing, while the Trump administration earlier claimed the targeted airstrike was intended to deescalate regional tensions. Trump, in a series of tweets on Saturday, reacted to threats from the Iranian leadership of "revenge" for Soleimani's assassination. The US president lashed out at Tehran, warning of a possible strike on "52 Iranian sites". Trump is referring to dramatic events that shocked the global community in 1979 after 52 American diplomatic staffers were taken hostage in Iran for 444 days. At the time, the United States and Iran broke off diplomatic ties. The United States has since initiated the introduction of international UN Security Council sanctions against Iran. Iran, meanwhile, remains outraged by the assassination of its top general and has vowed a harsh response. US officials allege the move prevented an "imminent attack" against Washington. Tensions have been sparked by the menacing escalation in the area after the killing of Soleimani. Over the last day, Iraq has been hit by serial airstrikes that were reportedly carried out by the Pentagon, which has continued its attempts to surgically eliminate senior members of Iranian-backed militia forces in Iraq. Local media claimed, citing sources, that Iraq's militia earlier in the day attacked several military installations belonging to Iraqi security forces stationed alongside US troops in the region. Trump claimed during a news conference following the Soleimani killing that his decision to assassinate the senior Iranian military official while the latter was in neighboring Iraq was aimed to prevent war. Trump warned that the United States has identified military targets and is prepared to take action if Iran threatens American citizens. Iran's National Security Council said in a statement that it will respond to Soleimani's death "at the right time and in the right place". A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Burger King worker was arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on a customer who complained about her order in Tennessee. The customer said the incident happened on New Year's Day after she complained that there was a mix-up with her order at the outlet at the 2300 block of Deadrick Avenue in Memphis. She had placed her order at the drive-thru and then entered the restaurant to say that the order was wrong. Oderrial Moore-Williams, 38, was arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on a customer who complained about her order at a Burger King outlet in Memphis, Tennessee Police said Oderrial Moore-Williams, 38, began to swear and yell at the customer as she was working behind the counter. A witness told police officers that Moore-Williams took out a gun and pointed it at the customer. She was then reportedly seen putting the weapon in a bag and handing it to an unidentified person in the parking lot of the restaurant. Police said Oderrial Moore-Williams, 38, began to swear and yell at the customer as she was working behind the counter The customer said the incident happened on New Year's Day after she complained that there was a mix-up with her order at the outlet at the 2300 block of Deadrick Avenue in Memphis Authorities took her into custody and Moore-Williams has been charged with aggravated assault. In a statement obtained by Fox News, a Burger King spokesman said: 'We take the safety and security of everyone at our restaurants very seriously. 'This behavior does not reflect our expectations for Burger King restaurants. The franchisee is fully cooperating with the authorities and has terminated the employee.' Oderrial Moore-Williams was taken into custody and was charged with aggravated assault. Dancing On Ice has been hit with fix rumours as fans have claimed Perri Kiely could win the show due to 'favouritism' from his Diversity co-star and show judge Ashley Banjo. As the latest series launched on Sunday, the street dancer, 24, topped the leaderboard with a whopping 27.5 out of 40 points for his debut routine to Robbie Williams' Puttin' On the Ritz with professional partner Vanessa Bauer. The performer - who won Britain's Got Talent in 2009 with Ashley, 31, as part of their dance troupe Diversity - admitted he felt 'pressured' when he took to the rink as he insisted 'everyone thought he was going to be good' due to his past experience. Show launch: DOI has been hit with fix rumours as fans have claimed Perri Kiely (pictured with Vanessa Bauer) could win the show due to 'favouritism' from his Diversity co-star Ashley Banjo The pair rose to fame together after winning the ITV talent show over a decade ago, and have since joined forces with their dance members on nationwide tours. Many viewers insisted his dancing skills and connection to Ashley could give him the upper hand in the competition. One tweeted: 'Anyone thinking Ashley is deliberately going to fix the scores so Perri wins, given they are BOTH members of #Diversity? #DancingOnIce... I smell a fix coming.' Another agreed: 'Hang on....hope there's not gonna be any favouritism from Ashley towards Perrie? #DancingOnIce.' Co-star: As the new series launched on Sunday, the street dancer, 24, topped the leaderboard with a whopping 27.5 out of 40 points for his debut routine (show judge Ashley, 31, pictured) Dance crew: Perri wowed viewers with his incredible moves as part of the troupe Diversity, who won Britain's Got Talent in 2009 (pictured bottom right with Ashley) A third added: '@dancingonice @ITV WHY IS IT FAIR THAT @perrikiely is on DOI? Not only is his mate a judge but he is ALREADY A PRO DANCER. Most of the contestants have never danced or been on ice. #fix #perri #DOI #Dancingonice.' [sic] 'At least we know whose winning.. Perry from Diversity dance group #DancingOnIce', another shared. Others flooded the social media platform with comments such as: 'Member of Diversity on the judging panel, member of Diversity presents the 'backstage' show, and a member of Diversity is a contestant on this years series. F**king yawn. #DOI #DancingonIce. [sic] 'Weird coincidence how someone from diversity gets voted the most off someone from diversity :/ #dancingonice. [sic] Leading the pack: The Essex star was awarded seven points from his mentor Ashley, as well as scores ranging from six to seven from judges John Barrowman, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean In a league of their own: Perri looked dapper in a two piece suit and bow tie as he displayed his fancy footwork alongside stunning figure skater Vanessa, 23 'Isnt it weird having someone from Diversity judging someone from Diversity. #dancingonice... Not convinced it is fair for Ashley to be allowed to judge perri #dancingonice.' [sic] Ahead of his stint, the Essex star admitted that despite his Diversity career, he's 'not a classically trained dancer, certainly hasn't skated before and, if anything, thinks Ashley might be tougher on him'. Ashley echoed his comments as he said he'd 'end up being harder' on Perri, but admitted coming from a performance background could be considered as an advantage. The choreographer said during the show's press launch: 'I think [the critics] are very wrong. 'How is that fair?' Many viewers insisted his dancing skills and connection to Ashley could give him the upper hand in the competition 'I won't be easier or harder on him but Ill find it easier to be honest with him. If I think it with Perri I'll say it, good or bad. I know him inside and out. I think I'll end up being harder on him and he'll need more push to do well.' 'I have to agree, they have an advantage but not an unfair one. A lot of people come from a performance background. It helps if you can dance because obviously youre used to learning things. Its just one the tools in your arsenal.' A Dancing On Ice spokesperson declined to comment when approached by MailOnline. 'He's my favourite skater': Others focused their attention on Perri's impressive skills Others focused their attention on Perri's impressive skills as they praised: 'Love @perrikiely in @Diversity_Tweet and now he is my favourite skater #dancingonice.' A second added: '@perrikiely @TheVanessaBauer Oh WOW ! what a routine !! And thats why #perrikeily is the bookies fav! Absolutely amazing routine! Such a different look #Diversity Cant wait to see what you do next time ! @dancingonice #DancingOnIce @AllThingsDOI @Diversity_Tweet.' [sic]. 'Ive got to hand it to @perrikiely Up until last night he was on our stage in Southend performing in a full on panto all the while training for @dancingonice How he did both Ill never know but he has clearly pulled it off! Well done Perri! #dancingonice #perrikiely', a third said. [sic] On cloud nine: The TV star beamed with delight as he performed on the show with the German star for the first time Perri looked dapper in a two piece suit and bow tie as he displayed his fancy footwork alongside stunning figure skater Vanessa, 23. After being awarded seven points from his mentor Ashley, the media personality shared: 'You've got a lot of pressure, everyone saying "you're going to be good". 'A lot of pressure from me. You make things look too easy, there's a lot of technicality. But you need to perform it as well.' Hitting back: The Essex star admitted that despite his Diversity career, he's 'not a classically trained dancer, while Ashley said he'd 'end up being harder' on Perri By MICHAEL REZENDES, Associated Press CHICAGO One day in May of 1970, an 11-year-old boy and his disabled sister were sitting on the curb outside a Chicago tavern, waiting for their mother to come out. When a priest with crinkly eyes and a ready smile happened by and offered the family a ride home, they could not have been happier. The boy, Robert J. Goldberg, now 61, would pay dearly for the favor, enduring what he describes as years of psychological control and sexual abuse he suffered while working as a child valet for the late Rev. Donald J. McGuire. He remained in the Jesuit's thrall for nearly 40 years, even volunteering to testify on McGuire's behalf during criminal trials that ultimately resulted in a 25-year prison sentence for the priest. But today, Goldberg says he has finally broken the hold McGuire once had on him. And he has begun to tell his story, in interviews with The Associated Press and in a lawsuit he filed Monday in California state court in San Francisco. In this Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 photo, Bobby Goldberg looks to the road in front of his home in suburban Chicago. Goldberg has filed a lawsuit claiming he was abused more than 1,000 times in multiple states and countries by the late Donald McGuire, a prominent American Jesuit priest who had close ties to Mother Teresa. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP The lawsuit charges that McGuire, a globe-trotting Jesuit with ties to Saint Teresa of Calcutta, abused Goldberg more than 1,000 times, in multiple states and countries, during sojourns to spiritual retreats throughout the United States and Europe. On these trips, the lawsuit says, McGuire referred to Goldberg as his "protege." All the while, the suit says, the boy carried his briefcase, ran errands and often endured daily abuse that included "sexual touching, oral copulation and anal penetration." The lawsuit filed Monday doesn't currently name any defendants, but Goldberg's attorneys say the defendants will include the Jesuit religious order in the United States and the order's top leader in Rome, among others. They also say that Goldberg's abuse occurred at a time when powerful church officials including Mother Teresa, who was elevated to sainthood by Pope Francis three years ago knew that McGuire had been repeatedly accused of sexually abusing boys. Church officials went to great lengths to cover up his crimes, the suit alleges. In the nearly two decades since the clergy abuse scandal erupted, thousands of survivors have stepped forward to tell their painful stories. Hundreds more revealed their abuse in lawsuits earlier this year, when the state of New York opened a one-year window that allows survivors to file child sex abuse lawsuits without regard to the statute of limitations. And hundreds more, including Goldberg, are expected to step forward as a similar window opens Jan. 1 in California. But many victims still suffer in silence, often taking decades to step forward, if they ever do. Advocates say that Catholic priests, as representatives of God and respected members of their communities, are often able to exert control over the children they target, especially when they are helping the child or their families overcome poverty or other obstacles. Terence McKiernan of BishopAccountability.org, which tracks the abuse crisis and maintains a data base of accused priests, said abusers in the Jesuit religious order are well-equipped to exercise psychological control over their victims because of the orders reputation as administrators of dozens of colleges and high schools in the United States alone. "Everyone knows the Jesuits are smart and the Jesuits are sophisticated," he said. "And they often bring enormous sophistication to the abuse they perpetrate." In this Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 photo, Bobby Goldberg stands in the living room at his home in suburban Chicago. Goldberg has filed a lawsuit claiming he was abused more than 1,000 times in multiple states and countries by the late Donald McGuire, a prominent American Jesuit priest who had close ties to Mother Teresa. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP AGAINST ALL ODDS Goldberg's journey from supporter to accuser took years to complete. The final stretch began last fall, on a cold October night in the suburbs of Chicago. Tyrone Cefalu, another former assistant to McGuire, was watching TV at his home when he got an unexpected call from Goldberg and his sister. Cefalu and Goldberg had bonded over the years, discussing their time with McGuire and what they knew about the priest's dark side. Goldberg, a scruffy former dog breeder, and his older sister Debbie, who has Down syndrome, had been living in southwest Virginia's coal country. But they had fled their home because Bobby feared a Virginia social service agency was trying to take Debbie away from him. Now they were holed up at a nearby gas station, wondering if Cefalu could meet them and help them out. After some missed signals, Cefalu found the pair huddled under blankets in the back of a U-Haul cube truck, parked behind a church in Forest Park, Illinois out of gas, out of money, and out of luck. For Goldberg, it could have been the end of the road. Years of hard living had left him with a variety of ailments, including tumors in his throat and the loss of several teeth, which made it difficult for him to speak. But that evening, against all odds, marked a new beginning. Goldberg and his sister followed Cefalu home, and Cefalu and his wife made beds for them in their living room. Over the next several weeks, the two one-time McGuire supporters explored their shared history, recalling McGuire as a messianic retreat leader able to instill loyalty in his victims and their families, many of them wealthy, devout Catholics. "He was very controlling. I had no say whatsoever," Goldberg told the AP, recalling the years he spent working and living with McGuire. "Whatever he told my mother he wanted me to do, I had to do it." The key to Goldberg's slow transformation was Cefalu, who was once so devoted to McGuire that he spent six years working full time on the celebrated priest's defense, through two criminal trials and various appeals. His labors included scanning documents for McGuire's attorneys, drumming up witnesses, and investigating McGuire's accusers. "McGuire asked me to find the dirt on those guys, and I found the dirt," he told the AP. Like Goldberg, Cefalu met McGuire when he was a boy, but his circumstances were different. Goldberg was being raised by a single, Catholic mother of limited means his Jewish father had recently died. Cefalu, by contrast, was part of a middle-class family and was headed for Loyola Academy, a prestigious Jesuit prep school where McGuire had been a teacher. McGuire was a family friend who frequently appeared at the family home for dinner, Cefalu said. His family attended weekly Mass to hear McGuire sermonize and took part in his spiritual retreats, events where McGuire began to acquire a cult-like following. "When he said Mass he would give a sermon that would go on for 45 minutes and everybody loved it," Cefalu recalled. "He'd been all over the world and could tell stories. He could sing. The guy was mesmerizing." McGuire also won supporters by doing favors. "He'd tutor poor kids and help them get into good schools and graduate from good schools," Cefalu said. "If your family had problems, he would be there for you, and almost every family had some kind of serious problem that he could deal with." During those years, Cefalu recalled, he began helping at his father's print shop, which produced McGuire's personal Christmas cards, a measure of his growing reach. "We started out printing 200 cards and that went up to 5,000," Cefalu said. "The guy had a following." In this Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 photo, Bobby Goldberg looks outside from his home in suburban Chicago. Goldberg has filed a lawsuit claiming he was abused more than 1,000 times in multiple states and countries by the late Donald McGuire, a prominent American Jesuit priest who had close ties to Mother Teresa. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP ROVING MINISTRY After Goldberg and his family met McGuire that fateful day in 1970, the priest quickly ingratiated himself with Goldberg's mother, persuading her that Goldberg would be better off living under his supervision, according to the lawsuit. During this time, Goldberg would spend evenings at McGuire's living quarters and sometimes would return to his family's home with McGuire, who would sleep with him in his bed. Meanwhile, Goldberg's mother came to rely on the funds that McGuire paid Goldberg for working as his assistant, $300 to $500 a week. If Goldberg rebelled, by running off with his friends or refusing to have sex, McGuire punished him by locking him in a room for hours, Goldberg said. McGuire also used sex as a punishment, he added. He said that once, when he got into an accident with McGuire's car, the priest ordered him to make amends by performing a menu of sexual favors. Goldberg and his family followed along in 1976 when McGuire moved to San Francisco to assume a teaching assignment at the University of San Francisco, a Jesuit school, and promote a roving ministry in which he presided over religious retreats for wealthy Catholics, collecting large donations along the way. It was during this time that McGuire developed ties with Mother Teresa, becoming her spiritual adviser while vetting nuns seeking to join the religious order she founded, the Missionaries of Charity. In 1981, following new accusations of inappropriate relationships with boys part of a series of accusations that had begun in the early 1960s McGuire lost his teaching assignment and returned to Chicago. Once again, Goldberg and his family followed him, and Goldberg continued to give in to McGuire's sexual demands. In 1990, Goldberg's family moved to Virginia. Even after the move, Goldberg said, he continued to rely on McGuire for financial support, especially during a three-year prison term for a drug conviction. "There's a lot of things I remember, and a lot of things I try not to remember," he said. In this Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 photo, Tyrone Cefalu, right, Bobby Goldberg, left, and his sister Debbie Goldberg pose for a photo in front of Bobby Goldberg's home in suburban Chicago. Bobby Goldberg has filed a lawsuit claiming he was abused more than 1,000 times in multiple states and countries by the late Donald McGuire, a prominent American Jesuit priest who had close ties to Mother Teresa. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP A PREDATORY HISTORY Shortly after McGuire was ordained, in 1961, the Chicago Province of Jesuits (now part of the Midwest Jesuits) began hearing from church officials concerned about the young priest's relationships with boys. The complaints would keep coming for the next half century, continuing even after McGuire was defrocked and sentenced to prison. They started when McGuire was living in Europe, in the early '60s, when church officials in Germany and Austria sent alarming reports of McGuire's activities. One official in Austria wrote that McGuire had "much relations with young boys, particularly some boys who work in our kitchen and who used to go to his room." As a result, the Jesuits recalled McGuire from Europe but assigned him to a teaching position at Loyola Academy, where he molested students who would later file lawsuits and receive significant monetary settlements. Each time the Jesuits received complaints that McGuire was sexually abusing boys, they would move him to another post, where he would continue his predatory behavior. Even after a psychiatric evaluation showed McGuire was sexually attracted to underage boys, the Jesuits continued to insist he was a priest in good standing, in part due to the urging of Mother Teresa. In a letter dated Feb. 2, 1994, after McGuire had been released from a residential treatment center, the future saint wrote to the leader of the Chicago Jesuits, saying she had received a letter from McGuire and believed that the accusations lodged against him were untrue. "I have confidence and trust in Fr. McGuire and wish to see his vital ministry resume as soon as possible," she wrote. Mother Teresa got her wish, and McGuire continued his world-wide ministry, "openly traveling with young boys as his companions," according to Goldberg's lawsuit. In 2002, after yet another complaint, the Jesuits restricted McGuire's ministry to the Chicago Archdiocese. In 2003, the first of several lawsuits against McGuire and his Jesuit superiors were filed. Months later, a Wisconsin district attorney began investigating allegations that McGuire had abused two Loyola students during a trip in the late 1960s to the Lake Geneva resort area. The investigation led to a trial where nuns from Mother Teresa's religious order, wearing their distinctive white and blue habits, packed the courtroom. They wore buttons that said: "I support Fr. McGuire." Despite that outpouring, McGuire was convicted. And while he was free on appeal he was charged by federal authorities with molesting another boy on trips to Austria and Switzerland. Once again, McGuire was convicted while protesting his innocence, leading to his 25-year prison term. Officials in the Jesuits' Midwest Province could not be reached for comment Monday. In 2012, the Chicago Jesuit official who received Mother Teresa's letter, the Rev. Bradley M. Schaeffer, issued a statement apologizing for failing to rein McGuire in. "I deeply regret that my actions were not enough to prevent him from engaging in these horrific crimes,'' he said. Last year, when the Midwest Jesuits released a list naming 65 accused Jesuits, including McGuire, Provincial Brian G. Paulson issued a similar apology. "We are painfully aware that in earlier decades, some Midwest Jesuits were not removed from ministry quickly enough," he said. "We are deeply sorrowful." In this Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 photo, Bobby Goldberg looks to the road in front of his home in suburban Chicago. Goldberg has filed a lawsuit claiming he was abused more than 1,000 times in multiple states and countries by the late Donald McGuire, a prominent American Jesuit priest who had close ties to Mother Teresa. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP TOO MUCH TO BEAR It was only after McGuire began serving his 25-year federal prison sentence, in 2009, that Cefalu began to doubt his innocence. The turning point, he said, came when he was sorting McGuire's belongings and discovered a color slide that captured him as a naked 13-year-old, changing into his underwear during a trip to Canada with McGuire and another young teen. "That really pissed me off," he said. When he confronted McGuire during a visit to the federal prison in Texas where he was serving his sentence and McGuire denied taking the photo, Cefalu said, he knew the priest was lying. Back home in suburban Chicago, as he pored over more than 40 boxes of McGuire's records, his skepticism only grew. Reading the documents was unsettling, Cefalu said, because he'd been one of McGuire's chief supporters, to the point where McGuire had appointed him to be his legal representative while in prison. In addition, Cefalu had known several of McGuire's victims while attending Loyola Academy, the Catholic prep school, during the late 1960s and early '70s. The experience made Cefalu rethink the "horse bites" McGuire would sometimes give him, pinching him hard on his upper thigh and then placing his hand over his groin, exclaiming, "Gotcha!" Cefalu provided details of his alleged abuse by McGuire and another Jesuit in a lawsuit he filed five years ago, without the help of an attorney, in Cook County Circuit Court. After reading the records McGuire had entrusted to him, Cefalu began reaching out to McGuire's other victims, hoping they might answer his many questions. And as McGuire's victims began filing lawsuits, they reached out to him. Goldberg also knew McGuire's victims, not as an alumnus of Loyola Academy, but through the years he'd spent working as McGuire's assistant. After the former priest was sent to prison, Cefalu and Goldberg occasionally talked on the phone and began to reassess their histories with the charismatic priest they had known. Their conversations continued after McGuire died behind bars in 2017, at age 86. But it wasn't until Goldberg's desperate call to Cefalu in October 2018 that Goldberg's decision to go public with his allegations against McGuire and the church began to take shape. In this Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 photo, Bobby Goldberg and his sister Debbie arrive at the office of his lawyer, Melissa Anderson, in Bannockburn, Ill. Goldberg has filed a lawsuit claiming he was abused more than 1,000 times in multiple states and countries by the late Donald McGuire, a prominent American Jesuit priest who had close ties to Mother Teresa. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP MAKING PEACE After Cefalu found Goldberg and his sister huddled in the back of their U-Haul in late 2018, Goldberg began revealing more details of his abuse to Cefalu. Cefalu came to believe that Goldberg had been abused over a longer period than any of McGuire's other victims. Yet when Goldberg said he was ready to file a lawsuit, Cefalu hesitated. Since discovering the nude photograph of himself in McGuire's files, he has nursed a growing antipathy for the Jesuits and the role they played covering up McGuire's crimes. But his disdain for lawyers is nearly as great. "I have found that the lawyers, the psychiatrists, the therapists, have turned this whole thing into an industry," he said. "They're not interested in healing the people." On the other hand, Cefalu understood that, without legal and financial help, Goldberg and his sister would likely remain homeless. So, he grudgingly introduced them to a trio of lawyers with experience representing McGuire's victims: Chicago attorneys Marc Pearlman and Melissa Anderson, and Jeff Anderson, the Minnesota attorney who has represented clergy abuse survivors since the 1980s. "They have a success rate, and Bobby needed a success," Cefalu said. Today, the Goldbergs and their bullmastiff, Boss, remain inseparable, living in a modest duplex outside Chicago with help from a nearby nondenominational church and a generous individual who befriended Debbie while she was hospitalized for a staph infection. During hours of interviews conducted with the AP over two days, Goldberg said his feelings about McGuire began to change after hearing victims testify at McGuire's criminal trial in Chicago, where he was scheduled to testify on the priest's behalf but never was called to the witness stand. In his head, he recalls, he imagined saying to McGuire: "I'll pray for you. You have no remorse for what you did to me or the others." Goldberg was often tearful as he told his story, while his older sister looked on. He said he felt a sense of relief and connection with other people while unburdening himself, and that he has started to make peace with his memories of the priest who, he says, dominated his life and his family for so long. I have to forgive him, so I can get into heaven, he said. Press Release January 5, 2020 Gatchalian urges CHED to include more students avail of free tuition Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure that all 118 local universities and colleges (LUCs) in the country become eligible to offer free tuition under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 (Republic Act 10931), a move that provides free quality tertiary education. CHED recently signed an agreement with the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFast) and 27 LUCs that will be offering free tertiary education for Academic Year 2019-2021. Aside from free tuition, CHED-accredited LUCs also offer subsidies. Previously, there were 76 LUCs that have started offering free tertiary education and subsidies since the law took effect in 2017. The law mandates LUCs to comply with certain policies, guidelines, and standards so they can offer free tuition. With only 15 more LUCs that have yet to be accredited, Gatchalian said that CHED should coordinate closely with these institutions to help them meet their prerequisites and become eligible to offer free tuition and subsidies. "Mahalaga ang papel ng mga lokal na pamantasan at mga kolehiyo upang gawing abot-kaya ang dekalidad na edukasyon. Kung masisiguro natin na may kakayahan ang lahat ng mga paaralang ito na magbigay ng libreng edukasyon, mas marami tayong matutulungan na mga kabataan sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa na makapagtapos at magkaroon ng maayos na kinabukasan" said Gatchalian, co-author and co-sponsor of the free tuition law. "Isang mahalagang reporma sa ating sistema ng edukasyon kung maibibigay natin ito nang libre sa ating mga pampublikong pamantasan at mga kolehiyo. Sa puntong ito, ang layunin natin ay masigurong naipapatupad natin nang wasto ang batas upang makinabang dito ang bawat kabataang Filipino," Gatchalian added. Aside from LUCs, Republic Act 10931 also covers state universities (SUCs) and colleges and state-run technical vocational institutions. ### CHED hinimok ni Gatchalian na bigyan pa ang mas maraming estudyante ng libreng matrikula sa kolehiyo Nanawagan si Senador Win Gatchalian sa Commission on Higher Education o CHED na gawing libre ang kolehiyo sa lahat ng isang daan at labing-walong (118) local universities and colleges o LUCs sa bansa. Ayon sa mambabatas, mahalaga ang hakbang na ito upang makinabang ang mas maraming mag-aaral sa Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 o Republic Act 10931 na naglalayong magbigay ng libreng dekalidad na edukasyon sa kolehiyo. Kamakailan lamang ay nilagdaan ng CHED ang isang kasunduan kasama ang Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education o UniFast at ang dalawampu't pitong (27) LUCs para madagdagan pa ang bilang ng mga estudyanteng nasa kolehiyo na mabigyan ng libreng matrikula para sa school year 2019-2021. Bukod sa 27, may nauna nang 76 na LUCs na kasalukuyang nagbibigay na ng libreng matrikula simula nang maisabatas ang 'free tuition' noong 2017. Maliban sa libreng matrikula, maaari na ring magbigay ang mga LUCs na ito ng tulong pinansyal sa mga nangangailangang mga mag-aaral. Sa ilalim ng batas, kailangang sumunod ang mga LUCs sa mga pamantayan ng CHEd upang makapag-alok ang mga ito ng libreng kolehiyo. Ayon kay Gatchalian, kailangang tulungan at himukin ng CHED ang nalalabing labing-limang (15) LUCs na sundin ang mga panuntunan nito. "Mahalaga ang papel ng mga lokal na pamantasan at mga kolehiyo upang gawing abot-kaya ang dekalidad na edukasyon. Kung masisiguro natin na may kakayahan ang lahat ng mga paaralang ito na magbigay ng libreng edukasyon, mas marami tayong matutulungan na mga kabataan sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa na makapagtapos at magkaroon ng maayos na kinabukasan" ani Gatchalian, na isa sa mga may akda at sponsor ng free tuition law. "Isang mahalagang reporma sa ating sistema ng edukasyon kung maibibigay natin ito nang libre sa ating mga pampublikong pamantasan at mga kolehiyo. Sa puntong ito, ang layunin natin ay masigurong naipapatupad natin nang wasto ang batas upang makinabang dito ang bawat kabataang Filipino," dagdag ni Gatchalian. Maliban sa LUCs, saklaw din ng batas ang lahat ng State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) at technical vocational schools sa ilalim ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority o TESDA. Why Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu became the first COVID-19 hotspots in India Night Curfew in Maharashtra: Check guidelines, rules; what is allowed, what is not allowed Amid rumours of discord, Abdul Sattar's 'alternative' in Aurangabad irks Uddhav Thackeray India pti-PTI Mumbai, Jan 05: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is "disappointed" with newly-inducted minister Abdul Sattar in connection with the Aurangabad Zilla Parishad polls where the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi managed to win the president's post after a rebellion and draw of lots, a senior Shiv Sena leader said on Sunday. Sattar, who joined the Sena from the Congress ahead of the October Assembly polls, has been accused of "sabotage" by a section of Sena leaders in Aurangabad who claimed his supporters did not throw their weight behind the MVA-backed Congress candidate in the poll for the ZP's vice president. Since coming to power, the three parties have decided to fight such local elections in tandem to keep the BJP out of power. "Sattar has some plans for his supporters so was considering an alternative in the ZP poll. However, Uddhavji has communicated clearly to him on the importance of the MVA remaining intact," a senior Sena leader said on condition of anonymity. Sent portfolio list to Maharashtra Governor says NCP chief "Uddhavji is disappointed with Sattar and has made it clear to the minister," the leader added. Sattar, who met Uddhav on Sunday, on his part, claimed all was well. "I have informed Uddhavji my side in this whole episode. I am very much part of Sena and am not leaving the party. I am meeting Uddhavji tomorrow (Monday) evening," the MLA from Sillod in Aurangabad district said. There was intense speculation on Saturday that Sattar had resigned, with several Aurangabad Sena leaders, prime among them being former Lok Sabha MP Chandrakant Khaire, coming out openly against him. Khaire called Sattar a "snake" and a "traitor". On Sunday, Meena Shelke of the MVA was appointed president of Aurangabad ZP after a draw of lots following a tie with Sena rebel Devyani Dongaonkar, who was the outgoing president. Lahanu Gaikwad of the BJP was elected vice president. When Facebook was searching for another New York office, one big enough to fit as many as 6,000 workers, more than double the number it currently employs in the city, it had one major demand: It needed the space urgently. So after the company settled on Hudson Yards, the vast mini-city taking shape on Manhattans Far West Side, existing tenants were told to move and a small army of construction workers quickly began to revamp the building even before a lease had been signed. Facebooks push to accommodate its booming operations is part of a rush by the West Coast technology giants to expand in New York City. The rapid growth is turning a broad swath of Manhattan into one of the worlds most vibrant tech corridors. Four companies Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google already have big offices along the Hudson River, from Midtown to Lower Manhattan, or have been hunting for new ones in recent months, often competing with one another for the same space. TEHRAN, Iran The blowback over the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general mounted Sunday as Iran announced it will no longer abide by the limits contained in the 2015 nuclear deal and Iraqs Parliament called for the expulsion of all American troops from Iraqi soil. The twin developments could bring Iran closer to building an atomic bomb and enable the Islamic State group to stage a comeback in Iraq, making the Middle East a far more dangerous and unstable place. Adding to the tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to demand billions of dollars in compensation from Iraq or impose sanctions like theyve never seen before if it goes through with expelling U.S. troops. Iranian state television cited a statement by President Hassan Rouhanis administration saying the country would not observe the nuclear deals restrictions on fuel enrichment, on the size of its enriched uranium stockpile and on its research and development activities. The Islamic Republic of Iran no longer faces any limitations in operations, a state TV broadcaster said. In Iraq, meanwhile, lawmakers voted in favor of a resolution calling for an end to the foreign military presence in the country, including the estimated 5,200 U.S. troops stationed to help fight Islamic State extremists. The bill is subject to approval by the Iraqi government but has the backing of the outgoing prime minister. In yet another sign of rising tensions and threats of retaliation over the deadly airstrike, the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq said it is putting the battle against IS on hold to focus on protecting its own troops and bases. The string of developments capped a day of mass mourning over Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets in the cities of Ahvaz and Mashhad to walk alongside the casket of Soleimani, who was the architect of Irans proxy wars across the Mideast and was blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in roadside bombings and other attacks. Trump responded to the Parliaments troop withdrawal vote with a monetary threat, saying the U.S. expected to be paid for its military investments in Iraq before leaving and threatening economic sanctions if the U.S. is not treated properly. We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base thats there. It cost billions of dollars to build. Long before my time. Were not leaving unless they pay us back for it, he told reporters aboard Air Force One. If they do ask us to leave, if we dont do it in a very friendly basis, we will charge them sanctions like theyve never seen before ever. Itll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame, he said He added: Were not leaving until they pay us back for it. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus earlier said the U.S. is awaiting clarification on its legal meaning but was disappointed by the move and strongly urged Iraq to reconsider. We believe it is in the shared interests of the United States and Iraq to continue fighting ISIS together, Ortagus said. The leaders of Germany, France and Britain issued a joint statement on Sunday calling on Iran to abide by the terms of the nuclear deal and refrain from conducting or supporting further violent acts. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson specifically urged Iran to withdraw all measures not in line with the 2015 agreement that was intended to stop Tehran from pursuing its atomic weapons program. Iran insisted that it remains open to negotiations with European partners over its nuclear program. And it did not back off from earlier promises that it wouldnt seek a nuclear weapon. However, the announcement represents the clearest nuclear proliferation threat yet made by Iran since Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. It further raises regional tensions, as Irans longtime foe Israel has promised never to allow Iran to produce an atomic bomb. Iran did not elaborate on what levels it would immediately reach in its program. Tehran has already broken some of the deals limits as part of a step-by-step pressure campaign to get sanctions relief. It has increased its production, begun enriching uranium to 5% and restarted enrichment at an underground facility. While it does not possess uranium enriched to weapons-grade levels of 90%, any push forward narrows the estimated one-year breakout time needed for it to have enough material to build a nuclear weapon if it chose to do so. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations watchdog observing Irans program, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, Iran said that its cooperation with the IAEA will continue as before. Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi earlier told journalists that Soleimanis killing would prompt Iranian officials to take a bigger step away from the nuclear deal. In the world of politics, all developments are interconnected, Mousavi said. In Iraq, where the airstrike has been denounced as a violation of the countrys sovereignty, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said that the government has two choices: End the presence of foreign troops or restrict their mission to training Iraqi forces. He called for the first option. The majority of about 180 legislators present in Parliament voted in favor of the troop-removal resolution. It was backed by most Shiite members of Parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. A U.S. pullout could not only undermine the fight against the Islamic State but could also enable Iran to increase its influence in Iraq, which like Iran is a majority-Shiite country. Soleimanis killing has escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after months of back-and-forth attacks and threats that have put the wider Middle East on edge. Iran has promised harsh revenge for the U.S. attack, while Trump has vowed on Twitter that the U.S. will strike back at 52 targets VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. He doubled down on that threat Sunday, dismissing warnings that targeting cultural sites could be a war crime under international law. Theyre allowed to kill our people. Theyre allowed to torture and maim our people. Theyre allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people. And were not allowed to touch their cultural sites? It doesnt work that way, Trump told reporters. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia warned Americans of the heightened risk of missile and drone attacks. In Lebanon, the leader of the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah said Soleimanis killing made U.S. military bases, warships and service members across the region fair game for attacks. A former Iranian Revolutionary Guard leader suggested the Israeli city of Haifa and centers like Tel Aviv could be targeted should the U.S. attack Iran. Iranian state TV estimated that millions of mourners came out in Ahvaz and Mashhad to pay their respects to Soleimani. The casket moved slowly through streets choked with mourners wearing black, beating their chests and carrying posters with Soleimanis portrait. Demonstrators also carried red Shiite flags, which traditionally symbolize both the spilled blood of someone unjustly killed and a call for vengeance. The processions marked the first time Iran honored a single man with a multi-city ceremony. Not even Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who founded the Islamic Republic, received such a processional with his death in 1989. Soleimani on Monday will lie in state at Tehrans famed Musalla mosque as the revolutionary leader did before him. Soleimanis remains will go to Tehran and Qom on Monday for public mourning processions. He will be buried in his hometown of Kerman. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Karam reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Aya Batrawy in Dubai, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Sarah El Deeb in Beirut, Kelvin Chan in London and Robert Burns and Jonathan Lemire in Washington contributed to this report. New Delhi: The anger of the people in India is also being seen in the attack on Gurdwara in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. The interim president of the Congress, Sonia Gandhi, has strongly condemned this attack. Along with this, he has asked the Indian government to intervene in the case and pressurize Pakistan for arrest and action against the culprits. Sonia Gandhi has expressed disappointment and concern over the safety of Sikh devotees and employees. Along with this, the Government of India called upon the Pakistani authorities to immediately take up the issue to ensure the safety of the pilgrims and tight security for the religious site to prevent future attacks. At the same time, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (BHP) on Saturday strongly condemned the attack on Nankana Sahib, the holy site of Sikhs in Pakistan, and requested the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to take cognizance of the matter. The VHP also raised the issue of the plight of minorities in the neighboring countries and said that if the need arises, a separate Act should be brought for Sri Lankan Tamils as well. However, the VHP made it clear that the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has been brought in the context of only three countries Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Also Read: Governor gives approval to Uddhav's distributed ministries, Know complete list Digvijay Singh raised the question on BJP, says 'We only want to know about NRC' From today, Home Minister Amit Shah will start campaign over CAA Maharashtra Cabinet: Ajit Pawar becomes Minister of Finance, Aditya gets tourism and Environment Department Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 19:02:04|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- China made solid progress in reducing poverty through the promotion of culture and tourism in poor areas in 2019, said the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A series of programs have been implemented such as funding cultural activity facilities in poor villages and bringing traditional Chinese opera performances to the countryside to enrich villagers' lives, according to a national meeting on culture and tourism held from Friday to Saturday. The country has provided 35.71 million yuan (about 5.13 million U.S. dollars) in financial support for the establishment of 263 intangible cultural heritage workshops for boosting employment. Tourism plans have been made for 240 poor villages and around 3.3 billion yuan has been allocated for the construction of 329 tourism infrastructure projects in poor areas. Nearly 6,000 people have received training to promote tourism and intangible cultural heritage in rural areas. China has set 2020 as the target year to eradicate absolute poverty. The ministry urged more efforts in tapping the cultural and tourist resources and making new achievements in poverty reduction. It has been an emotional start to the new year for Rocio Rebollar Gomez and her family. On Thursday, after 31 years in the United States, a country where she had built a life and raised three children, including a son now in the United States Army, Ms. Gomez was deported to Tijuana, Mexico, where she had little family left. That son, Second Lt. Gibram Cruz, 30, who has been in the Army for five years and rushed to be with her the day after Christmas, said he was shocked at the way his mother was treated and called the actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement completely inhumane. Ms. Gomez, 51, was previously scheduled to self deport and that plan was known to ICE, the familys lawyer, Tessa Cabrera, said on Friday. Instead, as the family went to an ICE office to discuss her case, Ms. Gomez was taken across the border to Tijuana without a chance to say goodbye, Ms. Cabrera said. https://www.aish.com/ci/s/The-Highest-Ranking-Elected-Orthodox-Jewish-Woman-in-US-History.html The fresh political voice of Dalya Attar. An Aish.com exclusive interview. Striding through the halls of the Maryland House of Delegates, 29-year-old Dalya Attar is an anomaly: the highest-ranking elected Shabbat-observant female in U.S. history. As a candidate last year in Baltimores District 41 65% African-American, and 5% Jewish Dalya defeated 12 other candidates, including the incumbent. She now spends 90 days each winter in Annapolis, bringing her deeply-engrained Jewish values to the machinations of legislative politics. Dalya is also a devoted wife and mother. On the day of our conversation, she texts with a request to push back our meeting by 30 minutes. Snow was falling in Baltimore and, with a delayed school start, she needed to drive her young children to school. It is this reality of motherhood colliding with career and the Jewish values that underpin her life that makes Dalya Attar a refreshing voice of balance and sanity in todays often-turbulent political waters. Dalyas conversation with Aish.com has been edited for clarity. Aish.com: People say that you bring a fresh voice and perspective to the world of politics. Dalya Attar: I am new to politics, not from a political family, and not part of a political machine. I want to do what's right. If I see something that should be done, I tell people how it is. As a prosecutor, Im used to standing up and speaking out. I won't beat around the bush just to please people. Aish.com: When it comes to straight-talk, politicians dont always have the best reputation. Don't lie, cheat or steal has always been basic in my book. Dalya: There is a perception that corruption is part of the political game, and there are many examples where thats true. Unfortunately in recent years, many Marylanders in positions of authority have faced serious ethical violations or abused power including the prior state senator in my district who is currently sitting in jail. Aish.com: How has your Jewish upbringing influenced how you navigate the political swamp? Dalya: Growing up in my family and attending Bais Yaakov (network of Jewish schools), morals and ethics always came first. Don't lie, cheat or steal has always been basic in my book. I will not deviate from these beliefs. If I have a doubt whether something is right or wrong, I tell myself the answer is no. When it comes to integrity, I err on the safe side. I look at my religion and my beliefs, not as something that hinders my career and desire to help people, but enhances that ability. Jewish values are a huge asset in politics, guiding me and making it so much easier to represent the people. I train prosecutors and tell them, Dont ever lie about a case. It's not the right thing to do, and nothing is worth taking a chance on your reputation. Dalya engages in public speaking throughout the Baltimore area Aish.com: Take us back to the beginning. What is your family background? Dalya: My father came to the U.S. from Iran in search of a better future. My mother did the same coming from Morocco. They wanted to raise a family in a democracy, with freedom of religion and better economic opportunities. They met in Baltimore and despite a new language, culture, and lifestyle they worked hard, overcame many obstacles, and raised a family of six children. Aish.com: What sparked your interest in politics? Dalya: As a teenager, Id pay close attention to the news. If there was a problem in the city or in the world, I passionately wanted to do something about it. Ive always been an independent thinker, unwilling to accept the status quo. I wanted to be a lawyer, but knew it would tend in the direction of politics. Aish.com: You speak about wanting to put the more back in Baltimore. Why? Dalya: I've spent my entire life in Baltimore. I studied criminal justice at the University of Baltimore, and earned my law degree at the University of Maryland. When I graduated law school in 2014, I became a prosecutor in Baltimore States Attorney. My parents live two blocks from my house. I work for the city, and Im a wife and mother raising my family here. Ive had a front row seat to the best of Baltimore, but also to the challenges we face. The desire to give back to my community motivated my decision to run for office. Aish.com: Tell us about the moment you decided to run. An 11-year-old boy was pleading with me to help him. As a mother of two young kids, I was in tears. Dalya: In 2016, I was working as a prosecutor in a juvenile detention center in Baltimore. I was coming to work every day, in the courtroom with these kids. An 11-year-old boy was pleading with me to help him, to not send him away. As a mother of two young kids, I was in tears. Around this time I was approached by members of the Jewish community in Baltimore to run for office. I realized that as a prosecutor, there are limits to the impact I can make. A lot happens at the legislative level. So I decided to run. Aish.com: You are the first Orthodox Jew elected to the Maryland legislature. What inspired you to break that barrier? Dalya: I have a bold personality. I learned to think for myself and believe in my abilities. I'm not afraid to take chances. Otherwise I never would have run for office. Initially, people were skeptical if I could win such a competitive race. I had no political connections. So I campaigned in all 50 communities in the district. My husband, siblings, friends and members of the community were out there every day, putting up signs and helping to organize. It was a true grassroots campaign. Campaign van promoting Dalyas candidacy in 2018 Aish.com: What are the ways you help the 5% of your district that is Jewish? Dalya: For many years the Jewish community felt that we had inadequate representation. Time and again, we saw legislators voting for an agenda that doesnt meet the needs of our community. On one hand, Im a passionate advocate for improving public schools. On the other hand, as an alumnus of Bais Yaakov, I see the need for publicly-funded scholarships for private schools. Tuition creates huge financial pressures, which may mean its not possible for every child to attend Jewish school and receive those values that are so important to our Jewish community. Aish.com: How do you juggle professional and personal responsibilities? Dalya: In 2012, at age 21, I married my brothers friend, and we had two children while I pursued my law degree. Its always been about juggling my family and career, and Im blessed to have a supportive family. It's about balance and priorities. If there's a school event for my kids, I'll go there instead of to a professional event. Dalya with her husband, Asaf Mehrzadi, and children Ilana and Aaron Aish.com: Any instances where the practicalities of Jewish observance affect your career? Dalya: During the campaign there were many events that I would not attend on Shabbos. So I reframed the situation as a healthy break from the rigors of an election campaign. After I won the election, I saw my Jewish beliefs taking me to where I want to be. I wont ever turn away from them. Sometimes I get home right before Shabbos starts but I get home on time, every time. During my first legislative session in 2019, I was required to attend one Saturday session. After consultation with a rabbi, I spent the entire Shabbat at the capital, and attended the session with no devices and no active participation. Aish.com: Did any Jewish individual inspire you to enter politics? Dalya: Growing up, Id frequently visit an aunt and uncle in Connecticut who attend the same shul as Senator Joe Lieberman. As a 10-year-old, seeing a Shabbat-observant Jew run for vice-president seemed normal to me. As a 10-year-old, seeing a Shabbat-observant Jew run for vice-president seemed normal to me. Later, as a prosecutor, I was several times in the courtroom of Karen (Chaya) Friedman, an Orthodox judge on Baltimores 8th Judicial Circuit. Also, a year prior to my campaign, Isaac Yitzy Schleifer became the first Orthodox city councilman elected in Baltimore. Like me, he was in his 20s, and that inspired me to the possibilities. Aish.com: Which historical figure do you view as a role model? Dalya: Sarah Schenirer, the founder of Bais Yaakov a century ago in Poland, was someone who stepped out of the box and did something very great to help our community. She is a model of how to successfully balance Jewish tradition while pushing for innovation and creativity. Her story also demonstrates that change happens on the ground. One woman, with little fanfare, simply did what needed to be done. She didnt wait for big organizations to get involved, or let herself get mired in politics. She started her school, its success spoke for itself, and the organized community followed suit. In this respect, Bais Yaakov is a model grassroots movement. Aish.com: Its interesting that you say this. Rabbi Noah Weinberg zt"l, the founder of Aish HaTorah, also drew deep inspiration from Sarah Schenirer, often saying that she influenced the Jewish people more than any other person in the 20th century. (Rabbi Weinbergs sister, Chavah Pincus, was sent to Poland to study with Sarah Schenirer before helping establish the first Bais Yaakov in America.) As Assistant States Attorney, for nine months of the year Dalya is a narcotics prosecutor. Aish.com: Baltimore is known as one of the crime capitals of America. Tell us about the opioid epidemic, which is a full-blown crisis in your city. Dalya: The opioid epidemic is a non-partisan issue; it does not discriminate. My friend in school died from this and I have personally seen the effects this epidemic has on families. Drugs are almost as easy to buy as bread and milk. But we arent going to get anywhere with fears and complaints. We need action. When I became a prosecutor, I joined the narcotics unit prosecuting drug dealers, reducing the amount of drugs on the street, and arranging treatment for drug users. Aish.com: Have you carried this fight against drugs into the legislative chamber? Dalya: I was appointed to Maryland s House Opioid Workgroup. We worked to pass legislation regarding lawsuits against opioid manufacturers mandating that money received be placed into a dedicated fund for drug treatment and recovery programs. I also partnered with Chayeinu, a Baltimore organization working to prevent addictions. We train local school administrators in the use of NARCAN, the nasal spray that counteracts the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose. Aish.com: How are your relations with the 65% of your constituency that is African-American? Some people dont like me because Im Jewish, and others are even blatantly anti-Semitic. Dalya: Some people dont like me because Im Jewish, and others are even blatantly anti-Semitic. Yet many of my African-American constituents are very supportive. I have a very good relationship with all communities in my district, and fortunately the majority of my district and I do not judge each other based on race or religion. Also, were fortunate in Baltimore to have as a role model the recently-deceased U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings. His Youth Program brings elite African-American high school students to Israel, as a way to further bonds between those communities. During Black History Month, I co-sponsored Hate Crimes legislation to include the attempt or threat of committing a hate crime, as one way to help to reduce rampant violence in Baltimore. I aspire to be like Elijah Cummings in standing up for human rights, and making clear that hate is never allowed. Dalya speaking with a constituent Aish.com: Maryland is a heavily Democratic state. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won Maryland with over 60% of the vote, and the Maryland House of Delegates is 70% Democrat. Given the reality of partisan politics, are you pressured to vote the party line? Dalya: My parents were Democrats, and Im a Democrat. But I will break from the Democratic line when it contradicts my beliefs. For example, I voted against the party line on the end-of-life bill, granting people the right to suicide. The bill left too much room for abuse, too much room for the disabled communities and minority communities to be harmed by it. Just because I have a D for Democrat doesn't dictate who I am or what I believe in. Aish.com: Your term in the Maryland House of Delegates is four years, and in January 2020 youll be starting a 90-day session. Will you be introducing any new legislation? Dalya: Yes, one that addresses the issue of Jewish marriage and divorce. New York and a few other states have passed a law stating that civil divorce is contingent on nothing else impeding a full divorce. This prevents someone from enjoying the benefits of civil divorce, while still complicating their ex-spouses life from a Jewish perspective. In consultation with a rabbi, Im sponsoring similar legislation during the coming session. Aish.com: I imagine you have higher political aspirations. Dalya: Im inspired by the example of Ben Cardin, who started out in the Maryland House of Delegates and is now a popular U.S. Senator. He is very pro-Israel, and vocally against anti-Semitism. I respect that. Visit Dalya's website at www.dalyaattar.com The populations of Coventry and Corby have risen at the highest rate of any towns outside London, a MailOnline investigation has revealed. The population of the UK is projected to increase by three million over the next ten years, as experts warn a major acceleration in house building is required. In central London, population growth has risen by 44 per cent over the past five years and in Tower Hamlets, east London, by 16 per cent. MailOnline has analysed data from the Office for National Statistics to reveal in which parts of the country population growth is rising the fastest. The top 20 fastest growing council areas, as revealed by ONS data. In the top three are Coventry in the West Midlands, Corby in Northamptonshire and Aylesbury Vale in Buckinghamshire Population figures in areas such as Coventry in the West Midlands, and Corby in Northamptonshire (pictured), have been rising at the fastest rate outside of London Dartford in Kent has seen its population rise by a whopping 9.2 per cent, from 100,399 in 2013 to 109,709 in 2018 Looking at data from 2013 to 2018, certain council districts across the country have seen their populations grow massively. These include areas such as Dartford in Kent which saw it population rise from 100,399 in 2013 to 109,709 in 2018. While in Colchester, Essex, population grew by eight per cent, rising from 177993 in 2013 to 192523 in 2018. In some parts of the country, however, such as Ceredigion in Wales and Copeland in Cumbria, population has actually decreased - by minus 3.6 per cent and minus 2.3 per cent respectively. It comes as the ONS reported that UK population is projected to pass 70 million by mid 2031, reaching 72.4 million by 25 years into the projection. Top 20 fastest growing council areas in the UK (excluding London) City Population in 2013 Population in 2018 Percentage increase Coventry, West Midlands 328423 366785 11.6 per cent Corby, Northamptonshire 64214 70827 10.2 per cent Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire 180875 199448 10.2 per cent Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire 84323 92599 9.8 per cent Dartford, Kent 100399 109709 9.2 per cent Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire 123497 133732 8.2 per cent Welwyn Hatfield, Hertfordshire 113375 122746 8.2 per cent Colchester, Essex 177993 192523 8.1 per cent South Norfolk 127682 138017 8.0 per cent Uttlesford, Essex 82680 89179 7.8 per cent Midlothian, Scotland 84710 91340 7.8 per cent North West Leicestershire 94716 102126 7.8 per cent Exeter, Devon 121030 130428 7.7 per cent Daventry, Northamptonshire 78457 84484 7.6 per cent South Derbyshire 97111 104493 7.6 per cent Central Bedfordshire 263793 283606 7.5 per cent Charnwood, Leicestershire 169993 182643 7.4 per cent Wychavon, Worcestershire 118906 127340 7 per cent Bath and North East Somerset 179460 192106 7 per cent Thurrock, Essex 161305 172525 6.9 per cent East Devon 135046 144317 6.8 per cent Top 10 fastest growing London boroughs City Population in 2013 Population in 2018 Percentage change City of London 6031 8706 44.3 per cent Tower Hamlets 273616 317705 16.1 per cent Camden 230486 262226 13.7 per cent Westminster 225306 255324 13.3 per cent Islington 215855 239142 10.7 per cent Newham 321465 352005 9.5 per cent Barking and Dagenham 194576 211998 8.9 per cent Hackney 257436 279665 8.6 per cent Greenwich 264097 286186 8.3 per cent Hillingdon 285996 304824 6.5 per cent Coventry in the West Midlands has seen its population rise from 328,423 in 2013 to 366,785 in 2018 Elsewhere, Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire has seen its population rise from 84,323 in 2013 to 92,599 in 2018 There will also be an increasing number of older people; the proportion aged 85 years and over is projected to almost double over the next 25 years. In May, it was revealed that more than 27.6million families will need housing by 2041 if the population continues to increase at present rates. At present there are 23.4million households in England. The figures, from the Office for National Statistics, suggest a major acceleration in housebuilding will be needed to cope with future levels of households. To meet that target nearly 200,000 new homes a year would be needed. Last year, according to Whitehall estimates, around 165,000 new homes were built. The figures were part of a series of projections of the likely future numbers of households in England calculated by the ONS. The projection that there will be 27,621,000 households in 2041 is based on the possibility that immigration will continue at high levels. The figure for immigration used to reach the estimate is net migration of 215,000 each year. Latest figures for net migration - the number by which the population grows after both immigration and emigration have been taken into account - show a level of 283,000 for the year to last September. A series of recent estimates have drawn new attention to the impact of immigration, especially in the crowded southern half of the country, on housing, transport, education, health and water and energy supplies. The top 20 fastest shrinking council areas, as revealed by ONS data. In the top three are Ceredigion in Wales, Inverclyde in Scotland and Copeland in Cumbria Top 20 fastest shrinking council areas in the UK (excluding London) City Population in 2013 Population in 2018 Percentage change Ceredigion, Wales 75789 72992 -3.6 per cent Inverclyde, Scotland 80340 78150 -2.7 per cent Copeland, Cumbria 70052 68424 -2.3 per cent Na h-Eileanan Siar, Outer Hebrides 27400 26830 -2 per cent Argyll and Bute, Scotland 88050 86260 -2 per cent Blackpool, Lancashire 141603 139305 -1.6 per cent North Ayrshire, Scotland 136940 135280 -1.2 per cent Richmondshire, North Yorkshire 53897 53244 -1.2 per cent Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria 67936 67137 -1.1 per cent Isles of Scilly, south west England 2265 2242 -1 per cent Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland 150280 148790 -0.9 per cent Shetland Islands, Scotland 23200 22990 -0.9 per cent West Dunbartonshire, Scotland 89800 89130 -0.7 per cent Tamworth, Staffordshire 77096 76678 -0.5 per cent East Ayrshire, Scotland 122430 121840 -0.4 per cent South Ayrshire, Scotland 112870 112550 -0.2 per cent Powys, Wales 132786 132447 -0.2 per cent Angus, Scotland 116290 116040 -0.2 per cent Isle of Anglesey, Wales 70073 69961 -0.1 per cent North East Lincolnshire 159963 159821 -0.08 per cent Top 10 fastest shrinking London boroughs City Population in 2013 Population in 2018 Percentage change Kensington and Chelsea 157141 156197 -0.6 per cent Ealing 342108 341982 -0.03 per cent Hammersmith and Fulham 181421 185426 2.2 per cent Harrow 243004 250149 2.9 per cent Croydon 373628 385346 3.1 per cent Hounslow 261275 270782 3.6 per cent Haringey 261033 270624 3.6 per cent Bromley 318167 331096 4 per cent Waltham Forest 265650 276700 4.1 per cent Lambeth 312700 325917 4.2 per cent Blackpool, Lancashire has seen its population fall by 1.6 per cent from 141,603 in 2013 to 139,305 in 2018 Ceredigion in Wales has seen its population fall by 3.6 per cent from 75,789 in 2013 to 72,992 in 2018 The ONS's latest report, on national population projections, looks at how population growth differs from country to country - not just by council district. Focusing on the 10 years between mid 2018 and mid 2028, the total projected growth for the UK population is 3 million, or 4.5 per cent. This represents an average annual growth rate of 0.4 per cent. Projected growth varies substantially between the four countries of the UK: England's population is projected to grow 5 per cent over this period; for Northern Ireland, the figure is 3.7 per cent; while for Scotland and Wales, the figures are 1.8 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively. Over the full 25 years between mid 2018 and mid 2043, England is projected to have the largest increase in population, at 10.3 per cent. The other UK countries with a projected increase in population are Northern Ireland at 5.7 per cent and Scotland at 2.5 per cent. Wales shows a projected population decline of 0.9 per cent. The population of the UK is projected to increase by a staggering 3 million over the next ten years, as experts warn a major acceleration in housebuilding is required The ONS reported that UK population is projected to pass 70 million by mid 2031, reaching 72.4 million by 25 years into the projection Commenting on the report, Andrew Nash, Population Projections Unit, Office for National Statistics, said: 'The UK population is projected to grow by 3 million people by 2028. 'This assumes migration will have a greater impact on the size of the population than the combination of births and deaths. 'Although migration declines at first and the number of births is stable, the number of deaths is projected to grow as those born in the baby boom after World War Two reach older ages. 'The population is increasingly ageing and this trend will continue. 'However, because of the expected rise in the State Pension age to 67 years, it is projected that slightly fewer than one in five people will be of pensionable age in 2028, a similar proportion to today.' Fastest growing cities in the world revealed: Global population could hit 10.9 BILLION by the end of the century, UN predicts - so in which parts of the world is it rising fastest? The most populated cities in the world count among them Delhi in India, Shanghai in China and Tokyo in Japan - which has a whopping population of 37 million. But although they are the largest cities in the word, they are far from the fastest growing, with a number of lesser known places holding that title. These include Rupganj in Bangladesh, where the population has risen by almost 10 per cent over the past year, and Xiongan in China, where the population has risen by around 9 per cent. It comes amid reports global population could surge by more than three billion before the end of this century, according to a UN report published in June. Figures from between 2018 and 2019 show how population numbers have boomed in certain parts of the country (pictured, the areas where it has grown the most) Rupganj, Bangladesh has seen its population grow by 9.74 per cent over the past year The population of Xiongan, China has risen by 9.26 per cent from 816,536 to 892,142 over the past year The UN Population Division released its biennial prospects for fertility rates and population changes around the world, estimating overall population will swell to 10.9 billion people by the year 2100. The worlds population currently sits at about 7.7 billion. While a staggering estimate, no doubt, the new figure is lower than predicted just two years ago; in 2017, the UN forecast the world would reach 11.2 billion people by 2100. Based on figures compiled by World Population Review it is possible to see in which cities population has been growing the fastest between 2018 and 2019. And likewise, it is also possible to see where population growth has fallen between 2018 and 2019. Among those where population has increased the most is Gwagwalada in Nigeria, where population has risen by 8.89 per cent from 346,939 in 2018 to 377,782 in 2019. TOP 20 FASTEST GROWING CITIES IN THE WORLD City 2019 Population 2018 Population Percentage increase Rupganj, Bangladesh 441,158 402,000 9.74% Xiongan, China 892,142 816,536 9.26% Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar 546,487 500,218 9.25% Gwagwalada, Nigeria 377,782 346,939 8.89% Kabinda, Democratic Republic of the Congo 430,934 397,712 8.35% Hosur, India 458,264 423,246 8.27% Lokoja, Nigeria 643,407 596,526 7.86% Uige, Angola 475,198 441,071 7.74% Bazhong, China 924,575 858,249 7.73% Malappuram, India 3,169,457 2,950,374 7.43% Potiskum, Nigeria 398,160 371,040 7.31% Yichun Jiangxi, China 859,349 801,291 7.25% Liuyang, China 1,094,294 1,020,364 7.25% Kottayam, India 652,053 608,525 7.15% Ibb, Yemen 607,531 567,281 7.10% Mbouda, Cameroon 455,304 425,598 6.98% Songea, Tanzania 330,557 309,156 6.92% Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo 636,625 595,462 6.91% Cuito, Angola 501,936 469,630 6.88% Tete, Mozambique 347,486 325,161 6.87% Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar has seen its population rise 9.25 per cent from 500,218 to 546,487 over the past year Gwagwalada, Nigeria has seen its population rise from by 8.89 per cent from 346,939 to 377,782 over the past year Elsewhere, population has risen by 7.10 per cent in Ibb, Yemen from 567,281 in 2018 to 607,531 in 2019. And in Songea, Tanzania population has risen by 6.92 per cent from 309,156 to 330,557 and by 6.87 per cent in Tete, Mozambique. In terms of those areas where population has fallen, Yichun Heilongjiang, China had the largest decrease from 2018 to 2019 falling by 1.43 per cent from 614,177 to 605,399. Elsewhere, Khulna in Bangladesh saw its population fall 1.29 per cent from 975,418 to 962,845. And in St. Louis, US population number fell 1.14 per cent from 304,462 to 300,991. Despite this, overall population numbers are increasing. The latest UN predictions estimate overall population will swell to 10.9 billion people by the year 2100. The latest predictions combine 1,690 population censuses conducted between 1950 and 2018, according to the UN report. It also includes information on birth and deaths from 163 countries. TOP 20 FASTEST SHRINKING CITIES IN THE WORLD City 2019 Population 2018 Population Percentage change Yichun Heilongjiang, China 605,399 614,177 -1.43% Khulna, Bangladesh 962,845 975,418 -1.29% St. Louis, US 300,991 304,462 -1.14% Baltimore, US 594,450 601,188 -1.12% Chisinau, Moldova 504,342 509,707 -1.05% Kurgan, Russia 316,294 319,322 -0.95% Nagasaki, Japan 418,003 421,856 -0.91% Tula, Russia 477,113 481,463 -0.90% Hamhung, North Korea 553,224 558,266 -0.90% Luhansk, Ukraine 405,210 408,708 -0.86% Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine 623,894 629,214 -0.85% Lodz, Poland 682,458 688,194 -0.83% Anyang, China 571,888 576,335 -0.77% Makiivka, Ukraine 341,364 343,969 -0.76% Bryansk, Russia 401,345 404,378 -0.75% Akita, Japan 309,275 311,607 -0.75% Milwaukee, US 581,949 586,315 -0.74% Donetsk, Ukraine 911,981 918,606 -0.72% Asahikawa, Japan 333,211 335,552 -0.70% Mariupol, Ukraine 442,491 445,556 -0.69% While global fertility is expected to decline a trend thats already underway the population will still rise dramatically over the next few decades. By 2030, there will be an estimated 8.5 billion people in the world. This will increase to 9.7 billion by 2050, and 10.9 billion by 2100, the report predicts. And, much of this growth will come from just a handful of countries. According to the UN, the largest population increases over the next three decades will occur in: India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Indonesia, Egypt and the United States of America. In less than a decade, India is expected to pass China to become the most populous country in the world. Several other countries, on the other hand, will experience a decline in population as the number of older citizens outweighs birth rates. While global fertility is expected to decline a trend thats already underway the population will still rise dramatically over the next few decades. The overall population will swell to 10.9 billion people by the year 2100, as shown in the graph Chinas population is forecast to shrink by 31.4 million, or 2.2 per cent, by 2050, while Lithuania and Bulgaria are expected to see the largest declines. In these regions, the population may be 23 percent smaller than it is today. The predictions suggest there will be mounting challenges for both the growing and declining nations. Recent demographic trends are harbingers of the future challenges to sustainable development, the authors note. For example, countries experiencing rapid population growth, most of which are in sub-Saharan Africa, must provide schooling and health care to growing numbers of children, and ensure education and employment opportunities to increasing numbers of youth,' the report says. Countries where population growth has slowed or stopped must prepare for an increasing proportion of older persons and, in some cases, decreasing population size. In addition to issues of hunger and malnutrition, a growing population will also put a greater burden on the global fight against climate change. New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) As Australian authorities battle to tackle the bushfires raging across the country, reports of death of half a billion wild animals in the inferno in New South Wales made the Twitterati discuss the enormity of the situation, with fears that the situation may worsen. One user listed the number of people and animals that had perished in the fires. He said that apart from 24 people, 8K koalas, 500M other animals were dead. More than 1,400 homes were destroyed, over 5.5 million hectares burned, and more than 10 million people faced toxic bushfire smoke, he added. Twitterati posted pictures of animals burnt to death or those rescued by firefighters and others. A user wrote: "This is just heartbreaking. Please pray for Australia." One said: "Let's pray together for rain in Australia." A post read: "Let's pray hard for them. There are not only humans, but also thousands of animals which are affected." "#PrayForAustralia. Pray for heavy rain over there. God, please show us Your mercy. We realized that we don't take good care of this earth as you want us to do," read one tweet. tsb/dpb TOKYO - Japan's justice minister on Sunday called the flight of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn as he awaited trial on financial misconduct charges inexcusable and vowed to beef up immigration checks. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 4/1/2020 (736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A traditional door knocker on the front door of the house of ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. 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. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) TOKYO - Japan's justice minister on Sunday called the flight of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn as he awaited trial on financial misconduct charges inexcusable and vowed to beef up immigration checks. Justice Minister Masako Mori said she had ordered an investigation after Ghosn issued a statement a few days ago saying he was in Lebanon. She said there were no records of Ghosn's departure from Tokyo. She said his bail has been revoked, and Interpol had issued a wanted notice. Departure checks needed to be strengthened to prevent a recurrence, Mori said. While expressing deep regret over what had happened, Mori stopped short of outlining any specific action Japan might take to get Ghosn back. Japan does not have an extradition treaty with Lebanon. A private security guard speaks on a radio as a vehicle approaches the house of ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. 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. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Our nations criminal justice system protects the basic human rights of an individual and properly carries out appropriate procedures to disclose the truth of various cases, and the flight of a suspect while out on bail is never justified, she said in a statement. Moris statement was the first public comment by a Japanese government official after the stunning escape of Ghosn, once a superstar of the auto industry. Tokyo prosecutors issued a similar statement Sunday. They had opposed Ghosn's release on bail, arguing he was a flight risk. First arrested in November 2018, Ghosn was out on bail over the last several months, and more recently had moved into a home in an upscale part of Tokyo. He has repeatedly said he was innocent. His statement from Beirut said he was escaping injustice. Japan's justice system has come under fire from human rights advocates for its long detentions, the reliance on confessions and prolonged trials. The conviction rate is higher than 99%. Even if Ghosn had been found innocent, the prosecutors could have appealed, and the appeals process could have lasted years. Ghosn's trial was not expected to start until April at the earliest. During that time, he had been prohibited from seeing his wife, and was only allowed a couple of video calls in the presence of a lawyer. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Ghosn had been charged with underreporting his future compensation and breach of trust in diverting Nissan money for his personal gain. Although the details of his escape are not yet clear, Turkish airline company MNG Jet has said two of its planes were used illegally, first flying him from Osaka, Japan, to Istanbul, and then on to Beirut, where he arrived Monday and has not been seen since. He promised to talk to reporters Wednesday. His lawyers in Japan said they knew nothing, were stunned and felt betrayed by his action. ___ Follow Yuri Kageyama at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama Amid US President Donald Trump's fresh threat to Iran on Sunday morning, Iran's minister Mohsin Jawadi, has said that Iran does not want enmity with anyone, but has blamed US for provocation. Speaking to news agency ANI, Jawadi condemned the US airstrike in which Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani was killed. When asked about Trump's threat, he said that his country has been facing these threats since years now. Mohsin Jawadi, Iran Minister said: "We condemn it. Any such incident anywhere across the globe must be condemned. We have been getting threats from the US for years, we are facing it. We don't have enmity with anyone, but if someone acts against us, we know how to respond." His comments come at the backdrop of Trump advising Iran from attacking the United States to avenge IRGC Commander Qasem Soleimani's death and warned them of a harder retaliation than ever before. Earlier on Saturday night (as per Indian time), a red flag was unfurled above the minarets of the Jamkaran Mosque in the Shiite holy city of Qom. As per reports, red flags in Shiite tradition symbolize both blood spilt unjustly and serve as a call to avenge a person who is slain. US secretary speaks to Pak army chief over the killing of Irani General Qassem Soleimani Iran vows revenge Earlier on Saturday morning, in response to the killing of its top Army General, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani in a tweet said that 'Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime'. Moreover, he added that 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. Soleimani's IRGC, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US - last year. Major Gaurav Arya reiterates that US-Iran war may continue via proxies 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. MEA urges 'restraint & calm' over assassination of Iran's top commander Soleimani by US India issues statement Meanwhile, amid escalation, India in a statement called for calm and restraint over the prevailing situation. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) acknowledging the death of the senior Iranian official, asserted that peace, stability, and security of the region are of utmost significance to New Delhi. It added that it is vital that the situation does not escalate further. General Soleimani should have been eliminated many years ago: Trump Eight states have finalised their action plan to set up agri-product clusters to boost agriculture export, working in line with the Central government's plan to double export and farmer's income as well. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Punjab, and Karnataka have finalised the state action plan while others are at different stages of finalisation of the action plan, said the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in a statement. To ensure effective implementation of the Agri Export Policy (AEP), APEDA nodal officers visited the product clusters at Jalandhar (Potato), Jodhpur (Isabgol), Banaskantha (Dairy products), Sangli (Grapes), Solapur (Pomegranate), Nagpur (Orange), Chittoor (Mango), Theni (Banana), Salem (Poultry products), Indore (Onion) and Chikkaballapur (Rose onion) last year. "A market intelligence cell was set up in APEDA and the activity of dissemination of e-market intelligence reports comprising detailed market analysis, international trade issues, current scenario of the interest to Indian exporters in important markets and statistical information has been started from November 25, 2019," added the statement. In 2019, APEDA held a series of meetings with the state government officials and other stakeholders for the preparation of State Action Plan which included all essential components like production clusters, capacity building, infrastructure and logistics and R & D and budget requirements for the implementation of AEP. An MoU was signed with the Cooperative Development Corporation to include co-operatives for their active role in AEP. A farmer connect portal has also been set up by APEDA on its website for providing a platform for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to interact with exporters. Over 800 FPOs have been registered on the portal, the press release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Wisconsin man who was cited for defecating in a public park over a period of two years admitted that his excuse for doing so was pretty crappy. Jeffrey S. Churchwell of Elkhorn told police that he publicly defecated up to several times per day at Natureland Park in Whitewater, according to Madison.com. As a result, the 60-year-old suspect was cited for disorderly conduct and agreed to pay a $365 fine plus $5,705 to the county Public Works Department to reimburse them for the stains he left behind. Walworth County sheriffs first got wind of Churchwells movements on Oct. 8 after a worker at the Walworth County Highway Shop complained about the poop and used toilet paper left near a park building. The worker showed deputies trail camera photos of a man later identified as Churchwell answering natures call in the middle of nature. The pictures showed Churchwells car and a partial plate number, which gave a deputy a reason to pull over the pooping perp as he was driving into the park, according to The Associated Press. At first, Churchwell, a high school English teacher who is officially retiring later this month, told the officer who pulled him over that he didnt know why he was being stopped. But after deputies asked if hed like to see pictures of why he was pulled over, Churchwell allegedly hung his head and said, going to the bathroom. Af first, Churchwell reportedly told police he had been pooping at the park since the summer, but later admitted he had been dropping deuces for more than a year. According to a police report obtained by GazetteXtra.com Churchwell said stupidity was the reason for the public poops, but he also admitted he did it both for convenience and to be disrespectful. Churchwell later sent an apology email to the deputy who arrested him and said he realized he made a mistake. Im so disappointed in myself. I have the great opportunity to teach Political Rhetoric. In this class, I stress the importance of involved citizenship. And then there I am being a lousy citizen of Walworth County. My hypocrisy now sickens me, the email read. It continued: As well, after REALLY thinking about why I did what I did, I came to the conclusion that I allowed my thrill-seeking, self-indulgent pride and ego both get the best of me. For that, I am truly ashamed. If the thousand students whofor some reasonrespect me and my efforts here were to discover this flaw?? Well, it wouldnt be good. The Milton School District Board of Education approved Churchwells retirement on Dec. 18 after a closed session to consider a staff employment/retirement issue. He had worked for the district since August 1990, according to the Milton Courier. ---HuffingtonPost Journalist Aditya Raj Kaul Twitter page New Delhi/IBNS: India on Sunday condemned the 'targeted killing' of a Sikh man in Pakistan's Peshawar city. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. In its strong message to Pakistan, the MEA statement further said: "India calls upon the Government of Pakistan to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts. The Government of Pakistan should act in defense of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries." A day after mob attacked our holy shrine #GurdwaraNankanaSahib, this brutal murder of Sikh youth in Peshawar shows the extent of persecution minorities face in Pak. I urge PM @narendramodi ji to imm take up the issue with @ImranKhanPTI & ensure the safety of Sikh brethren there. pic.twitter.com/Dj6c3Mplup Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) January 5, 2020 Condemning the killing, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal tweeted, "A day after mob attacked our holy shrine #GurdwaraNankanaSahib, this brutal murder of Sikh youth in Peshawar shows the extent of persecution minorities face in Pak. I urge PM @narendramodi ji to imm take up the issue with @ImranKhanPTI & ensure the safety of Sikh brethren there." A Sikh youth was murdered by unknown men in Pakistan's Peshawar city, media reports said on Sunday. The incident occurred just two days after the iconic Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab province was attacked by a mob. The Sikh youth was identified as Ravinder Singh. The victim's body was found in the area under the Chamkani police station, reported India Today. The deceased person was identified as the younger brother of a local journalist Harmeet Singh. Journalist Shiraz Hassan tweeted: "Ravinder Singh, Brother of Public News reporter/anchor Harmeet Singh murdered in #Peshawar - govt must wake up now! #Pakistan." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that Uttar Pradesh will become a destination for defence manufacturing and aerospace manufacturing. "Preparations are underway for the Defence Expo to be held in February. I am convinced that Uttar Pradesh will become a destination for defence manufacturing and aerospace manufacturing," Singh said while speaking to reporters in Lucknow after meeting with officials over "Defence Expo-2020", which will be held in February next month. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attended the meeting. The minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Defence Expo 2020 on February 5. The expo, which is slated to be held from February 5 to 8 in Lucknow, 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 preparations 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.) A tide of mourners wept and beat their chests in the Iranian city of Ahvaz on Sunday, paying homage to top general Qasem Soleimani, after he was killed in a US strike in Baghdad. (Photo Credit: IANS Photo) New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday sounded caution over the latest US-Iran crisis triggered after the assassination of powerful military leader General Qasem Soleimani. Addressing media in Lucknow, Singh said that the situation is very tense and extremely worrisome. He also said that the atmosphere of war must be avoided at all cost. India has maintained a studied restraint over the tense standoff between the two nations. The defence ministers statement comes on the day when US President Donald Trump posted a provocative tweet against the Iranian regime. The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way...and without hesitation!, Trump said on micro-blogging site. Meanwhile, a tide of mourners wept and beat their chests in the Iranian city of Ahvaz on Sunday, paying homage to top general Qasem Soleimani, after he was killed in a US strike in Baghdad. "Death to America," they chanted at a mass gathering in the southwestern city, where Soleimani's remains arrived from Iraq before dawn, according to semi-official news agency ISNA. Packing the streets as Shiite chants resonated in the air, mourners held up portraits of Soleimani, seen as a hero of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and for spearheading Iran's Middle East operations as commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force. Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike on Friday near Baghdad international airport, shocking the Islamic republic. He was 62. The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region are 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, the MEA had said in statement. Pentagon and the White House had 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." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says President Donald Trump is worthy of all appreciation for ordering the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Netanyahu told his Cabinet Sunday that Soleimani initiated, planned and carried out many terror attacks in the Middle East and beyond. Israel has long accused Soleimani of being the mastermind of Irans belligerency in the region. Netanyahu said Israel stood alongside the United States in its current campaign against Iran. Netanyahu has been among the strongest voices against Irans Islamic rulers in recent years. The Israeli leader pushed hard against the nuclear deal Western powers signed with Tehran in 2015 and which Trump later reversed. The United States killed Soleimani in a drone airstrike at Baghdads international airport early Friday. The Iranian commander was widely seen as the architect of Tehrans proxy wars in the Middle East. Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday claimed that the BJP government was trying to justify its "draconian" Citizenship Amendment Act by politicising the attack on Sri Nankana Sahib. He said the Union government must refrain from politicising the sensitive issue. Jakhar also said the Centre should follow in the footsteps of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh who has asked Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene immediately in the matter. He said that instead of politicising on the matter, which is concerned with the psyche of Sikhs, the Centre must take up this matter with the Pakistani government for its immediate resolution. Read: Nankana Sahib Attack: SAD questions Navjot Singh Sidhus silence He said that Sri Nankana Sahib was a pious place for the entire humanity, Sikhs in particular, adding that politicisation of this unfortunate incident was a reflection of the BJP's myopic outlook. Jakhar asked the Union government to use its diplomatic relations with the neighbouring country to ensure the safety of religious places in Pakistan. He said that the matter was concerned with the emotions of the Sikhs and "it was unfortunate that the BJP-led government was trying to justify its draconian Citizenship Amendment Act by politicising this incident". Slamming the BJP government, he said that it was unfortunate that by shedding crocodile tears on this issue the BJP was trying to justify the Citizenship Act which was framed in contrast to the basic spirit of the Indian constitution. Jakhar added that it was high time that the Pakistani government be asked to ensure the severest punishment for the perpetrators of the heinous incident at Sri Nankana Sahib. Jakhar said that the psyche of the Sikhs has been bruised with this incident but the manner in which Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has reacted on it has further disappointed the Sikhs. He said that linking of this incident with the Citizenship Act by BJP was reflection of its communal outlook and hatred for the minorities, adding that it was shameful that the BJP was trying to use the feelings of Sikhs for marketing the draconian law. He further added that Sikhs were not a political currency of any political party, which the BJP could utilise for its vested interests. Jakhar said that in order to hide its sin the BJP was doing theatrics on the unfortunate incident. Read: 'Nankana Sahib Gurudwara attack in Pakistan validates need for CAA': BJP's Pratap Sarangi Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 19:54:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- China will give leniency to wrongdoers on the credit blacklists and who are restricted from consumption for court order defaults with a grace period from one to three months, according to a guideline released by the Supreme People's Court. Full-time students at school, who lose their credit because of falling into illegal campus loans, will be exempt from being listed on credit blacklists or restricted from purchasing certain products and services, according to the guideline. The document said the punishment of restricting wrongdoers' children attending schools with high tuitions that exceed standards should be precisely understood. For those who were restricted, people's courts should communicate with the young children and their schools to avoid negative effects, it said, adding that the punishment should not affect their legal rights to education. Credit blacklists will be made public if wrongdoers continue to default on their court orders longer than the grace period, it said. The grace period will be granted based on the determination of defaulters to fulfill duties and the severity of their cases, according to the guideline. China has placed more than 14.5 million people on a credit blacklist for defaulting on their court orders as of July 9, 2019. 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While the former who was born on 4th January, 1930 celebrates his 90th birthday, the later, born on January 4, 1969 clocks 51 today. Eze, a renowned media expert whose catalogs on different aspects of the history of the Kalabari Kingdom commands wider circulation describes the birth of these renowned personalities and special breed as one of the cosmic wonders and uniqueness of a father sharing the same birthday with his son and designed to impact positively on Niger Delta area and Nigeria at large. Eze recalls with pride, his association and relationship with this great family, as well as his acceptance as one of the great sons of this renowned King on a revered throne. Some of the great works of Eze include inter alia- "Kalabari Kingdom- Celebrating a unique culture" plus "BUGUMA CITY: KALABARI COUNCIL OF CHIEFS COMMEMORATE 11 YEARS OF THE GOLDEN REIGN OF THE AMANYANABO OF KALABARI KING (PROF) TJT PRINCEWIL, JP, CFR, AMACHREE XI" , " plus "GOV. ROTIMI CHIBUIKE AMAECHIS APPOINTMENT OF KING (PROF) T.J.T PRINCEWILL AS CHAIRMAN, RIVERS STATE TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL IS THE BEST 8OTH BIRTHDAY GIFT TO THIS ELDER STATESMAN" plus "KING PROF TJT PRINCEWIL, AMAECHREE XI CELEBRATES TEN YEARS OF DIVINE REIGN - HONOURS 68 ILLUSTRIOUS SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE KINGDOM amongst numerous other publications Eze, a party chief laughed to scorn the stack ignorance exhibited by Senator Magnus Ngei Abe and his misguided group in their desperate but futile enterprise to sell to the reading public, the falsehood that Chief Eze neither comes from nor resides in Rivers State. Little do they know that his association and relationship with Rivers State abounds and are well documented and read all over the world by true sons and daughters of Rivers State, historians, custodians of the Kalabari customs and traditions, as well as lovers of history and historians in general. Eze describes the Amachree XI as an icon, an embodiment of peace, a vision carrier, an unassuming and exemplary leader, a custodian per excellence, whose humility is infectious and whose prowess and administrative acumen has brought direction and purposeful development to the Kalabari kingdom and her people. His Majesty, King T.J.T Princewill, JP, CFR, is an academic Professor of great repute who was born on 4th January, 1930 in the ancient city of Buguma, to the royal family of the Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State of Nigeria. He ascended the throne of his forebears as the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom on 23rd March, 2002 and was recognized as a First Class Traditional Ruler by the Rivers State Government same year he was crowned king. King Prof. T.J.T Princewill started his academic pursuit at the famous Baptist School, Buguma in 1934 at the tender age of 4 and was adjudged the youngest ever to be enrolled to school. He graduated in 1946. After series of passage through various other schools, he ended up at University of Leeds, England from where he obtained his Ph.D. Degree in Microbiology in 1975. He has to his credit, over 30 publications published in scientific Journals from 1965 till date. He served as Head of Department, Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt from 1982-1984. Dean of Students' Affairs of University of Port Harcourt from 1985-1986, Dean, School of Graduate Studies, University of Port Harcourt, 1987-1990; Dean, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, (now Rivers State University), Port Harcourt from 1991-2000. During this time he also distinguished himself as a Lecturer, Visiting Lecturer and External Examiner to various Universities in Nigeria. Furthermore, as an internationally acclaimed scholar, he is a fellow of several academic bodies including, the Society for General Microbiology (UK), Society for Applied Bacteriology (UK), British Spore Group, Nigerian Society for Immunology, Nigerian Society for Animal Production and countless other societies of local, regional, and international jurisdiction. This great King of Kalabari Kingdom is the first Professor to be made King in Rivers State and the first King from Rivers State to be decorated with a national honour - Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. T.J.T Princewill, an academic cum traditional ruler is also the first Kalabari King to Chair the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and the First King of the Kalabari Kingdom to be appointed a Pro-Chancellor of a University. He has the singular honour of teaching most of the great leaders in Nigeria including former President of Nigeria, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck and the most successful Rivers State born politician, Rt. Hon. Dr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi erstwhile Governor of Rivers State and Nigeria ever best Minister amongst many other great leaders. Prior to the installation of King (Prof) Princewill, insecurity (occasioned by militancy) was the hallmark of the kingdom. Life was almost "brutish, nasty and short" as though it was a pre-governmet society as posited by Oliver Holmes. Properties were destroyed and the respect to the sanctity of human life was thrown to the dogs. Succinctly put, this period was the years of darkness, backwardness and Annihilation, when militia groups kidnap, maim and struggle for territorial control, but to the credit of this man of Peace and phlegmatic leader, peace, orderliness and sanity was returned to the kingdom. On the other hand, the Scion of the Kakabari, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill, better addressed as the 'Prince of Niger Delta Politics' is one of the great politicians who have distinguished himself in the politics of the State and the country at large. A Nigerian investor, politician, film producer and philanthropist. He was the 2015 Labour Party and 2007 Action Congress nominee for Governor of Rivers State. He is currently a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). One time political ally of the then former Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar and the former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and a great Admirer and follower of Rt. Hon. Dr. Amaechi. This great grassroot politician made history when he decided to join forces with Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in 2007 to form the most successful unity Government ever in Nigeria. According to the Peoples Prince, "We took the decision at the time that the enemy of your enemy is your friend," indicating his opponents were Celestine Omehia and his 'godfather', Dr. Peter Odili, the former governor of Rivers State when Rotimi Amaechi was installed by the court. He claimed that the decision to withdraw his case was made even easier because the same people who offered to give him 1.5 billion to withdraw his case, came back to offer him 1.5 billion and evidence of how they rigged the election against him to keep his case in court with the motive to remove Rt. Hon. Amaechi. Tonye Princewill later led members of the opposition parties in Rivers State under the banner of the Forum of Organized Opposition Political Parties to form a unity government with the Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi's administration. Notwithstanding the position of his opponents, Tonye Princewill stands as a decimal in the politics of the Niger Delta region. Princewill, now an avid APC member and frontline chieftain was appointed the Director of Strategic Communication for APCs Tonye Cole to execute the 2019 Gubernatorial campaign in Rivers state and if not for the acts of Abe and his group, he would have succeeded to install an APC Administration in Rivers State. The Media mogul and a respected son of the King expressed appreciation to Nigeria's first citizen, President Muhammadu Buhari and His Highness Nuhu Muhammed Sanusi, The Emir of Dutse for their heart touching congratulatory letters and other leaders from far and wide who find time to congratulate the Kalabari people, on the birthday of their King and Prince. Eze slammed Governor Nyesom Wike and the Rivers State Government for not finding it wise to congratulate one of the greatest Kings from the South-South region of Nigeria on this auspicious occasion and urges the Governor to formally apologise to the Kalabari Kingdom for this shocking embarrassment and blunder."We can no longer condone or support any further insubordination or disrespectful act to the person and stool of the Amayanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom. Eze noted with the great feats achieved by this legend, the need of the government of Rivers State to declare every January 4 henceforth a public holiday, to allow citizens and diplomats cling glasses over the celebration of a father and a son who are beloved and pleasant in the sight of Rivers people and Niger Deltans, as they add another year to their different ages to the glory of God becomes imperative. King and Prince Princewill played key role in my politics and stay in Rivers State and I pray God to grant the duo who are both father and brother to me many more years and capacity and strength to serve humanity better. Long Live APC! Long Live Rivers State!! Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria Long Live President Muhammadu Buhari Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze Families with small children are finally evacuated from Mallacoota. Credit:Justin McManus Finally the long wait was over and they were in a helicopter ready to fly. Meaghan Wegg, Tim Buckley and their two small children were airlifted out of Mallacoota on Sunday as the Australian Defence Force took advantage of cool weather and clear skies to evacuate remaining residents and holidaymakers who wanted out of the bushfire-racked town in far East Gippsland. Of the 4000 stranded in the coastal retreat after the closure of the Princes Highway, just under 400 remain who have registered to evacuate remained in the town on Sunday evening. There were 282 people airlifted out of town on Sunday. New Delhi, Jan 5 : The Delhi Police have been deployed inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus after request from the varsity administration following the clash between the two groups of students, in which several students were injured. Joint commissioner of Police (South Western range) Devendra Arya told IANS, "The police team just entered the University campus after we got the request from the varsity administration." Arya said that the JNU administration made request to the police after the clash between the two groups of students took place inside the varsity campus. He also said that the police will take stock of the situation inside the campus and hold a flag march to control the situation. Violence swept the JNU on Sunday evening as several masked individuals, both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers inside the varsity campus with wooden and metal rods. Two officer-bearers of the Jawaharal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), including President Aishe Ghosh - who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod, received severe injuries. They accused RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence in the campus. JNUSU General Secretary Satish Chandra was also injured in the attack. Insurance claims from Australia's worsening bushfire crisis are estimated at $375 million. The Insurance Council of Australia says insurers have received 5,850 bushfire-related claims in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland since it declared a bushfire catastrophe on November 8. But the council says the figures don't include properties lost over the past 24 to 36 hours in areas such as the NSW Southern Highlands and south coast. Losses are estimated at $375 million, with a further $56 million in insured property losses in September and October. Insurance claims from Australia's worsening bushfire crisis are estimated at $375 million. Pictured: A destroyed shop in Cobargo, NSW, on New Year's Day The Insurance Council of Australia says insurers have received 5,850 bushfire-related claims in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. Pictured: Destroyed buildings in Cobargo, NSW, on New Year's Day So far, about 1000 properties in Victoria's fire-affected areas have been assessed for damage. Authorities are yet to obtain a clear picture of losses but concede they will be 'significant'. The fires have razed about 110 properties and 220 outbuildings in the state in the last week, while 330 structures have been confirmed destroyed. Meanwhile in NSW, at least 1,365 homes have been confirmed destroyed this bushfire season. In NSW thousands of properties are without power and the government expects to confirm hundreds more property losses from the past day. In NSW, at least 1,365 homes have been confirmed destroyed this bushfire season. Pictured: vehicles gutted by bushfires are seen in the town of Lake Conjola on the NSW Coast In South Australia, 88 homes have been reduced to rubble, while about 600 properties on Kangaroo Island remain without power. 250,000 hectares of land has been burned in Queensland, where 45 homes have been confirmed destroyed. Around On Sunday it was announced former federal police chief Andrew Colvin will lead a large-scale national bushfire recovery effort. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the immediate start of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, which will work with state authorities and defence efforts. But the council says the figures don't include properties lost over the past 24 to 36 hours in areas such as the NSW Southern Highlands and south coast. Pictured: a kangaroo bounding past a burning home at Conjola on the NSW South Coast 'It will be modelling its operations closely on the successful response provided to the North Queensland floods,' Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra. 'That agency will be drawing on a series of support measures.' Mr Morrison didn't rule out a royal commission into the current bushfire crisis. 'It is something I would consider in concert with states and territories,' he said. Weather conditions eased on Sunday but authorities warned the bushfire threat remained active, particularly in the nation's southeast. Iraq Restricts US Military Operations After Soleimani Killing Military Spokesman Sputnik News 18:03 04.01.2020(updated 18:08 04.01.2020) BAGHDAD/CAIRO (Sputnik) - Baghdad has limited the actions of the US military in Iraq, military spokesman Abdel Karim Khalaf told Sputnik on Saturday, following a drone attack that claimed the lives of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of an Iraqi Shia militia group. "After the recent events that have taken place, it was decided to limit the work of US forces in Iraq. The US side has been notified They can act only with Iraqi consent, but after such a stab in the back, we will, of course, limit their activities," Khalaf stated. The spokesman also added that an investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain how the information of Soleimani's movements, such as his flight from Damascus to Baghdad and onward transport from Baghdad International Airport, was shared with the US. "Yes, an investigation is underway. The investigation will concern everyone who could have had any information inside the [Baghdad International] airport," Khalaf remarked. He also stated, echoing comments made by Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yehia Rasool earlier on Saturday, that Iraq had the capability to defend itself, even if NATO suspended military training in the country. "Iraq is able to cope with this task on its own, as well as with the task of protecting its territory. Of course, coalition forces provided air support, but the Iraqi military did everything else," Khalaf remarked. On Friday, Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were among those killed by a US drone attack near Baghdad International Airport. US President Donald Trump called the attack a preemptive, defensive strike, while Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that Tehran will take revenge for what it views to be a heinous crime. Rouhani paid his respects to Soleimani's relatives earlier on Saturday, after declaring three days of national mourning. Soleimani is due to be buried in his hometown of Kerman on Tuesday. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A drunk driver ploughed into pedestrians in an Italian Alpine village on Sunday, killing six German tourists and injuring 11 other people, authorities said. The accident happened at around 1:15 am (0015 GMT) in the village of Lutago near the Austrian border in an area popular with skiers. A group of German tourists had just got off a shuttle bus as they returned to their hotel from an evening at a nightclub when the car slammed into them at high speed -- throwing some of them dozens of metres. Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in a statement expressed his "most sincere" condolences to the "families of the young German tourists", wishing those injured a swift recovery. "I cry with those who have lost their children, their brothers and sisters, their friends, in the night," German Chancellor Angela Merkel added on Twitter. Six Germans were killed, a fire service official in Lutago told AFP. Eleven other people were injured -- two of whom were seriously hurt and flown by helicopter to a hospital in the Austrian city of Innsbruck. They were fighting for their lives, according to the prosecutor's office in nearby Bolzano. The local head of Italy's paramilitary carabinieri police force told AFP that the driver, a 27-year-old local resident, had been charged with murder and put in hospital under police guard. The prosecutor's office said the driver had between 1.9 and 2.0 grams of alcohol per litre in his blood, about four times the maximum allowed level. He could face a prison sentence of up to 18 years, it added. "I had just dropped the youths off when I saw the car coming at a crazy speed," the bus driver told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. "I flashed my headlights in vain to tell the driver to slow down. A few seconds later I saw these poor kids flying through the air in my rear-view mirror." - 'A terrible scene' - Roughly 160 emergency workers went to help out after the accident and a field hospital was set up at the side of the road. "A terrible scene, people on the ground, cries and pain, a tragedy - we don't have the words," a hotel receptionist told Corriere della Sera. "We have asked several times for a radar on this road as drivers speed up as soon as they leave Lutago and here, one kilometre from the centre, they go at 100 kilometres per hour." "The New Year has begun with a tragedy," South Tyrol governor Arno Kompatscher told reporters. South Tyrol is a largely German-speaking province afforded a high degree of autonomy from Rome, known in particular for the Dolomites mountain chain. German officials said the country's consulate in Milan was in close contact with the local authorities and staff were helping the people affected. Lutago, in the picturesque Aurina valley, is popular with tourists who ski at Klausberg and Speikboden. The village of about 800 residents is the location for a popular Italian television series "Un Passo dal Cielo" ("One Step from Heaven"). Last week, three Germans -- a woman and two girls, one aged seven -- were killed in an avalanche in South Tyrol. Currency exchange experts and forecasters at Nordea Research are tipping the pound to Australian dollar exchange rates to decline from current levels. "If commodity prices rebound on a slightly more broad-based basis, then you better buy a truckload of AUD versus GBP before it happens. USD is historically the worst currency to own if Gold rallies (that is by the way NOT the case currently), but GBP is the second worst. AUD is on the other hand high beta to commodity price increases, no matter whether its gold, copper or something third. We consequently like the short GBP/AUD bet and decide to enter, even though we are still not convinced of the world is healing narrative." The Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rates held at around AU$1.87 over the Festive Season as UK markets reacted negatively to Prime Minister Boris Johnsons cap on the UK-EU transition period until a strict deadline of late December 2020. This left Pound Sterling investors feeling jittery on the prospect of a cliff-edge Brexit resulting in a no-deal between the UK and the EU by the end of 2020. Dean Turner, UK Economist at UBS Global Wealth Management, also commented that the UKs market optimism would deteriorate in the New Year, saying "Its possible that there will be some bounce in activity given the clarity on Brexit, but any improvement in sentiment is likely to fade as the next Brexit deadline draws closer." Post-Brexit speculation dominate market attention last week, due to no influential UK economic data being released until after the festive season. Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economists at Lloyds Bank, commented "There is now clarity over the UKs departure from the EU, but the focus will turn to whether a new trade agreement can be negotiated during the transition period which currently runs until the end of next year." Meanwhile, Friday saw the release of the UK Markit Manufacturing PMI for December, which fell below forecasts at 47.5 and left markets feeling increasingly concerned over the health of the British economy after the 31st January Brexit date. Duncan Brock, Group Director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, was downbeat in his analysis, saying "[I]t still feels like a long road ahead for manufacturing to recover its losses from this year and there will still be some obstacles to overcome in 2020." The GBP/AUD exchange rate closed last week subdued, however, trading at around AU$1.881 as Brexit concerns held back market confidence in Sterling. Australian Dollar Exchange Rates Steady as US-Iran Tensions Hits Risk-Averse Aussie The Australian Dollar (AUD) benefited from optimism over a US-China trade deal last week, after US President Donald Trump announced that a phase one trade deal between the two superpowers could be signed off as early as the 15th January. Donald Trump tweeted: I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade Deal with China on January 15. The ceremony will take place at the White House. High level representatives of China will be present. At a later date I will be going to Beijing where talks will begin on Phase Two! Meanwhile, Wednesday saw the release of Australias Commonwealth Bank Manufacturing PMI for December, which fell deeper into contraction territory at 49.2. The Commonwealth Bank said in its statement: The manufacturing downturn was led by the steepest rate of decline in new orders in the series history during December. In flows of new sales fell for a third straight month despite rising exports Job shedding was reported for the first time in three months, with the rate of decrease the second sharpest seen since the survey began just over three-and-a-half years ago. However, last week also saw US-China trade relations effectively eclipsed by heightened geopolitical risks surrounding US and Iran. This follow Donald Trumps ordering of an air-strike on Iran, which escalated tensions between Washington and Iran. As a result, the Aussie suffered from its risk-correlated position as traders fled to safe-haven currencies like the Swiss Franc and the US Dollar. Olivier Jakob, managing director of Petromatrix, was downbeat in his analysis, saying "The killing of Soleimani calls for a serious increase of the geopolitical risk premium. This was supposed to be a holiday week for many traders. Many will be cutting the holidays short and call-in for an emergency risk meeting." Could Brexit Jitters Drag Down the Pound Exchange Rates? Sterling traders will be looking ahead to Mondays release of the UK Markit Services PMI for December. Any signs that the index could emerge from contraction territory would boost the GBP/AUD exchange rate as the UKs largest sector marks signs of improvement in the New Year. Aussie investors will be looking ahead to Wednesdays publication of the Australian Building Permits figure for November, which is expected to rise from -8.1% to 0.4%. As a result, we could see the Australian Dollar make some gains as the outlook for the Australian economy brightens. These will be followed by the Australian AiG Performance of Construction Index for December. Again, any signs of an uptick in this index would prove AUD-positive. Looking ahead to Thursday, the Australian Trade Balance figure for November could provide some uplift for the AUD/GBP exchange rate, with the figure expected to improve from 4,502 million to 6,100 million. US-China trade developments will, however, continue to drive the AUD/GBP exchange rate this week. Any signs of the two superpowers confirming a deal sign-off on the 15th January would boost risk appetite for the Aussie. Brexit will also remain in focus for Sterling traders, with any signs of the UK facing a bumpy ride this year likely to dampen market confidence in the Pound and weaken the GBP/AUD exchange rate. A Welsh dairy farm stricken by bovine TB is the first to gain permission to trial PBD Biotechs rapid Actiphage blood test for M. bovis, the pathogen that causes this devastating disease. 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 issued 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 in 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. He 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. Price-Jones, who has been leading the trial, says: Actiphage is able to identify the presence of relatively low numbers of M. bovis in the blood stream of infected cattle. It is not dependent upon an immune system response to the pathogen - in contrast to current validated tests - and so has greater sensitivity than such as the official Tuberculin SICCT skin test. The benefit of using Actiphage is that it offers the potential for eradicating the disease from the farm; as early identification of animals at risk of bovine TB enables heightened disease management and control. Under the terms of the Welsh governments protocol, cattle not condemned for slaughter can be tested with Actiphage. Those that give a positive result are identified with a management marker, monitored and milked separately. To prevent further contamination of the environment and to minimise risk to uninfected cattle, animals found to be shedders are removed from the farm. Although a decision to remove cattle based on a non-validated test will be at the farmers own expense, the Animal and Plant Health Agency has confirmed that during the trial, where a positive result is confirmed with statutory tests, the animals will be removed with compensation as normal. So far, 100 animals from Mossman Farming have been tested with Actiphage and vet Robert Price-Jones is preparing a paper to publish the findings in early 2020. PBD Biotech is offering reduced cost testing to support trials where the findings are made available to support validation of the test. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday condemned the assault on students and teachers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) inside its campus in New Delhi, terming it a "heinous act" and a shame on democracy. A four-member Trinamool Congress delegation will visit the JNU campus to express solidarity with students and teachers, she said. "We strongly condemn brutality unleashed against students/teachers in JNU. No words enough to describe such heinous acts. A shame on our democracy," Banerjee, also the TMC supremo, said in a tweet. A Trinamool Congress delegation consisting of Dinesh Trivedi and party MPs Sajda Ahmed, Manas Bhunia and Vivek Gupta is going to New Delhi to voice solidarity with the attacked students and teachers. Violence broke out at JNU on Sunday night as masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged properties on the campus, prompting the administration to call in the police. At least 18 people including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh were injured. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence. Meanwhile, the Students Federation of India on Sunday said it will take out rallies here on Monday to protest against the "barbaric attack" on students inside the JNU campus. The rallies will be organised in the Jadavpur University and the Presidency University, said leaders of the SFI, the student's wing of the CPI(M). Students will take out a protest rally within the campus in protest against the 'Fascist' attack, said Debraj Debnath, JU unit leader of the SFI. "We will also decide if protests will be held outside the campus and our future course of action against the ABVP and saffron forces," said Debnath who is also the university's Arts Faculty Students Union general secretary. An SFI leader of the Presidency University also said students will gather at the varsity's portico on Monday and take out a protest rally. "We will intensify our movement against the BJP and ABVP and give a call to boycott them," he said. The JUTA and All Bengal University Teachers' Association also issued statements condemning the attack on students of the JNU and alleged attempts to muzzle the voice of dissent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES Despite living in the Bay Area during the psychedelic haze of the 1960s, Dr. James Gunn never really liked the Grateful Dead. He didnt go to many concerts. But he was captivated by the wildly colorful posters advertising it and other bands that promoters pinned to walls and telephone poles when he was attending the University of California at Berkeley. Gunn managed to collect 300 posters from 1966-1970 touting bands, including the Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, The Byrds, Country Joe and the Fish, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Doors, The Who and many more who played before, during and after the 1967 Human Be-in in San Franciscos Golden Gate Park ushering in the Summer of Love. He has donated the collection to the Albuquerque Museum, making it the second largest regional repository of the artwork, behind the Denver Art Museum. Dreams Unreal: The Genesis of the Psychedelic Rock Poster, opening on Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Albuquerque Museum, showcases about 150 posters from Gunns collection in all of its trippy, hallucinogenic glory. Gunn was an 18-year-old art major when he first noticed concert handbills and posters hung and handed out on the streets for free. He collected about a dozen of the dizzying, color-clashing images but soon lost them to an absconding roommate It was the classic free speech time, said Gunn, now 71, as he relaxed in Truth or Consequences Black Cat Books and Coffee. The shop is the kind of place where you can hear poetry and get your tarot cards read. The counterculture still lingers in Gunns grey ponytail, white walrus mustache, soul patch and golden bumblebee jasper pendant. Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, Gunn said he chose Berkeley as a way to spend time in the Bay Area, to go to concerts and (smoke) marijuana. I havent smoked marijuana in years, he added sheepishly. Even with prices as low as $6-$7 to see acts such as the Dead and The Doors, Gunn was a poor college student who mostly chose the free events, such as promoter Bill Grahams legendary New Years Eve concerts, heralding acts like the Dead and Big Brother and the Holding Company. The posters hard-to-decipher graphics, bold colors and images lifted from Art Nouveau and Greek mythology beguiled Gunn. In the early 1980s, after completing medical school at Canadas University of Calgary (to avoid the Vietnam War), he returned to San Francisco for a conference and stumbled upon a shop selling the posters he remembered so fondly. I looked in and there were posters all over the walls, he said. This guy used to store all the posters for the Fillmore (West) and the Avalon Ballroom. I bought him out. He figures he paid from $2,000-$3,000 for the cache. A quick Internet search revealed a $75,000 price tag for a single original Grateful Dead poster in his collection. Theyre all beautiful posters, Gunn said. It was just part of my Berkeley experience. You had to work to read them. It was a social milieu nobodyd ever seen. I told people someday these are going to be as valuable as (posters by the French post-Impressionist) Toulouse Lautrec. Gunn settled in TorC after spending 19 years helming a family practice in Grants, then working for the New Mexico Womens Correctional Facility. He downsized and placed the bulk of the posters in storage. Eventually, worried about dog hairs and rat damage, he offered them to the Albuquerque Museum. Art history has no place for psychedelic art, Albuquerque Museum director Andrew Connors writes in the exhibitions accompanying book by guest curator Titus OBrien. Now, nearly a half century old, they convey a fresh vocabulary and strong visual vitality, he says. I love them, Gunn said.Theyre my favorite possession. I dont find it hard to let things go. Its just part of life. Im sure I could have sold them at auction and made a lot of money. But theyre in Albuquerque now. WHAT: Dreams Unreal: The Genesis of the Psychedelic Rock Poster WHEN: Opening 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through April 12. WHERE: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW HOW MUCH: $3-$5 at 243-7255, cabq.gov/museum. Australia extended their lead to 243 runs over New Zealand in the third Test on Sunday. Australia were at 40 without the loss of any wicket at the end of the play on day three. David Warner and Joe Burns are at 23 and 16 runs respectively. Earlier in the day, Australia bowled out Kiwis for 251 in their first innings. The visitors resumed their play from 63/0 on day three. They suffered an early blow as they lost opener Tom Blundell (34) after just adding five runs to the scoreboard. Jeet Raval and skipper Tom Latham stitched a 49-run stand for the second wicket. Raval was picked by spinner Nathan Lyon after scoring 31 runs. In the next over, Latham (49) was sent back to the pavilion by Pat Cummins. At that time Kiwis were at 117/3. Ross Taylor played a short stint of 22 runs before being dismissed by Cummins. BJ Watling and Glenn Phillips added a brief partnership of 18 runs. The former was bowled out by Mitchell Starc after playing a knock of nine runs. Phillips (52) scored highest runs for New Zealand and was scalped by Cummins. Colin de Grandhomme (20) and Todd Astle (25*) were the only two batsmen to score runs in double figures in the lower order. For the hosts, Nathan Lyon bagged fifer while Cummins clinched three wickets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DaBaby was released from jail in Florida on Saturday night stemming from an arrest earlier in the week. The Grammy-nominated rapper posted $1,500 bond and was bailed out of the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami. While he was initially arrested on a battery charge and was also being held on an arrest warrant out of Texas, TMZ reported that Dallas authorities 'withdrew' the warrant and aren't saying why. Mug shot: Grammy-nominated rapper DaBaby was arrested on a battery charge in Miami on Thursday night The 28-year-old allegedly robbed a concert promoter of an iPhone 7, $80 in cash, a credit card and then doused him with apple juice, according to TMZ. DaBaby believed the alleged victim had short changed him after paying him $20,000. DaBaby said he was owed $30,000, according to the report. A second victim was allegedly punched in the face during the altercation. Video of the incident showed several men, who are reportedly members of DaBaby's crew, appearing to jump a man and take his money and other possessions. Detained: The holiday season hasn't been too happy for rapper DaBaby, who was brought in and detained by cops in connection to a Miami robbery on Thursday The men then all got into a black SUV and started to pull away while the victim got up, but before the SUV left, one of the men ran out of the back seat and knocked him to the ground before getting back in the car and leaving. After his arrest, authorities learned there was a warrant in Texas for Kirk's arrest on battery charges. There were no details available about the Texas case. He was expected to make a first appearance in court on Friday, and will stay in custody until further notice, Miami-Dade Corrections spokesman Juan Diasgranados said in an email. The 28-year-old allegedly robbed a concert promoter of an iPhone 7, $80 in cash, a credit card and then doused him with apple juice, according to TMZ Kirk, 28, who is best known for his single Suge, was in South Florida for a New Year's Eve performance at a Miami Beach nightclub. This comes after he was handcuffed and cited Dec. 23 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 sheriff's department but decided ultimately to issue him citations and let him leave in lieu of making an arrest. 'Dirty cops': Following his arrest on December 23 in Charlotte, North Carolina, he took to his Instagram story to state, 'Dirty a** police department try to take me to jail every time I got a show in the city' 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. He took to his Instagram story to state, 'Dirty a** police department try to take me to jail every time I got a show in the city.' The rapper claimed that 15 cop cars swarmed his vehicle after leaving the venue, and upon conducting a search, they found marijuana. The department said it has launched an internal affairs investigation to determine whether officers followed all department procedures. Investigation: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has said they have opened an internal affairs investigation to determine if the cops acted properly in the Dec. 23 arrest Before the concert, Kirk had handed out toys to underprivileged children in Charlotte. The rapper was also arrested in early 2019 after a November 2018 altercation at a Wal-Mart, where a man was shot and killed. DaBaby never claimed he pulled the trigger and he was sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and a suspended 30-day jail sentence. Aside from his legal troubles, DaBaby has had a breakout year, with his debut studio album Baby on Baby peaking at #7 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The lead single off his album, Suge, was a breakout hit, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts. His second studio album, Kirk, released in September 2019, debuted atop the Billboard 200 charts, and he performed on the December 7 episode of Saturday Night Live. The book that engulfed my brains as I rode in the night from the GNAT Hall few days ago was the late Efo Kwadjo Mawugbes satirical radio drama, The Prison Graduates, which really diagnosed the problem of Africa that until sub-Saharan Africa accepts the blame for her predicament, we will still be a long way away from a practical solution to her problems. So long as Sub-Saharan Africa produces what her children do not consume and continue to consume what she does not produce, the sub-region and her children shall continue to be at the mercy of the developed countries. It is of no wonder that the play won the BBC International Playwriting Competition in 2009. The reason it kept flashing in my thoughts was due to the fact the play had four characters. And I was just returning from another play which used just three characters to proffer solutions to the numerous and uncountable marital problems we see, hear, or read about in this country. The play is Thank God for Idiots written and produced by Latif Abubakar. Latif Abubakar is a playwright who has become a stickler for theatre for development. He has thought, written, directed and produced fourteen plays that have been performed 67 times across the country to an audience base of 40,000. He is the only playwright in Ghana to direct and produce a play on a living legend and have him feature on stage. That was last year when his play had the National Chief Imam of Ghana and the former Archbishop of Accra live on stage. On the 1st of January, 2020, he ended his Best of Plays for 2019 at the Ultra-Modern GNAT Hall. The show attracted hundreds of people and the performance was an absolutely great one by all standards. The audience was thrilled from the beginning to then end. The never-ending rapturous applause from the audience could easily influence a by-stander to describe the play as a magnum opus especially in a country where Theatre is on its knees begging to be saved. One significant observation was the time the last show (which I went to see) started. The programme started exactly on time advertised (8 pm) though many participants were now filing in. It is a very significant gesture to mention in a country where public apology before the start of any programme has become the opening prayer. In a country where the presidency announced an Address to the nation will be at 8:30 pm yet the President appeared non-chalantly about an hour later without any explanation. And no one found anything wrong with that. So it is very significant to have Latif start seriously on time. Success or failure can be determined from our attitude towards time in all our undertakings. The state of the nation alone tells us how we have fared in that regard. Another great observation was the sound. There was no voice overlap, technical hitches, microphone faults or the numerous sound problems we see when we go for plays and shows in the country. There were televisions present in the hall to help those who could not see the full stage and also everything ongoing was effectively perceptible to the ear. For the first time in my life, I came into contact with the great Academic and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Akilagpa Sawyer who was a patron of the show that day. The other great personality present to catch the show was Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications. When I was at the Graphic Communications Group Limited, he was the Managing Director and was always in his African attire. I noted that through his actions and mannerisms, he tries to project the image of Ghana and Africa as a whole. I am yet to see him or any picture of him in suits. He was also present to experience the ideal excellence of the Ghanaian at display by Latif Abubakar. The caliber of people present portends to one particular fact, that Latif has become a dominant force in the Ghana Theatre Industry. With his Globe Productions, he has always ensured that they produce tri-annual plays mostly in April, August and December. In Thank God for Idiots, he showed great knowledge with the characterization, setting and plot. A couple living opulently off the inheritance of the husbands late brother had their marriage on tenterhooks, always cursing and talking back at each other. The play will later reveal that they had lost touch with the very significant chemistry that attracted them to each other. They got into a labyrinth of interesting revelations and interactions after they received a knock on their door one midnight. Their new houseboy, Apisco, was on top of every marital problem; diagnosing the issues and proffering solutions. Through deep witticism and humor, he carried the audience along from the moment he appeared on stage to the end. He also evoked the power of music to drive home his messages. In the end the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Kpush renewed and refreshed their love and lived happily ever after. The play was laden with so many lessons that even the most avowed celibate will use them to counsel others about marriage. The play re-emphasizes what was captured in the book So Long a Letter by the Senegalese writer Mariama Ba. She stated that marriage is an eternal compromise. And I agree with that. I doff my heart to Latif Abubakar and look forward to his future productions. He is one of the few people that are diligently working around the clock to give a cardiopulmonary resuscitation to our Theartre industry that is in a serious cardiac arrest. And his plays are always a delight to catch. I leave him with the words of the great Vince Lombardi. He stated that It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it. Inusah Mohammed [email protected] The Writer is the Executive Secretary of Success Book Club. The Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has called on those engaged in the sale of inflammable goods to move to areas that have been designated by government for such business. The deputy governor made the call when she visited victims of Saturdays gas explosion receiving treatment at Sabo, Barau Dikko and St Gerald hospitals in Kaduna. Balarabe also paid condolence visit to the family of Prof. Simon Mallam, who died in the incident. Mallam was the Chairman of Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission and was among the six people who died in the gas explosion. Four others sustained major injuries. Balarabe urged residents to notify the government of any gas outlet in their area, so that actions can be taken quickly. She said it was illegal to locate businesses of imflammables in populated areas. She said: This unfortunate incident is an eye opener for people to know the fact that selling flammable materials within a place where we have congregation of people is actually not the best. She called on the people to always abide by government policies put in place for their safety. This is one thing we are really going to enforce to ensure that people do the right thing while also taking responsibility for their actions, she said. It is a sad weekend for this to happen early in the New Year. It is a sad and unfortunate and this is bringing to the fore the need for us as a people to come together to expose people that come to our area and site these kind of shops that are not supposed to be situated there. It is sad and unfortunate that we dont take safety into consideration. Most of the time, it takes pains for us to realise that some of the things we do are really not supposed to be done that way, I think this is one of such unfortunate situations. Balarabe prayed for peace to those who died and fortitude for their families to bear the loss. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the deputy governor was was accompanied by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Maimuna Abubakar, Executive Secretary State Emergency Management Agency and officers of the Nigerian Police, Federal and State Fire Services. Market darling Xero is expected to enjoy a strong year with global investment bank RBC Capital Markets nominating the accounting software provider as the only Australian listed company to make its top 30 global trades list for 2020. Xero, headed by former Apple, IBM and Microsoft employee Steve Vamos, posted a stellar 2019 with its shares soaring 90.4 per cent, putting it among the top performers on the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index. Xero chief executive Steve Vamos. Morgan Stanley is still bullish on the accounting software firm. Credit:Brook Mitchell In November Xero booked a 37 per cent increase in half-yearly revenue up to $257 million and subscriber numbers grew to 1.58 million globally. However, the growth came at a cost with the company's half-yearly net loss widening to $28.6 million from $19.6 million in the prior year. At the time Mr Vamos said there was still room for significant growth for Xero with cloud accounting penetration sitting at 20 per cent worldwide, and 40 per cent in Australia. The violence against students and teachers at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday was condemned across party lines even as blame-game began on social media over the culprits behind the incident. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal tweeted saying he has directed the Delhi police to take all possible steps in coordination with JNU administration to maintain law and order, and to take action against perpetrators. The situation is being closely monitored, he said. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was shocked. I am so shocked to know about the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police should immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside university campus (sic)? he said on twitter. The hashtag SOSJNU went viral on social media as reports of violence emerged, with opposition parties tweeting with the hashtag. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, directly pinned the blame on the Centre. The brutal attack on JNU students and teachers by masked thugs, which has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Todays violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear. #SOSJNU, he tweeted. Later on Sunday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reached AIIMS Trauma Centre to meet the injured. Rajya Sabha MP and senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh demanded the resignation of home minister Amit Shah, saying that the Capital has become the den of violence and hooliganism ever since Shah took charge. Delhi Commission for Women Swati Maliwal said the commission is issuing a notice to the Delhi police seeking answers on action taken by the force during and after the violence. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the attack by masked men shows the low to which the government can stoop. The BJP is using violence and hate to polarise society and stifle dissent. The ABVP are acting like the storm troopers of the BJP, Yadav said. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), however, alleged that culprits were leftist goons. The BJP in a tweet called the act a desperate attempt by forces of anarchy. We strongly condemn the violence on JNU campus. This is a desperate attempt by forces of anarchy determined to use students as cannon fodder and create unrest to shore up their shrinking political footprint. Universities should remain places of learning it said. Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav alleged he was manhandled outside the JNU campus. He said no one was there to stop the hooliganism and he was not allowed to speak to the media. Police personnel were standing by but they did not do anything, Yadav said. D Raja, general secretary, Communist Party of India, also went to JNU after reports of violence emerged. Masked goons attacked girls. What are the police doing? It is under the home ministry. The home minister should be answerable. Why didnt the vice chancellor protect the students? he asked. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, an alumna of JNU, called images of the violence horrifying. Horrifying images from JNU the place I know and remember was one of fierce debates and opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This government, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students, she said. Union external affairs minister S Jaishankar, another JNU alumnus, called the violence completely against the tradition and culture of the university. West Bengal chief minister and chief of Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee called it a shame on democracy. We strongly condemn brutality unleashed against students/teachers in JNU. No words enough to describe such heinous acts. Trinamool delegation led by Dinesh Trivedi (Sajda Ahmed, Manas Bhunia, Vivek Gupta) headed to Delhi to show solidarity with #ShaheenBagh #JNU (sic), she tweeted The Self Delusion Tom Oliver W&N 20 Rating: There's a scene in Monty Python's Life Of Brian where the titular hero is desperately trying to persuade his followers to leave him alone. 'You're all individuals. You're all different,' he tells them. To which a voice in the crowd replies: 'I'm not.' Well, according to Tom Oliver, that lone dissenter may have been on to something, for the idea that we exist as independent selves is an illusion. Oliver, a professor of applied ecology at Reading University, proposes that 'individual humans do not exist: we are seamlessly connected to one another and the world around us'. He goes further, suggesting that the very idea of an independent self threatens the future of our species, and he advances his case by examining three inter-related spheres:the physical, the mental and the social. The physical sphere is the least controversial and the easiest to explain. Our bodies are composed of trillions of cells, but slightly more of these are bacterial than human. These bacterial cells are following their own evolutionary agendas and, like all the cells in our body, they are constantly dying and being replaced. The 'I' that began to read this book a few days ago is therefore physically different from the 'I' writing this review. We are not discrete entities, Oliver contends, but open systems in a state of perpetual interaction with the natural world. According to Tom Oliver's The Self Delusion, the idea that we're all independent selves - as suggested by a lone dissenter in a scene in Monty Python's Life Of Brian (above) - is an illusion The mental sphere is harder to comprehend, not least because it challenges our very sense of identity. The cognitive neuroscientist Matthew Lieberman believes that what we think of as 'self' is 'a sneaky evolutionary ploy' that gives us an illusion of autonomy, while in reality we are the tools of genes that will do anything to ensure their survival and reproduction. Evolutionary biologist Mark Pagel believes that '...the inner 'I' that you know so well probably doesn't exist. It is an illusion, the construction of a mind, which is itself the construction of its genes, genes that have been selected to produce brains that further their ends.' This is hardly a comforting thought, but then consciousness is one of the greatest of scientific mysteries, and any attempt to get to grips with it will feel like wrestling with jelly. IT'S A FACT In Aberystwyth, the ban on Life Of Brian was only lifted in 2009 when Sue Jones-Davies, who played Judith Iscariot, was elected mayor. Advertisement Where Oliver attempts to bind these difficult but fascinating ideas together is in his consideration of the social sphere, and this is the part of the book that I found least convincing. Oliver thinks that individualism, which he equates with selfishness, is not only making us unhappy but is also destroying the planet. He discusses various methods for pursuing selflessness, but it's clear that the one he favours involves a new partnership between science and religion, specifically of the Eastern variety. Analysis of the brainwaves of Buddhist monks, Oliver claims, proves that the dissolution of the sense of self they report while meditating is real, and illuminates 'the true state of our existence'. Oliver may be right to deplore our lack of connectedness with the natural world and to extol the virtues of the collective over the individual. But are his solutions practical? I have my doubts. The Shapeless Unease: A Year Of Not Sleeping Samantha Harvey Jonathan Cape 12.99 Rating: At night, I'm thrown to the wolves,' says Samantha Harvey towards the beginning of this remarkable book. 'I only survive by howling like a wolf.' If what she says isn't literally true, it certainly isn't a joke. This is a book about insomnia, but not the kind where you spray a bit of lavender oil on your pillow and everything's fine. This is about a year of not sleeping night after night, some-times not for 40 hours, not sleeping so your hair falls out and your hands go numb and your heart feels like a 'tough lump of meat, flooded with fear'. It starts with a conversation. 'Why don't you write another novel?' a friend asks Harvey, who has written four highly acclaimed novels including the award-winning The Wilderness, about the unravelling, through Alzheimer's, of a man's mind. Harvey tells the friend about the death of her cousin, alone in his flat. 'My cousin's death,' she says, 'has invited all deaths. I can't breathe with this future grief.' The Shapeless Unease by Samantha Harvey is a remarkable patchwork quilt of conversations, memories & musings which makes the reader feel as if they, too, are in her sleep-starved mind She doesn't tell the friend that she has started dwelling on death and grief and memory and life as soon as her head hits the pillow every night, and that this has unleashed what sometimes feel like literal demons and a torment that no trip to a sleep specialist or doctor can quash. What follows is a patchwork quilt of conversations, memories, encounters and musings, the fruits of a mind so electrically alert that no drug seems to numb or quiet it. Harvey's heart-stoppingly cool account of her cousin's death and funeral is followed by a description of her sleep problems, presented as a case study of a 'patient, female, 43', starting with a move to a house on a busy road, exacerbated by anger at the result of the 2016 EU Referendum and then by a pile-up of shocks and grief that push her into the insomnia that sometimes has her howling like a wolf. This is followed by a letter to her dead cousin, outlining the changes he can expect to experience in his body, a consultation with a sleep specialist, a consultation with a GP who barely bothers to hide her contempt for a patient she clearly thinks is self-indulgent fragments of a short story about a man who robs a cashpoint, and memories of childhood. These include the death, following her parents' divorce, of the flea-ridden dog Harvey adores. If this all sounds a bit mad, it is. The lurching around from subject to subject, and from memory to memory, makes it feel as if we, too, are in Harvey's sleep-starved brain, wandering with her into existential dark woods and feeling the crackle of every synapse. It's an extraordinary journey, but it's also mesmerising. Harvey writes with hypnotic power and poetic precision about well, about everything: grief, pain, memory, family, the night sky, a lake at sunset, what it means to dream and what it means to suffer and survive. 'Glorious life,' she says at one point, 'look at its speed and purpose, bombproof and beautiful.' The big surprise is that this book about 'shapeless unease' is, in the end, a glittering, playful and, yes, joyful celebration of that glorious gift of glorious life. Christina Patterson Uncanny Valley Anna Wiener Fourth Estate 16.99 Rating: How would you describe the internet to a medieval farmer? Until she found herself in a Silicon Valley job interview, it wasn't a question that Anna Wiener had given much thought to. She'd been leading an analogue life herself, working as an assistant in a small Manhattan literary agency. But in 2013, aged 25, she began craving a liveable wage, health insurance and a future, so, after a brief stint at an e-book start-up, she became employee number 20 in a West Coast data analytics start-up. Wiener's compulsive debut memoir chronicles her journey from proud late-adopter to true believer, forging on into burnout territory and beyond. It's a wry, crisply written tale of optimism and hubris, idealism and misogyny. While it often reads like sci-fi, it's also a kind of horror story, one in which we are all through inattention, if nothing else complicit. Anna Wiener's compulsive memoir charts her journey from an analogue employee at a literary agency to earning six figures at a data company, her eventual tech burnout and beyond Despite her bookish background (the missing hyphen on her staffer's 'I am data driven' T-shirt never ceases to bug her), Wiener yearns to fit in. She doesn't just drink the Kool-Aid, she swims in it, mingling with techno-utopians and 'brogrammers', encountering biohackers who self-administer 150-volt electric shocks, coding whizzes who identify as animals ('You'll know him by the tail', a colleague says of a developer) and various nontechnical carpetbaggers like herself. Though still in her 20s, she answers to younger bosses who've never even had jobs. When she jumps ship to an open-source start-up whose office is like a theme park albeit one where giant monitors track employees' every move via heat maps her salary hits six figures. Customer support is her realm, which, coupled with her gender, means zero status. 'Sexism, misogyny and objectification did not define the workplace but they were everywhere. Like wallpaper, like air,' she writes as doubts about her brave new world begin crowding in. Age discrimination fuels a local boom in cosmetic surgery, and with young money running amok, her adoptive city of San Francisco becomes the most expensive in America. IT'S A FACT When composer Brian Eno was asked to compose the start up music for Windows 95, he used an Apple Mac computer to write it. Advertisement Back at the office, where attendance is optional and millennials in psychedelic leggings skateboard between standing desks, Wiener has mounting concerns about the ethics of an industry that's out to disrupt and then dominate, angling to become 'everyone's library, memory, personality'. At the analytics company, she'd been able to enter 'God Mode' and spy on data sets that customers collected from their own users; at the open-source start-up, she helps launch a metric bluntly called 'Addiction'. 'I felt safer inside the empire, inside the machine. It was preferable to be on the side that did the watching than on the side being watched', she admits. Eventually though, not even the perks are enough to keep her, and in early 2018 she quits, desperately in need of 'deprogramming'. A few months later, when her shares net her $200,000 modest by industry standards she feels no pride, only relief and guilt. As a parable of a Faustian bargain, Uncanny Valley is riveting; as a belated wake-up call, it's required reading. Hephzibah Anderson A war of words has broken out between the AIADMK and DMK over the outcome of recent rural local body elections as the ruling party slammed the latter for claiming a 'huge' win and asserted that it has recovered lost ground compared to its rout in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Alleging irregularities and repressive measures by the ruling dispensation in the conduct of polls and negligence by the State Election Commission, DMK chief M K Stalin said despite such factors "Tamil Nadu's rural people gave the DMK and its allies a massive victory." Writing to cadres in party organ 'Murasoli,' following his late father and party patriarch M Karunanidhi's style, Stalin said the people's verdict was a prelude to the "ushering in of a good regime tomorrow." The DMK president was appaerently referring to State Assembly elections due next May and his confidence of wresting power from AIADMK. Addressing cadres here at a party event on Sunday, the Dravidian party top leader said while his party won 2100 ward member seats in panchayat unions, the AIADMK could manage only 1781. "The difference was 319 seats. Is this an equal victory ?. The DMK bagged 243 district panchayat seats and AIADMK got 214 and the gap is 29 seats. Which is more ? he asked. Stalin hit out at a section of media for calling the poll results an "equal win," for the Dravidian majors and exuded confidence that his party was in for a huge victory next year in Assembly elections. The AIADMK, however, mocked at the arch rival saying it has suffered a huge setback after winning 38 of the total 39 Lok Sabha seats. On the contrary, AIADMK daily 'Namadu Puratchithalaivi Amma,' said the ruling party has been witnessing a rebound electorally after it faced debacle in Parliamentary polls. Seeking to buttress its claim, the AIADMK organ said the DMK, which bragged about winning as many as 37 Lok Sabha seats in May could succeed in Vellore Parliamentary constituency only by a slim margin of less than 9,000 votes in August. Polls were held to 38 LS seats in May and election to Vellore seat was deferred. In May last, while DMK front had won 37, only the Theni segment landed in AIADMK's kitty. In August 2019, election to Vellore LS seat was held and it was won by the DMK. The ruling party mouthpiece said two months after the Vellore poll, the AIADMK went on to wrest Vikravandi Assembly constituency from DMK and Nanguneri seat from its ally Congress (October, 2019). Now, the results to polls to rural civic bodies in 27 districts held on December 27 and 30, "show that the DMK has suffered a huge setback." The main opposition has apparently lost the extent of support it enjoyed in the Lok Sabha polls, the AIADMK said. Also, the AIADMK daily hit out at DMK president Stalin saying he could not brook the rise of the ruling party after its setback in LS polls. Immediately after the civic poll results, the ruling party had said that it was regaining the "love and support" of the people after being routed in Lok Sabha polls. According to the updated results made available by the TN State Election Commission for rural civic elections, out of the total 515 district panchayat ward members seats, the AIADMK and DMK have won 214 and 243 respectively. AIADMK's allies BJP and DMDK have won seven and three district seats. PMK, also a ruling party ally won 16 seats. DMK's allies Congress won 15, CPI seven and CPI(M) two and others won six district seats. Together with their allies, the tally of AIADMK and DMK in districts stood at 240 and 267 respectively. As regards Union council ward member seats, of the total 5090 seats results are known for 5087 of them. AIADMK won 1,781 seats, its partners PMK 224, BJP 85, DMDK 99. DMK bagged 2100 segments, its allies Congress, 132, CPI won 62, CPI (M) 33 and others got 571 seats. Results for two segments in districts and three seats in unions have been withheld. Elections to rural local bodies were held on December 27 and 30, 2019 in 27 districts of Tamil Nadu. Polls to local bodies in rural areas of Kancheepuram, Chengelpet, Vellore, Tirupattur, Ranipettai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts are expected alongside urban local elections later. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Advertisement Eleanor Tomlinson posed as Steve McQueen in the iconic WWII film The Great Escape as part of an art project which saw 10 British actors portrayed in their dream role. Visual artist Joe Simpson created the paintings as part of his ACT exhibition which opens at War Memorial Art Gallery in Stockport, Greater Manchester, later this month. The ten pieces captured the sitters in roles that they wish they had played including that of Eleanor Tomlinson, best known as Poldark's Demelza, as Steve McQueen's wartime hero Virgil Hilts. A series of famous faces have all posed for portraits in their dream roles. Pictured: Eleanor Tomlinson as Hilts 'The Cooler King' from The Great Escape Mr Simpson contacted the others through their agents or via social media and managed to gain traction for the project. Pictured: Olivia Colman as Bess from Breaking The Waves Visual artist Joe Simpson created the paintings as part of his ACT exhibition which opens at War Memorial Art Gallery in Stockport, Greater Manchester, later this month. Pictured: Matt Lucas as Don Lockwood from Singin' In The Rain These included Olivia Colman as Bess in Breaking the Waves, Matt Lucas as Don Lockwood in Singin' In The Rain and Warwick Davis as Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe. Michael Sheen said that he had already played all of his dream roles and so instead opted to be painted as Max from children's book Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak's. Other sitters included Paddy Considine, Charlie Cox, Mark Gatiss, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, John Simm and Eleanor Tomlinson. Pictured: Michael Sheen said that he had already played all of his dream roles and so instead opted to be painted as Max from children's book Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak's The project took Mr Simpson five years to complete and he said that the hardest part was persuading the celebrities to agree to take part in the first place. Pictured: Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Cleopatra The ten pieces captured the sitters in roles that they wish they had played. Pictured: Warwick Davis as Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe The project took Mr Simpson five years to complete. He said that the hardest part was persuading the celebrities to agree to take part in the first place. His first sitter was Paddy Considine, known for his roles in Hot Fuzz and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, who was a friend of a friend. His first sitter was Paddy Considine, known for his roles in Hot Fuzz and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, who was a friend of a friend. Pictured: Considine as R.P McMurphy from One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Mr Simpson contacted the others through their agents or via social media and managed to gain traction for the project. The next steps were to discuss the character and their depiction with the actor before photographing them with props and costumes. He originally added the backdrops using Photoshop on a computer before taking them into the studio to paint them in oil on canvas. The next steps were to discuss the character and their depiction with the actor before photographing them with props and costumes. Pictured: Mark Gatiss as The Phantom Of The Opera He originally added the backdrops using Photoshop on a computer before taking them into the studio to paint them in oil on canvas. Pictured: Charlie Cox as William Canfield Jr. from Steamboat Bill, Jr Speaking about the result, Mr Simpson said that they were 'like a film still from a film that doesn't exist'. Pictured: John Simm as Rick Deckard from Blade Runner Speaking about the result, Mr Simpson said that they were 'like a film still from a film that doesn't exist'. 'These are the most researched pieces I've worked on, where I study each role and create a scene from scratch which includes making costumes, referencing cinematography, genre conventions and character profiles and visiting authentic locations - all to build a single frame story,' according to The Telegraph. He said that the project also deepened his knowledge of film as he set about reaching each of the films repeatedly to get a sense of the portrait. Mr Simpson said that the project also deepened his knowledge of film as he set about reaching each of the films repeatedly to get a sense of the portrait. Pictured: behind the scenes on the shoot for Paddy Considine's portrait Mr Simpson has already been in discussions with a new group of famous faces who he hopes to feature in the future including Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Dame Judi Dench. Pictured: Matt Lucas gave Joe Simpson a hug after his portrait was revealed Mr Simpson has already been in discussions with a new group of famous faces who he hopes to feature in the future including Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Dame Judi Dench. The show opens at the War Memorial Art Gallery in Stockport on January 25. It will then travel to the Theatre Clwyd, North Wales, and the Alfred East Art Gallery, Kettering. Assassination of Iranian commander raises fears of turning Iraq into battleground People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:12, January 04, 2020 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 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. S ix people were killed and 11 injured when a car ploughed into a group of young German tourists in northern Italy. The fatal crash occurred in Luttach, also known as Lutago, near Bolzano in the Alto Adige region, shortly after 1am, as the Germans were gathering to board their bus. The Luttach volunteer fire service said on Facebook that the six dead were killed at the scene. The injured were taken to several nearby hospitals. Sky TG24 quoted Italian carabinieri as saying the driver was believed to be from the area and had a high alcohol blood content. The largely German-speaking autonomous region of northern Italy, with its ski resorts in the Dolomites and quaint villages around Bolzano, is popular with German tourists. Thanks for joining us for today's blog, on a day that has provided some temporary relief from hot and windy weather for much of the state. As of 8.45pm, there are two emergency warnings active, both in the far east of the state in the Wingan River and Chandlers Creek areas. But much of East Gippsland and the Alpine region is still on heightened alert, and at this stage it looks likely that there will be another period of high fire risk later in the week, around Thursday or Friday. We'll be back with a live blog from early tomorrow morning, so be sure to check back in with us then. This is my fifth live blog session in the past seven days, so they're becoming a staple of our fire coverage. On that note, if there is anything that the blog could be doing better, please shoot me an email: craig.butt@theage.com.au I'll leave you today with this photo of 'Tinny Arse', a koala that was rescued in New South Wales and now seems to be considering a career as a tanker driver. The koala named Tinny Arse that was rescued by Damian Campbell-Davys from a bushfire zone sits in his water tanker. Credit:Kate Geraghty [Check out the full article] The Accident Investigation Bureau has commenced into an incident involving an A330-300 aircraft, with registration number TC-LOL, operated by Turkish Airlines which occured at the Port Harcourt airport. The General Manager, Public Affairs, AIB, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday. The statement noted that the bureau was notified that at 3:30 a.m. local time, on December 31 2019, the aircraft was en route Port Harcourt from Istanbul with 295 passengers and 11 crew members on board. According to the statement, the aircraft suffered a burst tyre on landing on runway 21 of the Port Harcourt International airport; veered off the runway and managed to taxi to the new international terminal. It confirmed that all the occupants disembarked with no injury. The statement noted that the bureau was open to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence or information that might assist in its investigation. The Bureau will like to call on the press and the public to respect the privacy of the people involved and not to preempt the cause of the incident, it said. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Tripoli (Reuters) - At least 28 people were killed in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health minister of the Tripoli-based government said. Tripoli, which is under the control of the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), is facing an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) that began in April Tripoli (Reuters) - At least 28 people were killed in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health minister of the Tripoli-based government said. Tripoli, which is under the control of the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), is facing an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) that began in April. There has been an increase in air strikes and shelling around Tripoli in recent weeks, with fears that fighting could escalate further after Turkeys parliament voted to allow a troop deployment in support of the GNA. Forces allied with the GNA described Saturdays attack on the military camp at Al-Hadhba as "an aerial bombing" launched by their eastern rivals. An LNA spokesman denied involvement. GNA Health Minister Hamid bin Omar told Reuters in a phone call that the number of dead and wounded was still rising. Tripoli ambulance service spokesman Osama Ali said some body parts could not be immediately counted by forensic experts. Earlier, the ambulance service appealed for a temporary ceasefire to allow its members to retrieve the bodies of five civilians killed on As Sidra Road area south of central Tripoli, and evacuate families living in there. Emergency teams withdrew after coming under fire while trying to access the area on Saturday, it added. An increase in air strikes and shelling in and around Tripoli has caused the deaths of at least 11 civilians since early December and shut down health facilities and schools, the U.N. mission in Libya said on Friday. Rockets and shelling also shut down Tripolis only functioning airport on Friday. On Friday, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Libya, warning that the delivery of foreign support to warring parties would "only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution". Libyas eastern-based parliament, which relocated from Tripoli in 2014 as the country split into rival camps in Tripoli and the east, voted to provide Haftar with emergency funding on Saturday. The pro-Haftar chamber also held a series of symbolic votes against the GNA and Turkey, which struck two pacts on maritime boundaries and military cooperation in November. (Reporting by Hani Amara, Ahmed Elumami and Ayman al-Warfalli; Writing by Mahmoud Mourad and Aidan Lewis; Editing by Paul Simao) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Cyrus Mistry has said that he is not pursuing the position of Tata Sons' executive chairman, the office he was unceremoniously terminated from in October 2016, or directorship of any of the Tata group companies. He added that he will, however, "vigorously pursue all options to protect our rights as a minority shareholder". Mistry's statement on Sunday came in the backdrop of an NCLAT order that reinstated him on the Tata Sons' board and termed the appointment of N Chandrasekaran as the executive chairman "illegal". Tata Sons, the conglomerate's patriarch, Ratan Tata, and its flagship company, Tata Consultancy Services, have all filed separate appeals against the order in Supreme Court. "To dispel the misinformation campaign being conducted, I intend to make it clear that despite the NCLAT order in my favour, I will not be pursuing the executive chairmanship of Tata Sons, or directorship of TCS, Tata Teleservices or Tata Industries," Mistry said. ALSO READ: TCS moves Supreme Court against NCLAT order reinstating Cyrus Mistry "I will however vigorously pursue all options to protect our rights as a minority shareholder, including that of resuming the thirty-year history of a seat at the Board of Tata Sons and the incorporation of the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency at Tata Sons," he added. Mistry said that his legal battle against Tata Sons was never about him, but rather to protect the rights of minority shareholders. He said that the Shapoorji Pallonji Group has been with the Tata group for the past decades and it is in his family's interest to secure the group's interests. "As an 18.37 per cent shareholder, it is in our own interest to ensure the. My family, although a minority partner, has been a guardian of the Tata Group for over five decades," Mistry said. "This legal fight has never been about me. It has always been and will always be about protecting the rights of minority shareholders and upholding their right to demand a higher standard of corporate governance from controlling shareholders." ALSO READ: Ratan Tata moves Supreme Court seeking stay against NCLAT's order to restore Cyrus Mistry Below is the complete text of Mistry's statement: This statement is being made in the interests of the Tata Group, whose interests are far more important than the interests of any individual. To dispel the misinformation campaign being conducted, I intend to make it clear that despite the NCLAT order in my favour, I will not be pursuing the executive chairmanship of Tata Sons, or directorship of TCS, Tata Teleservices or Tata Industries. I will however vigorously pursue all options to protect our rights as a minority shareholder, including that of resuming the thirty-year history of a seat at the Board of Tata Sons and the incorporation of the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency at Tata Sons. Recent media reports attributed to Mr Ratan Tata and others questioning the NCLAT judgment ahead of an important hearing in the Supreme Court, profess an interpretation of Corporate Democracy as being one of brute majoritarianism with no rights for minority stakeholders. The question in these legal proceedings is whether the oppressive actions of a majority that stifles minority shareholders is beyond reproach and outside judicial oversight. Globally, and including in India, Company Law has evolved to protect the rights of minority shareholders and strengthen corporate governance. The Companies Act, 2013 has considerably strengthened the statutory protections accorded to minority shareholders from oppressive conduct of the majority shareholders. Indeed, for Corporate Democracy to be strengthened, all stakeholders must operate within the ambit of law and statutorily enshrined protections. ALSO READ: Tata Sons moves SC seeking stay against NCLAT order on Cyrus Mistry The founding fathers of the Tata Group had laid a strong ethical foundation that cared for all stakeholders. The relationship between the Tata Group and the Shapoorji Pallonji Group is one spanning multiple decades that was built on common agreement and mutual faith. Former Tata leaders worked together with the minority partner to create value for all stakeholders. In the last three years, both in conduct and in their statements to the world at large, the Tata Group's leadership has shown scant respect for the rights of minority shareholders. It is time the Group's management introspects and reflects on its conduct as it embarks on future actions. I am humbled by the NCLAT order, which after review of the enormous material on record, recognized the illegal manner in which I was removed and the oppressive and prejudicial conduct of Mr Tata and other Trustees. As an 18.37 per cent shareholder, it is in our own interest to ensure the Group's long-term success. My family, although a minority partner, has been a guardian of the Tata Group for over five decades. This legal fight has never been about me. It has always been and will always be about protecting the rights of minority shareholders and upholding their right to demand a higher standard of corporate governance from controlling shareholders. ALSO READ: Corporate Affairs Ministry moves NCLAT, seeks modification in its order on Tata Sons Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) Ashanti Chapter held its 2019 End of Year Dinner & Awards Night on Thursday, January 02, 2020 at OX Pub, Ahodwo - Kumasi. This also commemorates the listing of Ashanti Chapter as the Tenth (10th) District Mining Association of GNASSM; which proximity stands out very accessible for national midpoint gathering. The glorious occasion was under Chairmanship of Nana Aponsah Kwaa IV, Atswima Kwahumanhene of Ashanti; with Hon. Yaw Danso, District Chief Executive Officer of Bosome Freho District Assembly in the Ashanti Region; and Mr Ernest Okyere, Bibiani District Mining Officer of the Minerals Commission of Ghana, giving solidarity messages respectively. The dignitaries who graced the occasion were amongst others representatives from National Executive Council (NEC) of GNASSM; Minerals Commission; MMDA's; Traditional Authorities; Security Agencies and beloved elegance spouses of GNASSM Ashanti Chapter respectfully. The dress code for the program portrayed very spectacular mood, as majority of small scale miners appeared in smart suits, compelling the Master of Ceremonies who is also the Ag. Secretary for the Ashanti Chapter, Mr Michael Adu Gyamfi aka Mogabi commenting that "if not for small scale miners, it's not common serious debate hovering over wearing of suit" very commendable. The highlight of the night, Awards Presentation to deserving persons whose contributions in diverse ways helped to the success story of Ashanti Chapter, cannot be overemphasized. Without any prejudice, the awardees include members of Council of Elders; Committed and exemplary Executive members especially Chairman Frank Osei aka De-Nero and Vice-Chairman Sampson Wiredu aka TLG; GNASSM Task Force Commander; and distinguished Women in Mining. The program started a bit late, at 9.00 pm and came to successful end around 12.00 midnight. In brief, after Opening Prayer; Mr Sampson Wiredu gave the Welcome Address; then Nana Aponsa Kwaa IV gave the Chairman accepted remarks with very thought-provoking statements; thereafter Mr Frank Osei, the indomitable Chairman of Ashanti Chapter who doubles as Chairman for GNASSM Election Transition Management Team (ETMT) 2019/20 extolled the virtues of members for extreme commitment to the cause and ideals of Ashanti Chapter in particular and the sustainable development of small scale mining in general. Chairman De-Nero bemoaned how Government pampering foreign investors in the large scale mining sector when on the hand, the Ghanaian investor in small scale mining doing equally same and better seemingly unnoticed. He then also commented positively on the Leadership Competency Training Workshop organized by Solidaridad West Africa for GNASSM in November 2019, which stands out in guidance to self-regulation and readying in clarity GNASSM Electioneering 2019/20 processes. In conclusion, GNASSM Ashanti Chapter End of Year Dinner was very successful, as all enjoyed assorted drinks, delicious meals, and in joyous merry-making mood, fraternized and danced throughout the Night to Remember. (Source: Nii Adjetey-Kofi of GNASSM Secretariat, Diamond House, Accra) Dominic Cummings is the guy who led the Brexit campaign and also has been Boris Johnsons top advisor at No 10. And it looks like he plans to shake things up. He has blogged asking for the following people to apply for jobs with him: Data scientists and software developers Economists Policy experts Project managers Communication experts Junior researchers one of whom will also be my personal assistant Weirdos and misfits with odd skills He explains what he is looking for for some of them and why: We want to improve performance and make me much less important and within a year largely redundant. At the moment I have to make decisions well outside what Charlie Munger calls my circle of competence and we do not have the sort of expertise supporting the PM and ministers that is needed. This must change fast so we can properly serve the public. And: One of you will be a sort of personal assistant to me for a year this will involve a mix of very interesting work and lots of uninteresting trivia that makes my life easier which you wont enjoy. You will not have weekday date nights, you will sacrifice many weekends frankly it will hard having a boy/girlfriend at all. It will be exhausting but interesting and if you cut it you will be involved in things at the age of ~21 that most people never see. I dont want confident public school bluffers. I want people who are much brighter than me who can work in an extreme environment. If you play office politics, you will be discovered and immediately binned. If I was 21 and in the UK, Id apply. Hell I had no dating life then anyway. I noticed in the recent campaign that the world of digital advertising has changed very fast since I was last involved in 2016. This is partly why so many journalists wrongly looked at things like Corbyns Facebook stats and thought Labour was doing better than us the ecosystem evolves rapidly while political journalists are still behind the 2016 tech, hence why so many fell for Caroles conspiracy theories. The digital people involved in the last campaign really knew what they are doing, which is incredibly rare in this world of charlatans and clients who dont know what they should be buying. High praise for Topham Guerin. People in SW1 talk a lot about diversity but they rarely mean true cognitive diversity. They are usually babbling about gender identity diversity blah blah. What SW1 needs is not more drivel about identity and diversity from Oxbridge humanities graduates but more genuine cognitive diversity. We need some true wild cards, artists, people who never went to university and fought their way out of an appalling hell hole, weirdos from William Gibson novels like that girl hired by Bigend as a brand diviner who feels sick at the sight of Tommy Hilfiger or that Chinese-Cuban free runner from a crime family hired by the KGB. If you want to figure out what characters around Putin might do, or how international criminal gangs might exploit holes in our border security, you dont want more Oxbridge English graduates who chat about Lacan at dinner parties with TV producers and spread fake news about fake news. By definition I dont really know what Im looking for but I want people around No10 to be on the lookout for such people. We need to figure out how to use such people better without asking them to conform to the horrors of Human Resources (which also obviously need a bonfire). Such an unconventional way for a PMs Office to recruit.I suspect they will be flooded with applicants. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr The Madhya Pradesh government has given its 12.55 lakh employees a new year bonanza by approving a health insurance scheme, Minister Tulsi Silawat said on Sunday. The Mukhyamantri Karmachari Swasthya Bima Yojana was approved in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Saturday. "The scheme will be effective from April 1 and will make every government employee and their families eligible for medical treatment worth Rs 5 lakh annually. For some critical diseases, the eligibility will be enhanced to Rs 10 lakh," he added. "All permanent and contractual employees, teachers, retired employees, home guards and others getting salary from contingency fund will reap the benefits of this scheme. Staff of autonomous institutions of the state will also be covered," he said. Silawat said employees of corporations, boards and officers of all India service can also opt for the scheme, adding it was tailored on the lines of the All India service adopted by some states. He said state government employees and pensioners were earlier not covered under a medical scheme and only regular employees had medical reimbursement facility. The minister praised the scheme saying retired employees earlier got medical treatment worth just Rs 288 annually. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Utica, N.Y. - Leaders of the United Methodist Church from around the world are proposing a plan to split the denomination into two, over disagreements about gay marriage. Under the proposal, if a church doesn't believe in gay marriage and having gay or lesbian members of clergy, that so-called 'Traditionalist' United Methodist Church would remain in their building and a second so-called 'Progressive' United Methodist Church would be formed in the same community. This is definitely a hot button topic among members of the United Methodist Church all over the U.S., including right here in the Mohawk Valley. Barry Damsky of Whitesboro is a member of First United Methodist Church of New Hartford. Before Sunday morning's service in New Hartford, he told News Channel 2 that he knew this day would be coming, but ultimately if and when this does happen, the decision on which church to go to will be a tough one for many, "Decisions have to be made and I think that's where myself and everyone else has to really dig down deep and make their decision, where they're going to go, what side they're going to go on. It's a tough one and what would Jesus say, you know if he were here? I don't think he would eliminate anybody." Kimberly Larsen of Maynard is a member of Maynard United Methodist Church. Before Sunday morning's service in Maynard, she told News Channel 2 that she's ok with the church splitting in two denominations, "They want to have it done, hey have a done. I mean I'm not against it, just go for it." The Pastor of Maynard United Methodist Church says church leaders haven't sat down as a conference yet to discuss the matter and she wouldn't say which way she stands on the issue just yet. She says this is definitely a "touchy subject". At some United Methodist churches, clergy have faced discipline for performing same-sex marriages or for identifying as LGBTQ, but many progressive churches have defied such prohibitions. In Denver, Karen Oliveto became the first openly lesbian Bishop to be elected in the United Methodist Church in 2016. She too has mixed feelings about a potential split, "At one level I think this is a very graceful way that we can go our separate ways and go do the ministries to which we're called. At the same time there's sadness. I think there's power in showing the world there's a way to stay united even in the midst of difference." The decision on whether to split the church in two is expected to be voted on in May. Europe brings Development dynamics at Global Crisis' Summit debates Thanks also to EU Parliament Plenary's Strasbourg gathering, EU, during the French EU Presidency, managed to integrate the Development issues at Top Debates on the World Summit against the Economic Crisis : For the 1st time, it's at the same moment with the Wahington G-20 Summit that EU Commissioner Louis Michel co-organizes here with the French EU Presidency parallel mega-events for the "European Development Days", starting from this Week-End and concluding at the eve of a landmark debate in EU Parliament, next Tuesday, on the outcome and follow-up of the Wash.DC Summit. EU and its Member Countries are the biggest donor for UNO's Millenium Development goals, with 56%, but the 27 are currently struggling to develop a collective leadership in Economic and social matters, that the 15 of EuroGroup (together with the UK and other countries interested to be usefully associated) are starting to spearhead, after the initial success of the 1st EuroZone Heads of State and Government Summit, of October 12 in Paris, according to a New Repport by MEPs Pervench Beres and Werner Langen on the 10 Years of EuroZone (1999-2009) debated Monday and voted on Tuesday. EU, CoE and World personalities will interact here with Heads of State or Government from Tanzania (African Union chair), Burkina Faso (CEDEAO + UEMOA chair), Zimbabwe (MDC chair), Madagascar, Haiti, Mali, Benin, etc, and some 3000 participants from the Economy, Civil Society, Media, Experts, etc, while the City of Strasbourg adds various related Citizen-events. Opened by French Secretary of State Alain Joyandet on November 15, and followed by a video-contact with EU Commission President Jose Baroso on the Washington Summit Sunday, the EDD are concluded by Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Monday, while their main concerns cannot be ignored in the Debate that EU Parliament will hold on Tuesday, (followed by a Resolution on Wednesday), jointly on the G-20 Washington Summit and on EU Commission's work program for 2009. A practical opportunity for EU to reflect where it's better to spend EU Citizens' money... The move is prolonged in several Paris' meetings of EU chair, French President Nicolas Sarkozy with African Heads of State leading regional Organizations, as from Tanzania (A.U. Chair), Burkina Faso (chair of Economic African organizations), Togo, etc, (in parallel with a Ministerial EU - African Union conference in Ethiopia, followed by a visit to Tchad), logically concluded by a meeting with Robert Zoellic President of the World Bank. Many have already warned that an eventual aggravation of Development's Gap accross the World might become much more dangerous to Global Economy, Security, Values and Quality of Life, than Global Warming and/or other, even more serious challenges... Will they find an innovative and voluntarist way to really deal with the Development Gap, which might also contribute to help face the Economic Crisis ? Congress on Sunday announced that the CAA, NRC and NPR exercises will not be carried out in their "current forms" in Delhi if the party forms government in the capital in the upcoming assembly elections. "If we come into power in Delhi, we will not implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Register of Citizens (NRC) and Population Register (NPR) in their current forms," senior Congress leader Ajay Maken told media during a presser. The Congress party has included the promise in its manifesto for the Delhi Assembly elections, he said. The party also demanded that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal convene a special Assembly session to clear his stand on the CAA, NRC and NPR. "Delhi Chief Minister kept mum over misbehaviour with students of Jamia Millia Islamia University. We demand that he call a special session wherein government clears its stand on the issues," said Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra. On a question on whether the state government has the right to stall the three process, Maken said that NPR process can be controlled by the state government as it is carried out by state employees. "NPR is carried out by state government employees and state government can direct its employees to carry out the exercise in a certain way. They will have to follow it," he said. Elections are scheduled to take place in Delhi in the early months of this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Published on 2020/01/05 | Source The F5 Tower /Yonhap Lotte Hotel will open an establishment in Seattle in June next year. Advertisement Alongside Hana Financial Investment, Lotte signed a US$175 million contract with U.S. hedge fund Stockbridge for hotel space at the F5 Tower in downtown Seattle on Dec. 24, the company said Sunday. The 44-story tower is 20 km or a 15-minute drive from Tacoma International Airport and has hotel space for 189 guest rooms from the first to the 16th floor. The higher floors are used as offices. Nearby are the headquarters of Microsoft, Amazon and Starbucks and offices of Apple, Disney and HP. "We now have three Lotte hotels on U.S. territory -- Lotte New York Palace, Lotte Hotel Guam, and now Lotte Hotel in Seattle, the largest city in the northwest U.S"., said Lotte Hotel president Kim Hyun-sik. The worldwide total is 32, with 12 overseas and 20 in Korea. Nuno Espirito Santo has admitted that Raul Jimenez could leave Wolves this month with Manchester United reportedly interested in the striker. The Mexican came off the bench as Wolves drew 0-0 with United at Molineux in the FA Cup third round on Saturday night. Jimenez has scored 17 goals and contributed nine assists in 32 appearances for Wolves across all competitions so far this season. Wolves striker Raul Jimenez has been linked with a move to Manchester United this month Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo refused to rule out selling Jimenez during the window Goal reported that Jimenez, 28, is a 51million transfer target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the United boss attempts to bring in a striker during this month's window. Espirito Santo was asked about the speculation surrounding Jimenez following Saturday's game and didn't definitely say he would be staying. 'It's the first time I heard it. Ole didn't mention anything about it,' said the Wolves boss. 'But the transfer window is open. When it is open, anything can happen. But we are delighted to have Raul.' United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on the look out for a new striker this month Mexican striker Jimenez celebrates scoring against Manchester City last month Solskjaer was also asked for his thoughts on the striker, saying: 'He's another good player we've been linked with. 'He came on and did well but I cannot comment on these situations.' United have already missed out on one January transfer target after Erling Haaland decided to sign for Borussia Dortmund. It means the Old Trafford club will turn their attentions elsewhere, with RB Leipzig's prolific forward Timo Werner another player linked with them. Saudi Aramco shares hit the lowest level since their market debut on Sunday, as Gulf bourses were hit by a panicky sell-off amid Iranian vows of retaliation over the US killing of a top general. All seven bourses in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states closed in the red, on the first trading day since the death of powerful military commander Qasem Soleimani. All six member states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- are US allies and lie on the opposite side of the narrow Gulf, making them easy targets for the Islamic republic. Some of the GCC members, notably Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, are home to major US military bases while Washington maintains hundreds of troops in Saudi Arabia. Kuwait's Boursa led the slide, shedding 3.7 per cent as jitters gripped trading in the Gulf state which lies very close to Iran and is home to one of the largest US bases in the Middle East. Dubai Financial Market, the Gulf stock exchange most exposed to global markets, slumped 3.1 per cent while its sister bourse Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange dropped 1.4 per cent. Trading in the Muslim Gulf nations takes place from Sunday to Thursday and the bourses were closed on Friday when Soleimani was killed by a US airstrike in Baghdad. Saudi Arabia's Tadawul market, the largest in the region and one of the world's top 10, was trading 2.4 per cent down with most shares in the red. Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest listed firm, shed 1.7 per cent to trade at 34.55 riyals and its capitalisation now stands at USD 1.84 trillion -- well under the USD 2.0 trillion sought by Saudi rulers. Aramco had priced its landmark initial public offering at 32 riyals (USD 8.53) per share and it soared the maximum limit to 35.2 riyals on its December 11 market debut. The decline in Gulf shares comes despite a surge in oil prices, on which all six GCC nations rely heavily for public revenues. "It's certainly due to fears of a possible US-Iranian conflict breaking out in the Gulf," said Mohammed Zidan, market strategist at Thinkmarket in Dubai. "I think the decline will continue for some time and especially as long as tensions and the threat of an armed conflict continue," Zidan told AFP. Qatar Exchange dropped 2.1 per cent -- Doha maintains good relations with Iran but at the same time it houses the largest US airbase in the region. The normally dormant bourse of Bahrain, home to the US Fifth fleet, fell 2.3 pe rcent. The small bourse of Oman dropped by just 0.3 per cent. Muscat maintains strong ties with Iran and the United States and its oil exports do not have to pass through the strategic -- and vulnerable -- Strait of Hormuz. (Newser) Iraq's parliament has voted to expel the US military from the country, reports the AP. Lawmakers voted Sunday in favor of a resolution that calls for ending foreign military presence in the country. The resolution's main aim is to get the US to withdraw some 5,000 US troops present in different parts of Iraq. The vote comes two days after a US airstrike killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani inside Iraq, dramatically increasing regional tensions. The Iraqi resolution specifically calls for ending an agreement in which Washington sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State. The resolution was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. (Trump is telling Iran to retaliate for the strike at its own peril.) Ilya Kovalchuk, the Montreal Canadiens new winger, showed off his ability to speak a bit of French during his first media availability. (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire) The Montreal Canadiens signed veteran winger Ilya Kovalchuk on Friday and during his first interview as a Hab, he made sure to display his happiness in both English and French. Je suis tres heureux d'etre a Montreal, Kovalchuk read from a small piece of paper which roughly translates to, Im very happy to be in Montreal. Kovalchuk signed a one-year, $700,000 deal with the Canadiens after his contract with the Los Angeles Kings was mutually terminated weeks prior. The 36-year-old forward appears to be very appreciative of the franchise and its supportive fans. I'm very happy that I'm here because it's an Original Six team with that fan base. It's crazy, Kovalchuk said. Every time I played here before, I remember that it's one of the best buildings to play in and I can't wait to step on [the] ice. NHL Yahoo Cup Kovalchuk did not play against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, but he can possibly make his Bleu Blanc et Rouge debut at the Bell Centre on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. Whenever he does make his first start as a Montreal Canadien, he certainly hopes to perform with some of the other skilled forwards they have in the lineup. I'll try to keep up with those guys, but it's not worth it to talk, he said. It's better to go on the ice and show, so that's what I'm going to try to do. Kovalchuk had three goals and nine points through 17 games with the Kings this season. More NHL coverage from Yahoo Sports Pakistan will hand over 20 fishermen to Indian authorities on Monday. The fishermen, who were arrested by the Maritime Security Agency last year for allegedly violating Pakistani territorial waters, were imprisoned in the Malir District Jail in Lahore, ARY News reported. The fishermen were released at 3 pm (local time) today. According to sources, the fishermen were handed over to a Lahore-based non-profit organisation Edhi Foundation by jail authorities. The fishermen will travel from Cantt Station in Karachi to Lahore on Monday and will cross over to the other side of the border through Wagah. They will be handed over by Indian officials in a ceremony at Wagah border. According to Indian media reports, the fishermen released are residents of Andhra Pradesh. The fishermen were arrested in November 2018 after they allegedly ventured into Pakistani territorial waters for fishing. Pakistan had released 360 Indian fishermen last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 23:28:31|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Indian policemen stand guard outside Jawaharlal Nehru University after violent clashes broke out on the campus in New Delhi, India, on Jan. 5, 2020. Several students including girls were injured, some of them seriously, after violent clashes broke out between two groups of students at the Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday evening. (Xinhua/Javed Dar) NEW DELHI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Several students including girls were injured, some of them seriously, after violent clashes broke out between two groups of students at the Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday evening. Images of injured students having head injuries, including JNU Students Union (JNUSU) President Aishe Ghosh, were flashed on various social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. The JNUSU president, whose photograph was posted on social media showing her bleeding from the forehead, was quoted as saying that "I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I have been bleeding. I was brutally beaten up." According to a couple of JNU students who spoke to Xinhua over phone, the clashes broke out between two groups of students, one group opposing the proposed fee hike and boycotting the registration process for the forthcoming semester exams and the other group demanding immediate registration for the exams. The JNUSU claimed that some "masked" persons entered the University's hostels and thrashed the students with sticks and rods. The students' Union alleged that the attack was orchestrated by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which is also the students wing of the country's main ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Audio-statements of some female students at JNU were posted on social media platforms, wherein they could be heard as saying that they had locked themselves inside their hostel rooms fearing being beaten up by the masked men who had entered their hostels. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed shock at the violence. "I am so shocked to know about the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police should immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside university campus," he tweeted. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 23:33:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TAIPEI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Candidates running for Taiwan leader and legislative elections staged large-scale campaigns across the island over the weekend. Han Kuo-yu, the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party candidate, joined the KMT candidates for the legislative election in Tainan in a large gathering Saturday evening. On Sunday, he attended campaign events in Taoyuan, New Taipei City and Taipei of northern Taiwan. Also on Sunday, Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) joined DPP candidates in Nantou and Yunlin counties of central Taiwan in several campaign activities before attending three major gatherings in Tainan, Taoyuan and New Taipei City. James Soong of People First Party also visited communities in Taichung and Changhua of central Taiwan. Elections for Taiwan's leader and legislative body will be held concurrently on Jan. 11. Advertisement A man who sparked a large scale police response after he reportedly consumed castor seeds containing the deadly poison ricin has made 'good recovery' in hospital. Emergency services staff wearing hazmat suits were seen entering the home on Moor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, at 9am Saturday morning after the man, in his 20s, was rushed to a nearby hospital. Police cordoned off the area after reports that the man had consumed an 'unknown substance'. A woman screamed 'Stay away, I'm infected!' as neighbours ran to her aid on a street where the man was rushed to hospital after he allegedly ate seeds containing ricin. Police wearing hazmat suits rushed to a property in Wythenshawe, Manchester, after a man was thought to have consumed ricin Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it had closed the investigation today after there was no longer fears about the health of the man. GMP Superintendent Paul Walker said: 'We appreciate the concern of those in the area, and that members of the public may have been alarmed to see emergency services personnel in protective suites. 'However, this was as an appropriate cautionary measure to the incident - during which there was no wider threat to the community. 'I'd like to thank the public for their patience while investigations were brought to a conclusion, particularly those in the immediate vicinity. 'I'd also like to thank our emergency services partners whose care and professionalism brought this incident to a safe conclusion. 'We're happy to hear that the man has made a good recovery in hospital and we wish him well.' The woman also reportedly shouted during the incident yesterday: 'My son's dying, where the f*** are they?' after the man, believed to be her son, allegedly consumed castor seeds which can contain traces of the potentially lethal toxin. Police are not able to confirm whether the 'unknown substance' contained ricin until toxicology tests are completed. Police were called shortly after 9am yesterday and a 'hazardous materials' team, four fire engines and paramedics were at the scene A road was closed off by police yesterday morning following the scare. A witness heard a woman shouting 'My son's dying, where the f*** are they?'. Pictured: Emergency responders at the scene yesterday Neighbour Mark Dalton told The Sun Online: 'The mum was out in the street in a really agitated state. People went up to try and help her but she screamed: 'Stay away, I'm infected!'. Neighbour Sue Chamber, 63, who lives near the home, told the Manchester Evening News: 'People said he'd taken ricin. We were all told to stay away. We thought we were going to be poisoned. It's a real shock.' Four fire engines and paramedics dashed to the scene, where the road was closed off by police. Another witness said: 'There's a lot of them here. I'm outside one of the houses which has been taped off. They said there's a chemical issue, that's all they told us.' The man was transported to Wythenshawe hospital for more treatment and has made a 'good recovery'. Pictured: Police officers remain at the house A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: 'It was established that the man had consumed an at-this-time unknown substance' The police spokesman added: 'A man, aged in his 20s, is being treated at the scene and remains in a stable condition' Sale Road and Moor Lane are both said to be reopened. Pictured: A police stands near the address A footpath leading to houses was cordoned off by police after reports Saturday morning. Pictured: Police officers stand at the scene Police officers wait by a cordoned-off area near to where a man was thought to have digested ricin on Saturday morning A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: 'Police were called by the ambulance service shortly before 9am this morning to a report of concern for the welfare of a man at a property on Moor Lane, Northern Moor. 'It was established that the man had consumed an at-this-time unknown substance.' The castor bean plant is an evergreen herbaceous shrub. While the seeds are safely used to make castor oil, the hull is poisonous. The scene on Moor Lane, which was closed to traffic. There is no wider threat to the community and the investigation has been closed Illinois 695.png West Virginia 696.png Connecticut 699.png Mississippi 700.png Maine and Vermont 698.png New Mexico State Population Data Most states are gaining residents, but a few have lost population in recent years. None are seeing major losses, but it looks as if some states' populations will continue to stagnate or slowly decline in the years to come.The latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate that the nations overall population grew by about 2.5 million over the 12-month period ending last July.The reason some states are experiencing population loss vary. Some have weak economies and are losing workers who seek opportunities elsewhere. In others, growth is held back by an aging population.Here's a closer look at the states that lost population last year and whats behind their declines:A growing number of people are choosing to leave the Land of Lincoln. Illinois lost an estimated 22,194 residents in 2015, by far the largest decline of any state.The losses, which accelerated from 2014, are partly driven by the states economy and a labor market thats weaker than most other states. Fred Giertz, a University of Illinois economist, said he suspects some job seekers are opting to retire early and move to warmer climates. Much of the states economy, outside of the Chicago metro area, is tied to either manufacturing or agriculture -- two sectors that arent generating many jobs.Chicago has fairly good prospects, said Giertz. Downstate Illinois is more like the rest of the Midwest and is declining.Illinois net migration rate (-5.2 per 1,000 population) was lower than all other states, with the exception of Alaska.One might be tempted to link the population losses to the states fiscal woes . Giertz, however, said he doesnt think that its leading residents to move out -- at least not yet.West Virginias population has remained relatively flat for decades, and that isnt likely to change anytime soon.The state fared better economically than most of the country during the Great Recession, enjoying small population gains as a result. More recently, though, the state has recorded slight declines in each of the past three years. Last year, West Virginia suffered the largest year-over-year percentage loss (-0.25 percent) of any state.One major driver of that decline has been the states hard-hit coal mining industry. An expanding natural gas sector has helped, but job creation hasnt met expectations or offset coal mining losses, said Christiadi, a West Virginia University demographer and economist who goes by one name.Economic opportunities and wages are frequently more attractive elsewhere, prompting workers to leave, said Christiadi. A net total of more than 27,000 people (up from 17,000 in 2013) migrated out-of-state each of the past two years.Compounding matters is the fact that the states population is one of the nations oldest. West Virginia and Maine were the only two states where deaths exceeded births last year, according to Census estimates.Hoping to get more jobs from the mining and natural gas industry is just not that reliable, said Christiadi. Unless the economy picks up the pace, I expect to see gradual population losses continue.A sluggish economy has played a large role in holding back Connecticut, which experienced slight population losses each of the past two years.Domestic migration losses have accelerated, with the state losing a net total of about 27,000 residents each of the past two years -- up from 17,000 in 2013 and 19,000 in 2012.Fred Carstensen, an economics and finance professor at the University of Connecticut, attributed the uptick to a lag effect from mostly long-term unemployed workers choosing to leave the state for job opportunities. It took people a while to get their arms around the reality that things were not going back for them, he said.Many relocated workers are likely young professionals who either cant land their first jobs in Connecticut or leave the state for promotions.Downsizing in the pharmaceutical industry, along with casinos facing more out-of-state competition, have hammered parts of the state. The southwestern region has generally fared better, but General Electric announced last week that it plans to relocate its corporate headquarters from Fairfield County to Boston.Carstensen said the state has experienced practically no economic growth over the past 25 years. The best were doing is treading water, he said. Were not creating new activity.Mississippis population totals also appear to be trending in the wrong direction. The size of the states gains had been shrinking each of the past few years, before registering a slight drop in 2015.The primary cause of the states stagnant population is the growing number of residents who are moving elsewhere. Mississippi suffered the fourth steepest loss in terms of total net migration (-3.2 persons per 1,000 residents) of any state between 2014 and 2015. Natural change from childbirths offset most of the losses.By comparison, neighboring Alabama (+12,568), Arkansas (+11,369) and Louisiana (+21,734) registered annual population increases more in line with the rest of the country.Maine and Vermont face similar demographic challenges. The two northeastern states have the nations two oldest populations in terms of median age, so theyre not seeing many births. At the same time, their residents are moving to other states as well.Vermont recorded a year-over-year net loss of 2,223; Maine lost an estimated 1,718 residents to other states. And while other states offset domestic population losses with increases in international migration, Maine and Vermont havent seen the same influx of the foreign born.After growing over several decades, both states are now experiencing only slight fluctuations, with population changes of generally fewer than 1,000 residents each year. In the coming years, their population growth will likely remain stagnant.New Mexico also lost population -- an estimated 458 residents -- essentially unchanged from 2014. Prev 1 of 3 Next In early December, Riley Del Rey brought together a group of her Central New Mexico Community College peers to produce the pilot episode of the series Thought I Lost You. On the day of the shoot, the entire cast and crew had 12 hours to get it completed. It was a challenge, says Del Rey. Weve been planning for this for so long. Ive had this idea in my head, and its finally coming to fruition. Thought I Lost You came out of an idea for a series called Sagittarius. It follows Pearl, played by Del Rey, who is a bounty hunter chasing a fugitive through time travel. The reason shes hot on him is that she has a score to settle because he killed her Sagittarius sister, Del Rey says. I wanted this role to be a challenge for me. I wanted to not only write a strong-willed female character, I wanted Pearl to be powerful with physical strength. Del Rey also wanted to be in control of which characters she plays, which is why she envisioned Pearl. As an actress, Ive been getting roles of the girlfriend or wife, she says. Its been challenging for me, because I am transgender. Its caused me to be seen for only certain roles. This series is also a chance to give some LGBT visibility as well. The other main character in the series is Legend, played by Clint Obenchain. Legend goes through different eras to kill people who pose potential catastrophic pain to the human race, Del Rey says. Del Rey and Obenchain met through another project, and the pair wanted to work together. Del Rey knew he was fit for the role. Playing an outlaw is in my wheelhouse, Obenchain says coyly. Hes mysterious and violent, but he has a conscience. Theres more to him than what it seems. Obenchain was intrigued by the emotional content in the role. I need scenes with a scene partner who have highly emotional drama, he says. I dont get time to do too much nonverbal stuff. With this role, Im able to do both and show more of what I can do. Del Rey also wanted to keep the production as close to 100% New Mexico cast and crew as possible. The majority of the crew were her peers at CNM, who are going through the various film programs there. In this program (at CNM), they teach you a lot of crew-based work, she says. I was given the opportunity to be able to write and create challenges for the students. With this one, since we are time traveling, set crew had to create spaces that were in different eras. This shoot isnt like a lot of other CNM shoots. We had a producer and I was maintaining my vision to bring this idea to life. Obenchain moved to New Mexico to be part of the states film community. When hes not on set, hes a stay-at-home dad with two children. His schedule is flexible enough for his film roles. It fluctuates, he says of the number of projects. I was on set every month since summer this year. Ill have almost nine projects out in 2020. Del Rey wants to help break open the door for local filmmakers to get above the line jobs which is writing, producing and directing. Bringing ideas to life is amazing to see, she says. We have such good teams and people that live and work in New Mexico. This series, hopefully, will create more exposure for the talent that we do have here. We have the work in the state and now we just need to make some of those jobs above the line. Union Minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi on Sunday said that the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan shows that minorities are not safe and Pakistan and thus, validates the need for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). "The incident of stone-pelting on Gurudwara in Pakistan proves that CAA is needed. It shows that Sikhs, Buddh, Parsis, Christians are not safe in Pakistan," said Sarangi. He added that India is morally bound to provide protection and shelter to minority communities that have been subject to persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. READ | Sikh Outfit Condemns Attack On Nankana Sahib Gurudwara Gurudwara Nankana Sahib attack An angry mob of 400 people attacked the holy shrine on Friday by pelting stones at the Gurudwara in Pakistan which is the birthplace of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev. Sources report that the mob was led by Mohammed Imran Attari - brother of Mohammed Hassan who was responsible for the forcible conversion of a Pakistani Sikh girl named Jagjit Kaur. Reports have also asserted that the protestors consisting of Muslim residents of Nankana Sahib proclaimed that they will soon change the name from Nankana Sahib to Ghulam-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 when it was attacked by the mob on Friday evening. READ | Congress Slams Pak PM For Hurting Sentiments Of Sikhs After Nankana Sahib Gurudwara Attack BJP vs Opposition over CAA The BJP led central government vows under the CAA to grant 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. However, Congress along with other opposition parties have been opposing the law and calling it discriminatory against the Muslims, whereas Congress had included the amendment of the Citizenship Act in its 2018 manifesto ahead of the Rajasthan assembly election. READ | After Attack On Gurudwara, Sikh Youth Killed In Pakistan's Peshawar Kerala state assembly has also passed a resolution to not implement the law, the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also written to 11 CMs across the country including Punjab, Rajasthan and Odisha, asking them to oppose the implementation of the amended citizenship law. READ | Amit Shah Targets Opposition Over CAA Double-speak On Pakistan, Cites Nankana Sahib Attack Capt. Glenn Williams cant forget the elderly mans face. His white beard, pale blue skin and giant eyes staring straight ahead just beneath the surface of the dark gray, choppy San Francisco Bay waters. Williams slammed his 60-foot ferry, the Osprey, into reverse and yelled, Man overboard starboard side quarter 100 yards! Within 30 minutes, Williams, along with his deckhand and a half-dozen passengers, would scoop the man from the cold waters, deliver him to paramedics onshore and save his life. The Dec. 20 rescue still leaves Williams and others stunned at how the sailor was spotted floating about a half mile outside the Berkeley Marina. It was a miracle, said Williams, speaking to The Chronicle by phone. That guy was so lucky we passed by when we did. If we were to pass by 30 seconds later, he wouldnt have made it. The 45-year-old San Francisco native grew up sailing and windsurfing on the bay. He has captained the Osprey, part of the small Tideline company shuttling commuters between Berkeley and San Francisco, for five years. It was about 5 p.m. Dec. 20 as he neared the end of the trip returning to Berkeley when he noticed a 26-foot blue-and-white sailboat bobbing near some rocks outside the designated channel about a mile away off his portside. Not totally unusual to see a small boat outside the channel, but I did notice that there appeared to be no one on that vessel, Williams recalled. He kept his eye on the boat, hoping to see someone appear from the cabin, but no one did. Fearing the worst, he scanned the water around the vessel, but with 15-knot winds, increasing darkness and choppy waves, Williams struggled to make anything out. But about a half mile from the marina he spotted something surface, then disappear. He wondered whether it was a seal or cormorant. He kept his eye on the object and decided to steer the boat that direction. Thats when he spotted the man floating face-up with no life vest and little sign of life in waters averaging in the mid-50s. Williams yelled to deckhand Lester Labroi to grab the boat hook. Still, only Williams could see the man, even as the captain maneuvered the Osprey toward the man from downwind to prevent the boat from drifting over him. As he inched closer, he heard gasps from his 18 passengers. The mans stone-cold eyes stared straight into the cold night sky off the starboard side as Labroi tossed a flotation ring toward him. He was motionless. He was faceup with bubbles coming up from his mouth and he was just under the surface. I thought he was dead, Williams recalled. Its almost impossible to spot someone in chop at that time of day. Tom Southam, a 43-year-old Berkeley resident, was commuting home when he lurched forward in the Osprey. The experienced sailor jumped out of his seat to help. The side of the boat was about 6 or 7 feet above the waterline, so they couldnt lift the man out. Southam grabbed the boat hook, latched it onto the mans jacket and pulled him alongside the boat to the stern. There a half dozen passengers and crew, including Williams, yanked the waterlogged man onto the boat. Southam said he appeared to be in his 70s. A nurse was set to start CPR, but the mans chest suddenly inflated and he started coughing up water. Williams asked him whether there were other passengers aboard his sailboat, and he shook his head and whispered, No, only me. A lot of lucky things happened that day, Southam said in a phone interview, but the biggest was that Glenn was at the helm. As Williams floored it to the marina, the passengers covered the man in blankets. He shared that his name is Bob and that he had been anchored just outside the marina. As he was trying to pull his dinghy aboard, he fell in the water and tried to swim to shore, Southam said. Berkeley Assistant Fire Chief Keith May said his department received the call for someone rescued from the water around 5:13 p.m. that day. Once ashore, paramedics determined that the mans vitals were fine; he was just very cold. 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. Bob told his rescuers he was refusing medical treatment and would take care of himself. The Chronicle could not reach him for comment. L.J. Lockwood who works on the New El Dorado III, a fishing and crabbing charter moored next to the Tideline ferries saw paramedics pull the sailor onto the dock and treat him in the parking lot. He was in a bad way and he got really lucky, Lockwood said Friday morning as he gathered rope on the dock. They caught him just in time and he got his life saved. It wasnt Williams first rescue he has pulled malnourished seals and even a baby seagull from the waters in the past. But he doesnt feel like a hero. Ive been trained to save lives and have a personal oath to save any person or animal in distress on the water, Williams said. The real heroes are my crew and the brave passengers who quickly acted without question to help save this mans life. As the ambulance drove off and his passengers returned home, Williams and Labroi loaded a new set of passengers onto the Osprey and headed back to San Francisco. Williams got a text from Southam: Bob the sailor owes you a beer. Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni The project's total value is worth EGP 1.2 billion, while EgyTech's share is estimated at EGP 583.7 million El-Sewedy Electric, a leading wires, cables, and integrated energy solution provider in MENA and Africa, has signed a contract with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETE) as part of a consortium to improve Cairo's regional control centre on a turnkey basis. The consortium includes NARI Group Corporation, EgyTech Cables, Huawei International Corporation Ltd, and Huawei Technologies Egypt Company. The project's total value is worth EGP 1.2 billion, while EgyTech's share is estimated at EGP 583.7 million, the company said in a statement. The contract is scheduled to be implemented over 20 months starting from receiving the advance payment. Search Keywords: Short link: Kabul, Jan 5 (UNI) One civilian was killed and three others were wounded in a bomb blast in Afghanistan's northwestern Balkh province, the chief provincial police spokesman said on Saturday. "The explosion occurred in the area of Mazari Sharif. One civilian was killed and three others are injured," Sputnik quoted Adil Shah Adil as saying, citing a statement. The country has been suffering from violence by the Taliban and various militant and terrorist groups, including ISIS, that operate here. The government is determined to deal with the case in compliance with the law and ensure lawful rights of enterprises and consumers. Overview of the conference. Source: VGP. The Ministry of Public Security is investigating electronic firm Asanzo for its alleged trade fraud activities, according to Dam Thanh The, Chief of the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee against Smuggling, Trade Fraud and Counterfeiting Goods, aka Committee 389. The government is determined to deal with the case in compliance with the law and ensure lawful rights of enterprises and consumers, said The at a press conference on January 3. On October 28, Vice Director General of the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) Mai Xuan Thanh said Asanzo had committed a series of offenses, including cheating customers, origin fraud, use of fake labels and tax evasion. Regarding the allegation of cheating customers, Thanh said the assembly processes for some products were not carried out as the firm advertised with modern equipment, but in reality, all processes were executed manually by screwing different parts into complete products. Moreover, the use of slogan Advanced Japanese Technology for some products is inaccurate. Thanh added Asanzo has not received confirmation from the Ministry of Science and Technology for receiving technology transfer from Sharp Roxy Hong Kong, or completed the payment to the latter. Customs authority also concluded that Asanzo in fact only assembles products instead of manufacturing them as the added value created after assembling accounts for 1 2% of the total cost of a product, while accessories and imported components make up 98 99% of the costs. As a result, these final products are not qualified as made-in-Vietnam and show signs of origin fraud. At the meeting, representative of the Supreme Peoples Procuracy Lai Anh Tuan said there have been signs of tax evasion from Asanzo, including not issuing invoices or using fake ones. Regarding the case of Binh Duong-based Excel Bicycle Company falsifying the origin of imported Chinese electronic bicycles as Vietnamese origin and later exporting to the US, Nguyen Hung Anh, director of the Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department under the GDVC, said the customs authority would confiscate all bicycles and imported parts subject to export. According to Committee 389, in the first 11 months of 2019, the customs authority identified 191,000 cases and fined violators with over VND20 trillion (US$865.58 million), up 4% year-on-year, filing a lawsuit for 1,864 cases, up 29%. At a year-end meeting of Committee 389, government leaders requested more efforts from local authorities against smuggling and trade fraud activities in 2020, aiming to maintain a fair and transparent market and business environment. Hanoitimes Ngoc Mai Sharp Vietnam once again accuses Asanzo of forging documents Sharp Electronics Vietnam has once again sent a letter of denunciation to six ministries and agencies, accusing local electronics company Asanzo Vietnam of falsifying documents. A 29-year-old Right to Information (RTI) activist has been arrested at Ulhasnagar in the district for allegedly trying to extort money from a builder, the police said on Sunday. Nitesh Khatwani, the accused, was booked under IPC section 384 (extortion). He was produced before a magistrate who remanded him in police custody till January 7, the police said. Senior Police Inspector Rajkumar Kothmire said that Khatwani had applied to the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation seeking details of the projects the builder was developing. Later he complained to the corporation that these projects were illegal. Khatwani then allegedly demanded 'Rs 1 lakh per month' from the builder to withdraw his complaint, and a payment of Rs 40,000 immediately. After the builder approached the police, Khatwani was caught while accepting Rs 40,000 from him on Saturday, the police officer said, adding that further probe was on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After a spate violence in Mississippi prisons that has left five inmates dead and many others injured, Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) officials are sending prisoners at the state penitentiary to a private prison for their safety. In a Jan. 6 press release, prison authorities confirmed they have signed a 90-day agreement to send 375 prisoners from Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, to Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility, a private prison in Tutwiler, MS owned by CoreCivic Inc. MDOC commissioner Pelicia Hall said that the private prison was chosen because it was the only place that could house the large number of additional prisoners. Explaining her decision, she cited a lack of staffing at Parchman Farm, as well as its failing infrastructure. The [Tallahatchie] facility is already operational and sufficiently staffed to manage close custody inmates, Hall said in the statement. The department acted swiftly because of the violence at MSP and the lack of manpower to restore and maintain order. In a statement sent to TIME on Jan. 3, the MDOC had previously confirmed that three inmates have been killed at Parchman Farm in recent weeks. Another man was killed in Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility in Houston, Miss. and a fifth in South Mississippi Correctional Institute in Leakesville, Miss. According to the Associated Press the latest victim, 36-year-old Dennoris Howell was stabbed to death at Parchman Farm on the morning of Jan. 3. We are continuing to be vigilant and mindful of the situation, MDOC Commissioner Pelicia E. Hall said in the Jan. 3 statement. These are trying times for the Mississippi Department of Corrections. It is never a good feeling for a commissioner to receive a call that a life has been lost, especially over senseless acts of violence. All prisons across the state were placed on lockdown on Dec. 29. Many inmates at Parchman Farm had been moved to more secure housing units to prevent more violence, according to the MDOC. As of Jan. 10, the lockdown had ended for all prisons except for Parchman. Story continues A lockdown means that inmates can only move in emergency situations, and that there will not be any visitation this weekend. Though the MDOC has not provided any further details, Sunflower County Sheriff James Haywood says that the violence is connected to gang disputes in the prisons, according to the AP. (When reached for comment, the Sunflower County Sheriffs department referred TIME to the MDOC.) Sunflower County coroner Heather Burton also told The Clarion Ledger on Jan. 3 that her understanding is that the violence at Parchman Farm is due to gang related riots. The situation is unprecedented, she added, and kind of surreal at this point. The first murder occurred on Dec. 29 at the South Mississippi Correctional Institute when an inmate, Terradance Dobbins, 40, was killed. Two other inmates were also injured in the incident, the AP said. This death prompted the original lockdown on Sunday. On New Years Eve, Walter Gates, 25, was killed at Parchman Farm in a prison fight that also left other inmates injured. Gates reportedly suffered multiple stab wounds. Then on Jan. 2, a second inmate was killed at Parchman. This inmate has not been identified; he also suffered stab wounds according to the AP. Also on Jan. 2, Gregory Emary, 26, was killed at Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility. Despite the fatality, Chickasaw County Sheriff Jim Meyers told the AP that they had the situation under control in three minutes. Howells death on Jan. 3 brought the weeks grim total to 5. According to the MDOC, the first four deaths were part of a major disturbance. Howells death however is apparently unrelated. Also on Jan. 3, two inmates escaped from Parchman during an emergency count in the prison. Inmates Dillion Williams, 27, and David May, 42 used a GMC Pickup truck in their escape according to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations. They were both captured on Jan. 6. The fifth death came just a few days after Commissioner Hall announced that she will be resigning from her position in mid-January to work in the private sector. According to the Jackson Free Press, Hall will be advocating for criminal justice reform and to support better wages and working conditions in her new role. The Mississippi American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says prisons in the state have been dealing with deaths for years, in part due to the system being understaffed. State Senator Joel Carter told NBC affiliate WLOX that the only way to fix the prison system is to improve prison facilities and pay the guards more. The only way to fix this is money, period, Carter told WLOX. Mississippi is in great financial shape right now, we just have to be responsible about it. Carter added that the $25,000 a year that the guards make isnt worth it. The Mississippi ACLU is also critical of the way the prison system is run in the state. Mississippi has a mass incarceration problem. Dramatic increases in imprisonment over the last 40 years have brought prisons and jails across the state to the breaking point, Joshua Tom, former Interim Director of the ACLU of Mississippi said in a 2019 press statement. And on Jan. 7 the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a nonprofit organization based in Alabama, sent the Department of Justice a letter calling for them to investigate Mississippi prisons. The letter lays out in detail how state lawmakers are deliberately and systemically putting the lives of inmates in danger due to understaffing. More lives will be lost absent immediate intervention and swift, safe, and sensible decarceration, Lisa Graybill, deputy legal director for the SPLC said in a statement. Immediate federal intervention is necessary to protect the lives of the men and women incarcerated in Mississippis prison system and those who work there. In the midst of the prison violence. across the state, a U.S. District judge announced that a private prison in Mississippi is not violating inmates rights. Judge William Barbour ruled against a lawsuit on dec. 31, originally filed in 2013, that alleged the East Mississippi Correctional Facility was violating the rights of prisoners by not providing healthcare, leaving them in solitary confinement for long periods of time and placing them at risk of violence from guards. While Plaintiffs and their expert witnesses argue that the environment and healthcare services at the prison could and should be better, those arguments do not establish that the conditions under which they are currently housed, as a class, are cruel and unusual, Judge Barbour said in his ruling. The government on Sunday said eight states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka, have finalised action plan for agriculture export policy which aims to double such exports. "The Agri Export Policy was announced last year with an objective of doubling the export and ensuring doubling of farmers' income...Many states have nominated nodal agency and nodal officer. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Punjab and Karnataka have finalised the State Action Plan and other states are at different stages of finalization of the action plan," the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been adopting a focused approach for ensuring greater involvement of the state governments for effective implementation of Agri Export Policy (AEP). Throughout the year held a series of meetings with state government officials and other stakeholders for preparation of state action plan which included all essential components like production clusters, capacity building, infrastructure and logistics and research and development and budget requirements for the implementation of AEP, it said. Several rounds of discussions were held with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Food Processing Industries and other agencies for seeking inputs for formulating a strategy to increase exports and address the existing bottlenecks in the trade. State level monitoring committees have been formed in many of the states. Cluster visits have been made by nodal officers to the product clusters, it added. The roadmap for cluster development in the clusters notified under AEP was prepared to address the identified interventions during the cluster visits. "As a result of cluster visits by APEDA, the cluster level committee has been constituted in the states viz. potato in Punjab, isabgol in Rajasthan, pomegranate, orange and grapes in Maharashtra and banana in Tamil Nadu," the statement said. organised a number of seminars and meetings for the implementation of AEP throughout the year. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the National Cooperative Development Corporation to include co-operatives for active role in AEP. A Farmer Connect Portal has also been set up by APEDA on its website for providing a platform for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies to interact with exporters, it said. Over 800 FPOs have been registered on the portal. A miniature satellite tasked with searching for planets outside the solar system has gone dark, mission operators at Nasa have said. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) said they were last able to communicate with the satellite, dubbed ASTERIA, on 5 December. The briefcase-sized spacecraft was first of its kind to be deployed into Earth orbit in 2017 and spent three months planet-hunting by observing changes in the brightness of nearby stars. Dips in a stars brightness indicate an orbiting planet passing between the satellite and the star, known as the transit method. After completing its first mission in February 2018, ASTERIA continued to operate through three mission extensions. Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Mystic Mountain, a pillar of gas and dust standing at three-light-years tall, bursting with jets of gas from fledgling stars buried within, was captured by Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope in February 2010 Nasa/ESA/STScI Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures The first ever selfie taken on an alien planet, captured by Nasa's Curiosity Rover in the early days of its mission to explore Mars in 2012 Nasa/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Death of a star: This image from Nasa's Chandra X-ray telescope shows the supernova of Tycho, a star in our Milky Way galaxy Nasa Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Arrokoth, the most distant object ever explored, pictured here on 1 January 2019 by a camera on Nasa's New Horizons spaceraft at a distance of 4.1 billion miles from Earth Getty Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory in January 2012. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures The first ever image of a black hole, captured by the Event Horizon telescope, as part of a global collaboration involving Nasa, and released on 10 April 2019. The image reveals the black hole at the centre of Messier 87, a massive galaxy in the nearby Virgo galaxy cluster. This black hole resides about 54 million light-years from Earth Getty Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Pluto, as pictured by Nasa's New Horizons spacecraft as it flew over the dwarf planet for the first time ever in July 2015 Nasa/APL/SwRI Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures A coronal mass ejection as seen by the Chandra Observatory in 2019. This is the first time that Chandra has detected this phenomenon from a star other than the Sun Nasa Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Dark, narrow, 100 meter-long streaks running downhill on the surface Mars were believed to be evidence of contemporary flowing water. It has since been suggested that they may instead be formed by flowing sand Nasa/JPL/University of Arizona Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Morning Aurora: Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station in October 2015 Nasa/Scott Kelly It successfully observed the transit of previously-discovered exoplanet 55 Cancri e after completing its first mission, earning it "Mission of the Year at the Small Satellite Conference in 2018. ASTERIA program manager Lorraine Fesq said: The ASTERIA project achieves outstanding results during its three-month prime mission and its nearly two-year-long extended mission. Although we are disappointed that we lost contact with the spacecraft, we are thrilled with all that we have accomplished with this impressive CubeSat. CubeSats are a category of small satellites created to demonstrate how many technologies necessary for studying and finding exoplanets can be minimised to fit on small satellites. ASTERIA was also used to test various software and capabilities to make CubeSats more autonomous while in orbit and paved the way for smaller satellites to be used in larger missions. It was developed under the Phaeton program as a collaboration project between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and JPL, initially as a tool for training early-career space engineers. The alliance between the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP is "unnatural" and the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government they have formed will collapse under its own weight, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Sunday. Talking to reporters here, the BJP leader also claimed that one of the ministers in the Uddhav Thackeray-led ministry had resigned, but did not specify who was this minister. There have been reports over the past couple of day of discontent in three parties over portfolio allocation and rumours about some resignations. "This alliance is unnatural. Just today, one minister has resigned. This government will collapse under its own weight. There is no ideological similarity between the Sena and the Congress-NCP," he said. Citing an example, Gadkari said Sena patriarch late Bal Thackeray wanted to drive out illegal Bangladeshi migrants from Mumbai, whereas the present government is opposed to it. He was apparently referring to anti-Citizenship Amendment Act statements coming from some quarters of the ruling coalition. The Sena had forsaken the cause of Hindutva and "Marathi manoos" for power, and this was building up widespread anger against the party, he claimed. The Nagpur MP, as part of the BJP's campaign in support of the CAA, visited several homes, including Muslim households, here on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Iraqi parliament passed a resolution Sunday calling on the government to expel U.S. troops from the country in response to the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani and the leader of an Iraqi militia on its soil. Between the lines: A senior Iraqi government official told Axios' Jonathan Swan that the actual expulsion of U.S. troops is far from a certain outcome. This is a resolution and the prime minister who must sign it has already resigned, the official said. "This is a temporary victory for the parties which are pro-Iranian," they added. "But it's also a clear message from the Sunnis and from the Kurds [who didn't vote] and from some Iraqi Shia for the Americans to tell them we want you to stay in Iraq." The big picture: The legal basis for the U.S. presence in Iraq is that it comes at Iraq's invitation. This vote does not formally revoke that invitation, but it is a step along that path. A U.S. exit from Iraq could ultimately be one of the most consequential results of Soleimani's killing, because it would significantly hamper the fight against ISIS and achieve a major Iranian objective. What they're saying: Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said Iraq "cannot accept" a "political assassination" on its soil. He called the attack a grave violation of Iraqi sovereignty. Mahdi also revealed that Soleimani was in Baghdad at the time of his killing to meet with him and relay Iran's response to a Saudi request for dialogue. Mahdi noted that he had personally worked to defuse the protests outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier in the week, going so far as to threaten to step down if the militia behind the protests did not disperse. President Trump thanked him for that effort, he said, at the same time he was planning an attack inside Iraq without permission. Mahdi, who resigned in November amid mass protests in Iraq but remains as caretaker prime minister, previously warned that President Trump's decision would "light the fuse of war." State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Sunday afternoon: " The United States is disappointed by the action taken today in the Iraqi Council of Representatives. While we await further clarification on the legal nature and impact of todays resolution, we strongly urge Iraqi leaders to reconsider the importance of the ongoing economic and security relationship between the two countries and the continued presence of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. We believe it is in the shared interests of the United States and Iraq to continue fighting ISIS together. This administration remains committed to a sovereign, stable, and prosperous Iraq." Behind the scenes: U.S. military leaders were "stunned" that Trump gave the order to kill Soleimani, a step they viewed as the "most extreme response to recent Iranian-led violence in Iraq," per the NY Times. Trump administration officials have since said Trump had little choice because Soleimani was planning imminent attacks on U.S. and allied forces in the region, but they have presented no evidence of such plans. The resolution passed today calls not only on U.S. troops to leave Iraq, but the entire international coalition fighting the Islamic State. Go deeper: Anti-ISIS coalition suspends operations due to Iran threat A 58-year-old man has been charged with arson endangering life after an attack on a house in Dungiven on Friday night. He is expected to appear in court in Coleraine on Monday. Police were notified about a fire at a house in Ard Na Smoll at around 11.40pm on Friday. No injuries were reported following the blaze, which caused damage to the property. As is normal procedure all charges are reviewed by the PPS. At least six people suffered injuries after six Katyusha rockets fell in Baghdad, Iran on Sunday. Three of the rockets fell inside the heavily fortified Green Zone housing government buildings and foreign missions, the Iraqi military said. The rest fell in the nearby Al-Jadriya area, reported Al Jazeera. Earlier multiple rockets were launched in Baghdad's Al-Jadiriya area and outside Balad Airbase here, informed Iraqi Army official. Only days after Iran's IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani was killed by the US targeted airstrike, Bagdad's Green Zone area was also hit by a rocket with no reports of human casualties, reported CNN. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JNU Students Union president Aishe Ghosh, who was injured in the violence, said she was attacked by goons wearing masks. New Delhi: At least 30 students and teachers were injured during a clash which broke out between members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students Union and the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on the university campus on Sunday evening. The clash reportedly erupted during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers Association. It was at the request of the JNU administration that the Delhi police entered the campus late in the night to track down the miscreants and also conducted a flag march. Witnesses said about 50-odd goons, wearing masks and armed with rods and hammers, barged into the hostels around 6.30 pm. They reportedly indulged in stone-throwing and started beating students and teachers. Even students in the girls hostels were attacked. JNU Students Union president Aishe Ghosh, who was injured in the violence, said she was attacked by goons wearing masks. She said: I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I have been bleeding. I was brutally beaten up.. Ms Ghosh, bleeding profusely, was taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre. The JNU administration said the masked miscreants armed with sticks were roaming around on the campus, damaging property and attacking people, prompting it to call the police to maintain law and order. After violence broke out on the campus, JNU registrar Pramod Kumar said in a statement: This is an urgent message for the entire JNU community that there is a law and order situation on the campus. Masked miscreants armed with sticks are roaming around, damaging property and attacking people. The JNU administration has called the police to maintain order... This is the moment to remain calm and be on alert... Efforts are already being made to tackle the miscreants. A professor, Atul Sood, said the mob threw huge stones and entered the hostels, vandalising property. He said: These were not small stones, these were big stones that could have broken our skulls. I fell on the side and when I came out, I saw cars completely vandalised, including my car. Accusing the ABVP of working in tandem with outsiders who arrived armed on campus, Saket Moon, vice-president of the students union, claimed the mob went from one room to another, indiscriminately attacking students. All through, he claimed, the security guards remained mute spectators. Terrified students were also seen phoning professors for help. JNUSU, has claimed some masked persons entered the JNUs Sabarmati and other hostels and thrashed students with sticks and rods. The students union has alleged that the attack was orchestrated by the ABVP. It alleged that ABVP goons pelted stones and vandalised property at Sabarmati hostel. The ABVP attackers, with covered faces, are trying to enter Periyar Hostel by climbing the pipes, the JNUSU said on Twitter. The ABVP has, however, alleged that members of the organisation protested against the disruption of Internet, after which they were attacked by members of the Left Unity. The ABVP claimed its members were brutally attacked by students affiliated to Left student outfits SFI, AISA and DSF. Around 25 students have been seriously injured in the attack and there is no information about the whereabouts of 11 students. Many ABVP members are being attacked in hostels and the hostels are being vandalised by Leftist goons, the ABVP said. Hashtagged #EmergencyinJNU and #SOSJNU, a tweet from the students unions official handle read: Professors who were trying to protect us have been beaten up. These are unknown ABVP goons, not all are students, they have covered their faces, and they are moving towards the hotels near the West Gate. Stay alert. Make human chains. Protect each other. On Saturday, the JNU administration had said students agitating over the hike in hostel fees ransacked the server room and intimidated the technical staff. The university has been seeing a standoff between students and the administration over the hike in hostel fees for over 70 days. Late on Sunday night, groups of JNU students protested outside the Delhi police headquarters as Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to police commissioner Amulya Patnaik to take stock of the situation. A joint CP-rank officer will be asked to investigate and submit a report. JNU alumnus and Union ministers S. Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitaraman have condemned the violence inside the JNU campus unequivocally. Some students claimed former DUSU president Satender Awana, from the ABVP, had also been seen on the campus. A rally has been organised calling on the Australian government to take action on climate change. The protest is organised for January 10 at Sydney's Town Hall with 5,800 people expected to attend demanding action as out-of-control bushfires burn and destroy thousands of hectares, lands and killing people. 'Sydney Protest: Sack ScoMo! Fund The Firies, Climate Action Now!' the post reads. 'These fires, heatwaves, and droughts are not just unprecedented - they're the direct result of decades of climate destruction at the hands of fossil fuel loving politicians. 'The climate crisis has compounded hundreds of years of land mismanagement since invasion and decades of profiteering on water which has left much of the country in drought.' The protest is organised for Friday January 10 at Sydney's Town Hall with 5,800 people expected to attend A property is lost as The Gospers Mountain Fire impacts, at Bilpin, Saturday, December 21, 2019 The organisation is looking to 'place the blame on the people that deserve it' singling out Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Scott Morrison tours the property of John 'Kooka' Kinniburgh in Sarsfield, Victoria Protesters will 'demand' the government to fully pay all volunteer firefighters as they continue to battle ferocious blazes around the country. There is also a call to implement full funding to the force after their resources were cut. Relief and aid is also on the cards for bushfire affected communities and residents who lost everything in the disastrous fires. It comes as at least 150 bushfires are burning in NSW on Sunday and an overall deathtoll of 24 people. Mr Morrison first came under fire when he went away to Hawaii with his family mid December as massive bushfires continued to burn. Smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia on January 2 After returning from the getaway, the Prime Minister faced the media on and apologised for taking leave. 'I get it that people would have been upset to know that I was holidaying with my family while their families were under great stress,' he said at the RFS headquarters in Sydney Olympic Park. 'They know that I will not stand there and hold a hose. I am not a trained firefighter nor am I an expert like those in the next room doing an amazing job. 'But I am comforted by the fact that Australians would like me to be here simply so I can be here alongside them as they go through this terrible time... I apologise for that.' The prime minister first came under fire when he travelled to Hawaii with his family in Decemeber Mr Morrison is confronted by angry residents as he visited a wildfire-ravaged Cobargo, in New South Wales on January 2 Residents look on as flames burn through bush on January 4, 2020 in Lake Tabourie Mr Morrison has since travelled to affected towns but has continued facing backlash from residents. 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. Ms Salucci-McDermott, who was 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. The mother, who has a 22-month old daughter, Uma, said the Prime Minister ignored her pleas for help when she has nothing left. '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.' 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 A koala joins a CFS volunteer who was fighting the bushfire at a Lobethal vineyard Mr Morrison meets crews from Woodside CFS in Woodside, Tuesday, December 24, 2019 The same day, camera crews filmed Mr Morrison walk over to the fireman who was having a break in the emergency centre in Cobargo, on the New South Wales south coast, on Thursday. Mr Morrison offered his hand but the fireman shook his head. 'I don't really want to shake your hand,' he said. Mr Morrison then leaned down to grab the fireman's hand but he again refused. 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'. 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. 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 A kangaroo rushes past a burning house in Lake Conjola, Australia, on December 31, 2019 On Saturday, Mr Morrison faced fresh backlash over a controversial video posted on Saturday detailing the government's efforts to fight bushfires. The much-criticised video - authorised by Mr Morrison's office - describes how the government is deploying up to 3000 army reservists in response to the ongoing crisis. Mr Morrison found himself in hot water almost immediately, with many saying the money spent should have gone towards the bushfire appeal. British broadcaster Piers Morgan slammed the video as a 'self-promotional commercial with cheesy elevator music'. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd said he was acting like a 'marketing guy'. This bushfire season has seen 23 lives lost and more than 1,500 homes destroyed as fires continue to tear through the country. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said Turkish soldiers had begun deploying to Libya after parliament approved such a move last week. "Our soldiers' duty there is coordination. They will develop the operation centre there. Our soldiers are gradually going right now," he told CNN Turk broadcaster during an interview. Search Keywords: Short link: (Image: Reuters) China replaced its top official in Hong Kong on Saturday, days after President Xi Jinping expressed concern over the continued pro-democracy protests posing a major challenge to the ruling Communist party. Wang Zhimin, the director of its liaison office in Hong Kong who coordinates between the local government of the former British colony and the central government in Beijing, has been replaced, official media here reported. Wang was replaced by Luo Huining, the former party boss of Shaanxi province, in the first major reshuffle of the office since the city became embroiled in anti-government protests seven months ago. Though Hong Kong is governed by beleaguered pro-Beijing Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, who so far failed to quell the protests which grew in intensity, much of responsibility over policy and planning has been coordinated by Wang. China's liaison office in Hong Kong, which is the symbol of Beijing's authority, has also become a centre of pro-democracy protests where the protesters have burnt the Chinese flag. Luo's appointment came as a surprise as he was named a week ago the deputy director of the financial and economic affairs committee of the National People's Congress, China's legislature, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The announcement came after Xi in his New Year's address expressed concern over the situation in Hong Kong where the locals carried out pro-democracy protests. A Chinese commentator said that Luo's appointment signals a fresh approach by the central government to address Hong Kong protests. Appointing an official with no Hong Kong-related experience to the liaison office shows the central government's determination to lead Hong Kong to a new chapter and restore peace in the city gripped by protests, Li Xiaobing, an expert on Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan studies at Nankai University in Tianjin, told the state-run Global Times. "His past experiences show Luo is politically mature and has a tacit understanding with the central government," he said. Luo served as the Party secretary in Shanxi from 2016 to 2019. During his tenure in the coal industrial region, he clamped down on a large scale corruption that was seriously weighing on the local governance. His anti-corruption crusade played an important role in helping the province enter a new era, the daily's report said. The disquieting situation in Hong Kong, which continues to witness mass protests, especially by youth that often turned violent figured high in Xi's customary New Year's eve address over the national television on December 31. "The situation in Hong Kong has been everybody's concern over the past few months," said Xi, who is regarded as the most powerful Chinese leader after Mao Zedong. Besides Presidency, Xi also heads the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the military. "Without a harmonious and stable environment, how can there be a home where people can live and work happily," Xi said with a tone of exasperation over unending protests, stating that he hoped for the best. "We sincerely hope for the best for Hong Kong and Hong Kong compatriots," he said. "A prosperous and stable Hong Kong is the aspiration of Hong Kong compatriots, as well as the expectation of the people of the motherland," he said. What started as protests against an extradition bill piloted by Lam, the demonstrations grew in intensity and turned into a full-blown movement against the increasing control of China. Besides calling for Lam's resignation, the protestors are demanding an independent probe into the use of force by police, amnesty for arrested protesters, a halt to categorising the protests as riots and the implementation of universal suffrage to elect their own representatives to govern the province. The protests continued despite the withdrawal of the bill. The pro-democracy parties also registered a landslide victory in local body elections. Xi's leadership of the crisis specially refusing the withdraw the bill in time has come under criticism. Xi, who continued to back Lam and her administration, however, has been reiterating Beijing's unswerving determination to protect national sovereignty, security and development interests and oppose any external force in interfering in Hong Kong's affairs. An ex-Thomas Cooke air hostess has described the excruciating moment her leg broke in seven places after the plane she was serving on suddenly ran into severe turbulence and terrifyingly rose in altitude by 500ft. Eden Garrity, 27, was serving passengers with a catering trolley when the aircraft entered a mid-Atlantic hailstorm, causing it to violently increase in height. Eden, who worked as a Thomas Cook air hostess between April 2017 and the company's collapse in September and said she 'always dreamed' of a career in the sky, was injured on August 2 shortly after leaving Cuba. Eden Garrity, 27, (pictured, left and right) has described the excruciating moment her leg broke in seven places after the plane she was serving on suddenly ran into severe turbulence and rose by 500ft Eden (pictured, left, with fellow air hostess), who worked as a Thomas Cook air hostess between April 2017 and the company's collapse in September and said she 'always dreamed' of a career in the sky, was injured on August 2 shortly after leaving Cuba Eden's leg pictured following the incident. Eden was thrown to the ground under the crushing force of the plane's sudden rise in altitude The pilot asked crew members to be seated due to turbulence but before Eden could safely secure the cart and sit down, the plane flew straight into a violent storm, she said. She said: 'We hit a massive hail storm. The pilot said to me afterwards that it turned black all around him. 'It was by far the worst turbulence I have ever experienced as a crew member or a passenger.' Eden was thrown to the ground under the crushing force of the plane's sudden rise in altitude. She broke her fibula in five places. She also broke her tibia, cracked her ankle bone and fractured her foot. Her shocking injury left her lying on the floor of the plane for an hour while seats were cleared. She was then left in agony for the remainder of the flight, which lasted for seven hours, before she was taken to hospital. She said midway through the flight the 'excruciating' pain kicked in. In agony: Her shocking injury left her lying on the floor of the plane for an hour while seats were cleared. She was then left in agony for the remainder of the flight, which lasted for seven hours, before she was taken to hospital Eden was left with leg injuries following the incident and was unable to walk for two months Eden broke her fibula in five places. She also broke her tibia, cracked her ankle bone and fractured her foot Eden said: 'The pain started when my shoes were taken off and I was put in a splint. 'We had painkillers and the passengers were amazing to me. Lots of people passed pillows and coats back to make sure I'd be comfortable.' An ambulance was waiting on the runway at Manchester Airport and Eden was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital for treatment. Devastated Eden needed surgery to insert screws and metal plates inside her leg, as well as a huge external metal brace, and couldn't walk for two months. She had two operations before being allowed home in a cast on August 11. Eden may have to have a third operation next year to remove the metal screws in her leg because of the pain. Thomas Cook paid Eden in full whilst she was off for before going bust, and she's still out of work while she recovers. Eden pictured recovering from her injuries which left her unable to walk for two months. She may need further surgery to remove the metal rods in her leg Thomas Cook paid Eden in full whilst she was off for before going bust, and she's still out of work while she recovers But she is still out of work and faces the stress of looking for a new job whilst recovering from the injury. A spokesperson for the Official Receiver in charge of Thomas Cook's insolvency said: 'Former employees who may have had insurance-related claims against Thomas Cook prior to liquidation will now be treated as unsecured creditors. 'To make a claim against the company in liquidation or against the insurance policy, former employees should contact the Special Managers.' Eden is still out of work and faces the stress of looking for a new job whilst recovering from the injury Eden's injuries. She may have to have a third operation next year to remove the metal screws in her leg because of the pain The AAIB accident report file explained how the aircraft experienced 'unexpected severe turbulence' lasting 90 seconds. It found the aircraft hit the storm just five seconds after the pilot made an announcement asking all crew members 'to be seated'. 'The aircraft encountered severe turbulence resulting in a 500ft altitude gain autopilot disconnection,' it said. 'It was accompanied by the sound of hail striking the aircraft's nose. 'It resulted in one cabin member receiving injuries to their left ankle.' Union ministers and opposition parties' leaders have condemned the assault on students and teachers of Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University. Here are some the reactions. IMAGE: A view of vandalised JNU campus in New Delhi. Photograph: @JNUSUofficial/Twitter The violence on JNU campus is worrisome and unfortunate. I condemn it. I appeal students to maintain the dignity of university and peace on campus Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Union human resource development minister Horrifying images from JNU the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This govt, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students. Nirmala Sitharaman, finance minister Have seen pictures of what is happening in #JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university. S Jaishankar, external affairs minister The brutal attack on JNU students and teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Today's violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Shocked to see visuals of masked miscreants attacking JNU students inside the campus. DMK condemns rising incidents of violence against students within universities in the aftermath of #CAA2019. All those who are responsible for these incidents must brought to book immediately M K Stalin, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president We strongly condemn brutality unleashed agst students/teachers in JNU. No words enough to describe such heinous acts. A shame on our democracy. Trinamool delegation led by Dinesh Trivedi (SajdaAhmed, ManasBhunia, VivekGupta) headed to DEL to show solidarity with #ShaheenBagh #JNU Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief JNU students and professors were subjected to a cowardly but planned attack. I strongly condemn this undemocratic act of vandalism and violence. Use of violent means to suppress democratic values and thought will never succeed. Sharad Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party president The violence and brutality faced by students, while protesting, is worrisome. Be it Jamia, be it JNU. Students mustnt face brutal force! Let them be! These goons must face action. They must be brought to time bound and swift justice. Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra cabinet minister NATO Suspends Training Missions in Iraq as Tensions Run High Over Killing of Iranian Commander Sputnik News 15:15 04.01.2020 Experts and analysts have been speculating over what the potential blowback for America and the Middle East could be following Washington's targeted assassination of one of Iran's top statesmen. One unforeseen consequence that appears to already be unfolding is the impact that it could have on the fight against Daesh. In a series of statements on Saturday, both NATO and the US-led coalition against Daesh announced they would scale down their activities in Iraq following the American strike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, according to AFP News. A spokesman for NATO said on Saturday morning that the alliance would be suspending its training missions in Iraq. "NATO's mission is continuing, but training activities are currently suspended," Dylan White said, adding that the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had talked over the phone with US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper about the situation in Iraq. NATO's announcement comes on the heels of the US coalition saying it had scaled down its operation in Iraq. An unnamed defence official was quoted by AFP as saying that, "our first priority is protecting coalition personnel." He added that the US had "limited" its counter-Daesh efforts. The official told AFP that the US-led coalition force's surveillance efforts are now focused on possible attacks from Iran-backed proxy forces in Iraq, rather than on Daesh. Tensions Run High in Middle East After the Killing of Commander Soleimani The anonymous defence official's comments come amidst an increasingly turbulent security environment in Iraq, and potentially between the US and Iran. In recent months, the number of alleged rocket attacks by Iran-backed groups on Iraqi bases housing US soldiers have been creeping up. Last month, hostilities hit a crescendo when an American contractor was reportedly killed and four other Americans wounded in one of the rocket attacks, which Washington blamed on Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militia group that was instrumental in the fight against Daesh. This week, the already tense situation culminated in a US airstrike on a convoy of cars leaving Baghdad International Airport, which killed the now-former leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces, a coalition of Iraqi Shia militia that includes Katai'b Hezbollah among its ranks. Following the attack, it was widely reported that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proclaimed that "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack. Later on, Iran declared in a statement that, "this was the biggest US strategic blunder in the West Asia region, and America will not easily escape its consequences." The country's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also slammed in the US in a Tweet, calling its move an "act of international terrorism." For its part, the US has continued to defend the move, saying that it had evidence suggesting Mr Soleimani was plotting to kill Americans, and that its preemptive action therefore saved lives. On Saturday morning, large-scale funeral processions began in downtown Baghdad for Mr Soleimani and Mr Muhandis. The following day, it is expected that the farewell ceremony will move to Tehran. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By Express News Service BENGALURU: It was a whirlwind of protests in the city as thousands of people took to the streets in six different locations to stand against Citizen (Amendment) Act (CAA), National Population Registry (NPR) and National Citizenship Registry (NRC). The protests took place at Freedom Park, Palace Road, Bannerghatta Road, RT Nagar and Hosur Road by different organisations. Manohar Elavarthy, a member of one of the forums, said the protest was also about bringing forward a few issues, police brutality, internet shutdowns, privacy invasions and racial profiling. Kavita Reddy, an activist, said: The protest is a Gandhian way of expressing our anger. We are on a hunger strike and we are having the protest in a peaceful way. More than 100 anti-CAA-NCR-NPR postcards are being written and they will be sent to the Supreme Court registrar office. There is huge distress, where the government is dividing the nation based on religion. The most important aspect is the government talking in multiple voices while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is saying something, Home Minister Amit Shah is saying something else and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is of some other views and there are no convincing replies from them. People protest against CAA at Town Hall in Bengaluru on Saturday | Vinod Kumar T Naina J, another volunteer said: When the PM was here in the city, he was talking about only Pakistan. Ballari MLA Somashekhar Reddy went on to threaten people. It is not just about religion, but it is anti-poor too, where people will have to suffer to get all their certificates. It is absolutely about vote bank politics. An ex-Air Force officer, on the condition of anonymity, said: There are loopholes in the entire policy. This is just like one fine day they came out with demonetisation and now this. There is vandalism going on over this, and its high time the Supreme Court woke up. We stand with CAA While several protests were conducted against the controversy, All India Advocates Association came out in favour of the act. A group of 150 lawyers came out in front of Mayo Hall Court on M G Road. Shyam Sundar, a lawyer who helped organise the protest told TNSE that this is the beginning of several other protests which they will conduct to inform the public. Many of these protestors against the CAA-NRC are not aware of what exactly it states. They are misinformed that Indian Muslims will be affected. Only religious minorities of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan must be given citizenship because they are persecuted there. But Muslims in those countries are not; only marginal exceptions are there. But exceptions cant be taken as examples. If there are cases where the Muslim is being persecuted, they can be given detention centres in our country and there are laws for that, he said. (Inputs from Iffath Fathima & Preeja Prasad) Yet another horrific antisemitic assault has taken place, this time in Monsey, New York. Jewish Voice for Peace of Northern New Jersey (JVP) denounces this and all antisemitic attacks and calls for all appropriate measures to address them. However, not every action proffered in response to antisemitism actually deals with the problem. One such inappropriate policy is President Trumps December 11 Executive Order against antisemitism on college campuses. It has nothing to do with stamping out antisemitic bigotry and everything to do with quashing criticisms of Israel. The Order codifies a definition of antisemitism, although the definitions lead author warned that legislating it would cause great harm to academic freedom. Blind support of the Israeli government does not combat antisemitism. Witness the ceremony for Trumps moving of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem: benedictions were given by a preacher who said Jews were going to hell and another who believed Hitler was part of Gods plan to return Jews to Israel. At colleges and universities across the country, students and faculty are criticizing Israels treatment of Palestinians and urging economic pressure on the Israeli government to get it to end its oppressive policies. Trumps Order is an attempt to stifle this movement for justice. JVP believes we must continue demanding Palestinian rights, even as we work tirelessly to combat antisemitism and all forms of bigotry. Stephen R. Shalom, Montclair, JVP of Northern NJ Trump must share the blame for anti-Semitic attacks President Donald Trump must share the blame for the rise in anti-Semitic attacks. When you invite a known Christian supremacist (Pastor Robert Jeffress) to speak at the White House Hanukkah party, and then cast huge praise on him, you implicitly endorse or at least express tacit acceptance and toleration of his harmful, hate-fueling discriminatory beliefs. The president thereby creates an atmosphere where it is acceptable for certain groups to consider themselves morally superior to others, which leads to treating others (in the pastors case, Jews, Muslims, atheists, etc.) with disdain and scorn and as lesser human beings. The presidents embrace of a Christian supremacist is in line with statements throughout his presidency that give countenance to individuals who espouse hate. It is time to hold accountable leaders that inspire or give comfort to those who promote or are motivated by hatred. We all must stay silent no longer! Ed Barocas is former legal director of American Civil Liberties Union of NJ and a former attorney in the N.J. Office of the Public Advocate Driving report a little misleading It was encouraging to learn from Larry Higgs reporting (Distracted driving again named lead cause of traffic deaths) that the leading contributors of the states 2018 fatal crashes were down from the prior year and could possibly be a little better in 2019. However, some of the narrative had the potential to mislead. First, all uses of the word cause should have been contributor, consistent with the State Police analysis reference to contributing circumstances. Cause can be determined only on a per-crash basis using a root-cause methodology to sort out the contributing circumstances. Second, the story opening used electronic-device usage examples to highlight that distracted driving was the leading cause of fatal crashes. While the leading contributor was actually driver inattention that covers distractions and lack of attention to observable conditions, this treatment gives the impression that distractions are all about device usage. Federal statistical analyses continue to show mobile-device usage is still way down on the list, in the vicinity of 10% of all distraction-related fatalities. Stephen G. Carrellas, director of government and public affairs, N.J. Chapter, National Motorists Association Too many chances for corruption It is national news that a lot of corruption exists in New Jersey, with eight cases of small-town corruption in different places making the headlines (Corruption probe snares 5 politicos, plus other reports). Why would anyone be surprised? New Jersey has over 550 towns, over 550 governing bodies, hundreds of school boards, police forces, municipal courts, zoning boards or planning boards, etc. Do you get it? There is a lot of opportunity for people with power to be motivated to do things, and sometimes illegal things. There should have been consolidation many years ago, and still, New Jersey has good old home rule. With this amount of home rule, there will always be more opportunity for corruption. David F. Lipton, Toms River The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Some villagers on Sunday pelted stones at Khoh police station in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district and gheraoed the staff on duty after the police personnel could not catch alleged cow smugglers, an official said. Police had to fire tear gas to disperse the agitating crowd gathered there, the official said, adding that no casualty was reported in the incident. As the alleged cow smugglers escaped, Station House Officer (SHO) Prem Bhaskar and a constable have been taken off duty, Bharatpur Superintendent of Police Haidar Ali Zaidi said. The villagers had informed police about a vehicle in which cows were being allegedly smuggled. A police team chased the vehicle but could not catch it, the SP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DALLASRaymond Watkins and his wife had been told by their youngest son to keep January 4 free, but they didnt know what was in store for them until their Christmas gift was revealed. On Saturday, the couple went to see Shen Yun Performing Arts at AT&T Performing Arts CenterWinspear Opera House on Jan. 4, 2020. Raymond was a principal designer for trade show exhibits and museum displays all over the world, including in the United States, Western Europe, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. He was in charge of designing many exhibits for 45 years and was also the vice president of Matrix Exhibits. As a former principal designer, Raymond considered the performances makeup to be exquisite. I thought the colors were awesome and just really got your attention, he said. He also found the costumes of the dancers to be remarkable and said he enjoyed the special effects. Shen Yun, which is based in New York, uses traditional techniques when it comes to lighting, sound, and set design. According to its website, Every part of the production exists to support and direct attention to the remarkable performers. You will hear the orchestras most natural sound, and see the dancers light up the stage. Along with that, the set uses an innovated animated backdrop that brings viewers right into the story. Karen said the performance was exquisite and watching it was just such a pleasure. Artist Brought to Life by Shen Yun Gloria Hood and David Watson saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at AT&T Performing Arts CenterWinspear Opera House in Dallas, Texas on Jan. 4, 2020. (NTDTV) Artist Gloria Hood and retired physician David Watson both thought Shen Yun was very eye-catching. Hood said the performance was excellent. It was like a piece of art, it was beautiful. Im a color artist and I loved the colors of every costume, everything, the movement, it was just all a masterpiece, it was a piece of art, it was beautiful, the painter said. The design of Shen Yuns costumes and colors holds true to traditional aesthetics and styles, according to the companys website. The colors and details of the costumes are meant to breathe fresh life into Shen Yuns performance, which in turn rejuvenated the artist. Oh, the colors were eye-catching I mean it just brought you to life. It was a performance that you cant get enough of it was just eye-catching I loved it, I could sit through it again and again, it was just beautiful, Hood said. Watson said, I loved the blend of the music and the movement, it told a story, I loved the story. The former physician was referring to a theme that Shen Yun shares with its audience, which is the slow erosion of traditional Chinese culture by the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. Watson said, Well the story is somewhat sad. However, to me, to see this beauty that cannot be expressed that seems to be suppressed, I see the artists expressing that, and expressing the loss that they feel for their homeland. With reporting by NTD Television, Amy Hu, and Don Tran. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. ROMEA drunken driver plowed into a group of young German tourists in northern Italy early Sunday, killing six people and injuring 11 others, Italian authorities said. The deadly crash occurred in a village of Valle Aurina, northeast of Bolzano in the Alto Adige region, shortly after 1 a.m. local time as the Germans gathered to board their bus. They were between the ages of 20-25. The largely German-speaking autonomous region of northern Italy, with its ski resorts in the Dolomites and quaint villages around Bolzano, is popular with German tourists. The new year begins with a terrible tragedy, said the regional president of Alto Adige, Arno Kompatscher. We are left stunned. The driver of the car had a high blood alcohol content and was driving particularly fast, a Carabinieri police official in Brunico told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorized to give his name. He said police had concluded that the car crash into pedestrians was not an act of terrorism. The Lutago volunteer fire service said on Facebook that six people were killed at the scene. The 11 injured, four of whom were in critical condition, were taken to several regional hospitals, including two who were airlifted to a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, said Bolzano Carabinieri Cmdr. Alessandro Coassin. Coassin said the driver, identified by Italian media as a 28-year-old man from the nearby town of Chienes, was arrested on suspicion of highway manslaughter and injury and was being treated at the hospital in Brunico. Most of the victims hailed from western Germany, though two of the injured were Italian, officials said. We are currently working on the assumption that most of the deceased come from North Rhine-Westphalia, the states governor, Armin Laschet, said on Twitter. These young people wanted to spend a good time together and were torn out of their lives or seriously injured from one second to the next. In all, 160 rescue workers and emergency medical personnel responded to the crash, which looked like a battlefield, according to Helmut Abfalterer of the Lutago volunteer fire service. Mourners later left candles and flowers at the crash scene, which was located along a two-lane road dotted by hotels and piles of snow in the mountainous region. Kompatscher told a press conference the victims were part of a group of young Germans on vacation. He expressed his condolences to their families and declined to provide further details pending notification to their loved ones. The accident occurred on the final long weekend of the Christmas and New Years holiday in Italy, which will be capped by Epiphany on Monday. By Nicole Winfield Following the killing of the Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and the attacks on Iraq's Green Zone and Al-Balad airbase on Saturday, (Retd.) Major Gaurav Arya said that Irans retaliation may continue via proxy wars. He asserted that Iran will avoid a conventional war considering the grandeur of US forces. However, proxies will continue to target U.S. so that the Iranian regime does not come out as weak in front of its people. Major Gaurav Arya also explained how the Green Zone is strategically important to Iraq. Major Gaurav Arya on Irans retaliation Talking about how Qasem Soleimanis killing led to the attacks in Iraqs green zoon and airbase, Major Gaurav Arya said, When Iran put the red flags over their mosques, they almost said it. They declared that it was an act of war and they are going to retaliate. Now, this Green Zone is a highly-protected and secured area in all of Iraq. This place is also near the airport." Read: US Embassy in Baghdad & Iraq's Balad airbase comes under rocket attack, LIVE Updates here "Now, what is happening is that after the killing of Qasem Soleimani, another Shia leader was also inside there, and he was also killed. That is why this retaliation will keep on taking place through proxies. I do not envision a scenario where US and Iran go head to head, in a case on conventional war," he said. "This is because Iran will avoid war, irrespective of the rhetoric coming out of Tehran, this is because the Ayatollah regime does not want to seem weak in front of its people. Also, I feel this situation might end up targeting Israel as well, he added. Read: Baghdad: US Green Zone, Al-Balad Airbase Endures Rocket Attack Iraq attacks The US embassy in Baghdad was attacked, on Saturday, as two mortars hit Baghdad's Green Zone, and simultaneously two rockets hit Iraq's Al-Balad airbase, where US troops were stationed. This comes after the USA deployed its troops across Iraq following the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on Friday. As per media reports, the Administration officials privately warned the members of Congress that Iran is expected to retaliate against the US either at home or abroad, within weeks. Read: Mourners in Iraq grieve for Soleimani, al-Muhandis Read: UK advises citizens to avoid travelling to Iran, Iraq after Soleimani's killing New Delhi, Jan 5 : Undeterred by protests against privatization, state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) has appointed global consultancy PwC as transaction advisor to bid out half a dozen airports including Varanasi on public private partnership (PPP) basis. The parent Civil Aviation Ministry (MoCA) has circulated draft cabinet note seeking comments from various ministries such as Finance and Road Transport before putting up the proposal for final government approval. "We have engaged PwC as transaction advisor. The bidding process for the six airports would start after Cabinet approval. We see significant progress on this by February-end," a senior AAI official said. The six airports up for privatization are Varanasi, Amritsar, Bhubaneswar, Trichy, Indore and Raipur. Unionised employees of AAI have been opposing the government move to offer "profit-making" airports to private players and have got support from Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), an RSS affiliate. Over the last few months, they have escalated the agitation organising sit-in protests to mount pressure on the government to reconsider its decision. "There is no reason for protests. Their apprehensions are baseless. For attracting the required investment in the airport sector, PPP is the way forward," an Aviation Ministry official said wishing not to be named. He said that inputs to the draft cabinet note are expected from various ministries and as soon as feedback is received the final note would be submitted for cabinet approval. The fresh round of PPP has come close on the heels of government privatizing six airports for which Gujarat-based Adani Enterprises emerged winner. While three of these airports - Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru have already been approved for hand-over to the diversified business conglomerate, the process for the remaining three has also started. The Centre has lined up airport projects worth Rs 1,43,398 crore for development in the next five years. This is part of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) approved by the government. Infrastructure projects worth Rs 102 lakh crore are to be taken up over the next five years from FY20 to FY25 under the NIP. (Nirbhay Kumar can be contacted at nirbhay.k@ians.in) US President Donald Trump has warned Iran in a series of tweets (Steve Parsons/PA) US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening to hit dozens of targets very fast and very hard if it retaliates for the killing of the head of General Qassem Soleimani. The series of tweets came as the White House sent to Congress a formal notification under the War Powers Act of the drone strike on Soleimani, a senior administration official said. US law requires notification within 48 hours of the introduction of American forces into an armed conflict or a situation that could lead to war. The notification was classified and it was not known if a public version would be released. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the classified document suggests Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security. In unusually specific language, Mr Trump tweeted that his administration had already targeted 52 Iranian sites, some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture. He linked the number of sites to the number of hostages, also 52, held by Iran for nearly 15 months after protesters overran the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979. Thousands lined Baghdad streets on Saturday for the funeral procession for Soleimani. Iran has vowed revenge for the Trump-ordered air strike that killed him and several senior Iraqi militants early on Friday Baghdad time. The USA wants no more threatsDonald Trump Mr Trump appeared to respond to such threats with tweets justifying Soleimanis killing and matching the bellicose language from Iran. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters, the president tweeted. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Mr Trump also warned: The USA wants no more threats! The notification document sent to congressional leadership, the House speaker and the Senate president was entirely classified, according to a senior Democratic aide and a congressional aide. Expand Close Nancy Pelosi has called for a comprehensive briefing on military engagement related to Iran (Liam McBurney/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nancy Pelosi has called for a comprehensive briefing on military engagement related to Iran (Liam McBurney/PA) In a statement, Ms Pelosi said the highly unusual decision to classify the document compounds concerns from Congress. This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the administrations decision to engage in hostilities against Iran, she said. Ms Pelosi said the Trump administrations provocative, escalatory and disproportionate military engagement continues to put service members, diplomats and citizens of America and our allies in danger. She called on the administration for an immediate, comprehensive briefing of the full Congress on military engagement related to Iran and next steps under consideration. Those masquerading as diplomats and those who shamelessly sat to identify Iranian cultural & civilian targets should not even bother to open a law dictionary. Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms of international law, i.e. international red lines. That is, a big(ly) "no no". Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 5, 2020 Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to Mr Trumps threats, saying they were a breach of international law. Mr Zarif tweeted: Having committed grave breaches of intl law in Fridays cowardly assassinations, @realdonaldtrump threatens to commit again new breaches of jus cogens; -Targeting cultural sites is a war crime; -Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun. Those masquerading as diplomats and those who shamelessly sat to identify Iranian cultural & civilian targets should not even bother to open a law dictionary. Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms of international law, i.e. international red lines. That is, a big(ly) no no. McDonald's new CEO Chris Kempczinkski is trying to change the company culture after the last head chief was ousted for having an affair with a subordinate employee. Kempczinkski became head chief of the fast food company in November 2019, after former McDonald's boss Steve Easterbrook, 52, was fired for acknowledging he had a consensual relationship with an unnamed company staffer. In his first few months at the helm, Kempczinkski is trying to restore a more professional culture in McDonald's offices. Current and former employee noted that under Easterbrook, McDonald's staffers and executives alike would socialize late at night at bars where men would flirt with female employees, according to a Wall Street Journal report. McDonald's new CEO Chris Kempczinkski (left) is trying to change the company culture after the last head chief Steve Easterbrook (right) was outed for having an inappropriate relationship with a subordination employee. Easterbrook pictured sitting with a friend at the Sweetwater Tavern & Grille on November 11, located not so far from the company's West Loop office Easterbrook pictured drinking with a friend just days after he was fired as McDonald's CEO The new chief said in addition to changing company culture, he's also keen to improve restaurant performance and has met with employees and restaurants in the US, UK, Germany, France and Switzerland in his first two months as CEO. He's expected to share what he's learned from that trip this month. 'There is a cultural shift here now,' one person familiar with Kempczinkski's plans who did not participate in the late-night socializing said. 'Some people perceived there was this macho, guys club. That has now progressed to a more open leadership under Chris.' The decision to fire Easterbrook was praised by women who worked at McDonald's, people familiar with the matter said. At the time of his ousting, a representative for Easterbrook said he 'acknowledges his error in judgement and supports the Company's decision.' 'I have to be able to look at every single one of my senior leadership team members and say, "Do I believe that they personify the values of our company?"' Kempczinkski said during a town hall meeting held shortly after he assumed office. 'And if they don't, they're not on the senior leadership team.' According to current and former employees, McDonald's has long had a culture of fraternizing and late night drinking where staffers of all levels mixed. Employees would get together at the headquarters in Chicago and at frequent conventions and meetings for decades. Some sources said they were surprised Easterbrook and former human resources chief David Fairhurst participated in the partying after they took their roles in 2015. They were often seen at local bars and drank with staffers after work hours, current and former employees said. Easterbrook had worked with the company for nearly two decades and upon becoming CEO moved the company's headquarters from suburban Oak Brook, Illinois to Chicago's downtown West Loop neighborhood. The top floor of the nine-story office had a corporate cash bar that hosted happy hours on Thursday for employees. Easterbrook, though CEO, was notorious for flirting with female employees, current and former staffers told WSJ. Current and former employee noted that under Easterbrook, McDonald's staffers and executives alike would socialize late at night at bars. Easterbrook, though CEO, was notorious for flirting with female employees, current and former staffers said 'There were a couple of women who talked to me about his flirting. It was enough for them to feel uncomfortable,' one former executive said. A formal complaint led to an investigation in October that culminated in the company board voting him out. Human resources chief David Fairhurst also stepped down. A complaint was filed against him for openly making physical contact with one of his subordinates during a drinking gathering in late 2018. He was allowed to keep his job, but resigned when Easterbrook stepped down. However, employees say that romantic relationship at McDonald's is pretty common and senior executives from different departments have gotten together. Some couples even married after meeting at McDonalds and their unions were dubbed 'McMarriages', one former executive said. Still, the company does not allow managers to date direct or indirect reports. During a company town hall meeting Kempczinkski reiterated the company's dating policy saying rules applied to everyone. He said McDonald's mission isn't 'just selling more burgers and fries'. He said: 'We're going to be a lot better, a lot closer to where we want to be, where we aspire to be as a company.' Trump did not identify the sites. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites "very hard" if Iran attacks Americans or U.S. assets after a drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani and an Iraqi militia leader, as tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq to mourn their deaths. Showing no signs of seeking to ease tensions raised by the strike he ordered that killed Soleimani and Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at Baghdad airport on Friday, Trump issued a threat to Iran on Twitter. The strike has raised the specter of wider conflict in the Middle East, as reported by Reuters. Iran, Trump wrote, "is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets" in revenge for Soleimanihs death. Trump said the United States has "targeted 52 Iranian sites" and that some were "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." Read alsoU.S. Embassy urges its citizens to depart Iraq immediately "The USA wants no more threats!" Trump said, adding that the 52 targets represented the 52 Americans who were held hostage in Iran for 444 days after being seized at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 an enduring sore spot in U.S.-Iranian relations. Trump did not identify the sites. The Pentagon referred questions about the matter to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Among the mourners in Iraq included many militiamen in uniform for whom Muhandis and Soleimani were heroes. They carried portraits of both men and plastered them on walls and armored personnel carriers in the procession. Chants of "Death to America" and "No Israel" rang out. On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone near the U.S. Embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighborhood and two more were fired at the Balad air base north of the city, but no one was killed, Iraq's military said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Read alsoGeneral Suleimani's killing may lead to war between U.S., Iran media Trump referenced an unusually specific number of potential Iranian targets after a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander had also mentioned a specific number of American targets 35 of them for possible retaliatory attacks in response to Soleimani's killing. General Gholamali Abuhamzeh was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying late on Friday that Iran will punish Americans wherever they are within reach of the Islamic Republic, and raised the prospect of attacks on ships in the Gulf. "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there. ... Vital American targets in the region have been identified by Iran since long time ago. ... Some 35 U.S. targets in the region as well as Tel Aviv are within our reach," he was quoted as saying. Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah militia warned Iraqi security forces to stay away from U.S. bases in Iraq, "by a distance not less than a thousand meters (six-tenths of a mile) starting Sunday evening," reported Lebanese al-Mayadeen TV, which is close to Lebanon's Hezbollah. Trump said on Friday Soleimani had been plotting "imminent and sinister" attacks on American diplomats and military personnel. Democratic critics said the Republican president's action was reckless and risked more bloodshed in a dangerous region. By Express News Service BENGALURU: As part of the ruling partys nationwide initiative to spread awareness about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa will launch the BJPs Outreach Programme at Vasanth Nagar in Shivajinagar Assembly constituency in the city on Sunday. The BJP leaders are reaching out to voters to create awareness about the law as anti-CAA protests continue to rage across the state. BJP National General Secretary P Muralidhar Rao on Saturday said the party has launched a door-to-door outreach programme aiming to meet three crore households throughout the country and 30 lakh families in Karnataka. Rao asserted that the partition of India took place on religious lines and millions of Muslims decided to stay in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Now to demand citizenship for those Muslims living in those three Islamic Republics is illogical and irrational. We will not give citizenship, come what may, Rao said. He demanded that Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah give a convincing and credible explanation about their stand on giving citizenship to Muslims from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. He said, By opposing this noble gesture, the Congress, the Communists and ultra-fundamentalists have proved themselves what they are inhuman in their attitude, he added. State BJP general secretary and MLC N Ravi Kumar accused the Congress and Pakistan of speaking the same language on CAA. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sausan Atika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, January 5, 2020 As floods that submerged parts of Greater Jakarta on the first days of 2020 receded, the capital city prepared to return to business as usual, especially after the weeks-long school holidays came to an end on Sunday. The Jakarta administration conducted kerja bakti (community work) for about six hours on Sunday at 388 community units (RW) affected by floods throughout the city. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login In his City Journal tribute to Gertrude Himmelfarb who recently died at age 97 Myron Magnet called her "our foremost historian of ideas and one of the nation's greatest historians of any stamp." He also paid tribute to Himmelfarb as a scholar of highest distinction in an era of "wide-ranging social, political, cultural and ethical" erudition. She is considered by many to be among the most influential intellectuals of her time including Lionel Trilling, Daniel Bell, Roger Shattuck, Jacques Barzun, Irving Kristol, Philip Rieff, and others. In addition to her "brilliant and eminent" career, Daniel Bell, a friend who knew them well, remarked that the Kristols' marriage was "the happiest of their generation." Himmelfarb and her husband, Irving Kristol, were known for their "long and intense disputes," their "intellectual jousting matches," and brilliant repartee as they discussed issues. Adam Keiper's brilliant essay described the Kristols as having enjoyed "a long and fruitful partnership. She advised him on his magazines and other projects, he helped her edit and think through her many books." Keiper reported that Irving once wrote that he and Bea were "intellectually twinned" in that they pursued "different subjects while thinking the same thoughts and reaching the same conclusions." How sad that women of the ilk of Gertrude Himmelfarb weren't media icons and held up as role models for young women. Known simply as Bea Kristol among her friends, she was, according to David Brooks's wonderful essay in The Atlantic, an amazingly warm and vibrant personality who "listened more than she spoke." She represented the best of both worlds by balancing her outstanding professional career with her fulfilling and meaningful personal life. As a wife, mother, and homemaker, she rejected "the snobbery of the cultural elites and narcissism in all its forms" for the more "bourgeois values that prevailed in her personal life: work, thrift, temperance, self-discipline, cleanliness, moderation, and respect for tradition." I worked briefly with her son, Bill Kristol, in the White House when I was a presidential speechwriter for the first President Bush, and Bill was chief of staff to the vice president, but I never had the opportunity to meet his mother. I knew of her professional work as the foremost historian of Victorian England but nothing of her personal life. I wish I had known her as a conservative role model of feminism at its best. As opportunities for women became a top priority in education and all aspects of society, feminism abandoned the emphasis on opportunities for women to find balance in professional careers and personal life. Feminism was distorted into a movement pushing the idea that women didn't need men or children to find fulfillment and meaning in life; instead, no-fault divorce, cohabitation, single parenthood, and abortion were portrayed as necessary for women to find equality with men and career success. It is more than merely a sad coincidence indeed, it was the product of malign forces that the movement for women to find ways to balance or sequence it all was debunked. For the most part, the women who were thrust into the limelight as media icons were those chose to remain childless like Gloria Steinem, who famously coined the term "reproductive freedom" and talked about her illegal abortion at age 22 as an opportunity to avoid "living a life that wasn't mine, that wasn't mine at all," or like Betty Friedan, who chose to repudiate her traditional role as wife and mother in her 1963 book, The Feminist Mystique, by identifying "the problem that has no name" and declaring, "Women have nothing to lose but your vacuum cleaner!" This thread of feminist thinking led to ever increasing polarization to the effect that the differences between men and women no longer were biological and mutually enjoyable distinctions, but came to be viewed as aberrant artifacts of social conditioning based on the results of patriarchy's baleful influence. Harmonious complementarity morphed into acrimonious struggle and bitter conflict. Instead of the band of erudite intellectuals made up of "wonks and pundits, pedants and ideologues" who produced extraordinarily influential essays and monumental academic works, "sisterhoods" began to crusade against the "subjugation of women" and produce high-decibel critiques of the influence of the "patriarchy and normative heterosexuality." "Identity politics" and "political correctness" replaced the scintillating interactions of brilliant minds. More contemporarily, businesswomen were told to "lean in" at work and learn to assert themselves in the corporate workplaces and around the business roundtables. What a contrast to Gertrude Himmelfarb, who, by virtue of her professional accomplishments, became an integral member of the "family" of New York City Jewish intellectuals. What a contrast to the way that group of scholars seamlessly moved from their exchanges of ideas and academic discussions to their philosophical "reflections and debates" around the dinner tables and at social events. Himmelfarb recognized that the family is the source of national strength and the foundation of social order. She advocated work over welfare with a goal of making "its rewards always surpass the wages of idleness." She believed that morality "dignifies and civilizes human beings, removing us from our natural brutish state." She strongly argued that "beliefs shape behavior and transform the environment, rather than vice-versa and that the ideals that a culture transmits its citizens affect whether they will be victims or masters of circumstance." She eloquently presented arguments that our human faculty our moral imagination or moral reformation is capable of transforming us into "creatures of intelligence." She allowed that Britain with its great Victorian achievement was able "to attain a degree of civility and humaneness that was the envy of the rest of the world." More importantly, Adam Keiper described the myriad of ways Himmelfarb's work revealed "the complicated ways in which ideas and culture influence one another" throughout her seven decades of consequential writing. She loved and revered books and education; as Keiper noted, she was a woman of "moral gravitas." Like Lord Acton, the Cambridge historian who was the subject of her dissertation, Himmelfarb believed that "liberty and morality were inseparable from religion." In many respects, her descriptions of the Victorians mirrored her interactions with the New York intellectuals of her time: they were "passionate seekers, arguing and stumbling their way toward answers to difficult questions." Gertrude Himmelfarb's life reminds us that what's missing today are intellectuals and political leaders including women who happily are also wives and mothers who have worked with their husbands and families to achieve balance in their own lives who are willing in this day and time as well to follow Himmelfarb's advice to argue and stumble their way toward answers to difficult questions in the public arena. Image: E Realizacoes via YouTube. Jan. 5, 2000 AUBURN After dinner in an igloo on an ice-sculpted table and a frozen bench covered with reindeer skin, after midnight Mass at the Vatican in Rome, after a hurricane in Paris and a party in the heart of New York City on New Year's Eve, Auburn native Joe Robinson is home again. "The trip was wonderful a really amazing experience that I wouldn't otherwise have had," he said. Robinson's friend, Tim Sarlund, won a seat on MTV's Fly2K trip throughout Europe and invited Robinson to come along. With pop band 98 Degrees and MTV host DJ Skribble, the two Cornell University students left the United States from New York City Dec. 20, traveling first to Rovaniemi, Finland, then to Rome, Paris and finally London before celebrating New Year's Eve at MTV's "Total Request Live" studio at 1515 Broadway in New York City. "Finland will be the most memorable because they had so much planned for us," Robinson said. The group's itinerary there included meeting the "hometown hero," Santa Claus, dining in an igloo with gloves on and heated stone tablets under their plates to keep their food warm, and ice dancing, with a New York-style lighted dance floor, only this floor was made of ice. Yet even without the dance floor, the tour group was dancing in place just to keep warm. "It was 30 degrees below Fahrenheit without the wind chill," Robinson said. He came close to getting frostbite on his nose when riding a snowmobile one afternoon. "I even had my nose covered up. We were freezing in Finland." Compiled by David Wilcox Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 'I love my life' concert, on 10 January, is organised by BGICs for charity targeting the treatment of cancer patients Syrian mega star Assala will give a concert on Friday 10 January at the Hilton Heliopolis Hotel to raise funds for breast cancer patients. I love my life and everyone has the right to love life and live it to the fullest because you only get one chance. Lets sing together to heal, to love, and to live," said Assala, calling on her fans to attend. "We dont know how strong we are until being strong is the only choice. Join us to celebrate strength, love, courage and the lives of those fighting through the pain and tears." With tickets prices for EGP 850, 1,500 and 2,000, all the revenues from the concert, which is organised by the scientific institution for patients with breast tumours and women's BGICs, will be donated to the treatment of cancer patients. "This year, we are completing the research march on cancer to which women are exposed, and the possibility of providing treatment for them," said BGICs President Hisham Al-Ghazali, professor of oncology at Ain Shams University. Born in 1969 in Damascus, Assala's three decade-long career brought her high recognition and a large fan base across the Arab region. Programme: Friday 10 January at 8pm Hilton Heliopolis Hotel, Cairo For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Fascists in control of nation: Opposition on JNU violence India pti-PTI New Delhi, Jan 05: Violence broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday night after masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police. At least 18 people were injured and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh suffered a head injury. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed shock over the violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday night and claimed that it was a 'reflection of fear' that 'fascists in control of our nation' have of the students. 'The brutal attack on JNU students and teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Today's violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear,' he said in a tweet. NEWS AT NOON, JANUARY 6th, 2020 'Act of impunity, can only happen with support of govt': Chidambaram It is shocking and horrifying to see live telecast of "masked men entering JNU hostels and attacking students", Congress leader P Chidambaram said on Sunday and alleged that such an "act of impunity can only happen with the support of the government". Mamata Banerjee tweets anout violence, stronly condemns brutality "We strongly condemn brutality unleashed agst students/teachers in JNU. No words enough to describe such heinous acts. A shame on our democracy. Trinamool delegation led by Dinesh Trivedi (SajdaAhmed, ManasBhunia, VivekGupta) headed to DEL to show solidarity with #ShaheenBagh #JNU," tweets Mamata Banerjee. Arvind Kejriwal speaks to Delhi Lt Governor Arvind Kejriwal speaks with Delhi Lt. Governor Anil Baijal. He tweeted, "Spoke to Hon'ble LG and urged him to direct police to restore order. He has assured that he is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary steps." MK Stalin condemns the attack at JNU "All those who are responsible for these incidents must brought to book immediately. Shocked to see visuals of masked miscreants attacking JNU students inside the campus. DMK condemns rising incidents of violence against students within universities in the aftermath of #CAA2019" Nirmala Sitharaman on JNU violence Senior BJP leader and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a JNU alumnus, described the violence as "horrifying" and asserted that the Modi government wants universities to be safe spaces for all students. "Horrifying images from JNU - the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This govt, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students," tweeted Sitharaman. Violence at JNU: 'Masked mob attacks students, teachers; JNUSU president injured Amit Shah enquires about incident, tweets Office of the Home Minister "Union Home Minister has spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner over JNU violence and instructed him to take necessary action. Hon'ble minister has also ordered an enquiry to be carried out by a Joint CP level officer and asked for a report to be submitted as soon as possible," Office of the Home Minister on twitter. S Jaishankar tweets about attack on JNU External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweets, "Have seen pictures of what is happening in #JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university." Smartphones over the years have evolved, bringing in new features and improving our user experience. And this trend of upgradation might have slowed down in the past, with new features seeming like minor upgrades, but 2020 is the year when we can expect some major ones -- not just in smartphone design but also the way we use our phones. Heres what we can expect from smartphones in 2020. Folding phones will get better and mainstream Folding phones were supposed to be the rope that got smartphone design out of a repetitive slump. And 2019 surely started all exciting with Galaxy Fold, however, this fascination didnt last that long, eventually delaying the launch of the phone by nearly six months. Even Huaweis Mate X got delayed, and well, by that time we know what a mess folding phones would be. Reuters But as the year ended, Motorola revealed to the world the much-awaited Razr that gave us hope in the idea that not all folding phones are fragile and delicate to use. Samsung too seems to have learnt from its mistakes and is looking to bring a folding phone alongside Galaxy S11 and S11 Plus. Even Xiaomi is working on a folding phone! In-display front camera Since a few years now, smartphone makers have been minimising the bezels on a device. We got the notch, the tear-drop notch, the pop-up camera and many other creative options -- all to hide the front camera while delivering a true bezel-less experience. And it looks like this year might surely be it. Smartphone makers like Xiaomi, Oppo and OnePlus are teasing some creative technology that puts the front camera right below the display -- without any cutouts or holes, how cool is that? Faster charging wired and wireless Every smartphone maker today is striving to pack in the largest battery they possibly can with the fastest charging tech they can find. OnePlus has pretty much nailed it with its WARP charging, followed by Xioamis Quick Charging too which isnt far behind, and this year we expect this to get faster than that. Reuters Moreover, brands like Samsung and Apple that bring wireless charging on their phones could also make it as fast as wired charging speeds. 5G on flagship phones will be standard While India will take a while to fully embrace 5G connectivity, some states in the US have already started getting 5G connectivity. Reuters And we have already been seeing 5G variants of some flagship phones being sold by telecom operators. We can expect more smartphone makers have 5G offerings to get people excited. High-refresh rate screens High-refresh rate displays was a trend that was picked up in 2019, and people really loved it. The smooth user-experience made the phone feel faster and it was soothing to the eyes too. This year, we can expect more smartphone makers to implement this tech on their devices, Better cameras Smartphone cameras have gotten really good since the past few years, and last year, Apples iPhone 11 Pro really took it to a whole new level -- defeating even the Pixel 4 -- although that phone had its own set of issues. Reuters Another thing we saw last year was the fact that smartphone makers included lenses of different configurations to make photography better, and we can only expect that trend to continue, with so many users finding it useful. What feature are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below. All the latest updates following the US-ordered killing of Irans Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Funeral processions to honour Qassem Soleimani, head of Irans elite Quds Force who was killed in a United States air raid in Baghdad began in the Iranian city of Ahvaz early on Sunday, hours after his remains arrived from Iraq. Soleimani was killed along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi), an Iran-backed umbrella organisation comprising several militias. Several other people were also killed in Fridays attack. The move by the US has drawn condemnation from leaders and officials who fear that tensions in the region could escalate drastically. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei warned that a harsh retaliation is waiting. On Saturday, US President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites very hard if Iran attacked US citizens or assets. Sunday, January 5: Trump reiterates threat against Iran cultural sites Trump insisted on Sunday that Iranian cultural sites were fair game for the US military, dismissing concerns within his own administration that doing so would constitute a war crime under international law. The president first raised the prospect of targeting Iranian cultural sites in a tweet on Saturday where he said the US had 52 targets in its sights. Speaking to reporters as he returned to Washington from a holiday in Florida, he repeated the threat. Theyre allowed to kill our people, Trump said. Theyre allowed to torture and maim our people. Theyre allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people. And were not allowed to touch their cultural sites? It doesnt work that way. Trump threatens Iraq sanctions after lawmakers call on US troops to leave Trump threatened sanctions against Baghdad on Sunday after Iraqs parliament called on US troops to leave the country. Speaking on Air Force One, Trump said that if Iraq asked US forces to leave and it was not done on a friendly basis, we will charge them sanctions like theyve never seen before ever. Itll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame. He also said Iraq would have to pay for the cost of the airbase. We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base thats there, he said. It cost billions of dollars to build, long before my time. Were not leaving unless they pay us back for it. Nader Hashemi, the Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver told Al Jazeera Trumps comments were cause for concern. This is someone who is completely surrounded by war hawks, is driven by his ego and is in a re-election campaign, Hashemi said. I think hes calculating that this type of tough rhetoric plays well with his domestic base. France, Britain, Germany: Iran must refrain from violence and respect nuclear deal France, Britain and Germany called on Iran to refrain from any violent action and respect arrangements laid out in the JCPOA 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The three countries also highlighted the importance of de-escalating tensions in Iraq and Iran, and reaffirmed their determination to fight Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS). We reaffirm our commitment to continuing the fight against Islamic State, which remains a priority. It is essential that we keep the coalition, in this regard. We call on the Iraqi authorities to continue to supply the necessary support to the coalition, the three said in a statement. We are ready to continue talks with all parties in order to contribute to de-escalating tensions and re-establishing stability in the region. The office of French President Emmanuel Macron said he was expected to hold talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the coming days. Three rockets fall inside Baghdads Green Zone: Police sources Three Katyusha rockets fell inside the Iraqicapital Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign missions, police sources told Reuters news agency. 200105193320827 Sirens were sounded and there were no immediate reports of casualties, the sources said. Iranians and Iranian-Americans detained, questioned, refused entry to US The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said more than 60 Iranians and Iranian-Americans were detained at length and questioned at the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine, Washington. Many more were reportedly refused entry to the US due to a lack of capacity for Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to detain them, CAIR said in a post on its website. Those detained said their passports were confiscated and they were questioned about their political views and allegiances. Many were returning from an Iranian pop concert in Vancouver, Canada. A US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson dismissed as false social media posts that Iranian Americans had been detained and refused entry because of their ethnic origins. Read more here. Iran steps further back from nuclear deal, says no limits on enrichment: State TV Iran said it would further roll back its commitments to a 2015 nuclear deal with six major powers but continue to cooperate with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, according to state television. The station cited a government spokesman as saying Iran would not respect any limits set down in the pact on the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges it could use, which meant there would be no limits on its enrichment capacity, the level to which uranium could be enriched, or Irans nuclear research and development. 200105185905943 These would from now on be based on Irans technical needs. The spokesman said Irans steps could be reversed if Washington lifted its sanctions on Tehran. Read the full story here. Iran summons German diplomat over destructive Soleimani comments: State TV Iran summoned Germanys charge daffaires in Tehran to protest against destructive comments made by some German officials supporting Soleimanis killing. Iran strongly criticised inappropriate, insubstantial and destructive remarks of some German officials, Iranian state TV reported. A German government spokeswoman said on Friday that the US air strike was a response to Iranian military provocations. US army to pay price for killing Soleimani: Hezbollah chief Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the US army will pay the price for killing Soleimani and al-Muhandis. The American army killed them and it will pay the price, he said in a televised speech. The only just punishment is [to target] American military presence in the region: US military bases, US warships, each and every officer and soldier in the region, Nasrallah said. Read the full story here. Pompeo: Trump did not threaten Iranian cultural sites US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denied that Trump said he would target Iranian cultural sites if Tehran retaliated against Soleimanis killing. 200105150709628 President Trump didnt say hed go after a cultural site read what he said, Pompeo told Fox News. Trump had warned on Saturday that the US would target 52 Iranian sites, including some that were important to Iranian culture, in the event Tehran retaliates. Iraqs al-Sadr calls for humiliating US troop exit Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr said a parliamentary resolution urging on the Iraqi government to end foreign troop presence did not go far enough and called on local and foreign militia groups to unite. Al-Sadr said the Iraqi parliament resolution did not go for enough [File: Alaa al-Marjani/Reuters] I consider this a weak response insufficient against American violation of Iraqi sovereignty and regional escalation, al-Sadr, who leads the largest bloc in parliament, said in a letter. I call specifically on the Iraqi resistance groups and the groups outside Iraq more generally to meet immediately and announce the formation of the International Resistance Legions, he said. UKs Johnson faces heat for holiday silence on Iran The United Kingdoms Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to return to the UK, where he faces criticism for not cutting short his holiday to deal with soaring tensions in the Middle East. Johnson, who celebrated the New Year on the Caribbean private island of Mustique, has been silent over the killing of Soleimani. Iraqi parliament passes resolution asking govt to cancel request for US help Iraqs parliament passed a resolution asking the government to cancel a request for assistance from the US. 200104175916421 The resolution tells the Iraqi government to ensure state monopoly on weapons and to work on ending the presence of all foreign troops in Iraq. Read the full story here. Iran cancels Soleimani ceremony in Tehran after huge turnout in second city Iran has cancelled a ceremony to honour Soleimani in Tehran due to an overwhelming turnout by mourners in the second city Mashhad, the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement. Considering the glorious, intense and million-man presence of the revolutionary people of Mashhad in the ceremony to bid farewell to Islam and Irans great general Qasem Soleimani and since the program is still continuing it is not possible to hold the event in Tehran, the statement said. The statement called on people to attend a ceremony scheduled to take place at Tehran University on Monday. Ending foreign troop presence best for Iraq: PM Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi urged Parliament to take urgent measures and end the foreign troop presence as soon as possible. Despite the internal and external difficulties that we might face, it remains best for Iraq on principle and practicality, Abdul Mahdi told Parliament in a speech. Iraq says it complained to UNSC over US attack Iraq said it submitted complaints to the United Nations Security Council over the attacks on Iraq. 200105050718644 The foreign ministry said it had submitted two letters to the UN and asked the Security Council to condemn Soleimanis assassination. Pompeo: US intelligence assessment was clear on Soleimani US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended the intelligence assessment that led to the air raid against Soleimani, saying the attacks were lawful and any future strikes would also be lawful. The intelligence assessment made clear that no action allowing Soleimani to continue his plotting and his planning, his terror campaign created more risk than taking the action that we took last week, Pompeo said in an interview with ABC. Pompeo would not say whether he had been in contact with Iranian officials [File: Erin Scott/Reuters] Pompeo would not say whether he had been in contact with Iranian officials but said there was no doubt in his mind that Iran gets clearly the message from the American leadership. Weve told the Iranian regime: enough. You cant get away with using proxy forces and think your homeland will be safe and secure. Were going to respond against the actual decision-makers the people who are causing this threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pompeo said. US-led coalition pauses training and support for Iraqi security forces The US-led international coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) said it had paused its training and support of Iraqi security forces due to repeated rocket attacks on bases housing its troops. Our first priority is protecting all Coalition personnel committed to the defeat of Daesh. Repeated rocket attacks over the last two months by elements of Kataib Hezbollah have caused the death of Iraqi Security Forces personnel and a US civilian, it said in a statement. As a result, we are now fully committed to protecting the Iraqi bases that host Coalition troops. This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations against Daesh and we have therefore paused these activities, subject to continuous review. Iraq summons US envoy over violation of sovereignty: Ministry Iraqs foreign ministry said it summoned the US ambassador following repeated US air raids on Iraqi soil that killed Soleimani and al-Muahndis. The foreign ministry said the act was a flagrant breach of Iraqs sovereignty and of all international laws and norms that regulate relations between countries and prohibit the use of their lands to carry out attacks on neighbouring countries. Hezbollah leader says Soleimani killing marks new phase for region Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Soleimanis killing marked a new phase in the history of the Middle East. Referring to the date of Soleimanis killing, Nasrallah said it was a date separating two phases in the region it is the start of a new phase and a new history not just for Iran or Iraq but the whole region. Nasrallah spoke at length about the killing [Screengrab/Al Jazeera] He was speaking at the start of a rally in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon to commemorate Soleimani. Protests in Istanbul over Soleimanis killing. Protesters gathered outside the US Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey to demonstrate against Soleimanis killing. The protesters, some carrying Down with America signs and portraits of Soleimani were watched by police during the rally. Protesters gathered outside the US Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey [Lefteris Pitarakis/AP Photo] Pope calls for dialogue amid air of tension Pope Francis called for dialogue and restraint while speaking at the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican. The pope did not mention Iran by name but spoke of a terrible air of tension that could now be felt in many parts of the world. 200105053330653 I call on all sides to keep the flame of dialogue and self-restraint alight and ward off the shadow of hostility, he said. War only brings death and destruction. Crowds gather ahead of Nasrallah speech Supporters of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon have gathered south of the capital ahead of an expected speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr, reporting from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, said a ceremony is expected to start soon to commemorate Soleimani a man people in Hezbollah-controlled southern Beirut suburbs describe as a hero. Images of the architect behind Irans influence across the region, Qassem Soleimani, are everywhere in the streets of Beiruts southern suburbs, Khodr said. Mousavi: Iran will respond to any further threats Iran will respond to any further threats, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in televised remarks, hours after Trump said Washington would target Iranian sites if Tehran attacks Americans or US assets in retaliation for the killing of Soleimani. We will not remain silent against any threat, Mousavi said, adding that Iran is not pursuing war, but is prepared. These actions were against all international laws the international community should come together against this heinous act. Mousavi also said that officials in Iran planned to meet on Sunday night to discuss the next steps in exiting the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and that it would be even bigger than initially planned. In 2018, the US unilaterally withdrew from the accord and reimposed sanctions. EU invites Irans Zarif to Brussels Irans foreign minister has been invited to Brussels, with the European Union urging a de-escalation of tensions in the Gulf. The EUs foreign policy chief Josep Borrell made the offer to Mohammad Javad Zarif during a telephone call this weekend, a press release said. Spoke w Iranian FM @JZarif about recent developments. Underlined need for de-escalation of tensions, to exercise restraint & avoid further escalation. Also discussed importance of preserving #JCPOA, which remains crucial for global security. I am committed to role as coordinator. Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) January 4, 2020 Borrell invited the Iranian Foreign Minister to Brussels to continue their engagement on these matters, it said. Iran summons Swiss envoy over Trump remarks Iran summoned the Swiss envoy representing US interests in Tehran to protest against Trump saying Washington would target Iranian sites if Tehran attacks Americans or US assets in retaliation for the killing of Soleimani. Iran has once again summoned Swiss envoy over Trump's threat to target 52 Iranian sites. Iran has expressed strong protest over the threatening remarks, and said such a threat reminds one of Mongols' invasions or terrorists' destruction of cultural heritage Dorsa Jabbari (@DorsaJabbari) January 5, 2020 Israeli PM says Trump worthy of all appreciation Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump was worthy of all appreciation for ordering the killing of Soleimani. In an address to his cabinet, Netanyahu said Soleimani initiated, planned and carried out many terror attacks in the Middle East and beyond. Netanyahu said Israel stood alongside the US in its current campaign against Iran. Iraq parliament to meet in emergency session Iraqs parliament was set to convene an extraordinary session during which legislators would reportedly push for a vote on a resolution requiring the government to request the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. There is no need for the presence of American forces after defeating Daesh (ISIL), said Ammar al-Shibli, a Shia lawmaker and member of the parliamentary legal committee, according to Reuters news agency. We have our own armed forces which are capable of protecting the country, he said. Around 5,000 US troops remain in Iraq, most of them in an advisory capacity. Despite decades of enmity between Iran and the US, Iran-backed militia and US troops fought side by side during Iraqs 2014-2017 war against ISIL. Remains of Soleimani, al-Muhandis sent to Iran for DNA tests Iraqs Iran-backed PMF said that some remains of Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader al-Muhandis were sent to Iran for DNA tests to identify their corpses. In a statement, the PMF said the bodies were torn to pieces and mangled by the explosion following the US strike near Baghdads international airport on Friday. It said the test would take a few days, after which the remains of al-Muhandis will be brought back to Iraq for burial in the holy Shia city of Najaf. Iranians attend the funeral ceremony of Soleimani in the Iranian city of Ahvaz [Hossein Mersadi/EPA] Irans Minister Jahromi says Trump a terrorist in a suit Trump is a terrorist in a suit, Iranian Information and Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi said in a Twitter post. Like ISIS, Like Hitler, Like Genghis! They all hate cultures. Trump is a terrorist in a suit. He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat the Great Iranian Nation & Culture, Jahromi said. Like ISIS, like Hitler, Like Genghis! They all hate cultures. Trump is a "terrorist in a suit". He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat "the Great Iranian Nation & Culture".#HardRevenge#QasemSoleimani https://t.co/N2iQ5AMX7M MJ Azari Jahromi (@azarijahromi) January 5, 2020 UK foreign secretary speaks to Iraqi leaders, urges de-escalation British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he had spoken to Iraqs prime minister and president to urge a de-escalation of tensions in the region. Raab, who described Soleimani as a regional menace, and said he was sympathetic to the situation the US found itself in, said he also planned to speak to Irans foreign minister. There is a route through, which allows Iran to come in from out of the international cold, he told Sky News. We need to contain the nefarious actions of Iran but we also need to de-escalate and stabilise the situation. Tens of thousands mourn as Soleimanis funeral commences Tens of thousands of black-clad mourners have filled the streets of the Iranian city of Ahvaz to pay their respects to Soleimani. Authorities plan to take Soleimanis body to the holy city of Mashhad later on Sunday, as well as Tehran and the holy city of Qom on Monday for public mourning processions, then to his hometown of Kerman for burial on Tuesday. Read more here. Iranian mourners react upon the arrival of bodies of the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and the Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, at Ahvaz international airport [Hossein Mersadi/Fars news agency/Reuters] Irans Zarif says targeting cultural sites a war crime Irans Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said any decision to target the countrys cultural sites would be a war crime, hours after US President Donald Trump threatened such action. Targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME, Zarif said in a Twitter post. Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun, Zarif said. -Having committed grave breaches of int'l law in Friday's cowardly assassinations, @realdonaldtrump threatens to commit again new breaches of JUS COGENS; -Targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME; -Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 5, 2020 Iran army says US lacks courage for conflict Irans army chief said Washington lacked the courage to initiate a conflict, after Trump threatened to hit dozens of targets inside the Islamic republic. I doubt they have the courage to initiate a conflict, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. Saudi not consulted over Soleimani killing: source Saudi Arabia was not consulted over the US air raid that killed Soleimani, as the kingdom sought to defuse soaring regional tensions, a Saudi official told AFP news agency, requesting anonymity. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia was not consulted regarding the US strike, the official said. In light of the rapid developments, the kingdom stresses the importance of exercising restraint to guard against all acts that may lead to escalation, with severe consequences, the official added. Oman urges dialogue Oman has urged the US and Iran to utilise diplomatic channels to resolve issues and called on the international community to increase their efforts to achieve security and stability in the region, according to a statement carried by state media. Oman is following the unfortunate developments and the state of tension and escalation between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and calls on both sides to turn to dialogue and diplomatic channels to resolve issues, Oman news agency said. Iranian mourners carry the coffin of Soleimani at Ahvaz international airport [Hossein Mersadi/Fars news agency/Reuters] Iraqi security forces on high alert Iraqi security forces have been on high alert as they brace themselves for a potential reaction, Al Jazeeras Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Baghdad, said. Weve also heard from one leader of the militia Kataib Hezbollah, which has been deemed as a terrorist organisation by the US, that all Iraqi forces should distance themselves from US bases from Sunday onwards, Bin Javaid said. US troops are invariably based in Iraqi military posts alongside local forces. Bin Javaid said there has been a flurry of diplomatic activity to try to de-escalate the situation in the region, spearheaded by Qatars foreign minister. Soleimanis body to arrive in Mashhad Soleimanis body is due to arrive in the Iranian city of Mashhad in the next few hours, Al Jazeeras Dorsa Jabbari said, where a ceremony will be held for him at the Imam Reza shrine believed to be the holiest place in Iran. The whole country is in mourning there is a lot of anger and frustration, Jabbari said from Mashhad. Iranians want their government and their military to respond. They want revenge. Iranian mourners react over the coffin of the Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at Ahvaz international airport [Hossein Mersadi/Fars news agency/Reuters] Trump warns harsher response if Tehran retaliates President Donald Trump warned that the US would hit Iran harder than ever before if Tehran retaliates for the assassination of Soleimani. Trump wrote on Twitter: If they attack again, which I would strongly advise them not to do, we will hit them harder than they have ever been hit before! He followed up with another tweet, saying the US would use its brand new beautiful military equipment without hesitation if the Iranians retaliate. Ceremonies to honour Soleimani begin in Ahvaz Thousands of mourners gathered in Irans southwestern city of Ahvaz, where funeral processions to honour Soleimani began on Sunday morning. Footage on state television showed people dressed in black in Mollavi Square, holding flags in green, white and red depicting the blood of martyrs, while others held portraits of the slain general. Soleimanis body arrives in Iran Soleimanis remains returned to Iran on Sunday and were flown to the city of Ahvaz in the countrys southwest, the official IRIB news agency reported. Read earlier updates here. TEHRAN, Iran, Jan.5 Trend: The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced in a statement the fifth and final step in reducing Iran's commitments to JCPOA. The Islamic Republic of Iran no longer faces any restrictions on its nuclear program including enrichment capacity, percentage of enrichment, amount of enriched material, and research and development, the Iranian Government announced in a statement tonight on Sunday, Trend reports. The statement of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is as follows: The Islamic Republic of Iran, in a fifth step in reducing its commitments, sets aside the last key case of its operational limitations in JCPOA, including the "limit on the number of centrifuges". As such, the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear program no longer faces any operating restrictions including enrichment capacity, percent enrichment, amount of enriched material, and R&D. From now onward, Iran's nuclear program, is merely based on its technical needs. Iran's cooperation with the IAEA will continue. If the sanctions are lifted and Iran benefits from its interests, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to return to its obligations. The IAEA is obliged to take the necessary steps and arrangements in this context with Iran`s president. - The exiled lawyer posted a photo on Twitter indicating he was boarding a plane in Canada - Miguna Miguna is expected in Kenya on Tuesday by 9pm when he will land at JKIA - Kenyans on social media welcomed him home and wished him a safe journey Exiled combative lawyer Miguna Miguna has boarded a Canada Air plane on his way to Kenya. Miguna said he will be expected in the country on Tuesday, January 7, at around 9pm when he will land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). READ ALSO: Trump threatens to strike 52 Iranian sites should it revenge Soleimani's killing Self-proclaimed NRM general Miguna Miguna is on his way back to Kenya. Photo: Miguna Miguna Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Somali man alleged to be Betty Kyallo's new lover distances himself from news anchor Taking to Twitter on Sunday, January 5, the self-proclaimed general of the defunct National Resistance Movement (NRM) posted photos of himself at the airport with his luggage. Kenyans pitched camp on the post welcoming him into the country and wishing him a safe journey as he returns home. A major showdown is expected at JKIA as the self-declared revolutionist arrives after the government maintained he will only be allowed into the country upon provision of valid travel documents. In a promising gesture, however, President Uhuru Kenyatta recently indicated he had nothing against the exiled politician and he was free to return home. However, on Saturday, January 4, the lawyer said his car had been seized by police from a garage in Nairobi's South B estate under unclear circumstances. Miguna claimed the police may be planning to install surveillance devices on the car in a bid to monitor his movements once he lands in Kenya. 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. Source: TUKO.co.ke Paris: Global powers warn the American air strike responsible for killing Iran's top general made the world more dangerous and that escalation could set the entire Mideast aflame. Some US allies suggested Iran shared in the blame by provoking the attack. The deaths of Major-General 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 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called world capitals to defend the attack, diplomats tried to chart a way forward. Activists of the National Council of Resistance of Iran protest opposite Downing Street in London after the US killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. Credit:AP UN 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 UN 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." Christine Tyson and Liz Hay Kiwi young writer Panellists then and now The 2019 Kiwi young writer program commenced with a fresh behind the scenes team. - Coordinator Weeks 1 and 2 - Jessica McPherson Late comers chaser - Rebecca Howan Editor - Esther Koh Coordinator Week 3 - Jessical Knell Link to Christian Today - Tim Newman Jessica McPherson is from Christchurch, Rebecca Howan and Esther Koh from Wellington, Jessica Knell from Auckland and Tim Newman is from Nelson. Tim Newmans new role for New Zealand replaces the Australian link to Christian Today, another step towards a completely independent NZ young writer entity. Tim was a young writer 2014-16, earned a Masters at Canterbury Uni (Christchurch) and a journalism internship with Fairfax followed by journalist jobs in the Fairfax Group (Stuff NZ) in Invercargil (Southern Times) and now with the Nelson Times. As this new year gets underway so too it is good to look back as to whence the Kiwi program had come. The Kiwi young writers were initiated in 2012 with NZ conferences in Auckland and Christchurch 2013, and then Wellington in 2014. What were looking for now are those Kiwi young writers from 2012-17 to take the plunge of leadership in administration and establish a legal entity for the ongoing Kiwi young writers. A letter to this effect has been sent to each of them. This video was from the 2014 Wellington Kiwi young writer conference . Young people 18-30 years interested in writing for Christian Today New Zealand with your own international column please connect with Dr Mark Tronson timeout@bushorchestra.com 0419 917 713 Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand. Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html A Texas mother who has been fighting to keep her seriously ill daughter alive will have more time with her after a ruling allowing a hospital to take the girl off life support was delayed. The Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth ordered Cook Children's Medical Center to not remove 11-month-old Tinslee Lewis from life support until it makes a final ruling in the case. The appeals court did not immediately schedule any hearings in the case. Tinslee was born prematurely in February with severe medical problems including a rare heart defect called Ebstein's anomaly, chronic lung disease and severe chronic high blood pressure, that ultimately led doctors at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth to decide to pull her life support. The Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth ordered Cook Children's Medical Center to not remove 11-month-old Tinslee Lewis from life support until it makes a final ruling in the case Tinslee was born prematurely in February with severe medical problems including a rare heart defect called Ebstein's anomaly, chronic lung disease and severe chronic high blood pressure, that ultimately left doctors at Cook Children's Medical Center deciding to pull her life support. Tinslee pictured with mom Trinity Lewis Before this, a judge had ruled Thursday to remove her from life support, siding with doctors who decided to end her care, saying the child was in pain, is not forecast to improve, and will likely die within the next six months. Trinity Lewis had asked Judge Sandee Bryan Marion to issue an injunction in Tarrant County district court. Kimberlyn Schwartz, a spokeswoman for Texas Right to Life, an anti-abortion group that's advocating for Tinslee, said her organization was 'grateful and relieved' the appeals court had granted the emergency stay. She said the court's action would give her group more time to contact doctors and hospitals who could treat Tinslee. 'This gives us so much hope for Tinslee,' Schwartz said. 'This is a prayer answered.' A spokeswoman for Cook Children's Medical Center did not immediately return an email seeking comment Friday evening. In her decision, Judy Sandee Bryan Marion said the seven-day period would give the girl's mother time to file a notice of appeal and a motion for emergency relief with the state court of appeals. According to the hospital, Tinslee went into respiratory arrest in early July and has been attached to a ventilator every since and requires full respiratory and cardiac support, deep sedation and to be medically paralyzed. The hospital said doctors believe she's suffering. Judge Sandee Bryan Marion ruled Thursday to remove Tinslee from life support, a decision the family says they plan to appeal 'I feel frustrated because anyone in that courtroom would want more time just like I do if Tinslee were their baby,' mom Trinity Lewis said on Thursday's decision Hospital officials have said they reached out to more than 20 facilities to see if one would take Tinslee, but all agreed that further care is futile Doctors at the Fort Worth hospital had planned to remove Tinslee from life support on November 10 after invoking the '10-day rule', which can be employed when a family disagrees with doctors when they agree life-sustaining treatment should be stopped. The law stipulates that if the hospital's ethics committee agrees with doctors, treatment can be withdrawn after 10 days if a new provider can't be found to take the patient. Hospital officials have said they reached out to more than 20 facilities to see if one would take Tinslee, but all agreed that further care is futile. Groups including Texas Right to Life have also been trying to find a facility to take her. In a hearing last month Trinity Lewis said she believed her daughter would continue to fight for her life. She described her daughter as 'sassy' and says she has a sense of the girl's likes and dislikes. Tinslee enjoys the animated musical Trolls and cries when it ends, the mother said. She added that Tinslee doesn't like to have her hair brushed. 'I want to be the one to make the decision for her,' Lewis said about removing her daughter from life support. At the hearing last month, Dr. Jay Duncan, one of Tinslee's physicians, described the girl's complex conditions and Cook Children's efforts to treat her, which have included about seven surgeries and three open heart operations. The cardiac intensive care doctor said that for the first five months of Tinslee's life doctors had hope she might one day at least be able to go home. But Duncan said there came a point when doctors determined they had run out of surgical and clinical options, and that treatment was no longer benefiting Tinslee. Duncan said last month that the girl would likely die within half a year, and noted the hospital has made 'extraordinary' efforts to find another facility for her. 'She is in pain. Changing a diaper causes pain. Suctioning her breathing tube causes pain. Being on the ventilator causes pain,' Dr. Jay Duncan, one of Tinslee's physicians at Cook Children's hospital in Fort Worth (above), said at a hearing last month 'She is in pain. Changing a diaper causes pain. Suctioning her breathing tube causes pain. Being on the ventilator causes pain,' he said. Duncan said there had been 'many, many' conversations with Tinslee's family about her dire condition. 'We care a lot about Tinslee,' Duncan said. 'We care a lot about her family.' Tarrant County Juvenile Court Judge Alex Kim issued a temporary restraining order to stop the removal of life support on November 10. But Kim was removed from the case after the hospital filed a motion questioning his impartiality and saying he had bypassed case-assignment rules to designate himself as the presiding judge. After his removal, Judge Marion, who is chief justice of Texas' Fourth Court of Appeals, was assigned to hear the request for an injunction in Tarrant County district court. Cook Children's said hospital officials had been talking to Tinslee's family for months about concerns for her long-term survival. By August, the hospital said, everyone on the girl's care team agreed that further care was futile and by September they had begun talking to the family about withdrawing life support. With the doctors and her family still unable to resolve their differences, the ethics committee met October 30 and unanimously decided further treatment was inappropriate. Activists take part in a demonstration, after a British woman was found guilty of faking a rape claim, outside the Famagusta courthouse in Cyprus yesterday. Photo: Yiannis Kourtoglou Dominic Raab has said the UK government is "careful" of aggravating authorities in Cyprus ahead of the sentencing of a British teenager convicted of lying about being gang-raped. The British Foreign Secretary conveyed concerns to his Cypriot counterpart over the treatment of the 19-year-old woman, who was found guilty of public mischief. But Mr Raab, appearing on Sky's Ridge On Sunday, warned that the case now needs to be handled "very sensitively" to prevent doing anything "counter-productive" between now and the teenager's sentencing on Tuesday. It comes as one of the 12 Israeli youths accused of taking part in the gang-rape has vowed to pursue the young woman through the courts for compensation. Mr Raab told Sky: "I have conveyed our concerns about her treatment and the case to my Cypriot opposite number. "I did that on Friday, and I also have also spoken to the young lady's mother to see what more support we can provide to her. "So we also need to be careful that we don't do anything which aggravates the situation between now (and) the date of sentencing, which is on Tuesday. "But the concerns that we have and that I have, have been squarely and firmly and categorically registered with the Cypriot authorities." The teenager said 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 was charged and the dozen young men, aged between 15 and 20, who were arrested over the incident were freed after she signed a retraction statement 10 days later. She maintains she was raped but forced to change her account under pressure from Cypriot police. The teenager could face up to a year in jail and a 1,700 fine upon sentence after being found guilty of public mischief at Famagusta District Court, in Paralimni. On what he would do if he felt there had been a miscarriage of justice, Mr Raab said Cyprus was "sensitive" about perceived political interference. Mr Raab said on Sunday: "We don't control the Cypriot justice system, they're very sensitive in Cyprus about perceived political interference, but there are clear questions around the due process, the fair trial, safeguards that have applied in this case." He said the "first priority" is to see the teenager released, adding: "So that's what we're doing and we obviously need to handle this case very sensitively to make sure we don't do anything counter-productive." The UK Foreign Office previously issued a statement 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". One of the men accused of taking part in the gang-rape, Yona Golub, told The Mail On Sunday that the group were "preparing to sue her". "We deserve compensation for what we went through. I don't know how much I should get," he told the newspaper. "They need to put her in prison and only afterwards should they deal with the compensation." The 18-year-old claims he was in a different hotel room, but was arrested because he was on holiday with two friends who had been in the same room. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 23:26:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Brunei's total fertility rate (TFR) is the third lowest after Singapore and Thailand in the region, according to a report by the World Bank. According to local daily the Borneo Bulletin on Sunday, Brunei's TFR dropped to 1.7 percent per woman in 2018 compared to 1.8 percent in 2017, 2016 and 2015. Eight years ago (2012), the rate was 1.907 percent. TFR is the average number of babies born per woman throughout her reproductive life. As more Bruneian women join the workforce, the number of children likely to be born decreases, the daily reported, quoting local experts' words. They said the low fertility rate is mainly due to couples marrying late in life, and the rising cost of living, especially when it comes to the cost of raising children. New Delhi [India], Jan 6 (ANI): The Coordination Committee of the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University on Monday condemned the attack on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students including its students' union President Aishe Ghosh. The Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC) in its letter accused the ABVP workers of the violence in the JNU campus. "At 7 pm today reports of masked men and women entering the Jawaharlal University Campus emerged. JNUSU president, Aishe Ghosh was brutally beaten up by masked ABVP goons inside the university premises, along with thousands of students. Reports also emerged of women trapped inside the hostels being attacked by these masked goons with acid. Pictures of these masked goons carrying not just iron rods but other deadly weapons have also emerged," the press note by JCC read. Further, the JCC demanded registration of an FIR in this regard and action against the perpetrators of violence in the JNU campus. "We demand that the goons who unleashed terror in Jawaharlal Nehru University be identified and a First Information Report (FIR) be initiated immediately against them," it added. Through the press note, the JCC said that they held talks with the Delhi Police PRO and two delegations from the university would visit the JNU campus and the AIIMS trauma centre, where the injured students are receiving treatment. Earlier on Sunday evening, more than 18 students, including JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh, were injured and taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the JNU and attacked them and professors with sticks and rods. The JNU administration and political leaders, cutting across political lines, had condemned the attack on students and urged the police to take action against the perpetrators of violence. (ANI) Police in the southern Vietnamese province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau have launched an investigation into a case where one person was killed and six others injured after the ceiling of a local nightclub collapsed onto them during renovation work. The accident occurred at King Night Club in Ba Ria City on Friday afternoon, Nguyen Tien Phuong, an official from the municipal Party Committee, confirmed at a press meeting on Saturday. The deceased victim was identified as Pham Kim Linh, 28, who hailed from the north-central province of Thanh Hoa. Six other people were injured, of whom three suffered broken arms, legs, and head injuries. King Night Club following the accident where a ceiling collapsed on renovation workers on December 3, 2019. Photo: Dong Ha / Tuoi Tre According to preliminary information, the club was granted with an operating permit from the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Planning and Investments in 2011. The venue was shut down in August 2019 for renovation. On the day of the incident, a group of workers were installing the lighting system to prepare for the reopening when the ceiling collapsed. A collapsed roof of the King Night Club in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam is pictured on December 4, 2019. Photo: Dong Ha / Tuoi Tre Firefighting officers later arrived at the location to bring the victims out of the rubble and take them to the hospital for emergency treatment. Several reporters said they were threatened by hostile men when they tried to film and take photos of the incident. Further investigation is ongoing. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Samsung's next Unpacked event, where it usually unveils its flagship devices, may be just over a month away. An unreleased promo video unearthed by Twitter user @water8192, This is Tech Today and Max Weinbach of XDA Developers teases the launch of a new Galaxy device -- or devices, if the two quadrilateral shapes in the teaser are a hint of what's to come -- on February 11th, 2020. Like the previous Unpacked shows before it, the event will have a live broadcast you can stream through Samsung's website. Samsung Unpacked leaked promo. Unpacked is confirmed for 2/11/20 pic.twitter.com/nQeT6i4aRp Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) January 4, 2020 The tech giant is expected to reveal Galaxy S10's successor at the next Unpacked. While one might naturally come to the conclusion that it's going to be called the S11, a rumor that came out in December suggested a very different name. Apparently, there's a chance that the next Galaxy S flagship phone will be called the "S20," so it would align with the current year. Samsung refused to confirm the event when we asked, but we'll keep you posted if we hear anything official. The government is unlikely to announce capital infusion for the public sector banks (PSBs) in the upcoming Budget and will rather encourage them to expedite recovery of bad loans and raise funds from the market. Besides, sources said, banks may also look for divesting or selling their non-core business as part of fund raising exercise during 2020-21. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to present the second budget of the Modi 2.0 government on February 1. According to sources, banks have robust pipeline of recovery from the resolution of both NCLT and non-NCLT cases during this calender year and also headroom for raising capital from the market. The provision coverage ratio of public sector banks is at a 7-year high of 76.6 per cent. In some of the non-performing assets, banks have done provisions up to 100 per cent, sources said, adding that recovery from those account will straightaway form part of the bottomline. Share price of some of the banks are firming up which provide them opportunity to dilute government holding, sources said. Country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has already initiated the process of diluting its stake in its subsidiaries SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd and UTI Mutual Fund. It is looking to sell 50 lakh shares representing 1.01 per cent stake in the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Similar exercise is being undertaken by other state-owned lenders as well in an effort to raise capital. In addition, the government has already front loaded Rs 68,855 crore, out of Rs 70,000 crore earmarked for capital infusion for the current fiscal, to take care of the mega-merger plan announced in August, 2019. Among all four anchor banks -- Punjab National Bank was given Rs 16,091 crore, Union Bank of India Rs 11,768 crore, Canara Bank Rs 6,571 crore and Indian Bank Rs 2,534 crore. Merging entities like Allahabad Bank was provided Rs 2,153 crore, United Bank of India 1,666 crore and Andhra Bank Rs 200 crore. Besides, Bank of Baroda got a capital infusion of Rs 7,000 crore, Indian Overseas Bank Rs 4,360 crore, UCO Bank Rs 2142 crore, Punjab & Sind Bank 787 crore and Central Bank of India Rs 3,353 crore. LIC-controlled IDBI Bank too received additional capital of Rs 4,557 crore through the first supplementary demands for grants approved by Parliament last month. With the deadline of March 31 to complete other regulatory requirements, the merged entity will come into existence beginning next fiscal. Alternative Mechanism of Government of India gave in principle approval for merger of United Bank of India and Oriental Bank of Commerce with Punjab National Bank, making the proposed entity the second largest public sector bank (PSB). Syndicate Bank will be merged with Canara Bank, while Allahabad Bank will be amalgamated with Indian Bank. Similarly, Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank will be consolidated with Union Bank of India. The government remains committed to maintain financial health of public sector banks and it will provide capital in case if the need arises in the future, sources added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Military deployed as communities assess damage from Saturdays ferocious blazes and temperatures expected to rise again. Fire threats eased in parts of southeast Australia on Sunday after a horror day of blazes that killed one man and forced thousands to evacuate, but authorities warned several fires were still burning at emergency levels and hot weather was set to return. As the immediate danger passed, authorities began assessing the damage from the blazes that swept across the states of eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales (NSW) on Saturday. Tens of thousands of homes remained without power as a large-scale military and police effort continued to provide supplies and evacuate people who have been trapped for days by the fires in coastal towns. The Rural Fire Service said 150 fires remained active in the state, 64 of them uncontrolled. Its not something we have experienced before, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. The weather activity were seeing, the extent and spread of the fires, the speed at which theyre [moving], the way they are attacking communities that have never seen fire is unprecedented, she said. She said the extent of the bushfire season was the largest in living memory, and many experts have been around much longer than I have, who fought fires and observed circumstances. All agree were in uncharted territory. The latest death occurred at Batlow in NSW, where a 47-year-old man died on Saturday night while defending the home of a friend from the flames. NSW police said the man was found unconscious in a vehicle and could not be revived. A satellite image provided by NASA shows smoke billowing from fires raging on Australias southeast coast on Saturday [NASA via AP Photo] Earlier, a father and son who were battling flames for two days died on a highway on Kangaroo Island, off South Australia state. Authorities identified them as Dick Lang, a 78-year-old bush pilot and outback safari operator, and his 43-year-old son, Clayton. Their family said their deaths left them heartbroken and reeling from this double tragedy. Military deployed The weather conditions have improved in New South Wales and Victoria but there are still many fires raging and theres a significant firefighting effort continuing, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a news conference on Sunday. Morrison announced the government would set up a national bushfire recovery agency, headed by former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin, which would provide support payments to small businesses and help repair damaged infrastructure. The fires, which have been raging since September, have killed at least 24 people, burned about five million hectares (12.35 million acres) of land and been catastrophic for the countrys wildlife. Reporting from Batemans Bay, Al Jazeeras Jessica Washington said even with the reduction in temperatures and some rain, the fire risk remained high. The situation is still incredibly dangerous, she said. This is an issue, which will go on for some weeks ahead. Theres just been a town along the south coast between Victoria and New South Wales evacuated so its still a volatile situation. Experts say climate change has exacerbated the situation with many regions of Australia already bone dry from a three-year drought. Morrison has been criticised for his repeated refusal to say climate change is affecting the fires, instead deeming them a natural disaster. Were putting more Defence Force boots on the ground, more planes in the sky, more ships to sea, and more trucks to roll in to support the bushfire fighting effort and recovery as part of our co-ordinated response to these terrible #bushfires pic.twitter.com/UiOeYB2jnv Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 4, 2020 For the first time in Australias history, 3,000 army, navy and air force reservists have been called up to join the battle against the fires. Morrison also committed almost $14m to lease four fire-fighting aircraft for the duration of the crisis. But criticism of Morrisons leadership continues. Some at the forefront of the fight said they had been caught off-guard by the prime ministers decision. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, who is leading the fight in NSW, said he learned of the deployment of reservists through media reports. Yachts shrouded in smoke shrouds at Batemans Bay in southern New South Wales as fires closed in on the community on Saturday [Dean Lewins/AAP Image via Reuters] It is fair to say it was disappointing and some surprise to hear about these things through public announcements in the middle of what was one of our worst days this season with the second-highest number of concurrent emergency warning fires ever in the history of New South Wales, he said. Morrison was also forced to defend a video posted on social media on Saturday, which promoted the deployment of reservists and the governments response to the wildfires. The non-partisan Australia Defence Association said the video breached rules around political advertising. Party-political advertising milking ADF [Australian Defence Force] support to civil agencies fighting bushfires is a clear breach of the non-partisanship convention applying to both the ADF and ministers/MPs, the association said. In a tweet, Morrison said: The video message simply communicates the Governments policy decisions and the actions the Government is undertaking to the public. Lasers danced across a teetering steel structure and poi dancers swirled fluorescent batons. At the foot of this spectacle was a ringmaster artist and DJ Valeriy Korshunov, clad in a gold cape sending a trance soundtrack whirling into the tainted air. It was as if Burning Man, or at least a part of Glastonbury, had landed in this unlikely festival site the Duga radar in Chernobyls exclusion zone. Korshunovs company Artefacts aim was to create the largest digital sculpture in the world, and in doing so, he put on this radioactive rave. On the face of it a resistible offer, something powerful propelled me into this tainted space to witness Korshunovs sinister but sublime son et lumiere on the vast metal frame. A danse macabre it might have been, but Korshunovs post-fallout piece is part of a national florescence. Ukraine, Europes second poorest country, is presenting itself anew to the world and one can make the case that 2019 has seen the emergence of cool Ukrainia (as it turns out, its country branding was inspired by the UKs efforts). With EU accession on the cards, Ukraine is having a cultural moment that repudiates the world of fake news, associated with the old Soviet overlords and their supporters. She recently shared a very vulnerable post on social media where she expressed her feelings on what it's like to be scrutinized on social media. And on Saturday, model Hailey Bieber was spotted looking somewhat reflective on her way to a hair salon appointment in West Hollywood, California. The wife of Justin Bieber looked wintry chic in a roomy, cream-colored sheepskin coat, which she paired with light-washed denim jeans. Time for herself: On Saturday, model Hailey Bieber was spotted looking somewhat reflective on her way to a hair salon appointment in West Hollywood Hailey, 23, also donned fabulous footwear for the day outing; a pair of plush strappy leopard print sandals. She hid her eyes behind rounded gold-rimmed glasses, and wore thick small gold hoops in her ears. Bieber, who is the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin, had her highlighted blond hair up in a casual bun, and she carried a quilted black leather purse with a gold buckle. The day before, the Tucson, Arizona-born fashion model took to her Instagram account to share her thoughts on what it feels like to be 'torn apart' on social media. Keeping warm: The wife of Justin Bieber looked wintry chic in a roomy, cream-colored sheepskin coat, which she paired with light-washed denim jeans Fab: Hailey also donned fabulous footwear for the day outing; a pair of plush strappy leopard print sandals Alongside a scenic photo of crystal clear water on a beautiful, sunny day, she explained what she experiences online. 'Instagram, Twitter etc is SUCH a breeding ground for cruelty towards each other,' the model wrote. 'And because people dont take the time to connect with each other on an honest level before they resort to hatred, it starts to damage what could be really beautiful human interaction and connection.' Though she would like to rise above, Hailey shared that the slew of online hate does indeed get to her. Writing: 'I could sit here all day and say the hate doesnt bug me, that the words that are said dont affect me. But NEWS FLASH: it hurts to be torn apart on the internet!!!' She began the post by explaining how much she loves connecting with other people. 'I would say my most favorite part of existing is human connection. I absolutely love connecting with other people,' Hailey wrote. 'I love finding common interests between me and others, hearing peoples story, I love laughing with others, and I love crying with others. I feel so very very deeply.' Feathered: Hailey later Insta-storied a BTS snap for a YSL shoot and tagged her glam squad - hairstylist Bryce Scarlett, make-up artist Adam Burrell, and stylist Maeve Reilly Vulnerable: Hailey's emotional and frank post from Friday It's due to her deep feelings and empathy she believes she takes hurt and hate so deeply. 'I do my best to expose my heart which means I love freely and I empathize deeply, and because of that I also hurt very easily when I feel like people dont see my heart and see me for who I am and the reason Im even sharing this.' 'I share this only because it weighs often on my heart and because its important to be honest about how these things affect us mentally and emotionally,' she also shared. Hailey hoped to help others by opening up about her experience and wished everyone a Happy New Year and a hope to 'connect more in 2020.' Thursday Dec. 26: Time for radical improvement Friday Dec. 27: Learning from others and our own past Sunday Dec. 29: Road map to transformation Monday Dec. 30: A call to action Tell us what you think about HISD: What works? What doesnt? What needs to change? Please use this online form to send letters to the editor. To access the form, point your browser to houstonchronicle.com/opinion/submit. The editorials call for an emphasis on the basics: good teachers, good school leaders, wrap around services that tend to emotional and social needs of students - and a functioning school board that puts children first. Laudable goals to be sure, and certainly necessary. Where, however, is the goal or effort to get parents intimately involved in the education of their children? Studies have proven that when parents show interest, demand school performance, positively interact with teachers and administrators and are actually a part of their childrens education, the child performs above average. Too many parents, regardless of socioeconomic status, have children and turn the responsibility of educating them over to the school system. Without a goal and a plan to encourage parental involvement, the road map will be a pathway that leads HISD exactly to where it is today. Kenneth G Campbell, Cypress Given the comments on the lack of management skills for principals in the Road Map to Transformation column, an ongoing management training program for current and future principals and administrators is in order. The University of Houston Bauer College of Business provides ongoing development programs for executives, managers and high-potential employees for very large global to smaller local organizations. These organizations see the value in developing leadership talent. HISD should as well. Many of the programs offered by Bauer and other business colleges are customized to fit the organizations specific needs. Based on the current HISD need, a program could be developed rather quickly that would start with several one or two-day sessions on finance, budgeting and leadership. These could be followed with one or two-day sessions each month to further develop talent in areas such as human resources, project management, data analytics, management information systems and so on. Gary Randazzo, Spring In every aspect of life when individuals have choices, customer service must be at its best, access to the services that the entity provides must be transparent and continuously monitored. HISD had done an excellent job at some campuses yet the district as a whole is not performing. It is time to listen and align consistently to meet the needs of the children. Wrap around services are awesome, yet the individuals must understand the dynamics of the community. District content leaders should go back to aligning feeder patterns. I have seen a middle school experience amazing leaps and bounds with children, but the high school not adapt and communicate to ensure continuity at the next step. Shawn Rushing, Houston No matter who is sitting at the HISD dais in 2020 whether elected trustees or TEA appointed they should focus on several key issues that our dysfunctional board failed to accomplish over their past two years together. First, they must create a culture of professional governance where decisions are squarely focused on improving students abilities to read and do math at least on grade level, and graduate college- or career-ready. Second, they should provide a definition of equity for HISD one that not only guides resource allocation of dollars to campuses, but also the distribution of high-quality teachers and principals, programmatic and ancillary supports, and more. They should hire a third party to conduct an equity audit of the district based on their definition to have a baseline and set measurable goals, and urge the TEA that whoever is hired as permanent superintendent has a leadership philosophy aligned with their definition. Third, from the board down to every campus, there must be significant improvements in informing and engaging community members and parents through the use of both translation services/devices and meaningful small-scale interactions. HISD is one of the largest, most diverse districts in the country and has a sizable non-English speaking population, and many current communication strategies and opportunities leave too many families out. While these measures wont solve every problem in HISD, they would build on its strengths (such as its growing wraparound services) and lay the foundation for stability, long-term strategic planning and harnessing the support of more stakeholders to help HISDs kids. Jennifer Moren Cross, Bellaire You are not serving your readers or the citizens of Houston with your continued blind faith support of the TEA takeover of HISD. How could you print an editorial comparing HISDs graduation numbers to Fort Worth but fail to mention that overall, Fort Worth is an inferior school district and their graduates are less prepared? According to the Texas Education Agencys 2019 accountability ratings, Fort Worth has an overall C (79) rating compared to HISDs B (88) rating and 53 percent of Fort Worths graduates meet college, career and military readiness standards versus HISDs 63 percent. Then there is the difference in STAAR performance. Only 67 percent of Fort Worth students approach grade level or better versus HISDs 72 percent. Any lay person reading your editorial would have incorrectly come away with the impression that Fort Worth ISD was far superior to HISD. You and I dont have to agree about the TEA takeover, but you have a journalistic obligation to present the facts accurately. We are losing our democratically elected school board. No American should ever take this concept lightly let alone unconditionally welcome it. Ann Eagleton, Houston Step 1: Review the entire HISD non-academic organization chart. Compress it, eliminate levels of Assistant Associate Deputy Directors. Step 2: Open Forums held at least once a week in one corner of the district. Step 3: Begin study of what it will take to establish in-district boarding schools. This is not an if, this is a do. Bob Choate, Houston Please reconsider your position in this matter. Please ask major college experts to examine the reading grade level of the many STAAR tests issued by TEA since the beginning of STAAR from ELA tests to other core tests. Please let these experts provide best-expert facts/estimates as to whether TEA and its for-profit test companies have inflated the STAAR tests above and beyond tested grade level, even now the STAAR reading tests. Please also examine the policy extremism of using the alleged failures of some students to stain and ruin the records of other students and staff/districts and the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who profit. Please also examine the mass budget cuts, mass Chapter 313 diversions of funds to foundation funds of wealthy school districts all the while denying, reducing, and denying medical care for the poor in Texas. How in the world would going on bended knee to the TEA (the same ones who long-denied special education care and the Texas politicians who have long denied medical care for the poor) help these children of HISD? Jerry Brown, Dayton HISD already performs well by Texas standards. Overall, it is rated higher than or within a single point of the other five largest districts. If the Chronicles Editorial Board is going to tout DISD and FWISD as models for HISD then you shouldnt cherry-pick statistics. TEA has not demonstrated that they have the expertise to provide valuable input on improving student outcomes. Despite this lack of credibility, Board of Managers candidates must be indoctrinated into TEAs mindset on good governance through an immersive two-day training. TEAs focus on student outcomes, narrowly defined as what students know and can do, creates a greater focus on flawed measures such as standardized test scores instead of meaningful alternatives that emphasize socioemotional wellness. Black students and teachers require intentional research-based cultural interventions. To seriously address challenges at schools like Wheatley means to make socioemotional supports for Black students and teachers an explicit district priority. Magnet schools are HISDs unavoidable third rail. To talk about magnet schools as one of the districts opportunities for expansion without acknowledging the intimate connection of challenges like transportation, teacher retention, student achievement and student achievement is at best misleading. To privilege magnet schools in talks of reform is at best foolish. The community and media must identify and uplift credible organizations, individuals and institutions that can provide input to whatever body governs HISD in the future. Students must be an integral part of this work and the Board of Managers age requirement undermines their potential involvement. Jaison Oliver, Houston The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration on Sunday said masked miscreants armed with sticks were roaming around on the campus, damaging property and attacking people, prompting it to call the police to maintain law and order. After violence broke out on the campus Sunday evening, JNU registrar Pramod Kumar said in a statement, "This is an urgent message for the entire JNU community that there is a law and order situation on the campus. Masked miscreants armed with sticks are roaming around, damaging property and attacking people. The JNU Administration has called the police to maintain order." "This is the moment to remain calm and be on the alert.... Efforts are already being made to tackle the miscreants," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oppn leaders spreading confusion on our toll-free number for supporting CAA: BJP India pti-PTI New Delhi, Jan 05: The BJP on Sunday claimed opposition parties are spreading confusion over a toll free number it has issued to seek people's support on the amended Citizenship Act, and asserted that it has undertaken a positive exercise to spread awareness about the law. The BJP hit out at opposition parties after several memes and misleading posts emerged on social media about the number (8866288662). Hours after BJP president Amit Shah said rumours were being spread about the number and noted that it belonged to his party and not to Netflix, as claimed in some posts, the party held a press conference to slam those spreading confusion over it. Noting that vulgar claims are also being made, such as people can speak to lonely girls by dialling this number, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the exercise should not be reduced to ridicule. 'Opposition leaders are doing politics over such a positive step,' Patra said, adding that the BJP has worked to fix a decades-old issue like citizenship for persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries by enacting the CAA. The BJP leader also hit out at Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan over his tweets targeting the Modi government and the RSS. Its 'Hermit' Sambit Patra vs BJD heavyweight Pinaki Mishra in Puri Khan heads country called 'terroristan', Patra said, adding that he has been ranting against India and misleading people due to his frustration after surgical strikes. The BJP spokesperson also took objection to Congress leader Rashid Alvi's reported remarks that Modi and Khan have been promoting each other as part of a conspiracy and asked the Congress to explain if this was the party's official stand. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has approved the allocation of portfolios as proposed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said on Sunday. The list of portfolios to be allocated to ministers was sent to the governor on Saturday evening, state NCP chief Jayant Patil earlier said. The governor has approved the allocation of portfolios, a spokesperson of the Raj Bhavan said. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government is facing criticism from the opposition BJP for delay in the allocation of portfolios despite being in power for over a month now. Chief Minister Thackeray and six of his council members - two each from the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress - took oath on November 28. Thackeray expanded his month-old ministry on December 30 by inducting 36 ministers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boris Johnson has been accused of sunning himself, drinking vodka martinis in the Caribbean instead of dealing with the Iran crisis, in a withering Labour attack. Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, spoke out as it emerged that the prime minister will not return to work until Monday almost two weeks after he flew to the paradise island of Mustique. She pointed out that Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, had been left to chair three emergency Cobra meetings about the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, in Mr Johnsons absence. Hes sunning himself, drinking vodka martinis somewhere else, and not paying attention to this, Ms Thornberry told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme. In a separate newspaper article, the Labour leadership contender suggested the prime minister was staying silent because he was afraid of angering Trump. Recommended Tory foreign secretary backs Trump over assassination of Iran general The attack came as Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, admitted Mr Johnson would not be back in play until Monday, after flying back over the weekend from the luxury break with Carrie Symonds, his girlfriend. Mr Raab insisted he had been in constant contact, to discuss the crisis, adding: What really matters is that there is a very clear strategy and message. There has not been a vacuum at all the prime minister has been in charge, he told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show. In the interview, Ms Thornberry warned of a lurch towards war because of Donald Trumps reckless decision to kill the Iranian general, moments after Mr Raab gave the UKs backing. 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 She said she sheds no tears for the military leader but added it was not making the world safer, warning British interests in region are now vulnerable. To take him out at this stage, when there has been escalating tensions, seems to me to be not making the world safer, actually we are taking a major lurch towards war, Ms Thornberry said. And we are doing that because the president is reckless and hasnt thought through what it is he is doing. But it seems to me quite clear that the Iranians are going to counter-attack and it means that our interests, our people, our forces are, of course, under threat. The shadow foreign secretary also pointed to Mr Trumps failure to notify the UK before carrying out the fatal drone strike on Friday, as evidence of Londons lack of influence. He didn't even tell us before he agreed for this man to be killed in Baghdad, she said. They breached Iraqi sovereignty in order to kill the head of the defence forces for Iran. "There will be great pressure on the Iraqis to say to the Americans and to the British and to the other western allies that have been trying to help them fight Isis that they should leave, and so I think that it makes the whole area much more unstable, much more dangerous. Nationwide, more than two dozen people have been killed with about 2,000 homes destroyed by the blazes, which have so far scorched an area twice the size of the U.S. state of Maryland. Boris Johnson has called for a de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East Boris Johnson last night broke his silence on Iran, saying Britain 'will not lament' the death of Qassem Soleimani. The Prime Minister said the assassinated general had played a role in the deaths of thousands of innocent people and was a 'threat to all our interests'. But he also appealed to both Donald Trump and Iran for calm, urging both sides to encourage de-escalation. His first comments came as: Britain's fight against Islamic State was in chaos after it was forced to abandon its training mission in Iraq; Iraq's parliament voted to boot out all US-led forces 400 British troops are in the country training local units; Iran declared it would tear up the 2015 nuclear non-proliferation pact; Tehran also threatened to force the US out of the Middle East; Its Hezbollah allies said that US soldiers would return home in coffins; Mr Trump warned any Iranian attacks could face a 'disproportionate' response; Hundreds of thousands flooded the streets of Tehran to mourn Soleimani; British tourists in Egypt were warned by the Foreign Office they could be at risk. Iran has vowed to avenge the death of Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone strike in Baghdad on Friday. Washington says he was the architect of Iran's proxy wars across the Middle East and behind the deaths of hundreds of Americans in roadside bombings and other attacks. Mr Trump issued a series of explosive tweets yesterday, threatening all-out war against the Iranian regime and boasted of the military arsenal at his disposal. Referring to Iranian promises of retaliation published on social media, the US President tweeted: 'These media posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!' Soleimani (left), the architect of Tehran's overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, was killed on Friday in a US drone strike (President Trump right) on his convoy at Baghdad airport Soleimani's body was returned to Iran on Sunday. People are seen carrying his casket upon arrival at Ahvaz International Airport in Tehran. The casket was greeted by chants of 'Death to America' as Iran issued new threats of retaliation Iranians surround a vehicle carrying the coffin of Qasem Soleimani in the city of Mashhad, in northeastern Iran Mr Johnson flew back from his holiday on the private island of Mustique yesterday, having ignored calls to return home early to deal with the crisis. After landing in London, he held talks with Mr Trump, France's president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel. The PM said in a statement: 'General Qassem Soleimani posed a threat to all our interests and was responsible for a pattern of disruptive, destabilising behaviour. 'Given the leading role he has played in actions that have led to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians and western personnel, we will not lament his death. 'It is clear however that all calls for retaliation or reprisals will simply lead to more violence in the region and they are in no one's interest.' He urged all sides to encourage de-escalation and said the UK had taken steps to boost the security of UK personnel and interests in the region. Chaos as UK troops abandon their anti-IS missions in Iraq By Larisa Brown for the Daily Mail Britain's fight against Islamic State was in chaos last night after it was forced to abandon its training mission in Iraq. Soldiers teaching local forces how to fight the militants were ordered to guard their bases instead amid fears that Iran could launch an attack in revenge for the killing of General Qassem Soleimani. Iraqs parliament also voted to boot out all US-led forces in response to the drone strike. If the vote is approved by the government, thousands of foreign troops including British soldiers, would be forced to leave, crippling the battle against the militants. Prime minister Adil Abdul Mahdi said it was time for American troops to leave for the sake of our national sovereignty. The British government urged Iraq to allow UK soldiers to continue their training mission. More than 200 are stationed at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, alongside American and German troops. Others are deployed in Erbil, northern Iraq, and there are a handful at two locations in Baghdad. Announcing the suspension of the training, a statement from the US-led mission against Islamic State cited rocket attacks in Iraq that were threatening the safety of coalition personnel. It added: As a result we are now fully committed to protecting the Iraqi bases that host coalition troops. Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood said: This training suspension must not be permanent because it simply undermines the military efforts and huge resources put in to tackling Islamic State. This would lead to another reign of terror which will have repercussions far beyond the Middle East. Advertisement Ministers will meet today to discuss the situation and the National Security Council will gather later in the week. Parliament will be updated when it returns from recess on Tuesday. Iran's nuclear announcement effectively ends its remaining commitments to a deal it agreed with Barack Obama. It said it would no longer observe restrictions on uranium enrichment or on research and development. The statement noted that the steps could be reversed if Washington lifted its sanctions on Tehran. The announcement came hours after hundreds of thousands of took to the streets to mourn Soleimani and chant 'death to America'. The general's remains were carried through the cities of Ahvaz and Mashhad, ahead of a burial in his home town of Kerman tomorrow. One organiser for a funeral procession called on all Iranians to donate $1 each 'in order to gather an $80million bounty on President Trump's head'. In a major blow for the fight against Islamic State, Iraq's parliament met for an emergency session yesterday and vowed to expel the 5,000 US troops in the country. The vote still needs the approval of the Iraqi government, which has allowed a US-led presence to help combat the terror group. It had the backing of prime minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, who said it was 'time for American troops to leave'. The US-led coalition announced its troops had suspended training in order to focus on protecting bases from Iranian attacks. Iran has issued a series of threats against the Americans, with the foreign minister warning that the days of US troops in the region were over. Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted: 'Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun.' Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned in a televised address that US troops would pay the price for the killing of Soleimani by returning home in coffins. Iranian lawmakers chant anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans to protest against the US killing of Iranian top general Qassem Soleimani at the start of an open session of parliament in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday Tens of thousands of Iranians carrying the coffin of Qasem Soleimani while the crowds of mourners wept in the city of Mashad Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the coffins of slain major general Qassem Soleimani and others, as they pay homage in the northeastern city of Mashhad Demonstrators attend a protest against the killing of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, who died in an air strike at Baghdad airport, outside the US Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has accused European allies of not being 'helpful enough' following the assassination. Speaking on Sky News, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: 'Let's be very clear: Soleimani was a regional menace, and we understand the position that the Americans found themselves in, and they have a right to exercise self-defence. 'They have explained the basis on which that was done, and we are sympathetic to the situation they found themselves in.' Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Mr Raab's declaration of sympathy for the 'reckless and lawless killing was craven and dangerous'. The Crowns Josh OConnor has said series four of the acclaimed drama will portray the Prince of Wales in a harsher light than the previous season (Ian West/PA) The Crowns Josh OConnor has indicated series four of the acclaimed drama will portray the Prince of Wales in a harsher light than the previous season. OConnor plays Charles in season three of the Netflix show and so far viewers have watched a nervous heir to the throne struggling to step out of the shadow of the royal family. One episode explores the beginnings of a love triangle between Charles and his future wife Camilla Shand and her boyfriend Andrew Parker Bowles. Expand Close The Crown star Josh OConnor has discussed his portrayal of Charles in the upcoming season of the Netflix show (Matt Crossick/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Crown star Josh OConnor has discussed his portrayal of Charles in the upcoming season of the Netflix show (Matt Crossick/PA Wire While the princes portrayal has so far been sympathetic, season four, which is roughly midway through filming, will deal with the Diana years and OConnor has hinted Charles will be placed under more scrutiny. Speaking at the Bafta Tea Party event in Los Angeles, he told the PA news agency: Well, its the Diana years so we know that period so well. And in terms of Charles himself, if series three was to make people feel empathy and sorry for him, I guess were going to pull the rug from under him in the next series. OConnor, 29, added that while he has not had any feedback from any of the royals since starring in The Crown, he would expect it to be positive from Charles. It would have to be good, he said. Because lets face it, were really nice about him. I'm still a republican. I can't really imagine that necessarily changing but I feel real sympathy for them as individuals and that's what The Crown is aboutJosh O'Connor Next series maybe not so much, but series three weve been pretty cool to him so, I mean hes got to get on board with it. Video of the Day Series three of the The Crown stars Olivia Colman as the Queen, Tobias Menzies as the Duke of Edinburgh and Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret. It bagged four nominations at the Golden Globes including for best TV drama and acting nods for Colman, Menzies and Bonham Carter. OConnor, whose acting credits include 2017 drama Gods Own Country, said starring in The Crown had not stopped him from being a republican. Asked if the show had changed his attitudes towards the royals, he said: Yes and no. On a human, personal level, it definitely does. Im still a republican. I cant really imagine that necessarily changing but I feel real sympathy for them as individuals and thats what The Crown is about. And ultimately this is drama, its fiction, its not the reality. But yes, Im still a republican. The Crown is streaming on Netflix now. CNN State of the Union Days after President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike in Baghdad that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hit all five Sunday shows to address his assertion that the strike was necessary to avert an imminent attack on America, and to explain the presidents recent threat to target Iranian cultural sites. Appearing on CNNs State of the Union, the secretary was immediately pressed by host Jake Tapper on Trumps Saturday night tweet warning Iran that America is prepared to hit non-military cultural targets if Iran were to retaliate. We will defend America, and the strikes that we took over this past week, including killing the terrorist Soleimani and we will continue to take if we need to. If we need to defend the American interest, we will do so, Pompeo insisted. What President Trump said last night is consistent with what we have said all along. And the presidents tweet made clear that we will do that and the American people should know that we will always defend them and well do so in a way that is consistent with the international rule of law and the American constitution, he added. And we have done it before and we will do it again. Tapper, however, noted that attacking Iranian cultural centers would violate international law, prompting Pompeo to claim that the Trump administrations strategy against Iran is consistent with the rule of law and the presidents tweet does not deviate from that one iota. And so the cultural centers are fair targets in your view? Tapper pushed back. Adviser to Irans Supreme Leader Warns of Military Response We will do the things that are right and consistent with the American law, Americas top diplomat responded. I have been part of the discussion and planning process and everything that I have seen about how we will respond with great force and great vigor if the Iranian government makes a bad decision, when they do, and I hope they dont, we will respond. Story continues The CNN host continued to grill Pompeo on the presidents online threat, asking Pompeo how Trumps tweet can be seen as a de-escalation of tensions with Iran. We have provided them clear guidance about what it is that we have an expectation. We have worked with them and had conversations with them and it is important for them to know that we will no longer behave like the Obama and Biden administration, and we will no longer appease. Pompeo was also questioned on Sunday about his assertion last week that Soleimanis killing absolutely made Americans a lot safer. After Pompeo said he was confident that the world was safer now, Meet the Press anchor Chuck Todd asked how he squared that with the State Departments advisement to Americans in the Middle East to evacuate due to the likeliness of retaliation. Chuck, youre concentrating on the second and the moment, the secretary answered. President Trump is focused deeply on keeping Americans safe over the long haul...It may be that there's a little noise here in the interim. On ABCs This Week, host George Stephanopoulos wondered aloud about recent reports that there were some administration officials who expressed skepticism about the rationale for Soleimanis assassination, claiming the intelligence surrounding an imminent attack was thin. The senior leaders who had access to all of the intelligencethere was no skepticism, Pompeo declared. While defending the intelligence used to justify the airstrikes, Pompeo seemed to back off of his claims that the administration was averting an imminent threat to American lives by killing Soleimani. When Todd asked him if the threat was imminent, the secretary sidestepped the question while pointing to the death of an American contractor late last month that kicked off the escalation of tensions. So was the justification that [Soleimani] has been this destabilizing force in the region for so long or was the justification this imminent threat? Todd pressed, attempting to get a direct answer. Chuck, its never one thing, Pompeo obfuscated. In his interview with Tapper, meanwhile, the secretary said that it was not relevant whether the threat of devastating attacks on Americans was about to happen in the coming days or weeks, once again pointing to the Dec. 27 attack that killed one American. Stephanopoulos also asked whether the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign against Iran was working considering the escalation of tensions, causing Pompeo to answer: "We're working diligently to execute our strategy to convince the Iranian regime to act like a normal nation. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Representative image Iraq's parliament has voted to expel the US military from the country. Lawmakers voted Sunday in favour of a resolution that calls for ending foreign military presence in the country. The resolution's main aim is to get the US to withdraw some 5,000 US troops present in different parts of Iraq. The vote comes two days after a US airstrike killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani inside Iraq, dramatically increasing regional tensions. The Iraqi resolution specifically calls for ending an agreement in which Washington sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. The resolution was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on January 5 condemned the killing of a Sikh youth in Pakistan and demanded that the Imran Khan government conduct a thorough investigation and punish the culprits. "Shocked and anguished over killing of Sikh youth Ravinder Singh in #Pakistan, coming on the heels of #NankanaSahibAttack. @ImranKhanPTI govt must ensure thorough investigation and strict punishment for the culprits. This is the time to act what you preach," Amarinder Singh tweeted. The killing of Sikh youth took place few days after a reported mob attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar on Sunday said the Citizenship Amendment Act was not meant to "harass" any community but to help persecuted minorities of three neighbouring states get citizenship of India. Addressing a press conference at the BJP's Ekatma Parisar office on CAA, he said vested interests were trying to mislead people over the law. At the same function, former chief minister Raman Singh cited the ordeal of Pakistan's first law minister, Jogendra Nath Mandal, to drum up support for the CAA. "I belong to Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. Deoband and Bareilly are two places of Islamic thought in UP. You must not have seen reports of any adverse situation from Bareilly on the issue of CAA," Gangwar said. "However, a large number of people from the Muslim community handed over a memorandum in this connection there. I spoke to people there and we succeeded in convincing them (to support the Act). There were apprehensions but we cleared it," the minister said. He said the move to grant citizenship to persecuted minorities of the neighbouring states should have been done long ago, "just after Independence", but vested interests raised a hue and cry in protest. "Only in some universities an atmosphere (against CAA and National Register of Citizens) is being created. There are about 250 universities in the country, and only 11 complained about it (CAA and NRC). And only in four of 11 universities, the issue was raised (through protests)," he said. "The CAA is not to harass any community. It is meant to grant citizenship, not snatch it," he said. Gangwar said the population of minorities in Pakistan was dwindling due to atrocities and it was obvious India was the only nation capable of giving such people shelter. On questions of persecuted Muslims not being included in the CAA, Gangwar said, "It is because Muslims are not minorities there (in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh)." According to 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 will not be treated as illegal immigrants but be given Indian citizenship. Queried about Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's opposition to the National Register of Citizens exercise and CAA, Gangwar said the former should speak "while keeping in mind the federal character of the country". Speaking on the occasion, former CM Raman Singh cited the example of a former Pakistan minister to underline the need and importance of CAA. "Jogendra Nath Mandal, the first law minister of Pakistan, had to resign when he raised issues of atrocities on minorities in that country. He had to leave Pakistan and take shelter in a refugee camp in West Bengal where he died," Singh said. Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif is in Goa for the wedding of her friend and celebrity makeup artist Daniel C Bauer. He tied the knot with his partner Tyrone Braganza, in elaborate ceremonies that included a mehendi and haldi, as per the Hindu traditions. Tyrone works as an HR Manager on a cruise. Katrina also danced to her hit number Afghan Jalebi with the couple. Both Katrina and Daniel have shared pictures from the event. In pictures she shared on her Instagram account, Katrina is seen wearing a sequinned bikini top paired with pastel-coloured bottoms. She looked gorgeous as she struck various poses in front of the sea. Also read: On Deepika Padukones birthday, 11 monumental films which changed the course of her career Katrina also shared pictures of the newlyweds both Daniel and Tyronne wore matching white kurta-pyjamas and paired it with light pink dupattas. They also wore turbans made of light pink-coloured, shimmery cloth. They posed in front of the agni kund (fire place) as well as on the stage that was decked up with red flowers. Daniel also posted pictures of their baraat, as well as their haldi and mehendi ceremonies. The couple earlier got married in Frankfurt, Germany in August 2019. The duo first met in Mumbai. After seeing each other for two years, Daniel visited Tyrones mom to ask for his hand before he planned to propose to him on the ship that he worked on. We realised we wanted the same things from life and had similar goals, and that was it. Spending time with each other over a period of time on vacations, our love for each other intensified and we found we wanted to keep spending more time with each other, Daniel had told Vogue. Katrina has recently completed the shoot for Sooryavanshi, where she reunites with Akshay Kumar after a gap of nine years. The film is the third in Rohit Shettys cop franchise and will also see Singham aka Ajay Devgn and Simmba aka Ranveer Singh coming together on screen. Follow @htshowbiz for more New Delhi [India], Jan 6 (ANI): Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration condemned the violence which had broken out in its campus on January 5, leaving scores of people injured. "On January 5, when students who have registered in the winter semester wanted to enter the school buildings, they were physically prevented by the agitating students. Since January 5 afternoon, the campus has witnessed scuffles at the schools as well as inside the hostel premises between the groups of students who wanted to stop the registration and those who wanted to register and continue their studies," the press note by JNU Registrar on Sunday read. "Around 4.30 PM, a group of students, who are against the registration process moved aggressively from the front of the admin block and reached the hostels. The administration immediately contacted the police to come quickly and maintain law and order on the campus. However, by the time police came, the students who are for the registration were beaten up by a group of agitating students opposing the registration," the press note added. Regarding the violence and vandalisation which had taken place inside the hostels in the campus, it said, "Some masked miscreants also entered the Periyar hostel rooms and attacked the students with sticks and rods. Some of the security guards doing duties at these places were also badly injured." It further added, "The JNU administration strongly condemns any form of violence in the campus... It is unfortunate that a group of students with their violent means of protests are preventing thousands of non-agitating students from pursuing their academic activities. The JNU administration stands by every student who wants to continue their academic programs peacefully in the campus." Meanwhile, JNU Vice-Chancellor, Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar expressed concern for the injured students. "The JNU administration feels great pain and anguish for the students who have sustained injuries in the violence that took place in the JNU campus. The JNU administration strongly condemns any form of violence in the campus," Kumar's tweet, which also had the press note by the university's Registrar, read. 18 injured students have been taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the JNU and attacked them and professors with sticks and rods. (ANI) Islamabad: The incident of killing of a Sikh youth has come to light on Sunday after throwing stones at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara Pakistan on Friday. There is a lot of resentment in India about the attack on Sikhs in Pakistan and the Imran government is being condemned everywhere. According to information received by sources, the body of a Sikh youth has been recovered by the police from Chamkani area in Peshawar, Pakistan. Who and why the murder was not known, the police is investigating. At the same time, the interim president of the Congress Sonia Gandhi has strongly condemned the attack on Nankana Sahib. Along with this, he has asked the Indian government to intervene in the case and pressurize Pakistan for arrest and action against the culprits. Sonia Gandhi has expressed disappointment and concern over the safety of Sikh devotees and employees. Along with this, the Government of India called upon the Pakistani authorities to immediately take up the issue to ensure the safety of the pilgrims and tight security for the religious site to prevent future attacks. Also Read: Controversial statement of Congress leader Rashid Alvi, said this thing about PM Modi Deputy Chief Patel's big statement, says 'Non Gujarati IAS ...' America in contact with India amid deepening tension with Iran Owaisi's befitting reply to Pak PM Imran Khan, says 'Take care of your country' WTI is West Texas Intermediate oil. It describes a light oil with relatively low sulfur. While it might be produced in West Texas, the WTI designation can be designated to any crude that can meet the criteria of being a light sweet crude with the "light" aspect being defined as API 41 gravity and a sulfur content of approximately 0.4%, which would make it "sweet." WTI is the crude that is the basis for the crude contract on the NYMEX division of the CME. The delivery point for that crude is not actually in Texas; it is at the pipeline and tank gathering point of Cushing, Oklahoma. Crudes that meet the basic specifications of WTI can be delivered into the contract even if they are not produced in West Texas. WTI was the first actively-traded crude contract, launched on NYMEX in 1983. It was considered the key benchmark for many years until it was displaced gradually by the Brent contract on what is now ICE. WTI fell far out of favor when the inability to get crude out of Cushing to the Gulf of Mexico became a serious problem. It value against Brent plummeted. However, new pipeline projects have eased that issue but Brent is still considered the global benchmark. Brent crude was initially a term that referred to oil coming out of the Brent field in the U.K. sector of the North Sea. While that is still one of its definitions, it now encompasses a variety of North Sea crudesOseberg, Forties, Ekofisk and Brentdeliverable against a Brent contract obligation. As it is a waterborne crude and can move anywhere, it is considered the global crude benchmark. The Platts assessment for Dated Brenta physical cargo to be loaded at a certain designated dateis the world's crude benchmark. Brent crude is slightly lighter than WTI. Its sulfur content can be higher or lower depending upon the grade in question. Forties, for example, has more sulfur than WTI. The Brent/WTI spread is relevant for several reasons. One of the key ones is whether its widthwith Brent higher than WTIis enough to incentivize moving crude out of Canada or the Midcontinent to the East Coast or Gulf Coast for export or processing. WTI crude or crude priced off WTI will need to compete with crudes priced closer to Brent on the coasts. The movement of crude by rail is highly dependent upon the size of the spread. Story continues Image by Erich Westendarp from Pixabay 0 See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Beijing called on all sides, especially Washington, to exercise restraint as tensions rise in the Middle East, with Iran vowing harsh revenge after its top military commander was killed in a US air strike on Friday. The escalating tension between Iran and the United States was likely to bring Tehran, Beijing and Moscow closer as all three had disputes with Washington, observers said, but China would have limited scope as a mediator. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that Beijing was highly concerned about the growing tensions in the Middle East, and that it opposed the use of force in international relations. China advocates that all parties should earnestly abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms of international relations, Geng said in a press briefing on Friday. We urge all parties concerned, especially the United States, to keep calm and exercise restraint and avoid a further escalation of tensions. His comments came after Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, was killed in a US-launched air strike near Baghdad airport early on Friday. The air strike was approved by US President Donald Trump, and top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the attack. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had discussed Trumps decision to eliminate Soleimani with Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi on Friday, and reiterated Washingtons commitment to de-escalation. Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, was killed in the air strike. Photo: AFP 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 after a US air raid on the Kataib Hezbollah militia, founded by Muhandis. 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. Story continues Tehran vowed to retaliate. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali 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. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denounced the attack in a Twitter post, calling it an act of international terrorism that was extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation. Relations between Iran and the US have deteriorated since the Trump administration withdrew from a 2015 nuclear pact agreed between Iran and five other nations which the US president described as a horrible one-sided deal and imposed sanctions on Tehran. Observers said Soleimanis killing had ignited a fire in the Middle East and could lead to a serious military conflict between Iran, or pro-Iranian forces, and the US in Iraq, with other countries potentially dragged in. Li Shaoxian, head of the China-Arab research institute at Ningxia University, said the situation in the Middle East would be very tense in 2020, citing the escalation of US-Iranian tensions, Syrian pro-government military action to regain control of rebel-held Idlib province, the civil war in Libya, where Turkey was also involved, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. The crises across the Middle East will see cards being laid on the table by all sides, Li said. Standing behind this is the United States Middle East policy and the power play between the US and Iran. Meanwhile, Iran is edging closer to China and Russia as its economy is hit hard by US sanctions. The three countries wrapped up their first four-day joint naval drill on Monday in the northern Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Zarif visited Beijing his fourth trip to China in 2019. His Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, said during their talks that Beijing and Tehran should stand together against unilateralism and bullying. Hua Liming, a former Chinese ambassador to Iran, warned of the grave consequences of a military conflict between the US and Iran. He also said that given the frictions between Beijing and Washington, China would have little room to take a mediator role as it did when the 2015 nuclear deal was being negotiated. The Middle East is not among Chinas diplomatic priorities, and China has a policy of not interfering [in other countries affairs], Hua said. So [Beijing] will call on both sides to be restrained and avoid a military conflict. Moscow has also weighed in, saying the US attack would fuel 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. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the killings as a violation of the conditions of the US military presence in Iraq and an act of aggression that breached Iraqs sovereignty and would lead to war. 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, Abdul Mahdi said. The US air strike came after a New Years Eve attack by Iran-backed militias on the US embassy in Baghdad. The two-day attack, which ended on Wednesday, prompted Trump to order the deployment of about 750 US soldiers to the Middle East. Phillip Smyth, a US-based specialist in Shiite armed groups, said the strike 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 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, Smyth said. There is no comparison. Additional reporting by Reuters Sign up now for our 50% early bird offer from SCMP Research: China AI Report. The all new SCMP China AI Report gives you exclusive first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments, and actionable and objective intelligence about China AI that you should be equipped with. More from South China Morning Post: This article China calls for calm after top Iranian military leader killed in US air strike first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. 05.01.2020 LISTEN Two persons who sexually abused a 13-year-old girl in a nearby bush at Ayi Mensah have been jailed a total jail term of 20years by an Accra Circuit Court. Richard Akambe, a 28-year-old scrap dealer, and Obioko Lucky, a 24-year-old Nigerian scrap dealer, were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each on charges of defilement. This was after the court presided over by Justice Rita Abrokwa-Doko had found them guilty at the end of the trial. The court ordered that Lucky after serving his sentence should be repatriated to his country. Prosecuting Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire earlier narrated that the complainant is a trader residing at Malajor with the victim. Chief Inspector Atimbire said December 20, 2018, at about 11:00 am, one Emmanuel Abionu, a classmate of the victim asked the victim to accompany him to Ayi Mensah to withdraw Tigo mobile money from his mobile money wallet. The prosecution said as they were returning, they passed a footpath leading to their school. On reaching a section of the footpath, they met seven men in the bush smoking cigarette. The prosecutor said the men rushed on them and the victim fell, while her friend escaped. The men held the victim and dragged her into the bush and had sex with the victim in turns. Thereafter, the prosecution said the men bolted and left the victim to her fate. According to prosecution, the victim went to the Ayi Mensah Police Station and reported the matter. The victim, prosecution said led the Police to a shop where Akambe and Lucky lived and she identified them. The two were picked up but the other five were still at large. The Police issued a medical form to the victim to seek proper medical care. Chief Inspector Atimbire said when investigation caution statements were taken from Akambe and Lucky. Lucky, however, admitted the offence. ---GNA With 54 percent of votes counted, Social Democrat candidate got 54 percent of votes. Polls have closed in Croatias presidential election with preliminary results indicating a win for former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic. With 54 percent of the votes counted, the State Electoral Commission said on Sunday that the Social Democrat candidate got 54 percent of votes ahead of the incumbent centre-right President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic of the governing HNZ party. Opinion polls had suggested Milanovics triumph, though with a smaller margin. Grabar-Kitarovic, who took 46 percent of the vote, has struggled to unite a fractured right wing. The presidential role is to a large extent ceremonial as the head of state cannot veto laws but has a say in foreign policy, defence and security measures. The next presidents five-year term will begin in February. Some 3.8 million people were eligible to vote in the runoff poll, which followed a heated first round in December. The vote comes as the European Unions newest member is struggling with corruption, a lacklustre economy and a large exodus of its population seeking better opportunities abroad. Unity, patriotism and references to the 1990s independence war, which remains an emotive issue, featured heavily in Grabar-Kitarovics re-election bid, while Milanovic told voters that the wars are over and Croatia should now focus on its role in the EU. Milanovic, who tried to shake off a reputation as an arrogant elitist, ran his campaign on promises that he would fight the corruption he said had intensified since the conservatives took power. A prime minister from 2011 until 2016, he was welcomed at the time of assuming office as a bright, young politician clean of the corruption tainting the rival HDZ. The government of Vermont is offering people up to $7500 to move into the Green Mountain State for a new job at a Vermont based business, according to the reports. The New Worker Relocation Grant Program which is authorized by the Vermont legislature and signed into law by Governor Phil Scott, focuses to attract new workers to grow Vermont's workspace by reducing the financial burden of relocating. The person who becomes a full-time resident of Vermont and an employee effective from on or after January 1, 2020, is eligible to apply for the program. READ: Group That Provides Care In Vermont County Has New Leader Scheme to cover the expenses The scheme will cover moving costs like lease deposits, first month's rent, moving equipment, moving company bills, shipping, and even the closing costs for a primary residence. According to the reports, they can also request to cover the expenses related to their job that aren't covered by the employer which includes connectivity, specialized tools and equipment and also co-working space membership fees. Lindsay Kurrle, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development said that she hopes she hopes the scheme will work better. The least populated state, Vermont has an aging population and a low unemployment rate that makes it difficult for the employers to fill the vacant seats. This is not the first time that the state has launched schemes to attract new residents but in 2019 the state came up with a similar program that covers moving expenses up to $10,000 over two years for people who shifted to Vermont to work remotely. READ: Vermont General Store Closing At Years End Cammarata offers free houses Meanwhile, the picturesque town of Italy, Cammarata is offering free houses to attract new residents. The trend follows several other towns in Italy who are selling homes for just USD 1 in order to restore their dying communities. Apart from the town Cammarata, towns of Zungoli and Sambuca also recently launched a similar scheme. Cammarata is a mountainside town rich in history which has scenic views of Mount Etna and splendid sunsets on the Mediterranean island of Sicily. Due to its plummeting population and empty buildings the mayor of the town, Vincenzo Giambrone has launched an ambitious plan to save the city and its rich culture. READ: Vermont Town To Discuss Flood Regulations Due To Petition READ: Vermonts Capital City Facing 25% Health Care Cost Increase Tammy Hembrow has taken to Instagram to make an impassioned plea for donations amid Australia's bushfire crisis. The 25-year-old Instagram superstar reached out to her fanbase of 10.4 million followers this week, asking them to give to animal and fire rescue charities. Alongside photos of animals in peril, the Queensland native wrote: 'Our home is burning. These are the worst bushfires on record and they are still burning. 'Our wildlife are burning alive': Tammy Hembrow (pictured) this week begged her fans to donate to Australian bushfire relief in an impassioned Instagram post 'Five million hectares (15 MILLION ACRES!!!) of land has burned. Our wildlife are burning alive (more than 500 MILLION!!) and many homes have been lost. 'I stay praying for all the families and the firefighters and the lives lost,' she continued passionately. The model concluded with helpful links, writing: 'Link in my bio for one of the many organisations you can donate to and there is a wildlife emergency fund you can donate to on @wireswildliferescue'. Help needed: The 25-year-old Instagram superstar reached out to her fanbase of 10.4 million followers this week, asking them to give to animal and fire rescue charities Alongside photos of animals in peril from the fires, the Queensland native wrote: 'Our home is burning. These are the worst bushfires on record and they are still burning' It comes after news that ecologists fear the bushfires may cause several species to become extinct. Sydney University Ecology Professor Chris Dickman said 480 million animals had been killed in New South Wales alone including mammals, birds and reptiles. That number does not include insects, bats or frogs that are essential to the health of an ecosystem. Dark days: It comes after news that ecologists fear the bushfires may cause several species to become extinct Horror: Sydney University Ecology Professor Chris Dickman said 480 million animals had been killed in New South Wales alone including mammals, birds and reptiles 'The true loss of animal life is likely to be much higher than 480 million,' he said on Friday. 'Many of the affected animals are likely to have been killed directly by the fires, with others succumbing later due to the depletion of food and shelter resources and predation from introduced feral cats and red foxes.' Professor Dickman said Australia is the only great landmass to contain three major groups of mammals: marsupials which have pouches, egg-laying monotremes and placental mammals. The continent contains 244 species of wildlife found nowhere else. Awful: 'The true loss of animal life is likely to be much higher than 480 million,' Professor Dickman said on Friday Terror: 'Many of the affected animals are likely to have been killed directly by the fires, with others succumbing later due to the depletion of food and shelter resources and predation from introduced feral cats and red foxes,' Professor Dickman added If you'd like to donate to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief, click here. To donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society appeal for bushfire victims, click here. For donations to Victoria's Country Fire Authority click here and here for the NSW Rural Fire Service. To donate to Foodbank click here and here for the World Wildlife Fund. Delhi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), MS Randhawa held a meeting with students and teachers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at the Police Headquarters at ITO on Monday where the students handed over a set of demands to the official. The letter, containing the set of demands, addressed to the Commissioner of Police (CP) urged him to assure "urgent medical assistance to the injured students", "arrest of all goons involved in the attack", "rescue of the students who are stuck both inside and outside the campus" and to ensure normalcy in the campus. A student delegation was also allowed to visit AIIMS Trauma Centre where those injured in JNU campus violence are admitted. Meanwhile, the Delhi police conducted a flag march in the campus on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday to ensure there are no more fringe elements in the campus. Some students of the university, however, heckled the police team while it was conducting the flag march by raising slogans of "Delhi Police go back" and "Shame on Delhi police". More than 18 students have been taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the JNU and attacked them and professors with sticks and rods on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has announced that a massive rally against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) will be organised in the city on January 10, while he will unfurl the national flag at historic Charminar here on January 25 midnight. Hours after the city witnessed huge turnout at Million March organised by Joint Action Committee (JAC) of 40 different organisations, the Hyderabad MP said the January 10 rally will begin from Mir Alam Eidgah and will conclude at Shastripuram grounds. Owaisi said as the Telangana government denied permission for the rally in the city, they decided to hold the same in Rajendernagar (on the outskirts). He also announced that a huge public meeting will be held at Charminar on January 25 and at midnight he will unfurl the national flag and recite the national anthem to mark the Republic Day. He also said leading poets of the country would be invited for the event aimed to save the Constitution and the country. Owaisi made the announcement at Sangareddy town during a public meeting organised by United Muslim Action Committee (UMAC) to protest against the CAA. He also asked people to make their selfie videos reading Preamble of the Constitution and demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke the black law. Post these videos on TikTok, Facebook and YouTube with hashtag Merasamvidhan, he said. Owaisi called for continuing the protests against the CAA, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR) in a peaceful manner. He said the protests should continue for another 4-5 months so that the rulers know that people have woken up. He also added that he salute Jamia Millia Islamia students for bringing a new life into the protest. The MP condemned the excesses committed by Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh. He said the UP police resorted to worst form of brutalities including beating up of a 70-year-old religious scholar by making him naked and by sexually assaulting two 14-year-old boys. On the BJP government in UP seizing property of those allegedly involved in violence to recover the Rs 14 damages caused to public property, he asked why nothing was done to recover damages of Rs 2,000 crore during Jat agitation in Haryana and Patel agitation in Gujarat. You recovered damages in UP only because they are Muslims, he asked. On Modi advising anti-CAA protestors to condemn Pakistan for its repression of minorities, Owaisi said people of India have nothing to do with Pakistan. How are we concerned with Pakistan. We dont even think of Pakistan even in our nightmares but you take the name of Pakistan frequently, he said while reminding Modi that Muslim rejected Mohammed Ali Jinnah and choose to live in India. Owaisi also advised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to stop bothering about Indian Muslims saying Allah is enough for them. He slammed Khan for posting a fake video of Bangladesh. You worry about your country. Mr Khan, we would like to tell you, dont ever remember us. We rejected the message and wrong theory of Jinnah. We are proud Indian Muslims and will remain so till the end of this world. No power on earth can take our Indianness and our religious identity because Constitution of India guarantees this, he said and urged Pakistan PM to protect Sikhs and stop attacks on their place of worship. Reiterating that CAA is anti-Constitutional, Owaisi described it as a step towards making India a Hindu rashtra. He said while they were not against granting citizenship to persecuted people from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, he said this should not be done on the basis of religion. Stating that PRC is the first step towards NRC, he demanded Telagana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao to stay PRC as done by the Kerala government. A member of the EMS service of a western Pennsylvania town was killed while responding to a crash on Interstate 70 in Westmoreland County Sunday morning. Matthew Smelser of Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services died after his ambulance was struck by another vehicle, WTAE is reporting. According to reports, Smelser was part of the EMS crews that had rushed to the scene of a crash on Interstate 70 on the Yough Bridge before the second crash that killed Smelser. Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services wrote on their Facebook page: Its with great sorrow and pain that we announce the tragic loss of Paramedic Supervisor Matthew Smelser , he was killed this morning while attending to an injured person on interstate 70. Please keep him, his family and all of us in your thoughts and prayers. Interstate 70 remains closed. This crash occurred in the same county as the crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike that killed five people and sent 60 to the hosital, closing 86 miles of the turnpike in both directions between New Stanton and Breezewood. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Sheku Kanneh-Mason Elgar Decca, out Friday Rating: Andrew Manze Vaughan Williams Onyx, out now Rating: Sheku Kanneh-Masons new album, his second for Decca, is a real curates egg. At the heart of it is a good performance of Elgars Cello Concerto with Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra, but the rest is a mish-mash of randomly chosen pieces, mainly arranged by Simon Parkin, who is, apparently, married to Kanneh-Masons cello teacher. The album begins with Kanneh-Masons own arrangement of Blow The Wind Southerly for solo cello, which shows off his dark mahogany tone to great advantage. Elsewhere, things are not so good. The arrangement of Nimrod, for solo cello and five others, is a nightmare. And Parkins effort with Elgars Romance For Bassoon And Orchestra, which the composer himself arranged for cello but here is played by a solo cello, a string quartet and a double bass, isnt much better. The album begins with Sheku Kanneh-Masons own arrangement of Blow The Wind Southerly for solo cello, which shows off his dark mahogany tone to great advantage Listening to it over a festive drink with a household name British musician, the best he could say was, Do Decca really think Elgar couldnt orchestrate? Elgars version could easily have been recorded but wasnt. Why? Music by Bridge, Bloch, Faure and Klengel follows. However well Kanneh-Mason plays, frankly, its a mess. Turning to the Elgar Cello Concerto, which Kanneh-Mason has often said he was inspired to learn by the famous Jacqueline du Pre recording, also with the LSO under Sir John Barbirolli, it is perhaps inevitable that comparisons will be made. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic play extremely well for Andrew Manze, the baroque violinist turned conductor, who has just finished a complete VW symphony cycle for Onyx Especially since du Pre was only 20, the same age as Kanneh-Mason, when her celebrated recording was set down in 1965. Listening to du Pre, Kanneh-Masons playing lacks intensity and passion, and fails to fully unearth the nostalgia, verging on deep depression, with which this music is imbued. But then, as another great interpreter of the piece, Julian Lloyd Webber, suggested to me years ago, this is Barbirollis performance as much as du Pres. Barbirolli was in the cello section of the LSO at the concertos premiere, a famous fiasco, when the leading critic of the day said the orchestra disgraced themselves. Not long after, Barbirolli, this time soloist, gave the first successful performance of a piece now regarded by many as perhaps Elgars most moving and eloquent. Onyxs superb new 70-minute album of Vaughan Williamss orchestral music The Lark Ascending, the Greensleeves and Tallis Fantasias, the English folk song suite, an especially fine account of the Five Variants Of Dives And Lazarus, and a striking orchestral version of the Serenade To Music offers all his favourites on a single CD. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic play extremely well for Andrew Manze, the baroque violinist turned conductor, who has just finished a complete VW symphony cycle for Onyx on Merseyside. James Ehnes is a first-rate violin soloist in the Lark, which ascends a bit quicker than usual, much to the musics advantage. The immediate threat from Australias devastating bushfires may have eased at least temporarily but thousands of people are still living in campsites along the countrys east coast, unable to return home. At the makeshift evacuation centre at the Batemans Bay beachfront on Sunday, children in pyjamas played with pets and families made up beds in cars and trailers as they prepared to spend another night outdoors. Many people who were urged or ordered by authorities to flee nearby towns and homesteads several days ago still did not know whether their homes and properties had survived the fierce wildfires that have ripped through large parts of the east coast. Gordon Bell has been at the Batemans Bay campsite, around 220 km south of Sydney, with his wife and four children for three days. We dont know if the fires even got to where we were, so weve to find all that out, Bell, who runs a fence building business, told Reuters. Cant work at the moment. Neither can my wife. So its pretty bad. Australia has been battling wildfires across large swathes of its east coast for weeks, with the blazes scorching more than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) of land and destroying almost 1,500 houses in one state alone. Thousands of people have been evacuated from coastal towns at the peak of the summer holiday season, in one of the biggest coordinated operations since the evacuation of Darwin after Cyclone Tracy flattened the northern city in 1974. Some people who live in high-risk fire areas have been in and out of evacuation centres over the past couple of weeks as the volatile and unpredictable fires changed direction and intensity. The amount of times Ive packed all my belongings in the car, or tried to get it out, you know what I mean? Dragged the kids somewhere that we are going to be out of our house for who knows how long, Stacey Ballentine said as some of her six children played with toys on the sandy grass. And not knowing whats going on and how bad its going to be. Its a bit stressful. A large-scale military and police effort was continuing on Sunday to provide supplies and evacuate those still isolated by the fires. Many areas were without power and mobile communications, and volunteer services like the Red Cross were serving food to encamped people. Information is scarce, Batemans Bay resident Frank Scognamiglio said as he read on the beach with his son Rocco. We are just trying to keep safe and looking after each other. SOURCE: REUTERS | PHOTO: Bloomberg Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday told his counterparts from several Muslim countries, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, that Islamabad will not allow its soil to be used for any regional conflict, amidst raging tensions between Tehran and Washington after the killing of top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike in Iraq. Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad on Friday, sparking fears of a new war in the Middle East. The Foreign Office said that Qureshi held telephonic conversations with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE and Turkey to discuss the regional situation unfolding in the region. "The Foreign Minister reaffirmed that would neither let its soil be used against any other State nor become part of any regional conflict," the Foreign Office (FO) said. Highlighting Pakistan's deep concern over the recent developments, Qureshi underscored the imperative of avoiding conflict, exercise of maximum restraint, and de-escalation of tensions. He called on all parties concerned to abide by the UN Charter and principles of law to settle differences through peaceful means. Sharing Pakistan's perspective, the foreign minister expressed hope that the progress made in the Afghan peace process would be preserved and advanced further. He reiterated Pakistan's readiness to continue to play a role in preventing further escalation and maintaining regional peace and stability, the FO said. Hundreds of protesters, including women and children, rallied in Karachi and Islamabad to protest the killing of Soleimani. The rallies organised by Shiite groups - including Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), Jaafria Alliance, Majlis-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), Tanzeem Azadari and Shia Ulema Council - chanted anti-American slogans. The protestor, carrying portraits of Soleimani and chanting slogans like "Down with USA!", were stopped by police from moving toward the US consulate. The protest rally in Islamabad started from the National Press Club and ended at the D-Chowk in front of Parliament. It was led by Shiite leader Allama Syed Ali Rizvi and women and children took part in the protest. Pakistan has the biggest Shiite population after Iran and may face turbulence in case of a war between the US and Iran. The country, in the past, has tried to maintain a balance between Saudi Arabia and Iran which are regional rivals. The US Embassy in Islamabad already on Friday issued a countrywide security alert, warning its employees and US citizens to restrict their movement. "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. US citizens in Pakistan should monitor their surroundings for possible demonstrations and suspicious activity," the embassy said in a statement. Unruly passengers allegedly manhandled cabin crew members and threatened to break open the cockpit door of Air India's Boeing 747 aircraft on Thursday after their Delhi-Mumbai flight was delayed for nearly five hours due to a technical problem New Delhi: Unruly passengers allegedly manhandled cabin crew members and threatened to break open the cockpit door of Air India's Boeing 747 aircraft on Thursday after their Delhi-Mumbai flight was delayed for nearly five hours due to a technical problem, according to an airline official. Air India spokesperson said on Saturday that the operating crew has been asked to submit a detailed report on the "reported misbehaviour" by some passengers. "The AI865 flight on Thursday got delayed as it developed a technical snag. It had to return to the bay. Passengers started knocking on the cockpit door, asking and taunting the pilots to come out," an airline official told PTI. "One male passenger even said that he will break open the cockpit door if the pilots didn't come out," the official said, adding the situation inside the plane "went from bad to worse". #WATCH Dhananjay Kumar, Air India: A video of few passengers of AI 865 is being circulated. The flight delayed on 2nd Jan due to technical reasons. AI management have asked crew for details on reported misbehaviour by some passengers. Further action would be taken after inquiry. pic.twitter.com/aufkrO2QfX ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2020 Passengers were stuck inside the plane for approximately five hours, the official added. According to the official, a female passenger allegedly even manhandled a cabin crew member, grabbing her arm in order to open the main exit gate quickly. An official of aviation regulator DGCA said that they have asked Air India to take action against the "unruly behaviour" of passengers. As per the 2017 rules of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), breaching the cockpit compartment is a "level-3 violation" and the passenger committing the act can be put on the airline's "no-fly list" for two years or more. A minor physical abuse - such as grabbing, pushing and kicking - of a crew member is a "level-2 violation" under which a passenger can be put on the no-fly list for up to six months. Once the airline recommends banning the passenger by putting him or her on its no-fly list, the DGCA takes the final decision. Other airlines can decide if they want the passenger on their respective no-fly list or not. "The flight AI 865 of 2nd January was considerably delayed due to technical reasons. Air India management has asked the operating crew for a detailed report on the reported misbehaviour by some passengers. Further action would be considered after getting the report," the Air India spokesperson said. A Dauphin County police officer, who served in Derry Township for more than two decades, died last week in an area hospital. Now, Michael L. Henry Jr. is being remembered by his colleagues as a resilient officer, who was often calm during times of pressure. He died at 50 years old. He was always level-headed, but also appreciated the humor we sometimes see in this job. His smile and laugh during those humorous times will be one of the things that will be missed by all of us here, Derry Township police officials wrote in a news release about Henrys death. Henry, a Dauphin County native and graduate of Lower Dauphin High School, served in the Armys 4th of the 9th Field Artillery Delta Battery and was stationed in Germany from 1987 to 1990, according to his obituary. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Henry pursued a career in law enforcement, graduating with a degree from Penn State University before enrolling in the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, where he was named class president, according to the obituary. And in May 1998, he was hired to serve as a police officer in Derry Township, where his duties included reconstructing major crashes, department officials said. Michael was proud to then continue his service with Derry Township as a Patrol Officer for 21 years, his obituary reads. Henry is survived by his wife Jackie (Brown) Henry, who he was married to for 20 years, as well as their two children Samantha and Zachary, according to his obituary. His family was his number one priority, the obituary reads. A visitation has been scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hoover Funeral Home & Crematory on Lucy Avenue in Hershey. A Mass also has been scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church on Areba Drive in Hershey. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Weve been writing about Line 5, Enbridges 67-year-old twin pipelines under the straights of Mackinac for 5 years now: Here are some of the ways weve described the pipeline during that time: Old and out-of-date Decrepit Notorious Controversial Dangerous Ticking time bomb Heres how weve described the oil spill that will eventually happen if this pair of old, out-of-date, decrepit, notorious, controversial, dangerous ticking time bombs arent shut down promptly: Could spew toxins into the largest grouping of freshwater lakes in the world, and the source of drinking water for over 35 million people Devastating and widespread not to mention long-lasting ramifications beyond our wildest comprehension Utter catastrophe Shudder-inducing The stuff of Michiganders nightmares Catastrophic An unimaginable environmental catastrophe Would take nearly $2 billion to clean up and would despoil some of the most beautiful coastline in the USA Two years ago, we narrowly avoided this catastrophe after a tugboat unknowingly dragged its anchor across the pipelines, causing extensive damage. This week we learned that a second near-miss in just two years occurred. Heres the backstory from Bridge: In mid-September, workers for Enbridge Inc. dug deep, narrow holes to gather rock and soil samples along the lakebed under the Straits of Mackinac as a part of the project to build a tunnel to protect the Line 5 oil pipeline. One of those holes collapsed, leaving 40 feet of thin drilling rod lodged in the ground and another 45 feet of broken rod on the lake bottom, 245 feet below the waters surface, according to a letter the state sent to Enbridge Tuesday notifying them of the violation. They waited until the sampling work was done two months later before reporting it to the state. Now its too late in the year for the company to safely retrieve the debris, which a spokesman says the company will collect in spring when the weather is safer for such a deep dive. Ryan Duffy, spokesman for Enbridge, told Bridge the 3-inch-wide rods dont pose a safety or environmental risk in the meantime. The two-month reporting delay was necessary, he said, so the company could do a thorough risk assessment at such great depths. Its clear that Duffys explanation for the two-month delay is a steaming pile of bovine fecal matter. And what is now equally and quite painfully clear is that his claim that the rods dont pose a safety or environmental risk is a similar steaming pile, thanks to the Whitmer administration compelling Enbridge to retrieve the rods before spring: Enbridge Energy has retrieved a 45-foot steel rod it left in the Straits of Mackinac in September. Strong currents moved the rod 150 feet during its time underwater. [] Joseph Haas of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy says he thinks both the state and Enbridge were surprised by how the currents had moved the rod. We just didnt see it as a real urgency that it get out of there in an instantaneous or super-urgent manner, he says. In hindsight, they reported upon removal that that rod had migrated 150 feet and was leaning against the west leg of the pipeline. I dont think anybody expected that such a low-profile, heavy, probably 250 pound piece of steel would have migrated 150 feet. Enbridge technically violated the Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act by dropping debris in that location, but Haas says its not the kind of thing his agency would normally impose a fine for. It was an accident and no infrastructure was impacted. He does, however, call it a lesson learned. Wow, that pipe moved 150 feet since Sept. 12, says Haas. Thats a pretty big deal. We need to be paying close attention to things in the straits. Despite the fact that the strong currents had moved a 250-pound chunk of spear-shaped steel 150 feet where it ended up resting against one of the pipelines, Enbridge still laughably claims never posed any safety or environmental risk to Line 5. The fact that both regulators in the state government and Enbridge themselves are still learning lessons about the power of the Straits of Mackinac and the extreme vulnerability of their retirement-aged twin pipelines just proves that this oil and gas giant is out of its league and should NOT be risking the Great Lakes with their lust for profits. And they certainly shouldnt be drilling a tunnel under the Straits to make these pipelines all but permanent, the course that they embarked upon just before Republican Governor Rick Snyder left office (and with his blessing, of course.) Keep in mind that, despite Big Oil and Gas lobbyists claims that this is vital infrastucture, its not. Running the pipeline through our state and under the Straits of Mackinac is simply a shortcut: Image courtesy of For Love of Water (FLOW) Its important for citizens to stay vigilant on this issue and contact the offices of the Michigan Governor and the Attorney General. You can contact Governor Whitmer HERE and by sending an email to AG Nessel at [email protected] Ill close with this from the Traverse City Record-Eagles scorching op-ed Mother Nature is sending a message on Line 5: By AFP NAIROBI (Kenya): Jihadists from Somalia's Al-Shabaab group on Sunday attacked a military base used by US and Kenyan forces in Kenya's coastal Lamu region, a government official said. "There was an attack but they have been repulsed," Lamu Commissioner Irungu Macharia told AFP. He said the attack took place before dawn at the base known as Camp Simba, and that "a security operation is ongoing", without saying if there had been casualties. "We are not sure if there are still remnants within," he said. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, saying they had "successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base and have now taken effective control of part of the base." The group said there had been both Kenyan and American casualties, however this could not be immediately verified. Al-Shabaab said the attack was part of its "Al-Quds (Jerusalem) shall never be Judaized" campaign -- a term it first used during an attack on the upscale Dusit hotel complex in Nairobi in January last year that left 21 people dead. The Somali jihadists have staged several large-scale attacks inside Kenya, in retaliation for Nairobi sending troops into Somalia in 2011 to fight the group, as well as to target foreign interests. Despite years of costly efforts to fight Al-Shabaab, the group on December 28 managed to detonate a vehicle packed with explosives in Mogadishu, killing 81 people. The spate of attacks highlight the group's resilience and capacity to inflict mass casualties at home and in the region, despite losing control of major urban areas in Somalia. Operators of Gray Monk Winery in Lake Country, the vineyards of which are shown here, hope to win town council approval to convert an on-farm home to overnight use by winery guests. Car tycoon broke bail and fled to Lebanon last week as he awaited trial on charges of financial misconduct. Japans justice minister has criticised former car tycoon Carlos Ghosn for fleeing the country, using what she said were illegal methods, as he awaited trial on multiple counts of financial misconduct, in the first official comments on the case. Masako Mori said on Sunday there were no public records of the 65-year-old former Nissan boss who chaired the alliance between Nissan, French carmaker Renault, and Mitsubishi leaving Japan. Our countrys criminal justice system sets out appropriate procedures to clarify the truth of cases and is administered appropriately, while guaranteeing basic individual human rights, Mori said. The flight by a defendant on bail is unjustifiable. It is clear that we do not have records of the defendant Ghosn departing Japan. It is believed that he used some wrongful methods to illegally leave the country. It is extremely regrettable that we have come to this situation, she added. Red notice Ghosn jumped bail and escaped Japan for Lebanon last week. He has denied the charges against him and plans to hold a press conference in Beirut this week. Mori said an Interpol red notice for the once high-flying executive had been issued. In separate comments, Tokyos public prosecutors office deemed Ghosns flight a crime and said the tycoon had knowingly flouted the countrys judicial procedures. In their first remarks since Ghosn fled the country just before the New Year, prosecutors said the escape vindicated their argument that he should have been kept in custody. The defendant Ghosn had abundant financial power and multiple foreign bases. It was easy for him to flee, the statement said. He had significant influence inside Japan and globally, and there was a realistic danger he would destroy evidence related to the case, they added. Ghosns case has put an international spotlight on Japans justice system, which has been criticised for authorities ability to hold suspects almost indefinitely pending trial. Police officers at the garage of what is believed to be former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosns home in Beirut [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters] Prosecutors argued in their statement that the lengthy detention was necessary to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt and that they are reluctant to charge a suspect unless they had an iron-clad case, without which the court would not hand down a guilty verdict. Therefore it was necessary and unavoidable to detain the defendant Ghosn in order to continue fair and appropriate criminal proceedings, they said. Ghosn twice won bail by persuading the court he was not a flight risk decisions seen as controversial at the time. Rigged system Ghosn himself appeared once in court under a little-used procedure to ask why he was still being detained. At the time, he said he was eager to defend himself in a court trial and clear his name. However, the prosecutors said that, by fleeing Japan, he had violated that oath and refused to obey the judgement of our nations court. He wanted to escape punishment for his own crime. There is no way to justify this act, they added. Ghosn said he left Japan because he was no longer willing to be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system. Amid fanciful accounts of a Houdini-like escape from Japan, he appears to have simply walked out of his house, according to security camera footage seen by Japanese public broadcaster NHK, and boarded a private jet to Beirut via Istanbul. Japan has begun an investigation into the security lapse and prosecutors said they would coordinate with the relevant agencies to swiftly and appropriately investigate the matter. Mori ordered the tightening of immigration procedures in the wake of Ghosns escape. CPI leader Atul Kumar Anjaan on Sunday urged national and regional political parties to join the workers and farmers in their nationwide protest on January 8. Ten central trade unions will go on a general strike or 'Bharat Bandh' on January 8 "to protest against the anti-labour policies" of the government. Employees of railways have also joined the protest in a show of solidarity. The Left parties too have supported the strike. Around 240 farmers' unions will be part of the strike against the agrarian policies of the government, Anjaan said in his letters to the chiefs of the political parties including the Congress. Anjaan who is also the General Secretary of the All India Kisaan Sabha wrote to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, NCP Chief SharadPawar, JDU's Nitish Kumar,BSP's Mayawati, SP's Akhilesh Yadav, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav and JMM leader and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. "On this day, the country's major trade unions have called for a general strike. Students, womens' organisations, civil society groups, youths and voluntary organisations have extended full support to the January 8 bandh," he said in his letter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dear Editor: The year 2019 ended in New York with violent anti-Semitic attacks. The innocent victims children, women, and elderly were shopping, walking and celebrating Hanukkah. Im pained by the hatred and violence commonplace in our society. Im offended by those employing racism and xenophobia in their political platforms. Im anguished that Jews are attacked because of their religion. We must unequivocally condemn hatred. In March of 2019, a hateful assault in a New Zealand mosque left 51 dead and 49 wounded. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern immediately proposed changes in gun legislation and wore a hijab expressing solidarity with the Muslim community. Since 2016, hate crimes throughout the United States have dramatically increased. Jewish people are targeted if they wear a kippah (skullcap). I wear a kippah to remind myself of the sacred, of the values inherent to my faith, and of the sacred in every human being. The Kingston Interfaith Council has issued a condemnation of the vicious Hanukkah attack in Monsey and has called upon our community to unite in solidarity. I ask that people of all walks of life, faith and political leaders, and members of the larger community stand in solidarity with Jews by wearing a kippah through Saturday, Jan. 11. May we have the courage to affirm our unity. When any person is targeted, we are all under attack. May people of every faith and race stand shoulder to shoulder, refusing to tolerate hatred. Rabbi Yael Romer, Congregation Emanuel of the Hudson Valley, Kingston, N.Y. From the streets of Canada to the valleys in Jammu and Kashmir in India, it is not unusual for us to come across selfless works by members of the Sikh community in cases of humanitarian crises. In fact, several voluntary Sikh organisations have been at the forefront of providing humanitarian relief in cases of flood and droughts. At the individual level too, there is no dearth of exceptional examples. But despite all the good work they do, Sikhs have been subjected to numerous instances of humiliation and racial discrimination in many Western countries, although most of them have now made strict laws to curb such instances. In India, the 1984 riots thrust them at the receiving end of what has been described by contemporaries as a "state-sponsored massacre". Barely two decades later, India got its first Sikh Prime Minister. Manmohan Singhs entry into 7 Race Course Road (now Lok Kalyan Marg), in many ways, sought to affirm that they enjoyed an equal place in India. It was also a way of atoning for the historical wrongs. However, Indias neighbour Pakistan has been accused of ill-treating its Sikh community since the very beginning of its existence and yet the international community, as well as the United Nations, has failed to take a serious note of it. Indian leaders cutting across party lines and various outfits have condemned the recent mob attack on the historic Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore, terming it as "cowardly" and "shameful", while hundreds of protesters thronged the streets near the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi demanding that the neighbouring country provide adequate security to Sikh shrines and community members there. Some videos and pictures that have surfaced on social media point to the misery that surfaced in Lahore. According to agencies, an angry group of local residents pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Friday evening, plunging the community in fear for their lives. And yet, it would be almost unimaginable to imagine the community being targeted if we were to consider all the good work being done by Sikhs all over the world. As India and the world calls upon Pakistan to ensure the safety and dignity of the Sikhs living there, heres a flashback of 21 defining moments from recent times that made the world a better place: Thousands of people, including many tourists, have been evacuating Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast as the situation worsens every minute. Amidst the chaos, some good Samaritans are lending a helping hand to the people dealing with the crisis, like Sikh Volunteers team who took to distributing free food for the needy. The owners of an Indian restaurant in Bairnsdale offered free food to firefighters and victims of the bushfires in the East Gippsland area. Kanwaljit Singh and his wife Kamaljit Kaur have lived in the area for six years now and they felt it was their responsibility to help those who were suffering. The restaurant says it can cook for up to 1000 people a day and has been stocking up on rice, flour and lentils, in this time of crisis. The whole country has united against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act with people, mostly students, protesting against the new bill. Jamia Millia Islamia University students vehemently protested against the bill. Protestors even thronged India Gate in central Delhi and what caught the eye of netizens was two Sikh brothers who had arranged tea and langar for the protestors. A Twitter user had posted the short 15-second video captioning, "This is why we call Singh is King... Here is video of Sikh brothers who arranged chai langar in India Gate for protestors... Truly Heroes". At a time when the Earth at large is facing severe threats from climate change and global warming, a Sikh-American organisation in Washington has pledged to support the plantation of 100 forests in Punjab and other parts of India as part of their efforts to combat climate change. Climate change has emerged as one of the greatest and most piercing threats to the survival of humanity, and life on the planet we call home. Although it is a very vast subject, there is little denying the fact that plantation of more and more trees are perhaps the most impactful way of combating this crisis. Described as war to end all wars, World War I and II were one of the deadliest conflicts in the history of the world. Several Indian soldiers also fought the war and laid down their lives. And, to honour those thousands of Sikh soldiers, a statue was unveiled at a West Yorkshire park, UK. The statue was unveiled at the Greenhead Park in Huddersfield, UK and the 6-ft statue was unveiled at Huddersfield because of its vibrant Sikh community, BBC reported. Kalvinder Bhullar, of the Sikh Soldier Organisation, told BBC, "It is a stunning sculpture and an emotional piece. To commemorate the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak which is celebrated as Gurpurab, a street in Canada was named after the Sikh guru. A section of the street in Brampton city of Canada was named after the Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, according to a report in The Indian Express. The ceremony inaugurating the new street was held on Sunday and the whole city came together to mark the 550th birth anniversary of the Sikh guru. The mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown took to Twitter and posted the message on his official account. More often than not religious animosity and communal tension are a result of the political gimmicks at the hands of a select few. People, in their day to day lives, have more love to give to each other, than is projected. Take, for instance, this Sikh man donating a piece of land for a mosque, in UP's Muzaffarnagar. PTI had reported that a 70-year-old Sikh man has donated a piece of land for a mosque, during the month of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. For weeks now, bush fires have been raging across New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland, leaving a trail of destruction. The Guru Nanak Gurudwara Turramurra Sikh Temple on Turramurras Kissing Point Road, offered free food and water, to Hornsby firefighters working round the clock to contain the fire. Dozens of local Sikhs brought food and water to residents and firefighters, before worshipping in a nearby temple. Although rain in October last year brought relief to some parts of India, it had also left many areas waterlogged. Gurugram was also dealing with flooded roads and traffic, which came to a standstill after heavy downpour. People in Gurugram avoided going out of the house, but those who did, faced inconvenience due to the traffic congestion. But, amidst the flood-like situation, three Sikh men came to the rescue a couple who were stranded in the waterlogged Mahipalpur area. The men - Jagjit, Satnam and Gurmeet - saved the couple and pushed their car to safety. Their act of kindness was shared by a Facebook user Gurpreet Wasi. She wrote in her post about how these complete strangers helped the couple. Indian and American Army soldiers participating in Exercise-"Yudh Abhyas" in America were served langar prepared by local Sikh volunteers. "Sharing of cultural values create timeless affinities. Indian Army & US Army Soldiers were served langar prepared by local Sikh volunteers. It was hosted at the Raptor facility on JBLM. The group has been part of the last three iterations in the US, providing traditional langar," the Indian Army said in a tweet on September 10. In a video that went viral last year, an old Sikh man could be seen standing with cans of cold water on his scooter, by the side of the road while patiently waiting for people. He then handed over the drinking water to whoever approached him. People like him are a rare breed and is very hard to find those whod go out of their way to help others. Notably, large swathes of the country remained under the grip of a relentless heatwave at that point in time. In Delhi, the mercury touched a high of 41.5 degree Celsius and its only predicted to get worse. Despite this, one Sikh man set a goal to help out fellow pedestrians. There is no dearth of hate messages in the name of religion but humanity wins every time. The Sikh community of Kashmir threw an Iftaar party for local Muslims in Chandigram village of Tral town in South Kashmir. A large number of local Muslims participated in the celebrations. The Sikh community made all the arrangements for their Muslim friends in the village. The village elders and the youth broke the fast together. The Pakistan government on Sunday said it ordered the release of 20 Indian fishermen from Malir District Jail in Landhi town in Sindh province. The Indian fishermen, who were in jail for the last one year, were put on a train bound for Lahore from where they will be taken to the Wagah border and handed over to Indian authorities. Superintendent of Malir District Jail Aurangzeb Khan said the orders to release the Indian fishermen came from the Interior Ministry. "We still have some 237 Indian fishermen in our jail who were sent to prison for illegally fishing in Pakistan's territorial waters," he said. Faisal Edhi, who runs social welfare trust Edhi Foundation, said the Indian fishermen were given money and some necessary items before they boarded the Lahore-bound train. The Pakistan government in April last year released 260 Indian fishermen in three batches from Malir and Landhi jails in Karachi. Incidents of Indian fishermen being arrested by Pakistan's Maritime Security Forces for illegally fishing in Pakistan's territorial waters have eased since August last year when 34 Indian fishermen were arrested and six boats seized. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 05.01.2020 LISTEN The central regional branch of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) is being micro managed by few individuals to the dissatisfaction of the grassroot members and this is giving the rival group the opportunity to win members to their association. There are diabolic plans to take out some candidates in the upcoming GRNMA regional election in the region for fear of losing their preferred chosen candidates. Neither the grassroot members nor applicants who applied for the various positions know or have seen the official list of candidates with their naked eyes after three good months of filing their nominations, let alone being aware of the timelines or roadmap for the elections. All these are being orchestrated by the Chairperson, Madam Mercy Charway led administration and we are not happy with the manner in which they are keeping information and doing everything in secret as if GRNMA is a family business. Even after the close of nominations some people are still been contacted secretly to pick forms despite close of nominations. We have no access to council reports and finances are kept in secret and members never get to see them. Some of the district executives who openly speak against some of these ills are sidelined and some unduly transfered to different districts to keep them mute. The filing of nomination was open and closed on 16/09/2019 and subsequently a vetting committee was constituted without the knowledge of the regional Council contrary to the GRNMA constitution which stipulates the process of constituting a vetting committee. The district executives protested against the chairperson at their Regional Council meeting especially with regards to the inclusion of the Chief Nursing officer in the vetting committee. Some regional executives were not even in the known of the names of the members of the vetting committee. The agitation was so forceful that the person (s) behind that move dropped the CNO and the Chairperson later replaced her though without consultations again. The initial date which was fixed for the vetting was cancelled due to protest over lack of Terms of reference for the vetting committee and they do not know when the vetting will come off as they do not also know who and who filed for what and they are not happy about how things are going on in the central regional branch of GRNMA. Information and decisions are made solely by the chair, Madam Charway and the Secretary Mr Alfred Addy (who is aspiring for the chair position) who she is doing all things possible to install as the next chair despite his unpopularity among members. I am calling on the national GRNMA, especially their regional parent, Mrs Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo (President elect) to call the regional chairperson to order else the region will lose its members to the rivalry association because the grassroot members are not happy about the turn of events. Danso Abiam K. Concerned nurse, Central region [email protected] SYDNEY Falling temperatures and calmer winds brought some relief Sunday to Australian communities raked by wildfires, but the heat stayed on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to accept responsibility for the crisis and take action. There has been a lot of blame being thrown around, Morrison said at a news conference. And now is the time to focus on the response that is being made. Blame doesnt help anybody at this time and over-analysis of these things is not a productive exercise. Morrison announced Saturday that he would dispatch 3,000 army, navy and air force reservists to help battle the fires. He also committed 20 million Australian dollars ($14 million) to lease firefighting aircraft from overseas. But the moves did little to tamp down criticism that he has been slow to act as he downplayed the need for his government to address climate change, which experts say played a key role in supercharging the blazes. As dawn broke over a blackened landscape Sunday, a picture emerged of a disaster of unprecedented scale. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service said 150 fires were active in the state, 64 of them uncontrolled. The wildfires have so far scorched an area twice the size of the state of Maryland, stretching across Australias densely populated southeast quadrant. The fires have killed at least 24 people, including a 47-year-old man who died Saturday night while trying to defend a friends home from encroaching flames. Nearly 2,000 homes have been destroyed. In New South Wales alone, the fires have killed nearly 500 million birds, reptiles and mammals, Sydney University ecologist Chris Dickman told the Sydney Morning Herald. Australians know to expect summer wildfires. But the blazes arrived early this year, fed by drought and the countrys hottest and driest year on record. 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. On Sunday, cooler temperatures and lighter winds brought some relief to threatened communities, a day after thousands were forced to flee as flames reached the suburban fringes of Sydney. Thousands of firefighters fought to contain the blazes, but many fires continued to burn out of control, threatening to wipe out rural townships and causing almost incalculable damage to property and wildlife. In New Zealand, the skies above Auckland were tinged orange by smoke from the bushfires. Shonal Ganguly and Steve McMorran are Associated Press writers. Photo: Contributed ROME - A drunken driver speeding on a mountain road plowed into a group of young German tourists in northern Italy early Sunday, killing six people and injuring 11 others, Italian authorities said. The deadly crash occurred in a village of Valle Aurina, northeast of Bolzano in the Alto Adige region, shortly after 1 a.m. as the Germans gathered near their tour bus. They were between the ages of 20 and 25. The largely German-speaking autonomous region of northern Italy, with its ski resorts in the Dolomites and quaint villages around Bolzano, is popular with German tourists. "The new year begins with a terrible tragedy," said the regional president of Alto Adige, Arno Kompatscher. We are left stunned. The driver of the car had a high blood alcohol content and was driving particularly fast, a Carabineri police official in Brunico told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to give his name. He said police had concluded that the crash wasn't an act of terrorism. Italian news reports said the driver's blood alcohol level was nearly four times the legal limit, and that he slammed into the tourists as they were getting off their bus and returning home after an evening out. They were torn from their lives by the actions of someone speeding under the influence of alcohol, said Armin Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia, the German state that is home to most of the victims. The Lutago volunteer fire service said on Facebook that six people were killed at the scene. The 11 injured, four of whom were in critical condition, were taken to several regional hospitals, including two who were airlifted to a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, said Bolzano Carabinieri Cmdr. Alessandro Coassin. Coassin said the driver, identified by Italian media as a 28-year-old man from the nearby town of Chienes, was arrested on suspicion of highway manslaughter and injury and was being treated at the hospital in Brunico. Most of the victims hailed from western Germany, though two of the injured were Italian, officials said. "These young people wanted to spend a good time together and were torn out of their lives or seriously injured from one second to the next," Laschet said. Speaking to reporters in Germany, Laschet said the victims came from various cities. "It was a single group ... but not everyone knew each other, he said. In all, 160 rescue workers and emergency medical personnel responded to the crash, which looked like a battlefield," according to Helmut Abfalterer of the Lutago volunteer fire service. Mourners later left candles and flowers at the crash scene, which was located along a two-lane road dotted by hotels and piles of snow in the mountainous region. Kompatscher told a press conference the victims were part of a group of young Germans on vacation. He expressed his condolences to their families and declined to provide further details pending notification to their loved ones. The accident occurred on the final long weekend of the Christmas and New Year's holiday in Italy, which will be capped by Epiphany on Monday. People are coming across the border for jobs that U.S. employers, particularly agricultural employers, want and need filled, she noted. So, how can we make sure employers have the workforce they need, and have a framework through which they can legally hire the folks they need to work on farms and dairies and greenhouses in the 7th District? she said of the resulting legislation. It will help meet the needs of year-round ag producers and relieve some of the pressure at the border, Spanberger said. I am proud of the fact that there is this seemingly insurmountable problem that people want to call a crisis, and Ive been a part of saying. Yes, its a challenge, but we need to take the next step of understanding it and trying to stop it, she added. ... You cant just put up a wall and stop people from coming. Lets recognize and be earnest about the fact ... that part of what drives them here is that we need agricultural workers, she added. Looking at policy in a thoughtful manner and actually trying to do something to help the problem is something that Im proud of having done. BEING ACCESSIBLE Trump threatens Iran to hit with new equipment Earlier on Saturday, US President said that they would strike 52 Iranian targets in the event of any attacks on US citizens or assets. US would hit Iran with 'brand new' equipment if Iran targets US assets, nationals, says Donald Trump "WITHOUT HESITATION" US President Donald Trump said Sunday that his country would hit Iran with "brand new beautiful equipment" if Iran targeted US bases or American nationals in the wake of the killing of a senior Iranian general by an American airstrike. "The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way...and without hesitation!" Trump said on Twitter. In separate comments on Twitter, Trump also "strongly advised" Iran not to attack the US as the country would "hit back". "They attacked us, & we hit back. If they attack again, which I would strongly advise them not to do, we will hit them harder than they have ever been hit before!" The arming and safety plugs removed from the first atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima have sold for 76,000. The green safety plug and red arming plug were pulled out of 'Little Boy', the 4.4-tonne weapon, before it was unleashed to such devastating effect on August 6, 1945. The bombing killed over 140,000 people, bringing forward the end of World War Two with the Japanese surrender. The three-inch plugs, which were made of metal and wood, were kept as a souvenir of the mission by Lieutenant Morris Jeppson, the weapons test officer on the B29 bomber 'Enola Gay'. The arming and safety plugs removed from the first atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima have sold for 76,000. The green safety plug and red arming plug were pulled out of 'Little Boy', the 4.4-tonne weapon, before it was unleashed to such devastating effect on August 6, 1945 The safety plug prevented the bomb going off during transport and flight while the arming plug enabled the weapon to be detonated by radar once it was dropped over the target. Lieutenant Jeppson later recounted: 'Before this time, bombs dropped from aircraft detonated by striking the ground. 'Atomic bombs with 30,000 times the explosive power had to be detonated in the air at heights proportional to the size of the explosion. 'Scientists recognised that an atomic explosion from a bomb dropped from low altitude would destroy the B-29 (Enola Gay). 'Therefore the plane should fly at a high altitude. As a result, the bomb designers faced several new problems. The three-inch plugs, which were made of metal and wood, were kept as a souvenir of the mission by Lieutenant Morris Jeppson, the weapons test officer on the B29 bomber 'Enola Gay' 'The first was how to detonate the bombs at 1,500 ft above the ground while it is falling at 1,000 ft per second. The answer had to be by radar directed between bomb and ground to electronically detect height. 'Secondly, to make sure that the bomb could not detonate too soon after leaving the plane, timing clocks isolated the firing voltage from the bomb detonator. 'Thirdly, the concern that radars in the bomb, if turned on too soon, might pick up radiations from Japanese radar to cause premature firing too high above ground.' The bombing killed over 140,000 people, bringing forward the end of World War Two with the Japanese surrender The items sparked a bidding war when they were sold with auction house Bonhams New York. They were consigned by descendants of Dr Edward Doll, a friend and colleague of Lt Jeppson who was gifted the plugs by him. A Bonhams New York spokesperson said: 'The auction featured a green safety plug and a red arming plug from 'Little Boy', the first atomic bomb dropped on Japan. 'The plugs, roughly the shape of a car cigarette lighter, had distinct functions which were integral to the mission. About 80,000 people, around 30 per cent of the population of Hiroshima at the time, were killed by the blast and resultant firestorm, with tens of thousands more perishing from the effects of the radiation in the months that followed 'They were saved by Jeppson as souvenirs of it.' After the war, the Enola Gay returned to the US where it was operated from Roswell Army Air Field in New Mexico. It was subsequently transferred to the Smithsomian Institution's storage facility at Suitland, Maryland, in 1961. About 80,000 people, around 30 per cent of the population of Hiroshima at the time, were killed by the blast and resultant firestorm, with tens of thousands more perishing from the effects of the radiation in the months that followed. As creeps like Rep. Ilhan Omar denounce the rubout of Iranian terrorist kingpin Qassem Soleimani as the killing of a "foreign official," the press calls him "a farm boy" or "icon," and stupid Hollywood celebrities send their condolences to "the Iranian people," (who are celebrating, actually) the ugly hard reality remains that Qassem Soleimani, leader of the terrorist Quds force, was a monster, a stone-cold killer of innocents, the driving force behind Iran as a state sponsor of terror. His funeral song should be "That Smell." He stunk of death all around him and liked the stench. According to the Washington Post: 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. But this isn't stopping the left from lionizing the beast. Here's a list, in no particular order, of the worst of what he did: 1. Assassination. The left may rail about the targeted killing of Soleimani as an 'assassination' but killing heads of state was Soleimani's stock in trade. He was behind the 2005 bomb murder of Lebanon's beloved president, Rafik Hariri. Dexter Filkins, writing in the New Yorker, in 2013, explained what and why: "Hariri, a Sunni, had been trying to take Lebanon out of the Iranian-Syrian orbit. On Valentines Day, he was killed by a suicide truck bomb whose payload weighed more than five thousand pounds." Harire death left a cold chill throughout the Middle East. Hariri assassination memorial // Image credit: St1ke, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0 2. Mass killings of American military targets. In 1983, Soleiman was involved in the Beirut barracks bombing. Acting in the mullah regime's interests, his idea was to drive U.S. forces out through use of Iran's little pawn, Hezb'allah, which grew in power after the mass attack while Iran itself succeeded in getting the Iran's aims enacted. Soleimani's Quds force was the actual creator of Hezb'allah, which was always happy to be Iran's little pawn. After the attacks, all were emboldened. I recall that the late great Herbert Meyer, at the time a Reagan administration national security official, later said the Reagan administration rued the decision to take troops out, given the growing power of the terrorists that came of it. Beirut U.S. barracks bombing // USMC public domain 3. Mass killings of more American military targets. In 1996, Soleimani and his buddies sent in a truck bomb to blow up the Khobar Towers in naked warfare to advance Iran's interests. Iran had a problem with the U.S. teaming up with the Saudis to fortify the nation from extremist attacks. Twenty mostly American troops were killed and nearly 500 were injured and he got away with it. Khobar Towers bombing / U.S. Department of Defense / public domain 4. Targeting of diplomatic compounds, Part I: Soleimani went after American civilians, too, and anyone associated with them in his twin bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, killing 224 innocents, mostly Africans who either worked at the facilities or were passers by. 4,000 more were injured. Al Qaida got most of the blame, but Soleimani was the state sponsor for al-Qaida, giving it its start: Kenya bombing aftermath // FBI public domain 5. Actual war on U.S. troops during the Iraq war. Andrew McCarthy writes: "Our government estimates that he was responsible for the killing of more than 600 U.S. troops during the fighting in Iraq and that represents just some of his anti-American operations, coordinating the networks that target Americans and our interests throughout the region." He wasn't satisfied with the passive-aggressive kind of warfare on civilians, he moved into full frontal warfare with the Americans. Image Credit: Javad Hadi, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0 6. Sadistic innovations in war-crime warfare, 2005-2019: Most of the world agrees that land mines and chemical warfare are out of bounds. Not Soleiman, who saw that as his opportunity to get a battlefield edge through innovations in war crime technology others wouldn't touch. According to the Washington Post, his sick legacy was the EFP, a more gruesome version of the IED, to target U.S. troops. Some people innovate to make the world a better place. Soleimani only got creative in order to advance evil. The Post writes: "EFPs killed at least 196 U.S. troops and wounded nearly 900 between 2005 and 2011, defense officials revealed in 2015, and Castner said a high number of amputations throughout the war were the direct result of the weapons. In the 2006 attack, slugs took both legs off a soldier and one from a gunner, he wrote in his memoir, 'The Long Walk.'" Image credit: Bryan Price, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0 7. Unprovoked rocket assaults on Israel. When one speaks of attacks on Israel, one is tempted to ask 'which one' and Soleimani was certainly responsible for nearly all of them. However, Soleimani's 2018 barrage, halted mostly by the Iron Dome, but nevertheless open warfare of raining rocket attacks through use of Hezb'allah, called for a response. Israel wanted to take him out, according to citations in the Jerusalem Post, but was halted by the Obama administration, which warned the mullahs of the plan. Image credit: IDF and Nehemiya Gershuni-Aylho // CC BY-SA 3.0 8. Brutal attacks on democracy at home: Soleimani wasn't just a foreign-ops guy, he was also the chief thug back home in Iran, urging vicious crushing of student protests, according to the Guardian, presumably beginning in at least 2009 and certainly carrying on in earnest since 2017. The mailed fist of power was the only thing that animated him. The Guardian writes: Soon after taking control of the Quds force, he was part of a group of Revolutionary Guard commanders who in a letter warned reformist President Mohammad Khatami to put down student protests, or risk them stepping in. Police moved in to crush protests, as they would a decade later. He was more important than the president, spoke to all factions in Iran, had a direct line to the supreme leader and was in charge of Irans regional policy, said Dina Esfandiary, a fellow at the Century Foundation think tank. It doesnt get more important and influential than that. Image credit: Harrison Staab via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0 9. His Houthi War in Yemen. Yemen's a miserable place with massive demographic and resource problems. Soleimani used that as the perfect launch pad to attack Saudi Arabia. Untold miseries of warfare followed, mostly blamed on President Trump in the mass media. It was actually Soleimani's doing. Image credit: VOA public domain 10. The first 9/11s. Soleimani was involved in the still-unpunished bombing of the Israeli embassy in 1992 and the even bigger AMIA Jewish Center in Buenos Aires in 1994, which killed more than 100 people. Up until then, mass casualty murder of civilians was not a terrorist 'thing.' After that, it was. AMIA was said to be the first 9/11, the model for this sick new mode of terror which culminated in 9/11. Soleimani wasn't the chief of the Quds force at the time but the Guardian reports he was thought to have been in on it. We know he got promoted not too long after. AMIA attack aftermath // public domain This list is just a little list. The beast's terrorism career extended across the world, with his involvement in attacks in India, in Thailand, in France. He's the creep who gave Hugo Chavez all that protection and entrenchment in Venezuela. Remember the bizarre assassination bid against the Saudi ambassador that originated in Texas? Him again. He never stopped aiming for the big atrocities. Let him explain them now as he meets his Maker. Image credit, Soleimani picture: Khameini.ir, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0 Farmers have expressed concern following comments made by Defra's former chief scientist that half of the UK's farmland should be converted to provide habitat for nature. Prof Sir Ian Boyd, who left the post last year after seven years in the role, made the suggestion in a controversial article published in The Guardian. In order to fight the climate crisis, he said half of the nation's farmland should be taken out of food production and transformed into woodlands and natural habitat. Half of farmland, which consists of mainly uplands and pasture, produces 20 percent of the UKs food, he claimed. Most of the livestock production in the UK is unprofitable without public subsidy, Sir Ian told the paper. The public are subsidising the production of livestock to produce environmental damage, all the way from greenhouse gas emissions to water pollution. Why should we continue to do that? It is not sensible. Such a mass-scale transformation could mean the amount of cattle and sheep would fall by 90 percent. Farmers would then be paid to restore habitats, build woodlands and prevent floods, Sir Ian suggested. But the former chief scientist's suggestion has been met with widespread criticism from farming industry groups. NFU president Minette Batters made the point on Twitter that it 'took two world wars to realise the error of not being able to produce enough food'. You only turn the food production tap off once. We cannot make the same mistake again, she said. The rural and agricultural arm of the Liberal Democrats Party echoed this sentiment, saying any move to reduce UK livestock by 90 percent would be 'utter madness'. Reducing livestock by 90% in Britain means more reduction of the Amazon rainforest as meat supply will be shipped to feed British. The carbon positive elements of livestock grazing on British pastures will be lost, the group said. Joe Stanley, a prominent farmer and conservationist from Leicestershire, said the UK must instead focus on 'realistic, sustainable' farming practices to combat the climate crisis. Rewilding 50% of ???? farmland will just offshore our food production to countries with ?? environmental standards. We must concentrate on realistic, sustainable farming practices to combat the climate crisis @BBCFarmingToday @BenGoldsmith @DefraGovUK @HenryDimbleby @michaelgove. pic.twitter.com/a6vqeJP5By Joe Stanley ???? (@JoeWStanley) December 31, 2019 It is not the first time Sir Ian has made controversial comments surrounding food and farming. Last year, he suggested there is 'no scientific reason' to ban chlorine-washed chicken or hormone beef in any trade deal post-Brexit. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, January 5, 2020 17:47 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320ef9e7 1 City flood,jakarta,rain,school,uniform,anies-baswedan,Nadiem-Makarim Free An elementary school in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta has allowed students affected by the recent floods not to wear school uniforms as school is set to resume on Monday. We have coordinated with the teachers so that children who do not have uniforms because of the floods are allowed to wear other clothes, as long as it's neat, SD Pasar Baru 01 state elementary school principal Tri Astuti said on Sunday as quoted by Antara news agency. Its okay not to wear uniforms. I have told all [the teachers] not to send [students without uniform] home. She said the school would be ready to open on Monday despite being flooded from Wednesday to Friday, saying that the floodwater had receded and the school building had been cleaned. Tri added that the school had also collected data on which students were affected by the floods, in the hope that they would quickly be given aid in the form of school supplies from the Education and Culture Ministry. Minister Nadiem Makarim said in a statement on Friday that the ministry would provide school supplies and additional funds to schools, students and teachers affected by the flooding. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said on Saturday that 211 schools had been affected by the flooding but 208 had since been cleaned, with only three schools still inundated. (kmt) Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste on Sunday said Bangladeshi Hindus living in Odishas Kendrapara district and earlier served deportation notices will be conferred with Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA). "The Bangladeshi Hindus living here were earlier branded as illegal immigrants and were asked to pack their bags more than a decade ago. However, CAA will make them Indian citizens," the Union Minister of State for Steel said. Kulaste was speaking while launching Jana Sampark Yatra in Ramchandi village in Mahakalpada tehsil of Kendrapara district. He explained to the people the positive perspective of CAA. As many as 1,551 people from Mahakalpada tehsil were officially tagged as Bangladeshis and were served 'Quit India' notice. However, the deportation move was kept on hold following protest from several quarters. The union government has enacted the CAA for conferring citizenship to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, Christians and Zoroastrians, who came to India before December 31, 2014, from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the BJP leader said. The act pledges to confer citizenship not snatch citizenship. Canards are being spread by vested interest regarding the act, he said, adding that people need not worry about the CAA. The law has been duly passed in the Parliament and no state government could stop it from implementation, Kulaste said. The union governments record books say Odisha is home to 3,987 Bangladeshis infiltrators. Bengali-speaking people living here are feeling relieved. The Union ministers announcement on Sunday has reassured them, said a local resident of Chapalli village, Ramen Mandal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BAGHDAD>> Thousands took to the streets of Baghdad for the funeral procession of Irans top general Saturday after he was killed in a U.S. airstrike, as the region braced for the Islamic Republic to fulfill its vows of revenge. The day of mourning in the Iraqi capital ended Saturday evening with a series of rockets that were launched and fell inside or near the Green Zone, which houses government offices and foreign embassies, including the U.S. Embassy. Iran has vowed harsh retaliation for the U.S. airstrike ordered early Friday by President Donald Trump that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force and mastermind of its regional security strategy, and several senior Iraqi militants. The attack has caused regional tensions to soar, raising fears of an all-out war, and tested the U.S. alliance with Iraq. Trump says he ordered the strike, a high-risk decision that was made without consulting Congress or U.S. allies, to prevent a conflict. U.S. officials say Soleimani was plotting a series of attacks that endangered American troops and officials, without providing evidence. Soleimani was the architect of Irans regional policy of mobilizing militias across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, including in the war against the Islamic State group. He was also blamed for attacks on U.S. troops and American allies going back decades. Though its unclear how or when Iran may respond, any retaliation was likely to come after three days of mourning declared in both Iran and Iraq. All eyes were on Iraq, where America and Iran have competed for influence since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. After the airstrike early Friday, the U.S.-led coalition has scaled back operations and boosted security and defensive measures at bases hosting coalition forces in Iraq, a coalition official said on the condition of anonymity according to regulations. Meanwhile, the U.S. has dispatched another 3,000 troops to neighboring Kuwait, the latest in a series of deployments in recent months as the standoff with Iran has worsened. In a thinly veiled threat, one of the Iran-backed militia, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or League of the Righteous, called on Iraqi security forces to stay at least 1,000 meters (0.6 miles) away from U.S. bases starting Sunday night. However, US troops are invariably based in Iraqi military posts alongside local forces. The leaders of the security forces should protect their fighters and not allow them to become human shields to the occupying Crusaders, the warning statement said. An Iraqi security official said there were no injuries reported from the series of rockets launched Sunday evening. A Katyusha rocket that fell inside a square less than one kilometer from the U.S. embassy, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters. Another rocket in Baghdad landed about 500 meters from As-Salam palace where the Iraqi President Barham Salih normally stays in Jadriya, a neighborhood adjacent to the Green Zone, the official said. Another security official said three rockets fell outside an air base north of Baghdad were American contractors are normally present. The rockets landed outside the base in a farm area and there were no reports of damages, according to the official. Also on Saturday, a spokesman for the Iraqi armed forces said the movement of coalition forces, including U.S. troops, in the air and on the ground will be restricted, conditioned on receiving approval from Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, the commander in chief of the armed forces. It was not immediately clear what the new restrictions would mean, given that coalition troops were already subject to limitations and had to be coordinated with the Joint Operation Command of top Iraqi military commanders. NATO temporarily suspended all training activities in Iraq due to safety concerns, Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said Saturday. Iraqs government, which is closely allied with Iran, condemned the airstrike that killed Soleimani, calling it an attack on its national sovereignty. Parliament is meeting for an emergency session Sunday, and the government has come under mounting pressure to expel the 5,200 American troops based in the country, who are there to help prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group. In Baghdad, thousands of mourners, mostly men in black military fatigues, carried Iraqi flags and the flags of Iran-backed militias that are fiercely loyal to Soleimani at Saturdays ceremony. They were also grieving for Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior Iraqi militia commander who was killed in the same strike. The mourners, many of them in tears, chanted No, No, America, and Death to America, death to Israel. Mohammed Fadl, a mourner dressed in black, said the funeral is an expression of loyalty to the slain leaders. It is a painful strike, but it will not shake us, he said. Helicopters hovered over the procession, which was attended by Abdul-Mahdi and leaders of Iran-backed militias. The procession later made its way to the Shiite holy city of Karbala, where the mourners raised red flags associated with unjust bloodshed and revenge. The slain Iraqi militants will be buried in Najaf, while Soleimanis remains will be taken to Iran. More funeral services will be held for Soleimani in Iran on Sunday and Monday, before his body is laid to rest in his hometown of Kerman. The U.S. has ordered all citizens to leave Iraq and temporarily closed its embassy in Baghdad, where Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters staged two days of violent protests earlier this week in which they breached the compound. Britain and France have warned their citizens to avoid or strictly limit travel in Iraq. No one was hurt in the embassy protests, which came in response to U.S. airstrikes that killed 25 Iran-backed militiamen in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. blamed the militia for a rocket attack that killed a U.S. contractor in northern Iraq. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have steadily intensified since Trumps decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal and restore crippling sanctions, which have devastated Irans economy and contributed to recent protests there in which hundreds were reportedly killed. In an apparent effort to defuse tensions, Qatars foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, made an unplanned trip to Iran where he met with Rouhani and other senior officials. Qatar hosts American forces at the Al-Udeid Air Base and shares a massive offshore oil and gas field with Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with various world leaders including Iraqi President Barham Salih, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of the United Arab Emirates. I reaffirmed that the U.S. remains committed to de-escalation, Pompeo tweeted. As threats of revenge against the U.S. loomed, major streets in Iran were filled Saturday with billboards and images of Soleimani, who was widely seen as a national icon and a hero of the so-called Axis of Resistance against Western hegemony. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited Soleimanis home in Tehran to express his condolences. The Americans did not realize what a great mistake they made, Rouhani said. On the streets of Tehran, many mourned Soleimani. I dont think there will be a war, but we must get his revenge, said Hojjat Sanieefar. America cant hit and run anymore, he added. Another man, who only identified himself as Amir, was worried. If there is a war, I am 100% sure it will not be to our betterment. The situation will certainly get worse, he said. In a sign of his regional reach, supporters in Lebanon hung billboards commemorating Soleimani in Beiruts southern suburbs and in southern Lebanon along the disputed border with Israel, according to the state-run National News Agency. Both are strongholds of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, whose leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had close ties to Soleimani. Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, including the territorys Hamas rulers, opened a mourning site for the slain general and dozens gathered to burn American and Israeli flags. The killing of Soleimani was a loss for Palestine and the resistance, said senior Hamas official Ismail Radwan. - The United States issues travel advisory to its citizens in Iraq - The State Department issued the security alert after Iran promised retaliation against the US for an airstrike that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani - The US says all consular operations are suspended in Iraq due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at its embassy compound - Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in The United States on Friday, January 3, urged its citizens in Iraq to leave the country immediately over security concerns. The State Department issued the security alert after Iran promised harsh retaliation against the United States for an airstrike that killed top Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, at the Baghdad International Airport. Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately, the State Department said in a tweet. The security alert also stated that all consular operations are suspended in Iraq due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the US embassy compound. READ ALSO: Akufo-Addo's bodyguard enstooled chief of Alajo The travel advisory came after a US airstrike killed Qasem Soleimani, a key Iranian military commander, in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad. Legit.ng gathered through a CNN report that the airstrike, which was intended to deter future Iranian attack plans, was confirmed by the Pentagon on Thursday, January 2. PAY ATTENTION: Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana It was reported that the assassination of the top military leader marks a major escalation in regional tensions that have pitted Tehran against the US and Washington's Gulf Arab allies in the region. READ ALSO: President Donald Trump justifies killing of General Qassem Soleimani Reacting to the killing, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, vowed that harsh revenge awaits those responsible for the killing. Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh Actually, it was just a matter of time before the year-long skirmishes between Indonesian and Chinese fishermen, the latter often heavily guarded by Chinas naval vessels, would escalate and become a more open quarrel between the two countries. But still, last weeks blunt statements by Chinas Foreign Ministry on the Natuna Islands were shocking to many Indonesians. In his press briefing in Beijing, the Foreign Ministry spokesman insisted that Chinese fishermen are free to fish in their traditional fishing area, which partly overlaps Indonesias exclusive economic zone (EEZ), because Chinas position and propositions comply with international law, including UNCLOS [the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login U.S. and New Jersey flags at all state buildings and facilities will fly at half-staff next week for the 33-year-old soldier from Bergen County who was fatally injured in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan last month. Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Goble of Westwood was seizing a Taliban weapons cache when he was killed, the U.S. military said last week. Gov. Phil Murphy announced today that the flags will be flown at half-staff on Thursday, Jan. 9, which is the day of Gobles burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Sergeant 1st Class Michael Goble represented the best values of our Armed Forces and of New Jersey -- dedication, fearlessness, and excellence. His tragic passing reminds us of the tremendous sacrifices our soldiers and our military families make in the name of service so that our nations values may continue to be a beacon around the world, Murphy said in a statement. Our thoughts are with Sergeant 1st Class Gobles family and friends. May we all honor his service by endeavoring through our lives to represent the values for which he gave his life. Described by friends as a true American hero, Goble joined the Army as a Special Forces candidate in July 2004. He then graduated the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and earned the Green Beret. Goble was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, the military said. He leaves behind his daughter Zoey and long-time partner, Jennifer, according to a fundraising page set up for his family. A GoFundMe page has raised over $150,000 for Gobles family. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Smoke haze could once again blanket Melbourne as smoke from fires burning in Tasmania makes its way north, the Environment Protection Authority has warned. EPA chief environmental scientist Andrea Hinwood said the citys air quality could be hazardous at times on Monday. The view down Brunswick Street on Friday. Credit:Jason South In Melbourne were expecting it to be similar to the hazy conditions we saw on Friday and it could be even worse. She urged people to make the most of Sundays kinder conditions to ventilate their houses. In a move that could provide some relief to the tribal community in Chhattisgarh, the Congress-led state government has finally initiated the process of identification of tribals displaced due to intensified conflict between the Indian State and the Maoists from 2004-05. There is no definite count of how many people/families were forced to flee to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in a bid to avoid getting caught in the crossfire between the security forces and the Maoists, but some estimates suggest that 16,000 tribals (5,000 families) were uprooted from the state. This is a conservative count. In the war between the State and the Maoists, there were two ways in which the lives of tribal people were disrupted. One, the State moved many tribals from their villages in the forested areas to roadside camps to prevent them from aiding the Maoists, thus snapping their links with their extended families, their land and culture. This was the notorious and unconstitutional Salwa Judum campaign. And second, hordes of tribals were forced to migrate to other states because they did not want to get caught (and killed) in the fight between the two combatants. But while they saved their lives by fleeing, the tribals faced a hard time in other states since India does not have a policy for people displaced by conflict. Without a law, internally displaced people end up being nowhere people with no state wanting to accommodate them because they are seen as eating into funds meant for residents. This left them vulnerable to exploitation from labour contractors and government officials. India needs a law to deal with those displaced due to internal conflicts, who become second-class citizens in their own country. For now, Chhattisgarh needs to conduct a proper enumeration of the displaced, bring them back, and help the returnees start a new life. Bernie Sanders and fellow progressive Ro Khanna have introduced a law to block funding for military force in or against Iran without congressional approval, in an effort to stall a potential new war in the Middle East. The pair introduced the legislation just a day after Donald Trump approved a targeted airstrike against Qasem Soleimani, a general with the Iran Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force. Today, we are seeing a dangerous escalation that brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East, Mr Sanders, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, and Mr Khanna, a member of the House, said in a joint statement. The statement continued: A war with Iran could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars and lead to even more deaths, more conflict, more displacement in that already highly volatile region of the world. The pair have previously criticised their fellow members of Congress for approving a $738 billion military budget that did not include safeguards to limit Mr Trumps ability to wage a war against Iran. When that legislation was passed last month, Mr Sanders and Mr Khanna called it a bill of astonishing moral cowardice. 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 their Friday statement, they said their legislation provides an opportunity to reconsider the matter: Congress now has an opportunity to change course. Our legislation blocks Pentagon funding for any unilateral actions this president takes to wage war against Iran without congressional authorization. The legislation comes amid fears in Washington that Mr Trump and his administration may be preparing to go to war with Iran, and that such a decision may be made without input from Congress a requirement in the US Constitution. Those fears have arisen from the airstrike that killed Soleimani, an attack against a foreign official that was approved without consultation from many top members of Congress. Democrats have said they were not told about the attack before it happened. At least one Republican, senator Lindsey Graham, has said he were consulted beforehand, but only during a trip to the presidents Mar-a-Lago resort. I was briefed about the potential operation when I was down in Florida, Mr Graham told Fox News, adding that he appreciate[d] being brought into the orbit. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, slammed the presidents decision to go ahead with the operation against Soleimani without congressional approval. The need for advance consultation and transparency with Congress was put in the Constitution for a reason because the lack of advanced consultation and transparency with Congress can lead to hasty and ill-considered decisions, he said. There are nationwide protests planned throughout the weekend including one on Sunday afternoon in New Haven by those urging no war with Iran, following an escalation between Iran and the United States. Various organizations called on people around the country to organize local demonstrations beginning Saturday and continuing Sunday to demand no more U.S. troops be sent to the Middle East, as well as no war with and no sanctions on Iran. The protests were planned to take place in at least 50 cities, including one on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Church and Chapel streets the New Haven Green in New Haven. The protests which are being organized by CODEPINK, a women-led grassroots group founded in 2002 as an effort to prevent the war in Iraq are in response to the killing of Qassem Soleimani, Irans most powerful general, early Friday in an airstrike orchestrated by the United States. After Fridays airstrike, President Donald Trump said the action was taken to stop a war. He said Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him. The Defense Department has blamed Soleimani for the deaths of hundreds of Americans. After the killing of Soleimani, Iran has vowed crushing revenge. The State Department has urged Americans in Iraq to leave the country. U.S. troops in the region are on high alert. While the only officially planned protest in Connecticut through CODEPINK is scheduled for New Haven, other cities are prepared should anything happen there. As of Saturday, director of emergency management and homeland security for Bridgeport, Scott Appleby, said city officials had not heard of any potential protests in the city. While nothing is currently on city officials radar for Bridgeport protests, Appleby said there are internal procedures that detail specific responsibilities for each emergency operations team to make sure everyone is ready should one take place. Every citizen has the right to assemble and exercise their right to free speech so long as it does not create a public safety hazard or interfere with the free flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, Appleby said. We encourage organization to pull a permit if organization on public property so we can assist with ensuring a safe environment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. On any given Sunday, you can find Ben Affleck headed to church with his family. But this week, it was just the actor, 47, and his eldest daughter Violet, 14, who made the trip to worship for services in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Gone Girl star was dressed casually for the outing, while Violet was a mini-me of her mom, Jennifer Garner, in a black dress. Father daughter day: Ben Affleck was joined by his eldest daughter Violet for church service on Sunday. Ben was spotted following his daughter into church, donning simple grey jeans and a dark grey windbreaker. He paired it with a blue speckled sweater and navy blue Allbird sneakers. With a pit of salt and pepper facial hair, the actor had his hair styled in a slightly upward angle. To-go: He carried a small single use cup on their way out of the service, as he pulled his daughter into his side He carried a small single use cup on their way out of the service, as he pulled his daughter into his side. The teenager wore a simple black and floral patterned dress, with white sneakers. On the way inside she tied a purple crewneck sweatshirt around her waist, that she put over her dress by the time they exited. His look: Ben was spotted following his daughter into church, donning simple grey jeans and a dark grey windbreaker Typically the father-daughter-duo are accompanied by his ex Jen and their daughter Seraphina, 10, and son Samuel, aged seven, though they were missing this week. The couple was married from 2005 until 2018. Since the split Ben has been open about his struggles with alcohol addiction. Throughout his struggles, Jen has been at his side. And Ben is endlessly grateful for her support, with an insider recently telling Us Weekly: 'Ben has the utmost respect for Jen and how shes supported him through his addiction.' Mini mom: Looking like a mini version of her mom, Violet wore a simple black and floral patterned dress, with white sneakers with a purple crew neck around her waist Friendly exes: Despite being missing from church this week, Ben and Jennifer Garner usually attend service together with their three children, despite divorcing in 2018 The insider explained why Jennifer has been so patient with her ex. 'Jen puts up with a lot and does everything she can to keep it together she wants Ben to be in the kids lives. That means dealing with things she isnt happy about.' While family has been at the forefront his recovery, Affleck also has a full professional schedule to keep him busy. He's set to produce, direct and star in a new version of Witness for the Prosecution and World War II drama Ghost Army. The actor is also lined up to star in several movies including The Last Duel, Deep Water, Hypnotic, The Way Back, a Jay and Silent Bob Reboot and an as yet untitled sequel to 2016's The Accountant. New Delhi: Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday asserted that his party was firmly in support of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and said that Maharashtras 'lesson' to the country was 'don't be afraid'. "My party is firmly in support of anti-CAA protests," Raut said while speaking at a meeting organized by the Jamaat e-Islamic Hind and Association for Protection of Civil Rights on the amended Citizenship Act. "Daro mat (don't be afraid) is the lesson Maharashtra has taught the country," the Shiv Sena leader said, apparently referring to his partys decision to sever the ties with the BJP and form the government with the Nationalist Congress Party and Congress in the state. "Maharashtra has shown the way to the country," he added. "The country is our religion. We all should be united, and this is what they (the BJP) are afraid of," he added. Raut said that Bal Thackeray was known as a champion of Hindus, but the late Sena founder believed that this country belongs to all. "Balasaheb never said Muslims should be thrown out. He stood up against traitors," the Shiv Sena said, adding that Thackeray had many Muslim friends. Raut also pointed out that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was the first in the country to criticize the police firing on students protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Delhi. "When students are fired upon, the country and democracy are in danger," Raut said. Criticizing Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Raut said, "The home minister says the Congress could not stop Partition on religious lines. If that is so, where were you then?" Raut also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for often accusing opposition leaders of "speaking the language of Pakistan". "This 'divide and rule' policy is dangerous," he said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The government on Sunday condemned the targeted killing of a minority Sikh community member in Pakistans Peshawar. The incident comes close on the heels of vandalism and desecration of Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement, urged Pakistan to act in defence of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries. The government also urged Pakistan to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, the MEA said. Watch: Sikh man killed in Pakistan; India demands strong action against perpetrators A Sikh man was killed in Peshawar by an unidentified person, according to reports in Pakistan media. The incident comes two days after the attack on the gurdwara in Pakistan that led to protests and condemnation across India on , with the demonstrators shouting slogans against the Pakistani government and leaders cutting across party lines demanding strict action against the culprits. The government, expressing concern at the vandalism carried out at the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, called on the Pakistani authorities to ensure the safety and security of Sikhs in the country. 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, said a statement by the MEA. The MEA today said these 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. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, the shrine built at the birthplace of Sikhism founder in Pakistan, was surrounded by an angry mob on Friday who threatened to occupy it if people detained in connection with the alleged forcible conversion of the Sikh woman were not released. A university academic has called for the summer holidays to be moved to stop people from heading into the bush during fire season. Professor David Bowman made the controversial suggestion on Sunday that the Australian holidays be moved from December and January to March or April. While he acknowledged the suggestion may not be popular, the professor commented on the 'absurd' nature of tourists flooding in the middle of bushfire season. Eerie photos show tourist destination Batemans Bay residents surrounded by thick smoke as they wait on the beach Poll Do you think the holidays should be changed to March or April? Yes No I don't know Do you think the holidays should be changed to March or April? Yes 106 votes No 161 votes I don't know 22 votes Now share your opinion 'What's truly absurd is the business-as-usual approach that sees thousands of holidaymakers heading directly into forests and national parks right in the middle of peak bushfire season,' he wrote in The Conversation. 'People are in desperate need of a break, to spend time with family. Instead of returning to work rested and re-energised, many will be stressed, tired, perhaps even traumatised.' He also said bushfire season denies people the chance to experience the national parks and forests because they're closed during peak fire season to reduce risk. 'It would be a lot easier for firefighters to focus on stemming fires if they didn't also have to manage mass evacuations, and deal with populations that are dispersed and far from home.' Social media users were divided on the topic. A swimming pool in the remains of a house destroyed by bushfires is seen just outside Batemans Bay in New South Wales The remains of a house destroyed by a bushfire is seen just outside Batemans Bay in New South Wales on January 2 I have actually been thinking abut this very idea. Te problem is that many of our holiday ideas are designed around the summer weather. Would you enjoy a beach holiday during a wet and cold March or April?' asked one person. 'What a ridiculous article most people go overseas to escape the Australian winter anyway. These towns rely on summer tourism,' said another. 'Given that many fires were deliberately lit the workload on firefighters is irrelevent. Deal with crime and leave the holiday seasons alone,' someone else wrote. This bushfire season has seen 23 lives lost and more than 1,500 homes destroyed as fires continue to tear through the country. By Associated Press BAGHDAD: Iraq's Parliament called for the expulsion of U.S. troops from the country Sunday in reaction to the American drone attack that killed a top Iranian general. Lawmakers approved a resolution asking the Iraqi government to end the agreement under which Washington sent forces to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. A pullout of the estimated 5,200 U.S. troops could cripple the fight against ISIS and allow its resurgence. The majority of about 180 legislators present in Parliament voted in favor of the resolution. It was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. The vote came two days after a U.S. airstrike killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani at the Baghdad airport, dramatically increasing regional tensions and raising fears of war. Iran has vowed revenge. Meanwhile. amid Iran's threats of vengeance, the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq announced Sunday it is putting the fight against Islamic State militants on hold to focus on protecting its troops and bases. The coalition said it is suspending the training of Iraqi forces and other operations in support of the fight against ISIS. She's been catapulted to the next level of stardom in the title role of The Trial Of Christine Keeler. And off-screen Sophie Cookson has a love life almost as enthralling as the Profumo scandal depicted in the BBC drama. Her current clinch is understood to be actor Stephen Campbell Moore, the ex-husband of Claire Foy, who played the Queen in the first two series of The Crown. Before that, Miss Cookson dated Andrew Gower, the 30-year-old heart-throb star of Outlander. Wowing critics: Sophie Cookson stars in The Trial of Christine Keeler. She has found her own love life mirroring the enthralling sub-plots in Profumo scandal depicted in the BBC drama Miss Cookson, 29, met Campbell Moore 13 years her senior while they were filming movie Red Joan in 2017, just a few months before he and Ms Foy announced that their four-year marriage was over. Their statement, which was released in February 2018, said they had ended their relationship some time before. They have a four-year-old daughter, Ivy Rose. Campbell Moore and Miss Cookson grew close afterwards. In November 2018, they were spotted flirting on the streets of London, prompting questions over whether their friendship had turned into romance. Cookson met her 30-year-old heart-throb Stephen Campbell Moore during the filming of Road Joan in 2017. This was just a few months before he and actress Claire Foy announced that their four-year marriage was over And last summer they confirmed their relationship when they were seen canoodling in the VIP area at Wimbledon where they were guests of alcohol brand Pimms. They arrived together, happily posing for photographers, before joining a group of friends including Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke. She portrays the model and showgirl Ms Keeler who became involved in one of the biggest political scandals of the 20th Century Their romance can be revealed just weeks after Ms Foy was linked to The Crown co-star Matt Smith following his reported split from Les Miserables star Lily James in November. Ms Foy said at the time of her separation from Campbell Moore: We have separated and have been for some time. We do, however, continue as great friends with the utmost respect for one another. Miss Cookson, who is close friends with Ms James, got engaged to Gower in 2014 but they are understood to have split shortly after he popped the question. Miss Cookson has wowed both critics and viewers with her portrayal of model and showgirl Ms Keeler, whose affair with British politician John Profumo and Russian spy Yevgeny Ivanov was one of the biggest political scandals of the 20th Century. Born in West Sussex, Miss Cookson moved to Suffolk when she was a child and attended the independent Woodbridge School where fees are 15,000 a year. She later attended the Oxford School of Drama where, coincidentally, Ms Foy also trained. Miss Cookson made her name in the two spy comedy Kingsman movies, and latterly starred in Netflix psychological thriller series Gypsy alongside Naomi Watts. In 2017, she was hailed as one to watch by Hollywood magazine Variety. Campbell Moore is pictured with Claire Foy at the 'Thomas and Friends: King of the Railway' film screening in London on August 18, 2013. Both Foy and Cookson crossed paths as they attended the Oxford School of Drama In interviews to promote The Trial Of Christine Keeler a six-part series being screened on BBC One Miss Cookson says she feels it is her responsibility to change the perception of Ms Keeler, who went to prison for perjury in 1963 following the affairs that happened when she was just 19. A spokesman for Miss Cookson did not respond to requests for comment yesterday. Iraq's parliament has voted to expel the from the country. Lawmakers voted Sunday in favour of a resolution that calls for ending foreign military presence in the country. The resolution's main aim is to get the US to withdraw some 5,000 US troops present in different parts of The vote comes two days after a US airstrike killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani inside Iraq, dramatically increasing regional tensions. The Iraqi resolution specifically calls for ending an agreement in which Washington sent troops to more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. The resolution was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:30:12|Editor: zh Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan 5 (Xinhua) -- Warplanes struck several rebel-held areas in the northern province of Idlib on Sunday as part of the campaign against the rebels in their last major stronghold in the country, a war monitor reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the warplanes were Russian, adding they targeted Maarat al-Numan and surrounding areas in the southeastern countryside of Idlib. The Syrian forces also shelled rebel-held areas in the southern countryside of Idlib in the battles that started to intensify on Saturday evening, the London-based watchdog added. The Syrian army has made notable progress in recent weeks in the battles against the rebels in Idlib in an effort to liberate the road linking Hama Province with Aleppo in the north. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said recently that the battle against terrorism in Idlib is the top priority of the Syrian government. Idlib has emerged as the main destination of the rebel groups as the province is considered the last major rebel bastion in Syria. Certain parts of Idlib are included in a de-escalation zone deal brokered by Russia and Turkey which backs the rebels. However, such deals exclude the ultra-radical rebels who are affiliated with the al-Qaida and designated as terrorists by the United Nations. The last remaining members of New Zealands original Special Air Service squadron are set to reunite in Tauranga this year but they need the publics help to make it happen. Of the 132 men who flew to the Malayan jungle in 1955 to fight Communist Terrorists, only 32 are still alive and now living across New Zealand, Australia and the UK. Tauranga resident David Ogilvy, aged 86, was one of the original recruits and wants to organise a reunion at Queens Birthday weekend next June to mark the squadrons 65th anniversary. Veteran reunions offer many benefits for those who have served in the military and sacrificed for their country, says David. We have forged an unbreakable bond that has seen us through the best and worst times of our lives. Reunions allow veterans to re-forge that bond, re-kindle past friendships and heal from past experiences together. Many of our squadron members are now in their 90s and the reality is, this will be the last major get-together were likely to have. Because the reunion is not open to the general public, David is struggling to get funds from traditional community funding bodies. So far, only BayTrust and two RSAs have come to the party and a Givealittle page has now been set up to try and raise the remaining $13,500 required. Veterans are very well supported in Australia but in New Zealand there is little financial help available for ex-military. "We are hoping the public and business community will be kind enough to help us raise the money we need. The NZ SAS is a special forces unit of the New Zealand Army and has always been highly regarded as an elite military group. New Zealand Prime Minister Sidney Holland inspects the NZ SAS sqaudron at the farewell parade at Parliament on October 10, 1955. David was just 22 years-old when he answered the initial call for recruits. More than 800 applicants were received which were whittled down to 180 for training at Waiouru. Criteria for selection included being under 6ft (1.8m tall), weighing no more than 14 stone (88.9kg), having their own teeth, no criminal record, preferably single and having to pass a high intelligence threshold. From day one we ran everywhere, David recalls. It was physically demanding and mentally taxing. We were going to the tropics of Malaya but we trained in the snow at Waiouru. It hardened up the soldiers and we had a very strict training regime with an emphasis on shooting, weapon handling, field craft, minor tactics and immediate action drills. A further 50 soldiers were culled before the final squadron were sent to join the British 22nd SAS regiment in Kuala Lumper in October 1955. For the next two years the unit completed a series of three-month long deep jungle operations against hard core, jungle experienced, Communist Terrorists (CTs). Resupply was by air drop every 14 days. Jungle operations were physically demanding and mentally taxing as individuals came to grips with the strange environment. In addition to possible ambush, soldiers had to contend with leeches, bull ants, scorpions and the possibility of being confronted by a tiger or elephant. Malaria and scrub typhus were other occupational hazards. David says his SAS squadron quickly adapted to jungle conditions and were successful in eliminating a number of CTs. We lost two men while we were there but we all look back at that time as being the highlight of our lives, David says. After returning to New Zealand, David went on to serve in Borneo, Vietnam and Fiji during his 27 year military career. His greatest wish now is to re-gather the original squadron members in Tauranga and reminisce about the years and adventures they had together. Anyone willing to donate to the 65th reunion of the NZSAS Malayan Squadron can contribute on this Givealittle page here. BAGHDAD Iraq's parliament passed a resolution Jan. 5 calling on the government to expel US troops from the country, a day after a funeral procession for Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani and Kataib Hezbollah chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis took place in the capital and other Iraqi cities. The resolution seems unlikely to actually end the US troop presence in Iraq, however, US Secretary State Mike Pompeo responded: "We're confident the Iraqi people want the United States to continue to be there." Several explosions were heard in the capital late that evening, with reports of rockets hitting the Green Zone and another area. A Jan. 3 US drone attack widely held to be a violation of Iraqi sovereignty killed Muhandis and Soleimani, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force commander, as they were leaving the Baghdad airport. Thousands attended the funeral procession. Young men in fatigues piled into small dusty white buses yelling religious slogans. The caskets were later paraded through Iraqi cities revered by Shiites, Karbala and Najaf, prior to their planned burial: one in Najaf and one across the border in Iran some days later. A statement from the political office of Kataib Hezbollah, a US-designated terrorist organization led by Muhandis (who was also known as Jamal Jaafar al-Ibrahimi), had warned that members of parliament who not attending the Jan. 5 parliamentary session would be considered traitors. Muhandis was also the deputy chief of the government-incorporated Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). Sections of many longstanding Iran-linked Shiite militias became part of the PMU in 2014 during the fight against the Islamic State (IS). A Kataib Hezbollah security official made a statement on Twitter the night of Jan. 3 calling for "opening the door to registration for those who love martyrdom, to carry out martyrdom operations against the foreign crusaders." Dec. 29 US airstrikes on Kataib Hezbollah positions in Iraq and Syria that killed at least 25 had been followed by an attack by militia supporters on the US Embassy on two days later. Hadi al-Amiri, the longstanding leader of the Badr Brigades and head of a major political party, was seen with his hands placed firmly on Muhandis casket, vowing to make the United States pay. Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia leader Qais al-Khazali, who was officially designated a terrorist by the United States on Jan. 3, did not publicly appear until late Jan. 4, blending in by wearing fatigues in the Najaf procession. His videotaped slapping of his neck was interpreted as a vow to get revenge for Soleimani and Muhandis' deaths even at the cost of his own life. The two dead commanders were objects of intense hatred by some and lionized by others. They had long been considered key players in regional conflicts that have killed hundreds of thousands of people. In Jan. 3 WhatsApp conversation, Kataib Hezbollah spokesman Mohamed Mohi told Al-Monitor that the militia should be recognized for its role in fighting terrorism, saying it had been the first to fight IS, securing strategic areas around Baghdad and liberating Jurf al-Sakr, a Sunni city in Babil province. The city's original residents are still prevented from returning there. The streets used for the Baghdad procession have for years been linked with "martyr" photos of men in full military gear, framed by insignia of various Iran-linked PMU militias. In Tahrir Square, martyr'' posters instead often show the bloodied corpses of the more than 500 killed, mostly protesters, since anti-government demonstrations began Oct. 1. Many blame these killings on groups linked to the two commanders killed Jan. 3. A 22-year-old Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba fighter from Nasiriyah taking part in Saturdays procession told Al-Monitor he had fought alongside "Haji Qasem" on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, from 2012, when IS did not yet exist but local opposition groups were gaining strength. The fighter, who would have been around 15 years old in 2012, called Soleimani and Muhandis heroes and leaders of the Shiite. The fighters from his group are now all part of official Iraqi government forces and get a government salary, he said. In the procession, they wore uniforms with official PMU insignia but also carried large flags of their pre-existing militia organizations. Though brigade numbers are now officially used for the PMU instead of referring to, say, Kataib Hezbollah or Asaib Ahl al-Haq, this often seems an attempt to disguise longstanding loyalties and links. Off the main thoroughfare used by the mourners and militiamen is a stately home owned by Shibl al-Zaidi, the Kataib al-Imam Ali commander who was falsely said to have been killed in an alleged strike near Taji late Jan. 3. Later reports suggested he was actually in Lebanon. This reporter interviewed Kataib al-Imam Ali fighters twice last year in the strategic western Iraq border city of Qaim, where the more recent strikes on Kataib Hezbollah positions killed at least 25. During the interviews, the Kataib al-Imam Ali commander for the area railed against US and Israeli interference in the country. Panic momentarily spread late Jan. 2, shortly before the 1:45 a.m. attack that killed the two leaders, after rumors arose that Kataib Hezbollah supporters were planning to attack the anti-government protesters camping out in Tahrir Square. Kataib Hezbollah fighters and supporters had earlier that day withdrawn from near the US Embassy and had then set up camp across the river near the Babylon hotel, used by many foreign businesspeople and for international conferences. This was close to bridges occupied by the protesters downriver. Attacks, posturing, false alarms and false information have made these days a nerve-grinding experience for Iraqis. During the evening of Jan. 4, mortar shells were fired at the Green Zone and the Balad air base. On the sidelines of the procession, some older men asked to speak with Al-Monitor and stressed repeatedly that ''Iraqis want peace'' and that ''they do not want to be hurt by a war between the US and Iran." They said they did not know anyone involved from the armed factions but one noted that most of the fighters are young impoverished men from the south. But Safaa, a gray-haired man who did not want his last name used, said, The US Embassy is not actually an embassy. The man, who said he had lived in Germany for years but comes back regularly, said of the US complex, It is an enormous cove of spies. Arun M By Express News Service KOCHI: Policemen using their uniform to enjoy a ticketless ride in trains beware! The Railways has deployed special squads under the Trivandrum division to catch police personnel travelling without tickets while on duty. Irked by a recent incident in which two policemen allegedly assaulted a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) when he asked them to produce proper tickets, the Railways has decided to act tough against police personnel travelling without tickets or travel pass. The TTEs have been directed to check tickets of all policemen travelling in trains. Disciplinary action will be initiated against TTEs failing to take action against such policemen, a senior Railway official told TNSE. According to the officers, incidents of misuse of travel pass and ticketless journeys by police personnel were on the rise. Strict directives issued to curb cops ticketless ride We have issued a strict directive to special squads and TTEs to check tickets of policemen travelling in trains as part of the duty. However, we have also directed not to harass them if they are found travelling without proper pass or tickets. The incident should be reported to the control room of the Railway Police and the defaulters would be detrained and taken into custody by the Railway Police, said Trivandrum division senior divisional commercial manager Rajesh Chandran. However, police officers said anomalies in allotting passes and tickets were landing them in trouble during train journey as part of duty. While accompanying prisoners or undertrials, the department provides police officers second class allowance. However, prisoners will get sleeper class tickets. We are duty bound to stay with the undertrials, said an officer. Normally police personnel carry journey documents issued by the jail authorities, he said. On December 19, two policemen - T T Nyjan and C J Rinto -- attached to the Armed Reserve Police Camp in Thrissur, who were taking two undertrials to Ernakulam, allegedly hurled abuses and assaulted TTE Sathyendra Meena onboard Jan Shatabdi Express. The police officers produced unreserved second class tickets during checking. The tickets of undertrials were of sleeper class. As Jan Shatabdi is a super fast train, the TTE asked the policemen to pay the fine. Enraged over this, the policemen allegedly assaulted him. Senior officers from Railways had met the State Police Chief, DGP (Prisons) and other officers demanding stringent action against the erring cops. However, the police investigation in this case is yet to take off. The investigation team headed by the Shoranur Railway Police CI is waiting for a report from the court as the police officers approached the court. Once the team gets the report, the statements of the TTE and the police officers will be recorded. Besides, the statements of the passengers in the train, who were witnesses, will be collected. Then only a chargesheet will be filed, said a police officer. The United Methodist Church is now literally divided over the matter of same-sex marriage. Leaders of the Church announced a plan to formally split into two denominations in a nine-page document released Friday. The proposal, hoping to achieve "reconciliation and grace through separation," creates a new "Traditionalist Methodist" denomination that would uphold the ban on same-sex marriages and the ordination of LGBT clergy. This fracture within the church will restructure the nation's second-largest Protestant denomination. This news is not entirely shocking, since a heated global conference took place last February, and leaders voted to reinforce the ban on gay marriage, CNN noted. The continued internal debate since then made a separation seem almost inevitable. A representative of the group in opposition to same-sex discrimination, Rev. Thomas Berlin said of the schism: "the solution that we received is a welcome relief to the conflict we have been experiencing," reports The New York Times. "I am very encouraged that the United Methodist Church found a way to offer a resolution to a long conflict," said Berlin, who was part of the 16-member group who signed the proposal. New York Conference Bishop Thomas Bickerton, also a member of the group, told The United Methodist News Service, "It became clear that the line in the sand had turned into a canyon. The impasse is such that we have come to the realization that we just can't stay that way any longer." More stories from theweek.com America is guilty of everything we accuse Iran of doing 1 U.S. soldier, 2 U.S. contractors killed in al-Shabab attack in Kenya 5 scathing cartoons about Trump's Iran provocation Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 19:57:08|Editor: zh Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- A total of 14 civilians were killed by unknown gunmen in Syria's northern province of al-Raqqa, a war monitor reported Sunday. The bodies of the civilians were found on Sunday in the Sabkha desert area which is under the government control in the southeastern countryside of Raqqa, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Britain-based watchdog said it is still not clear about the identity of the killers, speculating that it could be sleeper cells of the Islamic State (IS) or other militants. Raqqa was the de facto capital of the IS before the Kurdish forces dislodged them in 2017. Mourners waved Iraqi flags and the banners of paramilitary forces backed by Iran and known collectively as the Hashd al-Shaabi. As the mourners set out from the Baghdad neighbourhood of Kadhimiyah, officials from Iraq and Iran, along with militia leaders, were seen making their way through the throngs flanked by guards. Iran has vowed to retaliate against the United States for the killing of Soleimani, Tehran's most powerful military commander, and the Trump administration has said it is sending thousands of additional troops to the Middle East. The confrontation has left the region bracing for a sharp escalation of violence - with Iraq possibly at the centre of the storm. Within the past week, Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone was the site of chaos, as supporters of an Iran-backed militia surrounded the US Embassy and pelted it with rocks and flaming gasoline bombs. On Saturday, the area was locked down. The country's elite counterterrorism forces fanned out in black vehicles down the four-square-mile strip of land along the Tigris River. At the US Embassy, Marines stood guard on the rooftops, two diplomatic officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss security issues. "There's no smiling," one military official said. Mourners carry the coffin of Iran's top general Qassem Soleimani during his funeral in Karbala, Iraq. Credit:AP US helicopters circled above the Green Zone. Several miles away at Soleimani's funeral, Iraqi helicopters did the same, monitoring the area and scanning for threats. In southern Iraq, oil companies said that American citizens had packed their bags and left. As night fell, officials in the Green Zone and at Balad air base, north of the capital, reported that at least one rocket had landed near each facility. Iran-backed militias have been attacking US-supported forces for months. US officials said the catalyst for the drone strike on Soleimani's two-car convoy was a rocket attack in Kirkuk; it killed an American contractor there and wounded several others. A spokesman for the US-led military coalition against the Islamic State said Saturday that it had "increased security and defensive measures at the Iraqi bases that host anti-ISIS coalition troops. Our command places protection of US forces, as well as our allies and security partners in the coalition, as the top priority; we remain vigilant and resolute." One State Department official serving at the embassy described the atmosphere as "surreal" as the skeleton crew of US officials working in the compound tried to stay productive amid the heightened security threat. The embassy has been operating with fewer people since May when non-emergency personnel were ordered to depart because of specific but unnamed threats. The staffing situation was worsened by the holiday season as diplomats left for the United States and now cannot return because of the security risks. Many officials at the embassy remain busy with diplomatic duties, especially given the absence of local staff. Diplomats are dipping into their own supplies of liquor and wine, said two officials in Baghdad who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. One senior administration official said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has no plan to evacuate the embassy at this point, given his view that the work of US diplomats in the country is more important than ever and concerns that a mass exit would be viewed as a retreat in the face of Iranian intimidation. NATO, which has several hundred workers in Iraq, said Saturday that it has temporarily suspended its training of Iraqi forces to counter the Islamic State, according to Dylan White, an organisation spokesman. "The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount. We continue to take all precautions necessary," he said in an emailed statement. The Pentagon said Friday that it was preparing to deploy an additional 3500 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the region. According to two defence officials, the military also has put hundreds of soldiers from the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade in Italy on alert for potential deployment. Loading Abdul-Karim Khalaf, a security spokesman for Iraq's prime minister, said authorities were investigating crew members who were on the aircraft that brought Soleimani to Baghdad - reportedly from Damascus - apparently to determine how the United States had learned of the Iranian commander's whereabouts. Khalaf, speaking to Iraq's state news agency, reiterated that US forces are not allowed to conduct military operations in Iraq without the approval of the prime minister, and he hinted that their future in the country is in doubt. "We have alternatives to train our armed forces," Khalaf said. As the heavily guarded procession made its way through Jadriyah, in central Baghdad, trailed by residents and soldiers, cars outfitted with loudspeakers provided a soundtrack that mixed political commentary and angry slogans. STEPANAKERT. -- President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan convened a working consultation with representatives of the executive and legislative branches to discuss a number of domestic and foreign policy issues. The Head of the State underscored the necessity of ensuring the republic's vital activity during the holidays. As the President underlined the situation along the borders is under control and the Defense Army has been confidently carrying out its mission. As for the developments in the Middle East, Bako Sahakyan highlighted the interest of the official Stepanakert in maintaining peace and stability in the region and peaceful resolution of all disputed issues. The President gave appropriate assignments to the concerned bodies for proper solution of the issues under discussion. National Assembly chairman Ashot Ghoulyan, minister of state Grigory Martirosyan and other officials were present at the consultation. The Indian market ended marginally lower for the second consecutive week that ended on January 3 on the back of year-end selling by foreign investors, and profit booking by domestic investors on the back of escalating tension in Middle East. The Nifty inched closer to its record high level of 12,293.90, but in Friday's trading session, investors remained cautions and booked profits after a senior Iranian military official was killed by a US airstrike. For the week, the Sensex declined 110.53 points at 41,464.61, while the Nifty fell 19 points to end at 12,226.7. "The upside strength of the Nifty is still intact, there is the possibility of an attempt by a new all-time high formation by the next week (above 12,293), but the Nifty could encounter hurdles at 12,350-400 levels," said Nagaraj Shetti, Technical Research Analyst, HDFC securities. The BSE small-cap index rose 3.26 percent, and BSE mid-cap index added 1.24 percent in the past week. "The strategy should be to buy strong companies in the commodities and financials space at major supports. Technically, 12,200/12,100 would be supports for the Nifty, whereas 12,270 and 12,350 levels would be hurdles in the coming week," said Shrikant Chouhan, Senior Vice-President, Equity Technical Research at Kotak Securities. Here are 10 key things that will keep traders busy this week: Earnings Companies will start declaring their Q3FY20 numbers (October-December quarter) from next week. Infosys The company's board meeting will be held at the registered office on January 9 and 10 to consider to the audited consolidated financial results as per Indian Accounting Standards (IndAS) for the quarter and nine months that ended on December 31, 2019. The IT firm will also consider its audited standalone financial results as per IndAS and audited consolidated condensed financial statements of its subsidiaries as per IFRS for the quarter and nine months that ended on December 2019. Prabhudas Lilladher is expecting moderation in revenue growth due to tepid growth in BFS, retail and manufacturing verticals with higher furloughs and client specific challenges for few IT companies. It expects Infosys to raise its guidance to 9.5-10.5 percent from (9-10 percent YoY) for FY20E and margin to expand by 86 bps QoQ due to benefits of rupee depreciation and cost efficiency measures. It also expect constant currency revenue growth of 1.2 percent and cross currency tailwinds of 30 bps. Rising gold prices Gold prices climbed to a four-month peak, racing past the key rate of $1,550 an ounce level due to geo-political tensions, and a weak dollar. "Adding to the geo-political tensions, North Korea has given up hopes on lifting its sanctions anytime soon as it looks to find a way to survive under crushing economic sanctions, while building an even stronger nuclear power house," said Jigar Trivedi, Research Analyst- Commodities Fundamental, Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers. "We expect the trend to be positive and with the sharply weakening rupee, gold may rally even higher. Gold price may not stop here, if geo-political risk escalates," he added. Weak rupee The rupee remained under pressure in the past week on the back of a spike in crude oil prices after Iran's top general was killed in US airstrikes in Baghdad. The rupee shed 45 paise to end at 71.80 on January 3 against its December 27 closing of 71.35. "The Geo political tension in the Middle East may rise further. This may keep crude oil prices higher in the short term at least. This may lead to some panic dollar demand from importers. Markets are also awaiting further details regarding the trade deal between the US and China. Hence the rupee may remain under pressure, and it may weaken till 72-72.20 in the short term," said Rushabh Maru, Research Analyst - Currency and Commodity, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers. Higher oil prices Oil prices surged as much as $3 a barrel on Friday after the US killing of Iran's top military commander in an air strike in Iraq ratcheted up tensions between Washington and Tehran. After the easing of tensions between the US and China, and output cuts undertaken by OPEC and its allies, crude oil prices were already on a rally. Now, coupled with the US airstrike, the price of Brent has the potential to increase and cross the $70/bbl mark in the coming few days, depending on the retaliation planned by the Iran government and the longevity of the feud is continued by both the countries, said CARE ratings. FII and DII Flow Foreign institutional investors (FII) remained net buyers for the fourth consecutive week. They bought a net of Rs 497.32 crore worth of shares during the week. On a monthly basis, FIIs remained buyers for the third straight month in December, but at amounts that were lesser than the previous two months. They net bought nearly Rs 700 crore worth of shares in December. On the other hand, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) broke the two weeks selling streak as they bought Rs 29.6 crore of equities during last week. Technical Outlook Nifty has been consolidating between 12,118 and 12,293 zones since the last twelve trading sessions, and now a decisive range breakout with follow up action could drive the fresh leg of rally, said experts. A small negative candle was formed this week with a lower shadow (according to weekly time frame chart). This pattern signals a broader range movement in the Nifty around 11,290-11,120 levels. "Overall, the trend continues to remain up, and we continue to maintain our bullish stance and our target of 12,400-12,450 zone. In the near term, support is placed at 12,200 zone. Broadly we expect mid and small caps to outperform going ahead and metal space will continue to shine," said Amit Shah, Technical Research Analyst with Indiabulls Ventures. F&O cues Options data suggests a wider trading range for Nifty between 12,000 to 12,500 zones. Maximum Put Open Interest (OI) is at 12,000 followed by 11500 strike, while maximum Call OI is at 12,500 followed by 12,200 strike. We have seen Put writing in 12,000 and 12,200 strike, while Call writing is seen at 12,400 then 12,200 strike. On Friday, India VIX moved up by 10.49 percent at 12.69 levels. One has to look at volatility index if it bottoms out and surpasses above 12-13 zones, in that scenario wider swing may be seen in the market. Corporate Action Here are key corporate actions taking place in the coming week: Global cues Here are key global data points to watch out for in coming week: Senator Richard Blumenthal said he is concerned President Trump is stumbling into an armed conflict with Iran, after a US drone strike took out the leader of an elite unit of the nations Revolutionary Guard last week. In an interview posted by News 12 Connecticut, Blumethal said "no one should be mourning Qassim Suleimani," the leader of Irans elite Quds Force, a special forces and intelligence unit, killed in an air strike on Jan. 3. He described the general as a bad actor with American blood on his hands. But now my hope is we can avoid war and my fear is that the administration may be stumbling into growing military confrontation with a strategy, without informing Congress, without involving our allies," the 73-year-old senator said. The interview echoed other statements made by Blumenthal and other members of the states delegation in the recent days following the targeted killing near Baghdads airport. On Twitter, Senator Chris Murphy, who like Blumenthal is a Democrat, wrote that Suleimani was an enemy of the United States. Thats not a question, said Murphy. 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? The airstrike targeting Suleimani also killed the deputy commander of a militia backed by Iran, according to the Associated Press. Two cars, one carrying Suleimani, were destroyed by the American drone at Baghdad international airport. Reports said the targeted attack took place near the cargo area after Suleimani arrived by plane. Prior reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this report. Ottawa/Xinhua/UNI: Canada updated a travel advisory on Saturday for its citizens travelling to the Middle East due to intensified US-Iran conflicts after Iran's top general was killed by a US airstrike. The Canadian government's travel advisory service tweeted that it has "updated security advice for multiple destinations in the region due to an increased threat of attacks." Tensions have escalated in the Gulf as a US drone attack ordered by President Donald Trump on Friday killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces. Canadian authorities said there is an extreme risk to personal safety in the Middle East countries and people already there should consider leaving. Canada said citizens traveling to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait should exercise "a high degree of caution." Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said early Saturday that Canada temporarily suspended a Canada-commanding NATO training mission in Iraq. "We are taking all necessary precautions for the safety and security of our civilian and military personnel," Sajjan said in a statement. The NATO mission run by Canadian General Jennie Carignan is reportedly a "non-combat, advisory and training" mission. Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Friday called on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation after the US airstrike. "The safety and well-being of Canadians in Iraq and the region, including our troops and diplomats, is our paramount concern. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation," Champagne said in a statement on Friday. The United States has urged its citizens in Iraq to leave "immediately." Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" against the United States for what Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called a "heinous crime" after Soleimani was killed. Chandigarh, Jan 5 : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday questioned the silence of Congress leader Navjot Sidhu on the hate attack on Sikhs as well as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. It said Sidhu had not only belied his love for the Pakistan army and the ISI but had also proved that he was not honest to his own country and to his community. In a statement here, former minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal said: "It is clear that Sidhu has sold his soul to the Pakistan military establishment and is being used by the ISI to further its anti-India plans." "This is the reason why he has become a mouthpiece of the ISI and has even turned against his own brethren and their suffering in Pakistan." Asking Sidhu to explain his silence on the forced conversion of a minor Sikh girl in Pakistan and the subsequent turn of events which have led to death threats to the victim family, stoning of Gurdwara Janam Asthan and even threats to rename the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the Akali leader said "this alone proves where your loyalties lie". Grewal said no Sikh worldwide could tolerate forced conversions of community members and stoning of its most holy shrines. "Similarly, they will never forgive those like Sidhu who continue to dance to the tunes of their friends in Pakistan," he added. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low -8F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low -8F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Haku Shah's death at the age of 84, after a long illness on 21 March last year, has stirred renewed interest in his art practice. Iss ghat antar baag bagiche (within this earthen vessel lie bowers and groves), are words evocative of the exceptional oeuvre of Haku Shah, a celebrated Gandhian artist, art historian, photographer, crafts archivist and polemicist, the subject of an ongoing exhibition at the celebrated Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi. His death at the age of 84, after a long illness on 21 March last year, has stirred renewed interest in his art practice. His approach predates most of the contemporary theoretical lenses and the razzmatazz of fleeting zeitgeist movements. Central to his vision are enduring Gandhian ideas and values that powered the Indian independence movement, the civil rights movement in the United States, the solidarity movement in Poland, the velvet revolution in Czechoslovakia, the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and several other political and human rights movements across the world. The retrospective, with its display of terracotta figurines, is a celebratory homage to his passion for collecting and presenting traditional rural and tribal craftsmanship. His life was a crusade for placing Indias creative economy at the cornerstone of its development strategy. In the words of Kapila Vatsyayan, his eye was discerning, his taste impeccable, and his respect for the creators of art exemplary. I watched him, both as artist and collector, and knew that, despite the challenges and temptations of professional curatorship, here was a man committed first and foremost to the earth and soil of these creations, the human dignity of the creators and the eloquence of the forms they developed as objects, functional and symbolic. Shahs exhibition of clay objects, Form and Many Forms of Mother Clay, curated for the Crafts Museum in Delhi pioneered some of the best indigenous curatorial practices as did his collaborative 1968 exhibition with art historian Stella Kramrisch named Art of Unknown India at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mentored in equal parts by artist-pedagogue KG Subramanyan, Sankho Chaudhuri and NS Bendre at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Baroda, Haku Shahs love for rural and tribal art forms received fillip during his association with Pupul Jayakar at the Weavers Service Centre, Bombay with which she was closely connected. Seeing his interest in indigenous traditions, she encouraged him to move as a research assistant to the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. At that point it was called the National Design Institute, located in the museum complex built by Le Corbusier in Paldi, driven by the ideas of luminaries like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Ernst Scheidegger, Hans Gugelot, Armin Hoffmann, Frei Otto and others. Haku Shah thrived in this hothouse of creativity. As a teacher, Shah mentored generations of students at the National Institute of Design, taught at the School of Architecture and joined the University of California in the spring of 1991 to teach a studio course in Textiles and Design as a distinguished Regents professor. He was a conscientious researcher and authored several books and monographs on folk and tribal art, deconstructing the semiotics of rites and rituals embedded in nature and earth with eminent scholars like Eberhard Fischer, Stella Kramrisch, Joan Erikson and Charles and Ray Eames. His book on Votive Terracottas of Gujarat is amongst his most compelling work together with his monograph on Temple Tents for the Mother Goddesses in Gujarat. One of his most seminal contributions was in establishing an ethnographic Tribal Museum at the Gujarat Vidyapith in Ahmedabad. He also set up a Crafts Village in Udaipur. His own art practice was inseparable from his political beliefs. It was also powered by a refined Sufi poetic sensibility reflected in a small body of work emanating from his collaboration with Shubha Mudgal in an exhibition called Haman Hai Ishq (love is all there is). One also sees his effortless creativity at work in playful experiments with handmade paper called Kalamkhush (the paper that delights the pen). The most resonant work displayed in this unforgettable retrospective is from the Gandhi series, where he has used the semiotics of Gandhian objects to engage with important political and ethical questions, creating a space for Satyagraha: the wilful, peaceful, breaking of laws that are unjust, the most powerful weapon of dissent in a non-violent struggle. Sujata Prasad, a former civil servant, is an author and columnist. Amit Shah to visit Ram Lalla, Hanumangarhi temple today, to address 3 public rallies in UP Targeting Akhilesh, Shah asks why Lord Ram had to live in a tent Kejriwal wasting public money on ads, misleading people: Amit Shah India oi-PTI New Delhi, Jan 05: Accusing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of "wasting" public money on advertisements and misleading people, BJP president Amit Shah sought to know on Sunday whether the AAP government has completed any work in the last five years. He alleged that Kejriwal came to power in Delhi fives years back by misleading people with a host of promises. Addressing party workers here, Shah alleged that Kejriwal was "wasting" public money on advertisements and said somebody can mislead people once but not all the time. Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi misleading people over CAA and instigating riots: Amit Shah He exuded confidence that the BJP will come to power in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP has been out of power in Delhi since 1998. Asking whether the AAP government has completed any work during its tenure, the BJP president listed the works done by the Centre for Delhi in the last five years. He also accused Kejriwal of "favouring the tukde tukde" gang by not giving sanction to prosecute Kanhaiya Kumar, the former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), in the JNU sedition case. Urging party workers to undertake door-to-door campaign to take the BJP's message to the people, Shah said he will himself take part in 'mohalla sabha' campaign in the national capital. Delhi will go to polls in the coming weeks. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 5, 2020, 16:15 [IST] Tehran, Jan 6 : Iran has announced the fifth and final step to end its commitments to the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, official IRNA news agency reported. "In the fifth step of withdrawing from its commitments, the Islamic republic drops the last key restriction under the nuclear deal, namely 'restriction on the number of centrifuges'," IRNA cited the announcement by Iranian government as reading. Therefore, "Iran's nuclear program will no longer embrace any practical restrictions, including the level and purity of enrichment, the mass of enriched materials and R&D activities," read the announcement. "From now on, Iran's nuclear program will advance based on its own technical requirements," it said. In a reaction to the US withdrawal from the landmark 2015 Iranian nuclear deal in May 2018 and the subsequent sanctions, and in a response to the Europe's sluggishness in facilitating Iran's banking transactions and its oil exports, Iran, since May 2019, made staged moves to drop its nuclear commitments, Xinhua news agency reported. Iran had said that the cut of obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal was a "wake-up call" for the remaining parties of the deal to protect Iran's economic interests. "As before, Iran will continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," according to Iran's announcement on Sunday. The Iranian government, however, said that Tehran is ready to re-embrace its nuclear commitments, in case anti-Iran sanctions are removed and its economic interests under the nuclear deal are secured. The Samples were a black Chicago family, with six children and few resources. The priest helped them with tuition, clothes, bills. He offered the promise of a better life. He also abused all the children. They told no one. They were afraid of not being believed and of losing what little they had, said one son, Terrence Sample. And nobody asked, until a lawyer investigating alleged abuses by the same priest prompted him to break his then 33-year silence. "Somebody had to make the effort," Sample said. "Why wasn't it the church?" Even as it has pledged to go after predators in its ranks and provide support to those harmed by clergy, the church has done little to identify and reach sexual abuse victims. For survivors of color, who often face additional social and cultural barriers to coming forward on their own, the lack of concerted outreach on behalf of the church means less public exposure and potentially, more opportunities for abuse to go on, undetected. Of 88 dioceses that responded to an Associated Press inquiry, seven knew the ethnicities of victims. While it was clear at least three had records of some sort, only one stated it purposely collected such data as part of the reporting process. Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders and Hawaiians make up nearly 46 percent of the faithful in the U.S., according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, an authoritative source of Catholic-related data. But the Catholic Church has made almost no effort to track the victims among them. "The church has to come into the shadows, into the trenches to find the people who were victimized, especially the people of color," Sample said. "There are other people like me and my family, who won't come forward unless someone comes to them." Brian Clites, a leading scholar on clergy sexual abuse and professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, said the church has demonstrated a pattern of funneling predator priests to economically disadvantaged communities of color, where victims have much more to lose if they report their abuse. "They are less likely to know where to get help, less likely to have money for a lawyer to pursue that help and they are more vulnerable to counterattacks" from the church, said Clites. Alaska leads the nation in rates of sexual violence, and Florence Kenney said the Catholic church has played a role in perpetuating the abuse of natives there. Kenney, now 85, said she was abused at the Holy Cross Mission in Holy Cross, Alaska. Kenney is indigenous, and she described the relationship between the Catholic Church and Native Alaskan families as both predatory and symbiotic: The church provided food, money and resources to the village, Kenney said, in exchange for labor and silence. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. There is no accurate count of clergy abuse survivors. A special report commissioned by the Colorado attorney general's office examining abuse within state dioceses and released in October determined "victims of child sex abuse and particularly those abused by clergy are less likely to report their abuse than other crime victims." As for minority survivors, dioceses rarely collect demographic data. The AP contacted 178 dioceses to ask if they collect such data. Few who responded knew the race or ethnicity of claimants. Some said demographics aren't relevant, while others cited privacy concerns. One diocese Alexandria, La. shared a spreadsheet of survivors, including demographics, and without names. The diocese began keeping such data in 2015, when Lee Kneipp, the victim assistance coordinator, took the job. Kneipp said knowing the race and ethnicity of victims helps investigative efforts and enables a deeper examination of records and the potential ability to find others who have not been acknowledged. In looking into one African American survivor's abuse claim, Kneipp was able to locate two more survivors of color from the same parish; the priest, he said, abused only boys in low-income black communities. The city of Antofagasta relies on a large desalination factory for its supply of clean drinking water. However, the waste from the plant is causing harm to the wildlife in the sea and many are losing their lives in the process. According to Eduardo Munoz, a fisherman in the area, he used to catch twice as many clams as he caught in the present. When desalination started a few years ago, Munoz's catch was not that the same as it was before. He blames that the salt that the plant release back to the sea is what is causing harm to the wildlife in the sea. He dives for clams for a living. He lives in La Chimba, a suburban area in the seaside of Antofagasta in Chile. Desalination is being used by most places all over the world who have a problem with water scarcity. It is common in many areas in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The first plant of the United Kingdom had started its operation in 2010. In the year 2003, the first desalination factory started its operations in the area where Munoz lives. The plant had been pumping 150 liters of clean and drinkable water to solve the problems of the city involving the scarcity of freshwater. The plant had increased its yield and is now the biggest desalination facility in the entire Latin American region. Currently, it produces 1,056 liters of freshwater every second. It supplies 82.50 percent of the potable water in Antofagasta. The remaining 17.50 percent is supplied by the small water reserves of the city. Out of the 600,000 people in Antofagasta, 56.30 percent of the region's drinking water being consumed is from the processed water from its desalination plants. According to a historian in the city named Floreal Recabarren, in the history of the city, water scarcity had always been present. The 90-year-old historian was born in 1927 and had served the people of the city as its mayor some years in the 1960s and 1990s. He had observed first-hand how the city had struggled without sufficient freshwater in the 1950s. During that time, water with chlorine was being delivered through trucks in the city. Many of the old houses in the city still have their water tanks in their house's rooftops. It was where the delivered water was being stored in the 1950s. The region had also largely contributed to the economy of Chile. Deep pits where mining activities were conducted can be seen in the desert areas of the region. The Escondid mine is the biggest-output for copper in the whole world and it is located adjacent to the city. The mining operations in this area in Chile required huge quantities of water. The water reserves of Antofagasta were gradually drained by the mining activities. It was even announced in the year 2000 that the Loa River located in the northern part of the region had run out of water. After these events, the technology involving large-scale desalination had reached the area. Mining operations had set up their desalination plants and pumping the residual products to the sea. 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. President Donald Trump warned Saturday that the US is targeting 52 sites in Iran and will hit them very fast and very hard if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. In a tweet defending Fridays drone strike assassination of a top Iranian general in Iraq, Trump said 52 represents the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Trump said some of these sites are 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! Trump took to Twitter after pro-Iran factions ramped up pressure on US installations across Iraq with missiles and warnings to Iraqi troops -- part of an outburst of fury over the killing of Soleimani, described as the second most-powerful man in Iran. As hard as I work, & as successful as our Country has become with our Economy, our Military & everything else, it is ashame that the Democrats make us spend so much time & money on this ridiculous Impeachment Lite Hoax. I should be able to devote all of my time to the REAL USA! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 ....hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have..... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 ....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 The attack has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, two mortar rounds hit an area near the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday, security sources told AFP. Almost simultaneously, two rockets slammed into the Al-Balad airbase where American troops are deployed, security sources said. The Iraqi military confirmed the missile attacks in Baghdad and on al-Balad and said there were no casualties. The US military also said no coalition troops were hurt. With Americans wondering fearfully if, how and where Iran will hit back for the assassination, the Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin that said at this time there is no specific, credible threat against the homeland. Soleimani's death on Friday in Iraq further heightens tensions between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that put the wider Middle East on edge Tehran: The body of General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike, arrived on Sunday in Iran to throngs of mourners, as President Donald Trump threatened to bomb 52 sites in the Islamic Republic if Tehran retaliates by attacking Americans. Soleimani's death on Friday in Iraq further heightens tensions between Tehran and Washington after months of trading attacks and threats that put the wider Middle East on edge. The conflict is rooted in Trump pulling out of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers, an accord likely to further unravel as Tehran is expected to announce as early as Sunday it will break another set of limits. Iran has promised "harsh revenge." Already, a series of rockets launched in Baghdad late Saturday fell inside or near the Green Zone, which houses government offices and foreign embassies, including the US Embassy. Trump wrote on Twitter afterward that the US had already "targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level and important to Iran and the Iranian culture." Trump did not identify the targets but added that they would be "hit very fast and very hard". After thousands in Baghdad on Saturday mourned Soleimani and others killed in the strike, authorities flew the general's body to the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. An honour guard stood by early Sunday as mourners carried the flag-draped coffins of Soleimani and other Guard members off the tarmac. Officials brought Soleimani's body to Ahvaz, a city that was a focus of fighting during the bloody, 1980 to 1988 war between Iraq and Iran in which the general slowly grew to prominence. After that war, Soleimani joined the Guard's newly formed Quds, or Jerusalem, Force, an expeditionary force that works with Iranian proxy forces in countries like Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen. Authorities also plan to take Soleimani's body to Mashhad later Sunday, as well as Tehran and Qom on Monday for public mourning processions, then onto his hometown of Kerman for burial on Tuesday. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional policy of mobilizing militias across Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, including in the war against the Islamic State group. He was also blamed for attacks on US troops and American allies going back decades. Though it is unclear how or when Iran may respond, any retaliation was likely to come after three days of mourning declared in both Iran and Iraq. All eyes were on Iraq, where America and Iran have competed for influence since the 2003 US-led invasion. After the airstrike early Friday, the US-led coalition has scaled back operations and boosted "security and defensive measures" at bases hosting coalition forces in Iraq, a coalition official said on condition of anonymity according to regulations. Meanwhile, the US has dispatched another 3,000 troops to neighbouring Kuwait, the latest in a series of deployments in recent months as the standoff with Iran has worsened. Protesters held demonstrations in dozens of US cities Saturday over Trump's decisions to kill Soleimani and deploy more troops to the Mideast. In a thinly veiled threat, one of the Iran-backed militia, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or League of the Righteous, called on Iraqi security forces to stay at least a kilometer away from US bases starting Sunday night. However, US troops are invariably based in Iraqi military posts alongside local forces. Iraq's government, which is closely allied with Iran, condemned the airstrike that killed Soleimani, calling it an attack on its national sovereignty. Parliament is meeting for an emergency session Sunday, and the government has come under mounting pressure to expel the 5,200 American troops who are based in the country to help prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group. Also on Saturday, NATO temporarily suspended all training activities in Iraq due to safety concerns, Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said. The US has ordered all citizens to leave Iraq and temporarily closed its embassy in Baghdad, where Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters staged two days of violent protests in which they breached the compound. Britain and France have warned their citizens to avoid or strictly limit travel in Iraq. No one was hurt in the embassy protests, which came in response to US airstrikes that killed 25 Iran-backed militiamen in Iraq and Syria. The US blamed the militia for a rocket attack that killed a US contractor in northern Iraq. Public health experts outside of mainland China are calling on Chinese authorities for transparency, after a mysterious outbreak of viral pneumonia was reported to have already infected 59 people since December in the Chinese city of Wuhan. On Jan. 5, 7 of the 59 cases were said to be severe. The experts say that efforts to coverup outbreaks can have serious consequences for disease control for Chinas neighboring regions. Hospitals in Hong Kong have now reported five patients who have been to Wuhan showing symptoms of pneumonia or a respiratory infection including fever, according to Hong Kongs Hospital Authority. Singapore also reported Saturday its first suspected case of the mysterious Wuhan virus, according to The Straits Times. The patients travel history revealed time spend in Wuhan. The outbreak had prompted Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan earlier in the week to step up screening of travellers and hospital patients showing pneumonia symptoms. Coverup? The Chinese authorities didnt disclose the outbreak of what it called viral pneumonia until online rumors over the past month linked the outbreak to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which in 2003 infected more than 8,000 people and killed 775. Chinese officials said on Jan. 3 that the cause of the pneumonia is not clear and did not rule out SARS, according to a statement by Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. In an update late Jan. 5, the health commission announced that it had now ruled out SARS, MERS, and bird flu as the cause of the outbreak but is still working on identifying the responsible virus. The officials also didnt provide the date of the first case they found linked to the Wuhan outbreak until Jan 5. The first case happened on December 12. Suspected cases have appeared in Hong Kong and Singapore. Chinese officials have said there hasnt been obvious evidence for human-to-human transmission. Wuhan Central Hospital, where some of the cases are being treated, declined to comment when contacted by Chinese or foreign media. My problem with the current outbreak and Chinese response is that very little information of any kind has been provided by authorities in Wuhan or Beijing, Laurie Garrett, a world health policy analyst and Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist, told NTD in an email on Jan 3. The Chinese police summoned eight people on Jan. 1 for spreading rumors online about the pneumonia outbreak. China appears more interested in maintaining control than in abiding by the principles of the IHR, Garrett said. The World Health Assembly in 2005 passed the legally-binding International Health Regulations (IHR), which requires swift notification to WHO regarding any significant outbreaks. China is a signatory to the IHR. Its imperative to publicize the information about the outbreak immediately, said Kuo Hsu-Tah, a Taiwanese pulmonologist who worked as a director of The Center for SARS Response at Taipeis Mackay Memorial Hospital during the 2003 SARS outbreak, told the Chinese language Epoch Times. The more the government tries to cover up, the worse it is for disease control. Expert: The Officials May Know More Sean Lin, a microbiologist who worked at viral diseases branch in the U.S. army, said that the Chinese authorities may already know the source virus, or at least some potential candidates. Its not just two, three days its probably been more than a month, he told NTD on Jan 3. According to Lin, Chinas Center for Disease Control, which is modeled after the CDC in the United States, is respected in China for their strong infectious disease surveillance program. He believed that if the patients samples have been tested in the labs there, the information available now couldnt be as limited as the official statements have suggested. Lin said the delay in information is either because there are multiple mutations of the virus that need time to identify or I think the authorities have more information in the hands, Lin said. But the public was not allowed to be aware about this situation in more detail, he added. He said the Chinese regime should at least allow the media to follow up with local hospitals and patients, interview scientists, and inform the public with preventative measures. But in China, the problem is that the government has very pathetic reputation on the public health arena, he said. Chinas SARS Coverup Parallels in delays of official information between this outbreak and the 2003 SARS outbreak had created panic in China and neighboring regions. In 2002-2003, the Chinese regime covered up the SARS epidemic for weeks before a growing death toll and rumors forced authorities to reveal the truth. The regime didnt alert the WHO or neighboring jurisdictions, consequently allowing a patient to flee to Hong Kong. The virus spread, resulting in 774 deaths in 37 countries. Garrett was in Hong Kong and China during the 2003 epidemic, and subsequently visited hospitals and memorials in Vietnam, Singapore, and Hong Kong where health care workers fought and died from the disease. The lesson was clear to the entire world: do not cover up outbreaks, she said. Fighting outbreaks requires trust, Garrett said, And trust requires openness. The public health world is losing its trust in Chinese government information. If you're around some San Antonios famous downtown sites this weekend, you may see some famous YouTubers ... or maybe you wont. Ryan Lewis and The Texas Bushman, two men known for their prank videos, spent Friday in Alamo Plaza scaring tourists and residents alike by hiding and then jumping out and scaring people. "We want to be exciting, have fun and make people laugh," the Bushman said. "It is all about laughter." Hundreds of faces of fear were captured on video as the two men, dressed in ghillie suits, sat in planters and jumped out at unsuspecting people who likely didn't give the shrubs on the sidewalk a second thought. "There have been a lot of people, a lot of friendly people out here," the Bushman said. "Hands down San Antonians are a lot more friendly than some other cities." FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Lewis and the Bushman have been all over San Antonio during their week-long visit, pranking people at the Alamo, the River Walk and even at the Valero Alamo Bowl on New Year's Eve. "We wanted a large crowd size and tourists tend to be more friendly when they get scared," the Bushman said. "We want good reactions and we have have had great reactions out here." "I would say 95 percent of the people love it," he continued. "They have an honest, true reaction which at first is usually mad or upset but instantly after they are having a good time and want to watch the next person get scared." The pair of pranksters moved to the River Walk on Friday afternoon, where a large crowd gathered across the water to watch the frightened jumps. Shirley, a visitor from Edinburgh, Scotland, spotted the Bushman at the last moment but wasn't able to warn her daughter, Jade, in time. "I was just trying to drink my Red Bull," Jade said, trying to catch her breath after the plant attack. "She was just trying to drink her Red Bull!" her mother emphasized with a smile. As long as people keep watching the pranks will keep coming, said Lewis, who has been all over the country to produce the videos. "We started doing this for fun, for stupidity and then we found out we could get paid and travel and so we kept doing it," Lewis said. "But San Antonio is great, I can't complain it has been amazing." Lewis said they rarely have anyone too upset, though they have dealt with some drunk people in Las Vegas who didn't quite appreciate the prank. One person was angry after they spilled their drink when they got scared. "I don't blame them for being upset, I would be mad too because it was probably expensive," the Bushman said. The pair plans on being in San Antonio until Sunday. "People want to have fun especially when they come to San Antonio," the Bushman said. "They want to come out, see the Alamo, see the Tower of the Americas, they want to come out to have fun so when they see something like this is it an add-on to the fun they are expecting to have." For those who were pranked, check each of their YouTube channels early next week for their videos. 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 The military adviser to Iran's supreme leader said the Islamic republic's response to a US strike that killed one of the country's top commanders will be military, CNN reported Sunday. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" after a US drone strike Friday in Baghdad killed Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force foreign operations arm. "The response for sure will be military and against military sites," Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan told CNN in Farsi, according to a translation by the US network. In a televised conference on Sunday, foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said "Iran is not seeking a war but is ready for any situation". Mousavi said the final decision would be made by "the system's leadership". It would try to "devise a response in a way that would both make the enemy regret" the assassination and "not bring the Iranian nation to a war". In his interview with CNN, Dehghan said: "It was America that has started the war. Therefore, they should accept appropriate reactions to their actions." "The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted," said the former Iranian defence minister. In a statement on Friday, Iran's Supreme National Security Council said the Islamic republic would retaliate in the "right time and place" for Soleimani's assassination. Iran-US tensions have escalated sharply since 2018 when President Donald Trump withdrew America from a landmark nuclear agreement and reimposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic republic. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 25-year-old Sikh man has been shot dead by unknown gunmen in the northwestern city of Peshawar in Pakistan, police and the victim's family said on Sunday. Peshawar: A 25-year-old Sikh man has been shot dead by unknown gunmen in the northwestern city of Peshawar in Pakistan, police and the victim's family said on Sunday, a day after a mob attacked Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. Rowinder Singh had come to Peshawar from Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to shop for his wedding, police said. "His bullet-riddled body was recovered from the area under the Chamkani police station and sent to a hospital," police said in a statement. "Police have already launched a probe into the killing," the statement said. Harmeet Singh, the victim's brother, told the media that an unknown person called him from Rowinder's cellphone on late Saturday and informed him that "my brother was killed". "The government must arrest the culprits as early as possible. I will not find peace until the criminals are arrested," he said. No group has claimed responsibility for the murder which took place a day after a mob attacked Gurdwara Nankana Sahib where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. India on Sunday strongly condemned the "targeted killing" of the minority Sikh community member Peshawar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan should stop "prevaricating" and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the MEA said. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned the recent incident of vandalism at the Nankana Sahib, saying it goes against his "vision" and the government will show "zero tolerance" against those involved in it. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is a site near Lahore where the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. Pakistan's Foreign Office on Friday rejected the media reports that the Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib was desecrated in a mob attack, saying the birthplace of founder of Sikhism remains "untouched and undamaged" and the "claims of destruction" of one of the holiest Sikh shrines are "false". Minorities in the Muslim-majority Pakistan make up some two per cent of the country's total population. Pakistan has witnessed violence against religious minorities in the past as al-Qaeda and Taliban-led militants regularly target Christian, Sikhs, Hindus, Ahmadis and Shiite communities in the country. Reuters has learned that Carlos Ghosn, Nissan's former boss and now international fugitive, may have escaped house arrest after his lawyers warned a private security company to stop its surveillance of his home. That's according to three Reuters sources. Nissan hired the security firm to monitor who visited Ghosn as he awaited trial. The sources say lawyers told the company that the surveillance was a violation of his human rights, and that Ghosn was planning a legal complaint over it. Surveillance is said to have stopped by December 29, two days before his getaway. Footage released by Japanese state broadcaster NHK appeared to show Ghosn caught on CCTV leaving the building alone shortly before he fled. However, upon hearing Ghosn had disappeared from the Tokyo residence on New Year's Eve, his lawyer Junichiro Hironaka spoke of his own shock at the news. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) LAWYER FOR FORMER NISSAN CHAIRMAN CARLOS GHOSN, JUNICHIRO HIRONAKA, SAYING: "It was an unexpected surprise. I'm shocked and confused. I'd like to say that's the situation I'm in now." The former auto heavyweight fled to Lebanon, with a stopover in Turkey, to escape what he called a "rigged" justice system in Japan. Ghosn faces charges relating to alleged financial crimes. He denies it all - a victim of a boardroom coup, he says. The report casts doubt on earlier claims he was smuggled out in a musical instrument case. Aircraft operator MNG Jet says its planes were used illegally and sources have previously said a private security company may have helped orchestrate his escape. It's now filed a criminal complaint, and Turkey has detained seven people over the incident, including four pilots. Lebanon received an Interpol arrest warrant for Ghosn on Thursday (January 2). The country has no extradition treaty with Japan. Astronomers seeking to learn about the mechanisms that formed massive black holes in the early history of the Universe have gained important new clues with the discovery of 13 such black holes in dwarf galaxies less than a billion light-years from Earth. These dwarf galaxies, more than 100 times less massive than our own Milky Way, are among the smallest galaxies known to host massive black holes. The scientists expect that the black holes in these smaller galaxies average about 400,000 times the mass of our Sun. "We hope that studying them and their galaxies will give us insights into how similar black holes in the early Universe formed and then grew, through galactic mergers over billions of years, producing the supermassive black holes we see in larger galaxies today, with masses of many millions or billions of times that of the Sun," said Amy Reines of Montana State University. Reines and her colleagues used the National Science Foundation's Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to make the discovery, which they are reporting at the American Astronomical Society's meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. Reines and her collaborators used the VLA to discover the first massive black hole in a dwarf starburst galaxy in 2011. That discovery was a surprise to astronomers and spurred a radio search for more. The scientists started by selecting a sample of galaxies from the NASA-Sloan Atlas, a catalog of galaxies made with visible-light telescopes. They chose galaxies with stars totalling less than 3 billion times the mass of the Sun, about equal to the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small companion of the Milky Way. From this sample, they picked candidates that also appeared in the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty centimeters (FIRST) survey, made between 1993 and 2011. They then used the VLA to make new and more sensitive, high-resolution images of 111 of the selected galaxies. "The new VLA observations revealed that 13 of these galaxies have strong evidence for a massive black hole that is actively consuming surrounding material. We were very surprised to find that, in roughly half of those 13 galaxies, the black hole is not at the center of the galaxy, unlike the case in larger galaxies," Reines said The scientists said this indicates that the galaxies likely have merged with others earlier in their history. This is consistent with computer simulations predicting that roughly half of the massive black holes in dwarf galaxies will be found wandering in the outskirts of their galaxies. "This work has taught us that we must broaden our searches for massive black holes in dwarf galaxies beyond their centers to get a more complete understanding of the population and learn what mechanisms helped form the first massive black holes in the early Universe," Reines said. Reines worked with James Condon, of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Jeremy Darling, of the University of Colorado, Boulder; and Jenny Greene, of Princeton University. The astronomers are publishing their results in the Astrophysical Journal. ### The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc. Lucknow: The electricity workers here have announced a nationwide boycott from work on January 8 to protest against privatisation of electricity, the unification of electricity corporations and to restore the old pensions. "To protest against privatisation of electricity, the unification of electricity corporations and restoration of old pension. With 15 lakh electricity employees in the country, the workers in Uttar Pradesh will boycott a day`s work on January 8," the Electricity Employees Joint Struggle Committee, Uttar Pradesh said in a statement. Live TV The committee`s main demands are the consolidation of power corporations like Kerala and Himachal Pradesh should be done to reorganise Uttar Pradesh Limited."All the amendments to the Electricity Act 2003 should be withdrawn with a view to privatising electricity," it said. If youve never had the experience of opening up a box he said, his voice trailing off with emotion. Taking those skeletons and putting them in cloth, looking at them and knowing it was a kid I never want to go through that again. Navi Mumbai Recently, the NRI Coastal police station arrested a gang of burglars for allegedly stealing 3.5 lakh worth valuables from a house in Belapur. Police suspect the four accused had been planning to target more houses in the area. The police said the incident took place in the house of a fish seller Ajaykumar Fulendra, 39, in Belapur two weeks ago. Fulendra purchases fish from Colaba to sell it in Navi Mumbai. On December 16, the four accused, who are in the age group of 20 and 25 years, broke into Fulendras house after the couple left home in the morning. They broke the cupboard lock and stole 3.1 lakh cash and gold valuables worth 38,000. They burgled the house in less than an hour which indicated they were watching the house for some time. Based on technical evidence and investigation, we nabbed the two accused from Patna and two from Mumbai, said Ajit Zanjurne, assistant inspector at NRI Coastal police station. Burglaries have remained a major issue for the Navi Mumbai police. The number of burglaries has reduced with 359 cases registered till November this year as compared to 436 cases last year. But the rate of detection also slumped as only 64 cases were solved this year whereas last year, 220 cases were solved. Officers at police stations said the drop in detection could be due to little to no evidence that makes it difficult to trace the suspects. Prompted by the slowdown in the detection rate, the police have turned to societies. This year, police stations have taken four meetings at regular intervals with various societies in their jurisdiction, officers said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Here are a dozen concert opportunities that may strike your winter fancy. They represent a sampling of new works, beloved works and works by composers you may know well but not that particular piece. The selection is also spread throughout many local organizations that consistently offer high-quality performances. Gould Piano Trio Friends of Chamber Music The Gould Piano Trio and clarinetist Robert Plane wowed Portlanders in 2017. This acclaimed British ensemble has made 25 recordings, many on the Naxos and Chandos labels. Now they are in town to make their Friends of Chamber Music debut with two diverse concerts. The first program features music by Carl Fruhling and Antonin Dvorak plus a new piece by Huw Watkins. The second concert offers works by Joseph Haydn and Maurice Ravel as well as Olivier Messiaens Quartet for the End of Time. 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 20-21, Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave; focm.org or 503-224-9842. Locally Sourced Sounds VI Fear No Music This new music ensemble will present a variety of contemporary works from composers who live in Oregon and southwest Washington. The program features pieces for viola and piano by Jake Safirstein and Allen Skirvin and a piano trio by Nicholas Emerson. Li Tao will offer a piece that draws on ancient Chinese poetry, and a work for clarinet, marimba, and fixed media by visiting Reed College professor Kirsten Volness reflects social and environmental issues. Jennifer Wrights X Chromosome, featuring toy piano, violin, clarinet, soprano and marimba, promises to lighten things up. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan, 20, The Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave.; fearnomusic.org or 971-220-6366. Super Bach Sunday Bach Cantata Choir Before the Super Bowl kicks off, you can load your ears with great music by J.S. Bach. The choir will perform his Cantata #38 Aus Tiefer Not Schrei Ich Zu Dir (Out of Deep Anguish I Call to You) and Cantata #149 Man Singet Mit Freuden vom Sieg (One Sings With Joy About Victory). Violinists Mary Rowell and Tatiana Kolchanova will play his Double Violin Concerto. The brass will do Gabrielis Canzona for Brass and then team with the choir for his Gloria in 12 Parts. A terrific slate of soloists includes Hannah Penn, Vakare Petroliunaite, Jacob Herbert and Leslie Green. 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, 1907 N.E. 45th Ave.; bachcantatachoir.org or 503-702-1973. Genghis Barbie Third Angle New Music Ensemble This self-styled post post-feminist feminist all-female horn ensemble invades Portland with a killer, eclectic program that will include the quartets own arrangements of classical gems, pop music, rock n roll, and alternative contemporary numbers. With an appearance at Carnegie Hall und five studio albums under their collective belts, these musicians have generated lots of attention, and in keeping with their spontaneous style, they will announce their program from the stage. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 6-7, Studio 2 @ N.E.W., 810 SE Belmont St.; thirdangle.org or 503-331-0301. Violinist Augustin Hadelich Pictures at an Exhibition Oregon Symphony This concert presents the world premiere of a piece by Gabriella Smith, whose works have struck a chord at Chamber Music Northwest, and Missy Mazzolis celestial Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres). Also, one of the worlds great violinists, Augustin Hadelich, will use his incredibly impeccable technique and artistry to play Paganinis First Violin Concerto. To top things off, the orchestra, under music director Carlos Kalmar, will take you to the gates of Kiev in Modest Mussorgskys Pictures at an Exhibition. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Monday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8-10; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353. Safe Harbor Resonance Ensemble As part of its Programming with Purpose season, the Resonance Ensemble will present music that touches on the theme of immigration and asylum in this concert. These new pieces tell the stories of immigrants and refugees and will surely have many poignant and thought-provoking moments. The group will sing pieces by Eric Banks, Melissa Dunphy, John Muehleisen, Caroline Shaw and Ysaye Barnwell, plus the world premiere of Theresa Koons Mother of Exiles. The ensemble will uncork the world premiere of music by Portland violinist/looper Joe Kye that integrates folk music from his native Korea with American folk music and improvisation. 4 p.m. Sunday, March 1, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; resonancechoral.org or 503-427-8701. Northern Lights and Smorgasbord 45th Parallel Universe Sample two Scandinavian-inflected concerts in one evening. For the first, the Arcturus Quintet will evoke snowflakes and the northern reaches in a piece by Johan Kvandal. The ensemble will explore basement timbres in Esa-Pekka Salonen's Memoria and close with Carl Nielsens tongue-in-cheek Quintet, Op. 43. The second concert will start with folk music on the nyckelharpa and the hardanger fiddle. It will end with two works inspired by traditional music: Carl Nielsen's String Quartet No. 1 and Edvard Grieg's tuneful Sonata in F Major for Violin and Piano. 7 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, The Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave.; 45thparallelpdx.org or 503-446-4227. Anderson & Roe Portland Piano International Acclaimed for their electrifying performances, the dynamic duo of Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe are poised to take audiences on another music journey that will travel all over the map. Whether they sit at separate grands or side-by-side at the same keyboard, their musicality and inventiveness are astonishing and fun to watch as they get into a mind meld that is just uncanny. Two separate programs include works by Johannes Brahms, Igor Stravinsky, Maurice Ravel, John Williams, Radiohead and arrangements by Anderson and Roe. 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave; portlandpiano.org or 503-228-1388. Tchaikovskys Divine Liturgy Cappella Romana Although chiefly known for his symphonies, ballet music, chamber pieces and operas, Tchaikovsky also composed sacred music, including a setting of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, the most famous of the Eucharistic services of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Written for chorus and bass, this performance of the Divine Liturgy will feature the Cappella Romana ensemble with the Pacific Youth Choir and basso profundo Glenn Miller under the baton of guest conductor Benedict Sheehan. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 NW 19th Ave.; cappellaromana.org or 503-236-8202. Berios "Sinfonia" by Rose Bond Oregon Symphony, runs March 14-16, 2020. Courtesy of Oregon SymphonyCourtesy of Oregon Symphony Berios Sinfonia by Rose Bond Oregon Symphony As part of its SoundSights series, the orchestra will collaborate with Portland-based media artist Rose Bond in a performance of Luciano Berios Sinfonia. Described as a lively deconstructionist meditation on symphonic patterns that is infused with fragments from Debussy, Ravel and Richard Strauss, the piece includes vocals provided by Roomful of Teeth. That ensemble will also perform Caroline Shaws Partita for 8 Voices, which won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Music. To level things out a bit, the orchestra will play the Overture and Venusberg Music from Richard Wagners Tannhauser. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Monday, 2 p.m. Sunday, March, 14-16; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353. Erin Helyard. Photo by Bridget ElliotPhoto by Bridget Elliot Bazajet Portland Opera Everyone knows Antonio Vivaldis The Four Seasons, but he wrote many other works, including 50 operas. Bazajet is an exotic love story that revolves around the emperor of the Turks, who has been captured. Contralto Avery Amereau and countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen have been cast in this production, which will be the first-ever by a professional opera company in the United States. In the pit will be the Portland Baroque Orchestra led by Australian conductor Erin Helyard. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 20, Tuesday, March 24, Thursday, March 26, Saturday, March 28; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22; Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway; portlandopera.org or 503-241-1407. The Portland Symphonic Choir will perform Beethovens monumental Missa Solemnis" in March. Photo by Donna RobinsonCourtesy of Portland Symphonic Beethovens Missa Solemnis Oregon Music Festival Beethovens monumental Missa Solemnis is a rare treat for Portlanders. This performance will involve Ukrainian-American soprano Antonina Chehovska, Argentinian bass-baritone Eduardo Chama, American mezzo Stacey Rishoi and tenor Scott Ramsay. The Portland Symphonic Choir will give you more than a wall of sound in the pivotal choral passages. All of the forces, including the Oregon Music Festival orchestra, will be guided by the baton of Zvonimir Hacko. 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22, First United Methodist Church, 1838 S.W. Jefferson St.; oregonmusicfest.org or 503-927-2910. James Bash, events@oregonian.com Around 50 protesters gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa Saturday to demand an end to "American interventionism" following the death of Qassem Soleimani. Tensions have been high in the Middle East since the Iranian general was killed early Friday in an American raid in Baghdad. Protesters in Ottawa demanded that the United States end its intervention in the Middle East. "I'm disturbed by the actions of the American government and I think it's important that people show up and express concern about their war-mongering, about their incursions into other countries and the violence that they spread around the world," said Laura McCoy who was visiting from Toronto and chose to take part in the protest. Yasmine Mehdi/Radio-Canada "It's important that we let the world know, let the American [government] know that the people don't support them and that it's important to stand for peace and justice in the world." Protesters fear that a new armed conflict will arise out of Soleimani's death. "We have better things to do than waging wars," said Frederic Langlois who was also taking part in the protest. A similar rally took place outside the American consulate in Toronto, with many expressing concerns about what the action will mean for Iranians back home. Anger against Canadian government Protesters also denounced the absence of a firm conviction by the Canadian government. "[Canada] shouldn't be following in the U.S. footsteps," said Langlois, who called the federal government's stance "disappointing." The same sentiments were echoed by McCoy. "I really wish that the Canadian government would take a stand against the United States in their foreign policy in a way that they generally don't," she said. NATO suspends Canadian-led training operations "The NATO mission and Operation IMPACT's mandate remain the same, but all training activities in Iraq are suspended temporarily as we continue to monitor the security environment," Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan wrote in an email to CBC News. He said Canada continues to monitor and evaluate the situation in the country, along with its international partners and that the goal "remains a united and stable Iraq, and preventing the re-emergence of Daesh." The government is also taking precautions to ensure the safety of both civilian and military personnel, he wrote. Press Release January 5, 2020 Bong Go files Senate bill creating Davao-based sixth division of National Labor Relations Commission Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go filed a bill that seeks to create an additional division of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) to be established in Davao City. Senate Bill (SB) No. 1254, which intends to amend the relevant provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines, also requires the addition of three more commissioners since each division of the NLRC is composed of three members. "The creation of an additional division of the NLRC will be beneficial for the proper administration and implementation of the labor laws and rules," Go stated in the explanatory note of the bill. The NLRC is mandated to resolve disputes "involving both local and overseas workers," and Go cited the growing number of these workers as another reason for the creation of the sixth division. "The NLRC is now tasked with a bigger responsibility," Go said adding that this proposal will make its services more accessible to Filipinos. Recently, the Philippine Statistics Authority released its Latest Labor Force Survey, indicating that the country's employment rate is now at 95.5%, as of October 2019. Unemployment rate has gone down to only 4.5%---the lowest in the last fourteen years. Because of the robust economic growth, with more businesses and trades being opened and expanded, more Filipinos are now gainfully employed. The NLRC was founded in the 1970s when the country's labor force was still comparably smaller than what it is now. With the growing number of workers under its jurisdiction, NLRC has to expand in order to minimize case backlogs and address labor disputes in more timely manner. Senator Go believes that the three-decade-old Labor Code has to keep abreast with the changing conditions of the present time. The NLRC currently has five divisions, with the NLRC Chair acting as Presiding Commissioner of the first division. The other members of the first division are a commissioner from the workers sector and another commissioner from the employers sector. The other divisions have similar compositions, but instead of the NLRC Chair, a commissioner from the public sector acts as the presiding commissioner for each of them. The first, second, and third divisions of NLRC have main offices in Metro Manila and handle cases coming from the National Capital Region and parts of Luzon. The fourth division, with main office in Cebu City, handles cases from the Visayas, while the fifth division, with main office in Cagayan de Oro City, handles cases from Mindanao. He cited the number of cases that the NLRC, an agency attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and mandated to adjudicate labor and management disputes, handled in the past two years. "In 2018, the Commission posted an overall disposition output of 48,770 cases through compulsory arbitration, which consist of 37,073 (76%) original cases from the Regional Arbitration Branches and 11,733 (24%) appealed cases from the Commission Proper," the Senator explained. "Out of 39,160 original cases received for the current year, 37,037 (95%) are disposed by the Regional Arbitration Branches while 11,733 (105%) are disposed by the Commission Proper from the 11,193 appealed cases received for the current year," he added. SB 1254 requires the number of commissioners to be increased from fourteen to seventeen and, in accordance with the existing practice, the three additional commissioners shall come each from the public, workers and employers sectors. The powers, functions and duties of the NLRC, however, remain the same. Synth-pop sensation I Am Boleyn is rising to the top, just making her mark on the charts. A remix of the London-based talent's track Too Much charted 12 in UK commercial pop dance charts last month. It was the perfect holiday surprise for the artist. 'I was just just before Christmas so it was a really it was the best Christmas present ever,' she told DailyMail.com. Rising the ranks! I Am Boleyn has made her mark with her first appearance on the charts, rising to number 12 on the UK commercial pop dance charts It's shaping up to be a busy year for the artist, who will follow up the success of Too Much with the single Little Longer, due out March 6. The track will be the perfect precursor to summer according to I Am Boleyn. Little Longer also sees Boleyn reunite with Swedish-based music production collective FMLY STHLM, (pronounced like Family Stockholm.) Her debut EP, titled In Between, will come out sometime later this year. The lead track, also titled In Between, is an 'synth-y homage to disco,' according to the artist, packed with danceable beats and an inescapably fun attitude. Lyrically I Am Boleyn explained that she wanted to capture the idea of 'meeting the right person, but at the wrong time.' 'Like you're in between this transition period and you just want to have fun and you're like "Okay, I've met you at the wrong time and you just come back in September?"' New track: I Am Boleyn will follow up the success of Too Much with the single Little Longer, due out March 6 I Am Boleyn's talent is being propelled by a host of VIP performances. Following her grand coming out at LA's Peppermint Club last February, I Am Boleyn appeared at Art Basel in December 2019. Come 2020 she'll appear at London's iconic Annabel's nightclub before heading to Sweden in May and later Berlin to woo the rest of the club set. Work of art: I Am Boleyn appeared at Art Basel in December 2019, above I Am Boleyn's work evokes a number of influences. The artist has listed Robyn, Goldfrapp, Mo, and MS MR as inspirations for 'her take on electro-pop brims with hints of neon lit 80's Berlin bars with a futuristic twist of Blade Runner.' She spends most of her time between London and Stockholm to work on her music. Atrue citizen of the world, she grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia before going on to study history at Oxford University. No matter where she was located on the globe, music was always there as she has been writing songs and singing in bands from an early age. I Am Boleyn is not only making waves in the music industry but also in fashion as New York-based label La Ligne invited her to be their brand ambassador last year. City Editor Tom Roeder is the Gazette's City Editor. In Colorado Springs since 2003, Tom has covered the military at home and overseas and has covered statehouses in Denver and Olympia, Wash. His main job, though, is being dad to two great kids. Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Sunday morning gave his seal of approval to the list of portfolios to be given to the new ministers in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi coalition. The 43-member strong cabinet comprising leaders from three parties can finally get to work. The long awaited portfolio allocation was finalised late on Saturday evening by the chief minister. Nationalist Congress Partys Ajit Pawar, who broke ranks and joined BJPs Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy CM for a very brief time, pocketed the finance portfolio in the Sena-led coalition. Anil Deshmukh, another NCP leader, was made the state home minister. Deshmukh, a senior NCP leader from Nagpur, was picked for the crucial job after Ajit Pawar conveyed he would not like to take up this portfolio at this stage. According to NCP insiders, the party top brass as well as Ajit Pawar himself were wary of him handling the home portfolio while the irrigation scam inquiry is still being heard in the High Court. Aaditya Thackeray, the Worli MLA who made his electoral debut this year, was tasked with tourism, environment and protocol ministry. CM Uddhav Thackeray will hold the charge of Ministry of General Administration, Information&Technology, Information&Public Relations, Law &Judiciary and other departments which have not been allocated to any other Minister. Congress, which is the junior partner in the coalition, saw its Balasaheb Thorat being handed the responsibility for the revenue ministry. The portfolio allocation indicates that the balance of power in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi, made up of the three parties, tilts in favour of the NCP. The NCP has not just got for itself most ministerial posts (16) but also retained the most crucial of the departments for its ministers. The Shiv Sena besides the CM has 14 other ministerial posts but has retained fewer important portfolios like urban development, agriculture and industries. The Congress has got 10 ministerial posts and two crucial departments like revenue and PWD. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government had been facing criticism from the opposition BJP for delay in the allocation of portfolios despite being in power for over a month now. Chief Minister Thackeray and six of his council members - two each from the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress - took oath on November 28. Thackeray expanded his month-old ministry on December 30 by inducting 36 ministers. The body of a diver mauled by a shark off the coast of Western Australia is yet to be found - as his shattered friends and family rally behind his partner who witnessed the attack. Gary Johnson was killed by what locals believe was a great white shark at about 1.30pm off Cull Island in Esperance, south-east of Perth, on Sunday. Emergency crews are still desperately searching for Mr Johnson's body, while his wife Karen Milligan is being treated in hospital for shock. Gary Johnson was attacked and killed by a great white shark on Sunday while his diving partner Karen Milligan was treated for shock Emergency services are still searching for Mr Johnson while his diving partner Karen Milligan - who witness the attack - is being treated for shock. Police pictured at the scene Peter Hudson told The Australian his friend was a 'very nice bloke'. 'People liked him. He did a lot to encourage people to appreciate the beauty of the ocean,' he said. Mr Johnson had been diving when he was attacked and Ms Milligan, who was in a boat four metres away, frantically called for help over the radio. One of the first responders - Glen Quinlivan - was setting up his power boat for a day trip when he heard the cries for help. 'We tried to find him. We tried to help her but to no avail,' Mr Quinlivan told The West. 'I really feel for her, she's obviously witnessed something you don't want to see.' Mr Johnson was a recreational diver who loved to share his passion for the ocean He said the winds were blowing towards Charley Island when they found evidence Mr Johnson had been taken. Mr Quinlivan said they saw no sign of Mr Johnson, but found his flippers and part of his wet suit. 'I've done plenty of free diving around the area. I've dived in that spot before... I won't be again. You always have it in the back of your mind,' he said. The tragic incident marks the second fatal shark attack in three years in the region after a 17-year-old died in 2017. The attack happened at about 1.30pm off Cull Island in Esperance, south east of Perth, on Sunday Laeticia Brouwer was attacked at Wylie Bay when she was holidaying with her family over the Easter long weekend. Sean Pollard was attacked in 2014 by two great white sharks in the area and he lost his left arm and right hand. A local told 9 News on Sunday it was 'only a matter of time' before the next shark attack. 'It's frustrating,' the person said. This is the second fatal shark attack in three years in the region after a 17-year-old died in 2017 'There have been so many hanging around lately. But what can you do? History is going to keep repeating itself, unfortunately.' Esperance Shire president Ian Mickel told The West losing people in the ocean was tragic. 'We have thousands of people having a good time on the water and [to] get a fatal shark attack - it's a major concern,' he said. Laeticia Brouwer was attacked and killed by a shark at Wylie Bay when she was holidaying with her family over the Easter long weekend 'There is a lot being done with Shark Smart, we've got the majority of our surfers contributing to that. Tagged sharks are registering against the buoys [receivers]but this is really tragic.' Swimmers have been advised to stay clear of the area and follow local beach closures. Last month Shelley Payne, Shire of Esperance councillor, said more needed to be done to warn locals about sharks. She said she wanted signage near the entrance informing people to check online about shark sightings. Expo Centre Sharjah said that it will be hosting the second edition of The Education Growth Summit (TEGS) in Sharjah from January 22 to 23, 2020, following a cooperation agreement recently signed in Bangalore, India. The agreement was signed between Expo Centre Sharjah represented by Sultan Shattaf, director, Sales and Marketing, and K2 Learning, a top institute for commerce education, represented by Sripall D Jain, CEO and founder of Career Uttsav and chairman of group company K2 Learning. Expo Centre Sharjah will also be hosting a special platform that will bring together some of the top companies operating in the educational technology sector, under the theme Education Technologies. The full-fledge platform will showcase the latest innovations in the smart education technology sector, according to the agreement. A number of representatives from K2 Learning, media and various educational sectors in India attended the signing ceremony. The TEGS and the Education Technologies platform will be organized by K2 Learning at the16th International Education Show, scheduled to take place from January 22 to 24. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, said: The TEGS will surely be a quality addition to the 16th International Education Show, which enjoys the support of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Ministry of Education and Sharjah Private Education Authority. To meet the growing aspirations of students and investors in the educational sector, Expo Centre Sharjah is always keen to follow a policy of innovation and creativity and spares no efforts to stage unique events that focus on technological innovation. This year, we will be hosting a select group of companies operating in the educational technology and we are going to see a distinguished participation by Indian academic institutions with a special pavilion, the largest of the participating countries, Al Midfa added. Sultan Shattaf stressed that the agreement comes in line with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Expo Centre Sharjah and K2 Learning last July, with a view of exchanging expertise and knowledge and learn about the best practices in the field of educational and professional exhibitions. The Education Growth Summit TEGS will be a significant addition to the International Education Show, especially as it will provide a platform for edupreneurs, bringing together an elite of decision makers, experts and practitioners involved in the education sector, Shattaf said. He added that the summit, through the Education Technologies platform, will shed light on the latest innovations and possible ways and mechanisms to ensure a qualitative transition in the education sector across the region. The event will also discuss the most prominent challenges facing the educational sector as well as potential solutions. Shattaf further said. Shattaf highlighted that 16th International Education Show will see the largest expansion ever since its inception. New hall will be added, bringing the total number of halls to three, due to the increasing number of participating universities, academic institutions and educational service companies. The event will also see new countries taking part besides a strong presence by Emirati universities, as well as the most prestigious British and German universities. Sripall D Jain said: We are very happy to have this exclusive collaboration with the Expo Centre Sharjah and to represent the Indian Pavilion at the International Education Show, by organizing the Career Uttsav exhibition, besides the 2nd edition of TEGS. Such important events will surely help take advantage of educational opportunities available in both countries, with more than 225,000 aspiring students from around the world expected to benefit from Career Uttsav services. TradeArabia News Service Concern about global oil demand and OPEC+ production cuts are now part of the oil price landscape and few expect any surprises coming from these directions. There is, however, a wild card: U.S. shale production. CNBC this week quoted an analyst from Macro-Advisory, who included U.S. shale production growth prospects on a list of three factors to watch when it comes to prices. The big uncertainty this year and it is already beginning to be talked about is: Can or will U.S. producers be able to continue to add as much extra volume as they have been for the last seven or eight years? This is a huge question, said Chris Weafer. According to other reports, the question might not be as huge. The Wall Street Journal, for one, has been warning of a slowdown in shale oil production for months now. Despite an upbeat production report from the EIA that showed oil production hat hit a record of 12.66 million bpd in October, the outlook remains uncertain. A couple of days before the EIA report for oil production in October was released, the Wall Street Journal published another story, about well yields falling short of forecasts as they mature. A few days earlier still, the daily carried another warning for energy investors: banks are tightening their purse strings for shale oil drillers. Its almost as if the WSJ has a personal grudge against the U.S. shale industry. Related: A Record Number Of Oil CEOs Dethroned In 2019 But the WSJ is not alone, and is merely joining the chorus of analysts who have been warning about the impending slowdown in production growth in the U.S. shale patch for years. While few, these voices, often coming from the industry itself, are aware that first, shale oil production is a lot more capital-intensive than many conventional oil projects and second, that investor patience only goes so far. This patience is wearing thin now that shale drillers face over $40 billion debt maturing this year, according to Moodys, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. No wonder, then, that some analysts are expecting a major slowdown in production growth. According to some, who spoke to Reuters, this growth could decelerate to as little as 100,000 bpd. Thats a lot less than what the IEA forecast for U.S. shale in December: the agency forecast growth could slow down to 1.1 million bpd this year, from 1.6 million bpd in 2019. This should be music to the ears of oil bulls and the Saudi royal family. U.S. shale oil production growth has been a spanner in the works of OPECs price-boost plans for years now. The enemy they tried to beat with the maximum-production strategy survived and kept growing, forcing them to cut their own production, but now it may have to stop growing, at least for a while. If it does, prices will rebound. Just how long the rebound will hold, however, is a different question. Some members of OPEC and its biggest partner, Russia, are eagerly awaiting the end of the production cuts to restart boosting their own production. The likelihood of these eager producers continuing to cut output in the face of slowing down U.S. shale production growth is not particularly great. On the contrary, chances are some OPEC members and Russia would call for an end to the cuts the moment they have enough evidence that the U.S. shale production boom is losing steam. What this means for prices in 2020 is that we might reasonably expect a rally at some point, the point when the U.S. slowdown becomes a fact. Yet this rally is unlikely to be particularly great or long: that concern about global oil demand is not going anywhere, even with the U.S.-China trade deal. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: But the top counterterrorism official at the NSC was installed in the job late last year and has less experience than many of his predecessors. Kash Patel, a former aide to Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), also has a strained relationship with the CIA and FBI, current and former officials said, in part because of his involvement in efforts by Trump and his allies to discredit those agencies and accuse them of seeking to undermine the president. Up to 30 students, teachers wounded after a mob of about 50 attacked elite university in New Delhi. Many students and teachers have been injured after they were allegedly attacked by members of right-wing students group in New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday. Witnesses said violence followed a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers Association in connection with a rise in hostel charges for the students announced some weeks ago. The JNU Students Union, led by left-wing groups, said its president, Aishe Ghosh, and many other students were injured in stone-pelting and attacks by members of right-wing students group Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). But ABVP, which is linked to the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleged that its members were attacked by left-wing student groups. Videos on social media appeared to show a group of several masked attackers roaming the campus wielding batons as students screamed. This is New Delhi- Capital of India. Masked goons roaming freely with sticks and Police did NOTHING to stop them. This attack against JNU students looks pre-planned. #JNUAttack #SOSJNU #JNUViolence #JNUProtests pic.twitter.com/aVk4Pl9xoN Md Asif Khan (@imMAK02) January 5, 2020 News channels also showed groups of masked people said to be from outside the campus which student bodies blamed on each others factions brandishing rods and sticks, singling out students and teachers and vandalising property. When the violent mob began beating up students and teachers, we went closer to the aid of those injured and to also know what was happening, but they attacked us as well. We had to literally run for our lives, one student, who wished to remain anonymous, told Al Jazeera. Environment of fear Another student, who also did not wish to be named, said: There was such an environment of fear. They were not asking about anything but were beating up everyone and chasing us. Students were forced to lock their doors and female students switched off the lights of their rooms in order to escape the violent mob, she added. Local media reported that 20 to 30 people were injured. An official at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi said most of the injured at the hospital were undergoing treatment for lacerations, cuts and bruises. Senior police officer Anand Mohan said the police entered the campus at the request of the administration and the situation was under control. Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal said he had directed police to maintain law and order and take action against perpetrators of violence. I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police shud immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus? Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 5, 2020 Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the Communist Party of India, called the attack a collusion between the JNU administration and goons of a student group linked to BJP. The ruling BJP distanced itself from the incident. This is a desperate attempt by forces of anarchy, who are determined to use students as cannon fodder, (to) create unrest to shore up their shrinking political footprint. Universities should remain places of learning and education, the BJP said on Twitter. Delhi police asked to investigate Yogendra Yadav, an activist and a JNU alumni, rushed to the campus after reports of the attack but said he was not allowed to go in. Aishi Ghosh of JNU who is bleeding profusely after being attacked by ABVP. This must be the Beti Bachaao, Narendra Modi ? pic.twitter.com/EAZd4jXEb3 Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) January 5, 2020 For the last few years, there has been an intellectual attack on JNU which is one of the prominent universities in India, Yadav told Al Jazeera at the gates of the university. What we see today is possibly the culmination of what has been happening for the past few years. Earlier there was an intellectual destruction of JNU, now we are looking at the physical destruction of JNU. The prestigious university counts top Indian politicians including Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and this years Nobel economics prize winner Abhijit Banerjee among its alumni. Jaishankar took to Twitter to condemn the violence, saying, This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university. The security presence was increased throughout the campus as Indias home minister, Amit Shah, called on Delhi police to investigate. The incident is the latest in a series of violent clashes that have killed at least two dozen people amid protests over a controversial new citizenship law Prime Minister Narendra Modis government passed in December. The law allows New Delhi to grant expedited citizenship to minorities from three neighbouring Muslim countries who entered India by December 31, 2014, but critics say it marginalises Muslims in the country as part of Modis larger Hindu nationalist agenda. Additional reporting by Bilal Kuchay in New Delhi At least 24 people were killed and 23 injured after a building in Cambodia collapsed, trapping workers under rubble, officials said on Sunday. The seven-storey concrete building collapsed on Friday in the coastal town of Kep, about 160 km (100 miles) southwest of the capital Phnom Penh. It came a year after another construction site collapsed, killing 28 people in Preah Sihanouk province. "Twenty-four people have died so far," Kep governor Ken Satha told Reuters. "Three of the bodies are not yet at hospital, they have not been pulled out yet." An unknown number of workers remained trapped, Satha said, adding that authorities had detained a Cambodian couple, the owners of the building, for questioning. Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Saturday that rescuers were still struggling to reach those missing in the rubble. Cambodia is undergoing a construction boom to serve growing crowds of Chinese tourists and investors. A drunken driver speeding on a mountain road ploughed into a group of young German tourists in northern Italy early on Sunday, killing six people and injuring 11 others, Italian authorities said. The deadly crash occurred in a village of Valle Aurina, northeast of Bolzano in the Alto Adige region, shortly after 1 am as the Germans gathered near their tour bus. Mourners later left candles and flowers at the crash scene, which was located along a two-lane road dotted by hotels and piles of snow in the mountainous region. The driver of the car had a high blood alcohol content and was driving particularly fast, a Carabineri police official in Brunico told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorised to give his name. He said police had concluded that the crash wasn't an act of terrorism. The largely German-speaking autonomous region of northern Italy, with its ski resorts in the Dolomites and quaint villages around Bolzano, is popular with German tourists. French President Emmanuel Macron agreed with his Iraqi counterpart on Saturday to make efforts to dampen tensions in the Middle East after Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. air strike, Trend reports citing Reuters. The two presidents agreed to remain in close contact to avoid any further escalation in tensions and in order to act to ensure stability in Iraq and the broader region, Macrons office said of his telephone discussion with Iraqi President Barham Salih. On Saturday, tens of thousands of people marched in Baghdad to mourn Irans military chief Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, after the two were killed in a U.S. air strike which has raised the specter of wider conflict in the Middle East. Macron also discussed Middle East developments with the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The two leaders underlined the importance of fighting Islamic State and dealing with the political crisis in Libya, Macrons office said. Earlier on Saturday, Frances Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said he had discussed the situation in the Middle East with his German foreign minister Heiko Maas and senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi. We all noted in particular our agreement in the importance of preserving the stability and sovereignty of Iraq, and the whole of the region in general, as well as the need for Iran to avoid any new violation of the Vienna Agreement, Le Drian said. Under the 2015 Vienna agreement, most international sanctions against Tehran were lifted in 2016, in exchange for limitations on Irans nuclear work. U.S. President Donald Trumps administration however pulled out of the deal. National parks and state forests will be targeted in a major new federal effort to conduct more land clearing and controlled burn-offs under an approach that could shame the states into stronger action. The Morrison government will heighten pressure on the states to intensify their programs to lighten the fuel load in parks and forests before the peak bushfire season, but has stopped short of more drastic intervention. Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Parliament House in Canberra on Sunday. Credit:Rohan Thomson/Getty Images Prime Minister Scott Morrison named the issue as the one raised with him most commonly by communities struck by this summers bushfire crisis, signalling he wanted a national approach to clear future threats. Natural Disaster and Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud has set up a federal inquiry into the issue, in an exercise that is expected to hear intense debate between environmentalists and others over controlled burn-offs. Protesters in Hong Kong today marched through a border town as they opposed traders from mainland China who they claim transported a deadly disease to the area. The protestors rallied in Sheung Shui which lies across the border from the mainland in Shenzhen. Traders have frequently moved goods from the district to sell at a markup price in the area. The process is widely known as 'parallel trading' because it happens in a grey area alongside legal trade. Some held up American flags while many were also seen holding up signs that read 'SARS' Pro-democracy protesters take part in an anti-parallel trading rally in the border town of Sheung Shui in Hong Kong, China Protesters were seen wearing masks today, some to protect them from pollution, others to protect their identity While some protesters held American flags and many were seen wearing masks, others held up signs that read 'SARS,'. This is thought to be a reference to a mysterious infectious disease that may have been brought to Hong Kong from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where at least 44 people have been infected. From 2002-2003 the SARS epidemic, that began in southern China killed more than 700 people. Today police were seen using tear gas on demonstrators who hurled petrol bombs at the Sheung Shui police station, authorities said. Protesters were seen with flags while others carried signs as they protested this afternoon Riot police watch as protesters march during a demonstration against 'parallel traders' who buy goods in Hong Kong to resell in mainland China in Sheung Shui The procession ended at 2:50pm but some demonstrators refused to disperse and remained in standoffs with riot police. About 100 protesters marched through a Sheung Shui mall last month, demanding that mainland Chinese traders leave the territory. Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese territory, has seen more than six months of anti-government demonstrations. Many crowds gathered in the area, many of which were seen wearing black clothing Riot police were seen on stand by as they observed the protests earlier today in Sheung Shui Lizzo has pledged her support for those battling the Australian wildfires. The 'Juice' hitmaker is currently in Queensland on the east coast of Australia and has called for everyone to get behind the brave firefighters tackling the blaze. She shared: "Good morning from Brisbane, Australia, Queensland. Being over here in Australia has really given me a real time view into what's happening with these devastating fires and for all of my followers who are mostly American, I just want to say that this is a global crisis. I don't want to politicise anything. This isn't a political issue at this point, this is a human issue. "The CO2 emissions that are being created by this fire are staggering and it affects the world. They don't rise into the atmosphere and suddenly float out of the Australian borderlines and go, 'Oh, no, this is an Australian issue, let's just hover around Australia.' No, these CO2 emissions will affect the entire earth. All of our atmosphere, all of our air. I think sometimes we have a really micro almost nationalist view of what's going on and I think sometimes you look at something that's happening in another country you automatically go, 'Oh, well, you know that's not going to happen to us, that's not our problem, that's another country.' But we're all connected on this planet. This is the Earth and we share this as a home." And Lizzo wants to play her part in being "a global member of this planet". In her impassion speech, she added: "If you don't have the money to donate, carry an awareness. It's so important. So if you can just spread some awareness and let people know what's going on and just show you care ... "I'm going to work with my management to see if there's anything more I can do to be a global member to live on this planet and to serve this planet as it is my home. It is our job to protect every human and person, and animal and piece of nature. So give if you can or just share if you can because this affects you as well." European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Saturday stressed the "need for de-escalation" after the US assassination of a top Iranian in Baghdad. (Photo Credit: Twitter) New Delhi: European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Saturday stressed the "need for de-escalation" after the US assassination of a top Iranian in Baghdad. After meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Brussels, Borrell tweeted: "Spoke w Iranian FM @JZarif about recent developments. Underlined need for de-escalation of tensions, to exercise restraint & avoid further escalation". Borrell said he also urged Zarif to maintain the landmark nuclear accord negotiated between Iran and the UN Security Council permanent membersBritain, France, China, Russia and the United Statesplus Germany. The deal, also known as the JCPOA, offered Tehran relief from stinging sanctions in return for curbs to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons. Agreed in 2015 it has been at risk of falling apart since Trump unilaterally withdrew from it in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Also discussed importance of preserving #JCPOA, which remains crucial for global security. I am committed to role as coordinator, Borrell said. On Friday, Iran unfurled a 'red flag of revenge' on an important mosque in after vowing to avenge the killing of its top general in airstrike by US drones. The red flag was hoisted above the Jamkaran Mosque which is on the outskirts of the holy city of Qom, about 100 miles south of Tehran. In Shiite tradition, red flags symbolise both blood spilled unjustly and serve as a call to avenge a person who is slain. The text on the flag says: "Those who want to avenge the blood of Hussein". The flag can be seen as a clear warning that Iran is getting ready to strike back at America. General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds force and mastermind of its regional security strategy, was killed in an airstrike early Friday near the Iraqi capital's international airport. Soleimani and Mohandis were killed along with eight others in a precision drone strike early Friday as they drove away from Baghdad international airport in two vehicles. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A professor who was assaulted by the miscreants being treated at a hospital after clashes erupted between groups of students at JNU campus in New Delhi on Jan 5, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: A girl student at JNU was hit over the eye with a rod after clashes erupted between groups of students at JNU campus in New Delhi on Jan 5, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Kolkata, Jan 5 : "Astonished and horrified" at the violence unleashed against students and teachers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) by masked miscreants, the Jadavpur University Teachers'Association (JUTA) on Sunday called upon all sections of society to condemn the "heinous act". In a statement, JUTA General Secretary Partha Pratim Roy urged the JNU authorities to restore normalcy, and the Central and Delhi governments to take "urgent action" to stop the "violence and bloodshed". "JUTA is astonished and horrified at the violence unleashed against students and teachers of JNU by masked miscreants armed with sticks, rods, stones, and other implements which they are using with impunity inside the university, including inside hostels," Roy said. "This horrifying act is apparently being carried out in the presence of police personnel," the statement said. Roy said reports he received from acolleagues and friends' within JNU seem to indicate that "the goons owe allegiance to one particular political party". "No words are strong enough to condemn this heinous act, which is apparently still under way. "The JUTA calls upon all sections of society, especially students and teachers, to condemn this act," he said. "If our universities and those who study and work in them cannot be protected from such atrocities, how can we claim to be a civilised nation?" Roy wondered. Violence swept the JNU on Sunday as several masked individuals, both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers inside the varsity campus with wooden and metal rods. Two officer-bearers of the Jawaharal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), including President Aishe Ghosh - who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod, received severe injuries. They blamed RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence in the campus. Tripoli: Airstrikes on a military school in the Libyan capital Tripoli killed 28 people and injured many others. Giving information on Sunday, the Health Ministry has said that according to preliminary figures 28 people have died. A spokesman for the National Accord (GNA) government's health ministry said that cadets used to gather at the parade ground before going to their mortuary at the time of the strike. The military school is located in al-Hadba al-Khadr, the residential area of the Libyan capital. Libya was steeped in dictator Moammar Gaddafi's murder and anarchy for a long time in the 2011 NATO-backed uprising. GNA forces accused those loyalists of weeks of strike, sharing pictures of the victims and being injured on Facebook. However, pro-Haft forces have not claimed responsibility for the air strike. The Health Minister has urged people to donate blood to the hospital so that the injured can be helped. He told that when the attack took place, the cadets had gathered at the parade ground before going to their respective rooms. This military school is located in Al Hadba Al Khadra, Tripoli. Also Read: Sikh youth killed in Pakistan's Peshawar after Nankana Sahib attack Lasith Malinga takes big decision, says, "if this happens, I will take retirement....." America in contact with India amid deepening tension with Iran Australia: Forest fire holds macabre form, 50 crore animals died so far Hollywood actress Naomi Watts is known for her quirky cool street style. But on Saturday, the 51-year-old looked every inch the Hollywood film star while appearing at the Showtime Golden Globe nominee party. Spotted posing by the media wall at Sunset Tower in Los Angeles, the Australian actress put her best foot forward at the event. White on the mark! Actress Naomi Watts, 51, (pictured) flaunted her slender figure in a glamorous white mini-dress at the Golden Globe nominees party on Saturday Naomi opted for a white mini-dress, which flaunted her trim pins at the event. The starlet accentuated her slender arms in the frock, which featured puffy sleeves. Naomi paired the eye-catching frock with a pair of chic silver heels, as well as an elegant white clutch which she held in her hand. The 21 Grams actress kept her accessories to a minimum, wearing jewelry by Anita Ko, including a silver bracelet and an assortment of rings to the event. Oh my! Naomi opted for a white mini-dress, which flaunted her trim pins at the event Naomi wore her blonde hair in a blunted bob. She kept her makeup to a glossy style, including dark mascara and a rogue lipstick. The British-Australian star failed to get a nod this year, however, her drama The Loudest Voice got two nods. Naomi recently paid tribute to those suffering from the Australian bushfires, as out of control infernos engulf the country. Beauty: Naomi wore her blonde hair in a blunted bob. She kept her makeup to a glossy style, including dark mascara and a rogue lipstick 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. 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. Chic star: The 21 Grams actress kept her accessories to a minimum, wearing a silver bracelet and an assortment of rings to the event '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 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.' Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Sunday said the recent violence and vandalism at a gurdwara in Pakistan has "proved" that Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 was a "right decision taken at an appropriate time." He asked why opposition parties are silent after the attack on the holy Sikh shrine of Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. What else or bigger proof the opposition parties like Congress, RJD - which are opposing CAA - want that religious minorities are being persecuted in Pakistan, the DyCM said while launching party's awareness campaign-cum-mass contact programme to dispel confusion, misconception on CAA among the people. He launched the party's awareness programme at Madhu Milan community hall in Shashtri Nagar area under Digha assembly constituency in Patna during which he met people and explained to them legislation. Under the awareness campaign, BJP leaders and workers 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. Minorities in Pakistan have been harassed and persecuted for the past 70 years, the DyCM said. "How many instances or proofs of atrocities and persecution of minorities in Pakistan the opposition Congress, RJD and other opposition leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal would like to have?", he asked. The CAA is meant to give citizenship to refugees who have come to India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, he said, adding that it was not meant to take away anyone's citizenship To vitiate the atmosphere of the country, Congress, RJD and other opposition parties have spread a confusion especially among Muslims for the sake of vote bank politics, he alleged while asserting that the confusion over CAA has been "largely dispelled". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The al-Shabaab extremist group attacked a military base used by US and Kenyan troops in coastal Kenya early Sunday, with US aircraft and vehicles destroyed, Kenyan authorities said. Kenyas military said the pre-dawn breach was repulsed and at least four attackers were killed. A plume of black smoke rose above the base near the Somali border. Residents said a car bomb had exploded. The US Africa Command confirmed the attack on Camp Simba in Lamu county. Spokesman colonel Christopher Karns called al-Shabaabs claims, including that of having inflicted severe casualties, grossly exaggerated. There was no report of US or Kenyan deaths. The camp has fewer than 100 US personnel, according to Pentagon figures. An internal Kenyan police report seen by The Associated Press said two fixed-wing aircraft, a US Cessna and a Kenyan one, were destroyed along with two US helicopters and multiple US vehicles at the Manda Bay military airstrip. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The report said explosions were heard at around 5.30am from the direction of the airstrip. The scene, now secured, indicated that al-Shabaab likely gained entry to conduct targeted attacks, the report said. Al-Shabaabs claim of responsibility said the attack destroyed US equipment including aircraft and vehicles. It said fighters covertly entered enemy lines and that the attack was ongoing. Kenyas military, however, said that the airstrip is safe. It added: Arising from the unsuccessful breach a fire broke out affecting some of the fuel tanks located at the airstrip. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the airstrip was closed for all operations. Al-Shabaab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, is based in neighbouring Somalia and has launched a number of attacks in Kenya. The group has been the target of a growing number of US airstrikes during US president Donald Trumps administration. The latest attack comes just over a week after an al-Shabaab truck bomb in Somalias capital killed at least 79 people and US airstrikes killed seven al-Shabaab fighters in response. Somali bystanders view wreckage following a suicide car bombing in Mogadishu last year (AFP) Last year al-Shabaab attacked a US military base inside Somalia. The extremist group has carried out multiple attacks against Kenyan troops in the past in retaliation for Kenya sending troops to Somalia to fight it. Al-Shabaab has also attacked civilian targets in Kenya, including buses, schools and shopping malls. Two men stand next to burning cars at the scene of an explosion at a hotel complex in Nairobi (AFP) The early Sunday attack comes days after a US airstrike killed Irans top military commander and Iran vowed retaliation, but al-Shabaab is a Sunni Muslim group and there is no sign of links to Shiite Iran or proxies. In Twitter posts discussing the attack, analyst Rashid Abdi said it had nothing to do with the tensions in the Middle East, but added that Kenyan security services have long been worried that Iran was trying to cultivate ties with al-Shabaab. Avowedly Wahhabist al-Shabaab not natural ally of Shia Iran, hostile, even. But if Kenyan claims true, AS attack may have been well-timed to signal to Iran it is open for tactical alliances, he wrote, adding that an AS that forges relations with Iran is nightmare scenario. When asked whether the US military was looking into any Iranian link to the attack, spokesman Mr Karns said only that al-Shabaab, affiliated with al-Qaeda, has their own agenda and have made clear their desire to attack US interests. The al-Shabaab claim of responsibility said Sundays attack was part of its Jerusalem will never be Judaised campaign, a rarely made reference that also was used after al-Shabaabs deadly attack on a luxury mall complex in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, in January 2019. Associated Press Photograph: Tom Brenner/Reuters They came to pray with their president, though in truth many came just to worship him. Donald Trumps Friday launch of his so-called coalition of evangelicals, an attempt to shore up the support of the religious right ahead of Novembers election, had the feel of any other campaign rally, except this time with gospel music. An estimated 7,000 supporters of faith packed the King Jesus international ministry megachurch in Miami to hear the word of the president, and decided that it was good. The Maga hat-wearing faithful cheered Trumps comments on issues calculated to resonate with his churchgoing audience, including abortion, freedoms of speech and religion, and what he claimed was a crusade from Democrats against religious tolerance. My administration will never stop fighting for Americans of faith, Trump said at the conclusion of an often freewheeling 75-minute speech. We will restore the faith as the true foundation of American life. Trump also gloated about Thursdays military strike that took out the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in Baghdad. It was flawless strike that eliminated the terrorist ringleader, he said, insisting the killing would save the lives of hundreds and hundreds of Americans. His atrocities have been stopped for good. He was planning a very major attack and we got him. I really believe we have God on our side, Trump said Friday. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Absent from his remarks, however, was any discussion of one of his signature policies, the hardline crackdown on immigration that has seen thousands of undocumented migrants deported. At this Hispanic megachurch, where even the pastor acknowledges many in his congregation are in the country illegally, perhaps that was no surprise. Trump did concede he had made it harder for foreigners to enter or stay in the US, but only to make sure foreign terrorists cannot obtain admission. It was exactly what evangelical Christians in the audience wanted to hear. Some, like Michael David Layne, a 62-year-old US army veteran who regularly attends the King Jesus church, marries what he sees as Trumps strong leadership with solid Christian values, which he said the president showed in Thursdays military strike. We can get anybody, anywhere, anytime, anywhere there is terrorism, he said. Story continues Layne acknowledges that Trumps life which includes three marriages, adultery and alleged affairs with porn stars might appear less than pious, but is able to overlook it. He might be a little rough around the edges for some people, but he says it like it is, and if some of the things he says or the actions he takes upset some people it doesnt make him less of a man of God. Others who came to hear Trump preach were similarly unfazed by the presidents questionable religious credentials. I believe he has moral character and that he is a man of God, said Steven Johnson, 65, from New Jersey. I also believe that he believes people have to pick up the banner and do whats right. If you dont pick up the banner then are you really Christian? It sickens me the people that say theyre Christian, and theyre praying for people, but theyre stabbing them in the back. Its a shame. We need a revival in this country and get back to common sense, moral values. Weve gone way off the deep end. The need for some kind of national restoration of faith was a topic Trump returned to more than once. For America to thrive in the 21st century we must renew faith and family as the center of American life, the president said during one plainly scripted part of his speech. Faith-based schools, charities, hospitals, adoption agencies, pastors were systematically targeted by federal bureaucrats and ordered to stop following their beliefs, he said, without evidence. Fridays rally, hastily organized in the wake of a stinging Christianity Today editorial last month, recognized Trumps need to retain the loyalty of the evangelical voting bloc that propelled him to victory in 2016. Four years ago, he won 80% backing from white evangelical voters nationwide. In 2016 evangelical Christians went out and helped us in numbers never seen before. Were going to blow those numbers away in 2020, Trump said. I really believe we have God on our side. For Rose Ann Farrell, 74, from Florida, the claim rang true. I really believe he was sent to us, she said. From one to ten, hes a ten. He lives in a Christian world and we needed a strong Christian, somebody who is not afraid. He speaks for us, has the guts and courage to speak what we want to say. His actions, his intentions, are Christian. Not everybody agreed. Francisco Morales, 47, traveled 30 miles from Fort Lauderdale with placards highlighting the Ten Commandments he says Trump has violated. People pray together during the Evangelicals for Trump campaign as they await the arrival of Donald Trump. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Hes everything a Christian shouldnt be. Hes about money and himself, he uses Gods word to his benefit, he doesnt respect Christian holidays, he insults everyone. And he dishonors his wife, his daughter and all women, Morales said. These people waiting in line for five hours, listening to wonderful Christian music, once they get to that sacred auditorium they hear Trump insult other people Its a holy place but Trump does not respect that. Floridas Democratic party, meanwhile, rolled out some religious figures of their own to counter Trumps appearance. Doug Pagitt, a pastor and executive director of Vote Common Good, an organization that mobilizes voters of faith, decried Trumps event as a sham. Hes trying to use this rally and this base to give cover for his broken promises and his immoral policies, Pagitt said. It is Trumps desperate response to the realization that hes losing his primary voting bloc, faith voters. He realizes he needs every last vote if he wants a shot at re-election [and] losing even five per cent ends his chances. Voters know that their faith does not depend on the power of the presidency. The cyber police arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly creating a fake email account on the name of Ministry of Corporate Affairs and duping his ex-girlfriend of 3.5 lakh. The accused sent several emails to the 24-year-old financial adviser, from the fake email account, citing various corporate law violations and non-payment of income tax and made her pay 3.5 lakh as penalty. The accused also threatened to conduct a police raid at the womans house if she fails to pay the money. However, later the woman realised that the emails were fake and that her ex-boyfriend, Manish Rajesh Dubey, had duped her, and approached the Cyber police. On December 10, a first information report was filed against Dubey, a Navi Mumbai resident. The police traced the IP address of the device used to send the emails and also obtained the details of the bank account which the accused used to get the money transferred. The police then traced the accused and arrested him on Friday afternoon. Traces of fake email account in the name of Ministry of Corporate Affairs were found in the mobile phone seized from Dubeys possession, said a police officer. Investigation has also revealed Dubey also made the complainant the director of a private a company without her knowledge to put her in trouble, the police said. Cops suspect the accused created more fake email accounts under the names of various government offices to cheat people. Appeasement by those repeatedly rejected by people: Yogi on Priyanka India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Lucknow, Jan 05: After Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met families affected by violence during anti-CAA protests, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that those "repeatedly rejected" by people were still pursuing politics of appeasement and questioned the show of "sympathy for rioters". "Why so much sympathy to those who burn, vandalise your property? Why are they standing with rioters and hooligans who harm peace, security and public property of the country," a tweet from Yogi Adityanath Office said. "People are watching and they understand. Despite being rejected repeatedly, they are not desisting from politics of appeasement. They will never succeed in their designs," it said. Shocked every protester: Adityanath justifies 'brutal' police action in UP The tweets came hours after Priyanka Gandhi made an unscheduled visit to Muzaffarnagar and Meerut districts to meet the affected families, but did not refer directly to her. NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 "Maintaining peace and tranquillity is the responsibility of your government and it is fulfilling it with full commitment," another tweet said. Earlier on Saturday morning, Priyanka Gandhi met the families who have alleged police excesses during the recent protests against the amended Citizenship Act. by Shafique Khokhar Crowd fomented by the family of a young Muslim arrested for kidnapping and converting a Sikh girl. The attacked city is the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism. The religious minority remained hostage to extremists for hours. Nankana Sahib (AsiaNews) - A crowd of Islamic radicals attacked the Sikh temple in Nankana Sahib (in Punjab), the hometown of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, to avenge the arrest of a Muslim man who had kidnapped and converted a Sikh girl to Islam. The crowd gathered yesterday evening in front of the main entrance of the sacred place, throwing stones at the temple. The extremists threatened to eliminate every single Sikh faithful from the city and announced that they have renamed the location with an Islamic name. The Rwadari Tehreek (Movement for Tolerance) condemns the episode and calls for "the immediate intervention of the Federal Minister for Religious Minorities Peer Noor ul Haq Qadri. The attackers and hate bearers must be immediately arrested. We want zero tolerance for extremists." The activists express deep concern about yet another case of intolerance against religious minorities in the country. The group said: "The attack on the Sikhs holiest shrine shows that it is easy to unleash a frenzied crowd in the name of Islam. Nothing changes the bigoted mentality of the promoters of hate." Speaking to AsiaNews Kalyan Singh, a Sikh leader, explains that the violence "was triggered by the family of Mohammad Hassam, the boy who kidnapped and converted Jagjit Kaur about six months ago. The girl's parents managed to get her home thanks to the intervention of government officials. But Mohammad's relatives want the young woman to come back to them. The case is in court and in the meantime the police have arrested the Muslim. " The Sikh leader complains that his "religious community has been held hostage by Muslims in homes for hours." Finally, calm returned thanks to the intervention of Peer Sarwar Ahmed Shah, a relative of the Minister of the Interior, who acted as a mediator between the local administration and the angry crowd. In addition, the police prevented the crowd from committing more serious devastation. Meanwhile, the community remains in fear and its leaders are planning to bring the case to court. Samson Salamat, president of Rwadari Tehreek, says: The Sikh community believed they were a safe minority in Pakistan. The accident shows that it is not so, they are just like other minorities. The worst part is that the government tries to deny what happened, despite a temple being attacked, the Sikhs threatened with being eliminated and the city with being renamed in homage to Islam. We condemn all this and call for the immediate arrest of those responsible. " It's not surprising to see this in the news: The United States consulate in Mexico's border city of Nuevo Laredo issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning against gun battles and urging government employees to take precautions. Gun battles have killed at least three people this week in the northern city bordering the Texas city of Laredo, media have said. It [is] one of the Mexican cities where the U.S. government has sent asylum seekers to wait as their cases are decided. "The consulate has received reports of multiple gunfights throughout the city of Nuevo Laredo," it said in a Twitter post. "U.S. government personnel are advised to shelter in place." On Twitter, users purportedly from Laredo reported hearing gunfire ringing out from the neighboring Mexican city. Not surprising at all to hear this. First, these cartel fights happen often. It's generally cartel versus cartel, but innocent people are vulnerable when bullets go astray, as we've seen in Chicago neighborhoods. Second, this is happening in the context of the recent massacre of women and children not far from the border. Keep an eye on diplomatic personnel south of the border. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. On January 4, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Da Nang city organised a ceremony to mark 70th anniversary of Traditional Day of Vietnamese students and honour outstanding individuals in the municipal-level movement titled Students with Five Good Performances in the school year 2018-2019. At the ceremony, Students' Association of Da Nang city presented certificate of the title "Students with Five Good Performances" to 157 students, and honoured 55 individuals and two organisations of the title "Students with Five Good Performances for their achivements. The organising board also offered three scholarships, worth VND 10 million each, to three disadvantaged students, who have achieved high academic achievements. At the same time, the organising board also presented certificates of merit to 11 students who have achieved outstanding achievements at the SEA Games 30. On the occasion, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Da Nang city organised a ceremony to award the list of elite members for universities and colleges; in order to improve the responsibility in fostering and introducing outstanding youth union members to the Party, and at the same time contributing to creating a movement of labor emulation, studying, training and striving to become party members. * On the same day, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Standing Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and Secretariat of the Ho Chi Minh Citys Vietnam Student Association also organised a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of Traditional Day of Vietnamese students and the Vietnam Students' Association (VSA) (January 9, 1950-2020). At the ceremony, delegates reviewed the magnanimous tradition of the Ho Chi Minh City student movement; affirming the determination of the generation of students in city to accumulate knowledge, creativity, passion for scientific research, sharing responsibility with the community, actively participating in volunteer activities, direction to the modern youth model, with the movement titled Students with Five Good Performances and typical young citizens. On this occasion, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Standing Committee of Ho Chi Minh City presented 70 scholarships to typical students; honouring award entitled Students with Five Good Performances to 11organisations of and 211 individuals in 2019. In addition, 35 students, who received title Students with Five Good Performances continuously for many years, were also presented certificates of merit by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. * On January 4, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Hai Duong province launched the Red Sunday Festival with the participation of more than 600 students. The event is anticipated to collect 400-500 units of blood on its launching day. On the same day, many activities, aiming to help youth union members, youth and students in the province more understand about the history, glorious revolutionary tradition of Vietnamese students, and the VSA, and promote the deployment of Students with Five Good Performances movement among Hai Duong students, were organised. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended his leadership and his government's record on climate change Sunday as milder temperatures brought hope of a respite from wildfires that have ravaged three states, claiming 24 lives and destroying almost 2,000 homes. Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended his leadership and his government's record on climate change Sunday as milder temperatures brought hope of a respite from wildfires that have ravaged three states, claiming 24 lives and destroying almost 2,000 homes. Morrison has faced widespread criticism for taking a family vacation in Hawaii at the start of the wildfire crisis, his sometimes distracted approach as it has escalated and his slowness in deploying resources. He was heckled last week when he visited a township in New South Wales in which houses had been destroyed and which was home to one of three volunteer firefighters who have died in the crisis so far. On Saturday Morrison announced that, for the first time in Australian history, 3,000 army, navy and air force reservists will be thrown into the battle against the fires. He also committed $14 million to leasing fire-fighting aircraft from overseas. But those decisions attracted complaints that he had taken too long to act as fires have burned through millions of hectares (acres) in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, an area twice the size of Maryland. Morrison told a news conference Sunday it was not the time for blame. "There has been a lot of blame being thrown around," Morrison said. "And now is the time to focus on the response that is being made. ... Blame doesn't help anybody at this time and over-analysis of these things is not a productive exercise." Morrison has been chided for past remarks that appear to minimize the link between climate change and Australia's escalating threats of drought and wildfires. "There is no dispute in this country about the issue of climate change globally and its effect on global weather patterns and that includes how it impacts in Australia," he said. I have to correct the record here. I have seen a number of people suggest that somehow the government does not make this connection. The government has always made this connection and that has never been in dispute. Cooler temperatures and lighter winds on Sunday brought some relief to threatened communities, a day after thousands were forced to flee as flames reached the suburban fringes of Sydney. Thousands of firefighters fought to contain the blazes but many continued to burn out of control, threatening to wipe out rural townships and causing almost incalculable damage to property and wildlife. As dawn broke over a blackened landscape Sunday, a picture emerged of the disaster of unprecedented scale. The Rural Fire Service said 150 fires were active in the state, 64 of them uncontrolled. "It's not something we have experienced before," New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. The latest fatality occurred at Batlow in New South Wales, where a 47-year-old man died Saturday night while defending the home of a friend from encroaching fires. New South Wales police said the man was found unconscious in a vehicle and could not be revived. Earlier Saturday, a father and son who were battling flames for two days died on a highway on Kangaroo Island, off South Australia state. Authorities identified them as Dick Lang, a 78-year-old acclaimed bush pilot and outback safari operator, and his 43-year-old son, Clayton. Their family said their losses left them heartbroken and reeling from this double tragedy. Lang, known as Desert Dick," led tours for travellers throughout Australia and other countries. The deadly wildfires, which have been raging since September, have already burned about 5 million hectares (12.35 million acres) of land. Thats more than any one year in the U.S. since Harry Truman was president. The early and devastating start to Australias summer wildfires has also been catastrophic for the country's wildlife, likely killing nearly 500 million birds, reptiles and mammals in New South Wales alone, Sydney University ecologist Chris Dickman told the Sydney Morning Herald. Frogs, bats and insects are excluded from his estimate, making the toll on animals much greater. Morrison's handling of the deployment of reservists also came in for criticism Sunday. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, who is leading the fight in New South Wales, said he learned of the deployment through media reports. "It is fair to say it was disappointing and some surprise to hear about these things through public announcements in the middle of what was one of our worst days this season with the second-highest number of concurrent emergency warning fires ever in the history of New South Wales," he said. Morrison was also forced to defend a video posted on social media Saturday, which promoted the deployment of reservists and the government's response to the wildfires. The non-partisan Australia Defence Association said the video breached rules around political advertising. "Party-political advertising milking ADF (Australian Defence Force) support to civil agencies fighting bushfires is a clear breach of the non-partisanship convention applying to both the ADF and ministers/MPs," the association said. In a tweet, Morrison said, the video message simply communicates the government's policy decisions and the actions the government is undertaking to the public. After Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp's (IRGC) General Qassem Soleimani was killed by a US airstrike in Iraq, hundreds of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip mourned the General's death. According to reports, the mourning Palestinians were joined by leaders of the Hamas Group and Palestinian Islamic jihad faction at a tent put up in honour of Qassem Soleimani. 'The US and Zionist Occupation responsible' National flags of Israel and the United States of America were thrown on the ground so that they could be trampled by people who were entering the tent. A representative of the Islamist Hamas group said they held the United States and the Zionist Occupation responsible for the attack, adding that they were loyal to all those stood in support of the resistance and with Palestine. 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: Video Of Trump Claiming Obama Will Start War With Iran To Get Re-elected Surfaces Who was Qassem Soleimani? 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 was rumoured to be dead several times, including in a 2006 aeroplane 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. Read: Donald Trump Issues Fresh Warning To Iran; Threatens To Attack 'harder Than Ever Before' Israel supports the United States Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has extended his support to the US in the aftermath of the airstrike that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. Taking to Twitter, Netanyahu backed the US and asserted that it has the right of self-defence like Israel. Netanyahu added that Soleimani was responsible for the loss of American lives and other innocent citizens. He also said that the Iranian General was orchestrating more attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "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. pic.twitter.com/tuCKQn0mbf PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 3, 2020 Read: US President Donald Trump Issues Clear 'warning' To Iran After Green Zone, Airbase Attacks Read: US Sec. Of State Pompeo Blames Iranian Backed Groups For Iraq Green Zone, Airbase Attacks (With agency inputs) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that any target the US military may strike in Iran, in the event Iran retaliates against America for killing its most powerful general, would be legal under the laws of armed conflict. Pompeo was asked on ABC's "This Week" about President Donald Trump's assertion Saturday on Twitter that the United States has 52 Iranian targets in its sights, "some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture." The laws of armed conflict prohibit the deliberate targeting of cultural sites under most circumstances. "Every target that we strike will be a lawful target, and it will be a target designed with a singular mission defending and protecting America," Pompeo said. He also said the Trump administration has abandoned the previous US administration's focus on countering Iranian proxy groups and suggested the U.S. strike in Baghdad that killed Iranian Gen Qassem Soleimani was an example of the new strategy. "We're going to respond against the actual decision-makers, the people who are causing this threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran," Pompeo said. In Baghdad on Sunday, the US coalition combating the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria announced that it has "paused" training of Iraqi security forces in order to focus on protecting coalition personnel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 04, 2020 | GOLCONDA By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 04, 2020 | 04:18 PM | GOLCONDA Many Pope County homeowners and landowners have recently received a confusing letter, offering to buy their property. According to the Pope County Sheriff's Department, Maureen Stafford, the Pope County Accessor, reports that the company, Land REI, LLC, has sent letters and purchase agreements to many in the county. The letter states that the company wishes to purchase the property, and it contains a monetary offer. Stafford says several have called her office stating that the letter has information that says the information for their property was obtained from the assessor, and it indicates that the company will pay all back taxes. This has alarmed many, as residents are concerned that their taxes are in arrears. She hopes no one will sell their property for an amount that is far below the fair market value, and wishes to clear up the confusion surrounding this matter. Stafford points out that property records in the assessor's office are public record, which can be obtained by anyone. She also says that the letter is written in such a way to make many believe that their taxes may be delinquent, and she stresses that the treasurer's office will always make every effort possible to ensure that property owners will be notified if taxes are, in fact, delinquent. Those with questions can call the Pope County Assessor's Office at 618-683-6231, or the Pope County Treasurer's Office at 618-683-5501. Another senior government minister has admitted to being on holiday as fires raged across Australia. Defence minister Linda Reynolds confirmed she spent her Christmas in Bali, as fires burned in New South Wales and Victoria. The Liberal Senator and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) member admitted to being away, just a day after she and Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced 3,000 army reserve members would be deployed to fire ravaged areas. Ms Reynolds claims that although she was overseas she was in regular contact with the chief of the ADF, The New Daily reports. Defence minister Linda Reynolds (pictured) confirmed she spent her Christmas in Bali, as fires burned in New South Wales and Victoria Asked at a press conference on Sunday about whether she had gone away, she said: 'I have had a holiday with my family'. Quizzed further about whether that trip was to Bali, said responded: 'Yes it was'. Her admission comes in the wake of outrage at holidays taken by key politicians such as Mr Morrison, who took his wife and two children to Hawaii in December. New South Wales emergency services minister David Elliott also decided to take his planned break to Europe as fires burned across the state. Mr Elliott initially defended his decision to go overseas, claiming the blazes would be 'at the front of his mind'. But he finally admitted he had made an 'inexcusable' mistake on Saturday. 'My absence over the last week was inexcusable,' he said. 'I should have put my RFS family first and foremost given the current conditions (even my own family acknowledge that) and now it's time to get back to work.' New South Wales emergency services minister David Elliott (pictured) also decided to take his break to Europe as fires burned across the state, a move he later admitted was 'inexcusable' Prime Minister Scott Morrison came under fire for staying on holidays in Hawaii as fires raged across Australia Mr Morrison apologised if his holiday caused 'any offence' but defended his family getaway, pointing out he doesn't 'hold a hose'. 'It's not easy to get back, but I will as soon as I can,' Mr Morrison told 2GB radio. 'I know Australians will understand this, and they'll be pleased I'm coming back... but they know that, you know, I don't hold a hose mate.' Since the Hawaii holiday Mr Morrison has been slammed for a range of reasons, most recently after he forced a fire victim to shake his hand. Death of General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Irans elite Quds Force, has heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington with fears of further escalation. But the interference of the United States in Iran dates back to 1950s when it helped overthrow a democratic leader in a coup. Former Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq tried to nationalise the British-controlled oil industry threatening Britains economic interests, especially at a time when its empire was fighting for its survival in the Middle East. The United States was rooting for a peaceful resolution and encouraged Britain to negotiate with Mossadeq. Washington even hosted the Iranian Prime Minister in October 1951 but the efforts to reach an agreement failed. The failed negotiations forced the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) to orchestrate a coup d'etat and the Mossadeq government was eventually toppled by a royalist military in 1953. Irans constitutional monarchy turned into a royal dictatorship under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the second and last monarch from the House of Pahlavi. Decline in bilateral relations Irans relationship with the United States drastically declined after the dictatorship of Reza Pahlavi was toppled in a popular revolution in 1979. During Shahs regime, Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini questioned his relationship with the United States but was arrested and exiled to Turkey. Khomeini started an opposition movement from Paris in 1978 which was followed by the famous Iranian revolution that forced Shah to relinquish his leadership. Khomeini proclaimed an Islamic republic and fifty-two Americans were held hostage for more than a year, the incident mentioned by US President Donald Trump on January 4, 2020, where he threatened Iran to attack its 52 sites. In 1980, Washington severed ties with Tehran, expelled Iranian diplomats and banned American exports to the Middle East nation. The US tried to rescue the hostages through a secret operation but had to abort the plan after eight service members died in a helicopter crash due to bad weather. Read: Protests Erupt Across US To Condemn US President Trump-directed Action In Iran And Iraq The bilateral relations between the two countries remained in turmoil as the United States kept accusing Iran of supporting terrorism and of trying to weaponise it with nuclear arms. In 1993, former President Bill Clinton campaigned against Iran to isolate it and imposed sanctions of companies investing in Iran. Several attempts were made to mend ties between the two countries but all in vain, even after Iran gave tacit support to the United States during the latters operation in Afghanistan against the Taliban. In 2002, George W. Bush denounced Iran, including Iraq and North Korea, as a part of axil of evil, and repeatedly accused the axis of sponsoring terrorism and harbouring weapons of mass destruction. In response, the term axis of resistance, an alliance comprising Iran, Syria, and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, was used by Iran. Read: Trump Steps Up Warning To Tehran; Says US Ready To Strike 52 Iranian Sites If Tehran Retaliates 2015 nuclear deal: Glimmer of hope The relationship between Iran and the US saw a glimmer of hope during the second term of the Obama administration when the former President started negotiations with Iran's new President Hassan Rouhani. In 2015, Iran reached a historic nuclear deal with P5+1 group which included the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. Iran, under the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), agreed to limit sensitive nuclear activities in lieu of lifting economic sanctions. Read: US President Donald Trump Issues Clear 'warning' To Iran After Green Zone, Airbase Attacks However, the Trump administration, in May 2018, withdrew from the nuclear deal accusing Iran of violating the terms of JCPOA and followed it with crippling economic sanctions. The bilateral relationship has been vulnerable since then with Trump pressuring other countries to impose sanctions on Iran. In December last year, Rouhani said that the country is ready to hold nuclear talks with the United States on the condition that they lift the unlawful sanctions. The recent attack by Iran-backed militia killed several services members including an American contractor, to which the United States retaliated with airstrikes killing 25 fighters the Kataeb Hezbollah. It led to outrage among pro-Iran voices and protesters entered high-security US embassy in Baghdad and vandalised the building. US President Donald Trump reacted sharply to the incident and threatened Iran that they will pay a big price. Read: Trump Says US 'terminated' Iranian General But Doesn't Seek Regime Change The threat was followed by a precision strike by the US forces at Baghdad international airport, killing Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organisation. There has been an outpouring of grief over the death of Soleimani, who was pivotal to Irans covert operations in the Middle East, and Irans Supreme Leader vowed to exact severe revenge for the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood. Though Trump has claimed that the attack was aimed to stop a war and not to start one, many experts are of opinion that this could now lead to overt and covert war between the two countries and its allies. Read: Israel PM Backs Trump Over Soleimani Killing, Says 'US Has The Right Of Self-defense' 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!) Around 5,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, most of them in an advisory capacity. If Iraq wants them to leave, parliament needs to pass a resolution obliging the government to ask the United States to pull them out. Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who holds the post in a caretaker role after resigning in November amid street protests, called on Friday for parliament to convene an extraordinary session to take legislative steps to protect Iraqs sovereignty. He did not specify this should mean a discussion over the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Hadi al-Amiri, the top candidate to succeed Muhandis, repeated his call for U.S. troops to leave Iraq on Saturday during a funeral procession for those killed in the attack. Many Iraqis, including opponents of Soleimani, have expressed anger at Washington for killing him and Muhandis on Iraqi soil and potentially dragging their country into another conflict. In the southern oil city of Basra, dozens of protesters gathered near the West Qurna 1 oilfield, operated by U.S. major Exxon Mobil, to condemn the U.S. attack. Some protesters were carrying a banner that read, "No for the actions of a stupid Trump." Joint commissioner of Police (South Western range) Devendra Arya told IANS, "The police team just entered the University campus after we got the request from the varsity administration." New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) The Delhi Police have been deployed inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus after request from the varsity administration following the clash between the two groups of students, in which several students were injured. Arya said that the JNU administration made request to the police after the clash between the two groups of students took place inside the varsity campus. He also said that the police will take stock of the situation inside the campus and hold a flag march to control the situation. Violence swept the JNU on Sunday evening as several masked individuals, both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers inside the varsity campus with wooden and metal rods. Two officer-bearers of the Jawaharal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), including President Aishe Ghosh - who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod, received severe injuries. They accused RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence in the campus. JNUSU General Secretary Satish Chandra was also injured in the attack. aks/rt Courtesy from the Hispanic Equity Committee at the University of Texas at Austin / Courtesy Texas education leaders are discussing how to address the findings of a recent report that detailed gross disparities and discrimination in compensation, leadership opportunities and other measurements for Hispanic professors at the states flagship university. The 188-page Hispanic Equity Report, released last fall by a group of eight professors at the University of Texas at Austin, found that UT faculty of Latino origin earn thousands of dollars less than their white peers at all levels of professorships. The gaps occur even after taking account of field, rank and scholarship, the report says. We found that Hispanics are grossly underpaid and underrepresented in positions of leadership in a university that makes diversity one of its central missions, said Alberto Martinez, a history professor and chair of the Independent Equity Committee that produced the report. Hispanic professors say they have long known about the inequalities and underrepresentation. The universitys Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies, for example, has had 13 directors since its 1940 founding; none was of Hispanic or Latin American origin. The institute is named after a Hispanic alumna who endowed it with $15 million. Thats simply grotesque, said Jorge Canizares-Esguerra, a UT history professor. Thats like having a prestigious center of African American studies (that has) never had an African American director; it would be unthinkable. But, he added, thats where we are. UT officials recognize the problem but disagree on the scale of salary disparities. Speaking at a recent Faculty Council meeting, Gregory Fenves, the president of UT Austin, said that a university council on racial and ethnic equity and diversity completed the first phase of a study on Latino faculty pay and found issues similar to those in the equity committee report. There were some differences especially in interpretations of data, Fenves said, according to an official transcript of the meeting. But there clearly are inequity issues. He said the council would be working through this information very, very diligently. Joey Williams, a spokesman for UTs executive vice president and provost, stressed that the university is strongly committed to further understanding this potential inequity and fixing it. Salary gaps For the analysis, the committee used methodology similar to the Gender Equity Report of 2008 that prompted changes to address disparities between female and male scholars, according to the document. One of the most alarming discoveries is that the inequities grow and get larger the longer a Hispanic professor is at UT, Martinez said. The most significant compensation gaps in net terms were found among full professors, where Latinos were paid approximately $25,300 less on average than their Anglo peers in 2017, the focus year of the report. Assistant professors faced a gap of roughly $19,600 on average, and the difference was about $10,600 for associate professors. The report analyzed data from different sources, including the Texas Tribunes Government Salaries Explorer, which publishes payroll information from state public entities responding to open records requests. Another major problem is that Hispanic women are the most underpaid (professors) in the university in almost every category, and they are extremely underrepresented, Martinez said. Hispanic women who are full professors at UT were paid $37,100 less on average than white men with the same tenure status; $15,800 less than equivalent white women; and $10,200 less than men of Latino origin. The report found a similar pattern for assistant professors, where white men were paid 44 percent more than Latinas. Williams, the spokesman for the provost, said the universitys analysis found the difference (in compensation) is a little over 3 percent for full and associate professors favoring white faculty. He said that in some job classifications, Latina professors even earn more than their white peers. He said that pattern is reversed with a much larger difference favoring our Latina over white assistant professors and not much of a difference at all when we compare salaries across races for assistant tenure track professors who are men. Regardless, this difference favoring white over Latinx faculty at the senior ranks needs to be investigated further, he said. Defining the problem Gloria Gonzalez-Lopez, a sociology professor at UT, said race and gender are also factors. I use the concept of academic domestica (domestic servant) to describe this, where Latina professors do a lot of services for which they are not paid or paid worse than anybody else in academia, she said. Part of the burden that faculty members of color have in majority-white educational institutions is a sense of responsibility to serve as mentors and role models, frequently helping disadvantaged students who are first-generation college students, Gonzalez-Lopez said. A basic tenet of education across the lines, whether youre talking about kindergarten kids or college students, is that in order for students to learn, they need to feel connected to the classroom and the faculty, and they are more likely to feel that with someone who shares their background, said Natasha Warikoo, a Harvard University professor and author of the new book The Diversity Bargain: And Other Dilemmas of Race, Admissions, and Meritocracy at Elite Universities. The overwhelming majority of full-time professors at UT 80 percent are white. By contrast, only 7 percent are Hispanic even as students of Hispanic ethnic origin are 23 percent of the undergraduate population and 11 percent of graduate students. At colleges and universities where there are more Latino students than faculty, such as at UT, students are going to go disproportionately to those professors, who, in turn, are disproportionately asked to serve on committees, Warikoo said. Thats in part because of the background and cultural knowledge that they bring to campuses. Fenves has stressed that diversity and inclusion are priorities, according to his official bio. Under Fenves, the university successfully defended its admissions practices before the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2016 Fisher vs. University of Texas at Austin case, winning and consolidating the right to use race as a valid criterion in its so-called holistic admission policies. On HoustonChronicle.com: U.S. Supreme Court upholds UT use of race in admissions, but affirmative action remains divisive University leaders say they want a more diverse faculty. As we explore improving faculty equity issues, we also want to seek ways to improve the supply of future Hispanic professors through graduate opportunities, said Williams, the UT spokesman. Hispanic professors say they frequently hear the argument that there are not enough Latinos with graduate degrees to increase faculty representation. Thats a convenient, false argument for a university like UT, Canizares-Esguerra said. He contended that this is the wealthiest institution (of higher education) in the country after Harvard, capable of attracting talented (Latino) professors from anywhere. The equity committees analysis also found that of the 130 deans, vice deans and associate and assistant deans at UT-Austin, only 7.7 percent are Latino; none is a Hispanic woman. The underrepresentation of Latinos is a pattern observed at all levels of leadership, endowments and recognition, according to the report. Its ironic that in this state where almost 40 percent (of residents) are Latinos, we are having these inequalities at the public state university, Gonzalez-Lopez said. What comes next? Among other remedial actions, the provosts office has asked UT Austin deans to review how leadership and committee roles are assigned, Williams said. And Provost Maurie McInnis recently created a group of deans to pilot new approaches to address issues of salary equity, diverse faculty recruitment and retention, departmental governance and academic unit climate. State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, said hes contacted Fenves office and wants a meeting as soon as possible to discuss the equity report and disparities. The report is quite compelling, particularly the disparity in pay, said Rodriguez, who is policy chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. It seems that the University of Texas can do a much better job in incorporating more Latinos and Latinas, not only as professors but as deans and higher levels of academia. Martinez, the equity committee chair, said the group will continue pushing for changes at the university. I dont think these are intentional biases that are executed by individuals who consciously dislike Hispanics, he said. But whether these patterns are intentional or not, the consequences are similar. We feel excluded because we are. olivia.tallet@chron.com twitter.com/oliviaptallet Launching a scathing attack on the silence of Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal said Sidhu had not only belied his love for the Pakistan army and its spy agency ISI but had also proved that he is not honest to his own country and his community. Senior SAD leader and former minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal said, It is clear that Sidhu has sold his soul to the Pakistan military establishment and is being used by the ISI to further its anti-India plans. This is the reason why he has become a mouthpiece of the ISI and has even turned against his own brethren and their suffering in Pakistan." READ | Akali Dal Manjinder Sirsa Leader Warns Pakistan Over Nankana Sahib Incident 'Silence proves where your loyalties lie' Demanding Sidhus explanation over his silence on the forced conversion of a Sikh girl in Pakistan and the subsequent turn of events which have led to death threats to the victim family, pelting of stones at Gurdwara Janam Asthan (Gurdwara Nankana Sahib), the Akali leader said, This alone proves where your loyalties lie. Grewal said no Sikh worldwide could tolerate forced conversions of community members and stoning of its most holy shrines. Similarly they will never forgive those like Sidhu who continue to dance to the tunes of their friends in Pakistan," he added. READ | Attack On Nankana Sahib Can't Be Tolerated: SAD Chief Sukhbir Badal 'Sidhu must condemn friend PM Imran Khan' Asking Sidhu to clear the air immediately or be ready for the subsequent consequences, Grewal said, Sidhu must condemn the Pakistani establishment as well as his friend Prime Minister Imran Khan immediately. He should also use his good offices with his friend General Qamar Javed Bajwa to ensure swift and decisive action against all those who stoned Gurdwara Janan Asthan as well as those responsible for the forced conversion of the minor Sikh girl." He also added, "He should simultaneously apologize to the Sikh community for failing to speak up against forced conversions in Pakistan as well as failure to condemn the attack on Nankana Sahib." WATCH: Sikh Community Holds Protest In Kanpur Against Nankana Sahib Gurdwara Attack In Pak Warns Congress and Gandhi family The SAD leader asked the Sikh community to stand up as one to condemn persecution and oppression of Sikhs in Pakistan. We also appeal to PM Narendra Modi to give a stern message to Pakistan that this dastardly behavior will not be tolerated at any cost. Simultaneously we warn Congress and the Gandhi family not to play Pakistans game by remaining silent on the barbarity committed against Gurdwara Janan Asthan and only speaking up after being called out by Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal," Grewal said. READ | China Questions Sidhu's 'studied Silence' On Nankana Sahib Attack It's a tricky business, being Madonna. With her latest boyfriend plus adopted twins, two other adopted children and a 23-year-old daughter, it added up to a lot of luggage following her through Heathrow this week. The Queen of Pop needed two full trolleys as she and her brood headed off to the Maldives but she's not the only celebrity to spurn the notion of packing light, nor the only one whose designer luggage costs as much as a family holiday. ALISON BOSHOFF reveals the celebrity top trunks... From material girl to 10k bag lady Madonna is not known for packing light Madonna Number of bags: 26, on two trolleys for seven people. Madonna was flying into London from New York, it seems to pick up son Rocco, 19. But he preferred to stay with his father Guy Ritchie. She is now in the Maldives without him but with adopted Malawian twins Stella and Estere, adopted daughter Mercy, adopted son David, daughter Lourdes and her own latest boyfriend, Ahlamalik Williams, 25. Cost of luggage: Over 10,000. The two Louis Vuitton garment cases cost 1,630 each and the LV duffle bag is 1,540. A North Face duffle bag is 155, there are at least three 530 Rimowa check-in cases, a 590 Brics suitcase, a 525 Samsonite case and a 300 Away bag. Jet-setting lifestyle: Madonna, 61, is based chiefly in New York. She is in the middle of an 86-date tour that is moving from the U.S. to Lisbon, London and Paris. She also has a home in LA. Madonna was seen with 26 bags on two trolleys for seven people when she jetted to London from New York It's Miss Money-Penny! Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster Number of bags: Ten bags for Rod and Penny, on one of many trips from their house in Los Angeles to their home in Essex. Cost of luggage: 6,500. Three are by Louis Vuitton one 'keepall' costing 1,350 and two soft duffles at 1,960 each. There were ten bags for Rod and Penny, on one of many trips from their house in Los Angeles to their home in Essex They also have two 635 Brics cases and a 155 Kipling bag. Jet-setting lifestyle: Penny, 48, and Rod, 74, live in Essex with their two sons Alastair and Aiden. They also spend time at the family's home in Los Angeles and Rod, a father of eight, has a residency in Las Vegas. Purple reigns for Liz Liz Hurley Number of bags: Three bags for Liz, 54. Not only does the model and actress refuse to travel light, she also matches her accessories to her royal purple suitcases. Liz Hurley travels as an ambassador for Estee Lauder's breast cancer charity Cost of luggage: Two Rimowa cases costing a total of 1,130, plus a Louis Vuitton case at 2,240. Jet-setting lifestyle: Liz travels as an ambassador for Estee Lauder's breast cancer charity and on business for her own swimwear company. She also uses pictures of herself in bikinis on her Instagram account to promote the firm. Keeping up with Kim Kim Kardashian Number of bags: Twelve big suitcases for Kim, the reality TV star. To be fair, though, she was en route to her wedding in Italy to Kanye West. Cost of luggage: About 4,000. Kim's collection included a Rimowa trunk-plus at 820, a 1,070 check-in Rimowa case, six 200 Samsonite cases and two Samsonite cabin bags, 289 each Kim's collection included a Rimowa trunk-plus at 820, a 1,070 check-in Rimowa case, six 200 Samsonite cases and two Samsonite cabin bags, 289 each. Jet-setting lifestyle: Kim, 39, travels less than she used to after being robbed at gunpoint in Paris in 2016. Now a mum of four, she mostly stays in Hollywood and lets the world come to her. Mexico is a favoured holiday destination. Lily's seeing red Lily Allen Number of bags: Three big suitcases for solo travelling pop star Lily Allen, 34, pictured in November on her way to America to visit her new boyfriend, actor David Harbour. When not holding forth as a climate change campaigner, Lily Allen loves a holiday Ibiza, the Maldives, St Barts Cost of luggage: All three are made by Rimowa and cost a total of 1,640. Jet-setting lifestyle: When not holding forth as a climate change campaigner, Lily loves a holiday Ibiza, the Maldives, St Barts. And with a transatlantic romance on the boil, she will be packing her bags more than ever. That's a lot of bikinis! Coleen Rooney Number of bags: 11 cases for Coleen and her five boys: Kai, Kit, Klay, Cass and husband Wayne. Cost of luggage: The Samsonite Cosmolite Spinners cost 429 each, totalling 4,719. Jet-setting lifestyle: WAG Coleen, 33, loves a holiday and before Wayne moved to Washington, the family would take up to 11 breaks a year. In 12 years of marriage they have spent more than 2 million on holidays and Coleen has over 100 bikinis In 12 years of marriage they have spent more than 2 million on holidays and Coleen has over 100 bikinis. They barely holidayed during their American period, but this is expected to change now they are back in the UK. Buckling up with runway royalty Kate Moss Number of bags: Three. At first glace, a modest haul for a supermodel. Cost of luggage: Over 7,000. Although the cases from the Centenary Collection look old-school, this classic heritage brand, also favoured by the Queen, doesn't come cheap. Kate's Globe Trotter suitcases cost around 2,000 each the extra-deep option with wheels is a cool 2,915. Kate's Globe Trotter suitcases cost around 2,000 each the extra-deep option with wheels is a cool 2,915 Those with even deeper pockets may be interested in the company's bespoke range. Jet-setting lifestyle: Although her catwalk days are behind her, Kate, 45, remains a frequent flyer (but not with easyJet, since she was escorted off a flight in 2015 for disruptive behaviour). Bags of Italian glamour Donatella Versace Number of bags: Seven, plus four handbags and bags of attitude in this image of Donatella, posted on social media in 2018. Cost of luggage: 7,000 plus a further 5,000 for the handbags. Donatella, chief creative officer of fashion label Versace, only uses light, robust Rimowa aluminium suitcases. Donatella, chief creative officer of fashion label Versace, only uses light, robust Rimowa aluminium suitcases The German luggage company was snapped up by luxury conglomerate LVMH in 2017. Jet-setting lifestyle: Donatella, 64, has a house in Milan and a house at Lake Maggiore. She circles the globe attending fashion shows and supervising shoots, but also loves holidaying. She said: 'Every summer I try to pick a new destination. I normally never go to the same place because, considering my personality, I would soon get bored. In general, I like to go to sea destinations because I love to lie in the sun and I find them more relaxing.' Excess all areas Karlie Kloss Number of bags: Seven. Model Karlie clearly doesn't struggle to pay the excess baggage fees. Cost of luggage: 2,980. The 27-year-old has selected Away luggage the brand Meghan Markle gave to all those who attended her baby shower in New York. Model Karlie Kloss clearly doesn't struggle to pay the excess baggage fees with her seven suitcases Jet-setting lifestyle: Karlie lives in New York with husband Joshua Kushner, whose brother is married to Ivanka Trump. Their jet-setting group includes pop star Katy Perry, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Harry and Meghan. Picture research: Claire Cisotti West Bengal Chief Minister on Sunday condemned the assault on students and teachers of Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), terming it a "heinous act" and a "shame on democracy". A four-member Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation will visit to express solidarity with students and teachers, she said. "We strongly condemn brutality unleashed against students/teachers in No words enough to describe such heinous acts. A shame on our democracy," Banerjee, also the TMC supremo, said in a tweet. The TMC delegation comprising of senior party leader Dinesh Trivedi and MPs Sajda Ahmed, Manas Bhunia and Vivek Gupta will go to Delhi to express solidarity with the students and teachers, she said. Violence broke out at on Sunday night as masked men armed with sticks and rods attacked students and teachers and damaged properties on the campus, prompting the administration to call in the police. At least 28 people, including JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh, were injured in the violence. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the RSS-affiliated ABVP blamed each other for the violence. Later in the day, Arts Faculty Students Union (AFSU) of Jadavpur University took out a protest rally against the attack on female students and a teacher in JNU, students' body leader Somasree Choudhury said. Over 300 students participated in the rally. The Students Federation of India (SFI) on Sunday said it will take out rallies here on Monday against the "barbaric attack" on JNU students. The rallies will be organised in Jadavpur University and Presidency University, said leaders of the SFI, the student's wing of the CPI(M). Students will take out a protest rally within the campus against the "fascist" attack, said Jadavpur University leader of SFI Debraj Debnath said. "We will also decide if protests will be held outside the campus and our future course of action against the ABVP and saffron forces," he said. An SFI leader of Presidency University said students will gather at the varsity's portico on Monday and take out a protest rally. "We will intensify our movement against the BJP and the ABVP and give a call for their boycott," he said. The Jadavpur University Teachers' Association and the All Bengal University Teachers' Association also issued statements condemning the attack on JNU students. Dhinesh Kallungal By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The escalating tensions in West Asia in the wake of US Iran strife have the airlines industry worried as it anticipates closure of the Iranian air space or the air carriers avoiding the route over Iran altogether. The industry believes that this could not only result in a spike in airfares especially for passengers bound for Europe and US and but also burn a hole in the airlines coffers. Currently, on an average around thousand passengers embark daily from Kerala airports to various destinations in Europe and US. Though so far, the conflict has not affected these travellers, it is bound to change if the conflict escalates. The airlines would be forced to review their services especially to and via West Asian countries. Last time when US- Iran relations had soured in June following Iranian downing of an American drone near the Strait of Hormuz, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had directed the Indian carriers to avoid Iranian airspace for safety reasons. A senior Air India Express official told TNIE, that current tensions had started to affect just crude oil prices and the corresponding increase in the cost of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) would naturally be passed on to passengers. However, once the tension spreads to neighbouring regions, things will go out of control as airlines would be forced to cancel services or take de-tour via other cities which will not only further increase passenger fare, but also lead to financial loss for the airlines, he said. Babu Paul, head of Speedwing Tours, a Kochi-based ticketing agency, says We are monitoring the situation. "At present there is no major fare hike to Europe or US cities from India or Kerala. But if the tense situation persists for a longer period, the airfares would go up and ultimately the passengers would be at the receiving end. As the tension escalates, some of the passengers to Europe or US cities have rescheduled their travel and this has helped keep the fares under check for the time being, he said. Last year, post the Balakot strike, Air India and other carriers from India had to re-route, merge or suspend many of their international flights that connected India with European and American cities after Pakistan closed its air space. According to Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, the closure of Pakistan air space on February 28, 2019, following the Pulwama suicide bombing had affected around 600 flights that operate per day across India-Pakistan airspace boundary and these flights were re-routed through Arabian sea airspace. The airspace restriction put in place by Pakistan was lifted only on July 16, 2019. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kateryna Zelenko said that every nation and every state independently determines and honors its heroes The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responded to criticism of Poland and Israel about honoring Stepan Bandera and a number of people who collaborated with the Nazis, citing the revival of "national memory." The press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kateryna Zelenko, stated this to the UNN news agency request regarding the statement of the ambassadors of Poland and Israel. The revival and preservation of the national memory of the Ukrainian people is one of the priority areas of Ukraine's state policy. Each people and each state independently determines and honors its heroes, Zelenko said. She remembered that certain figures, institutions, and even countries were interested in discord between Ukrainians and other peoples because of the celebration of national heroes and important dates. However, Zelenko added that the friendship and partnership between Ukraine on the one hand, and Poland and Israel on the other, is the most important asset, and any attempts to provoke tension in bilateral relations should be prevented. Civilized nations should proceed from the principle of honoring all those who have died, and discussions in this area should continue at the level of historians and experts, not politicians, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized. As we reported, Heads of diplomatic missions of Poland and Israel in Ukraine stand against paying tribute to Stepan Bandera and Andriy Melnyk. They were the leaders of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), a violently anti-Semitic organization, which collaborated with the Nazis. The joint statement of Bartosz Cichocki and Joel Lion followed after the torch processions in Kyiv and Lviv, as members and supporters of far-right organizations honored Bandera and Melnyk in Kyiv and Lviv on January 2. 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. LAS VEGAS - For one week a year, thousands of people gather here to ponder some of life's big questions. Can robots make us feel less lonely? Have we invented enough devices to replace walking yet? Does an internet-connected vibrator count as technology? Why is Ivanka Trump here? Thousand of people are headed to Las Vegas for CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, a massive marketing event where technology companies show off their newest innovations. It's a parade of product announcements, very sharp TVs and weird gadgets, many of which will never be released. The show floor doesn't open until Tuesday, but events begin Sunday, and there are already some hints of what the biggest stories will be out of the event. That includes newly sanctioned sex tech and facial recognition to track attendees - plus stealth marketing outside the official CES venue. Trump is also scheduled to give a keynote talk on Tuesday about the future of work, a decision proving controversial among some attendees. - Sex toys are allowed. Cannibis is not. CES organizes its thousands of exhibitors into categories like smart home, augmented reality, transportation - and the fast-growing health and wellness segment. And for the first time in its 52 years, the conference will allow sex-toy companies to exhibit on the show floor as part of that group, including a multitasking bed for sex and a number of "smart" and internet-connected vibrators. CES changed its policy after some drama at last year's show. Sex-toy company Lora DiCarlo won a CES innovation award, but it was later taken away for being against CES policies prohibiting "immoral, obscene, indecent, profane" products. The award was later reinstated, and Lora DiCarlo received far more press coverage than it would have for an award alone. After that, CES updated its policies to allow "sex tech" exhibitors in the health and wellness group. Not all vices are getting an invite. Cannabis and tobacco technology, such as vaporizers, is still forbidden at the show. But if past years are any indication, crafty cannabis-adjacent companies will find a way around the rule with clever marketing and euphemisms. There are indoor-hydroponics systems and machines that blend essential oils (including, say, THC). Expect more of the same this year, including a secure, odor-concealing box called Trova for "objects that aren't for all audiences." - Facial identification works on a consumer-friendly rebrand When attendees register at CES this year, there will be a new option to confirm they are who they say they are: facial recognition. Certain CES check-in locations will have a camera set up that will snap a person's photo and automatically match it to the photo they used to register. It's opt-in and an example of how the conference and its exhibitors are trying to give the technology a more consumer-friendly image. Facial-detection technology has caused a lot of controversy and concerns over privacy and bias. It's already in use at airports and by law enforcement and included in other surveillance systems. Now the same companies making those systems want it to be embraced as a fun, user-friendly technology that makes tasks easier. CES is organized by the CTA, an industry group that represents technology companies - many of whom would like to give facial detection a friendlier consumer image. Companies like Australian retail ad firm Mikara want to sell facial recognition to stores so they can serve targeted advertisements, while Black and Decker's Pria home-care robot uses it to identify users. Balancing ethical uses of facial detection with the industry's desire for profit could be complicated for the show. Two previous CES award winners listed as exhibitors at this year's show - security camera company Ezviz, which is owned by Hikvision, and voice recognition company iFlytek - are no longer attending, CNET reported. The U.S. Commerce Department added the companies to a blacklist in October over their alleged use in human rights violations by China against Muslims. The CTA said it does not comment on individual companies. - Lots of bathroom technology, for some reason Smart-home technology, like web-connected thermostats and security cameras, has been in a hit in nearly every part of the house. One room that technology companies seem set on infiltrating this year is the bathroom. At CES, a number of companies are planning to show toilet-related tech and other gimmicky products that even they admit will never go on sale. They might, however, draw some attention to normally overlooked faucet and toilet paper companies. Toilets are getting sensors to help determine how much water each flush requires, voice assistants are standing by to flush your toilet, and wearables monitor your stomach and send you a smartphone notification when it's time to use the bathroom. Toilet paper maker Charmin is even showing off demos of something mysterious called a "roll bot." And multiple companies promise to revolutionize teeth with high-tech toothbrushes. The head of the CTA's research team, Steve Koenig, sees toilet tech as the next logical step for connected home technology. "We're getting to the point where we're fulfilling the original promise of the smart home, which is creating intelligent living spaces that take care of us instead of the other way around," he told The Washington Post. - Billboards: Where the real CES drama happens Inside the Las Vegas Convention Center, companies like Sony and Samsung still jockey for the biggest floor spaces and flashiest displays at CES. But not every tech company participates in the event itself. Apple, Facebook and Twitter have been notable holdouts in recent years. Companies that don't participate in the event itself have found a way break through the noise, sometimes without paying a cent to the conference itself. For the past two years, Google has gone from a minimal CES presence to plastering every available surface in the city with "Hey, Google" ads for its voice assistant, including the coveted front entrance to CES. It is competing with Amazon's Alexa, and to a lesser degree Apple's Siri, for partners to include the assistant in their upcoming products. (Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Last year, in addition to monorail trains and billboards, it built an elaborate working ride - like Disney's It's a Small World but for Google products - in front of the convention center. This year, there is already a giant Google structure with slides in front of the convention center and more monorail ads. Last year, Apple spent a fraction of the cost of actually attending the event on a single, snarky ad that generated far more attention. The giant billboard pasted on the side of a Marriott near the convention center read, "What happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone." It was widely interpreted as a dig at Google and a promotion for Apple's marketing push as the "privacy" company. We'll find out whether Apple started a new sub-tweeting-via-outdoor-advertisements trend in a few days. The company will also have a speaker at CES for the first time in 28 years via an appearance from its senior director of privacy, Jane Horvath, on a privacy roundtable. B oris Johnson is expected to return to the UK today amid mounting criticism over his refusal to cut short his Caribbean holiday to address soaring tensions in the Middle East. Mr Johnson has been celebrating the New Year with his partner Carrie Symonds on the private Caribbean island of Mustique, and has not made any public statement over the US's fatal strike on Iran's top general. He was under pressure from opposition leaders to make a statement on the killing of General Qasem Soleimani, with Jeremy Corbyn sending a letter requesting an urgent meeting. The Prime Minister is said to be arriving in the country early on Sunday, however Number 10 has not confirmed when exactly he will return or what his schedule will include upon his arrival. His silence amid the growing tensions in the Middle East had resulted in the hashtag "WheresBoris" trending on Twitter among other alarming trends about the conflict including "World War III". Anti-war protests were held opposite Number 10 on Saturday despite Mr Johnson still being on holiday / PA Mr Corbyn demanded an urgent meeting of the Privy Council with Mr Johnson over the situation after it emerged that the Pentagon would send 3,000 more troops to bolster their forces in the Middle East. Acting Lib Dem co-leader Sir Ed Davey added to criticism of the PM. "Johnson's silence on Trump's dangerous assassination in Iraq is deafening," Mr Davey said. "The Prime Minister must speak out now and make clear Britain will not support the US in repeating the mistake of the Iraq war." It has now been announced that Britain's navy will accompany UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection to ships sailing under a British merchant flag. Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since the airstrike / AFP via Getty Images Defence minister Ben Wallace said he had ordered the warships HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare to return to escort duties. "The government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time," he said. In the letter, Mr Corbyn asked seven questions about the airstrike which killed General Soleimani, the head of Tehran's elite Quds Force. The questions include what the UK Government knew ahead of the airstrike, which took place on Friday at Baghdad's international airport , and if there was an increased terror risk in the UK. John McDonnell has criticised the government's response to the international crisis unfolding / PA He also asked whether Mr Johnson had spoken to US President Donald Trump about the airstrike. The outgoing opposition leader 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". It has been claimed that Mr Johnson was not warned in advance about the US airstrike. Shadow Chancellor also hit out at the government as he joined protesters at an anti-war demonstration outside Downing Street on Saturday. Speaking at the protest, Mr McDonnell said: "Weve been here before, we were here 17 years ago. And theres one lesson that came from those events, is that violence begets violence, Mr McDonnell said And it was acts like this that led us to the catastrophic war in Iraq." A Government source defended Mr Johnson, saying "he's been kept fully up to date" including by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab "at all times". A man has died after being attacked by a shark off the coast of Western Australia. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said in a statement he was attacked by a great white shark at Cull Island in the Shire of Esperance about 1pm (local time) on Sunday. It is believed the man had been diving at the time and Western Australia police told Yahoo News Australia his body had not yet been recovered. Police report the shark attack was in the area of a boat and a woman on board was taken to hospital suffering from shock. Fisheries officers are currently involved in assisting WA Police with a fatal shark bite incident at Cull Island, near Esperance. See more: https://t.co/5SGdkHEwrT Surf Life Saving WA (@SLSWA) January 5, 2020 A man was attacked by a great white shark at Cull Island in the Shire of Esperance about 1pm (local time) on Sunday. Source: Getty/Instagram DPIRD is investigating the shark bite and is urging people to take additional care in the area, and follow any local beach closures. The incident occurred near the same location in Esperance where teenager Laeticia Brouwer was mauled by a shark in 2017. The 17-year-old was surfing with her father at Wylie Bay when has her leg bitten off at the hip. She was taken to hospital where she later died. Laeticia Brouwer (left) was mauled by a shark while surfing with her father near the same spot in 2017. Source: 7News Swimmers should check for shark activity using the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app or Surf Life Saving WAs Twitter feed. Anybody who sees a shark is urged to report it to Water Police by calling (08) 9442 8600. 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. Seoul should seek ways to protect own interests The specter of war is looming larger in Iran after a U.S. airstrike using an attack drone, reportedly ordered by President Donald Trump, killed popular Iranian military commander, Qassem Soleimani. Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation," raising fears of renewed attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the world's single most important oil passageway. This is bad news for South Korea, and not just because of its potential negative impact on the national economy. Given the government has been under pressure to join in U.S.-led efforts to protect ships in the volatile area, it may have to choose to dispatch troops there depending on how the situation unfolds. We don't want to be dragged into a military conflict overseas, but cannot sit idly by when the lives of South Koreans there are endangered and the nation's interests are at stake. The moment of truth appears to be at hand for the Moon Jae-in administration. It has to discuss ways to protect Korean nationals and the country's economic interests in the region. Yet sending troops is a very sensitive matter. The nation's anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit is already operating in the Gulf of Aden, and last month the National Assembly approved a motion to extend its mission, which started in 2009, through Dec. 31, 2020. The government may have to consider broadening the unit's operational area to the Strait of Hormuz as an option by limiting its mission to the protection of oil tankers and ships. What makes this matter more sensitive is Japan's recent decision to send a military presence to the Middle East to "ensure the safety of Japanese ships transporting oil." In late December, the Shinzo Abe administration approved the dispatch, stirring controversy over a possible violation of the Constitution that limits Japan's use of military force strictly to self-defense. Under the plan, Japan will send a destroyer and a pair of P-3C reconnaissance aircraft, mainly for intelligence-gathering in the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. South Korea, as a former colony of Japan, has enough reasons to be wary of Japan's increasing military role overseas. It is also notable that the U.S. has sought support from its allies for its operations in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions with Iran. Tokyo's naval dispatch could be one reason Seoul is considering the U.S. request. It is needless to say that Seoul should spare no efforts to seek understanding of any decision it makes regarding this from Iran and concerned Middle East nations. China and Russia's involvement in the Iranian crisis also needs to be considered. The two countries recently held a joint naval exercise with Iran in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman, which connects the Arabian Sea with the strategic Strait of Hormuz. China said the drill was not connected to the regional situation, but few will argue that Iran has become a flashpoint of increasing rivalry among the world's most powerful countries. What is happening in Iran poses a huge diplomatic challenge for South Korea. The government should contemplate all factors to make a wise decision. The overwhelming majority of Iranians despised Soleimani, an infamous symbol of regime intimidation and murder, for his crimes against the Iranian people and throughout the region. The Iranian people and Iraqi protesters who have been calling for Soleimanis expulsion from Iraq for some time welcomed his death as a sign of the demise of the regimes control over their country. Soleimani, carrying the rank of major general, was in disrepute as the hatchet man for Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and was a hated figure. During uprisings in Iran in 2018 and 2019, protesters tore up and torched his posters in different cities. Qassem Soleimani as the commander of the terrorist Quds force is known for his crimes in other countries, but in this piece, we want to look at his crimes against Irans main opposition group the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI-MEK). Qassem Soleimani was born on March 11, 1957, in a village near the town of Baft, in the southeastern province of Kerman. He did not finish his elementary education. He worked as an unskilled construction laborer while he was very young. He did not receive any military training. Yet he rose to the top of the IRGC command because of his ruthlessness and loyalty to Khamenei. In 1998, Soleimani was appointed as the commander of the terrorist Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its extraterritorial arm. Although the Quds Force is assigned to missions outside Iran, Soleimani, as a member of the IRGC high command, has been a major contributor to the regimes repressive machine inside Iran. In July 1999, at the height of student protests, he signed a letter along with other IRGC commanders, warning then-President Mohammad Khatami that if he did not put down the revolt the IRGC would intervene. Our patience has run out, the IRGC generals, including Soleimani wrote. The police crushed the demonstrators, as they did again, a decade later. Soleimanis role in murdering MEK members Qasem Soleimani killed 141 members of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in terrorist attacks in Iraq from 2009 to 2016 using Quds Force proxies in Iraq which he commanded. He directed several of the attacks against Camp Ashraf, where MEK members resided. Subsequently, when MEK members relocated to Camp Liberty under UN and US auspices, Iranian regime proxies launched numerous missile attacks on Camp Liberty on orders of Soleimani, killing several dozen. The Ashraf massacre Soleimanis most heinous crime occurred on September 1, 2013, when proxies of the Iranian dictatorship, including Kataib Hezbollah and Asaeb Ahl Al-Haq, attacked Camp Ashraf in Diyala province in Iraq. At the time, only 101 MEK members were residing there as custodians of their properties under an agreement with the UN and the US. The attack led to the execution-style killing of 52 defenseless MEK members and seven, including 6 women were taken, hostage. The IRGC announced in a statement: In a revolutionary act, the brave children of the Iraqi martyred combatants took their historical revenge from the Mojahedin Organization. The terrorist Quds Forces news agency called Tasnim attributed the attack to an unknown group named The popular tendency of the Entifadiya Shabaniya children. This is exactly the same known tactic used when a group called Jewish Al-Mokhtar took responsibility for the rocket attack on Camp Liberty. These groups are no more than subordinates of the Quds Force that work in full collaboration with the Iraqi government. The National Council of Resistance of Iran revealed on September 2, 2013: Following the chemical bombing in the Damascus outskirts and the rising probability of a military strike by the U.S. against Syria, Khamenei demanded that the project of massacres in Ashraf be expedited. On Tuesday, August 27, Commander of the terrorist Qods Force, Qassem Soleimani hurriedly traveled to Iraq and met with Nouri al-Maliki out of ordinary administrative hours (at 10:30 pm). In that meeting, the probability of a U.S. attack on Syria and the Ashraf massacre was discussed. In that meeting, where Malikis National Security Advisor Falih al- Fayyadh was also present, Soleimani and Maliki concurred on the timing of the attack on Ashraf. As such, practical steps to implement the attack, while the preparations had already been made, started. Add to Phrasebook No word lists for English (USA) -> Persian Create a new word list Copy Add to Phrasebook No word lists for English (USA) -> Persian Create a new word list Copy Add to Phrasebook No word lists for English (USA) -> Persian Create a new word list Copy Add to Phrasebook No word lists for English (USA) -> Persian Create a new word list Copy Add to Phrasebook No word lists for English (USA) -> Persian Create a new word list Copy If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Issuing his first statements over the shocking mob attack on Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan on Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that it is a matter of grave concern. He added that the amendment in the citizenship law was needed to protect the minorities persecuted in the neighbouring country. The defence minister said: "It is a matter of concern how in Pak Nankana Shaheb Gudurdwara was affected. This is how minorities are treated in Pak. That is why CAA is needed." Imran Khan breaks silence on Nankana Sahib attack; drags RSS, preaches 'zero-tolerance' Nankana Sahib attacked On Friday, a video 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. 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. Rahul Gandhi condemns attack on Nankana Sahib with a jibe, says 'bigotry knows no borders' 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 refused to convert back to Sikhism. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh asks Pak PM to intervene over Nankana Sahib mob attack PATHETIC: Pakistan PM Imran Khan attacks India with old B'desh video claiming it's from UP "I didn't know what was happening," Messman said. "I was scared, and I couldn't breathe. And I wanted to know what was going on with me." In those early days, doctors couldn't pinpoint what was going wrong, said Messman's mom, Angie Parde. "That was very scary when doctors had no idea," Parde said. "It just was so up in the air; we didn't know what was happening. It was a whirlwind." After months of testing and a 10-day stay at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, doctors came back with a diagnosis: mast cell activation syndrome, a condition in which the body's mast cells white blood cells that help fight off things that are foreign do not function properly, resulting in extreme reactions. There is no cure. She also was diagnosed with two other disorders: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects the connective tissues, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which can cause dizziness and increased heart rate. The disorders forced Messman to spend most of her time at home and take online classes in order to graduate high school. That meant she spent very little time around her peers, missing out on a chance to be a cheerleader and have a normal high school experience. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites that it would strike if Iran attacks Americans or U.S. assets in response to a U.S By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites that it would strike if Iran attacks Americans or U.S. assets in response to a U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. Showing no signs of seeking to reduce tensions raised by the strike on Friday that he ordered, the U.S. president issued a stern threat to Iran on Twitter. Trump wrote that Iran "is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets" in response to Soleimani's death. Trump said the United States has "targeted 52 Iranian sites" and that some were "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!" Trump said, adding that the 52 targets represented the 52 Americans who were held hostage in Iran after being seized at the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979. Trump's suggestion that the United States could strike targets of importance to Iranian culture raised eyebrows. Colin Kahl, a former Obama administration national security official, wrote on Twitter that he "found it hard to believe the Pentagon would provide Trump targeting options that include Iranian cultural sites. Trump may not care about the laws of war, but DoD planners and lawyers do ... and targeting cultural sites is war crime." The Pentagon declined to comment on the 52 targets and referred questions to the White House, which did not respond. Soleimani was killed in the U.S. strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in a U.S. strike that has raised the specter of wider conflict in the Middle East. Earlier on Saturday, the White House submitted a formal notification of the attack under the 1973 War Powers Act. Trump's tweets were issued during his holiday stay in Florida. A growing number of Democrats have said the Republican president's action is bringing the United States to the brink of war. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Saturday "the Trump Administrations provocative, escalatory and disproportionate military engagement continues to put servicemembers, diplomats and citizens of America and our allies in danger." On Saturday, tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq to mourn Soleimani and the Iraqi militia leader. [nL8N29903Z] On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone near the U.S. Embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighborhood and two more rockets were fired at the Balad air base north of the city, but no one was killed, the Iraqi military said in a statement. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Will Dunham and Paul Simao) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 18:44:02|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces have captured a Taliban key commander in the northern Faryab province, provincial police spokesman Mohammad Karim Yurash said Sunday. "Taliban notorious commander Qari Nizamudin was attempting to enter the provincial capital Maimana city on Saturday evening to organize terrorist attacks but fortunately was captured by police," Yurash told Xinhua. The arrested militant was commanding Taliban fighters in Gurziwan district of Faryab over the past couple of years, the official said, adding his arrest could prove a major setback to the militants in Faryab and the neighboring Jawzjan and Balkh provinces. Taliban militants are yet to make a comment on the report. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday questioned the silence of Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib attack and the killing of a Sikh youth in Pakistan. The SAD alleged that Sidhu has "sold his soul" to the Pakistan Army and its espionage agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was not being honest with his own country and community. In a statement here, former minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal said: "It is clear that Sidhu has sold his soul to the Pak military establishment and is being used by the ISI to further its anti-India plans." "This is the reason why he has become a mouthpiece of the ISI and has even turned against his own brethren and their suffering in Pakistan," he added. Asking Sidhu to explain his silence on the forced conversion of a minor Sikh girl in Pakistan and the subsequent turn of events which have led to death threats to the victim's family, stoning of Gurdwara Janam Asthan and even threats to rename the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the Akali leader said, "this alone proves where your loyalties lie". Grewal said no Sikh could tolerate forced conversions of community members and stoning of its most holy shrines. "Similarly, they will never forgive those like Sidhu who continue to dance to the tunes of their friends in Pakistan," he said. Asking the Congress leader to clear the air immediately or be ready for consequences, Grewal said: "Sidhu must condemn the Pak establishment as well as his friend and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan immediately." "Sidhu should also use his good offices with his buddy General Qamar Javed Bajwa to ensure swift and decisive action against all those who stoned Gurdwara Janan Asthan as well as those responsible for the forced conversion of the minor Sikh girl," he said. "He should simultaneously apologise to the Sikh community for failing to speak up against forced conversions in Pakistan as well as failure to condemn the attack on Nankana Sahib," he added. Asserting that everyone was aware of the evil designs of Pakistan, the SAD leader urged the Sikh community to stand up as one to condemn persecution and oppression of Sikhs in Pakistan. "We also appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give a stern message to Pakistan that this dastardly behaviour will not be tolerated at any cost," he said. "Simultaneously, we warn the Congress party and the Gandhi family not to play Pakistan's game by remaining silent on the barbarity committed against Gurdwara Janan Asthan and only speaking up after being called out by Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'IRA' has been painted on the side of an orange hall in Co Antrim in the latest attack on the venue. Glenavy Protestant Hall on Crumlin Road in the village has been repeatedly targeted in recent years. The hall was most recently attacked with paint bombs in July of last year. Sinn Fein MLA Declan Kearney said it was a sectarian attack which he strongly condemned. He called on anyone with information about the attack to come forward and speak to police. "Those responsible are clearly trying to provoke division and tension in an area where community relations are very integrated. But I and other political and community leaders will ensure their toxic agenda will not succeed," the South Antrim MLA said. "The perpetrators represent nothing except sectarian bitterness and their actions are the opposite of Irish republican politics in the united Irish tradition. Sinn Fein will continue to stand up against sectarianism, regardless of its origin." Local DUP councillor James Tinsley said he was "very disappointed to see the beginning of a new year start with the same old hatred". "The vast majority of the residents in Glenavy are great but it only takes a few mindless idiots to try and stir up tensions," he said. Alliance councillor David Honeyford also condemned the attack, calling it "pointless and ridiculous". "An attack like this is an attack on the entire community in Glenavy," he said. "It is disgusting that a small number of individuals choose to attack the hall in our village. Orange Culture is part of what makes up Ireland and should be respected by everyone." Glenavy Community Partnership said they had been working to try and prevent attacks on the Protestant Hall. "We work tirelessly along with others to make this community for all walks of life," a spokesperson said. "We don't want this kind of stuff in our community." Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday expressed his shock over the violence at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and said how will the country progress if students are not safe on the university campuses. "I am so shocked to know about the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police should immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside the university campus?" tweeted Kejriwal. The Chief Minister's tweet came after a mob of masked goons entered the University campus and assaulted several students and professors with sticks and rods. According to the officials, seven ambulances have been sent to the JNU and 10 more are on standby. Heavy police have been deployed at the main gate of the University following the violence. A masked mob on Sunday entered the Sabarmati Hostel on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus and assaulted several students and professors with sticks and rods. "I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I am bleeding. I was brutally beaten up," JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh told reporters. She has been admitted to the AIIMS here for treatment. Several other students were also injured in the incident.In a video of the incident, a group of goons with their faces covered can be seen assaulting students with wooden sticks and rods. A tweet from the official handle of the JNUSU said, "Sabarmati Hostel: right now. They are beating the students who are inside. Knocking on doors with rods. People are jumping from balconies. #SOSJNU #EmergencyinJNU." "Professors who were trying to protect us have been beaten up. These are unknown ABVP goons, not all are students, they have covered their faces, and they are moving towards the hotels near the West Gate. Stay alert. Make human chains. Protect each other. #SOSJNU #EmergencyinJNU," another tweet added. Meanwhile, the ABVP's JNU unit claimed in a tweet: "Emergency in JNU. Leftist goons of JNU accompanied with their cadre from other universities have crossed every limit. They have proceeded with unimaginable violence on ABVP activists of JNU. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Irans response to the killing of top Iranian general Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani will be against military sites, Hossein Dehghan, the military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told CNN. Dehghan, a former defense minister, appeared to be trying to play down the threat of all-out conflict, saying that the countrys leadership has officially announced that we have never been seeking war and we will not be seeking war. Yet Dehgan also warned against further retaliations from the United States, implying that could launch a new round of violence. Advertisement It was America that has started the war. Therefore, they should accept appropriate reactions to their actions, he said. The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted. Afterward they should not seek a new cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dehghan spoke shortly after President Donald Trump warned that his administration had identified 52 Iranian sites that will be targeted if Tehran decides to launch an attack to retaliate against the killing of Soleimani. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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, Trump wrote. The president did not identify the targets but said they would be HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dehghan characterized the tweets as ridiculous and absurd, calling Trump a veritable gangster and a gambler, adding that he is no politician, he has no mental stability. If Trump does strike any Iran cultural sites, for sure no American military staff, no American political center, no American military base, no American vessel will be safe, he added. Responding to Trumps tweets, Information and Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi wrote that Trump is a terrorist in a suit. Iran summoned the Swiss envoy that represents U.S. interests in Tehran on Sunday to protest Trumps hostile remarks, Iranian state television reported. Advertisement Advertisement Like ISIS, like Hitler, Like Genghis! They all hate cultures. Trump is a "terrorist in a suit". He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat "the Great Iranian Nation & Culture".#HardRevenge#QasemSoleimani https://t.co/N2iQ5AMX7M MJ Azari Jahromi (@azarijahromi) January 5, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before Trump sent out his threatening tweets, the White House formally notified Congress under the War Powers Act of the operation that killed Soleimani. The notification is required to be issued within 48 hours of U.S. forces being introduced into an armed conflict or any event that could lead to war. The document that was sent late Saturday only had classified information that is expected to detail the justification for the assassination. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the notification raises more questions than it answers. The document Pelosi added, prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administrations decision to engage in hostilities against Iran. Ballistic examinations will be carried out on ten firearms recovered in north Dublin to determine if they have been used in any previous shootings or murders. The significant firearms cache, which includes two assault rifles and eight handguns, were recovered in a holdall bag in the Swords on Friday evening as part of a major intelligence operation. Gardai have linked the firearms to the Kinahan cartel who have been involved in a deadly feud with the Hutch crime gang which has resulted in up to 18 murders. While there has been no killing linked to that dispute in 18 months, detectives believe the firearms were being stored in the remote location for potential future attacks. However, gardai do not believe there was an imminent threat to life. The weapons are now undergoing ballistic examinations at Garda Headquarters to establish if they have been used in previous gun attacks. The firearms will also be tested for DNA in a bid to link them to any person or persons in the hope of making arrests. Around 1,000 rounds of ammunition were also recovered and sources said all of the weapons appeared to be in good working condition following cursory examinations. A source said: The seizure shows the amount of firepower that is out there to any one gang and what gardai are up against. These guns werent there for show, they were in the possession of criminal gangs to use at some stage but thanks to this successful operation ten lethal weapons are off the streets, the source added. The major find was made by gardai from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) as part of an intelligence operation. Detectives had kept surveillance on the location where the weapons were stored but a decision was made to recover the firearms. Assistant Garda Commissioner John ODriscoll, of Special Crime Operations, said that the operation highlights their effort to be unrelenting in tackling serious crime. "The undertaking of the operation leading to the discovery of a significant quantity of firearms and ammunition, yesterday, reflects the fact that An Garda Siochana's unrelenting efforts in tackling serious and organised crime will continue unabated into 2020, Mr ODriscoll said. The seizure is one of the largest recoveries of firearms in recent years. In January 2017 a garda operation at the Greenogue Industrial estate in west Dublin led to 16 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition being recovered. That investigation also targeted the Kinahan cartel and led to significant members of the gang receiving lengthy jail terms. 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. New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Rajya Sabha lawmaker Pratap Singh Bajwa has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to send an all-party delegation of Sikh MPs to Pakistan in the wake of recent incidents in the neighbouring country, including the killing of a Sikh youth in Peshawar and the stone-pelting incident at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. "The condition of minorities in Pakistan for the last 70 years has been miserable. The birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev was vandalised by a local mob. They even went to say that they will change its name," Bajwa told ANI. "We want to see if any damage has been done to Nankana Sahib. We also want to see the condition of Sikhs in Pakistan. We will also meet the family of the bereaved family of the youth (in Peshawar)," he said. "I have urged the Prime Minister that an all-party delegation of Sikh MPs led by S Jaishankar or MoS in external ministry should visit Pakistan immediately. It will give moral support to the Sikh community in Pakistan," the Congress leader further said. Earlier today, a Sikh youth, identified as Ravinder Singh, 25, was found murdered in Peshawar by unidentified persons. Two days before, 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 abducted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of gurdwara's panthi. Furthermore, Bajwa said that the delegation will study the reason behind such incidents in Pakistan. "Two major incidents took place and this has caused a lot of resentment among Sikh diaspora all over the world. The delegation will study why such incidents are taking place," the Congress leader said. (ANI) An aircraft of Qatar Airway is about to take off from Hamad International Airport at Doha, Qatar. (Photo: AFP/VNA) The citys tourism department said increasing flights from Doha would help boost tourism and investment among central destinations in Vietnam, the Middle East and 150 global destinations of the Qatar Airways network. The airline also brought 170 tourists to the city on the first day of 2020. The Da Nang-Doha air route is the only direct flight from central Vietnam to Qatar and the Middle East, using the Boeing 787-8 aircraft with 254 seats. Qatar Airways began direct services to the southern largest economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City in 2007, and launched its direct flight to the capital city of Hanoi in 2010. Currently, the airline provides twice-daily direct flights to Hanoi and 10 weekly flights to HCM City. In 2017, Qatar Airways announced its interline partnership with Vietnam-based budget carrier Vietjet Air, allowing Qatar Airways passengers to travel to and from points in Vietnam not served directly by Qatar Airways using a single reservation across both airlines networks./. A tide of mourners flooded the Iranian city of Ahvaz Sunday, weeping and beating their chests in homage to top general Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a US strike in Baghdad. Death to America, they chanted as they packed the streets and filled a long bridge spanning a river in the southwestern city, where Soleimanis remains arrived from Iraq before dawn. As Shiite chants resonated in the air, mourners held portraits of Soleimani, seen as a hero of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and for spearheading Irans Middle East operations as commander of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force. Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike Friday near Baghdad airport, shocking the Islamic republic. He was 62. The attack was ordered by President Donald Trump, who said the Quds commander had been planning an imminent attack on US diplomats and American forces in Iraq. In the face of growing Iraqi anger over the US strike, the countrys parliament was expected to vote Sunday on whether to oust the roughly 5,200 American troops in Iraq. Soleimanis assassination ratcheted up tensions between arch-enemies Tehran and Washington and sparked fears of a new Middle East war. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed severe revenge and declared three days of mourning. But Trump warned late Saturday that America was targeting 52 sites important to Iran & Iranian culture and would hit them very fast and very hard if the country attacks American personnel or assets. In a series of sabre-rattling tweets, Trump said the choice of 52 targets represented the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Irans top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME and a red line in international law. For Irans army chief, the threat was an attempt to distract the world from Soleimanis unjustifiable assassination. I doubt they have the courage to initiate a conflict in the future, said Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi. US-Iran tensions escalated in 2018 when Trump unilaterally withdrew from a landmark accord that gave Tehran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. Iran has hit back by reducing its nuclear commitments with a series of steps every 60 days, the most recent deadline passing Saturday. Glorious crowd On Sunday, thousands of mourners dressed in black were seen gathered in Ahvaz in a live broadcast on state television. The channel showed crowds in Mollavi Square with flags in green, white and red depicting the blood of martyrs. A glorious crowd is at the ceremony, said state television. The presence of children, teenagers, relatives, veterans, families of martyrs of (the Iran-Iraq war) and defenders of Haram (those martyred in Syria) is a glimpse of the glory of this ceremony, it added. In Tehran, deputies chanted Death to America for a few minutes during a regular session of parliament, semi-official news agency ISNA reported. Trump, this is the voice of the Iranian nation, listen, speaker Ali Larijani was quoted as saying. Soleimanis remains and those of five other Iranians all Guards members killed in the US drone strike had arrived at Ahvaz airport before dawn, ISNA said. With them were the remains of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraqs powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary umbrella group, who was also killed in the US strike. They are expected to be flown to Tehran for more tributes on Sunday evening. On Monday, Khamenei is expected to pray over Soleimanis remains at Tehran University before a procession to Azadi Square. His remains are then due to be taken to the holy city of Qom for a ceremony at Masumeh shrine, ahead of a funeral Tuesday in his hometown Kerman. Cyber attack In neighbouring Iraq, pro-Iran factions ramped up pressure on US installations with missiles and warnings to Iraqs troops. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, two mortar rounds struck Saturday near the US embassy in Baghdad, security sources said. Almost simultaneously, two rockets slammed into the Al-Balad airbase where American troops are deployed. Iraqs military confirmed the missile attacks in Baghdad and on Al-Balad and said there were no casualties. The US military also said no coalition troops were hurt. In another possible act of retaliation, hackers claiming to be from Iran breached the website of a little-known US government agency and threatened more cyber attacks. The website of the Federal Depository Library Program was replaced with a page titled Iranian Hackers! that displayed images of Khamenei and the Islamic republics flag. SOURCE: AFP | PHOTO: AFP The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has justified the necessity, appropriateness and significance of the re-designation of the Federal Ministry of Communications as Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCDE) in October 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari, as he recalled the modest strides of the ministry and strategy for accomplishing the digital economy policy for national development. Mr Pantami explained this on Friday at a media parley and press briefing which took place at Treasure Suites, Maitama, Abuja. The meeting with members of the Abuja Chapter of the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters Asssociation (NITRA), convened by the minister to enlighten the media about steps that had been taken by the FMoCDE under his leadership, to enhance the transition to digital economy, was the first briefing by any Ministry, Department or Agency (MDA) of government in 2020. The minister said the re-designation was done to position Nigeria for the gains of digital economy as communications captured just the channels. Hence, the term became inadequate in describing the essence of the new vision that embraces the content, as well as the utilisation of both channel and content to achieve the central focus of the Ministry to migrate the nation to a digital economy. Mr Pantami said this is particularly significant as it enables Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which is the most diverse and fastest growing sector to mobilise other sectors and align with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the Federal Government. The minister said this is quite fitting, as it also ensures that the name of the ministry captures its objective in keeping with best global practices. Following the re-designation, the minister stated that the Federal Government directed the ministry to develop and implement a national digital economy strategy. This, he said, was done by the ministry and unveiled by the President at the e-Nigeria Conference in November 2019. Mr Pantami said the policy captures the thematic focus while the strategy speaks to how the various themes will be achieved. Speaking further, Mr Pantami declared that all other MDAs are connected to the strategy in view of the centrality of ICT to development in other sectors of the economy. He emphasised that the role of the ministry is to coordinate the implementation of the policy and the strategy. The minister stated that the implementation of the strategy had started. He stressed that by the end of the decade, the Federal Government expects every Nigerian to have connected with and expressed the goal of digital Nigeria by being computer literate, owning a digital device (which the agencies in the ministry have been assisting to facilitate), having access to the Internet, owning a bank account that can be accessed and operated digitally and online. Beyond financial services, the Minister said the Federal Government hopes to see majority of the citizens undertake many activities electronically. Mr Pantami recalled the eight pillars of the policy which he enjoined all tiers of government and all stakeholders to begin to explore for implementation. The first of the pillars is Developmental Regulation, which he said is conceived as regulation that promotes and supports development. This means online communications and transactions should focus on and encourage digital economy and ensure taxes and prices come down because when prices come down, demand goes up and entrepreneurs make more profit by sheer increase in the volume of trade. It is simple economics, theinister emphasised. The second mainstay of the digital economy policy is Digital Literacy and Skills, and the minister emphasised the importance of this pillar because digital economy is unrealisable without skills. Mr Pantami enumerated that different sections of the population are targeted for training and retraining, including women, youths, journalists, civil servants and those who are certificated but unemployed. He was optimistic that, at least, 90 per cent of Nigerians will be digitally literate by the end of the decade as all agencies in the ministry will be involved in series of training and retraining as much as the financial circumstances of the nation permit. Solid Infrastructure, the third pillar of the policy, will ensure availability of robust data centres and deals with broadband expansion, according to the Minister. He explained that the 2020-2025 Broadband Plan is expected to be ready within the first quarter of 2020 and the plan is to ensure that all unserved and underserved areas have access to broadband services. For this, he said the Federal Government and the Ministry are encouraging many institutions to host their data in Nigeria as he promised to continue the advocacy. The fourth policy pillar Service Infrastructure, according to the minister, is focused on facilitating digitisation of activities that will find deeper expression in e-health, e-agriculture and other automated transactions. He accentuated the connection of automation to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by stating that studies by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and other development agencies have revealed that 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration could increase GDP by up to 2.5 per cent. According to the minister, the fifth pillar, Promotion of Digital Services, is also to ensure increased digitisation of activities, while the sixth pedestal of the digital economy policy is Software Infrastructure, which focuses on cybersecurity awareness to ensure security of activities in the cyberspace. The penultimate pillar of the policy, according to the minister, is Digital Society and Emerging Technologies. He said the policy is conceptualised to encourage start-ups to support our innovators, so they can deploy their inventions in Nigeria. In this context, the minister envisioned that Nigeria will explore in quantifiable terms, cloud computing, nanotechnology, Fifth Generation (5G) communications, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics. Illustrating the benefits of deployment of and access to 5G, Mr Pantami said with 5G, virtual surgery is possible in Nigeria. The minister emphasised that digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship are particularly important in ensuring increase in Nigerias GDP. He made a comparison between Nigeria and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by stating that Nigerias GDP is $397 billion while MITs GDP is about five times higher. He attributed the disparity largely to inputs of digital innovation and entrepreneurship. Advertisements Thus, the minister declared that certificates are important when spiced with skills because that will trigger innovation. To demonstrate the paradigm shift to skills rather than mere certification, Mr Pantami said China is at the threshold of converting 600 universities to skills centres having realised that skills validate certificates. The minister, however, explained that Nigeria is so blessed and needs to leverage that potential to ensure her teaming youths acquire enduring skills that will make them to be potential employers rather than potential employees. It was evident the minister looked forward very enthusiastically to seeing more Nigerians use the social media to support the digital economy by engaging it to achieve legitimate economic prosperity rather than for the promotion of division and hatred among the people of Nigeria. He was quite saddened as he recalled divisive online conversations. Thus, in order to stress the connection between the seventh pillar and the eight which is, Indigenous Content Development, especially how youths can use their skills and creative energy for innovation and technology development, Mr Pantami said Nigeria needs to create and promote indigenous technology and use them locally. Let us use our skills positively to promote digital economy because the World Economic Forum (WEF) has predicted that by 2022, 60 percent of the world economy will be digital, he added. Responding to questions from journalists after the main briefing, the minister stated that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was vetting content of the proposed Executive Order on Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Protection, one of the key demands of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure a halt to rampant vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure. The minister said he was confident that President Buhari will sign the Executive Order soon. He also informed the journalists that ahead of the Order, the police authorities have been directed to locate key telecom facilities for surveillance. Still on telecommunications, the minister stated, I have written to all the governors in Nigeria on the need to comply with the National Economic Council (NEC) resolution on the Right of Way (RoW). All the governors had agreed to the harmonisation on the RoW charges and efforts are being made to ensure the policy is respected. The RoW charges is the levy paid to state governments for the laying of optic fibre by telecoms operators. The minister also declared that since September 25, 2019, no Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card has be used in Nigeria without being properly registered. You may buy a SIM card but you cannot activate it to use unless it has been properly registered, and NCC will provide biodata of any improperly-used SIM card to the police or other security agencies within 24 hours whenever it is required. Mr Pantami was emphatic that the Federal Governments directive to NCC to ensure that improperly registered SIM cards are blocked, demonstrated governments commitment to further strengthen ongoing efforts at securing lives and property in the country. Life is more important than material benefits of having many SIM cards in circulation, and in any case, blocking improperly registered SIM cards did not diminish the contribution of ICT to GDP, he stressed, explaining to journalists that the Ministry was, in addition, auditing bulk spectrum allocation for validation and propriety. He noted that the exercise is not really an inquisition as earlier bandied by certain interests. On the challenges of the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), the minister stated that the ministry has made representation to the Federal Government to insist that NIPOST should be the collector of stamp duty and not the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and by implication the Federal Ministry of Finance. So, we have challenged the status quo about the collection of stamp duty, he said. The minister also unveiled the plan for the transformation of NIPOST with regard to undertaking a total restructuring and transformation of NIPOST. We will also commercialise some activities of the organisation by registering few companies to ensure the renovation and commercialisation of dilapidated NIPOST structure all over the country starting with NIPOST facilities in major cities. The briefing was attended by chief executive officers and management staff of the FMoCDE and its agencies, including Ubale Maska, NCCs Executive Commissioner Technical Services, who represented the EVC of the Commission, Umar Danbatta. Also present at the briefing were, Adeleke Adewolu, NCCs Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management; Abimbola Alale, Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited; Inuwa Abdullahi, Chairman, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) and Mohammed Abubakar, the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited. The minister seized the opportunity of the briefing to thank the executives and members of NITRA for the reportage of various activities of the Ministry and urged them to give robust coverage to the digital economy policy. He announced a training programme for the journalists in the first and second quarters of 2020. He directed that the programmes are to be organised and sponsored by NITDA and NCC respectively. Earlier, Blessing Olaifa of The Nation Newspapers, who is the President of the FCT Chapter of NITRA, congratulated the minister on his appointment and in particular for the great strides he has led the ministry to make within a short time. He promised to organise his colleagues to ensure very meaningful coverage of the activities of the ministry. 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. Bhopal, Jan 6 : The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly will be holding two special sittings of the winter session on January 16 and 17 to ratify increasing of the reservation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for another ten years. Reservation in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha has been extended for ten years. Now a resolution has to be passed by legislatures across the country for ratification. The Constitution provides for Scheduled Caste-Tribe reservation, the period of which ends on January 25. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have ratified it for a further ten years, but it is required to be ratified by about 50 per cent of the legislative assemblies of the country apart from two Houses. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has prescribed January 10 as the date for ratification to all the legislatures, the process of which is underway. Even before the scheduled meetings of the winter session of the MP Legislative Assembly were adjourned sine die on December 20. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat's information came after this, but the file of prorogation did not reach the Raj Bhavan. Since Chief Minister Kamal Nath was out of the state the process was stopped. After the Chief Minister returned to the state, it was decided to hold two special sittings of the winter session. On the first day, the proceedings will be adjourned for a next day by paying tribute to late MLA Banwari Lal Sharma. New York, Jan 5 : Hundreds of anti-war protesters rallied in Times Square of New York City (NYC), in the wake of a US airstrike near Baghdad International Airport, which killed an Iranian commander and resulted in Iran vowing to retaliate. The protesters held signs that read "Jobs, healthcare, education, housing, human needs, not endless war," and "No war/sanctions on Iran!" The protesters chanted "No justice, no peace. US out of the Middle East!" and "No war with Iran." They also marched down a stretch of Broadway, Xinhua news agency reported. The protest came hours after a rally outside US Senator Chuck Schumer's apartment in Brooklyn on Friday night. A number of anti-war groups helped set up the rally to decry the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force. New York City has stepped up security at key locations following the targeted killing of Soleimani. During a press conference on Friday morning, New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea said there will be "heightened vigilance in terms of uniformed officers -- many with long guns" at some sensitive and critical places, and urged New Yorkers to stay vigilant. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference that New Yorkers may face more bag checks in the subway and at car stops on bridges and tunnels. Violence broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday evening as masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on campus. Chaos reigned on campus for nearly two hours and at least 18 people, including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). JNUSU, ABVP blame each other The Left-controlled JNU Students Union and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence. The students' union alleged that its members, including Ghosh, were injured in an attacked by masked ABVP members. But the RSS-backed students' organisation alleged that its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits and 25 of them were injured, while 11 were missing. Among the injured was the secretary of its JNU unit, who apparently fractured his hand. Delhi police conduct flag march on campus New Delhi: The Delhi Police said they entered the JNU campus upon a request in writing by the university administration.They conducted a flag march to restore order on campus. Amit Shah speaks to Delhi police New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Delhi police commissioner Amulya Patnaik about the situation at JNU and ordered an inquiry by a senior police officer into the violence. The Home Minister's office tweeted, "Union Home minister has spoken to Delhi police commissioner over JNU violence and instructed him to take necessary action." HRD ministry seeks a report from JNU admin New Delhi: Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said his ministry has sought an immediate report from the registrar of JNU. "The violence on JNU campus is worrisome and unfortunate. I condemn it. I appeal to students to maintain the dignity of university and peace on campus," Nishank tweeted. He added that violence and anarchy will not be tolerated. Priyanka meets injured JNU students at AIIMS New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra went to AIIMS in Delhi to meet the injured JNU students. BJP leaders are pretending in the media that it wasn't their goons who unleashed violence at JNU, but people are not deceived, said Priyanka. Yogendra Yadav manhandled New Delhi: Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav was allegedly manhandled outside the JNU campus. Yadav said no one was there to stop the "hooliganism" and he was not allowed to speak to the media. He alleged that police personnel were standing but were not doing anything, saying "if the police is afraid, they can take out their uniform". Students protest outside old Delhi Police HQ New Delhi: Hundreds of students from different universities in the national capital staged a protest outside the old Delhi Police headquarters at ITO.Students from JNU were joined by those from Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia. The protesters raised slogans and demanded that police leave the JNU campus. Protests held in AMU Aligarh: Protests were held at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh late Sunday night against the violence on the JNU campus in Delhi. A spokesperson for the protesting students said a march was held in the night to express solidarity with the students of the JNU. In a statement, the AMU Teachers' Association (AMUTA) urged the Chief Justice of India to take suo motu cognizance of the "unprecedented situation arising from Sunday's assault on JNU students and teachers". Protests at FTII too Pune: Students of the Film & TelevisionInstitute of India (FTII) in Pune late Sunday night staged a protest condemning the attack on students of Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. They held a demonstration outside the gate of the premier film institute, holding banners with the message "FTII stands with JNU, condemns the violence of ABVP Goons". SFI to take out a rally Kolkata: The Students Federation of India said it will take out rallies in Kolkata on Monday to protest against the "barbaric attack". The rallies will be organised at Jadavpur University and Presidency University. "We will also decide if protests will be held outside the campus and our future course of action against the ABVP and saffron forces," said an SFI leader. Fascists in control, says Rahul New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said fascists were now in control of the country but are afraid of the voices of brave students. He said the attack was a "reflection of fear" that the "fascists in control of our nation" have for the students. Congress: This is state-sponsored New Delhi: The Congress party said described the attack as "state-sponsored mayhem". In a tweet, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted, "Enmity of Modi Govt to JNU is well known. Delhi Police is at the gate of JNU. Despite this, goondas brandishing lathis & rods beat up students and teachers in Sabarmati & other hostels. Is this state sponsored mayhem being unleashed(sic)?" BJP references tukde tukde trope In a late-night tweet, the BJP strongly condemned the violence on JNU campus. This is a desperate attempt by forces of anarchy, who are determined to use students as cannon fodder, to create unrest to shore up their shrinking political footprint." BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said it is equally important to note that a certain group of people in JNU subscribe to a "mindset that calls for dismemberment of India and considers the death sentence of a known terrorist by the Supreme Court to be an act of murder". Kejriwal shocked by lack of campus safety New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed shock and wondered how the country would progress if students were not safe inside their university campuses. "I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police shud immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus?" Kejriwal tweeted. Chidambaram suspects hand of government Congress leader P Chidambaram noted that visuals of violence were captured on video that showed masked men entering JNU hostels and attacking students. "If it is happening on live TV, it is an act of impunity and can only happen with the support of the government. This is beyond belief," he said. Sitaraman recalls alma mater New Delhi: Union finance mininster Nirmala Sitaraman harked back to her time as a student at JNU. She tweeted, "Horrifying images from JNU ? the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This govt, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students." S Jaishankar expresses alumni anguish New Delhi: Another alumnus, external affairs Minister m Jaishankar tweeted, "Have seen pictures of what is happening in #JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university." Sitaram Yechury: Collusion between JNU admin and ABVP New Delhi: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the attacks were "planned" by those in power. "Reports coming from JNU point to a collusion between the administration and goons of ABVP to inflict violence on students and teachers. It is a planned attack by those in power, which is afraid of the resistance provided by JNU to its Hindutva agenda. He tagged a video of the JNUSU president bleeding after the attack. Mamata: A shame on our democracy Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee called the attack a "heinous act" and a shame on democracy. "No words enough to describe such heinous acts. A shame on our democracy," Banerjee said in a tweet. A four-member Trinamool Congress delegationDinesh Trivedi, Sajda Ahmed, Manas Bhunia and Vivek Guptawill go to JNU to voice solidarity with the attacked students and teachers. Aaditya Thackeray condemns attack Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray condemned the attack on students and teachers at JNU and demanded stern action against the "goons" who attacked them. "The violence and brutality faced by students is worrisome. Be it Jamia, be it JNU. Students mustn't face brutal force! Let them be!" he tweeted. Pawar says it was all planned Mumbai: NCP chief Sharad Pawar said "JNU students and professors were subjected to a cowardly but planned attack. I strongly condemn this undemocratic act of vandalism and violence," Pawar tweeted. President Donald Trump speaks at a hanger rally at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018. President Donald Trump, who is visiting Iraq, says he has 'no plans at all' to remove US troops from the country. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)AP Of all people who have ever set foot inside the Beltway, Donald Trump should understand the fallacy of sunken costs. Thats the fallacy that built all those casinos in Atlantic City that The Donald used to run. The typical losing bettor believes that the more he spends, the more likely that his luck will change. Nope. That moneys gone and theres no sense trying to get it back. The same principle applies to foreign policy. Back in 2016 when he was a candidate for president, Trump seemed to understand it. "What do we have now? We have nothing, he said in a debate over Mideast policy. We've spent $3 trillion and probably much more - I have no idea what we've spent. Thousands and thousands of lives, we have nothing." We do indeed. Yet like a losing gambler, Trump doubled down on a bad bet when he accepted the advice of the aides who told him that targeting a top Iranian official would win him enough chips to get ahead in this game. Well never get ahead. We should just quit while were behind, said one hero of the first Iraq War. Retired Colonel Douglas Macgregor commanded an armored unit in the 1991 Gulf War that won the biggest tank battle since World War II. He said the best thing Trump can hope for now is for the Iraqis to demand an end to the U.S. military presence. At that point the president could say, Thank you very much. Were leaving. Then let the fighting begin. The fight in question would pit the Shia Muslims of Iran and Iraq against the Sunni Muslims under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he said. The two sides have been itching to go at it and the U.S. now sits right in the middle of the battle zone. All our soldier in the area do is sit there and provide targets, Macgregor said. We need to wake up smell the coffee and get out of where we dont need to be. Those defending the hit on Iranian General Qassem Soleimani argue that he was a bad man because he killed a lot of people. But a lot of the people the Shia militia leader killed were members of ISIS, the Sunni group that tried to take over Iraq after the U.S. invasion. General Soleimani was instrumental in aligning the Shiites to do what we wanted to do against the Sunni, he said. Then there was the other major figure killed in the attack, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. He was the head of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces. (As retired Colonel Pat Lang notes, thats a bigger issue for the U.S. and we should take the opportunity to leave Iraq ASAP) The Popular Mobilization Forces were working with us against the same enemies, said Macgregor. Killing an Iraqi officer on Iraqi soil was a really bad bet. Macgregors take on this is simple: There are no bad men or good men. Just combatants and its not our fight. If you get out of the way they will fight each other, he said. The people at the top of the Israeli Defense Forces have a rule: When your enemies are killing each other, dont interrupt them. Thats the sort of cold calculus Trump promised us back when he was running against Hillary Clinton. But once safely in office, he seems to have forgotten that when he hired neoconservatives like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Trumps personnel management has been appalling, said Macgregor. The people hes got working for him could just as easily have worked for Hillary Clinton. Those people are obsessed with Iran, but it wasnt the Shiites of Iran who attacked us on 9/11. It was the Sunni of Saudi Arabia. Theres been a concerted effort to transform this fight into something against Iran, which is not in our interest, he said. Even if it were in our interest, we should just let the Turks do it, said Macgregor. Theyre good at it and they do it often. If you doubt that, he advised, Google Ottoman-Persian Wars. The Wikipedia entry documents 11 such wars dating back to the Battle of Chaldiran in 1514. The Ottoman Empire won most of them. That empire fell out of existence after World War I, but Erdogan seems determined to restore it, Macgregor said. We just did a major favor for Erdogan, he said. He wants to take big chunks of Iraq. The biggest fallacy is to think the Beltway crowd has the ability to sort this out. Before Trump sends good money after bad, he should consider what a smart gambler does when he gets a bad hand. He folds. ADD: THE HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY: The same Democrats who are decrying Donald Trumps warlike actions in Iraq were opposing his decision in October to pull troops out of Syria. As I wrote here, it was the Democrats under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton who invaded two sovereign states Libya and Syria, in an effort to promote regime change. The Democrats have also shunned the most antiwar candidate in their presidential field, Tulsi Gabbard, because she had put Americans interest in peace above the Democratic efforts to push more war. Hillary famously proclaimed We came. We saw. He died. before the gory death of Moammar Khadafy. That effort at imposing a no-fly zone over Libya led to the Benghazi tragedy, but she wasnt finished. Recently she was calling for a no-fly zone in Syria as yet another effort at regime change. Trump may have bungled this one. But the Clinton-Obama team authored far greater fiascos in Libya, Syria and Yemen. BELOW: Colonel Macgregor gives the sort of America-first advice that Trump promised before he decided to put other countries first: Its the start of a new year and a new decade, and the oil market is as unpredictable as ever. Will OPEC+ extend its cuts? Will U.S. shale finally grind to a halt? Is this the year of the electric vehicle? Here are 10 stories to watch in 2020. Shale debt, shale slowdown. The debt-fueled shale drilling boom is facing a reckoning. Around 200 North American oil and gas companies have declared bankruptcy since 2015, but the mountain of debt taken out a few years ago is finally coming due. Roughly $41 billion in debt matures in 2020, which ensures more bankruptcies will be announced this year. The wave of debt may also force the industry to slam on the breaks as companies scramble to come up with cash to pay off creditors. Year of the EV. Some analysts say that 2020 will be the year of the EV because of the dozens of new EV models set to hit the market. In Europe, available EV models will rise from 100 to 175. The pace of sales slowed at the end of last year, but the entire global auto market contracted. EVs may struggle to keep the pace of growth going, but EVs are capturing a growing portion of a shrinking pie. Climate change. 2020 starts off with hellish images from the out-of-control Australian bushfires. 2019 was one of the warmest years on record and the 2010s was the warmest decade on record. As temperatures rise and disasters multiply, pressure will continue to mount on the oil and gas industry. As Bloomberg Opinion points out, climate change has surged as a point of concern for publicly-listed companies. Oil executives are betting against climate action, but they are surely aware of the rising investment risk. In the past two months, the European Investment Bank is ending financing for oil, gas and coal, and Goldman Sachs cut out financing for coal and Arctic oil. More announcements like this are inevitable. Related: Should Arctic Oil Be Kept Underground? IMO. Sulfur rules from the IMO kicked in at the start of the year. The rules lowering sulfur concentration limits from 3.5 to 0.5 percent affects a 4-mb/d market for marine fuels. Refiners and shippers have used several strategies to comply, including the installation of scrubbers and the ramp up of low-sulfur fuels. Once seen as a looming disaster, the IMO rules take effect with few hiccups, although Reuters reports there are some problems with sediment found in the new fuels. Oversupply, oversupply, oversupply. Several markets are suffering from oversupply coal, gas (LNG) and crude oil. While a lot of factors are at play, OPEC+ has a great deal of influence over crude. The glut of natural gas in the U.S. will be harder to correct, and gas associated with crude oil may continue to rise despite the financial wreckage in the shale gas industry. The global market for LNG is also oversupplied, with JKM prices hitting multi-year lows for the time of year. Some analysts have even raised the prospect of cancelled deliveries as spot prices continue to fall. Renewables continue to grow. Renewables accounted for the majority of new capacity additions in the U.S. in 2019. Energy storage capacity is expected to double in 2020. Some ambitious state-level policies were announced last year, targeting 100 percent renewable energy. Roughly 10 U.S. utilities have announced decarbonization plans. Renewables vastly outperformed oil and gas stocks last year, but with falling costs and policies increasingly favorable to renewables, the future for solar and wind looks bright. Geopolitical risks persist. The surest of sure bets, geopolitical risk will continue to loom over oil markets. The year started off with a standoff at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, which follows the U.S. airstrikes a few days earlier. The immediate situation presents little risk to oil supplies, but the incident comes on the heels of unrest in Basra, where much of the countrys oil is concentrated. Beyond that, the crisis in Iraq is really a proxy battle between the U.S. and Iran, a conflict that has once again flared up. Civil war in Libya, sanctions and unrest in Venezuela, and more regional conflict in the Middle East are just a few of the many potential flashpoints in 2020. Related: Big Banks Turn Bearish On Oil Next Year Trade war de-escalation. The global economy may have avoided economic recession, with some indicators turning positive in recent months. The tariff reduction between the U.S. and China also points to an easing of economic headwinds. Every twist and turn of the trade war had enormous influence over oil prices in 2019, and the thaw between Washington and Beijing provided a boost at the end of the year. A further de-escalation or a slide back to confrontation will exercise enormous influence over commodity markets in 2020. Shale gas-to-oil ratio. Not only do U.S. shale drillers have financial problems, but operationally, the challenges are also mounting. 2019 saw deflated hopes surrounding well density, with a few high-profile disappointments related to parent-child well interference. There is also evidence that the tendency of shale wells to produce more gas over their lifetimes is a worse problem than previously thought. Meanwhile, the WSJ reported that shale wells are not producing as much as companies once promised. 2020 could offer more unwelcome surprises from the shale patch. 2020 election. While every election is billed as the most important in recent memory, the 2020 U.S. presidential election is. A Trump reelection would ensure unfettered support for the oil and gas industry continues, despite the worsening climate crisis. A possible Democratic victory could see a fracking ban, new regulations and other taxes targeting fossil fuels, while potentially massive support for renewables. A lot is on the line. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Rupanis soft-spoken image may have been his undoing, say observers Vijay Rupani resigns: BJP legislature party likely to meet on Sunday to choose new CM Watch how CM Vijay Rupani ignores queries over 200 infants death in two Gujarat hospitals India oi-Madhuri Adnal Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Sunday kept mum and simply walked away when asked about reports of deaths of almost 200 children and infants in two government hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad hospitals in the one last month. It ishould be noted that Rupani is an MLA from Rajkot West. According to reports, 134 children have died at a government hospital in Rajkot in the last one month. #WATCH: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani walks away when asked about reports of deaths of infants in hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/pzDUAI231Z ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2020 However, the cause of death of children is being said to be malnutrition, diseases from birth, premature birth, and mother's malnourishment. Rajasthan: Infant death toll in Kota's JK Lon Hospital rises to 110 According to official records, in 2019, Rajkot recorded 1235 deaths of infants, while, Jamnagar recorded 639 deaths. The state government argues that around 400 children are admitted in hospitals every month out of which, 80-90 children die of premature delivery and malnutrition at the time of birth. Officials also claim that children from private hospitals are sent in a critical condition to a government hospital. Which is why the death rate of children increases in government hospitals. The Congress has lashed out at the BJP over the death of the children including newborns in civil hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. Manish Mehta, dean of Rajkot Civil Hospital mentioned, 111 kids died within the month of December at Rajkot Civil Hospital. At the identical time, when the Chief Minister was requested concerning the loss of life of kids, he left from there without giving a solution. Kota infant death rises to 102; Centre steps in Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital GS Rathore mentioned on the loss of life of the youngsters, 'In December, 455 newborns had been admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 85 of whom died. ' For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 5, 2020, 15:28 [IST] Officers shot and wounded a suspect trying to light a gas pump on fire Saturday morning at a e gas station near the Eastridge Center shopping mall in San Jose, police said. The suspect, whose name was not released, was in stable condition at a hospital on Saturday afternoon, San Jose police said in a news release. Officers were first called about 7:15 a.m. to the Arco gas station at 2375 Quimby Road and found the suspect trying to light paper on fire in the nozzle of a gas pump, according to police. The suspect allegedly charged at officers with a metal bar and they tried to subdue him with less-lethal methods, police said. When that didn't work they shot him, but police didn't say how many times they fired or how many bullets hit the suspect. One officer was treated at a hospital and released for a minor injury. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office and San Jose police are investigating the shooting. The San Jose Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit, the City Attorney's Office, and the Office of the Independent Police Auditor are monitoring the case. San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia is expected to provide a statement about the shooting on Monday afternoon. Nineteen residents vying for a seat on the Santa Rosa City Council will have the chance to make their case before the council on Tuesday. The applicants will each have the chance to give an opening statement, then field questions from the city council and conclude with a closing statement. The seat opened after Julie Combs stepped down on Nov. 25 -- with a year left in her term -- following a controversy about her residency in the city. After all the applicants are interviewed, the council will vote through a process of elimination rounds to decide who will be Combs' successor. The tentative start date for the new council member is Jan. 14 and the term expires in December. If the council doesn't reach a consensus on Tuesday, it will then decide the next steps for filling the vacancy. If the seat isn't filled by Jan. 24, the council must call a special election, per the City Charter. The applicant interviews on Tuesday start at 9 a.m. and will be televised live on Comcast Channel 28 and AT&T Channel 99 as well as live- streamed on the City of Santa Rosa Facebook page and YouTube Channel. Low temperatures around the Bay Area are expected to dip into the 30s over the next three nights, with patchy frost possible in some areas, forecasters said. The cooling trend starts Saturday night with the arrival of a weak cold front, the National Weather Service said. Clear skies with light winds will develop by Sunday night and persist through Monday night. Coldest temperatures expected around sunrise on Monday and Tuesday mornings. Only a scant amount of rain is expected over the next few days, with coastal Sonoma County possibly receiving a quarter-inch on Saturday, the weather service said. Most Bay Area locations will see only a trace or no rain at all. The weather service advised that the chilly overnight temperatures could harm those without heat or shelter, and livestock and outdoor pets. Police on Saturday released a sketch of a man suspected of grabbing a woman's purse and dragging her several feet last month on University Avenue in Palo Alto. The woman was looking down at her phone while walking in the 100 block of University at about 9 p.m. Dec. 11, when the suspect rode up from behind on a bicycle and grabbed her purse, Palo Alto police said. The woman held on and was dragged several feet before letting go. She chased the suspect while screaming for help, as the robber rode away north on High Street, police said. The victim met with a police artist, resulting in a sketch of the suspect on Saturday. The suspect is described as a black man in his mid-forties with a thin build, short curly black hair, about 6-feet-1 and weighing 170 pounds. The suspect was wearing a charcoal gray jacket and black pants. The model of the bicycle he was riding is unknown. The United States Postal Service on Wednesday will honor two postal carriers for driving 1 million accident-free miles during the course of their careers. Greg Burditt and Edelia Diaz have a combined 68 years delivering the mail and will be inducted into the National Safety Council's Million Mile Club. The drivers will also receive a plaque from the National Safety Council. The million-mile award is given to drivers who have driven 1 million miles or have completed 30 years of driving without being involved in a preventable motor vehicle accident. The event will take place Wednesday at 8 a.m. at USPS branch at 14500 East 14th St. in San Leandro. Police in Santa Rosa are investigating an armed robbery that occurred Friday night. On Friday at 10:17 p.m., officers responded to a report of a robbery at Lola's Market at 1680 Petaluma Hill Road. Police said a suspect, armed with a handgun, entered the store, pulled the clerk down to her knees and demanded she hand over her cell phone and the cash register. The clerk told the suspect she did not have the register, and she took him to the store office, where a second employee handed over several hundred dollars to the suspect. The suspect then left on foot with the stolen cash. The victims were not injured during the robbery. Police described the suspect as a Hispanic man, possibly in his 30s, about 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds with a thin build. He was wearing a blue hooded jacket, blue jeans and black shoes. Police in Hercules are investigating an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday night. Officers with the Hercules Police Department responded Tuesday at 11:01 p.m. to a report of an armed robbery in the 100 block of Poppy Court. The victim told police he and a friend were standing outside a residence when two men wearing dark colored hooded sweatshirts approached them, pulled handguns and told the victims to get on the ground. The suspects then took the victims' cellphones, car keys and wallets and fled the area on foot. Police in Novato on Saturday reported a 13-year-old boy reported missing on Friday had been located. The youth, identified by police as Jonathan, had last been seen around 11 p.m. on Thursday, according to the Novato Police Department. 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. EUGENE, Ore. -- Dozens of people made their voices heard at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza Saturday, calling for peace as tensions in the Middle East rise. The rally comes on the heels of this weeks U.S. drone strike which killed one of Irans top military leaders, General Qasem Soleiman. The group waived signs and banners and heard from speakers, including people running for public office and an Iraq War veteran. Vietnam veteran Ed Philip attended the rally. He said he doesn't want to see any more soldiers killed. "A lot of us are getting unnecessarily killed, and I think the military now are just being pawns," Philip said. Organizers say the rally was just one of many held on Saturday across the country. Charitable almshouses providing shelter for vulnerable members of society are being built at the fastest rate since Victorian Britain in an effort to solve the social housing shortage. Over one thousand new homes within almshouses have sprung up over the last ten years, housing 36,000 people, in a poverty boom comparable to that of the mid-19th century, according to the Almshouse Association. The rise in almshouses, which have historically been run by religious orders, is believed to be due to the large numbers of elderly who are unable to survive off their pension and fill the majority of the homes. William Lench Court, Birmingham. Run by Lench's Trust, an almshouse charity founded in 1526 by William Lench Other groups including retired fishermen, miners, retail workers are said to benefit from specialist homes, according to the association. Seven hundred more of the homes are set to be built in Southwark, south London, Wokingham and Colchester, reports The Telegraph. With around 30 per cent of the existing almshouses having been founded in the Victorian era the need for affordable housing has not diminished since it was first acknowledged by philanthropists who built the first almshouse in 900. 29th July 1939: Retired sailors reading in the courtyard of a merchant seamen's almshouse in Bristol The oldest of the countries almshouses, the Hospital of St Oswald, stands in Worcester where it continues to act as a home for the elderly. First set up to alleviate the plight of those who would be destined for the workhouse the almshouses helped filled a vital disparity in society's wealth. Today the association claims the houses are filling the same purpose, offering shelter for a small weekly 'maintenance fee' which differs from renting social housing as occupants are asked to waive their right to buy the property. Ford's Hospital, Coventry, traditionally known as Grey Friars Hospital Almshouses in Temple Balsall, Solihull in West Midlands Nick Phillips, the association's chief executive, told The Telegraph: 'Over the last 10 years there have been about 1,000 new almshouses built, that's 1,000 new homes. 'Almshouse trustees have recognised the need for affordable housing. They are keen to support as many people as possible and have responded to growing demand.' The almshouse charity is governed by locally recruited, volunteer trustees. Charlotte Crosby caused a stir in the South African jungle during the premiere of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia on Sunday night when she refused to complete a bungee jump challenge. And the former Geordie Shore star also caused a stir with viewers at home, who noticed the reality star's extreme lips and flawless visage. The 29-year-old was sporting a noticeably full pout and rather taut cheeks, with many taking to Twitter to comment on the beauty's features. 'She got a new face!' Viewers mocked Charlotte Crosby's (pictured) extreme lips and taut face on the premiere episode of I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here! Australia on Sunday night One person Tweeted: 'I don't know who was more at breaking point, Charlotte or her lips', while another said: 'Someone needs to have a filler intervention with Charlotte'. Another wrote: 'Don't know why Charlotte was scared to bungee jump her ridiculous lip filler and Botox filled face could have broken her fall'. Someone else watching at home chimed in: 'Charlotte got a new face since winning Celeb Big Brother.' New look? The 29-year-old was sporting a noticeably full pout and rather taut cheeks Lippy: Charlotte showed off her very protruding pout during the episode of the show Different? She looked rather different to some of her earlier TV appearances Yet another fan Tweeted: 'My god, Charlotte what happened to ya bloody face?! She used to be so pretty before all that plastic surgery'. However, despite the criticism, Charlotte proved to be a fan favourite with Australian audiences, with some praising her as 'the most entertaining celeb ever on the show'. The well-known reality star has been open about her plastic surgery, and admits she has some regrets. A roasting: Many fans took to Twitter to comment on the beauty's extreme features In June she declared that she feels 'confident and normal' again after having her breast implants removed due to health concerns. The reality star told New! Magazine: 'I'm feeling great. It feels amazing. I just feel, like, normal again. 'I feel so much more [confident].' She went on to state she wishes she had never gone down the rabbit hole that is plastic surgery. A fan watching at home chimed in: 'Charlotte got a new face since winning Celeb Big Brother.' Charlotte is pictured with rapper Abz Love on Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 Changes: Charlotte is pictured left, winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 and right, in 2019 Who? Charlotte looks almost unrecognisable during her days on Georgie Shore in 2011 'It's definitely changed my outlook. You shouldn't change things about yourself that you're happy with just to try to fit in. 'I was perfectly happy with the size of my boobs before I got them done,' she added. Charlotte concluded: 'I got swept away by the pressure to make myself look perfect. I really wish I'd never gone down that route.' Candid: The well-known reality star has been open about her plastic surgery, and admits she has some regrets. Pictured on I'm A Celebrity... New you! In June she declared that she feels 'confident and normal' again after having her breast implants removed Early in the episode of the jungle-based reality competition, Charlotte panicked, howling and screaming in tears, during a challenge in which she had to jump from a helicopter on a bungee cord. As the countdown to the jump began, the blonde cried out: 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here!' therefore ending the challenge. Once on the ground, she explained: 'Just couldn't do it. I don't know how any of them have done that. You've literally got to have a death wish. I've actually wet myself.' Mississippi authorities were searching for two prisoners believed to have escaped Saturday from a prison rocked by violence that left at least three inmates dead in the past week. Governor Phil Bryant on Saturday said via Twitter that he has directed 'the use of all necessary assets and personnel' to find the two inmates who escaped from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman. The state Department of Public Safety has deployed state troopers and the highway patrol's special operations group to help the Department of Corrections find the two inmates and to help restore order at the troubled facility that they escaped from, Bryant said. The Corrections Department said in a Facebook posting that David May, 42, and Dillion Williams, 27, were discovered missing from Parchman during an 'emergency count' at around 1:45am. May is serving a life sentence for two aggravated assault convictions in Harrison County, and Williams is serving a 40-year sentence for residential burglary and aggravated assault in Marshall County. Authorities in Mississippi are searching for David May (left), 42, and Dillion Williams (right), 27, who are believed to have escaped from Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman in the early morning hours of Saturday Several vehicles were seen driving through the entrance to the prison late on Friday Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant on Saturday said via Twitter that he has directed 'the use of all necessary assets and personnel' to find the two inmates who escaped from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman The department said via Twitter Saturday afternoon that there were no major disturbances occurring at Parchman. 'There was a minor fire at Unit 30 earlier this week. That fire, set by an inmate, was immediately extinguished. Like other facilities in the prison system, the prison has limited movement,' the department tweeted. Five inmates have died in prison violence since Sunday; three of those deaths have occurred at Parchman. The prison is a series of cell blocks scattered across thousands of acres of farmland in Mississippi's Delta region. Inmates who escape their cells sometimes don't make it off the property. Mississippi's outgoing prisons chief said Friday that four of the five killings of inmates since Sunday stem from gang violence, as guards struggle to maintain control of restive inmates. The entrance to the prison is seen in the above file photo from May 2010. Three inmates at Parchman have died this week due to what authorities are saying is a growing problem of gang violence Corrections Commissioner Pelicia Hall said the department won't confirm the names of the gangs 'for security purposes,' but relatives of inmates who spoke to The Associated Press and other news outlets said there's an ongoing confrontation between the Vice Lords and Black Gangster Disciples. It wouldn't be the first time the two gangs have warred behind bars in Mississippi, with previous confrontations at Parchman and other prisons over the past 15 years. A 2015 survey found nearly 3,000 Black Gangster Disciple members and nearly 2,000 Vice Lords in prisons statewide. 'These are trying times for the Mississippi Department of Corrections,' Hall said Friday. All state prisons statewide remained locked down Saturday, Bryant said, with inmates confined to cells, and no visitors allowed. The first of five inmates identified as dying was Terrandance Dobbins, 40, who died Sunday at the South Mississippi Correctional Institute in Leakesville. Terrandance Dobbins (left), 40, died Sunday at the South Mississippi Correctional Institute in Leakesville. Walter Gates (left), 25, was stabbed and several other inmates were injured on Tuesday at Parchman during a fight that spread to multiple units of the sprawling prison. Roosevelt Holliman (above), 32, was fatally stabbed at Parchman during a brawl involving several inmates on Thursday Two days later, Walter Gates, 25, was stabbed and several other inmates were injured at Parchman during a fight that spread to multiple units of the sprawling prison. Then on Thursday, Gregory Emary, 26, was killed at the Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility, a county-run jail that holds state inmates. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay the costs of Emary's funeral. Also Thursday, 32-year-old Roosevelt Holliman was fatally stabbed at Parchman in a fracas that led to multiple injuries. Before dawn Friday, Denorris Howell, 36, was found dead in his cell at Parchman. Corrections officials have repeatedly not answered questions about how many people overall have been injured, or whether there have been other violent incidents in prisons. Mississippi's prison system has struggled to fill guard vacancies, with Hall saying it's difficult to attract people with salaries that start below $25,000 a year. The image on the left is an October 26, 2016, inmate photograph of Gregory Emary. Emary was killed and two other inmates were injured in a fight on Thursday at Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility, a county-run facility that holds state inmates in Houston, Mississippi Denorris Howell (above), 36, was found dead in his cell at Parchman before dawn on Friday Some guards end up bringing illegal drugs and cellphones into prisons. Criminal charges were filed in 2014 against 26 state correctional officers. Some prisons, including South Mississippi, have areas where many prisoners are housed in bunks in one large room, instead of individual cells. This can lead to worsened security problems. South Mississippi, in Greene County, was locked down for almost all of 2019, in part because of guard shortages. The violence came even as US 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. Hall announced Tuesday that she will resign in mid-January to take a private sector job, signaling incoming Governor Tate Reeves won't retain her upon taking office on January 14. A video game developer has been blasted as 'beyond disgusting' for an advert apparently exploiting the US assassination of a top Iranian commander. The official Twitter account of strategy war game Conflict of Nations: World War 3 tweeted out: 'Iran starting World War 3? 'Simulate any #WWIII scenario you can think of in Conflict of Nations right now!' The ad appears to be a reference to rising tensions between Iran and the US after an American drone strike killed Qassem Soleimani, Iran's most powerful general in Iraq, on the orders of Donald Trump. The official Twitter account of strategy wargame Conflict of Nations: World War 3 tweeted out: 'Iran starting World War 3?' The hashtag #WWIII was trending after the operation over concerns America and Iran would go to war. But Twitter users were not impressed with the tweet, branding it insensitive and poorly-timed considering the bloody consequences a wider conflict would bring. It triggered responses like 'This ad is beyond disgusting', 'War is not a joke. Nor a game. Shame' and 'This is in incredibly bad taste. You people are disgusting'. Other tweets called it 'the dumbest marketing I had ever seen', while another added: 'I hope you're aware of how badly this is in poor taste'. Conflict of Nations: World War 3 is a military-themed strategy game developed by Hamburg-based Dorado Games. Dorado Games has been approached for a comment. But Twitter users were not impressed with the tweet, branding it insensitive and poorly-timed considering the bloody consequences a wider conflict would bring The website states: 'Conflict of Nations is a free-to-play browser-based strategy game, where modern global warfare is waged in real-time against dozens of other players, in campaigns spanning days or even weeks. 'You are in control of the armed forces of one of the leading nations of this world, responsible for its military expansion, economic development, technological research and foreign diplomacy.' Funeral processions were held for the 62-year-old Soleimani (left), chief of the elite Quds Forces arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, as well Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, 66, (right) commander of a pro-Iran Iraqi militia in Baghdad on Saturday US spy chiefs said it had carried out the killing on Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, and claimed it acted to 'deter future Iranian attack plans'. President Donald Trump has said that he ordered the killing of Soleimani not to start a war but to stop one. He said that Soleimani was plotting 'imminent and sinister' attacks against Americans. 'We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war,' the president said in brief remarks at Mar-a-Lago on Friday. The BJP, its governments at the Centre and in the state, have often been credited with the process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. But various orders passed by the Supreme Court would suggest it was in fact the UPA-II at the Centre and the Congress government in Assam that propelled the NRC in the north-eastern state. Also, the approval for money and other purposes was given to the Tarun Gogoi-government by a Competent Authority in the UPA that comprised then home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and then finance minister P Chidambaram. The orders passed by the Supreme Court since 2009 would also indicate that at no point the Congress governments opposed the updation of the NRC and showed commitment to comply with the mandate of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and Citizen (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. The court orders will also indicate that the Centre and the Assam government had told the Supreme Court that the NRC updation should complete by the end of 2016. Again, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who was sought to be dragged in the controversy for pushing the NRC in his home state, headed the bench in the top court for the first time in August 2014, by which time the processes of gazette notification, financial sanction, finalisation of modalities and timelines etc had already been done. On a petition by NGO Assam Public Works for NRC upgradation in Assam, notices were issued to the state and the Centre in July 2009 by a bench headed by then CJI KG Balakrishnan. In November 2010, the next CJI, SH Kapadia, issued rule nisi and expedited the hearing by asking parties to complete all pleadings in the next six weeks. The matter was then heard effectively for the first time in 2013 by a bench headed by Justice HL Gokhale. This was the first time Justice Gogoi became a part of the NRC bench as per the roster decided by then CJI Altamas Kabir. Justice Gogoi, at this point in time, was not senior enough to lead a bench. On April 3, 2013, the state of Assam, ruled by Congress, presented before this bench the blueprint of the steps to be taken for preparation of the NRC, and adduced a mechanism. The court, at this point, asked the central government also ruled by Congress-led UPA-II to indicate a time frame for completion of the process. A week later, the Assam government told the Supreme Court that the state has prepared a scheme, which is in tune with the Citizenship Act, 1955, and Citizen (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, and that this proposal has been forwarded to the central government. The Election Commission, too, was on board with the NRC and submitted that electoral rolls for assembly constituencies of Assam of the year 1966 are available, which would be one of the basic documents for the basis of further steps to be decided to be taken. The court gave the central government three weeks to look at Assams proposal and revert. On May 8, 2013, the top court took on record an affidavit by the MHA, led by Shinde, which submitted that three months were required to finalise the modalities for updation of the NRC. Notably, the UPA government itself asked for three years to complete the entire process of updating NRC in Assam. The bench adjourned the matter for a while, also tagging a similar PIL by Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha. On July 16, 2013, the court underscored that the extracts of National Register of Citizens of 1951 as well as the electoral rolls up to the midnight of March, 24, 1971, will have to be published and made available in all areas of the state for the Assam governments modalities are to work out well. It once again asked the central government to indicate a concrete time frame. But on August 2, 2013, the Centre yet again sought more time to finalise the modalities. On August 23, 2013, the law officer for the central government produced a letter by Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, stating that the modalities for updating of NRC have been mutually agreed between the Assam and the Union of India. The court then deferred the matter for four weeks while expecting the central government to grant the clearance for financial purposes as well as have gazette notification issued in this regard by the Registrar General of India. On October 18, 2013, the bench was informed that the gazette notification will come only after financial sanction, which had also become contentious in view of the difference of Rs 59 crore between what the Assam government wanted and what the UPA was ready to allot. At this, the court asked the Joint Secretary (North East), Ministry of Home Affairs, to file his affidavit on these aspects. On October 25, 2013, the Joint Secretary was personally present in the court to inform that all necessary steps in compliance have been taken by the HMA and IAS officer Prateek Hajela has been nominated as the NRC Coordinator. Financial approval by the Competent Authority, consisting of Shinde and Chidambaram, was also recorded by the court in its order. Significantly, the bench, on this date of hearing, accepted the modalities finalised by the central government, and snubbed objections regarding the voters in D List. As far as these persons are concerned, undoubtedly they are doubtful voters, and therefore their names cannot be included unless the NRC is updated and unless the Foreigners Tribunal declares them to be the Indian citizens, the bench said in its order. On February 3, 2014, the court was informed that a gazette notification has been published on December 6, 2013. This notification also was completely in terms with Rule 4A (3) of the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, and the enumeration shall be completed within a period of three years. The bench expressed satisfaction at the steps taken and the proposed measures. It was in this hearing when Justice Gokhale, who was scheduled to retire on March 9 that year, said that the matter should next come up before a bench, of which Justice Gogoi is also a member, on August 4, 2014. Subsequently, Justice Gogoi led the NRC bench in the top court and issued several directives, leading to publication of final draft of the NRC in Assam on July 30-31, 2019. BJP came to power at the Centre in May 2014 and in Assam only in May 2016. By then, much water has already flowed under the bridge with the Congress regimes supporting NRC before the Supreme Court. At no stage when the Congress was at the helm, either the state or the Centre raised objections in the apex court against the process of updating the NRC in Assam that was conducted using modalities what the Congress-UPA II jointly decided. Thus, Congresss opposition to NRC seems not completely in sync with a stand it took before the highest court of the land for five years while it had governments both at the Centre and in the state. But then politics is more often than not just about convenience of making statements to attack your opponents sans facts and legal history. President Trump speaks to the press outside the grand ballroom as he arrives for a New Year's celebration at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 31, 2019. (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) Trump Tells Congress That US May Attack Iran With Disproportionate Force If It Retaliates Trump tweets that his 'posts will serve as notification to' Congress President Donald Trump notified Congress on Sunday afternoon on Twitter that the United States may respond should Iran attack American targets. Trump issued the statement after Democratic members of Congress criticized him for not giving lawmakers warning in advance of an American drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani late last week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the White House needed first to alert them and other lawmakers. These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any United States person or target; the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless! Trump wrote on social media. The Twitter post echoes similar statements that were made earlier in the day by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said Washington would swiftly attack if Iran retaliates. Ive been part of the discussion and planning processeverything Ive seen about how we will respond with great force and great vigor if the Iranian leadership makes a bad decision, Pompeo said on CNNs State of the Union, adding: We hope that they wont, but when they do, America will respond. The White House sent a notification to Congress on Saturday on the Thursday night strike, as obliged under the 1973 War Powers Act. Pelosi, who was briefed on the airstrike in its aftermath, said it raised more questions. This classified War Powers Act notification delivered to Congress raises more questions than it answers. This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner, and justification of the Administrations decision to engage in hostilities against Iran, Pelosi wrote on Saturday. The highly unusual decision to classify this document in its entirety compounds our many concerns, and suggests that the Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security. Amid escalating rhetoric, Trump threatened to strike 52 Iranian sites if the country tried to seek vengeance. Irans Supreme Leader and top commanders said Tehran would have to carry out retaliatory attacks. On Friday afternoon, Trump said the airstrike to take out Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force intelligence network and one of Irans most powerful officials, was designed to prevent a war. 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. 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 said. I am ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary, and that, in particular, refers to Iran, Trump said. New Delhi, Jan 6 : Blaming some students for disrupting normal activities in the varsity, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) authorities have decided to file a police complaint on Sunday evening's violent incidents that shook the campus. In a statement issued late on Sunday, the administration appealed for peace, and expressed pain over the injuries sustained by students in the violence unleashed by groups of masked people. The statement signed by the Registrar, and shared on twitter by the JNU Vice Chancellor, declared that violence will not be tolerated in the campus. In a bid to explain the genesis of Sunday's events, the statement also described the sequence of events that have unfolded in the university over the past few days. According to the statement, the winter session was proceeding smoothly since January 1 after winter vacation ended. But since January 3, a group of students opposing the registration process had been preventing students from attending the classes. On Sunday afternoon too, some masked persons had disrupted the activities on campus and beaten up students and security guards before the arrival of the police. The statement reiterated the varsity's resolve to support all students who wish to complete their academic pursuits peacefully in the campus. Climate Change activist Greta Thunberg seems to be getting quite good at using Twitter as a platform for her own unique brand of tongue-in-cheek humour. The Times Magazine person of the year just recently changed her Twitter profile name to 'Sharon' in response to a goof-up by a celebrity on a BBC game show. According to the New York Post, the Twitter buzz got kicked off when British actress Amanda Henderson was shown a picture of Thunberg during the Celebrity Mastermind game show and was asked to guess her name. The actress was totally oblivious to the young activist who graced the Times Magazine cover and took a shot in the dark by guessing the name as 'Sharon.' The clip of the clueless actress has been viewed almost 7.5 million times on Twitter. A user by the name @WolfWhoWanders tweeted, "Our climate change global superstar will always be Sharon Thunberg to me from now on." To everyone's surprise, Greta paid heed to her fans and changed her account name to "Sharon," to which @SaminSaad responded by commenting "Greta Thunberg is even more of a hero after changing her Twitter profile name to Sharon." However, as of now, Thunberg has switched back to her original name for her 3.9 million followers strong Twitter account. It's not the only instance when Thunberg has played around with her Twitter profile to hit back at the negativity hurled at her. When Donald Trump told the 17-year-old to "work on her anger management problem; then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend," she sarcastically responded by editing her profile description to "a teenager working on her anger management problem. Currently chilling and watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 14:03:38|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Eight militants have been confirmed dead as the security forces' fighting planes stormed Taliban hideout in Khogiani district of the eastern Nangarhar province on Saturday, said an army statement released here Sunday. The sorties, according to the statement, targeted the militants' hideout in Wazirotangi area of Khogiani district Saturday afternoon, killing eight armed insurgents on the spot. Without providing more details, the statement said that no civilian has been harmed. Taliban militants who are operational in parts of the relatively troubled Nangarhar province haven't commented yet. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has taken a jab at the main opposition party, PDP, and its 2019 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over the latters recent tweet to his party members ahead of 2023 general elections. Mr Abubakar, a former vice president, in a tweet on Saturday, urged members of his party to focus on rebuilding and strengthening our party for the challenges ahead of us rather focusing on elections at this early period. APC reacts In its reaction issued on Sunday night, the APC described the 16 year-rule of the PDP as an era synonymous with wastefulness and festered corruption, which the country is still struggling with. The party also accused the former vice president of acting in contrast to an advice he earlier issued. It said, Atiku is focusing on how to corner the 2023 presidential ticket of the PDP or any of the other political parties where he may choose to purchase his ticket. Atiku and the PDP represent the wasted past which Nigerians have chosen to discard and correct. The era when national assets were a bazaar for cronies and friends; an era when funds were approved and released for projects that were never executed; an era of waste and impunity; an era of voodoo economy; an era when corruption was a state policy, the ruling party said. The APC claimed that Nigerians now enjoy a new dispensation which has ensured massive infrastructural development covering the rail, road, agriculture, aviation, ports, education and health sectors. It also highlighted stoppage of budget paddling, pruning out thousands of ghost workers, economic diversification, rapid infrastructure development, intensification of fight against violent extremism as part of President Muhammadu Buhari landmark achievements. PREMIUM TIMES recently reported how the 2020 budget signed by Mr Buhari was padded with N264 billion while Nigerians continue to lament the increasing national debt without a sustainable source of revenue generation outside crude oil. While ongoing diversification efforts have recorded great successes particularly in the agricultural sector, oil sector reforms have been landmark. Fuel queues have vanished, cross border smuggling of petroleum products, the subsidy racket and roundtripping by oil marketers which were all perfected under successive PDP administrations have been checked. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recently reported a massive drop of 570 million litres from 1.76 billion litres at 55.74 million litres per day distributed in July 2019, a direct result of the governments effort to check cross border smuggling activities, the APC spokesperson, Lanre Issa-Onilu, also noted in the statement. This year the mobile phone market saw the rise of many new trends - from high refresh rate screens through 108MP image sensors to periscope cameras. The first foldable phones went on sale, charging speeds went through the roof, displays got curvier and grew punch holes. Some brands used these trends to their advantage and grow in the market, others missed the mark. In this series we look at what each company got right in 2019 and where their efforts came short. Another year is passing by and Motorola kept on pushing entry and midrange phones. We also got a break from the norm with the company's long-awaited foldable phone - the rebord Razr. Let's see what was good and not so good for the storied company in the past year. Winner: Razr 2019 As a whole 2019 seemed relatively unremarkable for Motorola as it continued to focus on its mid-range and entry-level devices. That all changed in November when we finally got an official look at the long-rumored Razr and it was certainly worth the wait. Sure the internals and the camera setup dont seem fitting for the $1,500 asking price as the Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X offer more but the new Razr is betting big on portability and this is an important step in todays oversized smartphone market. While the Razr is not intended for mass-market success and is more of a proof of concept than anything its definitely refreshing and exciting with a dab of flip phone nostalgia. Its giving us a taste of the flexible display future that weve been hearing about for so long in a form factor that seemed destined for a Moto device. Loser: No proper flagship Apart from the new Razr, Motorola kept things pretty calm in 2019 which seems to be a trend for some years now. The company seems fully set on the entry and mid-range segments with good reason but its still sad to see another year go by without a proper Moto flagship. The last time we got one was back in 2017 with the Moto Z2 Force and its about time we get a successor. Motorolas near-stock approach to software coupled with its clean design philosophy and willingness to experiment with hardware would certainly be an exciting combo if they were paired with a flagship chipset and camera. Then again this decision is solely in the hands of Lenovo which holds ownership over the Motorola brand. Hopes are high though as we got confirmation that Motorola will incorporate the Snapdragon 865 in its portfolio this coming year. Winner: Moto G7 lineup Whether you needed an entry-level phone with decent battery life and clean Android like the G7 Play, a true battery champ in the face of the G7 Power or a solid midranger with an OIS, stereo loudspeakers and 27W fast charging like the G7 Plus, Motorola had an option for each budget and preference. The signature G series which served as a paradigm shift in the entry-level Android world in 2013 was yet again a key driver for the Moto family in 2019. Aided by its extensive availability across the world the G7 members were an easy recommendation with clean software, dependable battery life (excluding the vanilla G7) and adequate camera performance across the board. Loser: Moto Mods Back in 2016, Motorola genuinely believed modular smartphones would finally catch on. On paper, Moto Mods were supposed to be the Project Ara we never got but almost 4 years later they still havent taken off and it might just be time for Motorola to scrap up the project for good. As it turns out consumers arent willing to shell out hundreds of dollars for cool but not so useful accessories that make their phones feel like a brick. With no new Mods announced in 2019 and the product lines poor reception, we might just enter the new decade free from modular Moto accessories for good. The announcement to pull out of the Nuclear deal comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region. (Photo Credit: Reuters File) New Delhi: Iran on Sunday announced that it will no longer abide by the 2015 Nuclear deal, reports Iranian state television. According to the 2015 Nuclear Deal, which is officially called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and five permanent members of the security council plus Germany, Iran had agreed to eliminate its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium. It also was required to cut its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 98%, and reduce by about two-thirds the number of its gas centrifuges for next 13 years. The announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region after the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. Earlier, US President Donald Trump had unilaterally pulled out the United States from the Obama-era deal. Although, French president Emmanuel Macron last year tried to bring both Washington and Tehran on the negotiation table, the US-Iran relations moved south. Moreover, in the aftermath of Soleimanis killing, Trump has warned Iran that the US has identified 52 possible targets in the country and will hit it harder than ever before if Tehran, which has vowed severe revenge, carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of top military commander Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani, 62, the head of Irans elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday. The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraqs powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. FILE PHOTO: A Louis Vuitton logo is seen outside the store at Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district PARIS/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Louis Vuitton, the world's biggest luxury goods brand by sales, is preparing to shut one of its shops in Hong Kong where protests have hit demand as high rental costs bite, the South China Morning Post newspaper reported on Friday. The handbag firm plans to close its store in the Times Square mall, the paper said, citing sources close to the matter. The company says on its website it has eight shops in Hong Kong. The newspaper said the decision to close the shop came after the company failed to reach an agreement with its landlord to cut the rent in the mall outlet. Wharf Holdings, the shopping center's owner and Vuitton did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Vuitton's parent group LVMH , the Paris-based conglomerate behind other fashion brands like Christian Dior and Hennessy cognac, declined to comment. High-end fashion labels have hunkered down in Hong Kong since anti-government demonstrations escalated in June, hoping the turmoil would ease in one of the world's top shopping destinations. Until now, the luxury brands had only shut stores in Hong Kong temporarily when protests flared. Hong Kong has long drawn numerous tourists from the Chinese mainland who pick up luxury cosmetics, accessories and clothing at slightly lower prices than at home. But as the protests dragged on, tourist arrivals have slumped and losses began to trickle through to third-quarter earnings. Hong Kong's retail sales fell 23.6% from a year earlier in November to HK$30 billion ($3.85 billion), government data showed on Friday, in the tenth consecutive month of declines. The protests have spilled into 2020, with some 400 people arrested in New Year's Day demonstrations when a pro-democracy march descended into chaos. Some brands are weighing up redirecting some of their investments elsewhere, including to the Chinese mainland and other parts of Asia where many have managed to make up for lost sales in Hong Kong. Story continues Executives at LVMH and its rivals like puffer jacket maker Moncler or Gucci-owner Kering have said they were trying to renegotiate notoriously high rents in Hong Kong as one way of mitigating the hit to operating margins. But the brands are likely to have to contemplate a larger retreat from Hong Kong in the longer term, where some have too many shops, consultancy Bain said in November. HSBC <0005.HK> will suspend overnight services at 19 ATM clusters in Hong Kong on weekends and public holidays, the bank said on Friday, two days after its branches and ATMs were targeted during protests. (Reporting by Sarah White and Donny Kwok; Editing by Robert Birsel) 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. Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN, at the event (Photo: VNA) 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./. The Selective Service System has reassured Americans that the government would need to pass official legislation to authorize a draft and warned about the 'spread of misinformation' after their website crashed in response to President Trump threatening war with Iran. General Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport Friday, prompting the term 'World War III' to trend on social media. As Google searches for 'Is there going to be a draft?' rose 900 percent and 'draft lottery' spiked 350 percent in a day, the SSS website experienced a surge in interest and they were forced to remind the country of how the draft system works. 'The Selective Service System is conducting business as usual,' SSS tweeted approximately 50.2k followers Friday. 'In the event that a national emergency necessitates a draft, Congress and the President would need to pass official legislation to authorize a draft.' The Selective Service System website crashed after Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike. Pictured, President Donald J. Trump delivers a speech on the death of Soleimani in Mar-a-Lago on Friday The SSS reassured Americans that the government would need to pass official legislation to authorize a draft as Google searches for 'Is there going to be a draft?' rose 900 percent and 'draft lottery' spiked 350 percent in a day The SSS also warned about the 'spread of misinformation' in tweets posted on Friday morning as 'World War III' was trending on social media The national defense partner added in a second tweet minutes later: 'Due to the spread of misinformation, our website is experiencing high traffic volumes at this time. 'If you are attempting to register or verify registration, please check back later today as we are working to resolve this issue. We appreciate your patience.' Signing up for the draft entails registering with the U.S. Selective Service, an independent agency aimed at ensuring a fair distribution of military duties if the president and Congress had to enact a draft. The U.S. hasn't had a military draft since 1973, during the Vietnam War era. Men who fail to register with the Selective Service System at their 18th birthday can be denied public benefits such as federal employment and student loans. Voluntary troops currently serve. Washington said the killed head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force was the architect of Iran's proxy wars across the Middle East and behind the deaths of hundreds of Americans in roadside bombings and other attacks. Iran has issued a series of threats against the Americans, with the foreign minister warning that the days of US troops in the region were over. The Pentagon deployed 3,500 members of the 82nd Airborne (pictured Saturday) to the Middle East in response to rising tensions in the region with Iran, two days after a US airstrike killed the top Iranian military commander Foreign Affairs Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted: 'Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun.' Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned in a televised address that US troops would pay the price for the killing of Soleimani by returning home in coffins. Iran's nuclear announcement effectively ends its remaining commitments to a deal it agreed with Barack Obama. It said it would no longer observe restrictions on uranium enrichment or on research and development. A statement noted that the steps could be reversed if Washington lifted its sanctions on Tehran. The announcement came hours after hundreds of thousands of took to the streets to mourn Soleimani and chant 'death to America'. The general's remains were carried through the cities of Ahvaz and Mashhad, ahead of a burial in his home town of Kerman tomorrow. One organizer for a funeral procession called on all Iranians to donate $1 each 'in order to gather an $80million bounty on President Trump's head'. People carry the casket of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani upon arrival at Ahvaz International Airport in Tehran on Sunday after he was killed in a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport Friday Protesters gather at Pershing Square in opposition of any US military involvement in the Middle East, Los Angeles, California on Saturday Trump issued a series of explosive tweets Saturday, threatening all-out war against the Iranian regime and boasted of the military arsenal at his disposal. Referring to Iranian promises of retaliation published on social media, the US President tweeted: 'These media posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. 'Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!' On Saturday, protesters gathered at Pershing Square in Los Angeles, California in opposition of any US military involvement in the Middle East. The Pentagon deployed 3,500 members of the 82nd Airborne to the Middle East in response to rising tensions in the region with Iran, two days after a US airstrike killed the top Iranian military commander. In a major blow for the fight against Islamic State, Iraq's parliament met for an emergency session Saturday and vowed to expel the 5,000 US troops in the country. The vote still needs the approval of the Iraqi government, which has allowed a US-led presence to help combat the terror group. It had the backing of prime minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, who said it was 'time for American troops to leave'. The US-led coalition announced its troops had suspended training in order to focus on protecting bases from Iranian attacks. Saudi Arabia 'not consulted' over US drone strike to kill Iran general Qasem Soleimani International oi-PTI Riyadh, Jan 05: Saudi Arabia was not consulted by Washington over a US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, an official said Sunday, as the kingdom sought to defuse soaring regional tensions. Saudi Arabia is vulnerable to possible Iranian reprisals after Tehran vowed "revenge" following the strike on Friday that killed powerful commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia was not consulted regarding the US strike," a Saudi official told AFP, requesting anonymity. "In light of the rapid developments, the kingdom stresses the importance of exercising restraint to guard against all acts that may lead to escalation, with severe consequences," the official added. Mike Pence slammed after falsely linking Soleimani to 9/11 hijacker Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry echoed a similar call for restraint at the weekend and King Salman emphasised the need for measures to calm tensions in a phone call on Saturday with Iraqi President Barham Saleh. In a separate phone call with Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed "the need to make efforts to calm the situation and de-escalate tensions", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. NEWS AT 6PM JAN 5th, 2020 The crown prince has instructed Prince Khalid bin Salman, his younger brother and deputy defence minister, to travel to Washington and London in the next few days to urge restraint, the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported. Prince Khalid will meet White House and US defence officials, the paper said, citing unnamed sources. The killing of Soleimani, seen as the second most powerful man in Iran, is the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Washington and Tehran and has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump, who ordered the drone strike, has warned that Washington will hit Iran "very fast and very hard" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both allies of Washington, are also vulnerable to Iranian counter strikes, analysts say. A string of attacks attributed to Iran has caused anxiety in recent months as Riyadh and Washington deliberated over how to react. Soleimani contributed to an attack in Delhi says Trump: Is he referring to the one in 2012 In particular, devastating strikes against Saudi oil installations last September led Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to adopt a more conciliatory approach aimed at avoiding confrontation with Tehran. Analysts warn that pro-Iran groups have the capacity to carry out attacks on US bases in Gulf states as well as against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz -- the strategic waterway that Tehran could close at will. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 5, 2020, 14:39 [IST] This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. Article VI is pretty clear: The Feds are supreme. Indeed, the Supremacy Clause, as its commonly known, makes it seem like there is no such thing as states rights. But not so fast. While the national government has only specific enumerated powers, the states have all governmental powers, limited only by the Constitution. In other words, states can do pretty much anything they want to do, so long as it doesnt conflict with national law. RTE star Miriam O'Callaghan is celebrating her 60th birthday with a family trip to Rome this weekend. The presenter jetted off with her husband and children to celebrate the milestone tomorrow in the Eternal City. It is the first time the star has marked a birthday in her adult life and she told the Sunday Independent it was time to seize the day. "I have never had a birthday party in my life - I just never liked the idea. But I wanted to do something special this time, so we all decided to go to Rome for the weekend - the Eternal City. "We are all here, my husband Steve and my eight children." The Prime Time presenter, who shares her 60th birthday with 'domestic goddess' Nigella Lawson, says she was keen to let her hair down when considering the prospect of how short life is. "Life is for living every day," she said. "Since my precious sister Anne died at 33 from cancer I always look on life as just a lottery. Carpe diem." O'Callaghan's plans changed in recent weeks after she previously said she wasn't going to do anything special to mark the day. Last month she said: "I didn't have a 16th, 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th or 50th birthday party, so I won't be having one when I turn 60. "As most people know, my sister died when she was 33 and I can't understand why people look at ageing and think it is sad to be getting older. Video of the Day "I thank God for every day I am here on this planet." Last Friday, Miriam joined a host of stars who paid tribute to her former RTE colleague Marian Finucane following the radio host's sudden death. She said that Finucane "was the most wonderful broadcaster" whose "importance cannot be over-estimated" and added that "she was a trailblazer". She said: "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." The family trip comes after O'Callaghan enjoyed a hectic Christmas Day. The broadcaster played host, cooking the turkey dinner for her husband and eight children at their south Dublin home. Eldest daughter Alannah also brought along her new husband, Fiachra Breathnach. Despite now turning 60, O'Callaghan's lasting, youthful looks recently led to her becoming the target of fake beauty adverts. The adverts, promoting skincare products, featured a photograph of O'Callaghan and tried to sell consumers an anti-ageing product, which they falsely claimed she had been using to maintain her youthful appearance. The RTE star has previously said she doesn't worry about growing older on screen. She said: "Far from worrying about it, I feel ageing is a real strength for me." She added that she admires the careers of women such as Ellen DeGeneres, Barbara Walters, and Diane Sawyer who have stayed ahead of their game. "I admire women like Ellen DeGeneres who is at the top of her game and can be for the next 25 years." WSWS, September 25, 2019 By Scar Grenfell An episode of Channel Nines 60 Minutes program on Sunday night featured new details of alleged war crimes committed by Australian Special Forces (SAS) soldiers in Afghanistan. The allegations included testimony from whistleblowers within the organisation and comments from Afghan civilians whose relatives were murdered. The program followed a two-year investigation by a number of journalists, including from the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age, which has implicated the SAS in extrajudicial killings, the desecration of corpses and other violations of international law. The exposures resulted in an unprecedented police raid on the Sydney headquarters of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in June, and secretive official investigations by the Australian Federal Police and the Inspector-General of the Defence Department. Most explosively, the program alleged that Ben Roberts-Smith, one of Australias most highly-decorated soldiers and a widely-feted public figure, kicked an Afghan civilian off a cliff before he was murdered by another soldier. Nine Media publications had previously alleged that Roberts-Smith was involved in incidents under investigation without providing details. According to the program, Roberts-Smith and his colleagues were deployed to Darwan, a small village in Uruzgan province, in September 2012. They were tasked with finding an Afghan soldier who had shot several Australian troops. The SAS troops allegedly rounded up a number of Afghan civilians, including Ali Jan, an impoverished farmer who had travelled to the town to collect supplies. 60 Minutes interviewed two anonymous soldiers, who it claimed are serving members of the SAS. Both claimed that Jan was handcuffed, before being led up a sandy cliff. They allege that the farmer was then placed near the edge, before Roberts-Smith took a short run-up and kicked him off the cliff. Jan was then allegedly shot dead by another soldier. The whistleblowing soldiers said that the incident was similar to brutal killings portrayed in the film 300, about Spartan warriors. They said that among some SAS soldiers, there was a pressure to chalk up kills and to disregard the laws of war. Jans widow, Bibi Dhorko, who was interviewed, said that her slain husband was innocent. He went to bring flour for his children. She stated that he was unarmed, and had no relationship with the Taliban. She said: I am so sad it becomes hard for the day and night to pass. I keep thinking about why this happened to me, why is he gone for no reason? Why did such cruelty happen? In another incident referenced on the program, SAS troops allegedly detained an injured Afghan man in October 2012. He was then dragged away from an army medic who was attempting to treat him and shot in the back of the head at point blank range. 60 Minutes claimed to have viewed a letter from the SAS soldier confessing to the murder. If your drivers license doesnt have a star at the upper right corner, you might want to head down to the DMV. Starting in October, you will need that star which signifies a Real ID to get into federal buildings, military bases and on to domestic airline flights. A Real ID is a drivers license or identification card provided by the state of Wisconsin through the DMV that shows you have proven your identity with original or certified copies of documents. What do you need to bring to the DMV to get a Real ID? If you have a passport and a Wisconsin drivers license already, bring those plus proof of your Social Security number to the DMV. (Social Security number can be proven by your official Social Security card or by a pay stub, 1099 or W2 form with your entire name and Social Security number on it.) If you are a current Wisconsin resident without a passport who has never changed your name, you can get a Real ID license by bringing a certified U.S. birth certificate, a Wisconsin drivers license with current address and proof of your Social Security number to the DMV. If youve changed your name through marriage or divorce, youll also need a certified marriage certificate and certified record of divorce as well, to prove the history of your name changes. The Real ID system is standardized across the country though Oklahoma wont start issuing them until April, and Oregon wont start offering them until July. But Wisconsin has been offering them at DMVs since January 2013, and that is why 40 percent of drivers in the state already have one. Were fortunate that a good chunk has been able to move through the Real ID process during their normal renewal cycle, very early, said DMV Administrator Kristina Boardman. Weve been persuasive over the last couple years. Boardman does anticipate that there will be a spike in interest in September, as people start realizing they wont be able to get on a domestic flight without a Real ID. She reminds residents that Wisconsin DMVs no longer distribute drivers licenses immediately; they now come in the mail, about a week later. The TSA, she said, will not accept the DMVs printout as proof of a Real ID. Name changes? What if youre a woman whos been married more than once and has changed her name each time? What if you have sometimes used a hyphenated last name, or come from a culture which traditionally gives two last names, and sometimes youve only used one? This is something that is complex and depends on personal circumstances, Boardman said. She said, if you have used different versions of your name, or if your name has changed, you will need to bring legal documents that prove the chain of changes. That might mean marriage and divorce certificates. We also have a process to utilize a common law name change form as long as that is matching with Social Security, we can accept that as well, she said. Why is this happening? The Real ID system was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The 9/11 Commission recommended in its 585-page report that the federal government should set standards for identification. Fraud in identification documents is no longer just a problem of theft. At many entry points to vulnerable facilities, including gates for boarding aircraft, sources of identification are the last opportunity to ensure that people are who they say they are and to check whether they are terrorists, the report noted. Though the Real ID system is federal, a Real ID is not required for voting purposes. We dont want people feeling like they have to have a Real ID for their vote to be counted, Boardman said. Smooth and quick visit Boardman said the DMVs goal is to get 80 percent of visitors in and out within 20 minutes. You can help yourself get close to that goal by filling out forms and making an appointment online. (The DMV has been allowing residents to make appointments online for services as well as drivers tests for a couple years now.) If you need to get your drivers license renewed anyway, there is no additional fee for a Real ID compliant card. If you drivers license is not expired, the cost of a Real ID-compliant card is $14 (the cost of a duplicate license). Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Bhim Army claimed on Saturday that its jailed chief Chandrashekhar Azad was unwell and needed immediate medical care. Rejecting the claim, a senior jail official said Azad was absolutely fine and no such issue had come to their notice during routine medical check-ups by the official jail doctor. Azads personal doctor Harjeet Singh Bhatti claimed that the Bhim Army chief suffers from a disease which requires biweekly phlebotomy, a procedure to remove extra red blood cells from the blood to treat certain blood disorders. Bhim Army spokesperson Kush Ambedkarwadi, who had met the jailed chief on Friday, said Azad has been undergoing treatment for the disease for the past one-and-a-half years and that he had told authorities at the Tihar Jail, where he is currently lodged, about it. The last session of phlebotomy was scheduled a week ago. Azad has been complaining of headache, dizziness, pain in abdomen, Bhatti claimed. If Azad doesnt get immediate medical care, his blood might get thicker and he may suffer a cardiac arrest. The jail authorities are not allowing him to visit AIIMS, he said. This is inhuman and a clear violation of human rights. I request Delhi Police and (Home Minister) Amit Shah to get him admitted to AIIMS, he posted on Twitter. The jail authorities, however, said Azad was absolutely fine and medical assistance will be provided to him if the need arises. The Delhi Police arrested Azad on December 21, a day after his outfit organised a march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the new citizenship law without permission from police. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib (Image: Reuters) Leaders cutting across party lines and various outfits on Saturday condemned the mob attack on the historic Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore, terming it as "cowardly" and "shameful", while hundreds of protesters thronged the streets near the Pakistan High Commission here demanding that the neighbouring country provide adequate security to Sikh shrines and community members there. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body which manages Sikh shrines in India, said it will send a four-member delegation to Pakistan to take stock of the situation and urged the Pakistan government to take stringent action against the culprits who attacked the gurdwara -- birthplace of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev and one of the holiest sites in Sikhism. BJP leaders and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad said that the incident has proved once again that the government was right in bringing the Citizenship Amendment Act for giving citizenship to members of minority communities who have come to India before 2015 to escape religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. In the national capital, police barricaded the roads to prevent protesters - belonging to the BJP, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and other organisations - from reaching the Pakistan High Commission. The protesters carried banners and placards reading "Shame on Pakistan" and "Double standard of Imran Khan, Sikhs are being tortured in Pakistan". Some urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to protect the gurdwara. A huge posse of police personnel was deployed the protestors were stopped near Chanakyapuri police station in the diplomatic enclave. BJP and Congress members stood on either side of a road and raised slogans against Pakistan and its prime minister. Sikh community members also submitted a memorandum to the Pakistan High Commission, said DSGMC president Manjinder S Sirsa. Several Sikh and Dogra organisations held separate protests in Jammu and Poonch against the incident. Congress President Sonia Gandhi deplored the "unprovoked" attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and called upon the government to immediately take up the issue with Pakistani authorities to ensure safety of pilgrims and adequate security for the shrine to prevent any future attacks. "The Government of India should also press for immediate registration of case, arrest and action against the culprits," she said in a statement. Party leader Rahul Gandhi termed it as a reprehensible incident and said bigotry is a dangerous, age-old poison that knows no borders. Taking to Twitter, he said the only known antidote to bigotry is love, mutual respect and understanding. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said such incidents cannot be tolerated and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the issue with Pakistan to ensure the security of Sikhs in the neighbouring country. Wondering if there was "any law and order" in Pakistan, he said that earlier a Sikh girl was abducted there and now this attack on the gurdwara established that there was a threat to minorities in the neighbouring country. Union minister and party leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the incident exposes the "true face" of Pakistan where "persecution of minorities is a reality". Addressing a conference here, BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi said minorities in Pakistan have been subjected to threats for civil conversion, rapes and violence for decades and the Nankana incident shows how minorities there are persecuted and why they need citizenship in India. Lekhi also said that this incident should open the eyes of Congress leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Navjot Singh Sidhu, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Leftist leaders and the "urban Naxals" who have been opposing the amended Citizenship Act. Lekhi and Pakistani minister Fawad Chaudhry were also involved in Twitter spat over the issue of mob attack on the shrine. Reacting to Lekhi's comment, the Pakistani Minister for Science and Technology tweeted, "...BJP spokesperson giving lectures on diversity and religious harmony is like pot calling the kettle black, you guys are most bigoted bunch of haters so stop fake propaganda." Lekhi hit back immediately saying Chaudhry should "take charge" of initiating action against those involved in the incident and also "stop conversions, rape and abductions taking place in Pakistan". "Yesterday, a mob of Jihadis attacked Nankana Sahib Gurdwara due to which our Sikh brothers and sisters are in terror. The CAA has been framed to save such minorities from persecution in Pakistan," Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri sought to know if those protesting against the CAA needed more evidence of oppression of minorities in the neighbouring country. "The violent mob that besieged Nankana Sahib Gurudwara has threatened to change the name of our holy place to Ghulam-e-Mustafa. "Do those who are opposing the CAA need more evidence of oppression of minorities in Pakistan," Puri tweeted in Hindi, along with a video clip. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said atrocities on Sikhs cannot be tolerated. "The attack on Nankana Sahib is a cowardly and shameful incident. Nankana Sahib is the centre of faith of crores of Sikhs. Atrocities on Sikhs living there cannot be tolerated," he said in a tweet in Hindi. The National Conference also denounced the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, describing it as "most reprehensible". On Friday, the External Affairs Ministry condemned the "wanton acts of destruction and desecration" at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and urged Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure safety and welfare of the Sikh community. It also said that members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence in the holy city of Nankana Sahib. Pakistan has rejected reports the gurdwara was desecrated, saying it remains "untouched and undamaged". Reports suggested that hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib had pelted stones on Sikh pilgrims. SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal said the sentiments of the Sikh community were hurt. "We have spoken with the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib management committee...they told us the situation is normal now," he said. "We will send a four-member delegation to Pakistan to take stock of the situation there," he said, adding that the delegation would also meet Sikh families in Nankana Sahib as well as the governor and the chief minister of Pakistan's Punjab province. The VHP said such incidents were examples of "atrocities" perpetrated on Hindus and Sikhs in the neighbouring country and a clear indication of the urgent need for implementation of the CAA. Vishwa Hindu Parishad international secretary Milind Parande also referred to the reported abduction of the daughter of a 'granthi' (caretaker of the place of worship) and said the Centre should bring pressure on Pakistan government to stop such acts. "... the attack has come right after Friday prayers in mosque and VHP appeals to the government of India and the UNHRC to take cognizance of this and pressure the Pakistan government to mend its way and return the Sikh girl," he told reporters here. In a sharp response to US President Donald Trumps threat to attack 52 sites in Iran, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that targeting the country's cultural sites will be a "war crime". Terming the death of General Qassem Soleimani as cowardly assassination, Zarif said that the US has once again committed to violating the fundamental principle of international law. Irans Foreign Minister claimed that the latest action of Washington in Iran is the beginning of the end of US presence in the Middle East. Zarif lashed out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump saying they should not even bother to refer law dictionary. -Having committed grave breaches of int'l law in Friday's cowardly assassinations, @realdonaldtrump threatens to commit again new breaches of JUS COGENS; -Targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME; -Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun. Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 5, 2020 Those masquerading as diplomats and those who shamelessly sat to identify Iranian cultural & civilian targets should not even bother to open a law dictionary. Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms of international law, i.e. international red lines. That is, a big(ly) "no no". Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 5, 2020 Read: Protests Erupt Across US To Condemn US President Trump-directed Action In Iran And Iraq Earlier, Trump had threatened Iran saying the US has identified 52 sites and will hit it harder if Tehran tries to carry out an attack on any American or its military base. Democrat leader Ilhan Omar lashed out at Trumps statement and said that the US President is threatening, on Twitter, to commit war crimes. God help us all! tweeted Omar. Terror advisory issued US Homeland Security updated its terror advisory saying an attack may come with little or no warning, adding that Iran and its partners have demonstrated the intent and capability to conduct operations in the United States. However, it maintained that it does not have information indicating a specific, credible threat to the Homeland. Read: Trump Steps Up Warning To Tehran; Says US Ready To Strike 52 Iranian Sites If Tehran Retaliates Chad Wolf, the Acting Secretary of US Homeland Security, pointed at the threats publicly stated by Iranian leadership and affiliated extremist organizations. Wolf said that Iran prefers terrorist activities to retaliate and it has targeted United States interests through its partners like Hezbollah. Wolf also feared that homegrown violent extremists could launch individual attacks amid heightened tensions. Read: Military Presence Of US In Gulf Causes 'disaster': Javad Zarif Read: Javad Zarif Tweets Pics Of Iraqis Paying Tribute To Soleimani Just After Baghdad Strikes Sheopur (Madhya Pradesh) [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Scores of people on Saturday expressed anger over the alleged forced eviction of Sikh families in some villages of Sheopur district in Madhya Pradesh. "Apart from the team of Minority Commission sent by the Madhya Pradesh government to investigate the action of targeting the Sikh community, a three-member team of Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee (SGPC) from Amritsar also reached Karahal. We held a meeting at Gurdwara Sahib Karahal to discuss the issue," said Niaz Mohammed, the Chairman Minorities Commission. He also told ANI that the affected families, displaced from their homes in Madhya Pradesh, have been provided with the compensation of Rs 50,000 by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Saturday. "This matter should be thoroughly investigated," Niaz Mohammed added. The organisation had also taken up the matter with the Madhya Pradesh Minority Commission which has assured the safety and security of the Sikhs and their properties. (ANI) The Long Goodbye to Fruity Vape Flavors The Food and Drug Administration has stepped up enforcement of its rule against the sale of most flavored e-cigarette pods, which are blamed for luring millions of children into vaping. But the initiative is somewhat of a compromise with the tobacco industry. It still allows the sale of menthol and tobacco-flavored vaping cartridges, which arent as popular with teens. (Vaping advocates lobbied to keep these products on the market by arguing that they are a better alternative to cigarettes.) The rule also doesnt apply to flavored liquid nicotine for larger vaping devices with refillable tanks, which are widely available in vape shops but arent as sleek or discreet as their pod-based counterparts. Companies have 30 days to comply. Image Credit... Giacomo Bagnara Whats Next? (Jan. 5-11) Making It Official Ever a fan of pomp, President Trump announced a signing ceremony for the Phase 1 China trade deal at the White House on Jan. 15. He said that high-level representatives of China would attend but did not say who. And while he called the deal very large and comprehensive, details still have not been released. The agreement took almost two years to negotiate and marks a truce in the protracted trade war between the worlds two largest economies. Mr. Trump said that he would travel to Beijing at a later date to start talks for a larger, more comprehensive Phase 2 agreement. Oil Prices React to Attack Amid rising tensions with Tehran, Mr. Trump ordered an airstrike that killed Qassim Suleimani, Irans ruthless security and intelligence commander. It was a bold move some would say reckless and Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed revenge. Global markets fell in reaction to the news on Friday, with oil prices rising sharply. The killing has provoked anxieties of a larger conflict that could drag in other countries. The Middle East supplies 25 percent of the worlds oil, and Iran borders a critical passage for petroleum transportation. Brexit Barrels Forth The British Parliament will resume sessions this week to debate Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Brexit agreement. But now that Mr. Johnsons party holds a sweeping government majority, his deal is expected to move along quickly, although it probably wont pass in time for the Jan. 31 deadline. It remains to be seen whether Britains departure from the European Union will leave its economy better off. But for now, the British pound is looking strong and the country seems confident. And Mr. Johnsons opposition, the left-leaning Labour Party, hasnt looked this weak in decades. It is looking for a new leader since its former head, Jeremy Corbyn, was trounced in the December election. The Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road are among Victorias most recognisable tourist attractions, a calling card that draws millions of overseas tourists each year. Yet the crush of visitors who make the three-hour drive from Melbourne on the roads of south-west Victoria has prompted warnings that it is only a matter of time before there is a major crash taking many lives. A Hong Kong tourist crashed into the front bar of the Port Campbell Hotel in 2011. Credit:Warrnambool Standard There is a litany of examples of overseas visitors with little or no experience of our road rules or driving conditions causing chaos and, at times, carnage on country roads. From the Hong Kong man who crashed into the public bar of the Port Campbell Hotel, to overseas visitors stopping without warning in the middle of the Great Ocean Road for a selfie, the roads of south-west Victoria in particular have become a magnet for foreign visitors in rental cars. Michael Bloomberg is now tied with Senator Elizabeth Warren for third place in the race for the Democratic Party nomination, according to a new poll. The billionaire former mayor of New York City saw his support jump by 6 per cent nationally compared to the previous poll taken in mid-December. Bloomberg and Warren both have the backing of 11 per cent of Democratic voters, according to the Hill-HarrisX survey. Joe Biden, the former vice president, continues to lead the entire field of candidates with 28 per cent. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (left) is now tied for third place with Senator Elizabeth Warren (right) of Massachusetts, according to a new survey of Democratic Party voters Joe Biden, the former vice president, still holds a commanding lead over the entire field of candidates, the poll finds Senator Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, is in second place with 16 per cent support, according to the survey. Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, fell to fifth place. The poll gives him 6 per cent support. Several lower-tier candidates are tied at 2 per cent, including Senator Cory Booker, Senator Amy Klobuchar, businessman Andrew Yang, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, House Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and former House Rep. John Delaney. Castro recently announced he was quitting the race. The poll, which was taken in late December, found that 12 per cent of Democratic voters are unsure of who they will support. Bloombergs rise is remarkable considering the fact that he is a late entry into the race. Unlike the other candidates, however, Bloomberg, whose net worth is pegged by Forbes at $56.7billion, is funding his own campaign. Since Bloomberg is not raising money the conventional way, he is disqualified from participating in any of the Democratic debates. Another billionaire, Tom Steyer of California, also entered the race late. Bloomberg is pinning his hopes on his checkbook. Since announcing his entry into the race in November, he has spent some $31.5million in ads in over 90 local markets across the country. Meanwhile, the other Democratic candidates have been busy raising funds. Warren said Friday that she raised $21.2million from October through December, with more than $1.5million coming on the last day of the year. Senator Bernie Sanders (above) of Vermont continues to trail Biden. He is in second place with 16 per cent, compared to 28 per cent for the former vice president But the Massachusetts senator still trailed a trio of other top rivals in fundraising and fell short of her total from the three previous months. Klobuchar said she took in $11.4million for her White House bid to close out the year, while Booker said he raised $6.6million. It was the best fundraising quarter so far for both Klobuchar and Booker. Sanders, the strongest progressive voice along with Warren, said he raised more than $34.5million in the same quarter, proving that his heart attack in October hasnt slowed his fundraising prowess. Sanders and Warren both rely heavily on small contributions from donors that primarily come online. Biden rebounded from a summer slump to take in $22.7million, also his best quarterly haul as a presidential candidate, while Buttigieg raised $24.7million. Despite Bloomberg's surge, he is still considered a longshot in the race because he is unable to compete in any of the first four presidential primaries and caususes - Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. The former mayor did not file with the Nevada State Democratic Party by a January 1 deadline, the party announced on Thursday morning. Bloomberg's surge has knocked Pete Buttigieg (above), the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, out of the top tier of candidates. The poll gives Buttigieg just 6 per cent support He has his hopes hinged on other states, including California, where a large number of delegates are up for grabs. California is among more than a dozen states that vote on March 3, known as Super Tuesday. We are confident we can win in states voting on Super Tuesday and beyond, where we will start on an even footing, Bloomberg spokeswoman Galia Slayen said. She noted that because of Bloomberg's late entry into the race, many other candidates have had a big head start in the early voting states. We have enormous respect for the Democratic primary process and many friends in those states, but we are running a broad-based, national campaign to beat Donald Trump and win in November, Slayen said. Great Plains Health is has announced the expansion of surgery services to include plastic surgery. The addition of Dr. Sean Figy, a fellowship-trained microvascular reconstruction surgeon with Nebraska Medicine, marks the first plastic surgery program in North Platte, according to a press release from GPH. We are pleased to offer such services as breast reconstruction after cancer treatment and body contouring after major weight loss to our patients, right here at home, said Mel McNea, GPH chief executive officer. These are procedures that our residents previously had to drive great distances to receive and now, with the addition of Dr. Figy, these procedures and others are available locally. I am excited to be able to bring reconstructive services to Central Nebraska, Figy said. Partnering with Great Plains Health will allow more Nebraskans to have access to the reconstructive services that they need and deserve. Experts say killing of Soleimani, a strategist but unpopular among many, will not affect how Quds Force functions. The killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani by a United States air raid in Baghdad on Friday has heightened the tension between Washington and Tehran with increased calls in the Iranian capital demanding revenge. As head of the elite force for more than 20 years, Soleimani was a powerful figure in Irans strategic objective of defending its interests and expanding its influence across the Middle East. The Quds Force is the external branch of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operating in many countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. The IRGC was founded in the immediate aftermath of the Iranian revolution that toppled the Shahs regime in 1979. The Quds Forces original objective was to export the Iranian revolution but has evolved into projecting Iranian power in the region by providing local groups with weapons and training as well as protecting the countrys interests. The mission of the Quds Force is similar to that of the CIA. It works on intelligence gathering and is involved in paramilitary operations by training and equipping foreign armed groups, former CIA intelligence officer Luis Rueda, who was the head of Iraq intelligence group during the US occupation, said. The Quds Force also played a vital role in helping the Syrian government regain control of most of the country from the rebels. It provided arms, military advisers and fighters drawn from the Lebanese Hezbollah group, Iraqi Shia militias and other Shia volunteer fighters. It was also instrumental in establishing and supporting the Lebanese Hezbollah with financing, training and weapons since its inception in the early 1980s, making it the most powerful non-state military force in the Middle East, according to Iran experts. Under Soleimanis guidance and support, Hezbollah acquired thousands of long-range missiles, as well as drone and cyberwarfare capabilities. More recently, the Quds Force was behind the establishing of Iraqi militia group Popular Mobilisation Force (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) which helped defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL or ISIS) in Iraq and Syria, also becoming a parallel large military force functioning in large part as an extension of Irans Quds Force. Effect of his death Experts say Soleimanis death is not expected to affect Irans influence in the region because he was operating as part of a system designed to advance the countrys objectives in the Middle East. Washington-based Iran and South Asia analyst Fatmeh Aman said Soleimani, as important as he was to Irans strategy in the region, was just one general from a large military organisation that has the ability to continue after him. 200104091122122 Soleimanis death was a big blow but it was not a big blow to the system, said Abas Aslani, a Tehran-based Iran analyst and journalist. Soleimani was effective because Irans strategy in the region was effective, said Rueda. Reviled figure Iran will stick to its current strategies in the region despite Soleimanis killing, according to Mahjoob Zweiri, the director of Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University. He added that while many in the region admire him for his role in helping the Syrian regime, Soleimani remains responsible for the death of tens of thousands of civilians. In Syria, for example, Zweiri argued that Soleimani was effectively in charge of the country and was instrumental in pushing the regime and the Shia militias he deployed to commit massacres and atrocities against civilians across Syria. Zweiri added that Soleimani was the key Iranian strategist who helped train the Syrian army, provided weapons and volunteers for the fighting against the rebels that eventually helped the regime regain its footing. In Iraq, thousands have staged mass protests in the capital, Baghdad, and other cities since October, accusing the government of corruption and of being under Iranian control. Protesters also burned down offices of Iran-backed militias Soleimani helped set up and train. They were accused of firing live bullets at the protesters. About 460 people have been killed and 25,000 wounded in protest-related violence over the past three months. Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Lebanon labelled the protesters western agents. Aman who is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington pointed out that Soleimani was unpopular among the liberals and civil-rights activists because of his role in the crackdown against protesters demanding political and economic reforms in the past decades. However, his killing has elevated his status in Iran and rallied the Iranian public behind the government, empowering hardliners and weakening civil society, Aman added. Follow Ali Younes on Twitter: @ali_reports New Mexicos sweeping new law allowing expungement of criminal records in a plethora of cases has been described as one of the broadest record-closing authorities in the nation. Indeed, the statute goes too far in the kinds of cases in which history can be erased. Records that have always been public. Records used by landlords, employers, parents, child-care center operators and many others who have a legitimate reason to do a background check. And questions abound about exactly what happens in a range of cases from domestic abuse, to driving under the influence, to sex offenses where there is no conviction within a year and the case is closed for one reason or another. Now it will be up to the state Supreme Court to decide by rule whether a curtain of secrecy will extend even to the initial filing of an expungement petition and the court proceedings that follow. Allowing that to happen would be a serious mistake and a disservice to the public. Until a reversal earlier this week, court administrators initially had considered cutting off public online access to expungement petitions, sealing the documents and closing the proceedings. In the next permutation, court hearings would have been open but no information about where or when would have been included on court calendars. Sort of a judicial sleight of hand officially declaring courtrooms are open when the publics business is being conducted, but making it virtually impossible for the public to know about it. For now petitions and hearings will likely be open unless a case is specifically made for sealing until the Supreme Court formally adopts rules governing the issue. That will be done through its committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure in a process allowing the public, news media and others the opportunity to be heard. The expungement law passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature last year and signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, also a Democrat as well as an attorney, has long been a goal of the criminal defense bar and organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union who argue that when people do their time they should have the opportunity to move on and become contributing members of society. The statute would allow convictions in many cases to be expunged along with all police records in the case when certain conditions are met. Convicted defendants have to pay court fines and fees, complete a sentence and stay out of trouble for varying periods of time depending on the severity of the crime. For municipal ordinances and most misdemeanor violations, that period is two years. For aggravated battery and most fourth-degree felonies it is six years, and up to 10 years for first-degree felonies and domestic violence crimes. In those cases it would be up to a judge to decide whether to order expungement after hearing the evidence. People convicted of offenses against children, offenses resulting in great bodily harm or death, sex crimes, DWI, and a few others are not eligible. Perhaps more troubling is the section of the law dealing with cases that are closed without a conviction in one year. That can happen for many reasons: witnesses disappear or are intimidated, police officers are called to military service, a sex-crime victim isnt willing to face trial, and so on. And it is concerning this section makes absolutely no mention of crimes not eligible for expungement, raising the specter of records involving DWI, sex, violence and embezzlement charges disappearing from public view forever. Take the case of a first-time DWI defendant who typically is given a conditional sentence. Could that charge be eligible for non-discretionary expungement if the defendant stays out of trouble for a year? Perhaps, because conditional discharges and referral to court alternative programs are included in the statute for non-discretionary expungement. Remember that next time you try to check a job applicants background. The law allows custodians of an expunged record to reply that it simply doesnt exist. And while official records can be expunged, accounts of past crimes will still exist on the internet and social media likely with a slant not included in the official record and without any record of final disposition so one could reasonably question the benefit to the person seeking expungement of official, unbiased and complete records. As reported by Journal reporters Katy Barnitz and Colleen Heild, the district attorney must be notified in these cases, but the judge MUST grant the petition if there are no other charges pending. And of course there is no money allocated to do immediate background checks. In both categories convicted and not law enforcement and the judiciary would still purportedly have access to past criminal history. Its the public being shut out in a state where judges are subject to retention election. Its fair to ask whether this really should be the public policy of this crime-ridden state, and worth noting that lawyers are already gearing up for a cottage industry of expungement cases at around $3,900 a pop. While there is merit to second chances and allowing worthy defendants to move on in certain cases, this law has morphed from one intended to protect victims of identity theft a good idea to one of most sweeping history re-writes in America. And it is rife with unanswered questions. Now the Supreme Court will have to deal with those and balance the competing interests of rehabilitation of reputation with the benefits of an open and answerable society and judiciary. Theres no accountability when even the process is sealed, says Melanie Majors, executive director of the Foundation for Open Government. Without an open process, how is the public to know what this law is designed to do and that it is not being abused? Shes right. The statute already goes far enough without completely shutting the public out of the process. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Contrary to the earlier claims that no firing was done by the police during the violent protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act on December 15, the top sources in Delhi police are now admitting that police might have fired in "self-defence" in Mathura Road area where the protesters went haywire and resorted to vandalism and arson. Though, the sources maintain that no firing took place in the Jamia area. Police sources clarified that the purported video that went viral, in which police personnel is seen with his pistol, is being investigated and seems to be of Mathura road area. Police asserted that the fire-arm seems to have been taken out in self-defence. On December 15, Several students and the police personnel had sustained injuries in the clash, which broke out between protesters and cops during the demonstration. Several private and public vehicles were torched. The cops were stone pelted, following which they fired tear gas shells. Police later said that it had to enter the university to nab the violent protesters. On the other hand, Jamia Millia Islamia is scheduled to reopen on January 6 after a winter vacation following which semester examination will commence. The varsity was closed on December 16 after protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act turned violent on December 15. It had also cancelled the examinations and declared vacation till January 5.(ANI) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. For years, countless drinkers have temporarily given up alcohol for one month as part of 'Dry January' after the overindulgence of the festive season. But while the benefits of turning permanently teetotal are undisputed, can binning booze for as little as 31 days - only to jump straight back on the wagon - really make any meaningful improvement to your health? Australian nutritionist Lee Holmes says it can, provided the temporary abstinence leads to a more moderate and mindful approach to drinking in the long run. The Sydney cookbook author told Daily Mail Australia even short periods without alcohol will improve memory, mental clarity, energy levels and sleep quality, as well as promoting weight loss and reducing pressure on the liver. Australian nutritionist Lee Holmes says giving up alcohol for 31 days improves memory, mental clarity and sleep quality, as well as aiding weight loss and reducing pressure on the liver, but temporary abstinence must lead to a more moderate approach to drinking in the long run Australia's guidelines for healthy drinking Australian Guidelines recommend healthy adults should drink no more than two standard drinks on any day to cut the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. They also recommend consuming a max of four standard drinks on a single occasion to reduce the risk of alcohol-related injury. A standard drink contains about 10 grams of alcohol - the amount your body can process in an hour. The average glass of wine served in a pub contains 1.5 standard drinks. New draft guidelines recommend healthy Australian women and men drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week. Source: Health Direct Advertisement 'Dry January' appears to have a long-term effect on the drinking habits of the majority of participants, with 70 percent of people who abstained still drinking notably less seven months later, a 2018 study from the University of Sussex found. ENHANCED MENTAL CLARITY While knocking back red wine may be marketed as a great way to up your antioxidant intake, Ms Holmes says any nutritional value of alcohol is cancelled out by its addictive nature and health consequences, both physical and mental. 'At its core, alcohol is a depressant, which means that when it reaches the brain, it slows down the body's systems,' Ms Holmes told Daily Mail Australia. 'Because alcohol is difficult for the body to process and is absorbed quickly, even in the short term it can place extra pressure on the liver, as the liver can only process about one drink per hour.' A 2019 study funded by St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne found excess alcohol consumption causes the most overall harm to Australians of any drug, surpassing both crystal methamphetamine (ice) and heroin. Abstaining from alcohol for even one month will enhance your concentration, increase your ability to focus and reduce the likelihood of illnesses including depression and anxiety. Ms Holmes (pictured) warns alcohol places huge pressure on the liver, which can only process roughly one drink per hour Revealed: Long-term effects of regular heavy drinking Brain: Drinking too much can affect your concentration, judgement, mood and memory. It increases your risk of having a stroke and developing dementia. Heart: Heavy drinking increases your blood pressure and can lead to heart damage and heart attacks. Liver: Drinking three to four standard drinks a day increases your risk of developing liver cancer. Long-term heavy drinking also puts you at increased risk of liver cirrhosis (scarring) and death. Stomach: Drinking even one to two standard drinks a day increases your risk of stomach and bowel cancer, as well as stomach ulcers. Fertility: Regular heavy drinking reduces men's testosterone levels, sperm count and fertility. For women, drinking too much can affect their periods. Source: Health Direct Advertisement WEIGHT LOSS AND HIGHER ENERGY Excessive alcohol consumption contributes to weight gain by reducing the body's ability to burn fat, accelerating appetite and inhibiting our ability to make healthy food choices. 'Over a 31-day period, abstaining from alcohol can help you maintain a healthy weight, taking into account what food you consume and your general lifestyle during that period,' Ms Holmes said. 'Most types of alcohol contain salt and sugar, two ingredients that lead to bloating and inflammation. Giving it up for 31 days certainly won't harm you - it's good to give your body and gut a break.' HEALTHIER LIVER AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Blood samples taken from drinkers who abstained from alcohol for 31 days showed a reduction in blood cancer proteins, lower blood pressure and a reduction in fatty tissue around the liver, a 2018 study by the British Medical Journal found. Alcohol is an oestrogenic agent, which means it raises oestrogen levels which results in rapid accumulation of body fat and hormonal imbalances for women. Women with hormonal conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis of fibroids should significantly reduce their intake of alcohol, and strongly consider cutting it out completely. Lee Holmes' seven tricks for 'drinking smarter' 1. Space out your drinks - 'Sip and savour the flavour! Youll end up drinking less and enjoying it more.' 2. Three is enough - 'Follow the three limit rule and stop after your third drink.' 3. Set goals before heading out - 'Pre-plan your alcohol consumption. That way, you are more likely to stick to what you've planned.' 4. Set clear boundaries - 'Tell your friends you are watching your alcohol intake, and don't feel obligated to keep drinking with them if you want to drink mindfully. Mindful drinking is all about drinking while thinking!' 5. Think about tomorrow - 'Remember everything you want to do the next day and what things a hangover would prevent you from doing. This will help you stay on track if you know you have things you need to do.' 6. Sharing is caring - 'Share a bottle with friends - you don't need to polish a whole one off on your own!' 7. Remember your power - 'You don't have to drink if you don't want to. You always have a choice. Advertisement IMPROVED SLEEP Of 800 'Dry January' participants in 2018, 71 percent reported sleeping more deeply and feeling more refreshed in the morning throughout the month of abstinence. This improvement is linked to alcohol's depressive effect on the nervous system which significantly reduces rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the restorative stage where the body repairs cells and dreams occur. After a night of binge drinking, the body is woken by a shot of adrenaline and cortisol, the stress hormone, which wreaks havoc with the natural sleep cycle. Binge drinking is defined as drinking five or more drinks for men, and four or more drinks for women within a two hour period. Kolkata: The West Bengal government has given permission to the state-run Jadavpur Vidyapith in the city to start an English-medium wing from the 2020 academic session, an official said on Saturday. The permission has been accorded to the government-run higher secondary school to introduce the English-medium section simultaneously with the Bengali-medium wing, according to a circular, signed by Commissioner of School Education Soumitra Mohan. "We have got a circular from the school education department on January 1, which allowed us to start an English-medium wing, to be run alongside the existing Bengali-medium facility from class five to 12," Jadavpur Vidyapith Head Master Parimal Bhattacharya said. If the new section is started, Jadavpur Vidyapith will be the first government school in the city where the English-medium teaching will be introduced from class five to 12, said a senior official of the education department. The department had earlier granted permission to the 202-year-old Hindu School for starting the English-medium wing at the primary level from the current academic session, the official said. Since the admission process to class five has already been started for the existing Bengali-medium section, the Jadavpur Vidyapith will seek opinions of the students and guardians in next two-three days for shifting to the new wing, Bhattacharya said. After assessing the responses from them, the institute will consider whether the existing pool of teachers will be adequate for the English-medium wing or there would be new recruitments, he said. Shantipur Municipal High School (HS) in Nadia district has also been given the permission to open the English-medium section, the official said. According to the circular, the school authorities may admit up to 40 students of class V in the session 2020 and the district school inspectors have been asked to provide English medium text books to the "newly admitted students" in the section. At the risk of sounding like an alcoholic, I didn't have a drink all Christmas. It was the worst Christmas ever. But not for that reason. (Though, in hindsight, maybe a drink might have helped.) Like the rest of the nation, I contracted some sort of super-smart super-bad flu bug. It kicked in on December 20 and I was sick for the guts of two horrendous weeks thereafter. The whole family got it. We were deprived of our dignity, our health and our holiday. The flu bug decimated our Christmas. We didn't move from the house for four whole days during one particularly miserable period. Worse, we watched one neighbour go to Australia for Christmas, another to Oman, while we stayed, effectively quarantined, behind closed doors in south county Dublin. At that grim point it seemed like we were all living, imprisoned, in the same big bed upstairs, where we all ate turkey and ham and cookies, and took our medicine together. It was like a military operation: four people, of varying ages and grumpiness, taking different medicines at different times of the day and night. It was also like an old Walt Disney cartoon where when someone sneezed out the end of one of their especially blue noses, it caused everybody else in turn to let out a humongous sneeze - before the roof appeared to move upwards with the effect of a gale force of all the humongous sneezing within. Our white Christmas consisted of boxes of tissues everywhere. We had children's movies on Netflix 24/7. We watched Angela's Christmas 10 times and Masha and the Bear more than double that. I am now something of an expert on the Russian animated television series for children about a little girl and a fatherly bear who live in a house beside a railway station in a forest in Siberia. Speaking of Russia, my wife and I also watched The Death Of Stalin on Netflix. I think I preferred Masha to Armando Iannucci's farce about the power-struggle in 1953 Moscow after the death of the Soviet leader. We had our own farce in Dublin over the Christmas to contend with. When we weren't sneezing and coughing and spreading germs to each other, we sat on occasion in front of the twinkling Christmas tree and sang songs about red-nosed reindeer, the baby Jesus, shepherds, wise men, and angels. But mostly we were sneezing and coughing and being utterly miserable at our seemingly endless plight. The kids barely played with their toys, despite Santa having arrived only a night or two before. With nausea, zero energy and a permanent migraine, I resembled what PG Wodehouse wrote about in The Man Upstairs and Other Stories: "A melancholy-looking man, he had the appearance of one who has searched for the leak in life's gas-pipe with a lighted candle." I lost my appetite for food and started to worry that I was dying. My ridiculous existential dread was deepened further when, unable to sleep, one night I re-read the Edna O'Brien article in The New Yorker... and got to the joyous bit where she says: "The time is getting shorter. Some melancholy - not to say fearful - thoughts crop up in my head. I saw a programme last night about people in a care home, and, along with pity, I felt terrible apprehension: This is how it ends, this is how it ends. . ." I wanted to cry. How it ended was out of the blue on New Year's Day morning. We woke up to better, or at least the best we'd felt in two weeks. We had been tucked up in bed and fast asleep on New Year's Eve at 9pm; the festive season having pretty much passed us by at this late stage. So, New Year's Day was a revelation of sorts. We went out for a long walk together as a family in a park and it felt good to feel good again, human again, after all the agony. After all the snot. We were still coughing but we were past the worst of the bastard bug. I think. My wife was sufficiently in the whole of her health that night to bake a chocolate cake as a special treat for us all, from Nigella Lawson's book Feast. It was a recipe which The Times of London once denounced as impossible to make. Never one to turn down a challenge - well, she married me, didn't she! - my wife made the most delicious choccie cake in the history of choccie cakes. Eating the aforementioned confectionery, with whipped fresh cream, all the suffering over the Yuletide seemed suddenly like a thing of the past. It even brought me back to my memories of Nigella at the Rib Room in the Carlton Tower Hotel in London's Cadogan Place just before Christmas, 2004. It being Christmas we shared a bottle of wine and got quietly sloshed. I remember at one point The Domestic Goddess telling me how when cooking a roasted lamb for her VBF Salman Rushdie, in the early days of his fatwa, her hair caught fire as she opened the oven to take it out. She was panicking about the fact she was running the cake stall at her son's school Christmas fair on December 8. This was weighing so heavily on her that she asked for a broader definition of a cake stall from the relevant school authority, and was now "madly making chutneys in advance". She then took off her shoes and put on some knee-high designer boots she had just bought on Bond Street. She walked up and down the restaurant of the five-star hotel to model them. Upon sitting down again, The Domestic Goddess ordered various puddings and wines and insisted - almost matronishly - that I taste all of them with her. She spoon-fed me and ordered me - utterly matronishly! - to drink out of her wine glass. Merry memories. Later that night, I flew back to Dublin (and to Christmas) polluted with Nigella's fine wine. Amman, Jan 6 : Jordan and the EU have discussed means to enhance their ties and regional developments. At a meeting in Amman between Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Chairman of the EU Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee David McAllister, the two sides discussed means to enhance Jordanian-European partnership and increase economic and development cooperation, according to a statement by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry. They also went over the latest regional developments and the Jordanian-European coordination which seeks to overcome regional challenges and crises to realize the joint goal of enhancing security and stability, Xinhua news agency reported. The EU official expressed his appreciation for Jordan's stances and moderate policy. US Sends Veteran Firefighters to Battle Australia Wildfires LOS ANGELESA crew of 20 veteran firefighters based in California will head to Australia on Monday, Jan. 6, to help battle the countrys out-of-control wildfires that have killed at least 23 people and scorched millions of acres. The crew of federal firefighters based in the Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles will depart on Monday, said Carrie Bilbao. Bilbao is a spokeswoman with the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, which is mobilizing United States resources in response to Australias requests for international firefighting aide. Federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management already have provided a few dozen people, most of them with experience managing fires, Bilbao said Saturday. This timed-exposure image shows firefighters hosing down trees as they battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales on Dec. 31, 2019. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images) The crew leaving on Monday will replace a group of personnel sent to Australia in early December. They include hot-shot and helicopter crew members with experience attacking fires early before they grow into large infernos, said Angeles National Forest Fire Chief Robert Garcia. Australia and New Zealand have been sending firefighters to the United States for more than 15 years, most recently in August 2018, when 138 came to help battle fires in Northern California and the Northwest, Bilbao said. The last time United States firefighters worked in Australia was 2010. Our focus remains on helping the people of Australia and keeping people safe in these unprecedented conditions, said Craig Leff, director of the Department of the Interiors Office of Wildland Fire. A man alleged to have fatally shot his fiancee Friday after proposing on New Years Eve has been charged with murder, according to court records. Kendrick Akins, 39, is accused of shooting and killing his 33-year-old fiancee on Friday in the parking lot of a northwest Houston apartment complex on the 5500 block of Holly View Drive. Officers received reports that a woman had been shot following an argument. Akins allegedly shot her in the chest with a pistol, according to court records. A witness said Akins fled to his apartment, but he returned and shot at a neighbor who had overheard the fight and tried to help her. The woman died at the scene. Police said the neighbor was not struck by gunfire. Akins took off on foot after the shooting. He came into a Houston police station for questioning early Saturday and was booked into jail later that afternoon. He faces one charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one charge of murder. Akins was convicted of aggravated assault of a family member in 2008 and has prior felony convictions for possession of a weapon as a felon and possession of a controlled substance, according to court records.. Akins bond -- initially set at $150,000 for the murder and $75,000 for the aggravated assault -- was raised in court Monday to $250,000 for the murder charge. Family members identified the victim as Dominic Jefferson. Her sister expressed her confusion on Facebook, where just days before, she had streamed their engagement on Facebook Live. He just proposed to her in front of the whole world, she cried. I want to know why. Why would you do this? You say you loved her. The two had been dating for about three months. She said Jefferson was the mother to two boys and one girl. Samantha Ketterer contributed to this report. gwendolyn.wu@chron.com New Delhi: In a shocking incident, at least five members of a family, including two children, were found murdered at their residence in Yusufpur village in Soraon police station in Prayagraj on Sunday (January 5). After receiving the information about the murder, senior police officials, including Allahabad ADG, IG range and SSP Allahabad rushed to the spot and after carrying out the investigation, sent the bodies for post-mortem. The deceased have been identified as Som Dutt Tiwari, his wife, two children and one more person - possibly a relative. Preliminary investigation suggests that unidentified killers had the intention to eliminate the entire family over some personal enmity. The investigation also suggested that the criminals used a sharp-edge weapon to commit the crime. The incident is said to have taken place on Saturday night. Senior Superintendent of Police Satyarth Aniruddh Pankaj said that initial investigations indicated that the murders were a result of personal enmity but the police has been working on various theories. A team of forensic experts have been roped in to collect evidence in the case. In the meantime, additional security forces have been deployed in the area in view of locals' anger and prevailing tension against the crime. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned the incident of vandalism at the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, saying that the attack is against 'his vision' and that the perpetrators would not find any protection from the government or police. (Photo: File) Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned the incident of vandalism at the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, saying that the attack is against 'his vision' and that the perpetrators would not find any protection from the government or police. Intransigent despite criticism, Khan further raked up his rhetorics on the state of minorities in India, saying that there is a "major difference" between the "condemnable Nankana incident and the ongoing attack across India on Muslims and other minorities." "The major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident & the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims and other minorities is this: the former is against my vision & will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police & judiciary," Khan tweeted. "In contrast, Modi's RSS vision supports minorities oppression & the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police lead anti-Muslim attacks," he added. Khan's statement has come two days after he was widely criticised for trying to peddle a seven-year-old video from Bangladesh as a case of police excesses on Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. An angry group of local residents had pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Friday evening. The group was led by the family of a boy who had abducted a Sikh girl, Jagjit Kaur, from her home in August last year. Catch the latest news, live coverage and in-depth analyses from India and World. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Residents and holidaymakers are being flown out of isolated Mallacoota in East Gippsland on Sunday as defence and emergency services take advantage of cool weather and clear skies. Priority has been on airlifting young children and their families who were not permitted on the HMAS Choules that transported 900 people out of Mallacoota on Friday. Families with small children onboard a Chinook helicopter are evacuated from Mallacoota. Credit:Justin McManus But evacuation by air will be slow, with the Spartan aircraft and Chinook helicopters being used limited in passenger carrying capacity. Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said 61 people had left Mallacoota by air on Sunday morning, with a total of about 350 expected to be evacuated by the end of the day. Axis of resistance to respond decisively to Gen. Soleimani's assassination: Top Hezbollah official Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 2:16 PM A high-ranking official with the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has strongly condemned the assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), in US airstrikes in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, emphasizing that the response of the axis of resistance to his targeted killing will be decisive. Speaking at a memorial ceremony held in Lebanon's southern town of Doueir, Mohammad Raad slammed the "US' cowardly crime" of targeting the top Iranian general, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) and other resistance fighters, stressing that the act will not go unpunished. "Whoever belongs to the axis of resistance commits himself to participating in the response, because the two martyrs represent every drop of blood that runs through our veins and every breath through which we live. Days are passing by and there is talk of a new war," Raad, who is also the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc in the Lebanese parliament, pointed out. 'Gen. Soleimani partner in every victory gained by axis of resistance' Meanwhile, another Lebanese legislator described General Soleimani as a partner in every victory that the anti-Israeli resistance front, Lebanese nation and the peoples of Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan have achieved. Speaking during a memorial ceremony held in the southern city of Yater, Hassan Fadlallah said the late Iranian commander's role was noticeable in humiliation of US and Israeli occupation projects, and in the defeat of Takfiri terror groups like Daesh. "America, the Israeli enemy and all their allies in the axis of evil are under the illusion that they could weaken this struggle if they killed a commander or a hero of this resistance axis. They do not know the truth of this culture to which we belong. A culture, under which, a combatant may get killed on the ground but emerges victorious in the end," Fadlallah, who is also a member of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, highlighted. He added, "Enemies can target a leader here and a hero there; but at the same time they must know that they cannot weaken or make the axis of resistance retreat. All past experiences have actually proven that the blood of such commanders will further the strength and firmness of the axis of resistance." "What America did was an act of aggression There is no doubt that it will leave repercussions and consequences. It will make us more determined to proceed with this battle in order to achieve victories. General Soleimani brought up generations of field commanders and resistance fighters," Fadlallah said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address After decades on the African and American continents, the gruelling Dakar Rally kicks off in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday. It will undoubtedly make for great pictures, but critics say the sporting event is being used to deflect attention from human rights abuses. 351 teams embark on the 9,000km course today. They will have to navigate some of the world's most spectacular dunes and desert to make it to the finish line in Al-Qiddiya on 17 January. Broadcast in 190 countries, Dakar 2020 will pass through a range of sites including NEOM the $500 billion futuristic megacity under construction, the heritage site of Al-Ula and the sand dunes of the vast Empty Quarter desert. Quentin de Pimodan, an expert on the Sunni kingdom at the Research Institute for European and American Studies, said the rally "will serve Saudi Arabia the same way the Tour de France serves France". "It will showcase the landscapes and the heritage...as the kingdom opens up to international tourists," he said. Soft diplomacy or 'sportswashing' Dakar 2020 is just the latest international sporting event to take place in Saudi Arabia as part of a multi-billion-dollar push to boost its global image. The Kingdom has come under heavy international criticism over its human rights record since the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in October 2018. The Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen and the kingdom's crackdown on dissent particularly feminist activists who have faced sexual harassment and torture in detention have also battered its image. In 2019, Saudi Arabia executed at least 187 people on death row, according to a tally based on official data, the highest since 1995 when 195 people were executed. Human rights activists accuse Saudi rulers of 'sportswashing': using such events as a tool to soften their image. Saudi human rights group Al Qst called on Amaury Sport Organisation, the French company which runs the Rally, along with all those taking part, not to be party to the sportswashing exercise. We ask them not to let themselves be bought out, not to be used to hide human rights abuses, activist Yahia Assiri told RFI. 'Complicit in propaganda' For Antoine Madelin of the International federation for human rights (FIDH), the Dakar Rally can provide a real platform to improve human rights in the kingdom. I am convinced that if the Dakar community is mobilised, it will have an impact and the authorities will be forced to back-pedal, he told RFI. Ironically, over a dozen women drivers are to take part in the Rally, while several Saudi women activists remain in jail for promoting the right to drive despite the Kingdom lifting the ban on women at the wheel in 2018. The FIDH is also calling on those broadcasting Dakar 2020, including France's public broadcasting group France Televisions, to use their muscle to pressure Saudi Arabia for change. Women activists sit in prison in Saudi Arabia for simply demanding the right to be able to drive, Madelin explains. French companies like Amaury and...France Televisions, are either victims of Saudi propaganda, or are complicit in this propaganda. On 3 January, Human Rights Watch, MENA Right Group and 11 other international human rights organisations signed a joint communique demanding the Amaury Sport Organisation use its decision to move the Dakar Rally to Saudi Arabia to denounce the persecution of women's rights advocates in the country. Fans, media, and race teams shouldn't be blinded by the rally's spectacle while Saudi Arabia 'sports-washes' the kingdom's jailing of peaceful critics, said Minky Worden, global initiatives director at HRW. (with AFP) Parra is thought to have had the support of at least 40 lawmakers from Maduros party and an unknown number of others who the opposition claims have been bribed. But there was no evidence that an actual vote had taken place. The opposition also insisted that there had been no legal quorum because Guaido, the chambers leader, had not been present to validate the session. BEIJING The Chinese government abruptly replaced its top representative in Hong Kong on Saturday evening, installing a senior Communist Party official with a record of difficult assignments in inland provinces that involved working closely with security services. The top representative, Wang Zhimin, was replaced as the head of the powerful Central Liaison Office in Hong Kong by Luo Huining, the official Xinhua news service said. The move came two months after the Chinese Communist Partys Central Committee called for measures to safeguard national security in Hong Kong, although few details have been released. Absolutely no grounds to keep Bhim Army chief in jail: Priyanka Gandhi India oi-PTI New Delhi, Jan 05: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday said the government's policy of "oppressing" dissent has reached a point of "cowardice" as she demanded that Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad be shifted to AIIMS. Azad is lodged in the Tihar Jail. He was arrested after he led a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Delhi. "The government's policy of oppressing all expressions of dissent and protest has reached the point of cowardice. The lack of basic humanity in their actions is shameful. There are absolutely no grounds to keep Chandrashekhar in jail, let alone to deny him medical treatment if he is unwell. He should be sent to AIIMS to be treated immediately," Priyanka Gandhi said on Twitter. Bhim Army chief, Chandrashekhar Azad sent to 14-day judicial custody The Bhim Army claimed on Saturday that Azad was unwell and needed immediate medical care. Rejecting the claim, a senior jail official said Azad was "absolutely fine" and no such issue had come to their notice during routine medical check-ups by the official jail doctor. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 5, 2020, 15:45 [IST] The College Station school district recently was honored by the College Board with placement on the 10th annual AP District Honor Roll. The district was one of only 18 districts in Texas to be included. It marks the sixth year in a row the College Station school district has received this honor. Districts are selected for increasing access to Advanced Placement coursework while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams. Inclusion on the AP District Honor Roll is based on the examination of three years of AP data, from 2017 to 2019, looking across 38 AP exams, including world language and culture. The marble domes of the 'Bibi Ka Maqbara', the famous 17th century Mughal-era monument here, is set to get a new shine. The domes and other marble parts of the mausoleum would undergo "scientific conservation", an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) official told PTI. The work is estimated to cost Rs 45 lakh. The structure, known as 'Taj of the Deccan' because of its striking resemblance to the Taj Mahal, was commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1660 in the memory of his wife Dilras Banu Begum. Deputy Superintending Archaeologist Shrikant Mishra told PTI that its domes and minarets, which are built in marble, as well as the marble screens inside would undergo scientific conservation. The work, which will go on for six months, will involve cleaning and chemical treatment to give it a new glow, he said. The Mughal-era paintings on the inside of the entrance of the mausoleum too will undergo cleaning, the officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cold Feet star Jimmy Nesbitt has revealed he was going to buy Barry's Amusements in Portrush after it went on sale in November. The Coleraine actor had a job as a teenager manning the Big Dipper roller-coaster and calling the bingo at the much-loved park, which has entertained children and adults alike for more than 90 years. Since it opened in 1926, Barry's has remained in the Trufelli family, who have put it up for sale as a going concern. With a number of bidders said to be interested, Nesbitt has revealed he too had been tempted to buy the place where he first entered the world of work. Read More Speaking on the set of Cold Feet, which returns to our TV screens later this month, he spoke of his love for the amusement park, where Cold Feet filmed scenes some years ago "I was going to buy Barry's," he reveals. "I worked there on the Big Dipper and was a bingo caller in Portrush when I was younger. Of course I'd love to get back again." While he didn't elaborate on any negotiations to buy the park, it is believed he has not progressed with the plan as yet. Cold Feet, the hit 90s ITV show which stars Nesbitt in the lead role, became a ratings winner after its first screening in 1997. Now, over 50 episodes later, it's back for a new series. The award-winning comedy, which follows the lives of friends Adam Williams (Nesbitt), Rachel Bradley (Helen Baxendale) - who was killed off in series five - Pete and Jenny Gifford (John Thomson and Fay Ripley), and Karen and David Marsden (Hermione Norris and Robert Bathurst), has returned to TV twice including the latest series. Now middle-aged, the first episode of series nine is a roller-coaster catch-up with all the main characters whose lives are as dramatic as ever. Adam is now in a relationship with Karen, who was married to David in the first series. Meanwhile, the Giffords are a couple again and are struggling to come to terms with Jenny's breast cancer, while David is butting heads with Adam over Karen. Expand Close Portrush amusement park Barrys went on the market in November / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Portrush amusement park Barrys went on the market in November Cold Feet's ratings peaked at 6.6 million in 2016 when the show returned after a 13-year absence, but no one is more surprised at its longevity than Coleraine actor Jimmy. "We made the pilot 23 years ago - it's crazy," he admits. He puts the Manchester-based show's success down to the realness of its characters. He says: "People can relate to them. We've all experienced things one or more of those characters have gone through. We've all been as lonely, as vulnerable, as sad, as happy as they all have been." One of the biggest shocks this season, though, is the romance between playboy Adam and the sophisticated Karen, but Jimmy says their relationship is one to watch. "We (Hermione and I) were as surprised as anyone. But the relationship was lovely to play because as characters they're not that ill-suited. They're able to be quite honest with each other." He adds: "They're finding each other in a way they never expected too. They weren't the closest of friends, but they've been friends for such a long time. It flowers quite easily because so much groundwork has been done. "Karen is potentially very good for him, and he is maybe very good for her." Expand Close Jimmy in the latest series ITV / Big Talk / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jimmy in the latest series The cast of the long-running comedy written by Mike Bullen are friends in real life, having worked together on the nine series over 20 years. And Jimmy and Hermione were grateful to have known each other so long, especially for some of the more intimate scenes together. The 54-year-old actor jokes kissing scenes don't get any easier. "Oh God, I get so shy and think about it, leading up to the scene. It's a bit exposing, not even physically. And I can't help thinking - am I not too old for all this?" Expand Close Jimmy Nesbitt with his Cold Feet co-stars. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jimmy Nesbitt with his Cold Feet co-stars. Hermione (52), adds: "Being an actor, it's just your job - but it does seem to get harder as you get older." Having worked with Hermione for so many years, though, does help and Jimmy jokes "she loves it". "It's been a lot easier for Hermione and I because we know each other. We can support each other. Sometimes you're thrust into things where you don't know someone." So will Adam and Karen go the distance? "I would've thought there would be big odds on Karen and Adam being together a long time ago," Jimmy says. "These characters are very different - both likeable in a way - and I think that people can see Karen is really good for Adam. Hopefully people can see Adam is good for her." And with the new relationship tested from the first episode, Hermione agrees Karen is able to deal with whatever comes the couple's way. "She's not intimidated by anything," she tells me. The Cold Feet pilot first aired in 1997, returning to TV in 2016 after a long sabbatical - and 6.6 million viewers tuned in. With pressure on the new series to have a similar draw, Jimmy is confident the show's latest outing won't be the last. "I think there will be more Cold Feet," he says. And it was easy for the cast to slot back into their familiar roles. "We hadn't seen each other for about three years. But after a week of filming we felt like it had been a matter of months - it was bizarre." Jimmy believes the award-winning drama often mirrors real life. "When Adam is accused of inappropriate behaviour at work in the new series and his kids question him, that's believable," he says. "I have two grown-up girls and that's certainly happened in my life." The Co Antrim actor split from his wife Sonia Forbes-Adam in 2016, and has two daughters' Mary (22) and Peggy (18). So how do his kids react to their dad's fame and Cold Feet in particular? "They enjoy Cold Feet, but I'd be the last person to know when my daughters are proud of me - not that they would hide it from me. They do watch me on TV and from time to time they'd say they enjoy Cold Feet," he says. "They don't bombard me with it because they've got their lives. We are tight, we're close and my fantasy is that they think I'm a cool dad, but they actually don't give a b******s." He admits his kids watched him in the psychological child abduction TV series The Missing, which also starred Keeley Hawes, but couldn't watch all of The Secret about Northern Ireland dentist Colin Howell who became a killer in partnership with his lover Hazel Buchanan. And the booming film industry in Northern Ireland means Jimmy will be back home this week. "I start shooting Bloodlands by writers Jed Mercurio and Jimmy Mulville in Belfast on January 8," he reveals. "It's about a policeman and pretty noir-ish", is all he will give away at this stage. "I'll also be filming at Strangford this month, so it's going to be Baltic." Not unlike his Cold Feet character, Jimmy is more reflective in middle age. "I've loved it (Cold Feet), especially this last series. I've been very lucky in my career and I do think about the impact, I still get insecure about work and wonder when will it dry up? "But I'm also conscious of trying to enjoy life and enjoy work because time is racing by. When you're working, time goes quickly - all of a sudden half a year is over." Nowadays, Jimmy doesn't like being away from his family too much: "There have been times in the past when I've been away for what I consider is too long. I was acting in a film in Australia and I hadn't seen my family for two months. That's a long time - it was awful - never again. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said it was "shameful" that Sadaf Jafar, SR Darapuri and Pavan Rao were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police for violence without any evidence against them. He also said that it was a shocking admission by the police that there is no evidence of their involvement. "Sadaf Jafar, S R Darapuri and Pavan Rao Ambedkar released on bail after police ADMITTED no evidence of their involvement in violence. Shocking admission," he said on Twitter. "If that were so, why did the police arrest them in the first place? And how did the Magistrate remand them to custody without looking at the evidence," he asked. "The law says 'find evidence, then arrest'. The reality is 'first arrest, then search for evidence'. Shameful," Chidambaram tweeted. In case you've been losing sleep over whether that leaked Samsung invite video was real, fret no more. Samsung itself confirmed this evening that it plans to show off "new, innovative devices that will shape the next decade of mobile experiences" at a Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 11th. Samsung is obviously talking about the Galaxy S11 series (or Galaxy S20 series, depending on who you ask), but the language Samsung used in its newsroom post seems to suggest we'll see more than just the usual flagship smartphones in California next month. Could that mean Samsung will offer us a first glimpse at its new, Razr-esque foldable phone? Very possibly: Some have speculated that the squarish box replacing the second "A" in the image above represents that very device when it's closed. And if nothing else, such a reveal would give the Korean company a big wave of hype it can then ride into Mobile World Congress just weeks later. Of course, when you consider just how much trouble the original Galaxy Fold gave Samsung, no one could blame the company for taking a little more time to perfect its approach this time. That might be especially true this time since the second-generation Galaxy Fold is said to use a durable -- yet flexible -- glass screen. Still, it's possible the announcement's nod to innovation could just be referring to some of the features found in the S11/S20, like an incredibly potent camera or, well, whatever Neon turns out to be. The questions vastly outnumber the answers for now, but at least we now know when Samsung will finally stop being so coy. It's the call every parent dreads. Except that I'd forgotten to keep dreading it. Billie is my youngest child, sensible and cautious, with two far more reckless older brothers. They'd successfully made it through the teenage party years, barring the odd mugging for a phone, there was no reason she wouldn't, too. All those scare stories were just that. Scare stories. I'd become complacent. That was a mistake. I was reading in bed when my phone rang. It was just after midnight on a rainy Friday night in January 2014. When Billie's name came up on the screen I assumed she was calling to tell me she'd be late. Crime novelist Tammy Cohen (pictured) revealed her daughter, 17, was attacked at night in London on her way home from a party At 17, she didn't have a set curfew as long as I knew what time to expect her. We'd recently moved to Bounds Green, North London a mile or two from where she'd grown up in Crouch End, though at that age it seemed like the other side of the world. When she'd told me she was going to a party that night I was relieved she was keeping up with her old friends. I couldn't pick her up as my partner, Michael, had the car, and she refused to use minicabs since hearing horror stories about lone women being subjected to abuse. But the party was only one or two stops on the bus. What could go wrong? You see? Complacent. She says it's the call every parent dreads. Except that she'd forgotten to keep dreading it. Billie (pictured) is her youngest child, sensible and cautious, with two far more reckless older brothers When I pressed 'answer' I knew instantly there was something wrong. There was the sound of rapid breathing and sobs being torn from the back of a throat. 'Billie?' I said, panic bubbling up inside. 'Is that you?' When she finally spoke, it was in a high-pitched tone so different from her own I barely recognised it. 'A man attacked me. I'm scared.' There are moments that divide your life into before and after. That phone call separated the me who believed that if you take precautions and use your common sense you'll be all right, the me who'd spent her younger years walking the streets of Central London without incident, from the me of today, who knows that crime isn't something that only happens to other people. It separated a largely carefree or careless family from one who takes nothing for granted. But it could have been a whole lot worse. The story I got through Billie's muffled sobs was that she'd been followed off the bus by a man, who'd grabbed her from behind and tried to drag her down a side street, battering her around the head when she screamed. Only when a man walking on the other side of the road shouted, did he finally run off. And now there she was in the doorway of the locked-up Tube station just 100 yards from the bus stop, alone and terrified he'd come back for her. We all like to think we know how we'll react in a crisis. We'll be calm, decisive, knowing just what to do. I was none of those things. Instead I flew out of my bedroom in a blind panic, shrieking at my older son Otis, then 21. He was on his bike and heading to the Tube station a few minutes away before I'd even finished my sentence. Then I rang Michael, who was driving home from work as a restaurant manager. I was hardly coherent, but must have made some sense because he diverted there immediately, arriving at the same time as Otis just five minutes after Billie's original call. Tammy said this was no story. This was real life. Her daughter was standing on her own in a doorway while the man who'd attacked her was at large and probably still in the vicinity I pulled on some clothes so I would be ready to race out of the door if I was needed, while at the same time dialling Billie's phone, needing to hear her voice. In the few short moments while the ring tone sounded, every scenario flashed through my mind. I'm a crime writer, used to ransacking my imagination for the scariest outcomes. But this was no story. This was real life. My daughter was standing on her own in a doorway while the man who'd attacked her was at large and probably still in the vicinity. I had taken my eye off the ball and this was the result. When she answered the phone I could hear male voices in the background. For one awful, sickening moment I thought he'd come back for her and the breath dried up in my throat. But it was Otis and Michael, arriving simultaneously. Back home, I sat at the kitchen table, clutching my phone. Afterwards the police would berate me for this. Why hadn't I called them straight away? They could have been out there in minutes combing the streets. The truth was that, until she was home and I could see her and touch her, my phone was my only link to her. What if she tried to call me while I was talking to them? Having let her down once by being home blithely reading while she was out there needing me, I wasn't about to do it again. Shock does that to a person, shreds reason into tiny pieces. And then came the sound of the key in the door and I rushed through to the hallway, throwing my arms around her before she'd even properly had a chance to come inside, feeling her trembling in her wet coat. Michael was behind her and I could see in his eyes all my raging thoughts reflected back. Was this really happening? Had someone really tried to abduct our daughter in our own neighbourhood? And underneath it all, under all the pressing concerns about Billie and how she was coping, the question we couldn't voice: was it somehow our fault? While Michael called the police, I made Billie tea with sugar, even though she doesn't take sugar. Funny how we fall back on the things our own mothers did in times of crisis, as if comforting ourselves as much as the person we're trying to help. Billie had been followed off the bus by a man, who'd grabbed her from behind and tried to drag her down a side street, battering her around the head when she screamed She sat on my lap while she drank it, my self-sufficient 17-year-old girl who hadn't done that in years. And while I stroked her hair, I felt the bumps coming up like eggs under her scalp where he'd thumped her to stop her screaming. Each new discovery felt like someone was grabbing hold of my heart and twisting. My middle son, Jake, then 19, arrived back from a night out and we had to stop him from going straight back out to search for the creep who'd done this. He'd had a few drinks and seeing his younger sister's tear-streaked face had put him in a volatile mood. The police took it very seriously. At that stage Billie looked a lot younger than her age. We used to joke that she was like Saffy from Ab Fab, always dressed in sensible jeans and sweatshirts and make-up free. Had he targeted her precisely because she looked so young and vulnerable? They got her to go through the story from the beginning, how she and her friends had left the party and the rest of them had waited on one side of the road to catch a bus going towards Crouch End, while she alone had got the bus from the opposite stop. She was only going two stops. She could have walked, but she thought it was safer. Her voice broke on that word 'safer'. She thought someone might have got on to the bus directly after her, but she wasn't really paying attention. Why would she? She pressed the bell as the bus passed Bounds Green Tube Station, stopping 100 yards further up the road near an intersection with a quieter side street. Again as she got off she was vaguely aware of another passenger getting off behind her. Then, as the bus pulled away and she set off in the direction of home, she felt an arm hook itself around her neck from behind and a man trying to jerk her backwards towards the darkened side street. When I think of how terrified she must have been, it chills my blood. She started struggling, and screaming, which is when he battered her over the head repeatedly with his free hand, muttering under his breath for her to stop. But she wouldn't. She's made of strong stuff, my daughter. Finally a man walking on the opposite side of the otherwise deserted street shouted over at him. And eventually he ran off. The other man didn't stop. Didn't even come over to check she was all right. Instead she ran alone to the Tube station entrance, which was locked, but still lit-up. Tammy says her daughter started struggling, and screaming, which is when he battered her over the head repeatedly with his free hand, muttering under his breath for her to stop I am grateful to him though, this stranger who must have had his own reasons for not stopping to help a frightened girl. Without his intervention, anything might have happened. But I don't let myself go there, to the anything that might have happened. Like I say, things could have been a lot worse. Fast-forward five weeks and Billie and I were in a special video suite in Wood Green Police station where she was being shown an identification parade video. As an attempted abduction, the police had been able to allocate enough resources to scour the CCTV from the bus and track down the man captured following her off, who had been recognised by officers at a different Met station. By this time Billie had already given an extensive official statement, describing her assailant in detail, so I'd built up a vivid picture in my mind: stocky; not too tall; cropped hair; thick, muscular arms as if he worked out. From my seat at the back of the cramped suite I could just about see the screen over Billie's shoulder, the succession of men shown from the front and in profile. Then came one who made my stomach turn. Medium height but powerfully built with a square jaw and strong brows, there was something about the way he stared at the camera as if issuing a challenge. My reaction was visceral. This was him. I was sure of it. Billie had to watch the video twice, without speaking, before she was asked at the end if she recognised the man who attacked her. I was so geared up to hear a 'yes' that it took a moment or two to register that she'd actually said no. Walking home she explained she'd thought one of them might be a possibility the same one to whom I'd had such an instant reaction but she couldn't be sure. After that the case fell apart. Our lives went back to normal. Only once did the nightmare come rushing back to the fore when Billie came home from school some weeks later saying she thought she'd seen him. The man who attacked her. Or the man on the video. By now the two had blended into one. He was coming out of a doorway close to where it happened. By this stage she was doing OK. The sighting rattled her, but she refused to dwell on it. She could have been mistaken. She'd only seen him in the dark that first time. She wasn't about to let the what-ifs dictate how she lived her life. She's a strong young woman, my daughter. I found it more difficult to let myself off the hook. What if he really was here, in our neighbourhood, walking the streets she walked every day? How could I protect her? As a parent your job is to keep your kids safe. What happens when you fail in that? What can you do afterwards to make amends? That mixture of guilt and powerlessness lies at the heart of my latest book, Stop At Nothing, which takes as a starting point an attack similar to Billie's, but concentrates on the mother's response and her obsession with tracking down the man responsible. It's human nature to want to prove your love when you feel you've let someone down, even if that means treading a dangerously fine line between justice and revenge. How far do you go to redeem yourself? Six years on, the attack is just a short chapter in our ever-evolving family history. Billie has since graduated from university, and travelled alone to Russia and South America. But every now and then I'll see something on the news that brings it all back. Someone else whose son or daughter made a series of innocuous choices, the kind we all make each and every day this side of the road not the other, this route home instead of that one and who slipped through the sliding doors to a parallel, nightmare reality. Occasionally I'll think about him. The man who did it. I think about him being free to do the same thing to someone else's daughter who might not be able to scream loudly enough, or be 'lucky' enough to have a passerby stop on the other side of the road. Then I feel an awful rush of impotence and guilt, even though rationally I know there's nothing we could have done differently. The only thing that makes me feel slightly better is knowing that, if her attacker was indeed the same man captured on CCTV and featured in the ID video, he doesn't appear to have been a serial offender. Police told us afterwards that while their suspect had a criminal record, there were no prior convictions for sexual assault and I cling to that hope that this was an aberration, rather than a pattern. Billie was lucky, but what happened to her underlined the fact that life can turn on a sixpence. The threads that keep us tethered to our normal lives are slender and as easily broken as a spider's web. In the end all the vigilance in the world can't guarantee to keep our children safe, we just have to equip them to deal as best they can with what life throws at them and keep our own phones permanently switched on. n Stop At Nothing, Tammy Cohen's psychological thriller about a mother's obsession with tracking down her daughter's attacker, (7.99, Transworld) is out now. (CNN) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday the United States committed a "grave mistake" in killing Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and that Americans "will face the consequences of this criminal act not only today, but also in the coming years." His remarks came on the same day mourners in neighboring Iraq were chanting "Death to America" at a funeral procession for Soleimani and an Iraqi militia leader who died with him in a US airstrike in Iraq early Friday. "The Americans did not understand what grave mistake they committed," Rouhani said while visiting the house of Soleimani's family in Tehran, according to a statement his office released. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif seemed to suggest a goal of any Iranian retaliation, tweeting Saturday: "End of US malign presence in West Asia has begun." The strike killed Soleimani, head of Iran's Quds Force, at Baghdad International Airport, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces. At least six people were killed in the strike, an Iraqi security source told CNN on condition of anonymity. It marks a major escalation in regional tensions that have pitted Tehran against Washington and its allies in the Middle East. President Donald Trump on Friday said he ordered the death of Soleimani, one of Iran's most powerful men, to stop a war, not start one, as tensions between the two nations were already escalating. Trump said Soleimani was plotting "imminent and sinister attacks" on Americans. The Pentagon blamed Soleimani and Iran-backed Iraqi militias for recent assaults on coalition bases in Iraq, including a December 27 strike that killed an American civilian contractor and wounded several US and Iraqi military personnel. After retaliatory US airstrikes against the militias last month, hundreds of protesters stormed the US Embassy compound in Baghdad on December 31, an attack the US blamed on Soleimani. After the embassy attack, the US sent to the Middle East 750 troops from the Immediate Response Force of the 82nd Airborne Division. On Friday, the US announced it was sending the rest of the brigade, putting the number of US service members deployed there this week close to 3,500. Soleimani was the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and became the architect of Tehran's proxy conflicts in the Middle East. The Pentagon blamed Soleimani for hundreds of deaths of Americans and their allies over the years. Rockets hit parts of Baghdad on Saturday, including the parade grounds in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone and the Al-Jadriya area just south of the Green Zone, injuring no one, the Iraqi army said. The Green Zone contains Parliament, ministries and foreign embassies, including that of the US. Rockets on Saturday targeted Balad Air Base, which houses US and Iraqi forces and contractors, the Iraqi army said. No injuries were reported. Separately, an Iraqi civilian contractor there told CNN that four rockets landed outside the base's southern gate. It wasn't immediately clear who fired the rockets. It's not uncommon for rockets to be fired at US positions in Iraq. Iran says it will fight back During Rouhani's visit with Soleimani's family Saturday, Soleimani's daughter asked him: "Who will take revenge for my father?" "Everyone will take revenge," he replied, in video aired by Iranian state television. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed "harsh revenge," according to a statement on his official website. "His pure blood was shed in the hands of the most depraved of human beings," Khamenei said. In a letter to the United Nations, Iran described the attack as state terrorism and an unlawful criminal act. European officials and the UN have called for de-escalation. It was "tantamount to opening a war," Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran's ambassador to the UN, told CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront" on Friday. He said the strike had escalated a war that started when the US pulled out of a nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018. Maj. Gen. Ismail Qaani, who served for years alongside Soleimani, has been appointed his replacement. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, like Trump, has said the strike had thwarted an "imminent" attack in the region but declined to give details. Some Democratic lawmakers have said they weren't yet convinced the strike was merited. US Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, said Friday one of his representatives attended a classified briefing, and "nothing that came out of the briefing changed my view that this was an unnecessary escalation of the situation in Iraq and Iran." He said the strike will increase threats to US interests. "Today the administration announced we're sending 3,000 more troops to the region," he said. "So, clearly the administration recognizes that this action has actually dramatically increased the risks in the Middle East, increased the risks of an attack from Iran." The Trump administration has warned members of Congress that Iran is expected to retaliate against the US within weeks for the strike. Authorities in the United States are increasing vigilance and fortifying defenses. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin. "Iran maintains a robust cyber program and can execute cyberattacks against the United States," according to the bulletin, which expires January 18. Wolf maintained in a statement that there is "no specific, credible threat against the homeland." The Trump administration has told Congress that it plans to send Saturday formal notification of the drone strike under the War Powers Act, according to a senior White House official. Mourners chant 'Death to America' at funeral procession In Iraq's capital on Saturday, thousands of people attended a funeral procession, mourning Soleimani and al-Muhandis as they chanted "Death to America." Mourners wept as they walked alongside the vehicle carrying his coffin down the streets of Baghdad. Some carried signs that read, "We are all Muhandis and Soleimani." Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi was among the crowd of mourners walking next to the cars carrying the coffins. Some women carrying flags of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, which al-Muhandis commanded, erupted into tears when the slain commanders were mentioned. Many mourners said the attack strengthened their resolve to expel US forces from Iraq. "This strike killed our heroes, but it created a thousand more Hajji Soleimanis and Muhandises," said Assifa Abbas, 50, a mother of three PMF fighters. "If Parliament doesn't vote to expel US troops, they will see the true face of the Iraqi street." Abbas walked in the procession with an image of al-Muhandis and Soleimani taped on her black chador. She said she would refuse to allow her sons back into her house until they pushed the "last American" from Iraq. Former Parliament member Fawzi Akram, from Iraq's Turkmen ethnic minority, predicted the attack would end US dominance in the country. "The map of a new Iraq will be drawn with the blood of these martyrs," Akram said. Mourner Mohammad al-Fadli said the assassinations came as an "indescribable shock." "These are the people who got rid of ISIS for us," al-Fadli said. The PMF -- Shia militia first mobilized in 2013 to confront the advance of ISIS -- were key ground forces in the early days of an offensive to push ISIS out Iraq, eventually recapturing several towns from the extremist group. Soleimani was reported to be on the ground directing battles against ISIS in Iraq, as well as Syria. Iraq's anti-corruption demonstrators also aren't happy about the US strike In another part of Baghdad, some anti-government demonstrators have been demanding, among other things, an end to heavy-handed Iranian influence in Iraq. But many haven't been happy about the US strike. Since the anti-corruption protests began in October, Iraqi security forces have tried to violently quash them, killing hundreds of demonstrators and wounding many more. Still, people at Baghdad's main protest site, Tahrir Square, said Saturday that the US should not have conducted an attack on their soil. "We are the people of Iraq. We don't want outsiders to rule us," protester Muthana Salman said. Funeral services are scheduled in Iran on Sunday and Monday After processions Saturday in Iraq, Soleimani's body will be transferred to Iran for funeral services Sunday in Mashhad and Monday in Tehran, Iranian state media reported. Iran will observe three days of national mourning. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Iran's President says US committed a 'grave mistake' in killing top general" The uneasy relationship between alliance partners BJP and the JD (U) in Bihar took another hit Sunday after the latters national general secretary Pavan Varma wrote to party president and chief minister Nitish Kumar against the unilateral announcement by deputy CM Sushil Modi that the National Population Register (NPR) will be implemented in Bihar in May 2020. The former diplomat said the CAA-NPR-NRC scheme was divisive. I have written to Shri Nitish Kumar today against the unilateral announcement by Deputy CM Sushil Modi that NPR will be implemented in Bihar in May 2020. Have requested Nitish ji to categorically reject the CAA-NPR-NRC divisive scheme. pic.twitter.com/FRpiAKYdap Pavan K. Varma (@PavanK_Varma) January 5, 2020 The CAA-NRC combine is a direct attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims, and to create social instability. Besides, it will impose great hardships on Indians as a whole, including especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable belonging to all communities, Varma wrote in his letter. Also Watch l Modi govt itself said that NPR is the first step for NRC: Prashant Kishor I am greatly surprised that Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi has unilaterally announced that the NPR will be carried out in Bihar between May 15 and May 28 2020. As you are aware, the government has categorically stated that the NPR is the first step to implementing the NRC. Since you have said that Bihar will not have the NRC, it follows that you must say no to the revised NPR as well. On Saturday, Modi had announced that Bihar will launch a data collection drive for the National Population Register (NPR) on May 15 and the exercise will conclude on May 28. Ahead of Varma flagging Modis announcement of the NPR exercise, another JD (U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan had said the JD (U) doesnt have a problem with the NPR exercise in Bihar. All states have given their consent for NPR after its gazette notification in August. Bihar is one of them. Moreover when Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that NPR data wont be used for the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the JD (U) doesnt have any problem, said Ranjan. The relationship between the BJP and the JD (U) has been edgy for some time now. While both parties have been trying to show a united front, the fissures showed up once again on December 25, a day after Jharkhand assembly election results which the saffron party lost. A few BJP leaders had once again demand a change in face for the NDA in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections later this year. In October, BJP national president and Union home minister Amit Shah had made it clear that his party would contest the 2020 Bihar assembly elections in alliance with the JD (U) and under Nitish Kumars leadership. But that hasnt stopped other BJP leaders from sniping at Kumar. The Royal Navy has been deployed to protect British ships in the Gulf amid escalating tensions over Donald Trumps drone killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, said he has ordered two British warships to return to the Strait of Hormuz imminently to guide British-flagged vessels through the key oil passage. He said the government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time as Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose and Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender were deployed on Saturday. The move came as the Foreign Office strengthened its travel warnings across the region as fears of all-out war heightened. Tehran has vowed harsh retaliation after US president Donald Trump authorised the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike on Thursday. 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 US has also dispatched 3,000 extra troops to Kuwait. Thousands of supporters chanted death to America as they marched in a funeral procession through Baghdad. Mr Wallace urged all parties to de-escalate the situation although he said the US was entitled to defend itself. After speaking to his US counterpart Mark Esper, Mr Wallace said American forces have been repeatedly attacked by Iranian-backed militia in Iraq during the last few months. He said: General Soleimani has been at the heart of the use of proxies to undermine neighbouring sovereign nations and target Irans enemies. British warship HMS Montrose pictured docked in the Cypriot port of Limassol in February 2014. (STR/AFP via Getty) Under international law the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to their citizens. The practice of escorting ships in the Strait of Hormuz was stood down in November after being used during the fall-out from the seizure of the British-flagged Stena Impero tanker by Iran in July. The difference this time is the fact UK ships now have a choice to navigate the waters without an escort at their own risk. The Foreign Office has advised citizens not to travel to Iraq, apart from essential travel to its Kurdistan region, while all but essential travel to Iran is warned against. Alerts regarding other Middle East nations are also being increased, with calls to remain vigilant in countries including Afghanistan, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, is set to meet with his French and German counterparts over the coming days before flying to Washington DC to meet US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Thursday in a bid to reduce the tensions. Labours John McDonnell condemned the governments response to this act of aggression, this escalation towards war when he joined protesters outside Downing Street. The shadow chancellor told the crowd with the Stop the War Coalition: It was acts like this that led us to the catastrophic war in Iraq. Prime minister Boris Johnson has been celebrating the new year with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds on the private Caribbean island of Mustique and has not commented on the generals killing. He is expected to return to the UK early on Sunday. Additional reporting by Press Association DAVID VOIGTS JESUP ---In the face of many environmental problems, it is good to remember the environmental successes of the past year. Here are some examples from the National Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy. Delegates at Septembers U.N. Climate Summit sent a clear message to world leaders that climate change solutions are needed now. Important commitments were made including a pledge by 77 countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. In a significant move, the U.S. Congress permanently reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund Americas most important conservation program (Senator Ernst cosponsored). Although adequate funding was not assured, the LWCF is here to stay. The EPA recently released its Great Lakes Action Plan that will guide restoration and protection for the Great Lakes over the next five years. For the first time, the plan will specifically seek to benefit breeding marsh birds. Another environmental success was the formation of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus and a quadrupling of the House Climate Solutions Caucus. It is only by working together that Congress has any real chance of enacting climate legislation. As we enter the New Year, we hope for more environmental successes in 2020. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Nairobi, Kenya: The al-Shabab extremist group says it has attacked a military base used by US and Kenyan troops in coastal Kenya. Kenya's military says the attempted pre-dawn breach was repulsed and at least four attackers were killed. A witness reported a plume of black smoke rising above the base and says residents said a car bomb exploded. The US Africa Command confirmed the attack at the Manda Bay airfield. The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab is based in neighboring Somalia and has launched a number of attacks in Kenya. Al-Shabab has been the target of a growing number of US airstrikes during President Donald Trump's administration. An al-Shabab statement Sunday asserted that it had inflicted casualties in the raid on the military base in Manda Bay, near the border with Somalia, and destroyed US military equipment, including aircraft. Noting that the space for debate in their country is shrinking, several prominent Pakistani dissidents currently living in various countries have gathered here at a conference to discuss ways of ensuring greater support for pluralist ideas, human rights, and democracy in Pakistan. The two-day conference was opened by former Pakistan ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani and will end on Sunday with an event, a statement said. Several participants including liberals and Baloch, Sindhi, Pashtun, and Seraiki described the situation in Pakistan as one of "virtual martial law." Haqqani in his opening address said Pakistan's democrats also cannot ignore human rights violations in neighbouring countries. Attended by scholars, journalists, bloggers and social media activists, many of whom now live in exile, the conference is the fourth to be organised by South Asians Against Terrorism and for Human Rights (SAATH), a group of prodemocracy Pakistanis and is co-hosted by Haqqani and US-based columnist Mohammad Taqi. This year, the conference size was scaled down as many of the forum's Pakistani participants were "intimidated or barred from participating," the statement said. The prominent participants included former Senator Afrasiab Khattak, former Ambassador Kamran Shafi, former editor of Daily Times Rashed Rahman, journalists Taha Siddiqui, Gul Bukhari and Marvi Sirmed and activist Gulalai Ismail. Earlier SAATH conferences were held in London in 2016 and 2017 and in Washington DC in 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Quango chiefs are raking in six-figure salaries to lecture the public on losing weight and getting the flu jab, a scathing report into Britains nanny state revealed last night. An astonishing 356 public health staff pocketed in excess of 100,000 in the past tax year, with 21 senior employees earning even more than Prime Minister Boris Johnsons current salary of 154,908. The highest-paid was Dr Adrian Mairs, acting director at Public Health Agency Northern Ireland. His total for 2018-19 was 311,500, including salary of at least 157,500 and an employer pension contribution of 154,000. Quango chiefs are raking in six-figure salaries to lecture the public on losing weight and getting the flu jab, a scathing report revealed (file photo) Public Health Englands London director Yvonne Doyle received 257,500. She was quoted last month warning vulnerable groups to make sure they remembered to have a flu jab this winter. PHE chief executive Duncan Selbie took home 187,500. He was criticised in May 2018 for lecturing an NHS conference on the importance of exercise, before claiming 5.90 on expenses for a taxi to a train station less than a mile away. It emerged that Mr Selbie had claimed he took the taxi because he was time limited, but it was revealed the journey would have been quicker if he had walked at the brisk pace he had told the nation to adopt to improve fitness. In December 2017, Mr Selbie faced a furious backlash after urging local councils and shopping centres to ban visits from Coca-Colas promotional Christmas trucks because of sugars key role in rotting childrens teeth and making them fat. The massive pay windfall for public-sector staff spearheading publicity drives to tackle unhealthy living was revealed last night in the annual Nanny State Rich List, published by the TaxPayers Alliance. Researcher Scott Simmonds said: Brain surgeons, consultants, nurses and carers deserve their salaries but its hard to justify such sky-high pay bills for the high priests of the nanny state. Typical taxpayers are subject to a deluge of media stories criticising them for their lifestyles, with many sick to the back teeth of being judged and lectured by well-heeled quangocrats. Where someone is earning huge amounts at taxpayers expense they must be accountable to the people who pay the bill and who rely on the services they run. Public Health England chief executive Duncan Selbie took home 187,500. He was criticised in May 2018 for lecturing an NHS conference on the importance of exercise, before claiming 5.90 on expenses for a taxi to a train station less than a mile away (file photo) Other fat cat bosses include Virginia Pearson, chief officer for communities, public health, environment and prosperity at Devon County Council, who was paid 189,459 last year. She provoked scorn in 2018 for criticising Christmas cards which depicted alcohol, saying they often undermined public health messages about harmful drinking. Paul Cosford, the 223,500-a-year director for health protection and medical director at PHE, also triggered criticism last year by calling for the introduction of road pricing to combat air pollution caused by heavy traffic. And Jenny Harries, PHEs deputy medical director, was paid 142,500 last year. She had previously been forced to admit that public health failings meant up to 270 women may have had their lives cut short following a computer fault that led thousands of women to miss vital breast cancer scans. In October, Professor Dame Sally Davies, the former chief medical officer in England, urged the Government to consider placing extra taxes on unhealthy foods. It comes after the introduction of a sugar tax in 2018 and at a time when taxes are at their highest level for 50 years. Public Health England defended its costs as being about a third of an average teaching hospital and said it had saved more than 500 million from running costs over the past five years. Duncan Selbie, PHE chief executive, said: Our senior colleagues are largely doctors, scientists and world leading researchers. They are on the front line of protecting and improving the nations health from infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance and other threats. In line with other clinical professionals, their overall package comprises of a number of elements, including salary, pensions and NHS national clinical excellence awards. Zarif: Americans committed miscalculation in martyring Gen Soleimani IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 4, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday that the US has committed a miscalculation by martyring IRGC Quds Force Commander Lieutenant General Soleimani. In a live televised speech on Friday night, he hailed characteristics of General Soleimani as commander of Quds Force as well as commander of the region's Islamic resistance. Since regional reactionary leaders and Zionist regime's terrorist policies have been neutralized by Soleimani's vigilance, they have had deep malice towards him, he said. The US act can be surveyed from various angles. First it broke Iraq's sovereignty. The Americans martyred not only Soleimani but also General Abu Mahdi and this means violating the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty to martyr several Iraqi heroes, which drew anger of the Iraqi people, he said. The act was a cowardice terrorist act that they attacked their convoy in Baghdad airport, he said, noting that it is also a clear state terrorist attack. The Americans martyred a top-ranking Iranian official and the country has the right to respond to it whenever and anyway it thinks fit, Zarif said. Trump committed the crime for electoral purposes both for himself and Netayanhu and to get rid of pressure of impeachment, Zarif said. "Today Swiss charge d'affaires was summoned to Foreign Ministry; once for conveying Iran's protest and another time for giving Iran's crushing response to the US rude message," he said. Elsewhere in his talks, he said that the US committed a wrong act and is worried about its repercussions, Mike Pompeo has called several times to say they are not seeking tension; rather they are after diplomacy. Zarif addressed the Americans saying that you sought tensions and nobody buys such gestures from the US. It seems that Americans will delete themselves from the region through their miscalculation. Soleimani was a commander of peace and the one who fought for eliminating terrorism and extremism, he said. 8072**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address He went on to become an endowed professor at Harvard Medical School and the surgical oncology division chief and vice chairman for research in Brigham and Womens surgery department. In 1998, Washington University School of Medicine came knocking. Siteman is the oldest of three children born to Bertha and Phillip Siteman, a Russian who emigrated to St. Louis as a child. Phillip Siteman and his father founded Site Oil Co. in the 1930s, and he led a property development and management firm. Alvin Siteman went to Clayton High School, graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology when he was 20 and took over the family businesses. In 1986, he bought most of the Mark Twain Bancshares stock. Two subsequent bank mergers earned him more than $200 million, according to news reports. Known as an astute and no-nonsense businessman, he still goes to his office in Clayton as chairman of Site Oil Co., Eberlein said. Siteman served on the board of Jewish Hospital for more than a decade before it merged with Barnes Hospital in 1996. As a board member, he was aware of unsuccessful attempts to create a cancer center, Eberlein said. Omicron Outbreak: Night curfew in Kerala from Dec 30, no New Year celebration post 10 pm Kerala cop kicks, beats up passenger for travelling without ticket on train, video goes viral Complete lockdown in Kerala? Here's what Health Minister has to say New Covid curbs in Kerala: Attendance at marriages, funerals capped at 50 Kerala Mosque to host Hindu wedding India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Alappuzha, Jan 05: A mosque near here is set to witness a rare camaraderie when it will open its gates for a traditional Hindu marriage. The wedding of Anju (22), daughter of Bindhu and late Ashokan, would take place on January 19 on the premises of the Cheruvally Muslim Jamaat mosque as per Hindu rituals. The family of the bride, who is from a financially poor background, had sought help of the mosque committee to conduct wedding. 271 fatherless girls married off at mass marriage in Gujarat's Surat "The mosque committee will gift 10 sovereigns of gold and Rs 2 lakh to Anju as a wedding gift. The marriage will take place according to Hindu rituals. We have also arranged food for around 1,000 persons," said Cheruvally Jamaat committee secretary Nujumudeen Alummoottil. NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 The family, which stays near the mosque, has been facing a lot of hardships after the death of Ashokan in 2018, he said. "I've personally helped their younger child study. This time, the request was given to the mosque committee as the expenses for a marriage are quite high. So, the committee decided to assist the family," Nujumudeen said. The bridegroom Sarath Sasi would marry Anju during the auspicious time between 11.30 am and 12.30 pm on January 19 on the mosque premises. A teenage boxing enthusiast, 18, was stabbed to death yards from the entrance to a hospital on Saturday - in the second murder in Britain this year. The victim, named locally as Mohammad Ashraq, was treated for a stab wound in the chest by officers at the scene in Wexham, Buckinghamshire, yesterday evening. The teenager was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead less than an hour later. Two 18-year-old men from Slough have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody. A teenage boxing enthusiast, 18, named by friends locally as Mohammad Ashraq, was stabbed to death yards from the entrance to a hospital on Saturday The victim was treated for a stab wound in the chest by officers at the scene in Wexham, Buckinghamshire, yesterday evening. Pictured: A police cordon at the scene Off-duty medical staff are also understood to have offered help at the scene on Benjamin Lane, near to Wexham Park Hospital. Boxing trainer Khalil Khalid wrote in a tribute to Mohammad: 'Really sad to hear this news. 'Mohammad attended our gym a few times with friends. 'Had a passion to keep fit and learn about boxing. He was not a trouble maker just loved sport. Sadly lost his life to knife crime.' The victim's friend Amar Kayani wrote: 'We called him "tank" at the boxing club because of his power and his relentless boxing style' Mr Khalid, who had been a youth worker for several years and now works as a private boxing instructor at Ks Gym, said Mohammad had not been the type of boy to get involved in trouble. He added: 'I could tell he was not like that. Having been working with youth offenders' prevention, you see the signs of when a kid is going to go this way or going to go that way. I have had to kick some of the kids out of the gym, but not Mohammad. 'Last year he came for a few sessions, he was on his boxing, you could tell he was dedicated. He was not the type who was making trouble. He threw his punches correctly, he would not be the type to mess about. 'He was well mannered, no cockiness and his skills were very good. It is not like he had been doing it for a three or four months, he had been doing it for some years. 'He went just yesterday morning with two of his friends to another boxing gym. One of his friends dads called me later and said he had only just dropped him home before he heard what had happened.' The victim's friend Amar Kayani wrote: 'I write this message with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes.' He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead less than an hour later. Pictured: Police at the scene He added: 'We called him "Tank" at the boxing club because of his power and his relentless boxing style. 'He was loved by everyone for his respectful manner and kindness. I cant imagine what his family and friends are going through right now.' 'Knife crime has to come to a end and I urge everyone reading this to stop carrying knifes before its too late. Today we lost Tank tomorrow it could be someone you know.' This afternoon, grieving friends arrived at the police cordon in Benjamin Lane with flowers and cards for the family. A woman, who arrived at the cordon with several young girls, said: 'I used to live next door to them. No family deserves this, they were a lovely family. 'This is not the kind of area where this sort of thing happens. These kids were probably arguing with him about something stupid.' Police and forensic teams are working at the scene. A weapon has been recovered along with the victim's clothing that was cut from him by emergency services. Off-duty medical staff are also understood to have offered help at the scene on Benjamin Lane, near to Wexham Park Hospital The entrance to the upmarket estate was under police lock down. Pictured: Investigators at the scene Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Dejan Avramovic of Thames Valley Polices Major Crime Unit, said: 'We are carrying out an extensive investigation following the death of a young man in Slough. 'Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. 'We are following a number of investigative lines of enquiry including house-to-house and CCTV enquiries and we have made two arrests in connection with this incident. 'Members of the public will see an increased police presence whilst we continue to investigate and patrols will be increased in the area. 'We would ask anyone with any information or concerns to please speak to one of our officers. 'I would also like to appeal to the public to please come forward with any information that they may have in connection with this incident. 'Additionally we would ask anyone with dash-cam footage or CCTV footage to please come forward.' The teenager was stabbed to death yards from the entrance to the hospital. Pictured: Investigators at the scene A weapon has been recovered from the scene along with the victims clothing that was cut from him by emergency services. Pictured: Investigators at the scene Police are seen at the scene inside the cordoned area. The road remains closed off to the public A lot of events happened in 2019, including merger and acquisitions (M&As). Meanwhile, some e-commerce websites stopped their operation. The M&A wave in 2019 started with the shocking deal between VinCommerce and Shop&Go in April. VinCommerce, which runs VinMart supermarket and VinMart+ convenience store chains, bought 87 Shop&Go convenience stores at $1. In June 2019, the retail market once again was stirred up by the news that Auchan, the French retail group, sold 18 supermarkets in Vietnam to Saigon Co-op and left Vietnam after many years of presence here. The move of taking over Auchan is believed to help Saigon Co-op consolidate its No 1 position in terms of revenue in the Vietnamese market. Dinh Thi My Loan, chair of the Vietnam Retail Association, noted that previously, the buyers in M&A deals were mostly foreign investors, but now, many buyers are Vietnamese. In August 2019, eight Queenland Marts merged into VinMart. With the deal, the total VinMart sale point has increased to 120. At this moment, there are 2,122 VinMart or VinMart+ sale points throughout the country. A lot of events happened in 2019, including merger and acquisitions (M&As). Meanwhile, some e-commerce websites stopped their operation. To everyones surprise, Vingroup in late 2019 announced the withdrawal from the retail sector. Under an agreement signed with Masan, VinCommerce, the subsidiary owning VinMart and VinMart+ chains will merge with Masan, while Vingroup will gather its strength on industry and technology development. 2019 proved to be a tough year for e-commerce firms. A lot of e-commerce websites shut down, including Robins.vn (Central Group), Adayroi.com (Vingroup) and Lotte.vn (Lotte). Most recently, Lotte.vn informed its partners that the e-commerce website will officially stop sale from February 20, 2020 and will merge with Speedl.vn. Explaining the move, Lotte.vn said this is a part of the business plan changes. In early December, Vingroup informed that it will merge Adayroi with VinID before it announced the shutdown of the marketplace in December 2019. Prior to that, in March 2019, Robins.vn also unexpectedly announced the suspension in Vietnam. Central Groups media representative said Robins.vn is going to undergo a restructuring. Analysts noted that the e-commerce websites dont perform well which is reflected in the number of visitors. A report of iPrice Insights and SimilarWeb showed that Lotte.vn and Robins.vn never found their names in the top 5 websites with the highest numbers of visitors. In September 2019, Lotte.vn ranked the 23rd in number of visitors, lagging far behind its rivals such as Lazada, Shopee, Tiki and Sendo. Meanwhile, Adayroi never reached the threshold of 10 million visitors, while the figures of Shopee, Lazada, Tiki and Sendo were stable at 20-40 million. A report of Google and Temasek showed that the e-commerce market value may hit $4.6 billion in 2019 and $23 billion by 2025. Kim Chi VN retail sales hit four-year high Retail sales of goods and services reached VND4.94 quadrillion (US$214.8 billion) in 2019, representing a rise of 11.8 per cent over the previous year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). I got out a black marker and put a line through Taipei. "You can't take it, it is out of my hands," he repeated. I returned with a kitchen knife and scratched out the offending capital, acting not as a journalist but a mother who didn't want to explain to a seven-year-old why the precious globe had disappeared. Living in Beijing in a time of deteriorating international relations, I had determined to try to keep geopolitics at the office and out of my home, but failed. Raising an Australian boy in Beijing threw up interesting dilemmas. Raising an Australian boy in Beijing threw up interesting dilemmas. Like the time I returned from a reporting trip in Xinjiang in China's far western desert. I had been detained and trailed by police who sought to stop foreign reporters speaking to Uighur Muslims, as the government locked up the Muslim population there en masse in re-education centres. I opened the door to find my son at home dressed in Chinese police uniform for Halloween. "You're under arrest," he declared, oblivious. I said nothing. A little boy who liked police, just like his Chinese playmates, he was a hit on the trick-or-treating circuit. When I told this story to a high-profile Hong Kong democracy activist curious about life in Beijing, she questioned whether this was the right approach. But as an Australian journalist in China, I saw my job as the independent observer "independent always" looking for facts, not an activist. Covering the trade war between the United States and China I would look through Australian eyes for the impact on Australia. As the Tweets raged against China supposedly banning Peppa Pig, I could still see Peppa everywhere, beloved by Chinese four-year-olds. Foreign journalists were certainly among the groups (churches and non-government organisations were others) singled out for police scrutiny in China, amid overblown fears of foreign infiltration. But boys the world over liked to play police, I reasoned, so why disrupt a childhood? The array of Chinese armed truck toys, Lego police stations and Long March rockets at our place grew. Beijing's military museum held wonders like the downed "US imperialist" drone. When my son wanted to play spies with invisible ink, we asked him to keep his voice down, lest any real spies got the wrong idea. But geopolitics closed in. The Huawei technology wars I reported on from the office rippled into our lives, as my son's Canadian playmates were whisked away overseas last Christmas. Expat families reacted with shock to the arrest of a former Canadian diplomat on the streets of Beijing, and another Canadian at the airport the same day, in retaliation for Canada's arrest of a Huawei executive. Was any foreigner fair game in hostage diplomacy? Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun was arrested a month later, accused of espionage in a separate incident the Australian government believes is unrelated to Huawei. Pro-democracy blogger Yang Hengjun has been detained in China since January. Credit:AAP By the end of this year, my son had put the police toys aside. With my frequent absences in Hong Kong covering six months of protests, it became too hard to say nothing when I returned home coughing, with a burning throat and threw my clothes into the washing machine to remove toxic gas. My son worked out the connection between police and tear gas. The TV screen went black as the BBC crossed to Hong Kong, and our Chinese friends were instead fed state propaganda that Hong Kong was beset by "terrorists". But my son worked out the connection between police and tear gas. On the streets of Hong Kong I watched children traumatised as police beat protesters, firing rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at head height. Many protesters were school students and as the months rolled on even heckling police from the footpath or carrying a gas mask in a backpack on the subway could earn arrest. Eighty arrested teachers were suspended from schools. The breakdown of trust between little boys and police will be an enduring legacy of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam's mishandling of the 2019 political crisis. However the protests may end in the short term, a generation of Hong Kong children have been radicalised because instead of negotiating, a government sent out police to crack down on a population who had come to the streets peacefully. The reason for Lam's inflexibility is Beijing. As Chinese President Xi Jinping forces the Communist Party further into the core of Chinese life in universities, schools, churches and offices demands for democratic reform in Hong Kong do not fit the Five Year Plan. Demonstrators hold signs during a protest in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong. Credit:Bloomberg For the first two years of my posting, Xi's control appeared absolute. As the trade footprint of the world's second-largest economy grew, he was lauded internationally when he spoke in support of globalisation at Davos in 2017. When the party's twice-a-decade summit was held later that year, general secretary Xi's eponymous ideology was written, Mao-like, into the constitution. Breaking convention, no heir apparent was appointed. A corruption crackdown swept away enemies. By 2018, term limits on the president were removed, potentially allowing Xi to remain president for life. Yet the party leadership and its security apparatus sensed before any Western onlookers that 2019 the year of anniversaries held danger. Warnings for police to be on the lookout for "colour revolution" in January appeared paranoid. As the economy slowed amid a trade war with the US, and a killer virus wiped out a third of the nation's pig herd, the anniversaries rolled in. The centenary of the May 4 student protest movement segued potently into the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre four weeks later. Almost on cue, pent-up frustration with communist China erupted in Hong Kong as a million people took to the streets on June 9. The protests haven't stopped. I was caught between two major news events, seemingly worlds apart. What was unimaginable in January was that the next anniversary, October 1, the 70th of communist China's founding, would collide with boiling street anger in Hong Kong. Blood was spilt that day. In Beijing, a choreographed military spectacle was watched on TV by hundreds of millions of mainland Chinese, who probably felt genuine national pride. I was caught between two major news events, seemingly worlds apart. I flew from Hong Kong to Beijing on September 30, only to be told upon landing that I was banned from collecting my tickets to the military parade the next day. I flew back to Hong Kong, sleepless, after police there began firing live rounds on October 1, hitting a teenage protester, and did a TV news update for Nine. Chinese female militia members march in formation during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China. Credit:AP During my China posting I witnessed the rise of the digital surveillance state. In 2017, People's Liberation Army soldiers stood guard at my office and apartment compound gates. They were soon replaced by cameras, lots of cameras, as white cyclopes appeared on most street corners. Facial recognition screens I had first seen in Xinjiang soon replaced ticket collectors at Beijing train stations. More than 700 million Chinese had smartphones and were ditching cash and telephone networks to rely on Tencent's most convenient WeChat app to pay and socialise. Digital China is on track to be a world leader. Fibre runs to the home in ancient Beijing "hutong" alleys, delivering 100MB to pensioners while Australia argues over the failure of the NBN. 5G has already begun rolling out. But in an authoritarian state there is a catch. I listened as Tencent founder Pony Ma revealed at China's own "World Internet Conference" that when WeChat used artificial intelligence to allow commuters to scan a barcode with their smartphone at the subway instead of buying a ticket, there was also a "security" feature. "It also gives authorities access to the real identity of passengers," he said. President Xi Jinping after inspecting troops during a parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in October. Credit:Getty Artificial intelligence and big data pushed as a research priority by Xi were starting to be deployed against the population. China's government-controlled media hyped up the potency of AI cameras that could scan faces in the massive crowd at Qingdao's famous beer festival, for example, and match them to criminal databases, leading to arrests. As AI improved "security", it was also diminishing what small space was left for privacy. A question mark remains over whether the billions of pieces of data generated by all those cameras can yet be processed swiftly enough for authorities to join the dots outside localised trials. My personal answer came when I drove to the outskirts of Beijing to cover a protest by parents unable to enrol children in the local school. It was a middle-class area, and these parents had organised on social media to picket the local government. A sea of umbrellas must have initially obscured my presence from the security cameras as I interviewed angry parents happy to speak to the media. When the secret police moved in, they held a video camera to my face first. When the secret police moved in, they held a video camera to my face first. I smiled. When they returned 10 minutes later, a dozen men in black T-shirts demanded I go with them. They addressed me by my Chinese name, Haiyun, recorded only on my government-issued press card, which I hadn't shown. The foreign journalist dataset had been loaded into the facial recognition system. I had great material, but looking at the parents' faces when the undercover police arrived, I decided I couldn't use it. The typical "picking quarrels" charge for a public protest in China led to jail time, and there were six-year-olds here. The Communist Party is paranoid about the presence of foreign media at protests, even over livelihood issues, because it accuses foreigners of trying to foment colour revolution. Back in Australia, politicians were arguing in a similar tone about "Chinese foreign interference". A circle of mistrust. Before I left Sydney in 2017, I lunched with a group of former China correspondents, who each reflected that Australians still knew little about China despite our newspapers opening a bureau in Beijing in 1973. Returning in 2019, I don't think that situation has improved. Living in China it is clear that climate change and environment policies are being prioritised in a way that Australia, selling coal, refuses to understand. Australians in China repeatedly told me they were unhappy with the noisy domestic political debate back home over "Chinese interference". It seems anyone working in China was well aware of the hurdles for foreigners there, and Australia's "China debate" was breeding more suspicion, the opposite to the long-term project of making China more open to the world. The hurdle was the increasing reluctance of Chinese people to go on the record. For a reporter on the ground trying to report China as it really is, the hurdle was the increasing reluctance of Chinese people to go "on the record" in foreign media, unwilling to risk the trouble this might bring. Insightful interviewees pulled out of stories as the geopolitical winds blew. One time, I travelled 1800 kilometres to Chongqing to stand outside an office door, interview unconfirmed after months of faxes. "We're here," my photographer colleague announced. Officials finally relented and the gates to the trans-continental train yard, the birthplace of Xi's Belt and Road Initiative, were unlocked. The National Television Awards will mark its 25th anniversary with a TV special narrated by Dame Julie Walters. The hour-long documentary will feature interviews with winners, nominees and former hosts such as Graham Norton, Holly Willoughby, David Tennant, Simon Cowell, Paul OGrady, Danny Dyer, and Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. The ITV special will chart the annual ceremonys most memorable moments, such as Judy Finnigans live wardrobe malfunction with her bra in 2000. Former hosts Sir Trevor McDonald and Dermot OLeary will share their experiences of anchoring two-and-a-half hours of live TV, while veteran actress Dame Julie will narrate. The show will air ahead of the 25th edition at the London O2 Arena on January 28 with new presenter David Walliams, who has taken over from previous host OLeary. Speaking in the special, OLeary says that Walliams will take aim at Cowell, his fellow judge on Britains Got Talent, on the night. He says: I dont need to give any advice to David, we both know Simons going to come out of this very badly. Expand Close Simon Cowell (Matt Crossick/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Cowell (Matt Crossick/PA) Walliams has beaten Cowell three times to win the gong for best TV judge, saying one year: I dont look at this as a victory for me, I look at it as a humiliation for Simon Cowell. Video of the Day The documentary will also see McPartlin and Donnelly reflect on their 18 consecutive wins at the NTAs. The duo again won the gong for best TV presenter, voted for by viewers, at last years event, despite McPartlin having been off-screen for much of the time due to addiction issues. McPartlin says: That first NTA felt like it changed our lives that night, we were playing with the big boys and weve never been big boys, smaller than average boys. Expand Close Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly at the NTAs (Matt Crossick/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly at the NTAs (Matt Crossick/PA) With everything that has happened in my personal life, I just wasnt sure people would still vote. Donnelly adds: It was a really lovely message from the audience just to back us and say were still with you. Norton quips that the pairs continued success takes the pressure off the other nominees. To begin with you thought ooh maybe this year but now its quite nice as it takes the pressure off, he says. You know not to prepare a speech or even wear trousers as you wont be standing up in public. The documentary will also feature interviews with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Brendan OCarroll, Phillip Schofield, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Michael Barrymore, Eamonn Holmes and Davina McCall. McPartlin and Donnelly, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, OLeary, Emma Willis, Willoughby and Fiona Bruce are among those nominated for major prizes this year. The National Television Awards Celebrate 25 Years airs on Tuesday January 7 on ITV at 9pm. (Natural News) As we roll into the new year with events already exploding in Iraq and Iran rockets were just fired into the U.S.-controlled green zone near the U.S. embassy in Iraq its shocking to realize how many people remain in total denial about the retribution thats going to be carried out by Irans terror cells that are already embedded in cities across America. As the map shows below, Islamic terrorist networks have been in place for years. What most Americans dont yet fully realize is that Barack Obama helped fund these terror networks through a complex international money laundering scheme that delivered over $150 billion to Iran during the Obama administration. At least $1 billion went to fund Irans nuclear weapons program, with full knowledge from Obama. (Obama also helped Iran capture a U.S. drone and two Navy boats in order to give Iran U.S. military encryption technology.) As a result, radical Islamic terror cells have a pervasive presence in New York, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, Orlando, Tucson and many other cities (see map below): (see sources and more maps at Clarionproject.org/extremist-organization/ ) The way these terror networks operate is by fitting in with society while waiting for the once-in-a-lifetime command to activate, at which point they carry out deadly attacks on various targets that would produce the highest casualties, via asymmetric warfare. In other words, these terror cells are your neighbors, your local dry cleaner owners, Uber drivers and retail workers. Theyre everyday people who have spent years embedding themselves in society, but their long-term goal is to destroy America by any means necessary, and thats what theyve trained to carry out. This article is about which targets on U.S. soil are most likely to be hit as these terror cells are activated. Asymmetric warfare relies on population density to produce the highest casualties: CITIES are the death zones First off, its crucial to understand that all the targets will be found in cities, not rural areas. Thats because asymmetric warfare needs high densities of human targets to achieve the desired goal of mass death. This simply cannot be achieved by attacking farms or rural residential areas. So if youre still living in a city for some reason, understand that you are now in the target zone for terror cell attacks. If you live in a city and dont have a plan to escape the city on foot, complete with emergency water filters, food and firearms, then you obviously have some sort of twisted death wish. Vulnerable infrastructure is surprisingly easy for terrorists to destroy The second point here is that Americas infrastructure was not constructed with any real sense of making it resistant to domestic terrorism attacks. For example: Power grid substations are right out in the open and can be easily attacked with long range rifles from 1-2 miles away. Water deliver systems use open air canals and river sources that can be easily mass poisoned. Food deliveries can be easily disrupted or contaminated by targeting food distribution hubs. There are zero defenses right now against airborne biological, chemical or radiological weapons delivered via drones or even small planes. Fuel refineries can be easily targeted with mortars or long-range rifle fire. Improved explosives (or suicide vests) can be used to bomb large numbers of civilians who gather in public places such as concerts, subways or movie theaters. Biological weapons are undetectable and can be released almost anywhere, with zero traceability. Thanks to CRISPR gene editing technology, almost anyone can whip up a bioweapon in their own basement, with minimal funding or technical expertise. Thus, if Iran activates its terror cells across America, any rational person should fully expect to see disruptions in the power grid, water systems, food deliveries and fuel infrastructure. These disruptions may be localized and possibly short-lived, but if large scale attacks are coordinated among several cells, a city like Los Angeles, for example, could be brought to its knees with simultaneous disruptions of water, fuel, electricity and food. Given that some U.S. cities are already on the verge of collapsing into total chaos on any given day L.A., Detroit, Chicago, Miami, etc. it actually wouldnt take much to tip these cities into spiraling chaos and lawlessness. Most Americans are not prepared for any disruptions at all, and they will panic Making matters worse, America is a culture populated by hyper-privileged, entitled snowflakes who go into a panic when they misplace their cell phones. Most Americans have zero preparedness plans and think the idea of storing food for an emergency is tin foil hat crazy. Similarly, few Americans know where to find a backup supply of water or how to filter that water and make it safe to drink. The vast majority of Americans have no spare cash whatsoever not even emergency money and they have no means to defend themselves or live in any sustainable way that doesnt rely on constant artificial inputs from outside the cities. As Ive explained before, cities are artificial constructs that rely on a steady stream of food, electricity, fuel, bandwidth and water to survive. When any one of those is cut off, cities begin to rapidly collapse into chaos and panic. Theres no doubt that Irans terror cells will be counting on this chaos factor when they plan their upcoming attacks. From their point of view, America is a weak culture of pathetic snowflakes who are easy to send into a panic because they live cushy, comfortable lives and have never faced real hardship like those who live in the Middle East. Theyre not entirely wrong in this assessment, by the way: The average American with a few exceptions such as soldiers, fire fighters, police officers, EMTs, etc. has never seen anything close to the carnage that will unfold when Iran activates a domestic war against America on U.S. soil. America has become weak. Its true. The snowflakian utopia of Libtardia has finally arrived. Americas stock market bubble is highly vulnerable to panic, since its all running on perception, not financial reality Another crucial point to understand in all this is how the bubble stock market could easily implode once the attacks begin on U.S. soil, since the entire market is now based on psychology rather than financial reality. Right now, people have faith in the market, and that combined with some Fed pumping is whats keeping the whole house of cards propped up. But the moment the suicide bombers start detonating themselves in malls, movie theaters and train stations, guess what happens to all that faith in the minds of the average American retail investor? It vanishes. Thus, Iran quite literally has the power to initiate a market crash that could indirectly take out Trump by causing him to lose the next election. Thats on top of the $80 million bounty on Trumps head that has already been announced by Irans leadership. (Should Kathy Griffin claim the reward already?) If you ever needed a good reason to get out of the stock market bubble, add this one to your list. The moment the terror cells go active in America, the market becomes highly vulnerable to fear, which immediately replaces the irrational exuberance thats currently driving the market. Likely weapons: Mortars, suicide vests, mass shootings, drone attacks and more As a real-world example of how easy it is to acquire weapons of mass destruction in America even by accident a few years ago I was purchasing surplus lab equipment from Michigan State University. They shipped me a piece of used equipment that was full of liquid mercury enough mercury to poison the entire water supply of Los Angeles, it turns out. I wasnt even trying to purchase mercury and had no idea the machine was full of the toxic substance. Oh, and in case youre curious, they packed the instrument in bubble wrap and threw it in a cardboard box that turned out to be heavily contaminated with tiny mercury spheres from the moment I opened it. So Michigan State University managed to poison the UPS workers with mercury, too, while contaminating UPS trucks and everything else that was encountered along the way. (On the good side, Michigan State University apologized to me and paid for a hazmat cleanup team to pick up the mercury and dispose of it, which probably means they dumped it in the river or something, who knows) Imagine what a terrorist could acquire if they were actually trying to buy up lots of mercury, or hexavalent chromium, or some other toxic chemical thats sold as an agricultural pesticide. It doesnt take a genius terrorist to dump a hundred gallons of highly toxic chemicals into the water supply feeding Los Angeles or Tucson, for that matter, since much of southern Arizona is fed by open air water canals. Then again, the lunatic Americans who work in water treatment facilities are dumping toxic fluoride into the water supply every day, carrying out a government-approved mass poisoning of the population, even without help from terror cells. So its true that there has been chemical terrorism under way in America for decades, especially when you consider the scourge of biosludge and the mass poisoning of Americas farms with recycled toxic human sewage. (See Biosludged.com for the full film.) In addition to these chemical contamination vectors, terror cells may also resort to old tried-and-true tactics such as wearing a suicide vest and detonating in the middle of a Sunday crowd in San Francisco. They might also target refineries and fuel storage tanks near Houston with mortar fire or long-range rifle fire. Mass shootings might also be carried out against large crowds of people, similar to the Las Vegas shooting that well never forget, since that entire fiasco was immediately covered up by the treasonous FBI and local law enforcement. If you ever needed a reason to become more self-sufficient and remove yourself from the grid as much as possible, now youve got one. Even hanging out with crowds of people at public events may become a risky activity once the terror cells activate. If you thought terrorists bombing public buses and sidewalk cafes was limited to the Israel / Palestine conflict, think again: Iran may bring those same tactics to America. Over 90% of Americans have no idea how to use a tourniquet and have never taken a fighting pistol course The vast majority of Americans have no idea how to use a tourniquet, and this fact should be alarming when you consider the possibility of bombings that might target U.S. cities. Almost no one carries a spare tourniquet, not even in their vehicles. Personally, I carry blood stop devices, puncture wound treatment devices and even a chest vent seal, and thats on top of the multiple tourniquets in my vehicle, plus one on my person. Ive practiced how to apply a tourniquet with one hand, and how to shoot, clear jams and reload a pistol with either hand. These are simple skills, yet over 99% of Americans have not even practiced them at all. In effect, the American people are highly vulnerable to acts of terrorism because Americans have become weak and comfortable, for the most part. They no longer have a survival mindset, and their real-world skills are practically non-existent except for certain classes of individuals that I mentioned above, such as cops, fire fighters, EMTs, police officers and even truckers people who have seen the real world and dont like in liberal bubbles like Twitter and Facebook. Things you really need to get done in 2020, hopefully before the bombings begin If youve never taken a pistol or rifle training course, make 2020 your year to get that done. TacticalResponse.com offers courses in select cities across the country, and you can also check your local community for firearms instruction that goes beyond the basics of concealed carry. If youve never practiced stuffing a bullet wound with gauze, sticking tampons into puncture wounds, or stopping bleeding from lacerations and knife wounds, then youre not prepared for America in the 2020s. Just ask the New York Jews, who are now under constant attack from radical Islamic nut jobs who have been emboldened by the insane left-wing media that now claims Islamic terrorism is caused by white supremacy, somehow. If you dont yet own a good pistol, a rifle, some spare ammo and some high-end colloidal silver gel, youre not ready for the reality of what has just been unleashed. If you dont own a water filter, some stored food and some emergency communications gear, youre hopelessly unprepared for the new future we now share. You are now living in Battlefield America, and the war will be brought here this calendar year. In fact, Iran and Barack Obama have both worked toward this for a very long time. Its Obamas billions of dollars in laundered money delivered to Iran, after all, that helped fund this war on America. And all the Democrats are rooting for the Islamic terrorists, in case you havent noticed. Their mask has come off, and Democrats are now 100% in alignment with radical Islam when it comes to hating America and hoping for Americas total destruction. Maybe Trump should do something about the domestic enemies in America instead of bombing militants in the Middle East, ya think? Advertisement Thousands of protesters have marched across New York in a display of solidarity with the Jewish community amid a recent spate of violent anti-Semitic attacks and other incidents in the Tri-State area. Billed as the 'No Hate, No Fear Solidarity March', the event began at 11am in lower Manhattan's Foley Square on Sunday, and continued across the Brooklyn Bridge before rounding out the march in the borough's Cadman Plaza. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday morning that more than 10,000 people had gathered to take part in the march. US Senator Chuck Schumer, congressional freshman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York Mayor Bill De Blasio also attended the event alongside Cuomo. 'I am heartened to see this amazing show of support and solidarity.' Cuomo told the exuberant crowd. 'Over 10,000 people have shown up to show support and love for the Jewish community, and thats New York at her best. 'Discrimination, racism and antisemitism is repugnant to every value New Yorkers hold dear and every value this country represents,' Cuomo continued. 'Anti-Semitism is anti-American and we have to remember that.' The rally comes just one week after the brutal December 28 stabbing attack inside a Rabbi's home during Hanukkah celebrations, in Monsey, New York, which left five people hospitalized with serious injuries. Just weeks prior, a targeted shooting spree at a kosher deli in Jersey City also left three civilians and a police officer dead. Thousands of protesters have gathered to march across New York in a display of solidarity with the Jewish community amid a recent spate of violent anti-Semitic attacks and other incidents in the Tri-State area New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and US Senator Chuck Schumer lead the procession on Sunday morning Billed as the 'No Hate, No Fear Solidarity March', the event began at 11am in lower Manhattan's Foley Square this morning, and continued across the Brooklyn Bridge before concluding in the borough's Cadman Plaza Organized by UJA-Federation of New York, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Anti Defamation League-New York, AJC-NY, and the New York Board of Rabbis, the aim of the procession is to bring together public figures, civic and nonprofit leaders, as well as a number of faith-based organizations to stand united in against hatred of any kind in New York City Among the sea of some ten thousand faces, hundreds of signs were held up my marches showing their support for the Jewish community and members of the Jewish faith themselves declaring their pride in their heritage Thousands are seen marching across the Brooklyn Bridge as part of the 'No Hate, No Fear' march on Sunday morning 'I am heartened to see this amazing show of support and solidarity.' Cuomo told the exuberant crowd. 'Over 10,000 people have shown up to show support and love for the Jewish community, and thats New York at her best US Senator Chuck Schumer (left) and New York Mayor Bill De Blasio (right) also attended the event alongside Cuomo Congressional freshman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was also spotted taking part in the event, clutching a coffee as she made her way to the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge Organized by UJA-Federation of New York, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Anti Defamation League-New York, AJC-NY, and the New York Board of Rabbis, the aim of the procession is to bring together public figures, civic and nonprofit leaders, as well as a number of faith-based organizations to stand united in against hatred of any kind in New York City. 'There are certain moments where we are obligated to stand up together,' said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the head of the Reform movement. 'Theres a lot that still divides us. But today we stand as one.' Evan Bernstein, the ADL's regional director, echoed: 'What we are witnessing these weeks is a normalization of anti-Semitism in the New York-New Jersey region not seen in recent history. 'The fact that we are witnessing almost daily anti-Semitic incidents in our region shows that we are facing a crisis that can only be addressed through solidarity across our communities.' Chuck Schumer evoked lessons from the Holocaust while speaking to fellow marchers, telling the crowd: 'When people of good will saw anti-Semitism in Germany in the 20s and 30s, they did not do enough,' he said. 'We are standing strong.' Holocaust survivor and retired lawyer Franz Leichter, 89, who fled from Austria during World War II also attended the event. 'I think we must stand up,' Leicheter, who now lives on the Upper East Side told the NY Daily News. 'I think the good citizens are the majority and overwhelm the minority and they must express themselves.' There have been 14 reported incidents of anti-Semitic violence in New York since December 8 The rally comes just one week after the brutal December 28 stabbing attack inside a Rabbi's home during Hanukkah celebrations, in Monsey, New York, which left five people hospitalized with serious injuries One of the marchers wore a bright orange t-shirt with the slogan 'I'm proud to be a Jew!' emblazoned on the front Stronger than Hatred: The procession marched throughout the morning, concluding the event in Cadman Plaza. Another sign reading 'Jewish Lives Matter' was also spotted among the crowd Members of New York's famed vigilante group Guardian Angels joined the march in full uniform, donning their iconic red coats and matching berets Haters Will Not Replace US: More signs seen during the protest echo the march's staunch stance against discrimination 'Discrimination, racism and antisemitism is repugnant to every value New Yorkers hold dear and every value this country represents,' Cuomo said. 'Anti-Semitism is anti-American and we have to remember that' On Monday disturbing footage emerged of an Orthodox Jewish man being assaulted by a group of seven teenagers as he walked down a street in Brooklyn in what became the 14th documented incident of anti-Semitic violence in New York in less than four weeks. The incident occurred in Crown Heights on December 24, just four days before 37-year-old Grafton Thomas allegedly stabbed five in Monsey, New York, late Saturday. In the newly uncovered footage a Jewish man, who has not been identified, is seen walking down Lincoln Place near Albany Avenue when he encounters a large group of black teenagers. The man is seen attempting to avoid their path, but tries to walk around the group one of the teens throws a folding camping chair at his head and knocks him off balance. Startled, the man attempts to walk away from the group at speed but is chased by two of the teenagers, who run toward him and then take it in turns to punch him. Meanwhile, a third member of the group can be seen picking up the folding chair from the ground and running back toward the victim, jumping up into the air and throwing the chair at him once again. The group of teens then sprint away into in the opposite direction, venturing deeper into the Crown Heights area. The same group of teenagers were also recorded on surveillance camera carrying out a second brutal attack on a 56-year-old Jewish man on Union Street moments later. A recent spate of violent anti-Semitic attacks and other incidents in the Tri-State area prompted Sunday's procession Hundreds of police officers accompanied demonstrators throughout the route, on foot and on bicycles Evan Bernstein, the ADL's regional director, echoed: 'What we are witnessing these weeks is a normalization of anti-Semitism in the New York-New Jersey region not seen in recent history. 'The fact that we are witnessing almost daily anti-Semitic incidents in our region shows that we are facing a crisis that can only be addressed through solidarity across our communities' The man can be seen attempting to avoid their path, but as he begins to walk past them one of the teens throws a folding camping chair at his head, knocking him off balance Following a machete attack at a Hasidic rabbi's home late on Saturday that injured five, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo attributed the alarming rise in anti-Semitic violence in the city to the hate that is spreading like cancer across America currently Grafton Thomas, 37, is accused of stabbing five people with a machete inside a rabbis home as they celebrated the seventh night of Hanukkah in Monsley, New York, late Saturday On this occasion, the victim was punched in the back of the head by one member of the group and then thrown to the ground. Others group members were seen taking out their cell phones and recording the incident. Surveillance video also showed the teenagers laughing and cheering as the attack took place. TIMELINE OF ATTACKS ON JEWS IN NEW YORK SINCE HANUKKAH BEGAN 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 Advertisement As the teens began fleeing down Union Street towards Albany Avenue, volunteers from the Crown Heights Shomrim gave chase to the group as they made their way down Albany to President Street. A 911 call was made, but in the few minutes it took for the police to arrive, the group made their way across Eastern Parkway and then split up into the Albany Avenue projects. A police report was filed over the incident, and the case has been referred to the Hate Crimes Task Force. Shomrim also obtained video footage of the assault and was able to provide it to the NYPD. Police are searching for the attackers, however no arrests have yet been made. The NYPD has not yet responded to a DailyMail.com request for comment as to whether the first incident is currently being investigated or being treated as a hate crime. Emergence of the first incident on December 24 comes as the 14th reported incident of anti-Semitic violence in New York since December 8. Following Grafton's alleged attack, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo attributed the alarming rise in anti-Semitic violence in the city to the hate that is spreading like cancer across America currently. This is an intolerant time in this country. We see anger, we see hatred exploding, Cuomo said. 'It is an American cancer that is spreading in the body politic.' It came as the latest in a string of similar assaults targeting Jews in the region, with seven other anti-Semitic incidents occurring over the first seven nights of Hanukkah, which began on December 23. In response to the recent spate of anti-Semitic attacks, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to increase police presence in affected communities. Besides making officers more visible in Borough Park, Crown Heights and Williamsburg, police will boost visits to houses of worship and some other places, de Blasio tweeted. 'Anti-Semitism is an attack on the values of our city - and we will confront it head-on,' de Blasio, the Democrat, wrote. At around 12:40am on December 27, a Brooklyn woman screamed 'F*** you, Jews!' and then slapped three other women in the face and head after encountering them on a Crown Heights corner. The victims, who range in age from 22 to 31, suffered minor pain, police said. Tiffany Harris, 30, was arrested on a hate-crime harassment charge. Earlier the same day, an unidentified man wearing a hoodie walked into the headquarters of the ultra-Orthodox Lubavitch movement on Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights and stated he was going to 'shoot up the place', according to WABC-TV. The man then walked away, in the direction of the Utica Avenue subway station. The Lubavitch movement is one of the largest sects of Hasidic Judiasm. Also known as Chabad, it has made Brooklyn the center of its activities since the leaders of the movement were forced to flee Europe at the start of the Second World War. Also a day earlier, at 3.20pm, a Brooklyn woman walking out of a Dunkin' Donuts with her three-year-old son in Gravesend was attacked by a homeless woman who hit her in the head with her bag, according to police. 'You f***ing Jew! Your end is coming!' the suspect, Ayana Logan, 42, is alleged to have said to the victim, who immediately alerted authorities and Logan was apprehended moments after. The same group of teenagers were also recorded of surveillance camera carrying out a second brutal attack on a 56-year-old Jewish man on Union Street moments later A media report on Friday indicates that a man threatened to shoot up the headquarters of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Lubavitch movement on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn (seen in the above undated file photo) Then on Wednesday December 25, a Jewish man wearing a skullcap was punched while walking in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn in an unprovoked attack near 13th Avenue and 48th Street at around 1am. No arrests have yet been made in that incident. And on December 24, another anti-Semitic incident took place in the Crown Heights area of Brooklyn. A 25-year-old man was accosted by several people on Kingston Avenue who made anti-Semitic statements. 'F*** you, Jew!' one of the people yelled in his direction, before dousing him with a Slurpee drink. Just 24 hours before, a Miami man was charged with hate-crime assault after police said he made an anti-Semitic remark and attacked a man in midtown Manhattan. The 65-year-old victim was punched and kicked, suffering cuts, police said. He had been wearing a yarmulke, according to former state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who has founded a group dedicated to combating anti-Semitism. Steven Jorge, 28, is being held without bail, and a judge ordered a psychiatric exam for him, court records show. 'It seems like it's open season on Jews in New York City,' said New York City Councilmember Chaim Deutsch in response. Over the past year and a half, the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Board has been grappling with PERA fund solvency and vetting proposals to fill a $6 billion dollar gap in the states retiree pension system. In the face of serious questions about PERAs ability to meet future financial obligations, some board members are unwilling or unable to address these pressing issues. For those of us who depend on this Board to make sound financial decisions affecting the future of more than 100,000 current and future PERA retirees, there is cause for great concern due to the lack of respect among board members and their apparent inability to work together to meet their mandate to preserve, protect and administer the trust to meet current and future obligations, and to provide quality services to members. Board dysfunction has become the norm, with a minority contingent spending valuable meeting time arguing about accusations of theft of personal property and whether members should be provided snacks, making personal attacks and filing police reports against one another. There are lengthy disagreements about meeting agendas and a member stormed out to prevent a quorum required for board action. This dysfunction was also the subject of a May 2019 State Auditors report, which expressed extreme concern regarding the Boards failure to uphold its fiduciary responsibilities and lack of focus on its fiduciary responsibilities (which) puts our retirees and future generations of retirees at risk. It is time to reform and restructure the PERA Board. Proposals for restructuring the PERA Board are being vetted for potential inclusion in the 2020 legislative agenda. Currently, no member of the PERA Board, which oversees a $16 billion fund, is required to have any experience or expertise in financial or investment management. Restructuring proposals would, among other things, reduce the size of the unwieldy board, while continuing to ensure that interests of state, county, municipal and public safety employees and retirees are represented; impose term limits; add requirements for relevant knowledge and experience; and change the board member selection process from popularity-based elections to a representative appointment process. Gov. Lujan Grisham has not yet committed to including PERA Board reform in her legislative message, which is a prerequisite for bills to be heard during a 30-day session. The PERA Board is in need of major reform and we urge Gov. Lujan Grisham to include this important issue in her State of the State message on January 21, and then to support and sign PERA reform legislation. Additionally, Think New Mexico, a non-partisan independent research group, has published a report that addresses the crisis of retirement security in New Mexico. This report makes excellent recommendations that would improve retirement security for all New Mexicans, including PERA fund solvency, PERA Board reform, ensuring access to a retirement savings account for all private sector workers and repealing New Mexicos income tax on Social Security benefits. The report is available at http://www.thinknewmexico.org/policy-reports/. By supporting these proposals and avoiding costly retirement insolvency, the governor would help all New Mexicans. The authors are PERA retirees. WESTBY, Wis. In a country increasingly engaged in national politics and divided, the next 12 months may feel like 12 years. Voters in both trenches are eager to vote, convinced not only of victory but also of vindication. The shocking result in 2016 wasnt a black swan, an irregular election deviating from normalcy, but instead the indicator of the realignment we describe in The Great Revolt: Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics, now available in a new a paperback edition in time for the 2020 election season. The story of Americas evolving political topography is one of tectonic plates that slowly grind against one another until a break notably alters the landscape with seismic consequences a sudden lurch long in development. The election of President Donald Trump cemented a realignment of the two political parties rooted in cultural and economic change years in the making. Although he has been the epicenter of all politics since his announcement of candidacy in 2015, Trump is the product of this realignment more than its cause, a fact that becomes clear as you travel the back roads to the places that made him the most unlikely president of our era. Thirty-year-old dairy farmer Ben Klinkner doesnt consider himself a member of either political part. I am a Christian conservative, he says matter-of-factly. Sitting at conference table at the Westby Co-op Credit Union, the sixth-generation family farmer who has a masters degree in meat science explains that when he left to attend college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and then at North Dakota State University in Fargo for his masters, he vowed he would never milk a cow again. And Ive been doing just that every day for the past six years, he said. On Trump, Klinkner is pragmatic. I am very happy with his policies. I just wish hed put that Twitter down, he said of the presidents unorthodox style of communicating. This cuts against the national medias narrative that farmers will dump the president because of the trade uncertainty. And, yes, Klinkner will vote for him again. Trumps 2016 victory came in spite of his historically weak performance in the suburbs long dominated by Republicans. The key was that he more than overcame his suburban weakness with the mass conversion of blue-collar voters in ancestrally Democratic bastions of the Midwest, and he inspired irregular voters who mistrust both parties. For The Great Revolt, we traveled to the counties in the Great Lakes states that Trump wrested away from Democratic heritage to find examples of the voter archetypes that define the Trump coalition. Large strata of the population are now not just eager to vote in the next race for president but eager to vote against the party of their ancestry. This enthusiasm for new alliances is perhaps the greatest indicator of lasting realignment. The election of Trump glued populism to conservatism, an ideology long leavened by anti-establishment rhetoric but rooted in the inertial acquiescence to the status quo that comes with laissez-faire policies. In Trump, Republicans have embraced, or have been forced to embrace, a more muscular and activist approach on issues ranging from trade policy to nonstop legal warfare with liberal state governments like Californias. Gone is the consistency of federalism, replaced in conservatisms pantheon with the base-motivating potency of perpetual confrontation. Ad Feedback The emotional exertion of Trumps combative approach continues to provide Democrats with avenues of appeal to buttoned-up suburbanites who otherwise resist liberal policies. And it has forced populists on the left to copy Trumps antagonistic style, elevating Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, the edgiest of the Democratic contenders for president, into front-runners. Democratic populists seek to copy Trumps success but not to win back the same populist voters who flipped margins by 32 points from 2012 to 2016 in places like Ashtabula, Ohio, or 18 points in Erie, Pennsylvania, both of which we profiled in The Great Revolt. Democrats such as Warren and Sanders have given up on winning those places and those Obama voters. Instead, Sanders and Warren hope to emulate Trumps success with their partys version of the voters we called Perotistas, those whose participation in elections is irregular, even elliptical, and who pass into voting booths every decade or so like comets crashing into an otherwise orderly solar system, only to disappear just as abruptly. For his part, the president has accepted his path, choosing not to broaden his appeal by tapering his temperament to one that might suit the two-income, two-degree Republican-leaning suburban families who split their tickets in 2016 and then chose Democratic congressmen in 2018. These voters crave predictability and civility at a gut level, two things in short supply in Trumps style, but they tell pollsters they are wary of the lurch toward socialism in todays Democratic Party. Thus far, their hearts have overpowered their heads in off-year elections in the Trump era, and Democrats are banking on the same result in 2020. Whether or not the president ever turns his attention to winning over the voters who resist both socialism and his own style, other Republicans will be appealing to them. Suburban voters hold the keys to hotly contested 2020 Senate races in Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona and Colorado not to mention the entire slate of competitive House districts. The suburbs may be where control of government will be decided, but the 2020 election will not be the end of the coalition Trump mobilized in 2016 or the resistance that formed in response. Why? Because the individualization of our cultural economy and the self-sorting of our communities will keep fueling distrust of establishment institutions and keep roiling our political and consumer behaviors. Establishment politicians, CEOs and journalists all ignore the dynamism of this great revolt at their own peril. Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst, and a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism, traveling from Main Street to the beltway and all places in between. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Batemans Bay (Australia): Australian firefighters--from top brass to weary volunteers -- hit out at Prime Minister Scott Morrison's handling of the bushfire crisis Sunday, as strains from the months-long fight began to show. Firefighter Paul Parker, 57, whose sweary television tirade against Morrison has gone viral Down Under, told AFP he was "absolutely appalled" by the government in Canberra and "particularly Scott Morrison". Parker slammed Morrison's assertion that thousands of exhausted volunteer firefighters wanted to be there, in language showing how raw emotions have become. "You're a dick mate -- if you were ever in the field to see what we go through, you've got no idea, man. Government's got no idea." He said firefighters were "putting their lives at risk" to tackle the blazes. At least three firefighters have died in the field since the crisis began in September. "That's how much we enjoy it mate -- putting our lives at risk. I do it for my local community, I do it for the township of Nelligen, and the people of Australia. "That's what I do it for. I don't do it for you Scott Morrison, I don't do it for any of you pricks in government." The head of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service also lashed out Sunday, saying it was "very disappointing" he heard through the media about Morrison's decision to call up 3,000 military reservists to help his forces. Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told 2GB radio that Morrison had shown a lack of "fundamental professional courtesy" during a "very busy day" saying the episode was "not good enough". Earlier this week a firefighter in the field had refused to shake Morrison's hand when approached. Despite the snubs and vocal criticism of Morrison, there are a range of political views among the corps of firefighters that is tens-of-thousands strong. The Prime Minister brushed off that and other criticism Sunday. "There has been plenty of criticism, I've had the benefit of a lot of analysis on a lot of issues. But I can't be distracted by that. The public, I know are not distracted by that," he claimed. "There has been a lot of blame being thrown around. Now is a time to focus on the response that is being made. "Plenty of people have blamed me, people have blamed the Greens, people have blamed... who knows?... it doesn't help anybody at this time." Pakistan Revenue Automation Pvt Ltd Job For CCTV Scanner Latest Pakistan Revenue Automation PRAL Security Posts Peshawar 2022 Pakistan Revenue Automation Private Limited required the service of experienced and technical candidate for the position of CCTV Scanner in Peshawar KPK 2020. How to Apply on Pakistan Revenue Automation PRAL Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. In this handout photo provided by the US Navy, The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), left, the Royal Navy air defense destroyer HMS Defender (D 36) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) transit the Strait of Hormuz on Nov. 19, 2019. (Zachary Pearson- U.S. Navy via Getty Images) Iran General Says 35 US Targets Within Our Reach Amid Heightened Tensions An Iranian commander said there are potentially 35 U.S. targets Tehran is willing to strike after the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, raising the possibility of possible attacks on ships in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, the worlds biggest oil chokepoint. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there vital American targets in the region have been identified by Iran since long time ago, Gen. Gholamali Abuhamzeh, a commander of the Revolutionary Guards in a southern province, was quoted by Reuters as saying. Some 35 U.S. targets in the region as well as Tel Aviv are within our reach. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that connects top oil-producers to the Persian Gulf, was thrust back in the spotlight over the weekend after Soleimanis death. Earlier this year, Iran seized British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero, attempted to block another vessel, and it was blamed for attacks on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. A speedboat of the Irans Revolutionary Guard moves around a British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero, which was seized by the Guard, in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. (Hasan Shirvani/Mizan News Agency via AP, File) Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said the Islamic regime would exact revenge for the killing of the top general, who was among the most powerful figures in Iran. Thousands of people took to the streets during the generals funeral procession in Baghdad, Iraq, on Saturday. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed the United States killed Soleimani in Baghdad, saying the airstrike was carried out as a defensive precaution. The U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet patrols the region, which casts doubt on Irans willingness to try to close down the strait. In May, the United States announced it was sending an aircraft carrier group and other assets amid Iranian military posturing. The British Royal Navy announced Saturday that two warships would be sent to the Strait of Hormuz immediately to protect U.K.-flagged vessels as they pass through. Ben Wallace, the countrys secretary of defense, stated that hes ordered two warships to head to the region and promised to take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time The HMS Montrose frigate and the HMS Defender destroyer were identified as the ships that were deployed. An oil tanker is on fire in the sea of Oman, Thursday, June 13, 2019. Two oil tankers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz were reportedly attacked on Thursday, an assault that left one ablaze and adrift as sailors were evacuated from both vessels and the U.S. Navy rushed to assist amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. (AP Photo/ISNA) General Suleimani has been at the heart of the use of proxies to undermine neighboring sovereign nations and target Irans enemies, Wallace added in the statement. Under international law, the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to their citizens. About 21 million barrels of oil per day flowed through the strait in 2018, which is equivalent to about a third of the global seaborne oil trade, the U.S. Energy Information Administrations website says. It also represents around 21 percent of the worlds global petroleum liquids consumption. There are limited options to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Only Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have pipelines that can ship crude oil outside the Persian Gulf and have the additional pipeline capacity to circumvent the Strait of Hormuz, according to the website. The Secretary of the US State Department, Mike Pompeo launched a direct attack against Iran via his Twitter as he claimed that Iran was behind the attacks that took place in Iraq. Pompeo stated that an Iranian-owned organisation Kataib Hizballah has been pressuring the Iraqi forces to stop protecting the places where Americans have been working in Iraq. Pompeo added that this is putting the lives of Iraqis at risk and they "indeed burned an Iranian consulate to the ground". Mike Pompeo targets Iran backed groups Iranian-owned Kataib Hizballah thugs are telling Iraqi security forces to abandon their duty to protect @USEmbBaghdad and other locations where Americans work side by side with good Iraqi people. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 4, 2020 The Iranian regime telling Iraqs government what to do puts Iraqi patriots' lives at risk. The Iraqi people want out from under the Iranian yoke; indeed, they recently burned an Iranian consulate to the ground. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 4, 2020 Read: Mourners in Iraq grieve for Soleimani, al-Muhandis Attacks in Iraq The US embassy in Baghdad was attacked on Saturday as two mortars hit Baghdad's Green Zone and simultaneously two rockets hit Iraq's Al-Balad airbase, where US troops were stationed. This comes after the USA deployed its troops across Iraq following the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on Friday. As per media reports, the Administration officials privately warned the members of Congress that Iran is expected to retaliate against the US either at home or abroad, within weeks. Read: Soleimani, al-Muhandis coffins reach Karbala After the attack on the Al-Balad base in the north of Baghdad, the sirens immediately started ringing at the American compound. This compound hosts both diplomats and troops. Media reports suggest that this base was hit by Katyusha rockets. International news agencies reported that two unguided rockets hit the premises of the compound. It is not clear whether any material damage has been inflicted. Read: Baghdad: US Green zone, Al-Balad airbase endures rocket attack Additionally, two mortar shots also hit the Green Zone in Baghdad. This is a heavily fortified quarter of the Iraqi capital. Reportedly, the rockets hit the vicinity of the US Embassy, which is now closed, and its personnel have been transferred to shelter. As per reports, Iranian backed militia groups may possibly behind this. Reports have also stated that multiple coordinated rocket attacks were made against known US populated areas in Iraq. Read: US Embassy in Baghdad & Iraq's Balad airbase comes under rocket attack, LIVE Updates here Theoretical forecasts aside, it is clear that the post-Soleimani era will be vastly different from what has gone before. The loss of such an effective strategist will be felt by the Iranian regime, given his role as the backbone of its expansionist regional project and the mastermind and primary architect of all its overseas operations. by Dr. Mohammed Al-Sulami After mutual escalations between the US and Iran in the Iraqi arena, the most severe blow came with the US drone strike early on Friday that killed Qassem Soleimani. In the days and hours leading up to the strike, the tit-for-tat violence had been mounting. Irans militias killed a US contractor in a rocket attack on a military base. The US responded with airstrikes on militia bases, killing at least 25. Then protesters stormed the US Embassy in Baghdad, leaving graffiti on the walls boasting that Soleimani himself had orchestrated the attack. Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities, US resident Donald Trump warned. Ayatollay Ali Khamenei publicly mocked the president with the response: You cant do anything. Fridays drone strike proved how wrong Khamenei was. The initial reaction in Tehran was one of shock, quickly followed by blind rage, and then threats of revenge against Washington. In Iraq, some declared the drone strike that killed Soleimani to be a flagrant violation of Iraqs territorial integrity and a breach of its sovereignty. That argument was swiftly demolished by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who pointed out that the US operation was a pre-emptive action to thwart a planned Iranian terrorist attack on US interests in Iraq, and that the US military presence there was at the invitation of the Iraqi government. Qassem Soleimani and other leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with the local affiliates of Hezbollah in Lebanon all designated as terrorists entered Iraq without the governments knowledge, but with the assistance of militias loyal to Iran. Thus, Pompeo said, it was they and not the US who were violating Iraqi sovereignty. The most urgent question now is related to the possible future scenarios in the context of the current escalation between Iran and the US. First, much depends on Tehrans assessment of the crisis, its available options, and the capacity that Iran possesses in light of the internal political and economic crises it is facing. If Iran is serious with its threats of revenge, we are heading for a massive Iranian response targeting the US presence in the region; military bases in the Gulf, the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, or the US bases in Iraq at least. This option, which I believe is highly unlikely, would trigger a US reaction that could result in the Iranian regimes military capabilities and infrastructure being completely destroyed. In a second scenario, the regime in Tehran would continue with its previous strategy, based on asymmetrical warfare, dealing calculated blows to the interests of US allies in the region. However, this option is likely to be deemed insufficient by the Iranian leadership and its loyalists, because it would not compensate for the losses that Iran and its proxies in the region have incurred. If the regime decides to go ahead with this option, it would probably consist of relatively small-scale operations that the Iranian propaganda machine and its supporters would aim to exaggerate to save the regimes face at home and abroad. A third possible scenario is that the Iranian regime takes its time in responding to the US operation and reserves its response for an appropriate time and place as it has done when Israel targeted its forces, proxy militias or bases in Syria and Lebanon. This would allow Irans regime to keep the door open until it seizes the appropriate opportunity to target any senior US military official as part of its revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani. In other words, Iran will attempt to avoid an escalation that could increase its losses and undermine its stature domestically, and regionally among its proxies. Pursuing this course of action might prompt Tehran to reverse its course, fearing an inability to protect its militias, lifting its protection umbrella over its proxies in Syria, Yemen, and other regional warzones. Theoretical forecasts aside, it is clear that the post-Soleimani era will be vastly different from what has gone before. The loss of such an effective strategist will be felt by the Iranian regime, given his role as the backbone of its expansionist regional project and the mastermind and primary architect of all its overseas operations. Soleimani also personally supervised the establishment of Irans proxy militias and organized their recruitment, training, and funding, as well as overseeing operations in support of the Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. The selection of Soleimanis deputy, Ismail Qaani, to replace him as head of the Quds Force is simply a hierarchal military promotion rather than a tactical move on the regimes part. Qaani has no outstanding record of military achievements to match Soleimanis on the Syrian, Iraqi and Lebanese fronts, and lacks his predecessors vast experience. It therefore seems likely that the Quds Force will now decline after its regional rampage of terror, slaughter and destruction reached a peak under Soleimani, a deterioration likely to adversely affect the future of the Iranian regimes regional expansionist project, whatever Iranian leaders say to maintain their legitimacy at home and abroad. Dr. Mohammed Al-Sulami is Head of the International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah). Twitter: @mohalsulami Iranian media react to Quds Force chief assassination Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 8:24 AM One day after the assassination of Iranian Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the dailies across the country reacted to the tragic loss of one of the most admired figures in Iran, a man regarded as a "hero" and a symbol of national and religious pride. Writing for the Tehran-based Kayhan newspaper on Saturday, Iranian foreign policy expert close to Soleimani, Sadollah Zarei, wrote that the general was known for his "captivating personality" of an austere military tactician who had a passionate and caring character. Zarei added that it was his self-less personality which had allowed him to gain trust and achieve success in countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. The foreign policy expert added that the assassination held little strategic value as Washington grows increasingly isolated in Iraq and the region facing a "huge front" of independent "groups, governments and organizations" who seek to resist US hegemony. Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor-in-chief of Kayhan, also wrote in a separate article that all conditions were set for a "harsh revenge" against the Americans. Shariatmadari said that the inspirational path of Soleimani and his comrades will inspire further resistance against the enemy. He added that "20 million Qassems are ready [to act, pay attention] America," quoting an Iranian poem marking the martyrdom of Soleimani. The 'cherished' general The Tehran-based Iran newspaper also published an opinion piece from Mehdi Shafe'i, the paper's executive manager, calling on its readers to reflect on the heritage of the fallen commander. "What is it about his behavior and intellectual, political and military character which caused the whole nation, among all different political affiliations, to grieve for his loss?" he wrote. The paper published numerous accounts written by different political and cultural figures across Iran's diverse political landscape expressing sorrow and admiration for the late general. The Javan daily also reported how numerous Iranian celebrities, artists and professional athletes have expressed their sorrow following the announcement of Soleimani's assassination. The paper noted that Instagram, a social media network widely popular among Iranians, has been blocking messages expressing admiration for the late general. Ettela'at, regarded as one of Iran's oldest active publications, also described the assassination of Soleimani, as the "ascension" of the "tireless commander of the fronts of good against evil". The paper highlighted that the passing of the commander had united the "axis of resistance" in calling for vengeance and has deeply "horrified" the US and its allies. The "resistance axis" is commonly used to refer to an emerging regional front opposing US and Israeli hegemony over the region. Soleimani, leading the Quds Force of the IRGC, was assassinated in American airstrikes in Baghdad early on Friday. The attack also led to the death of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). Meanwhile, Iraqis held funeral processions in a number of cities across the country on Saturday. Soleimani's body will be transferred to Iran on Saturday evening. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The mother of two missing Idaho children allegedly threatened to kill her estranged husband less than six months before he was shot dead by her brother, divorce documents have revealed. Lori Vallow is currently on the run from police with her new husband Chad Daybell, both of whom are persons of interest in the disappearance of Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, seven, and Tylee Ryan, 17. The pair are believed to be members of a dangerous religious cult obsessed with the end of times. Lori's previous husband, Charles Vallow, described his wife as being 'infatuated' with doomsday and near-death experiences in court documents filed last February, after the pair had physically separated. During a January 29 phone conversation, Lori allegedly told Charles that she was a 'God assigned to carry out the work of the 144,000 at Christ's second coming in July 2020 and that if Father [Charles] got in her way of her mission she would murder him', the documents state. Lori Vallow allegedly threatened to kill her estranged husband Charles Vallow (pictured together) less than six months before he was shot dead by her brother in July, divorce documents have revealed Lori is currently on the run from police with her new husband Chad Daybell, both of whom are persons of interest in the disappearance of her children. The pair are believed to be members of a dangerous religious cult obsessed with the end of times Tylee Ryan, 17, (left) and Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, seven, (right) have not been seen or heard from since September. Police in Rexburg, Idaho, only realized they were missing two days before Thanksgiving when they were asked to conduct a welfare check by relatives On July 11, Charles was shot dead by Lori's brother, Alex Cox. A few months later, Lori married Chad, whose wife had died days earlier under mysterious circumstances. Cox joined the list of mysteriously deceased family members on December 12. The complex web of deaths surrounding Lori and Chad came to light in mid-December when police in Rexburg, Idaho, issued a statement asking for information about Joshua and Tylee's whereabouts. The search for the children, who have not been seen since September, began two months later when police tried to do a welfare check on Joshua, who is autistic. Rexburg police say Chad and Lori have repeatedly lied about where their children are - initially saying the boy was in Arizona - and aren't cooperating with the investigation. The couple had disappeared from their Rexburg home when police returned with additional questions and search warrants. No charges have been filed against Chad or Lori in Idaho or Arizona but they are considered persons of interest in the children's disappearance. Rexburg police say Chad and Lori have repeatedly lied about where their children are and aren't cooperating with the investigation. Joshua is pictured left and Tylee is pictured right Charles Vallow (pictured) filed for divorce from Lori in February. He was killed five months later Charles Vallow filed a divorce petition last February seeking sole custody of Joshua, who was adopted and has special needs. The petition, obtained by FOX13, paints a disturbing portrait of Lori, referred to as 'mother' in the documents. 'Mother has recently become infatuated at times obsessive about near death experiences and spiritual visions,' it states. 'Mother has told Father [Charles] that she is sealed [eternally married] to the ancient Book of Mormon prophet Moroni and that she has lived numerous lives on numerous planets prior to this current life. Timeline of Joshua and Tylee's disappearance July 11: Lori Vallow's husband, Charles Vallow, killed in self-defense by her brother, Alex Cox, in Arizona following an argument between the three people August: The last time Joshua's grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, said they saw the boy via FaceTime August: September: Lori moved children Joshua and Tylee to Rexburg, Idaho September 23: The last time Joshua was seen at his school in Idaho October: Activity found on a Venmo account that may belong to Tylee October 19: Chad Daybell's wife, Tammy Daybell, dies at their home in Rexburg. Officials rule her death to be of natural causes October 22: Tammy is buried in Springville, Utah Late October: Lori and Chad get married November 26: Out-of-state relatives ask Idaho police to perform a welfare check on Joshua. Lori and Chad claim he is in Arizona with a family friend. Police also learn Tylee has not been seen since September, either November 27: Police execute a search warrant at Lori and Chad's home, discovering the couple have fled the city December 11: Tammy Daybell's body is exhumed from the Utah cemetery December 12: Lori's brother, Alex Cox, believed to have died in Arizona Advertisement 'Mother also informed Father that she is a translated being who cannot taste death sent by God to lead the 144,000 into the Millennium. 'Mother believes that she is receiving spiritual revelations and visions to help her gather and prepare those chosen to live in the New Jerusalem after the Great War as prophesied in the book of Revelations.' Charles' sister, Kay Woodcock, said he was 'fearful' of his estranged wife. 'He was sleeping with one eye open,' Woodcock told 12 News. 'People I've spoken with said she would just be doing something and say: "Well, Charles just has to go."' Woodcock also said that Charles had recordings of Lori ranting about her new beliefs. 'He said: "Nobody will believe me," and he recorded her one night,' she told FOX13. 'Even though it's deleted, nothing is ever deleted electronically or whatever. 'For her to say shes a translated being and she is reincarnated? That is scary!' Her husband, Larry, added: 'Some nights he'd call me just crying like a baby, and it hurt my soul.' Woodcock said she always loved Lori 'as a sister', but said she began acting differently after she met Chad, the author of 25 books about the end of the world who was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after he declared himself a prophet. Woodcock said emails exchanged between the pair led her to believe Lori and Chat were having an affair. Woodcock also said she was alarmed when Lori informed her that Charles was her fourth husband. Lori's third husband, Joseph Ryan, died of a heart attack in 2018. 'She's a black widow,' Woodcock said. '[Husband] three and [husband] four are dead. Five? He's next. How he's gonna go? I don't know. But I wouldn't sleep with my eyes closed.' Chad Daybell's previous wife, Tammy Daybell, died at their home in Rexburg, Idaho, in October and was buried in Springville, Utah. Chad's new wife, Lori, was also widowed in 2019 when her husband, Charles Vallow, was shot dead by her brother, Alex Cox, in July in Chandler, Arizona Amid the divorce proceedings Charles was granted an order of protection against Lori - who he claimed had drained $35,000 out of their bank account. Authorities refused his request to put her under a 72-hour mental health hold. He later moved from Chandler, Arizona, to Texas. When returned to Arizona in July to pick up Joshua, he got in a heated argument with Lori that ended with her brother, Cox, intervening and shooting him dead. Police initially determined that Cox, who had served prison sentences in both Texas and Utah for violent assaults, acted in self-defense. Chad, the author of 25 books about the end of the world, was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after he declared himself a prophet Charles' older son has said he doesn't believe his father would have gotten violent with Lori or her brother. 'I knew my dad was the most passive person. He hated arguing with people. He'd never been in a fight, he was not an aggressive person in any way. I don't believe it at all,' the son told FOX10. Charles death is now under investigation, along with Cox's and the death of Chad's first wife, Tammy Daybell. The 49-year-old was found dead at the couple's home in Idaho on October 19. The cause of death was listed as natural after Chad declined to have an autopsy performed. Two weeks after Tammy's death, Chad tied the knot with Lori, whom he is believed to have met through a doomsday website called Preparing a People. Authorities exhumed Tammy's body on December 11, the day before Cox died. The results of her autopsy have not been disclosed publicly but police on Friday said they had gathered enough evidence to justify searching the Daybells' home for evidence pertaining to her death and Lori's children's disappearance. After news of the search broke, Charles' older son told FOX10: 'I'm terrified for JJ. Im terrified for Tylee. I'm terrified for everyone surrounding them and their safety. I'm terrified for my family's safety.' Chad (left) is pictured with his wife Tammy Daybell (right) before she was found dead on October 19. Police now suspect foul play may have been involved The FBI searched the Daybells' home (pictured) in Salem, Idaho, for evidence pertaining to Tammy's death and the children's disappearance on Friday An FBI investigator is seen loading evidence from the Daybell home into an official vehicle Other family members have expressed similar concern for their safety. Brandon Boudreaux, who was married to Lori's niece, claims his wife tried to murder him in October after she joined the doomsday cult with her aunt. On October 2, Brandon was shot at while driving home from the gym in Gilbert, Arizona. The bullet missed his head by mere inches as the shooter fled the scene, according to court documents obtained by The Arizona Republic. An ongoing police investigation revealed that the shooter was driving a Jeep registered to Charles Vallow. Brandon has now said he believes the children's disappearance, the three deaths and his attempted murder are connected to a dangerous religious cult that Chad recruited Lori into about 18 months ago. 'I just don't know how people can get so wrapped up that they can end up in this space where these people are. It's just so radical, so different,' Brandon told The Arizona Republic this week. Brandon said his ex-wife, Melani Boudreaux, had begun spending time with her aunt's cult, a radical offshoot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Preparing for People, before she suddenly demanded a divorce over the summer. 'I thought I had a happy marriage, so it was pretty overwhelming,' Brandon said. The parents to four young children were in the middle of divorce proceedings when someone tried to kill him in the October drive-by. A car plowed into a group of 17 young tourists overnight near a popular ski resort town in northern Italy on Sunday, killing at least six people, DW reports. Italian police said they believed those killed were German holidaymakers belonging to a tour group in the autonomous province of South Tyrol, which is a largely German-speaking region. Several others were injured, four of them critically. The tourists, all aged between 20 and 25, were standing along the side of a road when the vehicle struck. A police spokesperson said the driver of the car, 27, failed a breath test for alcohol and has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter. Authorities said they do not believe the crash was intentional and an investigation is underway. "We are currently working on the assumption that most of the deceased come from North Rhine-Westphalia," the state's governor, Armin Laschet, said in a statement. "These young people wanted to spend a good time together and were torn out of their lives or seriously injured from one second to the next." Mourners left candles and flowers at the scene of the crash late Sunday morning. HVAC Engineer Job 2020 in Karachi Latest Private Company Engineering Posts Karachi 2022 Experienced, qualified and technical person for the position of HVAC Engineer required urgently for a leading and well known private company in Karachi Sindh Pakistan 2020. How to Apply on Private Company Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. Tehran (AFP) - Black-clad mourners packed Iran's second city Mashhad on Sunday as the remains of top general Qasem Soleimani were paraded through the streets after he was killed in a US strike. "Iran's wearing black, revenge, revenge," they chanted as darkness fell and they followed a truck carrying Soleimani's coffin towards the floodlit Imam Reza shrine. The mourners threw scarves onto the roof of the truck so that they could be blessed by the "blood of the martyr". Soleimani, who spearheaded Iran's Middle East operations as commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, was killed in a US drone strike Friday near Baghdad airport. He was 62. The attack was ordered by President Donald Trump, who said the Quds commander had been planning an "imminent" attack on US diplomats and forces in Iraq. Soleimani's remains had been returned before dawn to the southwestern city of Ahvaz, where the air resonated with Shiite chants and shouts of "Death to America" during a procession. People held aloft portraits of Soleimani, one of the country's most popular public figures who is seen as a hero of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. The "million-man" turnout in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, forced the cancellation of a Sunday night ceremony in Tehran, said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who urged citizens instead to attend a memorial Monday at Tehran University. In the face of growing Iraqi anger over the strike, the country's parliament Sunday urged the government to oust the roughly 5,200 American troops in Iraq. Soleimani's assassination ratcheted up tensions between arch-enemies Tehran and Washington and sparked fears of a new Middle East war. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" and declared three days of mourning. Late Saturday Trump warned on Twitter that the United States would target 52 sites "important to Iran & Iranian culture" and hit them "very fast and very hard" if American personnel or assets were attacked. Story continues - 'Terrorist in a suit' - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that "targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME". Former Guards chief Mohsen Rezai went further, threatening to turn the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv "to dust" if Trump carried out his threat. "I doubt they have the courage to initiate" a conflict, said Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi. Iran's communications minister, Mohammad Javad Jahromi, branded Trump a "terrorist in a suit" in a Twitter post. Khamenei's military adviser, Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan, told CNN that Iran's response to the assassination "for sure will be military and against military sites". US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo admitted there was a "real likelihood" of an Iranian attack on US soldiers, warning however "it would be a big mistake". Calling Iran a "kleptocratic regime", Pompeo said the US would not hesitate to hit Iran hard if it came under attack. In Lebanon, Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, insisted the "price" for Soleimani's killing would be attacks on "US military bases, US warships, each and every officer and soldier in the region". British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his country, a key US ally, "will not lament" Soleimani's death. But he agreed in talks with the leaders of France and Germany to work together towards reducing tensions in the Middle East, a German government spokesman said. "Iran in particular is urged to exercise restraint in the current situation," the spokesman said, adding that the leaders agreed that de-escalation "is now urgent". US-Iran tensions escalated in 2018 when Trump unilaterally withdrew from a landmark accord that gave Tehran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. A year on, Iran began hitting back by reducing its nuclear commitments with a series of steps every 60 days, the most recent deadline passing on Saturday. Foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Tehran would finalise the fifth step in a meeting on Sunday night, noting the nature of its move was altered by Soleimani's killing. Later in the evening, the government announced in a statement that Iran would forego the "limit on the number of centrifuges", adding however Tehran would continue cooperating with the UN nuclear watchdog. - Cyber attack - In Tehran, deputies chanted "Death to America" for a few minutes during a regular session of parliament. "Trump, this is the voice of the Iranian nation, listen," said speaker Ali Larijani. Soleimani's remains and those of five other Iranians -- all Guards members -- killed in the US drone strike had arrived at Ahvaz airport before dawn, semi-official news agency ISNA said. With them were the remains of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary umbrella group, who was also killed in the strike. Soleimani's remains are to be flown to the capital, where Khamenei is due to pray over them at Tehran University on Monday before being taken to the holy city of Qom for a ceremony at Masumeh shrine, ahead of a funeral Tuesday in his hometown Kerman. In another possible act of retaliation, hackers claiming to be from Iran breached the website of a little-known US government agency and threatened more cyber attacks. La Boheme Opera Australia, Joan Sutherland Theatre, Opera House January 2 Henri Murgers stories of Bohemian life in 1840s Paris describe the volatile vulnerable vitality of youth, locked out of the prosperity of the French Second Republic with nothing to sell but their talent and beauty. This revival of Gale Edwards 2011 production of Puccinis opera based on those stories itself thrives on promising young voices of natural beauty. As Mimi, Korean soprano Karah Son sang with a rounded, well shaped sound - one might almost say well-groomed for its polish and care - but she showed herself amply capable of soaring emotive power in moments like the Act I love scene and her Act III reconciliation with Rodolfo. In that latter role Kang Wang displayed a voice of well-toned smoothness and youthful lustre that opened out at climactic moments with rich unstrained colour. Karah Son as Mimi and Kang Wang as Rodolfo. Credit:Prudence Upton Initially, the chemistry between them wasnt exactly incendiary they were more like nice middle-class kids on a date than a poet and his muse. But in the last two acts the drama between them became engaged and intense and the final act was well paced and touching. Samuel Dundas, as the painter Marcello, was stalwart in the earlier acts, rising to nuanced and powerful expressive richness in the opening scene of the last act where he and Rodolfo reflect on their fleeting youth and loves. New Delhi, Jan 5 : The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), on Sunday, criticised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's tweet on Nankana Sahib gurdwara attack for "discussing more about India", and urged him to provide information on the action taken against the culprit Mohammed Hassan. DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the Pakistan Prime Minister, in his tweet, discussed about India, instead of taking action or registering a case against Hassan. "The Pakistan PM condemned Nankana Sahib incident in his tweet but instead of giving any information on what action was taken against the culprit, he started discussing about India. I want to urge him that he should give information about action taken by his government on the perpetrator and ensure safety and security of the Sikh community in Pakistan," Sirsa said. On Sunday, Khan tweeted: "The major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident & the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims & other minorities is this: the former is against my vision & will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police & judiciary. In contrast, Modi's RSS vision supports minorities oppression & the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police leads anti-Muslim attacks." On Friday, the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib was attacked by a huge Muslim mob while Sikh devotees were stuck inside the shrine. The mob that had gathered outside raised communal and hateful slogans against the minority community and pelted stones on the shrine, videos circulated on social media showed. Pakistani sources said the mob was led by the family of Mohammed Hassan, the man who had abducted and converted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, to protest police action against him. Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston NATO governments, often the post-Cold War ones in East Europe are increasingly going public with details of Russian espionage operations, especially the use of assassination of those Russia considers traitors or simply enemies of the state. The most recent release of such information may not have been official. A French newspaper published an article describing a Russian GRU (Russian Military Intelligence) Unit 29155 that had recently been operating from a secret logistics base in France near the Swiss border. From there at least fifteen GRU undercover agents engaged in espionage, sabotage and assassination operations. Also described was a joint British, Swiss, French and American intelligence operation to track down details of Unit 29155 and what it was doing between 2014 and 2018. The Unit 29155 base was apparently moved around Western Europe frequently to avoid detection and concentrate efforts on specific tasks. One of these was assassination, including attempts on the life of Sergei Skripal in Britain early in 2018. This incident did make the news, mainly because the GRU agents used a form of nerve gas called novichok. That incident caused an international uproar. In mid-August 2018 the U.S. imposed its first round of new sanctions on Russia for its March 2018 use of nerve gas in Britain. The details of this use of Russian nerve gas had been confirmed. British investigators identified the Russians who were involved with the use of nerve gas to try and murder Sergei Skripal on March 4th. Skripal was a former Soviet intelligence officer who worked for Britain as a double agent. He was found unconscious on March 4th, with his adult daughter, on a park bench near a British pub they had visited. The two were hospitalized and survived what turned out to be an assassination attempt using a form of nerve gas (novichok) developed in Russia and, as far as anyone knows, not held anyone but Russia. Three of the police officers who responded to the call about the unconscious people on the park bench also fell ill, one of them seriously. Everyone recovered and provided information on what happened. Four months later the container (a small perfume bottle) the Russian assassin carried the liquid novichok in was found. This was because a couple had found the discarded novichok bottle nine days after the March attack and kept it. The assassin had tossed the bottle away in a park. Eventually, the couple opened the bottle and both ended up in the hospital, where the woman died. When her companion regained consciousness he provided information leading to the novichok container and further analysis of it. Worldwide, four different labs analyzed the samples and all agreed it was novichok, a chemical weapon never manufactured outside Russia. In response to the March incident, Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats suspected of being intelligence agents and Russia responded by expelling 23 British diplomats. More nations said they would expel Russian diplomats and after the June confirmation that it was Russian novichok, the U.S. ordered into effect a series of additional sanctions on Russia. These could be limited if Russia admitted it used novichok and provided assurances it would never do so again with any banned weapons. Russia said it will do neither and denied any involvement. This assassination effort was nothing new for Russia. Skripal was still working for British intelligence when he was arrested in Russia at the end of 2004 and prosecuted for espionage. He was sent to prison in 2006 but got out in 2010 when Russia agreed to use him as one of the three imprisoned spies exchanged to get back several Russian illegals who were caught in the United States. Russia was reluctant to part with Skripal, who had apparently done enormous damage to Russian overseas spying efforts. But they wanted their imprisoned agents in the U.S. back. This was not the first time Russia had gone after people like Skripal in Britain. This sort of thing has happened elsewhere in Europe before and after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Russia insists that it does not do this and have been saying that since the Soviets started hunting down and killing traitors overseas back in the 1930s. What was not revealed at that time was the joint investigation of Unit 29155 and how many of the growing number of Russian espionage efforts in Europe could be traced to it and similar GRU or KGB operations in East Europe. The Russians have been quite active in Serbia and Bulgaria where local intel agencies have more experience with Russian methods. Thats because until the 1980s Bulgaria was ruled by a Russia-backed communist government that had close ties to the KGB and GRU. It was these former communist states in East Europe that were the first to detect and warn their NATO allies of the resumption of major Russian espionage efforts. Even journalists in East Europe were able to identify some Russian agents on their own. Decades of Russian-imposed communist rule in East Europe left bitter memories of how ruthless the Russian espionage services could be, and many victims are still alive to provide personal testimony. Western Europeans, except those in East Germany, did not experience this and were slow to accept the fact that the Russians were back, since the late 1990s, at their Cold War espionage efforts. That attitude is changing as more details of recent Russian efforts are made public. For example, in late 2012 Germany revealed it was prosecuting two Russians (a married couple) who were arrested in 2011 on suspicion of espionage. Russia insisted that the two Russians were not active Russian agents, but retired Cold War era spies. Germany is charging the couple with recruiting and using a local spy three times between 2008 and 2011. When the police came to arrest the couple the woman was found listening to coded messages. There is apparently much more evidence as well that the couple was spying. Exactly who they were spying for has not yet been revealed. The two 51 year olds are Russians sent to Germany (via Austria and false Austrian IDs) in 1988, to serve as "sleepers", agents that spend most of their time doing nothing until activated from time-to-time for some simple, but essential, mission. While Germany let a lot of its own Soviet era spies off easy, there is still a lot of animosity towards Russian spies. That's because Russia is still very much involved with espionage. In Germany that means stealing economic secrets, which hurts the German economy. The Germans are not in a forgiving mood because of this Russian aggression. Germany believes that this couple are but two of many other Cold War sleeper agents that Russia, or someone, is reactivating. Prosecuting these two may well be an attempt to get them to reveal details of how the sleeper program operates. This would help the Germans track down other sleepers and get an idea of how many of them are out there. Apparently, many, if not all, the sleepers were cut lose in the 1990s, as the KGB back home was reorganized and saw its budget cut sharply. But after 2000 the FSB (the rebranded and reorganized domestic operations branch of the KGB) and SVR (foreign operations of the KGB) revived a lot of Cold War era operations. In large part that's because KGB men hold many senior jobs in the Russian government. The president of Russia for most of the last decade, Vladimir Putin, was a career KGB man. So the SVR and GRU got more money to operate in foreign lands. There are two foreign intelligence services: SVR and GRU. The first one is the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. It is the former First Chief Directorate of the Soviet era KGB, which has managed most foreign intelligence operations for decades. Its activities are well known throughout the world. The second one is the GRU, Russian military intelligence. It is a part of the Defense Ministry. Its full name is much longer, as in The Chief Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Army. GRU has retained its Soviet era name and just about everything else. GRU is seen as a living relic of Soviet times. That is why GRU is so much more secretive than the "Westernized" SVR. GRU officers are considered more patriotic (and old school) than those of the SVR. During the Cold War there were fewer GRU defectors, still a point of pride. GRU prefers to stay in the shadows, which makes the exposure of Unit 29155 activities all the more unusual. Westerners have not written many books about the GRU, compared to the KGB. This is largely because GRU keeps its secrets better and, in the West, is considered an obscure part of Russian intelligence. It's possible that the GRU activated these sleepers but the Germans were not going public with a lot of information. The Germans were sharing their information with the clandestine investigation of Unit 29155. Both GRU and SVR perform the same functions: Political Intelligence, Scientific and Technical Intelligence (industrial espionage), and Illegal Intelligence. Because of this the two agencies have a very real rivalry going. But there was, and remains, one area where only the SVR (and its predecessor, the KGB) participates, running counter-intelligence abroad. This was long a KGB monopoly because it was the KGB's job to make sure the armed forces remained loyal, while GRU was and is very much a part of the armed forces. Thus when GRU officers are working abroad, they are monitored by Directorate K (counter-intelligence) of the SVR. Those who serve inside Russia are watched by the Directorate of Military Counter-Intelligence (The Third Directorate) of the FSB (Federal Security Service, inheritor to the KGB). Interestingly, in the Soviet period, it was also called the Third Directorate. It is not a coincidence but a continuation of the Soviet tradition. The Third Directorate of the FSB is still assigned to monitor the Defense Ministry, of which the GRU is a part. The head of GRU does not even report directly to the Russian president. GRU reports have to go through the Head of the General Staff and the Defense Minister before reaching the top man. Thus GRU is very much number two in the Russian foreign intelligence business. As such they tend to try harder and consider themselves more elite than those pampered wimps over at SVR. On the other hand, there also is one function monopolized by the GRU: battlefield intelligence and NATO countries are now considered potential battlefields. The battlefield intelligence is run in peacetime as well. For example, in preparation for future wars, the GRU sets up illegal weapons and ammunition dumps in the territory of many foreign countries. This is a risky operation. It usually involves groups of junior Russian diplomats secretly going into rural areas to bury rifles, machine-guns, and other weapons. They have to do this discreetly and in a hurry, to avoid detection by the local counterintelligence service. It is considered a hard job. Western analysts regard the GRU as the most closed Russian intelligence service partly because it does not even manage its own press relations. That's because GRU is one of many components of the Defense Ministry and is not eligible to have its own press relations staff. The FSB and SVR are higher up in the government pecking order and entitled to their own press relations operations. Formally, GRU is nothing but one of the numerous Chief Directorates of the General Staff of the Defense Ministry. It does not even report directly to the Minister of Defense. That is why those foreign journalists who have questions about GRU must address them to the Press Service of the Russian Defense Ministry. The questions are often handled by some press aide who knows little about intelligence work, while FSB and SVR press people are very well informed. So foreign journalists tend to seek out the SVR press department when seeking information on Russian intel operations. During the Second World War GRU worked in close contact with the NKVD, the predecessor of the KGB. For example, in March 1941, both intelligence services jointly carried out a successful operation aimed at overthrowing the pro-German government of Yugoslavia. During the entire war, GRU and NKVD were managing a joint network of foreign agents in Europe. The current system of two separate intelligence services competing with each other only came about in the 1950s, after Stalins death. It was done by the Central Committee of the Communist Party in order to protect itself from a coup inspired by either intelligence service. Thus the GRU not only competes with the SVR, but it is also supposed to keep an eye on the SVR for signs of disloyalty. In Soviet times although the GRU was monitored by the KGB, both organizations reported to the Central Committee of the Communist Party. In case of emergency, the Central Committee could control the KGB using the GRU. The communists believed it best that someone guards the guards. Nowadays, GRU does not monitor the SVR anymore. GRU, the military, and the rest of Russia are all subordinate to the FSB/SVR. SVR has more money and resources. It's long been like that, and the GRU has developed a tradition of getting by on very little. GRU methods are considered more aggressive and crude than those of the SVR. GRU operatives tend to think they are at war even during peacetime. Thus the SVR assigns its officers to do some job in the form of tasks, not orders. The task is not supposed to be necessarily accomplished, while the order is to be carried out by all means. The GRU prefers ordering and expects results no matter what. In the GRU nobody cares how their officers obtain secret information, like parts of missiles and other weapons. They may even buy it legally or semi-legally or even steal. The SVR officers are not allowed to do so. They are supposed to use foreign collaborators for it. In the GRU you just go get it. Thats why tracking Unit 29155 was such a big deal. A former SAS operative Tom MacDonald who was an important part of a hostage rescue mission at the Iranian Embassy in the year 1980, died aged 71. According to reports, MacDonald was suffering from cancer. The 71-year-old was a part of an elite SAS team that was called in to rescue 19 people during a six-day operation at the Iranian Embassy located in South Kensington. A tense standoff between the SAS and Arab separatists The siege between the SAS and the Arab separatists took place after the separatists entered the embassy building in the year 1980 and had taken 26 hostages. According to reports, the hostages included journalists working with BBC and a diplomatic protection officer. After the demands made by the separatists to free a total of 91 prisoners from Iran was declined, then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher called in the elite special forces SAS team to handle the tense situation. After a standoff lasting for a period of six days, the special forces team entered the embassy building via a balcony entrance. Macdonald was wearing a mask and his pictures were taken by photographers as they freed the remaining 19 hostages. According to reports, five of the hostages were released earlier and one had been killed by the Arab Separatists. Read: Fallen WWII Soldiers Dog Tags Return Home After 75 Years Read: Amidst Continuous Ceasefire Violation, Army Commander Boosts Morale Of Soldiers At LoC 'The operation lasted only a few seconds' A few months before his death, while talking to a local media outlet, MacDonald said the whole rescue operation lasted only a few minutes. He added that his team had covered five floors, with the snipers handling the first and fifth floor while the assault team handled the second, third and the fourth floor. He also said a few of the separatists had come down to the floor he was on, adding that he jumped through the balcony entrance and went through the window. The 71-year-old had further added that in a span of 30 seconds he had gone through a window and killed two terrorists. Tom MacDonald had retired and settled in Oamaru, New Zealand after having served in the Parachute Regiment, Territorial Army and the SAS (Special Air Service). Before he retired in the year 2003, he was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for being a part of the SAS team that freed the hostages. Read: D-Day Veteran Dedicates MBE To Soldiers Killed During Battle Of Normandy Read: Afghanistan: Suicide Bombing Kills 6 Soldiers In Balkh Province (With input from agencies) A car plowed into a group of young German tourists in northern Italy early Sunday, killing six people and injuring 11, Italian fire officials said. The deadly crash occurred in a village near Valle Aurina, near Bolzano in the Alto Adige region, shortly after 1 a.m. as the Germans were gathering to board their bus. The largely German-speaking autonomous region of northern Italy, with its ski resorts in the Dolomites and quaint villages around Bolzano, is popular with German tourists. The Lutago volunteer fire service said on Facebook that the six dead were killed at the scene. The injured, four of whom are in a critical condition, were taken to several regional hospitals, including one who was airlifted to a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, said Dr. Marc Kaufmann of the emergency medical service. Sky TG24 quoted Italian carabinieri as saying the driver was from the nearby village of Chienes and had a high alcohol blood content. He was arrested on suspicion of highway manslaughter while being treated at the hospital in Brunico, according to the LaPresse news agency. The regional president of Alto Adige, Arno Kompatscher, told a press conference the victims were part of a group of young Germans vacationing in the region. Later Sunday, mourners left candles and flowers at the crash scene, which was located along a two-lane road dotted by hotels and old piles of snow. The accident occurred on the final long weekend of the Christmas and New Year's holiday in Italy, which will be capped by Epiphany on Monday. Netflix is not worried by the increased competition provided by well-resourced rivals such as Disney and Amazon, the streaming giants content chief has said. While Netflix remains comfortably the most popular service with roughly 160 million subscribers around the world, its long-term future at the top is far from certain. Disney, supported by its prodigious back catalogue and vast wealth, launched its Disney+ service in the US in November and enjoyed a start that surpassed most expectations. Netflix chief Ted Sarandos has discussed the increasing competition in the streaming sector (Ian West/PA) Apple, another industry giant with seemingly endless resources, also entered the market towards the end of last year while HBO Max is set to arrive in the US in May, joining an already crowded space which also includes Amazon. Despite the range and depth of the competition, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said the company is not worried. Speaking at the Bafta Tea Party event in Los Angeles, he told the PA news agency: Were totally focused on making about 160 million people around the world happy every night and thats all we think about. Sarandos was speaking as Netflix leads the way in nominations for both TV and film in the Golden Globes. TV series including The Crown and Unbelievable means the California-based company is likely to fare well during Sundays ceremony, while films including The Irishman and Marriage Story are favourites at both the Globes and next months Oscars. The two movies are among the front-runners for the best picture Academy Award, which would be Netflixs first. Sarandos said the company is thrilled at its position. He said: It was a little bit of a serendipitous time in that so many great films came together at the same time but were really thrilled with the outcome, for sure. Asked what the future holds for Netflix, Sarandos said: Youve seen us build up our original film initiative both in terms of the volume of the films but more importantly the quality of the films that are coming out, so more to come, a lot more to come. The couple said they had personally urged Booker and his team to try to gain buzz in a different way: By booking bigger venues in hopes of attracting larger crowds that might match those turning out to see candidates like Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., who has commanded audiences around the state numbering around 1,000 or more in recent weeks. Iran condemned Donald Trump on Sunday as a terrorist in a suit after the US president threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites hard if Tehran attacks Americans or US assets in retaliation for the killing of military commander Qassem Soleimani. Like ISIS, Like Hitler, Like Genghis! They all hate cultures. Trump is a terrorist in a suit. He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat the Great Iranian Nation & Culture, Information and Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi tweeted. Soleimani, Irans pre-eminent military commander, was killed on Friday in a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport, an attack that has taken long-running hostilities between Washington and Tehran into uncharted territory and raised the spectre of wider conflict in the Middle East. Soleimani was the architect of Tehrans overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force. Giving no indication of seeking to defuse tensions after the strike he ordered, Trump issued a stern threat to the Islamic Republic. In a series of tweets on Saturday he said Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets to avenge Soleimanis death. Trump said the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites and that some were 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. He said the 52 targets represented the 52 Americans held hostage in Iran after being seized at the US Embassy in 1979 during the countrys Islamic Revolution. Irans army chief, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, was quoted by state television on Sunday as saying the United States lacked the courage for military confrontation with Iran. In a potential conflict in the future, which I dont think they (Americans) have the courage to carry out, there it will become clear where the numbers five and two will belong, he said. Trump said on Friday Soleimani had been plotting imminent and sinister attacks on US diplomats and military personnel. Democratic critics said the Republican presidents action was reckless and risked more bloodshed in a dangerous region. Thousands of mourners turned out to pay respects to the slain commander on Sunday after Soleimanis body was returned to Iran, the official IRIB news agency reported. FEAR OF WAR WITH SUPERPOWER While many Iranians have rallied in to show grief over the death of Soleimani, regarded as the countrys second most powerful figure after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, others worry that his death might push the country to war with a superpower. On Friday, Khamenei promised harsh revenge and declared three days of mourning. Soleimanis body was flown to the city of Ahvaz in southwest Iran. IRIB posted a video clip of a casket wrapped in an Iranian flag being unloaded from a plane as a military band played. Thousands of mourners dressed in black marched through the streets of Ahvaz beating their chests in live footage aired on state TV. IRAQI ANGER British foreign minister Dominic Raab said on Sunday he had spoken to Iraqs prime minister and president to urge efforts to relieve tensions in the region following the US strike. Raab, who described Soleimani as a regional menace and said he was sympathetic to the situation the United States found itself in, said he also planned to speak to Irans foreign minister. There is a route through which allows Iran to come in from out of the international cold, he told Sky News. We need to contain the nefarious actions of Iran but we also need to de-escalate and stabilise the situation. Fridays US air strike also killed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Iraqs parliament was set to convene an extraordinary session on Sunday where lawmakers told Reuters they would push for a vote on a resolution requiring the government to request the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. There is no need for the presence of American forces after defeating Daesh (Islamic State), said Ammar al-Shibli, a Shiite lawmaker and member of parliaments legal committee. Despite decades of enmity between Iran and the United States, Iran-backed militia and US troops fought side by side during Iraqs 2014-2017 war against Islamic State militants. Around 5,000 US troops remain in Iraq, most of them in an advisory capacity. The militia were incorporated into government forces under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilisation Forces which Muhandis led. Many Iraqis, including opponents of Soleimani, have expressed anger at Washington for killing the two men on Iraqi soil and possibly dragging their country into another conflict. On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdads heavily-fortified Green Zone near the US embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighbourhood and two more were fired at the Balad air base north of the city. No one was killed, the Iraqi military said. The US strike followed a spike in US-Iranian hostilities in Iraq since last week when pro-Iranian militias attacked the US embassy in Baghdad after a deadly US air raid on Kataib Hezbollah, a militia founded by Muhandis. Washington accused the group of an attack on an Iraqi military base that killed an American contractor. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 60 new Starlink satellites into orbit from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Jan. 6, 2020. The mission's Falcon 9 rocket also launched SpaceX's first Starlink satellites in May 2019 and two other missions. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. SpaceX on Saturday fired up the rocket that will ferry the company's next batch of Starlink satellites into space. The company conducted a static-fire test on Saturday (Jan. 4) of a Falcon 9 rocket at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the company said on Twitter . That rocket is expected to send 60 Starlink internet satellites into space no earlier than Monday (Jan. 6), marking the first launch of the year from Florida's Space Coast. The Falcon 9 rocket out of its hangar on Friday (Jan. 3) and went vertical on the launch pad in advance of the planned test-firing of its nine first stage engines on Saturday. The two-stage rocket is scheduled for liftoff Monday at 9:19 p.m. EST (0219 GMT Tuesday). Video: See SpaceX's 1st Starlink Satellites in the Night Sky More: SpaceX's 1st Starlink Megaconstellation Launch in Photos! But before it can launch, SpaceX put the vehicle through a routine launch rehearsal. The brief test, known as a static-fire test, is a standard part of prelaunch procedures and one of the last major milestones before liftoff. During the test, teams loaded the Falcons super-chilled propellants kerosene and liquid oxygen into the rocket before igniting the first stages nine Merlin 1D engines. The engines briefly fired at 12 p.m. EST (1700 GMT), generating more than 1 million pounds of thrust while the booster remained firmly on the ground. Engineers reviewed the data before deciding to proceed with the Falcon 9s planned launch attempt Monday evening. "Static fire complete targeting Monday, January 6 at 9:19 p.m. EST for launch of 60 Starlink satellites from Pad 40 in Florida," SpaceX wrote on Twitter shortly after the test. Static fire test of Falcon 9 completetargeting Monday, January 6 at 9:19 p.m. EST for launch of 60 Starlink satellites from Pad 40 in FloridaJanuary 4, 2020 See more Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched a Starlink mission, the Iridium-8 mission, and the Telstar 18 VANTAGE mission pic.twitter.com/QdailzdG4oJanuary 4, 2020 See more In 2019, SpaceX launched a total of 13 times. The last mission featured a twice-flown Falcon 9 booster soaring for the third time as it carried a heavy-weight communications satellite for a Singapore-based startup and Japanese broadband provider on Dec. 16. Now, the company will return to loft a third batch of Starlink satellites, on a Falcon that has already flown three successful missions . The rocket, dubbed B1049.4 (an internal SpaceX identifier), previously hoisted another batch of Starlink satellites as well as the Iridium-8 and Telstar 18 VANTAGE missions. A view of SpaceX's first 60 Starlink satellites in orbit, still in stacked configuration, with the Earth as a brilliant blue backdrop on May 23, 2019. (Image credit: SpaceX) Monday's flight will mark the first launch of the year from Cape Canaveral, as well as the first launch under eye of the newly established Space Force. On Dec. 20, president Donald Trump signed a measure creating the U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of the military, after a defense bill was passed by the U.S. Senate creating the new branch. Space activity is very important to our way of life and people count on us to make a difference, Brig. Gen. Doug Schiess, Commander of the 45th Space Wing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station said in an email statement. "Our wing will continue to do what weve excelled at for nearly 70 years: we'll continue our mission of providing assured access to space for warfighters and our nation." Related: See the Evolution of SpaceX's Rockets in Pictures A train of SpaceX Starlink satellites are visible in the night sky in this still from a video captured by satellite tracker Marco Langbroek in Leiden, the Netherlands on May 24, 2019, just one day after SpaceX launched 60 of the Starlink internet communications satellites into orbit. (Image credit: copyright Marco Langbroek via SatTrackBlog) On board the veteran rocket is SpaceX's third batch of Starlink satellites, designed to provide global internet access. The company launched its first group of 60 in May of last year, followed by an additional 60 in November, and plans for its burgeoning constellation to eventually be more than 40,000 satellites strong. Mondays launch will bring the current number of satellites up to nearly 180, making Musks constellation the largest in orbit. Musk said SpaceX will need at least 400 Starlink satellites in orbit for "minor" broadband coverage, and 800 satellites aloft for "moderate" coverage. With less than 10 more launches, the company claims it could begin offering broadband service in the United States sometime in 2020. Weather conditions on Monday are expected to be ideal for launch. Forecasters predict a greater than 90 percent chance of favorable conditions at liftoff, with the only concern being cumulus clouds. Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook . Saying she is devastated and her rent is too high, the owner of Mackenzies, Heather Sieh, has announced she will close the store at 7 South Ave., at the end of January. The store has changed hands twice in the last 15 years, but it has been part of New Canaans village for over 35 years. The store sells a wide range of items, including candy, greeting cards, school supplies, office needs, party goods and more. Now most items are on sale for a 50 percent discount, according to a sign on the stores door from owner Sieh, who bought the store 1 1/2 years ago. We are deeply saddened to inform you Mackenzies is closing. Due to high rent prices, other operational cost increases and a decline in local shopping, we have been forced to close our doors, reads the sign on the door. We are having to leave because of high rents and not enough traffic, Sieh told the New Canaan Advertiser on Sunday, Jan 5, as children came up to the cash register to pay for their bags of candy. She estimated that this holiday season, foot traffic to the store was down by 25 to 35 percent. We did everything we could, she said. She made changes to the store such as adding quality gift items, we got great postive feedback, on the efforts they made, she said. Eleven-year old Liam Gelvin was sorry to hear the news. It was a great spot to hang out with friends on Fridays, he told the Advertiser. Great place to buy cheap candy, and still have money left over, he said. Previous owner Jim Berry told the Advertisers that Mackenzies use to sell 1,200 copies of The New York Times on a Sunday, which dwindled down to 20 papers over the years. The store did not make much money on the newspapers, but they were a loss leader since they drove people into the store and they bought other things. Our operating expenses were just way too high that we can no longer continue financially. We are devastated by this and want to thank all of our loyal and dedicated customers for their patronage over the years, the sign reads. She said her store is going the way of other that have been around for decades such as Design Solutions, which has moved to Pound Ridge, N.Y., and Candy Nichols, which was at 99 Main St. They left for the same reason we have to leave, which is high rents and not enough trafffic, Sieh said. It is not only the cost of rent that impacted her business, she said the cost of helium for balloons and increase in town property taxes were also an issue. I have been here 23 years, and they [Mackenzies] have just been a staple, John Paterson told the Advertiser. I just like seeing backpacks against the wall here, he said referring to a tradition of Saxe Middle School students heading going into town on Fridays need a place to leave their back packs. It is important for the town to look into ways to foster business that help boost our economy, Jen Paterson said. It could help make the younger generation want to live here, she said. Instead of candy perhaps bring in a health food store, she said. The town needs a different kind of business. The town and business got to bend with the times, she said. Nearly 15 years ago Berry, and Phyllis Weinstein had taken over the ownership of the store, and they sold it to Sieh in 2018. Vineet Upadhyay By Express News Service DEHRADUN: Communities such as Rung in Darma valley at Indo-China border have always been leaders on reverse migration. The communities in Darma, Johar and other valley areas of the international border with communities such Rung, Martolia, Bhotiya, Shauka and others are leading the beacon of reverse migration which is already their way of life. Members of the community returning home after retirement from countries like Australia and the United Arab Emirates said that they have to return to their birthplace. Gopal S. Rayapa and Savitri Rayapa are examples of Rung community members who after having stayed in Dubai for nearly forty years decided to move to their home town Dharchula and village Budi. "It's as if it is engrained in our Rung DNA that wherever we may be born, we never forget our roots are in our respective villages," says Savitri Rayapa. All the rituals right from birth, marriage and death need to be performed at the native place as nature worship along with the importance of motherland holds a supreme place in the lives of these communities. Thousands of families return to the border villages to claim their ancestral land and perish where they started their lives. Permanent migration is not the motive of these communities which also paves the way for rest of Uttarakhand to learn. Fighting many battles at a time including tough terrain, lack of modern facilities, availability of amenities such as mainland, these people hold the love of their land close to the heart. Sandesha Rayapa-Garbiyal, who holds a doctorate and is working as an assistant professor in Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Delhi, commenting the issue said, "The communities residing in these areas never engage with the idea of leaving their birthplace permanently. Travelling for years to Tibet, Nepal, Bombay and numerous other places for trading has been a centuries-old practice. People used to return then after years and they do the same now." However, state government officials also give credit to development work such as building if roads, electricity connections and availability of running water a reason behind the return of many of the families in these border areas. Bhagat Singh Fonia, sub-division magistrate of Dharchula sub-division said, "A lot of roads have been built to improve connectivity. Development work is happening in these areas at a fast pace. It is easy to settle here than it was in earlier years." Sriram Singh Dharamsaktu, a retired commandant from Border Security Forces has already started construction on his ancestral land to spent his retirement in Milam village. "We really never ever leave our homes forever. It's a centuries-old tradition of returning home. Then it was trade and now it is finding jobs to make a living," adds Dharamsaktu. Over 50% of families from these areas have said to leave their ancestral homes in search of livelihood which is returning to their roots now. In a report in the year 2018, it was revealed that a total of 5.02 lakh people migrated from the states villages in the past decade. Out of these, 3.83 lakh people who migrated from 6,338 villages keep visiting their villages periodically whereas 1.18 lakh people have permanently migrated. Shekhar Pathak, a Padam awardee activist who has travelled the Himalayas at least 17 times on foot said, "We should be proud of the communities showing us the way of life going back to our roots. Our government should appreciate and promote such practices to check migration and existence of ghost villages without population." New Delhi, Jan 6 : After a brief lull, things again heated up at the JNU campus in the wee hours of Monday. Belligerent students blocked a police flag march led by Special Commissioner of Police - Law and Order, R.S. Krishnaiah. The students blocked the police path at the Sabarmati T-point.However, the police managed to dodge the students blockade and continued to march towards the convention centre. But even before they could cover some distance, the police's path was once again blocked by the protesting students. The students continued to shepherd the police backwards towards the North Gate of the JNU campus. The tension at JNU campus comes in the aftermath of violence unleashed by a group of people, believed to be outsiders, while some allege they were ABVP activist, descended upon the campus on Sunday evening and assaulted students and staff. The university authorities have blamed students, opposing the registration process, for the violence on campus. Representative Image Unlisted companies might soon be required to submit their financial statements to the government on a quarterly or half-yearly basis, according to an official. There are more than 11 lakh unlisted companies that are active in the country and the proposal also assumes significance against the backdrop of instances of financial woes at some large unlisted entities. The corporate affairs ministry is looking at introducing provisions in the companies law that would require unlisted firms to furnish financial statements every three months or six months. The aim is to have updated financial details about systemically-important companies that are not listed, the official told PTI. Listed companies are required to disclose their financials every three months under Sebi regulations. In the case of unlisted companies, they are currently not required to furnish financial statements on a quarterly or half-yearly basis. The official said there would be thresholds for deciding which categories of unlisted companies would have to submit their financial statements on a quarterly or half-yearly basis. To bring this into effect, amendments would be required in the Companies Act. Currently, an unlisted company can submit its financial statement and annual returns to the ministry at least six months after completion of a fiscal. After the end of a financial year, a company has to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) within six months and the financial statement has to be submitted within 30 days of the meeting. Within 60 days of the AGM, the company is required to furnish the annual returns. Under the current system, the ministry would not be updated in case there are any significant financial issues during the course of a financial year, as per the official. In case the ministry decides to bring in quarterly or half-yearly financial statements reporting requirement for unlisted firms, then the Companies Act, 2013 would have to be amended, the official added. The ministry is implementing the Act and companies are registered under it. LAUGHLIN, Nev. -- Charlie Urnick stands in a backstage hallway at Don's Celebrity Theater, tucked inside the thrumming Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino. Smiling, shaking hands with well-wishers, he awaits the evening's events with the knowing calm of a veteran headliner. But inside this brightly lit corridor, where musicians and magicians have signed autographs and greeted fans, Urnick offers something truly remarkable. He hears confessions. He's the administrator at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, which sits atop a treeless hill some five miles away. But the 71-year-old Urnick is better known to parishioners and just about everyone else around this casino river town simply as Father Charlie. After a deacon helps him slip into his flowing satin vestments, he quietly listens to the ways his fellow Catholics have gone astray. ADVERTISEMENT One by one, the believers wait outside for their turn. There's no confessional booth, and priest and penitent face each other on folding chairs. They are eye to eye, but Father Charlie puts them at ease. "Painless," says one confessor, crossing herself as she leaves the hallway. On this late-autumn Saturday afternoon, Father Charlie is continuing a 27-year tradition that's aptly suited to Laughlin. He celebrates Mass inside a casino. Yes, you read that right. Forget bingo. We're in the realm of hard-line games of chance. After hearing confessions, Father Charlie leads a small procession into the 700-seat theater with its bordello-red wallpaper, not far from the cartoonish squawks of slot machines. For the next hour, he preaches in a place where, for some, the real God is the almighty dollar. He faces his congregation from a floor-level pulpit, in front of a stage and its drum set looming in the darkness. Hours later, a Karen Carpenter impersonator will take this same stage. For now, behind Father Charlie stands a slender pole with a crucifix mounted on top. ADVERTISEMENT Still, distractions abound in a place more associated with the Seven Deadly Sins than 14 Stations of the Cross. Sharing the venue with acts that appear during the rest of the week, Father Charlie has given Holy Communion before a huge backdrop of a Skyy vodka bottle and images of sultry Budweiser girls and Elvis, prompting him to jokingly remind the faithful they're praying to God the King, and not the King. Father Charlie has no problem with any of it. In fact, he insists that this implausible place is precisely where he should be. "The pope says priests should be where the people are," he said says. "There are 11 casinos in Laughlin, so this is where we have taken our services. And to those who might say that God could not possibly be here, I say he is." The theater's first dozen rows feature long tables where parishioners, some dressed in shorts and flip-flops, consult hymnals and church bulletins. One ponytailed man shoves a betting form into his pocket just as services begin. As the collection basket passes, some toss in casino chips and slot machine receipts, which Father Charlie gladly accepts. He's even designed his own souvenir chip the parish sells for fundraising. Some refer to him as the "chip monk." "Pray with us," the chip reads, bearing a picture of the Riverside casino and Mass hours. "It's a sure bet." The chips _ along with candles, medals and other items you'd find in religious bookstore _ are arranged for sale at a long table-bar where workers sell alcoholic drinks at other events. As the service ends, Father Charlie adds an encouragement not heard at other churches. "Don't forget to visit the bar on the way out," he urges. ADVERTISEMENT A retiree then slides into his electric wheelchair and heads for the door. "It's off to the casino," he says. "Let's hope I don't lose the farm." ___ In his sermons, Father Charlie forgoes fire and brimstone in favor of Andy Rooney-like humor. His talks also tend to mention such appetizing dishes as noodles with sauerkraut, ice cream pie, mushroom ravioli and other meals he's consumed that week _ including pastries baked by doting parishioners for a roundish priest who admits he's never cooked a meal in his life and has rarely set foot in a gym. "God created angel food cake," he says in one sermon. "And it is good." Such is the power of Father Charlie's pulpit that whenever he offhandedly mentions a fondness for pineapple pound cake, bacon or cheese curds, the packages pour in from around the country. Since 2008, when he arrived in Laughlin from his home state of New Jersey, where he served as an Air Force chaplain, schoolteacher and parish priest, Father Charlie has begun each sermon by referring to this city 100 miles south of Las Vegas as paradise on Earth. He loves the sunshine and mix of colorful snowbirds and locals, a place where he can play the penny slots to relax after a long day of being a priest. While he one day wants to go to heaven, he says, Laughlin will do just fine for now, thank you. He's a huge fan of magic and drives regularly to Las Vegas, where he's seen more than 350 magicians perform, some of whom refer to him as "Charlie the Chaplain." He insists his introduction to David Copperfield was "better than meeting the pope." He's a priest without pretense, who has worn green florescent sneakers during Mass and greets people with his favorite phrases, "See you in church!" and "Pray for me, what harm could it do?" All with a boyish laugh and a propensity for the words "golly" and "gosh." He began one homily insisting the only tools anyone needed in life were WD-40 and a roll of duct tape. Many pulpit anecdotes involve his weekly parish adventures and his boyhood pet alligator and taxidermied penguin. Or how his mother, Mary, disciplined him by brandishing the family's parrot with its outstretched claws. When he refused to get out of bed, she'd threaten, "Don't make me get the parrot!" He's come a long way from his first sermon decades ago, about which one priest said: "It was read, it was read poorly and it wasn't worth reading!" His sermons _ compiled into three self-published books with such titles as "Live! Love! Laugh! Laughlin!" _ are also spiced with jokes he gleans from the internet. On Father's Day, for example, Father Charlie said: "My father only hit me once _ but it was with a Volvo." It got the laugh but then evolved into a meditation on the role of God as a loving father. Some anecdotes even target his flock. Father Charlie once told of a visiting priest who was shocked by all the sin he'd witnessed in Laughlin, commenting on "all those pathetic old people putting money into machines and they don't know God!" Father Charlie replied: "Those pathetic old people are my parishioners!" The casino Masses were started in 1992 by Father John McShane, who sometimes encountered bits of skimpy showgirl costumes on the carpet. Even after the parish church was built in 2003, the Riverside services continued. Each weekend now features two church Masses and three inside the casino _ one on Saturday and two on Sunday. "We'll never leave here," Father Charlie says, adding that some parishioners attend the casino Masses only. "Once we close those doors, you're in a church." For years, before he was assigned here, Father Charlie made annual pilgrimages from New Jersey, his mother in tow, as a guest pastor in Laughlin. Mary would attend a service and then spend the rest of the time working the slot machines. Once, both he and his mother won $5,000 on the same quarter-slot one day apart. Mary died in 2006, two years before Father Charlie moved here full time, and he received hundreds of sympathy cards. His sermons have related how Mary came to terms with him entering the priesthood after a friend consoled her, "Well, this way you won't ever lose him to another woman." He also regales listeners with stories of two longtime actor friends he calls "the boys." Eddie Gelhaus is the priest's "illegitimate son" and Michael Serrano is his "brother from another mother." Some listeners don't always get the joke. John and Kathy Reed were visiting from Wisconsin a few years ago when they first met Father Charlie, and Kathy was shocked by talk of a priest having a son. "I didn't know you were married," she said. "I'm not," Father Charlie replied. Reed still laughs at the exchange. "Well, my wife's jaw just dropped, until she got to know him," he says. The Reeds asked around town about this peculiar priest. "Everybody knew him," says Reed, a retired longshoreman. "He was a legend." So, the couple moved to Laughlin to hear Father Charlie's sermons all the time and are now active church members. Reed notes that the priest keeps in his church office two slot machines, one called the "God Game," and has a stage-prop collection that includes a 14-inch dagger and a bed of nails. "He's so down to earth," Reed says. "We like that." ___ A few months ago, Father Charlie was visiting Ely in northern Nevada on church business. He stayed at a casino hotel and played penny slots. During the night, he suffered a stroke, which severely affected his eyesight. Then, around Halloween, Father Charlie tripped over a bag of books at his home and dislocated his right shoulder, damaging a nerve that caused him to lose all feeling in his arm and hand. He wears a sling and does not know if any sensation will return. Friends and parishioners have rallied around their priest. With Father Charlie unable to drive, they now ferry him around town, including visits to dozens of sick residents each Monday. The boys bought him a watch with enlarged numerals for his damaged eyes. Another feature automatically alerts them if he takes another fall. Gelhaus and Serrano cemented their friendship with Father Charlie years ago when they took rooms at his house in Las Vegas, turning what the priest had considered a personal refuge into a bachelor crash pad. Still, the older man was always full of good cheer and fatherly advice, they said, and none of it "preachy." In return, they helped a wide-eyed and yet somewhat sheltered priest experience life outside his religious flock. They insisted on calling him by his first name, saying he was Charlie long before he was Father Charlie. With the boys, Father Charlie also drank his first beer and kamikaze shot, rode his first rollercoaster at Disneyland and bought his first cellphone. In turn, he has counseled them on girlfriends, and once sent a text to Gelhaus that urged, "Kick the girl next to you out of bed and give me a call." At one point, after a series of mishaps in which Gelhaus broke the TV remote, lost an expensive GPS device and then bumbled over filing his tax returns, a frustrated Father Charlie blurted out, "You're the son I never wanted!" The phrase stuck. Gelhaus now calls the priest "Pa." Serrano always teased the priest for his "God complex" and, in one sermon, Father Charlie said he hoped he'd never lose his eyesight because he wanted to see the sarcastic look on Serrano's face whenever he talked about the Lord. But now it has happened. And the flock frets. For years, church volunteer Bernadette Thompson has plied Father Charlie with homemade cookies, Rice Krispies bars and pineapple upside-down cake. Now she doesn't know what to do. "We worry about him," she said. Father Charlie is more worried about others. When a food bank needed winter coats for the homeless, he put out the call. Within hours, 220 coats poured in. "We couldn't survive without him," said Sandy West, the group's volunteer coordinator. For now, the priest perseveres over his health setbacks. After a recent Mass, he stood in the casino lobby, using his good left hand to greet congregants. Some women moved in for hugs. The men joked. "Father Charlie, you gotta find some other place for that sling," one said, pointing to the lump in the vestments. "You look pregnant!" That got a laugh too. The casino Masses now have a new feature, something that's not his doing or his request. Along with a call to remember the sick and shut-in, the lay reader asks parishioners to pray for Father Charlie's eyesight and injured arm. That's when a murmur of concern rolls through this casino church crowd. ___ (Glionna is a Los Angeles Times special correspondent.) ___ (c)2019 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Authorities in one Massachusetts community are searching for a group of masked men who broke into an apartment and pistol-whipped people inside. Marion Police Chief John Garcia said officers received a call around 11:48 p.m. Friday for a report of home invasion. Officers headed to an apartment on Wareham Road and located two men inside. Both men had injuries to their faces. Officers began an investigation and determined that several armed masked men allegedly pushed their way into the apartment and pistol-whipped both men, police said. The victims reported four or five men were involved and all the suspects were armed with handguns and were wearing gloves. The suspects seemed to be looking for something specific but authorities did not give any further information. Police believe the victims were targeted and there is no general danger to the public. Police and a K-9 from the Plymouth County Sheriffs office searched the area but did not find any of the suspects. The home invasion remains under investigation. (CNN) The military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader said Sunday that his country's response to the killing by the United States of one its most influential commanders will certainly be a military response "against military sites." In an exclusive interview with CNN in Tehran, Hossein Dehghan, the military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, said: "The response for sure will be military and against military sites." Dehghan, a former defense minister, is the main military adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and is very close to the Supreme Leader. "Let me tell you one thing: Our leadership has officially announced that we have never been seeking war and we will not be seeking war," Dehghan said. "It was America that has started the war. Therefore, they should accept appropriate reactions to their actions. The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted. Afterward they should not seek a new cycle." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday the United States committed a "grave mistake" in killing Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and US President Donald Trump responded on Twitter, writing that if Tehran attacks American assets, the US will strike "very hard and very fast." The US has a list of 52 Iranian targets, Trump tweeted. The number was chosen to match the number of hostages taken in the 1979 takeover of the US Embassy, he said. Dehghan described the tweets as "ridiculous and absurd." "[Trump] doesn't know international law. He doesn't recognize UN resolutions either. Basically he is a veritable gangster and a gambler. He is no politician he has no mental stability," Dehghan said. Making reference to United National resolution 2347 which condemns the unlawful destruction of cultural heritage, Dehghan said "if [Trump] wants to imposed rule, logic and rationality over his decision he should accept that he is a war criminal and must be tried in a relevant court." Asked what would happen if Trump were to carry out his threat to strike any of Iran's cultural sites, Dehghan said "for sure no American military staff, no American political center, no American military base, no American vessel will be safe. And they are accessible to us." Major escalation Rouhani said earlier Americans would face consequences for killing Soleimani "not only today, but also in the coming years." Rouhani's remarks came on the same day mourners in neighboring Iraq had chanted "Death to America" at a funeral procession for Soleimani and an Iraqi militia leader who died with him in a US airstrike in Iraq early Friday. The strike killed Soleimani at Baghdad International Airport, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces. At least six people were killed in the strike, an Iraqi security source told CNN on condition of anonymity. It marks a major escalation in regional tensions that have pitted Tehran against Washington and its allies in the Middle East. Trump on Friday said he ordered the death of Soleimani, one of Iran's most powerful men, to stop a war, not start one, as tensions between the two nations were already escalating. Trump said Soleimani was plotting "imminent and sinister attacks" on Americans. The Pentagon blamed Soleimani and Iran-backed Iraqi militias for recent assaults on coalition bases in Iraq, including a December 27 strike that killed an American civilian contractor and wounded several US and Iraqi military personnel. After retaliatory US airstrikes against the militias last month, hundreds of protesters stormed the US Embassy compound in Baghdad on December 31, an attack the US blamed on Soleimani. Soleimani was the head of Quds Force, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unit in charge of foreign operations, and he became the architect of Tehran's proxy conflicts in the Middle East. The Pentagon blamed Soleimani for hundreds of deaths of Americans and their allies over the years. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Exclusive: Supreme Leader's military adviser says Iran's response will be 'against military sites.'" Noting that the space for debate in their country is shrinking, several prominent Pakistani dissidents currently living in various countries have gathered here at a conference to discuss ways of ensuring greater support for pluralist ideas, human rights, and democracy in Pakistan. The two-day conference was opened by former Pakistan ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani and will end on Sunday with an event, a statement said. Several participants including liberals and Baloch, Sindhi, Pashtun, and Seraiki described the situation in Pakistan as one of "virtual martial law." Haqqani in his opening address said Pakistan's democrats also cannot ignore human rights violations in neighbouring countries. Attended by scholars, journalists, bloggers and social media activists, many of whom now live in exile, the conference is the fourth to be organised by South Asians Against Terrorism and for Human Rights (SAATH), a group of prodemocracy Pakistanis and is co-hosted by Haqqani and US-based columnist Mohammad Taqi. This year, the conference size was scaled down as many of the forum's Pakistani participants were "intimidated or barred from participating," the statement said. The prominent participants included former Senator Afrasiab Khattak, former Ambassador Kamran Shafi, former editor of Daily Times Rashed Rahman, journalists Taha Siddiqui, Gul Bukhari and Marvi Sirmed and activist Gulalai Ismail. Earlier SAATH conferences were held in London in 2016 and 2017 and in Washington DC in 2018. So did Felicity Everett but she soon discovered that it takes more than an Aga and some new wellies to fit in... We deduced, by the end of the second drink, that we had inadvertently sat in a regulars spot Mark, I dont know if I can do this. My husband turned around and stared at me, baffled. He had been grilling toast on the Aga in our newly refurbished country cottage, which we had moved into just six weeks previously. Through the window was a stunning view of fields and wooded hills. It was the rural idyll millions dream of, and that we had spent months pursuing. There was a pause. The toast caught fire. Mark tried to rescue it, burned his hand and a row ensued (one of many to come). Why hadnt I said anything earlier? Did I realise how much it had all cost? The amount of money wed be out of pocket if we had to move again? I cried and told him I was being silly that it would all be fine. I was lying. Our cottage was nestled in a picture-perfect valley in a hamlet outside Stroud in Gloucestershire, and we had fallen in love with it on sight. It was a big move for us we had spent the previous four years in Melbourne, Australia, where Mark had a job in consulting that enabled him to save up for an early retirement. Before that we spent 25 years raising our four kids in South London. When the time came to return to the UK, in our early 50s (Im now 59 and Mark is 58), I felt invincible. This relocation thing was a doddle: in Melbourne I got out of my comfort zone and made great friends I could fit in anywhere! Going back to London seemed a retrograde step, and it made no sense to return to a big semi when three of our children had left home. What wed never tried was living in the country, but I reckoned now was as good a time as any to try it. We did our research and Stroud, a market town in the Cotswolds, ticked our boxes: its lively, not too chocolate-boxy and has a reputation for being a bit alternative. Its full of writers, and Im a writer. Its well-connected to London, near Bristol and Bath, and its gorgeous. What could possibly go wrong? Erm, how long have you got? I quickly realised it was a town of cliques and tribes and, somehow, we didnt seem to fit into any of them. There are the properly posh, in frayed shirts and smelly tweed, who love their dogs more than their children. The rainbow-haired women in linen smocks and sandals. The born-and-bred Swindon-Town-supporting Stroudies. The down from London Boden and Barbour brigade, some second-home owners, others relocating baby boomers wanting a bit of peace. I suppose if we were anything, wed have been in that last category probably the most loathed in the town for pricing the locals out. I didnt blame them. The first time we went to the local pub, a picturesque ramblers retreat with cask ales and a real fire, the welcome was tolerant rather than warm. When we sat in the corner, it quickly got chilly. People muttered and raised their eyebrows. We deduced, by the end of the second drink, that we had inadvertently sat in a regulars spot. He wasnt in that night, but that wasnt the point. Desperate to fit in, I joined a writing group. The people and the writing were eclectic, but among the members was a group of women around my age who I hit it off with or thought I did, until I walked into a local coffee shop one morning to see them all having a cosy natter without me. The looks on their faces when I said a croaky Hi! and hurried off with my flat white to go were a sight to behold. We decided that if we were doing the country, wed do it properly so we chose to live in a spot two miles from town, reached by a winding lane, overhung with trees. By day, its a walkers paradise; by night its a slasher movie waiting to happen. The only sound you can hear is the hooting of owls, or, if youre home alone, the creak of an axe-murderers footsteps. One Sunday, I got back from a trip to London around teatime. Mark was away and the taxi rank in Stroud was deserted. It wasnt yet dark so I decided to walk. I set off marvelling at the beauty of a Cotswolds sunset, but by the time I was halfway home it was getting dark and every creaking branch was giving me the jitters. Passing cars were few and far between and, glancing over my shoulder, I wasnt sure if there was someone following me or if my eyes were playing tricks. I walked faster and faster until I got home, almost hysterical, and had to pour myself a drink to calm down. I wouldnt be doing that again in a hurry. My marriage started to suffer. Mark and I like our own space. Suddenly we were together 24/7 in a town where we knew no one. Combine this with a menopause that hit me hard both mentally and physically and you have a recipe for a reality show, but its not Escape to the Country. Rural rookies Felicity and Mark Six months in, things werent getting better and I was convinced that it wasnt just teething troubles but a huge mistake. I wished Id taken notice of a few early, niggling worries, but Id brushed them aside Id had the same misgivings about the move to Australia, which had turned out to be brilliant. But by now it was winter and dark before four. The local cinema was showing Alvin and the Chipmunks. The kindling was damp and I couldnt get the woodburner to light. We had a lot of early nights around then, and not in a good way. I did all the right things went to evening classes, joined a yoga group. But after holding a couple of those dinner parties when you know, as youre handing round the olives, that none of these people are going to be your friends, things were unravelling. I was beginning to miss things about London you shouldnt miss the crazy drivers, the rowdy kids spilling out of takeaways, the bin-raiding foxes. I resented Mark for not minding the isolation as much as I did, even though Id happily signed up for it. We both knew I was miserable but I just withdrew and our relationship suffered. We ended up doing that awful thing of tiptoeing around each other, which is even worse than fighting. Our nearest town was full of cliques and tribes and none of them suited us Old friends muttered I told you so and advised: go on dates (where to?), do things separately (what things?), come back to London (cant afford it). In desperation I saw a counsellor. With her help I realised that there was more going on than just a move to the country. Id been dealing with the menopause, my children leaving the nest but blaming all of my unhappiness on the move. I suppose Id seen the countryside as a comfort blanket; a place in which life was slower-paced and friendships more meaningful. A tight-knit community that would welcome me in and fill the void left by my dispersing family. Now I could see it was a real place full of real people with problems of their own. I could adjust my expectations and stay, or cut my losses and leave. I decided on the former. OK, so no one ever dropped in for a cuppa but I could use the peace to my advantage. Since moving here, Ive never written so much and Ive got a new book to show for it. Ive never walked so far or in such beautiful surroundings. Ive also never soul-searched so hard or been so honest with my husband. Eventually, we figured out where our differences lay. For him, retirement was a holy grail at the end of a gruelling career. For me, it was tied up with menopausal angst about ageing. We negotiated new terms for our marriage, agreed what wed do together, and what apart; how wed fit hobbies and holidays around my late-blooming writing career. And if I havent found my clique here in the countryside, at least Ive restored the clique that Mark and I have been since we met at university in 1981. We are nearly five years in now. Ive made a few good friends and started to participate more in the life of the town. Ive even befriended the odd newcomer myself. When a woman moved in a few doors down, I invited her for a drink in the local yes, that one. Despite our early faux pas, Mark and I had persevered with it because the foods good and, well theres nowhere else to go. This time we were greeted with the odd smile. What a gorgeous little place, said my new friend, looking around. Isnt it? I said. I cant quite believe it, but the countryside is starting to feel like home. The Move by Felicity Everett will be published on 23 January by HQ, price 12.99. To pre-order a copy for 9.99 with free p&p until 31 January, call 01603 648155 or go to mailshop.co.uk. Prasert Krainukul If you think that Republicans and Democrats can't see eye to eye these days, try sitting in a room with financial professionals who are for and against annuities. The inability to agree is real. And both sides hold steadfast to their positions. Annuities are insurance or investment contracts that give investors regular payments in exchange for a lump sum paid upfront. However some financial professionals argue that they come with high commissions and opaque disclosures. Because that puts individual investors at a disadvantage, they say, some have sworn off selling them. More from Personal Finance: Why retiring at 65 could become a thing of the past Not knowing these Roth IRA truths can cost you Congress approves major changes to how you save for retirement Yet others, including academics, champion annuities as a solution to help solve a dilemma that many retirees face: how to transform a pool of money into a steady stream of income. Annuity sales totaled $174.3 billion for the first nine months of 2019, according to the Insured Retirement Institute. That's a 7.5% increase from the same period in 2018, when sales were $162.2 billion. Now, one industry group called the Alliance for Lifetime Income is adding fuel to the argument that these options deserve a place in everyday Americans' retirement strategy. To push the point home, last summer they brought that message to a Rolling Stones tour as its sole sponsor. Their take: "You can get what you need, when you have an annuity." Mick Jagger performs during the Rock in Rio Lisbon 2014 music festival, in Lisbon, Portugal on May 29, 2014. (Photo by Pedro Fiuza/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto | NurPhoto | Getty Images Why opponents won't be swayed In May, an arbitration panel for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, an independent regulatory organization, awarded $3.2 million to an upstate New York family who claimed they were victimized in a variable annuity and life insurance sales scheme. The products were sold by a former AXA financial advisor whom the firm had "every reason to put ... on heightened supervision," according to attorney Jason J. Kane, a partner at law firm Peiffer Wolf Carr & Kane who represented plaintiffs James and Sandra Fitzpatrick, of Whitesville, New York, and their son Kerry. "He literally could not pay his taxes," Kane said of the advisor. "The lure of big commissions was just too tempting for him, because it was a solution to his financial problems." Annuities, in general, and variable annuities, in particular, continue to spark arbitration claims. In 2019, as of November, there were 93 annuities cases sent to arbitration, according to FINRA, and 103 involving variable annuities. That's because annuities are often with mandatory arbitration clauses in their contracts, preventing wronged consumers from suing. Issues with annuities have prompted some financial advisors, such as Ric Edelman, founder of Edelman Financial Engines, to refuse to sell them to clients. "One of the problems with many of today's products is that they are ridiculously complicated and complex," Edelman said. "They have features and riders that serve no useful purpose to the consumer, that are both confusing, limiting and very expensive." Why some see annuities as the answer On the other hand, there is growing support in offering annuities to retirees, or soon-to-be retirees. Part of that is because of the sheer size of the baby boomer population, with 10,000 individuals turning 65 per day. Another reason is longevity. The longer you live, the more money you must have to cover your needs. And a third reason is math, said Michael Finke, professor of wealth management at The American College of Financial Services, at a recent press event about annuities. "To an economist, an annuity is the most efficient way to create income in retirement," Finke said. ... Economists are baffled by the rejection of annuitization. You could have a riskier retirement and it will cost more, or you could have a safer retirement and it will cost less. Michael Finke professor of wealth management at The American College of Financial Services According to Finke's calculations, for a healthy 65-year-old woman to buy $20,000 per year in income for 30 years, it would cost $414,222 to buy a bond ladder, ie, a series of low-risk investments with various maturities. That does not include asset management fees. To get the same amount of income by buying an annuity, it would cost much less: $349,135, according to Finke's estimates. That's based on an average of the top five quotes for the purchase of a so-called single premium immediate annuity, according to Finke. And instead of just 30 years' worth of income with bonds, you would be covered for life with an annuity. "This is why economists are baffled by the rejection of annuitization," Finke said. "You could have a riskier retirement and it will cost more, or you could have a safer retirement and it will cost less." In addition, some financial advisors could have ulterior motives for eschewing the products, said David Lau, founder and CEO of DPL Financial Partners, a provider of commission-free annuities. That's because taking a chunk of money out of a client's portfolio can significantly reduce the advisor's compensation if they're charging based on the total amount of a client's assets. "That's huge potential lost revenue, which is why they have fought annuities vociferously for so long," Lau said. Commissions on many annuities tend to drive up prices, cause poor sales incentives and create bad products, Lau said. His company is trying to get registered investment advisors to sell commission-free annuities. Admittedly, commissionable offerings still make up roughly 95% of the market he said. Jean Statler, executive director at the Alliance for Lifetime Income, said it is possible to pay less over time with a one-time low commission annuity. Admittedly, there are those who have taken advantage of the commission structure. "We have to weed out the bad actors," Statler said. To that end, the Alliance is working with both consumers and insurance firms to raise awareness. That includes efforts to streamline sales language so that individuals can better understand what they're buying. It also means providing consumers with a list of questions they should ask before signing up for an annuity. That includes who gets paid what, the difference between one product and others, and the scope of benefits over time. A knowledgeable consumer is going to be a much better investor and make better decisions for themselves if they ask the right questions. Jean Statler executive director at the Alliance for Lifetime Income Help India! By Mirza Mosaraf Hossain, TwoCircles.net Dr. Samima Khatun, the daughter of an imam from West Bengals East Burdwan district, has been awarded a travel grant to present her paper at an international conference in London. The conference is co-organized by Imperial College London and University College London. The grant is nearly 2 lakhs worth in Indian rupees. Though all of her well-wishers are happy at her journey to this stage of achievement, it was never easy for a girl belonging to a lower-middle-class Muslim family. Her journey is quite inspiring especially to women and to those belonging to her social context. Support TwoCircles She will be delivering her paper titled Exploring the Thermodynamics And Conformational Aspects Of Sulindac And Chlorpromazine Binding With BSA at the 26th International Conference on Chemical Thermodynamics: ICCT-2020 that is going to be held between 19 and 23 July 2020 in London. The travel grant is sponsored by Nature Research, under its subfield, the Communications Journals, which offers it in three subjects: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. She was awarded the Communications Chemistry grant which is given to only one candidate all over the world in the field of Chemistry. Three grants, each of 2,500 (approx. 2 lakhs in Indian rupee), are available to promising early-career scientists whose research is focused upon one of the three subject areas covered by the journals to support the costs of traveling to and participating in a conference. Nature Research is a multidisciplinary research journal, originally from Naturethe leading international weekly journal of science first published in 1869 having its principal offices in London, New York, Berlin, Shanghai and Tokyo, and offices in cities worldwide. It publishes primary research, reviews, critical comment, news and analysis on scientific innovations, discoveries and it has nine million visitors every month to its official site. The 29-year-old woman is from Nischintapur village in East Burdwans Khandaghosh locality. Samima did her matriculation and higher secondary from Al Ameen Mission. Then she completed her B.Sc, M.Sc in Chemistry at Aligarh Muslim University. Last year she awarded Ph.D. degree under the supervision of Prof. Riyazuddeen, Department of Chemistry, at the same university. She also worked as a Research Associate in a CSIR Project in the Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi. Currently, she is working as an Assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, at Aligarh Muslim University on a contractual basis. Apart from all this, she is also a devout practicing Muslim. She wears scarf and offers five times prayer. Samima, the second daughter of Sk Rahamat Ali, has four other siblings and the younger sister is taking preparation for government jobs after pursuing graduation in Psychology from AMU. The 57 years old Rahamat Ali, a graduate in Political Science from the University of Burdwan, runs a small stationery shop at a nearby village, Khejurhati, were at the same place he used to be the imam of the village mosque with a remuneration of Rs. 700 per month. But for the last two years because of his old age problem, he could not go there and only runs the shop. In course of pursuing her Ph.D., she got married to Dr. Tahasin Mondal, a fellow scholar in the Department of Sanskrit of Aligarh Muslim University in 2017. While speaking to Twocircles.Net she shared that it was because of these two men for whom she has been able to be where she is now. From her early childhood life, she experienced poverty because of her fathers unemployment even after being a graduate with a good score, the lack of scope to continue education in a remote rural setup. But the zeal for pursuing her fathers dream, her determination for achieving something noble and her parents insistence to overthrow lifes hurdles were then the real strengths for her through which she has reached this success. My dreams come true partially when my parents sent me to Al Ameen Mission where I got admission with very nominal monthly fees, 120 rupees per month. The Secretary of the Mission agreed to admit me because of my zeal for study, for my dreams he had been able to read in my eyes and thats why he even paid me 1250 per month till I started stipends. It was because of him that I came to this stage of success. Neither her family, religion, nor her villagers were any hindrances for her education for being a Muslim girl who would stay away from home most of the time of her life. It was because of their support and encouragement, her balancing of being a Muslim girl, a practicing Muslim to a modern educated girl is so refined that she has been followed as a role model by the local Muslim girls and by their parents. The parents send their girl children for higher studies only after following her. I was never told either by my parents or by any of my villagers that I should not leave home for education. Rather my father paid extra care to send me first to the Mission when I was in the ninth standard. Even the fact is that he only spent his earnings only for his daughters and not for his son for education purposes. It was later followed by my co-villagers and they started sending their girl child outside the home for their education. When she was asked whether her in-laws family had any problem with her education even after getting married and staying outside in-laws home, she replied, Not at all. Like my family, my husband, my in-laws have told me to do whatever I wish to pursue and forbade me to worry about it. When asked about her plan, she said, I want to go back to my home state once I get a government job there. I have many wishes to follow for my community as it is lagging in all sorts of fields, especially for Muslim women whose condition is worst. Her message to the Muslim women, no one can change your life except your self-respect, hardworking, proper education. So have it, do it, grab it. You women! Change your life by yourself. Indeed, examples like Samima are breaking the mythic notion against the conservative representation of Muslim women. Samima is the rarest of rare example among Bengali Muslim women to come to be followed not only by her locals but also throughout the Muslim families across the State as well as across the Muslim world at large. Belarus, Russia Officials Reach Deal To Reopen Oil Deliveries By RFE/RL's Belarus Service January 04, 2020 Oil executives say they have reached agreement to restart Russian crude-oil supplies to Belarus following a cutoff over transit fees on January 1. Belarus agreed to abandon a supplier's premium on the oil that it imports from its much larger neighbor, Belarus's Belneftekhim said in a statement on January 4. The deal should allow for continuous operation of Belarusian refineries in January, they said. "Documents are being drawn up today together with a Russian company to pump the first batch of oil, purchased at a price without premium," Belneftekhim's statement said. The halt in Russian oil supplies left oil bound for Europe unaffected but could have carried a wallop for Belarus, which depends on Russia for more than 80 percent of its energy. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Belarusian Prime Minister Syarhey Rumas reportedly spoke by telephone earlier on January 4 in an effort to break the impasse. Belarus is heavily dependent on Russia for fuel and cash, and is a key transit route for Russian energy supplies to Europe. Russia and Belarus reached a two-month deal on natural-gas prices hours before a December 31 deadline that could have spelled a gas shutoff to start the year. Minsk has been locked in a disagreement with Moscow over oil-transit prices for some time against a backdrop of increasing pressure by President Vladimir Putin on Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to deepen integration between the two countries. Belarusians have protested in recent weeks against closer ties to Russia and perceived secrecy around talks following up on a 1999 agreement on a unified state. With reporting by AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-russia- officials-reach-deal-to-reopen- oil-deliveries/30360183.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The BJP's lotus bloomed well and truly in Arunachal Pradesh post the assembly elections in 2019, a year otherwise marked by violent protests in the northeastern state over the proposal to grant Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) to six non-native communities. The saffron party romped home in the state for a second term, bagging 41 seats in the 60-member House, as well as clinching the two Lok Sabha constituencies. The JD(U), which made its maiden entry into the electoral scene of Arunachal Pradesh, won seven seats, while another debutant National People's Party (NPP) secured five constituencies. The lone regional outfit - Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) - bagged a single seat. Hours after the BJP's landslide victory, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said in a Facebook post: "Will stand up to expectations of the people of the state. Good news is that we now have our own team of elected BJP members in the Assembly - the first elected BJP government in Arunachal. With the 'double engine sarkar' - Modi govt at the Centre and Pema government in Arunachal, it's good days ahead!" The Congress, which had won the 2014 assembly polls, was stung by a rebellion, and Khandu took oath as chief minister in 2016 following a bitter political crisis. The grand old party managed to bag just four seats in the 2019 elections. The electoral battle aside, Arunachal Pradesh was rocked by widespread violence and arson over grant of permanent residence to the six non-native communities -- Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Gorkhas, Adivasis and Mishings. Protests erupted in Itanagar and adjoining Naharlagun in late February against the proposal to accord PRC to the non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes (APSTs) communities in Namsai and Changlang districts, and to the Gorkhas living in Vijaynagar. Curfew clamped on the capital city and other towns did not deter protesters from venturing into the troubled streets that wore scenes of pitched battles with security forces, which left three people dead, including two in police firing. Scores of people, including security personnel, were injured in clashes. In the ensuing violence that lasted for days together, the private residence of deputy chief minister Chowna Mein was set ablaze along with hundreds of vehicles, and the office of Itanagar deputy commissioner ransacked. The unrelenting agitation compelled the state government to put a lid on the issue and announce a judicial probe into the large-scale rioting, violence and vandalism. "Never again will we take up the issue of PRC. The issue is closed," Khandu declared on national TV. In the second half of 2019, the northeastern state once again witnessed to massive protests, this time against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), as influential students' unions decided to boycott examinations and demanded immediate withdrawal of the contentious legislation. Thousands of agitators, led by the Rajiv Gandhi University Students' Union (RGUSU) and the Students' Union of NERIST (SUN), marched to the Raj Bhavan, covering a distance of close to 30 km of hilly terrain. People belonging to the Assamese community also took part in the protest rallies, raising slogans against the BJP- led government at the Centre. "We oppose the CAA and want its immediate revocation. The law will divide the region on religious lines and jeopardise the existence of the indigenous people," the protesters said in a referendum. According to the amended act, non-Muslims, who escaped religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014, will be granted Indian citizenship. It, however, exempted tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura as included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and regions covered under The Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime. At present, the ILP regime is applicable in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. The protesters, however, claimed that Assam was the gateway of the northeast, and the region would suffer if CAA is implemented in the state. During the year, security forces also intensified operations against underground groups active in the state, after suspected NSCN members gunned down sitting MLA and NPP assembly poll candidate Tirong Aboh and ten others, including his son and security personnel, in Tirap district on May 21 - just two days before the election results were announced. Aboh (41), who had switched over to the NPP from the BJP after being denied a ticket, was seeking a re-election from Khonsa West assembly constituency. The MLA was on his way to his constituency from Assam, along with family members, police personnel and a poll agent, when the suspected rebels opened fire on their vehicles near 12 Mile area in Tirap. Over the next few months, around 30 members belonging to various factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) were apprehended. Police appeal for for witnesses following a serious collision at Horsemans Green which has left three people seriously injured This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jan 5th, 2020 North Wales Police have appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage following a collision in the early hours of Sunday morning. Emergency services were called just before 3.30am to reports of a single vehicle being involved in a road traffic collision on the A525 at Horsemans Green. Police said three of the vehicles occupants have been taken to hospital, two with serious injuries and one with life-threatening injuries. Sgt Nikki Grimes-Williams of the Roads Policing Unit said The investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding this collision and we are keen to hear from anyone who may have been travelling on the A525 between Whitchurch and Horsemans Green at around 3am this morning. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a silver BMW X3 travelling along this stretch of road, and in particular those who may have any dash cam footage. Anyone with information is asked to call the Roads Policing Unit on 101 quoting reference Y001980. Alternatively, you can contact the police control room via the new live webchat on http://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/chat-support.aspx . As of 9.30am the road remains closed. An explosion occurred in the green zone of Baghdad at the United States Embassy. Reuters reports it. According to the American newspaper, a rocket fell near the building of the US Embassy in the diplomatic area of the Iraqi capital. Now all the entrances to the US diplomatic mission are closed. It is still unknown where and by whom this rocket was launched. There is no information on victims of a missile strike. 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. As a result of attack on Baghdad international airport, the Iranian General Qasem Suleimani died, he was killed on orders from US President Donald Trump. The United States will send three thousand soldiers from 82 airborne divisions to the Middle East due to increased tension in relations with Iran. Several thousand protesters attacked the U.S. embassy in Iraq on Tuesday due to US airstrikes that killed more than two dozen pro-Iran fighters at the weekend. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns the attempt to attack the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. Deepika plays an acid attack victim in her upcoming film "Chhapak" that releases on January 10. The film, directed by Meghna Gulzar, is extremely close to Deepika's heart, according to her own admission. Lucknow, Jan 5 (IANS) Bollywood star Deepika Padukone on Sunday celebrated her 34th birthday here at the Sheroes Hangout cafe that is run by acid attack survivors. Two acid attack survivors from Lucknow have played roles in "Chhapak". Deepika arrived here on Sunday accompanied by husband and actor Ranveer Singh. She had started her birthday celebrations from Mumbai airport, where she spotted cutting a birthday cake. The video, shared by Mumbai-based celebrity photographer Viral Bhayani shared on Instagram, has gone viral. By the time Deepika reached the Sheroes Hangout cafe here, a huge crowd of fans had gathered there. Many of them came with cakes to celebrate their favourite star's birthday. The acid attack survivors at the cafe were excited to see Deepika and the actor spoke to them about their stories. A long selfie session with them followed. amita/vd Gun battles in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, continue brewing, according to Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar. READ MORE: Civilian among six dead in Nuevo Laredo gun battles reported on New Year's He provided an update on Facebook regarding the ongoing violence in the Sister City. Cuellar mentioned that at least three civilians have died in the crossfire. Nuevo Laredo experienced a deadly week with at least five suspected Cartel Del Noreste gunmen and one state cop dead in armed confrontations throughout the city. (The assailants) were using AK-47 automatic weapons and 50-caliber weapons, a very serious type of weapon that it is only used military areas, Cuellar said. Firefights are expected to continue. We have received information that the gun battles are still brewing that they might happen again. We hope the government can step in and try to make this cease because its putting innocent people at risk People in Mexico should not experience this, the sheriff said. Laredo police said they continue to monitor the ongoing violent clashes happening in the Sister City. Mexican authorities continue their efforts in mitigating the ongoing issues with criminal factions. The Laredo Police Department is keeping a close eye on the developments and continues to work together with our fellow law enforcement agencies to make sure Laredo remains a fortress of safety, LPD said in a statement. The U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo said on its Facebook that U.S. government personnel remain subject to restrictions on their movements in Nuevo Laredo and are under early curfew. Per our current travel advisory for Nuevo Laredo, organized crime activity including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion and sexual assault is common. Heavily-armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas in marked and unmarked vehicles and operate with impunity. Local law enforcement has limited capability to respond to crime incidents, the consulate stated. People going across the border risk getting caught in a crossfire, according to the sheriff. If you have to travel to Nuevo laredo, do it during daylight, only if it is necessary to go, Cuellar said. LPD added, Our recommendations remain the same against any unnecessary travel into Nuevo Laredo. We will continue to post any confirmed information available here for your access. Laredo, Texas, remains a safe city. READ MORE: New Years firefights in Nuevo Laredo leave suspected cartel members dead On Friday, LPD encouraged paisanos to return to the United States through other international bridges. Aaditya Thackeray, chief minister Uddhav Thackerays son and Worli MLA, was on Sunday given the charge of tourism, environment and protocol ministry in the Maharashtra cabinet. The 29-year-old minister, while answering mediapersons, said the state economy can be given a fillip through tourism. I have been given the portfolios of tourism and environment. We can strengthen the economy of Maharashtra with tourism. I will take charge of the office after tomorrows meeting, the new minister was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI. A run through the junior Thackerays Twitter timeline speaks about his commitment to environment, civic sense, waste disposal, sanitation, water body clean ups, green building, among other pressing issues. In one of his tweets from January 4, he says he encouraged the municipal commissioners to look at converting cities into sponge cities for the environment. Urban forests, rain water percolation, rain water harvesting, renewable energy, green buildings should be our focus, read his tweet. Another suggestion made by him was about the health and safety of sanitation workers, better disaster management mechanisms and online direct citizen grievance redressal systems across the state. The ministers Twitter profile also informs that the single use plastic ban has been approved by the cabinet and that he worked closely on it with minister of state for environment Ramdas Kadam. An empowered committee will review the items of the ban and its implementation every six months. A protest was staged against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Kothrud area here on Saturday. Elsehwere in the city, some organisations demanded that the Maharashtra government should call a special session of the legislature and pass a resolution aginst the CAA and NRC. Holding placards denouncing the CAA, NRC and the National Population Register (NPR), members of the Yuvak Kranti Dal, Professional Congress, National Students Union of India, Aam Admi Party and others took part in the protest. They demanded that the CAA, which offers citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, be scrapped. Sandip Barve, a member of the Yuvak Kranti Dal, said the demonstration had been organised under the umbrella of `We The People Of India', an anti-CAA grouping. The protests against the CAA will continue until the government does not repeal the act, he said. Some 500 to 600 people took part in the protest. Pravin Saptarshi, another protestor, claimed that some people tried to provoke the protesters by starting arguments with them over the CAA. "We appealed our people not to get instigated by their comments and continue the protest in a peaceful manner," he said. Several organizations under the umbrella of Mulnivasi Muslim Manch staged a sit-in against the CAA. They demanded that the Maharashtra government should call a special session of the legislature and pass a resolution against the CAA and NRC, said Anjum Inamdar, president of the outfit. Ladeedah Farzana, who became the face of students' protest against the CAA at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, said at a gathering in the city that she saluted all those who were protesting against the "draconian provisions" of the CAA. She was addressing a conference organised by the Girls Islamic Organisation. "The Act is against the spirit of the Indian Constitution. It undermines Muslim community's achievements," she said. She also demanded that jailed anti-CAA protesters in Uttar Pradesh should be released forthwith. CAA was not the first draconian law in the country, Farzana said, citing laws such as (now repealed) Terrrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevntion) Act (TADA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Mumbai Police have recovered a severed head near a railway track here, five days after the torso of a woman was found in suburban Vidyavihar, an official said on Sunday. Acting on a tip-off, the police searched Santacruz- Chembur Link Road (SCLR) and found the chopped head, suspected to have been thrown from a bridge, near the railway track in the area late Saturday night, he said. "The severed head was found near the rail track below the SCLR bridge. Since the place is not so far from where the woman's torso was earlier recovered, we suspect that the head may be of the deceased," the official said. It was sent to Rajawadi Hospital for an examination, the official said, adding that a DNA test would also be conducted to find out if it belonged to the killed woman. "We will send the head for DNA testing as it is suspected to be of the woman whose torso was found earlier," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Niyati Thakar told PTI. The torso was found on December 30 on Kirod Road in Vidyavihar area. The next day, two chopped legs, wrapped in a rexin sheet, were found dumped in a dustbin in suburban Ghatkopar. Viscera of the victim was sent to a forensic laboratory for DNA sampling, the police said. This is the third such case in recent past wherein dismembered bodies -- one of a man and another of a young woman -- were found in the metropolis. Police have arrested the accused persons in both these cases. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Considine family, with the help of friends, have revealed details of a fundraiser cycle in memory of their late family members, Donal and Dearbhla, who passed away over the course of the past year. Brendan Considine posted, Most of you knew our dear brother Donal and sister Dearbhla who left us far too early over the past year or so. We miss them every minute of every day. In a bid to keep their memory alive, the family - with the help of some friends - will undertake a mammoth 650km+ journey from Malin Head to Mizen Head. The cycle will commence on Saturday, May 02, 2020 and participants aim to finish on Thursday, May 07. Five locals have already confirmed their participation, including Brendan Considine, Ronan Considine, Caoilin Considine, David Keenan and Neil Keenan, while a few others have expressed interest. Brendan stated, As most of you know, this is a cycle from the most northerly point of Ireland to the most southerly point (excluding Brow Head, for the pedants among us). Its approximately 650 kms. All proceeds from our cycle will go (in Donal and Dearbhlas name), to a family in Longford that has been recently affected by cancer. I will post more details soon regarding this. The team is seeking another five to ten people to take part in the cycle or sections of the cycle, while anyone who might help out with the logistics of the cycle and fundraising is urged to contact them. We are very grateful to you all for your exceptional generosity in our previous fundraising efforts and I hope, this time, we can do even better than before. said Brendan. I think a cycle is an appropriate way to remember Donal and Derv. They would have been the first two in line to participate. Anybody interested in helping out or participating can contact Brendan on 087-2275631. Also read: St Mel's Cathedral restoration delivered on time and on budget By PTI CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday questioned the silence of Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib attack and the killing of a Sikh youth in Pakistan. The SAD alleged that Sidhu has "sold his soul" to the Pakistan Army and its espionage agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was not being honest with his own country and community. In a statement here, former minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal said, "It is clear that Sidhu has sold his soul to the Pak military establishment and is being used by the ISI to further its anti-India plans." "This is the reason why he has become a mouthpiece of the ISI and has even turned against his own brethren and their suffering in Pakistan," he added. ALSO READ: Days after attack in Nankana Sahib Gurudwara, Sikh youth murdered in Pakistan's Peshawar Asking Sidhu to explain his silence on the forced conversion of a minor Sikh girl in Pakistan and the subsequent turn of events which have led to death threats to the victim's family, stoning of Gurdwara Janam Asthan and even threats to rename the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the Akali leader said, "this alone proves where your loyalties lie". Grewal said no Sikh could tolerate forced conversions of community members and stoning of its most holy shrines. "Similarly, they will never forgive those like Sidhu who continue to dance to the tunes of their friends in Pakistan," he said. ALSO READ: 'It goes against my vision', says Imran Khan condemning Nankana Sahib attack Asking the Congress leader to clear the air immediately or be ready for consequences, Grewal said: "Sidhu must condemn the Pak establishment as well as his friend and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan immediately." "Sidhu should also use his good offices with his buddy General Qamar Javed Bajwa to ensure swift and decisive action against all those who stoned Gurdwara Janan Asthan as well as those responsible for the forced conversion of the minor Sikh girl," he said. "He should simultaneously apologise to the Sikh community for failing to speak up against forced conversions in Pakistan as well as failure to condemn the attack on Nankana Sahib," he added. Asserting that everyone was aware of the evil designs of Pakistan, the SAD leader urged the Sikh community to stand up as one to condemn persecution and oppression of Sikhs in Pakistan. "We also appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give a stern message to Pakistan that this dastardly behavior will not be tolerated at any cost," he said. "Simultaneously, we warn the Congress party and the Gandhi family not to play Pakistan's game by remaining silent on the barbarity committed against Gurdwara Janan Asthan and only speaking up after being called out by Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal," he added. Authorities in the central province of Ha Tinh are co-operating with the owner of a Thai sunken cargo ship to recover nearly 180 tonnes of oil from the ship. The Nordana Sophie ship sinks in Ha Tinh on November 28 A representative of the Ha Tinh Port Agency confirmed that they would try to recover 178 tonnes of oil from the Nordana Sophie before the Tet Holiday. According to the Ha Tinh Port Agency, the owner of the ship has arrived in Ha Tinh to assess the situation and plan for the oil recovery. Local authorities have finished collecting the oil spill on over three kilometres of coast in Ky Anh District to prevent the environmental disaster from worsening. Pool floats have been set up around the area of the shipwreck and pumps used to move the remaining fuel in the sunken ship out onto barges. The Nordana Sophie departed from Hong Kong to travel to Son Duong Port in central Vietnam with 18 Thai crew members. As it neared the port early morning of November 28, the crew discovered that seawater had leaked into the ship through a hole in the hull. The ship sank soon afterwards. All 18 crew members were safely brought ashore by local rescue boats. Dtinews The host official emphasised that the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership between the two countries, especially relations between the two ruling parties, have been growing well in recent years. Talking about bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, investment, culture, education, security and defence, he said the two Governments should exert more efforts to effectively carry out the agreements reached between the countries leaders and coordinate with each other to successfully organise activities marking 70 years of diplomatic ties in 2020. Politburo member Vuong highly valued the role and stature of Fidesz in the European nations development, as well as the promotion of multifaceted relations between the two countries. He stressed that the two parties should increase high-level dialogue and implement the signed agreements well, including sharing information and experience and discussing the outstanding issues in the parties and the countries relations, so as to consolidate political trust and set up orientations for bilateral ties in the future. At the meeting, Novak informed her host about the situation of Hungary and Fidesz, affirming that her country considers Vietnam as a partner of leading importance in its Eastern Opening foreign policy and supports economic-trade links between Vietnam and the EU. She also expressed her hope for stronger cooperation between the two parties to create momentum for effectively handling their countries big cooperation projects in time ahead. Also on January 3, Chairman of the CPV Central Committees External Relations Commission Hoang Binh Quan held talks with the Hungarian delegation. The two sides discussed international and regional issues of shared concern, the situation of each party and country, the urgent issues in bilateral economic, trade and investment partnerships, along with ways to press on with implementing the parties cooperation agreements. Bella Vegas Casino Review Bella Vegas Casino was established in 2001 and this year celebrates 13 years in the online gaming industry. The casino brings an elegance that lets you feel like you are experiencing a classic casino experience typical of Las Vegas. Bella Vegas Casino - a perfect combination of excellent online casino enjoyment and classy fun. Your online gambling experience at Bella Vegas will be exhilarating because of the vast amount of options. Players benefit from amazing daily offers, giveaways, competitions, and regular tournaments. Bella Vegas Casino is fully licensed to operate under the authority of Curacao and is 100% safe and secure with a 97% payout percentage. 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Entrepreneurship was just a word for students of Delhi government schools till a few months back but now it has become an interesting class session which the students look forward to. Launched for students of Class 9 to 12, it involves connecting knowledge to life outside the school and ensuring that learning is shifted away from rote methods. Developed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), the curriculum is building awareness and knowledge of various aspects of entrepreneurship among the students. The curriculum is designed such that understanding and learning happens through active participation of teachers and students. The curriculum includes activities, stories, discussion and reflection based enquiry. This promotes mindfulness, self-awareness, critical thinking, perspective building, communication and self-reflection skills, an official from the SCERT said. There is no textbook for the curriculum but only a teachers manual. The evaluation of students will be done based on their reflections in the classroom and the teachers observations. There is no formal examination and it is non-evaluative, the official said. The aim of the curriculum, according to the government, is to make students confident, creative and competent. Initiated by Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia and his team, the main idea behind the curriculum was to instil confidence among the children that after completing their education, they should aspire to be job givers and not job seekers. Launched in February 2019 as a pilot and later spreading to several schools, the curriculum unleashes the inner potential of the child. It is giving an opportunity to the students to meet and interact with real-life entrepreneurs and understand their journeys and struggles. The objective of the interaction is to inspire students with the journey of entrepreneurs. During this interaction, students learn about the dreams, opportunities, challenges and stories of overcoming the fears and struggles along with the learning from the journey. Over 1.5 lakh students from over 500 schools are part of the curriculum. The students, when asked, seemed very excited about the curriculum and its class. During the class, we get to do interesting activities. The teachers encourage us to get involved in thinking creatively, said Sugandha, a class 9 student. For Ridhi, a class 11 student of a Delhi government school, the takeaway from the class was to do what one wants to do in life. From the time we join the school, we were told that we should study hard to get a good job. But the teachers told us that we should do what we love in our lives. This has forced me to think what I want to do in my life, she said, adding she is yet to find a passion. For Suresh of her class, the takeaway was the confidence of doing something of his own. I wanted to do something of my own. Both my parents are working in private jobs. I did not want to go through the same. I am learning to be a confident entrepreneur. We are getting a chance to interact with those who have established themselves as entrepreneurs. We are getting the opportunity to learn so much, said 17-year-old Suresh. For Shefali, the curriculum taught her to accept her mistakes. We learned that there will be hardships and we may make mistakes. But it will be better if we accept our mistakes and move ahead. The takeaways were different for each student and so was the reaction of the parents to the curriculum. My daughter discusses different ideas for business with me and I like her interest. I could only manage a very small business. I wish I too was given an opportunity like she is being exposed to, said Prashant, a small businessman from Laxmi Nagar. Sisodia constantly monitors the curriculum and talks to the students frequently about the new curriculum. He believes that the Entrepreneurship Mindset is the solution to joblessness. The EMC programme takes on a whole new approach to address the problem of unemployment and brings about a paradigm shift. In an effort to motivate students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, the Delhi Government has decided to give Rs 1,000 to every student as seed money, Sisodia said. He said during his interaction with the students, he finds a lot of interesting ideas for their business from the students. He recalled that while some suggested setting up a food stall, another student came up with the idea of making hair accessories from the seed money and selling them to her friends for a profit. Sisodia said the students are full of creativity and all they need is the right direction. Around 2.5 lakh students pass out from Delhi every year, if only 50,000 of them become entrepreneurs, we will never have the problem of joblessness anymore. And for this, having the Entrepreneurial Mindset is very important. It determines our progress towards becoming a developed economy. Our young minds should be taught to pick up skills and not wait for someone to hire them. They should already be equipped and efficient enough to start a business venture on their own and make their ends meet. Our aim is to give both the options to students and let them choose. We have to stop them from limiting themselves as job seekers, to embracing the mindset and the possibility of becoming job creators or entrepreneurs, Sisodia said. The development of such a mindset, according to Sisodia, is very crucial at a time when there are not enough jobs. After at least 15 years of formal education, if large numbers of the youth are not confident of creating something innovative which can give them gainful return and add value to the economy then as a society we are failing to nurture their full potential, he said. Hyderabad Police has booked one of the organisers of yesterday's Million March in the city for violating police guidelines. It was organised to protest against the CAA, NRC and NPR. Mustak Mallik, one of the organisers, has been booked for violating the guidelines laid down by Hyderabad Police while granting permission for the event, said Chikkadpalli Police. According to the guidelines, not more than 1,000 people would be allowed to gather at Dharna Chowk to ensure than traffic and, law and order situations remained under control. However, over 15,000 people participated in the protest which is a clear violation of the guidelines, the police said. A case has been registered under sections 143, 149, 290, 341 of the IPC, and section 21 read with 76 of the CPA. The march was organised by over 40 organisations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Register of Citizens (NRC) and Population Register (NPR). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Weed control officials from around North Dakota are meeting in Bismarck this week to review the states noxious weeds list. Noxious weeds are those that landowners are required by state law to control, to slow their spread. The state Agriculture Department coordinates the efforts of local weed boards and state and federal land managers, and oversees cost-share programs. There are 13 weeds on the list, ranging from well-known ones such as leafy spurge and Canada thistle to more obscure-sounding plants such as diffuse knapweed. The list is updated on an as needed basis, with the most recent additions being houndstongue and Palmer amaranth last year, according to Agriculture Department spokeswoman Michelle Mielke. Palmer amaranth is considered a super weed -- it can grow as tall as 7 feet and produce hundreds of thousands of seeds. It's able to resist many herbicides, and it's strong enough to stop combines. A heavy Palmer amaranth infestation can cut soybean yields by as much as 79% and corn yields by up to 91%, according to research by Purdue University. Palmer amaranth has spread to the Upper Midwest in recent years from the deserts of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. It was first confirmed in North Dakota in August 2018, in soybeans in McIntosh County, and it has since been confirmed in Benson, Dickey, Foster, Emmons, Grant, Morton, Richland and Sioux counties. The state agriculture commissioner is required by law to review the noxious weed list at least every five years. The last official meeting was in 2015. The Agriculture Commissioners Noxious Weed Forum scheduled Tuesday at the Bismarck Ramada Inn will include a hearing reviewing the list. That doesnt necessarily mean there will be additions or deletions. This is more of an information-gathering hearing, Mielke said. Comments will be taken to be considered, along with any written comments. The comment period will extend for a week after the meeting, Mielke said. The Agriculture Department will then present its findings in writing. The daylong public forum also will include numerous speakers, including Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The department expects about 135 weed officials to attend. Reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Five members of a family, including two children, were found murdered in their house in Yusufpur Sevayat village of Uttar Pradeshs Ghazipur on Sunday. Police said the deceased have been identified as Vijay Shankar Tiwari (65), his son Somdutt Tiwari (30), daughter-in-law Soni (28), and grandsons Kanha (7) and Kunj (5).Police said Tiwari used to work in Surat and had come to his native village to celebrate the New Year with his family. His son Somdutt was an auto driver. The neighbours informed the police after they found the bodies of the family. Police said, based on the injury marks, it seems the five were attacked with a heavy and sharp edged weapons and a stone was used to bludgeon them. Station house officer (SHO) of Soraon police station inspector Anil Kumar Singh said a complaint in this regard has been filed by Somdutts brother Sudhakar Tiwari. The complainant has alleged the involvement of seven people from the same village, with whom the family had a dispute over land. Four of the suspects have been detained for questioning and raids are on to arrest the main accused Sudhakar Tiwari, Singh added. Senior superintendent of police Satyarth Anirudh Pankaj said it seem the assailants entered the house after breaking in through the back door and attacked the family members while they were asleep. ISTANBUL - Iran said Sunday that it is suspending its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal it had struck with world powers and will abandon the accord's "final restrictions" on uranium enrichment and other activities unless U.S. sanctions are lifted. The government announced the move in a statement carried by state news agencies. "Iran's nuclear program will now be based solely on its technical needs," the statement said. The move includes breaching the deal's caps on uranium production and enrichment capacity, as well as nuclear research and development. "If the sanctions are lifted the Islamic Republic is ready to return to its obligations," the statement said. It added that Iran will continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog. The announcement came as the region continued to grapple with the fallout of a U.S. drone strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, as he traveled in a convoy near the Baghdad airport Friday. The strike also killed a key Iraq militia leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Iraq's caretaker prime minister urged parliament on Sunday to take "urgent measures" to force the withdrawal of foreign forces following the strike. In an address to the legislature, Adel Abdul Mahdi recommended that the government establish a timetable for the departure of foreign troops, including the members of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group, "for the sake of our national sovereignty.""What happened was a political assassination," Abdul Mahdi said. Lawmakers responded by passing a nonbinding resolution calling on the government to end the foreign troop presence in Iraq. But Abdul Mahdi, who resigned in November and has been serving in a caretaker role, is not legally authorized to sign the bill into law. As a result, the vote Sunday did not immediately imperil the U.S. presence in Iraq, but it highlights the head winds the Trump administration faces after the strike, which was seen in Iraq as a violation of sovereignty and as a dangerous escalation by governments across the Middle East. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, President Donald Trump said the United States would put "very big sanctions on Iraq" if the country forced out U.S. troops. "If they do ask us to leave, if we don't do it in a very friendly basis. We will charge them sanctions like they've never seen before ever," Trump said. "It'll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame." Trump also warned that he expected Iraq to compensate the United States for an air base there. "We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base that's there," Trump said. "It cost billions of dollars to build. Long before my time. We're not leaving unless they pay us back for it." In a sign of the spiraling consequences, the U.S.-led coalition said it had paused its training mission in Iraq because of "repeated rocket attacks over the last two months" by the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia. It will now focus on protecting its bases from attack, the coalition said in a statement. "This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations" against the Islamic State, it said. "We have therefore paused these activities." But in appearances on morning talk shows Sunday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dismissed calls for U.S. troops to leave Iraq, saying on "Fox News Sunday" that Abdul Mahdi is "under enormous threats from the very Iranian leadership that it is that we are pushing back against." "We are confident that the Iraqi people want the United States to continue to be there to fight the counterterror campaign," Pompeo said. "And we'll continue to do all the things we need to do to keep America safe." State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Washington was "disappointed" by the Iraqi lawmakers' move, and urged them to reconsider as the United States seeks "further clarification on the legal nature and impact of today's resolution." "We believe it is in the shared interests of the United States and Iraq to continue fighting ISIS together," she said, using an acronym for the Islamic State. Iran, meanwhile, said Sunday that it would limit its response to the drone attack to U.S. military targets. "The response for sure will be military and against military sites," Hossein Dehghan, the military adviser to Iran's supreme leader, said in an interview with CNN. "The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted." Deghan's remarks came as Trump threatened Saturday on Twitter to strike "52 Iranian sites some at a very high level & important to Iran and the Iranian culture" should Tehran retaliate against Americans or U.S. interests in the region. Iran has 24 locations on the U.N. list of cultural world heritage sites. If Trump were to carry out his threats, Dehghan said, "no American military staff, no American political center, no American military base, no American vessel will be safe." Trump later tweeted: "These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner." "Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!" he wrote. The Iraqi military said late Sunday that six rockets had landed in Baghdad, including three inside the Green Zone, a fortified neighborhood housing many foreigners and the U.S. Embassy. A U.S. diplomat said rockets apparently hit a vehicle lot in the embassy compound. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, echoed Deghan's statement, declaring Sunday that as retribution for Soleimani's death, U.S. troops in the Middle East, and not U.S. civilians, should be targeted. "It is the U.S. military that killed Haj Qasem, and they must pay the price," Nasrallah said, referring to Soleimani. "Touching any civilian anywhere in the world will only serve Trump's policy." U.S. allies widely share concerns about the consequences of Soleimani's death. NATO will convene an emergency meeting of its ambassadors on Monday to discuss the situation in Iraq. NATO suspended its training programs in the country, and several member nations have scrambled to protect their troops and citizens here. In Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Embassy released a security alert Sunday advising Americans of "the heightened risk of missile and drone attacks" against both civilian and military targets. The United States blamed Iran for a drone and cruise missile attack on Saudi state oil facilities in September, a strike that knocked half of the nation's oil production offline. While Saudi officials have long urged the United States to take stronger action against what they say is Iran's unchecked expansionism in the region, they have also expressed discomfort at the rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Abdul Mahdi suggested Sunday that Iran and the Saudis had been engaged in dialogue to tamp down their feud, with Iraq playing the role of mediator. Abdul Mahdi said he had been expecting to meet with Soleimani on the day he was killed. "He came to deliver me a message from Iran, responding to the message we delivered from Saudi Arabia to Iran," the prime minister said, without providing details. In Iran, Soleimani's body was flown in a flag-draped coffin to the southwestern city of Ahvaz, following a funeral procession in Baghdad and Iraq's twin Shiite shrine cities, Karbala and Najaf. It was later carried to the northeastern city of Mashhad, home to the shrine of Imam Reza, a revered figure in Shiite Islam. Iran is ruled by a Shiite theocracy. Footage broadcast on Iranian state television showed tens of thousands of black-clad mourners waving flags and chanting religious slogans. Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency described the scene as "glorious." "All schools and businesses are closed today - he was popular here and even more popular now," said Farnaz, 33, a computer engineer and resident of Ahvaz, referring to Soleimani. Like other Iranians contacted Sunday, she spoke on the condition that her full name not be used so she could speak freely. "People here saw Soleimani as an important and charismatic commander who was protecting their security," she said. Still, Ahvaz and other cities in oil-rich Khuzestan province, home to a large ethnic Arab minority, have a history of anti-government unrest. On Sunday, an unverified video posted online showed masked youths setting fire to a billboard commemorating Soleimani. The slain commander's procession will continue Monday to the holy city of Qom and the capital, Tehran, where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, will lead prayers at the ceremony. Soleimani will be buried in his hometown, Kerman, on Tuesday. - - - The Washington Post's Mustafa Salim in Baghdad, Kareem Fahim in Istanbul, Michael Birnbaum in Antwerp, Belgium, and Siobhan O'Grady, John Hudson and Marisa Iati in Washington contributed to this report. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Tiffany Harris was arrested on Dec. 27, after allegedly slapping three Orthodox Jewish women in Crown Heights while saying, F-U, Jews! It was just one of a string of anti-Semitic hate crimes that have rattled New York City these last couple of weeks. But thanks to criminal justice reforms, including the release of certain offenders without bail, Harris was back on the streets, sans bail, the very next day after the attack. And guess what? The day after that, Harris was arrested again, this time for allegedly punching a woman unprovoked. You would think that a second arrest coming so soon after the first would mandate that Harris be held. But no. She was released yet again, the very next day. There was at least one condition, according to the New York Post: Harris was mandated to meet with a social worker. You want to guess what happened? Harris was busted again, this time for allegedly pinching the social worker during the meeting. Thats three arrests in five days. Harris has denied the charges against her, but following her most recent arrest, she was held for a psych evaluation. Her legal representative said that at least Harris was spared a trip to Rikers Island, and that the reforms had led to a far more humane course of events for Harris. Yeah, too bad additional people had to allegedly be attacked before the criminal justice system decided that Harris needed to be taken off the street. Wheres the concern for the humane treatment of the victims of these violent crimes? So it hasnt taken long for New Yorkers to see why the criminal justice reforms that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers foisted on us are dangerously wrong. But Harris isnt the only poster child for the reforms, which took effect on Jan. 1. Farkell Hopkins was freed after being busted for vehicular manslaughter and DWI, according to the Daily News. Hopkins is accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian in Upper Manhattan on New Years Eve. The Manhattan district attorneys office plans to pursue charges against Hopkins, but must quickly put their case together in order to meet new speedy-trial mandates on prosecutors also contained in the new laws. And if the charge against Hopkins remains the same, he will likely be released without bail again, because vehicular manslaughter is not a bail-eligible crime under the new laws. Figure that one out. Wheres the outrage from the citys Vision Zero advocates? The problem stretches beyond New York City, and a case upstate may be the most heinous one Ive seen so far. In Albany, 52-year-old Paul Barbaritano was released without bail despite being accused of choking and stabbing a women to death last July. But the actual legal charge that Barbaritano faces, second degree manslaughter, does not meet the new laws criteria for bail to be set, according to the Albany Times-Union. The judge had no choice but to release Barbaritano, pending trial. Things have gotten so crazy so quickly that even Mayor Bill de Blasio the other day said that lawmakers needed to rethink the reforms, the News said. De Blasio spoke in the wake of the anti-Semitic attacks, saying that judges should have the discretion to hold certain offenders. Its a key provision thats missing in the states law. And, yes, de Blasio isnt one to pass up a chance to ding Cuomo, whos taken plenty of shots at the mayor over the years. And, yes, de Blasio should have seen much earlier, as many of us did, the potential danger that the reforms posed, instead of playing to his lefty, pro-criminal base. But de Blasio is also smart enough to know that he himself will have to answer for any crime increase tied to the reforms. And that his cops will have to deal with the fallout on the streets. How long before Cuomo and state lawmakers right their wrong? The police said they have arrested their officers caught on video assaulting a bus passenger over an iPhone. PREMIUM TIMES reported how three unidentified officers illegally confiscated iPhone 6 from one Justice Obasi on Saturday in Enugu, South East Nigeria, and then beat him up when he insisted on getting the phone back. The armed police officers were captured in the video kicking and punching the victim. The thing was like a dream to me, said Mr Obasi, an interior decorator who lives in the city. The officers later returned the phone to Mr Obasi and allowed him to walk away after a passer-by who claimed to be a retired police officer intervened. JUSTICE FOR JUSTICE OBASI Following the directives of the IGP, the Enugu State Police Command has since identified, traced and arrested the three policemen involved in the assault of citizen Justice Obasi, the police tweeted on Sunday afternoon via its Twitter account @PoliceNG. The police did not mention the identity of the arrested officers which they said are in custody, awaiting commencement of their orderly room trial over the assault incident. The police assured Nigerians that Mr Obasi would get justice. As we begin the new year, IGP M.A Adamu wishes to restate his zero tolerance for the abuse of the rights of Nigerians and his commitment to running a citizens friendly and rule of law compliant Police Force, it said. READ ALSO: The video of the assault, which was circulated on Twitter, prompted a police investigation into the incident. Some Twitter users commended the police for their prompt response to the incident, while others expressed doubt over it. Every new IG reiterates his zero tolerance to abuse of power, yet the situation is getting worse. Is it an impossible task to have a civil police force? said a Twitter user @yinka213. I was harassed by a police officer named justice, I reported to the commissioner of police Enugu and nothing has been done about it. The police officer is still with my phone till now, said another Twitter user @MiraPoshie US-led coalition, Iraqi military deny airstrike north of Baghdad Global Times Source:Xinhua Published: 2020/1/4 18:03:12 The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) militant group and the Iraqi military on Saturday denied any airstrike north of Baghdad. "The coalition did not conduct airstrikes near Camp Taji in recent days," the US-led coalition said in a brief statement. The Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) also denied the media reports of an airstrike. "What was reported by some media about an airstrike last night, targeting a medical convoy of the Hashd Shaabi in Taji area, north of the capital Baghdad" is not true, said a statement by the media office affiliated with the JOC. In the early hours of the day, media reports said an airstrike hit a medical convoy of the Hashd Shaabi forces near a stadium in Taji area, some 15 km north of Baghdad. The Hashd Shaabi later issued a statement saying none of its leaders were killed in the attack. However, an Iraqi Interior Ministry source told Xinhua that an attack against the Hashd Shaabi convoy did come before dawn in Taji area, leaving two killed and four others wounded, but the culprit of the attack was unknown. This incident came about 24 hours after a US drone attack near Baghdad International Airport that killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of the pro-Iran Hashd Shaabi forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Manali Bhatia Amid heavy volatility, the bulls came out as a winner and the Nifty50 ended the year with a gain of more than 1,300 points. The bulls continued having an upper hand in selective large caps throughout the year and acted as a major contributor to the Nifty. HDFC, HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries remained the flavour of the 2019 and delivered decent return to the traders. Though FY2019 left the traders on a joyous note, and the trend is likely to continue, but volatility would not be ruled out in FY2020. We could see much higher levels in the coming months, but the journey would not be smooth. The higher top and higher bottom cycle is still intact, but negative divergence on the monthly chart suggests that mild retracement is expected from its current levels. Until 11,800 is intact, the short term trend will remain bullish. The correction might get deeper if 11,800 gets traded on the lower side on a weekly basis, and in that case, the fall could extend till the levels of 11,410 and 11,250. From the last three years, the Nifty50 has been trading in the upward sloping channel, and this trend is suggesting that any correction would provide a prudent opportunity to the traders from time to time. As the overall trend is still up, the Fibonacci projection suggesting that 13,078 is likely to be the next target for Nifty50 in the current year. On a weekly time frame, the prices are trading above all major medium term moving averages, which is likely to act as a cushion on any fall. As per the overall structure and price pattern, aviation stocks are emerging as a lucrative buying opportunity on current levels with the medium term perspective. Apart from this, private sector banks and small finance banks are likely to be the flavour of 2020 and ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank and IDFC First Bank would be our preferred picks. The Author is Senior Research Analyst at Rudra Shares & Stock Brokers Ltd. : 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. 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) Fears of New Military Draft Crashes Selective Service Website Agency blames 'spread of misinformation' The U.S. Selective Service, the agency that maintains information on Americans who are subject to military conscription, said that its website crashed over the weekend following the spread of false information about a draft. Due to the spread of misinformation, our website is experiencing high traffic volumes at this time, the Selective Service wrote on Twitter. If you are attempting to register or verify registration, please check back later today as we are working to resolve this issue. We appreciate your patience. In the wake of the United States attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was in charge of the shadowy Quds Force intelligence agency, the hashtag #WorldWarIII trended on Twitter for much of Friday and Saturday. At the same time, there were fears expressed by social media users that a military draft could be initiated amid escalating rhetoric between the United States and Iran. The Selective Service didnt elaborate on the details of the misinformation that was spread. The Selective Service System is conducting business as usual. In the event that a national emergency necessitates a draft, Congress and the President would need to pass official legislation to authorize a draft. pic.twitter.com/M4tY2dLoX1 Selective Service (@SSS_gov) January 3, 2020 The draft was abolished in 1973 amid the Vietnam War. However, males who are aged 18 and older still register for the possibility of conscription in the military. We post daily to social media as part of our mission to inform men about their requirement to register and let others know about the opportunity to serve as a local board member, along with other pertinent information, the Selective Service also wrote Friday. According to the agencys website, in the event of a military emergency, Congress would have to pass a bill, and the president would have to sign legislation to reinitiate the draft. Iranian politicians and military leaders have vowed revenge after the Quds Force commanders death in Iraq. On Sunday, during an emergency session, Iraqi members of Parliament passed a resolution to expel United States forces from the country in the wake of Soleimanis death. On the same day, Iran announced it will no longer adhere to limitations set during the 2015 deal that President Trump has often criticized. The Islamic Republic of Iran will end its final limitations in the nuclear deal, meaning the limitation in the number of centrifuges, the statement reads. Therefore, Irans nuclear program will have no limitations in production, including enrichment capacity and percentage and number of enriched uranium and research and expansion. Bitmain co-founder Jihan Wu is no longer the firm's official legal representative, public registration documents show. According to enterprise information database Tianyancha, Wu ceased being Bitmain's legal representative on January 2. Luyao Liu, Bitmain's chief financial officer since 2018, replaced him as the companys general manager and legal representative. [caption id="attachment_52013" align="alignnone" width="800"] Source: Tianyancha[/caption] Wu returned to Bitmain in October, triggering the start of a battle for control of the company that ultimately spilled into public view and resulted in the ouster of co-founder Micree Zhan. CoinDesk reported at the time that Zhan was previously listed as Bitmain's legal representative in public registration records. Layoffs and a reshuffling of the company's existing workforce followed Wu's return. That conflict entered a new phase last month when, as reported by Bloomberg, Zhan filed a lawsuit against Bitmain, in which he asked a court in the Cayman Islands to invalidate the shareholder decision that resulted in his ouster. He had previously threatened legal action against Bitmain, and he is now seeking to use the courts to try and regain control of the bitcoin mining giant. A recent report from CoinShares found that Bitmain's market share slid in recent months even as China's bitcoin miner ecosystem remained a dominant force. At the same time, Bitmain is pursuing business in South America, particularly in Brazil. Shameful that Sadaf Jafar, Darapuri arrested without evidence: Chidambaram India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 05: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said it was "shameful" that Sadaf Jafar, SR Darapuri and Pavan Rao were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police for violence without any evidence against them. He also said that it was a shocking admission by the police that there is no evidence of their involvement. PM teaching new lessons on civic responsibility to MPs, says Chidambaram "Sadaf Jafar, S R Darapuri and Pavan Rao Ambedkar released on bail after police ADMITTED no evidence of their involvement in violence. Shocking admission," he said on Twitter. NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 "If that were so, why did the police arrest them in the first place? And how did the Magistrate remand them to custody without looking at the evidence," he asked. "The law says 'find evidence, then arrest'. The reality is 'first arrest, then search for evidence'. Shameful," Chidambaram tweeted. Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday claimed that the BJP government was trying to justify its "draconian" Citizenship Amendment Law by politicising the attack on Sri Nankana Sahib. He said the Union government must refrain from politicising the sensitive issue and instead it should follow in the footsteps of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh who has asked Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene immediately in the matter. Jakhar said that instead of politicking on the matter, which is concerned with the psyche of Sikhs, the Centre must take up this matter with the Pakistani government for its immediate resolution. He said that Sri Nankana Sahib was a pious place for the entire humanity, Sikhs in particular, adding that politicisation of this unfortunate incident was a reflection of the BJP's myopic outlook. Jakhar asked the Union government to use its diplomatic relations with the neighbouring country to ensure the safety of religious places in Pakistan. He said that the matter was concerned with the emotions of the Sikhs and "it was unfortunate that the BJP-led government was trying to justify its draconian Citizenship Amendment Act by politicising this incident". Slamming the BJP government, he said that it was unfortunate that by shedding crocodile tears on this issue BJP was trying to justify the Citizenship Act which was framed in contrast to the basic spirit of the Indian constitution. He said that it was high time that the Pakistani government be asked to ensure the severest punishment for the perpetrators of the heinous incident at Sri Nankana Sahib. Jakhar said that the psyche of the Sikhs has been bruised with this incident but the manner in which Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has reacted on it has further disappointed the Sikhs. He said that linking of this incident with the Citizenship Act by BJP was reflection of its communal outlook and hatred for the minorities, adding that it was shameful that the BJP was trying to use the feelings of Sikhs for marketing the draconian law. He said Sikhs were not a political currency of any political party, which the BJP could utilise for its vested interests. Jakhar said that in order to hide its sin the BJP was doing theatrics on the unfortunate incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Let me first and foremost commence by saying that, nobody can beat his chest to boast of being capable of eliminating completely or clamping down corruption to a nil state if given the nod to do so. Secondly, it is worth taking note that, this write-up of mine supersedes an earlier one about the office of the aforementioned office trustee dubbed Institutions mandated to fight corruption in Ghana: A better collaborative work to help abate the canker. Careful analysis of it will compel one to conceive the notion that, I lavished a lot of eulogies on the President of the Republic His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo as well as Martin Alamisi Barnes Kaiser Amidu, the Special Prosecutor. Firstly, for the bold step taken to create and make such appointment of which he is constitutionally empowered in article 70 clause one section (e) to do if the need be and the courageous decision to accept the call which was obviously a clarion one, respectively. I, in the previous write-up also entreated all relevant bodies to collaborate wholeheartedly with the Special Prosecutors office to do a good work in the best interest of the populace. Hopes were high then, all anticipations were envisioned towards a situation where many public officials would be arraigned before the supreme court and face the music if found truly guilty. Many felt the antidote to the corruption disease was found, I personally felt we were moving in the right direction as a country. However, to my dismay, everything is now beginning to look like a mirage. All hopes of the Ghanaian populace is now beginning to disappear into the thin air, in the midst of frustrations on the part of Mr. Special Prosecutor. These frustrations according to Mr. Special Prosecutor was attributed firstly to the lack of resources (financial and material) to aid in the proper execution of his duties. Typical of every Ghanaian institution, the lamentation has always been the inadequacy or complete unavailability of fund and other relevant resources to facilitate working procedures. So in that regard, it is just civil to understand the much enthused Special Prosecutor, because no soldier can go to war without ammunitions. Thankfully, the government was sensitive to the outcry of Mr. Special Prosecutor. Due diligence was made and some financial and material allotments were made in the budget to give Mr. Special Prosecutor ammunition to prepare armaments for war. Many had thought that, the antidote, after all the requisite provisions made was going to speedily work and prosecutions would have, as a matter of urgency begun. There came the second complaint; this time it was about the reality-dawning of my previous article thereof. Relevant offices and institutions which are supposed to collaborate and give Mr. Special Prosecutor a helping hand in the discharge of his mandate were failing to do so. This clearly re-echoed the assertion made by Barack Obama, former President of the United State of America, about the extreme weakness of our institutions on his visit to the country. Although these institutions and bureaucratic offices in question have not issued any communique to give their explanations to that effect, let us give Mr. Special Prosecutor the benefit of the doubt since it is justifiable by the statement of the aforementioned former President. It recently struck my knowledge in remembrance of the fact that Mr. Special Prosecutor has more or less been in office for two years yet, no single prosecution has been announced. To ease the perceived burden on Mr. Special Prosecutor, I also suggested in my previous write up, a possible liaison between his office and the Tiger Eye investigative outfit. If my memory serves me well, I recollect the Special Prosecutor had a controversial feud with the investigative outfit which dates back to 2015. Those hostilities and rebuttals are bygone. I dont think this working tie if successfully forged will result in the Special Prosecutors glory being hijacked as that could be a possible fear on the part of Mr. Special Prosecutor if a careful consideration to my proposal is given for the betterment of the nation. Amidst all these issues and barricades which are not giving Mr. special prosecutor the right enabling environment to live up to expectations, when else could be more appropriate for Mr. special prosecutor to form this all important synergy? One of the most important concerns raised by Mr. Special Prosecutor of which I would like to correct was his perceived overly restrictiveness of the Special Prosecutors Act 959 of 2017 with respect to the cases he could legitimately tackle. Mr. Special Prosecutor made reference to eleven cases that could be investigated under his purview. I did not intend to bore readers with all these eleven cases but it is imperative to note that, amongst the eleven cases, section 256 which sought to say that, cases of corruption, intimidation and personation in respect of election should be tried as well as section 239 which states that, corruption of and by public officers as a misdemeanor should be tried. I would have thought that, fast forward, some recalcitrant compatriots who were embroiled in a tussle which clearly disrupt and marred the process during the recently held by-election at Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency would be prosecuted as it is in pursuant to section 256 of the Special Prosecutors Act as stated above. I would have also thought that section 239 is by no means a restrictive provision as it encapsulates every nook and cranny dealings which Could be described as corruption. Having thought and considered all these, I asked my myself, is the Special Prosecutor still rendering a Service of Cinderella which has shirked him away for so long? Well, all hopes arent lost, mayhap Mr. Special Prosecutor would like to pull some surprises as we head into an intense period of national election. To those officials who think they will continue to have a fields day dipping their hands into the states coffers to loot, let me leave you with Proverbs chapter 16 verse 8. Georgia gets another crack at 'Bama for college football title New Delhi [India], Jan 6 (ANI): The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Federation (JNUTF) expressed concern over the violence in the campus on Sunday and appealed to the students' community to "express disagreement democratically." "JNUTF is extremely concerned about the environment of fear and brutality created by some violent agitating students. JNUTF condemns such violent act by the agitators. JNUTF appeals to agitators and their patrons not to instigate students for violence and criminal activities. We appeal to the JNU community to restore the peaceful environment of JNU where one can express his or her disagreement democratically," the press note issued by JNUTF on Sunday read. In the press note, condemning the violence perpetrated against the faculty members, JNUTF alleged that on Saturday, "the dean of the School of International Studies and one of the faculty members of the same school were humiliated, abused and physically assaulted by a group of vicious agitators when they tried to enter into their offices. In another incident, another faculty member of the School of Social Sciences was heckled, assaulted and his mobile phone was snatched away by the nasty agitators in front of the School of Languages. The associate dean of the School of Languages too was heckled, abused and physically assaulted when he tried to enter the school premise along with some other faculty members and office staff." Condemning the violence on campus on Sunday, it added, "A group of masked agitators barged into various hostels and have mercilessly beaten up the inmates with iron rods and stick. JNUTF condemns such the violent act by the agitators." It also expressed concern over the financial and academic loss of researchers due to the vandalism and forceful seizure of science laboratories. 18 injured students have been taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the JNU and attacked them and professors with sticks and rods. (ANI) By Jill Gralow MORUYA, Australia (Reuters) - Choking smoke from raging bushfires blocked Bec Winter's path to safety but she put faith in her horse Charmer to find a way, eventually reaching refuge in a local pub in the coastal town of Moruya, Winter said on Saturday. Winter, her son Riley, and a cousin had been monitoring the bushfires near the town about 250 km (156 miles) south of Sydney when they decided to evacuate on New Year's Eve. While her son and cousin drove to the beach, Winter mounted Charmer to ride to safety there By Jill Gralow MORUYA, Australia (Reuters) - Choking smoke from raging bushfires blocked Bec Winter's path to safety but she put faith in her horse Charmer to find a way, eventually reaching refuge in a local pub in the coastal town of Moruya, Winter said on Saturday. Winter, her son Riley, and a cousin had been monitoring the bushfires near the town about 250 km (156 miles) south of Sydney when they decided to evacuate on New Year's Eve. While her son and cousin drove to the beach, Winter mounted Charmer to ride to safety there. As the smoke thickened, disorienting Winter, it was the steed that found the path out to the beach, Winter said. "I didnt know whether we were riding into the fire or exactly where it was because we couldnt get updates. I just knew that it was extremely smoky," she said. "I could feel heat and I dont know whether that was from the sun or... the fire... it was terrifying. But, I had so much faith in Charmer to get me out safely and she did that. Shes my hero. Australia's unprecedented bushfire season this year began earlier than usual and has burned more then 5 million hectares (12.4 million acres) since September. So far 23 people are confirmed dead, as the country battens down for worsening fire conditions on Saturday. Winter regrouped with her family members, who made it to the beach safely. But, returning to check whether her rental property had survived the blazes, she found destruction of a different kind. "Well, homes still standing but when we went back yesterday, all of our belongings have been thrown everywhere," she said. "Rileys new bike he got for Christmas, stolen. The house is totally ransacked. Absolutely destroyed." Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) have stepped up patrols after reports of thefts from homes left vacant by people forced to evacuate. With thousands of lives and homes at risk today, I cant comprehend the type of person whod think its okay to try and profit or benefit at other peoples expense," NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said in a statement. Winter's family eventually found a reprieve at Moruya's Waterfront Hotel, which owners Mark and Linda Ethell have opened to help their bushfire ravaged community. They advertised the pub's large grass paddock on social media as a respite for horses and other animals impacted by the fires. They have offered Winter and her son a free room and food. "A local town is going to go through pretty tough times because people have lost their houses and lives been lost ... its tough time for all," Mark Ethell said. (Corrects to "ravaged" in paragraph 12, instead of "ravished") (Reporting by Jill Gralow; writing by Melanie Burton; editing by Christian Schmollinger) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. GRATIOT COUNTY, MI -- A 21-year-old woman died after the vehicle she was driving left a Gratiot County roadway and hit a tree, police said. Deputies with the Gratiot County Sheriffs Office were dispatched shortly before noon Saturday, Jan. 4 for a single-vehicle crash on northbound US 127 near Van Buren Road in Emerson Township. A vehicle headed northbound on US 127 driven by Autum Mendoza, of Ithaca, left the roadway, went into the median, and then hit a tree. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. Witnesses told police the car was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time it left the roadway. The roadway was shut down for more than two hours while the crash was investigated, police said. An autopsy will be conducted to determine if a medical condition was a factor in the crash. Mendoza was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash. Ithaca Fire and Rescue assisted the Gratiot County Sheriffs Office at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 22:11:23|Editor: zh Video Player Close NAIROBI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The banner at a building in downtown Nairobi, Kenya's capital, recently declared a one-month free offer for anyone taking up rental space. The building hosts dozens of rental shops for small traders selling clothes, shoes, books, jewelry and those running photocopying and mobile money shops. The free one-month renting offer was to entice businesses to take up the shops whose rent averages 25,000 shillings (250 U.S. dollars) per month. A spot check at the building on Friday revealed several of the shops remain vacant, and so are those of numerous other buildings across the east African nation's capital. The situation has largely been blamed on the economic slowdown. However, a rise in e-commerce in Kenya is one of the major things disrupting the commercial small-scale rental business. While most of the small traders are vacating the rental shops, they are not closing their businesses. A majority are taking their stocks to their houses where they now operate from and advertise the goods online, sale and deliver those bought via courier services. "It was not making sense for me to pay 150 U.S. dollars rent every month and business was low," said Faith Nguma, a trader who sells men's shows. She used to operate from a stall along Moi Avenue in Nairobi's central business district but vacated the premises in November 2019. Nguma, who lives in the east of the capital, advertises her merchandise on social media sites Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. "I normally post what I have then deliver in offices or homes of clients. The person I had employed at the shop sometimes does the deliveries or I do them myself or use courier service if outside Nairobi," said Nguma on Saturday. She has gotten used to her new modus operandi, noting she is not only saving the rental money but also time and wages she used to pay her worker. Vincent Wesonga, who closed office for his software start-up in the Nairobi central business district, said he had no choice but to work from home. Wesonga had run the office for five years, with rent rising over the years to 250 U.S. dollars a month. "I closed the office in October 2019 because jobs dried up but I am still in operation. It became hard to pay rent for the office and for my home," he said. He now advertises his services on social media sites including Twitter as other jobs come through referrals. On the micro-blogging site, the messages "please retweet, my next client could be on your timeline" have become common as Kenyans seek business. To try and find business, landlords are not only offering free rent but they have done away with goodwill they used to charge tenants, with the cash starting from 1,000 to 20,000 U.S. dollars. "E-commerce has given distressed businesses a lifeline," said Bernard Mwaso of Edell IT Solution. Initially, he observed, when people closed their shops, they would dispose of the stock and quit altogether but now there is an option of selling goods online. "Once someone finds their footing in online business, certainly they will not go back to renting shops again. E-commerce is certainly cannibalizing the rental business slowly," he added. Antony Kuyo, a real estate consultant with Avent Properties, acknowledged that the rental business is facing a tough season. "Most commercial buildings are losing tenants and new ones are not taking up space. The business environment is becoming tough because of the sluggish economy but it is certain that people are also turning to new ways of cutting costs like e-commerce," he said. Cytonn, a Nairobi-based investment firm in its Q3 report of 2019, notes that most commercial spaces in the capital are posting huge losses forcing landlords to cut rental charges to retain existing tenants. State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp on Sunday signed a long-term contract with Qatar Petroleum to purchase three million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year, a statement said. Kuwait, which is rich in oil but falls short in gas production, is currently importing 2.5 million tonnes of LNG per year from BP, Shell and Qatar Petroleum. The new agreement will run for 15 years starting in 2022 when the new USD 3 billion LNG receiving terminal at Al-Zour Port, in the south of Kuwait, becomes operational, a statement issued by the two companies said. Kuwait, a key OPEC producer pumping some 2.7 million barrels of crude oil per day, uses natural gas imports for power generation and petrochemicals industry. "This agreement extends Qatar's long-standing LNG supply relationship with Kuwait well into the 2030s and highlights our commitment to meeting Kuwait's LNG requirements," Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad al-Kaabi said after signing the deal with his Kuwaiti counterpart. Kuwait's oil minister Khaled al-Fadhel said the country was "embarking on an ambitious path of economic growth, which requires cleaner energy sources such as natural gas that will contribute to reducing emissions and improving local air quality". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's basmati rice exports to Iran are likely to be affected because of rising tensions between the US and the Islamic republic, with domestic trade body AIREA asking exporters not to undertake any shipment till the situation improves. Iran is an important export destination for India and if shipments get affected then it will impact domestic prices and in turn farmers' income, the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) said. During the last fiscal, India exported basmati rice worth Rs 32,800 crore, of which nearly Rs 10,800 crore worth rice was shipped to Iran. "In the current situation, it is not possible to export basmati rice to Iran. We have issued an advisory to our members to be cautious and not to execute further shipments till the situation gets clearer," AIREA President Nathi Ram Gupta told PTI. Tensions in the Middle East ratcheted up on Friday after top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq. Basmati rice exports to Iran were hit last year as well following US sanctions on the country. About Rs 900 crore payment is still pending from basmati rice exported till June 2019, Gupta said. Non-export of basmati rice to Iran will lead to surplus stock in the country, pulling down the rates and affecting the farmers, he added. Normally, basmati rice exports start from November onwards when the fresh crop arrives. So far, not much has been exported, he said. The shipments placed by the Iranian government through issue of letters of credit (LCs) have also been kept on hold. "Some quantity is lying at ports," Gupta said. Annually, the Iranian government issues LCs for purchase of 2 lakh tonnes of basmati rice from Indian private traders. Rest of the trade is done by private parties from both the nations. In its advisory, AIREA said: "In view of growing uncertainty, exporters members should take extreme caution not to execute any further shipment to Iran till the situation gets clearer." "If exporters choose to ship basmati rice to Iran, they will do so entirely at their risk," the advisory added. During April-November period of the current fiscal, India exported 23.64 lakh tonnes of basmati rice worth about Rs 17,700 crore, of which nearly Rs 4,500 crore exports went to Iran. A rice exporter said that about Rs 1,500 crore payments could be stuck from Iranian importers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Irans top diplomat said any decision to target the countrys cultural sites would be a war crime, hours after US President Donald Trump threatened such action in a tweet. Targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME, Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted in response to a post by Trump warning the US is targeting 52 sites in Iran and will hit them very fast and very hard if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. The year 2019 has wrapped up with promises of landmark reforms to be carried out in 2020, a year before 2021 elections. In 2019, King Mohammed VI urged the implementation of decentralization, a new development model and an efficient government. It was also a year to celebrate Moroccos improvement in the doing business index, its resilient economy despite slower growth and success of its industrial cluster programs to develop the aeronautics and car industries. However, the recent UN Human Development Index ranking shows that the country has to do more to lift itself to the rank of advanced countries and lower the scale of poverty, which remains high, as the North African country with one of Africas most diverse economies seeks a new model to achieve even growth. New Development Model A committee led by former interior minister and Moroccos Ambassador to Paris Chakib Benmousa has been set up, the goal being to boost growth and address pressing social and economic challenges. The advisory committee is expected to deliver its report to King Mohammed VI in June 2020. The goal is to come up with a comprehensive synthesis of all the proposals submitted by all stakeholders in the country concerning Moroccos development model. The committee will issue recommendations to address the obstacles to Moroccos development. New appointments Last year was marked by a government reshuffle narrowing the number of portfolios, which should push future governments to seek efficiency. Another shake up of the public administration is in sight in 2020 on the basis of the same logic: injecting new blood in the civil service. In his speech on Throne Day in July, the King had tasked head of the government to submit to him proposals to renew leadership of public enterprises and bodies. The renewal to take place in the first months of 2020, according to Moroccan media, leaving for now the door open to speculations concerning the officials who will be replaced. Regionalization The conclusions of an international conference on regionalization continue to reverberate positively in a country that is set to empower regions to manage their local affairs without much intervention from the center as part of a plan to bring the administration closer to the citizen. In this respect, 2020 will witness the implementation of the new administrative mapping according to which ministries will devolve some of their attributions to their local branches in regions. The move aims to improve governance and cut costs and to ensure efficiency of public administrations, as well. Last week, head of the government said that local administrations in regions will be able to recruit locally on a contractual basis to meet their needs without having to wait to do so in Rabat. Penal code reform This reform has been plagued by political divergences between MPs and hence delayed despite its significance in updating the penal code provisions in line with the social and human rights developments. Divergences revolve around personal freedoms and abortion. Preparing for 2021 elections The Moroccan government and the opposition are both in a state of fragmentation. The governing coalition has survived many disagreements between its Islamist PJD leaders and liberal RNI allies in the same government. The same thing can be said about a frail opposition wherein both Istiqlal and PAM parties have been busy restructuring their ranks with the latter having been close to implosion until a recent agreement between its founders to keep the party together. A reform of the electoral process will take place this year including laws and ballot system in order to help emerge a more solid coalition after elections. The current electoral system makes an outright majority almost impossible to reach forcing the party that comes first to resort to coalition that sometimes bring together odd bedfellows. She's known for her long blonde locks. But Christie Brinkley tried a new look on Sunday as she took to Instagram to post a photo of herself letting her grey roots show. The 65-year-old supermodel captioned the photo: 'I was scheduled for color before I left NYC 3 weeks ago but decided I would go easy on my hair and just do it when I got home ... as a result I have gone back to my roots ... and boy was I was ever surprised to see my "natures highlights" are more silver than gold ! Au naturale: Christie Brinkley tried a new look on Sunday as she took to Instagram to post a photo of herself letting her grey roots show 'Sooo what do you think ? Embrace the silver ? or go for the gold? I have to decide because Wednesday Ill be on @qvc with my @bellissimaprosecco and Im excited to say Im bringing all 3 of my delicious wines to you plus my #bambinis and #goldensippers All at special prices,' she wrote. Several of her fans encouraged her to celebrate her natural hair color but emphasized that she would look good either way. 'Embrace the silver. Your real beauty is inside and its always been and continues to be reflected outwardly. #StillStunning #Icon,' one commenter wrote. Support: Several of her fans encouraged her to celebrate her natural hair color but emphasized that she would look good either way 'You look beautiful either way. Do whatever makes you feel best!' another commenter said. 'Ur gorgeous ... gold or silver,' another commenter wrote. Christie has enjoyed the sand and sun of Turks and Caicos with a family holiday to ring in the new year. The leggy supermodel perched across a boat while tanning in a vibrant red bikini as she boasted about self care. Vacation: Christie has enjoyed the sand and sun of Turks and Caicos with a family holiday to ring in the new year Life's a beach: The leggy supermodel perched across a boat while tanning in a vibrant red bikini as she boasted about self care Brinkley's daughter Sailor, 21, was also feeling the tropical vibes when she posted a swimsuit shot online. 'Everything's just peachy keen,' she captioned the set of photos that garnered 9K likes and counting. Sailor is the daughter of Brinkley and architect Peter Cook, and the half sister of Alexa Ray Joel and Jack Brinkley-Cook. She has been dating Ben Sosne since last year. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated 152 mohalla clinics in the national capital on Sunday, taking the number of such facilities in Delhi to 450, officials said. Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain was also present at the event held in Pitampura. The Delhi government, in a statement released after the event, claimed that the inauguration of 152 mohalla clinics has "set a world record". "Today is a very happy day for the people of Delhi as 152 new mohalla clinics at various places have been inaugurated. So far, there were around 300 such clinics. The total number of these clinics has now gone up to 450," Kejriwal said. Since the launch of the facility in 2015, mohalla clinics have served two crore OPD patients and 18 lakhs tests have been conducted there until November 2019, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Huge crowds of mourners poured into the streets of two Iranian cities on Sunday to pay their respects to Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the second most powerful figure in the country and leader of the elite Quds force, who was killed on Friday in an American drone strike near the Baghdad airport. General Suleimanis body was returned to Iran early Sunday after tens of thousands of people joined processions for him in four Iraqi cities and was received with military salutes at the airport in Ahvaz, a city in the southwest. A funeral procession then made its way through Ahvaz, the coffin draped in flowers and an Iranian flag, and depicting mourning symbols of the Shiite faith. A mass of people snaked across the citys main streets and a long bridge over the Karoun River. Stretching over 30 kilometers, or almost 20 miles, the crowds of men and women in black carried flags and photos of Mr. Suleimani and beat their chests in unison as Islamic prayers blasted from speakers around the city. Iranian state television estimated that the mourners in Ahvaz and Mashhad, where the generals body was flown later for another procession, numbered in the millions. Last week, amid the new year celebration, some events happened that generated controversies. Amongst the controversial events are the appointment of a former mid-level civil servant to head an electrification agency and the demolition of Olusola Sarakis home in Ilorin, Kwara State. PREMIUM TIME reviews some of the top stories last week. New year message from Buhari 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 neighbours so that we could confront Boko Haram on a coordinated regional basis. Chaos is not a neighbour any of us hope for. We have been fighting on several fronts: violent extremists, cultists and organised criminal networks. It has not been easy. But as we are winning the war, we also look to the challenge of winning the peace, the reconstruction of lives, communities and markets. The North East Development Commission will work with local and international stakeholders to help create a new beginning for the North East, he said. Nigerian Arts and Culture agencys DG indicted PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, failed to explain why he spent N5.6 million to buy a car without certification from the agencys transport officer and auditor. This is one of several cases of irregularities contained in the 2017 report of the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. The current director-general, Olusegun Runsewe, in his response, said the report indicted his predecessor and not him. In a letter dated January 2 to the Auditor-General, Anthony Anyine, Mr Runsewe expressed deep concern at what he regarded as image tarnishing reports making rounds that he was indicted and undergoing an investigation for a multi-million naira scam. Buharis controversial appointment President Muhammadu Buhari approved a former mid-level civil servant to head a crucial electrification agency, PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported. Perhaps to conceal the fact that the appointment would be questioned by Nigerians, the appointee was described in a public press statement as an expert with vast knowledge and experience in power sector development. A spokesperson announced Tuesday that the president approved the appointment of Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency. President Muhammadu Buhari (Photo Credit: NGRPresident on Twitter) PREMIUM TIMES check revealed, however, that Mr Ahmad was a level 12 public official and son of Salihijo Mohammed Ahmed, a former managing director of Afri-Project Consortium. Mr Salihijo was a major project consultant to the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). He died on July 7, 1999. While alive, he was a strong ally of Mr Buhari, who was then the Chairman of PTF. Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, while reacting to the report, said President Buhari has the prerogative to appoint anyone he believes can deliver on his official mandate, Demolition of Sarakis political home PREMIUM TIMES reported the controversial demolition of Olusola Sarakis property by the Kwara State Government on Thursday. The building, also known as Ile Arugbo, served as the political home of the late Kwara politician. Bukola Saraki Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the state governor, last month, announced the decision to revoke the late Olusola Sarakis property owing to alleged illegality in its acquisition. READ ALSO: Advertisements Nevertheless, the former Senate President and son of the late Saraki, Bukola Saraki, had earlier countered the statement, saying his late father lawfully acquired the land from the state government. Gbemisola Saraki, the transportation minister and daughter of the late Saraki, also condemned the action of Mr AbdulRazaq despite being members of the same All Progressives Congress. Arrest of Shehu Sani Shehu Sani, a former senator who represented Kaduna Central in the eight Senate, was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday. Mr Sani was arrested for allegedly collecting money in the name of the EFCC acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, sources told this newspaper. Senator Shehu Sani Meanwhile, EFCC spokesperson said its operatives arrested the ex-senator over his alleged involvement in extortion, name dropping, and financial crimes. The commission confirmed that Mr Sani was arrested because of complaints by the owner of a car company, ASD Motors, Sani Dauda, over his activities. The former lawmaker allegedly collected $10,000 from ASD Motors chief on the grounds that he is very close to the EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and promised to help him and any other person having issues with the EFCC. Based on the complaint, Mr Sani was subsequently arrested but granted administrative bail while the said money was recovered from him. Lawmakers oppose 37bn budget for National Assembly complex After a member of the House Representatives, Bamidele Salam, openly opposed the plan to spend N37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly complex, more lawmakers have also publicly condemned the plan. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Salam, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State said the complex renovation is a misplacement of priority. On Sunday night, Akin Alabi, a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) representing Egbeda/Ara Federal Constituency of Oyo State shared a similar view on Twitter. I see no reason why we should spend N37b renovating the National Assembly. Yes, we need an upgrade on some aspects like the electronic systems (sound system, voting system etc) as they are outdated but N37b? No. Lets spend that on our schools and hospitals. Another lawmaker, Ochilegor Idagbo, representing Bekwarra/Obanliku/Obudu Federal Constituency of Cross River, said the complex needs no renovation that would cost the country N37 billion. Also, another member of the House of Representatives, Armayau Abdulkadir, kicked against the N37 billion National Assembly Complex renovation project. The legislator, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, represents Dutsin-ma/Kurfi federal constituency of Kastina State. Los Angeles, Jan. Jan 5 : When US President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iranian Major General Qassim Soleimani, he took a risk he had avoided earlier that has put the world on edge and overshadows his impeachment trial. He is also changing the concept of asymmetric warfare on its head, adopting a high-tech version of it that frees the superpower from committing conventional troops and hardware on the ground and instead relying on elements of surprise, superior intelligence and pointed strikes, which were the strategy that weaker nations and groups have used but using people and conventional weapons. If the confrontation with Iran escalates, the type asymmetric battles that the US has been waging in concept with missiles, drones and electronic and other surveillance would become the strategy of war that Trump will follow, enabling him to keep his promise -- in word, if not in spirit -- of not waging wars abroad. But Iran has been the master of this strategy and has a network of allies in the Middle East who can carry it on even if Trump were carry out the threat he made to Iran in June of "obliteration like you have never seen before". (The threat came after he called off at the last moment a missile attack on Iran in retaliation for shooting down a US drone.) If this type of asymmetric war breaks out in full force between the US and Iran, the casualties would be others - as has been shown by the recent attacks on ships in the Gulf and on Saudi oil installations by Tehran or its allies, and the US or Israeli actions in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Trump said on Friday that he ordered the elimination of Soleimani to make Europe and the rest of the world safer. The opposite may in fact be happening. With that scenario of war in mind, France's Deputy Foreign Minister Amelie de Montchalin said after the killing of Solaimani, "we have woken up to a more dangerous world". Iran and its people are inured to wars and economic sanctions as seen by the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s and various economic sanctions that could not shake their resolve. An "obliteration" would only extend the chaos stemming from the decapitation of the leadership of Libya, Syria and Iraq to Iran. In an attempt to appeal to India, Trump said that Soleimani was behind terrorist attacks in New Delhi - perhaps thinking of the 2012 injuring of an Israeli embassy official's wife and others, which has been attributed to Iran, though the case has not been conclusively solved by the Delhi Police. Iraq and Saudi Arabia are India's top oil suppliers and about 60 per cent of petroleum and gas supplies come through the Gulf. Combine the risk that poses with the spectre of energy price hikes and India's economic reboot from slowing growth could be in jeopardy. The same geopolitical factors would also impact the world economy beyond the energy sector. The killing of Soleiman is different from that of Al Qaeda boss Osama bin Laden or Islamic State (IS) chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. They were spent forces and were non-state actors, just terrorists. But Soleimani was the official of a government (raising the attack to an inter-governmental level) and was at the apex of his power, controlling or influencing a vast network of militias and operatives across the middle east. The Iranian Quds Force that he commanded and the affiliated militias were an indirect ally of the US in the war on the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. An escalation of the Iran-US confrontation could undo some of the gains against the IS. Iran wields considerable influence over Iraq - an unintended consequence of George W. Bush's foolish foray into Iraq. Just when protests were growing against the Baghdad government and Iran's influence over it, Soleimani's killing has put a damper on it, running counter to US interests. It would be a plus for Teheran if US is made to withdraw its troops from Iraq or scale down their presence because of the threats from Iran and its allies or because of pressure from the Iraqi government peeved that the US operation was carried out on its soil. In US domestic politics, there is a precedent for the mid-impeachment foreign attack. Bill Clinton ordered four days of bombing of Iraq in 1998, while he was being impeached, causing a distraction just like Trump has now. The leaders of the Republicans in the Senate and the Democrats in the House of Representatives haven't agreed on the impeachment trial that must take place in the Republican-controlled Senate and the Soleimani killing has added a note of cynicism and uncertainty. The Democrats are in a bind over the Trump orders to kill Soleimani, who they admit was an evil, anti-American mastermind responsible for the killing of American troops and civilians and are not sorry to see him dead and perhaps even relieved that he is. So they cannot criticise Trump for doing it, but have, therefore, focused their attacks on how he did it. Former Vice President Joe Biden said that it was like throwing a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox. How it would play out in the elections is a different matter. Former President George W. Bush, was able to ride to re-election in 2004 because the Afghan war linked to 9/11 a direct attack on US soil and the Iraq war was somehow swept into it. But his father couldn't cash in on the Kuwait War and lost to Bill Clinton in 1992 because the Iraq invasion of Kuwait was not a direct attack on the US. That is the case with the Soleimani attacks and unless Iranians mount an attack in US soil the polarised nation will not unite behind Trump. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) Muslim Sewa Sangathan and people from different organisations here on Sunday staged a protest against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The protesters, with black ribbons on their face, demanded immediate withdrawal of the Act and warned the government not to suppress the people's movement. "The CAA is not acceptable at any cost. The government should immediately take back this decision. The NRC and the CAA are dividing the country on the basis of religion," said a protestor. Some protestors said the CAA violates the secular identity of the country while others fear that it will endanger their linguistic and cultural identity. The personnel of city police and paramilitary forces were deployed in large numbers as part of the security measures. Senior police officials were monitoring the situation. Protests have erupted across the country over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, 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.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.5 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: Azneftmash, an Azerbaijani company engaged in the production of drilling equipment for the oil and gas sector, is soon going to export drilling equipment to Ukraine, a source at the company told Trend. "Exports to Ukraine is planned to start in 2020. Negotiations are currently underway and details of supplies are being clarified," the source said. "We are expectingto export polyethylene and fiberglass pipes. These types of products are in great demand in the domestic market, as well as abroad." "Azneftmash products are currently exported to Central Asia. Last year, deliveries were made to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and this year we exported to Turkmenistan," the source added. "Next year we plan to expand the list of export destinations, as well as the export potential of the enterprise." The company has plants in Mingachevir and Baku, which currently operate at full capacity. Production volumes mainly depend on orders received both domestically and abroad. The company has been operating in Azerbaijan for over two decades. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday met Sikh refugees from Afghanistan living in Amar Colony area here, as a part of BJP's door to door campaign to create awareness on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Shah distributed pamphlets amongst the citizens in the area as a part of the campaign. "We came from Afghanistan 31 years back. We thank the government for enacting the Citizenship Amendment Act. Yesterday, we saw what happened in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. We were suffering in the same manner in Afghanistan," a Sikh refugee from Afghanistan told ANI. "We came from Kabul in Afghanistan in 1989. We are very thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. We request the government to let our shops be reopened in Amar Colony which were sealed," Gurdeep Singh, another Sikh refugee said. In a bid to dispel rumours against the CAA, the BJP has launched a campaign to generate awareness among the people regarding the citizenship law. Starting from today, the campaign will conclude on January 15. As part of its programme, the BJP has launched a toll-free number 8866288662 for people to give missed calls to register their endorsement of the law. The CAA grants Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh 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.) Iran may well have calculated that it's better off with a Democrat in the White House and not a Republican like President Donald Trump. Logically -- and Iran's leaders are intensely pragmatic in that far-sighted way -- Tehran will likely calibrate its vowed "harsh revenge" response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani in a bid to cost Trump re-election. Part of that calculation is likely to have Iran focus on targets inside the United States as well as in the Middle East, not just to embarrass Trump but to limit regional escalation. Hours after the strike Trump said his intention was "to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war." But the President's actions may soon catch up with his words at home -- especially when fighting an election campaign. And the President should be aware that while Iran may well start to settle the score quickly, it is also a master of serving revenge up cold. During a bout of Middle East tension in 1988, the USS Vincennes on patrol in the Persian Gulf accidentally shot down an Iranian civilian passenger jet, killing all 290 people on board. Tehran's leaders waited nine months for revenge, widely suspected of having a pipe bomb detonated under the Vincennes captain's car, narrowly missing maiming his wife. The advantage of attacking inside the US limits the likelihood of its regional neighbors escalating hostilities, and that's important for two reasons. One, Iran is likely to lose in a regional conflict and, two, the optics are better; revenge is directly aimed at the culprit of the attack, limiting tempers flaring in the region. For sure the world has moved on a lot since 1988, and post-9/11 the US is far more attuned to catching international terrorists on its soil, but the idea for Iran will likely remain the same. Pick a soft and symbolic target that might embarrass the US President; a cyber-attack can now cause as much disruption as a pipe bomb, for example. Key players with much to lose Other stakeholders with sway in Tehran, like Russia and China, who last week held joint naval exercises in the Persian Gulf may also be ready to tolerate an Iranian response that helps remove Trump from the White House in 2020. Russian President Vladimir Putin might value Trump for his naivety and inexperience, but not his unpredictability, particularly where Russian interests can be negatively impacted like the Middle East. A big regional war would be inevitably costly for Russia; they simply couldn't walk away from the blood and toil they've spent in Syria. The calculation for Moscow would be, why risk war as a result of an unpredictable Trump in office if you can maintain and grow regional influence without undue economic pain? China also is familiar with the economic pain and uncertainty inflicted by Trump: China and Russia -- both core allies of Iran -- both have much to lose if Tehran's revenge backfires, and potentially much to gain if the theocratic leadership can unseat Trump. Over the past few months Trump has oscillated from planning to pull forces from the region, to sending thousands more in. But this swing between, on the one hand, disengagement and, on the other, potentially triggering a war is an unsustainable uncertainty for both China and Russia. At a minimum they may well be ambivalent to Trump's exit from the White House and not stand in Iran's way. Russia in particular has much to gain from letting Iran take revenge as it sees fit. Putin is friends of the leaders in both Tehran and Riyadh. In any regional escalation Moscow could emerge as mediators, or at the very least have scope to exploit its role as middleman to America's disadvantage. Although Trump is unlikely to lose many votes over such subtle shifts of global power, it will still be grist to the mill for Democrats grinding down narrow margins next fall. So too will voter perceptions of what is happening in the Middle East be in play even if war is avoided, as still seems most likely thus far. To that point, the killing of Soleimani may still be playing out. He was vital in bringing Russia into Syria, making trips to Moscow in 2015 and 2017. He was also vital in handling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as well as an extensive network of Shia militias in Syria, and proxies elsewhere in the region. If his replacement hasn't nailed those powerful relationships, all bets for stability could still be off. The situation is fragile and the chance of it backfiring on US long term interests is significant. Strategically, Trump seems disadvantaged, with an election on his plate and an enemy poised, waiting with a cold course of revenge on hand. The ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, returned the artefacts in a gesture of appreciation for Egypt's educational role in the Arab world Related Sharjah hands back 400 ancient artefacts smuggled out of Egypt The United Arab Emirates has returned to Egypt 425 rare artefacts that date to various eras of ancient Egypt, Emirati state news agency WAM said on Sunday. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, decided to return the artefacts in a gesture of "appreciation to Egypt, which played and is still playing an active educational and enlightening role in the Arab world," according to WAM. The collection, which has already arrived in Cairo from Sharjah, includes items from the pre-dynastic era, as early as 4000 BC, and from the old, middle and new kingdoms, and the Ptolemaic, Greco-Roman and Coptic eras. The collection includes rare stone, ceramic, and bronze figurines of ancient Egyptian deities like Isis and Amon-Ra, as well as coloured wooden sarcophagi, human and animal mummies and accessories made of gemstones. Last year, Sharjah, the third-largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates, returned to Egypt 345 Egyptian artefacts. Search Keywords: Short link: Council members added several last-minute provisions when they voted in October 2018 to repeal Initiative 77, which voters had backed four months earlier as a way to raise the minimum wage for restaurant workers and others who receive tips. Those measures, meant to assuage constituents frustrated by politicians moving to overturn the will of voters, required the city to launch a public awareness campaign about the rights of tipped workers and form a commission to champion their interests. 05.01.2020 LISTEN Ghana Jesus Mmebusem has become a viral sensation due to his comedy skits about the Lord and the saviour of Christianity. Apparently another has also joined, calling himself the Ghana Lucifer depicting the works of the devil, leaving social media especially Ghanaians in a state of confusion, as the word Lucifer is a worry to many. This new guy is called Ghana Lucifer and has also dropped his own skit about the devil. The source close to Ghana Lucifer has revealed the identity of the guy behind it. The source added that the guy is a businessman who has never acted before but wants to put smiles on the face of Ghanaian and help release stress. Although the source did not give the name of the gentleman we assure you to find it soon. Check his picture below The way Ghanaians are on the neck of Mmebusem are they going to attack this guy too for blasphemy or support him because they hate the devil? Let's wait and see. Check out his video below Week 1 in review: Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Note10 Lite are here Let's start off the year (and the decade) with a recap of the top stories this week. Some of these are from 2019 and that's because the new year came mid-week. The biggest story of the week was the unveil of the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite. The pair share a non-curved 1080p 6.7-inch Super AMOLED and 4,500mAh batteries with 25W fast-charging, but differ in a few key areas. The Galaxy Note10 Lite has an S Pen, a 10nm Exynos 9810 (as in the Galaxy S9 and Note9) and a 12MP + 12MP + 12MP regular, tele and ultrawide cameras. The Galaxy S10 Lite has a Snapdragon 855 and a 48MP + 12MP + 5MP regular, ultrawide and depth cameras. In other Samsung-related stories the rumor that Samsung will call its next flagship the Galaxy S20 instead of S11 seems to have been solidified. So guess we'd better get used to it. Samsung also made headlines by announcing that it was the biggest 5G smartphone vendor in 2019 with 6.7 million 5G-capable phones shipped. The company also mentioned that it will be bringing its first 5G tablet in the first quarter of 2020. OnePlus issued the first teaser for its ConceptOne smartphone, coming at CES 2020, and it showed an uninterrupted rear that hides a triple camera behind a dimmable glass. That's basically a one pixel LCD, similar to a high-tech glass roof that can dim to reduce the amount of light coming through - neat. An Apple-filed patent was revealed this week. It suggests that Apple is working on an iPhone without a front-facing camera, notch or FaceID. It's unclear what Apple will make of this concept of an iPhone with a square screen, but it did make for a popular story. Xiaomi unveiled its Watch Color for China. The smartwatch runs Android Wear, has a 1.39-inch OLED screen, has GPS and NFC, is 5 ATM water resistant and costs CNY799 ($115/100) in China. Speaking of Xiaomi, it delayed its concept Mi Mix Alpha indefinitely. No reason was quoted and no specific release date was given so it might be a while before we get to see the wrap-around screen in person. This week the specs and images of the realme 5i surfaced. The device will become official on January 6. A day later, on January 7, the Redmi K30 5G will also be unveiled. Finally Huawei revealed that it has so far shipped 12 million Mate 30 series devices, despite the lack of Google Services. The maker has set its target at 20 million. See you next week! Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy Note10 Lite announced The two share the 6.7" screen and 4,500mAh battery, but pack different cameras and chipsets. OnePlus Concept One feature teaser: invisible camera OnePlus has used color-shifting glass tech to conceal the rear camera when it's not in use. People with trypophobia rejoice. Patent appears from Apple with full-screen display and no notch The patent was filed by Apple last month in Japan but what could it be for? Xiaomi Watch Color unveiled, more details coming January 3 The second Mi branded smartwatch is coming with a circular design and plenty of colorful watch straps. Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite live images surface It will sport a triple camera setup on the back and flaunt a punch hole display. Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha delayed indefinitely It seems the futuristic concept phone is not coming any time soon. A 45-year-old man was killed in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district by Naxals who accused him of being a police informer, an official said on Sunday. The incident took place on Friday in Brehbeda village, over 220 kilometres from here, but it came to light after relatives brought the corpse to Chhote Dongar police station th next day, the official said. "Naxals came to Phulsingh Darro's house and asked him to accompany them for some work. In a forest nearby, they first hit him with sticks and then strangled him. Preliminary information is that Naxals believed he was a police informer. Probe into the incident is underway," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over the last 48 hours Ive been splitting my free time between (A) learning as much as I possibly can about the US assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and (B) arguing with people online who are uncritically swallowing US government claims about why that assassination was necessary. I always engage such political debates because theyre a valuable source of information on what propaganda narratives people are buying into, and therefore which propaganda narratives need to be addressed. What has been made abundantly clear from this particular engagement is that those who have bought into the Trump administrations completely unsubstantiated claims about Soleimani are sincerely unaware that they have unquestioningly bought into unsubstantiated US government narratives. People tend to get their information from tightly insulated echo chambers, and if you inhabit an echo chamber that supports the current president all youll get is a bunch of officials, pundits and reporters saying in a confident-sounding tone of voice that Soleimani needed to be taken out. Since theyre surrounded by chatter affirming that Soleimani had attacked America and/or posed an imminent threat in the near future, they assume that chatter must be based on some actual facts in evidence. It is not. When I speak out online against Trumps act of war on Iran and interact one-on-one with those who object to what Im saying, the disparity between what they think they know and what they actually know gets very quickly highlighted. Simply by my challenging people to prove the claims that they are making about Soleimani planning to attack Americans, attacking a US embassy, directing a strike that allegedly killed a mysteriously unnamed US contractor in Iraq, killing hundreds of US soldiers in Iraq, that hes a terrorist, etc, they quickly realize that they have literally no evidence for their claims beyond the unsubstantiated assertions of US government officials and people who unquestioningly repeated those assertions. And from there I just ask them, How well has uncritically swallowing US government narratives about the need for military action worked out for you in the past? Nobody wants to admit that they are doing such a thing, least of all a Trump supporter whos poured plenty of mental energy into distancing this administration from the previous Republican occupant of the White House. But that is indeed exactly what they are doing: uncritically swallowing baseless claims by US government officials about the need to advance a pre-existing military agenda, in a way that is indistinguishable from the cult-like behavior of Bush supporters in the lead-up to the Iraq invasion. In reality theres no evidence for any of the reasons weve been offered for why Iran needed to be provoked into an almost inevitable retaliation that Trump is currently tweeting will result in all-out war: We are being lied to, yet again, about yet another war on yet another geostrategically crucial Middle Eastern nation. And a huge percentage of the population is marching right along with it. When Iran retaliates for Soleimanis assassination, these propagandized sheep will be herded by the political/media class into believing that the attack was completely unprovoked. And if their credulity thus far is any indication, theyll swallow the whole load without so much as a twinge of gag reflex. The US government has a very extensively documented history of lying to advance pre-existing military agendas. This is an entirely indisputable fact. Its been universally true from generation to generation, from administration to administration, and from political party to political party. The Afghanistan Papers came out just a few weeks ago further documenting this already conclusively established fact. Anyone who just accepts US government assertions about the need for military force without a mountain of independently verifiable proof is, to put it nicely, a complete fucking idiot. The demand for proof would be normal even if the entity in question didnt have an extensive history of lying about these things, because, as anyone with even a cursory understanding of logic already knows, the burden of proof is always on the party making the claim. When it comes to incalculably important matters like life and death, demanding that the burden of proof be met is just being a sensible human being. Add in the fact that the US government is known to lie constantly about these matters, and believing its current claims about Soleimani makes as much sense as believing a known compulsive liar who has deceived you many times when he tells you its urgent that you go murder your neighbor right this instant. Debating the current Iran situation, then, is simply a matter of holding the unassailable positions that (A) the US government lies constantly, and (B) the burden of proof is on the party making the claim. In a post-Iraq invasion world, the level of proof required is very, very high, and the Trump administration has taken no steps whatsoever to even providing anything that could qualify as evidence. People will often try to get around this unassailable argument by contending Well where is your proof that theyre lying? This is called shifting the burden of proof, and it is a logical fallacy. I lay this all out not because I expect the US government to suddenly begin conducting itself rationally or providing proof of its claims that rises to the level required in a post-Iraq invasion world, but because streamlining our thinking in this way helps to avoid confusion in a landscape that is saturated with propaganda and its mindless regurgitators. The only sane response to US government claims about the need for military force is intense skepticism. If US government officials begin telling us that something happened necessitating military intervention, your default assumption should always, always, always be that they are lying. And you should hold that position until the (highly unlikely and historically unprecedented) event that conclusive, independently verifiable proof of their claims is provided. No changes were made after the Iraq invasion to keep the US government from ever again deceiving Americans into war. No new laws were made, no policies changed, no war crimes tribunals were held; no one was even fired. This is because they had every intention of doing it again. And now heres the US government again spouting lies about why it was necessary to initiate war with another Middle Eastern nation. And people are swallowing it hook, line and sinker. The more skepticism we can encourage toward current deceptions about Iran, the easier it will be to encourage skepticism about the next wave of escalations, which make no mistake are absolutely on their way. Spread the word. ____________________ Thanks for reading! The best way to get around the internet censors and make sure you see the stuff I publish is to subscribe to the mailing list for my website, which will get you an email notification for everything I publish. My work is entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, liking me on Facebook, following my antics on Twitter, checking out my podcast on either Youtube, soundcloud, Apple podcasts or Spotify, following me on Steemit, throwing some money into my hat on Patreon or Paypal, purchasing some of my sweet merchandise, buying my new book Rogue Nation: Psychonautical Adventures With Caitlin Johnstone, or my previous book Woke: A Field Guide for Utopia Preppers. For more info on who I am, where I stand, and what Im trying to do with this platform, click here. Everyone, racist platforms excluded, has my permission to republish or use any part of this work (or anything else Ive written) in any way they like free of charge. Bitcoin donations:1Ac7PCQXoQoLA9Sh8fhAgiU3PHA2EX5Zm2 A 79-year-old South Australian man has been charged with intentionally lighting four grass and scrub fires in the state's south-east in recent days. Police will allege the man lit fires on December 30 and January 2, and then two on Saturday, all in the Kingston area. He has been refused police bail and will appear in Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Monday. A 79 year old man has been charged with intentionally lighting four grass and scrub fires amidst the regions catastrophic bushfires. Pictured: Country Fire Service officer puts out hay bales on fire at a property in Mount Torrens, Adelaide Hills No property damage was caused by the fires, however, a house did come under threat during one on Saturday. Police said the charges did not relate to the large Keilira fire which was sparked in the southeast on January 30 with that blaze not considered suspicious. When and where the fires were started Monday 30 December 2019 - adjacent to Catherine Gibson Way Thursday 2 January 2020 - adjacent to Catherine Gibson Way Saturday 4 January 2020 - adjacent to First Street Saturday 4 January 2020 - adjacent on Eleventh Street Advertisement This is the second arrest in the state in recent days. A Reynella East man, 31, was arrested on Sunday morning, after police investigated two bushfires at Aldinga. The fires were allegedly started in Scrubland at Aldinga Beach Rd and the Esplanade, on December 28 which had been deemed a day of 'severe risk' for the bushfires. He was charged with two counts of cause bushfire and acts to endanger life. United States President Donald Trump's claim that slain Iranian military commander Major General Qassem Soleimani was responsible for terror plots in New Delhi won't hamper the mature relationship that Tehran and India share, said Iranian Minister Mohsin Jawadi here on Sunday. "India and Iran share a strong, mature relationship, one which is above such assertions. I don't think any such incident could affect the ties between tho countries," said Jawadi, Iran's Deputy Minister for Cultural Guidance, in response to a question on Trump's claims. In his statement after the US airstrikes in Baghdad, Trump had said that slain Iranian military commander Soleimani had "contributed to terrorist plots as far away as New Delhi and London." Responding to Trump's warning that the US would bomb sites important to Iranian culture if Tehran retaliates against the assassination, Jawadi said: "We have been facing threats from the US for years. We don't have enmity against anyone. But if someone acts against us, we know how to respond." Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others was killed in a US airstrike carried out near the Baghdad international airport. The strike has escalated the tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Iran having vowed to take revenge for what it views to be a heinous crime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The pressure to find a job was high for Amrit Jalan. For 10 months, the University of Texas at Dallas student spent mornings and nights sending out resumes on Indeed. It was just like brushing his teeth, he said. And his ability to stay in the U.S. depended on it. Jalan, from India, is one of hundreds of thousands of student visa holders who want to work in the U.S. after graduation. But in addition to the challenge of finding a job, foreign-born graduates must navigate a very narrow path to staying in the U.S. permanently. Most arrive on an F-1 visa, more commonly known as a student visa. As they earn their degrees, they often work with an Optional Practical Training employment authorization. But to stay and work in the U.S. on a more permanent basis, they need another kind of visa, usually an H-1B visa for workers with needed talents. There's intense competition for those visas, which almost always require the worker to have a corporate sponsor and get through a lottery system. "You never know what's going to happen," Jalan said. "That anxiety is always going to be there until my H-1B kicks in." The complex system for getting work visas in the U.S. doesn't just complicate the lives of talented students. Experts say it is depriving the U.S. of that talent just when unemployment is at its lowest in years. Many foreign students are being forced to leave the country, and that's costing America at a time when high-skilled workers are in high demand. ADVERTISEMENT "We would attract the best minds from all over the world to study in our universities on an F visa, and then we'd make them promise that they would go home to go compete against us, which is sort of a crazy way to think about it," said Jeremy Robbins, executive director of New American Economy. After sending out 3,000 resumes in 10 months, Jalan landed a position as an operations analyst at Nike in Portland, four months after he graduated with a master's degree in systems engineering and management. But he still needs his H-1B visa to make a life here. Having a corporate sponsor may not get him that coveted document. There's an element of luck as well. Practical training For most students, the path to permanent employment in the U.S. is complicated, and worse, shaped like an inverted pyramid, with hundreds of thousands of foreign students legally studying in the U.S. through F-1 visas, and then only a fraction of those working through OPT and far fewer moving on to other, more permanent work visas like the H-1B after graduation. OPT authorizes a student on an F-1 visa for up to one year of employment, with a possible 2-year extension for STEM science, technology, engineering or math majors. Between 2014 and 2018, the number of students like Jalan who received temporary work authorization under OPT has nearly doubled. In 2014, around 140,000 students requested OPT. By 2018, the number had grown to more than 249,000. Two area schools, UT Dallas and UT Arlington, have seen a significant increase in OPT, according to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement data. ADVERTISEMENT More than 4,000 UTD students were approved for the program in 2018, compared to 1,700 in 2014. For UTA, the 2014 figure was 900, which more than tripled to over 3,200 in 2018. Those who wish to stay longer will need to apply for an employment-based visa. The most common visa is the H-1B. Corporate sponsorships Obtaining an H-1B visa requires a corporate sponsor. The quest for such a sponsor is a constant source of anxiety for students who are already studying in the U.S. Back home in India, Nikita D'Monte earned a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and co-founded an online magazine called Ink Drift. While pursuing a second master's degree at UT Dallas, she worked as a graduate teaching assistant, contributed to a student-run publication, and still made time to send out resumes, connect with people on LinkedIn and apply to at least 1,000 jobs, she said. For a few months, she volunteered and was sometimes paid while working for a company called Andwill to maintain her status. Meanwhile, she was living in San Antonio with her friend to save on expenses. She had several job interviews, but companies were unwilling to hire her because of her visa status. "It's not the fact that my skill sets don't match the job," she said. "Sometimes I do feel like I'm overqualified. I have been told that, you know, 'This role may be a little below your skill set ... but then again, even though you're overqualified, we still cannot take you on because we are not ready to sponsor (for a visa) at this point of time.' " ADVERTISEMENT Without a corporate sponsor, D'Monte can't apply for the H-1B and needs to find another way to stay here. For many students, going back to school and obtaining another student visa is an option. D'Monte has been accepted to a PhD program and plans to go back to school this year. But that plan is only temporary. "I'm looking at the worst case scenario, which is, I'll have to go back and I totally cannot stay here," she said. "I do believe even with a PhD, my chances of getting a job, which sponsors my H-1B would be slim." Things are looking up. After a long period of radio silence, D'Monte finally was offered contract work for Levi's in Dallas as a content management coordinator. She is currently working under OPT. "My previous job I was literally on the bench for quite some time. It would be a couple of weeks working and then a couple of weeks on the bench not getting paid," she said. "So I remember when I got this call, the first thing I did was I called my mom back home ... I literally cried with joy." While people from foreign countries can apply for other types of employment-based visas, they are not as common as the H-1B because the requirements are far more specific. For example, the TN visa is specific to Canadian and Mexican nationals, and the O visa is for people with "extraordinary ability." The narrowing funnel U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman Matthew Bourke said in a statement that the agency does not have data available on the total number of F-1 students who applied for an H-1B. But only about 30,000 to 40,000 F-1 students are approved for the H-1B visa each year between 2012 and 2017, according to USCIS. There's a nagging reason that the number of F-1 students who changed status to H-1B is relatively small compared to the almost quarter million students who are staying on OPT, said Jeanne Batalova, senior analyst at the Migration Policy Institute. That's because there's a limit to how many new H-1B visas can be issued each year. And that number has not grown in more than a decade. Since 2005, the annual cap for the number of available H-1B visas is at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 for those with a master's or higher level degree. Every April, when the annual application period opens, if the number of petitions exceeds the cap, those who apply are entered into a lottery for the coveted spots. "More and more people came to the United States to study," said Batalova. "If you look at the number of international students, it has been climbing fairly steadily. And yet we still have the 65,000 cap." Since 2014, the number of petitions has always exceeded the cap and required a lottery. In 2017, there were more than 236,000 petitions within the first five business days of April, and in 2018 that number dropped slightly to 199,000, according to the Pew Research Center. Foreign students who studied in the U.S. under an F-1 visa don't get any special consideration for the H-1B spots. When he applies for the H-1B for the next fiscal year, Jalan's petition will be one of many in the highly competitive lottery. In early 2019, USCIS made a change to H-1B process that was aimed at giving U.S. employers seeking foreign workers with a U.S. master's or higher degree a greater chance in the lottery. The change was expected to increase the number of advanced degree holders by 16% by reversing the order in which H-1B petitions were selected in the lottery, USCIS said. But some critics have said the change creates a math problem that will result in fewer visas selected overall, and say it hurts high-skilled workers who only have bachelor's degrees. Critics are also concerned because President Donald J. Trump's Buy American and Hire American executive order, signed in 2017, has resulted in tighter scrutiny of the H-1B visa process. More applications are being denied, and there's been an increase in requests for evidence, which slows things down. But the challenge of retaining high-skilled foreign graduates predates Trump. Experts say the H-1B system is not designed to give an easy pathway for international students. "Before the president even came into office, we had a very broken immigration system," Robbins said, "particularly when it came to keeping students here." Long road to reform Even after someone gets an H-1B, the path to permanent residency can be really long for some. The availability of green cards allowing permanent residency is limited based on per-country quotas. That makes the wait time for a green card longer for applicants from countries that have a high number of applicants _ such as India, China, the Philippines and Mexico. A Cato Institute study found the wait time for a green card for an Indian national is 151 years, at the current rate of visa issuances. Laura Collins, director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, noted that people seeking green cards are "trying to do things the right way. They are trying to use the system and the way it was intended, and they're being put in these endless waits." "So you are in effect having a system that creates illegality, whether you intended that or not," she added. In order to increase international students' chances of getting the H-1B, more substantial changes are needed, she said. This includes increasing or eliminating the H-1B cap or making it easier for students to get a green card. "(International students) have had time in the United States to adjust to American social and cultural norms, and they have improved their English language skills. Those are things that we know help immigrants be successful in the United States," Collins said. "The faster we can get those people on that path, we're more likely to end up with someone who's a very good contributing member of society." High-skilled foreign workers, including international students, are needed to fill workforce needs in industries such as engineering, medicine and technology, that not enough native-born workers have the skills for, Collins said. "If you are not letting in the best and the brightest, if you're not letting them earn an opportunity to work here, you're losing them to places like Canada who frankly is much more willing to not only give them a work visa, but gives them citizenship and allow them to become Canadian," Collins said. D'Monte says she is considering moving to countries such as Canada, Australia or Germany if she can't stay in the U.S. long-term. "It's almost like I'm starting all over," she said. "You have to start from the ground up with your social relationships all over again, making new friends. And at this age, I'm turning 27 now, at this age it's very difficult to break into the social groups." Leaving the U.S. would mean saying goodbye to friends that she's built close relationships with during her time here. "They've literally become family away from home," she said. "It's always difficult leaving behind people you've grown so close to ... When you're away from home, they kind of become like a family. You share your sorrows, your joys with them." Jalan echoes the same sentiment. While Jalan said he's never really given much thought to going back to India, he is open to exploring other places such as Europe. And even if he has to leave the U.S., he said his experiences were still worthwhile. "Studying abroad is more often than not really tough, especially for kids with Asian backgrounds because it's a very contrasting culture," he said. "Once you overcome that barrier, it's really easy for you to walk to any place on this planet." ___ (c)2020 The Dallas Morning News Visit The Dallas Morning News at www.dallasnews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. By Baek Byung-yeul LG Electronics CTO I.P. Park LG Electronics will team up with Canada-based artificial intelligence (AI) software company Element AI to research and develop advanced AI technologies that can be applied to its home appliances and services, the tech company said Sunday. The company said it will forge a strategic partnership with Element AI and hold an agreement ceremony at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, featuring its Chief Technology Officer I.P. Park and Element AI CEO Jean-Francois Gagne. Based in Montreal, Gagne and Nicolas Chapados founded the software company in 2016 along with Yoshua Bengio, a professor at the University of Montreal and a leading expert on deep learning technology. Element AI CEO Jean-Francois Gagne T J S George By Allow me to welcome the New Year with some old words. Actually they are timeless words, always relevant. They are reminders of our heritage, our possibilities, and our shortcomings. Let them speak for themselves. MK Gandhi, January 1948: My fast, as I have stated in plain language, is undoubtedly on behalf of the Muslim minority in the Indian Union and, therefore, it is necessarily against the Hindus and the Sikhs of the Union and the Muslims of Pakistan. It is also on behalf of the minorities in Pakistan. The fast is a process of self-purification for all. It is meant to bring sanity to all those who inhabit both the Indian Union and Pakistan. It is impossible to save the Muslims in the Union if the Muslim majority in Pakistan do not behave as decent men and women. (Gandhi lived in the age of enlightenment when India considered itself above narrow religious sectarianism. Therefore, he could speak about minorities and majorities in the tone of a secular Indian who saw humanity as one. Todays rulers speak in a different tone because they are majoritarians with a religion-based outlook. They want to strengthen their hold on the country with a divide and- rule strategy.) Rabindranath Tagore, 1928: I was anxious to see village life in the minutest detail. The everyday tasks of village folk and the varied cycle of their work filled me with wonder. Then, slowly, the poverty and misery of the people grew vivid before my eyes. I was struck with shame that I was a Zamindar... The poor in our villages have borne many insults. The powerful have done many wrongs. On the other hand, the powerful have had to do all the welfare work. Caught between tyranny and charity, the village people have been emptied of self-respect... If we could free even one village from the shackles of helplessness and ignorance, an ideal for the whole of India would be established. Let a few villages be rebuilt this way and I shall say these are my India. That is the way to discover the true India. (That was probably the dream that led Debendranath Tagore, Rabindranaths father, to rent 20 acres of land from the talukdar of Raipur at an annual payment of Rs 5 and start Santiniketan. That was in 1863. What began as a place for meditation and Brahmo prayers became 25 years later the home of Brahmavidyalaya. Rabindranath developed it into Visva- Bharati, a central university.) Commissioners report on the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre submitted in 1920: When any extraordinary law either provides for or operates in such a manner as to permit confinement up to two years without a proper trial and when this affects large bodies of people, the prevailing situation is not one of law and order but of organised terror and disorder, or martial law without the name. Extraordinary laws must never be used for purposes for which they are not meant, or for the purpose of stifling political agitation or of restraining political freedom. Executive action and extraordinary laws must not cause punishments the object of which is to degrade the human being. Extraordinary powers to the police can only be given at the cost of the liberty of citizens. Any special benches, or extraordinary tribunals or boards set up under extraordinary laws will provide only illusionary justice. (The commissioners appointed by the Congress were M K Gandhi, C R Das, Abbas Tyabji and M R Jayakar. They submitted the report in the shadow of the Criminal Law (Emergency Powers) bill which came to be known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919). To give the Devil its due, the British colonial government was a foreign government with the primary aim of keeping a colony enchained. The situation today is very different with an elected government in control of a free and independent India. Yet, some of the laws enacted by todays government seem to have the same underlying intention that the colonial government had, namely, keep the subjects enslaved. The mass protests across the country against the citizenship law are reminiscent of the mass awakening against the British government. Why have we reached such a stage after 70 years of self-government under a democratic Constitution? Because, for the first time in all these years, communally inclined leaders are subverting the ideas Gandhi propagated when he fasted on behalf of the Muslim minority. Gandhi was great enough to rise to the greatness of India. Modi-Shah in their smallness, want India reduced to smallness. They must be stopped. In line with UGC guidelines, Panjab University (PU) will implement a code of ethics and conduct for its students. A 12-member committee has been constituted by vice-chancellor (V-C) Raj Kumar for the same. The panellists are set to meet this week to deliberate on the proposal as well as the standard procedures of the university. PU does not have a specific code of ethics for the students, however, its calendar gives authority to dean university instructions (DUI) to expel a student on the charges of misconduct or any other serious offence. The University Grants Commissions (UGCs) guidelines on the safety of students ask all the varsities to prepare a code of conduct for the students. All the universities shall prepare an exhaustive code of conduct for students enrolled in departments or affiliated colleges and display it on institutional websites for compliance. A reference to such document must invariably be made in prospectus of higher educational institutions where the students are enrolled, the UGC guidelines say. PU DUI Shankarji Jha said, Since the university does not have a particular code of ethics and conduct for the students, it has decided to frame them now. The purpose of the implementation of the students code of ethics is to maintain discipline at the varsity. COMMITTEE TO TAKE LEAD FROM OTHER VARSITIES GUIDELINES The committee constituted will draft the code of ethics which will be subsequently implemented by the university. It is learnt that the panel will assess the code of ethics and conduct laid down by various central universities and the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and relevant provisions will be taken from them. The codes of ethics of various institutes call for students participation in governance, redressal of their problems by a grievance redressal cell and an anti-ragging committee. A member of the new committee said, The code of ethics of various institutes will be considered and the members will decide on which provisions shall be included in the draft for students at our university. It is to maintain peace and discipline on the campus because some untoward incidents have happened in the past, for example -- the lockdown of the DSW office by students. Senator Rajat Sandhir said, A code of ethics will help establish expectations of the students and ensure their safety and protection. It is a welcome step that PU is considering to have an ethics policy for the students. Commenting on the proposal, Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) president Chetan Chaudhary said, There should not be any provision or rule passed which will not be in favour of the university students. The provisions should not hamper their rights and freedom. Known for its often daring repertory, the Pacifica String Quartet will play Shostakovichs tribute to his first wife, along with Israeli composer Shulamit Rans memory piece about a composer who died in Auschwitz at Santa Fes St. Francis Auditorium on Sunday, Jan. 12. Pacifica violist Mark Holloway has long been partial to Shostakovichs unique harmonic language. I just find his a very unique voice, Holloway said in a phone interview from Bloomington, Indiana, where the musicians are the quartet-in-residence at Indiana University. It was a difficult life in Stalinist Russia. You had to say one thing and mean another. Stalin walked out of the premiere of the composers opera Lady Macbeth. The next day, Pravda denounced the work in a tirade. It was famously banned for 30 years. The Israeli-born Chicago resident Shulamit Ran penned her Quartet No. 3, Glitter, Doom, Shards, Memory for the Pacifica Quartet in 2012. Felix Nussbaum was a German-Jewish surrealist who was murdered in Auschwitz in 1944 at age 39. Nussbaum left some powerful, deeply moving art that spoke to the life that was unraveling around him. If I perish do not let my paintings die, he reportedly said. Knowing what was ahead, he continued painting until his death. Rans work depicts what his life must have been as a stalked and imprisoned artist. The score directs the musicians to stomp their feet in specific places. It has a grim character, Holloway said. It alludes to this death machine. We think its a beautiful piece. Audiences come out quite moved by the music. The concert will end with Beethovens Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 130, his last, written when he was completely deaf. Holloway called it one of his greatest. The Catavina, or fifth movement, is like a desert island movement, he said. People want this played at their funeral, he added. Its so comforting and heartbreaking. A wedding planner had to have her eye split open to have a radiotherapy device inserted after a routine eye test revealed she had a cancerous tumour. Louise Jordan, 50, said that 'something inside told her' that she should pay a visit to the optician. The mum-of-two from Bloxwich, West Midlands thought that her eyes were 'completely fine', but when she spotted a letter from the optician, she booked in for a check up just to be on the safe side. Louise Jordan, 50, from Bloxwich, West Midlands, said that 'something inside told her' that she should pay a visit to the optician - she later discovered she had eye cancer After doing a full eye scan in June 2019, optometrist, Taj Showker quickly realised things weren't as they should be. There was a suspicious lesion on the back of Louise's right eye and she was referred straight to the doctor at the Nuffield Hospital in Wolverhampton, for further tests. Louise was diagnosed with a Choroidal Melanoma - a cancer affecting part of the eye - in June 2019. Medics discovered a tumour at the back of her right eye. She was warned they needed to operate to attach a radiotherapy plaque, emitting eye - sparing low energy radiation therapy for 48 hours. The procedure involved Louise being placed under general anaesthetic and having her eye clamped open. The wedding planner had to have her eye split open to have a radiotherapy device inserted after an eye test revealed she had a cancerous tumour Surgeons used a scalpel to split open her eye, go underneath her eyelid and slide a plaque with radioactive seeds on one side of it behind her eye and sewing it there - aiming the seeds at the tumour. 'I couldn't see what they were doing but it hurt like hell.' Louise's husband could only visit her in hospital for a couple of hours at a time, meaning she spent a lonely four days in bed following her procedure. Louise did not suffer any symptoms and just had a feeling that she should get her eyes checked She will not know until her next appointment in November if the treatment was a success. If the radiotherapy hasn't worked she could 'lose her eye'. She will have her final check up to make sure she is clear of the cancer later this year. Louise said: 'It was such a shock. Having no symptoms at all, you never anticipate something like this. I'm glad I caught it in time because if not I could have gone blind.' Louise is a keen believer that everything happens for a reason, and said that friends at work have nicknamed her 'Positive Polly' for remaining optimistic throughout the whole thing. 'I was looking through a pile of mail for something and when I saw the eye test letter, something inside me told me I needed to go.: My eyesight wasn't any worse than when I last got it tested, but somehow I just knew I had to go. Everything happens for a reason.' Louise - who is mum to Jordan, 19, and Jack, 17 - said that the first thing that went through her head was that she might not be able to watch her sons grow up. Choroidal Melanomas are rare, with five in one million people being diagnosed with them each year She believes that although it is easy to ignore the letters and not want to spend money on appointments, going for a check up is hugely important. She said: 'I'm incredibly grateful for the team at Specsavers. Without them my future could look very bleak indeed.' Choroidal Melanomas are rare, with five in one million people being diagnosed with them each year. They are symptom-less, meaning a regular trip to the optician is important. Optomotrist Taj Showker said: 'We encourage all of our customers to visit their optician every two years, unless they are experiencing vision issues.' A Chicago mother, 20, accused of killing her two young sons by leaving one in a bathtub and throwing another from an 11th-floor apartment window, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Aleah Newell is also charged with attempted murder for stabbing her grandfather before she jumped from the apartment building on Chicago's South Side on Thursday. Newell did not appear at Saturday's bail hearing because she is still recovering at University of Chicago Medical Center, a Chicago police officer testified at the hearing. Aleah Newell, (pictured), is charged with killing her toddler sons, 2-year-old son, Johntavis and 7-month-old Ameer in an apartment murder-suicide attempt in Chicago 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 Her grandfather, Cardell Walker, is hospitalized in critical condition but was expected to live, prosecutors said. Newell and her 2-year-old son, Johntavis Newell, were found on the ground outside a high-rise around 2 am Thursday after police received a 911 call about a person injured on the street. Officers later found 7-month-old Ameer Newell in the bathtub of the 11th-floor apartment, along with the 70-year-old grandfather, who had been stabbed. Authorities have not released his name. They say Aleah Newell stabbed her grandfather and Ameer Newell several times before she set the infant in a 'scalding' hot bath. She then threw Johntavis out the window and jumped herself. Scaffolding broke the woman's fall, but she suffered several broken bones, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Aleah Newel had told her mother, Zera Newell, that she wanted to get her life together and asked her to pick up her boys, prosecutors said. But when her mother arrived on New Years Day to get the children, Newell was gone. Early the next morning, prosecutors allege, Newell attacked her family. 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 Newell's grandfather, 70-year-old Cardell Walker, was found suffering from stab wounds to his face and body During the bond hearing, Cook County assistant states attorney James Murphy told the judge that Aleah Newell turned on the hot water in the bathroom and let it run. Murphy said that while the water was running, the grandfather went to use the bathroom and Newell came up behind him, put him in a chokehold and hit him in the head with the towel bar. Newell then walked into the kitchen, grabbed a knife and began stabbing her grandfather, Murphy said, leaving blood spatter all over the toilet, sink and vanity. The grandfather was stabbed more than 10 times in the neck, shoulder, hands and arms until he lost consciousness. Newell then stabbed 7-month old Ameer 19 times in the head, Murphy alleged. She then picked him up, carried him to the bathroom and plunged him face down into the scalding water in the bathtub, according to Murphy. Newell did not appear at Saturday's bail hearing because she is still recovering at University of Chicago Medical Center, a Chicago police officer testified at the hearing Aleah Newel had told her mother, Zera Newell, that she wanted to get her life together and asked her to pick up her boys, prosecutors said. But when her mother arrived on New Years Day to get the children, Newell was gone The grandfather was stabbed more than 10 times in the neck, shoulder, hands and arms until he lost consciousness Newell left Ameer in the bathtub and went to the living room where Johntavis was. She cut a hole in the window screen and threw Johntavis from the apartment, Murphy said. About 20 seconds later, Newell crawled through the hole and fell to the ground. Her fall, though, was broken when she hit a scaffold located around the third floor. She broke through the scaffold and landed on the concrete next to Johntavis. Security video caught the two as they landed on the concrete, Murphy said. Newell can be seen on the video moving and sitting up after the fall, Murphy said. Zera Newell told the Sun-Times that Aleah Newell took her children to a women's shelter earlier in the week and asked workers there to take her children. Zera Newell said her daughter had shown signs of depression in the past. 'I thought she was over that,' Newell said, adding that 'maybe behind closed doors it was another thing.' The Salvation Army told WBBM-TV that Aleah Newell stayed Monday and Tuesday at Shield of Hope, a Chicago homeless shelter for families, and left on Wednesday morning. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has started an investigation into the deaths. A department spokesman said DCFS had no prior contact with the family. 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.' BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- When he wrote his new book, Berea at Mid-Twentieth Century, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Berea Historical Society, Mickey Sego reminisced about growing up in and around this area and attending Berea High School, where he honed his skills as an editorial cartoonist. He also had many fond memories of Brunswick, the community in which his father, Albert Sego, made so many musical memories as the head of the Brunswick High School music department and band director. On Dec. 2, a week after celebrating his 80th birthday, Mickey Sego unexpectedly died. His wife of 45 years, Arlene, is still dealing with the trauma of his sudden passing and said the outpouring of help and sympathy in many forms has been the ship that keeps me afloat. The couple was in Northeast Ohio for Bereas 4th of July celebration, where Mickey presented his book and signed copies. Proceeds from the sale of the book all go to the Berea Historical Society. It was his second compilation of drawings and Berea history -- Then There Were None chronicled the history of the Berea sandstone quarries. He and Arlene also donated dozens of items from Albert Sego to the Brunswick Area Historical Society for its archives of school-related items. Mickey started teaching political science at the downtown campus of Cuyahoga Community College in 1965, then moved to teach government at the Western Campus when it opened in the fall of 1966. He retired in 1995. He and Arlene met when they were both professors at the Western Campus, where she taught math. They lived in Brunswick and later also owned and operated Kings Court Publications on Pearl Road near Grafton Road. Arlene explained that they moved to Williamsburg, Va., in 1998 and opened an art gallery, the Art-Cade, in 2001. He absolutely loved to draw and did so practically every day, she said. Quite a few years ago, he designed the Fighting Scotsman for Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where today there is a 9-foot-tall bronze statue of the Scotsman in the middle of a plaza. He also designed mascots for many other colleges. And there had to be hundreds of drawings he did of athletes at colleges across the country." His latest book is described as a story about Berea itself for a quarter-century, as well as the outside events that affected it. The cartoons in the book are accompanied by a narrative that focuses on people and events that made Berea a great place to live. Many drawings of local athletes from the mid-century are in his book, including Judy Norton, L.B. Schafer, Wayne Adamani, Cheryl Pincombe, Doug Oberg and Dennis Kushlak, to name a few. Mickey said he had had a goal of becoming an editorial cartoonist since childhood and started doing so at Berea High School for the schools Focus. He followed with work for the Baldwin Wallace Exponent, the Western Reserve Tribune and the Ohio State Lantern. He worked for more than 25 years creating drawings for the Berea News and was honored 13 times for his cartoons -- which brought a better understanding of the American way of life -- by the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge. He also was twice winner of the Ohio College Newspaper Association award for the years best cartoons. He was inducted into the Berea High School Hall of Fame in 2018. The back cover of his book shows Mickey Sego's award-winning talent. A life well-lived and, perhaps, the last cartoon on the back cover of his book Passing a Heritage was prophetic, as it says Its Up to YOU now, son. Read more from the Brunswick Sun and the News Sun. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh wants the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to now focus on issues like economy and education after favourable outcomes of issues like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act it has led sustained campaigns for, according to people aware of the developments. The CAA was passed in December to fast-track citizenship for non-Muslims, who have arrived in India before December 31, 2014, from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The passage came a month after the Supreme Court on November 9 ruled in favour of the Hindu parties in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case and paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. In August, Constitutions Article 370 was nullified to end Jammu and Kashmirs special status, which RSS had long campaigned against. Sangh functionaries, who spoke to HT on condition of anonymity, said a series of meetings have been scheduled in January between RSS leaders and the government representatives to discuss issues like education, economy, trade and commerce and culture. Such meetings usually involving general secretary and joint general secretaries of the RSS, which is the BJPs ideological fountainhead, apart from leaders from other affiliates of the organisation are an annual feature. Issues that are of concern to the Sangh are specifically raised annually, said an RSS functionary. There is a sense of accomplishment [over issues like resolution of Ram Temple dispute], but the Sangh feels there is a need to do more and going forward the focus should be on economy and education in particular. A second functionary said the RSS is concerned over the delay in announcing a New Education Policy though its draft was released in May. Another area of concern in the education sector is the ongoing unrest across campuses, which is being fostered by those with vested interests. There is a pattern that has emerged first with anti-national slogans that were raised in some universities followed by the sustained narrative building on national issues. The second functionary cited the protests against the CAA and insisted that they were being supported across campuses even though the legislation does not target any Indian citizen nor is it divisive. Ajay Gudavarthy, a professor at New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University, said RSSs interest in the education sector is part of its core strategy. The RSS thinks much of the progressive, liberal stream of thought comes from the higher education institutions, which is why there is a crisis in the sector. Gudavarthy added the trend is to dismantle autonomy and the public education system. By introducing the concept of graded autonomy, they are linking finances to autonomy in the higher education sector On the economic front, the RSS and its affiliates like the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and the Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB) have urged the government to announce policies that will give a fillip to the manufacturing sector and help create jobs. The government is making efforts to bring the economy on track, but we need more aid for domestic manufacturing. We have already conveyed our demand for a separate policy for small and micro sectors instead of clubbing these together. We are hopeful that just as the government decided against signing the RCEP [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership], it will heed our other demands as well, said a LUB member. Swadeshi is another area that the RSS wants the government to focus on. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently, in his radio programme Mann ki Baat, urged citizens to pledge to buy local products. The RSS wants this to be done in a sustained manner. We have to begin with encouraging local use of the [Indian] products and take it to other levels such a large scale production of consumables. It will lead to self-reliance as well as give India more power to negotiate at trade forums, said a third functionary. On the international front, the Sangh wants India to continue to have an aggressive response to cross-border terror, and a muscular foreign policy vis-a-vis China and Pakistan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Luke Scroggins of Zumbahlen, Eyth, Surratt, Foote & Flynn Ltd. has passed all four sections of the Certified Public Accountant exam and now is a licensed CPA. Prior to joining the firm in February 2017, Scroggins held various accounting roles in the banking, hospitality and nonprofit sectors. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Illinois College and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in organizational leadership from Benedictine University at Springfield. Scroggins, a native of Carrollton, lives in Jacksonville with his husband, Cody. Thomas Tom Schnelt has been named vice president of lending at Jersey State Bank. Bank President Mark Schaefer said Schnelt has expertise in commercial and agricultural lending and will be responsible for leading business development efforts and supervising daily operations of the loan department. We are excited to add Tom to our team, Schaefer said. Schnelt received a bachelors degree in agricultural economics and animal science from Western Illinois University. Before joining Jersey State Bank, he was a senior loan officer for CNB Bank and Trust. Andigo Credit Union has donated $5,000 on behalf of its members through CUAid. The foundation raises disaster relief donations to support credit union employees, volunteers and members who suffer losses. Andigo selected CUAid to receive the donation in a show of support for its programs and services. Andigo, headquartered in Schaumburg, serves more than 35,000 members. The Illinois Health and Hospital Association has elected its 2020 board of trustees. Officers serve one-year terms. The chairman is Phillip Kambic, president and CEO of Riverside Healthcare. Other officers are: chairman-elect Karen Teitelbaum, president and CEO of Sinai Health System; past chairman Mary Starmann-Harrison, president and CEO of Hospital Sisters Health System; treasurer Ted Rogalski, administrator of Genesis Medical Center in Aledo; secretary Mary Lou Mastro, system CEO of Edward-Elmhurst Health; and president A.J. Wilhelmi, president and CEO of IHA. New trustees elected to serve three-year terms include: Jeremy Bradford, president of SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital-Mount Vernon; Ruth Colby, president and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital; and Bill Santulli, chief operating officer of Advocate Aurora Health. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer A massive protest decrying anti-semitism is set for the Brooklyn Sunday morning after recent violent attacks against Jewish people, including when four people were gunned down by two attackers in Jersey City last month. Thousands of people are expected to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, beginning at 11 a.m., before heading to a rally in the boroughs Cadman Plaza. It follows several hate crimes committed against Jewish people in the New York/New Jersey area over the last few weeks. We will march through our streets proud, united, and strong, and event page reads. The 1.5 million Jews of our great city and region will not stand down. We will not be intimidated. People of all faiths and backgrounds are invited to attend. Demonstrators are asked to meet at Foley Square at 11 a.m. Signs with sticks are not allowed, according to the NYPD. Last month, Jersey City made national headlines after a deadly shooting at a Jewish market was deemed a hate crime. Four people were killed, including Detective Joseph Seals, who confronted the attackers. The two people who carried out the attack were also killed. Since then there have been incidents of violence against Jewish people in Monsey, New York and Brooklyn. Information about the demonstration can be found on UJA Federation New Yorks website. The Anti Defamation League says hate crimes against Jewish people have been on the rise in recent years. No hate. No fear. New Jersey supports our Jewish community and todays #SolidarityMarch. We must always fight anti-Semitism and hate. pic.twitter.com/8jMhEX0LxY Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) January 5, 2020 No Fear No Hate march making its way to Brooklyn Bridge pic.twitter.com/EDFGoO5uuy Alejandra OConnell (@AODNewz) January 5, 2020 Tennyson Donnie Coleman may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @TennysonTV. Find him on Facebook. Have a tip? Let us know at nj.com/tips. No State or official can refuse to take part in the Population Register (NPR) which is a mandatory exercise, said Sushil Kumar Modi, deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. Not complying with it would be against the Constitution, he said. While addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he announced that the NPR would be updated in Bihar from May 15 to May 28 and that the nationwide exercise has to be carried out between April 1 to September 30. "NPR is part of population census. No state can refuse to participate in the exercise or refuse to make it. No official can refuse to take part in it," said Sushil Kumar Modi. "If someone refuses to do it then disciplinary action would be taken and monetary fine of Rs 1000 would be imposed," he said. "West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan cannot refuse to carry it out. That would be against the Constitution," said Modi. Union Cabinet on December 24 approved a proposal to update NPR. The NPR was discussed thoroughly at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the meeting, the Prime Minister also asked the ministers to reach out to masses to highlight the plight of refugees who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan due to religious persecution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the sit-in protests over the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) continued at Shaheen Bagh on Saturday, blocking an arterial road for over three weeks, commuters may face an even more harrowing time Monday when most private schools reopen after their winter break. The blockade of Road 13A, an important link between Delhi and Noida, which began on December 15, prompted Delhi Police to stop all traffic on this road for the past 19 days. The closure has meant that traffic from Faridabad and parts of south Delhi had to take up other Noida-Delhi connections, such as Mathura Road and DND flyway, leading to traffic spilling over to Ashram Chowk and parts of Ring Road. Ashram Chowk at Mathura Road is one of the busiest intersections in the city. According to traffic police data, about 350,000 vehicles use the intersection every day during peak morning and evening hours. For residents of south Delhi such as Sarita Vihar, New Friends Colony, Kalkaji, CR Park, whose children study in private schools in Noida, a detour is likely to add an hour to their travelling time. Police officers said that the Mathura Road stretch from Sarita Vihar has been carrying the additional load since December 15, but from Monday there will be even more vehicles. Savita Mehta, vice-president of communications at Amity Group, said their schools would reopen on Monday for students between class 5 and 12. Most residents of south Delhi use Road 13A to reach the Amity campus. In the morning, there isnt much traffic. Most schools begin before 8 am. However, we have sent messages to parents before the vacations that if they have safety concerns, they can opt out of sending their children to school. We can make up for the classes they will miss, she said, adding that the school buses would ply regularly, wherever possible. Wherever allowed, buses will take diversion to reach areas like Sarita Vihar and Jasola. Students and parents are concerned about the commute that they will now face because of the protests outside Jamia as well. Requesting anonymity, a student of Air Force Bal Bharati School in Lodhi Road and resident of Jamia, said, My school reopens on Monday. I am confused whether our school bus will come to our place or not. If not, I might take the metro. The schools principal Sunita Gupta said that all their school buses would be plying regularly. We will monitor the situation. If there is blockade and risk of violence, we will call the parents to pick up the children because it is safer that way instead of leaving them on the school bus. We will continue monitoring the situation on Monday. The Delhi Police are in talks with the protesters and have urged them to stop blocking the road. In their notice to the protesters last week, the police have said that apart from traffic jams, the road blockage is also affecting the emergency services, such as ambulances to nearby hospitals, especially the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Sarita Vihar, which is one of the biggest hospitals in the city . Many have commented on the need for Sri Lanka to take stock of the domestic situation and improve the protection systems at home so as to avoid foreign interference. by Dr Sarala Fernando Sri Lanka is at a crossroads with regard to foreign policy-making viz the re-setting of the three foundation pillars: security, economics and human rights. The Yahapalanaya government chose to focus on economics and human rights which helped open doors in Western capitals and led to the restoration of the EUGSP +concession which boosted flagging exports to that leading market; state invitations from these capitals poured in and there were many inward delegations to promote trade, investment and cooperation. However, we are now living in a new era where the unequal distribution of benefits under globalization has lead to rising nationalism and manifestations of social discontent everywhere while the menace of violent extremism emanating from the chaos in the Middle East is spreading the contagion of ISIS around the globe and into Sri Lanka. The April 21 attacks in Sri Lanka pushed the public focus back on security and marked the results of the Presidential election with the consolidation of the majority community vote around Gotabahya Rajapaksa turning back from the previous strategy of reconciliation on the basis of power sharing between the majority-minority communities. Instead the government will now return the focus to security- led development while the pursuit of national security will include, inter alia, protecting of the war heroes from prosecution and ending cooperation with the international community on transitional justice issues symbolized by the HRC resolution 30/1. As for the new foreign policy, some of the initial pronouncements of President Gotabhaya appear to reject the conventional theoretical notions of small state- big neighbour relations as confined to strategies of "balancing" and "bandwagonning", preferring instead the term of "neutrality". Neutrality is equated with avoiding being dragging into big power conflicts within a "strong" state exercising sovereignty over its strategic assets like ports. How does the term " neutrality " relate to the concept of "non-alignment" which arose in the specific context of the Cold War? SWRD Bandaranaikes explanation in Parliament of his understanding of Non-Alignment Policy is worth quoting-first not to align with any power bloc during Cold war, gain the right to criticize the behavior of any country even though they are our friends, and secondly remain neutral in war and always try to gain a respective and peaceful solution. Can a small state successfully practice neutrality in an era when a new Cold War is gathering in the Indo-Pacific area with the competition between the US and China? Much will depend on the centre pillar of Sri Lanka foreign policy -, its relationship with India. Sri Lanka and India have traditionally enjoyed a special relationship in the region which was visible during the early years of common adherence to non-alignment and derived from the close friendship between the families of their leaders holding similar world views. However this time around, India is in a strategic security partnership with the US, together with like minded countries including Japan, Australia in their vision of a Free and Open Indian Ocean so how will Sri Lanka now reiterating its wish to return to a Non Aligned foreign policy, relate to the Quad initiative which is a direct counter to the Chinese BRI in the Indian Ocean? Real politics has already intervened since the governments stated intention of re-negotiating the Hambantota port deal with China has been resisted by the Chinese side and has had to be abandoned. This is hardly surprising since even developed countries have found neutrality hard to achieve in practice, recalling for example how Sweden for all its aspirations was unable to prevent the Nazi armies marching through their territory to occupy Norway in World War 11. Of more immediate concern, a key question is how the government can, within this vision of neutrality, finesse the existing commitments on human rights to the international community and withdraw from an intrusive HRC resolution which has involved over a decade of continuous review and monitoring of reconciliation and transitional justice issues after the end of the armed conflict. Most Sri Lankans feel this scrutiny is unwarranted given the much worse human rights crises around the world and also since Sri Lanka has made good progress on reconciliation issues which any visitor to this country can see at first hand in traveling to the previously conflict-affected areas now rebuilt and teeming with commercial activity and free movement. However international opinion, no doubt influenced by the Tamil diaspora factor, continues to press for reconciliation as seen in the public Indian statements following Foreign Minister Jaishankars visit to Colombo which called for Sri Lanka to boost reconciliation and this has been followed by similar statements from the EU, US and UK. The recent bold move of rescinding constitutional provision 307 on Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian government has given hope to some "kite flying" in the local press suggesting a similar move in Sri Lanka on the 13th Amendment and abolition of the Provincial Councils. However, any change in the traditional Indian reiteration of support to 13 A is unlikely, given the Tamil Nadu interest. One should not forget also the Central Government national security interest in the letters of exchange attached to the India-Sri Lanka Agreeement of 1987 establishing redlines in respect of Sri Lankas use of its ports and harbours and acceptance of assistance from foreign governments affecting Indias security. For all these reasons, it is best to abandon the myth of abolition of 13 A, and resort to a more practical approach, to canvass Indian assistance with regard to the new Sri Lanka policy direction on resolutin 30/1. With Indias own experience of UNHRC interference over the abrogation of Article 370 there is hope that India will help to remove the "internationalization" of the Sri Lanka issue and support a stand that this is an "internal" matter. However, the support India can give will depend on its assessment of the ground reality and political situation in a restive Tamil Nadu already up in arms against the government over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The best that Sri Lanka can hope for is Indian support to Sri Lanka at the March HRC informal consultations with other delegations in Geneva where some announcement would have to be made of the new mandate given to the government at the recent elections towards eventual withdrawal of the resolution on Sri Lanka. The key instrument would be the policy statement made by the leader of the Sri Lanka delegation which could include many supporting arguments outlining the progress made by Sri Lanka, restoring political rights and development in the conflict affected areas, having received a number of Special Rapporteurs every year, reported comprehensively to the UPR, set up the OMP as an independent body and displayed remarkable progress on reconciliation issues such as rehabilitating LTTE combatants and de-mining areas and releasing lands to permit re-settlement of residents. Asian group support to Sri Lanka will be crucial in this new strategy at the HRC and needs to be lobbied early and carefully with capitals. However, what is most important, if we are to fully implement a friendship- with- all foreign policy, is that that our withdrawal from 30/1 must be made without antagonizing our Western partners . It is a diplomatic campaign which is required, mercifully led by professionals if we are to read between the lines of the recent public pronouncements by the new government. One other component needs to be included in the diplomatic campaign and that is the decision to put forward Sri Lankas candidature for election at the HRC which needs to be led from New York with negotiations within the Asian Group. It is membership in the HRC which confers the power to propose resolutions, negotiate with voting member states, exchange reciprocal voting arrangements etc and it is ultimately the best "watch" over our interests. Ever since we took a confrontational path at the HRC, Sri Lanka has not been able to win election to the HRC. Compare this result with the fact that right through the years of the armed conflict we were able to win reelection to the CHR and its successor HRC, thanks to our record of active cooperation with the UN and international community and the diplomatic manner in which Foreign Ministry professionals in Geneva succeeded in ensuring there was no resolution or even mention of Sri Lanka on the official records of the HRC. Many have commented on the need for Sri Lanka to take stock of the domestic situation and improve the protection systems at home so as to avoid foreign interference. There is a crying need at this time to take a balanced approach to human rights in the present climate where various lobby groups and interested parties are criticizing Western governments and associated NGOO for using human rights as a tool to put pressure on developing countries. In this climate we should draw on the strengths of the National Human Rights Commission which is an internationally recognized independent institution led by a courageous and respected professional. There is no doubt that the West uses human rights for political purposes viz. the much touted conditionality attached to aid and trade. With large influential Tamil diaspora communities in major Western countries , there will continue to be political demands upon Sri Lanka in terms of Tamil rights; however Sri Lanka had found valuable common ground on security issues with these same Western partners in intelligence cooperation, arrest of illegal arms and legal measures against financing of terrorism . Moreover human rights has a universal application to which Sri Lanka has long subscribed throughout its independent history, both political and economic rights including the commitment to democracy and regular elections, the oldest universal suffrage in Asia, as well as universal human development through free health and education, labour rights, gender empowerment etc. In the islands Buddhist heritage, humans and animals are one in the natural world, as reflected in Buddhist parables and stories, legends and paintings and the protection of the environment is extolled, as a heritage for future generations. Central to this vision is the notion of compassion and kindness towards all living beings especially animals who are in our charge. If we are to remain true to this philosophy Sri Lankan should be in the forefront of the climate change debate and finding solutions for pressing national problems like deforestation and protection of lands, clean air and clean water not to mention the horrors of the elephant-human conflict which is giving this country such a bad image abroad of human cruelty to those endangered creatures. The problem is that in todays world of instant communications, a single image or story about the plight of victims of violence can be sent around the world in minutes affecting how that country is seen abroad and its attractiveness for tourism and investment. In particular, violence against women and children is in the spotlight today from countries as different as France to India, which is why the government needs to be aware of the sensitivity of the incident of the Swiss embassy local staffer. It is best to leave the Foreign Ministry to deal with the Swiss Embassy in terms of our legal obligations under international conventions which conditions the grant of facilities, privileges and immunities to nationals of the receiving state only in respect of official consular duties while requiring the receiving State to exercise its jurisdiction over those persons in such a way as not to hinder unduly the performance of the functions of the consular post. Such incidents involving allegations on the behavior of individuals (this includes also Brigadier Priyanka Fernando case or our peace keepers in Haiti) should be handled quietly without causing lasting damage to bilateral or multilateral relations. Sri Lanka has the advantage of a solid reputation within the UN where it has consistently taken an active role in negotiating the major international conventions on human rights, signed most of them and regularly nominates candidates to sit on the various Committees that review the periodic reports under the conventions. It would be a step back to withdraw from this activism now especially as the strategy of quiet cooperation woven by the Foreign Ministry had in fact contributed to keeping the country safe from international sanction during the long years of the armed conflict. These are some of the big questions facing Sri Lankas foreign policy and it is intrinsically linked to its defence objectives. Some day, after the elections are done next year, it would be good if the Foreign Ministry could take the lead to draft a national security strategy to be brought before parliament for a healthy debate in order to fashion a bi-partisan way forward, founded on the basic principles of equi-distance from all major powers, non-joining of military pacts, non stationing of foreign military bases etc. Such an endeavour will be valuable in that continuity and reliability are the hallmarks of a sound foreign policy for a small state in a strategic location, facing many security challenges both traditional and non traditional. Now that there is an intelligent Minister in place who has a keen interest in foreign affairs, with a professional team led by a Foreign Secretary with long experience in human rights and public communications, we could be hopeful of smart decisions. The question that stands before us this new year is a question that hasnt been asked for the 244 years of our presence on the worlds stage. This election wont be about personalities or policies or partisanship. This election is entirely existential -- will we continue in relative peace and freedom and the resultant prosperity? Will we continue trying to perfect the nation our forefathers designed? Or will we throw in the towel and declare the greatest social/governmental experiment in human history to be an abject failure? Will we choose to just crawl back into the cave of tyranny and poverty, the cave we thought wed sealed off with the Constitution? If we choose to stay the course, rocky though it may be, and insist on finishing what those great men and women began, it wont be easy. During this coming year our nation is likely to be shaken to its foundations either by the indictment and trials of powerful individuals, or by the lack thereof. The left may stop threatening to kill the president and actually do it. It is quite possible that our southern borders will be overrun. Its even more likely that we will be traumatized again and again by Islamic incursions, both anti-Semitic and anti-American. Its looking like some terrible showdown is brewing in Virginia over the right to bear arms, and who knows what will happen with Iran, North Korea, or China? We must choose our leadership wisely. We can be sure that Our Lady of Perpetual Impeachment will continue to plot with Lord Lies-a-lot to rid themselves of both Trump and Pence. Whether visions of a crown dance in Our Ladys head, or shes stuck and has no idea what to do next is hard to know. But we can tell that she has succeeded in decapitating the impeachment clause of the Constitution and has defied the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments. They have presented a forbidden bill of attainder in accusing Trump of crimes whose nature keeps morphing into more and more nebulous shapes, making impeachment a never-ending part of the landscape of Washington. That we will just have to live through -- unless she is voted out of office -- can we dare hope? That the leftists are willing to cripple our Constitution, hence crippling us all, in the service of their own political corruption should give us all pause, and yet I still hear decent, law-abiding people ranting about never voting for Trump. Why not? is always answered with such profundities as, Hes an a**hole, or His tweets, or Hes not presidential. Whatever that means. Were there a viable, responsible, clear-thinking candidate to run against Trump in November, small things might make the difference. But this year we choose between a man who has been doing the job splendidly and Corruption Central. It wont matter much which of the primary candidates ends up in front -- they are all primarily against the ideas that have made this country the best thing to have ever happened to humanity. They are against the sovereignty of the individual, against sovereignty of the states, and against the sovereignty of this nation. They are for extravagant spending and taxation, against the right to defend oneself, against the right of a baby to be born, against truth, and logic, and reality. Every one of them raised a hand when asked if they supported the Green New Deal, the most incoherent, unrealistic, ridiculous proposal ever conceived. And yet people who vote still say things like Trump is against veterans, when he donates his salary to their cause. They accuse him of lying but arent at all bothered by Warrens prevarications or Bidens dissociative fugues. They fuss about Trumps hair, his speech patterns, his full-speed-ahead style. And meanwhile back at the Washington ranch, Democrats are plotting how to cut American citizens out of our birthright, how to deny us the right to choose our leadership. So, how are we going to protect that birthright? First we need to thank God that we have a president who is going to be hard to beat. Hes not at all hard to defend; his accomplishments these last three years have been astonishing. So lets not hesitate to stand up for him; he is standing up for us. Secondly, we have to hold steady during everything the left will throw at us in the coming months. They may come for our guns and people may die. They may come for our homes - the recent attack on the Michigan Amish, and the talk about outlawing single-family homes in the name of climate change -- and that would certainly cause a ruckus. If the deep-state criminals are finally arrested and tried, the left will go ballistic and our cities will become battlegrounds. Thirdly, we have to talk - to everyone we can reach -- and spread the truth because the media wont do it. We need to spread the political truth and we need to be open, willing, and ready to spread the truth of God, because without His guidance and power we are truly doomed. We are up against a gargantuan propaganda machine -- the media, the churches, the schools both public and private, the arts, and corrupt corporations are all aligned against us, but, God willing, we can prevail. Our Founders didnt stand a chance against the British, but they won. God was willing. Our Lady of Perpetual Impeachment needs to be sent packing. Lord Lies-a-Lot needs to be indicted, along with dozens of other treasonous swamp-dwellers. Our schools need to be set free from national and statewide meddling. Dozens of federal agencies need dismantling. Wed be better off without the Federal Reserve. The border needs closing, the mentally ill need to be cared for, the opioid crisis needs addressing. We have huge problems that require the attention of intelligent, hard-working, selfless people and if we choose badly, any one of these challenges, and a dozen more, could sink this ship of state. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a debate on the government's 2019 budget during a parliament session in Madrid on February 13, 2019. Spain's Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez failed on Sunday in a first attempt to get parliament's backing to form a government, leaving him two days to secure support to end an eight-month political gridlock. Sanchez has been acting prime minister since a first inconclusive election in April and November did not produce a conclusive result. He needed an absolute majority of at least 176 votes in his favour in the 350-seat house to be confirmed as prime minister but failed to get it. He obtained 166 votes in favur and 165 against, with 18 abstentions, while one lawmaker did not attend. On Tuesday, Sanchez will only need a simple majority - more "yes" than "no" votes. He is likely to get that after securing a commitment from the 13 lawmakers of Catalonia's largest separatist party, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), to abstain. Earlier this week, Socialist Party leader Sanchez and Pablo Iglesias, head of the far-left party Unidas Podemos, restated their intention to form the first coalition government in Spain's recent history. The two parties together have 155 seats, short of a majority, so Sanchez is reliant on the votes of small regional parties. In a sign of how close the race could be on Tuesday, a member from the small regional party Coalicion Canaria, Ana Oramas, voted against Sanchez instead of abstaining as her party had agreed on Friday. During Sunday morning's debate, Sanchez stressed that a Socialist-Podemos coalition would take a progressive approach. Sanchez and Iglesias have said they will push for tax hikes on high-income earners and companies and also intend to roll back a labour reform passed by a previous conservative government. The morning was marked by tension during the speech of Mertxe Aizpurua of pro-independence Basque party EH Bildu. Aizpurua called the conservative and right wing parties People's Party, Vox and Ciudadanos "Francoists", a reference to late dictator Francisco Franco, and criticised the Constitution and King Felipe. She was met with boos and shouts of "murderers". A British couple in the United Kingdom forgot their two alpacas in a Travelodge car park located in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire in England, leaving them stranded for eight hours. The two alpacas named Ant and Dec were part of a show that took place in the month of August. The owners left them behind in a trailer while they went out shopping. However, when they returned, they headed back home, forgetting about their two animals. Couple forget Alpacas in the car park According to reports, the English couple realised that they had left behind Ant and Dec while they were on the motorway. However, the employees at the Travelodge took care of Ant and Dec till the time the rightful owners returned. A representative of Travelodge, Shakila Ahmed, said that the couple had gone to the town to shop, had lunch, headed back home; they realised that they had left behind Ant and Dec only after they had travelled some 30 odd miles on the motorway. Shakila further added that the staff had to take care of the Alpacas to make sure that they did not go through any trouble. Read: Animals At Mogo Zoo Rescued By Staff Amid Raging Bushfires In Australia Read: Animals At Guwahati Zoo Are Beating The Cold With Heaters And Paddy Straws According to reports, employees across 571 Travelodge hotels had come across various things placed under the lost and found category. For example an Aston Martin, a gingerbread village and a celebrity autograph book. Shakila also said that wedding props such as a flower wall, palm trees, a 5ft floral unicorn, and a Tiffany ring, have also been found in hotel rooms. Shakila Ahmed said that guests on business stays have also left behind things such as business papers, valueable itemd and lucky charms. She gave an example of a Bonsai tree that had been passed down three generations and a new identity artwork. She went on to say that the reason why people forget to take their things is that they are always in a hurry and do not manage their time properly. Read: 30 Animals Including Chimpanzees, Orangutans Die In German Zoo Fire Read: Here's A List Of Incredible Animals That Broke The Internet In 2019 (With inputs from agencies) Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Chuck Colson used to say that to judge the truth of a worldview, you just follow it to its logical conclusion. And as Apple TVs The Morning Show accurately depicts, confusion is the logical conclusion of the secular demands for sexual freedom. The Morning Show is about a shake-up at a fictitious morning newscast after its male anchor is fired for sexual misconduct. If you hear faint echoes of the Matt Lauer and Fox News scandals, yes, this show is an example of art imitating life. Given the all-star lineup of actors, its not surprising how well-acted the show is. What is surprising is how relatively nuanced it is, especially for a Me-Too show coming out of Hollywood right now. The Morning Shows lead anchor, played by Steve Carell, is unambiguously wrong, but he might not be the only one. The show, like the culture it is vividly portraying, raises more questions than it answers. Can a boss and a subordinate engage in any appropriate romantic relationship? Is flirting always wrong? Does a workplace culture with lewd jokes and accepted promiscuity bear responsibility for victims? If a man cannot use his power to advance his career, can a woman use her body? Lines are drawn and redrawn all over the place, and its all deeply confusing. Our best attempt at a way forward is the new, elevated notion of consent. But what, exactly, is consent? How is it given? What if its given and then regretted? I realize how delicate this is, and Im grateful to have worked in places that have not had to deal with workplace sexual harassment or sexism. I am even more grateful that, as a husband, my wife communicates so well and works so hard to understand me. The problem is that culture-wide, we cant seem to decide what consent is. Planned Parenthood, which, I might add, has a vested interest in promoting promiscuity, says consent is, actively agreeing to be sexual with someone. But what does it mean to be sexual? How does one actively agree? The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, or RAINN, says consent doesnt always have to be verbal. Dartmouth College, in its student policy handbook, says consent is clear, voluntary, and unambiguous agreement. You get the picture. At the root of all of the confusion is the premise that sex is inherently unhooked from marriage. Our culture wants so-called sexual freedom, while also demanding that everyone play by some set of rules we cant nail down and refuse to ground in anything substantial. How can we expect everyone to live by a same standard like consent while rebuffing the very notion of having standards in the first place? The fact is, only marriage is substantial enough to ground any sexual standards that can bring about health and wholeness. Sex is like fire and marriage is like a fireplace. When the fire stays in the fireplace, it brings light, heat, ambiance, and maybe even preserves life. But when the fire jumps out of the fireplace onto the curtains, it instead brings death and destruction. Sex long ago jumped out of the safety of the marriage fireplace, and now we are trying to contain it again. But a fuzzy notion like consent will be about as effective as a fireplace as a cardboard box. Were trying to have it both ways, and its not working. It cannot work. We cant pretend to be liberated from limits and then erupt in self-righteousness when someone crosses a line. But theres also good news here. Our collective reactions are revealing that there is a law written on our hearts and its not some arbitrary standard. God didnt design sex to be between one man and one woman because Hes mean. He did it to protect men and, especially, women. It protects us because thats how He made us. Healthy marriages offer a wider, life-giving context for consent: the up-front commitment to anothers best, the joining of families, the constant mutual giving of self to another, and a union that God both recognizes and celebrates. That context has no substitute, not in cohabitation, not in bosses using power over subordinates, and certainly not in hookups even if consent is unambiguously given. Reducing sexual ethics to something as downstream as consent leaves it alone on an island, without any mechanisms of virtue or safety to support it. Left alone with only our egos, brute strength, and unrestrained passion only guarantees that pain, emptiness, and abuse will inevitably follow. Thank God for His brilliant design. Bengaluru: Nobel laureate Ada E. Yonath on Saturday lamented that scientists at the Indian Science Congress got neither a medal nor a meal from the Prime Minister. Prof. Yonath has attended five or six editions of the congress, and each time saw the Prime Minister honour scientists with a medal and a lunch or dinner. I think thats the major difference I noticed this time, she said. The laureate said the success of an ISC ought not to be based on how many Nobel winners attended or how many did not. Were just guests. How many of us come or dont come should not be your (the media's) measure. Instead, how many Indian scientists are working or coming out with new and inspiring ideas should be your yardstick, she said. Speaking very highly of the late G.N. Ramachandran, Prof. Yonath said that though he was her competitor, the depth of his wisdom on science was admirable to her. I have been a regular visitor to India for four decades. This is not a new place for me. I had many fruitful discussions with Dr Ramachandran. We were competitors but that never hindered our relationship. His wisdom and scientific honesty inspired me, she said. Prof Yonath and fellow Nobel laureate Prof. Stefan Hell concurred that governments across the world think alike, and most about short-term objectives. Science can flourish only when freed from red tape, they felt. Answering a question, both laureates said that they look to induct into their teams students with motivation rather than on the basis of nationality. To be selected, a student is required to be highly motivated and curious. It has nothing to do with nationality, they said. However, Prof. Yonath added that of the 100 fellowships given out by her university every year exclusively to Asian students, nearly 80 were from India once. Indian students are doing well at the international level, but that does not mean that I select them based on their nationality, she said. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. By PTI NEW DELHI: The BJP on Sunday claimed opposition parties are spreading confusion over a toll-free number it has issued to seek people's support on the amended Citizenship Act and asserted that it has undertaken a positive exercise to spread awareness about the law. The BJP hit out at opposition parties after several memes and misleading posts emerged on social media about the number (8866288662). Hours after BJP president Amit Shah said rumours were being spread about the number and noted that it belonged to his party and not to Netflix, as claimed in some posts, the party held a press conference to slam those spreading confusion over it. ALSO READ | Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi instigated riots by supporting anti-CAA drive: Amit Shah Noting that vulgar claims are also being made, such as people can speak to lonely girls by dialling this number, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the exercise should not be reduced to ridicule. "Opposition leaders are doing politics over such a positive step," Patra said, adding that the BJP has worked to fix a decades-old issue like citizenship for persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries by enacting the CAA. ALSO READ | CAA: Shah to add zing to Kerala BJP campaign The BJP leader also hit out at Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan over his tweets targeting the Modi government and the RSS. Khan heads country called "terroristan", Patra said, adding that he has been ranting against India and misleading people due to his frustration after surgical strikes. The BJP spokesperson also took objection to Congress leader Rashid Alvi's reported remarks that Modi and Khan have been promoting each other as part of a conspiracy and asked the Congress to explain if this was the party's official stand. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to seek apology from the public for putting anti-citizenship law protesters behind bars without thorough investigation. She dubbed it as "highly shameful and condemnable". "In Uttar Pradesh, especially in Bijnor, Sambhal, Meerut, Muzzafarnagar, Firozabad and other districts, innocent people have been sent to jail for protesting against the CAA/NRC without an investigation. This issue has also been raised by the media and is highly shameful and condemnable," the BSP national president said in a tweet in Hindi. Accusing the Yogi Adityanath led government of jailing anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protesters without any proper investigation, she asked them to seek an apology from the public. Her statement comes in the backdrop of a local court granting bail on Saturday to social activist Sadaf Jafar and former IPS officer S R Darapuri, besides 13 others arrested in connection with anti-CAA protests in Lucknow. Mayawati also demanded financial assistance to those killed in the protests. Officials maintain that 19 persons died in clashes during the widespread protests across the state in December, though opposition parties claim a higher toll. Mayawati also demanded immediate release of the innocent people and urged the state government to provide "justifiable" financial assistance to the kin of those who have died during the protests. Around 1,200 people were arrested and 5,558 kept in preventive detention following clashes during the protests, officials said. The party chief said a BSP delegation will meet UP Governor Anandiben Patel in Raj Bhawan here on Monday and submit a memorandum seeking a judicial inquiry into the clashes that took place in the state. The Act 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. It has been called discriminatory as the legislation excludes Muslims from the three countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi also said administrative and punitive action would be taken against officials if they refuse to carry out the NPR Patna: Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi has said the updating process of the National Population Register (NPR) will be carried out in the state from 15 May to 28 May this year, notwithstanding the West Bengal and Kerala governments' decision to put the exercise on hold in their respective states. Bihar senior BJP leader also said administrative and punitive action would be taken against officials if they refuse to carry out the NPR. "The NPR process in 2020 will be carried out between 1 April to 30 September in the country. In Bihar it will be done between 15 May and 28 May", Sushil Modi told reporters on Saturday. The process of preparing NPR began in 2010 during the UPA regime which was completed between 1 April to 30 September that year, he said. The Centre is "updating" the NPR 2010 in 2020 just before the 2021 census, Bihar deputy chief minister said. "NPR and NRC are two different things", he said. He also dared West Bengal and Kerala chief ministers, Mamata Banerjee and P Vijayan respectively not to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the NPR if they can. No state including West Bengal, Kerala, Rajasthan can refuse to implement the CAA or NPR as the Centre has the power to bring legislation over citizenship. Preparing NPR is a statutory provision which no state can refuse to implement," Sushil Modi added. KAMPALA Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament, Betty Nambooze has taken a swipe at NBS Television accusing the station of turning around stories to suit your strategy of drawing us into controversies. Nambooze, who is the spokesperson of Dr Kizza Besigyes self-styled peoples government, has in a social media dossier pinned the acting Head of News at NBS Television Dalton Kaweesa of using his position to spin around stories. Nambooze says on Saturday January 2020 at press conference held at her home announced that she will not seek re-election for the Mukono District Democratic Party office, a position she has held for ten years. She, however, claims that NBS Television has since changed the storyline to report that shes leaving her position because of disagreements in her party (The Democratic Party). I understand you had a meeting where you agreed to use newsrooms to spin around stories by the opposition to incite members from the different forces of change to conflict with each other, she alleged. She also accuses NBS Television of cutting out parts interviews with an aim of biasing the listeners. On Thursday, I had a live show and calmly and respectfully gave my predictions on opposition politics in the new year. You cut out parts of the show and used a girl named Josphine Namakumbi to voice it and bias the listener. You plotted (you Kaweesa) and got a comment from the PP [People Power] spokesperson after misleading him that I had attacked PP, she wrote. With this you came up with a forged story that Peoples Government and People Power are at War! You have gone ahead to use the NBS logo to publicise fake stories of me attacking Hon Bobi [Wine], things I have said anywhere. Of course you were able to fool many of our supporters and you are now enjoying the conflict as our people move down to tier each other. After that a story that has created a war between People Power and Peoples Government you are now at it again! Good enough I received a warning from one insider that there is a project which you Kaweesa is part of to draw Nambooze into controversies as a strategy to keep the opposition conflicting. Nambooze also says Kaweesa while still the Red Paper wrote that she was suffering because she abandoned her true father in misery. In the same period, when Nambooze was arrested alongside Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga and Busiro South MP Medard Ssegona and taken to Bundibubyo, she says the same Kaweesa photoshoped photos of her husband hugging women and he wrote a story slandering him. All this Kaweesa you did to divert peoples mind from the torture I, Hon Ssegona and Owek. Mayiga were going through and the attack on Buganda Kingdom by the junta. After all these years,I expected you to be a changed journalist. When I saw you wedding someones daughter,I thought you had grown up.Unfortunately you are becoming worse! My Kaweesa, I want to remind you that we resolved that in this 2020 Double Action year you push me,I will push you back. You are pushing me. Dont complain when we decide to push back. Related Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, January 5, 2020 12:30 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320e23e6 1 National Iran,embassy,US,air-strikes,Iraq Free The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran has issued a letter urging Indonesian citizens in Iran to take precautions following United States air strikes in Iraq, one of which killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. Avoid places which are crowded or prone to conflict as well as places suspected to be targets, the embassy said in a statement on the Foreign Ministrys website. Only bring necessary items and prioritize your and your familys safety in the event of an evacuation. The statement also urged citizens to remain vigilant and stay in contact with other Indonesians in the region. The US announced on Friday that it had killed a top Iranian general the commander of the Iranian Quds Forces in a strike on Baghdad's international airport, in which the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force was also killed. AFP reported that the US had launched another air strike in Iraq on Saturday. Indonesian citizens in Iran can contact the embassy through 24-hour hotlines at 09129632269, 09378132531, 09120542167 and 09120368594 or the embassys office at 021-88715558 or Wisma Indonesia at 021-22937305. (kmt) Dehghan said Iran would retaliate directly against U.S. "military sites." The military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader said Sunday that Tehran's response to the killing by the United States of its most influential general will "for sure be military." Read alsoReuters: Trump vows to hit 52 Iranian targets if Iran retaliates after drone strike In an exclusive interview with CNN in Tehran, the adviser Maj. Gen. Hossein Dehghan made the most specific and direct threat yet by a senior Iranian official following the killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad. Dehghan said Iran would retaliate directly against U.S. "military sites." Dehghan is a former defense minister and is now the main military adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He told CNN that reprisals would come from Iran itself, not its allied militia in the region. "It might be argued that there could be proxy operations. We can say America, Mr. Trump, has taken action directly against us so we take direct action against America." Express News Service By High-end streetwear and luxury footwear may have dominated the fashion world in 2019, but luxury fashion is taking off to new places in 2020. Global fashion platform Lysts report for this year, which analysed data from more than six million products, 12,000 stores, global media coverage and social media mentions, predicts that luxury fashion will take inspiration from countries and galaxies far away. Here, according to Lyst, are the four trends set to dominate, all mostly influenced by upcoming events around the world. Space fashion: In the coming decade, NASA plans to land humans on the moon, detect quakes on Mars and defend Earth from deadly asteroids. Moon Express is also planning to send a lunar lander to the moon and SpaceX is also developing the Dragon 2 capsule, both slated for 2020. Lyst is forecasting that these ventures will fuel a rise in space-inspired fashion, from holographic outfits to space-suit outerwear. Japanese influences with Tokyo hosting the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games during the summer, Lyst expects influences from the famed bold Harajuku street style and contemporary Japanese labels. Though Japanese brands have long been reluctant to branch outside of Japan, theyre finally expanding into new markets, especially the UK. This is happening because the world is catching on to Japanese culture and trends due to the upcoming Olympics. Oversized handbags While the average worldwide handbag surface area shrank by 40 per cent in 2019, fuelling a trend in mini-bags, Lyst predicts that the extra-large bags that dominated the 2000s will make a comeback in 2020. Harpers Bazaar and Elle are also forecasting a big bag resurgence in spring 2020, as oversized totes and hobo bags both made an appearance on the runways. Political fashion From Brexits presence in London fashion labels to headlines examining politicians sartorial choices, the past few seasons have seen many political fashion statements. And as the US enters 2020 with the presidential election on the horizon, Lyst expects more politically inspired fashion to continue into the new decade thats reflective of global and cultural tensions. He has spent his life dedicated to animal conservation. And Robert Irwin - the 16-year-old son of late 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin - became emotional on Monday while discussing how the Australian bushfires have affected native wildlife. Appearing on Sunrise alongside his mother, Terri, the teenager fought back tears as he described the injuries sustained by animals due to the fires. 'We're absolutely heartbroken': Robert Irwin, 16, fought back tears on Monday as he and his mother, Terri, spoke to Sunrise about the injuries suffered by bushfire-affected wildlife Robert looked upset as he spoke about animals dying from smoke inhalation and burns, as well as those being killed by cars while escaping the flames. 'It's definitely an ongoing issue and we're just trying to do our best to help in any way we can,' said the award-winning wildlife photographer. 'But it's a pretty tough situation. We're absolutely heartbroken,' he added, his eyes welling up with tears. Anguished: Robert looked upset as he spoke about animals dying from smoke inhalation and burns, as well as those being killed by cars while escaping the flames It comes after Robert's sister, Bindi, 21, shared an emotional message about the bushfires to Instagram last week. 'With so many devastating fires within Australia, my heart breaks for the people and wildlife who have lost so much,' she wrote next to a photo of her late grandmother, Lyn, and father, Steve. 'I wanted to let you know that we are safe. There are no fires near us @AustraliaZoo or our conservation properties,' she added. Continuing his father's legacy: Robert has spent his life dedicated to animal conservation Bindi, who is engaged to former professional wakeboarder Chandler Powell, 23, said that the wildlife hospital is 'busier than ever' amid the bushfires. 'Our Wildlife Hospital is busier than ever though, having officially treated over 90,000 patients,' she continued. 'My parents dedicated our Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to my beautiful grandmother [Lyn]. We will continue to honour her by being Wildlife Warriors and saving as many lives as we can.' By Jessica Jones and Jesus Aguado MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez, seeking parliament's backing to form a government, pledged to resolve the Catalan dispute through dialogue as he received renewed support from separatists in the restive region. As Sanchez set out his priorities on Saturday in an attempt to end several months of political gridlock, he assured lawmakers that neither Spain nor its constitution would break. "What is going to break is the blockade of a progressive government democratically elected by the Spanish people," Sanchez told deputies in opening remarks as he kicked off several days of debates and votes in parliament. Earlier this week, the Socialist Party leader Sanchez and Pablo Iglesias, the head of the far-left party Unidas Podemos, restated their intention to form the first coalition government in Spain's recent history. Since the two parties together fall short of a majority with 155 seats in a 350-member parliament, victory for Sanchez hinges on the votes of small regional parties. Catalonia's largest separatist party, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), on Saturday confirmed it would abstain rather than vote against Sanchez in the second and decisive vote on Tuesday. The party's support had been called into question by a last-minute decision by Spain's electoral board on Friday to block ERC's jailed leader Oriol Junqueras from becoming a member of the European Parliament. The board also decided to strip the head of Catalonia's pro-independence regional chief Quim Torra - an ERC ally - of his position as a regional lawmaker. On Saturday, the leader of the conservative People's Party (PP), Pablo Casado, said Sanchez should ensure the decision to unseat Torra in Catalonia was enforced. "Surrendering to the worst radicals may make you prime minister, but you will not be able to govern," Casado said during the debate. Story continues Tensions over Catalonia highlight the struggles a Socialist-led minority government would have to pass legislation as it would depend on the support or abstention of small regional parties with competing agendas. A few hundred people joined a rally in Madrid on Saturday calling for a "united Spain" and the leader of the far-right party Vox, Santiago Abascal, demanded Torra be arrested. Meanwhile, the Catalan parliament was due to convene for a special session following the electoral board decision. Sanchez said he wanted to resume dialogue over Catalonia's future rather than hammer out the dispute through Spain's courts, but said he would address the issues within Spain's constitutional framework. The constitution prohibits regions from breaking away and the Catalan independence drive, including a banned referendum in 2017, has triggered Spain's worst political crisis in decades. Among his priorities, Sanchez mentioned increases in corporate tax, more worker-friendly labor legislation, fighting climate change and gender equality. He pledged to lift the minimum wage to 60 percent of average national wages by the end of the government's four-year term. Sanchez is not expected to win the first confidence vote on Sunday, in which he would require an absolute majority of 176 members among all 350 lawmakers in the Spanish parliament. But he aims to win a second vote on Tuesday which would only require him to obtain more votes in favor than against. (Reporting By Jesus Aguado and Jessica Jones; additional reporting by Belen Carreno; editing by Ros Russell) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:45:13|Editor: zh Video Player Close NAIROBI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. army said Sunday it has kicked off identification process to establish the number of soldiers who may have been injured or killed in the daring dawn attack at an airstrip in coastal Kenya by al-Shabab terrorists. The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) which oversees American troops in Africa, however, said that initial reports reflect damage to infrastructure and equipment, reiterating the attack was repelled by U.S. and Kenyan forces. "An accountability of personnel assessment is underway. As additional facts and details emerge, we will provide an update," said the U.S. military in a statement issued in Nairobi. The U.S. army confirmed that Manda Bay Airfield which has been in use by both Kenyan and U.S. forces since 2017 has been cleared but not fully. "Working alongside our Kenyan partners, the airfield is cleared and still in the process of being fully secured," it said and slammed multiple press releases issued by the militant group exaggerating the security situation on the ground. This practice, Africom said, has proven commonplace for this terror organization but admitted that the security situation at Manda Bay is fluid. "Al-Shabab resorts to lies, coercion, and the exertion of force to bolster their reputation to create false headlines," said William Gayler, Africom director of operations. Gayler said it was crucial to counter al-Shabab where they stand to prevent "the spread of this cancer." The Somali militants launched an attack on Sunday morning at the Manda airstrip which is adjacent to Camp Simba military base where U.S. forces provide training and counter-terrorism support to East African partners. Meanwhile, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) which had earlier canceled all flights to Lamu until further notice following a botched dawn attack by al-Shabab militants said it has lifted the suspension, allowing normal operations to resume. "KCAA wishes to notify aviation stakeholders and members of the public that after the early morning incident in Lamu County, the temporary closure of Lamu Civilian Airstrip operated by KAA has been lifted allowing for normal operations to resume," said Gilbert Kibe, KCAA director-general in a statement. American colleges and universities are increasingly discussing the idea of reparations linked to their historical ties to slavery. Until now, schools have created monuments, changed building names and issued public apologies instead of providing money. But Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and two other colleges recently announced financial commitments to people whose ancestors were slaves. The year 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first slave, in what is now the American state of Virginia. The United States has been discussing reparations since slavery officially ended in 1865. But there is increasing attention to the slave economy wealth of American colleges and universities. Jeffrey Clinton is a student at the University of Buffalo in New York. He said he thinks colleges should admit to their historical ties to slavery. But he also thinks the federal government should take the lead on an issue that reaches well beyond higher education. It doesnt have to be trillions of dollars ... but at least address the inequities and attack the racial wealth gap between African Americans and white Americans and really everybody else, because this is an American-made institution. We didnt immigrate here, said Clinton, whose ancestors were slaves. A majority of Georgetown undergraduate students voted in April to pay an additional $27 a semester as a Reconciliation Contribution. The money would support projects in poor communities where some descendants of slaves sold in 1838 live today. The 272 slaves were sold to help pay Georgetowns debts. Georgetown President John DeGioia announced a university-led reparations effort in October. His goal is to raise about $400,000 from donors to support projects like health clinics and schools in those same communities. At least 56 universities have joined a University of Virginia-led group called Universities Studying Slavery. The schools aim to explore their ties to slavery and share research and suggestions for how to settle the past wrongdoing. In recent years, some schools, like Yale University, have removed the names of slavery supporters from buildings. New monuments have gone up at other places, including Brown Universitys Slavery Memorial sculpture and the University of Virginias Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, which is still being built. In September, Virginia Theological Seminary announced a $1.7 million fund in recognition of slaves who worked there. It said the money would be used to support African American clergy in the Episcopal church and programs that promote justice and inclusion. The Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey followed with a $27.6 million fund, after a historical study found that some of its creators used slave labor. Its president, M. Craig Barnes, said the seminary would not avoid addressing difficult truths about its history. In an October letter to Harvard Universitys president, Antigua and Barbudas prime minister noted the developments at Georgetown and the seminaries. Gaston Brown asked the school to consider how it could amend for the oppression of Antiguan slaves by a slave owner whose gift supported a law professorship in 1815. Harvards president answered with a promise that the school would explore its historical ties to slavery. People have also urged the University of Buffalo to consider the beliefs and actions of its founder, Millard Fillmore. As Americas 13th president, Fillmore signed the Fugitive Slave Act to help slave owners reclaim escaped slaves. Students at the University of Buffalo have not officially raised the idea of reparations, a school spokesman told The Associated Press. But students did lead a discussion on the issue as part of Black Solidarity Week last month. Few Americans support reparations. A recent public opinion study showed that only 29 percent of those questioned said the government should pay reparations to descendants of enslaved black people. University of Buffalo associate professor Keith Griffler specializes in African and African American studies. He said he sees the beginning of a movement at schools of higher learning. Griffler said, The conversations, just acknowledging these kinds of things...I think would go a long way toward making students feel that at least their voices are being heard. Im Caty Weaver. And I'm Ashley Thompson. Quiz - American Schools with Historical Ties to Slavery Consider Reparations Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. __________________________________________________ Words in This Story reparations - n. money that a country or group that loses a war pays because of the damage, injury, deaths, etc., it has caused monument - n. a building, statue, etc., that honors a person or event commitment - n. a promise to do or give something address - v. to give attention to (something) inequity - n. lack of fairness gap - n. a difference between two people, groups, or things institution - n. a custom, practice, or law that is accepted and used by many people undergraduate - adj. used to describe student at a college or university who has not yet earned a degree reconciliation - n. the act of causing two people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement descendant - n. someone who is related to a person or group of people who lived in the past sculpture - n. a piece of art that is made by carving or molding clay, stone, metal, etc. fund - n. an amount of money that is used for a special purpose conversation - n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people : the act of talking in an informal way acknowledge - v. to say that you accept or do not deny the truth or existence of (something) The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Saturday announced the immediate review of electricity tariffs in the country from January 1. The order was issued to the 11 electricity distribution companies (DISCos) on December 31, 2019, but published on the Commissions website on Saturday. Signed jointly by the Chairman of the Commission, Joseph Momoh, and the Commissioner for Legal, License & Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, the order was titled December 2019 MYTO Minor Review Order for the 11 DISCOs. The various tariff reviews for all categories of consumers except those consumers classified as residential (R1) ranged from 59.7 per cent for consumers in Ikeja to 77.6 per cent in Enugu. Under the new order, electricity consumers in Ikeja who used to pay about N13.34 per kWh since under the 2015 MYTO when the last review was carried out will from January 1 this year pay N21.80 per kWh, same as their R2 counterparts. Their counterparts in Enugu who used to pay about N17.42 per kWh will, under the new order, pay about N30.93 kWh from January 1. Their R2 and R3 counterparts who paid about N19.31 and N27.11 per kWh since 2015, will now be paying N34.28 and N48.12 per kWh. Residential (R2) and R3 consumers in Ikeja, who have been paying N13.34 and N26.5 per kWh since 2015, will now be paying N21.30 and N21.80 per kWh. Residential consumers are those categorised as those using singe phase and three-phase meters and electricity consumption of about 50 kWh in premises with flats exclusively for residential purposes. The affected DISCos include Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and Yola Electricity Distribution Company. The order, the Commission said, supersedes other orders issued on the subject matter, and shall take effect from January 1, 2020. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Mourners flood the streets as multi-city funeral of top military commander assassinated by US begins. Tens of thousands of mourners clad in black have filled the streets of Mashhad and Ahvaz to pay their respects to Qassem Soleimani, the countrys most powerful and revered military commander who was assassinated by a US air strike in Iraq. Soleimanis remains were flown to the southwestern city of Ahvaz early on Sunday, two days after his killing triggered a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Several others were also killed in Fridays strike on a convoy at Baghdad airport, including the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. In live footage aired on Sunday on Iranian state television, tens of thousands of mourners marched through Ahvaz holding up portraits of Soleimani, seen as a hero for his role in the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and for spearheading Irans Middle East operations as chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corpss (IRGC) overseas forces. The footage showed crowds thronging Mollavi Square with flags in green, white and red depicting the blood of martyrs men and women weeping as they beat their chests to the sound of chants. The body of Soleimani arrived Sunday in Iran to throngs of mourners [Morteza Jaberian/Mehr News Agency via AP] Authorities plan to take Soleimanis remains to the holy city of Mashhad later on Sunday, as well as Tehran and the holy city of Qom on Monday, for public mourning processions, then to his hometown of Kerman for burial on Tuesday. Al Jazeeras Dorsa Jabbari, reporting from Mashhad, said mourners have gathered at the Imam Reza shrine where Soleimanis coffin would later be displayed. He is highly revered and loved. Many people say they cant believe hes gone. The whole country is in mourning, Jabbari said. Aside from the grief there is a lot of anger and frustration. Iranians want their government and their military to respond. They want revenge. Trump threatens to hit 52 Iranian sites The assassination of Soleimani marks the most significant escalation in tensions between the US and Iran in recent years. The friction is rooted in the 2018 US decision to pull out of a nuclear deal signed in 2015 between Iran and world powers. The landmark accord is likely to further unravel as Tehran is expected to announce as early as Sunday that it will take another step away from it in the wake of Washingtons withdrawal and reimposition of punishing sanctions. Following Soleimanis assassination, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of harsh revenge as he called for three days of national mourning while Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tehrans response to the killing would be long and drawn out. Though it is unclear how or when Iran may respond, any retaliation is likely to come after the mourning period ends. Luciano Zaccara, research coordinator in Gulf politics at Qatar University told Al Jazeera he believes Iran will not leave the death of Soleimani unpunished as he is a popular political figure in Iran. The leader and everybody inside Iran already promised that his death will be avenged; it would very difficult to believe that nothing is going to happen, Zaccara said. Iran has been bragging about their capacity to mobilise other groups outside Iran Syria, Lebanon, Yemen. Having in mind the attack was conducted inside Iraq, [I assume] that the main target would be American interests in areas where there are American and Iranian troops like Syria or Lebanon or Iraq. US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites very fast and very hard if Iran retaliated and attacked US citizens or assets. Meanwhile, the US has dispatched another 3,000 troops to Kuwait, the latest in a series of deployments in the region in recent months. In Iraq, where three days of mourning have also been declared, security forces were on high alert, according to Al Jazeeras Osama Bin Javaid. Reporting from Baghdad, Bin Javaid said the burial of al-Muhandis would take place in the southern city of Najaf. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Iraqis marched on Saturday in several cities to mourn al-Muhandis and Soleimani. In the evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdads heavily-fortified Green Zone near the US embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighbourhood and two more were fired at the Balad airbase north of the capital, but no one was killed, the Iraqi military said in a statement. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. When regular post-holiday traffic patterns resume in Metro Detroit on Monday morning, drivers may encounter a new slow-down. They can blame the so-called green ooze that ran down and embankment and broke through a retaining wall on eastbound I-696. That happened in late December, when one eastbound lane was closed between Couzens and Dequindre in Madison Heights, just east of I-75. That lane remains closed as state and federal officials continue their investigation, and traffic also is being diverted from the Couzens exit. We expect to see more back-ups/delays once Monday ... traffic volumes increase when people go back to work, said Diane Cross from the Michigan Department of Transportation. The green ooze was identified as a chemical mix that includes the cancer-causing hexavalent chromium along with trichloroethylene (TCE) and cyanide. Officials said its coming from the former Electro-Plating Services buildings on 10 Mile Road, just yards from the highway. The chemical flow launched an emergency investigation, led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and assisted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. That work continued into this weekend, with at least 11,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater removed from the embankment and the lower level of the former plating facility. The state closed the business in 2016 after decades of chemical mismanagement, while federal prosecutors tried the former owner, Gary Sayers. He was sentenced to prison in 2019 and told to pay $1.4 million in restitution. As of Jan. 3, 25 wells for testing were drilled on and near the site. That data will also help analysts evaluate the contamination, said Jill Greenberg of EGLE. EPA officials said they are expediting test results, which Greenberg said should be known in mid-January. Additional testing and investigation are likely, she added. EGLE also sampled water where the affected sewer system surfaces at Bear Creek to determine levels of contaminants entering the creek. That water eventually flows into the Clinton River and then Lake St. Clair. Those results should be available late this week. Chemicals tested for include hexavalent chromium and other heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and cyanide. So far, none have been detected from the flow in drinking water intakes. While defining and containing the contamination is the major focus of the site, blocking public access became part of the hazmat response. Concrete barrier walls and barrels were brought in to block the far right lane, the shoulder and ramp to Couzens, Cross said. This was to ensure that no-one would drive through or around the barrels. Minor driver delays were reported on January 2, as many Metro Detroiters whod been off work for the New Year holiday returned to work. That mostly was at the merge site where northbound I-75 NB 75 comes into eastbound I-696, where drivers encounter the MDOT barrels leading up to the shoulder and warning signs. Timing for the duration of the lane closure remains undetermined. A group of seven people were forced to take refuge on the roof of their car after they became stuck in crocodile-infested waters in the Northern Territory. Video footage captured the terrifying moment tourists were left stranded in the middle of Cahills Crossing, a popular spot in Kakadu National Park, notorious for saltwater crocs. The group were attempting to cross the road in their little Holden Astra, when the water reached just above the vehicle's tyres causing it to stall halfway through. Scroll down for video A group of children and adults were forced to take refuge on the roof of their car after they became stuck in crocodile-infested waters at Cahills Crossing Fearing for their safety, the passengers immediately exited the car and took to the roof. Alf Lang, who had been fishing with his girlfriend Charlie Maltezos nearby, rushed to find help but could not locate a park ranger. Help finally arrived when a contractor who was working in nearby Gunbalanya came across the car and towed it back to safety with his Isuzu ute. Mr Lang told the NT News it was 'lucky' he and the contractor were around otherwise the family would have been left to fend for themselves. 'They were only 2ft from the water and if a big croc had of come it would have plucked them off,' he said. Mr Lang warned tourists about crossing the road when flooded because crocodiles are always lurking nearby. Cahills Crossing, a popular tourist spot in Kakadu National Park, is teeming with saltwater crocs The scenic road is known to attract hundreds of tourists each year, including dozens of bold drivers who attempt to make the daring journey across. However, many are typically able to get across in 4WDs. In September, one a tourist was left in a terrifying situation after their car became surrounded by more than 30 saltwater crocodiles. The car was forced to come to a complete stop for more than two minutes and wait for the reptiles to move off the road. Operations manager at Kimberley Off-Road Adventure Tours Lucy Periton told Daily Mail Australia at the time it's not unusual to see the reptiles sprawled all over the road. Confession is good for the soul. So let me start off by stating plainly: at face value, I was a carpetbagger. It's undeniable. Born and raised in Kent County, Delaware (technically a Union state, albeit a border one), with a newly minted teaching degree in hand, I took a position at Central High School in Woodstock, instructing Shenandoah County's young people in both American government and foreign language. I refused to call the Civil War either the "War Between the States" or the "War of Northern Aggression." It took me three years to correctly pronounce Staunton and Maurertown. And to this day, I still disdain the Confederate flag, all the while acknowledging its display as a matter of free speech. But unlike the carpetbaggers we see infiltrating our community today, who arrive with a desire to conform others to their supposedly heightened sense of rightness and superiority, I came for quite another reason: I was a political refugee. Delaware comprises only three quite divergent counties: rural and agriculturally right-leaning Sussex, suburban center-right Kent, and urban left-wing New Castle. Because the population of New Castle greatly overshadows that of the other two combined, its voters control the outcome of most statewide and federal elections, marginalizing the inhabitants of the other two. Local taxes enacted in New Castle made property more costly and encouraged its liberal inhabitants to relocate farther south. But rather than learn from their mistakes, they brought their tax policies with them. As a result, with every passing election, I'd see taxes rising and freedom constricting. Therefore, despite my love of the First State, I made the decision to move to the Valley not because I knew better (I didn't) or perceived them as needing my Northern sensibilities (which I didn't possess) to modernize their supposedly backward ways (which weren't), but because it offered the freedom I was looking for. To maximize that freedom, I would need to conform myself to the Valley, not the other way around. The story of America is people leaving what they've known for the hope of something better. But this past election, and the corresponding fallout related to the 2A Sanctuary movement, shows that there is a contingent of new residents who have come to our slice of heaven not to contribute to or glean from its already sound cultural fabric, but to reform it into a satellite outpost of Northern Virginia and the other "enlightened" centers from which they originate. Like the carpetbaggers of old, they've come as malevolent missionaries of social reconstruction, intent on colonization. Reading the comments of defeated leftists is quite telling. District 3 BoS candidate Coe Sherrard was quoted on the Shenandoah County Democrats Facebook page on 11/06/2019 as having said, "The outward push from the metropolis near us is unavoidable and unstoppable. The 'deplorables' in our county know this...and they hate it...but in our lifetime...they will be politically outnumbered. You and our collective group of educated, intelligent, economically successful friends who already live here are sort of the 'pioneers' in advance of this imminent movement." He later backtracked, stating that this was a private correspondence to a friend and supporter not meant for public distribution. Not that he no longer believes this...he just regrets you knowing it. The Shenandoah Democrats have continued their vitriol, stating on 11/27/2019, "The majority of ShenCo [may] want 2nd Amendment resolution. The majority supported slavery, and Hitler. That doesn't make it RIGHT." In other words, not only are modern-day supporters of the Constitution appallingly lumped together with the Nazis and slaveholders of previous generations, but the will of majorities is apparently irrelevant if it gets in the way of their we-know-better agenda. It must be great being so "educated, intelligent, [and] economically successful" that you know what's best for everyone. Our community is not perfect, and like all places, it has skeletons that it has fought hard to overcome. Through decades of internal change, it is a welcoming, honest, multicultural melting pot of a diverse and hardworking citizenry. It has not only tolerated this former carpetbagger, but embraced me, resulting in my decision to make it my permanent home and contribute to its already strong institutions and traditions. If Northern Virginia is so great, please stay there. If it's everything you think Shenandoah County should be, why leave in the first place? There are others, like me, who came here precisely because of what it is, not in the hopes of making it a mirror image of the places we left. Image: Karen Nutini via Wikimedia Commons. A new report has suggested some uncertainty around the property market in Dublin. Today's Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide shows property prices in the city are expected to rise by 1.6% in 2020. The European Union has urged the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to come Brussels to discuss a "de-escalation of tension" in the Gulf after a US air strike killed Iran's top general Qassem Suleimani. In a telephone call, the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell invited Javad Zarif to Brussels for talks on how to diffuse the situation. Borell warned that a regional political solution was the "only way forward", and underlined "the importance of preserving" the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The phone call came as Tehran announced it would finalise a new retreat from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), on Sunday night. Since the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018, Ian has overstepped four stages deal, including a cap on 300 kilogrammes of enriched uranium stockpiles, and a 3.67 percent enrichment level limit. 'Mongol invasion' Meanwhile, Iran summoned the Swiss envoy to Tehran to complain about US President Donald Trump's threats of targeting Iranian cultural sites. Switzerland represents US interests as Washington does not have an embassy in the country. Trump on Twitter threatened to hit 52 targets within Iran including sites "important to Iran & the Iranian culture" if Tehran retaliates over the killing of Quds Force chief Qassem Suleimani. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi compared Trump's remarks to "the Mongol invasion or the actions of terrorist and criminal groups in the destruction of cultural and historical sites which is considered a war crime and another breach of international law. US troops forced to leave Iraq? The US assassination of Soleimani risks to backfire as Iraq's 329 seat Parliament is set to vote on Sunday in an emergency session on the 5,200 US troops stationed in the country. It will need a minimum of 165 votes to pass a resolution to terminate the 2008 Status of Forces Agreement, which would end security cooperation with Washington within Iraq. Kurdish and Sunni parliamentarians are likely to either boycott the vote or vote against the proposal: Kurds because they are heavily dependent on US support, and Sunni's because they fear that the vacuum left by a US pullout could be filled with Iran-backed Shia forces. T ens of thousands of mourners flooded the streets on Sunday as the body of top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani was returned to Iran. Militiamen were among those chanting America is the Great Satan as the commander's flag-draped coffin was carried through south western Ahvaz on Sunday. IRIB news agency posted a video clip of a casket wrapped in an Iranian flag being unloaded from a plane as a military band played. Qasem Soleimani funeral in Iran 1 /24 Qasem Soleimani funeral in Iran An Iranian man reacts during a gathering to mourn General Qasem Soleimani VIA REUTERS Mourners wave flags as they gather during the funeral procession of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani AFP via Getty Images Mourners gather during the funeral procession of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (image), Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and eight others in the Iraqi central city of Karbala AFP via Getty Images Thousands of Iraqis chanting "Death to America" today as they mourned an Iranian commander and others killed in a US drone attack AFP via Getty Images Mourners gather in the Iraqi central city of Karbala AFP via Getty Images Mourners take part in the funeral procession of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani AFP via Getty Images Iranians gather to mourn General Qasem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, who was killed in an air strike at Baghdad airport, in Tehran, Iran VIA REUTERS A mourner holds up a picture AFP via Getty Images Thousands of Iraqis chanting "Death to America" today as they mourned an Iranian commander and others killed in a US drone attack AFP via Getty Images Mourners chant slogans against the U.S. during the funeral of Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani, AP Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the US airstrike near Baghdad's airport AP Mourners carry the coffins of Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani AP Mourners carry the coffin of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis AFP via Getty Images People attend a funeral procession for Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleiman VIA REUTERS An aerial view shows mourners attending a funeral ceremony for Gen. Qasem Soleimani AP Qassem Soleimani and his comrades who were killed in Iraq by a U.S. drone strike, are carried on a truck surrounded by mourners AP Mourners carry the coffins of Iran's top general Qasem Soleiman AP Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport AP The casket was then driven amidst the large crowds on the back of a truck. The mourners beat their chests and chanted "death to America". The body of Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed in the attack with Soleimani, was also flown to Ahvaz. Crowds thronged the streets to mourn the general / VIA REUTERS Later that day, a rocket fell inside Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone near the US embassy, while another hit the nearby Jadriya neighborhood and two more were fired at the Balad air base north of the city. No one was killed, the Iraqi military said in a statement. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. A man holds a picture of General Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis / VIA REUTERS Mr Trump used Twitter on Saturday night to threaten to hit dozens of targets in Iran "very fast and very hard" if it retaliates for the killing of General Soleimani. It raised fears of all-out war after Iran threatened revenge over the Trump-approved attack and as the US sent 3,000 extra troops to Kuwait. Huge crowds turned out for General Soleimani as his body was returned to Iran / VIA REUTERS Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, who had a close personal relationship with General Soleimani, warned of "severe revenge" for the attack. Analysts said Iran might pursue cyber attacks against the US or traditional attacks on US targets or interests in the Middle East. New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), on Sunday, criticised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's tweet on Nankana Sahib gurdwara attack for "discussing more about India", and urged him to provide information on the action taken against the culprit Mohammed Hassan. DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the Pakistan Prime Minister, in his tweet, discussed about India, instead of taking action or registering a case against Hassan. "The Pakistan PM condemned Nankana Sahib incident in his tweet but instead of giving any information on what action was taken against the culprit, he started discussing about India. I want to urge him that he should give information about action taken by his government on the perpetrator and ensure safety and security of the Sikh community in Pakistan," Sirsa said. On Sunday, Khan tweeted: "The major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident & the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims & other minorities is this: the former is against my vision & will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police & judiciary. In contrast, Modi's RSS vision supports minorities oppression & the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police leads anti-Muslim attacks." On Friday, the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib was attacked by a huge Muslim mob while Sikh devotees were stuck inside the shrine. The mob that had gathered outside raised communal and hateful slogans against the minority community and pelted stones on the shrine, videos circulated on social media showed. Pakistani sources said the mob was led by the family of Mohammed Hassan, the man who had abducted and converted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, to protest police action against him. sfm/pgh/ Helping Your Child Succeed Do you have children who can read, but do not enjoy reading, and almost never pick up a book or anything else to read for pleasure? Would your Read more Agra/Mathura Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma and energy minister Sri Kant Sharma attacked opposition parties for false propaganda over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and sought to dispel misgivings and doubts among people. They said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was following the assurances Mahatma Gandhi gave to the minorities and criticised opposition parties for offering sops to those involved in riots. Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma who addressed a gathering in Agra on Sunday, condemned the anti-CAA violence and said while a few people were involved in spreading rumours, the minorities were assured that nothing wrong would be done. He alleged that opposition parties lost their cool because of rising popularity of PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath and organised these riots. Many elected representatives also used inappropriate words. They are offering legal aid to the rioters and assuring pension to those disrupting law and order. However, they cannot succeed as Hindus and Muslims both have understood the plot. This nation is of all communities, he said. At the time of partition, there was violence and temples and churches were burnt. Mahatma Gandhi assured religious minorities facing hardship in nearby countries that they would be treated well in India and this is what prime minister Narendra Modi is doing, he said. The nation was peaceful as prime minister went on fulfilling promises, including that of Ram Mandir and this made the opposition uneasy. Our government is working for all communities whom we assure that CAA is not to snatch anyones citizenship but to give it, said deputy chief minister. In Mathura, energy minister Sri Kant Sharma held chaupal in villages of Goverdhan and spoke to clarify doubts about CAA. He blamed SP, BSP and Congress for misleading the masses on CAA. The Azadi gang of opposition parties is totally exposed and Muslims have refused to fall in their trap. The state government is committed to maintaining law and order and would strictly deal with those causing damage to public property, said Sri Kant Sharma. Caption ::: Deputy Chief Minister addressing gathering in Agra on issue of CAA on Sunday. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 22:57:28|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday spoke with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif, and conveyed to him that New Delhi remained "concerned" about the levels of tension prevailing in the Gulf. During the telephone conversation, the two officials agreed to "remain in touch" as the latest developments took a "serious turn." "Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch," tweeted Jaishankar on Sunday evening. The conversation took place in the aftermath of the escalated tension between the United States and Iran, following the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Quds Force near Baghdad International Airport on Friday. India had called for "restraint." In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian government said that the heightened tensions had "alarmed the world." "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," said the official statement. NATO says it has suspended a training mission for soldiers in the Iraqi army in the wake of the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. (Photo Credit: Twitter) New Delhi: NATO says it has suspended a training mission for soldiers in the Iraqi army in the wake of the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The military alliance said in a statement Saturday that even if the Canadian-led mission is to continue in the future, security concerns for its personnel were paramount. We continue to take all precautions necessary, NATO spokesman Dylan White said in a statement. NATOs mission is continuing, but training activities are temporarily suspended. The Iraqi mission consists of several hundred staff from allied nations and non-NATO countries. General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds force and mastermind of its regional security strategy, was killed in an airstrike early Friday near the Iraqi capital's international airport. Soleimani and Mohandis were killed along with eight others in a precision drone strike early Friday as they drove away from Baghdad international airport in two vehicles. On Friday, Iran unfurled a 'red flag of revenge' on an important mosque in after vowing to avenge the killing of its top general in airstrike by US drones. The red flag was hoisted above the Jamkaran Mosque which is on the outskirts of the holy city of Qom, about 100 miles south of Tehran. In Shiite tradition, red flags symbolise both blood spilled unjustly and serve as a call to avenge a person who is slain. The text on the flag says: "Those who want to avenge the blood of Hussein". The flag can be seen as a clear warning that Iran is getting ready to strike back at America. Earlier, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stressed the "need for de-escalation" after the US assassination of a top Iranian in Baghdad. After meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Brussels, Borrell tweeted: "Spoke w Iranian FM @JZarif about recent developments. Underlined need for de-escalation of tensions, to exercise restraint & avoid further escalation". For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Chief minister (CM) of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, while admitting that the deaths of infants in Kota and other parts of Rajasthan was a serious issue, said the government has been taking corrective measures, which have resulted in a drop in infant and maternal mortality rates in the state. He said the mortality rate in other parts of the country, too, was high and Rajasthan was not among the top 10 worst affected states. Gehlots government has been facing severe criticism for deaths of more than 100 infants in government hospitals in Rajasthan. Gehlots party colleague and deputy CM of the state, Sachin Pilot, too, has taken a potshot at the government saying they cannot escape the responsibility. Speaking to HT on Sunday, during his Mumbai visit, Gehlot said the issue should not be politicised. There were infant mortality cases in Rajkot in Gujarat and Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh too. When Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was questioned about the 1,234 deaths in his state and his own district, he averted the media. I do not want to politicise the issue, but I would request all parties to join hands to tackle these issues. If there are any loopholes and criticism, it should be taken positively to ensure that they are addressed properly, said Gehlot. The Rajasthan CM said neonatal intensive care units were launched in Kota and other parts of the state in 2011, when he was the CM. It has helped us reduce infant deaths. We launched state-of-the-art machinery for medical treatment of patients. We have the best medical facilities in the country. With the recently launched Nirogi Rajasthan scheme, we are augmenting the medical facilities, he said. Gehlot, who met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on Sunday, also said that the formation of the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra has proved to be a setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership. The coming together of the three parties in the state was the need of the hour and was in the interest of India and its stakeholders like industrialists, traders, farmers and the poor. The formation of the government [in Maharashtra] has not only helped the Congress boost its morale across the country, but has also pushed back the BJP on their aim of diminishing others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stopped talking about Congress-mukt Bharat since then. People have started standing by the Congress, which was witnessed during our Bharat Bachao rally in Delhi and in other states on the partys foundation day, he said. Gehlot is believed to have played a major role in the formation of the three-party government in Maharashtra and in convincing the partys high command to join hands with the Sena in the state. The Rajasthan CM said that the BJPs attempt to topple the government will not succeed. The BJP has been exposed fully in the past five years after its attempt to grab power through illicit means in states like Goa and Manipur. They will not succeed in any other state. Maharashtra government will last its term as its in the interest of the state and the country, he said. The Rajasthan CM also said that the Modi government has been trying to divert the issue of dropping gross domestic product (GDP), rising unemployment and poor investment by introducing sentimental issues like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens (NRC). He slammed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stating that it should stop playing an extra-constitutional role to push its Hindutva agenda and instead, enter politics openly. None of the non-BJP states will implement CAA-NRC as these policies are against the fundamental structure of the Constitution, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A law that mandates an automatic job loss for state employees behind on their taxes isnt a good way to collect funds, help employees or stabilize a workforce. An Oklahoma Watch story found that nearly 5,600 state employees 26% more than last year have received a final notice to pay back taxes. By law, employees will be fired if a payment cannot be established. Employees are told they must file taxes, pay their balance or set up a payment plan. But, there are sometimes bureaucratic hiccups. Everyone should pay their taxes. But were confident state employees arent trying to get away with anything. They are likely facing obstacles such as medical debt or a household job loss. Also, mistakes happen, whether at the Tax Commission or in having a wrong address for notification. Advertisement Farmers in southeast New South Wales have lost an estimated 2,800 animals to bushfires since Christmas - but the numbers are likely to rise. The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is providing struggling farmers with emergency fodder and water, animal care, livestock assessment, and stock euthanasia and burial where necessary. DPI state incident controller Karen Roberts urged those affected to register for help via a hotline or the NSW DPI Facebook page. 'Limited access to firegrounds and loss of power and phones in the area mean the full picture of losses and damage will take some time to emerge,' she said in a statement on Monday. The DPI estimates about 3,900 livestock animals have been euthanised or have died in bushfires across NSW this fire season. The figure includes 700 stock killed in the Northern Tablelands, North Coast and Hunter areas before Christmas and 400 stock lost around Lithgow and Bathurst over the Christmas and New Year period. It comes after a shocking video emerged showing the burnt bodies of hundreds of animals lining the road into Batlow, one of the towns worst hit by the weekend's bushfires. Scroll down for video The burnt bodies of hundreds of animals line the road into the small town of Batlow, New South Wales, which was one of the worst hit areas by bushfires overnight As the fire front approached, the sky was filled with orange flames and thick, grey plumes of smoke Pictured: A fire fighter trying to dampen bushes near buildings to avoid any ember attacks catching alight and creating new fires Much of the small town of Batlow near Canberra was decimated when the fire tore through, leaving in its wake scorched earth and destroyed structures A haunting sign of the horror the area experienced on Saturday evening was caught on camera as people returned to the small rural New South Wales town on Sunday. While smoke still fills the air around the famous apple growing community, Batlow Road - the main road in and out of the town - is lined on both sides with blackened bodies of sheep, koalas and kangaroos. 'Absolutely gut wrenching driving into Batlow this morning, never seen anything like it,' ABC cameraman Matt Roberts posted on Twitter. 'Sorry to have to share these images... it's completely heartbreaking. Worst thing I've seen. Story must be told.' Just metres away from the roads lined with marsupials, paddocks are filled with dead sheep. A video uploaded by the Batlow Hotel shows sheep carcasses piled up, where hours earlier they had attempted to break down fences to flee for their lives. Authorities fear dozens of homes could have been lost on the outskirts of town, where 47-year-old David Harrison died defending his friend's home. Mr Harrison died of a heart attack after returning to a car to refill water to help battle the blaze. He had travelled to Batlow from his home in Goulburn to help his friend Geoff battle the blaze. He has been remembered as a hero. Mr Harrison's brother Peter told 9News his brother would 'do anything for anyone'. David Harrison (pictured) has been identified as the man who died helping a friend save his home near Canberra on Saturday night Fire and rescue, as well as waterbombing helicopters, did their best to help out in Batlow on Saturday, but low visibility made it difficult and risky Dozens of homes are feared lost in Batlow. Pictured: A dwelling completely up in flames on Saturday The fire completely scorched the path it travelled, leaving rubble in its place once it finally passed through on Saturday 'He didn't want to leave Geoff on his own. He was just that sort of guy. He would help anyone at the drop of a hat - he would drive hours to help you,' Mr Harrison said. 'He's a hero in our eyes.' Mr Harrison said David and Geoff had planned to evacuate but he believes they were 'overcome with the heat, smoke, exhaustion and running around putting out spot fires everywhere.' A report will be prepared for the Coroner. NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said Saturday was a trying day statewide. 'It was an awful day yesterday. It was a very difficult day,' he told reporters at RFS headquarters on Sunday morning. 'We are getting reports that the property losses, the damage and destruction, is likely to be numbering in the hundreds as a result of yesterday's fire activity and fire spread. 'We're talking a considerable number, a considerable impact.' NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said early indications suggest hundreds of homes were lost across NSW in Saturday's blaze The fires ravaged the small coastal town of Batlow when they tore through on Saturday, destroying nearly everything in their path There were reports of properties being lost in the southern slopes, the NSW south coast and the southern highlands regions. Thirteen bushfires burnt at an emergency level on Saturday. 'That's second only to what we saw a couple of months ago, where 17 concurrent fires were burning (at emergency level),' Mr Fitzsimmons said. Although fire weather eased on Sunday, conditions remained 'volatile' and dynamic at a number of fire grounds, Mr Fitzsimmons added. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said as of Sunday morning there were no people missing in the fires. 'That's a huge relief. Our mission yesterday was to save life. Our mission during the night was to save human life,' she told reporters. With more than four million hectares of land burnt across the nation, there are fears some of Australia's native species could be on the brink of extinction. Authorities previously suggested the fires could have wiped out more than 500million animals. In South Australia, thousands of koalas are feared dead after a wild blaze devastated Kangaroo Island. Burning more than 100,000 hectares of bush, the out-of-control fire could have long lasting effects on the island's population of 50,000 marsupials. Home to just 1,700 people, the fires that hit the small town claimed the life of one man who was trying to help his neighbour defend a property In South Australia, thousands of koalas are feared dead after a wild blaze devastated Kangaroo Island (pictured) Firefighters have spent weeks defending lives and property from the blazes. Pictured: Two firefighters doing what they can to stop the fire in Batlow on Saturday The fire front tore through Batlow on Saturday, a day where authorities were forecasting catastrophic conditions Kangaroo Island's koala populations is potentially the only in Australia not to be infected with chlamydia. Authorities have urged locals not to take injured koalas to the mainland for treatment as they could contract the disease. 'We've received reports that some koalas from Kangaroo Island have been taken to Adelaide by people who want to get help for them,' the Department of Environment bushfire recovery coordinator Brenton Grear said. 'It's understandable and heartening that people want to rescue these animals, but unfortunately it will mean that those koalas can't be returned to the island because of the risk of contamination of the population there.' Zoos Victoria CEO Dr Jenny Gray said it is impossible to know the extent of the damage to Australia's wildlife population yet. 'Across the nation's bushfire-affected areas it is estimated that as many as 500 million animals, including critically endangered species, have already perished in the bushfires,' she said. 'The full impact is impossible to determine at this early stage.' Two staff from Zoos Victoria working at Healesville Sanctuary described signs of hope among the ashes. 'Despite their injuries and trauma, the bravery shown by the koalas and wildlife at Mallacoota is inspiring,' Dr Leanne Wicker said. Dr Wicker is working alongside veterinary nurse Evie Tochterman at the Incident Control Centre established by Victorian government. Army veteran Sgt. Roger Bartlett said on Foxs The Story with Martha MacCallum that the U.S.-ordained extermination of Iranian general Quassem Soleimani comes as retribution. Bartlet, who formerly served in Iraq and was wounded by an Iranian explosive device that left him severely injured and blind in one eye, said he feels no remorse for the death of the high-profile general. All these guys died at the hands of the Iranians in this current regime and some to the Quds Force and Soleimani, at his hands, Bartlett said holding up pictures of his comrades. So for us, its, its retribution. But its finally policies that make sense and protecting the United States and its citizens, and especially its military, who serve in these conflicts, Bartlett added. Bartlet also reassured those who worry about the possible negative consequences of the assault which some have said could pull the United States into a negative spiral of ever-escalating violence. I say we need to send a message. Theyve been sending us a message for years that theyre at war with us. Weve done nothing. Weve sent money. That didnt work. We tried to buy a morality that didnt work. We sent policies out, put sanctions on them, not at the level that theyre at now. But none of those things worked, Bartlett said. So how many times you got to stick your finger in this light socket before you realize it shocks you? There are plenty of good Iranians, Bartlet said. You just get rid of this regime. It would be wonderful if we can do that, Bartlett said. And if we can support those locally who are willing to live in todays society without terrorism, thats great. Trump Ordered Military Attack on Iranian General Qassim Soleimani to Protect US Personnel 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 Department of Defense confirmed that the U.S. military killed the Iranian regimes top military general Qassim Soleimani (or Qassem Soleimani) at the direction of President Donald Trump. 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. 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. Epoch Times reporters Mimi Nguyen Li and Melanie Sun and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 04:10:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close AMMAN, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The state-run National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) said Sunday importing gas via Noble Energy was the last available option for the company, the state-run Petra news agency reported. The company said its debt hits 5.5 billion dinars (about 7.8 billion U.S. dollars). The company's Director General Amjad Rawashdeh said the disruption of the Egyptian gas supply to Jordan had forced the company to look for alternatives from neighboring countries through pipelines, adding that the Israeli gas was the "only choice available due to regional circumstances." Hundreds of Jordanians took to the street on Friday to demonstrate the start of imports of natural gas from Israel into the country. The deal will meet 40 percent of Jordan's gas needs and save about 600 million dollars every year, according to NEPCO. Under the agreement, 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. GORAKHPUR: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday lashed out at the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) for backing the anti- Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protesters and misleading the minority by spreading lies about the new citizenship law. Without naming Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, the CM said that a woman Congress leader was standing by those who created ruckus. He also attacked SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for his promise to provide pension to kin of victims of violence. A Congress leader is standing by those who tried to damage public property and set it afire. Congress leaders are doing photo sessions with rioters. Also a man who held a constitutional position (Akhilesh) talks of providing pension to them. Will this money for pension come from his father and forefathers? Is this politics of appeasement above national security ? he said while addressing a meeting of prominent people in support of CAA at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University. Calling on people to support the government in checking lies being spread by the two parties on CAA under a conspiracy to stop India from becoming a super power, the CM said the Congress had committed a sin by agreeing to partition of India on the basis of religion in 1947. The Congress should welcome Prime Minister Modi who cleaned up its sin of partition by brining CAA, he said amid applause . To back the CAAs provision of giving refuge to non-Muslim minority from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Yogi cited the example of India-based dalit leader Jogendra Nath Mandal, the first Pakistani law minister who returned to India following harassment in Pakistan. It was the Congress who made Jogendra Nath Mandal lose the election from Mumbai in 1946. Later, Baba Sahab BR Ambedkar vacated his Kolkata seat for him . Misled by Jinnah, Jogendra Mandal chose to go to Pakistan where he became the first law minster. But due to continuous harassment of dalits, backwards and minorities, he came back to India and died here in oblivion. Notably, lakhs of Hindus lost their lives in partition and harassment of minorities did not stop in Pakistan despite the Nehru-Liyakat Pact. Today, the CAA is needed as genocide of minorities is continuing in Pakistan, Yogi said, adding that the population of minorities in India had risen by 6 to 7% since Independence while population of Hindus in Pakistan had declined to just 1% from 23 % and in Bangladesh to 7% from 30% . Condemning attack on Nankana Saheb in Pakistan, Yogi said that since Independence Sikhs, Hindus, Parsis and Christians were murdered and their women raped while religious places like temples were targeted. In India, there are lakhs of mosques, thousands of churches,and gurduwaras where people pray without any fear and the government gives them protection. But in Pakistan, Nankana Sahib is attacked and people are not allowed to perform puja in a temple since 1947 , he said. Dear Amy: I went on a date with a co-worker some weeks ago. We both had a great time, and he suggested a second date the following weekend. I waited for a text to set something up and when nothing came by Thursday, I decided to text him. We agreed to do something Sunday, but Sunday came and went and I got radio silence. I texted him on Monday, saying it's too bad we never got together, and he responded back a few hours later with, "Yeah, I should have let you know I was spending time with my family." We had a company-wide holiday dinner where it was very obvious that he was avoiding me at all costs, yet texted me as soon as he left, claiming he didn't know I was there. I suddenly realize that as a woman, I was doing all the pursuing and he was basically sitting back and letting it happen. He was always so sweet when we crossed paths at work, so this ghosting took me by surprise. He is a few years younger than I (he's 23 and I'm 27), but he acted so mature before all of this happened. I know now that he is too emotionally immature for me, but I really want to ask him why he did that, and let him know how much it hurt me. I think I need closure. Should I pursue closure from him? -- Confused Dear Confused: I struggle to see what, exactly, closure would look like for you, because so far -- you have pursued him, and he has deferred and dodged you. This behavior might be embarrassing for you, but please do not let this rise to the level of being hurt. He is merely revealing himself. He is not into you, but he hasn't figured out how to be a grown-up about it. Do you really need to confront him? This one-date relationship doesn't seem to warrant it. He might be an adequate work friend, but he is not boyfriend material for you. This is as much closure as you're going to get, and you should not pursue him for more, because, in doing so, you could affect your own professional experience and standing at work. It's fun to crush on someone at work, and -- unless your company has a strict policy against it -- the office can be a good place to find a potential partner. But what you're dealing with now (wringing your hands over this nonstarter) is why companies sometimes frown on inter-office romantic relationships: they lead to drama. Dear Amy: My husband and I are in our mid 30s and have been together for eight years. We are happily childless, by mutual agreement. I work as a genetic counselor at our local children's hospital and occasionally a family asks if I have kids of my own or what decision I would make for my own child. Each time I say I don't have children the family appears sad or disappointed. A few families have asked me WHY I don't have any, and this trips me up. Amy, there is a laundry list of reasons why we don't want or have kids, but it would be offensive and irrelevant in my position to share. It's also none of my client's business. Recently, a family shared with me that one of their doctors was childless and so they felt like she wasn't as good of a doctor to their child. Now I want to hide that fact about myself because perhaps families will think I'm not as good of a counselor to their child. Is there a nice, easy phrase at work I can use when families ask me if and why I don't have kids? -- E Dear E: The families you are working with are vulnerable and sharing deeply personal information with you. Perhaps this is why they are leaping over boundaries while they are with you. A polite, crisp and professional answer from you might be: "We're not here to talk about me. We're here to talk about you. Let's get started and focus on your case, OK?" Dear Amy: "Dismissed and Invisible" stated that she is routinely interrupted during conversation. I wonder if Dismissed is one of those people who rambles on and on, where people can't get a word in edgewise without interrupting? I wish you had suggested this. -- Conversationalist Dear Conversationalist: Rambling is a definite possibility. I agree that "Dismissed" should review her own speech patterns. (You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.) COPYRIGHT 2020 by AMY DICKINSON. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. Read more advice: Ask Amy: Separated soulmates are eager to connect Dear Annie: Looking to hop off the hamster wheel Dear Abby: Children cut off stepmother with dads power of attorney Pakistan is yet to pay its share of USD 5.10 lakh for the construction of the South Asian University (SAU) campus in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs has said in a written response submitted to a parliamentary committee. A report by the parliamentary committee said that from 2010 to 2014, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri lanka made their contribution in the operational cost of the first phase of construction of the varsity campus. "Pakistan is yet to pay its share of USD 510,436," the report mentioned. SAARC member nations agree to bear the operational cost The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member nations had agreed to bear the operational cost of the construction of the SAU campus with a predetermined share of contribution. According to the parliamentary report, the Government of India had notified 100 acre land for the SAU in Delhi's Maidan Garhi area in 2009, of which 93.68 acre was allotted for construction in September 2011. The Ministry of External Affairs has the proprietary right to this land, it said. READ | After Attack On Gurudwara, Sikh Youth Killed In Pakistan's Peshawar The construction of the varsity campus in 4 packages began in 2015. The construction of its boundary wall and office was completed under package one, the report said. It also stated that in package two, five buildings were to be constructed in the campus and work on four of these was completed by September 30, 2019. The ongoing construction of a residential block in the SAU campus will only be completed by February 2020 as the work got delayed by 19 months due to legal hurdles, the report added. Under package three, 61 per cent work was completed till September 30, 2019 and the construction of rest of the buildings under package 4 is yet to be completed as several issues related to acquisition and legalities are pending, it said. READ | MEA: India Condemns Targeted Killing Of Sikh Community Member In Pak's Peshawar The MEA told the committee that the delay in the project was mainly due to land encroachment, court cases, and a few objections from Delhi Jal Board, Municipal Corporation and Delhi Pollution Control Committee. The parliamentary committee has asked the Union government to resolve the issues hindering the construction work. According to the report, due to slow pace of the construction work and deduction in the operational cost, the allocation estimate was reduced to Rs 246 crore. The committee also expressed hope on the project, saying it believes the remaining work will be completed in a time bound manner. READ | Pakistan Supports US Over Airstrikes In Exchange Of Military Cooperation: Report READ | Pak Parliament Likely To Pass Bills Concerning Services Chiefs' Tenure On Wed (With PTI Inputs) Photo: GoFundMe A fundraiser has been launched for a Vancouver taxi driver who was killed in a car crash on Dec. 29. Sanehpal Singh Randhawa was driving a Yellow Cab with two passengers in it when, police say, he was struck by a car2go vehicle around 3:30 a.m. at the intersection of First Avenue and Renfrew Street. Police said it appears that the car2go smart car may have T-boned the taxi after it ran a red light. Randhawa was pronounced dead in hospital, while the driver of the other vehicle, a man in his 20s, remains in hospital with serious injuries. The two passengers in the taxi were also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said investigators believe alcohol and speed were factors in the collision. According to Randhawa's friends, the incident occurred on his last trip of the night to New Westminster. Friends of the 28-year-old have launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for his immediate family in their time of loss. They note that the funds will be used however the family sees fit to remember their loving son/brother. "Sanehpal was a loving son, brother and friend. Friends and family would describe him as kind, caring and humorous. He was a hard-working individual, always trying to make a better life for himself," reads the page. "Sanehpal would go above and beyond for the ones he loved, and was always willing to offer help whenever needed. He was currently working seven days a week, as he was looking forward to moving into his first home in the beginning of the New Year. While living on his own in Canada since 2010, Sanehpal was looking forward to finally being reunited with his family in 2020. "With his whole life still ahead of him, Sanehpal's life got taken away too soon." Deputy Tourism Minister, Dr Iddi Ziblim 05.01.2020 LISTEN The Deputy Tourism Minister, Dr Iddi Ziblim says government was taken out of context when it said that the sector has generated $1.9 million. He said this was misconstrued to mean government has said the Year of Return has generated $1.9 billion for the country. In an interview with Joy News Raymond Acquah, the Minister explained that the quoted amount represents the contribution of the entire tourism sector to the economy and not just receipts from the Year of Return initiative. If you take Ghanas GDP [Gross Domestic Product], and you calculate 3 to six 6 per cent of it, you are most likely, to get around the figures that the Minister talked about. So the Minister was not saying that the Year of Return alone has brought $1.9 billion to our economy. She meant this was what the entire tourism sector has generated, he stressed. His comments follow an analysis by the Vice President of Imani Ghana, Bright Simons disputing the claim of the Tourism Minister, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi and describing it as unrealistic. Mrs Oteng-Gyasi speaking at a ceremony at Anomabo to inaugurate a tourist centre in December 2019 revealed the country has raked $1.9 billion through the Year of Return programme. Clarifying the issues, the Deputy Minister argued that the Year of Return has been the centre of the tourism sector. If she was being interviewed about the Year of Return and she mentioned that figure, she was probably talking about the entire tourism sector because the Year of Return has come to touch every facet of this sector, he stated. President Akufo-Addo launched the Year of Return in Washington, D.C., in September 2018 for Africans in the diaspora, to unite with their brothers and sisters on the Africans continent. At that event, President Akufo-Addo said, We know of the extraordinary achievements and contributions they [Africans in the diaspora] made to the lives of the Americans, and it is important that this symbolic year, 400 years later, we commemorate their existence and their sacrifices. Since this initiative began many African Americans have made their way into the country to learn more about their history. Steve Harvey, Nicole Ari Parker, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Diggy Simmons, Micheal Jai White, and Bozoma Saint John have been among a host of celebrities to have spent a significant amount of time in the country. Myjoyonline.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:23:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China Central Committee has issued a regulation for the work at primary-level Party organizations of Party and state organs. The 43-article regulation have specified issues including the setup of primary-level Party organizations in Party and state organs, their primary duties, political building of the Party, Party member education, intraparty democracy and oversight, as well as organizational leadership and guarantee. The revision and implementation of the regulation are of significance in improving the Party building, promoting governance and advancing the development of all causes in Party and state organs, as well as in upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance. The new document is a revised version of regulations made public in June 2010. A man has been released on bail after being arrested in connection with the crash that killed Belfast schoolboy Eoin Hamill. Police said that the man had been released on bail pending further enquiries. The 13-year-old Colaiste Feirste pupil and amateur boxer died on Friday following a collision between the bicycle he was riding and a car on the Springfield Road in west Belfast. Chief Inspector Chris Hamill said police wanted to issue a fresh appeal for witnesses to the collision. I want to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who was in the Springfield Road area between 4.15pm and 4.45pm on Friday and who witnessed this collision, or who may have captured dash cam footage, to get in touch with us on 101, quoting reference number 1302 of 03/01/20. DHS Says No Specific Credible Threat From Iran But Warns of Potential Cyberattack The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf on Jan. 4 issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) bulletin following the killing of top Iranian military official General Qassem Soleimani by U.S. forces in Iraq. Wolf said that the DHS doesnt have information about any specific, credible threat to the United States at this time but warned that Iran and its partners, such as Hizbollah [also spelt Hezbollah], have demonstrated the intent and capability to conduct operations in the United States. The bulletin cites the killing of Soleimani by the United States during a lethal airstrike on Jan. 3 as the catalyst for increased threats of retaliation from Iran, but said that the department is taking proactive measures to ensure that such an attack does not occur under its watch. Soleimani was killed near Baghdad International Airport during the airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump following months of attacks by the Iranian-backed militias on American forces in Iraq. At this time there is no specific, credible threat against the homeland, said Wolf. The Department issued this bulletin to inform, share protective measures, and reassure the American public, state and local governments, and private sector partners that the Department of Homeland Security is actively monitoring and preparing for any specific, credible threat, should one arise. The Department is operating with an enhanced posture and various operational components are taking protective measures where prudent and necessary. We have been in constant communication with Congress and interagency partners. Wolf added that the American people should feel assured the entire Department is working for them to keep them safe. Elsewhere, the bulletin cited Irans cyberwarfare capabilities, adding that the country can execute cyber attacks against the United States and is capable, at a minimum, of carrying out attacks with temporary disruptive effects against critical infrastructure in the United States. Despite its reassurances, the bulletin added that an attack on the United States may come with little or no warning. Leave Notice On Friday, the State Department urged U.S. citizens to leave Iraq immediately after the Pentagon confirmed that Trump had ordered the airstrike that killed General Qassem Soleimani. Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately, the department tweeted. 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) The embassy also warned U.S. citizens not to approach the embassy in Baghdad after dozens of protestors stormed the building on Jan. 2 in retaliation to the U.S. airstrikes launched on targets of the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia, killing 25 people and wounding 55 more. The United States called the strikes defensive and said they were in response to the firing of 30 rockets by pro-Iranian Iraqi militia that killed a U.S. contractor. Meanwhile, Trump warned Iran not to attack any Americans or American assets on Saturday night after senior Revolutionary Guards commander, General Gholamali Abuhamzeh, threatened that 35 vital U.S. targets were within reach for the Islamic republic. President Donald Trump delivers remarks following the U.S. Military airstrike against Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq, in West Palm Beach, Florida on Jan. 3, 2020. (Tom Brenner/Reuters) Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters, Trump wrote on Twitter. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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! the president added. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 02:13:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- A group of people on Sunday staged a demonstration in front of the U.S. consulate general in Istanbul over the killing of a senior Iranian commander in an American airstrike two days ago. The demonstrators gathered outside the compound, located in the Istinye neighborhood on the European side of Istanbul, chanting "Down with America, Down with Israel!" They hung up portraits of Major General Qassem Soleimani on a wall in the street, and some were seen kissing the portraits of the former commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, who was killed on Friday in a U.S. drone strike at Iraq's Baghdad airport. The U.S. strike has dramatically escalated regional tensions, with Tehran vowing revenge for Soleimani's death. Vienna, Jan 5 : Austria's Greens voted to join coalition government at a party congress in Salzburg. 93 per cent of delegates supported the coalition agreement with the conservatives. It cleared the way for the formation of the new coalition government next Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported. "I will do what I can," said Werner Kogler, leader of the Greens, in a first statement to respond to the result. It was the last hurdle that Kogler had to overcome to seal the coalition with the conservative People's Party led by Sebastian Kurz. According to the party's statutes, the majority of delegates must agree before the government can be formed. A total of 272 delegates attended the Federal Congress and voted on the government agreement. The staff list of the Greens in the government was also approved during the conference. Austria's conservatives and the Greens agreed to form a coalition government on Wednesday, ending almost three months of negotiations. The agreement means Austria will have the left-wing Greens in government for the first time. From jumping bail and fleeing to Lebanon to be met with an arrest notice from Interpol, Carlos Ghosn's escape from Japan has been worthy of a Hollywood plot. Here's what we know about the former Renault-Nissan boss's flight: Hid in an audio equipment 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 telephone interview, adding that he had had no direct contact with Ghosn since he left Japan. A surveillance camera at Ghosn's 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 Osaka's Kansai Airport in western Japan on December 29 to Istanbul. It is thought he then flew from there to Beirut. It is not clear how he got past Japanese customs. The Wall Street Journal reported that he was sneaked onto the flight from Osaka in a large case for audio equipment, which was later found at the back of the cabin. The newspaper cited unnamed sources close to the investigation in Turkey that holes had been drilled into the bottom of the case to ensure the businessman could breathe. 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 5:15 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 DHA. Ghosn said in a statement on Thursday that he acted alone without his family's help. The Wall Street Journal reported that he was assisted by a former US special forces operative, Michael Taylor, now working as a private security contractor, who it described as an "expert in the art of clandestine getaways." According to the Journal, the Turkish investigation showed that Taylor and another man had travelled from Dubai to Osaka aboard a private jet on Saturday, a day before Ghosn made his escape, and that the pair were travelling with two large black cases. 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. 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, 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. 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. Search Keywords: Short link: Driving without insurance is never a good option. It will cost you a lot of money and even your freedom. Get car insurance quotes online and look for cheap coverage, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. Compare-autoinsurance.org has released a new blog post that explains the penalties for driving without insurance. For more info and free quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/penalties-for-driving-without-insurance/ Carrying active auto insurance is mandatory for every person driving in the United States. Failing to oblige the laws will determine the authorities to take action and apply a series of penalties. Before dropping coverage, it is wise to check cheaper alternatives. Driving without insurance is never a good option. 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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://compare-autoinsurance.org 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... Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion curated for you. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Stop preaching sermons: Govt on targeted killing of Sikh man in Pakistan India on Sunday strongly condemned the targeted killing of a minority Sikh community member in Pakistans Peshawar. Read more. If you have suggestions: Arvind Kejriwal reacts to Amit Shahs abuses Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday responded to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union home minister Amit Shahs charges of not doing enough for the Capitals development with a request. Read more. No grounds to keep Chandrashekhar Azad in jail, send him to AIIMS immediately: Priyanka Gandhi Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday lashed out at the Centre for its policy of oppressing dissent as she demanded the transfer of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad to a hospital. Read more. Anand Mahindra posts pic of pure veg restaurant menu, but theres a twist The internet is a treasure trove when it comes to churning out pictures of bizarre and weird restaurants and food menus. A recent tweet by business tycoon Anand Mahindra is a hilarious addition to the pile. Read more. Deepika Padukone on birthday: Ranveer Singh always does something special, we make sure we spend quality time with each other It seems to be a great time for Deepika Padukone. The actor is not just celebrating her 34th birthday on Sunday but is also awaiting the release of her film. In an interview, the actor shares that she is not a big birthday person, but she does not mind the frills which come with the occasion. Read more. Suhana Khan, Virat Kohli, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan: Best and worst dressed celebrities this week Its the first week of January, and we spotted several celebrities looking super fancy as they rang in the new year with their celebrations. Heres a look at this weeks best and worst dressed celebrities. Read more. You are here: World Flash China will play a constructive role in maintaining peace and security in the Middle East and the Gulf region while remaining objective and fair, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday. Wang made the remarks during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. The dangerous U.S. military actions violated the basic norms of international relations and would aggravate regional tensions, Wang said. He voiced China's opposition to the use of force in international relations, saying military means only lead to a dead end and maximum pressure will get nowhere. China urges the United States not to abuse force and calls for dialogue to seek solutions to problems, he said. For his part, Zarif briefed Wang on Iran's position regarding the attack on a senior Iranian commander. The Iranian foreign minister strongly condemned the U.S. brutal act, which he said would bring severe consequences. Iran has sent a letter to the UN secretary-general and hopes that China will play an important role in preventing the escalation of regional tensions, said Zarif. 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. You Might Also Like The extreme cold weather of the past few weeks has adversely affected crops said the horticulture department. After they detected signs of late blight in potato in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur, the department has issued an advisory to farmers in the region to save the remaining crop. The crop would have been ready for procurement in February, but farmers say that about 20% of the crop is affected by the disease in the region which is a major producer of potatoes in the state. Interestingly, signs of late blight in potato were noticed in those fields where farmers utilised the stubble instead of burning it, said an agriculture officer. Yugraj Singh a potato grower in Jalandhar said most farmers are now a worried lot. He said most of his crop has been affected by the disease and the infection occurred mostly where he decomposed the stubble in his field. Weather conditions in the past few weeks were conducive for the attack of this disease, which if not checked, can spread quickly. It may affect crop yield even more in the coming days. High moisture content due to the cold led to the infection, while stubble buried in the field added to the cause, said the deputy director horticulture department, Naresh Kumar. He added that potato has been sown on about 1 lakh hectare24,000 hectare in Jalandhar and 15, 000 hectare in Hoshiarpur in the state. And as of now, more than 10% of the crop has been affected in the region, he said. The first symptoms of late blight appear as small, light to dark green, circular or irregular-shaped water-soaked marks, after which these lesions expand rapidly into large, dark brown or black lesions. Farmers have been advised that if they detect the symptoms of the disease in their crop, they must spray fungicides Ridomil Gold or Curzate M-8 or Sectin 60 WG 700 gm per acre, or Equation Pro 200-250 ml per acre and later indofil M-45/ Antracol/Kavach-700 gm per acre, which may be repeated at an interval of 10 days, he said. The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has also sounded an alert in the state and has asked farmers to take measure to control this disease. The disease is caused by water-mould Phytophthora infestans and it is quite common in humid regions with low temperatures, while hot and dry weather checks its spread. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ranian Foreign Ministry has already initiated political, legal and international measures related to the consideration of the murder of Suleimani UN Security Council Reuters Iran would bring the issue of U.S. assassination of the General Qassem Suleimani to the UN Security Council. This was announced at a briefing by the official representative of the Iranian Foreign Ministry Abbas Mousavi, Interfax-Ukraine reports. "The Iranian Foreign Ministry has already initiated political, legal and international measures, including these at the level of the UN and Security Council," Mousavi said. General Qassem Suleimani was killed on January 3 by order of US President Donald Trump as a result of a missile strike at Baghdad International Airport. Soon, in his statement Trump called Suleimani "the number one terrorist in the world." Related: Iran promises to avenge United States for assassination of General Suleimani Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif announced the beginning of the end of the U.S. presence in the Middle East after the elimination of Iranian General Qasem Suleimani. The corresponding statement in response to the words of Mike Pompeo regarding the gratitude of Iranians for the liquidation of General Suleimani was published on Twitter. "The end of the U.S. malign presence in West Asia has begun," Zarif wrote. Related: Iraqi parliament demands withdrawal of US-led international coalition forces A sweet, warm campaign As the Delhi elections approach, ticket aspirants have started making their bid to woo voters with some unusual gifts. One such leader, the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJPs) Azad Singh, has jaggery and calendars what one would argue are perfect baits, given that the New Year has just kicked in and the weather has been at its coldest in the past fortnight as gift ideas. These articles are packed in a cloth bag (the material is important because say no to plastic is embossed on it) that has a phone number printed on it. Last ... The Government has urged Iraq to allow UK soldiers to continue the fight there against the so-called Islamic State terror group, after its parliament called for the expulsion of foreign troops. The bill passed on Sunday, in the latest reprisal following the US killing of Irans top military general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, was not legally binding. Some 400 UK troops are stationed in Iraq in the fight against IS, while the US has 5,200, prompting fears of a withdrawal that could cripple the battle against the terror group. Protesters demonstrate in Tehran (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP) The Ministry of Defence was understood to be awaiting the decision of the Iraqi government before acting over the soldiers, based there as part of the US-led coalition. A UK Government spokesman said: The coalition is in Iraq to help protect Iraqis and others from the threat from Daesh (Islamic State), at the request of the Iraqi government. We urge the Iraqi government to ensure the coalition is able to continue our vital work countering this shared threat. In response to the killing of Gen Soleimani on Friday, Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said the parliament could end the presence of foreign troops or restrict their mission training local forces. He backed the first option. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had spoken to him on Sunday morning in the wake of the killing of the head of the elite Quds Force, who masterminded Tehrans security strategy in the region. Mr Raab was defending the US over Donald Trumps decision to launch the drone strike, which has raised fears of all-out war. He accused hardliners in Tehran of nefarious behaviour, described General Soleimani as a regional menace and said the United States has the right of self defence. But his call for the pursuit of a diplomatic route to bring Tehran in from the international cold came as Iran accused the US president of breaching international law. Story continues The US will take their own operational judgment call but theyve got the right of self defence, Mr Raab told Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday. So we understand the position the US were in and I dont think we should be naive about the Iranian Revolutionary Guard or indeed General Soleimani. The Foreign Secretary also defended Boris Johnson, saying he has been in constant contact with the Prime Minister who remained in charge throughout his Caribbean holiday during the crisis. But, as Mr Raab was speaking, Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif struck back at the presidents Twitter threat to target 52 Iranian sites very fast and very hard if Tehran strikes US assets. Mr Zarif accused Mr Trump of having committed grave breaches of international law with the killing and of threatening to commit a war crime by targeting cultural sites. Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun, Mr Zarif tweeted. Labours shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry accused the PM of dismissing her concerns that Mr Trump was heading down a dangerous path by working to tear up the nuclear treaty with Iran. With the US sending 3,000 extra troops to Kuwait, she warned of a lurch towards war arising from the presidents reckless decision to kill the general who masterminded Irans regional security strategy. The Foreign Office issued strengthened travel advice to Britons across the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, while the Navy was to begin accompanying UK-flagged ships through the key oil route of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, military chiefs were understood to have ordered 400 soldiers training local forces in Iraq to scrap their duties to switch to force protection to defend themselves and British diplomats from revenge strikes. Mr Johnson was due back in Downing Street on Sunday after celebrating the New Year with in the private island of Mustique with his partner Carrie Symonds. He was to face a spiralling diplomatic crisis and growing criticism for failing to issue a statement over the air strike. Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: Boris Johnson should have immediately cut short his holiday to deal with an issue that could have grave consequences for the UK and the world. Acting Lib Dem co-leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Johnsons silence on Trumps dangerous assassination in Iraq is deafening. Ms Thornberry accused the PM of having other preoccupations as he was sunning himself while Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill chaired Cobra meetings. Undated handout photograph shows the Stena Impero, a British-flagged vessel owned by Stena Bulk, at an undisclosed location, obtained by Reuters on July 19, 2019. (Stena Bulk/via Reuters) Britains Navy to Escort UK-Flagged Ships Through Strait of Hormuz LONDONBritains navy will accompany UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection after the United States killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike, inflaming tensions in the region. Britain was forced to escort its ships through the worlds most important waterway for oil shipments for a time last year after Iranian commandos seized a British-flagged tanker in the Strait. British forces had previously captured an Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar that was accused of violating sanctions on Syria. The killing of Soleimani has raised fears that tankers could be targeted again. British defense minister Ben Wallace said he had ordered the HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare to return to escort duties for all ships sailing under a British merchant flag. Britains Defence Minister Ben Wallace leaves the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, on Oct. 28, 2019. (Hannah McKay/Reuters) Wallace said he had spoken to his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and urged restraint on all sides. Under international law, the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to its citizens, he added. By Kate Holton Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy on Sunday claimed that the incidents of arson and violence during anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests were engineered by 'terrorist' elements from Pakistan and Bangladesh who want to destabilise India. Swamy asserted that the Act has nothing to do with one's religious beliefs and bonafide Indian citizens including Muslims need not worry. Branding those involved in acts of violence during anti-CAA protests as 'deshdrohis', Swamy said "There is a need to catch these people, they have gone against the long established tradition of India for peaceful, non-violent form of protest.... We have started the process of prosecuting those involved in such violence." Karnataka: HD Kumaraswamy slams BJP-led Central govt, calls BSY a 'weak CM' Taking part at a discussion, "Secularism under threat", the former Union minister said previous governments used to cover up incidents of destruction of public property by agitators, while the BJP government is making the arsonists pay from their pockets for the losses.On the CAA, Swamy said, "We haven't said anything against Muslims. We have only said those who have been persecuted for religious reasons, who had been hanging in this country for decades without citizenship, those who have not got cards and jobs.... This state of affairs must end." History can't be structured on foreign accounts of a country: Swamy No Muslims from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh had faced persecution, he said adding that none can take the citizenship of an Indian Muslim. "The only way you can take away someone's citizenship is if you have voluntarily acquired citizenship of another country.... Why not Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will lose their (Indian) citizenship?" he wondered."Some crazy people abroad and some equally crazy people in India" are claiming that the CAA has something to do with religion," Swamy said. In India, "We have been always of the view that we have a spiritual country and we cannot leave out religion and spirituality completely", the BJP leader said. Allaying the fear of those who had migrated from Bangladesh, Swamy said, "Any Bengali who has been persecuted for religious reasons in Bangladesh, will be welcome in our country. But it must be for religious reasons." Asked about the alleged harassment of civil liberty activists such as Arundhati Roy during anti-CAA protests, Swamy said the Constitution guarantees fundamental rights with certain restrictions - if involves issues like sovereignty and integrity of the country and protecting anyone from being defamed. "We are going through due process of prosecution. There are many more prosecutions ahead," he said. Any howls?: Subramanian Swamy cites Hungarian policy on immigration to slam CAA critics Swamy said the most significant step taken so far by the BJP government at the Centre is the abolition of triple talaq and the next big move should be a 'uniform civil code' and "the nation is ready for it" .Going back to the partition days of 1947, Swamy said, "Our country was partitioned so that they (those who left) can live happily there (in the neighbouring country). We did not push them out. But having gone there, you (illegal immigrants) again want to come back. I am saying if you come back bring a portion of land also." He said India should not be treated as a "dharamsala where anyone can come, sit with a chatai (mat) and sleep." Referring to the spat between historian Irfan Habib and Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan during the Indian History Congress at Kannur a few days back, Swamy said "He (Habib) made some nasty cracks. Nasty cracks he made because he is a crackpot." The BJP leader said Khan is his friend and spoke to him a few days ago. "I said you did the right thing by ignoring him. Swamy Digs Up Old Records To Counter Oppn's Accusations Of CAB Violating Art 14 When the Brie Larsen blockbuster "Captain Marvel" rolled out earlier this year, the Air Force launched an all-out recruiting effort, hoping to capitalize on the story of female fighter pilot-turned superhero Carol Danvers. The Air Force placed pre-show ads in more than 3,600 theaters nationwide, bought space at geek hubs such as Fandom.com, and hosted its own press events with Larsen, as well as a red-carpet screening in Washington, D.C. From at least one perspective, the Air Force effort to hitch its wagon to Captain Marvel's star was an unreserved success. An inspirational 30-second commercial titled "Origin Story," timed to coincide with the film's release in March, was the most popular piece of social media promotional content published by any service in 2019, Lt. Col Jacob Chisolm, deputy chief of strategic marketing at the Air Force Recruiting Service (AFRS), told the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) during its December meeting. Related: Air Force Hails Women's Achievements at 'Captain Marvel' Premiere Through paid media promotion, "Origin Story" received 173,000 visits, 11 million views of the video itself, and 200 million impressions overall, according to Air Force statistics. "We couldn't ask for a better movie to do that," Chisolm said. AFRS is currently run by Brig. Gen Jeannie Leavitt, the service's first female fighter pilot upon whom Danvers' character is loosely based. Leavitt was commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, as the movie was filming. "It was a huge success. We had a fantastic media campaign," Chisolm said. But has the movie hype and messaging translated to recruiting numbers? It may be too soon to tell. The proportion of female applicants to the Air Force Academy's class of 2023 will be the highest in the last five years -- 31.2%, according to statistics provided to Military.com. By comparison, 913 men, or 73.5%, and 329 women, or 26.5%, made up the 2019 graduating class. The academy is one of the main accession hubs for the service. "In 2014, the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force set applicant pool goals for all officer accessions sources," Maureen Welch, Air Force Academy director of public affairs, told Military.com via email. "The guidance was used to influence our marketing and outreach efforts." Related: Does Captain Rate Backpay? We Called the Air Force to Find Out So far, the remaining classes have also seen a slight bump: Women make up 28.6% of the 2020 applicant class; 29.3% in 2021; and 30.5% in the 2022 class, according to statistics. Welch said the marketing efforts do not necessarily seek out applicants for a particular class composition, which is why the academy "has not seen an out of the ordinary increase in female applicants, nor female applicants interested in aviation careers" despite the film's debut. The popular movie and Air Force advertising campaign came in the midst of a multi-year effort by the academy to diversify its cadet population. But Marvel did bring more eyeballs to the service's career website during a time of renewed push to inspire young women to join the Air Force's ranks. The Air Force says it capitalized on the opportunity to work with the "Captain Marvel" filmmakers to showcase a leading female aviator, Danvers, who started out as a young trainee only to become a top-notch F-15 Eagle pilot, and ultimately, liberator of the universe. In a round table with reporters at the Air Force Association's Air, Space and Cyber conference in September, Leavitt cited the effect of advertising around Captain Marvel, reporting anecdotally that officials were seeing more interest from women in Air Force pilot careers. "Quite honestly I think it's going to be one of those things that is going to take some time to show, kind of the return on investment," she said. "Because a lot of these people being inspired are kind of high school, college age, where we might not see that for a little while later. ... We do have an increased number of women who want to be pilots. But I don't know if that's because of Captain Marvel. ... I don't know the why behind it." As of July, the Air Force had 778 female pilots, accounting for roughly 6% of the pilot force, according to the Air Force Personnel Center. The "Origin Story" ad used the "Captain Marvel" framework to present real female airmen who "all got their start somewhere." "For us, it was the U.S. Air Force," a group of women say in the commercial. "We're looking for what's going to follow this, but we're going to ride this wave as long as we can," Chisolm said. Other efforts to boost Air Force female outreach in 2019 incorporated Air Education & Training Command's Women's Fly In Conference in Texas; a partnership with SuperGirl Surf Pro, the world's largest female surf event and festival; roughly a dozen regional events with First Robotics to promote women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); and the annual TED Women speakers conference program, a three-day event in which audience goers correspond with female entrepreneurs, creators and leaders in their respective industries. "We're going to try to get involved in everything ... and we're going to do what we can do to get out and make sure we get our message across," Chisolm said. He added that the Air Force's plan is to "jump on the 'Top Gun 2' bandwagon, too," despite the film showcasing naval aviation. "We're not going to let that slide, either," he said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Read more: Pentagon Confirms US Killed Gen. Suleimani, Head of Iran's Elite Quds Force Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 02:49:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close People light candles beside a poster of a top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani during a mourning ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 3, 2020. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua) Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne has called on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation after a U.S. airstrike killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani. OTTAWA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Canadian-commanding NATO mission in Iraq has suspended its training task after a U.S. airstrike killed an Iranian commander, Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported Saturday. A senior Canadian government official was quoted as describing the move as a "tactical pause." The NATO mission run by Canadian General Jennie Carignan is reportedly a "non-combat, advisory and training" mission. The suspension of NATO's training mission, where 253 Canadians are involved, does not affect the U.S.-led Operation Impact where Canada has approximately 600 soldiers servicing in Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan and Lebanon as trainers and advisers, according to the report. Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Friday called on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation after a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, who was commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force. "Canada is in contact with our international partners. The safety and well-being of Canadians in Iraq and the region, including our troops and diplomats, is our paramount concern. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation. Our goal is and remains a united and stable Iraq," Champagne said in a statement. Canada also urged its citizens in Iraq to consider leaving the country in updated travel advisory on Friday after the attack. "This attack has led to increased tensions in the region," the advisory said. "There is an increased threat of attacks against Western interests and of terrorist attacks in general. Consider leaving by commercial means if it is safe to do so." The United States has urged its citizens in Iraq to leave "immediately," following the attack. Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" against the United States for what Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called a "heinous crime" after Soleimani was killed. While his Twitter followers extended support and claimed that the RJD will come to power again, his detractors posted slogans to run him down. Patna, Jan 5 (IANS) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday tweeted to urge the voters to throw Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar out of power in the coming Assembly elections. The former Bihar Chief Minister tweeted in Hindi on @laluprasadrjd: "One is a chameleon, while another is noise-maker; in total, it is a bad rule." #2020RemoveNitish." It got 1.1K retweets and 4.6K likes. #2020_????_????? trended on Twitter with 19.1K tweets. One supporter coined his own slogan: "2020 and Nitish is finished." One user said: "One is a fodder thief and another coal thief. Both have looted the country. #2020Election." One post read: "2020 has started and you have to work the millstone till you are dead. #2020???_??_?????." One user commented: "You don't allow your daughter-in-law to enter your house and agitate to let the Rohingyas enter the country." tsb/dpb The Union women and child development (WCD) ministry has found in a survey conducted in November last year that nearly half of the samples of midday meals that it tested from across 11 states and Union Territories (UTs) did not follow proper nutrition norms, according to officials familiar with the matter. The 162 samples were taken from areas that cater to about 28 million children. In the report, accessed by HT, 79 of these were found to be below the standards prescribed by the Centre under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP). SNP norms cater to three categories of children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, between 3 and 6 years of age, and children receiving pre-school education. Midday meals and free take-home rations are the two kinds of food provided. The survey, one of the WCD ministry officials cited above said, was prompted by the an incident in September last year in Uttar Pradeshs Mirzapur district, where a video of children being served rice and salt as their midday meal went viral on social media. According to SNP norms, take-home ration for children between ages of six months to three years and morning snacks and cooked meals for children between three and six years of age should have at least 500 kilocalories (kcal) and 12-15 grams of protein. The norms stipulate that malnourished children between 6 months and 6 years of age should be given food with 800 kcals and 20-25 grams of protein. States need to spend a minimum of Rs 8 per meal for children between the age of six months and six years, and Rs 12 for malnourished children in the same age group. On November 14, celebrated in India as Childrens Day, the WCD ministry discussed these findings as well as assessments of other schemes with representatives from various states in a day-long meeting at Delhis Vigyan Bhawan. The ministry examined samples from Delhi, Karnataka, West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Meghalaya. Samples were tested by a team from the Centre. Most of them fell foul of the required kilocalories and protein content. Among a host of directives, which include instructions to have proper infrastructure, the Centre has now asked these states to fix the discrepancies. Status reports will be taken up in a review meeting, planned for around March this year. Economist and social scientist reetika Khera, an Associate Professor of Economics and Public Systems at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad said that while 162 samples might not be indicative of the lakhs of anganwadi centres, it points at a problem. It is worth reiterating that the first 1000 days of a child sets their nutrition map for their whole life. The government should systematise auditioning of samples, for greater scrutiny. The budgetary allowance can be enhanced; and states should include eggs as an option for those who eat them, said Khera It comes after a father and son were killed in bushfires on Kangaroo Island They prayed for rain amid the worsening drought and national bushfire crisis They were joined by priest Patrick McInerney, from Christian-Muslim Relations More than 50 Muslim worshipers took to Bonython Park in Adelaide on Sunday A group of Muslim worshipers have come together in a park to pray for rain amid the worsening drought and bushfire crisis. More than 50 men, women and children gathered at Bonython Park in Adelaide on Sunday to ask for rain to be sent to Australia's struggling farmers and victims of the bushfires. Priest Patrick McInerney, from the centre for Christian and Muslim Relations, joined the worshipers for prayer. 'Today I joined with my Muslim sisters and brothers in Adelaide in prayer for rain,' he said. A group of Muslim worshipers came together in Bonython Park in Adelaide to pray for rain amid the worsening drought and bushfire crisis More than 50 men, women and children gathered on Sunday to ask for rain to be sent to Australia's struggling farmers and victims of the bushfires 'My friend, Professor Mohamad Abdalla, gave the khutbah (sermon) emphasising repentance and reliance on God who is Merciful Provider.' The service comes a day after pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his 43-year-old son, Clayton, a surgeon, were killed in bushfires on Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia. The pair had been out fighting the blaze and were returning to a family property when they became trapped. 'We are devastated to have lost two beloved members of our family, Dick Lang and his youngest son Clayton Lang, in such terrible circumstances,' the family said in a statement. The service comes a day after a father and his son were killed in bushfires on Kangaroo Island (pictured), off the coast of South Australia South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said the deaths were tragic news. 'Our hearts go out to the families of those people who have been affected,' he said. 'It really does reiterate the very important message that people listen to the alerts. This a very dangerous situation on Kangaroo Island.' Significant property losses are expected from the fire with many homes and other buildings believed lost along with tourism and other infrastructure. About 500 firefighters will continue to battle the uncontrolled blaze over the weekend, with crews and other resources brought in from the SA mainland. The fire had been burning since late in December but escalated dramatically on Friday when it jumped containment lines during hot and windy conditions. At one stage the entire island was subject to either an emergency warning or a watch and act advice with only the towns of Kingscote and Penneshaw on the east coast considered safe places. By Saturday morning the situation had eased with cooler conditions providing an opportunity for fire crews to work on establishing fresh defences. However, CFS chief officer Mark Jones said it was expected the fire, which had blackened more than 155,000 hectares, would continue to burn for several days. A major earthquake the magnitude of which is still difficult to measure has just shaken Iran and Hezbollah, its Lebanese proxy. The assassination, via a drone strike in Baghdad, of General Kassem Soleimani, head of the al-Quds Force -the elite unit of the Islamic revolutionnary guards corps, who was one of the most powerful men in the Islamic Republic and a pillar of Hezbollah's regional military strategy, will not go without a "fitting punishment", Hassan Nasrallah, the general secretary of the Shiite party, promised. So far, no one knows what the scale, the location, or the nature of the response will be. The key man in the Iranians influence in the Middle East, Kassem Soleimani was in charge of the Islamic Republics external operations, mainly in Syria and Iraq, although his influence in Lebanon was by no means negligible. Considered as the right hand of the Iranian supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, he was the regular link between the latter and Hassan Nasrallah who "considered him as (his) spiritual godfather", according to Fakhr el-Ayubi, the producer and director of a documentary on the life and journey of Kassem Soleimani, which should soon be broadcast on the Qatari channel Al-Jazeera. The two men had known each other for over twenty years, when Hassan Nasrallah was studying in Qom. Kassem Soleimani was in a way his teacher; not only in politics, but also on a personal level, comments Mr. Ayoubi. It was on the basis of this mutual trust and admiration that the bonds between the two men were built, giving rise to military coordination in the region, notably in Syria, a situation that they had been managing very closely since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011. His relationship with Imad Moghniyeh Kassem Soleimani was also close to Imad Moghniyeh, another pillar of Hezbollahs military apparatus, who was assassinated in Syria in February 2008. The two men had very close military ties. During an interview that was broadcast on national Iranian television last September, Soleimani revealed that he had lived through the majority of the war between the Shiite party and Israel in July 2006 alongside Hezbollah. It was thanks to Imad Moghniyeh that he was able to gain access to Lebanon (through Syria) at the very beginning of the war. After Moghniyehs assassination, the al-Quds commander took his son, Jihad, under his wing and made frequent visits to the family in Lebanon before the son was also killed in the Golan Heights in 2015. Imad Moghniyeh and Kassem Soleimani supervised, side by side, the resistance front in the region. They were the ones who coordinated the field operations, said analyst Kassem Kassir, a political specialist close to Hezbollah circles. Hence the frequent visits of Soleimani to Lebanon, which never stopped, even after Imad Moghniyehs assassination. "Kassem Soleimani has never made public appearances in Lebanon, the way he used to do in Syria and Iraq. This would have embarrassed Hezbollah, which would have been forced to face the fierce opposition of a large segment of public opinion, said Hilal Khashan, a professor at AUB and a Hezbollah specialist. Before his assassination on Thursday to Friday night, , Kassem Soleimani was most probably in Lebanon, before heading back to Syria, then to Iraq where he was killed upon his arrival, as several media sources have relayed. While in Lebanon, the Iranian commander is said to have met with Hezbollahs general secretary in order discuss the situation in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. "Very active in the Syrian and Iraqi dossiers, two of which he controlled directly, Kassem Soleimani was less so in Lebanon, insofar as he totally delegated decision-making power to Hassan Nasrallah, in whom he had absolute faith", comments Mr. Ayoubi. "That did not prevent the leader of the Hezb from consulting him from time to time on Lebanese affairs, he said. Escalation? Ever since the announcement of the assassination ordered by US President Donald Trump, the fear of an imminent escalation has been palpable, and questions have risen after calls for revenge by both Tehran and Hezbollah. "Bitter revenge awaits the criminals who stained their hands with his blood and that of other martyrs, said Ayatollah Khamenei on his Twitter account. As for Hassan Nasrallah, who is due to speak on Sunday, in the southern suburbs of Beirut at a ceremony honoring Soleimani, he hinted that the response would most likely come from Iraq. "The esteemed Iraqi people and their resistance factions will show their great and sincere loyalty to these martyred commanders, as well as to all the martyrs and their noble objectives. They will not allow this pure blood to be shed in vain in such an unfair manner, said Hassan Nasrallah, even though he emphasized that responsibility for the punishment shall rest with all the resistance fighters and fighters around the world". An ambiguous message that causes confusion about the involvement of the Shiite party in any possible retaliation, and the location where it would occur. For many analysts, if operations against American interests in the region are to be feared, and likely, it is more difficult to envision a flaring up of the Israeli/ Southern Lebanon front. Lokman Slim, a proclaimed anti-Hezbollah Lebanese activist, does not expect a dramatic reaction as hinted at in the statements of Irans allies. According to Slim, the response "will be minimal", somewhat similar to the reaction to the Israeli drone which, last August, flew over the southern suburbs of Beirut. He believes that no strike against Israel should be expected, knowing full well that "Hezbollahs popular base does not want any more wars". Hezbollah and Iran can no longer afford the expenses of their own political plans and strategies. The assassination of Soleimani has tested the limits of Iranian power and its deterrent force", he adds. Reopening the military front against Israel is unlikely for the simple reason that Kassem Soleimani was killed by the Americans and not the Israelis, says Hilal Khashan. "Rather, I will expect the Iranians to attack American troops and interests in Iraq. For years, there was a tacit agreement between the United States and Iran to coexist in Iraq. Today this deal has been shattered. If Hezbollah were to intervene, it would likely do so away from Lebanon, through its dormant cells overseas", said the analyst. Kassem Kassir also believes that it is in Iraq, where the direct confrontation between Tehran and Washington is currently taking place, that Iran and its allies will respond. According to him, it is extremely difficult to say, however, what impact will the assassination of Soleimani have on Lebanon in the near future. "It will depend on the sizes of both the Americans reaction and its response. No one wants a global war for the time being, but no one can predict whether the consequences of an Iranian reaction will be limited to one geographical location, said the analyst. One thing seems evident: the assassination of the Iranian general should accelerate the formation of the Lebanese government, the outline of which is probably ready. All the analysts agree on the following: more than ever, Hezbollah is in a hurry to see a new government in place, this being a preventive measure intended to close ranks and to cover its back after the great loss that it has just suffered. (This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour on the 4th of Januray) Press Release January 5, 2020 De Lima seeks Senate inquiry into 'Safe Philippines Project' Phase 1 Senator Leila M. de Lima wants to inquire into the implementation of the Phase 1 of the Chinese-funded "Safe Philippines Project" which would install more than 10,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) security cameras in public areas in Metro Manila and Davao City. In filing Senate Resolution (SR) No. 275, De Lima urged her colleagues to look into the initial implementation of the deal between the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the China International Telecommunications and Construction Corp. (CITCC) to ensure protection of national security and State secrets. "Granting a country whose global reputation for its forceful espionage activities has raised worldwide concern, the opportunity to create a surveillance system in our country should raise a red flag for our policymakers to ensure that none of our national interests are compromised by such agreements, particularly our national security," she said. "Commercial contracts with companies whose international operations have put at risk the right of the people to privacy, entails careful scrutiny and utmost diligence in order to prevent abuses and violation of rights," she added. Last year, the Philippine government signed 29 deals with China, including the contract between the DILG and state-owned CITCC for the installation of a ?20-billion network of security cameras in public places around Metro Manila and Davao City. Under the multibillion contract, the Chinese multinational telecommunication equipment and consumer electronics company Huawei will supply the equipment requirements of the multi-billion project called "Safe Philippines." During the 17th Congress, several senators expressed concern over the vetting and approval of the "Safe Philippines Project" they deemed a threat to the country's national security. The project, however, was formally launched in Marikina City last month. The first phase of the project will reportedly use an advanced information and communication technology that will involve video monitoring, multimedia critical communication, information management and command center systems. De Lima, a former justice secretary, maintained that the people's right to privacy requires for a Senate scrutiny into the information sought to be collected through surveillance using equipment sourced from Chinese firms under the questioned project. "The matter of improving the country's technological capability in the enforcement of laws must be put on a scale to strike a balance between gaining technological competence and yielding access to information from our country and our citizens," she said. Cautioning against any deals with China, De Lima cited the contract between China and Zimbabwe for the use of the former's CloudWalk technology for a surveillance program, which was put under spotlight after legal loopholes made it possible for Zimbabwe to share the data of millions of its citizens with China. De Lima said the Senate inquiry is to "determine the extent of these Chinese companies access to information relating to classified information, national security, national defense, military and diplomatic secrets, and other confidential matters of the State." In the 17th Congress, De Lima filed Senate Resolution No. 978 which called for an inquiry into the PhP20-billion loan agreement for the installation of CCTV security cameras in public areas in Metro Manila and Davao City in just 30 months. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the reopening of flight operations at the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) to the general public. Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, said on Sunday in Lagos that the airport was on Saturday night closed due to the fire incident. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FAAN had on Saturday night announced the temporary closure of Port Harcourt International Airport runway following a bush fire incident close to the area. Mrs Yakubu said the airport was reopened less than 24 hours after it was closed for proper investigation of the incident. She explained that the reopening followed a careful evaluation and mitigation of the impact of the bush fire earlier reported around the airport. She further stated that the incident had caused the dissipation of smokes around the airport. She, however, said FAAN remained committed to its core values of safety, security and comfort of its passengers and airport users.(NAN) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Muslim community members in Gorakhpur on Sunday to dispel doubts about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and said the move was in line with India's tradition of giving shelter to persecuted people. Adityanath's deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya, who took part in a similar drive in Moradabad, hit out at the opposition parties, saying they were trying to misguide the public against the citizenship law to create unrest in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday launched a 10-day nationwide campaign in support of the law. In his home turf Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath walked down to the shop Haji Chaudhari Kaif-ul-Wara and handed him a booklet on the law which he said was meant to give citizenship to persecuted people. "This is a booklet about CAA, read it and all doubts will be cleared. I thought of beginning the awareness campaign from here," he told Kaif-ul-Wara. Kaifulwara promised to create awareness about CAA and requested the chief minister to release people with no criminal background who were holding protests against the CAA and the proposed countrywide National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Gorakhpur on December 20, saying children make mistakes. READ | CAA: Yogi Questions Priyanka Gandhi Amid Her UP Visits, 'Why Sympathizing With Rioters?' On his way to Kaif-ul-Wara's shop from the Gorakhnath temple, of which he is the head priest, Adityanath met many Muslim community members. He explained to them that it was a law to give citizenship. "Those who did not have citizenship and are living in India, this law gives them citizenship," he said. "It is the tradition of India to give shelter to persecuted people and Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought CAA to give citizenship to such people," Adityanath said. He said it was not meant to take away anyone's citizenship, but the Congress, Samajwadi Party and its allies are "unfortunately" trying to mislead people by spreading confusion and violence. "This people's awareness programme is aimed at clearing confusion and doubts spread against CAA," the chief minister said. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who had arrived in India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh due to religious persecution. Opposition parties have called the law against India's Constitution for making religion a ground for citizenship. In Moradabad, Maurya told reporters that the citizenship of Muslims is fully secure in India and the CAA will help persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. He said the opposition parties who didn't want to see Modi as prime minister are now backing the Popular Front of India which he termed as the new avatar of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). READ | Yogi Adityanath Slams Opposition For Spreading Rumours, Ideates Awareness Campaign For CAA READ | CAA: Yogi Adityanath Visits A Store To Explain The Act In Gorakhpur, MP Ravi Kishan Proud Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday sid it was "shameful" that Sadaf Jafar, SR Darapuri and Pavan Rao were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police for violence without any evidence against them. He also said that it was a shocking admission by the police that there is no evidence of their involvement. "Sadaf Jafar, S R Darapuri and Pavan Rao Ambedkar released on bail after police ADMITTED no evidence of their involvement in violence. Shocking admission," he said on Twitter. "If that were so, why did the police arrest them in the first place? And how did the Magistrate remand them to custody without looking at the evidence," he asked. "The law says 'find evidence, then arrest'. The reality is 'first arrest, then search for evidence'. Shameful," Chidambaram tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 17:48:56|Editor: zh Video Player Close By Qiao Benxiao YAOUNDE, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- At the top of Nkol-Nyada hill, the Yaounde Conference Center was built in the 1980s as a China-aid project, and remains to this day one of the landmark buildings in Cameroon. The story of Fabrice Mba, a Shaolin disciple, started there. Little Mba grew up on the street. He had no dad, his mom could not take care of every child because there are so many. In 1987, at the age of eight, he left his home in the southern town of Sangmelima with his elder sister to settle in the capital. They lived not far from the Yaounde Conference Center. Every morning, little Mba saw a Chinese man making movements on the square of the Conference Center. He and his friends, all barefoot and T-shirts torn, looked at the foreigner and imitated him. "It was very beautiful," recalled Mba. One day, the Chinese called them and asked them to take a posture, with knees slightly bent as if holding a tree in the arms. "We stood facing the wall. It hurted in feet, shoulders and arms so much that my friends fled, and I was left alone," said Mba. This posture which is called "zhan zhuang" is in fact a basic training method of the Chinese martial arts. The man who "mistreated" little Mba was a Chinese technician assigned to Cameroon to maintain the Conference Center, and the "very beautiful" movements that the Chinese made was obviously Kungfu. Since then, little Mba came every morning to learn Kungfu. "He was very thin, but at the same time very strong," remembered Mba of his teacher, without being able to say his name is Zhang or Jiang. A year later, little Mba returned to Sangmelima. His big brother was a projectionist, little Mba often helped him sweep the movie theater. For the first time, he saw the Shaolin monks on the screen. "It spoke to me very loudly." After studies, Mba returned to Yaounde to make a living. Life has hurt him more than the posture of zhan zhuang. Each job did not last long, and he did not know what to do to eat. His friend, who worked as a guardian of a bakery, sometimes kept breadcrumbs for him. "I had it on my hands, face and in my nostrils." "I don't drink, I don't smoke, Kungfu is all I have," said Mba, who continued to practice martial arts by learning from videos. To find inner peace, he trained in the morning in front of Conference Center, as his Chinese teacher once did. In 2011, a professor from the Confucius Institute encountered Mba while he was playing Kungfu. After short exchanges, Mba was invited to visit this establishment for teaching the Chinese language and culture. In a very short time, he made close friends with Chinese teachers who believed in him a lot. "I finally had the feeling of becoming me." Four years later, after a selection of profiles by the Confucius Institute, Mba obtained a scholarship to be trained in China in martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine at the Shaolin temple. "It was just like what I saw in the movies," said Mba, only this time he was on the other side of the screen. "The great masters of Shaolin really edified and enlightened me." Between 2015 and 2019, Mba went to Shaolin temple three times for training. Back to Yaounde, he became a physiotherapist, and gradually, he has constant income. When he is not busy with his patients, he teaches for free Kungfu fundamentals at the Confucius Institute and in several schools in Yaounde. For many Africans, Kungfu is presented only as a combat system, however, "by embracing the Chinese martial arts, I discovered their virtue," he said. "What Kungfu basically teaches is the production of a man of morality. When a man is rich in moral values, it is easier for him to be surrounded by people who love him and to have advancements in life," said Mba. He managed to convey this message to young Kungfu enthusiasts. "He teaches us to be a man of integrity, hardworking and respectful. If you have a problem with your friend, you have to keep cool and take a step back," said Emmanuel Ze, a student of Mba. In his collection of poems published in 2017 entitled "Breach in a stone wall", Mba saw his difficult years as a wall of despair. If he was finally able to break a breach, it is due to China. "I come with a story, which is more and more similar to that of a million Africans, to whom China opens its doors, to whom China changes (their) destiny," he wrote in this autobiographical anthology. Growing up on the street, Mba knows that many young Africans need help to break a hole in the wall of their lives. He is currently preparing a program to offer short-term training in physiotherapy and others to disadvantaged young people free of charge so that they can find work. "Be your own boss" is the slogan of his program named "Lotus and Water Lily", because "these are the only flowers that are able to grow in a polluted environment, and succeed in producing white flowers," he explained. "I was a street kid, destined to be a bandit or a robber, but I discovered Kungfu which teaches me to become a man of moral excellence even if I had no money", he said. "All these children who are in difficulty like once I was, who are destined for a bad life, can become lotuses and water lilies if they are given the opportunities." Carlos Ghosn's escape from Japan is "unjustifiable" and he is thought to have left the country using "illegal methods", the Japanese justice minister said Sunday, in the first official public comments on the case. The 65-year-old former Nissan boss skipped bail and fled Japan where he was awaiting trial over multiple counts of financial misconduct that he denies. It was the latest twist in a saga that has gripped the business world and his escape from Japan has left authorities there red-faced and scrambling to defend their justice system from fierce international criticism. "Our country's criminal justice system sets out appropriate procedures to clarify the truth of cases and is administered appropriately, while guaranteeing basic individual human rights. The flight by a defendant on bail is unjustifiable," said Masako Mori. "It is clear that we do not have records of the defendant Ghosn departing Japan. It is believed that he used some wrongful methods to illegally leave the country. It is extremely regrettable that we have come to this situation," added the minister. She confirmed Ghosn's bail has already been cancelled and that an Interpol "red notice" had been issued. In separate comments, the public prosecutors office deemed Ghosn's flight a "crime" and said the tycoon had "knowingly flouted" the country's judicial procedures. In their first remarks since Ghosn's dramatic flight just before the New Year, prosecutors said the escape vindicated their argument that he should have been kept in custody. "The defendant Ghosn had abundant financial power and multiple foreign bases. It was easy for him to flee," the statement said. He had "significant influence" inside Japan and globally, and there was a "realistic danger" he would destroy evidence related to the case, they added. The Ghosn case put the international spotlight on Japan's justice system, which came under heavy fire for authorities' ability to hold suspects almost indefinitely pending trial. Ghosn twice won bail by persuading the court he was not a flight risk -- decisions seen as controversial at the time. Prosecutors argue that the lengthy detention is required to prove guilt beyond doubt and they are unwilling to charge a suspect if their case is not iron-clad. The court is fair and will only find people guilty beyond reasonable doubt, they said in their statement. "Therefore it was necessary and unavoidable to detain the defendant Ghosn in order to continue fair and appropriate criminal proceedings," they said. Ghosn himself did appear once in court, under a little-used procedure to ask why he was still being detained. At this appearance, he said he was eager to defend himself at a court trial and clear his name. However, the prosecutors said that by fleeing Japan, he had "violated that oath" and "refused to obey the judgement of our nation's court." "He wanted to escape punishment for his own crime. There is no way to justify this act," they added. Ghosn himself has said he left Japan because he was no longer willing to be "held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system." Amid fanciful accounts of a Houdini-like escape from Japan, he appears to have simply walked out of his house, according to security camera footage seen by Japanese public broadcaster NHK -- before boarding a private jet to Beirut via Istanbul. Japan has launched a probe into the humiliating security lapse and prosecutors said they would "coordinate with the relevant agencies to swiftly and appropriately investigate the matter." The 65-year-old former Nissan boss has vowed to give his own account at a hotly awaited press conference in Beirut this week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Click here to read the full article. For pop fans of a certain age, there was shock when Justin Bieber announced the debut single from his first album in more than four years would be called Yummy. Didnt the Ohio Express claim ownership of that word forever with their 1968 smash Yummy Yummy Yummy (as in, Ive got love in my tummy)? In inviting unavoidable comparisons with a classic, wasnt Bieber the Ontario player setting the bubblegum bar impossibly high? Yet maybe the Ohio Express faced seemingly insurmountable odds of their own when they came up with Yummy Yummy Yummy just a few short years after James Darrens Under the Yum Yum Tree, had from the movie of the same name, had claimed the root syllable, at least. Maybe each generation deserves the right to put its own candy-flavored stamp on one of the most gag-inducing words in the human language. More from Variety Which song wins, in a fight? Lets pit Biebers versus the Expresss in a few key categories. Sheer repetition. Youd think the Ohio Express would have a lock on this one, what with the word yummy appearing three times in the title alone. Yet it ultimately appears just under a dozen times in the duration of their perennial. Bieber very much has the upper hand: His song has the title word occurring 32 times, and then throws in another 23 uses of the shorter derivation yum for good measure. You could argue over whether repetition is a plus or a minus, but lets consider it a positive trait here: If youre going to adopt a word that so many people consider, well, distasteful, you should boldly run as far with it as you can. Advantage: Bieber. Story continues How dirty is it? Again, expectations are defied here. You would think that Biebers song might be much smuttier, in the much more permissive atmosphere of the 2020s. Actually, though, perhaps befitting his recent image as a church guy, he doesnt get that smutty with the innuendo. Sure, theres that line about standin up, keep me on the rise. But, appearances of innocence aside, its much harder to keep your mind out of the gutter when the 60s band describes a womans love as a good-enough-to-eat thing. Those filthy bastards. This is a good thing, as anyone coming to a song with Yummy in the title is probably hoping its not actually about cornstarch. Advantage: Ohio Express. Product placement. If the Ohio Express went into merchandising on the side with its own product lines like, what, buckeye jam? evidence of it has not survived, and theres none of it in the song. Bieber, on the other hand, cant resist a plug for a signature product: Drew House slippers on with a smile on my face. The salesmanship does take you out of the song a bit. Advantage: Ohio Express. Do the lyrics follow any rules of logic? We cant say that Bieber extends his metaphors perfectly, but theres no line in his song anywhere nearly as terrible as the one in the 60s hit that says: I got love in my tummy that your love can satisfy. How is it that the love of a woman satisfies a love that already exists in his abdomen? Is the digestive love a kind of itch that can only be scratched by ingesting more love? Granting some poetic license, its still like they didnt really think this through. Advantage: Bieber. Is the flavor consistent? To the Ohio Express, your love is like peaches and cream. Fair enough. Its sweeter than sugar. Well, sure. Then its kinda like sugar, kinda like spices. Wait, when did spiciness enter into this? Does anyone really want an even mixture of both textures? Bieber wins by not mentioning any flavors at all. Advantage: Bieber. Physical fitness advocacy. You stay flexin on me, Bieber sings. Okay, maybe his song is a little dirtier than we gave it credit for. In any case, hes suggesting exercise amid all this consumption, whereas the Ohio Express seem content to settle into a diabetic coma. Advantage: Bieber. Random materialism. The Ohio Express dont seem to have any dollar signs in their eyes, whereas Justin is largely if not all about the Benjamins. Hop in the Lambo, he suggests, speaking of the jet set. In another couplet, Bieber croons, Fifty-fifty, love the way you split it / Hundred racks, help me spend it, babe, in which he seems to be endorsing the glee of profligate spending as a married couple and getting a prenup all at once. Advantage: Ohio Express. Which song is more impressive on a single listening? Thats easy; the spoils go to the artist wielding the more memorable hook. Advantage: Ohio Express. Which song could you listen to in an endless loop and come out with your sanity intact? Again, an easy choice, when it comes to a groove thing that doesnt severely wear out its welcome by the third listen. Advantage: Bieber. Does the song suffer from genre confusion? Bieber took to social media prior to this song to declare that he is no longer singing pop music. The genre, he announced, is R&Bieber. At the risk of sounding like J.K. Rowling here, lets be clear that, however nicely the song wears its influences, Justin didnt stop being pop just because he says he stopped being pop. The Ohio Express, for their part, were not led by style dysmorphia into announcing that everyone should refer to them as prog-rock gods from there on out. Advantage: Ohio Express. Does the song include the word tummy? Big, big advantage: Bieber. So its close to a draw, then. But, a half-century later, were forced to conclude that Justin Bieber has embodied the spirit of yumminess in a slightly more evolved fashion than his scarf-clad, porn star mustache-bearing 60s forebears. If he can re-normalize the title term, can he re-normalize just about anything? You bet your bippy. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Unidentified fraudsters withdrew Rs 75,000 from a local BJP's leader's bank account after making him download some mobile apps and share confidential information, the police said here on Sunday. Chandan Tulsigiri Goswami (53), media-in-charge of the city BJP, said in his complaint that he had taken a loan of Rs 4.40 lakh from Bajaj Finance. After paying off the loan, he asked the company to refund him Rs 10,000 deducted on account of insurance. He exchanged several emails with the company over the issue. On September 12 last year, a man posing as an officer of Bajaj Finance called him and asked him to download `AnyDesk' mobile app to get back his money. Goswami installed it and also downloaded MobiKwik app and sent five rupees to the caller through the app, as per the instructions. Within minutes, Rs 75,000 were withdrawn from his account, he found. After scrutinising his complaint, a case of cheating under IPC section 420 and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act was registered at Lakadganj police station on Saturday, a police official said. By Ahmed Rasheed, Ahmed Aboulenein and Jeff Mason BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament called on Sunday for U.S. and other foreign troops to leave as a backlash grows against the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general, and President Donald Trump doubled down on threats to target Iranian cultural sites if Tehran retaliates. Deepening a crisis that has heightened fears of a major Middle East conflagration, Iran said it was taking another step back from commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal with six major powers. Iran's most prominent general, Qassem Soleimani, was killed on Friday in a U.S. drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport, an attack that carried U.S.-Iranian hostilities into uncharted waters. An Iranian government minister denounced Trump as a "terrorist in a suit" after the U.S. president sent a series of Twitter posts on Saturday threatening to hit 52 Iranian sites, including targets important to Iranian culture, if Tehran attacks Americans or U.S. assets to avenge Soleimani's death. Talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on the way to Washington from Florida on Sunday evening, Trump stood by those comments. "They're allowed to kill our people. They're allowed to torture and maim our people. They're allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people. And we're not allowed to touch their cultural sites? It doesn't work that way," he said. Democratic critics of the Republican president have said Trump was reckless in authorizing the strike, and some said his comments about targeting cultural sites amounted to threats to commit war crimes. Many asked why Soleimani, long seen as a threat by U.S. authorities, had to be killed now. Republicans in Congress have generally backed Trump's move. Trump also threatened sanctions against Iraq and said that if U.S. troops were required to leave the country, Iraq's government would have to pay Washington for the cost of a "very extraordinarily expensive" air base there. Story continues He said if Iraq asked U.S. forces to leave on an unfriendly basis, "we will charge them sanctions like they've never seen before ever. It'll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame." The Iraqi parliament passed a resolution calling for an end to all foreign troop presence, reflecting the fears of many in Iraq that Friday's strike could engulf them in another war between two bigger powers long at odds in Iraq and across the region. While such resolutions are not binding on the government, this one is likely to be heeded: Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi had earlier called on parliament to end foreign troop presence as soon as possible. Iran and the United States have been competing for clout in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein. VOTE ON FOREIGN TROOPS Before Trump's comments to reporters, a State Department spokeswoman said the United States was waiting for clarification of the legal nature and impact of the resolution, and strongly urged Iraqi leaders to reconsider the importance of the two nations' ongoing economic and security relationship. Some 5,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, most in an advisory role. Abdul Mahdi said that despite the "internal and external difficulties" the country might face, canceling its request for help from U.S.-led coalition military forces "remains best for Iraq on principle and practically." He said he had been scheduled to meet Soleimani the day he was killed, and that the general had been due to deliver an Iranian response to a message from Saudi Arabia that Abdul Mahdi had earlier passed to Tehran. Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Iran had been about to "reach a breakthrough over the situation in Iraq and the region", Abdul Mahdi said. Despite decades of U.S.-Iran enmity, Iranian-backed militia and U.S. troops fought side by side during Iraq's 2014-17 war against Islamic State, their common enemy. Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in Friday's strike. Sunday's parliamentary resolution was passed by overwhelmingly Shi'ite lawmakers, as the special session was boycotted by most Sunni Muslim and Kurdish lawmakers. One Sunni member of parliament told Reuters both groups feared that kicking out U.S.-led forces would leave Iraq vulnerable to insurgents, undermine security and heighten the power of Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias. NUCLEAR DEAL The 'E3' group of countries comprising France, Britain and Germany called on Iran to refrain from any violent action and urged it to go back to respecting arrangements laid out in the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The three nations also reaffirmed their determination to fight Islamic State and called on Iraqi authorities to continue to give the necessary support to the coalition. It was Trump's withdrawal of the United States from the deal in 2018 and reimposition of sanctions on Iran that touched off a new spiral of tensions after a brief thaw following the accord. On Sunday, Iran further distanced itself from the agreement, saying it would continue to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog but would respect no limits to its uranium enrichment work. That meant "there will be no limitations in enrichment capacity, level of enrichment and research and development and ... it will be based on Iran's technical needs," state TV said, quoting a government statement. It said the rollback of its nuclear commitments could be reversed if Washington lifted sanctions on Tehran. As head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, Soleimani masterminded Iran's clandestine and military operations abroad, creating an arc of Shi'ite power with the help of proxy militias confronting the regional might of the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Hundreds of thousands of mourners, many chanting, beating their chests and wailing in grief, turned out across Iran to show their respects after his body was returned to a hero's welcome. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed, Ahmed Aboulenein and Jeff Mason; Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi and Babak Dehghanpisheh in Dubai, Kylie MacLellan in London, Francesco Guarascio in Brussels, Tom Perry in Beirut, Daphne Psaledakis and Doina Chiacu in Washington and Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; Writing by Mark Heinrich and Daniel Wallis; Editing by Frances Kerry, Lisa Shumaker and Peter Cooney) Gardai are investigating reports of shots fired at a house in Limerick city Saturday night. A house in the south side of the city, was damaged during the incident, and later forensically examined by gardai. Gardai received reports of shots fired at the house around 8pm. A front window in the house was smashed during the incident, however no one was injured. Gardai are conducting house to house enquiries and have appealed for information. A garda spokesman said: Gardai are investigating reports of shots being fired on Lenihan Avenue, Limerick at approximately 8pm on Saturday 4th January 2020. No injuries were reported. The scene was preserved and a technical examination carried out. No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Roxboro Road garda station on 061-214340. Former prime minister John Howard believes Scott Morrison has handled the very difficult bushfire crisis well but urged him to work more closely with the states. Mr Howard spoke to the Prime Minister on Sunday morning, saying people must move on from his ill-timed holiday and judge his actions on the ground fairly. Former prime minister John Howard has praised Scott Morrison's handling of the bushfire crisis. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Its obviously an incredibly difficult time for the country, Mr Howard told the Herald during a break in play on day three of the Sydney cricket Test match. I dont think hes interested in the next opinion poll, if you want my opinion, I think what he wants to do now is make certain all of the responses are the right ones. In a federation like Australia, working closely with the states is the most important requirement a federal government has. Catching up with China India is closing in on China in at least one segment. The country had previously delivered more tips to the US Securities and Exchange Commission under its whistleblower programme. The gap narrowed in 2019, but largely because of a drop in tips from China, which fell from 40 to 32, shows the 2019 annual report to Congress on the whistleblower programme. Tips from India rose from 26 to 27. This comes even as domestic support for whistleblowing has improved. The Securities and Exchange Board of India has also recently set up a similar mechanism, where it has ... IF THE US-Iran conflict escalates, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Sunday, January 5, assured that the Philippines is ready to evacuate Filipinos and President Rodrigo Duterte is capable of handling such crisis. Locsin made the statement in Twitter posts in response to a query on the country's preparedness to cope with the impact of the conflict. "We always do. We will get out everyone who wants to get out and return to poverty in the Philippines to stare at their starving loved ones while bullshetters talk about the most dynamic economy in Southeast Asia. Or we will be there with them," he said. We always do. We will get out everyone who wants to get out and return to poverty in the Philippines to stare at their starving loved ones while bullshetters talk about the most dynamic economy in Southeast Asia. Or we will be there with them. https://t.co/FDJZRiCGWZ Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 5, 2020 On speculation about the President's capability to respond to the crisis, Locsin said, "Yes he is. He has been mayor in the most conflict torn place in Southeast Asia and he carved out a city of peace in the anarchy, giving back to the enemies of peace and wellbeing as good as they dished out to deny that to their victims. Drugs & secession." Yes he is. He has been mayor in the most conflict torn place in Southeast Asia and he carved out a city of peace in the anarchy, giving back to the enemies of peace and wellbeing as good as they dished out to deny that to their victims. Drugs & secession. https://t.co/FDJZRiCGWZ Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 5, 2020 Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) called on all Filipinos to cancel, until further notice, any travel to Iraq. "Filipinos in Iraq are strongly advised to coordinate closely with the Philippine Embassy and their employers in the event mandatory evacuation will be necessary," the DFA added. (MVI/SunStar Philippines) After its operations in Syria, Turkey is preparing for a second foreign intervention in the Middle East. This time it will be in Libya, a move which many regional and international governments oppose. This is, for Turkey's Islamist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, one of few remaining hopes to back other Islamist groups in the Middle East, regardless of the high cost of war, analysts argue. Mohamed Abdelkader, Turkey expert at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, pointed out that the Turks are thinking about "saving their Middle Eastern project to support Islamist movements." "If Turkey loses Libya, it will lose North Africa as a whole. This is the case in light of the fall of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Omar Al-Bashir in Sudan and the military gains made by the Libyan National Army in Libya in its Tripoli campaign," he explained. Libya has been divided between two forces since the 2011 uprising that led to the collapse of Muammar Al-Gaddafi's regime. The first is General Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army, which controls Benghazi and Libya's eastern regions, while the second is the Tripoli-based, UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). Haftar, who is increasingly receiving more international support, including that of Egypt, the UAE and Russia, launched a "decisive battle" to take Tripoli on 12 December. The main objective of Haftars operations in Tripoli is to capture the capital from the GNA. An earlier phase of the operations began last April. The GNA, which is mainly backed by Turkey and Qatar, said "we are ready to push back" against Haftar's campaign, activating an agreement with Turkey on 20 December that entails sending Turkish troops to Libya whenever requested by the GNA. The defence agreement was signed in November by both sides. They also then signed a memorandum of understanding on maritime demarcation, which ignores the territorial waters of some Greek islands such as Crete and Rhodes. This escalatory move came following a meeting between the GNA's Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj with Turkish foreign and defence officials in the Qatari capital Doha. Erdogan, on 22 December, warned that Turkey "will evaluate all kinds of military support including ground, marine and air options if necessary." The Turkish parliament voted 325-184 on Thursday in favour of a year-long mandate that facilitates the deployment of troops in the North African country to back the Tripoli-based government of Al-Sarraj. Aykan Erdemir, a former Turkish MP, told Ahram Online that Erdogan's three cross-border operations in Syria since 2016 "were long-term" ones that aimed at achieving both military goals and "building institutions under Turkish tutelage and engineering demography." Erdemir, currently senior director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said that Erdogan likely has similar plans for Libya, though believing that his ambitions will "be checked by the backlash to his Libya strategy back home." "Given the Turkish electorates scepticism about risking Turkish lives in the Libyan civil war, Erdogan has so far built his strategy on using Islamist mercenaries that he has airlifted from Syria. This strategy based on hired guns, however, is unlikely to succeed, forcing Erdogan to deploy Turkish troops, not only in advisory and training capacities, but also in combat roles. In Libya, growing involvement of Turkish troops in active fighting, and potential casualties from thereof, would exacerbate Erdogans legitimacy deficit and further undermine his support, already shaken by the ongoing economic crisis," he explained. Taking into consideration that Erdogan's decision to "open a new front and spread forces thin between two challenging battlefields in Syria and Libya", Erdemir added, the Turkish president might also begin to see greater push back from Turkey's security establishment especially if the Libya campaign proves to be a "costly quagmire." Tense relations with a long list of governments is a very likely consequence of armed intervention in Libya for Turkey. Haftar gave a televised speech and said on Saturday that it was no longer a question of liberating Tripoli from the militias, but of "facing a coloniser." He accused Turkey of seeking to "regain control of Libya," a former province of the Ottoman Empire. Libya's eastern-based parliament has rejected the Turkey-GNA deal to deploy Turkish troops. The parliaments of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain also issued a joint statement on Friday to condemn Turkey's "violation of the rules of international law, and assault on the independence of Libya and integrity of its land." The Arab parliament also adopted the same stance. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades jointly warned that "this decision constitutes a gross violation of the UNSC resolution...imposing an arms embargo in Libya and seriously undermines the international communitys efforts to find a peaceful, political solution to the Libyan conflict." Russia expressed its concern over Turkey's military plans, while US President Donald Trump, stated that "foreign interference is complicating the situation." Following a phone call between them in April, Trump "recognised Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources, and the two discussed a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic political system." US officials, including White House deputy national security adviser Victories Coates, also met the eastern Libyan commander in November to discuss "steps to achieve a suspension of hostilities and a political resolution to the Libyan conflict." Lenore Martin, associate for Harvards Centre for Middle Eastern studies, explained that Turkey has three motives to fight in Libya. Firstly, Erdogan believes that closer ties with Al-Sarraj will open business opportunities for Turkey in a country that has the ninth largest oil reserves in the world. Turkey is an energy-importing country and its economy and unemployment has been under increasing pressure. Therefore Turkey is looking for investments and employment for its people. Turkeys trade volume is increasing and was expected to reach 1.6 billion dollars by the end of 2019," said Martin. She also stated that Turkey hopes to "create a problem" for Cyprus, Greece and Israel's subsea pipeline deal that was signed on 2 January through its maritime demarcation deal with Al-Sarraj. The third reason is to offer support for the GNA that is supported by Islamist militias. "Ankara has taken a clear position in Libya, just as it did in Syria. It is a precarious position. Libya has devolved into a very messy civil war without a clear outcome in the near future. Just as Turkey has not benefited from its troop deployments in Syria and its support of opposition forces there, it is not clear that Erdogans policies in Libya will be any more successful. Turkey has thrown its chips onto the table and time will tell if it will be a winner," the Harvard scholar concluded. Search Keywords: Short link: There are two ways to look at business prospects in Bahrain: either that the Bahrain market is very small and we need to reach outside the Kingdoms borders to sustain business or that the Kingdoms compact size makes it an ideal test market and its geographic position and valuable trained human resources makes it a platform to reach other countries nearly. Either way, the wisdom has always been to reach outward, using Bahrains easy business and legal framework to set up business here. There are many success stories of Bahrain serving as a hub for reaching the neighbouring large markets. Our homegrown five-star success story Gulf Hotel is one such today the parent company has flourishing hotels as far away as Zanzibar. Further, Bahrains growth and eminent position as an offshore banking centre and also as a MENA Fintech hub shows the potential for us to export our service industrys expertise also. Now comes news that Bahrain Airport Services which is well into the final stages of its expansion and modernisation, is eyeing new business breaks for the ground handling services market outside Bahrain. This is in line with changing trends in the aviation sector and the increased use of technology which makes it easier to centralise quality control and decentralise services. The move towards actively reaching new markets is a sign that Bahraini businesses are well over their older stage of seeking protection from the government against global competition and are confident enough to seek out new customers further afield. This is indeed a win-win situation for the Kingdom and I believe that 2020 will see many Bahraini companies and also Bahraini men and women working away from their home base in other countries in the GCC and MENA region. They will take the Bahraini mark of excellence in service and products to the world and bring back the lustre of old times to our modern economic scenario. The Kingdom has prepared diligently to meet this challenge by overhauling our education sector and weeding out archaic laws and making Bahrain a business-friendly destination. It is time for Phase Two when we strike out for new fields. We are ready! (Captain Mahmood Al Mahmood is the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Tribune and the President of the Arab-African Unity Organisation for Relief, Human Rights and Counterterrorism) Tehran, Jan 5 : Esmail Ghaani, a hardline Iranian General, has been appointed by the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the new chief of the elite Quds Force following the death of its former head Major General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike. In his decree appointing Ghaani, Khamenei characterized him as "one of the most distinguished Revolutionary Guard commanders", the Persian-language Radio Farda said in a report. The Quds Force, which is part of the 125,000-strong Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), is a paramilitary organisation that answers directly to Khamenei. Ghaani fought in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s and was a close and trusted aide to Soleimani. He also served as an intelligence official in the Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). According to the Radio Farda report, Ghaani is known for his extremist opposition to Israel, similar to Soleimani, and was one of the key figures in Iran's involvement in the Syrian civil war. However, unlike Soleimani who usually refrained from commenting on internal political issues, Ghaani had no reservations to intervene and express his views. The January 3 airstrike, which was ordered by US President Donald Trump, hit Soleimani's motorcade near the Baghdad International Airport. A total of 10 people were killed, including the Iran Major General and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Front (PMF). Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani have vowed to retaliate against the US over Soleimani's death. The airstrike came after Iraqi protesters on December 31 stormed the US embassy compound in Baghdad to protest the American air raids conducted on December 29 against five bases of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, claiming the lives of 25 people. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday blamed the ABVP for the violence that broke out in Jawaharlal Nehru University and alleged that the attacks were "planned" by those in power. Members of JNU Students' Union and ABVP clashed on the campus Sunday evening, sources said, adding it happened during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers' Association. The students' union claimed that its president Aishe Ghosh and many other students were injured in stone-pelting by ABVP members. But the RSS-backed students' organisation alleged that its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits and 25 of them were injured. "Reports coming from JNU point to a collusion between the administration and goons of ABVP to inflict violence on students and teachers. It is a planned attack by those in power, which is afraid of the resistance provided by JNU to its Hindutva agenda. "Masked attackers entered JNU while law enforcers stood by. This video is what RSS/BJP want to convert India to. They will not be allowed to succeed," he tweeted tagging a video of the JNUSU president bleeding after allegedly being attacked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president, Sukhbir Singh Badal, on Sunday condemned the killing of a Sikh youth in Pakistans Peshawar and expressed grave concern over the rising incidents of religious persecution of Sikhs and other minorities in the neighbouring country. In a statement issued here on Sunday, the SAD chief urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan to ensure the safety of Sikh brethren in the neighbouring country. Badal said it was condemnable that after an attack on Nankana Sahib gurdwara, a Sikh youth was murdered in Peshawar. This shows the extent of religious persecution Sikhs and other minorities are facing in Pakistan. Rising attacks on religious places as well Sikhs and other minorities in Pakistan are the direct outcome of the anti-minority policies of its government, he said. Badal said it was because of such policies that Islamic fundamentalists had become a law unto themselves and were persecuting minorities and indulging in forced conversions. The SAD president said that the murder of Islamabad journalist Harmeet Singhs younger brother Parvinder Singh in Peshawar by unidentified assailants proved that innocent people were being targeted indiscriminately to instil a sense of fear among minorities. The victim had come from Malaysia for his wedding and became a target of hate crime currently on the rise in Pakistan, he said, while adding that the Pakistani government seemed to be in league with the hardliners in targeting minorities there. Elizabeth Warren has accused President Donald Trump of ordering strikes on Iran and taking the country to the edge of war to distract from his impeachment trial, as Democrats slam the president as a 'monster' for threatening to commit potential war crimes against the Middle Eastern country. Speaking on Meet the Press Sunday morning, Warren alluded that Trump may be charging the US into a war in a rage over his impending impeachment trial. 'We know Donald Trump is very upset about this upcoming impeachment trial. But look at what he's doing now. He is taking us to the edge of war,' the Democratic hopeful said. 'We've been at year for 20 years in the Middle East and now he's talking about expanding that war. This has been something that has cost thousands of American lives...The job of the president is to keep us safer. The job of the president is not to move us to the edge of war,' she added. On Saturday Warren, along with Democrat figures like Joe Biden and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, decried the president for his Saturday tweet threatening to commit potential war crimes by targeting 52 Iranian sites, many of them culturally important, in response to potential retaliation over the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Speaking on Meet the Press Sunday morning, Elizabeth Warren said Trump may be charging the US into a war in a rage over his impending impeachment trial saying: 'We know Donald Trump is very upset about this upcoming impeachment trial. But look at what he's doing now. He is taking us to the edge of war' WATCH: Sen. Elizabeth Warren says that "people are asking" why the Iran strike took place now. #MTP #IfItsSunday@ewarren: "We know Donald Trump is very upset about this upcoming impeachment trial. But look what he's doing now. He is taking us to the edge of war." pic.twitter.com/ChR29Usv6x Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 5, 2020 On Saturday Warren condemned the president's threat to commit potential war crimes against Iran in response to potential retaliation over the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. She said: 'You are threatening to commit war crimes. We are not at war with Iran. The American people do not want a war with Iran' 'The more the walls close in on this guy, the more irrational he becomes,' Biden tweeted Saturday evening in response to Trump's threat to commit potential war rimes Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez branded Trump a 'monster' for his threat saying, 'This is a war crime. Threatening to target and kill innocent families, women and children - which is what you're doing by targeting cultural sites - does not make you a "tough guy"' Warren condemned the president's threat amid escalating tensions with Tehran, saying 'You are threatening to commit war crimes. We are not at war with Iran. The American people do not want a war with Iran,' she said. 'Your threats put our troops and diplomats at greater risk. Stop,' Warren ordered. Meanwhile Biden shared Trump's tweet and slammed him as 'irrational'. 'The more the walls close in on this guy, the more irrational he becomes,' Biden tweeted Saturday evening. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez branded Trump a 'monster' for his threat saying, 'This is a war crime. Threatening to target and kill innocent families, women and children - which is what you're doing by targeting cultural sites - does not make you a "tough guy."' Rep. Ilhan Omar tweeted: 'The President of the United States is threatening to commit war crimes on Twitter. God help us all!' Saturday evening the President caused an uproar when he tweeted a stern warning to Iran that would violate The Geneva Convention Protocol 1. 'Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have 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,' Trump tweeted. President Donald Trump has been accused by his critics of plotting war crimes after issuing a threat on Twitter Saturday night to strike 'Iranian cultural' targets The Dome of Soltaniyeh is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Zanjan Province, Iran. Erected between 1302 and 1312 AD, it centers on the Mausoleum of the Mongol ruler Il-khan Oljeitu It came in response to an Iranian threat to strike 35 U.S. targets in the region in retaliation for the American drone strike that killed Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Solemani early Friday. It is not entirely clear what Trump meant by targets 'important to Iran & the Iranian culture', and a White House spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. The Geneva Convention Protocol I bans 'any acts of hostility directed against the historic monuments, works of art or places of worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples.' However, neither Iran nor the United States have ratified Protocol 1. Both states are parties to 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, which offers more vague language protecting cultural sites. 'For what it's worth, I find it hard to believe the Pentagon would provide Trump targeting options that include Iranian cultural sites,' tweeted Colin Kahl, a former deputy assistant to President Barack Obama. 'Trump may not care about the laws of war, but DoD planners and lawyers do...and targeting cultural sites is war crime,' he said. Speaking on CNN Rep. Adam Schiff condemned Trump's strike against Commander Soleimani saying: 'I think it was a reckless decision that increased the risk to Americans all around the world. I think it's going to increase the risk of war with Iran.' All the while Iranian parliament opened with politicians chanting 'death to America', as an emergency session convened to grapple with the tensions with Washington D.C. and act on their threat to expel U.S. troops from the country, as per The Independent. Gonbad-e Qabus is a monument in Gonbad-e Qabus, Iran, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It marks the grave of Ziyarid ruler Qabus, and was built during his lifetime in 1006/7 Famed actor George Takei addressed a tweet to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in regards to Trump's threat, asking 'what's the Twitter policy say when someone threatens a war crime?' Trump's saber-rattling tweet defended Friday's US drone strike assassination of Soleimani. Trump said 52 represents the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Trump spoke out after pro-Iran factions ramped up pressure on US installations across Iraq with missiles and warnings to Iraqi troops in an outburst of fury over the killing of Soleimani, described as the second most-powerful man in Iran. With Iran promising revenge, his killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiraling tensions between Washington and Tehran and has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Washington 'harsh retaliation is waiting' for the death of Soleimani in Baghdad. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, rockets hit an area near the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday, the U.S. military confirmed. Almost simultaneously, two rockets slammed into the Al-Balad airbase where American troops are deployed. A military official said no American servicemen were injured in either strike. Im just thankful Ive gotten to make music how I want a true feeling from within, he said in an interview in the studios break room, decorated with posters for international events and the labels original certificate of incorporation. When you do that for as long as I have, youre filled with gratitude. His concerns now are ensuring that his studio carries on the traditions of roots reggae and lovers rock the primary styles he works in and sharing his knowledge with the younger people who populate it. Im like a primary doctor, he said. I help them with whatever part of their music I can, but I know when to offer my skill and when to recommend someone else who can do that style better. Barnes, known to reggae fans as Bullwackie and to friends simply as Wackie, was born in the Trench Town neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica, and joined his mother in New York in 1967. His nickname traces back to Trench Town, where his friends wanted a wild-sounding name for their crew. After deciding that their first choice was too lewd, they settled on Bullwackie Boys. Trench Town is known as the birthplace of reggae, where bandleaders like Alton Ellis and Delroy Wilson forged the upbeat dance style of ska into the cool sway of rocksteady. Barnes recalled seeing greats like Ellis, Bob Marley and Ken Boothe around the neighborhood. He got involved with his churchs music program, helping to pump the pipe organ on Sundays, which also gave him access to other instruments. When he heard the new music bubbling up from the nascent Rastafari movement, he felt naturally drawn to it. He would sit in on Duke Reid and Prince Buster sessions at Federal Records, the studio that later housed Bob Marleys Tuff Gong label. Then he came across the work of the dub reggae innovator King Tubby. French counter-terrorism prosecutors have taken over an investigation into Friday's knife attack in a Paris suburb, which killed one person. The assailant, who was shot dead by police, was known to have been receiving psychiatric treatment, but evidence of radicalisation has now emerged. The man, named as 22-year-old Nathan C., attacked several people on Friday around midday in the southern suburb of Villejuif. Police initially said they were treating the incident as a criminal, not terrorist, incident. But the French national anti-terrorist investigation body (PNAT) on Saturday said that while the attacker was known to have had psychiatric problems, worrying evidence had also emerged about his conversion to Islam and radicalisation. Investigations over the past few hours have allowed us to establish that he was certainly radicalised (and to show)...organised preparation for his move towards the act, the statement said. Additionally, they showed a murderous path, thought out and chosen, of such a nature as to gravely disturb public order by intimidation or terror, it said. Earlier a local magistrate told a press conference that Nathan C. had shouted the Muslim invocation Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest) during the attack. Nathan C. converted to Islam in mid-2017 and is believed to have suffered serious psychiatric problems since he was child, with several spells in hospital. In June, he stopped treatment he was being given. Police found literature characterised as Salafist in a bag after the attack, Philippe Bugeaud of the Paris investigative police told the press conference. There was also a letter with phrases fairly typical of a Muslim man who self-flagellates and who knows that he may be about to take the plunge, Bugeaud added. The mans apartment in Paris also bore every sign that it was going to be no longer lived in, magistrate Laure Beccuau said. Story continues Nathan C. apparently spared a first person who said he was a Muslim and had recited a prayer in Arabic, she said. He then attacked the couple, killing the husband and seriously injuring the wife before wounding a woman jogger in the back. Beccuau said the two women had now left hospital. France remains on high alert after being hit by a string of attacks by jihadist extremists since 2015, with more than 250 people killed in total, mostly in Paris. (AFP) A man in Texas was arrested after police say he shot and killed his fiancee in a parking lot just after midnight on Saturday. Hed proposed three days earlier on New Years Eve, family members say. Kendrick Akins, 39, turned himself in late Saturday after police say he shot and killed his fiancee, Dominic Johnson, 33, in a parking lot, the Houston Chronicle reported. When police arrived, they found Johnson on the ground near a vehicle with a door still open, according to the outlet. Witnesses told officials they saw Akins shoot Johnson, KTRK reported. Johnsons family said Akins had proposed to her a few days earlier on New Years Eve. Theyd been dating for less than three months, according to the outlet. Kendrick Akins, 39, was arrested after police in Texas say he shot his fiancee. A witness told police that she and Johnson were headed to pick up the witnesss boyfriend from work when Johnsons car wouldnt start, KHOU reported. Akins and Johnson began arguing as Johnson tried to fix the battery, and Akins ultimately grabbed a gun from his front pocket, the witness said, according to the outlet. As the witness backed away, she told police she heard Johnson say, Go ahead, shoot me, shoot me! before Akins fired a round into her chest, KHOU reported. Police say Akins initially fled the scene but returned and fired a shot at a good Samaritan who was trying to help Johnson, according to KTRK. Akins ran off before ultimately turning himself in to police, the outlet reported. Family members say they are trying to make sense of Johnsons death. He just proposed to her in front of the whole world, Johnsons sister told the Chronicle. I want to know why. Why would you do this? You say you loved her. Akins was arrested and faces charges of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to jail records. His bond is set at $225,000. Akins is due in court on Monday. A police officer from Greater Manchester Police on duty in the city centre. (Photo by Dave Thompson/PA Images via Getty Images) Police in Manchester are appealing for help from the public in tracking down a gang of thugs who injured five people in a spate of violent robberies on Sunday. Officers from Greater Manchester Police said they received seven reports of robberies taking place around the citys Northern Quarter between 2am and 4am. The victims were said to be between the ages of 20 and 60. They were approached by three men before being assaulted and robbed of their personal belongings. Five of the victims were taken to hospital for treatment, police said. An investigation is now under way to find the offenders, who are said to be aged between 20 and 40. Detective Sergeant Kat McKeown, of GMPs city of Manchester division, said: This was a series of violent robberies during which victims have been set upon by three men intent on causing them harm. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: Id like to assure the public that were currently working to identify those responsible and Id ask that anyone with information contact police. We wish those who remain in hospital a speedy recovery from their injuries. Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4409 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- More than 600 infants died in childcare wards of government hospitals in Rajasthan and Gujarat since December 1, 2019, official records showed. High Infant deaths have been reported from three hospitals in Rajasthan and two in Gujarat. This comes at the time, there is political brouhaha over infant deaths in Kotas J K Lon hospital, where 101 infants have died since December 1. In Jodhpurs Umaid Hospital and MDM Hospital, 102 infants died in December, according to a joint report prepared by SN Medical College that runs both the hospitals. The data shows that 4,689 children were admitted to the two hospitals in December; of these, 3,002 were infants. During treatment, 146 children, including 102 infants, died. SN Medical College principal SS Rathore said the child mortality rate at the two hospitals was 3%, which was not more than the international figure. The mortality rate for the whole year of 2019 was even less at 1.57%, claimed Rathore. All the deaths occurred in the neonatal and perinatal ICUs, Rathore said. In Bikaner, 124 newborns died in December in Mother and Child Care Hospital of Prince Bijay Singh Memorial (PBM) Hospital associated with the Sardar Patel Medical College (SPMC). PBM Hospital data showed that a total of 25,876 children were admitted to the hospital in 2019 and 1,681 of them died during treatment. All 16,658 children who were admitted to the general wards recovered but 1,267 (16.1%) among 7810 in NICU and 414 (29.4%) out of 1408 in PICU could not survive. Head of the paediatric care department, Dr. Ghanshyam Singh Sengar, said there were different reasons behind the deaths. He added that the hospital has to bear the load of patients from entire western Rajasthan. In Gujarats Rajkot hospital, 141 children died last December. As per official records, 111 infants died at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital in Rajkot in December, 71 in November and 87 in October last year, the hospitals medical superintendent, Manish Mehta said. He said the rise in infant deaths in December was mainly due to an increase in the number of referral patients with serious ailments. More infants with low birth weight were also among the reasons for the rise in the number of deaths, Mehta said. At Ahmedabad civil hospital, 85 infant deaths were reported in December 2019, 74 in November and 94 in October. The death rate has come down to around 18%, hospital superintendent G H Rathod said, without specifying the previous numbers. The main reasons for such deaths were premature delivery, low birth weight, as well as infection and asphyxiation in infants referred to the hospital, he said. Gujarat Health Minister Nitin Patel said the infant mortality rate is 30 per 1,000. Every year 12 lakh infants are born. Of these, 30 out of every 1,000 infants die due to malnutrition, premature delivery, or because the mothers are not able to reach the hospital in time, the minister said. Meanwhile, in Kotas JK Lon Hospital, where 110 infants have died since December 1, 2019, a committee has been set up for auditing the deaths even as the central team of experts looked at deaths in peripheral hospitals. In another development, the state government posted five doctors at the Kota hospital, where the administration procured 28 nebulisers and five pulse oximeters. Windows without glasses have been covered with polycarbonate sheets immediately to prevent chilly winds in the wards, Hospital superintendent, Dr. Suresh Chand Dulara said. The superintendent said the hospital was creating nine extra NICU beds by renovating a room. The National Ambulance Service and the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, have appealed to President Akufo-Addo to postpone the commissioning of the 307 parked ambulances. Mr. Akufo-AddoAddo, had at his last encounter with the media in 2019, announced that he was going to commission the ambulances on January 6, 2020. But the Minister in a letter dated January 3, 2020, asked the President to hold on with the commissioning exercise. Having engaged them and listened to the reasons for the request for the postponement, I would like to add my voice for their request, the Minister said in his letter. He attached a copy of the Ambulance Service letter to his letter and forwarded to the President. The Ambulance Service letter was signed by Prof. Ahmed N. Zakariah, CEO of the National Ambulance Service. It claimed that some technical issues that needed to be completely addressed before the ambulances can be commissioned and dispatched to the various constituencies to ensure efficient and effective emergency responses suffered some delays due to unforeseen circumstances. Some of the ambulances are said to be undergoing embossment. ---Daily Guide Manufacturer of COA FS immune booster, Prof. Samuel Ato Duncan has said that the product has the potential to earn Ghana billions of dollars annually to fund Free SHS and another major social intervention project if it gets government backing for the further research required. He was speaking on Personality Profile on PM Express on Joy News TV. COA FS, manufactured by Prof. Duncan's Centre for Awareness (COA), has been approved by Food and Drugs Board as an immune booster. Because of its efficacy in boosting the human immune system to fight deadly disease-causing viruses and bacteria, it was viewed by many as a cure for HIV, which generated considerable controversy around the product. Prof. Duncan noted that whereas the product is not yet an approved cure for HIV, he believes that with further research, it has the potential to be the cure for many terminal diseases like cancers, hepatitis, diabetes and indeed HIV. He noted that the product has proven efficacious in dealing with kidney failure, cancer, Ebola, diabetes and many other diseases, with living examples of cured patients, all of which are also well documented. "Indeed, a researcher in South Africa used COA FS and its injectable version called COA 72 on HIV patients in that country and they proved efficacious in fighting the virus. Both the researcher and the patients have since been to Ghana to testify themselves," he said. Ghanaian Scientist with the WHO, who used to work with Noguchi Memorial Institute, Dr. Jonathan Ayittey, personally testified of how COA FS proved efficacious in helping him manage his own diabetic condition. He then urged the government of Ghana to put their weight behind the product and push it to a level where WHO will accept it as the drug of choice for HIV and other deadly diseases, after the necessary research and protocols. Several scientist and scientific research institutions have also issued positive reports on the safety and efficacy of the product and declared it safe for human consumption, and have also recommended further studies. Prof. Duncan said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently asked the Ghana AIDs Commission (GAC) to take the necessary steps to ensure the product is further researched to confirm its potential to cure deadly diseases. While GAC is still at it, Prof. Duncan said some US-based research institutions have seen the potential and have contacted him to move to the US, naturalize there and develop his drug, but he insisted on making the drug Ghanaian to benefit Ghana. "Alfred Nobel University in Ukrain has also offered to support further research into the product to separate the various components and develop cure for the terminal diseases that have plagued the world for centuries," he said. "This is all part of their pursuit for world peace, which COA also shares". Professor Duncan also said he has had contacts from China and other countries, who are even willing to go into mass production of COA FS ahead of further research to develop full drugs, but he is still weighing his option, with Ghana's interest in mind. He was surprised that all these were happening around the world and yet officialdom in Ghana are not as keen about the product. The professor said he is bent on helping to develop his country through the gift he discovered here in Ghana and he is confident that, that day will surely come. He has no doubt in his mind that when the necessary research is done across various geographical locations in the world, and COA FS becomes the drug of choice for an otherwise terminal disease, Ghana will rake in billions of dollars annually for development. He said currently, the particular herbs used in producing the product is only being grown in limited portion, but when it becomes a national asset, there would need to cultivate thousands of acres of the herbs, which will provide jobs and another source of income for farmers. "This product has what it takes to make Ghana money, provide jobs and help us deal with lots of our development challenges but we are just sitting on a gold mine and not doing much to harness it," he said. - The animals have invaded the hospital and usually walk around during day and night - The situation has made it difficult for medics to work at night while some patients have been bitten by the stray dogs - Veterinary officers gave the facility the go ahead to poison the animals Patients and medics at Tororo District Hospital in Uganda are now living in fear after stray dogs and cats invaded the facility. The hospital's senior administrator, Walter Uryek Wun, said the animals have been roaming the facility at night. something that has made some of his medics to refuse to be assigned night duties. READ ALSO: Alfred Mutua scolds Kalonzo Musyoka for allegedly bribing leaders to attend his meeting Stray dogs at Tororo district hospital in Uganda. Photo: Daily Monitor Source: UGC READ ALSO: Police in Nairobi on high alert as US-Iran tensions escalate Wun said the stray dogs sneak into the hospital through broken points on the hospital fence as they search for food, adding that they have registered several complaints from patients who have been bitten by them, Daily Monitor reported. The situation is worse at night and this has frightened off most of our staff allocated on night duty and we cannot force them because we dont have enough security, he said on Thursday, January 2. He disclosed the hospital had planned to poison the animals during the cold season but was informed this may not work would due to the low temperatures. Tororo district veterinary officers approved the hospital to poison the animals. Photo: BMTV Africa Source: UGC READ ALSO: Woman who cheated with former Tahidi High actress Jackie Matubia's baby daddy emerges The administrators went ahead to seek for permission from the district veterinary officer to poison the animals. The officers granted permission to the hospital to kill the animals in a bid to allow delivery of health services to continue smoothly. Rosemary Nyabonyo, who is attending to her grandchild at the childrens ward, told Saturday Monitor that they cannot move at night because the dogs roam around the hospital. Our patients miss treatment at night because stray dogs take charge of the entire compound, she said. 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. Source: TUKO.co.ke Thirty media houses will be conferred awards by Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar in recognition of their contributions in spreading the message of yoga. Thirty awards under three categories will be conferred to the media houses at the first 'Antarrashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman' on January 7 here, according to a statement from the I&B ministry. Eleven awards will be conferred under the category Best Media Coverage of Yoga in Newspapers". Eight awards will be conferred under the category Best Media Coverage of Yoga in Television", while 11 will be conferred under the category Best Media Coverage of Yoga in Radio". The awards will comprise a special medal/plaque/trophy and a citation. The contribution of media in popularising of yoga and the entries was assessed by a jury comprising six members and was headed by Justice C K Prasad, Chairman, Press Council of India. Acknowledging the positive role and responsibility of media in disseminating the outreach of yoga in India and abroad, the ministry has instituted the awards in June, 2019. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) FWR 2019 Having our work recognized in these three categories...represents our ongoing dedication to serving families at the highest level. Mack International, founded in 2002, is widely recognized as one of the foremost premier boutique firms specializing in providing C-suite retained executive search and strategic consulting solutions to family offices, family enterprises and family investment firms on an international basis. Linda C. Mack and Mack International were recently shortlisted in three categories including Family Office Management Consultancy, Leading Individual Service Provider, and Top Women in Wealth Management. Showcasing best of breed providers in the global private banking, wealth management and trusted advisor communities, the awards were designed to recognize companies, teams and individuals which the prestigious panel of judges deemed to have demonstrated innovation and excellence during 2019. The Family Office Management Consultancy category recognizes firms providing consulting services that help families think strategically about their objectives to effectively achieve success and sustainability. The Leading Individual Service Provider category acknowledges exceptional individuals working in the private client world, and Women in Wealth Management identifies women in the industry who are an inspiration to both female clients and colleagues. Commenting on the firms shortlisting, Linda Mack, Founder and President of Mack International said: We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards. Having our work recognized in these three categories is particularly meaningful as they represent our ongoing dedication to serving families at the highest level. We are committed to continuing our reputation as thought leaders in the industry and to sharing our insights to benefit clients and colleagues alike. Being named a finalist is a distinction we are honored to receive for work we find deeply satisfying both personally and professionally. ClearView Financial Medias Chief Executive, and Publisher of Family Wealth Report, Stephen Harris, was first to extend his congratulations to the shortlisted firms. He said: The firms who have been shortlisted in these awards are all worthy competitors, and I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations. These awards are judged solely on the basis of entrants submissions and their response to a number of specific questions, which had to be answered focusing on the client experience, not quantitative performance metrics. That is a unique, and I believe, compelling feature. These awards will recognise the very best operators in the private client industry, with independence, integrity and genuine insight the watchwords of the judging process - such that the awards truly reflect excellence in wealth management. Our aim is to make these annual Awards one of the brightest, and keenly contested highlights in the wealth management calendar. Winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner which will be held in New York on March 18, 2020 at the Mandarin Oriental. About Mack International LLC Mack International is the premier, boutique retained executive search and strategic management/human capital consulting firm serving national and international clients in the family office, family business enterprise and the wealth management industries on national and international basis. Founded in 2002, the firm has achieved an exceptional track record of success as evidenced by its unmatched industry expertise, in-depth market knowledge and unparalleled track record of success. Founder and President, Linda C. Mack has established proprietary methodologies such as the Mack 360 and is credited for having coined the term expert generalist in the industry. About ClearView Financial Media Ltd (ClearView) ClearView Financial Media was founded by Chief Executive, Stephen Harris in 2004, to provide high quality need to know information for the discerning private client community. London-based, but with a truly global focus, ClearView publishes the Family Wealth Report group of newswires, along with research reports and newsletters, while also running a pan-global thought-leadership events program. With teams based in New York, London, Singapore, Switzerland, South Africa and Malaysia, the company is one of the fastest-growing media groups serving the financial services sector. Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness has thrown his support behind Australian comedian Celeste Barber's mammoth bushfire fundraising efforts. Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the American TV personalty urged his 4.8 million followers to donate to the worthy cause. 'My heart has been broken these last days watching the situation deteriorate there,' Jonathan said of the devastating fires across Australia. 'They need all the support they can get!' Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness (above) has urged fans to donate to Australian comedian Celeste Barber's bushfire fundraising efforts Jonathan is best known for reality show Queer Eye - where he stars as a grooming expert alongside the rest of the 'Fab Five'; Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown and Bobby Berk. Jonathan said he felt a special connection to Australia since 'falling in love' with the country while filming a special episode of Queer Eye in 2018 in rural town, Yass. 'The people, animals, and spirit of Australia is so beautifully unique and seeing how much everyone has banded together to help is major especially @celestebarber and everything she has done to raise funds for her country in this crisis,' he said. 'Its estimated over 480 MILLION animals are dead and as fires are continuing to grow. They will surly (sic) need all the support they can get.' TV stars: Jonathan is best known for reality show Queer Eye - where he stars as a grooming expert alongside the rest of the 'Fab Five' (Pictured left to right: Jonathan, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, Antoni Porowski and Tan France) 'The people, animals, and spirit of Australia is so beautifully unique': Jonathan said he felt a special connection to Australia since 'falling in love' with the country while filming a special episode of Queer Eye in 2018 in rural town, Yass (above) 'If youre in a position to donate anything. That would be very much appreciated,' Jonathan added, providing a link to Celeste's donation page. As of midday Sunday, Celeste's Facebook fundraiser page had garnered AUD$20million. The page, which was only set up on Friday, had been inundated with support and donations from around the globe. Impressive! As of midday Sunday, comedian Celeste Barber's (above) Facebook fundraiser page had garnered AUD$20million Meanwhile, Jonathan will return to Australia next month as part of his Road to Beijing show. The show is reportedly inspired by his ongoing attempt and 'lifelong obsession' to become a figure-skating prodigy for 2022 Beijing Olympics. Promising to 'bring the fierceness', Jonathan will tour the country over five dates in five different cities in February 2020. This would "put a brake on rising living standards as well as enormous pressure on younger generations who will be financing social protection systems". "Improving employment prospects of older workers will be crucial," the OECD said. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has urged workers in their 50s and 60s to learn new skills to contribute to the economy, but leading workplace experts said existing jobs will also have to change to meet the health needs of older workers. Mr Jones said the Treasurer needed to get out of his "Canberra bubble" and realise that people like him did not need retraining because he was a fully qualified sheet and metal worker and licensed to work in scaffolding as a rigger and forklift driver. He also had Certificate IV qualifications as a trainer and in work, health and safety. "I've got a lot to offer in terms of knowledge and expertise acquired over many years," he said. "Do I really need to retrain? What else can they train me for? "There wasn't a job that a manager asked me to do that I couldn't do." Daniel Walton, national secretary of the Australian Workers Union, which fought Mr Jones' unfair dismissal case, said his employer had "made an assumption about his ability based on his age, rather than his actual value to the workplace". "Thats illegal," Mr Walton said. Associate Professor Leanne Cutcher, from the University of Sydney School of Business, said the Treasurer's call to retrain older workers overlooked barriers including age discrimination. While there would be a need for people in high-tech jobs to update their skills, "saying we need to retrain older workers feeds [a] discourse that they are somehow lacking". Dr Cutcher's research has found that employers, including insurance companies, wanted older people in call centres because the soft skills they had developed over a lifetime could not be taught. "There was a recognition that customers would often want to talk to someone older. Callers often wanted to talk to people with more experience," she said. Loading While highly skilled workers could continue to earn big salaries in their 50s and 60s, this was harder to achieve after a period of unemployment. In soon-to-be-published research, Australian National University academics Dr Tinh Doan and Dr Christine Heyes have found that employers can meet the needs of many older workers with deteriorating health by providing them with more sedentary duties and flexible hours. A former factory worker, for example, was able to keep working after transitioning to a bus driving job because he was given a comfortable seat, rest breaks and time out to see the doctor and physiotherapist. Professor Lyndall Strazdins, from the ANU's College of Health and Medicine, said it should not be assumed that older workers need to find new jobs. "Retraining is how we refit workers to fit in with different jobs - the other option is to change existing jobs to fit older workers," she said. There is no point getting a 65-year-old to fit into jobs a 25-year-old can do, said Strazdins. And there is no evidence to support the assumption that 70 is the new 40. We have extended life expectancy, but the years of healthy living have hardly increased for many," she said. "We can't expect that people are as well in the last 30 to 40 years of life as they were in middle age. They are significantly different in terms of their health profile and capabilities." While many displaced blue-collar workers face a future of unemployment, those in white-collar jobs tend to be healthier and wealthier, which helps them keep working for longer. Older highly skilled workers have fewer physical demands and tend to have more savings and better health, which helps them keep working for longer. Despite his enthusiasm to keep working, Mr Jones said there were financial disincentives. His pension payments and other benefits were cut when he started working more than 20 hours per week and earning above the social security threshold. "I don't mind not getting the pension, but to cancel everything else that goes with it without any notice makes you question why you should keep working," he said. A pancreatic cancer survivor of 15 years, he relies on medication that cost him $6.50 as a pensioner and $40.30 after his benefits were cut. When he calculated the cost of losing his pensioner entitlements to utility cost discounts, free car registration, a free driver's licence and Opal card travel to anywhere in NSW for $2.50, he was not far in front. After weighing up his earnings against the benefits he had lost, he estimated he was about $10 an hour better off. "It was a significant blow to me because I need to take medication three times a day to survive," he said. Figures published by the Federal Department of Employment show jobs with strong future growth prospects that employ people aged on average between 44 and 51 include aged and disabled carers, authors and book editors, confectionery makers and drug and alcohol and family and marriage counsellors. There were also strong prospects for managers, particularly in construction and health industries, and for chief executives and managing directors more generally. The average age of chief executives and managing directors is 50, and the average number of hours worked weekly is 52. Only one in five are female. Future employment prospects for welfare centre managers are "very strong". Their average age is 48, average weekly pay is $2148 and 70 per cent are female. Professor Marian Baird, from the University of Sydney business school, said in the past four decades there had been a 30 per cent increase in the number of older women returning to work. But there was a lack of policies to address skill development needs and how existing jobs could be redesigned. "The jobs they are currently doing probably need to be redesigned, which could benefit all workers and productivity overall," she said. A spokesman for Employment and Skills Minister Michaelia Cash said the government was committed to creating more job opportunities for Australian workers. More than 26,600 employers have entered 44,647 agreements under the Restart Wage Subsidy program since 2014. The program provides $10,000 incentive payments for employers to hire workers aged over 50. The spokesman said the healthcare and social assistance industry employed the largest number of workers aged 55 years and over (385,300), followed by education and training (239,600), public administration and safety (196,600), retail (192,900) and professional, scientific and technical services (190,100). "Together these five industries employed nearly half (48.3 per cent) of workers aged 55 years and over," the spokesman said. "Employment in these five industries is projected to grow strongly over the five years to May 2023." Employment growth in the health and social service industry is expected to experience the biggest jump - 14.9 per cent. The Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute recently released a research paper that found the National Disability Insurance Scheme would create an estimated 70,000 new full-time jobs. But it warned that many of those jobs would be low-paid and insecure. The report said the insecurity of providing essential services under the NDIS's "fragmented, market-driven delivery model are taking a severe toll, and leading many seasoned workers to exit the industry". Professor John Spoehr, director of the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute, said the rise in demand for health and aged care services would result in a range of low and higher-paid jobs. "The frontline jobs tend to be lower-paid employment and more precarious forms of employment, but also there are higher-end jobs created in a range of sectors as a consequence - in tourism, financial and business services and in manufacturing for different forms of technologies that are helpful to support people as they age," he said. Loading In its report Working Better With Age, the OECD said limited training opportunities given to older workers make it difficult for them to stay in their existing jobs or find a new one. On average, a third of 55 to 65-year-olds have no computer skills or experience and only one in 10 had medium to good problem-solving skills in a "technology-rich" internet environment. "Across the OECD, older adults and the low skilled more generally participate far less in training than their younger and more skilled colleagues," the report said. "Ensuring that older people maintain their employability and have access to better employment choices will help them to navigate a labour market that will increasingly involve adaptation to changes in jobs and skill requirements." Protecting food safety and farmers property rights? Or targeting animal rights activists, agricultural whistleblowers, and investigative journalists? It depends who you ask about the Progressive Conservative governments recently introduced Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act. No one in Ontario should feel unsafe in their homes or in their workplace and farmers are no different, said Agriculture Minister Ernie Hardeman. Weve heard from farmers, municipalities and commodity groups loud and clear and Im proud to say that were taking action, Hardeman said. We have proposed legislation which, if passed, would keep Ontario farmers and farm families, agri-food workers and farm animals safe by reducing the likelihood of trespassing on farms, he said. Under the bill, which will likely pass after the legislature resumes in February, trespassers could face fines of up to $15,000 for a first offence and $25,000 for subsequent infractions. Unauthorized trespassers threaten the delicate balance in the environments that they enter, noted Hardeman, pointing to biosecurity concerns at livestock and poultry facilities as well as abattoirs. Protesting is one thing and we remain committed to the peoples right to do that but interacting with animals brings many more problems, he said. Farmers know their animals. Farmers know what it means to keep them safe and healthy. The proposed legislation supports farmers and their efforts by creating animal protection zones on farms, processing facilities and other prescribed premises. But lawyer Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, said the Ontario bill, which follows a similar Alberta law, is ag-gag legislation, which will almost certainly be challenged as unconstitutional. Its extremely draconian. Its couched in language of trespass and biosecurity, but what its actually designed to do is conceal pretty egregious animal cruelty, Labchuk said. The few times that we do peel back the curtain and see what happens on farms it tends to be when someone is a whistleblower and comes forward and shares footage that theyve gained through their employment, she said. What this legislation appears designed to do is prevent anybody from being in that position in the future. This opens up journalists, employees and people with food-safety concerns (to potential charges.) For example, the legislation could be used against activists such as Anita Krajnc, who made headlines after being criminally charged for giving water to thirsty pigs on their way to slaughter in Burlington four years ago. She was later acquitted. Thats one reason why Krajncs group, Toronto Pig Save, has spoken out against the proposed law and held a protest Dec. 10 at Queens Park. Labchuk stressed the Conservative government deserved credit for its recent passage of the separate Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act that increases inspections of agriculture, zoos, aquariums and equine facilities. Then, on the other side, youve got this terrible bill, she said, adding whistleblowers in Ontario have repeatedly exposed cruelty at food processing plants and fur farms. Hardeman insisted our government has zero tolerance for animal abuse and I encourage anyone who suspects it to call law enforcement immediately. Our legislation is designed to provide law enforcement with the tools to deal with the issue. By supporting the good work farmers do, we are protecting animal welfare, animal safety and the integrity of our food supply, he said. NDP MPP John Vanthof (Timiskaming-Cochrane), himself a farmer, said the devil is in the details. Obviously farmers need protection (but) we will fight for peoples right to protest till the end so were looking at the legislation right now, Vanthof said. We have to be very careful to make sure everyones represented. Biosecurity on a farm is incredibly important not only for the safety of the food but for the health of the animals, he said. Rob Dougans, president and CEO of Chicken Farmers of Ontario, which represents poultry producers, said his members follow high standards of animal care. Anyone entering barns or farms, handling animals or moving between barns without following proper biosecurity protocols puts the health of animals, the safety of food and the livelihood of farmers at risk, Dougans said. Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Keith Currie noted his organization has been appealing for the new measures for years. We have been very vocal in our call for swift, strong action against trespassers and activists who are jeopardizing the safety of our farms and food supply, Currie said. There's something slightly surreal about writing about the death of Marian Finucane - someone who has always been there and who I looked up to personally as an inspiration. And about trying to do justice to the life and career of the single greatest woman in the history of Irish broadcasting, with a career spanning five decades. Especially when you know that most weeks she'd be reading it and possibly commenting on it in her review of the papers that morning. It was always a thrill if you got a shout out from her of a Sunday for something you'd written. But sadly, not this morning because Marian passed away at home last Thursday afternoon at the age of 69. I remember the first time I saw her. She was a guest on The Late Late Show. She was sporting a hairdo that Lady Diana would later claim as her own and she was pretty and mischievous. It was the 1970s and I was in primary school and didn't know who she was but my parents were discussing her and both agreed she was the next Gay Byrne and heir to his throne. Which in many ways she was, owning the airwaves of Radio One in a way I think few other broadcasters have managed. But the fact that a woman was seen in that way, in the Ireland of that time, was testimony to her impressive skills, her likeability, her intellect, her empathy and her wit. We forget now, such was the measure of her status as an icon and an institution just what a trailblazer she was. She started working as a continuity announcer in RTE in 1974, within two years she was a programme presenter - no mean feat - and by 1979 she had her own radio show called Women Today at the age of 29. This was at a time when contraception, abortion and divorce were all still illegal in Ireland and a mere six years after the marriage bar had been lifted. At the time Magill magazine reported that reaction within RTE was 'mixed' to the arrival of a woman talking about women's issues into male-dominated radio - indeed into male-dominated Ireland. And while it was recognised that the team was "professional and accomplished" that recognition was "tinged with unease". It was said that men were 'worried' that this was the results of "15 years of women pushing and pushing". Plus ca change there then. In 1980 when an RTE report said "Marian Finucane will never present The Late Late Show", Gay Byrne vacated his seat to her one night and allowed her to interview his guests. In 1985 she became the first presenter of Liveline which she presented until 1999 and then for almost two decades she presented The Marian Finucane show - where "Hello there" became a catchphrase so comfortingly predictable you could set your clocks by it. She was immensely private, almost shy on occasion - despite her huge charm and great sense of humour. And #Marian may have trended on social media every weekend but Marian herself was not a presence online. It was rare you heard a thing about her personal life. She quietly married John Clarke, her partner of over 30 years, in 2015 and they had a son and a daughter, Jack and Sinead, but tragically Sinead died aged eight in 1990 from leukaemia. Marian didn't discuss that loss but it led her to become involved in hospice charities in South Africa, in Sinead's name. I first met her nearly a decade ago, on her radio show. She interviewed me many times over the years as a panellist, paper reviewer and health journalist and then later as a presenter on various health series on RTE television. She was firm, she was fair, she was still mischievous but you knew you might be filleted at any moment should the mood take her. Her producer rang me after one of my first times on the show and said Marian wanted to say: "She thinks you're good and you could have a future in broadcasting. If you ever want any advice, just get in touch." To be honest the magnitude of that was too big to take in. But she thought I might be a broadcaster before I ever thought it myself. And she was the yardstick so many of us - particularly female broadcasters - measured ourselves by, which was a mistake by male broadcasters, because she was that good she transcended sex. When I did my first longish stint on daytime radio - a month on Newstalk Breakfast - I interviewed Jason Corbett's mother-in-law from his first marriage after his second wife, Molly Martens, was convicted of his murder. I asked her how did she feel when her son-in-law remarried? My editor at the time told me it was too personal a question. But one of the other presenters stepped in and said: "It was a very personal question and I wouldn't have asked it myself. But do you know who would? Marian Finucane." It still possibly the best compliment I've ever been paid. The last time she interviewed me was in September 2017 when we did a one-to-one for half-an hour in the wake of George Hook being suspended from Newstalk. Being caught in Marian's gaze for that length of time with no buffers was intimidating. And I felt I was in a fencing match with her as she grilled me about Newstalk and asked me if I wanted George's job. But I also felt she was on my side, rooting for me in some way. As she closed the interview she grinned at me and said "Actually I hear it's my job you're really after" as I squirmed in my chair. "To be honest, I don't blame you," she said, laughing. "I have a great job." I fell out of the studio, punch-drunk. The last thing she said to me was: "I'm watching you with interest, kiddo." But no one will ever take Marian's place because she's irreplaceable. A one-off. A lifelong broadcaster who with immense skill - just like Gay - pushed the establishment moving towards social change, while never alienating them. She brought the people with her. I think she was his natural heir on The Late Late - and I suspect the only reason she did not become its host was because that was a step too far for the misogynist Ireland of old, despite her abilities. I think many of us today feel a little bit lost that someone who played such a dependable role in all our lives has gone. She was formidable. She was brilliant. She was brave. She was clever, funny, kind and insightful. And the likes of her will not be seen again. #Marian, Rest in peace. @ciarakellydoc An 85-year-old passenger on a cruise ship bound for New Jersey suffered an unspecified medical emergency and was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Norwegian Bliss was 160 miles southeast of Cape Fear, N.C., on Friday night when two aircraft were dispatched to the vessels location, according to a 4-paragraph statement from the Coast Guard. The man, whose identity was not disclosed, was hoisted off the ship and secured aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. He was brought to Wilmington International Airport, where emergency medical services workers were waiting, the Coast Guard said. Information on his condition was not available Saturday night. Passengers on the Norwegian Bliss departed from New York Harbor Dec. 28 for an 8-day cruise that included stops in Florida and the Bahamas and is scheduled to conclude Sunday. The vessel was off the coast of New Jersey on Saturday night, according to CruiseMapper, a website that monitors ship locations. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters Joy Ranch reopens under new ownership Joy Ranch near Watertown has reopened under new ownership. YANGON, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's President U Win Myint Saturday called for the participation of country people in government's endeavor to build a peaceful democratic federal union. "Today is the time when all the national brethren have been striving with a strong union spirit to obtain eternal peace and to achieve mutual understanding and to trust without doubts and conflicts while taking lessons in the past," said the president in his message for the commemoration of the 72nd Independence Day. U Win Myint also called for efforts to strive for the successful implementation of peace process, the emergence of a federal union, building complete mutual trust, and the amendment of the constitution which is relevant to the real situation of the nation and in line with the standards and fundamental principles of democracy and human rights. Meanwhile, the Union Peace Conference, 21st Century Panglong, has been successfully held three times in order to obtain peace and national reconciliation and some agreements for building a democratic federal union have been reached, he added. Myanmar achieved its independence and sovereignty on Jan. 4, 1948. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Londres, United Kingdom Sun, January 5, 2020 11:05 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320df929 2 News Iran,travel,United-Kingdom,Iraq Free The British government on Saturday advised UK nationals to avoid traveling to Iraq and Iran in face of heightened tensions in the Middle East following the US killing of a top Iranian commander in Baghdad. "Following the death of Qasem Soleimani and heightened tensions in the region... We now advise British nationals against all travel to Iraq (and) we now advise against all but essential travel to Iran," Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement. "The first job of any government is to keep British people safe," the statement said. Read also: State Department tells US citizens to leave Iraq 'immediately' "Given heightened tensions in the region, (we) now advise people not to travel to Iraq, with the exception of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and to consider carefully whether it's essential to travel to Iran. We will keep this under review." On Friday, the US military killed Soleimani in an air strike outside Baghdad international airport that shocked the Islamic republic and sparked fears of a new war in the Middle East. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the death of the commander of its Quds Force foreign operations arm, and Tehran's clerical leadership promised "severe vengeance... in the right place and time". In its statement, the British Foreign Office urged UK nationals in the region to "remain vigilant and monitor the media carefully." On Friday, foreign minister Dominic Raab had said that while London had "always recognized the aggressive threat" posed by Soleimani and his Quds Force, "following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests." BEIRUT, Lebanon For years, allies of the United States across the Middle East have sounded the alarm about Irans progress in strengthening their enemies, building up arsenals and sponsoring militant groups near or inside their borders to advance Tehrans interests. But since President Trump ordered the drone strike on Friday that killed Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the mastermind of Irans regional efforts, however pleased they might have been, the predominate response from Americas friends in the region has been silence. This mix of private celebration and public caution reflects two driving fears. Many expect that to avoid a spiral of violence with the United States, Iran could avenge General Suleimanis death by attacking American allies. And if that happens, many of those allies wonder, will Mr. Trump will have their back? The entire region is on edge, as we are in unchartered territory, said Taufiq Rahim, a senior fellow at the foundation New America who researches politics in the Persian Gulf. There is no way to be ready for what comes next, because anything could be a target. Foreign killers, rapists and paedophiles are entering Britain without any checks. Over the past three years more than 2,000 serious offenders have been arrested after arriving here unhindered a rate of two a day. Obtained under freedom of information laws, the official figures cover only those who have got into trouble with the UK authorities. Alice Gross, 14, was murdered by a convicted murderer who moved to the UK from Latvia under freedom of movement rules. It has been revealed that 827 foreign killers, 714 rapists and 482 child abusers were caught in the UK from 2016 to 2018 They reveal that 827 foreign killers, 714 rapists and 482 child abusers were caught from 2016 to 2018. Neither burglars nor robbers were included. The suspects foreign convictions emerged after the officers who arrested them requested police records from their home countries. Some arrived under EU freedom of movement rules. Some of the non-EU nationals would have taken advantage of a visa waiver programme from a trusted country such as the US or Canada meaning they did not have to declare previous convictions. Even if they had to apply for a visa they would have been able to stay silent about their crimes. While a system has been established by the EU for sharing details of criminal convictions, it can only be used once a convict has entered the UK and been arrested or charged. Secretary of State for the Home Department Priti Patel (pictured on September 29) says tougher boarder controls will be introduced to make it easier to exclude criminals. She said: When free movement ends, we will impose tougher criminality checks, stop accepting easily forged European ID cards and introduce an electronic travel authorisation system to pre-screen travellers' Except in extreme circumstances, Brussels does not force member states to share information on known criminals who might be planning to travel. Home Secretary Priti Patel says tougher border rules will be introduced to make it easier to exclude criminals. Tim Loughton, a Tory MP who sat on the Commons home affairs committee, said: These figures are shocking. Clearly the bar is way too high. Too many serious criminals who pose a threat to law-abiding citizens in the UK are getting in under the wire. British police officers have unmasked a record number of foreign paedophiles. The UK receives information on an entirely ad hoc basis where EU nationals are checked against a 'watchlist' of suspected terrorists compiled by the border agency (file image) It is essential under the migration rules post-Brexit anyone coming here with a criminal record is challenged at the border so we can make the decision there whether to turn them away. Keeping those who live in Britain safe has to be the priority. David Spencer, of the Centre For Crime Prevention think-tank, added: Under the current arrangement, there is nothing to stop dangerous criminals and paedophiles from entering this country unchallenged and it is clear that many of them have continued to offend on these shores. For most British people, that situation is completely unacceptable and the sooner the British government is allowed to take control of our borders and stop these people from coming in, the better for everyone. Rapists and paedophiles are required to stay in regular contact with the UK authorities and notify them if they intend to travel overseas. Arnis Zalkalns murdered Alice Gross in west London in 2014 Criminals who are on parole including murderers and other killers must inform their probation worker if they plan to go abroad, even if only on holiday. This means the authorities know when a serious criminal is planning to travel and, where they feel there is a danger, will tip off another member state. By contrast, the UK receives information on an entirely ad hoc basis. When EU nationals arrive at the border, their passport details are checked against a watchlist of suspected terrorists and foreign criminals compiled by the border agency. But unless an offender is high profile, is known to have committed crimes in several countries, or is on the Interpol wanted list, the system is unlikely to be aware of their previous convictions. Some countries flag up potentially dangerous people to the UK so they can be turned away at ports or airports. But if they do not warn that a dangerous offender is on the way there is little Britain can do to stop them slipping through the net. Even if an arrival has a known conviction, under EU rules they cannot automatically be refused entry unless they pose a genuine and serious threat. Alice Gross, 14, was murdered in west London in 2014 by a convicted murderer who had moved from Latvia under freedom of movement rules. While countries can flag up potentially dangerous people to the UK, they often do not warn if they are on there way and there is little Britain can do. Under EU rules, they cannot be refused entry unless they pose a 'genuine and serious threat' (pictured, Heathrow Airport) Miss Patel said: Brexit gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring in the robust border security the British people demand. When free movement ends, we will impose tougher criminality checks, stop accepting easily forged European ID cards and introduce an electronic travel authorisation system to pre-screen travellers. The figures were provided by officials at the Criminal Records Office, a national police unit also known as ACRO. A spokesman said the bureau served forces across the UK in exchanging criminal records information between the UK and countries across the world for the benefit of all. A tide of mourners flooded the Iranian city of Ahvaz on Sunday, weeping and beating their chests in homage to top general Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a US strike in Baghdad. "Death to America," they chanted as they packed the streets and filled a long bridge spanning a river in the southwestern city, where Soleimani's remains arrived from Iraq before dawn. As Shiite chants resonated in the air, mourners held portraits of Soleimani, seen as a hero of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and for spearheading Iran's Middle East operations as commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force. Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike Friday near Baghdad airport, shocking the Islamic republic. He was 62. The attack was ordered by President Donald Trump, who said the Quds commander had been planning an "imminent" attack on US diplomats and American forces in Iraq. In the face of growing Iraqi anger over the US strike, the country's parliament was expected to vote Sunday on whether to oust the roughly 5,200 American troops in Iraq. Soleimani's assassination ratcheted up tensions between arch-enemies Tehran and Washington and sparked fears of a new Middle East war. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" and declared three days of mourning. But Trump warned late Saturday that America was targeting 52 sites "important to Iran & Iranian culture" and would hit them "very fast and very hard" if the country attacks American personnel or assets. In a series of sabre-rattling tweets, Trump said the choice of 52 targets represented the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Iran's top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that "targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME" and a red line in international law. For Iran's army chief, the threat was an attempt to distract the world from Soleimani's "unjustifiable" assassination. "I doubt they have the courage to initiate" a conflict in the future, said Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi. US-Iran tensions escalated in 2018 when Trump unilaterally withdrew from a landmark accord that gave Tehran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. Iran has hit back by reducing its nuclear commitments with a series of steps every 60 days, the most recent deadline passing Saturday. On Sunday, thousands of mourners dressed in black were seen gathered in Ahvaz in a live broadcast on state television. The channel showed crowds in Mollavi Square with flags in green, white and red -- depicting the blood of "martyrs". "A glorious crowd is at the ceremony," said state television. "The presence of children, teenagers, relatives, veterans, families of martyrs of (the Iran-Iraq war) and defenders of Haram (those martyred in Syria) is a glimpse of the glory of this ceremony," it added. In Tehran, deputies chanted "Death to America" for a few minutes during a regular session of parliament, semi-official agency ISNA reported. "Trump, this is the voice of the Iranian nation, listen," speaker Ali Larijani was quoted as saying. Soleimani's remains and those of five other Iranians -- all Guards members -- killed in the US drone strike had arrived at Ahvaz airport before dawn, ISNA said. With them were the remains of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary umbrella group, who was also killed in the US strike. They are expected to be flown to Tehran for more tributes on Sunday evening. On Monday, Khamenei is expected to pray over Soleimani's remains at Tehran University before a procession to Azadi Square. His remains are then due to be taken to the holy city of Qom for a ceremony at Masumeh shrine, ahead of a funeral Tuesday in his hometown Kerman. In neighbouring Iraq, pro-Iran factions ramped up pressure on US installations with missiles and warnings to Iraq's troops. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, two mortar rounds struck Saturday near the US embassy in Baghdad, security sources said. Almost simultaneously, two rockets slammed into the Al-Balad airbase where American troops are deployed. Iraq's military confirmed the missile attacks in Baghdad and on Al-Balad and said there were no casualties. The US military also said no coalition troops were hurt. In another possible act of retaliation, hackers claiming to be from Iran breached the website of a little-known US government agency and threatened more cyber attacks. The website of the Federal Depository Library Program was replaced with a page titled "Iranian Hackers!" that displayed images of Khamenei and the Islamic republic's flag. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to rejig the security architecture of the country in order to end the killings. Reacting to the killing of about 23 innocent Nigerians by gunmen in Tawari Community in Kogi state, the PDP in a statement on Sunday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said Buhari must inject new blood into the security system. The statement read: The PDP notes that the invasion of the helpless Tawari community and the killing spree, which reportedly lasted unrepressed for several hours, despite earlier security apprehensions in the area, points to governments direct negligence to its primary duty to protect the people. Read Also: What Igbos Must Do To Clinch 2023 Presidency: Buharis Associate The PDP blames the unabated killing and violence in various parts of the country on security lapses under the present administration as well as the manifest failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to decisively track down and prosecute killers and perpetrators of violence in our country. Our party recalls that no decisive steps have been taken to prosecute the perpetrators of mass killings that shook our nation in Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, Kano, Niger, Rivers, Ebonyi, Abia and of course Kogi state, under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. It is indeed disheartening that the APC administration is now trying to reduce the functions of the office of the Commander-in Chief of our nation to issuing press releases and condolences message each time marauders invade communities and massacre defenseless compatriots, instead of tracking down and dealing with the perpetrators. Such failures by government embolden killers, insurgents, marauders and kidnappers who have now virtually taken over our highways and holding citizens hostage in their homes, forests and caves. A 26-year-old man, who is in Bexar County Jail awaiting trial for the 2017 death of a young father, faces additional charges after attacking an inmate with a homemade knife earlier this week, according to an arrest affidavit. Ashton Lomas is accused of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and use of a deadly weapon in a penal institute after Tuesdays incident, based on court records. During an altercation, Lomas allegedly struck the victim in the head and upper back with a nail that was wrapped with plastic paper, the affidavit said. The condition of the victim or details about how Lomas obtained the materials for the shiv were not immediately available. Lomas is currently in jail for his connection to the 2017 death of Martin Gonzales, 23, whose decomposing body was found in the trunk of a vehicle in Universal City. On Feb. 7, 2017, police in Universal City were called to an apartment complex in the 500 block of Dukeway Drive for a suspicious vehicle. Investigators smelled a foul odor coming from the vehicles trunk and saw flies around it, according to Lomas previous arrest affidavit. When police opened the trunk they found Gonzales body, wrapped in bed sheets, and stuffed inside a green military-style bag. His arms were tied, his legs wrapped with a white rope and his head was wrapped in cellophane, which covered a gunshot wound, according to the affidavit. Gonzales, who is survived by a wife and two children, had been missing since late January 2017. Nine days after the gruesome discovery, Lomas called the San Antonio Police Department and told them he had killed Gonzales, providing grisly details. Lomas told investigators he and two other men took Gonzales to the 10000 block of Ware Seguin Road in Converse, where they robbed him taking his watch, a gold chain, two guns, $40 and some marijuana, according to the affidavit. Lomas said he then received an order to shoot the victim which he did with a revolver. Lomas said he and another one of the suspects cleaned the crime scene and helped him carry the body into the trunk of the victims vehicle. The same man that told him to shoot Gonzales told him to get rid of the body, according to the affidavit. Lomas was charged with capital murder and is still awaiting trial. Garick Clayton was also arrested charged with capital murder, and awaits trial, in connection to Gonzales death. Dublin MEP Clare Daly has warned Ireland has "blood on our hands" as the rapid escalation of tension between the US and Iran brings the use of Shannon Airport into focus. The outspoken activist has said she will seek an immediate discussion on the use of the airport by US military when the European Parliament convenes this week. She was joined in her criticism by fellow MEP Mick Wallace, who called the killing of Qasem Soleimani as "nothing short of an act of terrorism". The US administration had argued the opposite _ that it has taken one of the world's biggest terrorist organiser off the battlefield. But speaking to the Sunday Independent yesterday, Ms Daly said: "The rapid escalation of US military action targeted at Iran has brought into sharp focus the role of Shannon Airport in the transiting of troops to theatres of war." Describing the assassination of Soleimani at Baghdad International Airport as "an outrageous murder", she said the killing was "in breach of all international law." Questioning the reasoning behind the attack, she said: "Imagine the response if North Korea took out US Chief of Staff James McConville in Toronto Airport while he was working there at the request of the Canadian government?" And she warned the situation could now deteriorate rapidly "with Iraq facing another major war on its territory". She said: "Ireland will be complicit in these deaths while we continue to allow Shannon to be used as a stop-over point. "Many of the soldiers who pass through will not make it back either." Ms Daly has repeatedly asked questions of various ministers about the movement of US troops and aircraft through Shannon. A former top CIA official has warned there will be dead civilian Americans as a result of the targeted airstrike that killed an Iranian general. Michael Morell, a former acting and deputy CIA director, said the killing of Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani would spark a harsh retaliation from the Iranian government, and that US citizens would be targeted. 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, Mr Morell, who served during Barack Obamas presidency, told CBS. Number one, there will be dead Americans, dead civilian Americans, as a result of this. Possibly over the next few days in any place where Iran has its proxies, Iraq is the most likely place, but also Lebanon, Bahrain, other places in the Middle East. In the days after Soleimanis assassination at a Baghdad airport, American officials have claimed that US citizens are now safer. 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 But those apparently reassuring comments appear to directly contradict State Department security warnings for Americans in Iraq which tell them to leave the country. Donald Trump has ordered thousands of US troops to be sent to the Middle East in anticipation of a response from Iran. American oil workers in the country have also reportedly begun to leave, in fear of retaliation. 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 Qassem Soleimani, Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, said on Friday. Iran has vowed to avenge Soleimani after his death, and the country has seen mass demonstrations of mourning for the commander. On Sunday, in the city of Ahvaz, where demonstrators had gathered just months ago to protest against the government, tens of thousands of mourners gathered to greet the coffins of Soleimani and five other Revolutionary Guard Corps members who were also killed in the strike. Death to America, the crowd could be heard chanting. Harsh vengeance awaits the criminals that got his and other martyrs blood on their evil hands in last nights incident, said Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader. The United States has claimed the attack was aimed at curtailing an imminent threat to American lives, but has provided little evidence or intelligence to support that claim. The Quds Force leaders death has been met with concern from American allies abroad, who have suggested it could lead to an escalation of tensions, even as officials in the UK and Germany said Soleimani was a danger to the region. Britains foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the UK recognised the aggressive threat posed by Soleimani, but said further conflict is in none of our interests. In France, a government spokesperson said the attack had made conflict more likely, and the world less safe. 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 underway. The governments of Russia and China have also expressed fears that killing Soleimani had made the world less safe. The climbing atop of five Nihang Sikhs on the demolished Mangu Mutt structure at Puri on January 2nd, 2020 caused ripples in the administration. The 2nd January is the birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh Ji, which is celebrated with fervor by Sikhs. The Nihangs climbed atop the demolished rooms of the Mutt and retrieved the emblem of Sikhism, the Khanda, from the debris. The Khanda, a double edged sword, is the military emblem of the Sikhs. It is also part of the design of the Nishan Sahib, and is installed on the top as an ornament or finial. The finding of the Khanda in the ruins was proof enough that the Mangu Mutt was once a Sikh Gurudwara. After much cajoling and coaxing , the Nihangs were made to come down and were packed off to Bhubaneswar. The Mutt, an abiding symbol of the connection between Sikhism and the 12th century Jagannath Temple, is built on the spot where Guru Nanak, during a visit in 1506, had composed the Sikh Aarti. The Aarti is essentially Guru Nanaks tribute to the grandeur of the Creator, whose glory, he said in the spontaneous composition, could not be expressed through any human offerings or oblations. The Mutt was located in front of the Singha Dwar, the main entrance and was within the 75-meter perimeter of the temples boundary wall which was slated for clearance. It was a sad day in the lives of conservationist-historian Anil Dhir and lawyer-activist Sukhvinder Kaur of the High Court of Orissa as they watched the demolition of the Mangu Mutt. The five-month-long determined battle for the preservation of the Mutt by Dhir and Kaur literally came to a grinding halt in the second week of December as the governments demolition machinery swung into action. On their part, the duo left no stone unturned in averting the disaster. They knocked on every door possible: they appealed to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister of Odisha, the State Governor, the Collector of Puri, the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the chief minister of Punjab and the Odisha Sikh leadership. In September, after the intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister, the demolition order was temporarily withdrawn. Also Read : Save traditional Mutts around Puri Jagannath Temple The Odisha cabinet on 16th August 2019 approved a proposal to clear structures within 75-metre radius of Jagannath Temple, Puri to facilitate free movement of pilgrims, visitors and ensure safety of the 12th century shrine. The district administration demolished the Languli Mutt, a 14th century Hindu monastery of Dasanami Naga sampradaya, citing safety reasons, demolished the 12th century Emar Math and now demolished Sikh Gurudwara Mangu Mutt. Read More The Mutt has tremendous historical and spiritual value, and nobody knows it better than Dhir. Having written a two-volume book based on a 18-day Bullock Cart journey from Kolkata to Puri, Dhir discovered precious pieces of heritage in every place touched by Nanak and the other icons of the Bhakti movement, including Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Kabir and Namdev. In the middle of October, Dhir had entranced a 150-strong audience at New Delhis India International Centre (IIC) with a slide-supported presentation on his book, Jagannath Sadak, which was sponsored by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), and was seven years in the writing. Ignoring the unbroken campaign for its conservation, in one heartless order, the Odisha government destroyed 12000 sq ft of the Mutt; now, only a 109 sq ft area of the original place remains, besides two half broken rooms. . In terms of size, an area worth a two bedroom flat, is not even a dot on the government property map but it is priceless in terms of heritage; any government worth its name is expected to safeguard it, if not on its own, at least, in response to the appeals of those who have no personal stakes in the issue. It is the disregard for such selfless appeals for conservation that makes the Odisha governments action tragic. Mangu Mutt was built more than a century after Nanaks visit to Puri. Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru, popularly known as Hind ki Chadar, also visited the Mutt in 1670. Besides, the shrine served as a Dharamshala for pilgrims from all over and, from the middle of the 19th century, when India began its fight for independence from the British colonial rule, it sheltered many a freedom fighter. Every inch of the Mutt, therefore, pulsated with history and spiritual energy, which, by itself, could have been turned into a pilgrimage goldmine by a visionary government. Ironically, the Mutt was demolished at a time when the Odisha government was proposing to celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Puri. The celebrations were cancelled, and a small seminar was instead held at the Odisha State Archives in Bhubaneswar. Appeals against the demolition were also made in the social media, and Sikh activists had come all the way from Canada to appeal to the authorities to stop the demolition. In September this year, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh wrote to his Odisha counterpart against demolishing the shrine, but all of it fell on deaf ears. The contradictory statements made by the spokespersons of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee and the Sikh Pratinidhi Board of Odisha did not help matters. While the entire Sikh leadership of Punjab, cutting across party lines, opposed the demolition, the Odisha Sikh leaders toed the governments line. They, like the state government, maintain that only the unauthorised structures around the Mutt have been erased. However, Dhir says, the shifting of the religious relics from the demolished parts proves that the original structure had been demolished, not just the commercial encroachments. Post-demolition, a delegation of Sikh MLAs from Punjab met the Odisha chief minister and demanded that at least the demolished area be handed back to the community. They also held a protest march in Bhubaneswar in December end. However, no written assurance has been given about the transfer of land to the Sikhs and, according to Dhir, it may be a case of too little, too late. The activists are now pinning their hopes on an intervention petition in the Supreme Court where a case against the demolition of two other Mutts associated with Nanaks Puri visit, Punjabi Mutt and Bauli Sahib is due for hearing on January 8th. Dhir, however, is of the view that unless the Sikh political and religious leadership comes forward forcefully, the other two shrines could also face the Odisha governments axe, and that conservationists may be fighting a losing battle even in court. By Jagpreet Luthra The author is a senior journalist based in Delhi. Mumbai: Putting to rest all speculations regarding him quitting as Maharashtra Minister, Shiv Sena leader Abdul Sattar has said that he has not resigned. "Whatever issues were there, the party has discussed with me and there's no question of any dissatisfaction. Anything else I have to say, I will speak with my party president Uddhav Thackerayji. I have not resigned as minister... this is just a rumour," Sattar told media persons. Sattar also said that he is scheduled to meet the Chief Minister and will accept his decision. I am going to talk to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree. After that, whatever decision will be taken by the CM, we will accept it, Sattar told media person. Earlier, Sena leader Anirudh Khotkar met Sattar. "Sattar had a word with chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and (senior Sena leader) Eknath Shinde. Mr. Thackeray has called him to Mumbai on Sunday. The CM will meet Sattar at Matoshri (the Thackeray residence) at 12.30 pm," Khotkar said. Sattar, MLA from Sillod in Aurangabad district, quit the Congress before the Assembly elections last year and joined the Shiv Sena. He was made a minister of state in the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress coalition government. Earlier on Saturday, there were reports that Sattar has stepped down as Minister of State. However, it was letter reported that he not quit and this was also confirmed by the party Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai. "This is not correct. He has not resigned, nor submitted any such resignation letter to me or anybody else in the party," Desai told IANS, dismissing it as "media imagination". Sattar is the Shiv Sena's sole Muslim face in the ministry. He is among the four Muslims in the cabinet, who were sworn-in when Thackeray expanded his cabinet last month on December 30. Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Eight persons suspected to be terrorists were Friday arrested by the Malian armed forces, the Malian Press Agency (AMAP) reported here Sunday on its website, citing a security source Amid spiralling tensions between the United States and Iran, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday urged the central government to take urgent steps to ensure the safety and security of the 10 million Indians in the Gulf region. The region hosts a vast and diverse Indian diaspora employed in almost every sector from petroleum to restaurants. "India could not afford to simply wait and watch, or to just monitor the situation, given the rising stakes in view of the threats and counter-threats between the US and Iran," said Captain Amarinder, in the context of the External Affairs Ministry's statement that it was keeping a "close watch" on the situation. . @narendramodi ji urge you to take urgent steps to ensure safety and security of around 10 million Indians in the gulf region. We should immediately act and Punjab is ready to contribute in any way possible in same. #IranAttack #IranUSA Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) January 5, 2020 READ | EAM Jaishankar Expresses Deep Concern To Iranian Counterpart, Agrees To 'remain In Touch' Evacuate Indians if necessary The Chief Minister emphasised that the Government of India should immediately direct its embassies in the Gulf to connect with the Indians settled there, and provide all possible help to them in this hour of crisis. Amarinder Singh also asked the Centre to prepare and initiate plans to evacuate all Indians seeking to return back should tensions flare up further. The US and other countries like Great Britain are preparing to evacuate their citizens anticipating military skirmishes. READ | Iran-US Tension: Israels Netanyahu Makes A Freudian Slip, Calls Country A 'nuclear Power' Issue necessary directives to Indians, embassies Captain Amarinder Singh noted that the close geographical proximity of the Gulf region to India makes it imperative for the Centre to intervene without delay, and issue the necessary directions to its missions in the West Asian countries and the Indian diaspora there. The countries in the region include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Iraq and Iran. With the conflict showing no signs of easing, the situation was evidently grave and it would be in the interest of the Indians to leave the Gulf region immediately, the CM added. READ | US-Iran Tensions: Why It May Not Be Good For India's Economy Punjab govt on standby Referring to the large Punjabi and Sikh diaspora also settled in Gulf, CM Amarinder Singh assured that his government would extend all support to anyone wanted safe return back home. Punjab government officials were in direct contact with the community there and had been instructed to move swiftly in response to any plea for help, he added. READ | Protests Erupt Across US To Condemn US President Trump-directed Action In Iran And Iraq The Max is Boeings most important plane, with about 5,000 ordered by airlines around the world. But as the grounding has dragged on, Boeing said it would temporarily shut down its 737 factory, jolting thousands of suppliers and stoking the concern of President Trump. Boeing abruptly fired its chief executive late last month after he alienated the F.A.A. and airline customers. His successor is now contending with the fallout, as Boeings share price has fallen by 21 percent and the company faces tens of billions of dollars in charges related to the grounding. Regulators have suggested that the Max could be approved to fly again by the spring, a timetable that could still hold. The company says that even if it needs to fix the wiring issue, it would only take one to two hours per plane to separate the wiring bundles on the Max using a clamp. We are working closely with the F.A.A. and other regulators on a robust and thorough certification process to ensure a safe and compliant design, Gordon Johndroe, a Boeing spokesman, said in a statement. We identified these issues as part of that rigorous process, and we are working with the F.A.A. to perform the appropriate analysis. It would be premature to speculate as to whether this analysis will lead to any design changes. Investigations by international regulators into the cause of the two Max crashes determined that pilots of those flights did not respond as quickly or effectively as Boeing and the F.A.A., using accepted industry standards, presumed they would when designing and evaluating the MCAS software. So in developing a software update for the Max, Boeing and the F.A.A. recognized that the previous industry assumptions should be changed, and that they needed to consider what would happen if it took crews much longer to act in the face of emergencies. Using that new set of assumptions about pilot reactions, Boeing discovered that if two wire bundles placed close together toward the rear of the plane caused an electrical short, it could lead to a catastrophic accident. The wiring connects to the motor that controls the stabilizer, the horizontal fin on a planes tail, sending signals from the flight control computer that can push the nose down or lift it up. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 5 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: Two precinct election commissions have been dissolved in Azerbaijan. The relevant decision was made at the meeting of the countrys Central Election Commission (CEC), Trend reports on Jan.5. The meeting discussed the operation of the polling station #24 of the 30th Surakhani first constituency electoral commission and polling station #30 of the 31st Surakhani first constituency electoral commission and revealed shortcomings in their activities. It was decided to dissolve the precinct election commission #24 of the 30th Surakhani first constituency electoral commission and the precinct election commission #30 of the 31st Surakhani first constituency electoral commission. Voting results at these two polling stations were annulled during the municipal elections in Azerbaijan on December 23. Veteran pacer Howdy Partner made his 310th and final career start last Tuesday, and in doing so gave his longtime owner Craig Malott one final thrill to reinforce the reason why he got back into harness racing after stepping away a number of years ago. Long before that moment, Malott worked in the racing industry for over a decade. He began as a hand for trainer Mike Rogers at Windsor Raceway, his home track, before going to work for Bob McIntosh. Then in 2012, like many Michigan and southern Ontario horsemen, Malott had to regroup following the closure of Windsor Raceway. He ended up leaving the business entirely and now works in construction and landscaping. After a couple of years away, Malott said he was getting a knack to kind of get back in. Around this time he received an offer on a horse named Howdy Partner. A friend of mine had him in Michigan, Malott said, and she approached me about buying him, thought hed be good for the two tracks that are kind of close to me, Dresden and Leamington. So I took a shot. Malott purchased Howdy Partner in the summer of 2015. By that point the Hawaiian Cowboy gelding had earned $82,655 over eight years racing on the Michigan circuit. Then aged 10, Howdy Partner raced 116 more times at Ontarios 'B' and 'C' tracks. Through the twilight of his career Howdy Partner gave Malott consistent excitement, winning 16 times and banking an additional $59,451. When I bought him I was just hoping to break even, Malott said. He paid his bills every week, every month and he had a home. In my mind hes done more than that. Hes provided me with a lot of thrills and a lot of great memories. Stuff that I cant get back. Howdy Partner, pictured victorious at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. Howdy Partner, pictured victorious at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. In his first few starts for Malott, Howdy Partner pulled a shocker at Western Fair Raceway. Starting from Post 6, he slowly drew into contention and swung to the lead in the stretch to win by three-and-a-half lengths at 84-1. We didnt think he had a shot going down there, Malott said. He hadnt been racing good and he just showed up and won by four or five pulling away at 80-1. That was a pretty amazing race. Howdy Partner gave Malott another rush in his race on October 21 last year at Leamington Raceway. At 13 years old, he raced uncovered while matching strides with the pacesetter and pulled away to win in hand. He got parked every single step and around the last turn he ended up drawing off on the competition and winning by four or five lengths, Malott said. That was just [an] unreal mile he went that day. The final year of racing for Howdy Partner became one of his most productive in Malotts hands. He won four races from 28 starts and earned just over $17,000 while taking a mark of 1:56.4 at Sarnia. He wasnt the fastest or the flashiest horse but he definitely had a big heart, Malott said, which I think kept him competitive right up until the end. His last start there he was probably the soundest and healthiest hes been in the past five years. Due to rules requiring a Standardbred retire from racing at 15, Howdy Partners race on December 31 in London was the final of his career. He drew Post 7 in a conditioned claiming event going one-and-one-sixteenth miles, cleared the front and hit the finish first by a length. You couldnt have wrote it any better, Malott said. That's stuff you see in the movies. It couldnt have been a better night or fitting ending to his career. Not too many horses can go [at] 14 years old right out of the seven hole, parked four wide through the first turn and had challengers the whole way and fought them off. With Howdy Partner stepping off the track for the final time, Malott again sits outside looking into the sport from which he came. Ill eventually buy something again when the time comes around, Malott said. Just got to kind of take it easy for awhile and maybe wait through the winter months and find something in the spring. You always come back. Once you get in it, its in your blood. It never goes away. The commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, Gen. Qassem Soleimani is seen in Tehran on Sept. 14, 2013. (Mehdi Ghasemi/ISNA/AFP via Getty Images) Iran to Target US Military Sites, White House Following Generals Death: Officials The military adviser for the Iranian regimes Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran will attempt to target military sites following the killing of the commander of the shadowy Quds Force, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, by the United States. The response for sure will be military and against military sites, Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan told CNN on Sunday. Let me tell you one thing: Our leadership has officially announced that we have never been seeking war and we will not be seeking war, he said. Claiming that it was the United States that started the war, he said that the United States should expect a violent reaction, but he didnt elaborate. The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted. Afterward, they should not seek a new cycle. Dehghan was addressing President Donald Trumps warning on Saturday night that the United States will respond to any retaliation by targeting 52 Iranian sites, noting that some of the targets have major cultural significance. Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters, Trump wrote on Twitter over the weekend. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during Friday prayers in Tehran Sept. 14, 2007. (Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters-File) The president continued in saying that Soleimani was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Trump was referring to an attack on the U.S. embassy on Baghdad last week. If the president made good on his threat, Dehghan said that for sure no American military staff, no American political center, no American military base, no American vessel will be safe. And they are accessible to us. His remarks come after an Iranian member of Parliament, Abolfazl Abutorabi, called for Iran to attack the White House. We can attack the White House itself, we can respond to them on the American soil. We have the power, and God willing we will respond in an appropriate time, Abutorabi told The Independent. He described the attack to kill Soleimani a declaration of war. After the killing of Soleimani, the American-led coalition forces in the Middle East said they have stopped training Iraqi forces, saying they are still committed to working with Iraq to combat the ISIS terrorist group. Repeated rocket attacks over the last two months by elements of Kataib Hezbollah have caused the death of Iraqi Security Forces personnel and a U.S. civilian. As a result we are now fully committed to protecting the Iraqi bases that host Coalition troops, the statement said. This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations against Daesh [ISIS] and we have therefore paused these activities, subject to continuous review. "The Kingdom of the Winds: Yeon" that Nexon plans to launch this year / Courtesy of Nexon By Jun Ji-hye Game companies here are striving to develop and release potential blockbuster game titles this year in a bid to find a breakthrough in the stagnant game industry and boost their bottom line, company officials said Sunday. In particular, companies are utilizing their most popular characters when developing new games to ensure their success, as games such as NCSOFT's "Lineage M" and "Lineage 2M" have been hugely popular with consumers. Nexon has announced a plan to utilize both new and existing intellectual property (IP) in developing new games this year in an effort to secure stable sources of revenue. At the same time, the nation's leading game developer and publisher has aligned its organization to focus on games with higher growth potential and nurture them as its future growth engines. Nexon is looking to launch mobile titles such as "The Kingdom of the Winds: Yeon" and "Dungeon Fighter Mobile" within the year, hoping to attract fans of its intellectual property. The company is also preparing to launch games based on new intellectual property, such as mobile role-playing game (RPG) "Counterside" and third-person shooter "KurtzPel," developed by KOG, this year. "Nexon will continue to enhance its competitiveness by establishing systems in which each development unit can create synergy," Nexon Korea CEO Lee Jung-hun said in explaining the firm's reshuffle carried out at the end of last year. Netmarble is preparing to launch "A3: Still Alive," a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) which will offer a glimpse of the mobile battle royale game, within the first quarter of the year. Other games that the company is scheduled to launch this year include "Magic: ManaStrike" and "Seven Knights Revolution," a MMORPG that builds on the firm's popular game, "Seven Knights." NCSOFT is seeking to utilize its "Blade & Soul" IP, planning to launch "Blade & Soul 2" and "Blade & Soul S" in the domestic and overseas markets, respectively. WeMade is moving to use its popular "the Legend of Mir 2" IP to launch "Mir 4," "Mir W" and "Mir M." Among the three new games, the company is planning to launch "Mir 4" within the first half of the year. Game companies are focusing on nurturing new IPs and expanding existing ones as influential game characters directly lead to their sales in the long term. "Popular IPs already have fans, thus games based on such IPs can easily attract users. This also helps game companies save on marketing costs," an official from a Seongnam-based game company said. Police officers at the Shamrock Deli in Audubon Friday evening shortly after owner Jerome Pastore was stabbed to death. Read more Police have charged an 18-year-old Lindenwold resident in the stabbing death Friday of the owner of the Shamrock Deli in Audubon. Dyheam Williams was arrested Sunday morning at home and charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to a statement issued by Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Haddon Township Police Chief Mark Cavallo. Williams is being held at the Camden County Jail pending a pretrial detention hearing, according to the statement. It provided no additional details about Williams or the alleged motive behind the killing of the Shamrocks beloved owner, Jerome Pastore. On Saturday, authorities said officers responding to multiple reports of a man who had been stabbed found the wounded Pastore, 52, of West Berlin, on the 100 block of Cuthbert Boulevard around 4:50 p.m. He was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police on Saturday released a photo of a man on a bicycle and asked for the publics help in identifying him. The statement by Mayer and Cavallo on Sunday did not say whether Williams was the man in that photo. Angelia Taylor, a regular patron of the Shamrock, started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $30,000 to help the Pastore family with expenses. The page says Pastore was the father of five children. By Sunday night, donations had surpassed the $30,000 goal. A note of gratitude on the GoFundMe site by a Jennifer Pastore, says: I want to share that this page was created by a very kind young woman who does not even know our family but experienced my dads kind heart each time she visited his deli. I will choose to focus on that rather than the violence that took him from us too soon. The funds will be used to help cover the cost of an unexpected funeral. Your generosity and kind words have made an otherwise horrific experience better. The page says Pastore was killed when he confronted a shoplifter who took the tip jar. Police would not confirm that Sunday. A vigil has been planned for 7 p.m. Monday in front of the Shamrock at 31 S. Davis Ave., Taylor said in an email Sunday. Mike Pence slammed after falsely linking Soleimani to 9/11 hijacker International oi-PTI Washington, Jan 5: An assertion by US Vice President Mike Pence that Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, who died Friday in an American attack in Iraq, had helped the September 11 terrorists has been sharply challenged in the US press. In a Twitter message on Friday, Pence said that Soleimani "assisted in the clandestine travel to Afghanistan of 10 of the 12 terrorists who carried out the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States." When critics on Twitter noted that the 2001 terror attacks were carried out by 19 militants, and not 12, Pence spokeswoman Katie Waldman specified that Pence was referring only to the dozen who had "transited through Afghanistan." Soleimani contributed to an attack in Delhi says Trump: Is he referring to the one in 2012 She then added that "10 of those 12 were assisted by Soleimani." But as the New York Times pointed out, Soleimani -- who at the time was already heading the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corp -- is never named in the detailed 585-page report issued by the September 11 Commission. The bipartisan commission of inquiry found that while "there is strong evidence that Iran facilitated the transit of al-Qaeda members into and out of Afghanistan before 9/11... we have found no evidence that Iran or Hezbollah was aware of the planning for what later became the 9/11 attack." NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 The report added: "At the time of their travel through Iran, the al-Qaeda operatives themselves were probably not aware of the specific details of their future operation." The Washington Post noted that while it might be "technically correct to say that Iran 'assisted' in their travel," that did not mean Tehran -- or Soleimani in particular -- was "knowingly assisting in what became the 9/11 attack." Moreover, 15 of the 19 September 11 hijackers were nationals of Saudi Arabia -- a Sunni monarchy and regional rival of Shia Iran. Pence went on, in an unusual series of a dozen tweets Friday, to list some of the "worst atrocities" attributed to Soleimani and carried out across a wide swath of the Middle East. Other Trump administration figures issued similar defences of the lethal attack on Soleimani. Qasem Soleimani killing: How the world is reacting to US killing of top Iran general Thus, the State Department tweeted that "Qasem Soleimani was responsible for killing at least 603 US service members and maiming thousands more in Iraq." It said 17 per cent of the deaths of US personnel in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 could be attributed to the Quds Force under Soleimani. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 5, 2020, 8:23 [IST] Likewise, Schumer said on ABCs This Week that Pelosi has done a very good job here, predicting that if shed sent the articles in December, McConnell could have well just voted for dismissal the day before or after Christmas. Other senior Democratic officials have privately suggested the hold was worth the wait even if they dont get a commitment from McConnell on witnesses, since the party has been able to spotlight what they view as a rigged Senate process. She was recognized with a Best First Feature Independent Spirit Award nomination for her directorial debut in the coming-of-age comedy film Booksmart. And on Saturday, Olivia Wilde was among the many high-profile stars who attended the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominees Brunch at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood. The New York City native, 35, also got to show off her eye for fashion when she hit the red carpet in a black pinstripe suit. Awards season: Olivia Wilde, 35, attended the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards Brunch in West Hollywood on Saturday The pants had a slight loose feel that flared out from the knees down, which covered up her choice of shoes. She matched the stylish suit with a black shirt with white polka dots and a matching tie. On this day, she wore her blonde tresses long and flowing past her shoulders with a part in the middle. Despite commanding attention with her ensemble, it was her big beaming smile and glowing face that stood out the most as she paraded in front of photographers. Stylish: Wilde showed off her eye for fashion in a black pinstripe suit Booksmart, which boasts Will Ferrell as one of the executive producers, premiered in theaters across the US May 24. 2019. It has since grossed $24.8 million worldwide with a just $6 million budget. The story follows two academic superstars and best friends who realize on the eve of their high school graduation that they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of partying into one night. Acclaimed: Wilde was recognized with a Best First Feature Independent Spirit Award nomination for her directorial debut in the coming-of-age comedy film Booksmart The comedy stars Beanie Feldstein, Kaitlyn Dever, Jessica Williams, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, as well as Wilde's fiance Jason Sudeikis - with whom she shares two children. The Film Independent Spirit Awards recognizes the best in independent films. The 35th annual ceremony, which will be hosted by actresses Zazie Beetz and Natasha Lyonne, will be held in Santa Monica, California on February 8, 2020. While hundreds of NDDC projects remain abandoned and uncompleted across the oil-producing states, partly due to non-release of funds, the agency abandoned $70 million in a bank for over a decade, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, said. A series of investigations by PREMIUM TIMES on the status of projects by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) show that many remain abandoned in states like Imo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, leaving many residents frustrated. The abandoned projects, which range from health centres to schools, commenced as far back 2006, with some of the contractors saying they were abandoned because the NDDC refused to pay them. While such projects lingered, however, the agency kept the unspent funds and did not return it to the coffers of the federal government as expected. I know of a bank that came to say they have $70 million from 2006, one also came to say 170 million had been abandoned, Ive forgotten in which administrations in the last 11 years, they said they are ready to refund. I said no problem, just hang on, well sort all these out when the forensic (audit) comes in to let us know all the recoverable and all that, The Nation quoted Mr Akpabio to have said in an interview with the paper. In this analysis, PREMIUM TIMES examines what the moeny could be used for. What $70 million can do for Niger Delta Using a Central Bank of Nigeria December 30 official exchange rate of N307 to a dollar, the $70 million is about 21.49 billion. The Niger Delta is the countrys oil-rich region which spans nine states. It includes all the six states from the South-South geopolitical zone, Ondo from the South-West geopolitical zone and two states (Abia and Imo) from the South-East geopolitical zone. The nine states have a combined total of 185 local government areas Akwa Ibom (31), Bayelsa (8), Cross River (18), Delta (25), Edo (18), Rivers (23), Ondo (18), Abia (17), Imo (27). According to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, a Type 2 Primary Health Clinic is expected to cater for a group of villages or neighbourhoods with a population of 2,000 to 5,000 people. A document by Africa Check which shows a partial list of primary health institutions built between 2001 and 2014 across the country shows that a type 2 Primary Health Clinic was constructed in Ife Central area of Osun State for 21 million each. Hence, barring any variation in prices of building materials, transport or labour, at 21 million each, three Primary Health Care clinics can be constructed in each of the 185 local government areas across the region. Also, while the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommends one radiotherapy machine per 1 million people, an investigation by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting in 2018 showed that no state in the Niger Delta region has this machine. The machine could be used to treat cancer patients. Without associated costs such as the machine vault, treatment planning, oncology information system software, lasers, and other accessories, the most expensive linear radiotherapy machines cost between $750,000 and $1.5million (between 230 million and 460 million at the official rate of 307 to $1). If the most expensive type is bought for 460 million, to equip each of the Federal Teaching Hospitals in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Rivers States; and the Federal Medical Centres in Abia, Bayelsa and Delta, Imo, Ondo States, with a radiotherapy machine would cost the country just about 4.14 billion. Additionally, the 2015 Constituency Projects report by BudgIT shows that the construction and furnishing of three classrooms, a headmaster office and toilet at Ukpogo, Uhunmwode LGA of Edo State, cost 15 million. At this rate, two of these classrooms can be constructed in each of the 185 local government areas across the nine states in the Niger Delta region. SEE TABLE HERE Addressing a press conference in Jaipur on Sunday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reminded Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of an alleged letter he had written to the Centre requesting citizenship for refugees from Pakistan. Thereafter, she called upon him to extend support to the Citizenship Amendment Act. Highlighting the plight of the refugees, she mentioned that BJP president Amit Shah had met them. Read: RS Prasad Slams 'double Standard' Of Congress Over CAA, Recalls Manmohan Singh's Demand Nirmala Sitharaman remarked, Rajasthan Chief Minister has written a letter to the Union government in the past that such refugees should be given citizenship. Has he forgotten this? You (journalists) should remind him of the letter. It is okay that there is the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. You should extend your support. You will have tears in your eyes after seeing the plight of the refugees. There are many such refugees in Rajasthan. Our party chief went to meet them. Read: MHA Clears The Air About Upcoming NPR Updation, Asserts 'no Documentation Required' 'Against the basic principles of the Constitution' Speaking at Congress Satyagraha for Unity protest in the national capital in December 2019, Gehlot had declared that the CAA and the NRC would not be implemented in Rajasthan. He contended that the Centre was trying to divide India on religious lines. Moreover, the Rajasthan CM alleged that this was the agenda of the RSS. Gehlot remarked, "The prime minister is misleading people on the NRC saying it was not discussed, while the Home Minister was saying NRC will be implemented. The country understands that they want to divide the country on religious lines. He added, "This is RSS agenda that they want to implement. In Rajasthan, the CAA and the NRC will not be implemented as they are against the basic principles of the Constitution. Read: Amarinder Singh Hits Back At RS Prasad On 'legal Advice' Jibe, Alleges CAA Can Be Misused What is the CAA? The CAA seeks to provide citizenship to the minority communities namely Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. This will be applicable to the members of these communities having arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014. Moreover, they will not be considered as illegal migrants. Additionally, the mandatory residence period for naturalised citizenship for these communities has been reduced to 5 years. Read: After Karnataka & UP, Vadodara Police To Recover Damages From Anti-CAA Rioters Somali extremist group al-Shabab on Sunday morning attacked the U.S. military base in Kenya's coastal Lamu county, police and witnesses have confirmed, Trend reports citing Xinhua. The police said the airstrip used by the U.S. marine was destroyed and aircraft were burned. But the Kenyan military said in a statement that the airstrip was safe after soldiers repelled the attack and killed some attackers. "There was a lot of gunfire between the militants and soldiers in the military base. Some aircraft and vehicles belonging to the U.S. were burnt," a police officer who declined to be named told Xinhua. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack in Lamu County, saying their fighters' "suicide infantry" was involved in the attack. "Our fighters inflicted severe casualties on both U.S. and Kenyan troops, destroyed U.S. military aircraft and vehicles," al-Shabab said in a statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party have been slamming the protests over the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act, accusing the protesters of being influenced by misinformation. As a result, the ruling party has kicked an outreach programme to bust some of the myths associated with CAA. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has thus taken to the streets as he visited stores in Gorakhpur to share the facts about the act. READ: Yogi Adityanath Slams Opposition For Spreading Rumours, Ideates Awareness Campaign For CAA Member of Parliament of Gorakhpur Constituency, Ravi Kishan, proudly shared a video on Twitter during the event. The actor-politician wrote that Yogi Adityanath visited a store of a man named Choudhary Kaifulwara near the Gorakhnath temple in the city. He added that the CM shared the right information about the act with him. CM Yogi Adityanath is heard saying in the video, This is a law to provide citizenship to those who dont have citizenship and have been living in this country. This act will provide them citizenship. It is not to take away anyones citizenship. READ:Cong Trying To Create Confusion Over CAA: Naqvi The CM also seemed to have handed out a pamphlet to him. He urged the store owner to read it. He added that he decided to personally meet people and have a conversation with them over this. Heres the post READ:Indian Diaspora Community March In Support Of CAA In Chicago The Indian Parliament passing the CAA, which gives persons of Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian religions, belonging to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who entered India due to religious persecution, the platform to apply for Indian citizenship, has sparked a row. There have been widespread protests across the country over the exclusion of Muslims in the act, and also the alleged implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) that is rumoured to be connected to it. Even Uttar Pradesh has seen some violent scenes in the face-off between the protesters and the police, with many arrests also being made. READ:CAA Protests: Akhilesh Yadav Alleges 'deaths By UP Police's Bullets', Visits Victims Kin The number of Indian students going to the US for education is falling over the years, reports suggest. According to the latest Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, the annual growth of Indian students to the US has been falling from 12.3 per cent in 2016-17 to 5.4 per cent in 2017-18 to 2.9 per cent in 2018-19. Second only to China for sending students outside for studies, Indias numbers to the US has grown merely from 186,267 in 2016-17 to 202,014 in 2018-19. The Early Warning Signals: Winners and Losers in the Global Race for Talent ... Amid the portfolio allocation, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray faced another trouble on Saturday as party minister Abdul Sattar sought to resign. After pacifying Sattar, Sena leaders said he has not tendered his resignation and would meet the CM on Sunday. Sattar, a minister of state in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government, has been unhappy about not being made a cabinet minister, and was further angry with the partys decision to support the Congress in district council president election in Aurangabad. He had crossed over to the Sena from the Congress in September 2019, ahead of the state polls in October. The district council president election led to an open fight between Sena leader Chandrakant Khaire and Sattar, with Khaire calling the latter a traitor for helping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) get its vice-president elected in the Aurangabad zilla parishad polls. The Sena immediately went into damage control mode, deputing partys Arjun Khotkar to pacify Sattar, who, after two rounds of meetings in Aurangabad and a telephonic conversation with Sena leader and minister Eknath Shinde, decided not to proceed with his plan of resigning. Khotkar said, Abdul Sattar has not tendered his resignation; these are rumours. He will meet Uddhav ji at Matoshree on Sunday afternoon. Sena insiders said Sattar could be making a bid to get a plum portfolio as the junior minister. In the Aurangabad district council president elections, Sattar did not vote along party lines. Although the Congresss candidate was elected with support from the Sena, the BJP got its candidate elected as the vice-president due to division of votes. Sattar does not have the right to be a minister of state. He is a traitor. He went and voted against the party and alliance. I have asked saheb (Uddhav Thackeray) to take action against him. He should not be allowed to enter the pious Matoshree, Khaire said. Sattar emerged to face the media on Saturday evening, but did not comment on the issue. I will answer all your questions after speaking to Thackeray. Details of who said what about me will be presented before Uddhav ji tomorrow, he said in Aurangabad. Sattar also refused to confirm if he had resigned. You go and ask the person who spread this news about me resigning. I will not respond, he said. In the list of portfolio allocation out late on Saturday evening, Sattar was made MoS revenue. The political drama is seen as a setback for the Sena and the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government. Many within the Sena, including Ramdas Kadam, Bhaskar Jadhav, etc., are upset about being overlooked, and two junior minister posts being given to three independent MLAs in the cabinet expansion held on December 30. Not just the Sena, the Congress is also facing the issue with its Jalna MLA Kailash Gorantyal publicly expressing his unhappiness over not being given a ministerial berth. It is said that Gorantyal is planning to resign, along with many office-bearers. Gorantyal said the decision was taken at a meeting of the district Congress committee on Saturday. I will meet Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Balasaheb Thorat and submit my resignation from party posts. Party members of the Jalna Municipal Council, Zilla Parishad will also submit their resignations along with me, he said. Sena leader Sanjay Raut said he was not aware of Sattars resignation, but added, The Sena does not have many portfolios in its quota. Everybody has to adjust. According to me, the CM has given respect to Abdul Sattar ji and made him a minister. Those who are upset [over not being made ministers] are not originally from the Sena. They will take time to adjust to the system. The statement from Raut is seen as a jibe at Sattar and Bhaskar Jadhav, Sena MLA from Guhagar, who openly said that Thackeray did not keep his word. Meanwhile, the BJP latched on the delay in portfolio allocation and the ongoing tug-of-war for departments. Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis in Washim said, There was no cabinet expansion for over a month. Now nearly a week after expansion, there are no signs of portfolio allocation. Everybody is after plum portfolios, no one cares about you. Its the beginning of the downfall of the government. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said that matter pertaining to the death of 110 infants in Kota-based government hospital should not be politicised as it is an extremely sensitive issue. He added that it is the duty of government and hospital administration to work on improving things. Speaking to ANI, Gehlot said, "It is an extremely sensitive issue, this is not an issue over which politics should be done, even one infant should not die. It is the duty of government and hospital administration to work on improving things." The Chief Minister said that the Centre should give support to states in the Health Mission. Commenting on reported differences with Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, Gehlot said, "We took decisions collectively. Differences are common in some states." Pilot had earlier said that accountability should be fixed in infants death. "I think our response to this issue could have been more compassionate and sensitive. After being in power for 13 months I think it serves no purpose to blame the previous government's misdeeds. Accountability should be fixed," he had said. 110 infants have died till now from December at JK Lon government hospital in Rajasthan's Kota. On Saturday, a central team of experts visited the hospital to take stock of the incident.A three-member state government committee of doctors, who was sent to investigate the matter on December 23 and 24, found that the 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. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan to submit a detailed report within four weeks about the steps being taken to address the issue of child deaths in the hospital. The commission also asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that such deaths of the children do not take place in the 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.) New Delhi, Jan 5 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday ordered the Delhi Police to take all necessary action to control the situation in the Jawaharlal Nehru University where widespread violence in the evening left many students, including girls, and teachers injured. He also ordered an inquiry into the matter. According to officials, Shah spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik following the violence. "Union Home Minister has spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner over JNU violence and instructed him to take necessary action. Hon'ble minister has also ordered an enquiry to be carried out by a Joint CP level officer and asked for a report to be submitted as soon as possible," the Home Ministry said in a tweet. Violence swept the JNU campus on Sunday as several masked individuals, both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers inside the varsity campus with wooden and metal rods. Two office-bearers of the Jawaharal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), including President Aishe Ghosh - who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod, received severe injuries. They accused RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence in the campus. Could have been more sensitive to Kota deaths: Pilot Rajasthan: Infant death toll in Kota's JK Lon Hospital rises to 110 India oi-Madhuri Adnal Jaipur, Jan 05: At least eight more infants have died in the last two days of December at the JK Lon hospital here, taking the death toll to 100 for the month, officials said on Wednesday. The death of 8 children at the government-run hospital during a 48-hour period on December 23-24 had triggered opposition criticism and a visit by a team from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). Four children died on December 30 while five on December 31, all mainly due to low birth weight, hospital superintendent Dr Suresh Dulara said. Could have been more sensitive to Kota deaths: Pilot 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. NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 The nursing in-charge of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which specialises in looking after premature and sick newborns, has been replaced, Dr Dulara said. Efforts for upgradation and maintenance of equipment at the hospital have been put in place, following directions by the Congress government in the state. Medical College Principal Dr Vijay Sardana said order has been issued for installation of central oxygen supply line at the hospital and the work would be completed within the next 15 days. The direction was issued a day after a BJP parliamentary team comprising of MPs Locket Chatterjee, Kanta Kardam and Jaskaur Meena visited the hospital and expressed concern over its infrastructure. The panel had said that two to three children were found on single beds and the hospital did not have enough nurses. Dr Sardana said the pediatric department at the health facility has been reconstructed, with its three units being functional in Jay Kay Lon hospital and a non- teaching unit working in New Medical College premises. He said proposals for new OPD and emergency wards for pediatric and gynaecology departments have been incorporated in the proposed OPD Block under the Smart City Project. Earlier, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had served a show-cause notice to the state government. Kota infact deaths: Mayawati demands sacking of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot "Pigs were found roaming inside the campus of the hospital," its chairperson Priyank Kanoongo had said. A Rajasthan government committee ruled that the infants were given the right treatment. ALBANY After Sheldon Silver was arrested on federal corruption charges, he put up a $200,000 bond and walked out of court. Silver has since been convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison. And yet the former speaker of the state Assembly is still free, pending another appeal of his conviction. It's outrageous, but par for the course. The bail system, as it has long existed, has always worked for the rich and the powerful. Well, you say, Silver committed white-collar, federal crimes with no hint of violence. You can't compare the federal system to the state system. And you can't compare a guy like Silver with the accused criminals who are suddenly being freed (at least until their trials are over) under the controversial bail reform enacted by the Legislature. OK, then let's talk about Christopher Porco. In 2004, Porco attacked his parents with an ax as they slept in their Delmar home. It was a heinous, vicious and violent crime. And yet Porco, a child of relative privilege, was able to amass the $250,000 needed to post bail, and he remained free as he waited for the trial where a jury convicted him. How was it OK for Porco to be freed on bail while New Yorkers accused of much less serious crimes sat in cells awaiting their trials, simply because they were poor? It wasn't, which is why the Democrats who control the Legislature eliminated cash bail for misdemeanor and non-violent crimes. Regular readers of this column will know that I don't compliment the Legislature and the governor often, but this time, at least, they deserve credit. Even a broken cuckoo clock gets it right now and again. Now, let's talk about Kalief Browder. In 2010, Browder was accused of stealing a backpack in the Bronx. Bail was set at $3,000, but it might as well have been $3 million. Browder and his family couldn't pay it. So the teenager spent three years in Rikers waiting for his trial. Security video from inside the notorious jail showed Browder being beaten by guards and inmates. In an especially cruel twist, Browder's robbery charge never went to trial. The case fell apart when his accuser vanished. Browder, in the end, had been jailed only for his poverty. More Information Contact columnist Chris Churchill at cchurchill@timesunion.com or 518-454-5442. See More Collapse The damage was lasting. Browder never recovered from the torture of Rikers; he never again felt free. Five years after his arrest, Browder committed suicide by jumping from a second-floor window with an air-conditioner cord wrapped around his neck. That isn't America. The nightmare inflicted on Browder violates everything this country is supposed to stand for. Totalitarian governments let people rot in jail without a trial. Our system, operating under a Constitution that honors God-given rights, is supposed to be better than that. Innocent until proven guilty. It's a fundamental concept. Just because the government says you did something doesn't mean you really did it. The government has to prove its case before throwing you in jail. Do we still believe in the presumption of innocence? Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Lord, I hope so. But you wouldn't know it from the reaction to bail reform in recent days. Politicians, prosecutors and other practitioners of shallow outrage are wailing at the very notion of defendants going free prior to their trials. The rhetoric is overheated, designed to inspire fear and motivate votes. Mayhem! Danger! Lock your doors or run for the hills! Left unsaid is that people accused of crimes even crimes as horrific as Porco's were already going free pending their trials, so long as they had money. The new law is only giving the poor the same privileges as, well, the privileged. How is a thief who can come up with $3,000 less of a threat than one who can't? Does being poor make you inherently more dangerous? Please don't say yes. Of course, under state law judges were supposed to set bail based on a defendant's flight risk, not on the potential risk to public safety. Not many of us would blame a judge, though, for setting bail high for a person who was a true danger. But in practice, many judges got into the habit of imposing bail as a routine matter of course. The system was thoughtless and bureaucratic, and it created new victims like Browder, who was neither a flight risk nor a threat. Could the new law be tweaked and improved? No doubt. (That's especially true of its changes to discovery rules.) Should lawmakers restore some judicial discretion? Perhaps. But don't let the noise and the fear mongering obscure what is truth. Bail reform is about punishing defendants for actual crimes, and not just for being poor. It's about ensuring that we live up to the promise of American greatness. cchurchill@timesunion.com 518-454-5442 @chris_churchill Click here to sign up for Chris Churchill's weekly newsletter. SheKnows Weve known for a while now that the British royal family is ushering in a new era, and with it comes new responsibilities for Kate Middleton and Prince William. But the Duchess of Cambridge in particular, who just celebrated her milestone 40th birthday over the weekend with the most regal photoshoot, seems poised to step [] New Delhi: With the death of three more infants at Kota's JK Lon Hospital, the death toll here has risen to 110, officials said on Sunday (January 5). The central team of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has initiated the investigation into the infant deaths at the Kota hospital. The multi-disciplinary team that included Dr Kuldeep Singh, Head of the Paediatrics and Dean Academics, AIIMS-Jodhpur; Dr Deepak Saxena, Senior Regional Director (H&FW), Rajasthan; Dr Arun Singh, Professor of Neonatology, AIIMS-Jodhpur; and Dr Himanshu Bhushan Advisor, NHSRC, MoHFW, has sought detailed information on the hospital and infant deaths. In the preliminary investigation, it was found that one nursing staff was deployed to look after 13 infants, instead of 4, in the hospital. At least 77 percent of heaters and warmers were non-functional despite the region facing severe cold waves since last few weeks. The report added that the infants might have also died of hypothermia, a medical emergency when body temperature falls below 35C. The report added that even as the kids continue to die in the hospital, the administration did not manage enough stock of life-saving equipment. On Saturday, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot took an apparent dig at his own government on the `number game politics` over the death of children in Kota`s JK Lon hospital, and said accountability should be fixed for the deaths of innocent children. "Either administration, medicos, or government... someone needs to be held accountable for these deaths," he said expressing anger against the Ashok Gehlot-led government in which he is the number two. "Thirteen months after forming our government in the state, targeting the previous government on irregularities being reported in the hospital shall not solve the issue. Had they been doing things right, they (BJP) might not have been rejected by the people. People have chosen us and therefore we need to be compassionate and sensitive on this issue," he said. Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot had earlier said that the mortality rate of infants in 2019 has been the lowest in the last six years. Taking cognizance of media reports about the death of over 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 earlier. The notice, issued to the Rajasthan Chief Secretary, asked the state government to submit a detailed report within four weeks in the matter, including the steps being taken to address the issue. Notably, at a time when the Rajasthan government has been facing severe criticism over infant deaths, 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. On December 31, Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi summoned party in-charge in the state Avinash Pande and also sought an explanation from Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on the issue. Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma in his defence said that the children brought to the hospital were in critical condition and despite efforts they could not be saved while those who were less critical were saved. The Diocese of Allentown has removed a Walnutport priest from ministry following allegations he took photos of wrestlers during a Bethlehem Catholic High School wrestling tournament without their knowledge. The Rev. Monsignor Thomas A. Derzack, 70, a pastor of St. Nicholas Parish, also has been barred from diocesan school events and school property, Matt Kerr, spokesman for the diocese, said on Sunday. The incident happened in the gym of Bethlehem Catholic High School during a wrestling tournament held on Dec. 27. Derzack was not dressed in clerical attire at the time he was taking the photos using his cellphone, Kerr said. The photos were taken of the wrestlers from behind as they were waiting to compete, Kerr said, noting the area was a public area of the gym. Bishop Alfred Schlert removed Derzack as a precautionary measure while the diocese investigates, Derr said, noting Derzacks actions violate diocesan standards for acceptable behavior. A spectator at the event became suspicious and notified a police officer providing security at the tournament. The officer then spoke with Derzack, who agreed to delete the photographs and left the event, Kerr said. The incident was handled in accordance with child protection procedures put in place by the diocese, the diocese stated in a statement. When a vigilant adult raised a concern about suspicious behavior, it was addressed immediately, the authorities were notified, and the Bishop removed the priest from ministry. The Bethlehem Police Department continues to investigate, and the diocese is cooperating with their investigation, Kerr said. Bishop Schlert also directed the diocese notify Pennsylvania ChildLine and the Northampton County District Attorneys Office of the incident. The diocese will investigate the allegations thoroughly, in cooperation with law enforcement, Kerr said. An Independent Review Board, a panel of lay experts, will then review the findings and make a recommendation to the bishop about Derzacks suitability for ministry. St. Nicholas parishioners were informed of the incident during weekend Masses. Schlert also visited the parish this weekend and asked for prayers for all people who may have been affected by the situation, Kerr added. Derzack did not immediately return a voicemail Sunday at the parish office. Bethlehem Catholic High School Principal Holly DeNofa referred questions to the Diocese of Allentown. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The case, a three-year-old girl, had not visited the Huanan seafood wholesale market in the mainland Chinese city linked to a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause, said MOH. (IMAGE: Getty Creative) UPDATE: MOH issued a statement, on 5 January, confirming that the case is not linked to the pneumonia cluster in Wuhan. SINGAPORE The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been notified of a suspected case involving a Chinese national with pneumonia and a travel history to Wuhan, where a mysterious infectious disease has afflicted dozens. The three-year-old girl had not visited the Huanan seafood wholesale market in the mainland Chinese city linked to a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause, said MOH in a news release on Saturday (4 January). She has been warded for further assessment and treatment, and has been isolated as a precautionary measure, added MOH. The girl is currently in stable condition and has tested positive for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a common cause of childhood pneumonia. Investigations are ongoing to confirm this as the cause, said MOH. Since the first case of infection was reported in China on 24 December, the number of cases involving the virus has grown to 44 with 11 people now in critical condition. The outbreak has also led to online speculation over a possible resurgence of the SARS virus, which left hundreds dead in 2002-2003. News of the mystery virus spread has also seen countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam conducting temperature screenings on passengers arriving from Wuhan. Related story: Temperature screening at Changi Airport for travellers flying from Wuhan from 3 Jan over pneumonia concerns (Newser) With Iran on everyone's mind, Americans killed in Africa don't get much attentionbut three were indeed killed Sunday at a military base in Kenya, NBC News reports. According to US Africa Command, al-Shabab forces attacked a base used by US troops before dawn, killing a US service member and two Department of Defense contractors. Two other DoD employees were wounded and in stable condition. Details of the raid are scant, but ABC News reports that attackers relied on indirect and small-arms fire, and civilian aircraft were damaged or destroyed. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility and said it had taken over part of the base, known as Camp Simba, but that hasn't been verified. US and Kenyan officials say the militants were repelled, per the AP. story continues below One reporter called it a daring strike: "The base is heavily fortified and al-Shabab still managed to break through," Haru Mutasa told Al Jazeera. Al-Shabab has been pulling off deadly attacks in Kenya and Somalia for years, killing at least 79 in Somalia last week, despite increasing airstrikes by the Trump administration. In a statement, US Army Maj. Gen. William Gayler said "Al-Shabab is a brutal terrorist organization. It is an al-Qaeda affiliate seeking to establish a self-governed Islamic territory in East Africa, to remove Western influence and ideals from the region, and to further its jihadist agenda." Read more at Global Conflict Tracker, which says Al-Shabab has up to 9,000 troops. (Or read a related story about a San Diego man.) Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to return Sunday to the UK, where he faces criticism for not cutting short his holiday to deal with soaring Mideast tensions. Johnson, who celebrated the New Year on the Caribbean private island of Mustique after leading his Conservative Party to a strong majority in the December 12 election, has been silent over the US slaying Friday of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike. Soleimani's death stoked fears that heightened world tensions could spiral into war after Iran threatened revenge against the US, which has sent 3,000 more soldiers to Kuwait. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has defended Johnson, saying the two have been in constant contact during this time. The British government has upgraded its travel warning for the Middle East and dispatched two warships to escort UK-flagged ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipment corridor for world oil supplies. Jeremy Corbyn, the outgoing leader of the opposition Labour party, said Johnson "should have immediately cut short his holiday to deal with an issue that could have grave consequences for the UK and the world." In an op-ed in The Observer, Labour's foreign policy spokeswoman Emily Thornberry, who is in the race to take over from Corbyn, said she was astonished Johnson hadn't said anything 48 hours after the strike and wondered if he was afraid of angering US President Donald Trump, who ordered the slaying. Ed Davey, the leader of a smaller party, the Liberal Democrats, tweeted that Johnson's silence was deafening. Raab, appearing Sunday morning on British shows, dismissed the criticism, telling Sky that the whole government is working closely together. We're very clear on strategy. Johnson has been in charge from the outset," he told the BBC. In fact, I've been in constant contact with the PM over the Christmas break on a whole range of foreign policy issues." Later this month, Johnson aims to fulfil his major campaign promise and get Brexit done," taking Britain out of the European Union as scheduled on January 31. The U.K. then embarks on intense negotiations to hash out a trade deal with the EU, Britain's top trading partner. The Labour Party, meanwhile, is casting about for a new leader a fter the worst showing since 1935 in December's general election. A raft of contenders are vying take over, with five candidates so far declaring their intention to run, including Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer, who's seen as the frontrunner, high-profile lawmaker Jess Philips and Thornberry. The party's executive committee will meet Monday to set the timetable for the leadership contest, which is expected to formally open Tuesday. The new leader is expected to be in place by the end of March. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lucknow, Jan 5 (IANS) Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, on Sunday, met the family of Mohd Wakeel, who had lost his life in anti-CAA protests in Lucknow on December 19. Wakeel had suffered a bullet injury in his stomach. Akhilesh Yadav said that Wakeel was the sole bread winner of the family and demanded adequate compensation, a job for a family member and a house, should be given. By Express News Service CHENNAI : For the second day on Saturday flights were diverted from Chennai International Airport due to poor visibility caused by extreme fog. Seven flights, both international and domestic, which were to land in Chennai, were diverted to Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Coimbatore due to poor visibility. Similarly, 40 flights were delayed due to poor visiblity which lasted till 10 am. The schedule of air passengers went haywire. Air Indias flight from Muscat and British Airways flight from Heathrow, were diverted to Hyderabad. The other flights that were diverted to Hyderabad include Air Australia flight from St Denis Rolland Garos Airport in Australia, Indigo flight from Delhi and Oman Air flight from Muscat. Indigo flight from Pune was diverted to Coimbatore and Ethihad flight from Shanghai to Chennai was diverted to Bengaluru. Secretary Michael R. Pompeo's Call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Readout Office of the Spokesperson January 4, 2020 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus: Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the situation in Iraq as well as Iran's continued provocations and threats to the region. The Secretary underscored the Trump Administration's resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Customs and Border protection says reports of up to 60 Iranians being detained at the US-Canada border, amid escalating tensions between Washington D.C. and Iran are false. On Sunday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported Sunday that more than 60 Iranians and Iranian-Americans of all ages were detained at length and questioned by officers at the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine, Washington. It said more Iranian-Americans are expected to cross the Peace Arch Border to try to return to their homes in the US from an Iranian pop concert that took place on Saturday in Vancouver, Canada. It was also claimed that the detained group allegedly had their passports confiscated and they were questioned about their political views and allegiances. However, CBP said in a statement that based on the 'current threat to the environment CBP is operating with an enhanced posture at its ports of entry to safeguard our national security and protect the American people'. It added that it did so while 'protecting the civil rights and liberties of everyone'. 'CBP routinely adjusts staffing and operations to maintain the duel missions of border security and facilitation of lawful trade and travel. Processing times are the result of the current circumstances, including staffing levels, volume of traffic, and threat posture.' It added that on Saturday - the day it was claimed the large number of people were detained - there were increased wait times of up to two hours, and in some cases up to four hours, due to the high volume of travelers. 'CBP does not discriminate based on religion, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation.' The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported Sunday that more than 60 Iranians and Iranian-Americans of all ages have been detained at the US-Canada border, amid escalating tensions between Washington D.C. and Iran. Customs and Border Protection said those reports were false. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, said her office is investigating the reports Among the allegations by CAIC was that a 24-year-old American medical student named Crystal was allegedly detained and interrogated for more than 10 hours with her family at the Peace Arch Border Crossing before being released early Sunday morning. Another man from North Vancouver, who was born in Tehran but is a Canadian citizen, told a CBC reporter he and his family and dozens of other Iranians were detained for '8+ hours at the Peace Arch border' crossing yesterday. 'The vast majority of people being held last night were American citizens. We kept asking why we were being detained and asked questioned that had nothing to do with our reason for traveling and was told "I'm sorry this is just the wrong time for you guys,"' Crystal said according to a CAIR-Washington report. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, tweeted that reports have emerged of Iranian Americans - some of whom are U.S. citizens, are being detained at the Canadian border. 'Deeply disturbed by reports that Iranian Americans, including U.S. citizens, are being detained at the Canadian border with WA State. My office has been working on this all morning,' she tweeted Sunday afternoon. A source at CBP allegedly told CAIR that the Department of Homeland Security issued a national order to CBP to 'report' and detain anyone with Iranian heritage entering the country who is deemed potentially suspicious or 'adversarial' regardless of their citizenship status. CBP told DailyMail.com that directive was false. The National Iranian American Council, a non profit based in the US, also tweeted about 'credible reports' of detentions at US borders and said as many as 150 individuals may have been held for questioning. They were asked about relatives, occupations, birthdays, the last time they visited Iran and their opinions on the current tensions. The Peach Arch border crossing between Blaine, Washington and White Rock, British Columbia pictured above UPPER DARBY- A new era is arriving in Upper Darby government. A slate of new appointments show the incoming Democratic government of Upper Darby Township taking immediate action to move on from years of majority Republican rule. Democratic Mayor-elect Barbarann Keffer announced Friday evening her nominations and recommendations of 10 people to a slate of positions ranging from chief administrative officer to director of the electrical department as she and the new Democratic majority on council start to shape township administration as they see fit. The following persons will be voted on for approval at councils reorganization meeting on Monday night: Scott Alberts, director of administrative services; Sekela Coles, director of parking enforcement; Vincent Rongione, chief administrative officer; Alison Dobbins, director of special projects; Sean Kilkenny, Esq. and the Law Offices of Sean Kilkenny, LLC legal officer/solicitor; and Chris Herr, CPA and Maillie, LLP as the independent auditor. Coles is expected to resign her 7th district township council seat to serve as the director of parking enforcement. Alberts, too, will step down from his elected office as township treasurer for his new position. Keffer announced three people being held over from the Republican administration: John McMullen, director of finance; Michael Gove, interim chief of the fire department; and Joe Martin, director of the electrical department. Additionally, Police Lt. Timothy Bernhardt will stay on as acting police superintendent as the search process continues to find a new police superintendent, a position he is being considered for, according to a press release announcing Keffers recommendations. Bernhardt has served in this capacity since December when Mayor Tom Micozzie named him to fill the top cop post after Michael Chitwood announced his retirement and resigned his position. Republican Jeff Gentile will not continue as director of licenses and inspections, but his replacement has not yet been named. His successor is expected to be named Monday night. We believe the best way to serve the whole township is to bring everyone together, said Keffer in a prepared statement. By keeping so many current administration members, we are ensuring experience and continuity for the residents and by adding some well-qualified and seasoned people we are ensuring that people are getting the reform and innovation they voted for. The goal is for every resident to get the best service and feel like they have a voice in their local government. She continued, It really is a new day in Upper Darby. This is the most qualified and most inclusive team we have ever seen in our township. Its an honor for me to be able to say that and to be able to give the council and the public more information, more access, and more buy-in than they have ever had before. Everyone on this team knows that I want people to feel from day one that this government belongs to them and is here to help solve problems and improve their daily quality of life. These recommendations, if all are approved, will come as soon as the new council is seated Monday, immediately establishing the first substantial actions of Democrats using their newly-won majority on council and the mayors office to implement the changes they have been working toward after years of campaigning. These recommendations were made through consultation with Keffers bipartisan transition team and working with the bipartisan council and council-elect. A full agenda of Monday nights reorganization meeting has not yet been posted. The Country Woman's Association has issued an urgent warning about heartless scammers pretending to be CWA volunteers asking for bushfire donations. The CWA's local branch at The Oaks posted the warning to its Facebook page on Saturday urging residents not to answer the door to anyone claiming to be working for the association. 'It seems that there are some people knocking on doors saying they are from the CWA collecting money for people affected by the bush fires,' the post read. The Country Woman's Association has warned residents about possible scammers knocking on doors and claiming to be from the association before asking for donations (stock image) 'This is not true. Please do not give them money. 'We the CWA do not door knock for donations.' The post has been shared more than 400 times and a number of angry social media users commented. 'As a member of the CWA I am very disappointed that someone could do this. It makes me feel sick,' one user wrote. 'You are kidding. There are some low lives out there taking advantage of this terrible situation,' another added. 'I guess you always find a couple of Grubbs, in a barrel of great apples,' a third wrote. The CWA warning informed residents the association doe snot do door knocks for donations and anyone doing so and asking for bushfire appeal donations is not from the CWA A New South Wales Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia they hadn't received any official reports of fraudsters knocking on doors. However they took the opportunity to caution residents of potential scammers. 'Police are urging the public to be vigilant when donating money and if you are unsure consider donating to registered organisations involved in bushfire-recovery efforts,' the spokeswoman said. There were 13 fatal shootings in the City of Lafayette in 2019, including two that police classified as negligent homicides, according to an unofficial tally by the Acadiana Advocate. Suspects have been arrested in all the other cases, but the District Attorneys Office appears to have not yet filed charges against some of them. The victims include a 2-year-old boy. The charged suspects include three sons accused of killing their fathers. The locations of the shootings include three consecutive blocks of Edison Street. Below is a summary of publicly available information about the cases, based on records from the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court and the Lafayette Parish Sheriffs Office. The cases are listed in chronological order by the victims names. Frederick Richardson, 48 Richardson, of Baton Rouge, was fatally shot on Jan. 3 the Super 7 Hotel in the 2100 block of NW Evangeline Thruway. Nicholas Hebert, 28, was indicted for second-degree murder on March 27, and subsequently pleaded not guilty. He is held at Lafayette Parish Correction Center on $250,000 bond, and he is due in court for a pre-trial hearing on Feb. 13. Willie James Earl Thomas, Sr. 57 Thomas was gunned down on Jan. 7 inside a home in the 200 block of Joy Street. His son, Willie James Earl Thomas, Jr., 24, was indicted for second-degree murder on March 27. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Trial is presently scheduled for April 2. He is held at Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on $250,000 bond. Christian Roper, 18 Roper was shot on to death on March 13 while in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 3600 block of Kaliste Saloom Road, after what was either a drug deal gone bad or Ropers failed attempt to rob a drug dealer. An alleged drug dealer named Derek Junca, 31, told police he met Roper in the parking lot with the intention of selling him two ounces of marijuana, but they got into a fight after Roper got into the backseat of Juncas pickup truck. As the altercation ensued with Junca in the drivers seat, Juncas friend Tyler Hebert, who sat in the passenger seat, allegedly turned around and shot Roper. Junca and Hebert were jointly charged with first-degree murder, but they are apparently being tried separately. Heberts trial is scheduled for Jan. 13, and a pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Junca on Feb. 13. Two of Ropers friends who were on the premises the night of the homicide, Ayden McDonald and Trevis Thomas, were jointly indicted for attempted first-degree armed robbery. A pre-trial hearing in that case is scheduled for Jan. 16. Three of the four defendants have pleaded not guilty. Court records do not show that Hebert has entered a plea. None of the four are listed as being housed at Lafayette Parish Correctional Center, and court records show all but one Junca as having posted bond. Its not clear if Junca is incarcerated. Ernest White, Jr., 68 White was fatally shot March 17 at a home in the 400 block of Edison Street. His son, 32-year-old Ernest White III, is charged with first-degree murder and two gun charges. He is held at Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on $105,000 bond. Trial is scheduled for Feb. 18. Kendrick Flugence, 22 Flugence was shot to death on March 24 in a parking lot in the 2800 block of Louisiana Avenue. Taveon Leary, 20, is charged with second-degree murder. He is held at Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on $500,000 bond. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Feb. 13. Michael Thomas, 54 Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Thomas was gunned down on May 7 in a park in the 500 block of Edison Street. Two teenagers are charged with second-degree murder. They have not been identified because they are juveniles. MarKavin Cormier, 2 MarKavin, who was publicly identified by his family, died of gunshot wound on June 30 in the 100 block of Northern Avenue. Police arrested four suspects in connection with the death, which they classified as a negligent homicide. The status of the case is uncertain, however, as the defendants names did not match any active cases in court records as of Friday. A Lafayette Police spokeswoman said the case remains closed, with charges pending before District Attorney Keith Stutes office for review. The District Attorneys Office did not immediately respond to a query. +12 'King, we love you': Family, friends gather to remember 2-year-old fatally shot in Lafayette About 75 family members, friends and neighbors gathered in Pa Davis Park Friday to mourn the fatal shooting of MarKavin King Cormier, a tod John Willis, 36 Willis was gunned down in the early hours on the Fourth of July in the 200 block of Lily Street. Deontre Batiste, 24, was indicted for second-degree murder in October. He is held at the Calcasieu Correctional Center, and he is due for a March 10 arraignment hearing in Lafayette Parish. Four others were arrested on suspicion of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder. One of those defendants, 29-year-old Shawatha Boyd, is also held in Calcasieu Parish and due for a March 10 arraignment hearing. Another, Kenyetta Fails, posted bond this month and is due for a pre-trial hearing on Feb. 13. A third accessory defendant, 29-year-old Demarcus Thomas, pleaded guilty. There is no record of an active case for the fourth suspect. Leo Lafauci, 44 Lafauci was shot to death June 14 in a home near the intersection of Alice Drive and Empire Drive. Police said the shooting resulted from a domestic disturbance, and Lafaucis son, Tristian Lafauci, was indicted on a second-degree murder charge and pleaded not guilty. He is held at Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on $75,000 bond, and he is due for a pre-trial hearing on Feb. 20. Ronald Taylor, 24 Taylor was shot to death on July 8 near the intersection of Cora Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Freddie Ivory, 29, and Michael Washington, 18, were separately indicted on second-degree murder charges in November. There is no record of Ivory posting bond, and its not clear if he is incarcerated. He is due for an arraignment hearing on Jan. 7. Washington pleaded not guilty and is due for a pre-trial hearing on Feb. 13. He is held at Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on $250,000 bond. Unnamed female victim, 16 A 16-year-old girl was accidentally shot to death by a 17-year-old boy in the 100 block of South June Drive, according to police. The status of the negligent homicide case is unclear. Tiage Hudson, 20 Hudson was fatally shot on Sept. 4 in the 600 block of Edison Street. Police arrested two suspects on suspicion of first-degree murder, but one of the suspects, 19-year-old Rontralon Joseph, was indicted on two lesser charges illegal possession of a stolen firearm and obstruction of justice. It is not clear if Joseph is incarcerated. He is due for an arraignment hearing on Jan. 7. Clerk of Court records did not show any active cases pending for the other suspect as of Friday. Trevon Adams, 22 Adams was found shot to death in a vehicle on Oct. 20 in the 800 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Police arrested a 22-year-old female suspect. Clerk of Court records did not show any active pending for the suspect as of Friday. CALGARY - A veteran of Canada's ailing oilpatch is hoping a new product drawn from deep under Prairie grain fields will provide a natural resource boom for Western Canada. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/1/2020 (736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Marlon McDougall, president of North American Helium, is shown at the company's head office in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh CALGARY - A veteran of Canada's ailing oilpatch is hoping a new product drawn from deep under Prairie grain fields will provide a natural resource boom for Western Canada. Marlon McDougall, 59, says he wasn't interested when first approached last year to join a junior exploration company. After 35 years in the oil and gas industry, he had grown frustrated by its multiplying headaches, including environmental criticism, pipeline constraints, regulatory burdens and the need to adopt expensive new technologies as easy-to-produce pools of oil and gas are depleted. But New York-based financial manager Nick Snyder, 36, founder and chairman of privately held North American Helium, assured him none of those problems exist with helium, the lighter-than-air product he plans to produce and export. The rush to get in on a new resource industry recalls the excitement of the oil and gas sector in the '80s, McDougall, named president and chief operating officer last spring, said in an interview from the company's modest downtown Calgary offices. "You do things right," he said. "You have an idea, you capture land, you shoot seismic, you go out and drill exploration wells, you make discoveries and it just rolls on from there." Helium, the second most plentiful element in the universe, is in short supply on Earth. Demand for the gas once used mainly for military, weather and party balloons has been steadily rising, creating shortages and spiking prices in recent years. Helium's unique ability to remain a liquid at extremely low temperatures makes it the cooling agent of choice for superconducting magnets in research and medicine (including MRIs). It's also essential in rocketry and plasma welding. The global market for helium, meanwhile, is being thrown wide open by the U.S. government's decision five years ago to gradually sell off its strategic reserves of the inert gas and turn the market it now heavily influences over to the private sector by 2021. The environment is ripe for a resurgence of the industry in Saskatchewan, which produced helium from wells for about a decade 50 years ago before foundering due to slumping prices, said Melinda Yurkowski, assistant chief geologist for the Saskatchewan Geological Survey. "It's still a lot of rank exploration right now," she said, adding no one knows how much helium produced by the decay of radioactive uranium and thorium the province contains. Virginia-based Weil Group Resources reactivated two legacy helium wells in 2016 and built a 40-million-cubic-feet-per-year, $10-million helium separation facility at Mankato in the southwest corner of the province. Helium was trucked to Weil's liquefaction facilities in the U.S. and sold until the wells were suspended due to production problems in mid-2019. Weil has since drilled a new well to try to restore output. The company has plans to produce helium in Alberta as well and is considering eventually building a liquefaction facility there to super-cool the gas to liquid form so it can be shipped in high-pressure tanks anywhere in the world, Weil CEO Jeff Vogt said. Western Canada has an advantage over other new sources of helium in that its best reserves are found in pools made up of 95 per cent nitrogen, said Scott Mundle, an assistant professor and researcher at the University of Windsor in Ontario who has been studying samples from helium explorers. The nitrogen found can be safely vented to the atmosphere after the one-to-two per cent helium content is removed, because the Earth's atmosphere is made up of about 78 per cent nitrogen, he said. Trace amounts of methane and carbon dioxide can also be released with minimal impact on the environment, he added. The extremely high pressure in reservoirs deeper than two kilometres under the surface means wells can be productive for years before being depleted, said Mundle, outlasting shallower pools elsewhere in the world. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. North American Helium is the most active of the handful of companies that have staked out a total of 1.7 million hectares of helium leases and permits in Saskatchewan. It has drilled 13 new helium wells in southwestern Saskatchewan, with 11 considered commercially viable, and has tentative plans to open a plant to process gas from a single well by mid-2020. Moving forward with production will depend on signing long-term supply contracts with buyers, who will most likely be from among the big industrial gas suppliers who currently control global distribution, McDougall said. The potential is huge, Snyder said. North American Helium's five-year plan includes wells, separation plants and liquefaction facilities to supply a substantial chunk of global demand currently pegged at about seven billion cubic feet per year. "We think internally a reasonable expectation is that as the (American) fields decline ... providing about 10 per cent of global supply 700 million cubic feet per year is very much the sweet spot in terms of being achievable and capital efficient with the land base we have." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2020. WASHINGTON Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro announced Thursday that he was bowing out of the 2020 Democratic primary. The only reason to notice or care is that Castro was one of the more shrill candidates, so its good that he never found purchase in the crowded field and hence had to suspend his campaign. Like Kamala Harris, the California Democratic senator who dropped out in December, Castro has been part of the lefts cancel culture that seeks to silence those with differing views rather than to debate in the marketplace of ideas. Harris tried to stand out in the primary by telling Twitter to cancel President Donald Trumps account as a matter of safety. She must have known the stunt would fail, but clearly figured that advocating to censor a Republican president was a shrewd career move. Amen to that not working. Over the summer, Rep. Joaquin Castro, who is the former HUD secretarys twin brother and closest ally, tweeted the names and occupations of 44 constituents in his San Antonio district who had contributed the maximum amount $2,800 per election to the Trump campaign. Their contributions, the House Democrat explained, are fueling a campaign of hate, and he argued that the anti-immigrant manifesto written by the El Paso shooter who left 22 innocents dead could have been written by the people that write Trumps speeches. The former HUD secretary explicitly supported his brother naming names. From the start, the congressman was wrong to link Trump to the El Paso shooter. The shooter said he reached his views on what he called a Hispanic invasion before Trump launched his 2016 campaign. There is no linkage here, only political opportunism. Widening the circle of blame to Trump donors only expands the list to include more people who had absolutely nothing to do with the El Paso slaughter. Why would anyone who is duly appalled at those murders want to do that? On MSNBCs Morning Joe, Castro argued it was not his intent that Trump donors be harassed; besides, donor names are public record. What I would like for them to do is think twice before supporting a guy whos fueling hate in this country, he said. Thats the classic guilt-by-association tactic that hangs on the lie that all Trump supporters must be racist. Know that when a congressman tweets the names and other information about Trump donors, he is inviting intolerant co-believers to lash out at Trump supporters in inappropriate ways. Its amazing how often partisans who say they want to stop hate and protect the innocent are happy to throw gasoline on the fire in a quest to establish their moral superiority. And thats no way to win in 2020, by going after Trump donors for fueling hatred. Former President Barack Obama understands that. At an event in Chicago in October, Obama admonished younger voters for demanding purity and jumping on social media to show how politically woke they are. The world is messy. There are ambiguities, Obama noted before he panned those who believe the way of me making change is to be as judgmental as possible about other people. Obama called out those who tweet against others for something they said and then pride themselves for being so strong on social justice. Thats not activism, Obama added. Thats not bringing about change. The exit of Castro and Harris also shows that excelling in the smug factor is not the ticket to winning the Democratic nomination. Contact Debra J. Saunders at dsaunders@reviewjournal.com or 202-662-7391. Follow @DebraJSaunders on Twitter. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 142 Shares Share An excerpt from Fallible: A Memoir of a Young Physicians Struggle with Mental Illness. Jason had an entire group of voices in his head that he called the committee. They talked nearly constantly, sometimes in a flat roar but often escalating to shouting. He described it as like being at a partyalways something going on, a dull rumble with occasional distinct voices. Sometimes the committee had conversations amongst themselves, and sometimes they spoke directly to Jason. The voices usually spoke about either positive or neutral topics, but occasionally they ganged up on Jason and became hostile, yelling obscenities at him, telling him he was worthless, or trying to convince him that the solution to his problems was to attack someoneeven himself. He had acted on the committees recommendation to hurt himself before, as recently as a few weeks earlier; sometimes he even persuaded himself that dying was the only way to shut them up. He took a gun from his friends house so as to shoot himself in the head. His girlfriend saw him leave the house with the gun and stopped him before he went through with it. He had been in the psychiatric hospital since then. Through the help of his therapist, Jason knew that the committee didnt comprise real people but was something his brain had created for some unclear reason. He mostly distinguished between the din of the committees activity and people in the real world, though sometimes that distinction blurred, and he struggled. Cigarettes calmed the committee for a short time, but the voices always started conversing again. Alcohol didnt make a difference, but that didnt stop Jason from trying to convince himself that it did, often all day long. Cocaine made them talk even louder. He hadnt been able to hold down a job for much more than a few months at a time, and he couldnt count how many personal relationships the committee had sabotaged. Jason had been on numerous medications to quiet the committee and enhance his ability to discern the external world from his internal realm; some worked better than others, but all caused considerable side effects. He gained nearly one hundred pounds upon starting a new antipsychotic, leading to the development of diabetes. He ended up with long-term kidney damage from one medication, his liver injured by another. During the times of a medication trial, he often ended up in the psychiatric hospital for weeks at a time, suffering psychotic breaks that caused a cascading chaos in his broken mind. Jason saddened me. His intelligence became more apparent the longer you spoke with him; he nearly completed his mechanical engineering degree before the committee went into session. He had a fairly normal life until about twenty-three when his uncle, who had been like a father to him, passed away. Jason snapped. He hadnt heard voices before then, and he hadnt been able to avoid them since. That was the first time someone had hospitalized him. As you may have guessed, Jason had schizophrenia, a psychotic disorder that often causes auditory or visual hallucinations (and sometimes both). Thankfully, Jason didnt see non-existent things. Jason didnt know his father, but didnt inherit any psychiatric problems from his mothers family. He didnt have any other medical problems until he started taking medications for the schizophrenia. He was now in his mid-thirties, but he looked at least twenty years older. His smile showed crooked, yellowing teeth and revealed deep skin chasms at the corner of his eyes as opposed to shallow crows feet. His skin was steeled and leathery, probably the result of hard living and smoking. He spoke in a halting but clear timbre, sometimes pausing and whispering under his breath, a habit he had developed to quiet the committee. He exuded calm and seemed pleased to be the center of the groups attention, as much to break the boredom of his day as anything else. His hair was short, and they only allowed him a basic wardrobe while in the hospitala faded blue sweatshirt and some loose pajama pantsso he had no items to fashion into a weapon to harm himself. Jasons experience is quite common. Schizophrenia often appears in young adulthood, frequently after a very stressful experience. Through my time working at the group home for the mentally ill followed by medical school, I had seen several people with the disorder. It scared me every time. Its hard for me to fathom how convincingly your mind can turn against you. I met Jason during a first-year class in medical school; we were learning how to obtain a basic history from a patient. The twenty of us in the group took turns interviewing different patients. They assigned my group to the psych hospital, which made for some interesting conversations. Jason was the focus of my first interview, and I imagined that my nerves were as loud as Jasons committee. Not only was I nervous because of having to perform in front of this group, an exercise that became a common occurrence throughout my medical training, but also because I saw a bit of myself in him. Was I that different? I had severe anxiety necessitating medication, compounded by stress, my own narcissistic tendencies, and a series of life choicesbut Jason had something much worse. It all gave me pause. I was now twenty-four, just barely older than Jason when the committee took residence. Would I soon begin hearing voices as well? I supposed that beginning the long and arduous road of medical education while having an infant at home with a lonely wife in a new place more than a thousand miles from our family counted as enough of a stressful event to trigger whatever may lay dormant in my brain. Why did this happen to Jason and not me? What if it did happen to me? Was there any way to prevent it? Or was I simply overreacting? Kyle Bradford Jones is a family physician and can be reached on Twitter @kbjones11. He is the author of Fallible: A Memoir of a Young Physicians Struggle with Mental Illness. Image credit: Shutterstock.com 4.5-km long cake to be baked in Kerala's Thrissur on Jan 15 India oi-Madhuri Adnal Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 05: With an eye on entering the records books, chefs and bakers from across Kerala will come together at Thrissur on January 15 to bake a 4.5-km long cake. At least 700 bakers and chefs drawn from 10,000 micro and small bakery units in the state will be participating in the endeavour in an attempt to beat the Guinness record held by China, P M Sankaran, President of the National Forum of Bakers, told PTI. The cake, which will have a height and width of four inches, will be spread along the road side on tables and desks, and will have a common base and vanilla cream topping. About 4,000 desks will be required for the purpose, he added. Man surprises his shopoholic wife with birthday cake shaped like an Amazon package China presently has the record of baking the longest cake -- 3.2 km in length which was prepared inside a hall, Sankaran said adding this was perhaps the first time the exercise, on such a massive scale, was being attempted in the open with thousands of people watching. The cake making event, is being organised at the famous Thrissur ground and adjoining roads by the Bakers Association Kerala (BAKE), to coincide with the conclusion of the ongoing day and night shopping festival there. The attempt will also be to showcase their culinary skills in the open. It will be prepared within an hour from the launch of the programme in the afternoon in front of the general public, he said. The bakers will ensure quality and hygiene in accordance with the organisation's motto "suchiyiloode ruchi" (taste through hygiene). The event is being coordinated by Kiran S Palakkal, Secretary, BAKE. The cake will display God's Own Country's natural beauty through consumable photographs spread on it. No plastic or thermocol will be utilised in the cake making programme in consonance with Kerala government's policy of keeping plastic at bay to protect the environment. According to local historians, the first cake in the country was baked by an Indian in the historic town of Thalassery in Kannur in north Kerala in 1883. Taking cue from European settlers in the Malabar region of Kerala, Mampally Bappu, a local entrepreneur, is said to have baked the first cake using local ingredients in the coastal town. The first bakery also came up in Thalassery. "Kerala may be the only place in the world which has around 20,000 bakery units", Sankaran said. Mampally Bappu, who lived in Thalassery, was a visionary who introduced the exclusive taste of cakes to Indian foodies, he said. donald trump MPI10/MediaPunch/IPX via Associated Press Top US military officials were reportedly stunned when they presented President Donald Trump with a number of options to respond to Iranian-backed violence in Iraq, and he chose the most radical solution. The officials reportedly put the option of killing Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani on the table, thinking he wouldn't choose such an extreme response, according to The New York Times. Later, the Trump administration would defend the strikes by saying Soleimani had been plotting an "imminent" attack. But The Times reported that there were disagreements within the administration about whether that was the case. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Top US military officials presented President Donald Trump with a number of potential responses to Iranian-backed violence in Iraq in recent days, but were stunned when he chose the most radical option, The New York Times reported Saturday evening. The officials reportedly put the option of killing Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani on the table, thinking he wouldn't choose such an extreme solution. The newspaper reported that it's commonplace for Pentagon officials to present president with extreme solutions so that other options appear more reasonable by comparison. Though Trump initially rejected the option of assassinating Soleimani on December 28, he grew increasingly furious when Iranian-backed militiamen attacked the US Embassy in Iraq, The Times reported, citing Pentagon and Trump administration officials. Eventually, on January 2, Trump shocked Pentagon officials by opting to kill Soleimani. FILE- In this Sept. 18, 2016 photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Revolutionary Guard commanders in Tehran, Iran. A U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport on Friday Jan. 3, 2020 killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force. Soleimani was considered the architect of Iran's policy in Syria. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File) Associated Press Later, the Trump administration would defend the strikes by saying Soleimani had been plotting an "imminent" attack. But The Times reported that there were disagreements within the administration about whether that was the case. One US official told The Times there wasn't evidence of an imminent attack, and that Soleimani appeared to be going about "business as usual." Story continues In the wake of Soleimani's death, tension between the US and Iran has dramatically escalated. A top Iranian commander warned Friday that the nation has already prepared 35 potential targets for a counter-strike against the US, likely targeting American ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Sea of Oman, and the Persian Gulf. On Saturday night, Trump took to Twitter to warn Iran not to retaliate, threatening that the US had assembled 52 targets for strikes one representing each of the 52 Americans held for more than a year during the Iranian hostage crisis. He also threatened that the targets were "at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture." He continued: "Those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!" Read the original article on Business Insider The frontrunner to become the next leader of the Liberal Democrats has been accused of weaponising her sexuality in order to defuse a row over her relationship with a suspended party official. Layla Morans announcement last week that she was pansexual meaning that her sexual tastes are not restricted by biological sex or gender has caused alarm among her supporters, who fear that the backlash could force her to pull out of her second successive contest. Ms Moran, who has previously only dated men, withdrew from the last leadership race after it emerged that she was once arrested for slapping her then boyfriend Richard Davis during a row over a lost computer cable. Current girlfriend: Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran (right) and her girlfriend, the party's former head of media Rosy Cobb Ms Moran, 37, has been mocked on social-media platforms for combining her self-outing with details of her six-month relationship with Rosy Cobb, the Lib Dems former head of media. She told Pink News that she identifies as pansexual because it doesnt matter about the physical attributions of the person you fall in love with, its about the person themselves. She added: We totally hit it off, started hanging out, and one day after a couple glasses of wine Users of Mumsnet have been vitriolic about Ms Moran, with one accusing her of cheaply weaponising her fluid sexuality to look woke. Announcement: Last night Miss Moran tweeted to declare she was 'just happy' after revealing she fell in love with a 'wonderful woman' last year Another said: It doesnt say much for Morans judgment for her to be singing the praises of a relationship with someone who brought the party into such disrepute a mere month ago. Moran is trying to play a crafty two-hander here distract from her girlfriends bizarre track record, and appeal to the younger Lib Dems insatiable appetite for gender identity immersion. And a third said: Pansexual sounds like some kind of Le Creuset fetish. Whats wrong with being a lesbian? The remarks are among a number which have been passed around by Lib Dem members ahead of the contest to replace Jo Swinson, who lost her own seat at the Election as her party won just 11 in all. Ms Moran, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, says she has not yet decided whether to run as leader, saying: Its a really big decision. But I do know that you bring your friends and family and all of you with you when you decide to do something like that. Miss Moran (pictured) said she decided to go public because she believes politicians have a duty to tell the truth about their personal lives Ex-boyfriend: Layla Moran and Richard Davis on holiday in the Dominican Republic in 2010. They broke up after a row at the 2012 party conference Defeated: Former Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, pictured right with Layla Moran during the general election campaign, lost her East Dunbartonshire seat on December 12 Lover quit over fake email claim Layla Moran's girlfriend Rosy Cobb was at the centre of a controversy during the general election campaign when the Liberal Democrats became embroiled in a row over a faked email and legal threats to journalists. Miss Cobb, then the Lib Dems' head of media, was suspended after the party's press office was accused of altering emails. The political website Open Democracy ran a story in mid-November claiming that the Lib Dems had sold supporters' data to the Remain campaign during the Brexit referendum. The Lib Dems started a legal fight with the website, arguing that they had sent a statement which had not been used. Open Democracy maintained that it had not received one. The party forwarded an email they claimed had been sent but the date it carried was the day before the request for comment had been made. Miss Cobb was suspended pending a full investigation. She has now left the party. Advertisement The Mail on Sunday approached Ms Moran last weekend with questions about whether her relationship with Ms Cobb represented a conflict of interest. We agreed not to run a story after Ms Moran invoked her right to keep her sexuality private: she then announced it herself five days later. A Lib Dem source said: Unfairly or not, it looks as if Layla has deployed this sexuality stuff to divert questions about her relationship with Rosy. Its been quite tumultuous behind the scenes, so dont bet against her withdrawing again. Ms Cobb was suspended after the partys press office was accused of altering emails. The political website Open Democracy claimed the Lib Dems had sold supporters data to the Remain campaign during the 2016 referendum. The party then produced an image of an email that had been sent explaining its position but the date it carried was the day before the request for a comment had even been made. Ms Cobb has now left the Lib Dems. In her Pink News interview, Ms Moran said: It made me think: have I always been attracted to women? Ive got a gay brother and a gay sister, so its not that I didnt think [my family] would be supportive. The death of the Taiwanese chief of the general staff in a helicopter crash this week has robbed the island of a key figure in its plans to defend itself in the face of an increasingly aggressive mainland China. Shen Yi-ming, 62, was one of eight people, including two major generals, who died when the UH-60M Black Hawk crashed in mountainous country south of Tapei on Thursday. Five other people on board survived. Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen, who is seeking a second term in next weeks elections, described the former air force commander as an outstanding and capable general who was well loved by his peers. Meanwhile her predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou, who appointed Shen to lead Taiwans air force, said the general was known as one of the militarys key talents. Shen played a major role in Taiwans procurement of fighter jets in the face of threats from Beijing, which has not ruled out the use of force to reunify the island with the Chinese mainland. While Beijing has repeatedly said it firmly opposes any arms sales to Taiwan, Shen helped the island reach a major deal with the US to supply it with new fighter jets. In July last year, soon after taking over as chief of the general staff, the US approved the sale of 66 new F-16V fighters the most advanced version of the plane that forms the backbone of Taiwans air force. On Friday Tsai urged the Taiwanese armed forces to remain alert to any threats to national security. The president has increased the defence budget since coming to power in 2016 amid a series of PLA encirclement exercises and drills in what Beijing has described as a warning to Taiwan independence separatist forces. Former Taiwan defence minister Andrew Yang Nien-dzu said Shens contribution to the upgrading of Taiwans air force was remarkable. He is a very experienced air force officer, and he has strong ability in deployment and planning. Policies have been carried out smoothly under his leadership, especially in the last few years. He put in a lot of effort to facilitate the procurement of the F-16V fighters from the US and was always in close communication with our foreign allies, Yang said. Story continues A rescue team searches the helicopters wreckage. Photo: Reuters Shen had studied at the US Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama, graduating in 2002. Yang said that many of Shens classmates had gone on to take important roles in the US military and that he had stayed in close contact with them. General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, described Shen as an exceptional leader to his people and a champion for Taiwan's defence and regional security. Milley continued: We are grateful for the service he rendered so selflessly and cherish our friendship and strong defence relations with Taiwan. Shen rose through the air force ranks after graduating from the Republic of China Air Force Academy in 1979 and attended the Air Command and Staff College in 1992. In 1997 he was one of the first batch of officers sent to France to train on Mirage 2000 fighters and later served as an instructor for other pilots. He also took part in a mission known as the Great Desert Programme that saw the Taiwanese air force providing secret assistance to North Yemeni forces. The operation saw around 1,000 personnel deployed to the Arab republic ran between 1979 and 1990, but only came to light when documents were declassified last year. Tsai said Shen had been posthumously promoted to a first-level general, the highest rank. He will also be awarded the Order of Blue Sky and White Sun with Grand Cordon, Taiwans second-highest military honour, which is granted to those who have made an outstanding contribution to national defence. The helicopters black box has been located, and if it is undamaged investigators should be able to analyse its data within a day. The deputy chief of staff, Admiral Liu Chih-pin, has taken over Shens role in an acting capacity. Yang said he was confident that Liu would be able to ensure that the armed forces continue operating smoothly and that Shens sudden death would not hit Taiwans defensive planning. But Hong Kong-based military analyst Song Zhongping took the opposite view, saying: [Shen] had a very powerful role in commanding and deploying Taiwans army, and he was responsible for the overall defence strategy. His death will have a huge impact on Taiwans army and also on political and intelligence collection work. I think the accident has brought down the morale of troops, and also raises questions of the capability of this kind of helicopter. Sign up now for our 50% early bird offer from SCMP Research: China AI Report. The all new SCMP China AI Report gives you exclusive first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments, and actionable and objective intelligence about China AI that you should be equipped with. More from South China Morning Post: This article Taiwan chief of staff Shen Yi-ming remembered as outstanding commander who helped build up air power first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. Irish universities, Institutes of Technology and industry have access to the Fast-Track Visa for Non-EEA Researchers There have been calls for increased promotion of a fast-track visa scheme that has saved academic institutions and businesses up to 5m in work permit fees as part of the process of hiring researchers from abroad. Irish universities, Institutes of Technology and industry have access to the Fast-Track Visa for Non-EEA Researchers, under which 4,700 researchers have been hired from overseas over the past decade, with 1,120 researchers currently working in Ireland on hosting agreements. But many companies are said to be unaware of the scheme, first used more than 10 years ago by Ericsson and IBM. The Hosting Agreement System is managed on behalf of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) by EURAXESS Ireland, which told this newspaper that it was keen to get more companies on board. "It's possible that businesses have been slower to come on board as they are more familiar with other immigration schemes governed by DBEI," said Dr Magda Wislocka, head of EURAXESS Ireland. New Delhi/Peshawar, Jan 5 : Two days after the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan's Punjab province was attacked by a Muslim mob, a member of the Sikh community, Parvinder Singh, was murdered in Peshawar by 'unknown' gunmen. Sources based in Peshawar told IANS that Parvinder Singh was the younger brother of a local journalist Harmeet Singh. A businessman in Malaysia, Parvinder was in Peshawar to shop for his wedding in February, Harmeet told the media. Anguished by the murder of his brother, Harmeet added that "without minorities, no country can flourish and progress. Pakistan is beautiful because of minorities but each year, we end up carrying the dead on our shoulders". Pakistan, he said, gets massive funds from several countries to protect minorities. "But there is no protection. That's why I am here to carry my dead brother's body today. I won't rest until the Pakistani government books the murderers of my brother," he added. Religious minorities especially Sikhs in Pakistan have already been complaining of insecurity and fear since the attack on the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. A Muslim mob led by the family of a man who had abducted and forcibly converted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, pelted stones at Nankana Sahib, trapping Sikh devotees inside the shrine. While India strongly condemned the attack, both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition led by the Congress protested outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Over 2,000 Irish farmers have been frozen-out of a key scheme to encourage eco-friendly farming, it has been suggested. Fianna Fail's Agriculture spokesperson said it was baffling that potential green crusaders have been left without support, at a time when the Government is pushing a climate-change agenda. The Guardian, December 9, 2019 By Peter Beaumont During the Vietnam war, the daily US military briefings were known to journalists as the Five O Clock Follies, described by one of the AP reporters who attended them as the longest-playing tragicomedy in south-east Asias theatre of the absurd. The Pentagon Papers, the Department of Defenses secret history of that war, leaked by Daniel Ellsberg in 1971, only underlined the level of that deception under subsequent US presidents. Now the Afghanistan Papers, published by the Washington Post after a three-year court battle, portrays a similar trajectory: of deliberate misinformation, wishful thinking, massaging of figures and cruel waste of lives civilian and military and a trillion dollars spent in pursuit of an unwinnable war. What is important in these hundreds of interviews given by key US players to a US federal agency without the expectation their words would see the light of day is the shocking and often granular candour, detailing how politicians, commanders and senior diplomats lied to themselves as they lied to US voters. And while much confirms what has already been available in memoirs, reporting and testimony to Congress, what is valuable in this collection of documents is the detail and the depiction of how the biggest lies in conflict are an accumulation of bad faith, groupthink and cowardice. The documents also underline an important truth. While in conflict the metrics of success will always be contested, when they are massaged so often and so cynically that they undermine the ability to see what is going on, as occurred in Vietnam, it is the setting for historic failure. If one interview stands out, it is with Michael Flynn, the director of intelligence for the International Security Assistance Force [ISAF] in Afghanistan from June 2009 to October 2010, who would later serve briefly as Donald Trumps national security adviser before leaving the post in disgrace. Describing a positivity bias in reporting back to Washington, Flynn concluded that the rosy picture being painted across the board from the conflict was as corrupt as the theft that was also going on, and condemned a lack of courage in senior government officials to tell the truth. For a while [the operational successes on a daily basis] might have made me feel good, but after 2006, for me, it was actually irrelevant because we were just killing so many people and it wasnt making any difference at all, Flynn told his questioners. But set against that lack of progress, Flynn continued, was an institutional desire to report and to be the recipient of good news. Commanders and policymakers, on the spectrum of news, they want always to be good news. Operational commanders, state department policymakers and Department of Defense policymakers are going to be inherently rosy in their assessments. They will be unaccepting of hard-hitting intelligence. For Flynn, the problem was not reserved to the higher-ups, but individual commanders at battalion and brigade level. [This was true for every] commander. They all said, when they left, they accomplished [the] mission. Every single commander. Not one commander is going to leave Afghanistan or Iraq or any place, not one is going to leave and say, You know what, we didnt accomplish our mission. So the next guy that shows up finds it screwed up they do their mission analysis once they are on the ground and then they come back and go, Man, this is really bad. From ambassadors down to the low level [they all say] we are doing a great job. Really? So if we are doing a great job, why does it feel like we are losing? There is corruption in reporting and not just corruption in the theft that occurred That also includes from the state department. There is no way that over the years, to include this year [2015], that we can say things are wonderful. Bob Crowley, who served as a senior counter-insurgency adviser to US military commanders in 2013 and 2014, was perhaps even more damning of what he described as the culture of denial in the Counterinsurgency Advise and Assist Teams [CAAT] at the international coalitions headquarters. Truth was rarely welcome on the CAAT. Everyone just wanted to hear good news, so bad news was often stifled when we tried to air larger strategic concerns about the willingness, capacity or corruption of the Afghan government it was clear it wasnt welcome and the boss wouldnt like it. Every data point, he added, was altered to present the best picture possible. And in painting the best picture, those involved delivered the worst. The Israeli opposition pushed Sunday for parliament to swiftly address Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's immunity request, potentially speeding up the embattled leader's appearance in court. Netanyahu announced his bid for immunity just two months before the March 2 general election, with opponents slamming the move as a ploy to delay legal proceedings. The current parliament was not expected to address the matter, but members of the centrist Blue and White alliance have sought to kick-start the procedure in order to reject the immunity request before polls. Their effort to form the parliamentary committee -- a necessary initial step -- gained the approval Sunday of the Knesset's legal advisor. The fact that the parliament was in a transition period was not sufficient grounds "to prevent the house Knesset committee and plenum from discussing and decreeing on immunity requests", legal advisor Eyal Yinon told Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein. The request to form the house committee was signed by factions representing 65 lawmakers, which would constitute a majority in favour of denying Netanyahu immunity among the 120 Knesset members. But the creation of the house committee may be thwarted, as Edelstein is seeking to block the preliminary step of forming an arrangement committee. The parliamentary speaker, a member of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party, has requested Yinon's legal advice on whether he has the authority to do so. "After receiving the opinion, Edelstein will announce his decision," his spokesman told AFP. Blue and White, led by Netanyahu's main challenger Benny Gantz, warned the speaker to not "quash the sanctity of Israel's democracy". "We call upon him to allow for the establishment of a Knesset committee to discuss Netanyahu's request for immunity," a statement from the movement said. Netanyahu was charged by the attorney general in November with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases. The Likud leader denies the allegations and accuses prosecutors and the media of a witch hunt. A sitting prime minister is only required to step down once convicted and after all avenues of appeal have been exhausted. Likud and Blue and White were deadlocked in April and September elections, prompting a third national poll within a year. Search Keywords: Short link: New Delhi, Jan 5 : The win in the Jharkhand Assembly polls and the government formation in Maharashtra are widely credited to Congress leader Ahmed Patel, known for his political acumen and negotiating and strategy-making skills. Widely perceived as number two in the party till the elevation of Rahul Gandhi as party chief, he has the ear of interim President Sonia Gandhi of whom he is considered a staunch loyalist since long. He has been also instrumental in many key party decisions after her return, including tying with once adversary Shiv Sena to form the Maharashtra government, after the Sena fell out with its long-time ally BJP. Making his profile as shrewd backroom manager, Patel now often makes his intervention known in public through media while taking on the government on different issues. He is also quite active on social media platforms. But many in Congress know him most for his nuanced and political astuteness as he takes mature steps to draw up the party's strategy. In Jharkhand, the main strategy from finalising the alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the Rashtriya Janata Dal and devising the poll issues was made by Patel and implemented in the ground by state in-charge and former Union Minister R.P.N. Singh. Patel's stamp could be seen, as during the campaigning, the party did not fall into the BJP's trap by reacting on national issues but kept the focus on the local issues which yielded it dividends. Patel is also the main fund-raiser for the Congress which is also facing a financial crunch since the UPA lost power in 2014 and the party often does not have enough resources to combat the BJP. In coming times, the party will be more dependent on him for this sole reason as Congress does not have any one else who can generate resources for the party. Party leaders seen as close to him are now at the helm in Congress-ruled states, including Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayansamy. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath is also in his peer group, and it was Patel who convinced Sonia Gandhi to give the reins of the party to former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Haryana, where the party considerably bettered its performance since 2014. According to LU spokesperson Sanjay Medhavi: "We will be soon doing a centenary collection from our former students. We will also appeal general public to pay tribute to the institution which has contributed in disseminating knowledge for 10 decades." Lucknow, Jan 5 (IANS) The Lucknow University (LU) which has entered into its centenary year, will resort to crowd funding for the 100-year celebrations. He said even a small contribution from the former students, who have excelled in various fields, like sports, bureaucracy, music, medical and others would contribute to the celebrations in a big way. The Lucknow University, incidentally, began its journey as a small school in the Canning high school in 1864. It was after 57 years that this school, located in the palace Amin-ud-Daulah, Aminabad transformed into a university. This was possible with the help of donations like land, personal bonds and money pooling by the general public and "taluqdars". Not only this, war bonds, which are debt securities issued by a government to finance military operations and other expenditure in times of war, were also given for the university which formally got established in 1921. The university administration is hoping for a similar support from the common people and its former students to help fight financial constraints. The itinerary of the year-old celebrations, however, has not yet been finalised. amita/dpb Your browser does not support the audio element. A type of affordable cure for drunkenness has garnered a lot of attention on social media in Vietnam after being advertised as a good way to help drinkers sober up as quickly as within 30 minutes and avoid breaking the country's new law imposing heftier fines on drunk driving. As droves of road users have been penalized for violating Vietnam's new law on prevention and control of alcohol-related harms since the piece of legislation came into force on January 1, such a cure is believed to be handy for party-goers, if it actually works. Multiple social media accounts have been selling the type of medicine, in form of pills or liquid, claiming that it can help people sober up with "100 percent guaranteed effectiveness." No matter how much you drink, you will never get drunk, a seller boasted. A pill costs VND10,000 (US$0.43), while the liquid form sells for VND30,000 ($1.3) a pack. Take it after drinking and you will become completely sober after 30 minutes. You can also take it 30 minutes before the party to avoid getting drunk, a seller advised. She affirmed the reliability of the products by adding that they were imported from a foreign country. The seller, however, refused to give her address, stating that she can only have the medicine delivered to buyers provided addresses. At a pharmacy in Tan Phu District in Ho Chi Minh City, a similar type of alcohol cure is offered at VND5,000 ($0.22) a pill. However, an attendant at the drug store stated that the product can only limit the harmful effects of alcohol to a certain extent. A man breathes into a breathalyzer to have his alcohol concentration measured in this Tuoi Tre file photo. According to local experts, people can find at local pharmacies supplements that can partially boost alcohol metabolism by supplying certain vitamins, salt, and sugar to the body. [However,] no medicine can help you sober up 100 percent, they added. In order to avoid getting drunk, people should only consume alcohol within a safe limit and refrain from drinking with an empty stomach, said Dr. Truong Thi Ngoc Lan, deputy head of the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Institute. Such drinks as green tea, mung bean juice, and artichoke tea can also help remove alcohol from the body faster, Lan added. Many other doctors believed it is best that one should not drive after consuming alcohol to ensure safety for themselves and others. According to the new law on drunk driving, drivers must be completely sober while operating bicycles, motorbikes, automobiles, and any other vehicles on Vietnams roads. Cyclists who ride under the influence of alcohol will be fined up to VND600,000 ($25) while motorcyclists and car drivers face fines of up to VND8 million ($86-345) and up to VND40 million ($1,724), respectively, as well as license revocation for 22-24 months. The specific amount of the fine depends on the violators blood alcohol concentration. Statistics from the Ministry of Public Security showed that traffic police officers had imposed fines worth a total of VND816.6 million (US$35,300) upon 615 road users for violating the regulation throughout Vietnam on January 1 and 2. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 16:48:52|Editor: zh Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Death toll in the collapse of a six-story building in southwest Cambodia's Kep province on Friday rose to 36, as rescue work had completed, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Sunday. "A total of 36 people, including 14 females, were pronounced dead, as 23 others, including eight females, were injured in the collapsed building," he said at a press conference at the end of the rescue operation. All victims were Cambodians, and among them were a male contractor, construction workers and their family members, including children. The building came down at around 4:30 p.m. (local time) on Friday in Kep city when workers were pouring concrete to build the seventh floor. As a probe into the incident has been conducted, Hun Sen blamed the male contractor, who was also killed in the rubble. "A preliminary probe indicated that there were two mistakes already," Hun Sen said. First, the contractor used smaller steel bars than the steel bars required in the building's masterplan and second, the contractor removed the wooden scaffolding supporting wet concrete slabs in 10 days, as the safe period for the removal was 28 days, he said. "The contractor's mistake resulted in this tragedy," the prime minister said, adding that the building's owners -- a local man and his wife have been arrested and will be sent to court for prosecution. Hun Sen expressed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured people in the incident. He said families of the victims who died received 52,500 U.S. dollars each and those who were injured got 10,000 dollars each. Meanwhile, the prime minister said none of his officials will be held responsible for the collapse of the building. Hun Sen said such an incident will be reduced or eliminated in the future when the recently-adopted construction law is fully enforced. An official at the Kep Provincial Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction said on Friday that the building's owner had applied for a license to construct a five-story building, but he illegally built it up to seven floors. Blinn College recently recognized 133 employees for reaching career milestones at the Bryan and Brenham campuses. Employees who had reached 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, 30- and 35-year milestones of service were invited to a luncheon hosted by Chancellor Mary Hensley. Each employee was presented with a commemorative pin. Awards season is about to hit fever pitch with the Golden Globes rolling out on Sunday, and this ritzy day event bills itself as 'a respite from the hectic and demanding' time for nominees and other stars. Leonardo DiCaprio, Saoirse Ronan and Isla Fisher led the charge of stars at the BAFTA LA Tea Party, which took place Saturday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills sponsored by Heineken. They were joined by the likes of Isla's husband Sacha Baron Cohen, as well as Laura Dern and Gillian Anderson. Chic: Saoirse Ronan attended the BAFTA LA Tea Party, which took place Saturday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills Some stars decided to skip the red carpet: Hollywood leading man Leonardo DiCaprio was snapped inside the event Beanie Feldstein of Booksmart and Greta Gerwig, acclaimed director of Little Women, were also in attendance. Joining Greta for a snap on the red carpet was her lead actress playing Jo in Little Women, Saoirse, who looked fun a in floral two-piece look with ivory piping. Another magenta maven was Ronan's costar Laura Dern, who wore a pretty floral blazer in the shade, with a black ribbon adorning the lapel. She paired this with large silken ochre floral pants. BAFTA, or the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, will announce its nominations for the 2020 EE British Academy Film Awards on Tuesday January 7th, with the awards ceremony itself to take place on Sunday, February 2nd. Hollywood couple: Husband and wife duo Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher were there More magenta: Ronan's costar Laura Dern wore a pretty floral blazer in the shade, with a black ribbon adorning the lapel, paired with large silken ochre floral pants Pop of color: Gillian Anderson wowed in a bespectacled look that featured a bright blood orange dress with artful clasp buttons down the front Brit boys: George MacKay of the film 1917 posed inside with 007 himself, Daniel Craig Bright and colorful: Beanie Feldstein of Booksmart was one of the stars at the BAFTA LA Tea Party, which took place Saturday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills Beanie looked bright and colorful for the party on Saturday, in a magenta dress with a bow affixed at the low-cut bust and poofy sleeves. She paired her frock with tasteful platform sandals in a darker shade of crimson. Complementing Feldstein nicely was director, writer and actress Gerwig, who looked chic and elegant in a grey pinstripe pantsuit. The Lady Bird auteur completed her look with a white buttoned-down blouse, and snazzy pointed black footwear. Elegant: Complementing Feldstein nicely was director, writer and actress Greta Gerwig, who looked chic in a grey pinstripe pantsuit Sweet: Beanie looked bright and colorful for the party on Saturday, in a magenta dress with a bow affixed at the low-cut bust and poofy sleeves Adorable couple: Beanie also posed with her girlfriend Bonnie Chance Roberts, clad in a plaid blazer and black pants Harriet star Cynthia Erivo also raised the glam quotient at the event, in a beige partially sheer taffeta dress with marbleized black and white accents. Holding it down for the gentlemen was the debonair Taron Egerton from Rocketman, in a handsome maroon pinstripe suit and patterned shirt. Fabulous: Harriet star Cynthia Erivo also raised the glam quotient at the event, in a beige partially sheer taffeta dress with marbleized black and white accents Holding it down for the gentlemen: The debonair Taron Egerton from Rocketman was in a handsome maroon pinstripe suit and patterned shirt Pretty in patterns: Awkwafina donned a fabulous houndstooth and checked black and white dress with prim white cuffs and collar And then there was The Farewell's Awkwafina, in a fabulous houndstooth and checked black and white dress with prim white cuffs and collar. Gillian Anderson wowed in a bespectacled look that featured a bright blood orange dress with artful clasp buttons down the front. Billy Porter rocked one of his signature attention-getting outfits, this time a taupe silk gown with a flourish at the V-shaped neck, paired with an olive green jacket, rounded black hat and platform boots. Couples seemed to dominate the red carpet at the tea party, with funnyman Keegan-Michael Key and his wife Elisa Key both rocking suited looks, and Oscar winner Patricia Arquette in a retro dusty pink number alongside her artist boyfriend Eric White, in a shiny pale blue suit. Bold: Billy Porter rocked one of his signature attention-getting outfits, this time a taupe silk gown with a flourish at the V-shaped neck, paired with an olive green jacket and Coach boots Couples dominated: Funnyman Keegan-Michael Key and his wife Elisa Key, and Oscar winner Patricia Arquette and her artist boyfriend Eric White all looked great on the carpet Longtime loves: The Good Place's Ted Danson arrived with his wife of 25 years, Mary Steenburgen, who looked pretty in a pale pink crushed velvet dress with black accents Friends and spouses: And then there were friends and costars Ben Platt and Zoey Deutsch, both of Netflix's The Politician The Good Place's Ted Danson arrived with his wife of 25 years, Mary Steenburgen, who looked pretty in a pale pink crushed velvet dress with black accents. And then there were friends and costars Ben Platt and Zoey Deutsch, both of Netflix's The Politician, with Ben in a festive mint green suit and Zoey in a beautifully patterned white mini dress. Rounding out the couples were the comic husband and wife duo Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher, who hugged and held hands for the cameras. The Act's Joey King was scintillating in an ivory satin Markarian mini dress, while a pair of hot up-and-coming actresses kept it chic and simple in all-black looks. Stately: X-Men actor Brian Cox also attended the event, with his wife Nicole Ansari-Cox in a one-shouldered ivory getup White hot: The Act's Joey King was scintillating in an ivory satin Markarian mini dress Can't go wrong: A pair of hot up-and-coming actresses kept it chic and simple in all-black looks Reprisal's Abigail Spencer, and Kaitlyn Dever of Unbelievable, Booksmart and Short Term 12 Filmmaking duo: British actor Roman Griffin Davis (L) and New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi of the film Jojo Rabbit also made an appearance Longtime collaborators: Pedro Almodovar (left) and Antonio Banderas, who first worked together in 1982 for the film Labyrinth of Passion, were present in support of their new project Pain and Glory Reprisal's Abigail Spencer was gorgeous in a tiered dress that lent her a unique silhouette, while Kaitlyn Dever of Unbelievable, Booksmart and Short Term 12 stunned in a bralet underneath a sparkly blazer, paired with a sheer skirt. British child actor Roman Griffin Davis of the acclaimed film Jojo Rabbit, and the film's director Taika Waititi of New Zealand, also made an appearance. Rounding out the arrivals line were longtime collaborators Pedro Almodovar and Antonio Banderas, who first worked together in 1982 for the film Labyrinth of Passion. And now, Banderas is nominated for a Golden Globe for his leading role in Almodovar's 2019 film, Pain and Glory. Some stars decided to skip the red carpet, but were snapped inside the event. They included Hollywood leading men Leonardo DiCaprio and Adam Driver, who are both in the awards race this season: Leo for Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood, and Adam for Marriage Story. English roses: British duo Jodie Comer (L) and Florence Pugh (R) opted for hot-pink and purple looks for the BAFTA tea festivities Chatty: Leo was seen chatting with It-boy Adam Driver... Manchester Uniteds team bus arrived late again on Saturday, arriving only an hour before kick off at Molineux. United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blamed a slow traffic light coupled with club policy of not arriving early because changing rooms outside Old Trafford are too cramped for all their staff. Have you been in these dressing-rooms? You dont want to stay here for too long, he said, before stressing he wasnt singling out Wolves as worse than other clubs. Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his players arrived an hour before kick off The Red Devils were also late in arriving at Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League last month. Their build-up was far from ideal after their bus was spotted arriving just 60 minutes before the 2pm kick-off. United have been known to turn up late to matches before, including against Valencia in the Champions League last season under Jose Mourinho. There were also late twice against West Ham and Tottenham when Louis van Gaal was in charge. Tehran, Jan 5 : The remains of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike, arrived in Iran on Sunday for a series of funeral processions across the country. The first procession took place in Ahvaz, the main city in Iran's eight-year battle against the forces of the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein which shaped Soleimani's future as an austere military tactician, the Tehran-based Press TV said in a report. At noon, his remains were to be taken to the holy city of Mashhad and later to the capital, Tehran, reports Efe news. In Ahvaz, thousands of people gathered to honour Soleimani among chants against the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia, according to the live broadcast on Iranian state television. Iranian authorities have accused Washington's allies in the region, mainly Israel and Saudi Arabia, of instigating the January 3 attack that killed Soleimani and his son-in-law and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Front (PMF), along with eight other people. The remains of Muhandis and at least one other killed in the attack are also part of the funeral procession in Iran as they are mixed up with those of Soleimani and a DNA test is needed. After the DNA test, the remains of the Iraqis will be returned to their country, where funeral ceremonies were also performed in Baghdad and other cities on Saturday. The Iranian rites will continue on Monday in Tehran, where the main funeral ceremony will be held, and will end in Soleimani's southern hometown, Kerman. Soleimani, 63, was the elite Quds Force chief in charge of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps operations outside Iran, and has been on the ground in Syria and Iraq supervising militias backed by Tehran. The Quds Force holds sway over a large number of militias across the region ranging from Lebanon to Syria and Iraq. Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , as well as other political and military leaders of the country, have called for "harsh revenge" over the killing of the commander. US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that Washington had identified 52 Iranian targets to respond "very fast and very hard" to in the event of reprisals from Iran over the killing. The airstrike came after Iraqi protesters on December 31 stormed the US embassy compound in Baghdad to protest the American air raids conducted on December 29 against five bases of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, claiming the lives of 25 people. Kane Tanaka, worlds oldest living person from Japan, extended her own record after she celebrated her 117th birthday on January 2 at a nursing home in Fukuoka. A local broadcaster showed Kane celebrating her birthday with nursing home staff and friends, taking a bite from a slice of her big birthday cake. Last year, Guinness World Record officially confirmed Kane as the oldest person living on January 30 and was presented with her certificates, which also included the oldest woman living, at her home. Kane was born prematurely in 1903 as the seventh child of Kumakichi and Kuma Ota and got married to Hideo Tanaka on January 6, 1922, four days after her 19th birthday. Read: Odisha Students Construct 6.9 M Long Fishing Bait From Metal Waste, Eye Guinness Record Kane met Hideo for the first time on their wedding day, which was not unusual in Japan at the time. The couple went on to have four children and adopted a fifth. Kanes husband ran a family business called Tanaka Mochiya, where they made and sold sticky rice, Zenzai (a type of Japanese sweets), and Udon noodles. The supercentenarian got involved in the family business after her husband joined the military in 1937 during the second Sino-Japanese War. She polished rice and made rice cakes besides looking after her children and mother in law. Kane underwent several operations in her lifetime, including cataracts and colorectal cancer. Read: Hyderabad: Youngster Secures Position In Guinness World Records For Most Side Lunges In 60 Five years shy from another record The 117-year-old Kane is five years shy from breaking the record of the oldest person ever, which is held by Jeanne Louise Calment from France. Jeanne was born in 1875 and died at a nursing home in Arles, southern France in 1997 at the age of 122 years 164 days. "The title for oldest living man is currently under investigation after Masazo Nonaka (Japan) passed away on 20 January 2019 at the age of 113 years 179 days. Further information will be announced upon confirmation of a new record holder," said the Guinness World Records. Read: Sri Lanka Set To Create Guinness World Record With Largest Twin Gathering In Jan Read: Christmas Tree With 51,626 Messages In Japan Sets Guinness World Record Abu Dhabi, Jan 5 : An Indian autistic teenager based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was deemed unfit for school, but he has an exceptional talent and gifted with a powerful memory, a media report said here on Sunday. Nineteen-year-old Rohithparithi Ramakrishnan can tell you the day of any past or future date in a matter of seconds, said the Khaleej Times in the reported. He showed signs of prodigious intellect from an early age. He recollected family events with year, date, guest list, their vehicles and colour. Ramakrishnan remembers even dates of shooting and movie release of actor Rajinikanth. Born weighing about 1 kg, Ramakrishnan was kept in an incubator for months and underwent multiple surgeries. He was diagnosed as autistic before turning two years. "He is a miracle baby," Malini, his mother, told the Khaleej Times. "He was deemed unfit for normal school as he was hyperactive. Our doctor suggested putting him in special schools. "We soon realised he had unique talents. He used to hum songs that he listened on TV. He never committed mistakes in mathematics, which Tejaswaryalaxmi, his younger sister and a normal child, made." Ramakrishnan has also won electronic keyboard competitions held by various groups and associations and, that too, in general category. "He can reproduce any kind of music after hearing it twice or thrice. He remembers and chants more than 40 shlokas in Sanskrit from (Hindu religious text) Bhagavad Gita," his mother told the Khaleej Times. The teenager has also participated in Special Olympics Mena Games 2018. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sagar Goel and Ching-Fong (CF) Ong (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 6 2020 As a new decade dawns, providing an opportunity to look back on what the previous decade has taught us. The 2010s were undoubtedly a decade of data and digital disruption. Organizations around the world, big and small, public and private, were engaged in data and digitally driven transformations. Despite this digital-drive, research by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) conducted in 2017 reveals that 70 percent of publicly announced digital transformations failed to achieve a companys stated ambitions, timelines or both. That must change in the decade ahead. BCG analysis shows that to unlock the full value of data and digitalization, solutions should focus 10 percent on strategy and algorithms, 20 percent on technology and 70 percent on true organizational change. The 2020s will be a decade where data and digitalization will become as pervasive in business as in our everyday lives. The stakes will be higher and the scale greatly increased. Success will be seized by those who truly own that 70 percent. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 18:03:58|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen visits a victim rescued from a collapsed building in Kep province, Cambodia, Jan. 5, 2020. Death toll in the collapse of a six-story building in southwest Cambodia's Kep province on Friday rose to 36, as rescue had completed, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Sunday. The building came down at around 4:30 p.m. on Friday in Kep city when workers were pouring concrete to build the seventh floor. (Photo by Kun/Xinhua) by Nguon Sovan, Mao Pengfei PHNOM PENH, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Death toll in the collapse of a six-story building in southwest Cambodia's Kep province on Friday rose to 36, as rescue had completed, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Sunday. "A total of 36 people, including 14 females, were pronounced dead, as 23 others, including eight females, were injured in the collapsed building," he said at a press conference at the end of the rescue operation. All victims were Cambodians, and among them were a male-contractor, construction workers and their family members, including children. The building came down at around 4:30 p.m. on Friday in Kep city when workers were pouring concrete to build the seventh floor. Hun Sen expressed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured people in the incident. He said families of the victims who died received 52,500 U.S. dollars each and those who were injured got 10,000 dollars each. 43-HOUR RESCUE According to the provincial authority, more than 1,000 rescuers, including Chinese experts, have taken part in the rescue efforts. Some 14 excavators, three crane trucks, two bulldozers, 10 ambulances, five firetrucks, and more than 10 dumper trucks have been used to remove the debris of the collapsed building. During the rescue operation, excavators were used to dig out the rubble and loaded it onto waiting dumper trucks, as firetrucks sprayed waters onto the site in order to reduce dust and heat as weather was hot. Some rescuers cut steel bars, as others tried to search victims through holes of the collapsed building. Hun Sen said the rescue operation took 43 hours and 20 minutes, explaining that it was necessary to proceed carefully to ensure that the diggers would not harm people trapped under the rubble. "In our rescue, we gave priority to save people's lives, so we had to remove debris carefully," he said. "When we suspected that any locations had victims trapped, we stopped excavators from removing the debris and used other means to search for them." Hun Sen highly praised the rescuers, particularly the Chinese friends, for their active involvement in humanitarian activities. "I'd like to thank the experienced Chinese experts, who are working in Preah Sihanouk province, for coming to help us rescue victims here," the prime minister said. He also hailed their methods in identifying the locations that victims could be trapped under the debris. "I also asked them (Chinese experts) to help train Cambodian forces in order to improve their rescue capacity," Hun Sen said. One of the rescuers said he tried to search for people under the rubble through the holes of debris and tried to hear their voices. "When we suspected that there were victims, or we heard their calls for help, we removed debris very carefully," Kol Rom, 50, a rescuer from the Kep Provincial Military Region 3, told Xinhua. The Chinese embassy in Cambodia on Sunday expressed its profound condolences to the families of the dead and wished the injured people a speedy recovery. The embassy said in a statement that representatives of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (CCCC)'s branch in Preah Sihanouk province had visited the site, brought donations and expressed condolences to the victims and their families. ON-GOING INVESTIGATION As a probe into the incident has been conducted, Hun Sen blamed a male-contractor, who was also killed in the rubble, for the collapse of the building. "A preliminary probe indicated that there were two mistakes already," Hun Sen said. First, the contractor used smaller steel bars than the steel bars required in the building's masterplan and second, the contractor removed the wooden scaffolding supporting wet concrete slabs in 10 days, while the safe period for the removal was 28 days, he said. "The contractor's mistake resulted in this tragedy," the prime minister said, adding that the building's owners -- a local man and his wife -- have been arrested and will be sent to court for prosecution. An official at the Kep Provincial Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction said on Friday that the building's owner had applied for a license to construct a five-story building, but he illegally built it up to seven floors. A file photo of the building shows that before the accident, people were living in the under-construction project. Workers who survived the tragedy also said that they had been living inside with their family members for several months. Hun Sen said such an incident will be reduced or eliminated in the future when the recently-adopted construction law is fully enforced. An arrest warrant was issued against Bangladesh's first Hindu chief justice Surendra Kumar Sinha on charges of embezzling 40 million taka, court officials said on Sunday. Sinha, 68, who lives in the US, has been described as a "fugitive" by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in its charge-sheet. Judge KM Emrul Kayesh of Dhaka's Senior Special Judges' Court took cognizance of the graft charges brought against Sinha and 10 others by the ACC. "The judge ordered his (Sinha's) arrest along with 10 others as the ACC accused him of misappropriating and laundering about 4 crore taka (USD 471,993) in 2016," public prosecutor Taposh Kumar Pal told reporters. The rest of the accused are former senior officials of Farmers Bank including its ex-managing director. The ACC in its charge-sheet described all the 11 to be "fugitives". It alleged that Sinha and 10 others embezzling 40 million taka from Farmers Bank, which was later renamed as Padma Bank Limited, Pal said. The development came nearly three months after the ACC said it found evidence of fraud involving transactions of 40 million taka borrowed with fake documents by two businessmen from the bank while the amount was deposited in Sinha's account. Sinha, who is said to have sought asylum in the US, served as the 21st Chief Justice of Bangladesh from January, 2015 to November, 2017. The case came days after Sinha's newly-launched autobiography brought him in political spotlight over two years after he was forced to quit amid a row with the government. The ACC earlier said if required it would quiz Sinha by bringing him back home but "interrogation is not a mandatory provision for investigations". In his autobiography "A Broken Dream: Rule of Law, Human Rights and Democracy", Sinha said he was forced to resign in 2017 following intimidation and threats, drawing a sharp reaction from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who accused some anti-government newspapers of backing him. In a media interview after the book launch in Washington, Sinha urged India to support the rule of law and democracy in Bangladesh, calling the incumbent Awami League government as a "autocratic" one. Sinha, Bangladesh's first chief justice from the minority Hindu community, alleged that he was forced to resign because he opposed Bangladesh's incumbent "undemocratic" and "authoritarian" regime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No picture this time because food was so bad. The kitchen, which prepared the takeaway in front of me, tried hard and worked like crazy, getting it hot and out. I was excited, in my narrow, private way, because it was New Years Day, and I was solo. Waiters in Italy strew salt on platters as if they were trying to melt ice on streets. Invisible sugar fairies did the same on my chopped pork ribs, green beans in garlic sauce, wet-mop sesame noodles. Only the egg roll, a silly schoolboy crush, rose to its hot, greasy promise. Not a blink of garlic in the cornstarch mess. Ive never had 2020 vision, and thats because I was always told something was wrong. My parents were confused, to say the least, by their vocal diabetic son and tried their level best to make sure I survived. Level best isnt all that good. Blame is also a negative, and here I am, a member of a spanking-new septuagenarian gay group. At our first lunch, I played with my pump as if I were texting my insulin heroes, Banting, Best, Macleod. Not one of my fellows sees or cares, but thats because old folks are even more self-concerned (is that kind enough?) than the aging, but younger, assortment at tables around us, preening, cooing, and snatching each others fries. I cant recall what I ate. It may have been tepid soup and perhaps a sparkling BLT, half of which always goes home, because my optimistic imagination of flavor has less and less to do with my dulled appetite. Age or politics? I had read the news today (add: oh boy), as I do every day. The gorgeous Lyft driver who took me to the station (add: I took myself to the train) had bee-stung lips and armfuls of butch tattoos. He wanted to be a writer. I explained how, in 13 online minutes. He shook my hand so gratefully, I almost cried, as I almost did when I taught Vietnam vets how to write about their raw, maimed memories so very, very long ago. One of them, doubly brave, sobbed in class. Never use very. He didnt want a tip. I said to sit still for 15 minutes a day in a quiet place and write about anything, farting passengers, the awesome sex he had, his fantastic otherworld life. Do you read? Sometimes, he said. Do you believe in the news? I replied that I was worried not about what was fake, but what was left out. He listened to anything I said with trembling attention that went well beyond customer service. Or so I allowed myself to think. Rain was immanent, the clouded light dimming at January dusk, and, as I boarded, I thought about the prospect of my own new year: a dark remeasuring of hope, food, and love. Richard Murnane of Hornsby wrote in from Bega on Friday, where he was using his skills as an amateur radio operator to help the local RFS with radio communications on the weekend. "Im hoping our luck (C8) doesnt run out. Why does it run anyway? Cant it just chill out and walk?" Joy Cooksey of Harrington elucidates for Jenny Archbold. "Breakfast tea (C8) is drunk with toast. Afternoon tea with cake. Another way round is just have coffee and cake." Don Bain of Port Macquarie is unequivocal. "Speaking as a lifetime devotee of the cup that cheers but does not inebriate, anyone who interchanges Breakfast and Afternoon brews should be sentenced to no-name teabags for life." "We could simply have 'Australian Tea' (C8) made, of course, from almost 100 per cent imported leaf, then we would need to purchase only one packet," writes Frank Maundrell of Nundle. "By having Breakfast and Afternoon teas we now need to purchase two packets, immediately doubling turnover for the manufacturer." Frank adds that he thinks it's also a bit of an ego boost for the host(ess) who by serving the appropriate tea for the time of day "imagine their guests admiring their ability to discern a difference where there is none". Best not invite Don Bain over for a cuppa then. "The birds in Kingston (Tas) have obviously taken to Twitter to see whats trending in avian-attractive fruit this summer and discovered that Steven Lockwoods blackcurrants and apricots (C8) are just soooo last season," is the chirpy response of Adrian Connelly of Springwood. "Perhaps I have had it wrong all these years, but I always thought that a 'no-brainer' (C8) was something so obvious that you didnt need to use your brain," offers John Ure of Mount Hutton. "On that basis Ive been actively searching for no-brainers for years." Geoffrey Briot of Stanmore agrees that it's "a decision so obvious it requires no brainpower to devise", but cautions those using the term to consider the related dictum: "For every complex problem there is a simple solution that is invariably wrong." Anyone with information about these or other crimes can call the appropriate Crimestoppers number. Callers can be anonymous; a reward of as much as $1,000 will be paid for information leading to an arrest. Crimestoppers of Morgan, Scott and Cass Counties Submit tips anonymously at tipsubmit.com, by calling 217-243-7300 or by text messaging CRIMES (274637) with payout as the first word of the tip. Crimestoppers is seeking information to assist the Jacksonville Police Department with its investigation of a theft. Between Dec. 6 and Dec. 9, someone removed copper conductor wire from a business in the 600 block of Capitol Way. The wire is valued at $12,000. Two Rivers Crime Stoppers Serves Calhoun, Greene and Jersey counties Submit tips to 1-800-300-2590 Schuyler County Crimestoppers Call 217-322-3326 Pike County Crimestoppers Call 217-285-1500 Wanted on warrants The following are being sought on arrest warrants, according to the various sheriffs departments. The addresses listed are the last known addresses provided by the warrants and may be outdated. Morgan County Alyssa J. Outlaw, 22, of 818 S. Clay Ave. is being sought on a warrant accusing her of violating probation on a charge of obstruction of a peace officer. She is a white female standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing 246 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. Katherine E. Puls, 32, address unknown, is being sought on a warrant accusing her of violating probation on a charge of retail theft. She is a white female standing 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 120 pounds. She has blond hair and green eyes. - Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said the state had acquired the necessary equipment and had already deployed the teams to deal with the invasion - Handheld sprayers together with protective gears have also been dispatched and will be used by ground teams to back up the aerial spraying team - A ground monitoring team will be assessing the situation and guiding the aerial spraying team - The locusts are said to have originated from El Wak in Somalia and crossed the border into Kenya at the end of December 2019 - Wajir, Marsabit and Mandera counties are the most affected - Kenyans were recently treated to drama when police officers were seen scaring the insects using gunfire, teargas and whistles The government is set to start aerial spraying of locusts which have invaded Wajir, Marsabit and Mandera counties. Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said the state has acquired the necessary equipment to facilitate the process and teams have already been dispatched in affected areas to start the operation. READ ALSO: Miguna Miguna files application seeking to bar state from disrupting his entry to Kenya Govt Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said the government has acquired the necessary facilities to necessitate the aerial spraying process. Photo: Government Spokesperson Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Maafisa 3 feki wa KDF wakamatwa kwa kumtapeli jamaa KSh 410, 000 kujiunga na jeshi Oguna who addressed journalists in Nairobi on Saturday, January 4, said the government had done a thorough analysis of the situation and deployed ground monitoring teams that will work hand in hand with the aerial spraying squad. "The government has deployed ground monitoring teams in affected counties. The teams will guide aerial spraying teams. A total of 3,000 litres of chemicals, tested and authorised, have been dispersed to affected counties. Spraying will start today," he said. READ ALSO: TV host Willis Raburu, wife lose baby He said there was no course for alarm as the situation was already under control and urged locals to go about their businesses normally without fear. "We wish to assure the public that this is an issue that the government is in full control of and hence there should be no course for worry. The situation has been contained and all farmers and the general public should go about their national building as normal, this includes taking children to school on Monday," Oguna said. Handheld sprayers together with protective gears have also been dispersed to affected areas and will be used by ground teams to back up the aerial spraying. The aircraft will be positioned in Wajir from where all the affected counties shall be sprayed. On Thursday, January 2, the government deployed police officers who went on a shooting spree to scare away the pests. Residents joined the officers in scaring away the destructive pests by shouting, clapping, beating drums, metals and blowing whistles, a method which was seen as most absurd. According to the government, the locust swarms started crossing the border into Kenya through El Wak on December 28, 2019, and have since spread across the three northeastern counties. 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 Video footage has emerged of a crowd controller holding a festival goer in a choke hold after bashing the man's head into a fence during a two-day music event south of Perth on Saturday night. The vision at Falls Festival in Fremantle shows a group of security guards and crowd controllers huddled over a man between the mosh pit and stage 1 before one bouncer apprehends the man and escorts him out, using what bystanders described as "extreme" force. The security guard apprehended the man and put him in a choke hold. Credit:Facebook The man, wearing a white shirt and body cross bag, doesnt seem to be resisting but the Ace Security sub-contracted crowd controller proceeds to slam the mans head into a wire fence in an attempt to put his hands behind his back. A struggle persists and the guard places the man in a choke hold before a second guard gets involved, twisting his arm behind his back. January 04 : Many studies have been conducted on the intelligence levels of children who speak two languages. Studies have suggested that knowing how to speak a second language has many advantages, and some studies have even suggested the differences in how the brain develops with bilingual and monolingual children. A new study suggested that children who speak two languages are more creative and better storytellers. Although these kids use as many words as children who speak one language while telling a story, yet the bilingual kids show high levels of cognitive flexibility. Their stories indicated that they can easily switch between thinking about different topics. The new research by University of Alberta scientists found that the words the bilingual kids use in their stories are correlated with their ability to switch between different concepts. Benefits of bilingual children Researchers of the University of Alberta, Canada, studied a group of children who speak two languages, French and English, since their birth, rather than learning a second language later in life. The researchers found that the bilingual kids used as many words to tell a story in English as monolingual children. These children also used just as many words in French as they did in English while telling a story. Since good vocabulary and storytelling abilities lead to school achievements, parents of bilingual children can relax about the long-term school achievements of their kids, suggest Elena Nicoladis, lead author and professor in the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Science, University of Alberta. Bilingual kids can also use their thinking flexibility to tell stories in more creative ways. However, an earlier research has shown that children who speak two languages from birth score less than children who speak just one language when it comes to traditional vocabulary tests. The results of this study actually changed Nicoladis teams concept of understanding multiple languages and cognition in children. According to Nicoladis, the past study did not surprise them because the study was based on the fact that learning a word depends on how much time one can spend on a language. And since bilingual children have to give time to both the languages and their time gets split between two languages, they tend to have lower vocabularies in each of the languages they speak. Using a new and highly sensitive measure, the new research examined cognitive flexibility of both bilingual children and monolingual children. The researchers tested the participants ability to switch between games with different rules, while maintaining accuracy and reaction time. The new research eventually drew the conclusion that the storytelling ability of bilingual children is stronger than monolingual children. Five people were killed and four others injured in a gas explosion in the city of Kaduna, northern Nigeria, on Saturday, local police told Xinhua, Trend reports citing Xinhua. Kaduna police spokesman Yakubu Sabo, who confirmed the casualty figures to Xinhua on the phone, said the explosion emanated from a roadside gas vending shop in the business area of the town of Sabon Tasha, affecting passersby and shop owners. Among those killed, two were burned beyond recognition, Sabo said. The four injured sustained varying degrees of injuries, as the explosion impacted three other adjoining shops of different businesses, Sabo said. Teams of detectives have been dispatched to the scene on a rescue mission and for further investigation, he said. Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna state's commissioner of internal security and home affairs, who was at the scene of the incident to assess the extent of the damage, told reporters there would be an investigation. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, has extended condolences in a statement to the families that "lost their loved ones following the gas explosion in Sabon Tasha." At least five people were killed and over 60 people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike early Sunday. Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo said on Twitter that the crash involved two tractor-trailers, a tour bus and passenger vehicles. At least 60 people have been transported to the three hospitals in Westmoreland County, DeFebo said. On Sunday, the coroner has confirmed five fatalities. Following the incident, an 86-mile stretch of the turnpike is closed from New Stanton to Breezewood exists. DeFebo told NBC News that they have yet to identify the cause of the crash. We just dont know, he said. Crews are on scene of a multi-vehicle crash with fatalities on @PA_Turnpike, milepost 86 westbound. Crash involves 2 tractor trailers, a tour bus and passenger vehicles. Turnpike is closed in both directions from New Stanton (#75) to Breezewood (#161). A prolonged closure likely. Carl DeFebo (@cdefebo) January 5, 2020 DeFebo did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. About 60 patients have been transported to three area hospitals in Westmoreland County due to multi-vehicle crash on @PA_Turnpike at milepost 86 westbound. Coroner has confirmed five fatalities. An 86-mile stretch of Turnpike still closed from New Stanton to Breezewood exits. Carl DeFebo (@cdefebo) January 5, 2020 RELATED: Sports Reporter Carley McCord, 30, Laid to Rest One Week After Louisiana Plane Crash That Killed 5 Photos from the wreck showed a FedEx truck crashed head-on into another vehicle. The tour bus was traveling from New York City to Columbus, Ohio, according to WTAE. A spokesperson with Excela Health told WTAE that Frick Hospital in Mount Pleasant received 25 patients, nine of whom were younger than 18 years old. The ages of the victims range from 7 to 52. The UPMC Somerset Hospital received 18 patients, a spokesperson told WTAE. Six of those patients were younger than 18. Fifteen of the patients have since been treated and released. Texas judge says hospital can take baby Tinslee Lewis off life support despite mother's objections Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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." Cooling temperatures and calmer winds have brought some relief to Australian communities hit by wildfires but the heat stayed on the countrys Prime Minister to accept responsibility for the crisis and take action. Scott Morrison announced on Saturday that he would dispatch 3,000 army, navy and air force reservists to help battle the fires. He also committed 20 million Australian dollars (10.6 million) to lease fire-fighting aircraft from overseas. Blame doesn't help anybody at this time and over-analysis of these things is not a productive exerciseScott Morrison But the moves did little to dampen down the criticism he has been slow to act, even as he has downplayed the need for his Government to address climate change, which experts say played a key role in supercharging the blazes. There has been a lot of blame being thrown around, Mr Morrison said at a news conference. And now is the time to focus on the response that is being made blame doesnt help anybody at this time and over-analysis of these things is not a productive exercise. As dawn broke over a blackened landscape on Sunday, a picture emerged of disaster of unprecedented scale. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service said 150 fires were active in the state, 64 of them uncontrolled. The fires have killed at least 24 people, including a 47-year-old man who died on Saturday night while trying to defend a friends home from encroaching flames. Nearly 2,000 homes have been destroyed. Expand Close Timbers from a small bridge smoulder after fire destroyed a crossing near Burrill Lake (Rick Rycroft/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Timbers from a small bridge smoulder after fire destroyed a crossing near Burrill Lake (Rick Rycroft/AP) In New South Wales alone, the fires have killed nearly 500 million birds, reptiles and mammals, Sydney University ecologist Chris Dickman told the Sydney Morning Herald. Australians know to expect summer wildfires but the blazes arrived early this year, fed by drought and the countrys hottest and driest year on record. Its not something we have experienced before, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. The weather activity were seeing, the extent and spread of the fires, the speed at which theyre (moving), the way they are attacking communities that have never seen fire is unprecedented, she said. Scientists say there is no doubt man-made global warming has played a major role in feeding the fires, along with factors like very dry brush and trees and strong winds. Mr Morrison, chided for past remarks minimising the need to address climate change, has deflected criticism while trying to change his tone. There is no dispute in this country about the issue of climate change globally and its effect on global weather patterns, and that includes how it impacts in Australia, the Prime Minister said. I have to correct the record here. I have seen a number of people suggest that somehow the Government does not make this connection. The Government has always made this connection and that has never been in dispute. Expand Close A firefighter uses a rake to move burning debris (Rick Rycroft/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A firefighter uses a rake to move burning debris (Rick Rycroft/AP) Mr Morrison has faced widespread criticism for taking a family holiday in Hawaii at the start of the wildfire crisis. His handling of the deployment of reservists also came in for criticism on Sunday. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, who is leading the fight in New South Wales, said he learned of the deployment through media reports. It is fair to say it was disappointing and some surprise to hear about these things through public announcements in the middle of what was one of our worst days this season, with the second-highest number of concurrent emergency warning fires ever in the history of New South Wales, he said. On Sunday, cooler temperatures and lighter winds brought some relief to threatened communities, a day after thousands were forced to flee as flames reached the suburban fringes of Sydney. Thousands of firefighters fought to contain the blazes but many fires continued to burn out of control, threatening to wipe out rural townships and causing almost incalculable damage to property and wildlife. Meanwhile, Australias capital, Canberra, was enveloped in a smoky haze Sunday and air quality at midday was measured at 10 times the usual hazardous limit. In New Zealand, the skies above Auckland were tinged orange by smoke from the bushfires and police were inundated with calls from anxious residents. Five nuclear-weapon states issue first joint statement: N-war cannot be won, must never be fought Move over Omicron, 'IHU' is the new Covid-19 variant with '46 mutations' detected in France US-Iran tensions: France urges Tehran to stick with nuclear accord International oi-PTI Paris, Jan 05: France urged Tehran Saturday to stick with a landmark nuclear accord at risk of falling apart, the day after Washington killed a top Iranian commander in Baghdad. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said he had discussed the issue with his Chinese and German colleagues, hoping to avoid escalation of an already intense stand-off between Iran and the United States. "France fully shares with Germany the central objective of de-escalation and preservation of the Vienna (nuclear) accord," Le Drian said in a statement. Day after killing Soleimani, US strikes target Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq With China, "we in particular noted our agreement... to urge Iran to avoid any new violation of the Vienna accord," he added. NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 The 2015 agreement negotiated between Iran and the UN Security Council permanent members -- Britain, France, China, Russia and the US -- plus Germany offered Tehran relief from stinging sanctions in return for curbs to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal last year and reimposed even more sanctions on Iran, which in turn has progressively dropped key commitments in the accord, including limits on uranium stock and enrichment levels. Tehran recently announced that it would take a further step away from the accord in early January and this was widely expected to be announced on Monday. US will hit 52 sites if Americans are attacked: Donald Trump warns Iran The European Union, which helped broker the 2015 deal, has been trying to keep the accord alive despite the US withdrawal, but analysts say that now looks increasingly unlikely after the US killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, a key Iranian figure. By Express News Service CHENNAI: In the first of its kind, Vadapalani police have nabbed three college students, for allegedly peddling pure ganja, known as OG Kush weed. Based on information that the contraband is being supplied to college students in and around Valasaravakkam and Vadapalani, police inquired a person of Ramapuram, on Saturday evening. As per his information, we took him to Mogappair and waited near a private school. Two men who approached him to supply ganja were secured, said a police officer. They were P Haish (21), a final-year mechanical engineering student, and J Vishal Varun Kumar (21), a final-year BBA student. Two grams of OG Kush weed were seized from them.Investigation revealed that one K Saravanan (30), a post-graduate engineering student, had allegedly sent the other two to supply the ganja. All three were arrested. Police said Saravanan had allegedly ordered the weed online and imported it from Netherlands. The contraband is in high demand among college students. Meanwhile, M Surya (25) of Kallukuttai was arrested by Taramani police, based on a tip-off on Saturday and 1.4 kg ganja was seized from him. Similarly, Selaiyur police arrested S Ashok (19) and S Iyyappan (31) of Irumbuliyur who were allegedly in possession of 500 gm of ganja. Danielle Outlaw speaks during a press conference introducing her as Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department. Read more In mid-2016, a day before the Oakland, Calif., police chief resigned amid scandal, he signed off on an agreement allowing the citys police officers to partner with federal immigration officials in investigations involving human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and gang activity. A year later, though, Donald Trump was president, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was under fire, and advocates urged officials in Oakland a sanctuary city, similar to Philadelphia to cancel the arrangement for fear that it led to data-sharing with ICE and undermined immigrants trust in police. Defending the agreement was Danielle Outlaw, then the deputy chief of police in Oakland. She told a city committee in 2017 that although the police valued the citys policy to not cooperate with ICE on immigration enforcement, their partnership was with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), an arm of ICE separate from the agencys enforcement and deportation operations. The agreement, Outlaw said, allowed her department to have that federal arm and to have that transnational piece that we just, as a local municipal agency, do not have access to. Her defense didnt matter in the end. Oakland officials rescinded the agreement. On Tuesday, Outlaw was named the next commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department, which, like the Oakland police and Oregon, where Outlaw ran the Portland Police Bureau beginning in late 2017 does not comply with ICE requests to detain undocumented immigrants without a signed judicial arrest warrant as part of its status as a sanctuary city. Although Outlaw defended the Oakland agreement with ICE in 2017, advocates for rescinding it didnt accuse the department of violating sanctuary policy. Philadelphia, which has been described as one of the most determined sanctuary cities, has been proactive in severing ties with ICE. Still, police here also have a longtime working relationship with ICE, similar to Oaklands former partnership, where several officers can be designated to conduct narcotics investigations, city spokesperson Deana Gamble said. The city doesnt expect that arrangement to change. She added that HSI is completely separate and apart from immigration enforcement. Earlier this year, HSI hosted a joint news conference with local law enforcement officials to announce the seizure of more than a billion dollars worth of cocaine at the Port of Philadelphia in one of the largest drug busts in U.S. history. Philadelphias immigration policy is set by the mayor, not the police commissioner," Gamble said. "Our police department will never be an extension of ICE, and Commissioner Outlaw was fully aware of our position when she accepted this important role. Outlaw declined to comment further through a city spokesperson. READ MORE: Danielle Outlaws long journey to Philadelphia police commissioner READ MORE: Inside man to trailblazing outsider: Mayor Kenney goes bold with police commissioner in second term Since those 2017 comments, Outlaw has taken other steps to limit cooperation with ICE and has publicly said she doesnt believe local police resources should be prioritized on immigration enforcement. About 10 months after Outlaw took over the Portland department, police cleared out an encampment of Occupy ICE protesters who had for five weeks camped outside an ICE office in the city. (A similar sweep took place in Philadelphia last year.) Outlaw spoke to a local conservative talk radio host about the clearing, saying that it was her idea and that she had the mayors support. Host Lars Larson then pressed her on Oregons sanctuary policy, asking whether she planned to vote in favor of a ballot measure that would have eliminated it. Outlaw said: Ill leave the politics to the politicians," adding, My focus and my intention is on behaviors. I dont care where you came from. (The ballot measure failed.) The host then asked whether police should cooperate with federal authorities to help deport an undocumented immigrant who had committed a crime. I dont choose to prioritize my time or my resources in that way, she said. READ MORE: Philly Police Commissioner Richard Ross: We're not ICE, never will be Months later, in July 2019, Outlaw announced that the Portland Police Bureau would not cooperate with any federal agencies working on raids that Trump had announced would result in mass arrests of migrants, according to the Portland Oregonian. Now more than ever, it is important to understand and recognize the uncertainty and fear for many in our immigrant communities, not just around immigration enforcement efforts, but also hate crimes, Outlaw said at the time. Members of the Police Bureau continue our outreach efforts to build relationships, especially in communities that may be distrustful of police. And in September, Outlaw announced that Portland police had terminated part of a contract that allowed ICE agents to train at their facilities, including using classroom space and a firing range. According to the Oregonian, Outlaw announced the city would halt the 2018 contract after pressure from advocacy groups. She called the facility-sharing a mistake made due to oversight during the contract approval process. The use of PPBs training facility by other law enforcement agencies should be consistent with city values, she said. Philadelphias status as a sanctuary city was solidified this year when a federal appeals court sided with the city in a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration, which had vowed to withhold some federal funds from jurisdictions that did not cooperate with ICE. Mayor Jim Kenneys administration argued the city isnt part of the federal immigration-enforcement apparatus. READ MORE: Appeals court largely upholds Philadelphia win over Trump administration in sanctuary city case As part of that case, one of Outlaws predecessors, former Police Commissioner Richard Ross, testified, saying the Police Department builds trust on the fact that it doesnt store data on immigration status or share information with ICE. Theres no way in the world youd want to come forward as a source of information or criminal activity if you learned you would be deported, Ross said. READ MORE: What to know about new Philadelphia police commissioner Danielle Outlaw Washington DC [USA], Jan 5 (ANI): US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Sunday spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the importance of "countering Iran's malign influence and threats to the region." "Israeli PM Netanyahu and I just spoke and underscored the importance of countering Iran's malign influence and threats to the region. I am always grateful for Israel's steadfast support in defeating terrorism. The bond between Israel and the United States is unbreakable," Michael Pompeo wrote on Twitter. Following US air raid, Israeli 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," said Netanyahu in a tweet. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Saturday said that the decision to kill Soleimani by Donald Trump administration saved many American lives. However, Iran on Friday vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of General Soleimani, terming it as a 'heinous crime.' Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi declared three days of mourning in the country. (ANI) An image of a live oak tree fills the three-story atrium inside the new terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. (Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer) NEW ORLEANS For officials looking to remake Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the new airport in New Orleans provides the most recent example of how it might be done. A new terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport opened in November, an expansive, light-filled space with wide concourses, centralized security and terrific dining options. It is the first big-city airport addition in the United States since 2008, when Indianapolis debuted a new terminal, and before that, in 1995, when Denver International Airport opened 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver. Don't Edit A rendering of the new terminal at New Orleans airport; it opened in November and replaces an older terminal across the airfield from the new building. (Courtesy Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport) The United States is currently in the midst of an airport construction boom, with several large projects underway, including an $8.5 billion expansion of Chicago OHare and an $8 billion overhaul at LaGuardia in New York City. Pittsburgh International Airport is expected to break ground on a new, $1.1 billion terminal this year. And in Cleveland, work is just getting started on a new master plan for Hopkins International Airport, built in 1956. Among the questions expected to be addressed in the new plan: Does Cleveland need a new terminal? And if so, where should it go? Don't Edit Floor-to-ceiling glass walls inside the new terminal at New Orleans airport. (Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer) In New Orleans, the new, 35-gate terminal was constructed across the airfield from the previous terminal, built in 1959 and expanded in 1974 and 1992. In recent years, it was deemed outdated, cramped and consistently ranked poorly in customer surveys. Air traffic to and from New Orleans has grown rapidly in recent years, to 13.1 million in 2018, up from 6.2 million the year after Hurricane Katrina, and 9.2 million in 2013. Cleveland is expected to welcome about 10 million travelers through Hopkins in 2019. Don't Edit Three-story atrium inside the new terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. (Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer) Acclaimed architect Cesar Pelli, who passed away in July 2019, designed the new New Orleans terminal, with curving glass walls, soaring ceilings and wide-open spaces. Instead of three separate security checkpoints, the new terminal has one consolidated TSA area, with 15 lanes; half of the gate seats are equipped with electrical outlets; and the airport bathrooms are spacious, with plenty of natural light. Also here: more than a dozen places to eat offering local cuisine, including Cafe du Monde, Emerils Table and Leahs Kitchen; stages for frequent performances of live music, and a life-size image of a live oak tree in the middle of the three-story atrium. Don't Edit Ticketing area inside the new terminal. (Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer) Its also one of only a handful of airports in the U.S. where unticketed visitors are permitted to go through security to check out dining and retail options. Not everything has gone smoothly with the new facility. The terminal was completed more than a year late and at a cost, $1.3 billion, nearly double initial projections. A new access road to the airport wont be complete until late 2022, which is leading to traffic backups at busy times of the day. And over the holidays, problems with the new baggage system caused significant flight delays. Don't Edit Don't Edit The new terminal features more than a dozen places to eat local cuisine, including Folse Market. (Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer) Fortunately, my travels through the new facility last month were uneventful. I experienced short lines for security, minimal wait for my bags and enjoyed a terrific last taste of New Orleans at Folse Market, a food hall-style eatery by local chef John Folse. The facility offered a positive first impression of the city, which is what any airport should do. Cleveland officials, take note. Don't Edit A guitarist entertains travelers at the Heritage School of Music Stage, a wine bar at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. (Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer) Don't Edit Curbside drop-off area at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. (Courtesy the airport) Don't Edit Signage inside the new terminal explains some of its features. (Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer) Don't Edit For a primer on Mardi Gras, head to Mardi Gras World near the convention center. (Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer) READ MORE New Orleans in 3 days: Cooking, eating, biking and touring, all set to a jazzy soundtrack New site will chronicle progress of Cleveland Hopkins airport's master plan Don't Edit By Bahk Eun-ji The election watchdog is creating educational content on voting for students and teachers, as a recently law revision has enabled some high school seniors to vote for the first time. A student holds a paper plane on which is written a message calling for suffrage for young people, at a rally in Seoul in October 2018. / Korea Times file The National Assembly last month passed an election reform bill that lowered the voting age from 19 to 18, starting in the upcoming April 15 general election. The change is expected to give voting rights to 530,000 people, and it is estimated that 60,000 of them will be high school seniors who will turn 18 before the elections, with the rest being high school graduates or freshmen at college. The National Election Commission (NEC) announced Sunday that it will develop printed and video education material for the new voters, and distribute it to regional education offices and high schools across the country before the spring semester starts in March. The material will be in two versions, one for students and the other for teachers. In the material, students will learn about the meaning and role of voters, the process of ballot casting, key clauses in the Election Law, and other relevant information. The material for teachers will include content on how to educate the new voters and election-related regulations that they need to know. The NEC said it will also provide relevant lectures if schools' request them. The watchdog added that besides such education, some legislative amendments may also be needed to address possible problems arising from the voting age change. Currently teachers at public schools are designated as civil servants and they are banned from electioneering by taking advantage of their status. The NEC has said teachers at private schools should also be included in the ban. Restrictions such as banning candidates from distributing their business cards and leaflets at high schools, and prohibiting the posting of campaign banners on school buildings will be also needed, it added. The NEC said it will discuss the issues on Jan. 15 and announce comprehensive measures about the voting age change shortly afterward. "We will minimize possible side effects from the lowering of the voting age by closely cooperating with the relevant authorities, giving education to new voters and teachers, and strictly enforcing the law," the NEC said in a statement. Lowering the voting age was one of President Moon Jae-in's campaign pledges. In Korea, 19 was the age when suffrage was given, although 18-year-olds are allowed to drive and marry, and are obliged to pay taxes on income and serve in the military. Korea was also the only country among the 35 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development where the voting age was set at 19; while the age was 18 in the rest. Every day the train to Kashmir's remote cyber oasis Banihal is packed as people travel for hours to get online in the disputed region where internet has been cut for five months. The mountain town of fewer than 4,000 people has six internet cafes, which are booming due to a security clampdown by the Indian government. "The speed is very slow," admitted Irfan, manager of one of the cafes where customers pay up to 3,000 rupees ($40) an hour to link their laptop to the snail's-pace broadband. "Scores of Kashmiris, mostly students and income tax professionals, come visiting every day," said Irfan, who only gave one name. In early August New Delhi made a sudden move to axe Kashmir's semi-autonomous status, shutting down communications and sending tens of thousands of extra troops into what was already one of the world's most militarised zones. While phone calls and very limited text messages are now possible, the internet is still down. Forcing people offline has crippled the economy and made it impossible to pay utility bills, make applications or just send a message to family outside the stricken zone. Some Kashmiris make special trips to New Delhi or Jammu city -- an eight-hour drive from the regional capital Srinagar -- to connect. Banihal, a two-hour train ride from Srinagar, is the nearest town with any access. - Internet trek - The government said it cut phones and the internet to prevent unrest in Kashmir, where an insurgency in the past three decades has left tens of thousands dead. India blames Pakistan, which also claims Kashmir, for the troubles. To get to Banihal, students Bhat Musaddiq Reyaz and Aqeel Mukhtar fought their way onto a train at Awantipora -- a town more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) away, south of Srinagar in the Kashmir valley. "I tried getting internet at a government kiosk set up in my district but I waited for two hours on two different days and never got a turn," said Reyaz as he waited for the train. The 19-year-old wanted to register for exams to gain access to a graduate medicine course. Mukhtar, 25, recently completed a degree in education and wanted to apply online for scholarships. "It is a complete hassle to have to travel so much just to send applications online," said Mukhtar. The two students took two hours on one train and then had to change to another which was another 90-minute standing trip to Banihal. They waited in the snow for a bus to take them from the station to the town and its prized internet cafes in a crowded lane. Reyaz was able to complete his task. But when the pair returned to the railway station for the long trip home they were told the last train had been cancelled due to snow on the tracks. No taxis would take them but after a few hours, a truck driver heading to the Kashmir valley finally offered a lift. The truck also became stuck in the snow and the students had to sleep there for the night. Traffic was still halted the next day and the students had to walk 10 kilometers past stranded cars and trucks to get back to Banihal railway station. There, they waited seven hours for the only train that left that day. Reyaz called his trek to make his application "unbelievable". "Something that would take me half an hour at home, took me two gruelling days," he said. "I will never do this ever again in my life," added Mukhtar. Banihal, a two-hour train ride from Kashmiri capital Srinagar, is the nearest town with internet access The mountain town of fewer than 4,000 people has six internet cafes Student Bhat Musaddiq Reyaz (R) wanted to register for exams to gain access to a graduate medicine course The government said it cut phones and the internet to prevent unrest in Kashmir The book General History of China in Idioms [Guangming Daily] Author: Guo Zhikun and Chen Xueliang Publishing House: Shanghai People's Publishing House Publishing Time: July 2019 Idioms are part of a person's historical memory. They are simple but meaningful, which is the essence of history. The book General History of China in Idioms uses Chinese dynasties as the framework to link idioms of different historical periods to tell the general history of China in a vivid folk style. Idioms' backgrounds often reference ancient classic books, myths or archaeological materials. Idioms from the same historical period are classified together to elaborate the features of the dynasty. Idioms contain historical experience and references. Idioms contain people's feelings of hatred and love. People usually use the idiom "Every man in the street is aware of Sima Zhao's intent ()" to express their contempt and resentment for anyone who fancies him clever but actually is stupid. Idioms can also reflect the peaceful development of China as a peace-loving nation. For example, an idiom of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), "Leave one side of the net open ()", embodies the peaceful philosophy underlying Chinese people's interpersonal relations. The idiom "Weapons put in storage and horses sent back to Nanshan mountain" vividly reflects the ancient Chinese people's love and yearning for peace. There are a large number of such idioms created in ancient times to show the spirit of peace and the concept of comity of Chinese people. Many selected idioms in the book express the Chinese people's love of the people and the country. For example, "Those who win the hearts of the people win the world" embodies ancient people's love for the country and the people. The idioms of this book also reflect the spirit of Chinese people's self-improvement and diligence. The idioms "Exert oneself constantly ()," "The mythical bird Jingwei trying to fill up the sea with pebbles ()" and "sleep on the brushwood and taste the gall ()" display Chinese people's spirit of constantly striving to become stronger. (Source: Guangming Daily/Translated and edited by Women of China) Federal authorities have reportedly warned of Jewish communities facing an "enduring threat" in the wake of recent attacks across the country. According to an intelligence document obtained by ABC News, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center on Friday advised federal, state and local authorities "to remain vigilant in light of the enduring threat to Jewish communities posed by domestic violent extremists and perpetrators of hate crimes." Mousavi gave no indication as to what the next step would be nor when it would be announced Iran will finalise its fifth step back from a nuclear deal later Sunday, a spokesman said, in retaliation for the US withdrawing from the multilateral accord and reimposing sanctions. "Regarding the fifth step, decisions had already been made... but considering the current situation, some changes will be made in an important meeting tonight," foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in televised remarks two days after the US killed a top Iranian general in a drone strike. "In the world of politics, all things affect each other," he added. Mousavi gave no indication as to what the next step would be nor when it would be announced. The nuclear accord between Iran and the United Nations Security Council's five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany was agreed in 2015. It has been hanging by a thread since the US withdrawal in May 2018, despite efforts to salvage it led by the three European nations that remain parties to the deal along with China and Russia. The US on Friday killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad international airport that raised fears of a new war in the Middle East. Iran has vowed "severe revenge" for the killing of the commander of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations. On Saturday, France urged Iran to stick to the landmark 2015 nuclear accord. "France fully shares with Germany the central objective of de-escalation and preservation of the Vienna (nuclear) accord," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. With China, "we in particular noted our agreement... to urge Iran to avoid any new violation of the Vienna accord," he added. Search Keywords: Short link: US Has 'Started Military War' Against Iran by Assassinating Soleimani - Iranian Envoy to UN Sputnik News 06:33 04.01.2020 NEW YORK (Sputnik) Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi told the CNN broadcaster in an interview that the United States "started a military war" against the Islamic Republic by killing Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force. "Last night, they [the United States] started a military war by assassinating, by an act of terror against one of our top generals. So what else can be expected of Iran to do? We cannot just remain silent. We have to act and we will act", Ravanchi said. Echoing Khamenei, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations also promised that the United States would face revenge for the assassination. "The response for a military action is a military action. By whom? When? Where? That's for the future to witness", Ravanchi added. In the earlier hours of Friday, Soleimani was killed by a US drone attack near the Baghdad International Airport. US President Donald Trump said Washington took preemptive action against Soleimani to "stop a war." An adviser to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, however, said the United States crossed a "red line" with the attack, while Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei warned that a "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the United States. The Friday strikes also killed Iraqi Shiite militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and 10 other people. Tensions are high across the Middle East after the United States killed Soleimani in an airstrike on the outskirts of Baghdad. The US Embassy in Baghdad on Friday called on US citizens to depart Iraq as soon as possible. Iran's National Security Council said in a statement it will respond to Soleimani's death "at the right time and in the right place". A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Published on 2020/01/05 | Source The rapid growth of online shopping is changing the face of retail in Korea. Advertisement 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". Most of it is done by phone or tablet PC. Mobile shopping surged 28.1 percent on-year in November to W8.41 trillion, and its proportion of total online shopping rose from 61.9 to 65.9 percent. The most popular products are clothes and cosmetics with sales totaling W4.34 trillion in November to account for 34 percent of all products bought online. But food purchases increased at the fastest pace. A total of W1.49 trillion worth of food products were bought online in November, up 26.5 percent on-year, while grocery sales doubled to surpass W1 trillion. In the past, it was thought that food could not be sold online because customers want to see and perhaps feel what they are buying. But that is changing, thanks in part to clever packaging. A survey by the Korea Rural Economic Institute of 2,016 households last year showed that the proportion who said they never bought any products online fell from 58.4 percent in 2018 to 43.2 percent in 2019. The proportion that buy processed food online more than once a month rose from 72.4 percent in 2018 to 78.6 percent in 2019. "Consumer fears about food bought online seem to be waning, and the Internet is gradually becoming the main channel for food sales". And while overall private consumption remains in the doldrums, online shopping continues to grow rapidly, leading to huge shifts in the market and hiring practices. Kim Kwang-suk at the Institute for Korean Economy and Industry said, "We will see a restructuring of weak manufacturers and retailers, while advances in payment technology will usher in a cash-free society". But Kim Tae-gi at Dankook University warned, "We need protect small businesses who will lose jobs". Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 22:36:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close LUSAKA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Zambia and Austria have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at reducing infant and maternal mortality rates in the southern African nation, an official said on Sunday. The deal will also see the rehabilitation of the country's only cancer hospital situated at the University of Zambia, the country's referral hospital, to international standards. Anthony Mukwita, Zambia's Ambassador to Germany who is also accredited to Austria, said the MoU will facilitate for the rehabilitation and upgrading of infants and mothers wards and the cancer hospital over a period of 15 years. The move will lead to drastic reduction in the numbers of mothers and babies dying during child birth and at birth, according to a release. While acknowledging that Zambia has made strides in reducing maternal mortality and infant deaths, the envoy noted that the government was keen to ensure that the mortalities are further reduced and completely stopped. On cancer, he said the deal will seek to ensure that cancer deaths and infections are reduced due to early detection and treatment once the cancer hospital was upgraded. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. JALNA: Miffed over the non-inclusion of his name in the list of ministers from Maharashtra, Congress MLA from Jalna, Kailash Goryantal on Saturday (January 5) said that he will quit the party along with his supporters. Talking to ANI, Gorantyal said that he has won the Assembly election thrice but the party has still not found him good enough to become a minister. "My supporters and I have decided to submit our resignation letters to the state party president. I have been elected as the MLA for the third time and I work for my people. Still, I have not been made a minister," Gorantyal note. "I will meet Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Balasaheb Thorat and submit my resignation from party posts. Party members of the Jalna Municipal Council, Zilla Parishad will also submit their resignations along with me," he added. Gorantyal has won from the Jalna Assembly seat in 1999, 2009 and 2019 elections. Gorantyal made the statements amid reports that Shiv Sena MLA Abdul Sattar has resigned from Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray's cabinet as he was unhappy over not getting the Cabinet berth. Sattar, however, rejected the reports that said on Saturday that he had not submitted his resignation and will meet Uddhav before taking any decision. "I have not resigned. I am going to talk to party chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence Matoshree. I will explain to him my position," Sattar said. Shiv Sena MLA Arjun Khotkar also rejected reports of Sattar's resignation and said, "There is no question of Abdul Sattar tendering his resignation. These rumours are baseless." Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister and NCP leader Jayant Patil on Saturday (January 4) said that the final list of ministers with the portfolios to be allocated to them has been sent by Chief Minister Uddhav to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari for his approval. "About portfolio allocation, I am also waiting like all of Maharashtra. According to my information, the Chief Minister has sent the final list to Raj Bhavan at 7:30 pm today itself," tweeted Patil. Elections are largely fought on social media these days. But how much are candidates spending in the virtual world? While Karnataka wrapped up bypolls to 15 Assembly constituencies in December, election authorities have found it a challenge to monitor candidates social media expenditure. In fact, monitoring it during bypolls proved more challenging than during Lok Sabha elections, according to highly placed sources in the office of Karnatakas Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). One member in the CEOs office recalled how they found it difficult to crack into closed groups, which had designated members from different countries, pushing propaganda against rival candidates. The accounts pushing such material were from UAE, UK, US, Malaysia, in addition to local accounts. Cracking these groups to flag violations was a huge challenge. Its an ocean. As per the Code of Conduct, all electronic content should be certified by the district media certification cell if it is by the candidate and if it is by the political party, the state media certification cell. However, these are limited to official accounts of candidates and parties. A lot of publicity and propaganda are carried out through third-party accounts, many operating from outside India. Intense at local level Requesting anonymity, a social media analyst collaborating with the Election Commission elaborated on the issue: While the ECI had issued strict guidelines to social media platforms during Lok Sabha elections, monitoring the same during bypolls was difficult, as the platforms did not consider local elections with same seriousness. Also, during Lok Sabha polls, we had identified 800-900 accounts that were pushing promotional content. At the local level, it was more intense. In the bypolls, a candidate spent an average of Rs 5 lakh for social media alone, according to the analysts estimate. Feedback from firms Many candidates used apps like TikTok and Helo, which are popular in rural areas. There was no way to monitor the content flow on these platforms, unless something was flagged for hate mongering, a senior official in the CEOs office explained. When it comes to Facebook and WhatsApp, the companies give us estimates of the expenditure incurred by a candidate, based on their analytics. With others, there is no way of knowing. Sources in the CEOs office added that an informal working group was compiling a set of recommendations to tackle the issue, which would be formally sent to the ECI soon. Additional Chief Electoral Officer Ajay Nagabhushan M N said during every election, the Commission kept track of advertisements on social media by individuals, calculating the expenditure and processing it as per norms. On the part of candidates, Congress Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad said social media had become significant in elections. The more it becomes important, the bigger the budget. If you take the help of professional companies for these campaigns, it comes at a big cost, he said. Tourism Minister C T Ravi added that while social media influence on a voter in an urban area was more than 60%, the same in rural areas was not more than 30%. However, it was not cost-intensive, he felt. All the creatives for social media included, it will not cost more than Rs 2 lakh for an MLA candidate. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 16:33:50|Editor: zh Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Holding placards reading "No War on Iran" and "U.S. Troops out of Iraq," about 2,000 protesters rallied near a metro station downtown here Saturday to oppose the U.S. killing of a top Iranian military leader in Iraq. The demonstrators chanted anti-war slogans such as "The road to peace is U.S. out of the Middle East," "Trump says more war, we say no more," and "No justice, no peace; U.S. out of the Middle East" to express their anger and discontent over the U.S. military presence and action in the Gulf. On Friday, a U.S. drone attack ordered by President Donald Trump killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, instantly inflaming the already strained Washington-Tehran tensions. After the rally at the metro station, thousands of the protesters marched along Market and Mission streets in the downtown area to the UN Plaza north of City Hall, where several speakers delivered speeches in turn, accusing the federal government and U.S. military of conducting dangerous actions in the Middle East. Richard Becker, West Coast coordinator of the U.S.-based civil rights group Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, also known as the ANSWER Coalition, told Xinhua that the U.S. air strike killing Soleimani was "an act of war" which would lead to an all-out war. "I don't think that we could possibly understand that they would do such a thing such as an attack and not think that Iran would respond to it," he said. "That can lead to a wider war, it can lead to an escalation, potentially into a full-scale war, a regional war, and it could even lead to a global war. So it's very dangerous," Becker said. He added that the goal of Saturday's protest is to revive and build a new anti-war movement in the United States, citing a "very satisfactory turnout" of people who took to the streets to show "people's power." "We have about 2,000 people here in San Francisco, and thousands and thousands of more people marched in other U.S. cities, including New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles and many other places in the country," he said. Gloria La Riva, an ANSWER organizer, told Xinhua that San Francisco locals came out on Saturday, along with people in more than 70 other U.S. cities to demand an end to the U.S. presence in the Middle East, and to oppose the U.S. "assassination" of Soleimani three days ago. She slammed the Pentagon for its "very dangerous" attempts to destroy Iran, adding that "they've already destroyed Iraq in many ways, but they want to do away with Iran. Only people can stop the war and make this government bring the U.S. troops back home." She rejected Trump's claim that the killing of Soleimani was aimed at eliminating a threat to U.S. security. "It's a lie. Nobody with any logic can believe that because it was premeditated, unilateral, an act of aggression. It's a violation of all international law," she said. She said the U.S. military action in Iraq and the Middle East would not bring any sense of security back home. "People were very afraid, not afraid of Iran. They are afraid of the U.S. and afraid of Trump. We have to be here outside protesting. This is the only way to show the people of the country that they're not alone in their fear," La Riva added. Ruthie Sakheim, a local teacher, criticized the Trump administration for killing a foreign military leader, which is "terrifying." She blasted the federal government for abusing American tax payers' money for military purposes. "We know that the weapons have been built up with all of our tax money that should be going to help the people in our country who are suffering from hunger and homelessness, and (they) don't have an education and don't have everything that they need," she said. Saturday's protest was organized by the ANSWER Coalition, which also hosted a similar demonstration in San Jose in the South Bay Area on the same day. Nearly 1,000 tourists, mostly British, were stuck in the French Alps on Saturday night after their flights were cancelled due to bad weather, authorities said. Heavy fog covered the ski slopes around Chambery on Saturday, leading to the cancellation of seven flights out of the local airport and delays of several others. Some 535 holiday-makers bedded down for the night at the conference centre in the town of Aix-les-Bains, 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Chambery, while 450 others were bussed to hotels, the region's administrative authority, the Savoie prefecture, told AFP on Sunday. "The passengers will be able to take off today from Lyon, Grenoble and Geneva airports," the prefecture said, adding that more buses had been chartered to cover the various airports. Chambery is a popular gateway to the northern French Alps, with airlines operating direct flights from London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chloe Davidson, 19, was found dead at her family home in Lanchester, County Durham, on December 20 A heartbroken mother says teenagers need more support around using social media after her 'bubbly' daughter took her own life five days before Christmas. Chloe Davison, 19, was found dead at her family home in Lanchester, County Durham, on December 20. Her grieving mum, Clair Reynolds, 44, says the family did not celebrate Christmas and doubts they will ever again. Chloe struggled with social anxiety and Clair says more needs to be done to encourage people to talk about their problems. She told ChronicleLive: 'Other people did not see what we saw. Chloe was the joker, bubbly and hilarious. She was the life and soul of the party. 'Chloe was beautiful, but she didn't see that. She cared so much about how people saw her. She would post a picture on social media and want all her family to like it. If it wasn't good enough she'd remove it.' Social media like Facebook and Snapchat 'took over' her daughter's life. Her mother Clair Reynolds, 44, says more needs to be done to encourage people to talk about their problems. Social media 'took over' her daughters life and became a way of 'getting through the day'. She said: 'There are too many people out there who can say what they like because it's not face-to-face' Chloe with mum Clair, brother Jordan and sister Jade. The family did not celebrate Christmas this year and doubt they will ever again, according to Chloe's mother It was Chloe's way of 'getting through the day' as she did not go out much, according to Clair. And now she is urging for better education on social media for young people. 'There are too many people out there who can say what they like because it's not face-to-face.' 'Bubbly' Chloe went on to complete health and social care qualifications and had aspirations of being a carer Chloe had been out with her mum and her friends on December 20, before she returned home at 9pm. It would be the last time Clair saw her daughter alive. Clair was in a bar when the police told her what had happened at around 11.30pm. 'It is all a blur to me now. We were so close, she was my baby.' The former Consett Academy pupil went on to complete health and social care qualifications and had aspirations of being a carer. The teenager also leaves behind brother Jordan, 22, sister Jade, 20 and her best friend - Lucy the spaniel. Clair, a Post Office worker, says Christmas will never be the same again for the family. She added: 'I took all the Christmas decorations down after she died apart from the Christmas tree because she put it up. I just couldn't do it.' Christmas 'will never be the same' as her death falls five days before the festive holiday. Clair's stepbrother Glenn Scott set up a Gofundme page to help give Chloe the send-off she deserves. And the family has been left overwhelmed by the generosity of people who have collectively donated more than 3,000. 'The fundraiser shows the upside of social media because without it we would never have raised this much money. Clair's step-brother set up a GoFund Me page which has raised more than 3,000 to give Chloe (pictured with her pet Spaniel Lucy) the send-off she deserves. The mother described her daughter as 'the joker, bubbly and hilarious', who was always 'the life and soul of the party' 'There are no words for how kind and thoughtful people have been.' Clair said: 'I can't say how grateful we are. No family can prepare emotionally for the loss of a child, and many families aren't prepared financially to give their child a send off they deserve.' Chloe's funeral is taking place on January 10 at Mountsett Crematorium from 10.15am. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See the website here. As the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari gave his nod to the allocation of portfolios on the recommendation of the state Chief Minister, key Ministries like Finance, Home and Revenue were allocated to lawmakers from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress in the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance government led by Uddhav Thackeray. Thackeray had on Saturday sent Governor the final list of ministers with the portfolios to be allocated to them for approval following which portfolio distribution in Maharashtra government was announced. As per the portfolio distribution, NCP's Ajit Pawar who was recently sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister will look after Finance and Planning, Anil Deshmukh will take care of Home department, Jayant Patil will look after Water Resources, Chhagan Bhujbal has been given charge of Food and Supply ministry whereas Nawab Malik is assigned with the charge of Minority welfare. Congress's Balasaheb Thorat has been allocated the Revenue department, Ashok Chavan with Public Works Department (PWD) while Varsha Gaikwad will look after School Education. Among Shiv Sena leaders, first time MLA Aaditya Thackeray, who was also at the forefront of Aarey protest, has been assigned with the responsibility of Environment and Tourism. Eknath Shinde will look after Urban Development Ministry, Ministry of Industry and Mining and Ministry of Marathi language has been allocated to Subhash Desai, Anil Parab is assigned the Transport department. Party leader Sanjay Rathod has been assigned with the Forest portfolio while Uday Samant will look after Higher and Technical Education. Dada Bhuse is assigned Agriculture, Sandeepan Bhumre Employment Guarantee, Gulabrao Patil - Water supply and Shankarrao Gadakh will be looking after the irrigation department. The Maharashtra government which was formed after days of deliberations between Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena had its cabinet expansion earlier this week. On November 28, Uddhav Thackeray took oath as Chief Minister bringing an end to weeks of political instability in the state's after Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress stitched a post-poll coalition as Maha Vikas Aghadi. Along with the Chief Minister six other ministers -- two each from NCP, Congress, and Shiv Sena took the oath of office. On December 30, a total of 36 leaders from Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress, including Ajit Pawar and Aaditya Thackeray, took oath as ministers in the Maharashtra government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On January 3, 2020, near Baghdad's airport, a U.S. air raid targeted Qasem Soleimani, commander of Quds Force, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGCs) terrorist arm. He was killed instantly. To understand how important this is, one needs to understand who Qasem Soleimani (1957-2020) was. Soleimani, a one-time construction worker and weightlifter, joined the IRGC after the 1979 revolution and soon headed one of the IRGCs main cadres. Khomeini assigned Soleimani to suppress a Kurdish movement in Mahabad, Western Azerbaijan. Soleimani's brutality earned him command over a Quds Guard Corps unit in Kerman. The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) gave Soleimani opportunities for further advancement. He soon commanded the 41st Mechanized (Tharallah) Division. After the cease-fire with Iraq, Soleimani masterminded offshore money-laundering activities to help Iran export terrorism to neighboring countries. In this role, Soleimani produced narcotics in Afghanistan and distributed them across the Middle East and into Africa, Europe, and the United States. In 1997, Khamenei made Soleimani commander of the Quds Force. Until his death, Soleimani was responsible for the Quds Forces terrorist activities, recruitment, and exportation of fundamentalism again, as with the opiates, throughout the Middle East, and into Asia, Africa, America and Europe. Additionally, Soleimani was Khamenei's advisor for these regions, making him a very influential figure at Irans Supreme Council of the Security Council. In Lebanon, Syria, and the Palestinian territories, Soleimani was personally involved in promoting the ruling regimes political influence and terrorist activities. Soleimani also actively pursued attacks on American diplomats and troops in Iraq and throughout the region. He twice received medals from Khamenei. Soleimani was responsible for the 1996 Khobar Tower bombing in Saudi Arabia (19 American troops killed) and the 1983 American Marine base bombing in Beirut (241 Marines, 58 French military personnel, and 6 civilians killed). He designed many of the IED bombs and rockets that Iran gave its proxies in Iraq. In 2008,when the Mojahedin-e-Khalq, an Iranian group dedicated to overthrowing the Mullahs, occupied Camp Ashraf in Iraq under U.N. protection, Soleimani masterminded an attack that killed 52. In Syria, Soleimanis activities on behalf of Bashar al Assad, Irans puppet, helped lead to the countrys 225,000 dead and 6,000,000 refugees. After U.S. troops withdrew from Iraq, Soleimani was responsible for massive civilian casualties. Always, he was advancing Irans control over the regions. Soleimani was one of the cruelest and most brutal executioners in the Middle East. Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist Dexter Filkins identified Soleimani as a uniquely powerful figure in the Middle East. Filkins contended that Soleimani strengthened Iran by assassinating rivals, arming allies, and organizing fighter groups that killed hundreds of Americans in Iraq. Senator Tom Cotton (R. Ark.), who served in Iraq, echoed this assessment in his official statement about Soleimanis death: 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. America is safer now after Soleimanis demise. Sen. Jim Risch (R. Idaho), from his position as Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, also viewed Soleimani as one of the greatest threats to American troops and to world stability: I'm also not only on the Foreign Relations Committee. I'm No. 2 on the intelligence committee. And this man's career is notorious amongst people who follow these things. He was arguably worse than Osama bin Laden, particularly as far as the number of people that he is responsible for having killed. He is the man that's responsible for the IED program that killed and maimed so many of our servicemen and women that served in Iraq. He has just been a real cancer on the Earth for many, many years. Soleimani did not get away with these war crimes just because he was cruel, imaginative, and powerful. The free hand he had reflects the long-held American policy of appeasing rather than confronting Iran. Knowing who Soleimani was and what he did is a gauge for understanding the enemies of peace, democracy, and stability in the Middle East. For years, whether he was operating from inside Iran or traveling to other countries (as he did to Iraq when he was killed), Soleimanis crimes repressed the Iranian people and exported terrorism and fundamentalism around the world. His goal, always, was to stabilize the Supreme leader system and bypass international community sanctions. Soleimanis death at the hands of the American military is an irreparable blow to the Mullahs regime. With his death, it is reasonable both to believe and hope that regime change will happen soon in Iran. Carlos Ghosn REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom Carlos Ghosn, the former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, fled Japan to Lebanon on Sunday. Whoever planned Ghosn's escape was likely skilled, Tulane professor and security expert Robert Allen said, but this probably wasn't the work of a reputable security company, which would not want to risk the reputational damage resulting from a botched operation. To pull off this kind of high-stakes endeavor, you need to plan it in a way that minimizes your odds of being detected. That means traveling at night and using a private airport, Allen said. While Allen said it is difficult to determine how much money the operation might have cost, he estimated it fell somewhere in the range of a few million dollars. There has been speculation that Ghosn was transported inside a container of some kind. That scenario would make sense, Allen said, as the alternative, using a disguise, would not hold up to serious scrutiny. Sign up for Business Insider's transportation newsletter, Shifting Gears, to get more stories like this in your inbox. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The security professionals that smuggled Carlos Ghosn out of Japan likely had two priorities, according to Robert Allen, a professor at Tulane and security expert: working quickly and discreetly. Ghosn, the former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, had been awaiting trial in Japan after being charged with underreporting his income at Nissan and using company money for personal gain. He has denied those allegations. Ghosn fled Japan on Sunday evening local time, Reuters reported, ultimately arriving in Lebanon, where he grew up, after switching to a second plane in Istanbul, Turkey. The former auto executive had reportedly learned that his second trial would be delayed until April 2021, which motivated his decision to flee Japan. He has also expressed skepticism about the Japanese legal system, which has a conviction rate of 99%. Story continues While Allen said it is difficult to determine how much money the operation might have cost, he estimated it fell somewhere in the range of a few million dollars. Descriptions of the people Ghosn hired to coordinate the operation have varied. Reuters referred to them as a "private security firm," while the Financial Times used the term "private security operatives." Whoever planned Ghosn's escape was likely skilled, Allen said, but this probably wasn't the work of a reputable security company, which would not want to risk the reputational damage of getting caught. "This definitely wasn't amateur hour, but I don't think it was a legitimate company," Allen said. "I think you had a couple of really smart people in there that knew how to do this." To pull off this kind of high-stakes operation, you need to plan it in a way that minimizes your odds of being detected. That means traveling at night and using a private airport, which would allow a passenger to board their aircraft faster than at a public airport and avoid extensive security checks, Allen said. There has been speculation that Ghosn was transported in a double-bass case, though people close to Ghosn have denied it. But that scenario would make sense, Allen said, as the alternative, using a disguise, would not hold up to serious scrutiny. That would be particularly true for Ghosn, a celebrity in Japan who was the subject of a biographical comic book after reviving Nissan in the early 2000s. Ghosn's high profile also raises questions about the precautions Japanese authorities didn't take that could have prevented Ghosn's escape. In particular, Allen said he would have put an electronic ankle bracelet on Ghosn to track his movements. "I'd have had an ankle monitor on him, without a doubt," Allen said. "He wouldn't go anywhere without somebody knowing." Read the original article on Business Insider Politburo member and standing member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong visited poor workers in the northern province of Phu Tho on January 5. The Party official brought 100 gifts to a Tet gathering held by the JNTC Vina Ltd Co for its workers. He took the occasion to ask the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and the labour federation of Phu Tho province to improve the performance of grassroots trade unions in protecting the legitimate interests and rights of workers. The same day, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung, Vice President of the VGCL Tran Van Thuat and Secretary of Ha Nam Party Committee attended a Tet programme together with more than 1,000 workers in disadvantaged circumstances. The labour federation of Ha Nam province, the programmes organizer, presented 1,000 gifts and 300 bus tickets for needy workers at the event. The federation will also lease 30 buses to take workers from localities more than 150km away home for Tet holiday. President of the Ha Nam labour federation Trinh Van Bung reported that around 65,000 workers are working in industrial parks in Ha Nam. Of them, about 20,000 hail from other provinces and cities, with some 8,000 in disadvantaged circumstances. The Lunar New Year (Tet) is the most important occasion for Vietnamese people during a year. Most people will try to come back to their home town or village to celebrate Tet with their families. As leaders around the world are walking a tightrope on the US actions against Iran that led to the death of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Major Gen Qassem Soleimani, Pakistan has reportedly extended tacit support to Washington. According to ANI, the United States managed to receive support from Islamabad in exchange for resuming military training and educational program, suspended in 2018, for the Pakistani officers. Soon after Soleimani was killed in a drone attack, ordered by US President Donald Trump, Washington started to mobilise support from leaders around the world. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held several telephonic conversations with the leaders where he emphasised that the action against Iran was necessary to protect US personnel and interests abroad. Read: Pompeo Calls Gen Bajwa Instead Of Pak PM, Netizens Ask 'who's Boss?' As part of the diplomatic effort, Pompeo held discussions with Pakistan's Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa about the defensive action against Iran. The US diplomat tried to convince Pakistan that Irans actions are destabilizing the region and the Trump administration is resolved to protect American interests, personnel, facilities, and partners. Pakistans support to the US in exchange of resumption of military training is seen as formers opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Islamabad had blamed Soleimani for supporting Baloch militants against its military and the resumption of International Military Education and Training (IMET) is a win-win situation for Pakistan. Read: Javad Zarif Tweets Pics Of Iraqis Paying Tribute To Soleimani Just After Baghdad Strikes War of words In the latest development in US-Iran relations, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif slammed US President Donald Trump for threatening to target cultural sites. Terming the death of General Qassem Soleimani as cowardly assassination, Zarif said that the US has once again committed to violating the fundamental principle of international law. Zarif lashed out at Pompeo and Trump saying they should not even bother to refer law dictionary. Irans Foreign Minister claimed that the latest action of Washington in Iran is the beginning of the end of US presence in the Middle East. Read: Military Presence Of US In Gulf Causes 'disaster': Javad Zarif Read: Trump Steps Up Warning To Tehran; Says US Ready To Strike 52 Iranian Sites If Tehran Retaliates (With ANI inputs) Mumbai, Jan 5 : Security officials went into a tizzy when a farmer along with his minor daughter attempted to break security and barge inside 'Matoshri', the private residence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray here on Sunday morning, according to sources. The farmer - identified as one Deshmukh - had come from Panvel in Raigad district and armed with some filed papers, tried to force his way onto the high-security road outside 'Matoshri', in suburban Bandra east. When Deshmukh and his 8-year old daughter were stopped by a police team, he protested and shouted that he wanted to meet the Chief Minister, and demanded to know whether the police would "shoot them". However, the police bundled them into a waiting van to take them to the police station. When news of the commotion percolated to 'Matoshri', Thackeray and Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray immediately directed the police to release Deshmukh and his daughter forthwith and get the details of their grievances. Accordingly, the police set free Deshmukh and his daughter. He claimed to mediapersons that he was burdened by farming debts since the past eight years and wanted to highlight his plight to the Chief Minister. Thackeray, who was sworn-in as the chief minister on November 28, continues to live at his private home and is expected to shift to the CM's official bungalow 'Varsha' at Malabar Hill in south Mumbai within a few weeks, according to sources. The BJP on Sunday claimed opposition parties are spreading confusion over a toll free number it has issued to seek people's support on the amended Citizenship Act, and asserted that it has undertaken a positive exercise to spread awareness about the law. The BJP hit out at opposition parties after several memes and misleading posts emerged on social media about the number (8866288662). Hours after BJP president Amit Shah said rumours were being spread about the number and noted that it belonged to his party and not to Netflix, as claimed in some posts, the party held a press conference to slam those spreading confusion over it. Noting that vulgar claims are also being made, such as people can speak to lonely girls by dialling this number, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the exercise should not be reduced to ridicule. "Opposition leaders are doing over such a positive step," Patra said, adding that the BJP has worked to fix a decades-old issue like citizenship for persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries by enacting the CAA. The BJP leader also hit out at Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan over his tweets targeting the Modi government and the RSS. Khan heads country called "terroristan", Patra said, adding that he has been ranting against India and misleading people due to his frustration after surgical strikes. The BJP spokesperson also took objection to Congress leader Rashid Alvi's reported remarks that Modi and Khan have been promoting each other as part of a conspiracy and asked the Congress to explain if this was the party's official stand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Authors note: This is part of a series exploring the various historic coastal communities that once surrounded greater New Orleans, principally along the brackish waters of Lake Pontchartrain. In previous months weve investigated Milneburg, Spanish Fort and West End; here we consider hamlets farther east. Though mostly gone now, these communities remind us that New Orleans, while not on the Gulf Coast, is and always has been a coastal city. Seabrook. Edge Lake. Citrus. Little Woods. South Point. Lee. Micheaud. Chef Menteur. Rigolets. Sound familiar? Some yes, some no? These were all tiny communities in eastern New Orleans a century ago. Some were fishing enclaves or recreational facilities; others were train stops serving hunting and fishing clubs. Nearly all have since disappeared or been utterly transformed, such that New Orleanians today may be surprised to learn of their citys historic rural coast. And coastal it was (and remains): Lakes Pontchartrain, Catherine and Borgne are all brackish tidal lagoons connected to the Gulf of Mexico. While we call them lakes, they are really bays, making New Orleans a coastal city and its eastern flanks an estuarine marsh. Present-day eastern New Orleans originally comprised two basins separated by a ridge created by a former channel of the Mississippi River, and later by its since-abandoned Bayou Gentilly/Bayou Sauvage distributary. This wending upland, barely a few feet above sea level but high enough to enable foot passage, underlies todays Old Gentilly Road and Chef Menteur Highway. To the north of this ridge was an expanse of swamp and shrubby marshes that the French called Petit Bois, or Little Woods, extending to the waters of Lake Pontchartrain. To the south was an inland swamp basin that drained out Bayou Bienvenue into Lake Borgne to the east. The channel of this twisted waterway and the shore of this lake now form the Orleans-St. Bernard parish line. Humans occupied this region long before the citys founding. Important archaeological sites associated with the Tchefuncte people have been found at Big Oak and Little Oak Islands, both middens (shell heaps) in present-day Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, and by the Rigolets Pass, where the subterranean barrier island known as the Pine Island Trend breaks the surface. Natives navigated future eastern New Orleans maze of bayous and bays in pirogues. Colonials sailed through its two deep straits, the Rigolets and Chef Menteur passes, to transit between the existing French outposts at Biloxi and Mobile and the budding project of New Orleans, founded in 1718. Residents of the new city used the chemin (path) to Chantilly (todays Gentilly, probably named for an estate outside of Paris) to access the eastern region. Ownership of the area came into the hands of Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent courtesy of a royal concession, and then to Louis Borgnier DeClouet, both of whom ran plantations along the ridge. The outlying marshes remained mostly wild, the haunt of hunters and fishermen as well as maroons (escaped slaves). It was in this remote region that the famed Jean Saint Malo led a group of maroons in a low-level guerrilla war with Spanish authorities in the early 1780s. War with Britain, or rather its aftershocks, brought the first major permanent structures to the area. Alarmed at the ease with which a foreign power was able to threaten New Orleans before being defeated at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, the U.S. War Department devised the so-called Third System of masonry forts along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. One bastion, in a spot on Rigolets Pass the French called Petites Coquilles (little shells), was completed in 1824 and renamed Fort Pike in 1827. A similarly designed bastion was erected on Chef Menteur Pass during 1821-28; originally called Fort Chef Menteur, it was renamed Fort Wood in 1835 and Fort Macomb in 1851. For the next 50 years, life in eastern New Orleans mostly involved these two forts; boat traffic on the lakes, bayous and the two passes; small truck farms and plantations along the Gentilly/Chef Menteur Road; and an itinerant circuit of hunters, trappers, fishermen and oystermen, as well as collectors of Spanish moss (for mattresses and cushions) and shells (to pave roads or make mortar). Ownership of the tract, meanwhile, shifted from DeClouet in the late 1700s to Barthelemy Lafon in the early 1800s to Antoine Michoud in 1827. Railroads brought changes The geography of eastern New Orleans forever changed with the advent of railroads. First, in 1870, came the New Orleans, Mobile and Texas (later the Louisville and Nashville, or L&N) Railroad, whose tracks were laid near the ridge and on trestles to connect with coastal Mississippi and Alabama. In the 1880s came the New Orleans and North Eastern Railroad (N.O. & N.E., also known as the Queen & Crescent and later the Southern line), which ran along the lakeshore (now Hayne Boulevard) to connect with Slidell and beyond. The trains put the remote region within a short, comfortable ride from downtown New Orleans. Stations opened along the routes, each with water tanks and fuel supplies, and they gave rise to tiny hamlets in places hitherto inaccessible. First out on the L&N was Lee Station, located at present-day Schindler Drive at Chef Menteur Highway, where a few hundred people reside and enjoy the benefits of Uncle Sams postal service, reported the Daily Picayune in 1888, indicating that the community was stable enough to warrant a post office. Next stop was 4.2 miles farther east, named Micheaud (or Michoud) for the old sugar plantation of Antoine Michoud. This station was not located at the site of the present-day NASA facility, but along Chef Menteur between present-day Alcee Fortier Boulevard and Industrial Parkway. Both the Lee and Micheaud stations became popular destinations for hunting groups such as the Cyclone Club, which stalked ducks, deer, hogs and small game around Bayou Gentilly (Bayou Sauvage). Then there was the fishing: Perch and crabs were taken in great numbers in the vicinity of Micheaud, reported the Item in April 1910, the fishermans train bringing quite a number of anglers who spent the day at that place with good results. Next came Chef Menteur Station, located across the pass from Fort Macomb, where a fishing fleet was docked. Ten miles east was the Rigolets Station on Rabbit Island, near where the eponymous pass opened into Gulf waters. These two stops were famous for their elaborate hunting and fishing clubs catering to downtown businessmen, who would board the L&N train at the foot of Canal Street on Friday afternoon and return on Sunday. In and around Chef Menteur Station, for example, were the Tallyho Club, the Happy Club and the We-Go-Fishing Club, while the Rigolets Station played host to the Anglers Club, Pine Island Club, A.B.C. Club, Happy Family Club and Old Sport Club. Each organization had staff, and together with railroad employees and fishing families, the stations became year-round coastal communities living in rural isolation yet still within the municipal limits of a major American city. While the L&N imparted economic life to the heart of eastern New Orleans, the N.O. & N.E. did the same for its lakeshore perimeter. Trains departed from the Press Street Station and headed north along Peoples Avenue before curving northeasterly along Lake Pontchartrain to a trestle connecting with Slidell and Covington. Draining the swamps Because they fronted open water with refreshing breezes, stations along the N.O. & N.E. line were more likely to become picnic and bathing destinations, rather than hunting spots. Scores of family fishing camps sprouted up on pilings along the Lake Pontchartrain shore, forming a long linear coastal neighborhood that would last to the end of the 20th century. Folks disembarked at stations named Seabrook and Edge Lake, between present-day Mayo and Crowder boulevards, or at Little Woods, where two entrepreneurs named Barbot and Allen acquired a five-year lease and built a house with capacious dining-room and apartments for private parties, a well stocked saloon and a covered platform for dancers. Nearby, according to an 1887 Daily Picayune article, were natural attractions for picnic and pleasurable purposes, such as shady groves, fine bathing the (lake) bottom being hard sand and the water quite salty, excellent fishing, and pleasant walks. Though it could not rival the resorts of West End, Spanish Fort or Milneburg, Little Woods would become a popular getaway for urban masses, a destination for company picnics and an important venue for up-and-coming jazz musicians. Located where Paris Road now intersects with Hayne Boulevard, Little Woods had a permanent residential population large enough to warrant its own school. Another six miles on the railroad got travelers to the last stop in Orleans Parish, the fishing community of South Point. This marked what the French called Pointe Aux Herbes, a name still on the map today, after which came the trestle and St. Tammany Parish. Railroad access aroused land developers' interest in eastern New Orleans, but before they could make money off the area, its swamps had to be drained. While the Orleans Parish Levee Board erected lakefront levees, the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board in the 1910s dug drainage canals and installed pumps, which succeeded in drying out the basin and also sinking it below sea level. The New Orleans Lake Shore Land Co., under the leadership of cotton merchant Frank B. Hayne, secured ownership of 7,500 acres of this now-dried land and sold off hundreds of five-acre tracts for the planting of commercial orange groves as well as truck farms. This gave rise to yet another community along the railroad, Citrus, where the orchard operations were headquartered. This explains todays East and West Citrus Play Spots located along the Citrus Canal off Hayne Boulevard. What happened to Citrus and all these other eastern coastal communities? Those along the L&N track fell victim to the Great Storm of 1915, which killed 24 people at Rigolets Station, destroyed the train bridges and trestles, and literally splintered (the) Anglers Club, reported The Times-Picayune, into kindling wood. Autos meant more changes The clubs could have rebuilt, and some did. But by this time more and more New Orleanians were driving personal automobiles to their weekend destinations, and the state responded with modernized infrastructure. In the 1920s, the ridge-top road was paved, eventually becoming U.S. 90 (Chef Menteur Highway), and state bridges were built over the two passes. The highway killed the old train stations as community focuses and shifted the action to the shoulders of the auto artery. Lee, Micheaud and all the station-based settlements fell off the map, replaced by family camps and roadside communities familiar to motorists along Chef Menteur Highway today. This was also the era when U.S. 11 was built along a subsidiary ridge, which gave rise to todays Irish Bayou community on Ridgeway Boulevard. Drainage, meanwhile, turned wild swamps into cultivated commercial citrus groves. But orange production struggled with disease blights and uncooperative weather, and the effort failed. In the 1940s, the federal government extended the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway through the region, followed by the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal in the late 1950s and 1960s, by which time urbanization had spread east along Chef Menteur Highway, replacing the citrus groves and truck farms. The man-made channels allowed salt water to intrude and enabled storm surges to penetrate a basin now sinking into the shape of a topographic bowl. After Hurricane Betsy flooded the area in 1965, hurricane-protection levees were built around the basin, which, though not built to the requisite standards, nevertheless prompted developers to build modern subdivisions and market them as a suburb within the city. Thousands of New Orleanians settled into them, and the area became known as New Orleans East, for a corporation that aimed to develop even more land, before going bankrupt. Thus were the wild marshes and remote hamlets of eastern New Orleans transformed into a community of 95,000 people by 2000. Nearly all flooded again during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, as storm surge ruptured or overtopped federal levees and floodwalls surrounding the now-sunken basin. By 2010, around 65,000 residents had returned. This years census will gauge the growth of the past decade. The changes of the past 15 years pale in comparison to those of a century ago, when New Orleans rural coast first began to transform to the hardened cityscape it is today. While none of the old outposts remain in their original form and some names have gone extinct, others now mean new things. Seabrook has come to imply the area where the Industrial Canal meets Lake Pontchartrain; Edge Lake and Citrus are place names; Little Woods is the citys official neighborhood name for the Hayne Boulevard corridor; Michoud now implies the NASA assembly facility; and Chef Menteur Stations identity has shifted to that of Venetian Isles (commenced in 1963), itself a hybrid of a coastal community and a modern suburb, just across Chef Menteur Highway from the ruins of old Fort Macomb. The salty littoral ambiance of old coastal New Orleans persists today most notably along the marsh community of Irish Bayou, and among the picturesque camps of St. Catherine and the Rigolets by Fort Pike each built high on pilings at the eastern apogee of Orleans Parish, where the city meets the sea. Richard Campanella, a geographer with the Tulane School of Architecture, is the author of Cityscapes of New Orleans, Bienvilles Dilemma and Bourbon Street: A History. His next book, The West Bank of Greater New Orleans, is due out this spring. Campanella may be reached through http://richcampanella.com, rcampane@tulane.edu or @nolacampanella on Twitter. MORE FROM RICHARD CAMPANELLA: +31 The story of West End: 'The Coney Island of New Orleans' Authors note: This is the third in a series exploring the coastal communities that once surrounded greater New Orleans, principally along the She's a reality star turned successful swimwear designer. And Kimberley Garner proved to be her brand's own best advert as she showed off her latest design by sharing a sizzling Instagram post on Monday. The reality star, 28, looked sensational in a plunging yellow swimsuit that fit snugly on her frame to highlight her slender frame. Wow! Kimberley Garner looked sensational as she showcased her stunning figure in a plunging yellow swimsuit while reading a newspaper upside down, in a snap shared on Monday The high cut swimwear helped to accentuate her slender legs, as she posed on top of a bath while reading a newspaper upside down. Her golden locks were brushed into glamorous curls, and she wore a light palette of make-up to show off her natural beauty. Promoting her brand on Instagram, she told followers in the caption: 'Waking up with the sunrise one piece @kimberleylondon called EverAfter' Busy: Kimberley splits her time between her home in London and Miami after purchasing a dream pad in the Floridian coastal city in December 2018 Kimberley splits her time between her home in London and Miami after purchasing a dream pad in the Floridian coastal city in December 2018. Speaking to MailOnline about her home earlier this year, she explained: 'I worked very hard last year and had even moved home for a few months to save money. 'I really had my head down working to concentrate on goals, but achieved it on New Years Eve, praise God, and flew over here. Completed the sale on the plane over.' Reflecting on her property empire, the designer admitted it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of her busy life in London. 'It's right on the beach, and really is a dream come true,' she explained. 'I am over doing the interior design, going for a beachy chilled vibe for the place. 'I won't be moving there [permanently], as London is one hundred percent home, but really overjoyed and proud to have achieved it.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:11:10|Editor: zh Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 196 infants have died in the month of December last year at two government-run hospitals in the western Indian state of Gujarat, health officials said Sunday. The deaths took place at the hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad districts, west of Gandhinagar city, the capital of Gujarat. "In the month of December, 111 children died here," Dr Manish Mehta, dean at Rajkot civil hospital told media. "We don't have enough facilities to treat the number of patients we receive." Likewise, the superintendent of Ahmedabad civil hospital, Dr. G S Rathod said deaths of 85 infants were recorded at the hospital in December. "In December, 455 newborns were admitted in neo-natal intensive care unit (ICU). Of them 85 died," Rathod said. Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Sunday refused to comment on the infant deaths in his state and walked away after journalists asked him about the issue. Gujarat is another Indian state after Rajasthan that is making headlines for infant deaths at government-run hospitals. In December, over 100 deaths were reported at a government run hospital at Kota district in adjacent Rajasthan state. India's human rights panel, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has taken suo motu cognizance of the infant deaths at hospital in Rajasthan and issued notice to the local government over the issue. The child deaths in Rajasthan triggered a slugfest between ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and the local government in Rajasthan headed by Congress party. The BJP attacked Rajasthan government of failing to provide medical care facilities to the new born in the state. However, the deaths in Gujarat, which is BJP ruled state has brought the ruling party in tightspot and the issue is likely to haunt the party in the days to come. In most of the 10 states that will likely lose a House seat due to reapportionment beginning in 2022, current demographic trends are poised to shift political power from rural counties to metropolitan counties, according to an analysis by The Hill's Reid Wilson. Why it matters: Census counts are crucial for determining political representation in the House, and minor changes in population can alter a state's power in Congress for a decade. What to watch: Illinois will likely lose one of its 18 House seats, with 93 of the state's 102 counties losing population in the last decade. Only suburban Chicago counties substantially gained population. will likely lose one of its 18 House seats, with 93 of the state's 102 counties losing population in the last decade. Only suburban Chicago counties substantially gained population. When Illinois loses its seat, legislators will likely dissolve one of the state's six downstate, rural districts five of which are held by Republicans. Rhode Island is expected to drop one of its two House seats, falling to one representative for the first time since 1788. Four of the states five counties lost residents since 2010. Only Providence, the states largest city, experienced population growth. is expected to drop one of its two House seats, falling to one representative for the first time since 1788. Four of the states five counties lost residents since 2010. Only Providence, the states largest city, experienced population growth. Ohio is set to lose one of its 16 congressional districts. 59 of its 88 counties have experienced population decline since 2010, with almost all of the state's net population growth coming from Columbus, its largest city. Of note: California and Alabama are the only states losing congressional districts that fall outside of the Northeast or the Rust Belt. 44 of Alabama's 67 counties lost population in the last decade. California's growth has slowed despite adding around 1.8 million residents since 2010. It will likely drop one of its 53 seats for the first time since it became a state in 1850. The big picture: America's 100 largest counties added 9.8 million people in the last decade. Only 11 of the largest counties lost population all of them in Rust Belt and Northeastern cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Two-thirds of America's 2,153 counties with fewer than 50,000 residents have lost population over the same period. Those counties lost a net 238,000 residents. Go deeper: Patna, Jan 5 : With just a few months left for the crucial Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United President Nitish Kumar is yet to speak on the alliance and seat-sharing formula with his NDA allies. Nitish Kumar stormed to power in Bihar in alliance with the Grand Alliance comprising his JD-U, the Lalu Prasad-led Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress in the 2015 Assembly elections. However, almost one and half year later, he pulled out of the alliance in June 2017 and again joined hands with the BJP and the LJP to form the government, leading to former party chief Sharad Yadav and some others rebelling against him But soon the things settled down and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) started functioning properly in the state, where the three parties had been in alliance earlier from 2005 to 2013. However, the JD-U had insisted on, and got, parity with the BJP in seats-sharing for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. But with the Assembly elections nearing in the state, now, the "number two" in JD-U, Prashant Kishor, an election strategist who joined the party in September 2018, has raised the stakes, saying that his party should get the lion's share of seats. Earlier, the alliance had reportedly come down an understanding that the seat-sharing would be 50:50. About the seat-sharing in the upcoming Assembly elections, Kishor said: "As far as my understanding is concerned, it (the seat share) should be one is to four as it was the practice in 2005 and 2010 assembly elections." The election-strategist-turned-politician has been quite vocal against the party's sudden decision to support the citizenship law. However, Nitish Kumar, who had covered up for him on the occasion, has remained silent over this issue, which has caused unease in the BJP camp. Some JD-U leaders, who wished not not be named, said that the recent rebellion of the Shiv Sena against the BJP in Maharashtra and its capture of power with the opposition's help has inspired Nitish Kumar to play for bigger stakes. Meanwhile, the BJP had claimed the seat share would remain 50:50 as it was in the Lok Sabha election. However, following Kishor's remarks, some BJP leaders even questioned in what capacity he made this remark while some even pointed out that even during the 2015 assembly elections, Nitish Kumar, despite having 120 seats, contested on an equal number of seats with the RJD. In December, Nitish Kumar, who had always stood against the citizenship law in public, suddenly changed his stand during the bill's introduction in the Lok Sabha and supported it despite Kishor urging him to reconsider his decision. This will be quiet interesting to see which way Nitish Kumar goes, as on number of occasions, some Congress, RJD and even JD-U leaders have opined that he should again join hands with Lalu Prasad. Wikimedia Commons Tokyo/Xinhua/UNI: Tokyo prosecutors will look into how Nissan Motor Co. former Chairman Carlos Ghosn jumped bail and fled Japan, a senior prosecutor said on Sunday. "It is regrettable as he ignored our country's legal procedures and the act could amount to a crime," Takahiro Saito, deputy chief at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, said in a statement after Ghosn fled to Lebanon last week and accused the Japanese justice system of being "rigged". "We deal with matters appropriately by collaborating with related institutions to identify what has happened with swift and proper investigations," Saito said. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Masako Mori said in a statement that she has ordered Japanese immigration authorities to tighten the processing procedures for people leaving Japan. "It is clear that the defendant's rights were fully guaranteed, as he was able to communicate freely with lawyers after he was released on bail," Saito said. "The escape is an act of merely trying to flee from punishment for his crime and there is no way that his act can be justified," he said. Ghosn, who holds Brazilian, French and Lebanese nationality, was accused of under-reporting his remuneration for years and for embezzling company funds. He has denied all the charges, claiming company insiders conspired against him. "I am now in Lebanon and will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system," Ghosn said in a statement released by his U.S. representative on Monday. Ghosn's bail has been revoked and it was suspected that the fugitive traveled on a private plane and entered Lebanon using a French passport. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Sunday said the recent violence and vandalism at a gurdwara in Pakistan has "proved" that Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 was a "right decision taken at an appropriate time." He asked why opposition parties are silent after the attack on the holy Sikh shrine of Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. What else or bigger proof the opposition parties like Congress, RJD - which are opposing CAA - want that religious minorities are being persecuted in Pakistan, the DyCM said while launching party's awareness campaign-cum-mass contact programme to dispel confusion, misconception on CAA among the people. He launched the party's awareness programme at Madhu Milan community hall in Shashtri Nagar area under Digha assembly constituency in Patna during which he met people and explained to them legislation. Under the awareness campaign, BJP leaders and workers 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. Minorities in Pakistan have been harassed and persecuted for the past 70 years, the DyCM said. "How many instances or proofs of atrocities and persecution of minorities in Pakistan the opposition Congress, RJD and other opposition leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal would like to have?", he asked. The CAA is meant to give citizenship to refugees who have come to India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, he said, adding that it was not meant to take away anyone's citizenship To vitiate the atmosphere of the country, Congress, RJD and other opposition parties have spread a confusion especially among Muslims for the sake of vote bank politics, he alleged while asserting that the confusion over CAA has been "largely dispelled". Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reaches AIIMS in Delhi to meet the JNU students injured during violence at the campus. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours as masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police. JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh suffered a head injury. The JNU administration said "masked miscreants armed with sticks were roaming around, damaging property and attacking people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Investors monitor a screen with stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 11, 2019. (Reuters/Ahmed Yosri) Gulf Stocks Tumble Amid Rising USIran Tensions Stocks in the Persian Gulf plunged in trading on Jan. 5, as tensions between the United States and Iran roiled markets following the killing of a top Iranian military commander. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the architect of Tehrans overseas military operations, was killed early on Jan. 3 in a U.S. drone strike on his convoy at Baghdads airport. Markets responded quickly, with Saudi credit default swapswhich investors buy as protection against defaultrising by more than 13 percent on Jan. 3, Refinitiv data showed. On Jan. 5, shares of oil giant Saudi Aramco fell 1.7 percent to their lowest level since listing last month in a record initial public offering (IPO). The Kuwaiti index, the best performer in the region in 2019, fell almost 4.1 percent, while Saudi stocks plunged 2.2 percent. A U.S.Iran war could shave 0.5 percentage points or more off global GDP, mainly due to a collapse in Irans economy, but also due to the impact from a surge in oil prices, Jason Tuvey, senior emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, said in a note last week. Oil prices jumped to $63.05 a barrel on Jan. 3, their highest level in more than three months, after Soleimanis killing sparked fears that conflict in the region could disrupt global oil supplies. Circle of Violence The killing of Soleimani came following months of attacks by Iran-backed militias on U.S. forces in Iraq. The hostilities that targeted U.S. troops included the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by Iranian-backed militiamen and their supporters on Dec. 31, 2019, and the death of a U.S. military contractor in a rocket attack a few days earlier. Several U.S. and Iraqi soldiers were also wounded in the attack, which the United States has attributed to Kataib Hezbollah. According to State Department officials, the killing of Soleimani was in response to the years of deadly attacks that he had personally orchestrated in the region. They stressed that another major attack in Iraq had been imminent, but its now not likely to happen. We cannot promise that we have broken the circle of violence, a senior State Department official told reporters on Jan. 3. What I can say from my experience with Qassem Soleimani is, it is less likely that we will see this now than it was before, and if we do see an increase in violence, it probably will not be as devilishly ingenious. President Donald Trump told reporters in Florida that afternoon that the strike was carried out to stop a war. Trump Issues Warning Trump took to Twitter to announce that the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites in response to threats from the Iranian regime. On Dec. 4, Trump warned Iran not to attack any Americans or American assets or Iranian targets would be hit very fast and very hard. Earlier in the day, senior Revolutionary Guards commander Gen. Gholamali Abuhamzeh warned that dozens of U.S. targets were within reach of the Islamic regime following Soleimanis killing. Some 35 U.S. targets in the region, as well as Tel Aviv, are within our reach, Abuhamzeh was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying. He also raised the prospect of possible attacks on U.S. destroyers and other warships in the Strait of Hormuz. Experts and others familiar with the situation told The Epoch Times that Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is unlikely to order attacks on U.S. assets while the nation is mourning Soleimani. Khamenei is unlikely to go to war during the coming days, as hes scheduled to pray over Soleimani on Monday at Tehran University, said Sam Bazzi, Middle East expert and founder of Hezbollah Watch. The airstrike that killed Soleimani also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (or al-Mohandis, or Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi), the deputy commander of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Thats an umbrella grouping of paramilitary forces, mostly Iran-backed Shiite militias that were formally integrated into Iraqs armed forces amid efforts to defeat the ISIS terrorist group. Allen Zhong and Reuters contributed to this report. One thing every girl would have had growing up was a Barbie -- the golden-haired humanoid doll that Im sure most of the girls would want to be like -- with the dresses they wear, the way they look or accessories the dolls own. Recently, Mattel collaborated with National Geographic to create a set of National Geographic explorer dolls to inspire young girls to take careers in science, while piquing their interest in the conservation of nature and trees. The person who advised the two conglomerates to make this happen was scientist Nalini Nadkarni -- a professor of biology at the University of Utah who has devoted her entire life around saving the forests. She shared her childhood memories, in an interview with Associated Press, stating how she has grown up living with trees. She used to come from school and climb on to one of the eight maple trees in her parents backyard. Associated Press She always wanted to make young girls get interested in saving the environment. Around 15 years ago, Nadkarni had contacted Mattel to create Barbies with an explorer to which they showed no interest. She then decided to take matters in her own hands, and fashion the barbies on her own, using gear she collected and started selling them on her website at cost -- calling them Treetop Barbie. However, last year, Mattel started working with National Geographic to create a lineup of scientist Barbies -- and Nat Geo has a long relationship with Nalini, so they sought for her help, along with a few other scientists and she obliged. Twitter: Nalini Nadkarni Mattel even made a one-of-a-kind Barbie that looked just like her, as a thank you -- with tree climbing gear, dark hair with strands of white. With Mattel bringing such iterations of its beloved dolls, many young girls would be inspired to be like them, if not, at least have an interest in science. Nalini said, in an interview with Deseret News, Then maybe, those little girls who love and aspire to be Barbie, would also say, Oh, maybe I can also aspire to be a scientist or an adventurer, or to make new discoveries, or to take risks. And even if she doesnt want to herself become a scientist because not everybody needs to be a scientist, maybe shell just appreciate science more, or trees more, or forests more. The body of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in Iraq in a U.S. military strike, was returned to Iran on Sunday and driven through thousands of mourners, the official IRIB news agency reported. Soleimani, the architect of Tehrans overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, was killed on Friday in a U.S. drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. While many Iranians have rallied in to show grief over the death of Soleimani, regarded as the countrys second most powerful figure after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, others worry his death might push the country to war with a superpower. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites very hard if Iran attacks Americans or U.S. assets. Khamenei promised harsh revenge and declared three days of mourning on Friday. Soleimanis body was flown to the city of Ahvaz in southwest Iran. IRIB posted a video clip of a casket wrapped in an Iranian flag being unloaded from a plane as a military band played. Thousands of mourners dressed in black marched through the streets of Ahvaz beating their chests in live footage aired on state TV. Soleimanis casket was driven amidst the large crowds on the back of a truck. The body of Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed in the attack with Soleimani, was also flown to Ahvaz, according to IRIB. Tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq on Saturday to mourn Soleimani and al-Muhandis, chanting Death to America. Iranian parliamentarians also chanted Death to America in a parliamentary session shown on state TV on Sunday. Oman has called on the United States and Iran to seek dialogue to ease tensions, Oman News Agency reported on Sunday. Oman, which maintains friendly ties with both the United States and Iran, has previously been a go-between for the two countries. On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdads heavily-fortified Green Zone near the U.S. embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighbourhood and two more were fired at the Balad air base north of the city, but no one was killed, the Iraqi military said in a statement. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. (Reporting By Babak Dehghanpisheh; additional reporting by Asma Alsharif; Editing by Kim Coghill and Alison Williams) The two girls, ages 15 and 16, each face one count of robbery and two counts of aggravated battery, police said. Investigators say after the girls saw their images posted on an alert issued by police, the teenagers admitted to participating in the robbery and punching and kicking two female victims on the train. A car owner may get as much as $4million for the green Mustang made famous in the 1968 movie Bullitt starring Steve McQueen. The dark-green Ford Mustang fastback is expected to break records when it goes on auction next week at an event in Florida. The seller, Sean Kiernan, a Tennessee horse farm owner, claims he could get as much as $4million for it, much more than the $3,500 his father, Bob, bought it for in 1974. A car owner may get as much as $4 million for the green Mustang made famous in the 1968 movie Bullitt starring Steve McQueen The original dark-green Ford Mustang fastback is expected to break records when it goes on auction next week at an event in Florida. Molly McQueen, granddaughter of actor Steve McQueen, is seen above introducing Ford's 2019 Mustang Bullitt at an autoshow McQueen apparently owned the car briefly, through his company Solar Productions. But In 1971, the company got rid of it and a sister model. He had wanted the real car and not the second model used for interior and other static shots. The Mustang's second owner then sold it to the Kiernan family after they responded to a classified ad in a 1974 issue of Road & Track magazine. Steve McQueen kept then began searching for it but he eventually found Bob Kiernan in 1977 and wrote to him: 'I would like to appeal to you to get back my 68 Mustang. 'I would like very much to keep it in the family, in its original condition as it was used in the film, rather than have it restored; which is simply personal with me.' The New York Times obtained the letter which Kiernan never responded to, the outlet reported. In the movie, the Mustang was made famous during a ten minute high-speed car chase McQueen had raced it through the streets of San Francisco in pursuit of ill-fated characters in a black 1968 Dodge Charger The model is one of Ford's most famous Mustang cars, out of more than 10 million sold since the models debut in 1964. The Kiernans used it as a daily commuter vehicle until it gave out due to clutch problems and has been in a barn ever since that time. An employee of Hagerty, the classic-car insurer, was called in to inspect and authenticate it, as was a Ford expert. The original 1968 Ford Mustang Bullitt movie car is shown on display at the Ford exhibit at the 2018 North American International Auto Show The 1968 Mustang that Steve McQueen drove in the 1968 movie 'Bullitt' is on display on the National Mall in April 2018 Kiernan has now decided to sell it and claimed the decision was difficult. He chose Mecum, an auctioneer, as it has set a record for 2019 for sales of Mustang-based cars when it got $2.2million sale for a 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake. A Hagerty spokesman, Jonathan Klinger told the New York Times: 'There is still a very active portion of collector-car culture that thinks of Steve McQueen as the ultimate car guy. The King of Cool.' Kiernan also claimed that he would be happy to see the Bullitt find a new home, even though it has been in his family for decades. 'It has to go. I only have a two-car garage.' In the movie, the Mustang was made famous during a ten minute high-speed car chase. McQueen had raced it through the streets of San Francisco in pursuit of ill-fated characters in a black 1968 Dodge Charger. Plans to increase size of Gwersyllt primary school look set to receive green light This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jan 5th, 2020 Plans to increase the size of a primary school in Wrexham look set to receive the green light. An application to create space for an extra 120 pupils at Ysgol Bro Alun in Gwersyllt is due to go before councillors next week. The school was first built in 2013 and the proposals would result in an extension measuring 475 square metres being built to include two classrooms, along with storage areas, cloakrooms and toilets. If approved, it would see the maximum capacity of the Welsh medium school rise up to 315, along with 45 nursery places. Wrexham Council said the aim was to meet the demand for Welsh language education in the county borough. Only one objection has been received against the scheme on traffic grounds and it has now been backed for approval by the local authoritys chief planning officer. In a report, Lawrence Isted said: The proposed development is an extension to an existing school. Whilst it is located outside the settlement boundary the extension is proportionate to the existing building. It is therefore acceptable in principle. Delamere Avenue is subject to a 20mph speed limit and waiting restrictions. The highway authority has assessed the proposal and has concluded that there are no highways issues with the development. Whilst there may be local issues with traffic on surrounding roads at peak times, these can be addressed by traffic management requests through the appropriate channels and are not issues which are material to the consideration of this application. The proposals have already received the backing of the councils executive board. The expansion would be paid for using 1.3m worth of Welsh Government capital funding. Speaking earlier this year, the authoritys lead member for education said the small number of issues raised was indicative of the widespread support for the proposals. Cllr Phil Wynn said: I think its a reflection how well received the Welsh medium school has been by the community of Gwersyllt. Its good news as I see it for the promotion of Welsh medium education provision. The application will be considered by the councils planning committee at a meeting tomorrow afternoon. By Liam Randall BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme) Swedish teen environmental activist Greta Thunberg pledged to continue her fight this year for measures to curb climate change and expressed hope that she may visit Japan, given the opportunity. In an interview with Kyodo News, the 17-year-old said she remains "determined...to have an impact and to change the way we treat the climate crisis, to spread awareness and put pressure on people in power." She made the comments while taking part in a weekly demonstration held by school students in her hometown of Stockholm, on a date that happened to coincide with her birthday. "The science predicts that it will get worse with time if we don't do anything. So we are trying to make sure that we do as much as possible to prevent the worst consequences," Thunberg said of her concern over climate change. Scientists link rising global temperatures to more frequent droughts and floods as well as melting glaciers and rising sea levels, among other effects impacting human life around the world. Thunberg sparked a global youth movement when she began her "school strike for the climate" in 2018, skipping school on Fridays to protest outside the Swedish parliament in an effort to highlight global environmental problems. Thunberg's activism propelled her onto the world stage and in 2019 she addressed major U.N. climate conferences in New York and Madrid, which she described as an "incredible" opportunity. On her plans for 2020, Thunberg said she will take every opportunity to appeal directly to world leaders to reduce global emissions. Later in January, she plans to attend the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, alongside political and business leaders. Recent reports have indicated that Josh Donaldsons reps have been pushing their asking price toward $110MM over a four-year term, and it now seems as if at least one bidder is preparing to push their chair back from the table. The Twins have grown pessimistic about their chances of acquiring the veteran third baseman, according to a report from Phil Miller of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, citing sources close to the negotiations. It may not be accurate to position this development as the result of Minnesotas disinclination toward spending at a certain levelrather, Donaldson may simply have another preferred destination in mind, with the Braves and Nationals reported as two other clubs that have made four-year offers. Millers sources indicate that Donaldson has not appeared interested in signing with Minnesota, and the team has begun investigating other options. Concerning the Donaldson sweepstakes, specifically, perhaps this news represents the ripple before the big splash. Donaldson has reportedly drawn a line in the sand as to the deal hes seeking and may currently be taking his pick of offers structured with a similar AAV setup. In addition to the possibly counted-out Twins, the Braves, and the Nationals, front offices in Texas and Chavez Ravine may also be keeping a direct line to agent Dan Lozano. Like the Dodgers with Justin Turner, the Twins have a proven option at third in Miguel Sano. Their Donaldson pursuit may have always more been about value propositionDonaldsons deal promises to be balance sheet-friendly compared to Anthony Rendon, after alland they may simply have been unwilling to pay top dollar for a relative roster luxury. Still, one gets the sense that the club entered the offseason with ample cap room and a reported intention of securing, at the least, top-shelf acquisitions in the pitching department. The club still looks to be in good shape entering 20, but their retirement from the Donaldson race would represent one more avenue toward roster improvement rendered closed, for the time being. Kansas City Chiefs will play Houston Texans in AFC Divisional Round What an incredible day of games! First, we saw the Texans come back down 13-0 and eventual beat the Bills in overtime. Later, the end of a dynasty came, as the Patriots lost to the Titans in a nail biter. The nation's most hatedthanks to the toll that time takes on the human body along with excellent play from the Titans . . . Here's the local implication: TEHRAN A new Iranian general has stepped out of the shadows to lead the countrys expeditionary Quds Force, becoming responsible for Tehrans proxies across the Mideast as the Islamic Republic threatens the U.S. with harsh revenge for killing its previous head, Qassem Soleimani. The Quds Force is part of the 125,000-strong Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary organization that answers only to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Guard oversees Irans ballistic missile program, has its naval forces shadow the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf and includes an all-volunteer Basij force. Like his predecessor, a young Esmail Ghaani faced the carnage of Irans eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s and later joined the newly founded Quds, or Jerusalem, Force. While much still remains unknown about Ghaani, 62, Western sanctions suggest hes long been in a position of power in the organization. And probably one of his first duties will be to oversee whatever revenge Iran intends to seek for the U.S. air strike early Friday that killed his longtime friend Soleimani. We are children of war, Ghaani once said of his relationship with Soleimani, according to Irans state-run IRNA news agency. We are comrades on the battlefield and we have become friends in battle. The Guard has seen its influence grow ever stronger both militarily and politically in recent decades. Irans conventional military was decimated by the execution of its old officer class during the 1979 Islamic Revolution and later by sanctions. A key driver of that influence comes from the elite Quds Force, which works across the region with allied groups to offer an asymmetrical threat to counter the advanced weaponry wielded by the U.S. and its regional allies. Those partners include Iraqi militiamen, Lebanons Hezbollah and Yemens Houthi rebels. In announcing Ghaani as Soleimanis replacement, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the new leader one of the most prominent commanders in service to Iran. The Quds Force will be unchanged from the time of his predecessor, Khamenei said, according to IRNA. Soleimani long has been the face of the Quds Force. His fame surged after American officials began blaming him for deadly roadside bombs targeting U.S. troops in Iraq. Images of him now plaster billboards calling for Iran to avenge his death. Ghaani has remained much more in the shadows of the organization. He has only occasionally come up in the Western or even Iranian media. But his personal story broadly mirrors that of Soleimani. Born on Aug. 8, 1957, in the city of Mashhad, Ghaani grew up during the last decade of monarchy. He joined the Guard a year after the 1979 revolution. Like Soleimani, he first deployed to put down the Kurdish uprising in Iran that followed the shahs downfall. Iraq then invaded Iran, beginning an eight-year war that would see 1 million people killed. Many of the dead were lightly armed members of the Guard, some of whom were young boys killed in human-wave assaults on Iraqi positions. Ghaani survived the war to join the Quds Force shortly after its creation. He worked with Soleimani, as well as led counterintelligence efforts at the Guard. Western analysts believe while Soleimani focused on nations to Irans west, Ghaani focused on those to the east like Afghanistan and Pakistan. 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 2012, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Ghaani, describing him as having authority over financial disbursements to proxies affiliated with the Quds Force. The sanctions particularly tied Ghaani to an intercepted shipment of weapons seized at a port in 2010 in Nigerias most-populous city, Lagos. Authorities broke into 13 shipping containers labeled as carrying packages of glass wool and pallets of stone. They instead found Katyusha rockets, rifle rounds and other weapons. The Katyusha remains a favored weapon of Iranian proxy forces, including Iraqi militias and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Also in 2012, Ghaani drew criticism from the U.S. State Department after reportedly saying that if the Islamic Republic was not present in Syria, the massacre of people would have happened on a much larger scale. That comment came just after gunmen backing Syrian President Bashar Assad killed over 100 people in Houla in the countrys Homs province. In January 2015, Ghaani indirectly said that Iran sends missiles and weapons to Palestinians to fight Israel. The U.S. and Israel are too small to consider themselves in line with Irans military power, Ghaani said at the time. This power has now appeared alongside the oppressed people of Palestine and Gaza in the form of missiles and weapons. Amir Vahdat and Jon Gambrell are Associated Press writers. In the letter, the former member of Rajya Sabha has asserted that the nation is at a crucial crossroad and the choice before the political leaders is stark: "Either to work to save the idea of India as a plural, composite, multi-religious nation in which there is respect for all faiths, and social harmony and peace prevails, or, to see it being divided by organised attempts at creating discord and acrimony among Indians on the basis of religion."Varma also claimed the CAA-NRC combine was a direct attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims and to create social instability."Besides, it will impose great hardships on Indians as a whole including especially the poor, the marginalised and the vulnerable belonging to all communities. The Central government needs to focus on the real priorities of governance such as the disastrous state of the economy, the absence of jobs, and agrarian distress, rather than such schemes whose only aim is to destroy the unity and social cohesion of our great country", the JDU leader writes in the letter, which is stark in contradiction to his party's official stand which supported the citizenship bill in parliament.Varma also appealed to Chief Minister Kumar to reconsider the party's support to the divisive and discriminatory CAB."I was deeply disappointed when my request went unheeded," he said in the letter.Varma also expressed his surprise over the statement made by Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi regarding the implementation of NPR in Bihar in May this year and stated that Chief Minister Kumar must say no to the revised NPR as he has "categorically stated that there will be no NRC in Bihar."Citing incidents of crack-down on anti-CAA protestors, JDU spokesperson Varma also requested to take a principled stand on the CAA-NPR-NRC and "reject its nefarious agenda to divide India and create a great deal of unnecessary social turbulence.""A clear cut public statement by you to this effect would be a major step towards preserving and strengthening the idea of India to which, I know, you yourself are committed. The politics of principle cannot be sacrificed at the altar of short term political gain. India is greater than individual position or power or electoral success or failure or such transient considerations," reads Varma's open letter.Earlier on December 15, Varma had welcomed Nitish Kumar's decision not to support the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and demanded that the Bihar Chief Minister should issue a public statement on the same.BJP's ally JDU was among the parties which supported the passage of CAB in the Lower House of parliament.The Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship Bill with a majority of 311 votes against 80 votes, where 391 members were present and voted.In the Rajya Sabha, the BJP government required the support of at least 123 MPs in the 245-member House, which the party managed to garner.The new citizenship law seeks to give citizenship to Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zoroastrian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (ANI) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi on Sunday accused the opposition parties of spreading myth among Muslims about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). "Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other opposition parties have spread myth among the Muslim community about the CAA," the BJP leader told a gathering. He said that some clerics, who are staunch opposer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also instilled fear among Muslims. "They said that Muslims will be thrown out of India after the implementation of this Act, but the people have now started understanding their lie. That is why the protests against the CAA have died down now," he said. The event was a part of the BJP's massive public outreach programme on the citizenship law, which grants citizenship to non-Muslim refugees of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who arrived in India until 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TEHRAN, Iran (AP) The blowback over the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general mounted Sunday as Iran announced it is abandoning the limits contained in the 2015 nuclear deal and Iraqs Parliament called for the expulsion of all American troops from Iraqi soil. The twin developments, if they come to pass, could bring Iran closer to building an atomic bomb and enable the Islamic State group to stage a comeback in Iraq, making the Middle East a far more dangerous and unstable place. Iranian state television cited a statement by President Hassan Rouhani's administration saying the country would not observe limits on fuel enrichment, on the size of its enriched uranium stockpile and on its research and development activities. "The Islamic Republic of Iran no longer faces any limitations in operations," a state TV broadcaster said. In Iraq, meanwhile, lawmakers voted in favor of a resolution calling for an end of the foreign military presence in the country, including the estimated 5,000 U.S. troops stationed to help battle the Islamic State group. The bill is nonbinding and subject to approval by the Iraqi government but has the backing of the outgoing prime minister. The two decisions capped a day of mass mourning over Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets in the cities of Ahvaz and Mashhad to walk alongside the casket of Soleimani, who was the architect of Iran's proxy wars across the Mideast and was blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in suicide bombings and other attacks. Iran insisted that it remains open to negotiations with European partners over its nuclear program. And it did not back off from earlier promises that it wouldn't seek a nuclear weapon. However, the announcement represents the clearest nuclear proliferation threat yet made by Iran since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord in May 2018. It further raises regional tensions, as Iran's longtime foe Israel has promised never to allow Iran to produce an atomic bomb. Iran did not elaborate on what levels it would immediately reach in its program. Tehran has already increased its production, begun enriching uranium to 5% and restarted enrichment at an underground facility. While it does not posses uranium enriched to weapons-grade levels of 90%, any push forward narrows the estimated one-year breakout time needed for it to have enough material to build a nuclear weapon if it chose to do so. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations watchdog observing Iran's program, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, Iran said that its cooperation with the IAEA will continue as before. Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi earlier told journalists that Soleimani's killing would prompt Iranian officials to take an even harsher step away from the nuclear deal. In the world of politics, all developments are interconnected," Mousavi said. In Iraq, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said that after the killing of Soleimani, the government has two choices: End the presence of foreign troops in Iraq or restrict their mission to training Iraqi forces. He called for the first option. Iraqi officials have denounced the airstrike as a violation of the country's sovereignty. The majority of about 180 legislators present in Parliament voted in favor of the troop-removal resolution. It was backed by most Shiite members of Parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. Asked shortly before the parliamentary vote whether the U.S. would comply with an Iraqi government request for American troops to leave, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would not answer directly. But the added: It is the United States that is prepared to help the Iraqi people get what it is they deserve and continue our mission there to take down terrorism from ISIS and others in the region. Amid threats of vengeance from Iran, the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq said Sunday it is putting the battle against IS militants on hold to focus on protecting its own troops and bases. A U.S. pullout could not only allow the Islamic State to make a comeback but could also enable Iran to deepen its influence in Iraq, which like Iran is a majority-Shiite country. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the leader of Iran's major proxy, the militant group Hezbollah, said Soleimani's killing made U.S. military bases, warships and service members across the region fair targets for attacks. A former Revolutionary Guard leader suggested the Israeli city of Haifa and centers like Tel Aviv could be targeted. Soleimani's killing has escalated the crisis between Tehran and Washington after months of back-and-forth attacks and threats that have put the wider Middle East on edge. Iran has promised harsh revenge" for the U.S. attack, while Trump has likewise warned on Twitter that the U.S. will strike back at 52 targets VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia warned Americans of the heightened risk of missile and drone attacks. Iranian state TV estimated that a million mourners came out to the Imam Reza shrine in the city of Mashhad to pay their respects to Soleimani, although that number could not be independently verified. The casket moved slowly through streets choked with mourners wearing black, beating their chests and carrying posters with Soleimani's portrait. Demonstrators also carried red Shiite flags, which traditionally symbolize both the spilled blood of someone unjustly killed and a call for vengeance. The processions mark the first time Iran honored a single man with a multi-city ceremony. Not even Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who founded the Islamic Republic, received such a processional with his death in 1989. Soleimani on Monday will lie in state at Tehran's famed Musalla mosque as the revolutionary leader did before him. Soleimanis remains will go to Tehran and Qom on Monday for public mourning processions. He will be buried in his hometown of Kerman. Read more: John Katko: US killing of Irans top military commander necessary and justified Security officers in Nairobi are on high alert after the killing of Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general, in an American air strike attack on Friday, January 3. On Saturday, January 4, there was heavy presence of General Service Unit (GSU) officers and regular police patrolling the Kenyan capital. READ ALSO: Nairobi: 9 arrested while counting old currency notes worth KSh 11.5M A police truck is seen parked near the International House in Nairobi on Saturday, January 4, 2020. Photo: Daily Nation. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Section of Central Kenya leaders push for new party ahead of 2022 General Election According to the Daily Nation, there were at least 50 hawk-eyed multi-agency officers at the Hilton Hotel, located in the citys central business district. A truck and two Land Rover vehicles full of police officers could be seen parked between the hotel and the International House ready for any eventuality. A file photo of GSU officers patrolling Nairobi streets in the past. Photo: EPA. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Wakenya wamkaribisha Miguna Miguna anapofunganya safari kurejea nchini Anti-terror police were also spotted at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as flights to Lamu were suspended after the attack. The increase in hostility between the US and Iran means the officers have to be ready as it is assumed Iranians could attack American interests in other countries including Kenya, having vowed to revenge the killing of its top commander. A GSU officer who was not authorised to speak to the press said security operations at all American installations in the country had been beefed up following the killing of the Iranian general. On Sunday, January 5, al-Shabaab militia unsuccessfully attacked Manda Airstrip in Lamu which hosts both US and Kenyan soldiers. The attack happened at around 5:30am but was neutralised leaving four terrorists dead as confirmed by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF). United States President Donald Trump said he ordered the assassination of Soleimani after learning he was planning to kill US diplomats. 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 The Australian government has called up 3,000 defence force reservists to support emergency workers in conducting the biggest evacuation in the country's history amidst the ongoing fire crisis. Initially referred to as the largest peacetime evacuation in Australian history, it is now believed that the sheer number of people fleeing areas threatened by fires is completely without precedent. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from East Gippsland, north-east Victoria, and from the south coast of New South Wales. Officials say it is "the first time in living memory" that Australian Defence Force reservists have been compulsorily deployed in this way. Two more people were confirmed dead yesterday, the first fire crisis fatalities in South Australia this season. Their deaths brought the national toll to 23. Firefighters describe the fire on Kangaroo Island that claimed the two lives as "virtually unstoppable". People evacuated by navy ships from Mallacoota are now in a refuge centre in Melbourne, while elsewhere in Victoria tens of thousands of people fled as a sudden wind change swept the state causing the colossal fires to advance on East Gippsland and Alpine communities. In better news from Victoria, of the 28 people missing last Friday, 22 were accounted for alive and well by yesterday evening. In New South Wales, 148 wildfires burning yesterday have led to a mass exodus from the state's south east. Three thousand firefighters were battling to save homes and lives in that state alone. Fires knocked out critical power infrastructure in the state, causing the Australian Energy Market Operator to use emergency reserves in a bid to keep the lights on. Matt Kean, the NSW energy minister, urged the public to cut their power consumption. "Have just lost transmission lines in Snowy (River) region. Expected tight supply situation around 6pm," Mr Kean tweeted. Penrith, west of Sydney, recorded its hottest day on record with 48.4C. The national capital, Canberra, also broke its record with 43C. NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told a media conference that most of the 12 emergency-level fires in the state were concentrated in the south east. He said conditions were extremely dangerous, noting that a firefighter was killed last Monday by a fire tornado caused by the collapse of a pyrocumulonimbus cloud formation that rolled over the fire truck he was in. The bushfires ravaging Australia are generating so much heat that they are creating their own weather systems including dry lighting storms and fire tornadoes. Yesterday, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) warned that a fire on the coast was generating its own weather system 287km south of Sydney. The weather conditions are the results of the formation of pyrocumulonimbus clouds. They have been recorded all over the world but as the global climate changes, they may become a more frequent occurrence for Australians, the country's Climate Council said in a 2019 report. The pyrocumulonimbus clouds are essentially a thunderstorm that forms from the smoke plume of a fire as intense heat from the fire causes air to rise rapidly, drawing in cooler air, according to information from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. As the cloud climbs and then cools in the low temperatures of the upper atmosphere, the collisions of ice particles in the higher parts of the cloud build up an electrical charge, which can be released as lightning. These can cause dangerous and unpredictable changes in fire behaviour, making them harder to fight as well as causing lightning strikes that could ignite new fires. The rising air also spurs intense updrafts that suck in so much air that strong winds develop, causing a fire to burn hotter and spread further. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned "we are still to hit the worst of it", as conditions are expected to worsen in the coming days. The premier made the statement at a media conference which turned tense when she was asked about a leaked story published in local media, suggesting her government had rejected a Federal offer of military assistance. "Not true. Not true," she said. It is believed the claim was leaked after NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said angry locals had given Prime Minister Scott Morrison "the welcome he probably deserved" and Premier Berejiklian said "there's no doubt people are justified in feeling angry". Controversy surrounding the prime minister's response to the fire crisis continued yesterday when a government advertisement announcing the military response was marked "Authorised by S Morrison, Liberal Party, Canberra" - instead of authorised by the Commonwealth Government. To make things worse, the Facebook version of the advertisement featured a prominent 'Donate' button that facilitated donations to the Liberal Party rather than to bushfire relief. Telegraph TOKYO Japan's justice minister on Sunday called the flight of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn as he awaited trial on financial misconduct charges inexcusable and vowed to beef up immigration checks. Justice Minister Masako Mori said she had ordered an investigation after Ghosn issued a statement a few days ago saying he was in Lebanon. She said there were no records of Ghosn's departure from Tokyo. She said his bail has been revoked, and Interpol had issued a wanted notice. Departure checks needed to be strengthened to prevent a recurrence, Mori said. While expressing deep regret over what had happened, Mori stopped short of outlining any specific action Japan might take to get Ghosn back. Japan does not have an extradition treaty with Lebanon. Our nations criminal justice system protects the basic human rights of an individual and properly carries out appropriate procedures to disclose the truth of various cases, and the flight of a suspect while out on bail is never justified, she said in a statement. Moris statement was the first public comment by a Japanese government official after the stunning escape of Ghosn, once a superstar of the auto industry. Tokyo prosecutors issued a similar statement Sunday. They had opposed Ghosn's release on bail, arguing he was a flight risk. First arrested in November 2018, Ghosn was out on bail over the last several months, and more recently had moved into a home in an upscale part of Tokyo. He has repeatedly said he was innocent. His statement from Beirut said he was escaping injustice. Japan's justice system has come under fire from human rights advocates for its long detentions, the reliance on confessions and prolonged trials. The conviction rate is higher than 99%. Even if Ghosn had been found innocent, the prosecutors could have appealed, and the appeals process could have lasted years. Ghosn's trial was not expected to start until April at the earliest. During that time, he had been prohibited from seeing his wife, and was only allowed a couple of video calls in the presence of a lawyer. Story continues Ghosn had been charged with underreporting his future compensation and breach of trust in diverting Nissan money for his personal gain. Although the details of his escape are not yet clear, Turkish airline company MNG Jet has said two of its planes were used illegally, first flying him from Osaka, Japan, to Istanbul, and then on to Beirut, where he arrived Monday and has not been seen since. He promised to talk to reporters Wednesday. His lawyers in Japan said they knew nothing, were stunned and felt betrayed by his action. Related Video: Click here to See Video >> A ustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has insisted "blame doesn't help anybody" as he defended himself over his handling of the wildfire crisis and his government's record on climate change. Mr Morrison has faced widespread criticism over his response to the fires, which have now claimed the lives of 24 people. The country's leader, who came under fire for taking a family vacation as the crisis unfolded, was heckled last week when he visited a township in New South Wales which had been ravaged by the fires. His announcement on Saturday that 3,000 army, navy and air force reservists would be drafted in to tackle the wildfires also attracted criticism after some said he he had taken too long to act. PM Scott Morrison said now was "not a time for blame" amid the Australian wildfire crisis / Getty Images Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Mr Morrison backed his governments record on climate change and said that he would not be "distracted" by the "commentary" surrounding the crisis. "Blame doesnt help anybody at this time and over-analysis of these things is not a productive exercise," he said. Australia bush fires hit 'catastrophic level - In pictures 1 /34 Australia bush fires hit 'catastrophic level - In pictures Helicopters dump water on bushfires Getty Images NSW Rural Fire Service crew fight the Gospers Mountain Fire AP Fire and smoke rise from a bush fire at Blue Mountains AP NSW Rural Fire Service crews fight the Gospers Mountain Fire AP An aircrewman monitoring the Tianjara fire from a helicopter in the Moreton and Jerrawangala National Park Getty Images kangaroos move as nearby property burn in a fire in Lithgow, New South Wales AP A man sprays water on a fire in Lithgow, New South Wales state AP A firefighter sprays water on a fire in Lithgow AP A firefighter sprays water on a home on fire. AP A firefighter sprays water on a home on fire. AP A policeman watches bushfires as they approach homes in NSW Getty Images Helicopters dump water on bushfire Getty Images Firemen prepare as a bushfire approaches homes on the outskirts of the town of Bargo Getty Images Firemen prepare as a bushfire approaches homes on the outskirts of the town of Bargo Getty Images A large bushfire burns near houses in Bargo, southwest of Sydney AFP via Getty Images Two bushfires approach a home located on the outskirts of the town of Bargo Getty Images Firemen inspect a house recently destroyed by bushfires Getty Images Firefighters tend to burning property caused by bushfires in Bargo AFP via Getty Images Firemen inspect a house recently destroyed by bushfires Getty Images A burnt bicycle lies on the ground in front of a house Getty Images Firefighter Gary Stokes monitoring bushfires AFP via Getty Images Firefighters making arrangements to secure the residential area from an approaching bushfire AFP via Getty Images volunteer firefighter Andrew Moyles cutting down burned trees in Dargan AFP via Getty Images Volunteer firefighter Andrew Moyles cutting down burned trees in Dargan AFP via Getty Images A smoke haze is seen over the Sydney skyline Getty Images Firefighters tend to burning property caused by bushfires in Bargo AFP via Getty Images "There has been a lot of commentary, there has been plenty of criticism. Ive had the benefit of a lot of analysis on a lot of issues... but I cant be distracted by that. "And the public, I know, are not distracted by that." He added: "What they need us to focus on, all of us, actually, all of us focusing on the needs that are in the communities and getting the support where it needs to go." Mr Morrison faced backlash in the past for comments which critics say downplayed the link between climate change and Australia's wildfire situation. He added: "There is no dispute in this country about the issue of climate change globally and its effect on global weather patterns and that includes how it impacts in Australia. 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 I have to correct the record here. I have seen a number of people suggest that somehow the government does not make this connection. The government has always made this connection and that has never been in dispute. Milder temperatures on Sunday brought hope of a respite from blazes that have ravaged three Australian states, a day after thousands were forced to flee as flames reached the edges of Sydney. Isa Funtua, a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, has dismissed claims that he is a member of any cabal, but says he is a cabal himself. There have been speculations that Funtua is one of those controlling the government of President Buhari. However, when he appeared as a guest on The Morning Show, a programme on Arise Television, on Saturday, he described as an insult, speculations that Buhari is not in control of his government. Funtua said, Im not a member of any cabal, Im cabal myself. Read Also: What Igbos Must Do To Clinch 2023 Presidency: Buharis Associate What is cabal? In short I think it means kitchen cabinet, people that you trust. People you believe will not deceive you, that they can do things in the interest of the country. Nigerians are using it in a derogatory term not in the real meaning of it. Take dictionary, what is the real meaning of cabal? When asked about accusations by the first lady that cabal exists in her husbands government, he said: Please, let me hear word, I beg you. After a year marked by multiple successfully managed elections, there are good reasons to believe the Tunisian people can surmount the challenges ahead, writes Kamel Abdallah Tunisia achieved a smooth political transition in 2019 despite such major challenges as an intractable economic crisis and high rates of unemployment at home and sharp regional polarisation, a new wave of Arab Spring uprisings from Iraq and Lebanon to neighbouring Algeria, and another outbreak of civil warfare in Libya abroad. But economic straits and regional turmoil did not prevent Tunisians from pressing forward with their fledgling democracy. Legislative and presidential elections were held in September and October, and Kais Saied emerged victorious from the second round of the presidential elections, succeeding late Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi. The Islamist Ennahda Party came out ahead in the Peoples Assembly elections for Tunisias parliament, entitling it to name a prime minister. Habib Jemli was then tasked with forming a new government. The year opened with Ennahda and its former rival the secularist Nidaa Tounes Party butting heads over major political, social and economic issues. The rivalry had been growing more heated since the collapse of the consensus between the two parties in autumn last year. Former president Essebsi, the founder of Nidaa Tounes, announced his partys withdrawal from the consensus he had struck with the Islamist party in 2014 at a time when his party had taken the lead in the presidential and legislative elections. Five years later, however, the party was beset by internal rifts and clashes between its leaders, especially between then prime minister Youssef Chahed and Hafez Caid Essebsi, the presidents son and head of Nidaa Tounes. The partys split enabled Ennahda to become the largest parliamentary bloc. By the autumn of 2019, Nidaa Touness popularity had sunk so low that the once majority party barely managed to get three seats in parliament and its presidential candidate, former defence minister Abdelkrim Zbidi, did not come close to clearing the first round of the presidential elections. After splitting from Nidaa Tounes, Youssef Chahed also stood in the presidential elections at the head of his newly formed Tahya Tounes (Long Live Tunisia) Party. He performed worse than Zbidi, but his party won 14 seats in the new parliament, positioning it for a seat in the coalition government. Chahed is also on good terms with Ennahda, which, as the winner in the parliamentary elections, is entitled to form a government. As it won only 52 out of parliaments 217 seats, it will have to hammer together a coalition with other parties, however. The results of the legislative and presidential polls came as a shock to the political establishment that had led Tunisia since the 2011 Revolution. This also applied to Ennahda, whose candidate for president, Abdelfattah Mourou, also fell considerably short of clearing the first round, while the party lost 17 seats in parliament. The voters turned to new faces instead, above all to Kais Saied, an academic and relative unknown who ran as an independent and won in the second round, and Nabil Karoui, an entrepreneur who ran as the candidate of the Heart of Tunisia Party, which he founded in June 2019. In the run-up to the elections, analysts foresaw a neck-and-neck race between Ennahdas Abdelfattah Mourou and the Tahya Tounes candidate Youssef Chahed. Much to everyones surprise, Saied and Karoui came in first and second place, respectively, in the first round of the presidential elections held in September. Saied won by a landslide in the runoff in October. Numerous crucial issues lie ahead for the newly formed parliament in 2020. Some have been bequeathed from the former president, such as the bill on gender equality in inheritance. The economic reform process in Tunisia launched by the Chahed government two years ago will also occasion heated debate. This process has so far been unable to fulfil its promise to significantly reduce unemployment and raise the job-creation rate despite the backing it has received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. According to Tony Verheijen, World Bank country manager for Tunisia, the Tunisian government has received about $4.6 billion from the bank since 2011. The bank is worried by two problems, however, he said. The first is the Tunisian economys lack of integration into the global economy, and the second is the lack of institutional development in the country. Verheijen believes that over the next two years the critical state of the Tunisian economy will present major challenges for the new government that is due to begin its work in the new year. Tunisias National Institute of Statistics (INS) reported in November that unemployment in the country stands at 15.1 per cent. Over 628,000 of the countrys more than 11 million inhabitants are out of work, with many of these being young people with college degrees. The new government will thus need to make job creation one of its highest priorities if it is to contend with an escalating economic protest movement, especially among young people in the interior of the country who have long complained of being marginalised by the government. The government will also need to intensify the fight against corruption, since this both inhibits investment and threatens stability. This was among the problems that the World Bank representative had in mind when he warned of the challenges facing the government in the new year. Despite some fraught moments that caused alarm among some observers this year, Tunisia has managed to stay clear from the brink. Political competition on the whole remained healthy, giving birth to two new parties that have performed remarkably well in elections in Nabil Karouis Heart of Tunisia and Youssef Chaheds Tahya Tounes. The fact that Ennahda lost a large number of seats in parliament was reassuring to those suspicious of the motives of Tunisias largest Islamist party, which will need to engage with at least one other party in order to achieve a parliamentary majority of over 106 seats to pass legislation. Ennahda has been keen to improve its performance, while trying to learn from the experiences of similar parties elsewhere. It has drawn close to Tahya Tounes, a result of the Ennahda leaderships courting of Chahed last year, which was one of the factors that triggered Essebsis break with the consensus with Ennahda. But the most important reason why Tunisia has averted any backsliding in its democratic transformation has been the Tunisian peoples determination to compel the countrys political elites to behave responsibly for the sake of the greater welfare, to keep polarisation in check, and to uphold the countrys political institutions. These have bolstered this inclination by guaranteeing a fair political playing field governed by the rule of law. Such factors have facilitated the smooth democratic rotation of power, even under the state of emergency following the death of Essebsi some weeks before the presidential elections. Tunisias political parties, government and civil society organisations, labour unions and other institutions showed the degree of responsibility and flexibility necessary to make it possible for the countrys Independent Higher Authority for Elections to reschedule the elections smoothly. As a result, no problems arose that might have called the authoritys integrity into question or jeopardised the countrys stability. If Tunisians used democratic mechanisms to punish establishment politicians and parties they felt had been remiss in their duties or had failed to fulfil their promises in 2019, they still faced the perhaps greater challenge of fighting corruption in government. Tunisia ranked 73 in the Corruption Perceptions Index that the international NGO Transparency International published in 2018. The country will need to work much harder on this challenge during the next two years in order to overcome entrenched problems that hamper the economy. It will need to calm public opinion, which sees corruption as one of the main sources of the countrys economic woes. The government will also need to follow through on its economic reform programme in order to stimulate economic growth. The World Bank and IMF hope to see the growth rate in Tunisia climb above three per cent in the coming year, but this will require a cooperative and flexible spirit among the political parties and a concerted effort among relevant government agencies. Although the previous government had initially been upbeat on the prospects for stimulating growth, Tunisian Central Bank, IMF and World Bank figures put a damper on such optimism. The figures showed a large government deficit, a negative balance of trade, and a shrinkage in agricultural production, the largest economic sector in Tunisia. Meanwhile, tourism hinges on perceptions of the political and security situation. The challenges ahead are formidable. But there is good reason to believe that the Tunisian people can surmount them, just as they have surmounted the many challenges to the countrys democratic transition. Hope is to be drawn from their determination to exercise their political and civil rights in accordance with democratic mechanisms, as well as from the general spirit of responsibility and commitment to the democratic rules and spirit shown by the countrys political elites. In short, political life in Tunisia continues to mature. However, in the light of the economic crisis in the country, the Tunisia people will need support to help them to realise their aspirations for development. *A version of this article appears in print in the 26 December, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: After what she described as several lackluster attempts to fix the black mold in her home that made it difficult for her 10-year-old daughter to breathe, Paynter said she no longer trusts her private landlord or Fort Belvoir officials who have worked to assure the families that theyre on top of the problem that has affected 155 of the 2,100 houses on the base. I dont think its too much of a stretch to say the root of much of this is Obama envy, said Ned Price, a former CIA officer who served as an NSC spokesman under Obama. It was Trumps determination, honed over a year on the campaign trail and the first 1 years of his administration, to rail against the Iran deal, Obamas deal, the worst deal ever. He got raucous applause and cheers from his base when he associated it with Obama, and that was a decisive factor in Trumps decision to abandon it in 2018. NAIROBI - Al-Shabab militants launched a predawn attack Sunday on an airstrip used by U.S. and Kenyan militaries, located on Kenya's coast near the border with Somalia, killing one U.S. service member and two American private contractors, according to a U.S. military statement. Two other American contractors were wounded and were in stable condition, the statement said. The attack marked a rare successful incursion by al-Shabab into a foreign military compound, let alone one outside its usual operating grounds in Somalia and one used by U.S. Special Forces and other defense personnel. Residents and tourists in the Lamu region reported seeing a plume of smoke and hearing gunfire at 3:30 a.m. that continued until midmorning. It was unclear exactly how the attack unfolded, but pictures of the aftermath indicated that al-Shabab was able to detonate explosives where U.S. military equipment such as helicopters and other aircraft would have been stationed. The U.S. military statement said reports indicated damage to six "contractor-operated civilian aircraft." U.S. forces train Kenyan soldiers at a base attached to the airstrip, known as Camp Simba, and use the airstrip for aerial missions against al-Shabab in Somalia. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) had said in an earlier statement that the attack had been repelled, with the cooperation of Kenyan forces. It was unclear whether there were any Kenyan casualties. Kenyan Defence Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Paul Njuguna said the bodies of five attackers were found. Al-Shabab said it had inflicted "severe casualties" on both American and Kenyan forces and confirmed it had destroyed U.S. aircraft and vehicles. In the U.S. statement, Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of AFRICOM, said that the United States would, along with its African and international partners, pursue the perpetrators of the attack. "We remain committed to preventing al-Shabaab from maintaining a safe haven to plan deadly attacks," he said. Al-Shabab, which is affiliated with al-Qaida, has mounted a string of attacks in Kenya recently, including ambushes on passenger buses traveling in the region close to the Somali border. On Dec. 28, the group bombed a busy intersection in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing at least 80 people. Almost a year ago, al-Shabab staged its most daring attack on Kenyan soil in half a decade when gunmen stormed a luxury hotel and office complex in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, holding it in a 20-hour siege in which at least 21 civilians were killed. Al-Shabab controls most of rural southern and central Somalia and regularly attacks Mogadishu. The group seeks to impose a strict version of Islamist law and to expel foreign troops from the country. In addition to about 500 U.S. personnel in Somalia, the African Union sponsors a coalition of about 20,000 troops, mostly from Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. The group gets most of its funding from an extensive protection racket that functions like a parallel taxation system throughout the country. It is paid tens of millions of dollars a year by farmers, business owners and others who are threatened with death if they don't pay up. The U.S. military has led a largely aerial campaign against al-Shabab for the better part of the past decade. In 2017, President Donald Trump loosened the U.S. military's rules of engagement in Somalia, allowing for greater offensive use of force. Since then, the U.S. military has ramped up drone strikes and carried out a record 63 strikes in 2019, in which it claims to have killed hundreds of al-Shabab fighters. - - - Rael Ombuor in Nairobi contributed to this report. Todays Iran is the heir to a great civilization and the home of an enormously talented people and significant culture. Wherever Iranians go in the world today, they thrive as scientists, doctors, artists, writers and filmmakers except in the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose most famous exports are suicide bombing, cyberterrorism and proxy militia leaders. The very fact that Soleimani was probably the most famous Iranian in the region speaks to the utter emptiness of this regime and how it has wasted the lives of two generations of Iranians by looking for dignity in all the wrong places and in all the wrong ways. Delhi Police personnel on Sunday asked Shaheen Bagh protesters to end their 21-day dharna against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Police gave an ultimatum to the protesters to clear the area by tonight or maximum by tomorrow. Delhi Police personnel on Sunday asked Shaheen Bagh protesters to end their 21-day dharna against the Citizenship Amendment Act on the main thoroughfare between Sarita Vihar and Kalindi Kunj. Police and CRPF personnel removed barricades from the area and gave an ultimatum to the protesters to clear the area by tonight or maximum by tomorrow, according to a social media post. It is now highly speculated on social media whether the move will be followed by police action in the event the protesters dont concede to the demand of the police to clear the area. Reports said some organizers had decided to back out if the protest because of public safety but the local people are still not ready to vacate the area. The major concern of the Delhi Police is to open the road, Road 13A, connecting Mathura Road, Kalkaji to Kalindi Kunj, and then to Noida. This road has been blocked by protesters for almost 3 weeks. The social media post ascribed the police hurry to clear the road now, to an important government event in Noida which would require the attendance of senior ministers, which is possibly why the police want the protesters to return home. some police forces came to #ShaheenBagh to vacate the protesters earlier today but the women and others refused to budge and they have retreated. im told there are police forces still present in large numbers in the area but the protests have resumed. Surekha (@surekhapillai) January 5, 2020 And in a scene that will give you goosebumps, here's the crowd at #ShaheenBagh singing the national anthem to ring in #NewYear2020 .#CAA_NRC_Protest pic.twitter.com/YjS30fmQDE Vakasha Sachdev (@VakashaS) December 31, 2019 But the protesters are not ready to step back, the local people, social activists and others who have joined the protest in the demand of rollback of CAA, promised to stand there until their demands would be acknowledged. The video on social media went viral where it can be said that the police force in large numbers has reached and trying to vacate the space. The people of Shaheen Bagh had started the anti-CAA protest on December 15 with a group of 50 residents, social activists, lawyers, students. The protest had started in support of the Jamia Millia Islamia students who were lathi-charged by Delhi Police. For all the latest National News, download NewsX App Samsung Electronics said on Sunday that it will introduce new, innovative devices in San Francisco on February 11, with the electronics giant widely expected to unveil its new foldable phone and a new version of its flagship S model. The move comes as the world's top smartphone maker seeks to maintain its lead in the foldable phone and 5G phone markets, with rivals plotting a catch-up in the nascent, but growing segments. "Samsung Electronics will unveil new, innovative devices that will shape the next decade of mobile experiences," the South Korean firm said at an invitation letter. It said the event at 11 a.m. Pacific time will be live-streamed. ALSO READ: CES 2020: Samsung to unveil first ever bezel-less TV in Las Vegas In a teaser image, Samsung hinted at two phones - one shaped like a square and another with a rectangular form. In October, Samsung Electronics unveiled its new foldable phone concept that folds vertically like an old flip phone. Its first foldable phone, which folds horizontally, was launched in September after delays caused by screen problems. Samsung Electronics has traditionally unveiled new versions of its flagship Galaxy S phones ahead of the Mobile World Congress which takes places in February. A Samsung spokeswoman declined to comment on which models it will unveiled at the upcoming event. ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite specs leaked: Here's all you need to know Is Centaur Media Plc (LON:CAU) a good dividend stock? How can we tell? Dividend paying companies with growing earnings can be highly rewarding in the long term. Yet sometimes, investors buy a stock for its dividend and lose money because the share price falls by more than they earned in dividend payments. With Centaur Media yielding 8.3% and having paid a dividend for over 10 years, many investors likely find the company quite interesting. We'd guess that plenty of investors have purchased it for the income. The company also bought back stock during the year, equivalent to approximately 1.5% of the company's market capitalisation at the time. 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 Centaur Media! LSE:CAU Historical Dividend Yield, January 5th 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. Although Centaur Media pays a dividend, it was loss-making during the past year. When a company recently reported a loss, we should investigate if its cash flows covered the dividend. Centaur Media paid out 120% of its free cash last year. Cash flows can be lumpy, but this dividend was not well covered by cash flow. With a strong net cash balance, Centaur Media investors may not have much to worry about in the near term from a dividend perspective. We update our data on Centaur Media every 24 hours, so you can always get our latest analysis of its financial health, here. 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. Centaur Media 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 cut by more than 20% on at least one occasion historically. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was UK0.015 in 2010, compared to UK0.03 last year. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.2% a year over that time. The growth in dividends has not been linear, but the CAGR is a decent approximation of the rate of change over this time frame. Story continues Dividends have grown at a reasonable rate, but with at least one substantial cut in the payments, we're not certain this dividend stock would be ideal for someone intending to live on the income. 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. Centaur Media's earnings per share have shrunk at 43% a year over the past five years. With this kind of significant decline, we always wonder what has changed in the business. Dividends are about stability, and Centaur Media's earnings per share, which support the dividend, have been anything but stable. Conclusion To summarise, shareholders should always check that Centaur Media's dividends are affordable, that its dividend payments are relatively stable, and that it has decent prospects for growing its earnings and dividend. We're a bit uncomfortable with Centaur Media paying a dividend while loss-making, especially since the dividend was also not well covered by free cash flow. Earnings per share are down, and Centaur Media's dividend has been cut at least once in the past, which is disappointing. There are a few too many issues for us to get comfortable with Centaur Media from a dividend perspective. Businesses can change, but we would struggle to identify why an investor should rely on this stock for their income. Now, if you want to look closer, it would be worth checking out our free research on Centaur Media management tenure, salary, and performance. 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. Major General Paul Nanson is the Commandant of the officer-training at Sandhurst Waiting to go into battle at the start of Desert Storm, the bid to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's forces, I come face-to-face with fear. I am just 25 and the leader of a 24-man reconnaissance platoon that will be among the first to go in. As the minutes roll by and the tension mounts, my mind is filled with anxiety: fear of the unknown and the unexpected, but, above all, fear of failure. What happens if, when the time comes, I let the rest down? A poor judgment or a wrong decision from me and my men might die. What if I fail as a leader? In the darkness, the radio suddenly comes alive with the order to advance. And as our tanks start to move slowly out into the desert, the fear fades away and is replaced with a quiet confidence. I won't fail because I have been trained at the best leadership academy in the world, the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. Nearly three decades later, I have the honour to be the Commandant of the officer-training academy that taught me so much. Here, we take raw officer cadets, some as young as 19, and turn them into leaders, radiating confidence and capable of making difficult and mature decisions in some of life's most demanding environments. They learn that deeply entrenched sense of compassion interwoven with steely determination for which the British officer is celebrated and envied worldwide; that lack of hubris and a sense of humour that separate them from all other forces. We do it through a rigorous 44-week test which, as it identifies and unlocks the potential of our officer cadets, has life lessons in it that everyone can benefit from. This is the Sandhurst Way, and if I had to distil it down to one piece of advice, it would be: Stand Up Straight. That means not just pulling your shoulders back and stretching yourself physically to your fullest height because slouching transmits weakness and ambiguity but being the fullest and best version of yourself. Honest, straightforward, deserving of respect, prepared to stand up and be counted. Discipline leads to self-discipline The first five weeks at Sandhurst are what the Americans term 'boot camp', where the emphasis is on intensive drill, fitness training and self-presentation: learning by doing, until it becomes routine. Because, routines and training are what we fall back on in tough times. Through practice and training, we move certain actions from the conscious to the subconscious, so that when the time comes, they happen almost on instinct and without conscious or deliberate thought. In war, repetition and practice are the seeds of victory. The first five weeks at Sandhurst are what the Americans term 'boot camp', where the emphasis is on intensive drill, fitness training and self-presentation One of our instructors remembers being in Afghanistan and pinned down by an enemy sniper. He instinctively followed the habit Sandhurst had drummed into him: fire off three quick rounds, then move sharply a few feet to the left. A second later, a Taliban bullet hissed past him, into the spot where he had been. He would have been dead if he hadn't stuck to the procedure he'd learned. From the very start, we teach disciplined habits that will last a lifetime, down to the smallest detail. In those first five weeks, cadets are taught a specific way to iron their uniforms, shine their shoes, tidy their rooms and present themselves properly. The road to greatness starts with a perfectly folded sock. Routine is key. Each day, at 5.55 am sharp, cadets muster behind a black line painted on the corridor floor that runs past every bedroom, and at 6 am precisely begin singing the National Anthem. This is followed by an exacting room inspection as the Colour Sergeant the leading instructor checks that clothing is folded to the dimensions of an A4 piece of paper and laid out on each bed. Helmets must sit on the middle of the top shelf. Shirts must hang freely, not bunched together, all facing the same way and with crisply ironed creases in their sleeves. Deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste must all rest, equidistant from each other, on the wash flannel. The bed has to be made correctly, with 'hospital corners'. Every surface must be dust-free. If there are failings, the cadet has to do it all again until the Colour Sergeant is satisfied. Cadets are taught a specific way to iron their uniforms, shine their shoes, tidy their rooms and present themselves properly Discipline like this inspires self-control and fosters self-confidence, both of which an officer must possess if they are to lead others. It is enforced by constant inspections, whether of feet, boots, weapons, whatever. Before we can hope to set standards for those we lead, we must first learn how to look after ourselves so that we set the best example. All the scrubbing, polishing and ironing of collars and cuffs makes sense when the Colour Sergeant says, 'Well done, you've passed'. A sense of pride is instilled in cadets that never leaves them. At Sandhurst, the Colour Sergeant is an example of the excellent soldiers that the cadets will eventually be leading once they have graduated from the Academy. The other piece of the puzzle is the Platoon Commander, who illustrates to the cadets the proper behaviours of an officer and is someone they learn from and emulate. Essentially, what we do is to bring out the best in our cadets, teach them to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and help them form new and better habits that soon become second nature. And if they can do it, so can you. Each of us has the ability in a very short space of time to shake off unhelpful habits and create positive new ones in their place. Vital importance of a good night's sleep At the academy, we give great emphasis to the importance of sleep. We've worked out that six-and-a-half hours a night is the minimum. Because our cadets get up early, we advise them to go to bed at 10.30pm at the latest. The rest of us need our sleep, too, if we are to work at our optimum. A rested mind is one that can think efficiently and clearly under pressure. A good leader needs to take time out to reflect, rest and recover to gather their energies to make the right decisions. In the Army, this is known as 'Command Time'; time to sleep, time to think, time to bounce back fighting. My own Command Time often takes the form of running. I find it's when I do my best thinking. The repetitive motion helps me settle my mind and I feel grounded. Exercise tells me I've still got juice in the tank, that I care about my health and respect my body, and that gives me an appetite for the day. Be On Time! There's no excuse for lateness 'Sandhurst time' is always five minutes early. It's drilled into us that the worst thing you can do is to be late. 'H-hour', in Army speak, is the time at which an attack or advance begins, and it has to be precise because other components the artillery, the air support, for example depend on it. If you go too early, the artillery fire will not have had the necessary 'shock effect' on the enemy; too late, and the fire will have stopped and the enemy will have had time to recover. The Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General Mark A. Milley (right) marches at The Sovereign's Parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst with the Academy's Commandant, Major General Paul Nanson CBE (left) Punctuality is a given. Being late shows a lack of discipline and self-control, and is disrespectful to others, while being on time shows that you are conscientious and ready for action. Making mountains into molehills Once our cadets are given a mission objective, they must then work out how to get there. That means considering the possible obstacles ahead, all the things that might go wrong, and what we might have to do instead if things don't go as predicted. Think about the third bend ahead, not just the one you're staring at. Are you prepared? Do you have everything in place? Ready or not, sometimes you just have to get on with it. If you're someone who keeps putting off achieving your goal until a more convenient time, ask yourself: 'Why? What is holding me back?' Sometimes a goal can seem like too big a mountain to scale. In moments like these, it helps to view the path towards your goal as a series of smaller challenges, or molehills. Seasoned mountaineers break the ascent into a series of rest camps on their path to the summit. And between these camps, they walk, raising one foot after the other, focusing just a few feet ahead of them. You learn so much more from failure Sandhurst is a leveller regardless of background. Some of our cadets from well-off, happy families find their first few weeks at Sandhurst difficult. They arrive with a near-spotless record of triumphs at school, and they struggle because they have rarely dealt with failure. Sandhurst introduces a healthy approach towards failure, flipping it from being something feared into something that is integral to self-development. One of the painful lessons they experience early on in is that there is usually someone in the group better at certain things than they are. We teach them to realise that all of us have different strengths, to admit their weaknesses and seek advice from those among their company who are stronger. Sandhurst introduces a healthy approach towards failure, flipping it from being something feared into something that is integral to self-development Winston Churchill once said: 'Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.' At Sandhurst, we deliberately push our cadets to what we call 'the threshold of failure', because this is where you will learn most about yourself. As long as you do learn, you then dust yourself off, tighten your chin-strap and bounce back. We constantly unpick their failures with them, helping them understand that getting it wrong is often a necessary step on the path to getting it right. Remember the words of General Sir John Hackett: 'Failure is seldom final; the person helped on from one failure may well fail no more.' If we can self-adjust and learn from our mistakes, then we are better for it. Pack up your troubles We spend a lot of time drilling our cadets in how to pack their bergens the rucksacks they will carry into battle. This teaches them to work out what is essential and what is not. It's also an exercise in planning and priorities thinking ahead of what you will need and in what order. The way we choose to pack our lives, and the metaphorical burdens we carry around with us, can have an effect on us all, particularly on our mental health. Identify and unpack the unnecessary elements in your life, and replace them with more helpful, positive ones. Ask yourself: 'What do I need?' and 'What can I lose?' You don't have a monopoly on ideas What gets cadets through Sandhurst's 44-week course is teamwork and mutual support. There is a lot of marching in formation, which teaches cohesion, discipline and attention to detail. But it also involves teamwork, because if a single person messes up their footwork, salute or shouldering of arms, it throws everyone else off their game. The British Army is made up of teams within teams, in which every person has a role. A tank cannot move without a driver; nor can it fire without a gunner; and it can't do any of those things without a commander. This is the Sandhurst Way, and if I had to distil it down to one piece of advice, it would be: Stand Up Straight Loyalty earned through professionalism, humility, decency and integrity is the glue that binds individuals into teams. An excellent team is one that feels good about itself and believes in its mission, and in its ability to succeed. In my experience, honesty is the most important aspect of leadership. The people you work alongside need to believe in you if they are to go the extra mile. But trust works best when it flows both ways, and the art of a great leader lies in listening to others, consulting with them, deciding on the best course of action and then leading the way forward. If, in your work, you find yourself managing a team of people, my advice is to create a culture where everyone feels confident enough to share their own ideas. Be flexible enough to listen to others' suggestions after all, you don't have a monopoly on ideas. Go back to go forward When our cadets are high up in the Brecon Beacons in Wales on a mountain exercise, in freezing weather and blanketed in fog, one rocky outcrop starts to look like very much like all the others. Before they know it, they have become hopelessly disoriented. Admitting you are lost is not always easy, especially if you have a whole platoon of soldiers following you. It takes courage. But it's when we lose sight of our path and our sense of direction that we can take measure of ourselves, for better or worse, both as leaders and as people. The lesson here is not to panic when you lose your way. Take a second and breathe. Remember that getting lost is sometimes part of the journey to finding your way to where you want to be. Take a look at your surroundings and try to find a waypoint the last time you felt you knew where you were. Then head back there. From this safe spot you can now reset yourself and start planning where you want to go, clearly mapping your destination. Take a 'Condor Moment' Under pressure, it's imperative not to let your blood rule your brain. Instead of rushing in, stand back, take stock of the situation, reset, recalibrate. This is what we call a 'Condor Moment'. The term originates from a 1980s series of commercials for Condor tobacco, where a pipe smoker deftly deals with anyone ruining the peace of his meditative smoke. For us, it signifies the presence of mind to take a moment to consider your options and plan your next step. In a crisis, stepping back from the situation, taking a breath and letting the adrenaline dissipate is vital. As a leader, backing yourself is crucial when you're under pressure. It's your job to invigorate your team with certitude, confidence and to give them hope, assuring them they are the best people to overcome the challenge and that you believe in them. By staying calm, others will be calmed too. Likewise, a display of panic will be reflected back in the behaviour of your team. So when you're confronted by the unexpected or the unfamiliar, give yourself a second and let your mind catch up instead of rushing head-first into it. Give yourself the space to think and you will find the solution. Lead from the front The Sandhurst motto is 'Serve to Lead'. Cadets are taught to ensure the needs of their troops are served before they think about their own; to always eat last and to lead from the front. This kind of selflessness is at the core of what makes a fine officer. And it works. As one alumnus told me: 'Sandhurst gives cadets a chance to really discover their strengths and weaknesses. You learn that you can never stop improving yourself and no goal is too big for you.' We all have it in us to be heroic every day, to be less focused on ourselves and more aware of others' needs. So, keep a clear and uncluttered mind, sleep deeply, train hard and take care of yourself, inside and out. Above all, stand up straight and make your best nature second nature. Samsung Electronics' QLED 8K TV, which will be unveiled at CES 2020 in Las Vegas. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung Electronics aims to solidify its leadership in TV market with the introduction of QLED 8K TV that has no bezel around the frame at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas from Jan. 7-10, the company said Sunday. The company said the 2020 edition of its ultra-high resolution TV offers immersive viewing featuring a slim and bezel-less design with a thickness of 15 millimeters. "One of the distinguishing features of the 2020 QLED 8K TV is bezel-less design called the 'Infinity Design.' The latest TV has a screen-to-body ratio of 99 percent. It also has a flat back surface and a 15-milimeter thickness to set a new standard of what a premium TV should be," a Samsung official said. The new TV supports an upgraded "upscaling" feature that converts full HD or 4K content to 8K content. "The 2020 QLED 8K TV is powered by a new AI quantum processor, which utilizes artificial intelligence technology to upscale the content to 8K quality," the company said. To offer seamless streaming of 8K movies and shows, Samsung also applied its AI ScaleNet technology to minimize data loss and enable 8K content to be streamed on networks with lower bandwidth capabilities. In conjunction with Amazon, this technology will be used for video streaming of content on the U.S. tech firm's streaming service Amazon Prime Video, Samsung said. The new product features an Object Tracking Sound Plus (OTS+) technology that tracks objects and their movement to offer better sound quality. Samsung also offers its TV Plus service, enabling its smart TV users to enjoy free content ranging from news and movies to sport. The company said the number of free channels would increase to more than 120 by the end of 2020. Samsung Electronics' QLED 8K TV. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics Prime Minister Maeen Saeed said that this visit would have very significant implications for every Yemeni, noting that the Kingdom was a partner to Yemen in peace and in times of distress, gave Yemenis hope for stability, and supported peace in all parts of Yemen. "Two years ago, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Excellency President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi held their first discussion on strengthening Yemen's economy with a USD 2 billion deposit, a grant of oil derivatives, and other reconstruction and development initiatives," said H. E. Maeen Saeed, indicating that the Saudi deposit had played a major role not only in financial stabilization and support for the exchange rate of the Yemeni rial to the US dollar in a country that had witnessed war for five years. "The deposit also helped the Central Bank of Yemen and opened financial letters of credit for commodities that have reached every home in Yemen, and many remain unaware of this." The prime minister praised SDRPY's ever-evolving efforts, noting that the government of Yemen and the program were holding regular meetings and working closely together. He acknowledged several visits to the airport and port of Aden by SDRPY to assess development needs, and he assured Yemeni citizens in Aden and other provinces of a quick and positive outcome from the program's development and reconstruction projects. For his part, the head of the program delegation, Eng. Hasan M. Alattas, gave an overview of the meetings his delegation had held with Yemeni government officials in various sectors, in addition to the agenda of upcoming meetings to discuss urgent and immediate needs and priority projects. The parties also exchanged updates of the latest developments in ongoing SDRPY projects, including the King Salman Medical and Educational City and Marib Airport. The SDRPY delegation described the second day of its activity as occupied with meetings at various government agencies aimed at coordinating needs assessments and project monitoring in Aden with the Yemeni side. In support of the health sector, for example, SDRPY made exploratory visits to Aden General Hospital, which is being rehabilitated and funded by the Saudi Fund for Development under SDRPY supervision. On its first day, the program's delegation had met with officials from Aden's roads and public works sectors and been briefed by the Yemeni side on priorities for improving the delivery of basic services to citizens and facilitating their travel, including road resurfacing and lighting. These officials indicated that the program's projects were strengthening the transportation sector in a number of Yemeni provinces and bearing witness to the Kingdom's support for development in Yemen. They pointed out that SDRPY was the first development organization working to improve services and rehabilitate roads in the Yemeni province of Al-Jawf. On the second day the SDRPY delegation met with public education officials in Aden. The meeting addressed challenges facing the education sector and ways of overcoming them to achieve sustainable development and uninterrupted educational services. Both the Saudi and Yemeni sides emphasized the importance of helping teachers and remaining attentive to the need for a healthy learning environment for students. The SDRPY project to print curriculum schoolbooks, which had already been distributed in several provinces, was a case in point. The two sides discussed the establishment of several schools, the rehabilitation and restoration of others, and completion of a group of outstanding projects in the province. They also exchanged ideas for addressing teacher training and school office renovation needs. The Saudi delegation also met officials from the Cleaning and Improvement Fund. During the meeting, the urgent requirement for equipment and machines to transfer refuse to municipal dumps was reviewed. The parties deliberated a number of development initiatives to enhance the spirit of cooperation among community members regarding the state of school buildings, and to address special needs in the area of rehabilitating parks and public roads. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1060395/SDRPY_Yemen_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1060396/SDRPY_Yemen_2.jpg SOURCE Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen Hundreds of injured koalas are being rushed to a wildlife park to be treated as devastating bushfires continue to ravage Kangaroo Island. Half of the koalas on the South Australian island are believed to have been wiped out as the out of control blaze burns through more than 155,000 hectares of land. People escaping the island have been urged not to take injured koalas to the mainland for treatment. Hundreds of injured koalas are being rushed to a wildlife park to be treated as devastating bushfires continue to ravage Kangaroo Island Half of the koalas on the South Australian island are believed to have been wiped out as the out-of-control blaze burns through more than 155,000 hectares of land The Environment Department's recovery coordinator Brenton Grear said all injured animals must be managed locally. Both locals and firefighters rescuing the animals have since been taking them to the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. Many were seen carrying the injured marsupials in their arms and taking them to safety, 7NEWS.com.au reported. The wildlife park has set up a GoFundMe to help fund the treatment of the animals. 'Over the past few days we have started to see a large number of injured koalas, along with other native species heavily impacted by this event,' the page reads. 'We have been treating these victims as best we can to supply pain relief, antibiotics, treatment to wounds and basic husbandry requirements.' 'We spent most of January 3 building extra holding enclosures as well as defending the park from the immediate threat of the fire. We will continue to prepare more infrastructure to house the extra wildlife we expect to see over the coming weeks.' The fundraiser has raised more than $97,000 in just one day with organisers saying they are continuing to treat koalas with burns and injuries. Both locals and firefighters rescuing the animals have since been taking them to the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park While conditions have eased, the blaze has burnt through more than 155,000 hectares of scrub, including much of the Flinders Chase National Park South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management (SAVEM) has been activated to manage the wildlife rescue effort and is working with other groups in fire-affected regions. While conditions have eased, the blaze has burnt through more than 155,000 hectares of scrub, including much of the Flinders Chase National Park. A father and son died when their car was trapped by flames near Parndana, killing them instantly. Tour operator and aviator Dick Lang, 78, and his son Clayton, 43, were on the Playford Highway in the centre of the island when they perished. Wildlife official Mike Williams has been appointed to lead the recovery on Kangaroo Island from the devastating bushfires. Wildlife official Mike Williams has been appointed to lead the recovery on Kangaroo Island from the devastating bushfires South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management (SAVEM) has been activated to manage the wildlife rescue effort and is working with other groups in fire-affected regions The National Parks and Wildlife Service senior executive has been named the local recovery coordinator to support islanders as they come to grips with their needs over the coming weeks and months. 'This is an unprecedented tragedy for the Kangaroo Island community, who are now facing a recovery effort on a scale never seen before on the island,' SA Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said. 'Mr Williams will work with locals to coordinate recovery measures and help residents, primary producers, tourism operators and other local businesses navigate a way forward. 'His appointment recognises the unique challenges facing Kangaroo Island as it embarks on the process of recovery, including geographic isolation, losses relative to population, impacts on local economic activity and community wellbeing.' A bushfire advice message remains in place for the major fire as it continues to burn. The Southern Ocean Lodge was destroyed by the Raven fire on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia Many homes, farm buildings and other structures have been lost but damage assessment is still underway. Residents impacted by the blaze can also access hardship payments of $280 for each adult and up to $700 for a family to help with their immediate needs. Federal Natural Disaster and Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said this support would put cash in the pockets of those most in need. 'These hardship payments are to help meet immediate needs such as food, clothing and medicine,' he said. 'These emergency relief payments will put cash in the pockets of those most in need and help give them dignity.' Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) students took out a peaceful candlelight march on Sunday to protest the violence at Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University earlier in the evening and demanded the masked miscreants who vandalized property and physically attacked JNU students be arrested. The march was held at the varsity premises and concluded at its Bab-e-Syed gate. Our protest was peaceful. ABVP men attacked unarmed students in JNU. They must be booked. The government is booking people for protesting, then it must lodge cases against the people who have gone inside a university campus and beaten up students and vandalised the premises, said former AMU Students Union vice-president Hamza Sufiyan. The AMU Teachers Association (AMUTA), too, released a statement urging the Chief Justice of India to take suo motu cognisance of the unprecedented situation arising from Sundays assault on JNU students and teachers, reported PTI At least 18 students, including the union president, were injured when some youth wearing masks attacked them on campus on Sunday evening. Rival student factions accused each other of engendering the violence that ended after police intervention and a flag march. Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akash Kulhari said police had been deployed at sensitive points all around the AMU campus as a precautionary measure. Hamza Sufiyan said students would also hold a march on Monday in support of peaceful protests against the amended citizenship act. The winter break at the AMU has been extended due to the continuing anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests, however, the date of reopening has not been announced. Violent anti-CAA protests in December had led to injuries to several dozen people, including several students. The winter break at Nadwa College, Lucknow has also been extended to January 15 in view of the intense cold weather, said a college official. [January 05, 2020] SleepScore Labs and International Flavors & Fragrances Innovate in Groundbreaking Sleep Partnership SleepScore Labs, the company behind the world's most comprehensive suite of data-backed sleep solutions, today announced an unprecedented partnership with International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), a leading innovator of taste, scent and nutrition and ingredients, to create and validate products designed to support healthier lives through improved sleep. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200105005079/en/ SleepScore Labs and International Flavors & Fragrances Innovate In Groundbreaking Sleep Partnership (Photo: Business Wire) This partnership is groundbreaking in the world of consumer sleep products, where mostly anecdotal evidence abounds around sleep improvement products, rather than scientific proof. Scent, specifically, has significant potential as a non-invasive, non-addicting means of supporting sleep. With over 70% of the developed world impacted by poor sleep and the resulting adverse effects on overall health, weight and productivity, IFF recognized SleepScore Labs was uniquely positioned to help them identify the most promising scent ingredients to test, and then support those findings with more robust scientific field research. "This partnership marks a strategic decision by IFF to extend our leadership in the "beyond sensorial" market," said Nicolas Mirzayantz, IFF's Divisional CEO, Scent. "Together we will build on IFF's Consumer and Sensory Science knowledge and SleepScore's best-in-class data capture and analysis capability to deliver validated scent-based sleep solutions for consumers." Since the start of 2018, both companies have been collaborating on a sleep fragrance, and have gathered over 6,500 nights of objective sleep data together. As a first step in this collaboration, SleepScore clinically tested an initial scent creation prototype - a pillow spray -- specifically designed to support healthy sleep. Results of the counter-balanced, double-blind, placebo-controlled study revealed the scent provided the greatest benefit to healthy sleepers. Objective sleep measurement showed participants spent 26% less time awake at night after falling asleep when they used the scent. These scientifically-proven results support the development of new product categories designed to help consumers sleep better. To obtain the insights, SleepScore Labs scientists conducted a study to test the effectiveness of a scented pillow spray over 800 nights, taking both self-reported data and objective sleep measures every night. Objective sleep measures, which is critical to understanding the potential value scented products have on sleep, were collected using SleepScore technology powered by ResMed, a pioneering authority on innovative medical devices that help people lead healthier, higher-quality lives. "Our work with IFF is just one example of how SleepScore is the only company in the sleep space able to incorporate measurement, data, and actionable insights to help organizations strengthen their health and wellness offerings," said Colin Lawlor, CEO at SleepScore Labs. "IFF's approach sets a great example of how cross-disciplinary sleep innovation should ideally be managed," said Dr. Roy Raymann, Chief Scientific Officer at SleepScore Labs. "By combining our expertise in objectively validating sleep products, with IFF's deep knowledge of fragrances and ingredients, together we can ultimately help consumers get a better night's sleep." For over a decade, SleepScore Labs has studied millions of hours of sleep in an effort to help people live happier, healthier and more productive lives. The partnership with IFF reinforces SleepScore Labs' commitment to ensuring consumers purchase products that not only claim to optimize sleep, but also help consumers achieve a more complete, restful night's sleep. For over 130 years, IFF has been using artistry, science, and expertise to create unique and unexpected scents, tastes, experiences and ingredients for the products our world craves-from global iconic brands to indie startups. Driven by their purpose - To redefine & transform how we live in and care for the resources of our world - IFF is committed to do more good, question everything, and champion creators. Connect with SleepScore Labs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The SleepScore App is free to download for Android (News - Alert) via Google Play and iOS devices from the Apple (News - Alert) App Store. Visit SleepScore Labs and IFF at CES (News - Alert) 2020, Booth #44149 in Las Vegas, NV, January 7-10. About SleepScore Labs We're the sleep company changing the world by improving sleep, based on science and leading-edge technology. SleepScore Labs was founded in 2016 by a team of sleep experts from companies, institutions and organizations such as ResMed, Apple, Philips (News - Alert), and Harvard. Together, we enable leading companies and organizations to strengthen their health and wellness offerings, proven through better sleep. After studying millions of hours of sleep for over a decade, we created the world's most comprehensive suite of services which help consumers improve their sleep and companies improve their offerings in the space. Initially a Joint Venture between ResMed, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Pegasus Capital Advisors L.P, the company has grown to include other strategic partners and investors. Headquartered in Carlsbad, CA (News - Alert), with an office in Dublin, Ireland, we've developed SleepScore technology powered by ResMed to offer the world's most accurate sleep app. SleepScore Labs' ecosystem also provides data insights, product evaluation tools, and technology licensing opportunities for companies developing products and solutions in the sleep industry. SleepScore does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment through its service or its available functions. The content and service provided are intended solely as a resource and informational tool to improve your sleep. Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified health provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. About IFF At IFF (NYSE:IFF) (Euronext Paris: IFF) (TASE: IFF), we're using Uncommon Sense to create what the world needs. As a collective of unconventional thinkers and creators, we put science and artistry to work to create unique and unexpected scents, tastes, experiences and ingredients for the products our world craves. Learn more at iff.com, Twitter , Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200105005079/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] On receiving a written complaint from the JNU administration reporting violence and asking the police to restore law and order on campus, Delhi Police personnel entered the Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday and shifted at least 18 injured students to a hospital, DCP southwest Devender Arya said. It was a fight between two student groups who vandalized hostels, damaged property and indulged in violence. At least seven students from both sides were moved to a hospital. Those seen with sticks in pictures and videos are also students, Arya said. At present, there is no mob outside the Jawaharlal Nehru University. We will register a case accordingly, the DCP (southwest) said. Also Watch l JNU violence: Masked men allegedly attack teachers & students inside campus Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Delhi police commissioner Amulya Patnaik and enquired about the law and order situation in JNU. The Home Minister instructed him to take necessary action. Shah has also ordered an enquiry to be carried out by a Joint CP level officer and asked for a report to be submitted as soon as possible, according to a tweet from the home ministry . Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed shock and concern at the violence which erupted at the Jawaharlal Nehru University which left the universitys students union president Aishe Ghosh badly injured and bleeding. The chief minister also spoke to Delhis Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and urged him to direct the police to restore order at the varsity. He has assured that he is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary steps, Kejriwal said in a tweet. Members of JNU students union and ABVP clashed on the university campus on Sunday evening. It reportedly happened during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers Association. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members however, have denied any involvement in Sundays violence, according to a statement by ABVP members. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have held a phone call on Saturday, a source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry informed TASS, Trend reports citing TASS. "Our minister has held talks with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo. The sides have discussed bilateral relations and the situation around Iran and Iraq," the source stated. On Friday, 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. According to the Pentagon, the strike was defensive, since it was aimed at protecting US troops in Iraq and other countries. Washington blamed Soleimani for allegedly approving a rally outside the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week. Following the attack, the Supreme National Security Council of Iran vowed to exact "severe revenge" on those involved in Soleimanis killing, blaming the United States for the attack. In a phone call with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blasted the attack as an act of terrorism from the side of the US. He pointed out that Tehran would take international measures to hold Washington responsible for the generals murder. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Editors note: A previous version of the article had the incorrect spelling of Louie Sanchez. The article has since been corrected. Businessman Louie Sanchez remembers growing up in a trailer in the South Valley where he said he learned the value of hard work. Its those working class roots he wants to emphasize when he launches a bid for the U.S. Senate on Monday. Sanchez will join a growing Republican field that includes former New Mexico State University professor Gavin Clarkson; anti-abortion advocate Elisa Martinez; and Albuquerque contractor Mick Rich in the race to replace Democrat Tom Udall, who is not seeking reelection to a third term. U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan and accountant Andrew Perkins are seeking the Democratic nomination. Ive fought for everything my whole life, the 55-year-old said. I want to be a voice for everyday New Mexicans. He said New Mexicans wanted representatives in Congress who remember their roots, who remember where they came from. Sanchez recalled living in a home without a television set and working his way through college. He graduated from the University of New Mexico after attending Manzano High School. Ive not been a child of privilege or wealth, Sanchez said. This is a country that provides opportunities. He said he worked as a maintenance man, line cook, washed dishes at a sorority house and worked construction. Sanchez later worked for former U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici both in New Mexico and in the senators office in Washington, D.C. Sanchez also worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He currently works in the medical field and is one of the owners of Calibers indoor shooting range in Albuquerque. Myself, Im very frustrated, Sanchez said of the motivation to run for Senate. Im tired of being worst and first in everything. The things were first in arent very good. Sanchez said new leadership is needed in Washington and not the same empty promises weve been getting for years. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday responded to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union home minister Amit Shahs charges of not doing enough for the Capitals development with a request. Amit Shah had taken a swipe at Arvind Kejriwal and accused him of coming to power by misleading people with a host of promises while addressing BJP workers in New Delhi. In his reaction to the BJP leaders comments, the Aam Aadmi Party chief accused Shah of abusing him. I heard the entire speech of the home minister, Shri Amit Shah. I thought he would point out the shortcomings of our work and talk about the development of Delhi. But he did not say anything except abusing me, the chief minister tweeted. Also Watch l Delhi Elections 2020 l BJP will form govt under Narendra Modi: Amit Shah If he has suggestions for Delhi, then he should talk about them, we will implement good suggestions in the next five years, he said. Amit Shah sounded confident about forming the next government in Delhi, where elections are likely to be held early this year, as he said someone can mislead people once but not all the time. I urge the people of Delhi to seek report of the work undertaken by the Arvind Kejriwal government while being in power for the past five years, the Union minister said. Before Shahs attack, the BJPs Delhi unit had released an aarop patra or a chargesheet against the Kejriwal-led government last month slamming it for misguiding and befooling the people of Delhi in the last five years. The opposition party in Delhi had also said the AAP failed to fulfil the promises it made before the last assembly election in 2015. The AAP had won 67 out of 70 seats in the 2015 polls. And this time, the party has adopted 70 out of 70 as its poll slogan. Two office-bearers of the Jawaharal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), including President Aishe Ghosh - who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod, received severe injuries and accused RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence. New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) Violence swept the Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday as several masked individuals, said to be both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers inside the varsity campus with wooden and metal rods. "I have been brutally beaten up by masked people. I don't know who they were," Ghosh said as she broke into tears while blood flowed profusely from her head. She has been taken to the AIIMs. JNUSU General Secretary Satish Chandra was also injured in the attack. JNUSU Vice President Saket Moon also accused the ABVP of leading the attack, which was bolstered by outsiders. In a WhatsAap message to the media, Moon said:' "ABVP has formed a mob of goons from outside the JNU campus. They are going room to room with sticks, stones." Hostel rooms, and lobbies were vandalised during the assault while several vehicles standing on roads were damaged by the unidentified miscreants. There were terrifying moments for students on campus as masked men and even women with faces covered, barged into hostels, ransacked rooms and beat up the frightened students. A girl student recounted those moments in tears: "I was in the room and I heard loud noises and I saw many girls coming. I asked everyone to lock their rooms. We were in terror. While I was trying to take a video clip, they hit me with a stone." On the other hand, the ABVP blamed Left-affiliated students for earlier attack on its activists that had left several injured. "Around four to five hundred members of the left wing gathered around the Periyar hostel, vandalised the hostel and forcibly entered the hostel to thrash the ABVP activists inside," ABVP's JNU unit President Durgesh told IANS. The ABVP claims its presidential candidate Manish Jangid was injured badly and may have suffered a fractured hand after he was assaulted. "They hurled stones, used batons to thrash students inside," Durgesh added. According to intelligence reports and students, the genesis of the clashes began in the confrontation between students seeking to stall the semester registration process as part of their agitation against the hostel fees hike and groups opposing them. Members of the earlier group were allegedly behind the disruption of the varsity's Wifi network late on Friday. The JNU administration summoned the police which deployed in the campus and prohibitory orders were imposed. Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the Delhi Police to take all necessary action to control the situation in the campus, and also ordered an inquiry into the matter. According to officials, Shah spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik following the violence. "Union Home Minister has spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner over JNU violence and instructed him to take necessary action. Hon'ble minister has also ordered an enquiry to be carried out by a Joint CP level officer and asked for a report to be submitted as soon as possible," the Home Ministry said in a tweet. The violence was condemned by leaders across the political spectrum. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar - both JNU alumni - on Sunday condemned the violence. "Horrifying images from JNU- the place I know and remember was one for fierce debates and opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This government, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students," Sitharaman, who did her MPhil from JNU, said in a tweet. Jaishankar, who has an MA in Political Science and an MPhil and PhD in International Relations from JNU, also took to Twitter to express his reaction. "Have seen pictures of what is happening in JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university," he tweeted. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reached the All India Institute of Medical Sciences to meet the injured JNU students, while her brother and former party chief Rahul Gandhi attacked the Central government. "The brutal attack on JNU students & teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Today's violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear. #SOSJNU," he said, in a tweet. CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, also a former JNUSU leader, also condemned the violence, and the party's student wing, the Students Federation of India, called for a nationwide protest on Monday. Jamia students reached the Delhi Police HQ at ITO to protest, while the Jadavpur University Teachers'Association called upon all sections of society to condemn the "heinous act". team-vd A convoy of army vehicles with up to 100 reservists is heading for Kangaroo Island to help bushfire victims as rescuers continue to frantically search for injured animals. At least half of the koala population on the small island off the coast of South Australia state is believed to have been killed after the devastating blaze tore through the area on Friday night. The blaze remained active on the island on Monday after burning more than 155,000 hectares inside a 300km perimeter and authorities are concerned about deteriorating weather conditions later this week. But work to assess the full extent of the damage and help locals get back on their feet is underway with the army personnel and supplies to arrive in Penneshaw on Monday. Scroll down for video A rescued koala injured in a bushfire in Kangaroo Island recovers at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park Dead kangaroos and sheep near the roadside following devastating fires on Kangaroo Island Rescuers have been scouring the West End Highway after native animals, including wallabies and koalas, were left charred while trying to escape the inferno at Flinders Chase National Park. Work is also underway to restore power supplies with about 600 properties still without electricity. SA Power Networks says customers may be without services for an extended period while the damage to equipment is determined. It says only a portion of the affected area has been inspected so far and crews have already identified 12km of lines brought down. Some mobile phone and landline services in parts of Kangaroo Island are down, with Telstra advising it is working as quickly as possible to restore connections. Cooler weather and some rain across the fireground on Saturday and Sunday brought some relief but the Country Fire Service declared a total fire ban for Monday in the wake of a number of flare-ups and the prospect of rising temperatures from Wednesday. About a third of Kangaroo Island has been burnt in bushfires (pictured) which began on Friday A 'watch and act' alert was issued for Stokes Bay near Lathami Conservation Park on the island's north coast early on Monday as a scrub fire threatened the area. A bushfire advice remains in place for the western half of the island with the eastern edge of the fireground extending from the north to the south coast. A large number of homes, farms and other buildings are thought destroyed along with tourism and service infrastructure. The fire also claimed two lives with outback pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his 43-year-old son Clayton Lang killed when their car became trapped by flames near Parndana. UK navy says will escort British-flagged ships through Strait of Hormuz amid tensions Iran Press TV Sunday, 05 January 2020 12:15 AM The UK Navy says it will accompany the British-flagged ships through the strategic Strait of Homuz, as regional tensions escalate in the wake of the US assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. London says the escort is aimed at providing "protection" for its commercial ships, as tensions run high in the region after the United States assassinated IRGC Quds Force Commander General Soleimani and top Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in an airstrike near Baghdad Airport early Friday. British defense minister Ben Wallace said he had ordered the HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare to escort duties for all ships sailing under a British merchant flag. "The government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time," he said. Wallace said he had spoken to his US counterpart, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and urged restraint on all sides. The UK Navy's decision came after activists gathered outside Downing Street in central London on Saturday to condemn the US assassination of top Iranian commander. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell of the Labor Party also attended the 'No War with Iran' rally, hosted by Stop the War Coalition, calling on the UK government to publicly denounce the attack. McDonnell said that "it is not good enough for the UK government just to appeal for a de-escalation. What we expect the UK government to do is to come out in total and outright condemnation of this act of violence." The protesters were seen with banners urging an end to aggression against Iran and against any further escalation of the issue. Johnson's silence 'deafening' Prime Minister Boris Johnson was facing growing criticism on Saturday night for failing to cut short his Caribbean holiday as the Middle East faced one of the gravest crises since the Iraq war in 2003, the Guardian reported. Despite the critical situation in the Middle East, Johnson has remained silent on the island of Mustique where he is on holiday with his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds. Downing Street said Johnson would be back in the UK on Sunday and that the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, would travel to Washington this week for talks with the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, with the Middle East the main topic of discussion. In a sign of irritation that the UK had not already expressed its support for the US, Pompeo on Friday said the Europeans, including "the Brits", "[had]n't been as helpful as I wish that they could be". As the hashtag #wheresBoris began trending on Twitter, opposition politicians tore into Johnson, suggesting he was too afraid of upsetting President Donald Trump, who ordered the assassination of General Soleimani, to speak out. Earlier, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) had failed to address the profound legal and ethical issues arising from the assassination of General Soleimani, thus giving rise to the suspicion that Britain supports the illegal US act. Following the assassination, Foreign Secretary Raab advised British nationals against all but essential travel to Iraq and Iran. "Given heightened tensions in the region, the FCO now advise people not to travel to Iraq, with the exception of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and to consider carefully whether it's essential to travel to Iran. We will keep this under review", Raab said. In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist-style assassination of General Soleimani by the US military, Raab appeared to be approving of the act by imputing "aggressive" motives onto General Soleimani, before half-heartedly calling for "de-escalation". By stark contrast, opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has unequivocally condemned the US "assassination" of General Soleimani. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A gas network controlled by Hong Kongs richest family has fiercely criticised the UKs energy regulator for a crackdown on financial returns paid out to foreign owners. Wales & West, owned by billionaire Sir Li Ka-shing, said it is deeply concerned and claimed Ofgems price controls threaten its financial health. The company, which provides gas to 7.4 million homes and businesses, fears shareholders will have to put their hands in their pockets to keep up with debt repayments under plans for a new pricing regime next year. Ofgem has clashed with Wales & West owners over their new pricing regime It follows a similar row between water companies and their regulator. A string of companies with overseas owners such as Lis other firm Northumbrian Water, said last month they were considering appealing against new rules aimed at slashing customers bills and clamping down on huge dividend payouts. An investigation by The Mail on Sunday last year found Li extracted almost 1 billion in dividends from his UK infrastructure firms over two years, including those supplying gas, electricity and water. Network companies look after the cables and pipes transporting gas and electricity from suppliers to customers and generate revenues from levies on household energy bills. Their owners say they invest billions in maintaining the networks and returns are less than critics say. But overseas firms often also load the companies they buy with debt rather like a mortgage and extract additional levies from the company in the form of interest repayments. Ofgem determines an acceptable level of returns for investors to limit the charges to consumers. Now it plans to almost halve the returns handed to investors under new rules next year cutting families bills by an average of 40 a year. Li, 91, who was knighted by the Queen in 2000, controls five infrastructure firms in Britain. He handed over day-to-day management to his son Victor Li Tzar-kuoi in 2018. His five infrastructure companies paid out 427 million in dividends to Lis parent company CK Hutchison Holdings and related firms in 2018 and 541 million in 2017. This equated to 37 per cent of the total 2.6 billion profits. Documents seen by the MoS show that three of the companies Wales & West Gas Networks Holdings, Northumbrian Water Group and Eversholt Rail Leasing paid out dividends that exceeded annual profits over the period. The other two firms are Northern Gas and the highly profitable UK Power Networks. Wales & West has now warned in a submission to Ofgem that the proposals threaten its long-term financial health. Ratings agency Moodys said returns will fall far short of its borrowing costs. Wales & West said ratings agencies would downgrade its debt as a result of regulatory intervention, adding: To deliver our services sustainably, it is critical we are properly funded. 'Shareholders cannot continue to subsidise the business for underfunded debt costs. We are very concerned it may just be a matter of time before emerging concerns amongst ratings agencies will intensify transmitting nervousness into investors and higher capital costs into the market for regulated energy networks. 'This would not be in the interests of our customers. Wales & West said shareholders had demonstrated restraint and had agreed to suspend dividends betwen 2021 and 2026. It also said the regulations threatened shareholder payouts after that date. Shareholders have already agreed to stump up 220 million to service the firms debt since 2013. The companys borrowing costs are higher than peers due to contracts agreed in 2007. The gas firm faces significant cash outflows for the next 20 years under the contracts, according to Moodys. The ratings agency warned that the expensive and long-term debt burden was far higher than that of competitors. It has downgraded the firms debt, saying: Although all companies will be affected by the expected cut in returns, Wales & West is most exposed as a result of its high borrowing costs. An Ofgem spokesman said: Network companies have been, and remain, free to choose their preferred financing approach. They take the risks and rewards associated with these decisions. As a result, companies with higher financing costs may earn less than the sector average. Wales & West said: We will be strongly arguing for a financial case that not only allows us to continue to deliver the services our customers want and need, prepare the energy system for the future, but also delivers a fair return for investors. Albany Police The release of jailed manslaughter defendant Paul Barbaritano outraged people around the state on Thursday. The 52-year-old Albany man charged with fatally choking and stabbing 29-year-old Nicole Jennings last July quickly became the poster boy for detractors of New Yorks new bail reform law, which went into effect after the ball dropped on New Years Eve. Another day, another individual accused of a heinous crime released back out into the community where they are free to offend again thanks to the radical policies of Democrats in the Senate and Assembly," fumed Senate Republican leader John Flanagan, a Suffolk County Republican. He said "2020 has only begun, we are already starting to see the real-life consequences of this dangerous new law." Heres the thing: Those consequences are not new. Police charged Barbaritano with second-degree manslaughter, a C felony that is not considered a violent crime in New York. It carries a maximum of 5 to 15 years in prison. The legal logic underlying the charge is that the accused did not intend to harm the victim but engaged in behavior that could be lethal. Barbaritano's lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Rebekah Sokol, said her client mortally injured Jennings following a sexual encounter involving erotic asphyxiation. Barbaritano, she said, accidentally stabbed Jennings while trying to cut a belt from Jennings' neck. The two had been using drugs, according to the defense, and knew one another for some time. Barbaritano had self-inflicted wounds. A prosecutor for Albany County District Attorney David Soares suggested charges could be elevated to murder. But so far that has not happened. And in the nearly six months since his arrest, Barbaritano has not been indicted. Yes, Barbaritano was jailed without bail before Thursday. Yes, under the new bail reform law second-degree manslaughter is not a qualifying offense that can lead to a defendant having bail set or being jailed until trial. But was his release unusual based on his charge? No. Nauman Hussain, the man charged with 20 counts of second-degree manslaughter and 20 counts of criminally negligent homicide in the Oct. 6, 2018 Schoharie limo crash that took 20 lives, remains free on $450,000 bail. Alexander West, who went to trial and was convicted of second-degree manslaughter for the July 25, 2016 killing of 8-year-old Charlotte McCue on Lake George, was free on $50,000 before he went to trial. There have been several other examples of people who were charged with second-degree manslaughter and were allowed to remain on the street so long as they paid the bail that was set. Which raises a question. If someone is considered dangerous, should the amount of their bail really matter? Ultimately, a person is either too dangerous to be on the street or not, no? In the bail review cases in Albany County Court on Thursday and Friday, prosecutors repeatedly asked for bail to be set. Soares later told reporters there are only a select number of crimes for which a defendant can be held with bail. The fact that defendants accused of serious crimes even murder can be released on bail is hardly a 2020 thing. Christopher Porco, the notorious Delmar ax murderer who killed his father and maimed his mother, was free on bail before and during his trial in 2006. So this is not new. And neither is the potential threat of a dangerous defendant who makes bail. In 2017, Albany City Court Judge Gary Stiglmeier allowed a career criminal, Richard Quinn, with some 19 prior convictions, to remain on the street after he allegedly violated his probation. Stiglmeier rejected the warnings of probation officials and prosecutors, and allowed the career criminal to stay on the street five weeks before police say the four-time felon stabbed a homeless man to death. Quinn killed Marc Douglas, 47, on Grand Street. He won't see the outside anytime soon: The 66-year-old is serving 25 years to life in prison at at Five Points Correctional Facility in Seneca County. Australian authorities began assessing the damage on Sunday from heatwave-spurred bushfires that swept through two states a day earlier, as cooler conditions provided a temporary respite from blazes that have scarred the countrys east coast for weeks, Trend reports citing Reuters. Light rain and cooler temperatures in the southeast of the country were a welcome change from the searing heat that has fueled the devastating fires, but officials warned they were not enough to put out almost 200 fires still burning. It certainly is a welcome reprieve, it is psychological relief if nothing else, New South Wales (NSW) state Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said in an afternoon briefing on the situation. But unfortunately it is not putting out the fires. Light rain and cooler temperatures in the southeast of the country were a welcome change from the searing heat that has fueled the devastating fires, but officials warned they were not enough to put out almost 200 fires still burning. It certainly is a welcome reprieve, it is psychological relief if nothing else, New South Wales (NSW) state Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said in an afternoon briefing on the situation. But unfortunately it is not putting out the fires. - Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Singapore and Papua New Guinea have made offers of military support; New Zealand was sending an additional three Air Force helicopters and crews, two Army Combat Engineer Sections and a command element to support Australian Defense efforts. - As smoke cleared, about 350 people were due to be airlifted out of the Victorian town of Mallacoota on Sunday, where around 1,000 people were evacuated by sea on Friday. That would leave about 400 people who had chosen to stay in the community, The Age newspaper reported. - No fires were burning out of control in the New South Wales, but four fires in Victoria had Evacuate Now or Emergency Level warnings. - A threat earlier on Sunday to the NSW town of Eden had eased by late afternoon, and authorities said evacuation was no longer necessary. https://www.aish.com/ho/p/The-Polish-Diplomats-who-Saved-Jews.html New documents shed light on the massive rescue effort of the Polish government-in-exile during World War II and unsung hero Ambassador Aleksander ados. The second floor of the Jewish Museum of Switzerland, located in Basel, has six "memory scrolls" with 3,262 names on them. Those scrolls, put on display for the first time in December, were part of an extensive operation to save thousands of Jews from extermination during the Holocaust. These were Jews from Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany who were issued fake Latin American passports in Switzerland, thus granting them a chance to get out of Nazi-occupied Europe in exchange for Germans in those countries. The scrolls are the final phase in a new exhibition on this fascinating story. A similar exhibition opened in Israel at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem on Dec. 15. (Pictured above, Swiss authorities seized photos before they could be used to issue passports for Jews during the Holocaust | Photo: Swiss Federal Archives) Only 796 of the people mentioned in the scrolls survived the Holocaust, 957 were murdered by the Germans, while the fate of the rest remains a mystery. According to various accounts, there were others who were issued passports but did not make it to the list. This makes sense because more than 10,000 fake passports were issued. But what is clear is that Aleksander ados, the Polish government-in-exiles de facto ambassador to Switzerland, played a crucial role in orchestrating this operation, which ran all through World War II and turned the Polish Legation in Bern (a diplomatic mission similar to an embassy) into the nerve center for saving the Jews worldwide. Aleksander ados Because of his important role as the chief of the mission, the list of names has been colloquially called the ados List. The title Righteous Among the Nations is usually given by Israels Holocaust memorial museum Yad Vashem to non-Jews who helped save Jews during the Holocaust, but the organization has so far decided to recognize only one of the employees in the legation during the war: the Polish Vice-Consul Konstanty Rokicki. Rokicki was the one who wrote down the fake names and other fields in the fake passports so that the Jews could leave. ados, who died in 1963, got a letter of commendation, but the historical documents, revealed in this piece, show the extensive degree to which ados was involved in this massive operation to save Jews, as was the Polish government-in-exile in London. Hundreds of encrypted diplomatic cables were sent from the legation in Bern to the government-in-exiles Foreign Ministry in London, to the Polish Embassy in Washington, to Polish missions in New York and Latin American countries, as well as to the Polish consulates in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, in order to marshal their support for the operation. Initial reports on the horrors of the Holocaust can also found in those cables. The cables made a plea to inform the US and British governments of the unfolding genocide and called on the Allies to bomb the railways to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. They also included specific instructions on the ways people and communities could be saved, along with information on how the operation could be funded. The cables were found in Polands national archives and at the Hoover Institution in the United States. They show that the efforts to save Jews were underway as early as April 1941, two months before Germany opened the eastern front by attacking the Soviet Union. The first cable talks about 400 passports that would get sent to Jews in Lithuania, including Polish Jews, so that they could immigrate to British-mandate Palestine. Aleksander ados The cable also talks about an understanding with the Chilean Embassy in Rome, which issued passports for Polish Jews who were in Axis-member Italy and Nazi-occupied France. In July 1942, the Polish Embassy in Washington got a cable providing initial information on the "great deportation from the Warsaw Ghetto" and another cable, sent the same month, notes how "a very big part of the ghetto has been cleansed" and that 100,000 Jews have been brutally murdered. The cables include rumors on how the victims bodies have been used to create "fertilizer and soap." Isaac Sternbuch, the head of Vaad Hatzalah the Rescue Committee of the American Union of Orthodox Rabbis noted in one of the cables that "a similar fate was expected for other deportees and only an American response and significant countersteps can end this oppression." In the cable, he asks the organization to pressure politicians, the media and other important figures, such as Albert Einstein. In September 1942, ados updated the prime minister in the Polish government-in-exile that throngs of Jewish refugees from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands had been flocking to Switzerland, only to be refused entry by the Swiss authorities. In some cases, the refugees were being handed over to the Germans. ados said that he had asked the Swiss authorities to prevent the Polish Jews from being sent back. "My understanding is that they [the Swiss] will agree if we ensure that the Allies let the refugees enter their territories or colonies and provide funds that would finance their stay in Switzerland." In March 1943, the Polish government-in-exile Foreign Minister Count Edward Raczynski wrote the Polish embassies in Rome and the Holy See a cable informing them that the Italian government was interested in allowing all Jewish Poles in Italy to leave. "We will try to speak with the governments in the UK and US so that all of our citizens would get refuge," he wrote. One of the main protagonists in this rescuing effort was Abraham Silberschein, who was a representative of the World Jewish Congress in Switzerland and a former Polish Zionist member of the Polish parliament. Abraham Silberschein On May 12, 1943, he sent an encrypted cable to Washington and London in which he described the horrors of the Holocaust: "According to reliable information, only 10% of the Jewish population in the Generalgouvernement region [one of the occupied Polish territories administered by the Germans] are still alive, and therefore we have to rescue the remainder this operation is based on issuing passports of Latin American countries, chiefly among them Paraguay and Honduras, because if Jews become nationals of those countries, they will be held in detention camps until the end of the war. We have reached an understanding with those countries that the passports are only meant for rescue purposes." Silberschein goes on, saying that the US Embassy was pushing back against the rescue efforts because it worried that the issuance of fake passports would ultimately result in German agents using them to enter the country. "This claim is entirely unfounded because the original passports will stay in Switzerland," Silberschein writes. "Please help us expand the rescue effort," he responds. ados also signs this response, to show that he agrees with its content. Several weeks later a cable is sent from the Polish government-in-exile in London to ados with a clear green light. "For humanitarian reasons, we must do our utmost," it reads. From this point onwards, the Polish embassies in Latin America join the effort. On May 31, internal correspondence takes place between the foreign and finance ministries of the Polish government-in-exile. It included the following passage: "There is a possibility of obtaining Latin American passports that could protect the people in Poland from the slaughter in the ghettos and will grant them the possibility of moving to detention camps. Getting those passports depends on certain expenses through the legation in Switzerland. The Welfare and Labour Ministry believes that due to humanitarian reasons, we cannot prevent this help from people, which are few in number. The payment instructions will be transmitted after the people in London pay their expenses." Rabbi Chaim Eiss This correspondence reveals how three Polish ministries cooperated in transferring the funds that made the rescue efforts possible, especially from Jewish organizations. At the end of June, the Polish foreign minister told the Polish ambassador in Brazil the following: "In the wake of the German announcement on the complete annihilation of the Jews, Jewish groups have asked me to intervene and inquire with South American countries regarding the possibility of having Polish Jews exchanged for German nationals in those countries." In 1943, the rescue efforts hit a road bump: One of the main Jewish activists, Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Eiss, passed away. Meanwhile, the Swiss police started investigating those who were involved in forging passports after being tipped off by Paraguays consul-general, who noticed that the honorary consul in Bern had been receiving funds for illegal documents. That consul, who sold half of the forged passports, was fired and on top of that, the Germans also noticed several Latin American passports among Jews in the ghettos and the camps and threatened to send many of them away, especially those who were held in France, mostly in the Vittel detention camp. Vittel, Le Vittel Palace where Jews with foreign passports were interned At the end of that year, ados sent a cable to his new foreign minister, Tadeusz Romer, with the following message: "A German delegation has arrived in Vittel and began checking passports. Please engage all the governments so that all diplomatic missions operating in Berlin make sure that all the passports, which have been saving lives, are in fact valid." Romer sent adoss request to the Polish missions in Latin America and added that "this will save lives." Despite the intense Polish effort over the course of several months, most of the detainees at the camp were eventually sent to the death camps. When the die was cast for those Jews in the spring of 1944, the Polish legation began saving the Jews of Hungary and Slovakia in collaboration with Jewish organizations. "The situation in Budapest is catastrophic," a cable dated to June 2 reads. Some of these cables were coded messages brought to the legation by Jewish rescuers, others were signed directly by ados. "Conditions are worsening in the ghetto and in other cities, people have been deported without even having the opportunity to take their personal effects. Jews are being woken up in the middle of the night and beaten harshly. This is designed to break them mentally ... everything is up to you now. Do not think too much there is still time [to act]." A desperate plea was made in a cable to Washington ten days later: "Since April, we have been receiving letters and cables with horrific details on the deportation of Jews from Hungary and Slovakia for their extermination. Some 10,000 to 15,000 Jews are deported daily. We have asked the British and the Americans to bomb the railways but that has not happened. If no drastic step is taken, how can the other efforts be of any help? Please engage [US president] Roosevelt and [Russian leader] Stalin so that the bombings will help save some of those people." Dr. Naomi Lubrich (Photo: Eldad Beck) The last cable on the rescue efforts was sent from the Polish legation in Bern on May 11, 1945, three days after Germany surrendered to the Allies and two months before ados resigned as envoy and decided to remain in exile rather than to come back to now-communist Poland. Mordecai Paldiel, the former director of the Department of the Righteous at Yad Vashem and currently an adjunct professor for Jewish studies at Yeshiva University in New York told Israel Hayom that the rescue efforts undertaken by ados and other Polish officials were "extraordinary for several reasons." According to Paldiel, "not only did Polish diplomats go out of their way to save Jews, they also joined forces with Jewish organizations and worked in close contact with them." Paldiel said that "there is a big debate over the treatment of Jews by the Poles, over what Polish citizens did or did not do to save their fellow Jewish compatriots. But in this case, we are talking about an official Polish diplomatic mission on Swiss territory, with the head of the mission taking it upon himself to carry out this initiative, who says: I have to use everything at my disposal through this office to save Jews.'" Paldiel speaks highly of the creativity ados displayed. "He did several things. Before the war, in 1938, the Polish government passed a law that denied citizenship to any Jew who left the country and did not renew his or her passport. Thousands of Jews who had left Poland to Switzerland, France, and Belgium because of anti-Semitism or because they lost their job in Poland did not renew their passport. But meanwhile, they had kids, and ados reinstated their citizenship and they were allowed to stay in those countries because their Polish citizenship was valid." According to Paldiel, ados issued Polish passports to people who were never Polish nationals so that they could leave Europe. "There are two primary examples. Dr. Yosef Burg, who would later be appointed as a minister in the Israeli cabinet, arrived in Switzerland on the eve of WWII and could not leave the country when the war broke out. "He was a German citizen, and the Polish diplomatic mission gave him a forged passport that helped him leave to France, and then later to Spain and Portugal and then to Palestine. "Another case was that of a French Jew called Pierre Mendes France, who later became Frances prime minister. When France fell to the Germans, he was detained and put on trial over his socialist political activities. He was given a prison sentence but managed to escape to Switzerland, where he took refuge and got a forged Polish passport under a different name. This allowed him to leave to Spain, then Portugal, and eventually to Britain, where he joined the French government-in-exile." Paldiel notes that there were many German Nazis in Latin America who wanted to return home, especially in Paraguay but also in Costa Rica and Honduras. "A plan was being devised under which Jews who lived in Poland, the Netherlands and France would be able to get citizenship of Latin American countries that still had relations with Germany, and this would protect the Jews. There was also the communication of information on the unfolding Holocaust via the diplomatic mail, using encryption. The Polish head of mission in Bern let Jewish organizations send messages on what was happening in Europe practically every day. The first glimpse into what was happening in the Holocaust arrived in New York thanks to the Polish legation in Bern. "All those steps were taken with the approval of ados. The Swiss authorities eventually caught wind of this activity and warned the Polish officials to stop it, lest the mission is shut. But ados replied: I cant, I am doing this because this is for saving lives, and while I may be engaged in illegal methods that I would normally deplore, I have to continue.'" Paldiel said this encapsulated the heroism of the Polish diplomat. "Doing all this put him at risk, but he nevertheless stayed the course until the end of the war. I think this story is unique and ados should be recognized as a righteous among the nations." Yad Vashem issued the following statement: "We have received additional information that is currently being assessed. It is important to note that the new documents do not automatically guarantee a re-evaluation by the committee tasked with recognizing righteous among the nations unless they involve new information that was previously not discussed in the case." Dr. Naomi Lubrich, the director of the Jewish Museum of Switzerland in Basel, has recently inaugurated a new exhibition called Passports, Profiteers, Police. A Swiss War Secret, which details the entire rescue effort undertaken by Polish diplomats. She says the Polish legation in Bern played a crucial role in this operation. "Yad Vashem has a list of some 200 people who helped this rescue effort from all over Switzerland. It was compiled by Silberschein, who took part in the 21st Zionist Congress in Geneva in August 1939. He read about the German invasion of Poland in the press and decided to stay in Switzerland and dedicate his time there to helping others. Despite there being many people involved, the Polish legation was the epicenter of the entire operation." Lubrich said she was surprised by how little is known about the scope of the rescue efforts. "I asked professors who teach Swiss-Jewish history whether they know about this operation and all of them responded that they thought that only a handful of passports were issued," she continued. None of them were aware of just how massive this undertaking was and the degree to which the Polish mission was involved. I approached the federal archive in Switzerland and found hundreds of thousands of documents attesting to the fact that the local police were fully aware of the operation and the volume of passports that were issued but decided to keep this matter under wraps." The Swiss authorities had information as early as 1941 stemming from the complaint of Paraguays consul-general, but they did not pursue this matter any further for the next 18 months for unexplained reasons until finally they had no choice but do something about it. "We try to show in the exhibition how people in various institutions in Switzerland tried, in various ways and due to different motives, to stop this operation," Lubrich said. "In 1943, the Swiss Foreign Minister Marcel Pilet-Golaz said that consular agents are working in a way that is in breach of their mandate and duties and then added that as soon as we discovered that we had to impose order. His actions toward the Jews have been a source of debate. ados wrote in his memoirs that he did not get the feeling that the minister was an anti-Semite, but others saw this differently. The head of the Swiss Fremdenpolizei Dr. Heinrich Rothmund was undoubtedly an anti-Semite and as early as 1939, he said: We did not fight to stop the inundation of Switzerland from foreigners for the past 20 years, primarily against Jews, in order to impose this immigration upon us. The American consul took the initiative and went to the Swiss authorities and alerted them that there are people who have been arriving at the United States with Swiss-issued Latin American passports and we think they are German spies trying to enter our country. By passing on this information, he was relaying unfounded claims and wanted to bring an end to the operation." But despite Swiss and American officials trying to stop the operation, it continued. "There was a convergence of people who were trying to help Jews," Lubrich said. "You can assume that a person who headed the legation would know exactly what was happening there and wanted the operation to be carried out. We know that ados received support from the government-in-exile and continued issuing passports, and he was very much involved in the operation. Why hasnt he been recognized for his role? I dont know. It is important for us to put this complex story together and to shine a light on the operation through the prism of how things unfolded at the legation in Switzerland." BOSTON Two men whose car broke down on the highway were arrested for trafficking cocaine and possession of an unlawful weapon Friday evening. Lucio Martinez, 22, of Somerville, and Mario Mestanza-Moran, 23, of Revere, were charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws and possession of a large-capacity firearm without a license. Martinez was also arrested on an outstanding warrant and other firearm charges, Massachusetts State Police officials said. The two were stopped on the northbound side of Route 93 because their vehicle had broken down. When Trooper Gary Orellana responded to assist them, Martinez and Mestanza-Moran said they said they didnt need assistance and seemed to rush the trooper along, police said. He became suspicious when the two men persisted in their attempt to get him to leave them alone on the highway, police said. Orellana then did a license check and learned Martinez, who was driving the vehicle, had a warrant for his arrest and has open cases for attempted murder and firearms violations. He and Trooper Brandon Cali, who responded to assist, arrested Martinez, police said. They then asked Mestanza-Moran to exit the vehicle so they could have it towed. When they searched him, the officers said they found about 110 grams of cocaine inside his pants. Police then searched the vehicle and found the 9 mm Glock pistol with an extended magazine for 15 rounds of ammunition. They also found cash and cell phones believed to be used for drug sales, police said. Martinez is being held without bail over the weekend and bond was set at $50,040 for Mestanza-Moran. Both are expected to be arraigned at Boston Municipal Court on Monday, police said. Air forces including Kamov, Apache and Chinook helicopters as well as F-16 jets, also took part in the training activities alongside paratroopers and commandos Egypt's naval forces have carried out a full amphibious operation in the Mediterranean Sea as part of training activities conducted by armed forces, the Egyptian army said in a statement on Saturday. The drills involved Mistral helicopter carrier Gamal Abdel Nasser and its combat group, which included Gowind- and Perry-class frigates, missile launcher ship Soliman Ezzat, a German-made Type-209 submarine, in addition to a number of anti-submarine unites and special naval forces, the statement said. Air forces, including Kamov, Apache and Chinook helicopters and F-16 jets, also took part in the training activities alongside paratroopers, commandos and a special combat group from the Northern Military Region. A number of frigates and SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters successfully launched anti-submarine torpedoes as part of their combat missions in which they provided close and far protection for the amphibious operation against submarine threats. "The training was characterized by diversity in fighting methods with the use of all elements of the amphibious process, both in terms of careful planning and the implementation of all main branches, tactical formations and special forces," military spokesman Colonel Tamer El-Refaie said in the statement. The training activities were attended by Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, General Mohamed Farid Hegazy, the Commander of the Egyptian Navy Ahmed Khaled and a number of high-ranking army officers. Search Keywords: Short link: Iranians march on January 5, 2020 in the streets of the northwestern city of Ahvaz to pay homage to top general Qasem Soleimani, after he was killed in a US strike in Baghdad. The body of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in Iraq in a U.S. military strike, was returned to Iran on Sunday and driven through thousands of mourners, the official IRIB news agency reported. Soleimani, the architect of Tehran's overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, was killed on Friday in a U.S. drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. While many Iranians have rallied in to show grief over the death of Soleimani, regarded as the country's second most powerful figure after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, others worry his death might push the country to war with a superpower. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites "very hard" if Iran attacks Americans or U.S. assets. Khamenei promised harsh revenge and declared three days of mourning on Friday. Soleimani's body was flown to the city of Ahvaz in southwest Iran. IRIB posted a video clip of a casket wrapped in an Iranian flag being unloaded from a plane as a military band played. Thousands of mourners dressed in black marched through the streets of Ahvaz beating their chests in live footage aired on state TV. Soleimani's casket was driven amidst the large crowds on the back of a truck. The body of Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed in the attack with Soleimani, was also flown to Ahvaz, according to IRIB. Tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq on Saturday to mourn Soleimani and al-Muhandis, chanting "Death to America". Iranian parliamentarians also chanted "Death to America" in a parliamentary session shown on state TV on Sunday. Oman has called on the United States and Iran to seek dialogue to ease tensions, Oman News Agency reported on Sunday. Oman, which maintains friendly ties with both the United States and Iran, has previously been a go-between for the two countries. On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone near the U.S. embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighbourhood and two more were fired at the Balad air base north of the city, but no one was killed, the Iraqi military said in a statement. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Starz has released the first official trailer for Outlander's upcoming fifth season. It opens as Caitriona Balfe's Claire tells Sam Haughan's Jamie: 'Do you ever feel as if everythings pointing you towards something? Space. Time. History? I am grateful for everyday we have.' As Jamie heads off to war, Claire tells him: 'Promise Jamie, promise me youre coming back.' He responds: 'I swear it.' Emotional: It opens as Caitriona Balfe's Claire tells Sam Haughan's Jamie: 'Do you ever feel as if everythings pointing you towards something? Space. Time. History? I am grateful for everyday we have' As the 12-episode season begins, we see the Frasers working to defend their home on Fraser's Ridge while the American Revolution fast approaches. It's up to Jamie to identify a means of protecting everything that matters to him in America. He does this all while keeping his personal relationship with Murtagh Fitzgibbons, the man whom Governor William Tryon (Tim Downey) has ordered him to hunt down and kill, under wraps. Action: As the 12-episode season begins, we see the Frasers working to defend their home on Fraser's Ridge while the American Revolution fast approaches And now that her family is reunited, it's up to Claire to use her modern medical prowess to keep them together. All the while, Brianna Fraser (Sophie Skelton) and Roger MacKenzie (Richard Rankin) are together again though the spirit of Stephen Bonnet still visits them. Moreover, Roger works to see where he fits in and how to win Jamie's respect as the war draws nearer. Determined: It's up to Jamie to identify a means of protecting everything that matters to him in America Reunited: All the while, Brianna Fraser and Roger MacKenzie are together again though the spirit of Stephen Bonnet still visits them Power: At the end of the day, the Frasers must join forces to steer through the impending danger that comes their way At the end of the day, the Frasers must join forces to steer through the impending danger that comes their way. The show is executive produced by Ronald D. Moore, Maril Davis, Matthew B. Roberts, Toni Graphia, Andy Harries and Jim Kohlberg. It is set to premiere at 8 p.m. Sunday, February 16, on Starz. Australia is going through the worst time right now with the bushfires increasing by the day. It's definitely experiencing one of the worst fires it's ever seen and more than 500 million animals alike have ceased to exist because of it. A lot of people have lost their lives and property in the fire, while the officials are doing what they can to stop it. Twitter In tough trying times apart from actual help that comes our way, faith is something people turn towards without thinking twice. At least that's what the Muslim population of Australia is doing currently. A group of Muslim worshipers have come together in a park to pray for rain amid the worsening drought and the ongoing bushfire crisis. More than 50 men, women and children gathered at Bonython Park in Adelaide on Sunday, to pray for rain to be sent to the farmers struggling with drought and the victims of the bushfires. 'Today I joined with my Muslim sisters and brothers in Adelaide in prayer for rain,' Priest Patrick McInerney, from the centre for Christian and Muslim Relations, said in an announcement. 'My friend, Professor Mohamad Abdalla, gave the khutbah (sermon) emphasising repentance and reliance on God who is Merciful Provider.' he added. Facebook The service was conducted a day after pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his 43-year-old son, Clayton, were killed in a bushfire, on Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia. "We are devastated to have lost two beloved members of our family, Dick Lang and his youngest son Clayton Lang, in such terrible circumstances," - their family said in a statement. With fires going wilder than ever, about 50 fire-fighters are already deployed to battle the uncontrollable blaze, over the weekend. But even so, people in heaps and bounds assembling and helping out in whatever way they can is quite overwhelming. Facebook From the Sikh community aiding in providing free food for people affected by the bushfires, to the Muslims coming together and praying for the fires to cease, everyone is doing what they can to help the animals and humans alike. Here's truly hoping the fires settle down eventually and not much life is at stake. Canyon, which is based in Tucson but majority owned by a Texas investor group, is still operating under a 2013 order from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to boost its reserves. But Canyon has the highest risk-based capital ratio a key measure of a banks financial strength of any bank in the state, and it reports zero nonperforming assets like delinquent loans, according to Bauer data. Meanwhile, three of the biggest Tucson-based credit unions kept their five-star Bauer ratings as they surpassed or were on pace to top their 2018 earnings. Vantage West posted third-quarter net income of nearly $5 million and $14.8 million through the first three quarters of 2019, compared with a profit $13.2 million for all of 2018. Pima Federal reported net income of just over $2 million in the third quarter and $6.2 million through the first three quarters, on pace to top its full-year 2018 profit of $6.7 million. Tucson Federal posted quarterly net earnings of nearly $1.5 million and just shy of $4 million through the third quarter, nearly matching its net income of $4.1 million for all or 2019. Why Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu became the first COVID-19 hotspots in India Night Curfew in Maharashtra: Check guidelines, rules; what is allowed, what is not allowed Maharashtra Portfolios finalised: NCP scores big; Ajit Pawar gets finance, Anil Dehmukh new HM India oi-Madhuri Adnal Mumbai, Jan 05: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has approved the allocation of portfolios as proposed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Maharashtra minister and state NCP chief Jayant Patil had earlier said that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had sent the list of portfolios to be allocated to ministers to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Saturday evening. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government was facing criticism from opposition BJP for delay in the allocation of portfolios despite being in power for over a month now. NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 According to the list approved by the Chief Minister, his Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will head the finance and planning department and his son and Sena youth wing chief Aaditya Thackeray will be the new environment, tourism and protocol minister. NCP leader Anil Deshmukh will be the new state home minister. Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat has been allocated the revenue department while former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan will handle the public works department. The urban development department which is considered as a key portfolio along with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation will be run by Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde. Jayant Patil is named as water resoruces (irrigation). The NCP has not just got for itself most ministerial posts and also retained the most crucial of the departments for its ministers. It may be recalled that it was reported that the portfolio distribution for delayed due to the over-ambition of Congress as the party wanted some important ministrties for its leaders. Meanwhile, miffed over the non-inclusion of his name in the list of ministers from Maharashtra, Congress MLA from Jalna, Kailash Goryantal on Saturday said that he will quit the party along with his supporters. Talking to ANI, Gorantyal said,"My supporters and I have decided to submit our resignation letters to the state party president. I have been elected as the MLA for the third time and I work for my people. Still, I have not been made a minister." "I will meet Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Balasaheb Thorat and submit my resignation from party posts. Party members of the Jalna Municipal Council, Zilla Parishad will also submit their resignations along with me," he added. Gorantyal has won from the Jalna Assembly seat in 1999, 2009 and 2019 elections. Uddhav Thackeray and six of his ministers took oath on November 28. The cabinet was expanded on December 30, but the allocation of portfolios was not done then. The Foreign Secretary has defended the US over its killing of Irans top military leader as Tehran ramped up its criticism amid soaring tensions in the Middle East. Dominic Raab accused hardliners in Tehran of nefarious behaviour, described General Qassem Soleimani as a regional menace and said the United States has the right of self defence. But his call for the pursuit of a diplomatic route came as Iran accused Donald Trump of breaching international law in authorising the fatal drone strike, which has created an escalating crisis and sparked fears of all-out war. Mr Raab on Sunday declined to say the US President was right in his actions but criticised the head of Irans elite Quds Force who was killed in Iraq on Friday as a regional menace who was destabilising the Middle East and attacking Western countries. Those masquerading as diplomats and those who shamelessly sat to identify Iranian cultural & civilian targets should not even bother to open a law dictionary. Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms of international law, i.e. international red lines. That is, a big(ly) "no no". Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 5, 2020 The US will take their own operational judgment call but theyve got the right of self defence, he told Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday. So we understand the position the US were in and I dont think we should be naive about the Iranian Revolutionary Guard or indeed General Soleimani. Mr Raab said the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian mother jailed in Iran, remained at the forefront of my mind and accused hardliners in Tehran of nefarious behaviour and not complying with international law. But he urged a diplomatic route to be pursued to allow Iran to come in from the international cold. Story continues The Foreign Secretary also defended Boris Johnson, saying he has been in constant contact with the Prime Minister who remained in charge throughout his Caribbean holiday during the crisis. Mr Raab, who is due to meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington on Thursday, said he has been in contact with the Iraqi prime minister and president and will be speaking to Irans foreign minister. US President Donald Trump (front) with Dominic Raab and Boris Johnson (Stefan Rousseau/PA) But, as Mr Raab was speaking, Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif struck back at the presidents Twitter threat to target 52 Iranian sites very fast and very hard if Tehran strikes US assets. Mr Zarif accused Mr Trump of having committed grave breaches of international law with the killing and of threatening to commit a war crime by targeting cultural sites. Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun, Mr Zarif tweeted. Labours shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry accused the PM of dismissing her concerns that Mr Trump was heading down a dangerous path by working to tear up the nuclear treaty with Iran. With the US sending 3,000 extra troops to Kuwait, she warned of a lurch towards war arising from the presidents reckless decision to kill the general who masterminded Irans regional security strategy. The Foreign Office issued strengthened travel advice to Britons across the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, while the Navy was to begin accompanying UK-flagged ships through the key oil route of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, military chiefs were understood to have ordered 400 soldiers training local forces in Iraq to scrap their duties to switch to force protection to defend themselves and British diplomats from revenge strikes. For two years, Ive warned about Trumps reckless lurch towards war with Iran. Last nights attack takes us even closer to the brink. Those of us who marched against the Iraq War must be ready to march again, and ensure we are not dragged into this morass: https://t.co/94mbTIdPYP Emily Thornberry (@EmilyThornberry) January 3, 2020 Mr Johnson was due back in Downing Street on Sunday as he returned home from the private island of Mustique where he celebrated the New Year with his partner Carrie Symonds. But he was to face a spiralling diplomatic crisis and growing criticism for failing to issue a statement over the air strike. Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: Boris Johnson should have immediately cut short his holiday to deal with an issue that could have grave consequences for the UK and the world. Acting Lib Dem co-leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Johnsons silence on Trumps dangerous assassination in Iraq is deafening. On Sunday, Ms Thornberry accused the PM of having other preoccupations as he was sunning himself while Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill chaired Cobra meetings. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 20:43:13|Editor: zh Video Player Close DHAKA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- A court in Bangladesh capital Dhaka Sunday issued arrest warrants to former Bangladeshi chief justice and 10 others in a case for their alleged involvement in embezzlement and money laundering. Dhaka's Senior Special Judge KM Imrul Kayes passed the order as all the accused have been shown fugitives in the charge sheet. The court also ordered the police to report on execution of arrest warrants by Jan. 22. Amid a row with the Bangladeshi government, Justice Sinha had tendered his "unusual" resignation from abroad on Nov. 11, 2017. He is now reportedly in the United States. According to the charges filed by the Bangladeshi Anti-Corruption Commission, 40 million taka (465,116 U.S. dollars) was embezzled from local Farmer's Bank -- which was later renamed as Padma Bank Ltd, and deposited into Sinha's bank account. Sinha becomes the first former chief justice of Bangladesh to face prosecution in the country's history since its independence in 1971. Recently unveiled letters from TS Eliot to his muse Emily Hale show how much he loved his longtime friend, but a statement from beyond the grave by the poet himself dismisses his feelings and shows how Eliot tries to rewrite the narrative of their relationship, scholars say. Hale donated Eliot's letters to Princeton University Library more than 60 years ago with instructions that they could only be opened 50 years after she and Eliot died. The day they were made available at the Ivy League school, Eliot's statement, written five years before his death, was released as per his own instructions. In it, Eliot downplays his love for Hale. "I came to see that my love for Emily was the love of a ghost for a ghost," he wrote. Eliot scholar Frances Dickey, who was among the first to read the letters at the New Jersey school Thursday, said it was "unfortunate" that Eliot felt he had to deny his feelings for Hale. "That seemed a little harsh," Dickey said. "She was his muse for many years." Letters to Hale from 1930 contained in the first of 14 boxes show Eliot confessing his love for her. "They are extremely passionate," Dickey said. "It's really more than what I expected. They are very emotional, claiming that she inspired a lot of his poetry. She obviously played a really important role in his poetic life." Dickey said it's become more obvious that the "hyacinth girl" in "The Waste Land", Eliot's most famous poem, is Hale. Also among the boxes of letters is a manuscript Hale wrote about their relationship. Her account and his early letters trace the same narrative, Dickey said. In his statement, Eliot does admit he once loved Hale. "I fell in love with Emily Hale in 1912," he wrote. He told her so two years later. "I have no reason to believe, from the way in which this declaration was received, that my feelings were returned," Eliot wrote. He married his first wife, Vivienne Haigh-Wood, in 1915, a year after his declaration. The two had a tumultuous, loveless marriage marred by Haigh-Wood's mental illness and alleged infidelity. They separated in 1933. "Emily Hale would have killed the poet in me; Vivienne nearly was the death of me, but she kept the poet alive," Eliot wrote. Hale eventually developed feelings for Eliot, but the poet writes that, as time went on, he realised "more and more how little Emily Hale and I had in common". "It may be too harsh, to think that what she liked was my reputation rather than my work," he wrote. Eliot scholar Anthony Cuda called that a "cold and untrue statement". "He pursued her," he said. "His earliest letters were ardent declarations of love. It's not as if she chased after him." In other letters, Eliot comments on the pain and happiness of intimacy, according to Dickey, and even confesses his craving for alcohol and reveals details about his private life. Hundreds of letters still need to be read; only a few copies can be seen at a time at the library, and there are no copies available online. There are a few different reasons Eliot might be trying to rewrite history, the scholars say. Hale donated the letters while the two were still alive, and Eliot feared they might be released before the embargo date. Eliot had ordered the letters he'd received from Hale destroyed. "He was looking back on this and felt embarrassed and ashamed at the openness and vulnerability he allowed to come through at the time," Cuda said. "He tried to do damage control." But he also wanted to protect his second wife , Valerie, whom he calls his one true love. "But it's a strange protectiveness," Cuda said. "He was so devoted to Valerie and she to him. What the Emily Hale letters reveal (Valerie) wasn't the unique love of his life. He had a unique and tense experience before her." The letters could reveal much more about Eliot's private and poetic life and are already making waves among the literary community. Cuda called them "all we could have hoped for". "What we want to do as consumers of the lives of others is simply understand them," he said. "As usual, Eliot won't be simplified." Follow News18 Lifestyle for more About 4 a.m., officers on patrol in the 3400 block of Lincoln Avenue reported a dumpster on fire in an alley, said police spokeswoman Sally Bown. Police later determined that the fire was arson, and as more fires were reported, Bown said investigators began looking into whether they were intentionally set by the same person or people. VANCOUVER - The international spotlight will be turned on British Columbia's Supreme Court this month as Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's extradition hearing is set to begin, more than a year after her arrest shattered Canada-China relations. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/1/2020 (736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The international spotlight will be turned on British Columbia's Supreme Court this month as Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's extradition hearing is set to begin, over a year after her arrest shattered Canada-China relations. Wanzhou leaves her home to attend a court hearing in Vancouver, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck VANCOUVER - The international spotlight will be turned on British Columbia's Supreme Court this month as Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's extradition hearing is set to begin, more than a year after her arrest shattered Canada-China relations. Beijing's detainment of two Canadians and its restriction of some imports including canola have left many observers eager for a resolution. Some are hopeful the court process will bring relief, while others want Justice Minister David Lametti to step in. Lametti has the legal authority to stop the process at any time, said extradition lawyer Gary Botting. "It's really silliness for him to say he has to obey the rule of law because it's before the courts. No. What (the law) says is that he can stop the whole process and the courts must comply with whatever he decides," Botting said. The RCMP arrested Meng at Vancouver's airport on Dec. 1, 2018, at the request of the United States, which is seeking her extradition on fraud charges. Meng denies the allegations and also accuses Canadian authorities of violating her rights during the arrest. The Huawei chief financial officer is on bail and living in one of her two multimillion-dollar homes in Vancouver. A hearing is set to begin Jan. 20, focusing on the test of dual criminality, or whether the U.S. allegations would also be a crime in Canada. If the judge rules the test has not been met, Meng will be free to leave Canada, though she'll still have to avoid the U.S. if she wants to evade the charges. If the judge finds there is dual criminality, the hearing will proceed to a second phase. The second phase, scheduled for June, will consider defence allegations that the Canada Border Services Agency, the RCMP and Federal Bureau of Investigation conspired to conduct a "covert criminal investigation" at the airport. Border officers detained Meng for three hours, seized her electronic devices and passcodes and handed them to the RCMP. Meng did not have access to a lawyer during the detainment and a border guard questioned her about Huawei's business in Iran. A lawyer for the Attorney General of Canada has said border officers are required by law to conduct an admissibility examination on all travellers entering Canada and the passcodes were given to the Mounties by mistake. The turmoil could have been avoided, Botting said, had former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould declined the U.S. request to arrest Meng in the first place. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also said he was informed of the arrest before it occurred. "Jody Wilson-Raybould got it wrong on this and so did the prime minister," said Botting. It's unclear what rejecting the request might have meant for the relationship between the two close allies. But Botting argued that both then and now tossing the Meng case wouldn't have much of an effect. "There are just so many layers of nonsense that are going on in North America, generally, between the United States and Canada, that it would get lost in the shuffle." The Justice Department said the minister does not make any decisions related to extradition until and unless a judge commits the person for extradition. At that point, the minister decides whether to surrender the individual to the requesting country. "This speaks to the independence of Canada's judicial system," the department said in a statement. Wilson-Raybould, now an Independent MP, did not respond to a request for comment. The justice minister can legally halt the process at any time, but in practice the minister has not used that power, said Yves Tiberghien, a political science professor and Asia expert at the University of British Columbia. It would be politically risky to step in now, said Tiberghien. "It's true that the cost of this case is enormous. Essentially, the relationship between Canada and China is frozen when China is the second-largest economy in the world, second most-powerful country in the world," he said. "On the other hand, because we're over a year after the start of the case, and for the whole year Canada has justified the case as being one of strict following ... of the rule of law, to intervene now looks like we're buckling." He added that if the court hearings go according to schedule, there is an incentive for the minister to wait for a ruling. "It's so much cleaner if the court does it. Then there's no question about it. It's proper." Some 88 per cent of people arrested in Canada at the request of the United States were surrendered for extradition between 2008 and 2018, Department of Justice statistics show. The fraud charges against Meng are based on an allegation that she lied about Huawei's relationship with its Iran-based affiliate Skycom to one of its bankers, HSBC. Her legal team has argued the alleged misrepresentation does not amount to fraud. The defence says the case is really about the United States seeking to enforce its sanctions against Iran even though Canada has no such sanctions. A lawyer for the Attorney General has called the argument a "complete red herring." Seth Weinstein, a criminal defence lawyer with Greenspan Humphrey Weinstein, said that if the judge finds the allegations are focused on sanctions and not fraud, then they would not meet the test of dual criminality. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. As for the defence's claim that Meng's rights were violated at the airport, if those arguments are successful then it would be concerning for Canada as a country of the "rule of law," said Weinstein. "But, assuming that finding were to be made, we have judicial oversight of police misconduct that ensures that the person's rights are protected," he said. Abuses of process have been found in extradition cases in the past and they didn't cause irreparable damage to U.S.-Canadian relations, Weinstein added. Botting said the U.S. would likely ask another ally for a provisional arrest warrant and "be more careful next time." "They'd say, 'Oh, too bad. OK, I'm going home with my marbles. Shucks.' " This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2020. Soleimani's Killing an Earthquake With 'Reverberations Around the Globe' By VOA News January 04, 2020 The U.S. airstrike that killed a top Iranian commander at Baghdad's airport in Iraq has created an earthquake that will have "reverberations around the globe," according to Jason Brodsky, policy director of the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran. "Qassem Soleimani was not just a symbol. He also had substantive power and authority in the Islamic Republic," he said. Brodsky said in an interview with VOA Persian that Soleimani had achieved rock-star status in the region, developing a "cultlike following." Soleimani was Iran's top military strategist and head of the elite Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force. U.S. President Donald Trump said he ordered the strike to prevent imminent attacks against Americans in the region. Institutional knowledge Soleimani was "the face of the resistance axis," Brodsky said. "I think it's an interesting move by the supreme leader to appoint his deputy, Esmail Qaani as his successor. Qaani has been with Soleimani since the beginning of his tenure. There is an attempt, at least by the regime, not to lose any institutional knowledge or expertise at this critical moment in the life of the Islamic Republic." The death of Soleimani is "much more important" than the killings of Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi," Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, told VOA Persian. Their organizations "had been severely degraded by the time they were killed," Doran said. "But the Iranian threat is a much more serious threat, because Iran is on the verge of obtaining a nuclear weapon." Iran "has these militias all around the region to which it's distributing precision-guided weapons, which can threaten the United States and its allies," Doran said. "That's a real strategic threat. And Qassem Soleimani was the architect of that entire strategy. "So this is a shift in regional politics," he said, in a way that the other assassinations were not. Comparisons to bin Laden Ilan Berman, the senior vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council, disagreed with Doran, telling VOA Persian the killing of Soleimani is "on par" with the Obama administration's killing of bin Laden and the Trump administration targeting of al-Baghdadi. "Soleimani's involvement in regional instability, his direct orchestration and coordination of an array of terror proxies throughout the region is well known, certainly well known to the U.S. government. And the strike, I think, is a very important signal that the Trump administration is prepared to exact consequences on individuals like Soleimani who engage in this sort of behavior." "This was a great blow against Iran's interests," political analyst Ayeed al-Manna'l told VOA, "because Qassem Soleimani was the first Iranian extreme commander to spread religious and political ideology in the region and grow the influence of his country at the expense of other countries in the region." U.S. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Trump "was faced with a difficult decision, which is, is America safer with Qassem Soleimani dead or alive, and the president decided that the world was safer with him dead." VOA Persian's Katherine Ahn and Shahram Bahraminejad contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The ABVP on Sunday alleged that its members, including its JNU unit secretary, were attacked by members of the Left-backed students' outfits and 11 of the RSS-affiliated outfit's members were missing. Violence broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday night as masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) alleged that its members were "brutally" attacked by students affiliated to Left student organisations SFI, AISA and the DSF. "Around 25 students have been seriously injured in this attack and there is no information as to the whereabouts of 11 students," the outfit said. "Masked goons of Left entered the Jawaharlal Nehru University today and beat up the students who went for registration." "The JNU students affiliated to ABVP were brutally attacked," it said. According to the ABVP, its JNU unit secretary and its last year's JNUSU presidential candidate, Manish Jangid, was "severely injured (his hand is fractured). Many students have suffered head injuries and a few students are still missing". The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours. JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh suffered a head injury. The JNU administration said "masked miscreants armed with sticks were roaming around, damaging property and attacking people". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japan's justice minister is investigating how Carlos Ghosn was able to flee the country - AFP Carlos Ghosn's escape from Japan is "unjustifiable" and he is thought to have left the country using "illegal methods", the Japanese justice minister said on Sunday, in the first official public comments on the case. Mr Ghosn, the former boss of Nissan and Renault, made a daring escape from Japan where he was on bail awaiting trial for corruption charges. He arrived in Lebanon via a private jet on New Year's Eve after allegedly organising a concert at his house in Tokyo to dodge detectives before being smuggled out inside a musical instrument case. "It is clear that we do not have records of the defendant Ghosn departing Japan, Masako Mori, Japan's justice minister, said. "It is believed that he used some wrongful methods to illegally leave the country. "It is extremely regrettable that we have come to this situation. The flight by a defendant on bail is unjustifiable." Ms Mori confirmed that Japan is undertaking an investigation into how Mr Ghosn was able to leave the country and that her ministry has ordered the tightening of immigration procedures following his escape. "Our country's criminal justice system sets out appropriate procedures to clarify the truth of cases and is administered appropriately, while guaranteeing basic individual human rights," she said. Interpol issued a "red notice" for Mr Ghosn, which urges police forces around the world to arrest him. Lebanese officials will interview Mr Ghosn this week but Lebanon does not have an extradition treaty with Japan. Mr Ghosn's escape has been a huge embarrassment for the Japanese justice system. The government is struggling to work out how he was able to flee despite being under heavily guarded house arrest. Mr Ghosn was accused of hiding millions of pounds of payments from Nissan. He says the charges, which carry a potential prison term of up to 15 years, are a politically motivated stitch-up by opponents of his planned merger of Nissan and Renault. Mr Ghosn, who denies the charges, insists that he has not "fled justice" but has "escaped injustice and political persecution". Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday accused Congress of creating 'confusion' among the Muslim community over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He was on a door-to-door campaign to make people aware of the CAA and to allay their fears. This campaign is part of BJP's larger push to drum up support for CAA after extensive backlash across India throughout December. READ | 'Dr Had To Flee Overnight': Nadda Cites Testimonies Of Pak Refugees In CAA Outreach Rally "Unnecessarily, the members of Congress are creating confusion among the Muslim community. I assure you that not a single Muslim will be affected because of CAA," said CM BS Yediyurappa. He added, "Almost all previous Prime Ministers have supported it, now Congress is creating a problem so as to create confusion among Muslims. That's why we are out on the door-to-door campaign." READ | Pavan K Varma Writes Letter To Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Against CAA-NPR-NCR Anti-CAA agitation The BJP government has drawn huge flak from citizens across India against the CAA that fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim immigrants from neighbouring Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The government said the law is necessary to provide relief to thousands of people fleeing persecution in those countries because of their faith. Opponents of the law contend that the bill purposely leaves out Muslim immigrants and does not provide relief to those fleeing similar persecution in neighbouring Sri Lanka and Myanmar. READ | Siddaramaiah: 'Majority Of Central Govt Promises Unfulfilled, Yediyurappa A Weak CM' The protests initially began as peaceful mass agitation in Assam after the law as a bill was introduced in Parliament. However, it took a violent turn after the Parliament passed it and the CAB received Presidential assent. Since December 11, over 20 people have been reported dead in clashes between protesters and police force across India, the highest toll coming from BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh. (With ANI inputs) READ | AAP's Sanjay Singh: 'BJP Avoiding Real Issues, CAA,NPR,NRC Are Mere Distractions' Iran's foreign minister has been invited to Brussels, the European Union said Sunday, urging a "de-escalation of tensions" in the Gulf after US air strikes that killed a top Iranian general. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell made the offer to Mohammad Javad Zarif during a telephone call this weekend, a press release said. "Borrell invited the Iranian Foreign Minister to Brussels to continue their engagement on these matters," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JOHNSTON Perhaps it was recency bias, but when Amy Klobuchar addressed a campaign crowd this past week in the Des Moines suburbs, she sounded a lot like Joe Biden, who had spoken earlier that same day in Anamosa. Pledges to unite the country, to work across partisan boundaries, and to restore order to the White House came from both Klobuchar, the U.S. senator from Minnesota, and Biden, the former vice president. Klobuchar and Biden clearly are more moderate in this expansive field of Democratic presidential candidates. So I asked Klobuchar, after her event Thursday night in Johnston, why undecided Democrats should caucus for her instead of Biden. Klobuchar listed a couple of reasons, first that she is from the heartland and thus, she says, can win crucial Midwest states that Democrats lost in 2016, like Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. Biden makes a similar argument, not because hes from the Midwest but because he has campaigned for and helped candidates win in those states. Klobuchar added that her record of electoral success in Minnesota proves she can win both suburban and rural voters, and she said she has experience governing and being able to pass legislation during this time of heightened partisan politics. "I have been governing at the time of Trump. I know on the front line what it is like, how people feel not only in our own state but how people feel left behind by this president in a very visceral way," Klobuchar said. "Ive been in the United States Senate and been able to actually navigate through this with my own colleagues and the Republicans during this time. Its a different kind of leadership." She also added that she is from "a different generation, a new generation." Is that message enough for Klobuchar to gain on the leaders and become a factor in the caucuses which are just a month away? That remains to be seen, but at the very least Klobuchars voice is starting to be heard by more and more Iowa Democrats. More than 500 people attended Thursday nights event, and that was the biggest crowd in Iowa that Klobuchar has drawn to date, her campaign staff said. Her message was well-received. There were plenty of laughs at Klobuchars very Midwest sense of humor, applause lines and knowing nods. Klobuchar also has seen a fundraising boost: Her fundraising for the most recent three-month period more than doubled her previous quarterly effort. That will help the campaign invest in ways to help it capitalize on any momentum. (Or "Klomentum," if youre into that sort of thing.) There has been scant state-level polling in recent weeks, so there is no way to confirm the anecdotal evidence. But that anecdotal evidence does seem to suggest Klobuchars campaign is surging at this late stage of the race. A significant portion of likely Iowa caucus participants remains undecided or willing to have their minds changed. So there is room and, believe it or not, still time more than a year into this thing for a candidate to make a late surge to the top of this field. Klobuchar said she feels momentum building in her campaign. Its up to her and her team to capitalize. Klobuchar said she hopes people see her in the January debate, and she has another suggestion for any Iowa Democrats hoping to learn more about her. "They can call people they know in Minnesota. Theres 5 million of those people," Klobuchar said. "And maybe they didnt all vote for me, but I think the vast majority did and I think a lot of them will say that I have peoples backs, that I get things done. And I think its important to listen to them, too. "Its a job reference." Erin Murphy covers Iowa politics and government for Lee Enterprises. His email address is erin.murphy@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter at @ErinDMurphy. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 By PTI NEW DELHI: The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration said students agitating over the hike in hostel fees "ransacked" the server room and "intimidated" the technical staff on Saturday, hampering the semester registration process. But JNUSU said the administration used "masked" security guards to attack students. "They were shamefully wearing masks. JNUSU president was openly slapped by one of the security guards," alleged the students' union, which has called for a boycott of the process over the increase in hostel fees. The semester registration process will end on January 5. The university has been seeing a standoff between the students and the administration over hike in hostel fees for over 70 days. Students even boycotted exams in protest, prompting the administration to send question papers to students through WhatsApp and email, a move condemned by the union. Explaining the events, the university said the technical staff gained access to the communication and information services (CIS) premises Saturday morning after the servers were made dysfunctional by students on Friday, with the help of security guards and rebooted the servers, the university said. But a group of "miscreants" entered the server room, intimidated the staff, and damaged the systems around 1 pm, it alleged. Around 4 pm, the staff once again gained access to the CIS room and were trying to restore the systems. Appealing to students to continue the boycott of the registration process, the JNUSU claimed the administration is "extremely rattled" by the unity of students. Meanwhile, the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad said its members protested against the disruption of internet, after which they were attacked by the members of the Left Unity. The JNUSU alleged that students were attacked by ABVP members. JNU Teachers' Association condemned the incidents of violence at the university. "While condemning the violence and appealing to all to maintain peace and preserve the democratic culture of the University, the JNUTA notes the dubious role of the JNU administration whose acts of commission and omission are chiefly responsible for creating this situation," it said. Instead of discharging its responsibility to prevent violence, the administration appears to be going down the "dangerous path" of provoking and encouraging it, it added. A varsity official said they have given police complaints in connection with the action of the students. The university said it will make every attempt to help students register for the winter semester and continue their academic pursuits. "The university has also announced an alternate way of registering for the winter semester to make it easy for the students to register," it said in a statement. According to university registrar Pramod Kumar, they will make the entire registration process online so that students will not have to visit the schools to take the signatures of the deans. Officials said since the servers have been left disarray, it might take time to restore them and the varsity is mulling to extend the registration deadline. However, a final decision is yet to be taken. "The agitating students cannot trample upon the fundamental rights of the rest of the student community to pursue their studies. Such hooliganism and uncivilised behaviour by them has seriously affected the image of the university," the varsity said. The administration appealed to the student community not to be misled by the agitators and their advisers, who are trying to "derail the normal functioning of the university through their unlawful actions". Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste on Sunday said Bangladeshi Hindus living in Odishas Kendrapara district and earlier served deportation notices will be conferred with Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA). "The Bangladeshi Hindus living in Kendrapara were earlier branded as illegal immigrants and were asked to pack their bags more than a decade ago. However, CAA will make them Indian citizens," the Union Minister of State for Steel said. Kulaste explained the positive perspective of CAA Kulaste was speaking while launching Jana Sampark Yatra in Ramchandi village in Mahakalpada tehsil of Kendrapara district. He explained to the people the positive perspective of CAA. As many as 1,551 people from Mahakalpada tehsil were officially tagged as Bangladeshis and were served 'Quit India' notice. However, the deportation move was kept on hold following protest from several quarters. 'Canards are being spread by vested interest regarding CAA' The union government has enacted the CAA for conferring citizenship to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, Christians and Zoroastrians, who came to India before December 31, 2014, from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the BJP leader said. The act pledges to confer citizenship not snatch citizenship. Canards are being spread by vested interest regarding the act, he said, adding that people need not worry about the CAA. READ | PM Modi hails Indian military's contribution to Bangladeshi Liberation War on Vijay Diwas READ | PCB rejects Bangladesh's proposal of playing just one Test in Pakistan & other in Dhaka The law has been duly passed in the Parliament and no state government could stop it from implementation, Kulaste said. "The union governments record books say Odisha is home to 3,987 Bangladeshis infiltrators. Bengali-speaking people living here are feeling relieved. The Union ministers announcement on Sunday has reassured them," said a local resident of Chapalli village, Ramen Mandal. READ | BSF and DRI seize narcotic tablets from Tripura-Bangladesh border READ | UP police nails Pakistan PM Imran Khan's lies, traces origin of his video to Bangladesh T he French general overseeing the reconstruction of the fire-devastated Notre Dame Cathedral has said the Paris landmark is not saved yet because there is still a risk its vaulted ceilings might collapse. General Jean-Louis Georgelin told French broadcaster CNews on Sunday the cathedral is still in a state of peril after last years fire. The blaze destroyed its roof and toppled its 300ft, 750-tonne spire as the cathedral was undergoing renovations. Notre Dame is not saved because there is an extremely important step ahead, which is to remove the scaffolding that had been built around the spire, he said. The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, was partially destroyed when fire broke out beneath the roof / AFP via Getty Images The rector of Notre Dame, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, said last month the cathedral is still so fragile theres a 50 per cent chance the structure might not be saved because the scaffolding may fall on to the vaulted ceilings. A former chief of staff of Frances armed forces, Mr Georgelin was named by French president Emmanuel Macron to lead the reconstruction effort for Notre Dame. He said the actual condition of the cathedrals vaults is not fully known, which means he could not guarantee it wont fall apart. Notre Dame Cathedral fire - In pictures 1 /64 Notre Dame Cathedral fire - In pictures Aerial image if Notre-Dame Cathedral fire AP An image taken from a television screen shows an aerial view of the Notre-Dame Cathedral engulfed in flames. AFP/Getty Images The steeple of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral collapses as the cathedral is engulfed in flames AFP/Getty Images Smoke rises around the alter in front of the cross inside the Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images A man watches the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral burn AFP/Getty Images People kneel on the pavement as they pray outside watching flames engulf Notre Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images Security forces evacuate artifacts from inside the Notre Dame cathedral Franck Riester Security forces evacuate artifacts from inside the Notre Dame cathedral Franck Riester Notre Dame cathedral burning in Paris AP Seen from across the Seine River, smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris AFP/Getty Images General view of the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral after a massive fire in Paris EPA French President Emmanuel Macron (C) speaks with firemen as they fight against a fire burning the roof of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris EPA Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris AFP/Getty Images Flames on the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images The cathedral entrance shows smoke rising around the alter in front of the cross inside Reuters People pray as Notre Dame cathedral burns in Paris AP The Notre Dame cathedral spire collapses EPA Flames as a fire engulfs the world famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images Smoke and flames billows into the sky as the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images Flames on the roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris EPA Smoke billows into the sky as a fire rips through the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images The gothic cathedral attracks millions of tourists every year AFP/Getty Images Smoke billows from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out Reuters Bright orange flames lick the air during a fire at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images People kneel on the pavement as they pray and sing while flames engulf Notre Dame AFP/Getty Images Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral Reuters A fire fighter uses a hose as Notre Dame cathedral is burning in Paris AP Smoke billows across Paris following the Notre Dame fire Reuters Firefighters tackle the blaze as flames and smoke rise from Notre Dame cathedral as it burns. AP General view of the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral after a massive fire in Paris EPA French President Emmanuel Macron (C) and his wife Brigitte Macron (R) pay a visit to firemen fighting against a fire burning the roof of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, France EPA A statue of Saint John is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work last week Reuters Smoke billows as flames burn through the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral AFP/Getty Images Flames are doused through the scaffolding erected on the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral AFP/Getty Images Firefighters douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images Firefighters douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images People react as they watch flames engulf the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral AFP/Getty Images A firefighter uses a hose to douse flames and smoke billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris AFP/Getty Images Firefighter douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images People look at smoke and flames rising during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images People stand on the banks of the Seine river as they look at a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images The steeple collapses as smoke and flames engulf the Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images A woman reacts as she watches the flames engulf the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images Paris Fire brigade members are seen at an entrance that looks into the Notre Dame Cathedral Reuters Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images The steeple engulfed in flames collapsing as the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral burns AFP/Getty Images To make sure, we need to inspect them, to remove the rubble that is still on them, its a very difficult work that we have started, he said. He also noted the fire released tonnes of toxic lead dust into the nearby air and ground, which needs to be cleaned up, a requirement that is slowing down the work. But Mr Georgelin said reassuring observations have been made by experts on the 12th-century cathedral since the April 15 inferno. Notre Dame ravaged by a huge fire He said they feel quite confident in the path they have chosen. The scaffolding on Notre Dame should be removed by mid-2020 and the restoration work should start next year, he said. Mr Macron has said he wants the 12th-century cathedral rebuilt by 2024, when Paris hosts the Summer Olympics but experts say that time frame is not realistic. Notre Dame Cathedral fire: Before and after - In pictures 1 /18 Notre Dame Cathedral fire: Before and after - In pictures Notre Dame Cathedral seen across the River Seine in Paris PA PA People attending a mass at the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in Paris on 26th June 2018 AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Scaffolding during the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral on 27 March 2019 AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images A general view of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris from Montparnasse Tower on 15 July 2017 AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images A view of the central altar inside of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral AFP/Getty Images Philippe Wojazer/Pool via AP The steeple Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral on 26 June 2018 AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Worshippers as they arrive to take part in a mass at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral in Paris on 26th June 2018 AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Mr Georgelin said no decision has been made yet about how the spire and the roof should be rebuilt and whether the frame for those should be in wood, metal or concrete. The reconstruction of Notre Dame, where the first stone was laid in 1163, has prompted widespread debate across France, with differing views over whether it should involve new technologies and designs. Mr Macron has announced an international architects competition for the reconstruction of the spire, which was not part of the original cathedral. The French president wants the building restored by 2024 for when Paris hosts the Summer Olympics / AFP/Getty Images Mr Georgelin said the competition will take place later this year but he did not rule out having the new spire built exactly like the old one. New Delhi: Several students and teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were attacked and campus vandalised by "masked people" on Sunday evening. Prohibitory orders have been imposed on the campus and several police troops have been deployed outside the campus. Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) President Aishe Ghosh, General Secretary Satish Chandra are among the people injured. "I have been brutally beaten up by masked people. I don`t know who they were," Ghosh was quoted as saying by ANI. Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik to take stock of the situation in JNU. The Police has been asked to investigate the incident and submit a report soon. The HRD Ministry too sought a report into the campus violence from the university registrar. "We have spoken to JNU VC as well as police officials to ensure peace is maintained on campus," HRD officials told sources. Live TV In the aftermath of the violence, varsity administration issued a statement claiming that there was a "law and order situation" as masked men armed with sticks were vandalising property and attacking people. "There was a law order situation on the JNU campus. Masked miscreants armed with sticks are roaming around, damaging property and attacking people. This is the moment to remain calm and be on the alert. In view of the largeness of the campus number 100 can also be dialled. Efforts are already being made to tackle the miscreants," the statement read. An AIIMS official said that 18 people from JNU were brought to the hospital's Trauma Centre with head injuries and abrasions among other injuries. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the attack on students and expressed shock at the brutality. "I am shocked to know about violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police should immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside the university?" Kejriwal said in a tweet. I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police shud immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus? Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 5, 2020 Kejriwal wrote that he spoke to Delhi's L-G Anil Baijal urging him to restore order in the campus and was assured that the latter was "closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary steps". Earlier there were reports of vandalism from the Periyar hostel, the ABVP alleged that Left students had forcibly entered the hostel and thrashed the ABVP activists. ABVP claims its presidential candidate Manish Jangid was badly injured after the assault. Flags are not only national symbols but also serve as regional and city symbols. While some city flags borrow their designs and colors from national flags, many city flags are completely unique and exhibit different styles and design principles. Some city flags are actually quite attractive and portray a lot of creativity. Good flags tend to follow a few simple steps such as a simple design, simple colors, and meaningful imagery. Here are some of the best city flags from around the world. Chicago Chicago is the most populous city in Illinois, located at the shores of Lake Michigan. The flag of Chicago is made up of two horizontal bars on a white field. Each of the blue bars is a sixth of the entire flag and placed about a sixth away from the top and bottom. Between the blue bars are four six-pointed stars arranged horizontally. The stars from left to right represent Fort Dearborn, the Great Chicago Fire, the Worlds Columbian Exposition, and the Century of Progress Exposition. The white background areas represent the three corners of the city while the top and bottom blue bars represent Lake Michigan and the Chicago Rivers North Branch respectively. Amsterdam Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and the most populous municipality in the country. The flag of Amsterdam depicts two red horizontal bars separated by a black horizontal bar with three Saint Andrews Crosses on it. The three colors on the flag are derived from the citys coat of arms. Saint Andrew was a fisherman in Amsterdam and was martyred on an X-shaped cross. However, the meaning of the cross remains unclear with several theories put forward. Denver Denver is the state capital and the most populous city in the US state of Colorado. The county and city flag was designed by Margaret Overbeck, a school student from North High School. The fag of Denver consists of a horizontal white zigzag strip separating a red field below from a blue field above, which has a yellow circle at the center. The flag generally depicts the sun on a blue sky above snow-capped mountains. The yellow color symbolizes the presence of gold in Colorados hills. Red is the colored earth that the states name refers to while the white zigzag signifies the Native American heritage in Colorado. The placing of the yellow circle at the center symbolizes Denvers central location in Colorado. Tokyo Tokyo is a prefecture in Japan that has served as the countrys capital since 1869. Tokyo adopted its flag in 1964 under the Metropolitan Announcement Number 1042. The flag of Tokyo consists of a white metropolitan crest on an Edo purple background. The crest depicts a six-rayed sun with a dot at the center which typically represents Tokyo as the center of Japan. The color of the crest is not designated. Edo was the name of Tokyo in the Edo period while the shade of purple is one of Japans traditional colors. Washington, D.C. Washington DC is the capital of the US and the seat of the federal government. The citys fag consists of three five-pointed red stars above two equal red horizontal bars on a white background. The flag design was based on George Washingtons coat of arm. The flag of DC was temporarily designed in 2003 to include the word DC at the center of the middle star and the phrase TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION on the two red bars. In 2004, the flag of DC was voted the best city flag in the US. Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and an important global city. It officially adopted its current flag in 1990 during the centenary celebration of Kuala Lumpur City Hall as the citys local authority. The flag bears certain elements of the national flag. The flag has a blue field with seven equal alternating horizontal bars of white and red on the upper and bottom of the flag. Next to the hoist side is a yellow crescent moon facing the fly side and a 14-pointed yellow star. The red color represents the citys strength and courage while blue represents its multiracial nature. White represents beauty and cleanness and yellow represents its sovereignty. Portland Portland is the largest city in the US state of Oregon. The city has a green flag with a four-pointed white star from which blue bars radiate, each bordered by L-shaped yellow line. The yellow and blue elements are separated from each other and from the green field by white fimbriation. The green color represents the forests of Portland, yellow represents commerce and agriculture, and blue represents the rivers. The flag was ranked the 7th best flag in the US in 2004 American City Flag Survey. Berlin Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Its flag is one of the more simple city flags and is a tricolored flag of red sandwiched between two reds. The two outer red strips each occupy the top and bottom fifth of the height of the flag. A black bear appears to be walking on its hind limbs towards the hoist side with its forelimbs raised is placed slightly off-center on the white field. The bear is placed inside the escutcheon, which is also the coat of arm of Berlin. Nairobi Nairobi is the capital and the most populous city in Kenya. The flag of Nairobi is divided into four equal squares of yellow and green on the top and green and yellow at the bottom. A circle with alternating blue and white horizontal zigzag elements is placed at the center of the flag. The green color represents nature (Nairobi is the only capital city in the world with a national park). The yellow color represents the citys prosperity, blue represents the water resources, and white represents peace. The War Powers Act of 1973 mandates that the president report to lawmakers within 48 hours of introducing military forces into armed conflict abroad. Such notifications generally detail an administrations justification for U.S. intervention, as well as the constitutional and legislative rationale used by the administration to send troops. It may also include how long the involvement could last. The deaths are among four known homicides in the city in the first five days of the year. Charles Robinson, 60, was found fatally shot in an Anacostia residence early Saturday morning. Consumers could face increases of between 300 and 600 when they renew their private health insurance plan this month. Health Insurance expert, Dermot Goode of totalhealthcover.ie says older people are most likely to overpay by as much as 1,000 on outdated plans. Mr Goode is urging over 500,000 consumers who will renew their health insurance cover this month to shop around for best value. Further price increases are likely this year as claim costs spiral and older people are most likely to overpay by between 500 and 1,000 on dated plans. More retirees renew in January than at any other time and many are still on poor value plans, said Mr Goode. VHI's Health Plus Premium is one of the more expensive plans with the new rate at 3,495 for a couple costing 640 more than the old rate. Irish Life Health's Health Plan 09 is up 556 at 4,871 whileLaya's Essential Plus at 2,763 for a couple is up 336 on the old rate. Mr Goode estimates that at least three out of five of all health insurance members are on the wrong plan and those over 50 are most likely to be on plans that have been around for between 10 and 20 years. Mr Goode said the plans did provide a good level of cover but were simply way overpriced compared to other options now available. According to totalhealthcover.ie the following plans are examples of poor value schemes and is urging consumers who may have any of the following plans to renew their cover as a matter of urgency. VHI plans such as Health Plus Choice (2,948), Health Access (1,756), Forward Plan (3,271), PremiumCare (old Plan E - 4,597) and even Family Plan Plus Level 1 (1,635). Laya Plans such as Essential Plus (3,793), Essential Plus Excess (2,852), Flex 125 Choice (2,395), Company Health Plus no Excess (2,421) and Health Manager (4,917). Irish Life Health plans such as Level 2 Hospital (2,821), Level 2 Complete Health (3,689), Optimise Silver (3,973) and Optimise Platinum (6,605). Mr Goode believes consumers open to switching who don't mind taking on small excesses in private hospitals can make substantial savings by considering corporate plan alternatives that are available to all consumers irrespective of the plan name. However, there are consumers on dated corporate plans too and they include VHI Company Plan Extra Level 2 at 1,838 per adult; Laya Company care Excess at 1,943 per adult and Irish Life Health Business Plan Select at 2,258. Mr Goode said they were advising all health insurance members, both individuals consumers and those on employer schemes, to budget for at least a 5% cost increase this year. If you're on the same plan for three years or more, or paying more than 1,800 per adult, or if you don't have a small excess on your policy, then you're at risk of over-paying and a review of your cover is definitely recommended. Meanwhile, it has been reported that another insurer is willing to offer coverage to hard-pressed creche owners. Up to now, Allianz was the sole insurance provider for the sector through its partnership with Arachas Corporate Insurance Brokers. Cullen Insurance, a broker with offices in Tipperary and Limerick, has got the go-ahead to offer a standard commercial combined policy from Slovenian underwriter Zavarovalnica Sava. The Secretary of US State Department, Mike Pompeo took to Twitter after his conversation with the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahraini Crown Prince al-Khalifa where he garnered their support against "Irans malign influence and threats" in the Middle East. This comes after the Green Zone and Al-Balad airbase in Iraq was attacked on Saturday night. The USA has alleged that Iran has been behind these attacks on Iraq post their general Qasem Solemani was slain. Mike Pompeo thanks Bahrain and Israel Secretary of US State, Pompeo, in his Tweet, thanked the Bahrain Crown Prince for his partnership in protecting the American personnel deployed to Bahrain. He added that both countries agreed to counter Iran's threats in the region. Bahraini Crown Prince al-Khalifa and I underscored the importance of countering Irans malign influence and threats to the region. I thanked him for his partnership in protecting American personnel and facilities in Bahrain. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 4, 2020 Pompeo also took to Twitter to hail Israeli PM and said that the US was grateful for Israel's steadfast support against terrorism. He added that the bond between the USA and Isreal is unbreakable. .@IsraeliPM @Netanyahu and I just spoke and underscored the importance of countering Irans malign influence and threats to the region. I am always grateful for Israels steadfast support in defeating terrorism. The bond between Israel and the United States is unbreakable. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 4, 2020 Read: Baghdad: US Green zone, Al-Balad airbase endures rocket attack Read: US Embassy in Baghdad & Iraq's Balad airbase comes under rocket attack, LIVE Updates here Attacks on the green zone in Iraq The US embassy in Baghdad was attacked, on Saturday as two mortars hit Baghdad's Green Zone and simultaneously two rockets hit Iraq's Al-Balad airbase, where US troops were stationed. This comes after the USA deployed its troops across Iraq following the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on Friday. As per media reports, the Administration officials privately warned the members of Congress that Iran is expected to retaliate against the US either at home or abroad, within weeks. Read: Mourners in Iraq grieve for Soleimani, al-Muhandis Major Gaurav Arya on Israel's involvement Talking about how Israel could be involved in the proxy wars between USA and Israel, (Retd.) Major Gaurav Arya said, "This retaliation will keep on taking place through proxies. I do not envision a scenario where US and Iran go head to head, in a case on conventional war." Explaining his reasoning, Major Gaurav Arya, "This is because Iran will avoid war, irrespective of the rhetoric coming out of Tehran, this is because the Ayatollah regime does not want to seem weak in front of its people. Also, I feel this situation might end up targeting Israel as well. Read: Soleimani, al-Muhandis coffins reach Karbala BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 5 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: Voting results have been annulled at two polling stations during the municipal elections held in Azerbaijan on December 23, 2019, Trend reports on Jan.5. The relevant decision was made by the countrys Central Election Commission (CEC) during the meeting held Jan.5. During the meeting, it was stated that the videos, which are said to be recorded in these polling stations and posted on social networks, were examined. An appeal was heard in connection with some violations of the law that prevented voters from expressing their will at polling station #24 of the 30th Surakhani first constituency electoral commission and polling station #30 of the 31st Surakhani first constituency electoral commission. A member of the expert group at the CEC investigated the complaint and the claims mentioned in the appeal were partially confirmed. At the same time, it was decided to annul the voting results at polling station #24 of the 30th Surakhani first constituency electoral commission and polling station #30 of the 31st Surakhani first constituency electoral commission. LIMERICK Council has requested the developers of a planned new riverside tower in the city to upgrade the lighting in part of a neighbouring street. As revealed by our sister newspaper, the Limerick Leader, Kirkland Investments has returned to the table with revised plans for an office complex as part of a multi-million euro development at Bishop's Quay. Original plans unveiled in September 2016 were for a 14-storey block, incorporating high-grade office space. However, this has since been revised downward to seven storeys. Following the lodging of a planning application, the council has sought further information from the developer, in a move which delays the decision date, initially expected earlier this month. As part of a three-page dossier of requests, council planners have stated that the public lighting in Henry Street from its junction with Lower Cecil Street to the end of the proposed property line should be upgraded at the same time as the development. They are seeking revised planning details providing for the new lighting. Meanwhile, the local authority has called on Kirkland Investments headed by Rudi Butler, the son of former prominent city developer Robert Butler to put together a revised maintenance plan and schedule. The applicant is also requested to set out the planning rationale for the reduction height of building permitted on site having regard to the policies set out on the Limerick City Development Plan, they added. And a number of other changes to surrounding footpaths are also being sought for the application to proceed. Sources close to the developer say, it will set the standard for building developments in Limerick, and deliver 100 construction jobs, and, in time, hundreds of permanent office positions. V S Naipaul in The New Yorker: Nadira was living in Bahawalpur, in Pakistan. One day, she saw a cat on the window ledge of her room. It was looking into the room in a disquieting way, and she told the servant to get rid of the cat. He misunderstood and killed the poor creature. Not long after this, in a laundry basket near the window, Nadira found a tiny kitten who was so young that its eyes were still closed. She understood then that the poor creature that had been so casually killed was the mother of the little kitten, who was probably the last of the litter. She thought she should adopt him. The kitten slept in her bed, with Nadira and her two children. He received every attention that Nadira could think of. She knew very little about animals, and almost nothing about cats. She must have made mistakes, but the kitten, later the cat, repaid the devotion with extraordinary love. The cat appeared to know when Nadira was going to come back to the house. It just turned up, and it was an infallible sign that in a day or two Nadira herself would return. This happy relationship lasted for seven or eight years. Nadira decided then to leave the city and go and live in the desert. She took the cat with her, not knowing that a cat cannot easily change where it lives: all the extraordinary knowledge in its head, of friends and enemies and hiding places, built up over time, has to do with a particular place. A cat in a new setting is half helpless. So it turned out here. She came back one day to her desert village and found the people agitated. They had a terrible story. A pack of wild desert dogs had dragged away the unfortunate cat into a cane field. Nadira looked, fruitlessly, and was almost glad that she couldnt find her cat. It would have been an awful sight: the wild dogs of the desert would have torn the cat to pieces. The cat was big, but the desert dogs were bigger, and the cat would have had no chance against a ravening pack. If it had got to know the area better, the cat might have known how to hide and protect itself. The dogs were later shot dead, but that revenge couldnt bring back the cat whom she had known as the tiniest kitten, motherless, in the laundry basket. Grief for that particular cat, whose ways she knew so well, almost like the ways of a person, never left her. And it was only when she came to live with me in Wiltshirea domesticated landscape, the downs seemingly swept every day: no desert here, no wild dogsthat she thought she could risk having another cat, to undo the sorrow connected with the last. She went to the Battersea rescue home. In one cage she saw a very small black-and-white kitten, of no great beauty. Its nose was bruised and it was crying. It was being bullied by the bigger cats in the cage. It was the runt of its litter and had been found in a rubbish bin, where it had been thrown away. Everything about this kitten appealed to Nadira. And this was the kitten that, after the Battersea formalities, two friends, Nancy Sladek and Farrukh Dhondy, brought to us. More here. (Note: This is what good writing is all about. A sublime piece!) Soleimani assassination tantamount to war on Iran: UN ambassador Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 2:00 AM Iran's ambassador to the United Nations says the United States' recent assassination of the Islamic Republic's senior commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani is tantamount to waging a war on the Iranian nation. "In fact, it was an act of war on the part of the United States against the Iranian people," Majid Takht-e Ravanchi told CNN's OutFront program on Friday. The strike was "a new chapter, which is tantamount to opening a war against Iran," he reiterated. "The response for a military action is a military action," the envoy noted. "By whom? By... when? Where? That is for the future to witness," he said. On Friday, US drones struck a convoy carrying 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 Units (PMU), on the Baghdad International Airport road. If the US is in possession of alleged evidence showing that Soleimani "was planning an imminent major attack against American interests, they should show it," Takht-e Ravanchi said, referring to the accusation used by Washington to try to justify such deadly acts of aggression. Earlier, the envoy wrote to the United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, saying the assassination was "by any measure, an obvious example of state terrorism and, as a criminal act, constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international law." He, likewise, reminded that the Islamic Republic reserved all of its rights under international law to take necessary measures in this regard, "in particular in exercising its inherent right to self-defense." He reminded the world body that during his service, General Soleimani would provide "a significant role'' in helping out regional nations in the face of the most dangerous of terrorist outfits, including the Takfiri Daesh group, at those nations' own request. The atrocity, Takht-e Ravanchi wrote, belies Washington's claim of fighting terrorism in the region, and shows that it is, in fact, battling those who fight terrorism. Washington's actions seriously undermine "regional and global efforts in combating international terrorism," he said, and urged the UN to condemn the assassination. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met injured JNU students at AIIMS on Sunday and alleged that it was "deeply sickening" about the government that allowed violence inflicted on students. She alleged that "goons" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were rampaging through universities' campuses and spreading fear among the students. The Congress leader accused the BJP leaders of "pretending" before the media that it was not their "goons who unleashed violence" at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. Priyanka Gandhi claimed that the wounded students at AIIMS told her that goons entered the campus and attacked them with sticks and other weapons, with many students having broken limbs and head injuries. The Congress leader also alleged that a student told her that the police kicked him on the head several times. "There is something deeply sickening about a government that allows and encourages such violence to be inflicted on their own children," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted. "Wounded students at AIIMS trauma centre told me that goons entered the campus and attacked them with sticks and other weapons. Many had broken limbs and injuries on their heads. One student said the police kicked him several times on his head," she added. Violence broke out at JNU on Sunday night as masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police which conducted a flag march. At least 18 people, including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) as chaos reigned on the campus for nearly two hours. "India has an established global reputation as a liberal democracy. Now Modi-Shah's goons are rampaging through our universities, spreading fear among our children, who should be preparing for a better future," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted. "To add insult to injury, BJP leaders are all over the media pretending that it wasn't their goons who unleashed this violence. The people are not deceived," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Were highlighting some of the activities Staten Island students are engaged in -- both inside and outside the classroom. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Students at PS 69 in New Springville are making sure every student who rides a school bus is aware of the safety rules. Every year, children who ride the school bus to and from the school are invited to attend a Bus Safety demonstration on an actual school bus. The schools Student Safety Ambassadors assisted with the demonstration to educate their peers. The group helped bring the bus safety protocols to the school community by creating a 15-minute assembly, featuring real-life examples of how everyone can do their part when riding on a school bus. The original performance, which included bus driver Lori Ammirati, demonstrated the importance of each rule. Examples of what to do and how to behave ranged from holding the railing when boarding the bus, to not yelling and not jumping around on board so as not to distract the bus driver. As part of our education column, In Class, we are highlighting some of the activities Staten Island students are engaged in -- both inside and outside the classroom. Heres a look at some additional recent education-related happenings. Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com. COURSE IN ITALY Dr. James OKeefe, vice provost of St. Johns University, will teach a course in Rome in January. From Jan. 6 to 13, he will teach the Global Threats to Homeland Security course, which will provide students with the chance to visit numerous sites around the city like the Pantheon, the Vatican and the Coliseum. Students will also engage with local law enforcement officers and distinguished professionals on Italian counter-terrorism. Student excursions around the city will include: A guided walking tour of Romes Historic Center, including Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. A guided tour of the Coliseum and Roman Forum Attending a mass at the Vatican A chance to meet local law enforcement officers and distinguished professionals on Italian counter-terrorism. CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE The winners of the Congressional App Challenge for New Yorks 11th Congressional District were announced recently by Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island/South Brooklyn). Kartik Kumar and Anthony Squillacioti -- of Tottenville High School -- won the challenge with their submission titled Schoolabs. The app is designed to help connect students and teachers over the internet. Kartik and Anthony looked at an issue in their lives and used their computer skills to fix it, said Rose in a statement. Their ingenuity and desire to put their talents to work improving the world around them is exactly what this challenge is all about. The two students noticed many New York City schools opted to use generic templates for their websites, rather than pay considerable sums of money for a professionally designed website. Schoolabs bridges the gap by streamlining the process of designing a schools online presence with tools that can be implemented into existing websites. The app offers an Extracurricular Manager, which allows students to communicate directly with other students, as well as school faculty, clubs and organizations when it comes to events, fundraisers and other activities. You can watch a video about the app below. We are elated that the Congressional App Challenge encouraged us to find real applications of programming as a medium, one that allows us to express ideas and create something that others can find useful, said Kumar and Squillacioti in a joint statement. Our ultimate goal was to create a project that directly addressed an issue we personally encountered in our lives. We decided to create Schoolabs in order to allow schools to expand their online presence through an efficient, approachable and accessible process. The Congressional App Challenge invites middle and high school students to put their coding skills to use and create an app that helps their local community. During the first four years of the challenge, more than 14,000 students from 48 states have made submissions. Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com. MORE STORIES FROM THE IN CLASS EDUCATION COLUMN: FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. Horror and anger spilled onto the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Sunday when a masked mob unleashed violence on students and teachers. The mob vandalised hostel property and cars parked inside the campus. Many students, especially women, locked themselves in hostel rooms to escape the mob. While members of the JNU Students Union (JNUSU) and JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) alleged that the attackers were from the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (AVBP), the latter denied it. Also Watch | JNU violence: Masked men allegedly attack teachers & students inside campus JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar issued a statement alleging that it was a clash between two groups of students on the issue of boycotting semester registration. At around 4.30pm, a group of students, who are against the registration process moved aggressively from the front of the admin block and reached the hostels. The administration immediately contacted the police .... However, by the time police came, the students who were in favour of registrations were beaten up by a group of agitating students opposing the registration read the statement. The JNUSU has been boycotting the registration in view of a hike in the hostel fees by the administration. At least 23 students, including JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh, were rushed to the AIIMS Trauma Centre and a professor was admitted in Safdarjung hospital. Ghosh, in a video, was seen bleeding from her head and was saying, I was brutally attacked. I am bleeding and not in a condition to talk. According to students and teachers, the attack happened at a peaceful meeting called by the JNUTA and backed by the JNUSU. When we were wrapping up the programme we saw a masked mob approaching with lathis and stones. They started to beat everyone. Many of our students and teachers were injured, said JNU faculty Avinash Kumar. A student, who did not wish to be named said, We could just see them from behind the trees walking towards us. It was when they came close that students panicked. Even before we could realise what was happening, the masked goons were attacking us. It was horrifying and unimaginable, she said. Another student, who locked herself inside a hostel room with 10 others for three hours, said, The mob went on banging the doors and windows of the hostel rooms. We screamed for help, she said. In videos and pictures, the mob was seen carrying hammers, rods, lathis and stones. Students at several JNU hostels including Sabarmati, Mahi Mandavi, Kaveri and Periyar complained of attacks and vandalisation. Later in the evening, the JNUTA announced they would hold a press conference at 9pm outside the universitys main gate. However, street lights on the entire stretch outside the university campus were off for more than three hours and the mob continued to heckle students, passerby and media persons, due to which the press conference did not take place. A large group of outsiders, including ABVP sympathisers, were also seen outside the campus late on Sunday night. The crowd chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai and raised pro-ABVP slogans. Around 500 police personnel were deployed outside the campus to maintain law and order. There is so much horror among students. We are yet to contact our friends who have locked themselves inside the hostel rooms. There are rumours that students were beaten with hammers and acid, said Aishwarya, an MA student. Meanwhile, Durgesh Kumar, president, ABVP JNU unit, said, Hundreds of those stopping students from registrations beat up about 25 of our members, chasing them from the admin block. They got inside Periyar and Sabarmati hostels and beat our members up. Many members have been admitted to AIIMS and Safdarjung. Two groups of students clashed inside the JNU campus. Police was informed. We conducted a flag march inside the campus. The situation is under control. The injured have been moved to AIIMS, said Anand Mohan, Joint CP (Delhi Police). Hundreds of properties are likely to have been destroyed in the firestorms that have devastated vast tracts of NSW, leaving large numbers of people homeless and in desperate need of assistance. After a "horrendous" weekend on the state's South Coast, the Southern Highlands and the Snowy Mountains, milder weather conditions offered firefighters and residents a brief reprieve before hotter temperatures and gusty winds are forecast to return later this week. Firefighters contain a blaze on Sunday beside the Princes Highway between Nowra and Batemans Bay on NSW's South Coast. Credit:Kate Geraghty Despite the milder conditions, 150 fires are still burning across the state including a giant blaze south-west of Eden on the far South Coast, which has torn across more than 140,000 hectares, turning daytime "pitch black" and leaving residents terrified. Fires also swept through the Southern Highlands and Kangaroo Valley, destroying homes at Bundanoon, Wingello and other small towns after an enormous blaze in the state's south known as the Currowan fire jumped the Shoalhaven River late on Saturday night. 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. (Photo Credit: File Photo) New Delhi: Former Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Sunday referring to the row over Rafale purchase deal said, such controversies slow down defence acquisitions, affecting capabilities of the armed forces. He said that had Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman been flying a Rafale instead of a MiG 21 during the India-Pakistan stand-off after the Balakot strike last year, the outcome would have been different. 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. The Bofors deal too got mired in controversy (during the Rajiv Gandhi government) despite the Bofors guns being good, Dhanoa noted. Dhanoa was the IAF chief from December 31, 2016 to September 30, 2019. The mission that targeted terror camps in Balakot was named Operation Spice. In this first of its kind mission, aircraft flew from Gwalior to Balakot located 1500 km away to carry out the attack. During the mission, the Mirage 2000 was refueled in mid-air. The mission was codenamed 'Spice' as the Mirage was carrying Israeli spice bombs. Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured after his MiG-21 was brought down during the February 27 dogfight with Pakistani Air Force F-16s, was conferred with Vir Chakra on the 73rd Independence Day. Varthaman was honoured for displaying exemplary bravery during the aerial conflict that occurred after India carried out an airstrike on Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot to avenge the February 14, 2019, Pulwama suicide bombing. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Apple CEO Tim Cook took a pay cut last year, but still took home a cool $125 million, it has been revealed. Cook received $3 million in salary for 2019, the same as the prior year, while his bonus decreased to $7.67 million from $12 million, according to an SEC filing on Friday. His total compensation was $125 million last year, down from $136 million in 2018. The vast majority of Cook's compensation in both years came from the vesting of Apple stock awards. Apple CEO Tim Cook took a pay cut last year, but still took home a cool $125 million Last month, Cook defended monopolies in business, saying it is not a problem as long as their position is not abused. He also said whether firms are overstepping the mark should be decided by regulators and not CEOs. However, he denied that Apple had a monopoly in any sector, despite accusations to the contrary from app developers. In July, it was announced the Department of Justice had opened a sweeping antitrust investigation of big technology companies to look at whether their online platforms have hurt competition, suppressed innovation or otherwise harmed consumers. Cook told the Nikkei Asian Review: 'A monopoly by itself isn't bad if it's not abused. 'The question for those companies is, do they abuse it? And that is for regulators to decide, not for me to decide.' Crowds of city traffic in front of famous Apple Store on 5th avenue at night in Manhattan Cook was being asked about Apple's competition, which in smartphones are Huawei and Samsung Electronics. Its Macbook is struggling to gain market share in the personal computer sector and its Apple TV+ has recently been launched into a saturated video streaming market. Cook said: 'We probably have more competitors than any company on earth.' He also said the sector Apple had the biggest impact was in healthcare, as Apple Watches monitor the user's heart-rate. Tehran, Jan 5 : The remains of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike, has arrived in Iran, where he will be laid to rest later this week. A massive funeral procession was held on Sunday morning in Ahvaz, the main city in Iran's eight-year battle against the forces of the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein which shaped Soleimani's future as an austere military tactician, the Tehran-based Press TV said in a report. From Ahvaz, the procession will head to the holy city of Mashhad later in the day and from there to Tehran and finally reach Soleimani's hometown Kerman where his burial will be held on Tuesday. Along with Soliemani's remains, the body of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Front (PMF) who was also killed in the Friday airstrike, was also brought to Iran for DNA testing, Press TV reported. After the testing, Muhandis's remains will be returned to Iraq's Najaf city for burial. On Saturday, a huge crowd of mourners, waving Iraqi and militia flags and chanting "death to America", in Iraq's capital Baghdad participated in a funeral procession held for both Soleimani and Muhandis. Besides Baghdad, people also took to the streets of the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala. A total of 10 people -- five Iraqis and five Iranians -- were killed in the January 3 airstrike, which was ordered by US President Donald Trump, that hit their motorcade just outside Baghdad airport. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani have vowed to retaliate against the US over Soleimani's death. The airstrike came after Iraqi protesters on December 31 stormed the US embassy compound in Baghdad to protest the American air raids conducted on December 29 against five bases of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, claiming the lives of 25 people. Police have launched a probe after a woman in her 30s was found dead in a Manchester home after neighbours called police because they were 'concerned' for her welfare. Officers rushed to the property on Councillor Lane, Cheadle, after receiving a call at 9.15pm. A crime scene remains in place as enquiries into the cause of death continue. It is the second attack to rock the area in five days after a 45-year-old man was stabbed in the face, stomach and arm on Astbury Walk, just 300 metres away, before 3.50am on New Year's Day. Officers were called to the home on Councillor Lane, Cheadle, last night after neighbours contacted police to say they were 'concerned' for the victim's welfare A crime scene remains in place and enquiries into the circumstances of the death are ongoing Forensic officers were photographed entering the home on Councillor lane today, as at least two police cars were parked outside. A police line has also been put in place in front of the property Greater Manchester Police said they were called to the scene at 9.15pm following 'concern for the welfare of a woman at the property'. The 45-year-old man was rushed to hospital after suffering life-threatening injuries on Astbury Walk, Cheadle, at around 3.50am on New Year's Day. A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault at the time as the police launched an investigation. Houses can be worth up to 300,000 on the street outside central Manchester. Councillor Lane in Stockport, Manchester, pictured above, where the woman was found dead after neighbours called police saying they were concerned for her welfare ISTANBUL - Iran said Sunday that it is suspending its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal it had struck with world powers and will abandon the accord's "final restrictions" on uranium enrichment and other activities unless U.S. sanctions are lifted. The government announced the move in a statement carried by state news agencies. "Iran's nuclear program will now be based solely on its technical needs," the statement said. The move includes breaching the deal's caps on uranium production and enrichment capacity, as well as nuclear research and development. "If the sanctions are lifted the Islamic Republic is ready to return to its obligations," the statement said. It added that Iran will continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog. The announcement came as the region continued to grapple with the fallout of a U.S. drone strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, as he traveled in a convoy near the Baghdad airport Friday. The strike also killed a key Iraq militia leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Iraq's caretaker prime minister urged parliament on Sunday to take "urgent measures" to force the withdrawal of foreign forces following the strike. In an address to the legislature, Adel Abdul Mahdi recommended that the government establish a timetable for the departure of foreign troops, including the members of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group, "for the sake of our national sovereignty.""What happened was a political assassination," Abdul Mahdi said. Lawmakers responded by passing a nonbinding resolution calling on the government to end the foreign troop presence in Iraq. But Abdul Mahdi, who resigned in November and has been serving in a caretaker role, is not legally authorized to sign the bill into law. As a result, the vote Sunday did not immediately imperil the U.S. presence in Iraq, but it highlights the head winds the Trump administration faces after the strike, which was seen in Iraq as a violation of sovereignty and as a dangerous escalation by governments across the Middle East. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, President Donald Trump said the United States would put "very big sanctions on Iraq" if the country forced out U.S. troops. "If they do ask us to leave, if we don't do it in a very friendly basis. We will charge them sanctions like they've never seen before ever," Trump said. "It'll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame." Trump also warned that he expected Iraq to compensate the United States for an air base there. "We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base that's there," Trump said. "It cost billions of dollars to build. Long before my time. We're not leaving unless they pay us back for it." In a sign of the spiraling consequences, the U.S.-led coalition said it had paused its training mission in Iraq because of "repeated rocket attacks over the last two months" by the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia. It will now focus on protecting its bases from attack, the coalition said in a statement. "This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations" against the Islamic State, it said. "We have therefore paused these activities." But in appearances on morning talk shows Sunday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dismissed calls for U.S. troops to leave Iraq, saying on "Fox News Sunday" that Abdul Mahdi is "under enormous threats from the very Iranian leadership that it is that we are pushing back against." "We are confident that the Iraqi people want the United States to continue to be there to fight the counterterror campaign," Pompeo said. "And we'll continue to do all the things we need to do to keep America safe." State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Washington was "disappointed" by the Iraqi lawmakers' move, and urged them to reconsider as the United States seeks "further clarification on the legal nature and impact of today's resolution." "We believe it is in the shared interests of the United States and Iraq to continue fighting ISIS together," she said, using an acronym for the Islamic State. Iran, meanwhile, said Sunday that it would limit its response to the drone attack to U.S. military targets. "The response for sure will be military and against military sites," Hossein Dehghan, the military adviser to Iran's supreme leader, said in an interview with CNN. "The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted." Deghan's remarks came as Trump threatened Saturday on Twitter to strike "52 Iranian sites some at a very high level & important to Iran and the Iranian culture" should Tehran retaliate against Americans or U.S. interests in the region. Iran has 24 locations on the U.N. list of cultural world heritage sites. If Trump were to carry out his threats, Dehghan said, "no American military staff, no American political center, no American military base, no American vessel will be safe." Trump later tweeted: "These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner." "Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!" he wrote. The Iraqi military said late Sunday that six rockets had landed in Baghdad, including three inside the Green Zone, a fortified neighborhood housing many foreigners and the U.S. Embassy. A U.S. diplomat said rockets apparently hit a vehicle lot in the embassy compound. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, echoed Deghan's statement, declaring Sunday that as retribution for Soleimani's death, U.S. troops in the Middle East, and not U.S. civilians, should be targeted. "It is the U.S. military that killed Haj Qasem, and they must pay the price," Nasrallah said, referring to Soleimani. "Touching any civilian anywhere in the world will only serve Trump's policy." 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. U.S. allies widely share concerns about the consequences of Soleimani's death. NATO will convene an emergency meeting of its ambassadors on Monday to discuss the situation in Iraq. NATO suspended its training programs in the country, and several member nations have scrambled to protect their troops and citizens here. In Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Embassy released a security alert Sunday advising Americans of "the heightened risk of missile and drone attacks" against both civilian and military targets. The United States blamed Iran for a drone and cruise missile attack on Saudi state oil facilities in September, a strike that knocked half of the nation's oil production offline. While Saudi officials have long urged the United States to take stronger action against what they say is Iran's unchecked expansionism in the region, they have also expressed discomfort at the rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Abdul Mahdi suggested Sunday that Iran and the Saudis had been engaged in dialogue to tamp down their feud, with Iraq playing the role of mediator. Abdul Mahdi said he had been expecting to meet with Soleimani on the day he was killed. "He came to deliver me a message from Iran, responding to the message we delivered from Saudi Arabia to Iran," the prime minister said, without providing details. In Iran, Soleimani's body was flown in a flag-draped coffin to the southwestern city of Ahvaz, following a funeral procession in Baghdad and Iraq's twin Shiite shrine cities, Karbala and Najaf. It was later carried to the northeastern city of Mashhad, home to the shrine of Imam Reza, a revered figure in Shiite Islam. Iran is ruled by a Shiite theocracy. Footage broadcast on Iranian state television showed tens of thousands of black-clad mourners waving flags and chanting religious slogans. Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency described the scene as "glorious." "All schools and businesses are closed today - he was popular here and even more popular now," said Farnaz, 33, a computer engineer and resident of Ahvaz, referring to Soleimani. Like other Iranians contacted Sunday, she spoke on the condition that her full name not be used so she could speak freely. "People here saw Soleimani as an important and charismatic commander who was protecting their security," she said. Still, Ahvaz and other cities in oil-rich Khuzestan province, home to a large ethnic Arab minority, have a history of anti-government unrest. On Sunday, an unverified video posted online showed masked youths setting fire to a billboard commemorating Soleimani. The slain commander's procession will continue Monday to the holy city of Qom and the capital, Tehran, where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, will lead prayers at the ceremony. Soleimani will be buried in his hometown, Kerman, on Tuesday. - - - The Washington Post's Mustafa Salim in Baghdad, Kareem Fahim in Istanbul, Michael Birnbaum in Antwerp, Belgium, and Siobhan O'Grady, John Hudson and Marisa Iati in Washington contributed to this report. Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Police on Saturday (January 4) arrested a 41-year-old man for allegedly abducting and raping a two and a half-year-old girl here, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Crime Branch Deepan Bhadran. "Police have arrested one person in connection with the rape of a two and a half-year-old girl. The girl had gone missing from her house on December 28 last year," Bhadran was quoted as saying by ANI. According to the official, the accused was employed as a security guard in a private company and used to live near the victim's house. On December 28, in the afternoon, he noticed the girl playing near a party lot when he lured the minor and took her on his motorcycle to a deserted spot where he raped her. The girl was recovered in an injured condition from the desolate spot on the next day by a passerby who informed the police. The medical report of the girl confirmed rape and an FIR was lodged against some unknown person for rape and abduction. The girl's parents are daily wage labourers. Based on technical surveillance and CCTV footage, the police found out that the bike belonged to the security guard who was then arrested by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Saturday. During interrogation, he admitted to his crime. Further investigation is underway. (With ANI inputs) Cairo [Egypt], Jan 5 (Sputnik/ANI): Kataib Hezbollah, Iraqi Shia militias within the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces, threatens to launch attacks on military bases used by the US forces in Iraq starting Sunday evening, according to a statement by the group's command. "The employees of the Iraqi security forces should stay at least one kilometre [3,280 feet] away from the military bases of the US enemy starting Sunday evening," the statement read. On Saturday, the Iraqi capital already witnessed several rocket attacks, including in the residential area of Al-Jadriya and the Balad military base that houses US forces some 50 miles north of Baghdad. The escalation comes after a US drone strike killed on Friday Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad International Airport. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that Tehran will take revenge for what it views to be a heinous crime. (Sputnik/ANI) BEIJING - The mysterious respiratory illness that has infected dozens of people in a central Chinese city is not SARS, local authorities said Sunday. The 2002-2003 SARS epidemic started in southern China and killed more than 700 people in mainland China, Hong Kong and elsewhere. Fears of a SARS recurrence arose this month after a slate of patients were hospitalized with an unexplained viral pneumonia in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province. As of Sunday, 59 people were diagnosed with the condition and have been isolated while they receive treatment, according to the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. Seven were in critical condition, while the rest were stable. The commission said in a statement that initial investigations have ruled out SARS severe acute respiratory syndrome as well as Middle East respiratory syndrome, influenza, bird flu and adenovirus. The commission previously said the conditions most common symptom was fever, with shortness of breath and lung infections appearing in a small number of cases. There were no clear indications of human-to-human transmission. Several patients were working at the South China Seafood City food market in sprawling Wuhans suburbs. The commission said the market would be suspended and investigated. Hong Kongs Hospital Authority said Sunday that a total of 15 patients in Hong Kong were being treated for symptoms including fever and respiratory infection after recent visits to Wuhan. Hospitals and doctors have been directed to report cases of fever in anyone who has travelled to Wuhan in the past 14 days, Hong Kongs health chief, Sophia Chan, said Sunday. The hospital authority said it has activated a serious response level to curb spread of the infection. Chan warned Hong Kong residents against visiting wet markets and eating wild game in mainland China. The World Health Organization said it was closely monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with Chinese authorities. No travel or trade restrictions are necessary at this time, the WHO said. A 65-year-old man has died after being struck by the driver of a vehicle near Jarvis Street and Gerrard Street East on Saturday night, according to Toronto paramedics. The man was rushed to a trauma centre in critical condition before being pronounced dead. Toronto police traffic services called it a very serious collision on Twitter. Police said a description of the suspect vehicle will not be released until investigators canvass nearby businesses and witnesses. They are asking anyone with dash camera footage to come forward. Jarvis Street was closed from Gerrard Street East to Dundas Street East, but has since been cleared, according to police. TY Tom Yun is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @thetomyun Read more about: The United States is engaged in something I call escalation dominance. This means we need to calculate how an adversary is likely to respond to a given action of ours. What are the United States vulnerabilities? What are theirs? Depending on the adversarys reactions, what is our range of follow up moves? In short, how does the United States increase pain for the Iranians while denying them the opportunity to counter escalate? In the complex context of Iran, this becomes multidimensional chess. We have forces in Iraq and Syria, as well as a military presence throughout the Gulf: in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman. These are assets, but they are also potential targets, as are the countries where they are located. We will also have to consult very closely with Israel. Escalation dominance is not a simple measure of raw power. It is about which party is more likely to dominate in a given context, something that is a function of abilities but also determination, prioritization and patience. I learned this the hard way in Beirut in the 1980s, when the young Islamic Republic of Iran was still able to force us out of Lebanon, even while it was engaged in a brutal war of attrition against Saddam Husseins Iraq. An attempt at escalation dominance by Iran might include threats and actions against our regional allies, sustained attacks on tanker traffic in the Gulf and direct attacks on United States installations in the region. But the options for Iran and its backers are not only kinetic. Even before the Suleimani strike in Baghdad, political parties close to Iran had floated the possibility of legislation in the Iraqi parliament demanding the departure of all United States forces from the country. On Sunday, Iraqi lawmakers passed it, and the prime minister has indicated he will sign it. While we might be in a virtual state of war with Iran, the confrontations are taking place in Iraq, which in many ways is caught in the middle. If our embassy in Baghdad is evacuated and our ability to monitor and influence events on the ground is lost, it will be a victory for Iran. Iraqis remember that the last time United States forces withdrew from their country, the Islamic State moved in. Hours after violence broke out at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus on Sunday, teachers raised questions on the university's security and alleged that the administration was hand in glove with the attackers. IMAGE: JNU faculty members and students after some masked miscreants attacked in the campus. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo They also said the violence had left students petrified. Heavy police deployment was made outside the campus after masked men armed with sticks entered the university and attacked students and teachers, leaving many injured. Teachers spoke to mediapersons from inside the university gate. Mahalaxmi, a History Department professor in JNU, said teachers had organised a peace meet at the Sabarmati T-point at 5 pm. "As soon as it got over, we saw that a large number of people entered the campus and they started arbitrarily attacking teachers and students. "Apparently, they had been told to attack certain teachers and students and that is what they did. They did not stop at that, they were just roaming freely with sticks and beating people with impunity," she said. The professor said students are under great stress and petrified. "So if this is the situation inside the campus which is being manned by a number of police and security personnel and if this happens, how will you explain the situation. It means that the administration is hand in glove with these people," she said. At least 28 people, including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) as chaos reigned on the campus for nearly two hours. The JNU administration called in police to restore law and order. Pradeep Shinde, a Labour Studies professor, said the biggest question was how a large number of armed people entered the campus. "How did such a large number of people, armed with rods, enter the campus, that is what we are wondering. I think they were political activists instigated by the people who always call us anti-nationals," he said. He said students are protesting against fee hike. "If the fee hike is accepted, half of the university will be vacant as they (students) will have to go home. So these people are fighting to save public education. Instead of appreciating them, these people are attacking us and calling us anti-nationals," he added. For over two months now, JNU students have been protesting the administration's decision to hike the hostel fee. Students have also been boycotting classes as part of the protest. In a statement, the JNU Teachers' Association said it condemns the orgy of violence that was unleashed in JNU "with the connivance of the JNU administration with the police standing by as mute spectators". "Mobs not only went around hostels attacking several students, severely injuring many of them, a JNUTA meeting called to appeal for peace on campus was also attacked by a mob of masked people with stones and sticks," it said. A teacher suffered head injuries and had to be hospitalised, the JNUTA said, adding that cars of several teachers were also smashed. The JNUTA held the varsity administration "singularly responsible" for the grave situation. "It is a product of its (administration's) desperation in the light of its failure to resolve the crisis created by its high-handed imposition of a fee hike. Students have been on an agitation for over 70 days and the VC's obstinacy has prevented any resolution," it said. Labour Fund (Tamkeen) Chief Executive Officer Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Janahi received the winners of the fourth edition of the Bahrains Award for Entrepreneurship, which was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Chairman of the Economic Development Board. He lauded the vital role played by the entrepreneurship sector in supporting the national economic development momentum, promoting sustainable development and creating opportunities for innovation and growth. He congratulated the winners on their performance which reflects the ambitions of Bahraini enterprises to boost the national economy and spur growth, stressing the importance of the award which embodies the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The eight winning enterprises, which were chosen out of twenty-one participants, received a cash reward and are offered multiple training and development opportunities, overseen by international organisations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). With over 330 different initiatives, Tamkeen served more than 230,000 Bahraini individuals and businesses to date. According to Dr Janahi, Tamkeen aspires to be part of everyones success through empowering Bahrainis to become employees of choice, and enable enterprises in the private sector to become the key driver of economic growth. We made it our duty to be facilitators and catalysts of change in this dynamic era. We believe in the potential of every Bahraini, and the talents they acquire. Therefore, our objective is to equip the nation with a local workforce that is reliable, independent, confident and skilful. Our bundle of programmes embraces the private sector providing solutions to the challenges enterprises face. We provide a selection of customised tools that would help provide a concrete support to create sustainable businesses. Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship has been one of the key initiatives of Tamkeen to boost entrepreneurship culture in the Kingdom. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday expressed anguish over the murder of a Sikh youth in Peshawar and urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure "strict punishment" to the perpetrators. "Shocked and anguished over killing of Sikh youth Ravinder Singh in #Pakistan, coming on heels of #NankanaSahibAttack. @ImranKhanPTI govt must ensure a thorough investigation and strict punishment for the culprits. This is the time to act on what you preach," he tweeted. Earlier today, the 25-year-old youth, identified as Ravinder Singh, was found murdered in Peshawar in Pakistan. The Peshawar Police said that the victim's body was found in the area under the Chamkani police station. Singh was the brother of an Islamabad-based journalist, Harmeet Singh. A resident of Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the youth had come to Peshawar to shop for his wedding, according to Pakistani media reports. Earlier in the day, India condemned the killing of a Sikh youth in Peshawar called upon the Pakistan government to "stop prevaricating and take immediate action" to apprehend the perpetrators. "India strongly condemns targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar (Pakistan) that follows recent despicable vandalism and desecration of Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "India calls upon the Government of Pakistan to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts," the ministry added. The killing of Ravinder Singh in Peshawar came just two days after a Muslim mob's attack on the revered Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sikh founder Guru Nanak Dev. An angry group of local residents had pelted stones at the holy Sikh shrine in Pakistan on Friday evening. The group was led by the family of a boy who had abducted a Sikh girl, Jagjit Kaur, from her home in August last year. India, on Friday, had strongly condemned the vandalism at the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and called upon the Pakistan government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community in the neighbouring country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Moment of controversy: Pope Francis is grabbed by a woman in St Peters Square before he slaps her hand in admonishment Pope Francis was greeting worshippers around the Vatican's giant nativity scene following his New Year's Eve liturgy when a woman in the crowd reached out, grabbed the 83-year-old pontiff's left arm with both her hands and yanked it quite forcefully towards her. Visibly upset, the pontiff pulled his arm away, admonished the woman and slapped her hands twice before turning away, frowning. He was obviously in pain. "Hold the front page, Fred!".... "Roll out the breaking news tickers... the Pope's done it again!" Obviously, ahem, a slow news day, as a new year and a new decade come in and every desperate newshound and anti-papal pundit is referring to March 2019, when Francis was criticised for pulling his hand away from pilgrims in the Italian town of Lareto. Later, the Vatican did not help matters when it said the withdrawal was "merely" an attempt to prevent the spreading of germs. Good God, but aren't we easily incensed? I mean, really. Come on. Here is a frail octogenarian, who has spent the seven years of his leadership of the world's 1.2bn Catholics traipsing relentlessly around the globe, being pawed and pulled at and selfied more times than a stadium full of ageing rock stars. And he has, in his own, yes, humble and inimitable way - Francis resides in basic quarters, travels locally by bus and goes frequently among the poor in the hamlets bordering the Vatican - seldom, if ever, complained about, or shown complacency towards, the hankering faithful. I would gesture to say that no one else, no politician, celebrity, or world leader, has had such a punishing, or remorseless itinerary as has the Argentina-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Jesuit Pope. He's 83. I'm 20 years younger and I have trouble, believe me, in a crowded bus, or shopping centre. Then there's the security issue: his enemies aside - and there are those who would seek to harm him - remember 1981 and John Paul II? The woman in the Vatican throng the other day was pulling at him quiet forcefully with both arms and his momentary pain was obvious. What if she had succeeded in pulling him right into the crowd? Small wonder Francis reacted the way he did, instinctively. But he had the wonderful wherewithal to apologise afterwards. Francis went off-script the next day during the midday Angelus to acknowledge the incident. "Love makes us patient," he said, adding, after briefly choking up, "We often lose our patience; me, too, and I apologise for my bad example last night." In this fast-paced, frenetic, anything-goes world, is there a better example of the frayed state of our collective nerves than the fact that the Pope slapped a woman's hand? Is there a better illustration of how we should deal with our inevitable imperfections than his swift and unreserved apology? Watch the video of the pontiff on New Year's Eve and you can understand both how the woman forgot herself and why the Pope reacted as he did. He is walking down the rope-line, stopping to shake hands with the cheering throng. The woman crosses herself and folds her hands, as if in prayer, as Francis draws closer. She stares intently, but he has begun to turn away. She reaches out and grabs him, with one hand, then the other. She yanks him backwards and will not let go. Then comes the Pope's instinctive reaction, then the slap... and another. The encounter in St Peter's provoked scores of headlines and tweets by secular and Catholic media alike. Some initial and disorienting headlines went no further than variations of "Pope slaps woman", suggesting a level of violence absent from the actual encounter. The incident was even mockingly recreated on Instagram by Matteo Salvini, Italy's former interior minister and leader of Italy's radical-Right Northern League - no fan of Francis, because of the Pope's frequent defence of the rights of refugees and migrants. Predictably, Catholics who have come to view Francis as a threat to the clarity of Rome's teaching could only see the worst in his reaction to the grasping pilgrim. Some even delighted in noting that the Pope's "mask" of conviviality and kindness had fallen away during the encounter. Good God Almighty. And if He is in His heaven, believe me, there is nothing He frowns down on more than a slow news day. Editor's note: This story begins the next phase in our yearlong investigative series on the crisis in mental health care in Colorado. Now our focus pivots to solutions and best practices that our state might emulate. We've dispatched Gazette reporters around the country and state to seek out innovations in mental health care and bring back lessons we can learn. CHICAGO Deep within the Cook County jail, white-walled dormitories have replaced steel-barred cells. In a division of the jail known as the Residential Treatment Unit, jailers are trained to act more like therapists than guards. Inmates are considered patients, and a licensed counselor sits as warden. The $86 million building, which houses nearly 600 mentally ill people, is a concrete testament to the Cook County jails transformation from what was once the nations largest holding pen to an institution that helps forge a pathway to freedom for people with mental health problems whove landed in the criminal justice system. They want us to be a mental hospital," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart recalled thinking, as he led that metamorphosis. "Were going to be a really good one. Jails and penitentiaries across the country have become repositories for the mentally ill. Many, including El Paso Countys jail, have taken incremental steps to improve mental health care. But Dart has managed to reinvent his jail to help inmates access care on the inside that they cant get on the outside even as Illinois slashed funding for mental health services, and Chicago closed clinics around him. In the 13 years since he took office, the detention center has shed its image of one of the nations most notorious jails, where inmates faced overcrowding, beatings from officers, woefully inadequate medical care and widespread mistreatment as substantiated by a decade-old federal probe. Now, its widely considered the gold standard in corrections for inmates with mental health issues. Dart has increased health care staffing, converted the jails former boot camp into a therapeutic center and partnered with local nonprofit organizations that can connect people with the support they need after they leave jail to become stable in the community. And hes accomplished most of that by moving money around in the agencys budget, he said. The vast majority of jails and prisons have not come to grips with the fact that you are a de-facto mental health hospital, Dart said. Your job isn't just to hold these people. Your job is also to try to rehabilitate them, analyze the issues that brought them in, and then try to figure out ways to make it better when they leave. Last month, The Gazette toured the Cook County jails 96-acre campus, bordered by water-stained cement walls, chain link fence and barbed wire. The sprawling compound occupies almost an entire block in Little Village, a heavily Hispanic neighborhood on Chicagos southwest side where health care resources are scarce among taquerias and costume shops with fluffy Quinceanera dresses in the windows. El Paso County jail is Colorados largest local jail, but its average daily population of roughly 1,600 inmates dwarfs in comparison to Cook Countys inmate count, which at times in the past has exceeded 11,000. On any given day, nearly 40 percent of the roughly 6,000 people in the jails custody will have mental health needs. And, for many, the treatment offered there is better than the care theyve gotten in the past so much so that mental health care advocates sometimes recommend that inmates dont bond out of jail, even if they have the choice. This is so devastating to say as an advocate, said Alexa James, executive director of National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago. We hope they go to jail to get mental health services. Sometimes it's the first time that people have access to it, in jail. Sometimes people engage in a behavior just to get incarcerated again so they can get their meds. 'No logic' to locking up the ill Sheriff Dart has often said that it is "illogical" to house those with mental illness in jails. Its expensive. Its ineffective. It comes with hosts and hosts of liabilities for everybody involved, he says. Dart echoed those talking points to a Gazette reporter in a spacious conference room inside his office suite. How is it any different than if we decided to start locking up diabetics? Pick an illness, Dart said. I dont understand why that same logic doesnt apply to people with mental illness. I think it does apply. When you take them and put them in a criminal justice system, all the bad things you can imagine will happen. The colorful woven bracelets stacked on Dart's wrists seemed misplaced next to his white collared shirt starch and pressed, like that of any other politician. Many of the wristlets were made by his children, the youngest of whom is now in grade school, a Sheriff's spokesman later said. Dart is a Democrat. He was elected in 2006 after a career as a prosecutor and state legislator. When he assumed his post as the county's top lawman, he was often called to the jails living units. He recalled a haunting sight: Inmates, in cell after cell, cocooned in blankets in the grip of psychosis. You didn't have to be a mental health professional to know what you're witnessing, Dart said. I was blown away with just the enormity of it. And with that, it just sort of impacted me: What are we? The jail, reimagined Mental health care for inmates at the Cook County jail begins on the first floor of the five-story Residential Treatment Unit, where those in its custody receive screening as soon as they return from bond court. There, anyone with psychiatric needs gets a ranking of one through four, depending on how severe their symptoms and illnesses are. If they screen positive for any mental health problem, they're seen within moments by a mental health specialist or a psychologist or a psychiatrist who starts their plan of care, said Linda Follenweider, chief operating officer of correctional health for the hospital system that provides healthcare to the jails inmates. In many other local jails, inmates don't have access to medication or treatment they need. In those dire straits, they deteriorate. They lash out at staff and other inmates, extending their own sentences. They return to the streets often with little or no improvement and are back behind bars soon after when another breakdown drives them to criminal behavior. But the Cook County jail has instead become a window for people to get treatment while they do their time. People come here, and they get the best care that theyve ever had, said Dr. Jane Gubser, who directs programming at the jail. When youre here, your doctors and your nurses and everyone are here. There arent hurdles to transportation or the initial trying to find a doctor or getting signed up or waiting for a psychiatrist, added Gubser, who has a doctorate degree in psychology. When people are in crisis, theres no time for a waitlist. Cook County Health's correctional branch, known as Cermak Health Services, has a hundred mental health staffers who work on the jails campus. They include social workers, art therapists, psychologists, 16 psychiatrists and more than 60 other mental health specialists. The jail has an additional few dozen mental health professionals on its staff. And courses that enable correctional officers to recognize and respond to the symptoms of mental illness are also mandated as a part of Darts training academy. If someone is in crisis in the jails intake area, Cermak staff can immediately administer a dose of antipsychotic medication. They can also take that person to the jails urgent care center in another neighboring building that functions as the hospital wing. There, beds are available for inpatient-level treatment. While the jails population has fallen in recent years, the percentage of inmates with mental illness is climbing. In January 2017, the jails average daily population was 7,570, and 28 percent of them had mental health needs. That same month this year, about 5,860 people were at the jail on any given day, and 36 percent of them were experiencing mental health problems. Even as proficient as Cook County has apparently become in caring for its inmates, offering mental health services in the jail presents a different set of challenges. The staff never know when someone is going to leave Sheriff's Office data show that nearly half of inmates stay less than a month so discharge planning begins immediately, according to Cermak officials. Inmates who are severely mentally ill and low-income, uninsured, or otherwise considered high risk are assigned a social worker to help them make a plan for transitioning back into the community. Those who are booked into the jail are often focused on what they have to do to survive when theyre released not addressing deep-seated mental health problems, Gubser said. Some have been off their medication and deny that they have a diagnosis. Others have turned to drugs to ease their symptoms. Its difficult to talk to people about the next steps and treatment and medication maintenance and all of those things if theyre not in a stable state, she said. Theyre thinking about, in the immediate, how to feel better right now and coping with being here. Despite the resources that the jail devotes to mental health care, there are still inmates whose psychiatric needs are so great that they belong elsewhere, Gubser said. If we were providing better treatment in the community, I dont think theyd end up here, she said. There are people who are looking to get help, and they still cant get it. A broken system Colorado Springs is a fraction of the size of Chicago, one of the nations largest metropolises with a population of roughly 2.7 million. But the cities share many of the same problems in their mental health systems: Long waiting lists, a dearth of practitioners, a lack of inpatient beds all exacerbated by shortfalls in affordable housing, public transportation and employment opportunities. Illinois lawmakers have decimated funding for the state's mental health system. Between fiscal years 2009 and 2012, $114 million was cut from the budget some of the largest reductions nationwide, according to a white paper from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Chicago resources have been slashed, too. The citys past mayor, Rahm Emanuel, shuttered half of its 12 mental health clinics in 2012 in a bid to reduce spending. A city task force is now re-examining the unpopular decision. We're relying on a system to fix people that's totally broken, said James of NAMI Chicago. Part of mental health recovery is, of course, access to treatment but it's (also) stable housing, it's purpose, it's community, it's health in all of those fields. And we don't have adequate resources for that. Poorer and more violent neighborhoods in the city where residents are predominantly Latino or African American have largely been overlooked when it comes to mental health, said Arturo Carrillo, a social worker who manages programs that offer counseling and other services to low-income residents. The result: A system thats not able to give care to those who need it the most, with no safety net to catch people before they end up in the criminal justice system, said Carrillo, who works for Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago. We see people fall through the cracks. Every shooting that happens in Chicago means that there's an entire family that's impacted by that shooting. As the saying goes, hurt people hurt people, he said. James hears these stories every day, she said. NAMI Chicagos helpline is expected to handle about 6,500 intake calls this year, many from people who are working their way through the court system. Darts jail isnt a real mental hospital, she said. It can still be a damaging environment that adds to the trauma. Its like someone saying, you have stage four cancer, and we have a great treatment center, but it's on fire, James said. You're putting somebody in a toxic environment and throwing some treatment at them and then hoping that they get rehabilitated. Solution-minded mental health advocates agree: Though the Cook County jail is renowned for its mental health care programs, its ultimately the wrong place for treatment. Theyre doing everything right, said John Snook, executive director of the national nonprofit the Treatment Advocacy Center. But, the reality is, the best hospital behind bars is a bad outcome. Empowering change Since entering the jails Mental Health Transition Center, Fernelis Bigelow-Lighty has gotten used to saying hes sorry. Hes written letters to his friends, his family and his girlfriend. Hes apologized for not reaching out to them when he desperately needed help a year ago. His mental health issues, including reactive attachment and borderline personality disorders, made it difficult for him to connect with those he cared about. Last fall, the 22-year-old had just finished a jail stint in Santa Barbara, Calif., for shoplifting and was homeless. Hed lost his job on a crabbing boat, where he picked up the habit of using methamphetamine to self-medicate his depression. While I had lots of people, I didn't ask anybody for help, and kind of just suffered on my own. This program has helped me come to terms with the problems and emotional disconnect that's in my own family, but also with myself, said Bigelow-Lighty, whos being held on suspicion of burglary and theft charges. I've really opened up with the people who supported me, he said. While the Cook County jail has the resources to cater to people who are seriously mentally ill, it also offers programs that can help people with moderate symptoms get the help they need to lead productive lives when theyre released. The Mental Health Transition Center, less than two blocks from the jail compound, has become a focal point in its programming. Every weekday, roughly 70 inmates are bused there to take psychoeducation classes taught by social workers. At the later stages of the program, they can participate in yoga, drum circles and art therapy. Theres even an alumni association. The counseling that takes place at the center now is a stark contrast to what happened there until the mid-2000s, when it served as a boot camp where inmates finished their sentences while receiving military-style training, said Lashiver Pate, who supervises the center's programming and staff. Before, we were focused strictly on behavior this is the behavior that's happening, we need to fix this behavior, recalled Pate, who previously worked as a counselor and case manager at the boot camp. But, in the more than 15 years hes worked at the jail, hes seen a shift. Staff members now dig deeper to determine why an inmate is acting out. The center helped 38-year-old Michael Bartholomay come to the conclusion that hes used drugs to deal with his anxiety and depression, fueled by feelings of low self-esteem. Ive been to treatment programs. But they dont really get below the surface, or to the root of why youre using drugs or escaping. Here, I was able to learn what was really causing me to use a drug, said Bartholomay, jailed on suspicion of burglary, theft and financial crimes. "Im being a better person in here, I know Ill be a better person out there, he added. A 2018 Sheriffs Office analysis found that those who participated in the program were less likely to be arrested again soon after getting out. About 4% of them were re-booked within 30 days of release. That proportion was roughly double among inmates who did not receive counseling at the center. Awaiting the aha moment In the hallway of the Mental Health Transition Centers main building hangs a bulletin board plastered with photos of former inmates, along with vignettes of success. A man who once sat in one of the nearby classrooms now is a county employee who teaches counseling to inmates in their living quarters. A picture pinned to the cork shows inmates laughing and smiling, donning caps and gowns at the programs annual graduation ceremony. It's the first time theyve worn the regalia. Project manager Sharon Latiker hopes that it wont be the last. We're giving them a different sense to let them know you can make it, you can better yourself, Latiker said. If they want to, they can. Is it easy? No. It's hard. The centers staff give inmates the tools to manage the symptoms of mental illness. But they must still be willing to change, the counselors emphasize. We tell them a lot of times that they can't go back to the old neighborhood. They can't go back to the old behavior, said Latiker. After a program participant leaves the jail, she can help him get a GED, find a place to live or get in to see a treatment provider. The alumni association even has a community van that can take the program graduates to job interviews and doctors appointments if they dont have a reliable way to get around. Still, even with the support, some backslide. They dont take advantage of the resources. They return to the circumstances where they originally got into trouble. In a classroom down the hall from Latikers office, psychoeducation teacher Tyrone Cook sat at a desk in the corner. Before him were about a dozen inmates, sitting two each at tables arranged in a horseshoe shape. The problem that I'm having with some of you men here is, I don't know when your aha moment is going to come, Cook said. "How many more jail stints must you do? How many more times you must be shot? How many more times must you get arrested? How many more times does it take for you to be living out on the street? he asked. When are you going to have an aha moment that, 'my life is more valuable and precious than this'? On the wall behind him, below motivational posters typical of high school classrooms, hung a white piece of paper with black lettering. It read: Leave better than you came. The jail's turbulent past About six months after Dart took office in late 2006, federal investigators visited the jail. Their findings were chilling. The inspectors discovered countless life-threatening lapses in safety and sanitation, they would later tell county officials in a letter. Violations of inmates constitutional rights had become routine amid what one administrator described as a culture of abusing inmates among the jailers. The 2008 letter cites harrowing examples: Guards handcuffed a mentally ill man and hit and kicked him after he exposed himself to a female jailer. An inmate lost a leg after an infection under a cast festered. An HIV-positive woman died of a preventable infection after her complaints about coughing and shortness of breath went unaddressed, even when an x-ray delivered abnormal results. The damning assessment, together with court filings and media coverage, painted the jail as an incredibly dysfunctional, violent place where people lived in horrible conditions, said Jennifer Vollen-Katz, with a watchdog group that monitors Illinois correctional facilities. In a 2010 court order, federal authorities and county officials agreed on a series of actions to remedy the situation. Under the watchful eyes of independent monitors, Cook County jail had to change, said Vollen-Katz, executive director of the Chicago-based John Howard Association of Illinois. Often when we see positive change in the system, its because the state or the county no longer has a choice..." she said. It typically is larger than any one leader. Its a huge system failure. It demands that the system improves. Additional staff were hired. Several thousand surveillance cameras were installed. Bond reform brought down the jails population. A judge ruled that the terms of that court order had been met in 2017, ending more than 40 years of oversight at the Cook County jail. Dart has maintained that he had already begun instituting improvements before the results of the federal probe came to light. And, in large part, the changes hes made to ease the plight of the mentally ill in his custody werent forced, hes said. They were a moral obligation. I couldn't look at myself in the mirror if I was given this opportunity and I did nothing with it that I saw what I knew was wrong going on all around me. And I just collected my check. Breaking the cycle Inside a double-wide trailer near the jails campus, a row of armchairs awaits newly-released inmates. The center, which opened in 2017 as part of a pilot program, admits up to 12 or so people a night who struggle with mental health issues or substance abuse. Its run by a local non-profit, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC). The goal is to give people basic resources to function in effect, addressing some of the issues at the root of recidivism, organizers say. Historically, weve just pushed people out the door and right into that survival mode, said Katie Dunne, the intergovernmental affairs liaison for the Cook County Sheriffs Office. Without a lot of different holistic supports and just somebody there to help and really to listen to you and what your needs might be, were just setting people up to fail. In the trailer, those whove been released can get a solid nights sleep, have a meal, take a shower and wash their clothes, said TASC Program Administrator Robin Moore. In the meantime, the centers staff members help set them up with other resources: Perhaps they need a Social Security card or a birth certificate. Or they dont have health insurance. Or they dont have a primary care physician. They need these types of services in order to make those successful changes, those needed changes, those necessary changes, in order for them to stop utilizing the jails and the emergency room as their help, Moore said. On an August afternoon, a few staff members prepared for the newly freed to arrive. They typically bond out after dark, Moore said. But the centers doors open at about 7:30 a.m. on Monday and dont shut until 11 p.m. or so on Saturday. There, helping hands await with anything an outgoing inmate might need to get back on his or her feet. Sometimes, it's just a clean pair of socks. Jes Marquez thinks of her latest book as a hybrid part memoir, part advice column and part collection of anecdotes. Marquezs book gives readers a fresh, funny and fraught perspective on Santa Fe for some of its residents and for some prospective ones. Her book is Utilities Nearby: Musings on the Off Grid Real Estate Scene of Santa Fe, Taos & Northern New Mexico. My goal with Utilities Nearby is to share quirky values of a supposed idyllic place and life, Marquez said in an email. Stress the word supposed. On their own, prospective renters and buyers apparently fail to ask enough questions about utility lines. Caveat emptor. Its about people straddling technology and ideas of homesteading somewhere in New Mexico. Mostly, I hope readers find Utilities Nearby as a Southwestern, humorous commentary a paella of sorts, Marquez said. The book has its roots in her 30-month Craigslist post a rant, as Marquez labels it about her tribulations of renting a house off the grid in Lamy with her husband, Chris, and their dogs. They lived there for part of 2014 and 2015. It was a straw bale house about 1,400 square feet that lacked a final stucco coat. That should have been a red flag to me, Marquez said in a phone interview. Her Craigslist post covered many related issues, such as water quality and descriptions in real estate listings. As she writes, state-of-the-art amenities in listings can even mean a drafty house with broken appliances. Marquezs post produced a series of responses from the public that ranged from appreciations to, well, rants. That dialogue between her and her readers motivated Marquez to write the book. Some of the chapters conclude with responses under the heading of Readers Comments. Heres one readers comment in the chapter Enchanted Abandonment, Disenchanted Suburbia: I am new to NM and I found this (post) very helpful and witty. I lived my first month off-grid on the Mesa in Taos and was so enchanted the first 10 days. That wore off quickly with the rocky mile-long driveway that was killing my car, the insane amounts of dust, monsoon season coming and quickly figuring out the $$ on propane if I were to stay. Lived there in June. Moved into town in July and couldnt be happier. Heres another reader in the same chapter: Thank you so much for your warnings so informative. Question: What is it about the water in Madrid and Cerrillos? Does that apply to Galisteo? Marquez said there are so many people coming to New Mexico to find themselves that she wanted to help them. And she wanted to show her own literary voice, a voice thats a little bit different. The back of the book has Marquezs original Craigslist post, eight pages describing Santa Fe neighborhoods, and a glossary of what she says are Santa Fe real estate terms, from A (acequia) to O (off-grid lot). Its a phrase she defines as having no electricity and probably wont (have) any for another century. Good chance theres no water or septic either. Euphemistically referred to as raw land. Writing as Jes McKay Gilmore, Marquez is also the author of two volumes of Species Spectrums Colorful World of Animals, interactive activities for ages 5-9. She has lived in Santa Fe and in Albuquerque for many years. She and her husband currently live in an on-the-grid home between the two cities. By Associated Press WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that any target the US military may strike in Iran, in the event Iran retaliates against America for killing its most powerful general, would be legal under the laws of armed conflict. Pompeo was asked on ABC's "This Week" about President Donald Trump's assertion Saturday on Twitter that the United States has 52 Iranian targets in its sights, "some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture." The laws of armed conflict prohibit the deliberate targeting of cultural sites under most circumstances. "Every target that we strike will be a lawful target, and it will be a target designed with a singular mission-defending and protecting America," Pompeo said. He also said the Trump administration has abandoned the previous US administration's focus on countering Iranian proxy groups and suggested the US strike in Baghdad that killed Iranian Gen Qassem Soleimani was an example of the new strategy. "We're going to respond against the actual decision-makers, the people who are causing this threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran," Pompeo said. In Baghdad on Sunday, the US coalition combating the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria announced that it has "paused" training of Iraqi security forces in order to focus on protecting coalition personnel. Grafton Thomas, a suspect in an attack at a Hasidic rabbi's home, walks from Ramapo jail to be arraigned on five counts of attempted murder in a state court in Ramapo, New York, NY on Dec. 29, 2019. (WNBC via Reuters) Hanukkah Machete Suspect Indicted in New York on 6 Counts of Attempted Murder NEW YORKThe man accused of going on a machete rampage at the New York-area home of a Hasidic rabbi during a Hanukkah celebration was indicted on Friday on six counts of attempted murder, up from five counts the suspect was charged with previously. The indictment also charges Grafton Thomas, 37, with three counts of assault, three counts of attempted assault, and two counts of burglary stemming from the Dec. 28 attack, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh announced at a brief news conference. The original criminal complaint filed the day after the assault charged Thomas with five counts of attempted murderone for each victim authorities then said was stabbed or slashed in the incidentplus a single count of burglary. Walsh declined to take questions from reporters, and a copy of the indictment was not immediately provided. But the sixth attempted-murder count indicates investigators have revised their tally of victims, the most gravely injured of whom is reported to be a 72-year-old man who suffered machete blows to his head, leaving him partially paralyzed, comatose, and breathing on a respirator. Thomas is accused of storming into the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg, a prominent Hasidic Jewish leader in a predominantly ultra-Orthodox community of Monsey, New York, and attacking guests gathered there for a Hanukkah celebration. Authorities said Thomas fled by car to Manhattan, where he was arrested later that night. A New York Police Department vehicle parks at Fifth Avenue Synagogue in New York, NY on Dec. 30, 2019. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters) Thomas, who according to his lawyer is a former U.S. Marine with a history of severe mental illness, was separately charged on Monday with federal hate crimes in connection with the attack. Federal prosecutors cited journals they seized from the suspects home containing references to Adolf Hitler, Nazi culture, and the Black Hebrew Israelites movement, identified by experts in extremism as an anti-Jewish hate group. The attack in Monsey capped a string of incidents in which Jews have been physically attacked or accosted in the New York metropolitan area in recent weeks, including a shooting at a kosher supermarket in New Jersey that left two members of the Hasidic community dead. Fear has spread through our community, and we must restore peace. This is the first stop in that process, Walsh told reporters. Thomass attorney, Michael Sussman, has said his clients actions were likely an expression of psychosis rather than bigotry. Thomas pleaded not guilty to the original attempted-murder charges the day after his arrest. His arraignment on the indictment is pending, and he remains held in lieu of $5 million bails after being moved to a federal detention facility, the District Attorneys office said in a statement. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the state charges. The felony case carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. By Jonathan Allen Mukesh Ranjan By RANCHI: Newly-elected Chief Minister Hemant Soren is on an announcement spree, after annulling some of the major decisions taken by the former BJP government, which led to its debacle in 2019 polls. After dropping cases against hundreds of Patthalgadi supporters booked for sedition in the first Cabinet meeting, the government, in order to create a positive image, has been making a series of announcements to placate the local inhabitants. Over 10,000 villagers in the tribal district Khunti were booked under Section 124-A of IPC for being part of the Patthalgadi movement in 2017. The CM also said that the decision was just a message that only those decisions will be taken by the government which is in the interest of the people of this state. No decision which may hurt the sentiments of the people or may put them in trouble, will be taken by this government, he said. All the decisions will be taken in the interest of Adivasi-Moolwasi of this state and those which will be in the interest of the masses. Nobody in this state will sleep empty stomach as the government will give food grains to the poor, said Soren during a public meeting in Kharsawan. He also announced that dependents of those who died in Kharwawan firing, during which hundreds of tribals died while demanding separate tribal state in 1948, will be identified and given jobs by this government. The pension scheme will also be launched by such people, he said. The CM has also announced to continue compensatory leave of 20 days to the police personnel which had been stopped by the earlier government. BJP, on the other hand, claimed that the announcements made by the CM were taken only to placate a particular section of society, which voted for the alliance in recent polls and has no future. New Delhi: In Maharashtra, the suspense over the resignation of Shiv Senas Abdul Sattar has finally come to an end as the lawmaker himself announced that he has not quit the party. In the meantime, the portfolios have been allocated to all the cabinet as well as state ministers in CM Uddhav Thackeray-led government. What comes here as a surprise is Abdul Sattars portfolio. Minister of State Abdul Sattar will be looking after the revenue and rural development in the Maharashtra government. It is to be noted that as many as 35 lawmakers including NCPs Ajit Pawar, Shiv Senas Aditya Thackeray and Abdul Sattar were inducted in Maharashtras Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led cabinet on December 30, 2019. Earlier, six ministers have taken the oath with CM Uddhav Thackeray. It is worth mentioning here that Sharad Pawar-led NCP is seen as the biggest winner in the portfolio allocation. NCP has bagged not only Finance but Home Ministry also. Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar has been allocated the finance ministry. NCP's Anil Deshmukh and Dilip Walse Patil have been allotted the Ministry of Home Affairs and Excise, respectively. Jayant Patil will take charge of the irrigation ministry. Chhagan Bhujbal has been given the Food and Civil Supplies ministry. Former Congress chief minister Ashok Chavan has been allocated the PWD ministry. Balasaheb Thorat will take charge of the Revenue ministry. From Congress, the biggest surprise is the ministry allocated to Ashok Chavan. He has been allocated the PWD ministry. In 2017, the former Maharashtra chief minister was acquitted in the Adarsh housing scam. Chavan had got relief after the Bombay High Court rejected the then Governor's sanction to prosecute him. Yashomati Chandrakant Thakur has been allocated to the women welfare ministry. Kagda Chandya Padvi will be heading the tribal ministry. Also Read: Miffed Over Ministerial Snub, Maharashtra Congress MLA Kailash Gorantyal Quits Party Chief Minister Thackeray will keep General Admin Department and other portfolios not allocated to any other ministers. Senior Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will take charge of Urban Development ministry, while Aditya Thackeray has been allotted the Tourism and Environment department. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president N Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded CM K Chandrasekhar Rao to convene a special session of the Assembly to pass a resolution rejecting the CAA and NRC. Addressing a municipal elections preparatory meeting at Miryalaguda on Saturday, he stated that many CMs across the country have announced to not implement the CAA and NRC in their states and unfortunately Telanganas CM has been silent over the issue. He alleged that the TRS and BJP were allies and KCR has been supporting the BJP-led Central government since 2014.He said Rao had supported the BJP during demonitisation, GST, elections of President and Vice-President of India. He added that the CM did not fulfil his promise made in April 2014 of giving 12 per cent reservation to Muslims in jobs and education. CM KCR took Telangana on top in only two things liquor sales and unemployment, he said. If Hindus are provoked, Muslims will lose skull cap Adilabad: MP of Adilabad and BJP leader Soyam Bapu Rao warned citizens, especially Muslims, of dire consequences if they protested against the CAA and NRC in the country. If you talk against the Hindus who migrate from Pakistan, you will face problems, Bapu Rao warned the minorities opposing the legislation. He was taking part in a pro-CAA rally in Adilabad on Saturday. Addressing the rally, he said, The same way Hindus are facing persecution in Pakistan, the Muslims here will also face problems, if they protest against the CAA. If the Hindus are provoked, then the Muslims will lose their skull cap, beware! he said. While speaking about the ensuing municipal elections, he urged the public to teach a fitting lesson to the TRS party for opposing the CAB in the Parliament. Further directing his apparent ire towards Muslims, he said, We will teach a lesson to the Muslim youth who harass Hindu girls Despite rumours of cancelled march, many attend Hyderabad: With several proposed anti-CAA/NRC protests in the city, citizens are finding it difficult to attend them, especially due to the rumours that permissions to specific rallies have been denied. Before the Million March was organised, social media platforms were full of fake news that the march was denied permission by the police. Therefore, the organisers had to come up with a clarification. Fake news of the cancellation of Million March are flooding the social media...The organisers termed it a conspiracy of the opposition and police agents to scuttle democratic rights, said MBT spokesperson. Similarly, the Asaduddin Owaisi-led UMAC had recently approached the police to get permission for a rally against CAA. By Friday evening, social media platforms were sharing reports that the permission was denied. When Express contacted the police, they said that it was all rumour and no decision has been taken yet. AIMIM members denied any comment on the matter BRIDGEPORT TWP, MI -- A propane tank inside a grill exploded during a fire early Sunday morning in Bridgeport Township. Firefighters with the Bridgeport Fire Department were dispatched around 2 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 to the 3300 block of King Road for a report of a structure fire. The first fire engine to arrive at the scene encountered a two-story home that was 50 percent involved, per a statement from the Bridgeport Fire Department. Everyone did evacuate the home prior to the fire department arrival, the statement reads. A 20 lb propane cylinder, located near a side entrance, exploded only minutes after arrival. This was due to the fact the fire quickly advanced through the home and consumed the grill located on a side porch. Construction taking place to the home that included several additions and new rooftops placed over old rooftops made the fire difficult to extinguish, per the statement. The American Red Cross was requested to the scene and provided assistance to the displaced family. Crews from the Frankenmuth, Spaulding, Buena Vista, and Birch Run fire departments assisted the Bridgeport Fire Department with the incident. We want to thank all the personnel from those departments and include Saginaw Central Dispatch, MMR, Consumers Energy, Bridgeport Water Department to that list, notes the statement. The incident remains under investigation. By William Schwartz | Published on 2020/01/04 Taek-il (played by Park Jung-min) is a perpetually grumpy teenager who runs off to Gunsan to prove that he's independent. This worries his mother Jeong-hye (played by Yum Jung-ah), who runs a toasted sandwich shop in some unfortunately prime real estate. Meanwhile Taek-il's best friend Sang-pil (played by Jung Hae-in) tries to get a start in business, which goes poorly since his partners are literal gangsters. Back in Gunsan, Taek-il picks fights and loses them with an increasingly colorful bunch of characters. Advertisement There is entirely too much going on in "Start-Up", as there are far more characters than can be easily kept track of. I didn't even get into Kyeong-joo (played by Choi Sung-eun), an amateur boxer who's slightly younger than Taek-il and as a young woman, at a high risk of getting roped into illicit sex trade. This dark material initially makes for some of the movie's stronger setpieces, although Kyeong-joo's story is abandoned almost as soon as she joins up with the other characters at the black noodle restaurant. That, incidentally, is where we meet Ma Dong-seok, a chef with suspiciously high-level combat abilities. For the most part this is implied rather than actually shown, as writer/director Choi Jeong-yeol simply assumes that we can infer that Ma Dong-seok is beating people up whenever the camera cuts away. Also the whole climax where Ma Dong-seok is getting into a fight with gangsters is edited into a completely different climax involving the toasted sandwich shop. Neither of these climaxes, weirdly enough, have much to do with Taek-il's desire for independence. Like most of the plot beats in "Start-Up", there's an interesting idea. Taek-il expresses disdain for going to university when he could just try working and living right now. Taek-il is critical of his mother for working and sacrificing for the sake of her son rather than herself. But the sandwich shop issue actually ends up having more to do with Sang-pil's storyline, which I had trouble keeping track of mainly because he never interacts with any of the more obviously important characters. "Start-Up" is based on the webtoon 'Start', and it's easy to see the influence. Not because I've read the webtoon, mind you, but because the gigantic cast of characters and interlocking storylines makes a lot more sense in a serial webtoon format than it does for a movie that's intended to be watched in a single sitting. Storylines are exposited and resolved very abruptly. I imagine for a person who's read the webtoon, the real-life recreations of memorable scenes from the webtoon would be more evocative. But to someone without that context "Start-Up" is a jumbled mess filled with perplexing creative choices. The casting is chief among them. I had to keep reminding myself that Park Jung-min and Jung Hae-in were playing teenagers, because they don't look like teenagers in the slightest. Choi Sung-eun is slightly better in that regard lookswise, but I was still surprised to learn at the end that her character is apparently still high school age due to the way she acts. Review by William Schwartz ___________ "Start-Up" is directed by Choi Jeong-yeol, and features Ma Dong-seok, Park Jung-min, Jung Hae-in, Yum Jung-ah, Choi Sung-eun, Kim Jong-soo. Release date in Korea: 2019/12/18. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Erik Larson (Bloomberg) Sun, January 5, 2020 22:08 736 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320f4894 2 People Donald-Trump,sexual-harassment,new-york,rape Free President Donald Trump asked a New York judge to throw out an advice columnists lawsuit accusing him of defamation after he denied her claim that he raped her in a department store dressing room two decades ago. E. Jean Carroll, who went public with her allegation against Trump in a June magazine article, cant sue the president in New York because the statements at issue were all made in Washington, his lawyer said in a New York state court filing Friday. Trump, who denies assaulting Carroll, said New York courts lack personal jurisdiction over him even when the purported statements were published to New York readers/listeners, or were directed towards or caused harm to a New York citizen. Trump also said Carroll hadnt served the complaint on him in New York, where the real-estate mogul has long maintained a residence at his signature 5th Avenue skyscraper. Carroll said in an earlier filing that Secret Service agents blocked her attempts to serve the complaint, prompting a judge to rule that she could serve it by mail to the White House. Read also: Trump versus deep state? Carrolls lawyer Roberta Kaplan said Trump is misstating the law around personal jurisdiction to avoid having to turn over documents in the case, which a judge ordered him to start doing. When E. Jeans case was filed, Donald Trump maintained a home in New York, was registered to vote in New York, paid taxes in New York, and had been sued in New York on numerous occasions -- including since 2016 -- without any objection, Kaplan said in an email. Tellingly, as his papers make clear, what this motion is really about is a transparent effort to avoid discovery at all costs in a case involving a sexual assault. Trumps filing comes in the wake of former Fox News reporter Courtney Friels book release in which she claims Trump called her in 2010 and asked if she would like to visit Trump Tower and kiss him, even though they were both married. I was shocked, she says in the book, Tonight at 10: Kicking Booze and Breaking News. This proposition made it difficult for me to report with a straight face on Trump running for president. Friel, who isnt part of Carrolls case and hasnt sued Trump, said it infuriates her that hed call all women who shared stories of his bold advances liars. I totally believe them, she wrote. About two dozen women have accused Trump of unwanted sexual advances, though the president denies the allegations and says the woman are seeking attention. Petrol bombs were hurled at a Hong Kong police station and dozens of people were arrested Sunday following a march against so-called parallel trading near the Chinese border. The Democratic Party said about 10,000 people marched peacefully in Sheung Shui district, but violence erupted after police ordered protesters to disperse. Several petrol bombs were thrown at the Sheung Shui police station, about 1.5 kilometres (a mile) from where the rally took place. The Sunday protest comes during a period of heightened anti-mainland sentiment in Hong Kong, where a pro-democracy movement demanding greater freedoms from Beijing has raged for nearly seven months. The marchers were protesting against parallel trading, which sees thousands of mainlanders cross the border every day to bulk-buy goods such as infant formula to sell at a profit in China. There is significant resentment against the practice, which frequently leaves goods in short supply in border towns, and has driven up the price of commodities as well as shop rents. "If the police could spare one of the cars they drove here to handle the march to instead deal with the trading problem, we would not have to organise this protest," said Dino Chan, a Sheung Shui district councillor and one of the rally organisers. He added that 42 people were arrested following the violence. The anti-government protests have been blamed for helping plunge Hong Kong's economy into recession for the first time in a decade. The protests were triggered by a proposal to allow extraditions to mainland China, but have morphed into a broader revolt for democratic freedoms. They often descend into violent clashes, with protesters using petrol bombs and other makeshift weapons, and the police responding with tear gas and rubber bullets. On Sunday the violence was not at the level seen during many previous protests, with police using pepper spray to disperse crowds but not tear gas. China and the Hong Kong administration have refused to bow to protester demands, which include direct elections, an inquiry into alleged police misconduct and amnesty for the nearly 7,000 people arrested so far. Hong Kong protesters march along a street during a demonstration against parallel trading in Sheung Shui, near the China border At least 500 students and alumni from universities in Delhi protested outside the old Delhi Police headquarters at ITO on Sunday night after the attacks at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). They claimed the police did not act promptly in stopping the attacks. The protests forced the closure of a carriage way on Indraprastha Marg. Protesters were largely students and teachers from Jamia Milia Islamia, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University. Police and administration are acting on the orders of the government. Civilians, including ABVP students, had also gathered outside JNU. We want the police commissioner to come and assure us of an FIR. No one apart from JNU students have been injured, said Bhupinder Chaudhry, associate professor of History, Delhi University. Protesters also alleged that police in plainclothes also assaulted students inside the JNU campus and demanded immediate registration of an FIR into the incident. They also raised slogans against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). What happened in JNU today is shameful. Until an FIR is registered against those who indulged in violence, we will wait, and stay outside the police headquarters, all night said one of the protestors, Waqar Azam, a former research associate from the Jamia Milia Islamia. Azam said that at least 300 students from Jamia arrived at ITO to join the agitation, which was called for 9pm. We had called the gathering. We demand an FIR be filed and arrests of those who indulged in violence. Many JNU students have been injured badly. This is a recap of what happened in Jamia, he said. On December 15, police entered the Jamia Millia Islamia campus and assaulted students after protests against the CAA by locals outside the campus had turned violent. The crowd that had gathered on Sunday night at ITO raised slogans against the police. Masud Ahmed, a final year MA student from Jamia alleged that ABVP goons and police together thrashed students in JNU. Videos of people in civil dresses beating up students were circulated. Some students went to police station but the police are not registering FIR. We want arrests. Most of people here are from Jamia as we called the protest in solidarity with JNU and to raise voice against what happened. People from DU and JNU are also here, he said. With the number of protesters growing, Delhi Police deployed more personnel outside the building. The gates of the headquarter were also barricaded. CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat and former AAP MLA Alka Lamba also arrived at the protest to support the agitation. 121 Shares Share Imagine if your bank handled all your online transactions for free but charged you only when you visited your local branch and then kept pestering you to come in, pay money and chat with them every three months or at least once a year if you wanted to keep your accounts active. Of course, thats not how banks operate. There are small ongoing charges (or margins off the interest they pay you) for keeping your money and for making it possible to do almost everything from your iPhone these days. Yes, there may be additional charges for things that cant be done without the banks personalized assistance, but those things happen at your request, not by the banks insistence. Compare that with primary care. The bulk of our income is patient revenue, what patients and their insurance companies pay us for services we provide face to face. We may also have grants if we are Federally Qualified Health Centers, mostly meant to cover sliding fee discounts and what we call enabling services: care coordination, loosely speaking. Only a small fraction of our income comes from meeting quality or compliance targets, and those monies only come to us after we have reached those goals; they dont help us create the needed infrastructure to get there. Then look at how medical providers are scheduled and paid. We all have productivity targets, RVUs (relative value units number and complexity of visits combined) if our employer is paid that way and usually just straight visit counts in FQHCs (because all visits are reimbursed at the same rate there). Sometimes we have quality bonuses or incentives, which truthfully may be the combined result of both our own AND other staff members efforts. As we are now starting to think of how to make the transition to a system that pays medical offices not for the number of visits but for the overall health of our patients (as defined by our quality metrics), we should ideally free up doctors time to review and act on health data that comes to us in more ways than face to face visits but theres a catch: We dont think we can afford to have our docs see fewer face to face visits, because right now there is no money in what in the future will compare to the banks cash flow that their customers generate when they use online banking, ATMs and so on. If a patient sends me a list of blood pressures or blood sugars, there is a cost for us to review and act on them: lost lunch breaks, unreimbursed overtime (provider pajama time) or lowered productivity targets (for face to face work in an organizational leap of faith that these efforts will actually result in incentive payments some time down the road). Most medical offices are quaintly or hopelessly old fashioned in our approach to the changing demands and desires of our payers and our patients. It is hard to make the transition to something new: We are being asked to start working differently and potentially making less or spending more without knowing for sure if it will pay off. Hans Duvefelt, also known as A Country Doctor, is a family physician who blogs at A Country Doctor Writes:. Image credit: Shutterstock.com New Delhi, Jan 5 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Central government over the violence that erupted in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Sunday. "The brutal attack on JNU students & teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Today's violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear. #SOSJNU," he said, in a tweet. Violence swept the JNU campus in the evening as several masked individuals, both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers inside the varsity campus with wooden and metal rods. Two officer-bearers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), including President Aishe Ghosh - who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod, received severe injuries. They accused RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence in the campus. JNUSU General Secretary Satish Chandra was also injured in the attack. If you could save a life, shouldnt you do it? The question nagged at Trisha Schoeneck for years. The third-grade teacher at Shawnee Elementary School in Forks Township learned two years ago that Tom Lisinicchia was sick and needed a new kidney. Hes an Easton Area bus driver, just like Schoenecks father. The men have the same first name, in fact. Hes about the age of Schoenecks older sister. I just couldnt stop thinking about it. I felt in my heart I was a match, said Schoeneck, a 44-year-old Forks Township resident. She talked it over with her husband and got tested in April. Then she got the call. The nurse said, You were right. Youre a match, she said. She talked about her kidney donation not for the recognition, but to show others its not as scary or as dangerous or as hassle-filled as it might appear. And the result makes it absolutely worthwhile. What better gift can you give someone than the gift of life? she asked. Lisinicchia has been on dialysis for more than two years. The 54-year-old Easton grad needs dialysis nine hours a day. In addition to driving a bus he sells homes for Weichert, Realtors. He has a heart condition related to his kidney disease. He needs to receive treatment and recover from that ailment before he can accept the kidney. That probably wont happen until the spring. Just knowing Schoeneck has stepped forward to help is a huge weight off his shoulders. He wasnt allowed to know anything about potential donors until one was confirmed. Even then, its up to the donor to be identified. He vaguely knew Schoeneck through her father when she delivered the news at the Easton transportation center. My legs started to shake. I didnt know what to say, Lisinicchia said. Its hard to find the right words to express how grateful he is to Schoeneck, he said. It just takes a special person. It really does, he said. Once her blood type was a match, Schoeneck underwent a battery of tests to rule out any potential pre-surgery complications. She needed to be approved by a board of experts to become a donor. Lisinicchia said he received his brothers kidney 30 years ago. The screening process is much more thorough now than it was then, which lessens the medical risks for donors. Youre more likely to die getting an appendectomy than donating a kidney, Schoeneck said. The chances of success from a living kidney donor are much greater than from a deceased donor, another reason Schoeneck wants to help. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to donating an organ is the missed time from work. Schoeneck said many donors back out when they realize they dont have enough sick days for the doctor appointments, surgery and recovery. She discussed the need for time off with teachers union president Kevin Deely, who in turn took the concern to Assistant Superintendent Alyssa Emili. Emili found that Pennsylvania is not among the states that guarantee paid work leave for living organ donors. She researched various state policies and crafted an in-house proposal in November. The school board approved the policy that grants 30 days of paid leave for employees who donate organs. Deely thanked the administration and school board, calling them generous people who care deeply for the staff and students in their charge. Schoeneck hopes other employers learn what the Easton Area School District has done and make similar allowances for their employees. Or, maybe the state legislature could mandate sick leave for organ donors. If they can save more peoples lives, that would be the way to go, she said. Deely called on others to follow Schoenecks lead and become living donors, or at least become organ donors. This world would be a much better place if there were more people like Trish Schoeneck in it, Deely said. Are you a match? Learn more about organ donation by calling 610-402-8506 and pressing option 5 Others in the community still need kidneys: Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. You are here: World Flash Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Saturday that the United States is responsible for the consequences of the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Iran does not seek tensions in the region, but the presence of foreign forces is the cause of instability, insecurity and tensions in our sensitive region, Zarif said, according to official IRNA news agency. During the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral, regional and international issues, including those related to assassination of the Iranian commander. Al Thani expressed his concerns about the regional condition after U.S. recent developments and urged the sides for de-escalating tensions. The visit by Qatari official comes a day after the United States army assassinated the Iranian senior general in Baghdad. Qatari Foreign Ministry has urged both Iran and the United States to exercise self-restraint amid the escalating tensions and to prevent from "taking Iraq and the region into endless violence." REUTERS For more than a decade, Hezbollah and therefore Iran have maintained sleeper agents in America who await only a coded signal to commit mass murder and wreak maximum chaos. There would be certain scenarios that would require action or conduct by those who belonged to the cell, one of three sleeper agents arrested by the FBI since 2017 is quoted saying in court papers. The sleeper agent, Ali Kourani, told the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force that he would have expected to be activated if Iran and the United States went to war. The unit is Iranian controlled, Kourani said. Other precipitating events would include major U.S. military action against Hezbollah or its Iranian overseers. In those scenarios the sleeper cell would also be triggered into action, Kourani said. That would certainly seem to include an airstrike killing Irans most prominent military figure, General Qassem Soleimani. In the aftermath of that startling action, a senior U.S. intelligence official said that if the Iranians remain rational they will refrain from mounting an attack on the American homeland for fear of sparking a war they cannot possibly win. He noted in the next breath that emotions are no doubt running high in Tehran. If you remove the rational thinking he said. The official figured that Kourani and a second sleeper agent named Samer El Debek had almost certainly been replaced after they were arrested on the same day in different cities in 2017. The third, Alexei Saab, who was arrested in July of 2019, had already been in place for years but was unaware of the other two. There could be sleeper cells all over the place, the official said. And they are presumably under orders, just as Kourani was in the Bronx, El Debek was in Dearborn, Michigan, and Saab was in Morristown, New Jersey. The three were instructed to be as innocuous as the spam email they would receive carrying a one-word coded command from Hezbollah and its ally or front, the Islamic Jihad Organization or IJO. Story continues These sleepers were tasked to maintain ostensibly normal lives, the FBI says in court papers. But could be activated and tasked with conducting IJO operations. Kourani was sentenced last month to 40 years in prison for providing material support to a terrorist organization. As a sophisticated, well-trained IJO operative positioned under deep cover in the United States, the defendant was part of an emerging threat posed by the IJO in the Americas region, about which little was known publicly before the FBI arrested the defendant and El Debek on the same day in 2017, prosecutors said in the sentencing memorandum, referring to Hezbollah's Islamic Jihad Organization. Another section of the memorandum has taken on particular significance in the aftermath of the Soleimani hit: The IJOs operations in the United States are a part of Irans proxy network, and Iran has backed this threat by funding Hizballah in annual amounts ranging between $200 million and $800 million per year... Irans support of Hizballah results in the more severe risks attendant to state sponsored terrorism, as described at the trial, which in this context leads to increased focus on targeting nodes of critical infrastructure in attacks intended to cripple cities. The memorandum notes that the targets Kourani surveilled included two federal facilities with child-care centers. He has expressed no remorse to date, and argues repeatedly that he harmed no one, prosecutors note. It is safe to say that the parents of small children who spend their days at targets surveilled by the defendant on behalf of the IJO disagree. El Debek, who has pleaded guilty and appears to be cooperating, is said in court papers to have admitted conducting surveillance at numerous possible targets. That included one outside the U.S., the Panama Canal. El Debek said Hizballah asked him to identify areas of weakness and construction at the Canal, and provide information about Canal security and how close someone could get to a ship, the FBI says. In doing so, he stated, he took a lot of photographs of the Canal, which he later provided to the IJO. But there were also numerous targets in New York, including a federal building that has a large daycare facility with exterior . . . playgrounds. The FBI notes that at one point, The defendant, updated his Facebook status with a post in Arabic, which translated reads: Do not make peace or share food with those who killed your people. Irrigate the land with blood and quench the thirst of your forefathers until their bones [their remains] talk with you. Saab pleaded not guilty after his arrest this summer, but is said in court papers to have told the FBI about his intelligence gathering efforts at numerous possible targets, these in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., and other cities. Saab focused on structural weaknesses of the locations he surveilled to determine how a future attack could cause the most destruction-i.e., he sought to learn how to maximize damage if the IJO later bombed a location, court papers say. Among other information, SAAB focused on the materials used to construct a particular target, how close in proximity one could get to a target, and site weaknesses or soft spots that the IJO could exploit if it attacked a location in the future. The papers add, Saab understood that the information he provided to the IJO would be used to calculate the size of a bomb needed to target a particular structure and the ideal location in which to place explosive devices to maximize damage. For example, SAAB provided information on how to target bridges to best allow the IJO to disable them and to prevent them from being used. To that end, SAAB looked for weak points in the bridge's structure and the photographs he took would focus on structural details such as the main joints, the towers, and the cables. The papers further report that in 2004, Saab was summoned to Lebanon and taken to a safe house to meet with a handler. There, [the handler] told Saab to prepare a detailed guide to New York City. Over the course of the following two days, Saab wrote an approximately seven to 10 page report (the "Report) on New York City. The first page of the Report was a hand-drawn map with specific locations annotated by number. The second page of the Report had a legend, which indicated how the numbers corresponded to locations. The rest of the Report had a detailed summary of each location. Among the locations in the Report were: Federal, state, and local government buildings, including 26 Federal Plaza...United Nations headquarters...The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island...Rockefeller Center...Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange..Times Square...The Empire State Building..Herald Square and Macy's in Midtown...Local airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport...Local tunnels and bridges, including the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Brooklyn Bridge, George Washington Bridge, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, and Goethals Bridge. The papers further note, Saab included in the Report such details as directions to the local airports, the number of terminals at the local airports, and which terminals were for international or domestic travel. The FBI adds that Saabs training in explosives ranged from a viable victim-actuated device, designed to detonate when the briefcase was lifted off the surface by a potential victim to a viable improvised mortar device, meaning it is command initiated and able to detonate on a time delay. Some on-the-job assassination training in Lebanon began when an instructor told him to steal a particular Mercedes. The Hezbollah Sleeper Agent Busted for Black Ops in America Saab was given a key that appeared to be a universal key capable of accessing multiple cars, and then proceeded to steal the Mercedes. The instructor drove off in the Mercedes and later returned to pick up Saab. The instructor told Saab to reach under the passenger seat. Saab removed a plastic bag containing a silver firearm with an attached silencer. Saab and [the instructor] then drove approximately 10 minutes to a field outside of Beirut. A small white van was parked in the field...[The instructor] then instructed Saab to walk up to the passenger's side of the Van and shoot the person inside twice in the belly and once in the head...Saab pointed his firearm at the van's driver. The Driver cried out twice, in sum and substance, that it wasnt him and raised his hands in front of his face. Saab then pulled the trigger twice, but the gun did not fire. [The instructor] waved Saab to get back into the Mercedes, and they fled the scene. Saab later came to believe that the Driver was a suspected Israeli spy. Saab was also trained in the best way to take photos of targets back in America without raising suspicion. For photographs, Saab learned to position an unrelated subject as the focus point of the picture, with the true object of surveillance in the background, court papers say. Saab would also often pose people in front of the intended objects of his surveillance, to provide perspective and shield his true purpose from law enforcement. Saab is scheduled to go on trial in Manhattan federal court in February 2021. El Debek is expected to be among the witnesses against him. El Debek will likely testify about his own Hezbollah assignments, which included flying to Bangkok under an extreme cover. The handler told El Debek to say he was looking for sex in Thailand, the court papers say. Debek did hire a sex worker, but he used her solely to go ahead of him into a house so he could see if it was under surveillance. He then retrieved a stash of ammonium nitrate, a prime ingredient for explosives that another operative had abandoned. The stuff was in first-aid ice packs produced by a company in Guangzhou, China, that Kourani had once been dispatched to visit. El Debek will also likely testify about his own explosives training, which included manufacturing a bomb similar to the device one of his cousins used to kill seven aboard an Israeli tour bus in Burgas, Bulgaria, in 2012. That was one of several attacks the IJO staged in retaliation for the killing of its leader and founder, Imad Mughniyeh, in a February 2008 joint American and Israeli operation in Syria. An earlier attack on Mughniyeh had been called off by the Americans because he was with Soleimani. Now that we have gone ahead and also killed Soleimani, the question is whether IJO will activate the sleeper agents it almost certainly still has out there in the homeland. They didnt get out of the targeting business, the senior intelligence official told The Daily Beast. IJO already has that New York Guide Book, complete with an annotated hand drawn map identifying what Saab says it termed the hot spots to hit. Trump Told Mar-a-Lago Pals to Expect Big Iran Action Soon Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Mr Shah said its beneficiaries are largely dalits and poor people. and those opposing the law are against these people. New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah sought to reassure the Muslim community Sunday and said the Citizenship Amendment Act has no provision about taking away the citizenship of minorities and alleged that the Congress scions, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were instigating riots by misleading the people about the law. Mr Shah said its beneficiaries are largely dalits and poor people. and those opposing the law are against these people. Addressing a meeting of Delhi BJP workers here, he called Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Gandhis anti-dalit for questioning the law. The BJP president said AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had extended support to rioters by saying she will visit the homes of those houses behind the riots. (Arvind) Kejriwal has misled people. The Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, has instigated riots by misleading people. Do you want a government in Delhi which incites riots for politics, he asked. Mr Shah also attacked Pakistan for terrorising Sikhs as he referred to the recent attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib by a violent mob in Pakistan and asked Opposition leaders to open their eyes to atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country. This is an answer to all those opposing the CAA. Tell me if these Sikhs who were attacked the other day in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib will not come to India, then where they will go? he asked. The Opposition leaders were spreading a pack of lies over the CAA, he said. Mr Shah also urged BJP workers to conduct an intensive campaign to inform the masses about the law that helps the persecuted. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who came to India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh over religious persecution. The Opposition was inciting the minorities against the CAA by alleging they will lose their citizenship, he said. Mr Shah assured members of the minority communities that none of them will lose citizenship due to the CAA, saying the law was about giving citizenship to minorities from three neighbouring countries, and not taking it away from anybody. Sundays meeting with booth-level workers, attended by Mr Shah and BJP working president J.P. Nadda, is being considered significant as it has virtually launched the partys campaign for the Delhi Assembly polls. Mr Shah said the Opposition parties were habituated to the politics of opposition and votebank and referred to their stand against measures like the law on triple talaq among Muslim men and the nullification of Article 370. They also opposed construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said, noting that a recent Supreme Court order had paved the way for building the temple. The Opposition parties have led the protests against the CAA, caling it against Indias Constitution as it makes religion a ground for citizenship. In the past few weeks, the country has been witnessing protests against the amended citizenship law. The Centre has repeatedly said it has so far not discussed the proposal for a National Register of Citizens. One US soldier and two Pentagon contractors were killed in the attack by Al-Shabaab group (part of al-Qaeda terrorist organization, banned in Russia) on a military base in Kenya used by US forces, US Africa Command said on Sunday. "During an attack by al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida group in East Africa, earlier today, one U.S. service member and two Department of Defense contractors were killed at a Kenya Defense Force Military Base in Manda Bay, Kenya," the command said in a press release. In addition, two Pentagon staffers were wounded. They are currently in stable condition, the command added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AUSTIN State lawmakers have been given a stark warning the health of the pension system for state government employees: The fund faces a strong possibility of running out of money in 30 to 40 years if left unchanged, according to the latest annual evaluation of the funds health. The report, authored by third-party consultants and released last month, determined that the financial outlook for the Employees Retirement System of Texas pension is very poor. A comparable report in 2018 had concluded the fund could become insolvent having obligations greater than assets by 2096 if contributions were to remain the same. But the new report moved that date up to 2075 or possibly sooner. There are 257,000 nonretired and retired state employees and beneficiaries receiving pension benefits or paying into the system. Our consulting actuaries have made it clear that the failure to address the unfunded liability is not an option, Employees Retirement System of Texas spokeswoman Mary Jane Wardlow said. Addressing the pension liabilities now will cost the state much less than if it waits to do it later. Wardlow attributes past market volatility and insufficient contributions to the fund for the pension systems declining health. The report comes as state lawmakers and retirees have been asking the Legislative Budget Board to intervene with emergency funding to shore up the pension system. The sooner the state adds money to the pension fund, the sooner it can be invested and generate returns to whittle away at the pension liabilities, proponents say. (About two thirds of retirees pension checks are funded by investment earnings.) The board, of which Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Lake Jackson, are members, has not responded. However, Bonnen has asked a House panel to examine the fund ahead of the next legislative session. We do think that they need to fund it as soon as possible, even if they were able to do it with emergency appropriations, said Tyler Sheldon, legislative director for the Texas State Employees Union. It can be more expensive to taxpayers the longer they wait. Unfunded liability The Texas House last year proposed injecting $150 million into the retired state employee pension system, but the money was removed during bill negotiations with the Senate. The Legislature instead prioritized new spending for public education, property tax relief, Hurricane Harvey relief and the much larger Teacher Retirement System. The state contributes 9.5% of gross payroll, agencies contribute 0.5%, and system members contribute 9.5% of their salaries toward the Employees Retirement System of Texas pension. If contributions remain the same, liabilities will grow by $1 billion over the two-year budget cycle. The unfunded liability was $11.7 billion as of Aug. 31, the latest data available. Upon depletion of the fund, the state would pay-as-you-go a very expensive worse-case scenario in which pension checks are funded from the states general revenue. Rod Bordelon, senior fellow with the conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation, said its important that state lawmakers address the pension fund sooner than later. The group long has supported a policy in which state employees are no longer promised a pension, but instead have the option to contribute to a 401(k) like in the private sector. The fairest way to do that would perhaps be for new employees, or, at the very least, employees that have not been vested yet set up a defined contribution plan for them, Bordelon said. A defined contribution plan like a 401(k) would be better because they would be obviously less risk or no risk for the state. Sheldon said he would not support a 401(k) because it places too much risk on the employee. Lawmakers last year shored up the Teacher Retirement System partly by not only increasing contributions from the state and school districts but also employees contributions. Sheldon said current state employees would not support an increase to their contributions. Employees are also putting into Social Security so youre talking about once taxes are taken out, 15% to 20% of their check is immediately coming out, Sheldon said. When they already are working with a base salary thats not as much as the private sector, take-home pay will not be enough for them to stay employees of the state. High turnover The turnover rate of state employees was 19.3% in 2018, the highest in at least a dozen years. The most common reason non-retiring employees cite for leaving is seeking better pay and benefits, according to the State Auditors Office. Diana Spain, a retired social worker who lives in Austin, fears the lackluster condition of the pension system will deter people from working for the state government. During her 26-year career mainly working at state psychiatric hospitals, she had tried a higher paying private sector job but returned to the state hospital largely for the pension, she said. You cant get people to work at these incredibly difficult, often heart-wrenching jobs without at least promising them that at the end of it, they are going to have some stability a comfortable, stable, safe retirement, Spain said. If you cant get people to work in these jobs, those services are going to go away. She also would like the state to boost spending on the pension because state law requires the pension system to be fully funded within a 31-year period - considered actuarially sound for lawmakers to give retirees a monthly pension check increase. Retirees havent seen an increase to their pension payments since 2001. The average monthly pension check was $1,690 last year, according to the retirement system. Spain earned about $40,000 a year by the end of her career and her pension check is about three-fourths of what she brought home while working. She periodically works part time to pad her savings. Those of us who have already retired are worried about the fact that our pensions could be taken away or could at least stagnate to the point that we cant survive with dignity anymore, Spain said. US President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters after making a video call to the troops stationed worldwide at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach Florida, on December 24, 2019. President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Iran not to retaliate against the U.S. over the killing of the Islamic Republic's top general, threatening to strike 52 targets if Tehran took revenge. In a series of Twitter posts, Trump warned Iran that the U.S. has targeted 52 sites "at a very high level and important to Iran and Iranian culture." The U.S. will strike those targets "very fast and very hard" if Iran takes revenge, Trump said. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened "severe revenge" for the death of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad Thursday night. Trump ordered the airstrike which killed Soleimani, the head of a special unit of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard who was responsible for Iranian military strategy across much of the Middle East. The general's death in a U.S. airstrike has raised concern throughout the region and the world that already tense relations between Washington and Tehran are now spiraling toward outright war. Tens of thousands marched in Baghdad Saturday to mourn Soleimani amid shouts of "Death to America." Several rockets hit parts of the Iraqi capital, including the Green Zone where the U.S. embassy is located. The U.S. State Department has warned American citizens to leave Iraq immediately as the U.S. military deploys another 3,500 troops to respond to threats in the region. The U.S. and Iranian-backed militias have engaged in a series of escalating confrontations in recent weeks. A rocket attack on an Iraqi military base left an American contractor dead and several U.S. service members injured in December. In response, the U.S. launched airstrikes against the militia Kataib Hezbollah. Supporters of the group subsequently stormed the compound of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. Trump held Soleimani personally responsible for the death of the U.S. contractor and the storming of the American embassy compound. The new Finnish Prime Minister has called for discussion of a flexible working schedule for her country - a four-day-week or six-hour working day. Sanna Marin, 34, - the second youngest head of government in the world - posted her ideas on Twitter late last year, saying it would allow workers to spend more time with their families. `Shorter working hours can and should be discussed. A 4-day week or a 6-hour day with a decent wage may be a utopia today, but may be true in the future,' she said. The mother-of-one leads a centre-left coalition with four other parties which are all headed by women, three of which are under 35. Finland's new Prime Minister last year revealed her vision for a flexible working schedule in the country that would involve a four-day-week or six-hour working day She said: 'I believe people deserve to spend more time with their families, loved ones, hobbies and other aspects of life, such as culture. 'This could be the next step for us in working life.' At the time of her comments, a few months before she became Prime Minister, Marin held the position of Minister for Transport. While in office in that position, Marin advocated for shorter work weeks to improve employee rapport and productivity. In Finland currently it is normal to work eight hours per day, five days per week. The proposal was immediately welcomed with enthusiasm by the minister of education Li Andersson, the leader of the Left Alliance. The mother-of-one leads a centre-left coalition with four other parties which are all headed by women, three of which are under 35 She said: 'It is important to allow Finnish citizens to work less. It is not a question of governing with a feminine style but offering help and keeping promises to voters '. In neighbouring Sweden, where the six-hour-day working day was trialled in 2015, results showed that employees were happier, wealthier and more productive. In early December Finland's ruling Social Democratic Party council voted 32-29 to name Sanna Marin over rival Antti Lindtman to take over the government's top post from incumbent Antti Rinne. In November Microsoft Japan took a bold move in a bid to improve work-life balance by introducing a three-day weekend for their employees. The results showed that productivity went up by a staggering 39.9 per cent. Americans to face consequences not just today, but in coming years: President Rouhani ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 4 January 2020 / 13:39 Tehran (ISNA) Iran's President praised the self-sacrifices and devotion of Martyr Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and said, "Martyr Soleimani will be everlasting in the history of Iran and freedom-seekers around world". President Hassan Rouhani visited Martyr Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani's house on Saturday morning and offered his family congratulations and condolences over the brave general of Islam's martyrdom. Stating that today not only the Iranian nation, but also the entire freedom-seeking Muslim peoples around the world mourn the great martyr's loss, he said, "Despite the fact that people know the aspects of his self-sacrifice and jihad, his great work and activities must be made clear for everybody". Soleimani was a general who never dismounted from the horse of jihad during these 38 years and his efforts were round the clock, Dr. Rouhani said, "The services of this great martyr for providing the security to the country and the region, especially for the people of Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Afghanistan, are unforgettable". He also said that the name and memory of the great martyr will stay with the Iranian nation forever, saying, "The crime the United States committed will remain in the history of their biggest crimes against the Iranian nation". "The Americans did not understand what grave mistake they committed; they will face the consequences of this criminal act not only today, but also in the coming years," he said. The President added, "There is no doubt that the US is now more hated among Iranians and Iraqis". The level of Martyr Soleimani was nothing less than being martyred by the greatest terrorist of history, he said, adding, "All American forces joined hands with full readiness to take this great asset from us and Muslim nations". Stating that the Almighty will compensate this loss, Dr. Rouhani said, "The dear young people of Iran follow the path of Martyr Soleimani and, God-willing, tens of General Soleimani will be brought up in this country". Dr. Rouhani added, "The empty place of General Soleimani cannot be filled easily, because he was not only a war commander and designer of major operations, but also an exceptional, talented politician and strategist". He added, "Martyr Soleimani was always working tirelessly for the oppressed peoples and the security of regional countries, and today, all Muslims and freedom-seekers around the world are mourning his loss". Referring to his brave presence in fighting ISIS terrorists and defending the shrines of Ahl ul-Bayt, the President said, "His place and efforts are unforgettable in our history and General Soleimani will remain everlasting in the history of Iran". He also said that the Iranian nation reserves the right to avenge Martyr Soleimani's blood, adding, "Martyr Soleimani's blood will be avenged on the day we see the evil hand of America is cut short of the region for good". The President continued, "The Iranian nation will display their respect for the path of martyrs with their greatness and large presence at Martyr Soleimani's funeral". "Iranian nation's enemies were very angry about General Soleimani's efforts and plans for regional stability and security, because the enemies' plots would be revealed very soon by his wisdom and planning; this is why they martyred him," said Rouhani. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Shankkar Aiyar By A single death is a tragedy. A million deaths is a statistic. It was Joseph Stalin, Georgian revolutionary-turned-Soviet premier who said this. In India, a single death is a personal tragedy, a hundred deaths attract headlines, and a million deaths would be filed as part of public policy statistic. Last week, the death of over 100 children at J K Lon hospital in Kota captured news headlines. The children were brought into the hospital by parents, mostly from economically weaker sections, from surrounding rural areas. As is the case with such tragedies, the children were critically ill. The hospital suffers from gaps in infrastructure. There was equipment malfunction. Naturally, allegations of negligence followed. What is chilling is that infant deaths seem to be par for the course at the hospital. What raised the alarm is the quantum of deaths, 10 children in 48 hours. It is a testimony to the state of apathy that over 1,000 children died every year in the past six years in the hospital. Indeed, the state government claimed that the death toll was the lowest since 2011. Of such small mercies rests political claims of good governance in India. The saga is not very different from what happened in Gorakhpur in August 2017. In just 24 hours, 23 infants died in the Baba Raghav Das Medical College Hospital. In a five-day period, over 70 infants admitted in to the hospitals in the neo-natal ward and for treatment died. In 2020, it is still a mystery as to what caused the tragedy and who was responsible. As in Kota, the state government had claimed the death toll had come down. The tragic phenomenon of untimely deaths of infants and their cause is typically trapped in the rising fog of political whataboutery. At Gorakhpur, it was the Congress and the Opposition who were attacking the Yogi Adityanath government. In Kota, it was the BJP which targeted the Ashok Gehlot government. The systemic inadequacies are swept under high decibel sloganeering and calls for resignations. Amidst ricocheting rhetoric, little has changed over the years. In a five-year period between 2008 and 2012, a total of 10,081 children had died in the Kalawati Saran Hospital in Delhi. Three years later in 2015, an Right to Information (RTI) query revealed that 34,000 children admitted to neo-natal wards and paediatric intensive care unit in Delhis hospitals had died in 19 hospitals effectively over 12 per cent of children admitted for treatment. It is not just Kota, Gorakhpur or Delhi. A recent UNICEF report revealed that over 882,000 children under the age of five died in 2018 that is over 100 children every hour, or a child every minute. And the average camouflages the poor state of affairs in the states in Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. Indeed, life expectancy at birth is better in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Kazakhstan than in India. Successive governments have claimed improvement. Comparison over a time frame may sound good but how has India done compared to others. Data with the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation spells out improvement a little more explicitly. In 1990, Indias under-5 mortality was at 126 per 1,000 births and Bangladesh at 144 per 1,000 births. In 2018, Indias under-5 mortality is at 36 per 1,000 births and that of Bangladesh is better at 30 per 1000 births. Sure, India is dogged by sheer scale of births. But the size of population hasnt deterred China ostensibly an authoritarian regime compared to democratic India. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the nodal programme for fighting infant mortality, was set up in 1975 and is focussed on the first 1,000 days of a childs life. The data is eloquent. Between 1970 and 2018, India brought down under-five mortality from 213 to 36 per 1,000 births. China, just as haunted by scale, brought it down from 112 to 9 per 1,000 births. It is not that money is not available, although it is arguable that more must be spent. Allocations for ICDS in the past three years averaged at Rs 20,000 crore, and allocation this year is at Rs 27,000 crore in 2019-20. Child care is about nutrition about 35 per cent of the children suffer from anaemia and low birth weight. In 2018, the government expanded the nutrition programme (Poshan Abhiyan) under ICDS. Better nutrition does help. But more needs to be done. Improving child care and fixing infant mortality demands an alignment of public policy. There is a correlation between the environment and mortality. Availability and quality of water matters and yet over 1.5 Anganwadi centres, the contact point for healthcare, do not have drinking water supplies. Over 17 per cent of the deaths are caused by pneumonia, 9 per cent by diarrhoea and around 5 per cent by bacterial infections. Over 3.6 lakh Anganwadi centres lack toilets in the country despite the fact that a big cause of deaths is poor sanitation and waste management. An African proverb says it takes a village to raise a child. The bottom line is a nation capable of launching lunar and solar space missions must do better to stop the death of over 100 children every hour. Shankkar Aiyar (Author of Aadhaar: A Biometric History of Indias 12 Digit Revolution, and Accidental India) Kenneth Tingley Editor 12801 Follow Kenneth Tingley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today My son says it is my fault. When I protest, he clarifies that he means my generation is to blame. For ignoring climate change, the soaring national debt, student loan payments that are burdening his generation before it even has a chance to get started and a political dysfunction that shows no sign of abating in his young life. And dont get him started on Social Security, which he never expects to see a dime of in his lifetime. When he was home at Thanksgiving with his girlfriend, I asked her if she had the same generally pessimistic view of the future. She said she did. I dont recall the same outlook when I was in my 20s. I just returned from a weekend in Washington, a city I have always loved for its beauty, majesty and what it represents to the history of our country. We sat in the room where the Supreme Court hears cases, were overwhelmed by the majesty of the Library of Congress, but as I walked across the street to the U.S. Capitol on this particularly balmy December day, I did not feel the same way I did in the past. There was no longer the awe for what it once stood for. I no longer admired the people who worked there, and now I considered their mission suspect. The U.S. Capitol was now an anachronism of a time we worked together for the greater good, and our children were optimistic about their future. Just before I visited Washigton, Congress passed the 2020 budget, in which Democrats and Republicans agreed to spend more money than they had the year before and increase the national debt further. Thats our money. It was six days before Christmas and I doubt many of you paid much attention. Down in midtown Manhattan, not far from Times Square, there is an enormous electronic scoreboard where the numbers rapidly increase as it measures the spiraling national debt with something that looks like a Social Security number. Its another reason for my son and his friends to be pessimistic. There is little outcry about the spending and the lack of responsibility from members of Congress. Last year, our federal government spent $984 billion more than it took in. The tax cuts we all received in 2017 did not pay for themselves. The Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan scorekeeper of Congress spending, estimates annual budgets will have $1.2 trillion deficits over the next decade. These numbers are too large for any of us to really know what they mean, except that economists are generally concerned that over time the debt will erode the economy, reduce the return on financial investments and hinder wage growth. It wont happen tomorrow, or next year, but debt will have a cumulative effect. What is of greater concern is that countries generally reduce budget deficits during good economic times. This Congress has done the opposite. Economists say that our national debt could triple by the time my son is in his 50s and I am long gone. I really dont want to share that with him right now. Instead, I want to tell him that I was part of generation that walked on the moon, invented the Internet, cleaned up the environment and put a Smart Phone in everyones pocket. That may not be enough. From what I see of the future, I may owe my son an apology. Ken Tingley is editor of The Post-Star and may be reached via email at tingley@poststar.com. Love 2 Funny 5 Wow 0 Sad 11 Angry 2 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Customer experience is the interaction that a consumer has, or comes to expect, when engaging with a brand. However, this simple concept has become a minefield for brands in this era of digital transformation, as the consumer decision journey focuses on online channels. Consumers now expect a customised experience from brands, with a recent Salesforce report on the 'connected customer' revealing 84pc of them believe that this experience is as important as a company's products and services. The unstoppable rise of e-commerce has opened borders for companies, securing a global marketplace with more customers - as well as more competitors. As a result, customers are becoming more discerning; brand loyalty is eroded by a plethora of equally compelling offerings available at the mere click of a button. Omnichannel experiences are cited as the most effective method to reach and maintain a modern customer base. Brands employing this strategy aim to provide an integrated customer experience across all channels, according to Hubspot. This is becoming commonplace; 69pc of customers expect brands to provide a 'connected experience' across multiple channels, such as apps, chatbots and email. Franco De Bonis, marketing director of LogoGrab, says: "I don't believe there has been a time with such a significant shift in how consumers choose to engage with brands. From researching to purchasing and sharing their product experiences, consumers live in multiple places." To assist brands in securing this integrated experience, customer engagement solutions are growing in importance. According to a Mordor Intelligence report, these solutions, such as virtual reality experiences, artificial intelligence and data analytics, are the software applications present at each stage of a customer's interaction with a brand. Irish firms are now making their mark on this space, which is expected to be valued at $29.49bn (26.3bn) by 2024. LogoGrab is one example, providing a logo and mark recognition API, used by platforms such as Brandwatch and Synthesio in delivering insights to their customers. Another is e-commerce platform Luzern, currently working with brands like Nestle and Fossil. Marketing director Orla Power reveals: "We increasingly see investment in the underlying platform technology to help [brands] gain operational intelligence to improve how they sell online." The growing success of Irish companies was celebrated recently at an Enterprise Ireland event in Zurich. At the Consumer Engagement Solutions for Global Brands seminar, seven Irish companies presented to representatives from leading brands, including Nespresso, Mondelez and Swarovski. Present was Niall O'Gorman, CSO and co-founder of ChannelSight, who said: "Online is cannibalising the high street - brands are responding to the drop in footfall to bricks-and-mortar stores by offering click-and-collect or buy-online-pick-up-in-store options to consumers." ChannelSight's e-commerce solution guides consumers to purchasing, enabling brands to increase sales, and is utilised by leading brands such as Siemens and Duracell. Jane Greene, senior market adviser at Enterprise Ireland, explains why Zurich was a natural fit for this event: "Irish companies are recognising the potential of the Swiss market, with double-digit growth for three consecutive years. Digitally savvy and internationally out-looking consumers are driving this trend. Irish companies targeting global brands should be considering Switzerland as part of their export strategy." Switzerland is home to one of the highest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies in the world, as well as a host of luxury brands. Lauded for their high purchasing power, Swiss consumers are embracing e-commerce, with 90pc of the population having shopped online at least once. Switzerland's inclusion in the European Economic Area makes the market attractive. Brands are influenced by the international nature of the market and are willing to look externally to source technologies to maintain their strong reputation. De Bonis confirms this: "If you think of Switzerland as a small country nestled in the middle of mainland Europe, you're missing a vital point. The Swiss are masters at branding and marketing, especially in the luxury goods space. Not only that, they are masters at taking those brands international." Fine Gael's election manifesto will pledge to introduce free GP care for all children under 16 if the party is re-elected to government. The election pledge comes as Health Minister Simon Harris prepares to announce he has received government approval to legislate for free GP care for all children under 13. The minister will begin by extending the free GP scheme to all six and seven year olds this year. The scheme is currently only available to children under the age of six. Fine Gael will make a number of significant commitments on health in its election manifesto but a key pledge will be to extend the free GP scheme. Promising to extend the service to children under 16 will put Minister Harris and Fine Gael on a direct collision course with doctors, who have complained about the impact of the scheme on their practices. Doctors have said they do not have the manpower or resources to provide the service and insist free GP care should be aimed at older rather than younger patients. Mr Harris recently agreed a new 210m GP contract with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), which is the country's main representative body for doctors. The agreement saw the restoration of a number of GP fees cut during the austerity budgets which followed the financial crash. The deal also offered GPs new payments to see patients who were previously seen in hospitals. The Government hopes these payments will pave the way for negotiations on expanding the free GP scheme. The cross-party Slaintecare Implementation Strategy commits to introducing universal free GP care by 2028. Mr Harris will tomorrow announce he has asked his officials to begin drafting legislation which will enact a budget commitment to extend free GP care to all children under 13 years old. He will also ask them to begin work on legislation which will increase the income limits for medical card assessments for people aged 70 or over. In the Budget, the Government committed to increasing the income threshold for the over 70s medical card to 550 a week for individuals or 1,050 for couples. It is estimated that this measure will give 56,000 people medical cards for the first time. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (Image- PTI) Union minister and Senior BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday accused the Congress of doing appeasement politics and creating confusion among people over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). "The Opposition is creating confusion and misleading people over the issue of CAA. Congress president Sonia Gandhi released video statement but she did not condemn the violence. The Congress is standing with those who committed violence," she told a press conference at the BJP office here. She said religious minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have faced persecution in their respective countries and sought asylum in India during the last six decades. "In the last six years, over 2000 refugees, mostly Muslims, who have come from Pakistan got Indian citizenship. In the same period, more than 900 people, mostly Muslims, from Afghanistan and nearly 200 people, mostly Muslims, from Bangladesh also got citizenship. There is no exclusion. Even today, they can acquire citizenship under the Citizenship Act," Sitharaman said. Earlier in the day, she launched a door-to-door awareness campaign on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Kagzi Mohalla, Khudabaksh Chowk in Sanganer here and accused the opposition of spreading misinformation about the new citizenship law. "The CAA is not for taking away anyone's citizenship. The Opposition has no other issue and therefore they are deliberately creating misconception. They are wrong. Confusion is being created by linking CAA with NRC and we have to clear it," she told a Muslim family. She also visited Laxmi Colony near Kagzi Mohalla for the campaign. She was accompanied by Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra and other leaders. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy on Sunday claimed that the incidents of arson and violence during anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests were engineered by 'terrorist' elements from Pakistan and Bangladesh who want to destabilise India. Swamy asserted that the Act has nothing to do with one's religious beliefs and bonafide Indian citizens including Muslims need not worry. Branding those involved in acts of violence during anti-CAA protests as 'deshdrohis', Swamy said "There is a need to catch these people, they have gone against the long established tradition of India for peaceful, non-violent form of protest.... We have started the process of prosecuting those involved in such violence." Taking part at a discussion, "Secularism under threat", here, the former Union minister said previous governments used to cover up incidents of destruction of public property by agitators, while the BJP government is making the arsonists pay from their pockets for the losses. On the CAA, Swamy said, "We haven't said anything against Muslims. We have only said those who have been persecuted for religious reasons, who had been hanging in this country for decades without citizenship, those who have not got cards and jobs.... This state of affairs must end." No Muslims from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh had faced persecution, he said adding that none can take the citizenship of an Indian Muslim. "The only way you can take away someone's citizenship is if you have voluntarily acquired citizenship of another country.... Why not Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will lose their (Indian) citizenship?" he wondered. "Some crazy people abroad and some equally crazy people in India" are claiming that the CAA has something to do with religion," Swamy said. In India, "We have been always of the view that we have a spiritual country and we cannot leave out religion and spirituality completely", the BJP leader said. Allaying the fear of those who had migrated from Bangladesh, Swamy said, "Any Bengali who has been persecuted for religious reasons in Bangladesh, will be welcome in our country. But it must be for religious reasons." Asked about the alleged harassment of civil liberty activists such as Arundhati Roy during anti-CAA protests, Swamy said the Constitution guarantees fundamental rights with certain restrictions - if involves issues like sovereignty and integrity of the country and protecting anyone from being defamed. "We are going through due process of prosecution. There are many more prosecutions ahead," he said. Swamy said the most significant step taken so far by the BJP government at the Centre is the abolition of triple talaq and the next big move should be a 'uniform civil code' and "the nation is ready for it". Going back to the partition days of 1947, Swamy said, "Our country was partitioned so that they (those who left) can live happily there (in the neighbouring country). We did not push them out. But having gone there, you (illegal immigrants) again want to come back. I am saying if you come back bring a portion of land also." He said India should not be treated as a "dharamsala where anyone can come, sit with a chatai (mat) and sleep." Referring to the spat between historian Irfan Habib and Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan during the Indian History Congress at Kannur a few days back, Swamy said "He (Habib) made some nasty cracks. Nasty cracks he made because he is a crackpot." The BJP leader said Khan is his friend and spoke to him a few days ago. "I said you did the right thing by ignoring him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It was a weekend full of theater in Les Fields Hall. Well, theater preparations. About a dozen volunteers were busy wielding paint brushes, pins and needles Saturday afternoon to get the hall ready for the Absolute Theatre companys upcoming production of "A Year With Frog and Toad." Volunteers were there Friday and were expected to show up Sunday as well to make improvements to the space and to move in sets. The changes arent just for the one play, they will have a lasting effect on Les Fields Hall. Absolute Theatre co-founder James Douglass said the changes being made over the volunteer weekend will only enhance what Threshold Arts, which runs the Castle Community space, is doing. The black wall behind the stage space will now absorb light instead of the white wall reflecting it. "It makes a huge difference," volunteer Janet Roeder said. "Lighting helps bring your focus on what it should be on. The show." Roeder volunteers in a number of ways including running the lighting during Absolute Theatre productions. Lighting, she said, is a way to tell the audience where to look without using words. Now with the black wall and black curtains that will hang on either side of the stage, the eyes of the audience will be more easily drawn to the action. ADVERTISEMENT "It really will help draw focus in shows, especially when you want to do something quiet and intimate, there are not all these other distractions and your peripheral vision isn't taking over," Roeder said. This is Absolutes Theatres fourth season and for some of the volunteers it was one of their first times interacting with the theater company. Rochester resident Kathy Gunderson said her friend is connected to the theater and through her, Gunderson learned of the volunteer event. "They wanted help with sewing, and I thought I could probably do that, but it's a little more complicated than I thought," Gunderson said with a laugh. "I'm retired, and I just thought it would be fun to get involved with giving back to the community." Rochester resident Dana Knaaks introduction to Absolute Theatre was a week before during the theaters murder mystery fundraiser, which Knaak described as an amazing experience. "I got an email they were looking for volunteers so that's what I do, I volunteer," Knaak said. "That's how I can give back to the community -- by being a volunteer." Knaak helped paint the multiple coats of flat matte black paint onto the halls back wall. "I'm not a painter, but I sure enjoy it," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Accusing the Congress of indulging in appeasement politics and creating confusion over the amended Citizenship Act, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday claimed that the Congress of today was different from the one which had led the freedom movement as it now stands with those who commit violence. The BJP was clearing confusion among people over the new law through its door-to-door campaign, she said. "The opposition is creating confusion and misleading people over the issue of CAA. Congress president Sonia Gandhi released a video statement but she did not condemn the violence (during protests). The Congress is standing with those who committed violence," she told a press conference at the BJP office here. The party's former president Rahul Gandhi had stood by those who raised the slogan 'desh tere tukde honge', the Union minister alleged. "Congress repeatedly tells the country that it ran the freedom movement. They ask (us) where were you. That Congress which had led the freedom movement cannot stand with 'tukde tukde' gang and cannot support violence. This is a different Congress," Sitharaman said. "They are not habitual of staying away from power. They are in the habit of doing appeasement politics," she alleged. About the citizenship issue, she said religious minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have faced persecution in their countries and sought asylum in India during the last six decades. "In the last six years, over 2,000 refugees, mostly Muslims, who have come from Pakistan got Indian citizenship. In the same period, more than 900 people, mostly Muslims, from Afghanistan and nearly 200 people, mostly Muslims, from Bangladesh also got citizenship. There is no exclusion. Even today, they can acquire citizenship under the Citizenship Act," Sitharaman said. She said the Congress in its election manifestos had promised citizenship to religious minorities arriving here from neighbouring countries. But now, when the Narendra Modi government was doing it, they were siding with those involved in violence, the Union minister alleged. Asserting that the BJP too in its manifesto had promised citizenship to refugees, she said, "We do not do votebank politics while the Congress is still doing the politics of appeasement for Muslim votes and spreading lies. Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament after debate. There can be protest in democracy but violence cannot be tolerated." When asked about the Centre's reaction over Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's decision of not implementing CAA in the state, the Union minister said that Gehlot has forgotten that he had written to Centre during his earlier term for giving citizenship to Pakistani refugees. "He should remember that he had written a letter to the Centre. He should now support the government when it is being done," she said. She also targeted the chief minister over the deaths of children in a Kota hospital saying he should listen to what the deputy chief minister has said. "The chief minister is focusing on CAA rather than on deaths of children. He is concerned about minority votes," Sitharaman added. Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Saturday criticising his government over the deaths of 107 children in Kota's state-run JK Lon Hospital, saying their response to the infant deaths could have been more sensitive. Earlier in the day, Sitharaman launched a door-to-door awareness campaign on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Kagzi Mohalla, Khudabaksh Chowk in Sanganer here and accused the opposition of spreading misinformation about the new law. "The CAA is not for taking away anyone's citizenship. The Opposition has no other issue and therefore they are deliberately creating misconception. They are wrong. Confusion is being created by linking CAA with NRC and we have to clear it," she told a Muslim family. Accompanied by Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra and other leaders, she also visited Laxmi Colony near Kagzi Mohalla for the campaign. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Map centered on the Hotham and Bogong High Plains area in the Victorian Alps showing the extent of the fires from the 1970-2000 period to early January 2020. Graphic: Dr. Tom Fairman / Twitter 5 January 2020 (Desdemona Despair) Dr. Tom Fairman, forest scientist at the Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning has posted a series of burn maps for the Victorian Alps showing the extent of bushfires from the 1970-2000 period to 5 January 2020. The maps reveal how much of the forest has been subjected to reburning from the increased fire frequency caused by global warming. 1970-2000: The first map shows the extent of major bushfires in the 1970-2000 period. Usually, fires occurred at lower elevations, like the 1998 Caledonia fire in the south. The first map shows the extent of major bushfires in the 1970-2000 period. Usually, fires occurred at lower elevations, like the 1998 Caledonia fire in the south. 2003: Large Alpine fires burned from Canberra to halfway through the Victorian Alps, the largest fires in Victoria since 1939. Large Alpine fires burned from Canberra to halfway through the Victorian Alps, the largest fires in Victoria since 1939. 2007: The Great Divide fires reburned extensive areas of forest, causing the collapse of some Alpine ash forests. The Great Divide fires reburned extensive areas of forest, causing the collapse of some Alpine ash forests. 2009: The Black Saturday fires impacted some parts of the Alps and reburned some areas of 2003 burn. The Black Saturday fires impacted some parts of the Alps and reburned some areas of 2003 burn. 2013: The Harrietville fires reburned forest that was burned in 2003 and 2007, so some areas of forest burned three times within a decade. The Harrietville fires reburned forest that was burned in 2003 and 2007, so some areas of forest burned three times within a decade. March 2019: A series of dry lightning storms reburned areas of forest that burned in 2003, 2007, and 2013. A series of dry lightning storms reburned areas of forest that burned in 2003, 2007, and 2013. 5 January 2020: More double- and triple-burned forest. Map centered on the Hotham and Bogong High Plains area in the Victorian Alps showing the extent of the fires from the 1970-2000 period to early January 2020. Graphic: Dr. Tom Fairman Dr. Fairman observes that these forests are unlikely to persist after two high severity fires under 15-20 years the age regenerating stems begin to produce seed. [] High fire frequency increases mortality, while seeming to favour grasses. My supervisors and I began to call these sub-alpine savannas. The prognosis for the forests of the Victorian Alps isnt good: Theres probably few other ways to describe this than as a landscape of change. Dr. Tom Fairman on Twitter Lucknow, Jan 5 (UNI) Alleging that the opposition fanning protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act CAA and National Register of Citizen (NRC), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh here on Sunday said that people should not have any misconception about the amended citizenship law because Indian culture believes on 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) and does not segregate people. Mr Singh visited his parliamentary constituency on Sunday where he attended party programs in support of the CAA and NRC. "The people are being misled by the opposition parties for their political gain. The BJP has decided to give a message to the people that they should not have any misconceptions about CAA. The Indian culture teaches us 'Sarvdharma Sambhav' and a Hindustani cannot discriminate on lines of caste and religion," he said. He visited the house of retired Justice Khemkaran in Sarojini Nagar where the residents were also given book Nagrikta (Sanshodhan) Adhiniyam -2019 ek parichaya highlighting the main points of the Act. The Defence Minister asked people and party workers to go through them. This Act does not deal with taking citizenship of any person. Instead it will give citizenship to the minority who are being persecuted in neighbouring countries and are staying in India since 2014. The opposition has spread lies that this Act would be used to take away citizenship of members of particular community, Mr Singh said. He said that there are many occasions when opposition leaders have demanded citizenship rights for the minority being persecuted in but now leaders of same party spreading lies. The message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) had gone from India to the entire world. Our party believes in this ethos and cannot violate Indian cultural values, he said. He clarified that the NRC was on in Assam and the exercise was carried out on the directives of the Supreme Court. We are just following the directives of the SC directives. There is no order of government in this regard. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clarified that Government has so far no plans to implement NRC across India, Mr Singh said. His visit comes days after widespread violence during protests against the law, which officials said left 19 persons dead. He also met doctors in Sun Eye Hospital. He told people there that they should not get swayed by the lies being spread by some TV channels. During this campaign minister in Yogi Government Swati Singh, Mayor Samyukta Bhatia and leaders of city unit of BJP were present. UNI MB PS 2004 Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 16:44:51|Editor: zh Video Player Close ROME, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed as a car drove into a crowd of German tourists in northern Italy, local media quoted police sources as saying on Sunday. ORLANDO, Fla. (RNS) Reinhard Bonnke, the German evangelist known as The Billy Graham of Africa, was lauded at a memorial service today as a giant and a general in the army of God. The Pentecostal pastor died December 7 at the age of 79 in Orlando, where he moved his international ministry, Christ for All Nations (CfaN), in the early 2000s. He retired as head of CfaN in 2017, citing declining health. During more than four decades of mass crusades in Africa, Bonnke preached in 51 of the continents countries and claimed to have converted 79 million people to Christianity. About 2,000 people gathered from around the US and around the world in the sanctuary of the Faith Assembly of God for a three-hour celebration of Bonnkes life and ministry. More than a dozen speakers, including a number from African ministries and denominations, lauded Bonnke, for both his zeal and his personal humility. Other Pentecostal leadersincluding T. D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, and Paula Whiteappeared on the three large screens above the sanctuarys stage with filmed tributes. Members of the racially diverse crowd sang Bonnkes favorite hymns, waving their arms. A large, red floral arrangement in the shape of the African continent was placed on an easel next to the speakers lectern. Along the front of the stage, sheaves of wheat were arranged in containers, symbolizing the harvest of Bonnkes evangelism. Between the mornings speakers, clips of Bonnkes African crusadessome to audiences of hundreds of thousandsplayed on the screen. Image: Photo courtesy of Bonnke.net The best known of these was in Lagos, Nigeria, in November 2000, when an estimated 1.6 million heard Bonnke preach. In 2001, Christianity Todaycalled Bonnke one of the continents most recognizable religious figures. In a tweet after Bonnkes death, Muhammadu Buhari, the president of Nigeria, said the country joins Christendom at large in mourning the passing of [the] renowned evangelist. Bonnkes death, Buhari said, was a great loss to Nigeria, Africa [and the] entire world. Pia Sebastian, 46, came from Dallas to attend the celebration. In 2013, she gave up a corporate career to study evangelism at one of Bonnkes training schools. I honor Reinhard Bonnke, and I believe that Im called to carry the torch and fulfill the work of sharing the gospel, Sebastian said. Image: Photo courtesy of Bonnke.net Bonnke was the son of a German soldier who became a minister after World War II. Mesmerized by tales of 19th century European missionaries like David Livingstone, young Reinhard would later say he heard the voice of the Holy Spirit say to him: Africa shall be saved! In a Facebook post in 2018, Bonnke cited another role model. Billy Graham has inspired me personally, he wrote after the American evangelists death in 2018. When he preached in a tent in Hamburg, Germany. I always felt connected to him. Early in his evangelistic career, Bonnke acknowledged in a 2003 interview, he made a strategic decision that proved controversial. He based his ministry in an all-white area of Johannesburg, South Africa, and did not publicly oppose the apartheid regime. Bonnke said he did make known his opposition to apartheid, but indirectly through his ministry. His associate was a black minister who always traveled with him. I had a choice, he said. To become politically active and oppose apartheid from the pulpit. Or, to preach the gospel and make people find salvation in Jesus Christ. Bonnkes healing claims have also drawn controversy. The most remarkable things are happening: blind eyes open, cripples walk, people jump out of their wheelchairs, he said in a 2003 interview with the Orlando Sentinel. I am as amazed as anybody else. It is just too wonderful. But I personally am not the miracle workerit is Jesus. Image: Photo courtesy of Bonnke.net Bonnkes followers claimed that he did in fact perform a miracle. In November 2001, they say, the evangelist raised a Nigerian minister from the dead. Pastor Daniel Ekechukwu was twice pronounced dead after a car crash, according to the story, and embalmedalthough by African custom, his organs were not removed. Three days later, after hearing a prophecy, his wife brought the body to the basement of a church where Bonnke was praying in the sanctuary above. At the same time, others later told the evangelist, Ekechukwu sat bolt upright and began to breathe again. That man was dead as a stone, Bonnke said, although he did not know the man was in the church basement at the time he was preaching above. There is no doubt about it. CfaN ministry officials investigated the account, Bonnke said, and found it to be so true, so genuine, so fantastic that they embraced it as a miracle, and produced and distributed a video on the episode. Rick DuBose, assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, lauded Bonnke for his decades of missionary work. Bonnke literally pushed back the darkness, he said. Toward the end of his career, Bonnke held his first crusades in the United States, a country he said needed to experience Gods power. I have seen whole countries shaken by the power of God, he told Jeff Kunerth of the Orlando Sentinel in 2013. That experience in Africa has turned me into an incurable believer that God will do it in other parts of the world as well. And I pray for America. Religion writer Mark I. Pinsky covered Reinhard Bonnke's career for the Orlando Sentinel until 2008. A week after ministers were sworn into the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, discontentment seems to be brewing with Shiv Sena minister Abdul Sattar threatening to resign from the Uddhav Thackeray-government on Saturday. However, late in the evening, he denied that he has quit the government. The allocation of portfolios and allotments of guardianship of districts to ministers has been delayed. Sattar, an MLA from Sillod, was inducted as a minister of state as against his expectation of a Cabinet berth. He is the lone Muslim face from the Shiv Sena in the ministry. Sattar was with the Congress but was expelled after the Lok Sabha polls. He joined the Shiv Sena ahead of the Vidhan Sabha elections. That Sattar was unhappy was evident from the past few days, however, on Saturday morning, news surfaced that he had resigned. After reports of his resignation surfaced, his son Sameer Sattar said: "I have come to know about this from media, please wait and watch, Abdul Sattar sahab would himself clarify." Later, in the evening, he said that he had not resigned. "The reports that I had resigned had been deliberately spread." Sattar is expected to meet Thackeray on Sunday. Top Uddhav aide and Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai denied that Sattar has resigned. "It is not true... Abdul Sattar has not resigned... These are false reports," Desai told DH. Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that the government is of Maha Vikas Aghadi and not the Shiv Sena's. "He has been included even though he came from outside," Raut said. Sattar was also unhappy over the Shiv Sena supporting the Congress in Aurangabad zilla parishad president elections. In fact, several Shiv Sena leaders have been left out of the ministry but among those who openly spoke include Bhaskar Jadhav and Anil Babar. Meanwhile, NCP minister and party's chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said that the portfolio allocation would happen by Monday. "It is true that allocation of portfolios has been delayed... The swearing in took place on December 30 and it was expected to be out on January 1... In fact, a new ministry of chief minister's office is being created... It is taking some time," he said. Meanwhile, Congress minister Nitin Raut said that the "final list" is with the chief minister and it would be "announced soon". In fact, Raut ,too, seems to be unhappy as the Public Works Department assured to him earlier is now being given to Ashok Chavan, a former chief minister. After authorising the air strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani at Baghdad airport on Friday, US President Donald Trump said the US had expected an imminent attack by Iran, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Iran was planning imminent action that threatened US citizens. In a Tweet on Sunday, Trump said: They attacked us and we hit back, while on Friday, the US Department of Defense stated that the attack was launched to stop a war, not start one. They attacked us, & we hit back. If they attack again, which I would strongly advise them not to do, we will hit them harder than they have ever been hit before! https://t.co/qI5RfWsSCH Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2020 According to experts on international law, the question of the legality of Trumps decision turns on whether the US was reacting to an imminent attack. To meet the requirements for self-defence under international law, the US had to have acted to avert an imminent attack. Kevin Jon Heller, professor of law at the University of Amsterdam, told Al Jazeera that Trumps reference to an imminent attack is proof that the US still needs to offer some sort of legal justification for the attack. Thats not as good as actually complying with international law, but its better than nothing. Calling for an independent investigation into the killing, Agnes Callamard, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions said: Based on the information we have so far it is not possible to determine whether the strike was legitimate under the UN Charter governing the use of force. Anticipatory self-defence Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations prohibits the use of force except under two circumstances: when the use of force was authorised by the UN Security Council and when a country acted in self-defence. Article 51 only permits self-defence in response to an attack that has already occurred or is underway. That said, state practice makes it clear that self-defence is also permissible in response to armed attacks that are imminent, said Heller. The Red Cross defines self-defence as the inherent right of a state to use of force in response to an armed attack. Self-defence when an attack has not yet occurred, but is anticipated, is called anticipatory self-defence. Anticipatory self-defence should be distinguished from preventive self-defence, which seeks to halt a future threat, often in the absence of precise information. As a doctrine, anticipatory self-defence is still in flux. There is some debate about the status of anticipatory self-defence, said Eliav Lieblich, associate professor of law at Tel Aviv University. Preventive self-defence is quite clearly unlawful. Heller said the legality of an attack depends on the immediacy of the threat that it aims to avert. If the plotting and planning is intended to launch an attack in the very near future, it is probably legitimate to act in self-defence. Beyond that, plotting and planning are not enough, he said. Heller said that anticipatory self-defence should only be allowed when the so-called Caroline criteria are fulfilled. Caroline criteria The Caroline incident was a diplomatic incident between the US, Canada and the UK in 1837, involving the UKs attack on the US ship called Caroline. The Caroline criteria, which emerged from the resolution of the incident, hold that an attack has to be imminent in the sense that it has to be about to occur. Self-defence must be necessary and must be instant, overwhelming and leaving no choice and means, and leaves no moment for deliberation. This means that states may not use force to preemptively halt latent threats of force. Callamard says: There must be evidence of an imminent, certain, serious armed attack. The use of extraterritorial force should always be the exception. It is hard to square the USs objective of deterring future Iranian attack plans with mainstream understandings of anticipatory self-defence, concludes Lieblich. The danger of weakening the requirements for anticipatory self-defence is that as you lower the threshhold for imminence, you enhance the risk of both mistake and abuse, he added. When you ease the requirement of imminence, use of force might become the rule, not an exception, he said. In the conversation with Mr Pompeo, Mr Jaishankar highlighted Indias stakes and concerns in the region amid the spiralling US-Iran tensions. New Delhi: After the assassination of a top Iranian general by the United States in Iraqi capital Baghdad on Friday, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday spoke to both Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and noted that developments have taken a very serious turn, adding that India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. In the conversation with Mr Pompeo, Mr Jaishankar highlighted Indias stakes and concerns in the region amid the spiralling US-Iran tensions. Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in Baghdad early on Friday reportedly in a drone strike by an American drone. The US had accused Gen. Soleimani of plotting terror attacks worldwide. The developments have alarmed India due to the possible fallout on its strategic port development project at Chabahar in Iran, which provides sea-land connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. Just concluded a conversation with (Foreign Minister) FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch, Mr Jaishankar tweeted on Sunday evening. He later tweeted: Had a telephonic discussion with Secretary of State @SecPompeo on the evolving situation in the Gulf region. Highlighted Indias stakes and concerns. Observers note that the escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States may further scare Indian private companies, who are part of the Chabahar port project due to a possible adverse impact on their investments and any possible economic punitive steps that the United States may take in the coming days on foreign companies investing in Iran. India is in a tight spot now as it has excellent relations with both Iran and the United States. Mr Jaishankar had last month visited Tehran for the 19th session of the India-Iran Joint Commission there on December 22. The two sides had expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in operationalisation of 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. India had 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. In a statement from New Delhi on Friday, the external affairs ministry had said: 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. Various power projects are being taken up and the Power Development Department (PDD) is also undergoing major reforms to address shortcomings in the power sector in Jammu and Kashmir, K K Sharma, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu, said on Sunday. "Many power-related projects are coming up and several other existing projects are being upgraded under Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP). All these measures would end the shortcomings of electricity in Kashmir valley, especially during the winter season," Sharma said at a function here. He said the government has created separate power corporations for Jammu and Kashmir divisions, headed by managing directors. "This will not only decentralise decision making but it will also bring efficiency component to its functioning," he said, adding "people should be assured that lots of reforms are happening into PDD for bringing efficiency and making it viable Corporation." Sharma also urged PDD officials to go for re-structuring of the department and its allied wings, besides working in close coordination for gaining greater results into the power distribution. He sought feedback from the officers over several ongoing developmental projects, stressing that the works under centrally sponsored schemes should be completed sooner. He asked the officers to identify the bottlenecks in the works and complete the projects on priority. On an average, the department has been supplying peak load of 1200 MW and in harsh climate it faced the challenge of supplying increased load, which gradually surges from the onset of autumn and peaks in winter, officials said. Sharma directed the officials to launch a drive to collect revenue from the consumers and simultaneously launch an awareness campaign to educate them about the power pilferage and rights and duties of the consumers. He also asked the PDD officials to publicise power curtailment schedule regularly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration said students agitating over the hike in hostel fees "ransacked" the server room and "intimidated" the technical staff on Saturday, hampering the semester registration process. But JNUSU said the administration used "masked" security guards to attack students. "They were shamefully wearing masks. JNUSU president was openly slapped by one of the security guards," alleged the students' union, which has called for a boycott of the process over the increase in hostel fees. The semester registration process will end on January 5. The university has been seeing a standoff between the students and the administration over hike in hostel fees for over 70 days. Students even boycotted exams in protest, prompting the administration to send question papers to students through WhatsApp and email, a move condemned by the union. Explaining the events, the university said the technical staff gained access to the communication and information services (CIS) premises Saturday morning, after the servers were made dysfunctional by students on Friday, with the help of security guards and rebooted the servers, the university said. But a group of "miscreants" entered the server room, intimidated the staff, and damaged the systems around 1pm, it alleged. Around 4pm, the staff once again gained access to the CIS room and were trying to restore the systems. Appealing to students to continue the boycott of the registration process, the JNUSU claimed the administration is "extremely rattled" by the unity of students. Meanwhile, the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad said its members protested against the disruption of internet, after which they were attacked by the members of the Left Unity. The JNUSU alleged that students were attacked by ABVP members. JNU Teachers' Association condemned the incidents of violence at the university. "While condemning the violence and appealing to all to maintain peace and preserve the democratic culture of the University, the JNUTA notes the dubious role of the JNU administration whose acts of commission and omission are chiefly responsible for creating this situation," it said. Instead of discharging its responsibility to prevent violence, the administration appears to be going down the "dangerous path" of provoking and encouraging it, it added. A varsity official said they have given police complaints in connection with the action of the students. The university said it will make every attempt to help students register for the winter semester and continue their academic pursuits. "The university has also announced an alternate way of registering for the winter semester to make it easy for the students to register," it said in a statement. According to university registrar Pramod Kumar, they will make the entire registration process online so that students will not have to visit the schools to take the signatures of the deans. Officials said since the servers have been left disarray, it might take time to restore them and the varsity is mulling to extend the registration deadline. However, a final decision is yet to be taken. "The agitating students cannot trample upon the fundamental rights of the rest of the student community to pursue their studies. Such hooliganism and uncivilised behaviour by them has seriously affected the image of the university," the varsity said. The administration appealed to the student community not to be misled by the agitators and their advisers, who are trying to "derail the normal functioning of the university through their unlawful actions". The Ministry of Interior has published a list of all Ghanaian holidays for the year 2020. The list comprises 13 statutory public holidays and two commemorative days. Nkrumah Day: Monday, September 23 declared public holiday How an apostrophe meant an extra holiday in Ghana Akufo-Addo declares Monday as Eid-ul-Adha holiday NDC will restore AU holiday Ablakwa July 1 no longer a public holiday Public holidays setback to dev Presby Moderator Parliament passes Public Holiday Bill as Minority members walk out again See the entire list below; ---graphic.com.gh The new schemes bring cheers to people ahead of 'Sankranti', a major festival even as state capital Amaravati continues to simmer over the ongoing protest by farmers against his three-capital proposal. After announcing several programmes during last seven months to implement his poll promises, Jagan Mohan Reddy launched more schemes as New Year gift to people. Leaders across political spectrum and people in north coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions have hailed proposal to develop Visakhapatnam and Kurnool as two other state capitals while the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government announced new sops to win more sections. The New Year brought cheers for the employees of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) as the transport entity was merged with the government. Implementing the poll promise, Jagan merged RTC with the government, thus recognising its over 51,000 employees as the government employees. Fulfilling a major poll promise, Jagan government on January 4 issued an order for implementing of 'Jagananna Amma Vodi' scheme under which all the mothers or the guardians sending their children to school will get Rs 15,000 financial assistance every year. The YSRCP government hopes this scheme, to be launched on January 9, will increase the number of school-going students in the state, enhance the quality of education and provide education for all. The financial assistance of Rs 15,000 would be directly deposited in the beneficiaries savings bank accounts of the mothers or the guardian in January every year till the child completes class 12. The scheme applicable to mothers from below poverty line will be implemented in all the government, private aided, private unaided schools and junior colleges. The government order for 'Amma Vodi' was released on January 4, a day after Jagan launched Arogyasri pilot project at Eluru in West Godavari district. The new government has brought revolutionary changes in the Arogyasri aimed at providing free healthcare to poor in private corporate hospitals. The scheme has been extended to cover 2,059 diseases, which was earlier limited to 1,059 diseases and it would be applicable to all medical bills which exceed Rs 1,000. As promised during elections, the scheme would be applicable to all families whose annual income is below Rs 5 lakhs. A total of 1.42 crore cards would be issued and all of them would have QR code containing all the details of the scheme, officials said. Village secretariats have been entrusted with the responsibility of issuing the cards. Over 150 super-speciality hospitals in Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru have been brought under the purview of the scheme from November 1 last year and financial assistance is being provided since December 2. YSRCP, which came to power in May last year with a landslide majority, announced a series of sops for various sections of the society despite the financial crunch. It is estimated that the schemes announced by the Jagan government require an additional Rs 40,000 crore annually. The major programmes announced last year included appointment of village secretariats to ensure transparency and effective implementation of schemes. The village secretariat system created 1.40 lakh jobs. According to Agriculture Minister K. Kanna Babu the government has implemented about 80 per cent of the promises made in the manifesto. "The decisions taken by our government are a role model for the entire country," he said. YSR Rythu Bharosa for financial assistance to farmers, interest-free loans, free insurance for farmers, free borewell and free power supply to farmlands are among the schemes announced for farmers. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 10:02:23|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LA PAZ, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Diego Pary, who served as Bolivian foreign minister under Evo Morales, returned to La Paz on Saturday to run for the presidency in the upcoming general elections. Pary arrived from neighboring Argentina,where Morales and several of his senior officials have stayed in the past weeks since early November to seek political asylum. In an interview with local radio station in central Cochabamba, Pary said Bolivians wanted him to return to throw his hat in the ring as a potential candidate. "I will be where the social movements decide I should be," said Pary. Bolivia has been plunged into political uncertainty since the opposition rejected the re-election of the country's first indigenous president, Morales, to a fourth term in October elections, citing electoral fraud. Morales resigned and fled to Mexico after Bolivia's military and police forces sided with the opposition and withdrew their support for his leadership. He later went to Argentina. Opposition lawmaker Jeanine Anez took over as interim president and presided over the process to hold new elections, with the participation of the Legislative Assembly, where Morales' Movement Towards Socialism party holds a majority of seats. Elections are to be held on May 3 to elect lawmakers as well as a new president and vice president, according to the Supreme Electoral Court. Art will be imitating life (or at least its reality TV version) for 12 weeks at the Ambassador Theatre as Erika Jayne makes her Broadway debut as Chicago's newest Roxie Hart. She knows a little something about wealth and celebrity, having cultivated her persona as the unapologetic bleach-blond bombshell of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, traveling via private plane and touring the world with her chart-topping dance-club songs. What her fans may not know, however, is that the Atlanta-born Erika Girardi spent her teen years at a performing arts high school, singing and dancing in musicals like A Chorus Line and Pippin, and hustled for a career in New York City before finally landing in Los Angeles and becoming a "somebody everyone knows" (to quote the fame-hungry Roxie). There may be pieces of Roxie Hart in Erika Jayne, and vice versa, but the celebrity Erika plays on TV will have to be tucked away while she plays a woman for whom fame, quite literally, is a matter of life or death. Hear what Erika had to say about kicking off the new year with this new professional challenge before she takes her first dance through the cell block on January 6. Erika Jayne will play Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway from January 6-March 29 at the Ambassador Theatre. ( Rene Cervantes) This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Congratulations on your Broadway debut! Has Broadway always been on your bucket list? Absolutely! Growing up in musical theater, going to a performing arts high school this is definitely something that is always on everyone's goal list. It's great to do Erika Jayne shows, but it's different to step into a production like this and really sink your teeth into a great role and with all of these beautiful people around you. I get to really play within this incredibly complex female character. It's like getting to go back and really explore yourself again. Do most of your fans know about your background in musical theater? I think some do, some don't, and some don't care. So far, what have you enjoyed most about developing your own Roxie Hart? I think what's cool is that every day I get to discover another layer of the musical, the character, the music, the dance everything put together. It all means something. When you get to talk to the musical director and you get to talk to the dance captain and you learn why things are done, it's very detailed. And I'm excited to do some Fosse. It's nice to get back to that sort of elegant pulled-up but still sensual style. I feel like it would be Roxie's dream come true to be Erika Jayne. Do you find it helpful to find similarities between yourself and the character? I think that it's super important to see yourself in the work. You're right, there are some Roxie Hart and Erika Jayne similarities, and I think that's wonderful. Chicago has got such great women characters. It runs off two women, so what could be better than that? Are you finding ways to empathize with Roxie? Absolutely. I think that Roxie is a survivor at the end of the day. She's killed someone in the heat of passion, she's in jail about to be hanged, and she has got to find her way out. She made it work. Roxie's showstopping number is about her desire to be a celebrity, "somebody everyone knows." What do you think Roxie doesn't understand yet about celebrity? I think she doesn't understand that chasing fame is hard and fleeting. It's not what you think it is, and ultimately, at the end of the day, it will not make you happy. Craft and art and discipline in what you do will make you happy. Steph Claire Smith and her Keep It Cleaner business partner Laura Henshaw have re-opened their GoFundMe page in aid of Australian bushfire victims. In an Instagram post on Sunday, Steph revealed that having already met their $30,000 goal, they will now increase their goal to $60,000. Overwhelmed by the support of their online community, the 25-year-old fitness entrepreneur said Keep It Cleaner will donate $1,000 for every $5,000 raised. For a worthy cause: Steph Claire Smith, 25, (pictured) urged fans to support her company's $60K GoFundMe page in aid of Australian bushfire victims in an Instagram post on Sunday The funds will be given to the Salvation Army, and as of 6.15pm on Sunday, the amount raised was $46,189. Steph and Laura reminded their followers that 'every donation, however big or small, counts'. 'Like everyone else in Australia right now we are hurting for our country,' they wrote. Showing their support: Steph and her Keep It Cleaner business partner Laura Henshaw (left) reopened their GoFundMe page, after having already met their $30K goal. The fitness entrepreneurs will donate $1K through their business, for every $5K raised 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. Saturday proved as devastating as experts predicted, with the national bushfire death toll reaching 23, while 21 people are still missing in East Gippsland. New goal: 'We have re-opened our GoFundMe page after you guys raised $30,000 with a new goal of $60,000,' Steph penned online Heartfelt: Steph and Laura reminded their followers that 'every donation, however big or small, counts' Increasing by the hour: The funds will be given to the Salvation Army, and as of 6.15pm on Sunday, the amount raised was $46,189 More than 1,500 homes have been destroyed - 1,365 in NSW alone - with 311 fires still ravaging the parched land. The conditions prompted Prime Minister Scott Morrison to send in 3,000 Australian Defence Force reserves to help in the bushfire recovery. International celebrities including Pink, Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid and Sofia Richie have also pledged a donation. Crisis: An 'unprecedented' state of disaster was declared in Victoria, while New South Wales also announced a week-long state of emergency. Pictured: Lake Tabourie, NSW on January 4 Devastation: Saturday proved as devastating as experts predicted, with the national bushfire death toll reaching 23, while 21 people are still missing in East Gippsland. Pictured: Aerial photo of smoke in Bairnsdale, Victoria on December 30 If you'd like to donate to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief, click here. To donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society appeal for bushfire victims, click here. For donations to Victoria's Country Fire Authority click here and here for the NSW Rural Fire Service. To donate to Foodbank click here and here for the World Wildlife Fund. As bushfire rages in Australia, it has put the fauna in the country in complete danger. While a reported half a billion animals have died, the catastrophic state of affairs has wiped half of Australia's only disease-free koala population, a key "insurance" for the species' future, is feared dead with more badly hurt after the bushfires swept through an island sanctuary. The Koala population estimated to be 50,000 in Kangaroo Island, a popular nature-based tourist attraction off the coast of South Australia state, is also home to many wild populations of native animals. Massive bushfires have flared up in the country's southeast areas in a months-long crisis, killing nearly half a billion native animals in New South Wales state alone, according to reports. Over the recent days, the condition has aggravated as Australia suffers its worse crises in decades. The blaze has been more frightening in Kangaroo Island razing 170,000 hectares one-third of the island on Friday. "Over 50 percent (of the population) has been lost," Sam Mitchell of Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, which is raising funds to care for the injured koalas, told AFP. "Injuries are extreme. Others have been left with no habitat to go back to, so starvation will be an issue in coming weeks." A University of Adelaide study published in July found that the Kangaroo Island koala species is particularly important to the survival of the wider population as it is the only large group free from chlamydia. The bacterial infection which causes blindness, infertility and death in the species is widespread in koalas in the eastern Queensland and New South Wales states and also occurs in Victoria state. "They are an insurance population for the whole population," the University of Adelaide's Jessica Fabijan, who carried out the study, told AFP. "These fires have ravaged the population." The koalas cannot be removed from the island due to their chlamydia-free status, the state government said, adding that veterinarians were rescuing and treating the injured animals on-site. This is just heart tingling and it can't get any worse than it already is. The bushfires are still raging in some parts of Australia, with many people having to flee their homes. Australia known for its vibrant and diverse biodiversity, has a major fight on its hand to save its distinctive fauna culture. Why do we like to do things most of the time blindly, not minding the consequence of some of our actions? Why do we not know how to celebrate those who have indeed distinguished themselves in service to our fatherland? The above questions came to my mind when I stumbled on a call for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate Professor Suleiman Bogoro, the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). I was somewhat confused as to whom they were referring to. The same Professor Suleiman Bogoro that has transformed the operations of TETFUND or another? I asked myself. I considered such calls a disservice to a man that has indeed shown like a bright light in administering the affairs of TETFUND to the admiration of all and sundry in the tertiary education sector. I am particularly conversant with the transformation at TETFUND since 2019 when Professor Suleiman Bogoro was reinstated as executive secretary. I am aware of the jubilation that greeted his appointment. Accolades were not in short supply as they continued to pour unabated for a man who for the two years he held a stint as Executive Secretary brought numerous reforms in the operations of TETFUND, as well as the entrenchment of transparency and accountability. As a testament to this, only recently, the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) awarded the TETFUND under the watch of Professor Suleiman Bogoro, the Best Project in Education Award for "its commitment to integrating ICT into the processes of its Beneficiary Institutions across the country to enhance the skills of academic and non-teaching staff." It is also on record that Professor Suleiman Bogoro was recognized as the Public Service Person of the Year 2019 at the Leadership Newspapers Awards, in recognition of his efforts at promoting transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs in Nigeria. You would agree with me that this can't be the same Professor Suleiman Bogoro that they intend to drag his name in the mud before the public as corrupt and one lacking in transparency and accountability in the conduct of the affairs of TETFUND. I must admit that I am still in shock with the accusation of Professor Suleiman Bogoro. However, I am consoled that those behind this campaign of slander and defamation of character are indeed disgruntled and likely amongst those whose sources of income have been stopped with the reforms introduced in the operations of TETFUND. While it is understandable that we are in a clime where one reputation is quickly rubbished when you stand on the side of truth, it is also despicable how some individuals and organizations would condescend so low to the extent of peddling outright falsehood on individuals in return for a plate of porridge. The way and manner these mischievous individuals have dragged the name of Professor Suleiman Bogoro in the mud is most despicable. This largely explains why some intellectuals and technocrats would always hesitate before taking up a public service appointment at the end of the day, because some disgruntled people within the system in active connivance with contractors would do all possible to undermine those who have so decided to be excellent in their service. The case of Professor Suleiman Bogoro is that of a silent achiever and one who has matched words with actions since he resumed the leadership of TETFUND. It is on record that since assumption of office, there has been a turnaround in the fortunes and operations of TETFUND in the sense that transparency and accountability are the watchwords. For some of us conversant with the happenings in TETFUND, we dare say the agency has never witnessed this level of administrative competence that has given rise to institutional reforms that have placed TETFUND on a high and enviable pedestal. I am tempted to think that one of the sins of Professor Suleiman Bogoro is the bold step taken by TETFUND to retrieve over N10 billion from non-performing institutions in recent times. According to him, the monies were meant for projects awarded, but not executed by beneficiary institutions. What does this tell you? Doesn't it speak the volume of a man of integrity and impeccable character? It is, therefore, my considered opinion that no amount of blackmail can deter Professor Suleiman Bogoro from implementing institutional reforms in the operations of TETFUND. This is on the heels of the fact that only recently, Professor Suleiman Bogoro threatened to sanction and blacklist any contractor who fails to execute any of the TETFUND's contracts awarded to them according to specifications. It is thus naturally expected that once you fight the monster called corruption, it also fights back. And this is the case of TETFUND and nothing more. I think well-meaning Nigerians should do well to state in unequivocal terms that Nigeria belongs to all, and those sacrificing should not be vilified for merely refusing to bow to the enemies of our country. And those behind this ill-fated campaign of calumny should do well to desist from such as TETFUND under the leadership of Professor Suleiman Bogoro is indeed on the right track and should not be distracted. It is not business as usual, and so shall it remain. Its either they want to join hands with him in service to Nigeria or leave him alone. This is not the time to pull him down. Rather, a time to lift him in appreciation for his excellent contribution to the development of tertiary education in Nigeria. Olawepo is a public affairs commentator and wrote this article from Abuja.. As the fierce blazes continue to rage across Australia, a Northern Ireland man has been helping firefighters by transporting campsite bases to the areas worst affected. Newtownbreda native Brian Cartmill lives in Melbourne in Victoria. The 61-year-old has lived in Australia for 30 years and works as a truck driver, volunteering with his lorry during "fire season". Nineteen people have died as a result of the bushfires raging through Australia, dozens remain missing and thousands of families are displaced. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has already sent in troops, ships and planes to bushfire danger zones. The fires were fuelled by record temperatures and several months of severe drought. The worst affected areas are along the eastern and southern coasts, including New South Wales and Victoria. Emergency warnings remain in place in Victoria, where Brian lives, and four people remain missing in the state. An evacuation from the Victoria beach town of Mallacoota is ongoing, since it was isolated by the fires on New Year's Eve. Brian said he has seen entire towns turned to ash during his travels. He said there is now a great fear among residents that two massive fires will join together. "I drive a heavy goods vehicle over here," he says. "I work for a company based over in Tasmania and I help out with shipping during fire season every year. "We supply support for the firefighters and deliver the camps that they use, which are eight by 20 foot containers which include a kitchen, fridge area, toilet, shower and laundry blocks and one that has 250 sleeping bags contained within. "So we get the call and load up and head to where we are needed. "We drop out the containers, then head back and repeat. "This year has been horrific as the fires are breaking out all over the state. "There have been so many deaths and so much property destroyed. "It is just awful. Expand Close The fires continue to rage in Australia Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The fires continue to rage in Australia "And it looks like today we have lost a whole firefighters' campsite to the fire. The kitchen alone was worth $800,000 but it would have been far too dangerous to go back to pick up." Brian said that what he has seen travelling through the country has terrified him. "I saw a wall of smoke and flames that would go from Belfast to Ballynahinch, if not Newcastle, and the sky turning a terrifying colour of red. "At one point the road from Bairnsdale to Mallacoota - which is the last town in Victoria before you cross into New South Wales - was closed. "There's a large town in that area called Lakes Entrance that during the year has a population of maybe 2,500 during the year but grows to 20,000 at Christmas. "It's a stunningly beautiful town on a beach. "People are so scared as there is only one road in or out and the fire cut off the Princes Highway. "In another coastal town, Mallacoota, people were told to get into the water to escape the fire. "I can never remember this happening before. "Can you imagine being there in a tent or caravan with your kids aged from newborn up and you can't get out? Especially with warnings that a fire is heading towards the town. "It is just petrifying. "People in towns were told to get out, but because they have paid for their holidays, many are staying thinking they can fight nature. "You can't beat Mother Nature when she is in full swing. And with the road cut off, no one can get supplies in." Brian said that what he does can be dangerous, but nothing in comparison to what the firefighters are doing. "What we do is nothing compared to the firefighters," he said. "We are safe, but it does almost stop your heart when you come around a corner and see in the distance a wall of smoke. "I have never seen anything like it. "The fires produce their own weather system. "When the embers rain down it's like a heavy rain shower. "Then after the devastation, the place looks like the surface of the moon with these black trees everywhere. "This is going to last for months. "If two fires link up it will burn from the mountains to the coast and that's about 400km in a straight line, and it's all forest in between. "So far they think over 500m animals have been lost. I would say that's a conservative number. "The loss of life hits everyone so hard. A lot of the guys are volunteers and just helping out the folks in their area. So everyone knows them. "Last week one of the volunteers died in the fires. His wife is expecting their first child in May. It's just utterly heartbreaking." Brian said that people are fearful for their families and for the future. "The army reserves have been called in to help," he said. "Never before has this happened. "We have tragically lost people. We have lost towns, beautiful old buildings that have stood for years and years, all gone. "How can you replace that? "Now we have a smoke haze in Melbourne that is causing trouble for people with breathing problems. "The area on fire in Victoria is around half the size of Belgium, but that will grow in the next few hours as the wind is changing and picking up. "So that will affect the fires and if they join up, God help us all." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hit back at a hardline pro-Iran faction in Iraq, after it urged Iraqis to move away from US forces. The warning from Kataeb Hezbollah came as tens of thousands mourned Iran's Major General Qasem Soleimani, whose death in a US strike early Friday brought vows of "severe revenge" from Tehran. Kataeb Hezbollah's "thugs are telling Iraqi security forces to abandon their duty to protect (the US embassy in Baghdad) and other locations where Americans work side by side with good Iraqi people," Pompeo tweeted. "The Iranian regime telling Iraq's government what to do puts Iraqi patriots' lives at risk. The Iraqi people want out from under the Iranian yoke; indeed, they recently burned an Iranian consulate to the ground," he wrote, referencing the November sacking of the Iranian consulate in the southern city of Najaf by a protest movement angry at the government and its backers in Iran. Tens of thousands of Iraqis including Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, political leaders and clerics attended a mass ceremony on Saturday to honor Soleimani, who died in a precision drone strike on Baghdad international airport that killed a total of five Iranian Revolutionary Guards and five members of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi military network. In its message, Kataeb Hezbollah, a faction of Hashed said, "We ask security forces in the country to get at least 1,000 metres away from US bases starting on Sunday at 5:00pm (1930 IST)." The group's deadline would coincide with a parliament session on Sunday which the Hashed has insisted should see a vote on the ouster of US troops. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, two mortar rounds hit an area near the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday, while almost simultaneously two rockets slammed into the Al-Balad airbase where American troops are deployed, security sources told AFP. The Iraqi military confirmed the missile attacks in Baghdad and on al-Balad and said there were no casualties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The cannabis sector has run into major liquidity issues with the lack of access to the banking system in the U.S. and market issues in Canada. In the process, the market has seen a substantial decline in mergers with a shift in deals towards stock-for-stock ones. Several companies set to close big U.S. deals could stand out in a sector where competitors cant merge to compete on scale. According to Viridian Capital Advisors, the cannabis sector ended 2019 at a crawl. Capital raises were near non-existent with only 2 for the week ending December 13 and no M&A activity during the week. In the prior year period, 7 capital raises occurred. For the year, 2019 cannabis M&A activity saw 293 deals down from 311 in 2018. As the below chart shows, M&A activity came to a near stop in the last few months. Earlier in the year, 10 deals were happening on a weekly basis. In a lot of cases, deals formed in 2019 were either modified to eliminate cash requirements or completely canceled. Some high-profile deals are still set to close to create leaders in the U.S. multi-state (MSO) operator space. With the opening of recreational cannabis in Illinois on January 1 and potentially additional states in 2020, several companies are set to stand apart from the market. Weve delved into three companies set to benefit from closing large-scale mergers right as the market freezes up. According to TipRanks stock screener, the trio have earned a Strong Buy consensus rating from the analyst community over the past three months. Let's take a closer look: Curaleaf Holdings (CURLF) Curaleaf is still poised to become the biggest cannabis company in the world. The company remains set to close both the Select and Grassroots deals in early 2020 to set Curaleaf up for over $1 billion in pro-forma sales. The Select deal is set to close in early January setting up some positive sentiment on the stock as Curaleaf finally gets to move forward with integration. In addition, closing the deal will provide more confidence on the Grassroots deal, a deal that provides access to the potentially lucrative Illinois market. Story continues Select provides the company with access to the California wholesale market with a leading cannabis brand. The deal was modified due to market conditions placing a part of deal based on the obtainment of revenue goals. The Grassroots deal is expected to close in Q1. The deal requires a cash payment of $75 million, 109.2 million shares based on the current stock price of $6.25. In total, Curaleaf expects a business with access to 19 states with 71 retail locations open, 26 processing facilities and 21 cultivation facilities operational. The company is heading towards 131 stores along with a large wholesale distribution network with the Select brand. The stock has 464 million shares outstanding now and nearly 670 million when the two major deals are complete. The updated share count assumes 40.5 million shares will be payable to Select shareholders under the amended agreement. At the current stock price of $6.25, Curaleaf will have a fully diluted market valuation of only $4.2 billion. The stock trades at only 2.8x 2021 sales estimates of $1.5 billion. Curaleaf has earned one of the best analyst consensus ratings on the Street. Out of 8 analysts polled by TipRanks in the last 3 months, seven are bullish on Curaleafs prospects, with just one on the sidelines, highlighting a strong bullish backing here. With a healthy return potential of 72%, the stocks consensus target price stands at $10.43. (See Curaleaf's price targets and analyst ratings on TipRanks) Cresco Labs (CRLBF) Cresco Labs has had some of the most dramatic shift in their acquisition plans during 2019. The company originally planned mergers with Origin House and VidaCann, but the later was canceled due to the cash component of the deal. In the process, Cresco Labs has already closed a deal to acquire the Valley Agriceutials, LLC in New York. Even the Origin House deal was modified to allow Origin House to sell 9.7 million shares at C$4.08 in order to raise gross proceeds of C$39.6 million before the deal closes. The new deal is expected to close in mid-January at an updated ratio of 0.8428 shares of Cresco Labs for each share of Origin House. In October, the company closed a deal for Valley Agriceuticals providing one of the 10 vertically integrated cannabis business licenses in the State of New York. Cresco Labs can operate one cultivation facility and four dispensaries in the state set to grow to $500 million by 2022. In addition, the Tryke Companies deal announced in September has already passed HSR Act waiting period. The company is set to close this deal in early 2020 providing access to the Arizona and Nevada markets with a combined $1.7 billion in annual sales. The deal cost $282.5 million ($55.0 million in cash) and Tryke generated $70.4 million in revenues back in 2018. Analysts estimates 2020 sales of $554 million with 2021 reaching $866 million. Overall, this cannabis player stands as a 'Strong Buy' name among Wall Street analysts. In the last three months, Cresco Labs has won six bullish recommendations. With a return potential of close to 90%, the stock's consensus price target lands at $12.23. (See Cresco Labs' stock-price forecast and analyst ratings) Harvest Health & Recreation (HRVSF) Harvest Health & Recreation is in a similar position as the other U.S MSOs. The company has several pending deals and recently renegotiated one of the deals to reduce cash payments. The biggest deal is for Verano Holdings that passed the HSR Act waiting period on December 4. In addition, the company has pending deals with Falcon, Franklin Labs and Devine Holdings after closing acquisitions with Leaf Life and Urban Greenhouse. The end result was Harvest Health only reporting Q3 revenues of $33.2 million with pro forma revenues of an incredible $95.0 million once including the numbers from all of these deals. After closing the deals, Harvest Health expects to have over 210 facilities including 130 retail locations with more than 1,700 employees across 18 states and territories. Harvest Health has a fully diluted market valuation of under $1.5 billion once the pending M&A deals are done. The large cannabis company will have ~487 million shares outstanding. The full picture of the company is probably not represented in the market mindset now. Harvest Health is still forecasting 2020 revenues between $700 million and $1,000 million with at least 20% EBITDA margins. Judging from the consensus breakdown, it has been relatively quiet when it comes to the analyst activity. Over the last three months, only 3 analysts have reviewed the cannabis stock. Three of which, however, were bullish, making the consensus a Strong Buy. On top of this, the $10.08 average price target puts the upside potential at 216%. (See Harvest Health's price targets and analyst ratings on TipRanks) Transport and roads in Japan are crowded with people returning from new year holidays in their hometowns or abroad. Japan Railway group companies say Shinkansen bullet trains bound for major cities are crowded all day Saturday. Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen lines are fully booked. Joetsu, Hokuriku, Tohoku, Hokkaido, Akita and Yamagata lines are also near-fully booked. Airline officials say domestic flights departing for Tokyo or Osaka are almost full all day. The Japan Road Traffic Information Center says expressways are already congested. At 11:a.m. vehicles heading for Nagoya were backed up for 19 kilometers at Kusatsu junction in Shiga Prefecture on the Meishin motorway. Traffic officials say congestion will be heavier in the afternoon. They predict between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., traffic bound for Tokyo will be bumper-to-bumper for 35 kilometers starting at the Yamato tunnel in Kanagawa Prefecture on the Tomei Expressway. Many families are flying back from overseas vacations. At Narita Airport outside of Tokyo the number of travelers is projected to peak on Saturday at more than 60,000. Sunday will likely see big crowds again. In western Japan, the operator of Kansai International Airport says traveler numbers will peak on Saturday and Sunday. An estimated 40,000 people arrive at the airport daily. The operator expects about 710,000 passengers on international flights to use the airport during the 10 days between December 27 and January 5.That's likely to be a new record for this season, for the seventh year in a row. China: Authorities cite Hong Kong protests as reason for intensifying persecution of Christians Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Chinese Christians involved in Hong Kongs pro-democracy protests have been subject to heightened persecution at the hands of the Communist government that continues to view people of faith as a hostile force endangering its regime. According to religious liberty magazine Bitter Winter, many Hong Kong Christians have been active in the regions ongoing anti-government demonstrations calling for democracy, amnesty for more than 6,400 people arrested so far, and an independent investigation into police actions. In response, some local authorities in mainland China are using Hong Kongers' participation in the protests as an excuse to oppress all Christians, even those who belong to the state-sanctioned Three-Self church. Under Chinese law, places of worship must register and submit to government oversight. On Oct. 28, 2019, when a Three-Shelf church in Anyuan county under the jurisdiction of Ganzhou city in the southwestern province of Jiangxi came to the local Religious Affairs Bureau to renew the church's permit, they were informed by an official that It was decided at a meeting that all religious meetings should be banned and churches must be shut down. The official further argued that because many Christians had reportedly been involved in the Hong Kong "riots," and because Christianity has been brought to China from the West, Communist authorities are concerned that people of faith in mainland China might have contact with believers in Hong Kong and the United States, so all churches must stop their activities, he said. Also in October, the Religious Affairs Bureau officials in Wuning county under the jurisdiction of Jiangxis Jiujiang city raided the meeting venue of a local Three-Self church. They destroyed its cross, removed the words Christian Church from the wall, and took down all religious symbols, for the reason that Christians in Hong Kong were involved in the riots. After the raid, a Chinese national flag was left flying on top of the church. Two house church believers from Xuzhou city in the eastern province of Jiangsu who planned to travel to Hong Kong for sermons during Chinas National Day in October were also told they would lose their welfare benefits if they did so. At the worst, youll go to prison, the police officers said, warning that traveling to Hong Kong amounted to going against the Communist Party, and those who do so are deemed as anti-China forces. Similarly, in September, a preacher and the leader of a house church in Jiangxis Ganzhou city were summoned by the State Security Bureau and ordered to sign a statement promising not to go to Hong Kong. Their Hong Kong-Macau travel passes were then confiscated. America Magazine notes that the Chinese government has also intensified rhetoric against Christian churches in Hong Kong in recent weeks, identifying them as part of the foreign hostile forces that seek to create political unrest. A video titled Chaotic Hong Kong religious groups abandon Gods will, posted on a Peoples Dailys microblog, states, Churches that stir chaos in Hong Kong have become political organs. Lets strip them of their religious cloaksthose religious con artists who meddle in politics and poison young people!" Now in its seventh month, Hong Kongs demonstrations began as a protest against a since-withdrawn extradition bill. It has since turned into a pro-democracy fight against authorities, the erosion of civil liberties, and Chinas ruling Communist Party. The protesters demands now include an independent inquiry into how police have handled protests; amnesty for arrested protesters; removal of the designation of protests as riots; and universal suffrage for the office of Hong Kongs chief executive and its lawmaking body, the Legislative Council. To welcome in the new year, hundreds of thousands of protesters flocked the streets of Hong Kong, warning authorities that they wouldnt back down until their demands were met. The initially peaceful protests eventually turned violent, resulting in clashes between police and protesters, The Wall Street Journal reports. An estimated 400 people were arrested following the protests. Carrie Lam, the chief executive of Hong Kong, said in her new years address that months of protests had brought sadness, anxiety, disappointment and even rage" and vowed to listen humbly to the protesters to prevent demonstrations. However, she highlighted the importance of the one country, two systems framework, notes the Times. Hong Kong, which has a population of approximately 7 million people, has been part of China since 1997, yet still operates with its own currency, legal system, and police force. A hub for Christian missionaries under British rule, Hong Kong is now home to about 850,000 Christians and more than 1,500 churches. Many Christians engaged with the social movement fear that losing Hong Kongs autonomy and subjecting citizens to Chinas legal system will erode religious freedom. Chinas human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims, Christians, Falun Gong, and other religious minorities are well-documented. In addition to participating in the demonstrations, many churches have opened their doors to protesters, allowing them to seek refuge and rest. In October, Joseph Ha Chi-shing, the auxiliary bishop of Hong Kongs Catholic Church, asked participants at a prayer meeting to remain peaceful as they demonstrated for democracy. Many people think because our opponents provoke us and dont respond to us, we can harbor hatred and anger, he said. But Hong Kongs Christians, even in resistance, are also responsible to remain nonviolent, Bishop Ha said. MELBOURNE: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison found himself on Sunday again defending his actions in response to the country`s unprecedented bushfires crisis that has killed 24 people and left thousands more homeless. Morrison, who has been under sustained attack since he went on vacation to Hawaii as the crisis escalated, blamed a "breakdown in communications" for a state fire chief`s complaint he was blindsided by Morrison`s plan to set up a national bushfire recovery agency. New South Wales (NSW) state Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said he found out about the new agency through media reports on Saturday, creating confusion as he coordinated one of the most high-risk days in the crisis. "I was disappointed and I was frustrated in the middle of what was one of our worst (fire) days ever on record with massive dislocation and movement of people and a focus on really difficult weather," Fitzsimmons told journalists on Sunday. Australia has been battling wildfires across large swathes of its east coast for weeks, with the blazes razing more than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) of land along with destroying almost 1,500 houses in one state alone. Under Australia`s federation political system, state governments and fire services are responsible for managing bushfire threats, but Morrison said the unprecedented scale of the current crisis demanded a national response. Morrison said the creation of the national agency, along with the deployment of naval ships and aircraft to help evacuate people who have been stranded by fires for days, was not a reflection on the performance of the state agencies, who had done "extraordinary work." The announcement of the new agency was accompanied by a video posted on social media by Morrison`s office detailing the government`s response to the fires, including levels of funding for firefighting equipment. Parodies of the video were quickly doing the rounds on social media, where many people criticised the release of what they saw as a political advertisement as firefighters were facing one of their most dangerous days on the frontline. CLIMATE POLITICS The miscommunication over the federal agency was the latest in a series of perceived gaffes by Morrison in response to the fires crisis. The Australian leader apologised for going on a family holiday to Hawaii last month and cut his trip short. That, however, was not enough for many people in towns razed by bushfires and some of the firefighters tackling the blazes. Morrison was heckled by enraged locals and firefighters - some of whom refused to shake his hand - when he toured fire-hit towns on Friday. The exchanges, caught on video, were reported widely both at home and abroad. The hashtag #ScottyFromMarketing was trending on Australian Twitter on Sunday, referring to a nickname given to Morrison, a former marketing executive, for his perceived focus on personal image over policy. Climate activists, meanwhile, have zeroed in on Morrison`s continued support for the coal industry and apparent attempts to play down the role of climate change in the current crisis. Most experts say the fires have been exacerbated by a three-year drought across the country that they have linked to climate change. Asked if people could have faith in his leadership, Morrison, who has canceled a planned trip to India next week, said on Sunday he was focused on dealing the crisis. "There has been a lot of commentary, there has been plenty of criticism," he told reporters in Canberra. "I`ve had the benefit of a lot of analysis on a lot of issues, but I can`t be distracted by that.") New Delhi: The contestants of 'Bigg Boss 13' on Saturday's 'Weekend Ka Vaar' episode faced host Salman Khan's brunt. The episode began abruptly when Salman entered the house without prior intimation and expressed his disappointment in the contestants as they wished him. In complete disgust, he exclaimed that they all each of them are looking miserable on screen and need to get their acts right. Salman lost his calm on Asim and questioned him for calling Sidharth's father 'a cry baby' despite knowing that he is no more. He also told Asim that he is coming across as bad and irritating. Moving over to Sidharth, he reprimanded him for being abusive. Upset and angry, Salman also rebuked Rashami for putting blame on cameramen and crew for portraying her in a negative light. He told her if she feels that the team is doing injustice in any way, she must walk out of the house the very moment. To lighten up the mood, Salman welcomed Ajay Devgan and Kajol as they graced the stage to promote their upcoming film 'Tanhaji'. Kajol bombarded Ajay and Salman with questions and gets both the stars to reveal many secrets. Later, Salman kicked off the fun with the famous headphones 'Dumb Charades'. Comical expressions and funny guesses leave everyone in splits. Furthermore, Ajay and Kajol enter the house to meet the contestants and hunt for the Jodi No 1 of the Bigg Boss house. They make four pairs on the basis of bonding of the contestants as they compete for the title. They gave them a task with three rounds to test their compatibility and feelings towards each other. At last, Paras and Mahira are selected for the title. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday demanded that Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad should be shifted to AIIMS. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday demanded that Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad should be shifted to AIIMS. Azad is currently lodged in Tihar Jail. He was arrested in December after leading a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in the national capital. Attacking the BJP, Priyanka said that the government's policy of "oppressing" dissent has reached a point of cowardice. "The government's policy of oppressing all expressions of dissent and protest has reached the point of cowardice. The lack of basic humanity in their actions is shameful. There are absolutely no grounds to keep Chandrashekhar in jail, let alone to deny him medical treatment if he is unwell. He should be sent to AIIMS to be treated immediately," she tweeted. A case has been registered against Azad under Sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and other relevant sections of the IPC. Protests have erupted across the country against the CAA, which grants Indian citizenship to Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. Catch the latest news, live coverage and in-depth analyses from India and World. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. French counter-terrorism prosecutors have taken over an investigation into Friday's knife attack in a Paris suburb, which killed one person. The assailant, who was shot dead by police, was known to have been receiving psychiatric treatment, but evidence of radicalisation has now emerged. The man, named as 22-year-old Nathan C., attacked several people on Friday around midday in the southern suburb of Villejuif. Police initially said they were treating the incident as a criminal, not terrorist, incident. But the French national anti-terrorist investigation body (PNAT) on Saturday said that while the attacker was known to have had psychiatric problems, worrying evidence had also emerged about his conversion to Islam and radicalisation. Investigations over the past few hours have allowed us to establish that he was certainly radicalised (and to show)...organised preparation for his move towards the act, the statement said. Additionally, they showed a murderous path, thought out and chosen, of such a nature as to gravely disturb public order by intimidation or terror, it said. Earlier a local magistrate told a press conference that Nathan C. had shouted the Muslim invocation Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest) during the attack. Nathan C. converted to Islam in mid-2017 and is believed to have suffered serious psychiatric problems since he was child, with several spells in hospital. In June, he stopped treatment he was being given. Police found literature characterised as Salafist in a bag after the attack, Philippe Bugeaud of the Paris investigative police told the press conference. There was also a letter with phrases fairly typical of a Muslim man who self-flagellates and who knows that he may be about to take the plunge, Bugeaud added. The man's apartment in Paris also bore every sign that it was going to be no longer lived in, magistrate Laure Beccuau said. Nathan C. apparently spared a first person who said he was a Muslim and had recited a prayer in Arabic, she said. He then attacked the couple, killing the husband and seriously injuring the wife before wounding a woman jogger in the back. Beccuau said the two women had now left hospital. France remains on high alert after being hit by a string of attacks by jihadist extremists since 2015, with more than 250 people killed in total, mostly in Paris. (AFP) Kalyan The new year started on a bad note for Kalyan and Dombivli residents. They will face water cuts on Tuesday as Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has declared a shutdown on three water supply plants. The notice issued by the civic body says the water department has planned to take up some repair and maintenance work on January 7 at the Mohili, Netivli and Barave water treatment plants. Water supply will shut from 8am to 8pm. Residents of Kalyan and Dombivli will not get water supply during this period. This is a routine repair work. We alert residents about it and ask them to store adequate water before the cut is imposed, said Rajiv Pathak, executive engineer, water department, KDMC. Officials of water department said water level of Ulhas river dipped on Thursday, which led to a supply shortage in Ulhasnagar and eastern part of Kalyan city. On Friday, the water level increased and supply was normal. Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Badlpaur, Kalyan, Thane and Navi Mumbai get water supply from Ulhas river. Every January, the water level of the river reduces which leads to water shortage in most of these cities. Ulhas river gets water from Barvi and Andra dam. Barvi dam officials said the release of water from the dam was reduced by the irrigation department. Water released from the dam has been reduced based on directions from irrigation department. This is done to ensure there is adequate water till monsoon, said JC Borse, executive engineer, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, Barvi dam. Water department officials said with the reduction in water level, machineries that lift water at treatment plants get damaged. Hence the repair work is required at treatment plants. Activists said despite adequate rainfall, water cuts are imposed since January. They blamed MIDC and irrigation department for improper planning. MIDC officials claimed water level has reduced by 1.5 metres at Mohane bund on Thursday. If this is the situation in January, there is a reason to worry, said Ravindra Lingayat, founder of Ulhas River Bachao Kruti Samiti. Activists also blamed anti-social elements. Tanker mafia in several parts of Ulhasnagar and Kalyan steal water from the river and the authorities have not done anything about it. Also, there is a lot of construction work around the river premises, for which water is used. There is no monitoring of such activities, added Lingayat. KDMC lifts 150mld of water from Mohane pumping station, and supplies it to the eastern and western parts of Kalyan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi, Jan 5 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, here on Sunday, stepped up attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as well as the Congress, ahead of the Delhi Assemble polls, likely by February. Shah said the attack on the Nankana Sahib in Pakistan was a reply to the anti-Citizenship (Amendmant) Act (CAA) lobby in India and also rapped Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his handling of the "tukde tukde gang' in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) booth-level workers, Shah recalled the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and accused the Congress of doing nothing for the victims. It was Rajnath Singh who as Home Minister arranged compensation for the victims, and ensured that the riots perpetrators were apprehended, he added. Shah also listed the Kartarpur corridor's opening for Sikh pilgrims among the BJP-led Union government's achievements. He urged BJP workers to go on a door-to-door campaign and present every voter with a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party's 'lotus' symbol. Shah said he would also organise neighbourhood meetings. Describing the Delhi Assembly polls a 60-month campaign, the BJP leader criticised Kejriwal for not fulfilling election promises of setting up 20 colleges and 5,000 schools, making Delhi a pollution-free city, providing for MCD employee welfare, and cleaning up the Yamuna river. Shah promised a Yamuna river-front in Delhi on the lines of the Sabarmati river-front in Ahmedabad. CHICAGO, Jan. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Winston & Strawn LLP announced today that the firm is restructuring its Middle East operations to meet its clients' evolving legal needs and increased demand for cross-border services spanning the Middle East, London and the United States. The firm expects to close its Dubai office in the first quarter of 2020, in order to centralize resources for the Middle East practice in key global markets with higher concentrations of industry- and practice-specific expertise. Integrated corporate and litigation services for clients in the Middle East will continue to be provided by Winston's global practice teams, led by partners in London, Paris and the United States who have lived and worked in major Middle East business centers and understand the region's unique legal and business needs. "Our clients are located throughout the Middle East and have cross-border legal needs that reach beyond Dubai particularly into London, which continues to grow as a significant legal hub for the practice," said Tom Fitzgerald, chairman of Winston & Strawn. "This centralization of resources positions us to more effectively provide our clients with the depth and scope of services their businesses require." Winston & Strawn attorneys have decades of experience representing clients in the Middle East on a wide array of matters, including project development and finance, construction, asset finance, banking, M&A, restructurings, private equity and venture capital, and regulatory and compliance issues. Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with 15 offices located throughout North America, Asia and Europe. More information about the firm is available at www.winston.com. SOURCE Winston & Strawn LLP Related Links http://www.winston.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 00:01:34|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani army said on Sunday the country will remain neutral in the current conflict between the United States and Iran after a U.S. airstrike killed an Iranian commander in Iraq. Pakistan's military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said Pakistan will not become part of any action that undermines the regional stability. Comments from Ghafoor, director general of Pakistani army's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, came after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa by telephone on Friday and discussed the regional situation including possible implications of recent escalation in the Middle East. Bajwa emphasized the need for "maximum restraint and constructive engagement by all concerned to de-escalate" the situation in broader interest of peace and stability, according to the army. The spokesman said Bajwa had emphasized during his telephone conversation with Pompeo to reduce tensions between the regional countries. When asked about speculations after Bajwa-Pompeo talks that Pakistan could side with the United States against Iran, Ghafoor dismissed all reports as false and said the U.S. leaders routinely contact the army chief on matters related to regional peace. "I appeal to the media and the people not to pay any attention to the propaganda by inimical forces," the spokesman said, adding Pakistan considers any escalations in the region as against regional peace. U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders have issued threatening statements after a U.S. airstrike on Friday near Baghdad International Airport killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. "The army chief told Pompeo that the region is heading towards stability from the worst situation and the success of the Afghan peace process is a must for regional stability and Pakistan is playing its positive role in this regard. Pakistan wants focus on peaceful solution and we should avoid any move which can harm Afghan peace process," Ghafoor said. Two inmates are missing from the notorious Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman after five prisoners were killed and several others injured this week across the states corrections system. The states prisons are on lockdown as authorities try to identify what sparked the violence at three facilities. Major disturbances that started 29 December were partly provoked by gangs, the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) said. The most recent inmate death happened early Friday, when authorities said Denorris Howell injured his neck during a fight with his cellmate at Parchman. Things are kind of surreal at this point, Sunflower County coroner Heather Burton told the Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi. Every time the phone rings at this point, its another one. Officials promised to prosecute aggressors to the full extent of the law and said movement at three state prisons, three privately managed prisons and 15 regional prisons is limited to emergencies. Parchmans inmates have been transferred to more-secure housing units at the facility in an attempt to quell the outburst, authorities said. Death row in California's San Quentin prison Show all 8 1 /8 Death row in California's San Quentin prison Death row in California's San Quentin prison A condemned inmate exercises in a cage out in the yard of San Quentin prison Getty Death row in California's San Quentin prison San Quentin State Prison opened in 1852 and is California's oldest penitentiary. The facility houses the state's only death row for men that currently has 700 condemned inmates Getty Death row in California's San Quentin prison The lethal injection facility at San Quentin prison AP Death row in California's San Quentin prison A condemned inmate stands in a cell out in the yard of San Quentin prison Getty Death row in California's San Quentin prison An armrest in the interior of the lethal injection facility at San Quentin prison AP Death row in California's San Quentin prison A cell on death row in San Quentin Getty Death row in California's San Quentin prison A cage on death row in San Quentin Getty Death row in California's San Quentin prison A cell on death row in San Quentin Getty During an emergency count about 1.45am Saturday, Parchman staff noticed that David May and Dillion Williams were missing, officials said. May is serving a life sentence for two aggravated assault convictions, and Williams is serving 40 years for residential burglary and aggravated assault. State and local police are helping corrections officials search for the men. Recommended 16 inmates killed in bloody two and a half hour prison riot The chaos comes the same week a federal judge ruled that previously bad conditions at East Mississippi Correctional Facility had been fixed and that the privately run facility had resolved any constitutional violations that may have existed. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Centre brought a lawsuit in 2013 alleging that prisoners lived in barbaric conditions, where illnesses went untreated, rats climbed over beds and guards used excessive force, among other issues. Mississippi has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, and the prison system has struggled with a lack of funding, declining numbers of guards and accusations of abuse. An investigation by ProPublica and the Mississippi Centre for Investigative Reporting found that a 2014 prison reform law had failed to significantly improve the system. Gates was killed alongside other inmates (AP) Unfortunately, this is another chapter in what is a history of mismanagement and neglect that have infected the Mississippi prison system for decades, said Eric Balaban, senior staff counsel at the ACLUs National Prison Project. Governor Phil Bryant, a Republican, said that he was in contact with corrections officials about the latest disturbances across the state and that gang violence would not be tolerated in the prisons. Governor-elect Tate Reeves, a Republican, wrote on Twitter: There is much work to be done in our correctional system. The spate of violence began when Terrandance Dobbins was killed 29 December at South Mississippi Correctional Institution, the Clarion Ledger reported. According to Ms Burton, Walter Gates and Roosevelt Holliman were fatally stabbed during gang-related riots at Parchman on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. And Gregory Emary was killed Thursday at the Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility, according to the Clarion Ledger. Authorities have not specified how Dobbins and Emary were killed. They declined to identify the gangs involved in the conflict, but the Associated Press reported that the ongoing confrontation was between the Vice Lords and the Black Gangster Disciples. Dobbins: Really the prisoners run the facilities. I know guards have to talk with inmates to keep control (AP) These are trying times for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, MDOC Commissioner Pelicia Hall said in a statement. It is never a good feeling for a commissioner to receive a call that a life has been lost, especially over senseless acts of violence. Dobbinss sister, Candice Dobbins, told the AP that her brother felt unsafe at South Mississippi Correctional Institution and that she had been trying to get him transferred. Dobbins was serving a life sentence for a murder in Adams County and eight additional years for aggravated assault in Sunflower County, the Clarion Ledger reported, citing corrections officials. Dobbins hoped to open a barber shop if he was ever released and told his young relatives to stay out of trouble so they would not get locked up, Candice Dobbins told the Clarion Ledger. Really the prisoners run the facilities, she told the AP. I know guards have to talk with inmates to keep control of other inmates. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Corrections officials said Howells death and a minor fire at Parchman appeared to be unrelated to the main disturbances. Kaye Sullivan, an office administrator for Burton, said in an email that a chaotic environment, poor lighting and significant amounts of spilled blood made investigating the deaths at Parchman extremely difficult. At full capacity, Parchman houses 3,560 male inmates, including some on death row. Inmates make textiles and metals as part of the prisons work program. Several lawsuits have alleged that conditions at Parchman are inhumane. Prisoners told PBS NewsHour that the roofs leak, windows are broken and inmates can easily access contraband, including drugs. Grace Fisher, communications director for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, disputed that characterisation to PBS. On Tuesday, Ms Hall announced that she will be leaving the Mississippi Department of Corrections in mid-January to accept a position in the private sector. She did not release details about her new job. Fifty inmates died in Mississippi prisons in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available. Sixteen inmates died in August 2018 alone. Corrections officials attributed most of those deaths to natural causes or illnesses, including cancer and heart disease. The Washington Post Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) The Philippine Embassy in New Zealand warned Filipinos in the country against the effects of smoke from the Australian bushfires. In a statement released Sunday, the embassy said they were "monitoring the situation on the smoke plumes from the Australian bushfires reaching Auckland around 2 p.m. local time, which has caused the skies to turn yellow." It added those who were driving should not to be distracted by this, and warned those with respiratory problems to stay indoors "as the particulates could trigger asthmatic episodes." Meanwhile. in an earlier advisory, the Philippine Embassy in Australia said they were coordinating with consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide in monitoring bushfire emergencies in various parts of the country. "While the Embassy has not received reports of Filipino nationals suffering injuries due to the fires to date, it is closely monitoring developments and communicating with the various agencies and Filipino community leaders in Australia to ascertain the safety and welfare of our kababayans," said the advisory dated January 1. A report from CNN shows skies in parts of Australia turned red because of the bushfires. It added 146 fires were burning across the state of New South Wales, and around 2,700 firefighters were tackling these as of Sunday. People get into human services or social work definitely not for the money, so I knew that the passion had to be there. And Id like to think Ive been through hell and back probably twice, through those childhood experiences, so I know I have something to offer individuals who are going through similar experiences, said Dr. Dominique Pritchett. Pritchett, who grew up often homeless in Kenosha, has a doctorate in clinical psychology from Capella University in Minneapolis. She also has a masters degree in social work from Loyola University and graduated from Carthage College. One of seven children, Pritchett is the second oldest and oldest girl in her family. One of seven, and there was always one bathroom; thats what I remember, she said. So in addition to the homelessness, Ive had my fair share of trauma, exposure to trauma, addiction in my family. So, through all of those experiences, it has shaped the person I am today, and without them, I dont think I would be as resilient as I am today. Pritchett has a public talk on the topic, titled Trauma, the Black Child and the Educational System, scheduled at the Kenosha Civil War Museum on Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. It is being put on by Courageous Conversations. So, it will be myself as a presenter with Dr. Michelle Hancock and then there will be a panel discussing the topic in total, Pritchett said. One of my goals is to open up my own mental health private practice later in 2020 in Kenosha. Another endeavor is her consulting company called Dominique Pritchett and Co., where she offers personal and professional development services and consulting for individuals focusing on mental health clinicians and entrepreneurship. Pritchett enjoys reading with a book club and traveling, with trips planned to Botswana, Bali and Dubai. Here are a few more things that Pritchett recently shared in an interview with the Kenosha News: Q: Where is work for you? A: Today it was at the jail. Im employed through Kenosha Visiting Nurses; however, we provide correctional health care services inside the Kenosha County Jail and Detention Center, (KCDC and the intake downtown), so that is my part-time job. I think the KVNA has been the service provider providing health care services for over 25 years down there. Q: And how long have you been doing that at that location? A: Six years. Q: And youre currently finishing your post-doctoral training? A: Yes, so I am now a doctor of psychology, and my post-doc is at Allendale Association in Lake Villa, Ill. I just started there in August, and I should be there about a year or longer, but a year to finish my post-doc hours to apply for licensure. Q: What is that like, finishing post-doctoral work? A: You think school ended, but it didnt really end because the post-doc is just an extension of your learning experience, but by the state of Wisconsin and Illinois. They require you to get so many clinical hours after your degree, so I think the total hours I need is 3,000 hours, split up between face-to-face and non-face-to-face. Its rigorous; its very challenging. Every day is something new. We work with a very complex population. So at Allendale, they have the Stepping Stone day treatment school for children with mental health challenges. Our goal is to provide them therapeutic treatment services so that they can hopefully re-integrate back into their regular educational system. Q: What would you say would be a formative primary memory that led you to do the work that you do? A: Growing up homeless, so its not one memory, its a collection of memories. But being homeless off and on until the day that I turned 18 and went to college I did go to Carthage for my undergrad. But having experienced that and having the number of individuals who helped me and my family get on our feet time after time, that made such an imprint in my life that I knew thats what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Q: You mentioned resilience. That is one of the things that you wanted to develop for children and their ability to weather situations? A: My dissertation for my doctorate education, I focused on resiliency-based interventions, used strategically to empower children who have been traumatized and parentified. Parentification, or a parentified child, is a child who had their childhood stolen and placed in a parental role much earlier than needed. So, as a result of having their childhood stolen, they missed out on that development, that trust-building, that relationship building. And what my research showed, later in life, as it correlates with the adverse childhood experiences study, as a variable to adverse childhood experiences, individuals later in life have a higher likelihood of suicide, mental illness, addiction. So the programs that Im looking to develop is to focus on that variable what do we do for the child that did not have a childhood? I went through Kenosha Unified most of my education. People knew things about my family. People knew things about my mom, that she struggled with addictions and incarcerations, but people always assumed that I had it all together. I was that sassy girl who was a two sport athlete, maintained her grades and raised five siblings at the age of fourteen. So no one thought to ask, Whats happening? I always wore my resilience on my sleeve, but there were other people who saw this depressed and angry girl. But Id like to think that resilience was misinterpreted. But what I needed to give the world was this defense, so people perceived it as anger but it was me being as resilient as possible. When I do consulting work with school districts, or I get clients referred to me from school districts, I often challenge the system to take a look at themselves and how are they filtering that childs experiences. Because when a child has had their childhood stolen, we adults tend to keep them in that role. And we see that in the juvenile justice system, we see that in the educational system. Once a child has been identified as being too grown or thinking they know it all, we start to treat them like that. But really, theyre children who are screaming for help. But we done exactly what their families systems have done-we take their childhood because they look like they have it all together. Q: So in order to give children back their childhood that they may have missed, what would be the most important things that you think they need to be provided with, or shown or given? A: Well, in my dissertation I developed a community-based program that I do have great intentions of implementing and taking it as far as international. But when people are developing programs, theyre developing programs on what they think would be helpful, but based on my research, we have to tap into what kids are most excited about: thats creativity, about being heard. So really developing programs that are preventative. In my dissertation, my program has three levels of prevention: the primary level of prevention, when we start to see possible parentification or see a child struggling with trauma or behavioral issues. Secondary is OK, this child is identified, we have to really wrap our hands around them, do a wrap-around approach to prevent any further exacerbation of trauma, mental illness, addiction. ... We have to be intentional when we develop programs. A lot of times, funders typically drive how we offer programs, who we can offer it to, but we cant possibly develop any program unless its resiliency-driven and client-driven. Sure, were the host of the program, but if its not going to meet the communities or be applicable to the communities that Im looking to implement it in, what good was the program. ...It takes me understanding who Im serving and what they need to develop those programs and my research led me to that. As a mental health clinician, we have these assessments, your psycho-social history, family history, education, work, all of that, but what I realized is that parentified children theyre in a whole other category and a lot of these kids often go either under-diagnosed, misdiagnosed or over-diagnosed because of a variable people dont consider as trauma and thats having your childhood stolen and expected to function as an adult at age five. I recall such a dominant memory is that my mom went to prison. She sold to an undercover cop and she went to jail. At that point in time, I had to put everything I wanted aside my dreams, my hobbies, my goals and raise five children that were under me. So there were times that I had to portray to be her. I would get calls from their principals to take care of them. Raising five kids as a teenager, it was hard. It was really hard. For a long time I struggled with (the) guilt of even going to school, going to college, because when you have unresolved issues that you take it into your next phase of life, a lot of times in African-American communities there is a sense of guilt, of like, Dang, I left my community. But me, I left my family behind. So thats something I had to work through throughout the four years I was at Carthage. What good am I, to be able to endure what I am studying, social work, if I am not well? There was a point in time that I had to tell my siblings, You have to live your life now, Ive done all I could. ... For a long time, I enabled my mother to think it was OK to let me raise her kids. Im a woman of faith, and I always thank God I dont look like the hell Ive been through. Seriously, when I think of some of the experiences I have found myself in, engaging in behaviors just longing for relationships and connections, searching for my childhood because it was stolen, Im like, Oh God, I turned out OK. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GREEN BAY, Wis.A Delta Air Lines plane slid off a taxiway amid icy conditions Saturday morning at an airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Airport officials said Flight 1770 was headed for Atlanta when it left the taxiway around 6:15 a.m. local time. No injuries were reported, nor was there any damage to the plane. Conditions were icy at the time of the incident, but Airport Director Marty Piette told the Green Bay Press-Gazette that he wasnt sure if thats what caused the plane to slide off the taxiway. He said airport staff were aware of the icy conditions and treated the taxiway with sand and alerted pilots of the icy and slippery conditions. Freezing drizzle was blamed for several crashes on northeastern Wisconsin roads Saturday morning. The 107 passengers were bused back to the airport for rebooking on other flights and were given meal vouchers. Passenger Kent Maxwell, of Green Bay, told the newspaper that people on the plane were calm and respectful as the airline dealt with the issue. I fly a lot and usually problems cause infrequent passengers to really get excited, Maxwell said. That didnt happen on this flight. I think most people can relate to sliding off the road into a ditch. President Donald Trump warned Saturday that the US is targeting 52 sites in Iran and will hit them very fast and very hard if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. In a saber-rattling tweet that defended Fridays US drone strike assassination of a powerful Iranian general in Iraq, Trump said 52 represents the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Trump said some of these sites are 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! Late Saturday night, the president tweeted again, this time warning Iran that the US will hit Iran harder than they have ever been hit before! Trump followed up with another tweet, saying the US would use its brand new beautiful military equipment without hesitation if the Iranians retaliate. Trump spoke out after pro-Iran factions ramped up pressure on US installations across Iraq with missiles and warnings to Iraqi troops part of an outburst of fury over the killing of Qasem Soleimani, described as the second most-powerful man in Iran. With the Islamic republic promising revenge, his killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiraling tensions between Washington and Tehran and has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. In the first hints of a possible retaliatory response, two mortar rounds hit an area near the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday, security sources told AFP. Almost simultaneously, two rockets slammed into the Al-Balad airbase where American troops are deployed north of Baghdad, security sources said. The Iraqi military confirmed the missile attacks in Baghdad and on al-Balad and said there were no casualties. The US military also said no coalition troops were hurt. With Americans wondering fearfully if, how and where Iran will hit back for the assassination, the US Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin that said at this time there is no specific, credible threat against the homeland. However on Saturday the website of the Federal Depository Library Program, a little-known US government agency, was breached by a group claiming to be linked to Iran, who posted graphics displaying the Iranian flag and vowing revenge for Soleimanis death. Separately, US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said in a statement that information given to Congress by Trump, a Republican, prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the strike. The Trump Administrations provocative, escalatory and disproportionate military engagement continues to put service members, diplomats and citizens of America and our allies in danger, said Pelosi, a Democrat. Another prominent democrat, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, called the president a monster, for threatening to target and kill innocent families, women and children. In a tweet, she said: This is a war crime. Direct war While no one claimed Saturdays attacks in Baghdad, a hardline pro-Iran faction in Iraqs Hashed al-Shaabi military network shortly after urged Iraqis to move away from US forces by Sunday at 5:00 pm local time (1400 GMT). The deadline would coincide with a parliament session which the Hashed has insisted should see a vote on the ouster of US troops. Washington has blamed the vehemently anti-American group for a series of rocket attacks in recent weeks targeting US diplomats and troops stationed across Iraq. Many fear the US strike that killed Irans military mastermind Soleimani would set off a wider conflict with Iran, and have braced for more attacks. This is no longer a proxy war, said Erica Gaston, a non-resident fellow at the New America Foundation. What you have is America attacking an Iranian general directly, and groups are now openly fighting for Iran to avenge him. This is a direct war, she told AFP. The US strike on Baghdad international airport early Friday killed a total of five Iranian Revolutionary Guards and five members of Iraqs Hashed. Among the dead was Hasheds deputy head Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a top adviser and personal friend to Soleimani. As head of the Guards foreign operations arm, the Quds Force, Soleimani was a powerful figure domestically and oversaw Irans wide-ranging interventions in regional power struggles. Trump has said Soleimani was planning an imminent attack on US personnel in Baghdad and should have been killed many years ago. Act of war Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised severe revenge for Soleimanis death and Tehran named Soleimanis deputy, Esmail Qaani, to succeed him. Tens of thousands of Iraqis, including Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, political leaders and clerics attended a mass ceremony on Saturday to honor Soleimani and the other victims. Tehran has slammed the strike as an act of war and Abdel Mahdi said it could bring devastating violence to Iraq. The attacks on Saturday evening appeared to be precisely the reaction Iraqis had long feared: tit-for-tat strikes between the Hashed and the US on Iraqi soil. Earlier, the Hashed claimed a new strike hit their convoy north of Baghdad, with Iraqi state media blaming the US. But the US-led coalition denied involvement, telling AFP: There was no American or coalition strike on Saturday. The US assassination of Qassem Soleimani has increased the likelihood that a decade of cyber-hostilities between the US and Iran could escalate into true cyberwarfare, said FireEye, a global cyber security solutions provider. And with tensions mounting and Iran threatening severe revenge over the killing, concerns have arisen that blowback could come in the form of hacking attacks on critical infrastructure sectors. FireEye has issued two statements that focus on cyber implications of the Iranian military General Qassem Soleimani being killed and Iran and disinformation activity respectively. Statement 1: Cyber implications of the Iranian military General Qassem Soleimani being killed Given the gravity of the operation last evening we are anticipating an elevated threat from Iranian cyberthreat actors. FireEye has launched a Community Protection Event to streamline coordination on this specific threat, said John Hultquist, director of Intelligence Analysis, FireEye. We will probably see an uptick in espionage, primarily focused on government systems, as Iranian actors seek to gather intelligence and better understand the dynamic geopolitical environment. We also anticipate disruptive and destructive cyberattacks against the private sphere. Prior to JCPOA, Iran carried out such attacks against the US financial sector as well as other businesses and probed other critical infrastructure. Since the agreement and despite the erosion of relations between Iran and the US, Iran has restrained similar activity to the Middle East. In light of these developments resolve to target the US private sector could supplant previous restraint. Iran has leveraged wiper malware in destructive attacks on several occasions in recent years. Though, for the most part, these incidents did not affect the most sensitive industrial control systems, they did result in serious disruptions to operations. We are concerned that attempts by Iranian actors to gain access to industrial control system software providers could be leveraged to gain widespread access to critical infrastructure simultaneously. In the past, subverting the supply chain has been the means to prolific deployment of destructive malware by Russian and North Korean actors, he added. Statement 2: Iran and Disinformation activity Iran has readily embraced the use of online information operations to support its geopolitical objectives over the past few years, and has refined a vast array of tactics and sophisticated methods that it continues to hone and leverage today, said Lee Foster, senior manager, Information Operations Analysis, FireEye Intelligence. These tactics have included the creation of large networks of inauthentic news sites designed to amplify pro-Iran propaganda globally and discredit rivals, including the US.; the impersonation of influential individuals on social media including political candidates running for office in the US.; the creation of fabricated journalist personas designed to solicit interviews with political experts espousing views advantageous to Iranian interests; and the creation of networks of inauthentic social media accounts masquerading as real, politically-inclined individuals, including those based in the US, designed to propagate commentary critical of Irans political rivals. We are already seeing Iranian disinformation efforts by these networks surrounding last nights strike, and the US should expect that Iranian influence efforts surrounding the US will increase over the coming days or weeks as political developments evolve. There are many similarities and some differences between Irans tactics in this space and those of Russia, which has received the majority of public attention regarding state-directed information operations. Irans efforts, in general, have been more geographically widespread than Russias, being directed at audiences in most parts of the globe. "They have heavily pushed traditional state propaganda and criticized geopolitical rivals, however, it is often overlooked that, in a manner similar to Russia, Iran has also aggressively sought to use these tactics to directly influence the domestic politics of individual countries, including the US, and to take advantage of and amplify existing divisions between communities for its own ends, Foster concluded. - TradeArabia News Service Using data collected by NOAA, here's a look at the top-ten most expensive natural disasters across the U.S. in 2021, totaling over 104.8 billion dollars in damages. Schools spend billions of dollars on technology with promises of personalized learning and building 21st-century skills. Wildflower Schools, a network of small, teacher-led Montessori schools founded in 2014, has a more radical idea: use sensors to track kids every movementwhere they go, what they work with, who they interact with, and how long they engage with materials in the classroom. It may sound creepy, and perhaps something that might make Maria Montessori roll over in her grave. But its backers say its an effort to make Montessori, an educational philosophy with passionate global backing, even more Montessori. Montessori: the woman, the movement Maria Montessori was an Italian physician, scientist, and educator who built an education movement in the early 20th century based on the radical notion that children are born curious and arrive ready to learn what they need to learn. It is not the role of educators to design abstract curricula and force children to absorb it, but to create an environment for them to explore and discover, which they are remarkably capable of doing. Its an education and grounded in the idea that the kids are all right, says Matt Kramer, CEO of Wildflower, which counts 30 schools in its network across the US and Puerto Rico. Development is a natural path and our role as educators is to create a space and a system that encourages a natural course of development, as opposed to thinking of education as something unnatural that were doing to people he explains. Montessori loved children and observed them intensely, creating simple materials and tools to allow them to do the things they naturally want to do. At the schools that now bear her name, kids do stuff rather than listen to, and imitate, adults: math is approached through spatial learning, children trace letters as they say the letter sounds, and match cards with words to small objects. Story continues Engagement. Educators help guide the childrens work and create an environment for them to explore and discover independently. Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed, Montessori said. Schools vary widely in their adherence to Montessoris materials and ideas, but some core principles include mixed-age classrooms, where younger kids learn from older ones and older ones learn by teaching; independent or small-group work that progresses at the pace each child wants; and teachers who stay with kids for multiple years. Unlike many early years classrooms, most Montessori classrooms do not have dress-up corners, Legos, or an abundance of circle time. Teachers document everything: engagement, concentration, and interactions with other kids and materials. They track how students move through curricular sequences, like counting, addition, and multiplication. In other words, assessment is watching who kids are and how they are changing, not administering exams dictated by governments or testing companies. It is this observation process that Wildflower hopes to amplify with sensors. Mary Rockett, a teacher-leader at the flagship Cambridge Wildflower campus, says the preparation of the environment and the choices for lessons are based on the reality of the child you see in front of you, not a curriculum in front of you. She has taught Montessori since 1984. Thats a lot when you are in charge of the administration and care of children aged three-to-six, she says. (A key part of the Wildflower model is that they are led by teachers, not administrators.) Kramer says Montessori practitioners have spent a long time honing what to look for in a classroom. Montessorians have spent 100 years coming up with a protocol for data capture that they actually want to use, that they have refined how to use, and that they know contributes to healthy human development, he says. The hope is the sensors will help with this data collection and analysis, presenting teachers with a rich sense of what and whom a child is engaging with, and where teachers are dedicating their time (after the first pilot with sensors on kids, the teachers asked for their own sensors to understand how they spent their time in the classroom). Montessori schools are having a renaissance: estimates vary, but the American Montessori Society says there are 5,000 in the US. Most of those are private, but the number of public Montessori schools has doubled since 2000, to about 500, according to the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector. In 2018, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced he would invest $2 billion in Day 1 Academies, Montessori-influenced preschools for disadvantaged kids. Decision-making. In 2017, Angeline Lillard, a professor of developmental psychology at the University of Virginia, did a study comparing educational outcomes of 141 preschoolers who were randomly chosen via lottery to attend either a Montessori preschool or a traditional preschool. When the kids started the study, there were no academic differences, but by the end of a three-year period, the Montessori kids had made more academic gains, had better social skills, and reported enjoying school more. The also had more mastery skills (the desire to learn), and took on challenging tasks in order to do so. One possible reason, Lillard says, is that there are few external rewardssuch as grades, stickers, or gold starsin Montessori programs. Lillard says Montessori prepares kids well for a fast-changing world. You are finding your own answers to things as opposed to trying to figure out what the teacher wants you to say, she said. Her daughter explained it this way: Once I got to regular school I knew what I needed to do to get an A and stopped, but in Montessori there was never any end to what you needed to do. Wildflower blooms Wildflower was founded in 2014 when Sep Kamvar, a technologist and professor at MITs Media Lab, needed a school for his son. Unimpressed by what he saw, he collected a group of committed Montessorians and built a model for a new one that morphed into a model for many. Core principles included keeping them small, or micro; weaving them into the fabric of cities, typically in storefronts and along busy streets; and merging the role of teacher and administrator. Wildflowers 30 schools stretch from Minnesota and Puerto Rico to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where it all began. Wildflower has raised $26.5 million, including funds from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Omidyar Network. While it started as a private school, it has since expanded to include a network that includes public, private, and charter schools. In 2019-2020, 27% of Wildflowers 570 students were low-income and qualified for free and reduced-price lunches. For all the independence afforded Montessori kids, Montessori classrooms tend to be very calm places; advocates would say thats because the kids are doing what they want, with just the right amount of guidance. There are plenty of rules, but they are designed from the perspective of what children need, not what adults want. If we care about a child deeply understanding something worth learning, the least influential person is the formal authority in the room and the least influential way to get them to digest something is to tell him to do it, Kramer explains. Co-working. Teachers have a number of ways to avoid this: when a child is struggling, they explicitly dont tell the child what to do. They might suggest working with another child, for example, who would explain it differently than an adult (teachers in non-Montessori also do this). They treat a childs decision-making process as a core part of learning. But this level of personalizationwithout tech, it should be notedis no small task. A child who is impulsive and has no concentration one day becomes hyper-focused when presented with something he loves, or a peer with whom he enjoys working. Even with thorough observations, its tricky to get a full picture of every child every day, and harder still over the years. To gather information over time and to organize information over time has been a big challenge for me as a teacher, Rockett says. When I talk to others, the solution to this has not yet been found. I have great hope in the sensors. The Wildflower Foundation (a nonprofit) has spent about $4 million, which it raised externally, to build the system of sensors and cameras. The technology has been piloted in four Wildflower classrooms, all in Cambridge. The technology has had its share of problems. In the first year the battery life was low, and uploading the data from the sensors was time-consuming for teachers. Thats improved, but then it was clear the sensors struggled to know if a child was interacting with material or just near it; incorporating computer-processed video now clarifies whether a child is oriented toward the material and engaging with it. The developers have also tried to address privacy concerns. The computers take the video and turn the children into anonymous stick figures, essentially, and register their sensor number. Separately, Wildflowers learning management system matches those sensor numbers with a teachers roster so that teachers can use the data. The data is encrypted on a password-protected server and access is restricted to the teachers and the development team. Rockett said a key concern was simply the safety of having kids wear the devices. A spokesman for the technology company said the radio signals are orders of magnitude weaker than a cell phone or a wifi signal, akin to a Fitbit. Could the sensors create a kind of moral hazard, allowing teachers to ease up on their own observations because they can rely on technology? Rockett says the sensors dont replace the need for teachers to observe their kids, but reduce the paperwork associated with it. In an ideal world, the data help the teacher make sure the child is exploring the full range of activities and also that the teacher is dividing his or her time well across the class. That could make the sensor-filled Montessori classrooms even more effective in honing Montessori practices. Lillard, the developmental psychologist at UVA, says she hopes the sensors can help pick apart what delivers the social, emotional, and academic gains Montessori kids often show in research. We can zero in on whether particular advances in understanding are tied to more use of particular materials, gathering data in an unobtrusive way on a large scale, she says. They hold great promise as a research tool. One question she is investigating is whether tech can reliably infer concentration levels (as a human would observe them) from physical details of the childs interactions (like sustained touching or looking at a piece of material). Initial findings show that simple physical details about the childs interaction with material are highly correlated with an observers judgment about overall concentration levels. For now, though, the Wildflower project is more hope than reality. As for what Montessori herself might have thought about the experiment? Maybe she would have been impressed with the precision of the undertaking. Or maybe she would have had faith in humanskids and adults aliketo figure out what to do on their own. Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: Donald Trump has threatened to "quickly and fully strike back" if Iran attacks any American citizens or targets, and says any American response could be "in a disproportionate manner". The threat comes as the world waits to see how Iran will respond to the recent killing of Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani at a Baghdad airport, sparking major anti-US protests across Iran. On Twitter, Mr Trump suggested that the threat was a "legal notice" to Congress that he might green light such an attack, and suggested that such notice "is not required". Legal scholars have contradicted that notion, though, saying that the War Powers Resolution regulating the launching of wars does not allow Mr Trump to notify Congress through tweet, and noting that the US Constitution does require congressional approval before the country can be taken to war. "These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any US person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner," Mr Trump wrote. He continued: "Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!" 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 threat comes just days after Soleimani was killed in a targeted airstrike at an airport in Baghdad. Following his death, Iran leaders have threatened to avenge his death, but it is not clear when or how that revenge may come. The US has justified the attack by saying that an "imminent" attack on Americans was coming, and that killing Soleimani was seen as a way to thwart that effort. Even so, Mr Trump has been criticised in the days following the attack for not consulting Congress before the attack, with Democrats questioning the wisdom behind such a drastic measure since previous presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush had likewise had the ability to kill the leader but determined not to because of the risk that it would spark unrest in the Middle East. They believed ultimately that would get more Americans killed, and you can already see the consequence to us security in the region, Democratic senator Chris Murphy said on Sunday, referring to those past presidents and a Sunday vote in Iraq to expel US troops following the air strikes. "We do not generally execute high-level political figures of sovereign nations, in part because we know that that opens a Pandoras box that may expose American officials to assassination, but also because we know that ultimately that may get more Americans killed, as it likely will, he continued, referring to the attack as a "dramatic step". Shortly after Mr Trump's threat was posted, the president's legal assertions were challenged by legal scholars. That group includes Oona Hathaway, the founder and director of the Centre for Global Legal Challenges at Yale University. "This tweet threatens to break several laws. First, the President cannot notify Congress under the War Powers Resolution by tweet," she wrote on Twitter in response. "Second, he claims "[s]uch legal notice is not required." That's not true. Any time the president involves the armed forces into 'hostilities,' he must--at a minimum--notify Congress within 48 hours." She continued: "Third, he is also obligated to 'in every possible instance . . . consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situation where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances . . .' under the" War Powers Resolution. "Fourth, he is promising a 'perhaps ... disproportionate' strike in response--that's another promise of an international law violation. Any action taken in self defence (the apparent justification for the strikes) must be necessary and proportionate to the threat posed." And she concluded: "That any of this has to be said suggests just how insane this situation has become. Where are the White House, [Department of Justice, Department of Defence and] State [Department] lawyers?" EU High Representative Josep Borrell invited Iranian foreign ministry Javad Zarif to visit Brussels to discuss de-escalation in Iraq. High Representative Josep Borrell spoke this weekend with the Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif about recent developments in Iraq, the need for de-escalation of tensions in the region and the importance of preserving the JCPOA, the statement issued by the EU says. Josep Borrell expressed his deep concern about the latest increase of violent confrontations in Iraq, including the killing of General Qassem Soleimani. He urged Iran to exercise restraint and carefully consider any reaction to avoid further escalation, which harms the entire region and its people. The High Representative offered his full engagement to contribute to de-escalation. He stressed that ultimately, a regional political solution was the only way forward and that the EU was ready to support this. During their call, High Representative Borrell and Minister Zarif discussed also the importance of preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA), which continues to be a corner stone of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and instrumental for the security of the region and the world. The High Representative confirmed his resolve to continue to fully play his role as coordinator and keep the unity of the remaining participants in support of the agreement and its full implementation by all parties. Josep Borrell invited the Iranian Foreign Minister to Brussels to continue their engagement on these matters. The conversation with Minister Zarif took place in the context of phone calls High Representative Borrell has had since Friday with Foreign Ministers of number of countries of the EU and in the region to discuss the recent events and steps to de-escalate the tensions. India on Sunday reached out to the US and Iran to discuss its concerns over the situation in West Asia following the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in an American airstrike, with external affairs minister S Jaishankar saying developments had taken a very serious turn. US President Donald Trump has threatened to strike 52 specific Iranian targets after Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed severe revenge for the killing of Soleimani, commander of the al-Quds Force foreign operations arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Friday. New Delhi, which has been put in a difficult position because of its good relations with both Tehran and Washington, has been watching the escalation with growing concern. Any flare-up in the region could hit crude oil prices and supplies and also affect nearly 8 million Indian expatriates in West Asia. Jaishankar worked the phones on Sunday, speaking to US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, Iran foreign minister Javad Zarif, foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates and Oman foreign minister Yusuf bin Alawi to discuss ways to reduce the rising level of tension in the region, said a person familiar with developments who declined to be named. Following the first phone conversation with Zarif, Jaishankar said in a tweet: Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch. In another tweet, Jaishankar said he and Pompeo discussed the evolving situation in the Gulf region and that he highlighted Indias stakes and concerns. Jaishankar also tweeted he and Alawi discussed the tense situation in the region and reaffirmed their shared interest in the stability and security of the Gulf. Jaishankar said he exchanged views on recent developments with his UAE counterpart. The person cited above said India is closely tracking developments in West Asia. We are engaged with all important stakeholders on the prevailing situation given our deep interest in the stability and security of the region, the person said. Eyebrows had been raised in New Delhi over Pompeo contacting his Indian counterpart only on Sunday, especially since the US secretary of state had begun an outreach to key world capitals soon after Soleimanis killing on Friday. Pompeo spoke to Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa on Friday, which was followed hours later by the US presidents decision to resume a military training programme for Islamabad that was suspended in 2018. Over the past two days, Pompeo has spoken to Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu, Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad, UAE Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed, Saudi Crown Mohammed bin Salman Prince, Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, and his Turkish, Russian, French, German and British counterparts on countering Irans malign influence and threats and to seek support. Meanwhile, a statement from the Iranian embassy here described the US strike that killed Soleimani as a terrorist criminal act. It said Soleimani was a prominent champion of the fight against terror in the region, and he was acting as a military advisor at the invitation of the governments of Syria and Iraq to help their armed forces combat groups such as Daesh, Al-Nusra Front, and al-Qaeda. All the responsibilities of this criminal act and escalation of tensions in the region rest with the terrorist US government which has to bear all the repercussions of this act, the statement said. Despite Irans strategic restraint, the country considers safeguarding its national and security interests a legitimate right and it shall take appropriate retaliatory action in the suitable time and place, the statement added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As a near resident of the Lyons Woods Forest Preserve, I see that the Lake County Forest Preserves have again posted their signs indicating that they plan another culling operation to eradicate some of the deer population in the preserve. For many years, I have enjoyed the beauty of seeing several deer grazing the preserve along with their fawns. After last years culling operation, I have only seen one deer in the entire preserve and that was only one time since last season. I would like to know why the Forest Preserves officials feel that it is necessary to kill off the last remaining deer in that area. It is so sad to think that I will no longer see any deer enjoying this preserve as I had experienced in previous years. Hopefully the poor deer will outrun your eradication efforts. The repeated statements of the attorney-general of the federation on the eventual release of two men as ordered by the courts have embarrassed the Executive and exposed the Judiciary to ridicule, senior lawyer, Femi Falana, has said. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Malami repeatedly said activist Omoyele Sowore and ex-national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, were released on compassionate grounds, despite being so ordered by the courts. Both men were detained by the State Security Service, SSS, for several weeks (years in the case of Mr Dasuki) despite meeting bail conditions set by the courts. They were eventually released last month following local and international outcry and condemnation. In his latest statement on the matter on Sunday, Mr Falana restated his stance that the government had no basis to continue to detain both men despite the court orders granting them bail. Read Mr Falanas full statement below. FG lacks power to detain Sowore, Dasuki in defiance of court orders Since the release of Sowore and Dasuki from illegal custody on December 24, 2019, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami SAN has put himself under undue pressure. In the process, he has embarrassed the Executive and exposed the Judiciary to ridicule. After announcing that he had directed the state security service to release Sowore and Dasuki from custody in compliance with the court orders that had granted them bail the Justice Minister turned round to say that the release was an act of compassion and mercy on the part of the Executive. I was compelled to challenge the claim of the Justice Minister as he lacks the power to release any person standing trial on compassionate grounds by virtue of section 175 of the Constitution. After he had rightly abandoned that dangerous legal route the Justice Minister has since asserted that the federal government was right to have detained the Sowore and Dasuki in defiance of the court orders which had admitted them to bail. In support of the outlandish contention, the Justice Minister said that the federal government was not bound to obey the court orders until the final determination of the appeals filed against the court orders. In an interview aired on NTA last Thursday the Justice Minister said There were appeals (sic) for stay of execution all through. So, until those matters reach the supreme court and the supreme court takes the final decision, relating there, you are still operating within the ambit and context of rule of law So, in respect of those orders we are not comfortable with as a government, we go back to the court and have them challenged. Until that matter, that your right of challenge, is determined up to the supreme court level, the idea of you being charged with disobedience of court order does not arise. Abubakar Malami With respect, the Ministers statement is factually and legally erroneous in every material particular. If the Justice Minister has had time to review Sowores case file which he had withdrawn from the State Security Service he would have confirmed that no appeal was filed against the two decisions of the federal high court which admitted him and his co-defendant, Mr Olawale Bakare to bail. Instead of challenging the orders granting bail to Sowore and Bakare at the Court of Appeal the State Security Service had actually attempted to constitute itself into an appellate court over the federal high court by insisting on approving the sureties that had been verified by the trial court. As defence counsel we rejected the illegal request to produce the sureties before the Director General of of State Security Service until the Honourable Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu gave him a 24-hour ultimatum to release the duo from illegal custody. It is on record that Dasuki was granted bail at different times by six judges of the federal high court and the federal capital territory high court. It is pertinent to note that the federal government did not file an appeal against any of the six court orders. In fact, the first bail application of Dasuki was not opposed by Mohammed Diri Esq. who was the then Director of Public Prosecutions from the chambers of the Attorney General of the Federation. Hence, Dasuki was admitted to bail in self recognizance on August 30, 2015. Having not opposed the bail application the federal government could not have filed any appeal against the order of the court. Apparently frustrated with the contemptuous conduct of the federal government Dasuki approached the Ecowas Court for redress. In a landmark judgment delivered on October 4, 2018 the ecowas court indicted Nigeria and awarded N15 million damages in favour of Dasuki for his detention in defiance of the orders of Nigerian courts. According to the judges of the court: It appears that the sole aim of the re-arrest is to circumvent the grant of bail and by keeping the Applicant in custody through executive fiat unsupported by any law or order of Court. On the allegation that Dasuki was facing a serious charge of the criminal diversion of the sum of $2.1 billion for purchase of arms the Ecowas Court said that For the avoidance of doubt any persons who have violated the criminal laws of a State especially the ones impeding the development of the State and destruction of its Common Wealth are liable to be tried and if found guilty should face the consequences of their action(s). However, in doing so, States must respect all International obligations with regard to due process and respect for fundamental rights of the suspects. Failure to do so will impute responsibility to the State regarding such violations of rights while leaving intact their right to prosecute and punish offences against their criminal laws. It is submitted that the federal government could not have filed an appeal against the judgment because the Ecowas Court is a judicial tribunal of first and last resort, without any right of appeal. However, after the judgment of Ecowas Court the Honourable Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the federal high court had cause to admit Dasuki to another bail but asked each of his two sureties to deposit N100 million with the Court. The federal government did not file an appeal against the ruling but Dasuki did as he was compeletly dissatisfied with the soffocating conditions attached to his bail. The appeal was decided in Dasuki s favour as the bail conditions were varied in liberal terms by the Court of Appeal. The federal government never approached the Supreme Court to challenge any aspect of the judgment of the Court of Appeal. In the same vein, the federal government did not file any appeal against any of the orders of the high courts which had admitted Sowore and Dasuki to bail. Consequently, no motion was ever filed for stay of execution of any of the court orders. Since no notice of appeal or motion for stay of execution was ever filed by the federal government against the orders of bail for Sowore and Dasuki the Justice Minister ought to tender a public apology for misleading the Nigerian people. However, if the Justice Minister can produce any notice of appeal or motion for stay of execution in respect of the two cases I will publicly apologise to him for misleading the Nigerian people. From the foregoing it is undoubtedly clear that the two orders of the federal high court admitting Sowore to bail were treated with contempt while the eight orders of the federal high court, federal capital territory high court, Ecowas Court and the Court of Appeal which admitted Dasuki to bail were ignored by the federal government based on erroneous legal advice. A couple of weeks ago, I had reminded the Justice Minister of the fact that as a military dictator, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari had complied with court orders by releasing 13 political detainees from the illegal custody of the notorious National Security Organization (now State Security Service) based on the legal advice of his Attorney General, the Late Chief Chike Offodile SAN. Even under the dreaded Sani Abacha junta the law was not totally silent. Hence, when I was detained in 1996 under the State Security (Detention of Persons) Decree No 2 of 1984 at the Mawadachi prison in Jigawa State the federal high court granted an order permitting my wife to visit me. And upon the service of the order on the federal government the then Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Late Chief Michael Agbamuche SAN advised the prison authority to comply with the court order. At about the same time, Mr. Agbamuche equally advised the Abacha junta to comply with the order of the Court of Appeal permitting the wife and personal physician of the Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN to visit him in the Bauchi prison. It is on record that the Abacha junta complied with both court orders in line with the advice of the Justice Minister. Therefore, if the court orders issued in favour of the opponents of military dictators were respected under the defunct military regime it is unacceptable for a democratically elected government which operates under the rule of law to ignore the orders of municipal and regional courts for the release of political detainees and criminal suspects from illegal custody. In as much as the eventual release of Sowore and Dasuki is appreciated it ought to be pointed out that this is a mere tip of the iceberg. If the federal government has genuinely decided to embrace the rule of law it has to comply with all valid and subsisting court orders and respect the human rights of the Nigerian people. As a matter of urgency, the Justice Minister should direct the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Correctional Service, state security service, armed forces, anti graft agencies and other law enforcement agencies to either release or prosecute the thousands of criminal suspects including terror suspects that have been incarcerated for months without trial. The detaining authorities should also be prohibited from parading suspects and subjecting them to physical and mental torture in contravention of the provisions of section 2 of the Anti Torture Act, 2017. READ ALSO: Furthermore the Council of the National Human Rights Commission which was dissolved in 2015 should be reconstituted by the President on the recommendation of the Justice Minister. In June last year, President Buhari directed the office of the Attorney -General, the Inspector General of Police and the National Human Rights Commission to carry out the reforms of the Special Anti Robbery Squad of the Police within three months. It is high time the directive was carried out. The Georgewill Judicial commission of Inquiry which investigated human rights abuse in the armed forces submitted its report in February 2018. The federal government should issue a white paper on the report forthwith. The Garba Judicial Commission of Inquiry which investigated the military invasion of Zaria in December 2015 recommended the prosecution of the military officers who massacred 347 Shiites and buried their bodies in a mass grave. The indicted suspects should be charged with culpable homicide at the Kaduna State High Court without any further delay. Owing to the refusal of the federal government to act on these reports by prosecuting those who bear full responsibility for such eggregious human rights infringements the office of the Special Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has concluded arrangements to open preliminary investigation into allegations of crimes against humanity concerning the extrajudicial killings of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). It is hoped that the federal government will not allow Nigeria to be exposed to international opprobrium for her unwillingness and inability to prosecute the indicted murder suspects. Celeste Barber's bushfire appeal has now raised more than $34.5million, prompting calls for her to become Australia's next prime minister. The comedian, 37, has received more than 850,000 donations in just three days, after first sharing the Facebook campaign with her 1.8 million followers on Friday. The fires have so far claimed at least 24 lives, left dozens injured - including hero firefighters and volunteers - as well as destroying more than 1,000 homes and leaving about 500million animals dead. Celeste - who is known for her parodies of celebrities' Instagram posts - also spent the weekend buying much-needed supplies for firefighters on the frontline. Leadership: Celeste Barber's bushfire appeal has now raised more than $34million, prompting calls for her to become Australia's next Prime Minister. Pictured on October 29, 2019 in NYC On Sunday, Celeste's husband, Api Robin, shared a video of his wife 'getting some essentials ready... for those heroic folks fighting the blazes'. The footage showed Celeste struggling with six shopping trolleys filled with water, medical supplies and toiletries at a Coles supermarket. As her fundraiser grows by the minute, the likes of Pia Miller, Laura Byrne and Angie Kent have called for Celeste to become Australia's 'next PM'. Many others have compared her generosity to the questionable leadership shown by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who went on a poorly-timed holiday to Hawaii as the bushfires intensified last month. Mr Morrison has also been criticised for putting out an 'ad' for the Defence Force's efforts in tackling the crisis, set to dramatic music. Going the extra mile! Celeste - who is known for her parodies of celebrities' Instagram posts - also spent the weekend buying much-needed supplies for firefighters on the frontline Stocking up: On Sunday, Celeste's husband, Api Robin, shared a video to Instagram of his wife 'getting some essentials ready... for those heroic folks fighting the blazes' SCOTT MORRISON'S BUSHFIRE PUBLIC RELATIONS DISASTER Scott Morrison November 20: Mr Morrison tweets: 'Going to be a great summer of cricket, and for our firefighters and fire-impacted communities, I'm sure our boys will give them something to cheer about.' December 16: Nationals leader Michael McCormack is appointed acting PM amid terrible bushfires. NSW MLC David Shoebridge tweets he has heard Mr Morrison is on holiday in Hawaii. The PM's office will not confirm where Morrison is or when he will return. December 17: Mr McCormack says he will be acting PM until December 19. The PM's office continues to refuse to answer questions about Mr Morrison's whereabouts. December 18: The PM's office still says nothing. December 19: Tourists post pictures on social media of Mr Morrison in Hawaii. Volunteer firefighters Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew O'Dwyer, both young fathers, are killed. December 20: Mr Morrison announces he is cutting short his holiday to return to Australia. He issues a statement saying he 'deeply regrets' any offence he has caused. He tells 2GB: 'You know, I don't hold a hose.' December 31: Mr Morrison holds an exclusive party at Kirribilli House as large swathes of the NSW South Coast and Victoria's east burn. January 1: Mr Morrison holds a function for the Australian and New Zealand cricket teams at Kirribilli House ahead of the SCG Test. January 2: Mr Morrison describes the bushfires as 'something that will happen against the backdrop of this Test match'. A firefighter refuses to shake hands with Mr Morrison at Cobargo, on the New South Wales south coast. January 3: Mr Morrison donates one bag of groceries to bushfire victims who have lost their homes in East Gippsland. Advertisement Pia shared a post to Instagram on Sunday, which read: 'Celeste Barber for PM.' Laura also used the hashtag '#CelesteForPM', before adding: 'What a woman.' Angie, a former Bachelorette, paid tribute to Celeste for inspiring so many people from around the world to donate. Angie wrote: 'This is what happens when we work together and have strong humans leading the way. Thank you, Celeste, and your army of amazing people who follow you and have donated.' Firefighters are seen tacking a blaze between Orbost and Lakes Entrance in East Gippsland Heartbreaking: A family's home is seen burning in Batlow in New South Wales Vocal: As her fundraiser grows by the minute, the likes of Pia Miller (pictured), Laura Byrne and Angie Kent have called for Celeste to become Australia's 'next PM' Celeste announced on Facebook on Friday that she had set up the fundraiser. 'I'm raising money for The Trustee for NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate a lot or a little. Anything helps,' she wrote. Dozens of celebrities and public figures have praised Celeste, including the likes of Jonathan Van Ness from Netflix series Queer Eye. Supportive: Laura Byrne used the hashtag '#CelesteForPM', before adding: 'What a woman' 'Strong humans leading the way': Angie Kent, a former Bachelorette, paid tribute to Celeste for inspiring so many people from around the world to donate Jonathan urged his 4.8 million Instagram followers to donate to the cause on Saturday. 'My heart has been broken these last days watching the situation deteriorate there,' he said of the devastating bushfires. 'The people, animals, and spirit of Australia is so beautifully unique and seeing how much everyone has banded together to help is major especially @celestebarber and everything she has done to raise funds for her country in this crisis.' The blazes raged on through Monday, with three fires spanning two states threatening to merge into a terrifying 'mega-blaze'. There are fears there could be more destruction on the way as nothing but a river - about 10kms of space - currently stands between Victoria's Corryong blaze and the two fires burning out of control at NSW's Kosciuszko National Park. Six people remain unaccounted for after catastrophic bushfires ripped through the New South Wales south coast and in the East Gippsland region over the weekend. Two people are missing in southern New South Wales, one near Bodalla on the South Coast and the other person from Bombala near the Victorian border, Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said on Monday. Four people are missing in Victoria after blazes tore through communities on Saturday - killing at least three people. Celeste Barber's mother-in-law UNLEASHES on the government and claims she's been abandoned in fire-ravaged town By Lauren Ferri for Daily Mail Australia Celeste Barber's mother-in-law has been filmed unleashing on the government for its response to bushfires ravaging the New South Wales south coast. The comedian set up a Facebook fundraiser on Friday and has already raised more than $27million. Barber shared footage of her mother-in-law, Joy Robin, at Eden wharf after residents were told needed to evacuate the town, near the Victoria border. Ms Robin was filmed talking to media and claimed the government has 'abandoned' those in need. 'We pay $6billion in taxpayer money every year... where are they? This is our war,' she said. 'This fire is Australia's war at the moment. It's been right down the Great Dividing Range and now it's going right to the coast. And there isn't one ADF on the ground.' When asked if she would consider leaving she said she was too upset, but she was capable of getting herself to safety. 'They've (the government) left us high and dry so many times,' she said. 'We pay our taxes. We've been abandoned.' Barber has raised more than $27million on Facebook, with the number continuing to grow - at times by $10,000 every minute. Barber shared footage of her mother-in-law Joy Robin at the Eden Wharf after residents were told they have to evacuate China on Sunday issued a safety warning to its citizens living in the US, advising them to stay alert and take precautions before visiting public places in the wake of escalating tensions between Iran and America following the killing of Iran's top military commander Qassem Soleimani. Maj Gen Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed in drone strike in Iraq on Friday. The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force. Soleimani's killing has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. "The Chinese embassy suggests and reminds Chinese citizens in the US to closely watch the security situation, stay alert and take safety precautions, be cautious before going to public places," Hong-Kong based South China Morning Post quoted the Chinese embassy in Washington as saying. Anyone who fears or encounters a possible threat should contact the embassy or their local consulate, or call the Chinese foreign ministry's 24-hour emergency hotline, the report said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged all sides to remain calm. It said China opposes the use of force in international relations, as a wider war was unaffordable for the world and no country including China would be immune to it. Chinese officials have communicated actively with all parties on the escalating situation between Tehran and Washington during the weekend, a reflection of China's firm position on safeguarding regional peace and calling for conflict resolution through diplomatic means, state-run Global Times reported. Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a phone call on Friday that China was very concerned about the Middle East. The Chinese government always supports resolving differences through dialogue and opposes the use of force in foreign relations, Yang said. Yang called all relevant parties, especially the US, to remain restrained and de-escalate the situation. On Saturday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and France. In a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Wang said the risky US military action, contrary to the basic norms of international relations, would exacerbate tensions and instability in the region, a foreign ministry statement here said. The use of military means in relations would lead to nowhere, the statement said, urging the US not to abuse military power and to resolve issues through dialogue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Capital City BBQ might have been the only barbecue and Vietnamese restaurant for miles when it opened in 2015 inside a cellphone store in Lansing, Michigan. Linh Lee and her now-ex-boyfriend had toyed with their recipes for three years, testing 50 sauces and 20 kinds of macaroni and cheese before settling on the combinations of ingredients that they felt confident would make customers smile. Then their romantic relationship fell apart, and things went south. Lee, 48, told the Lansing State Journal that her ex co-opted the restaurant's phone number in December and recorded a message saying that the business would be closed for months. Except, she said, that wasn't true. "Happy holidays from Capital City BBQ," a male voice on the answering machine says. "Due to the holidays, we will be taking an extended leave until March 1. We look forward to your business and seeing you after March 1. Have a happy holiday. Thank you." The restaurant's business tanked in the days after the new message was recorded, Lee told the State Journal. She said she made $2,800 in the four days after the change - less than half of her usual sales. Lee got a new phone number in late December, the State Journal reported, but the original is still on the building's signs and on websites such as TripAdvisor. "I am not closing," Lee told the newspaper. "I am moving forward. I keep going." Capital City BBQ, which serves a pulled-pork sandwich called the Awesome Mess alongside several types of banh mi, was featured in 2017 on Guy Fieri's popular Food Network show, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Back then, Lee's ex was making the restaurant's barbecue, while she prepared food from her home country of Vietnam, the State Journal reported. The pair met in 2011 when Lee said she paid her ex-boyfriend, a contractor, $67,000 to build a restaurant on one side of her now-shuttered cellphone store. He eventually claimed co-ownership of the restaurant, although Lee told the State Journal that she disagreed with that assessment because she was the only one who contributed capital to the project. He registered the restaurant's phones to his construction business, and Lee does not have the passwords, she told the State Journal. The couple broke up in July. In December, Lee noticed that the restaurant's phones suddenly were not ringing, WLNS reported. She said she assumed that Comcast was having issues. On Dec. 18, Lee wrote on her restaurant's Facebook page to urge customers to ignore the business' answering machine. It had been "disrupted," but the business was open, she said. She listed a new phone number where people could put in their orders for takeout and catering. A more blunt message written in all caps appeared three days later. "Our phone line has been stolen by an unethical person who is not apart of our restaurant," Lee wrote. "He is trying to hurt our business any way that he can." Dozens of fans posted encouraging comments and reassured Lee that nothing could get between them and the restaurant's brisket. 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. Lee told the State Journal that she hired an attorney to resolve the dispute. She also contacted law enforcement, WLNS reported. Restaurant employees told WILX that Capital City BBQ was Lee's dream and that watching someone try to ruin it was "devastating" and perplexing. Lee told WILX that she often works 12 or 13 hours a day. "To take something like this away from me, it takes away my spirit," she told the TV station. After several news stories about the debacle, there's at least one sign that the restaurant's fate may be on the upswing: An employee who answered the phone Saturday said Lee might not be available to talk to reporters anytime soon. The restaurant, he said, was "slammed" with customers. Record-breaking foreign tourists flocked to the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya in 2019, its governor said Thursday. The figure surpassed 15 million for the year, Munir Karaloglu said. He said tourism in Antalya will continue to grow. The highest number of visitors to Antalya was recorded at 13,642,000 in 2018. One of the most popular destinations in global tourism, Turkey has broken an all-time record by the end of 2019 by hosting over 45 million international tourists. Turkey aims to host 75 million tourists in 2023, when it celebrates the 100th year of its foundation. Text and Image: Anadolu Ajans Samsung today sent out invites for its Unpacked event on February 11 where it is expected to unveil the Galaxy S11 and its next foldable device, the Galaxy Fold 2. The Galaxy S11 and Galaxy Fold 2 launch event will be held just about a week ahead of MWC 2020 where other major smartphone OEMs are expected to unveil their new smartphones. Say hello to a whole new Galaxy. Unpacked on February 11, 2020 #SamsungEvent pic.twitter.com/ln1pqt2vu7 Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) January 5, 2020 The Galaxy S11 has already leaked in renders and its detailed specs have also been revealed. The device will be available in three different screen sizes, with Samsung offering 5G connectivity on all models. Leaks also point to the Galaxy S11 coming with a 108MP primary camera, a periscope camera offering up to 5x optical zoom, an ultra-wide angle shooter, a ToF sensor, and more. The Galaxy S11 Plus is expected to come with a Penta camera setup. Other rumored specs of the Galaxy S11 include 8K video recording, Snapdragon 865 chip, 8/12GB RAM, microSD card slot, 25W/45W super fast charging, wireless charging, and more. Photos of Samsungs second foldable device have also leaked online. The device features a clamshell design similar to the Motorola Razr. Unlike the Galaxy Fold, Samsungs second foldable device is not expected to have high-end internals. The Galaxy S11 series will take on Apples existing iPhone 11 Pro lineup and with the 2020 iPhones when it launches later this year. Samsung is expected to massively improve the camera capabilities of the Galaxy S11 to take on the iPhone 11 Pros improved triple-camera system. Are you looking forward to the launch of the Galaxy S11 and the Galaxy Fold 2? Drop a comment and let us know! What do an award-winning street in Cork, an oak tree in Ardpatrick, and a church in Blackrock have in common? Theyre named after Oliver Plunkett, thats what, says Robert Hume. But who exactly was this man? Three hundred and fifty years ago, Oliver Plunkett from Co. Meath was consecrated Archbishop of Armagh and Catholic Primate of All Ireland. Twelve years later he would meet a grisly end as the last Catholic priest to be executed at Tyburn. Escaping his war-torn homeland Born in 1625 into a well-connected family from Loughcrew, Oldcastle, Plunkett was set on becoming a priest. With no seminaries in Ireland, he knew that he would need to go to Rome. As reported in his memoirs, early in 1647 he left Waterford with four other students on a perilous journey, facing pirates, mountainous seas, and attacks from robbers. After three months they arrived in Rome where Plunkett studied law at the Jesuit University, and theology, philosophy and mathematics at the Irish College. A brilliant student, he was later appointed Professor of Theology at Propaganda College. In 1654, he was ordained a priest. Facing Cromwells soldiers in Ireland was not a cheerful prospect, and Father Oliver was granted permission to stay in Rome as a representative of the Irish bishops. Much of his time was spent visiting Santo Spirito hospital, feeding and washing the sick, needy and full of vermin. His return as Catholic Primate In Ghent on 1 December 1669, Plunkett was consecrated Catholic Primate of All Ireland, and Archbishop of Armagh. Storms and heavy snow blighted his return journey to Ireland. In London, wine froze in his chalice. Disguised as Captain William Browne, carrying a sword and two pistols, Archbishop Oliver secretly disembarked at Ringsend, Dublin. Two months later, the appointment of a more tolerant viceroy meant Plunkett could safely appear in public. The Catholic Church in Ireland was leaderless and divided, the clergy allowed to go their own way. Many regarded the Italian Primate, an Anglo-Irish Meathman with sullen resentment. Travelling on horseback from village to village, Archbishop Oliver claims he confirmed 48,655 Catholics, often in the open air at Mass-rocks, and ordained 200 priests. In Drogheda he set up a college to train priests, and a school for 150 boys, forty of whom were Protestant. It was the first integrated school in Ireland. The actual head of St Oliver Plunkett in a glass case in St. Peters Roman Catholic Church in West Street, Drogheda town centre By developing friendly relationships with Protestant leaders, such as Archbishop James Margetson of Armagh, he helped solve disputes in several dioceses. In Tyrone, he got a group of outlaws to renounce a life of plundering. His special focus was to reform the clergy whom he found ignorant in moral theology, and prone to drinking. No priest should frequent public houses or drink whiskey, he stated. Barely six months after his arrival, the vicar generals of six dioceses wrote thanking the Vatican for sending a man who had won the love even of the enemies of our faith. Such untiring work led a Catholic prayer group as recently as 1997 to name him patron for peace and reconciliation. But in London Plunketts reforming zeal was regarded with horror. When he refused to take Church of England Communion as required by the Test Act (1673), his colleges were demolished, chapels closed. Rather than go into exile, he chose a life on the run, frequently hungry and cold, hiding in barns, or in an old oak tree in Ardpatrick. Arrest in Dublin and trial in Westminster In 1678 Plunkett was arrested for planning to bring 20,000 French soldiers to Ireland, as part of a fabricated Popish Plot to assassinate King Charles II and replace him by his Catholic brother James. Charged with high treason, and exercising papal jurisdiction, Plunkett was taken to Dublin Castle. When his trial in Dundalk fell through, he was shipped to London in October 1680 and flung into Newgate Prison. At a second trial in Westminster on 8 June 1681 he was not allowed a defence or call witnesses, and fake evidence from suspended priests was used against him. In a mere 15 minutes the jury found him guilty of promoting a false and pernicious religion, and he was sentenced to execution. King Louis XIV of France pleaded that he be spared, but King Charles II though a Catholic sympathiser thought it too politically dangerous. Execution The manner of execution at Tyburn Oliver Plunkett (A life of continuous sacrifice, Intercom magazine, July/August 2017) On July 1, 1681, 55-year-old Plunkett was tied to a wooden sledge and drawn by horse to Tyburn tree, Marble Arch. His gaoler stated that he was as unconcerned as if he was going to a wedding. Calmly addressing an immense multitude of spectators, he swore his innocence and forgave his accusers evidence of a saintly, compassionate nature that resulted in his canonisation in 1975. Plunkett was hanged by the neck until on the verge of death, then cut down, and his intestines drawn out. His bowels, guts and genitals were cut off and cast into the fire, his head lopped off, singed in the fire, and his body chopped into pieces quartered. Initially, his parts were buried in two tin boxes in the courtyard of St Giles-in-the-Fields Church. Nowadays they lie in Downside Abbey, Somerset. After a brief stint in Rome, in 1684 his head was brought to the Benedictine monastery of Lambspring, Germany. Since 1929 it has rested in an ornate golden shrine in St Peters Church, Drogheda, where a recent visitor captured on video a ghostly face peering out from the cell where Oliver Plunkett once lay in hiding. Members of Irish language group Conradh na Gaeilge have met with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith at Hillsborough. The meeting went ahead on Sunday afternoon, having previously been scheduled for last Friday when it was postponed with 10 just minutes notice. Speaking after the meeting, Ciaran Mac Giolla Bhein of Conradh na Gaeilge said the group had a productive meeting with Mr Smith. He said: We impressed upon the Secretary of State the responsibility that his Government has in fulfilling the obligations that were made in 2006. We outlined what, in our view, were the main components of the Irish Language legislation and what it should include, which do involve things around visibility of the language, a language commissioner and official status. We presented him with the arguments around that and the benefits that such legislation would bring and also impressed on him just how important this is in terms of building the stable powersharing institutions which are his stated goal. He wants to reconvene Stormont in a way that will be sustainable in the future and to be able to navigate crises in the futures. If that is to happen, it is incumbent on him to ensure that language legislation and rights for Irish language speakers form a very central part of that, he added. We got a decent hearing, we got a fair hearing. He also re-iterated his Governments position that their priority is to reconvene Stormont and to put a deal together which makes that possible. For our part, we impressed on him the responsibility that his Government holds. After all, it was his Government that made that commitment around the Irish language Act in 2006 and 13 years have passed since then. It is now high time that the rights of Irish speakers have now been included and the rights of Irish speakers are no longer marginalised. Mr Mac Giolla Bhein said the issue of an Irish Language Act would still be on the margins if it was not for campaign groups keeping it on the political agenda. He said: Regardless of what emerges from these talks and whatever deal is put together as a result of these talks, people can be incredibly proud of that. In terms of the actual deal and what is there for the Irish speaking community we will reserve judgment until we see the detail on that. He said in 2006 the Irish language community was promised an Irish language Act as part of the St Andrews Agreement and the co-guarantors of The Good Friday Agreement promised resolute action for the Irish language in 1998. In a statement following the meeting, Conradh na Gaeilge said it will continue to remind Mr Smith of his duty to implement the Irish language Act. It read: This new legislation must be drafted, as the St Andrews Agreement compels, from the language legislation in Wales and in the south. Those Acts are independent from any other pieces of legislation. They facilitate rights and respect. They secure services and visibility. They recognise their indigenous language as an official language. They provide the security of a commissioner to protect and promote the language. That is what the two governments and the parties must deliver with an Irish Language Act. Speakers of Irish, be they speakers using the language in their home, in their schools or in the community, can no longer be treated as second class citizens. Sinn Feins deputy leader Michelle ONeill said on Friday 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. 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. 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. DUP MP for East Londonderry Gregory Campbell said the deadline of January 13 means there will be attempts to use it as leverage to get any type of deal over the line as opposed to detailed consideration in order that a good deal is achieved. He said: Whether it is one party (Sinn Fein) making unacceptable demands or other parties standing side by side to accept that the unreasonable demand is met, will make no difference to us. Where the Irish language has a perfectly acceptable place in Northern Ireland society and is resourced appropriately, as it already is, there will not be a problem or opposition from the DUP or wider Unionism, where there is an unacceptable and unreasonable demand to elevate it above all other minority languages, whether it is SF, other parties or Her Majestys Government saying we will have to yield on this issue as it is preventing devolution returning, we will not do so. Let us all take this week to see what is doable, negotiate a balanced set of proposals and get it done instead of grandstanding in the hope of gaining a one sided victory. New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Delhi Police entered Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Sunday on the request of university administration following the violence that erupted after a masked mob entered the premises and attacked the students. "Delhi police entered the JNU campus after a request from the university administration. Two groups in the university had been clashing for the past few days," police said. "The incident took place at around 5pm when scuffle broke between two groups. They vandalised University property, damaged private vehicles and moved towards the hostel. JNU administration made a written request to Delhi police to intervene. That's when the Police entered the campus. A flag march was conducted. The situation is normal now," police said. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Jawaharlal University Students' Union (JNUSU) traded blame for the attack on the students. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his shock over the violence at the JNU and said how will the country progress if students are not safe in the university campuses. "I am so shocked to know about the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police should immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside the university campus?" tweeted Kejriwal. The Chief Minister's tweet came after the attack on campus. According to the officials, seven ambulances have been sent to the JNU and 10 more are on standby. Heavy police have been deployed at the main gate of the University following the violence. "I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I am bleeding. I was brutally beaten up," JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh told reporters. She has been admitted to the AIIMS here for treatment. Several other students were also injured in the incident. In a video of the incident, a group of goons with their faces covered can be seen assaulting students with wooden sticks and rods. (ANI) HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- In a special meeting Thursday (Jan. 2), City Council unanimously elected Lisa Stickan to serve as president for the next two years. Stickan became council president in February when former council president Chuck Brunello Jr. became mayor. Council held a caucus in late December, during which it was asked which members might be interested in serving as president. Stickan said she told her colleagues she would like to continue serving in the position. After Novembers election, council lost three of its longest-serving members when former Ward 1 councilwoman and council president Cathy Murphy and former Ward 2 councilman Leo Lombardo announced they would not seek re-election; former Ward 3 councilman Robert Mastrangelo lost to Anthony DeLisio. Remaining from the last council are longest-serving member and Councilman-at-large Ed Hargate, Ward 4 Councilwoman Ann DAmico and Stickan. Councilman Frank DiLalla was appointed as an at-large council representative in the spring, but ran for Lombardos seat and is now the Ward 2 councilman. Council has also added new members Sean Milroy, who is serving in an at-large capacity, and Carol Ganser, who won the Ward 1 seat. Im happy to continue serving as council president, Stickan said. I want to make economic development a priority, and well continue on with the deer survey issue, and we have some new members with great energy, so well be trying to tap into their talents. And, well be working on the budget very soon and continuing (to) make sure to deliver premier services for our residents. Stickan, 43, is a judicial staff attorney for Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and a former county prosecutor. She has served on council for 10 years -- her first term as Ward 4 councilwoman and the past six as an at-large representative. Councils new members took the oath of office at a ceremony held in the citys community center on Dec. 29. Brunello was also sworn in as mayor at that ceremony. Lyndhurst Mayor Patrick Ward administered the oath of office to Brunello, who in turn then swore in Ganser, DeLisio and DiLalla. Milroy had been sworn in at a previous council meeting, as he filled in for the remainder of 2019 as DiLallas replacement as an at-large councilman. At the Jan. 2 meeting, council appointments to boards and commissions were made. DAmico will continue as councils representative to the Community Partnership on Aging, while DeLisio will be councils representative to the Park and Recreation Commission. Councils Planning & Zoning Commission representative will be DiLalla, and Ganser and Milroy will be councils representatives to the Volunteer Firefighters Dependency Fund Board. Hargate will continue as councils representative to the Hillcrest Council of Councils, and Milroy will represent council on the Mayfield Union Cemetery Committee. Stickan will chair councils Legislative & Finance Committee, Ganser the Safety and Service Committee, and Milroy the Drainage Committee. Deer survey Brunello said the citys online and paper deer survey will conclude on Jan. 11. Originally, the survey was tentatively set to close on Jan. 6, but, Brunello said, We wanted to give everyone an opportunity to fill out a survey, so we gave it a few more days. As of Jan. 2, Brunello said, Theres been a lot of interest in the survey. So far, weve had more than 1,000 responses. They say its good when you get a 10 percent response, and weve already gone over that. Highland Heights population is about 8,400, so the response is already at about 12 percent. And people are taking it very seriously, Brunello said. Many people are writing in comments on the surveys about their experiences with deer. And a lot of people are filling out paper surveys and returning them right to my office. City leaders are seeking information from residents about what should or should not be done concerning the local deer population. Brunello said the surveys results will likely be discussed at a council meeting, then at a town hall meeting at which residents will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences regarding deer. Residents who want to learn more about the deer population in Highland Heights and take the survey can visit here. Read more from the Sun Messenger. Srinagar, Jan 5 (PTI) A Sikh organisation here has condemned the attack on Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan and demanded an immediate probe to fix responsibility. "Some elements in Pakistan want to give trouble to minorities including Sikhs. An immediate probe would fix the responsibility following which action can be taken against the culprits," All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said in a statement on Sunday. He said the timing of the attack was suspicious and aimed at undoing the good work like opening of the Kartarpur corridor. "At a time when some bonhomie had been established between India and Pakistan, the attack on the Gurudwara is somewhat suspicious. It has been carried out to wane away from the good work done by Pakistani establishment like the opening of Kartarpur corridor," Raina said. The Sikh leader asked members of his community not to take any step in haste and urged them to wait for the response from the Pakistan government. He asked members of his community to be vigilant against divisive elements. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is a site near Lahore in Pakistan where the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. A violent mob had attacked the Gurdwara and pelted it with stones on Friday. New Delhi: India on Sunday strongly condemned the "targeted killing" of a minority Sikh community member in Pakistan's Peshawar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan should stop "prevaricating" and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the MEA said. It said the government of Pakistan should act in defence of their own minorities instead of "preaching sermons" about it to other countries. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not inform him he was deploying 3000 army reservists to help with the bushfire crisis and the timing of the announcement hampered the response effort on a catastrophic day. Commissioner Fitzsimmons said it was "disappointing" to hear about the announcement via media reports amid a horror day for the state, adding it had tied up resources. "All I can say is I wasn't aware of it, I found out about it via the media reports," Commissioner Fitzsimmons told Nine's Today show. "We then spent a fair bit of time with the military liaison and the Commonwealth liaison that are embedded here in our centre trying to understand what the details were." By Kim Rahn More than 70 percent of male workers want to take paternity leave, but corporate culture prevents them from doing so, survey shows. / gettyimagesbank Saudi Arabia was not consulted by its ally Washington over a US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, an official said Sunday, as the kingdom sought to defuse soaring regional tensions. (Photo: File) Riyadh: Saudi Arabia was not consulted by its ally Washington over a US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, an official said Sunday, as the kingdom sought to defuse soaring regional tensions. Saudi Arabia is vulnerable to possible Iranian reprisals after Tehran vowed "revenge" following the strike on Friday that killed powerful commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia was not consulted regarding the US strike," a Saudi official told AFP, requesting anonymity. "In light of the rapid developments, the kingdom stresses the importance of exercising restraint to guard against all acts that may lead to escalation, with severe consequences," the official added. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry made a similar call for restraint at the weekend and King Salman emphasised the need for measures to defuse tensions in a phone call on Saturday with Iraqi President Barham Saleh. In a separate phone call with Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed "the need to make efforts to calm the situation and de-escalate tensions", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. The crown prince has instructed Prince Khalid bin Salman, his younger brother and deputy defence minister, to travel to Washington and London in the next few days to urge restraint, the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported. Prince Khalid will meet White House and US defence officials, the paper said, citing unnamed sources. The killing of Soleimani, seen as the second most powerful man in Iran, is the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Washington and Tehran and has prompted fears of a major conflagration in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump, who ordered the drone strike, has warned that Washington will hit Iran "very fast and very hard" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both allies of Washington, are also vulnerable to Iranian counter strikes, analysts say. A string of attacks blamed on Iran has caused anxiety in recent months as Riyadh and Washington deliberated over how to react. In particular, devastating strikes against Saudi oil installations last September led Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to adopt a more conciliatory approach aimed at avoiding confrontation with Tehran. Analysts warn that pro-Iran groups have the capacity to carry out attacks on US bases in Gulf states as well as against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz -- the strategic waterway that Tehran could close at will. "Expect Iranian reprisals (directly or through partner groups in Iraq, Lebanon or elsewhere) to target US partners in the region including Saudi Arabia," said Thomas Juneau, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa. "Given the climate in the US, where support for Saudi in the media and Congress is at an all time low, it will be difficult for Trump to commit significant resources to come to its aid." Yemen's pro-Iran Huthi rebels, locked in a five-year conflict with a Saudi-led military coalition, have also called for swift reprisals for Soleimani's killing. "The aggression... will not go without a response," said Huthi political council member Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti. "How the response is going to be, when and where will be determined by Iraq and Iran, and we will stand with them as a hub for the resistance." It was unclear if the Huthi warning was directed in part at Saudi Arabia, which has stepped up efforts to end Yemen's conflict amid a lull in Huthi attacks on the kingdom. Saudi Arabian military commanders recently met with counterparts from "friendly countries" to formulate a new strategy to tackle the Yemeni rebels, particularly those "opposing" a political solution, according to Asharq al-Awsat. Riyadh has said it will host a separate meeting of foreign ministers of Arab and African coastal states on Monday. Catch the latest news, live coverage and in-depth analyses from India and World. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 01:11:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CAIRO, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Ministry held a meeting with U.S. and European ambassadors in Cairo to explain its rejection of the Turkish plan to send troops to war-torn, neighboring Libya, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday. During the meeting, Egypt's Assistant Foreign Minister Motaz Zahran and other diplomats stressed concerns over the recent approval of the Turkish parliament to send Turkish military forces to Libya, the statement said. "The Turkish parliament's move is an explicit violation of the international legitimacy decisions and the UN Security Council resolutions concerning Libya," said the Egyptian foreign ministry. It noted that UN Resolution 1970 (2011) prohibits sending arms or cooperating militarily with Libya without the approval of the relevant UN sanction committee. Egypt also warned against the consequences of any foreign military intervention in Libya, saying it would undermine "the course of comprehensive settlement in Libya and the stability of the Mediterranean region." It called on the international community to bear its responsibilities in confronting such negative developments that foreshadow regional escalation, according to the Egyptian statement. On Thursday, the Turkish parliament approved a motion authorizing the government to deploy Turkish troops in Libya. Libya has been locked in a civil war since the ouster and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The Libyan conflict escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in the capital Tripoli and another in the northeastern city of Tobruk allied with self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar. While Egypt supports Haftar's LNA that seeks to take over Tripoli, Turkey backs the Tripoli-based GNA. Haftar calls on 'all Libyans' to take up arms against Turkish troops Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 January 2020 7:17 AM Libya's self-styled commander Khalifa Haftar has called on people to take up arms to fight Turkish troops, who are to be sent to the country as part of a security deal with the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli. In a televised speech on Friday, Haftar announced a "call to arms and mass mobilization ... to defend our land and our honor." He urged "all Libyans" to bear arms, "men and women, soldiers and civilians." His eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), backed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, France, Russia and Turkey, launched an offensive in April to wrest control of Tripoli from the government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj. The offensive has so far killed at least 200 civilians and displaced some 146,000 people, according to United Nations figures. Serraj's Government of National Accord (GNA) has sought Turkey's support to fight against Haftar's forces, which control the east and swept through southern Libya early last year. Back in November, he signed a military cooperation deal with Turkish President, Recept Tayyip Erdogan, under which Ankara agreed to send troops to support GNA forces fighting against Haftar rebel forces based in eastern Libya. Erdogan has already said that he would consider military deployment to Libya only at the request of Serraj's government. He accused Ankara of wanting to "regain control of Libya," saying the country is now "facing a colonizer." The size and nature of Turkey's deployment was unclear. Ankara has already supplied armored vehicles to the GNA. Turkey's parliament also voted on Thursday to allow troops to be sent to the North African country. People took to the streets in some cities in eastern Libya against what they described as Turkish "invasion" of Libya. There were reports of rocket fire and shelling in the capital on Friday, which caused the suspension of flights at the only functioning airport in Tripoli, according to airport and airline officials. The airport has been repeatedly closed and reopened in recent years because of risks from shelling and air strikes. African Union chief warns against Turkish 'interference' In a related development, the chief of the African Union (AU) described the potential deployment of Turkish troops to Libya as "military interference." Moussa Faki said in a statement late Friday that he was "deeply concerned at the deterioration of the situation in Libya and the continuing suffering of the Libyan people." He warned that the move had "dangerous consequences" for the continent as a whole. "The various threats of political and military interference in the internal affairs of the country increase the risk of a confrontation, whose motives have nothing to do with the fundamental interests of the Libyan people and their aspirations for freedom, peace, democracy and development," he added. The oil-rich county has been plunged into chaos since 2011, when a popular uprising and a NATO intervention led to the ouster of long-time dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, and his execution by unruly fighters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jihadists from Somalia's Al-Shabaab group on Sunday stormed a military base used by US forces in Kenya's coastal Lamu region, destroying aircraft and military vehicles, according to Kenyan police and army officials. A group of attackers breached security at Camp Simba in the early hours but were repelled and four jihadists were killed, said army Colonel Paul Njuguna. Al-Shabaab has launched regular cross-border attacks since Kenya sent troops into Somalia in 2011 as part of an African Union force protecting the internationally backed government -- which the jihadists have been trying to overthrow for more than a decade. Lamu region, which includes the Lamu Island tourist hub, lies close to the Somali frontier and has suffered frequent attacks often carried out with roadside bombs. Njuguna said "an attempt was made to breach security at Manda Air Strip" at 5:30am but the attack was repulsed. "Four terrorists' bodies have so far been found. The airstrip is safe," he said, adding that a fire had broken out but had since been dealt with. An internal police report seen by AFP said two aircraft, two American helicopters and "multiple American vehicles" were destroyed at the airstrip. Local police commissioner Irungu Macharia said five people had been arrested near the camp and were being interrogated. It was not yet known if there were casualties among Kenyan or American troops. US military officials confirmed the attack and said US and Kenyan forces had repelled the Al-Shabaab fighters. "Working alongside our Kenyan partners, the airfield is cleared and still in the process of being fully secured," said the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) in a statement. The nearby civilian airport at Manda Bay, which brings tourists visiting Lamu Island -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- was closed for several hours after the incident, according to the civil aviation authority. Al-Shabaab said in a statement it had "successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base and have now taken effective control of part of the base". AFRICOM accused Al-Shabaab of lying in order to create false headlines. The Somali jihadists have staged several large-scale attacks inside Kenya in retaliation for Nairobi sending troops into Somalia as well as to target foreign interests. The group has been fighting to overthrow an internationally-backed government in Mogadishu since 2006, staging regular attacks on government buildings, hotels, security checkpoints and military bases in the country Despite years of costly efforts to fight Al-Shabaab, the group on December 28 managed to detonate a vehicle packed with explosives in Mogadishu, killing 81 people. The spate of attacks highlights the group's resilience and capacity to inflict mass casualties at home and in the region, despite losing control of major urban areas in Somalia. In a November report, a UN panel of experts on Somalia noted an "unprecedented number" of homemade bombs and other attacks across the Kenya-Somalia border in June and July last year. On Thursday, at least three people were killed when suspected Al-Shabaab gunmen ambushed a bus travelling in the area. According to the Institute for Security Studies, the United States has 34 known military bases in Africa, from where it conducts "drone operations, training, military exercises, direct action and humanitarian activities". US military strikes in Somalia surged after President Donald Trump declared the south of the country an "area of active hostilities". AFRICOM said in April it had killed more than 800 people in 110 strikes in Somalia since April 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 100 ministers and 20,000 people from over 160 countries are expected to take part in the 10th World Urban Forum (WUF10) in Abu Dhabi from February 8 to 13, being held for the first time in the Arab region. Launched by the Department of Urban Planning and Transport (DMT), the UN-Habitat conference aims to raise awareness on sustainable urbanisation in cities and liveability across the globe. The forum provides a platform for decision-makers, businesses, urban experts and academics to share their expertise and create sustainable urban development and smart cities of the future. Falah Al Ahbabi, chairman of DMT, said: Hosting the 10th World Urban Forum is a significant opportunity for Abu Dhabi to showcase its considerable achievements in sustainable urban development. Cities are growing and changing rapidly. Abu Dhabi is moving towards realising its ambition to become the sustainable Arab Emirate. Abu Dhabi is making considerable steps towards achieving its ambition to be at the forefront of smart and sustainable cities. This forum is a starting point for cooperation with local and global partners, will increase opportunities for people who work in the sustainable development sector and combine culture and innovation. The 10th World Urban Forum will be themed Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation and will, for the first time, place culture, creativity and innovation at the heart of dialogue about the liveability, vitality and sustainability of cities. Falah added: WUF10 will aim to provide a positive impact to communities for many generations to come. The event is perfectly aligned with the continuing positive evolution of our Emirates urban environments to an ever-more sophisticated level, achieved through refining the social, economic, environmental and cultural dimensions of urban development. Mohamed Al Khadar, executive director of Strategic Affairs at the DMT and the general coordinator of WUF10 said: The 10th World Urban Forum is the first event in its history to be held in the Middle East. This is a strong testimony to Abu Dhabis strategy in implementing urban sustainability, with the city having undergone a phenomenal shift towards urbanisation in a relatively short time. He added: WUF10 will serve to provide an in-depth examination of the effects of urbanisation in the modern era upon communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies. The event is of particular significance, as it will provide fresh inspiration for Arab urbanism to the world. As the host city, Abu Dhabi aims to make WUF10 the most attended and diverse World Urban Forum, since it was established in 2001. TradeArabia News Service By IANS NEW DELHI: Two days after the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan's Punjab province was attacked by a Muslim mob, a member of the Sikh community, Parvinder Singh, was murdered in Peshawar by 'unknown' gunmen. Sources based in Peshawar told IANS that Parvinder Singh was the younger brother of a local journalist Harmeet Singh. A businessman in Malaysia, Parvinder was in Peshawar to shop for his wedding in February, Harmeet told the media. ALSO READ| 'It goes against my vision', says Imran Khan condemning Nankana Sahib attack Anguished by the murder of his brother, Harmeet added that "without minorities, no country can flourish and progress. Pakistan is beautiful because of minorities but each year, we end up carrying the dead on our shoulders". Pakistan, he said, gets massive funds from several countries to protect minorities. "But there is no protection. That's why I am here to carry my dead brother's body today. I won't rest until the Pakistani government books the murderers of my brother," he added. ALSO READ| Protest outside Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan against arrest in forced conversion case Religious minorities especially Sikhs in Pakistan have already been complaining of insecurity and fear since the attack on the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. A Muslim mob led by the family of a man who had abducted and forcibly converted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, pelted stones at Nankana Sahib, trapping Sikh devotees inside the shrine. While India strongly condemned the attack, both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition led by the Congress protested outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Haiti - Cuba : Haitian artists at the XIV International Meeting of Mural Painting The city of Santiago (Cuba) hosts from Sunday January 5 to 20, 2020, the XIV International Meeting of Mural Painting "InterNos 2020", organized by the cultural workshop Luis Diaz Oduardo and the Provincial Council of Plastic Arts with the support of the office of the curator of Santiago. Israel Tamayo, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the city's 505 anniversary event, said that artists from Mexico, Haiti, Canada, the Dominican Republic, the United States, Denmark, France and Germany, among others, will participate in "InterNos 2020" with mural artists from Pinar del Rio, Camaguey and Santiago. Adding that community activities, already present in previous editions are planned, with the predominance of children. This Sunday, January 5, the collective exhibition "I come from everywhere ?" will be inaugurated with works by participants in the event, who will be integrated into work teams to develop the murals in urban spaces (schools, offices, squares, parks, factories, hospitals, cultural centers and the walls of populated areas among others). Recall that the 13 previous editions of the International Meeting of Mural Painting left 128 works in Santiago, all of which unfortunately have not survived the effects of time since 1993, but which make Santiago today the mural city of Cuba. HL/ HaitiLibre People fill up on gas at Wawa on 6701 Ridge Ave., in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. Wawa had a massive data breach that exposed the payment card information of customers for nearly nine months in 2019. Read more What happens to executives of retail companies such as Wawa Inc. when they acknowledge a data breach that exposed customer data that should have stayed private? In early 2014, giant retailer Target Corp. set an example that is still cited by corporate security professionals. First, the chain acknowledged a data breach had exposed 40 million credit and debit card holders names and account numbers to criminals over the previous three weeks. Three weeks later, the company admitted hackers had also picked up personal information: phone numbers, addresses, and emails of 70 million Target customers. That March, the companys chief information officer, responsible for data and computer systems, resigned under pressure. The company also started searching for a new security chief, and a new compliance boss. Next, Target chief executive Gregg Steinhafel, who had spent 35 years with the company, took personal responsibility for the data breach, and stepped down from the top office. Target said the data breach cost it more than $160 million in 2013-14. The company later paid $28.5 million to settle private and state legal claims from the data breach. Target said its data breach had lasted three weeks. Wawa admitted its data was exposed by malware for nine months March to December. Wawa says credit and debit card information was exposed to criminals, but not detailed personal information. Wawa has not announced any changes at the top so far. Chris Gheysens, a Wawa lifer who rose through the accounting department, is Wawas chief executive. Chief information officer is John Collier, who joined the company in 2016, after serving in a similar capacity at TracFone Wireless and in software architect jobs at Walmart and Bank of America. Unlike Target, Wawa is a private company, owned partly by executives like Gheysens, partly by members of the founding Wood family and their du Pont cousins, and partly by thousands of Wawa employees who are given shares as a retirement savings plan. The chairman of its board of directors, whose job includes overseeing the CEO, is founding-family heir Richard D. Wood Jr. He has held the chairman job since retiring as CEO in 2004, and has presided over the board during the period of Wawas rapid growth from a regional cokes-smokes-milk-and-hoagies chain to a convenience store and gasoline outlet with more than $12 billion in annual sales at 850 stores from New Jersey to Florida. Target, as a publicly traded company, was required by U.S. securities law to announce its data breach if it believed the resulting losses could materially affect the companys profitability. Also, as a company doing business in California, it was required to tell customers in the most populous U.S. state when their unencrypted personal information had been acquired, or reasonably believed to have been acquired, by an unauthorized person, whether or not the company believed that customers had suffered a loss. Wawa, as a private company, has fewer investor disclosure requirements. And Pennsylvania, where Wawa is based, has a more conditional data breach notification requirement: A company has to tell customers when it decides the loss of personal information is likely to cause loss or injury" which potentially gave Wawa more time to delay disclosure, according to a data-management company founder who asked that he not be identified by name because he has business ties to Wawa. Even with delayed discovery and disclosure, a massive data breach is time for a board to review management closely, the executive added. Wawa is a digital company, like everyone else," he said. When you have a data breach like this, there is usually a failure, either in management, or in the quality of security. Which doesnt necessarily mean its CEO has to go, he added. If Wawa was paying top dollar for state-of-the-art security systems that were poorly implemented, that will place pressure on the company to reconsider its tech approach. On the other hand, if a review found the company hadnt been spending enough on tech and security, Gheysens as CEO would expect to face especially tough questions. Either way, they have to pay a lot more for security now a great CIO, a great security head, best-in-class outsourcing, along with appropriate spend because they cant afford to let this happen again." Where were the inside and outside auditors? asked the head of a financial software company who asked not to be identified because his clients include Wawa service providers. They are required to report regularly on these issues, system resiliency, regulatory compliance, et cetera. Our board meetings are mainly about these issues. After Target and all the others, I would think every board and their auditors are very sensitive to these issues. Wawas failure to catch the problem earlier naturally raises the question of endemic governance challenges, he added. Nine months is way too long. And their response to date has been tepid. Like out of an old public relations manual. They need to be as aggressive in this as they are in selling hoagies. I ran that by Tony DeFazio, a Philadelphia (updated 1/6/20) communications consultant who has written on the theme of customer trust. The [Wawa] brand is to treat customers like family and friends, like a community partner, DeFazio noted. He said it seemed to him that Wawas initial reliance on a press release and the by-now-familiar offer of a free credit report for affected customers appears "a little impersonal and a little reactive. DeFazio Communications counted more than 200,000 media mentions of the data breach in the days after Wawa disclosed it. DeFazio said he was surprised Wawa didnt use such tools as mass emails, Facebook Live, or posted a Gheysens Q&A, suitably vetted by lawyers, as ways to respond to concerned customers with the usual Wawa human touch. The sad fact of the matter is, these breaches occur on a regular basis, from small guys to giants, said Jim Shanahan, a veteran Wilmington payments industry executive. Even sadder is that it has come to be accepted as the new normal, in which the folks who should be held accountable just get off with a mea culpa and a promise to do better. Im still shocked that Congress hasnt stepped in on this, given their history of sticking their nose into the payment industry. A clash broke out between members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students' Union and the ABVP on the university campus on January 5, sources told news agency PTI. According to the news agency, the clash took place during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers' Association. The students' union claimed that its president Aishe Ghosh and many other students were injured in stone pelting by ABVP members. "I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I have been bleeding. I was brutally beaten up," Ghosh was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The news agency, quoting the Delhi government, also reported that seven ambulances have been sent to JNU, while 10 ambulances are on standby. In a statement, JNU registrar Pramod Kumar said,"This is an urgent message for the entire JNU community that there is a law and order situation on the campus. Masked miscreants armed with sticks are roaming around, damaging property and attacking people. The JNU Administration has called the police to maintain order." "This is the moment to remain calm and be on the alert.... Efforts are already being made to tackle the miscreants," he added According to CNN News18, the incident started at around 4 pm when masked individuals allegedly carrying rods entered Sabarmati Hostel on the campus. According to the channel, a number of students have been injured in the incident. JNUSU has claimed that the ABVP had earlier pelted stones at the students while they were reportedly protesting against fee hike. The RSS-backed ABVP, however, alleged that its members were brutally attacked by Left-affiliated student outfits and 25 of them were injured. "Around 25 students have been seriously injured in the attack and there is no information about whereabouts of 11 students. Many ABVP members are being attacked in hostels and the hostels are being vandalised by the Leftist goons," the ABVP said, according to PTI. The JNUSU, on its part, has claimed that "ABVP members wearing masks were moving around on the campus with lathis, rods and hammers". "They are pelting bricks...getting into hostels and beating up students. Several teachers and students have also been beaten up," the JNUSU claimed. Members of the Left-backed student outfits alleged that outsiders were allowed to enter the campus and they barged into hostels, including girls' hostels. Reacting to the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that he was "shocked" to know about the violence inside JNU. "I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police shud immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus? (sic)," he tweeted. (With PTI inputs) Here's a look at futures prices on commodities that impact Southern Illinois and the rest of the Midwest. Strike rocks markets Late Thursday night, a U.S. drone attacked a convoy near the Baghdad Airport, killing one of Irans top military leaders, General Qasem Soleimani. He led Irans elite Revolutionary Guards, and his power has been likened to a member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff or the director of the CIA. The attack was presaged by U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper who warned Thursday that the U.S. was preparing to conduct preemptive strikes against Iranian-backed forces in Iraq that threatened U.S. troops and allies. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the attack was driven by intelligence that Soleimani was preparing for an attack in the Middle East. In response to the assassination of its top military leader, Iran vowed severe revenge, which sent diplomats and markets scrambling. The U.S. State Department told Americans to leave Iraq immediately. Meanwhile an additional 3,000 U.S. troops arrived in Kuwait, likely a pre-planned show of force. U.S. stock markets tumbled on the news, as fear of war frequently interrupts financial markets. Meanwhile safe-haven assets like gold and U.S. Treasury bonds rose. Oil prices outpaced all other markets, climbing nearly 5% overnight, as traders grew anxious about the threat of a war in the Middle East. War could directly impact oil fields in Iran and Iraq, as well as U.S. allies like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. More critically, Iran could cut off the Strait of Hormuz, which lies just south of Iran. This narrow shipping lane is the only way for boats to depart the Persian Gulf, and nearly 20% of the worlds oil passes through that point. If war breaks out and that path is cut off, global oil prices could skyrocket. As of midday Friday, February oil futures traded for $62.70 per barrel, near the highest price in eight months. 2020: Bigger harvests? Since global grain prices rebounded during 2019, market watchers are expecting farmers to plant more aggressively in 2020. Many are estimating record-breaking global corn and soybean crops, while wheat production could drop only slightly due to weather problems around the world. For U.S. farmers, increased global production could mean more competition, even if the U.S.-China trade deal is signed later this month as expected. In the coming months, American farmers will have tough decisions about how many acres to plant and which crops to put in the ground, as shifting weather, prices, and trade policies complicate their plans. Walt and Alex Breitinger are commodity futures brokers in Valparaiso, Indiana, and the opinions here are solely the writers'. They can be reached at 800-411-3888 or www.indianafutures.com. This is not a solicitation of any order to buy or sell any market. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 King Gojong in 1883-84. Robert Neff Collection By Robert Neff A young Korean man of the upper class, circa 1900s. Courtesy of Diane Nars In the past, a Korean boy only became a man after he was married and his hair was put up in a top-knot (sangtu). Age had little to do with the road to manhood only the top-knot mattered. According to Lillias Underwood, an early American missionary in Korea: "No matter how old one is, without a top-knot he is never considered a man, addressed with high endings, or treated with respect. After assuming the top-knot, no matter how young, he is invested with the dignities and duties of a man of the family, takes his share in making the offerings and prayers at the ancestral shrines, and is recognized by his ancestors' spirits as one of the family who is to do them honor, and whom they are to protect and bless." It is thus, unsurprisingly, that the top-knot on at least one occasion became a political tool to emasculate the Korean government. At about an hour before midnight on December 30, 1895, King Gojong became one of the first victims of reforms that were to take place on Jan. 1. The most troubling of these reforms was the edict that all Korean men were to have their top-knots removed. Before a small audience of Korean and Japanese officials, a Japanese barber (no Korean could be found willing to undertake such a distasteful act) removed the king's top-knot. Despite the audience having been warned that any outburst of protest would be dealt with severely (fatally), many began to weep and protest, but their efforts were in vain. Next to lose their coveted top-knots were the crown prince and Daewongun (the king's father). According to Sally Sill, the American ambassador's wife, "The old [Daewongun] felt so bad and considered it such a disgrace that he had a kind of a fit and had a hemorrhage from the nose in consequence." The Korean embassy to the United States circa 1890s. Courtesy of Diane Nars Martha Huntly described the audience as holding "all the horror of a public castration" and Fred Harrington claimed the shearing of the top-knot was a "national humiliation far more real than that brought on by the queen's assassination." After the royal family, government officials, soldiers and police had their prized top-knots removed no one was exempt. According to Isabella Bird Bishop, an English woman traveling in Korea at the time, "Many men who [normally] prized the honor of entering the Palace gates at the New Year feigned illness, but were sent for and denuded of their hair." Even the people on the street had their hair forcibly removed by the police and not all of them had scissors. In a letter home, Sill wrote: "Some of the poor people were seized in the street by the police and had their top-knots hacked off with a sword." Korean firewood merchants circa 1890-1900s. Courtesy of Diane Nars " " From the deep sea to deep space: sea urchin's teeth inspire new design for space exploration device [VIDEO] Tarik Tinazay/AFP/Getty Images/UC SanDiego Jacobs School of Engineering By now we've pretty much figured out how to get to nearby planets. But we have far less experience with how to get by once we're there. That's why scientists and engineers are always looking to devise new ways of gathering data on alien worlds. But rather than looking out to the stars for ideas, the designers of a new space exploration tool looked out the windows of their California labs and under the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have created an excavation tool inspired by the mouths of sea urchins. The team of engineers and marine biologists recently published their work in the Journal of Visualized Experiments. Advertisement Capable of biting holes through rocks, sea urchin teeth have evolved to become self-sharpening instruments of survival and of abject terror, in a deeply inhuman, Lovecraftian kind of way. It's this amazing structural power that inspired the sediment excavation tool. Like those of sea stars, sea urchin bodies are arranged around the central axis of their mouths, exhibiting a structure known as radial symmetry. Sea urchin teeth are some of the animal world's most idiosyncratic structures. Called "Aristotle's lantern," after the Greek philosopher who first described the sea urchin jaw's unique structure, the five teeth have a rigid internal bone called the keel that reduces overall pressure and stress on individual teeth. "Such an exquisite structure has evolved over 200 million years, and it can perform far better than manmade, nonoptimized tools," Pupa Gilbert, a biophysicist researching sea urchin teeth and not involved in the UC San Diego development, told National Geographic in 2010. " " This image from UC San Diego's video above compares the jaws and teeth of a sea urchin to the new excavation tool. UC San Diego To better understand the jaw structures, the UC San Diego researchers dissected and used a 3-D microscope scanner on the jaws of Pacific pink sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus fragilis). They then built claws and tested them on both beach sand and drier sand made to mimic Martian soil and envision a main rover deploying miniature rovers equipped with individual claws that can collect and return various soil samples. Our goal was a bioinspired device that's more precise and efficient at grabbing ground samples from different areas, and won't disturb the surrounding area like a shovel would, said Michael Frank, a UC San Diego Ph.D. student and the paper's lead author, in a prepared statement. Frank also said he hopes to pitch the device to government space agencies and private space exploration companies. Now That's Interesting The Pacific red sea urchin generally lives more than 30 years, but scientists have identified some that are more than 200 years old. Bernie Sanders and fellow Democrat Ro Khanna introduced legislation to block funding for any military budget aimed at starting a war against Iran without Congressional approval. Sanders, a Democratic primary for 2020 presidential elections, had condemned US President Donald Trumps decision to kill General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force. Today, we are seeing a dangerous escalation that brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East, said Sanders and Khanna in a joint statement. A war with Iran could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars and lead to even more deaths, more conflict, more displacement in that already highly volatile region of the world, the statement read. Both leaders said that Congress has an opportunity to change course after authorising a disastrous $738 billion military budget that placed no restrictions on Trump from starting an unauthorised war with Iran. They further added that Congressional inaction in the face of the threat of a catastrophic and unconstitutional Middle East conflict is unacceptable. Read: US President Donald Trump Issues Clear 'warning' To Iran After Green Zone, Airbase Attacks 'Loss of lives in Iraq war' Earlier, Sanders said that he had voted against the war in Iran in 2002 since he feared greater destabilization of the region which unfortunately turned out to be true. The 78-years-old US Senator from Vermont expressed anguish over the death of around 4,500 American troops during the war with Iraq and said that the current escalation will lead to another disastrous war in the Middle East. Khanna, in a separate tweet, accused the White House of building the case for war as it had blocked the amendment of National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aimed at preventing war with Iran. Its no coincidence that the same White House that stripped my NDAA amendment to prevent war with Iran also killed Soleimani without notifying Congress. They want to build the case for war. Thats why @BernieSanders and I are introducing a bill to prevent war with Iran. Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) January 4, 2020 Read: Netizens Dig Out Several Tweets Of Trump Claiming Obama Would Attack Iran For Re-election On January 3, the United States announced that it killed Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike at Baghdads international airport. After Soleimanis death, Trump said that the United States terminated him because he was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel. The US President has now threatened Iran with "brand new beautiful equipment" if it attacks any US citizens or American Base. Read: Donald Trump Issues Fresh Warning To Iran; Threatens To Attack 'harder Than Ever Before' Read: Video Of Trump Claiming Obama Will Start War With Iran To Get Re-elected Surfaces In a no-holds-barred attack on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday accused the AAP chief of misleading people and failing to fulfil his election promises, even as he exuded confidence that the BJP will form government in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a convention of BJP's booth-level workers here, Shah hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress for opposing the amended citizenship law, alleging they had come out with a bundle of lies on the issue and instigated riots. "Kejriwal miseld people, Congress, specially Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra misled people and instigated riots. I want to ask Delhi people if you want a government in Delhi which instigates riots due to its politics," the BJP president said. Shah said that he was confident of BJP's victory as Kejriwal can "mislead" people once but not all the time. "Media asks me what will happen in Delhi. Delhi is going to have a BJP government under the leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Shah said, in remarks which assume significance as there has been much speculation on whether the party will name its chief ministerial candidate ahead of the upcoming Delhi assembly polls. Charging Kejriwal with "wasting" public money on advertisements, the BJP chief sought to know whether the AAP government has completed any work in the last five years in the national capital. "He promised 20 colleges, I cannot see any even with binoculars. He promised 5,000 schools but they are not visible even with spectacles," Shah said and asked party workers to ensure that the BJP stages a comeback in Delhi after a gap of 20 years. He also accused Kejriwal of "favouring the tukde tukde" gang by not giving sanction to prosecute Kanhaiya Kumar, the former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), in the JNU sedition case. Shah raised issues like anti-Sikh riots, and construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, besides the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He accused the Congress of failing to provide relief to victims of the 1984 riots and opposing Ram temple at Ayodhya. Listing various works done by Modi government in Delhi including construction of eastern and western peripheral expressways to reduce pollution, expansion of Delhi Metro, property registries in unauthorised colonies and redevelopment of slums, Shah hit out at the Kejriwal government for falling short of fulfilling his promises on various fronts. Enthused by a packed IGI stadium, where Delhi BJP held its booth level workers convention, Shah asserted that it was evident which party was going to form the next government in Delhi. The Delhi Assembly polls will not be fought merely through rallies, hoardings and posters, and the workers will need to contact each household to spread the message and achievements of Modi government, and "expose Kejriwal's lies and betrayal" and Rahul Gandhi's "anti-national" polices, said the BJP president. "As your president I will launch the campaign to visit each Mohalla and household," Shah said. Speaking immediately before Shah, party's West Delhi MP Parvesh Verma led the crowd in chanting "Jai Sri Ram" and dubbed Modi as "Bharat ka laal (son of India) who abrogated Article 370, paved way for construction of Ram temple and provided ownership in unauthorised colonies in Delhi as wished by the people. Verma invited the BJP president to address the booth level workers, introducing him as the man "who delivered what he promised" and under whose leadership the BJP won 2019 Lok Sabha polls. BJP working president JP Nadda said that BJP will achieve its target in Assembly polls through dedication and hard work of its workers. The convention was attended by Union ministers and Assembly poll incharges Prakash Javadekar, Hardeep Puri and Nityanand Rai, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, Union minister Harsh Vardhan, BJP MPs Ramesh Bidhuri, Meenakshi Lekhi, Gautam Gambhi, Hans Raj Hans senior party leader Vijay Malhotra, party vice president Shyam Jaju, election committee convener Tarun Chugh among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Sunday that it will not allow its soil to be used against anyone, amidst raging tensions between Iran and the US after the killing of top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike in Iraq. "We will not allow our soil to be used against anyone," Army spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor was quoted as saying by the ARY News. "Pakistan will not be party to anyone or anything but will be a partner of peace and peace alone," he said quoting Prime Minister Imran Khan. His remarks came two days after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday said that Afghanistan's soil will not be used against any nations as per a Bilateral Security Agreement signed between Washington and Kabul in 2014. ALSO READ | Further escalation in US-Iran tension may affect India's exports: Industry body Both Pakistan and Afghanistan share border with Iran, which has vowed to avenge the killing of its top general. US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that he has identified 52 possible targets in the country and will hit it harder than ever before if Tehran carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of Soleimani. Responding to a question, Ghafoor expressed concerns over the rise of "tensions" in the region and said the regional situation had been altered after the killing of the Iranian general and Pakistan would play its role in helping peace prevail. Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday. ALSO READ | US will hit 52 vital targets, cultural sites in Iran if Tehran attacks Americans: Trump The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force. His killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiraling tensions between Iran and the US. Shortly after the killing of Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dialed Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa who emphasised the "need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement". "Pakistan will support all peaceful efforts and hopes the region doesn't go towards another war," Ghafoor quoted the army chief as telling Pompeo. The Foreign Office has also expressed "deep concern" over the tensions in the region, urging all sides to exercise restraint. "Pakistan has viewed with deep concern the recent developments in the Middle East, which seriously threaten peace and stability in the region," said the FO in a statement. "Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which should be adhered to," it said, adding that it is "important to avoid unilateral actions and use of force". The FO urged all parties involved to "exercise maximum restraint and engage constructively to de-escalate the situation. More than 3,500 people are expected to attend the largest "Super Bowl of astronomy" ever at the 235th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Honolulu, Hawaii Jan. 5-8, 2020. Thousands of scientists from around the world are converging on Hawaii this week to unveil the latest discoveries about the universe at the so-called "Super Bowl of astronomy." If the event, the 235th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, had a stadium, it would be packed. "This will be the biggest AAS meeting in history," AAS spokesperson Rick Feinberg told Space.com in an email. More than 3,500 scientists are expected to attend the four-day conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, Feinberg said. The first press conferences and talks begin today (Jan. 5). They'll end on Wednesday (Jan. 8), with observatory tours and other presentations scheduled throughout the week. NASA, as expected, will showcase its latest space findings at the conference, including the agency's recent exoplanet discoveries by the TESS space telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in April. "NASA researchers will present new findings on a wide range of astrophysics and other space science topics at the 235th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, Saturday, Jan. 4, through Wednesday, Jan. 8, in Honolulu," NASA officials said in a statement. "Agency scientists and their colleagues who use NASA research capabilities also will present noteworthy findings during scientific sessions that are open to registered media." The AAS and NASA will webcast press conferences from the conference daily from Sunday to Wednesday. There are two press conferences most days (there are three today) and they can be watched live on the AAS website here as well as on the NASA Live website here. The briefings are scheduled for 10:15 a.m. HST (3:15 EST/2015 GMT) and 2:15 p.m. EST (7:15 p.m. EST/0015 GMT). The extra briefing on Sunday is at 12:45 p.m. HST (5:45 p.m. EST/2245 GMT). You can find the list of the press conferences here, including what scientists will discuss in each session over the next four days. The role of Hawaii in astronomy will take center stage at this year's AAS meeting. "The main new feature of this meeting is our major effort to bring the astronomical community and the local community together as much as possible to discuss the future of astronomy in Hawaii," Feinberg said. Hawaii has long been a focal point for astronomy. The Keck Observatory, which has the largest active optical telescopes on Earth, and other observatories sit atop the volcano Mauna Kea and an even larger telescope, the Thirty Meter Telescope, is planned to be built at the site. But construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) has been stalled due to ongoing protests by indigenous groups that consider Mauna Kea sacred. The demonstrations stepped up in 2019. "TMT is committed to finding a peaceful way forward on Maunakea for all," the builders of the new telescope wrote in a Dec. 20 update. "We are sensitive to the ongoing struggles of indigenous populations around the world, and we will continue to support conversations around TMT and the larger issues for which it has become a flashpoint," Gordon Squires, TMT VP for External Affairs, said in the statement. "We are participating in private conversations with community leaders, but these conversations will take time." Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Instagram. Hackers have hijacked a US government website and posted an image portraying a bloodied Donald Trump receiving an Iranian fist to the face, captioned with pledges for revenge. Visitors to the Federal Depository Library Program's website on Saturday were greeted instead by a message purporting to be from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Martyrdom was [Qassem Soleimanis] reward for years of implacable efforts, read one of the messages, amid images of missiles and Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The group, which called itself Iran Cyber Security Group Hackers, appears unlikely to be working on Tehran's behalf. "This is only small [sic] part of Iran's cyber ability," another message said. The cyber attack came as Iran vowed "crushing and powerful" retaliation for the Trump-decreed assassination of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force commander, who is now being painted as a martyr by the Iranian leadership. 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 A spokesperson for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, said the website was taken offline as soon as the breach was noticed. A statement said: "We are aware the website of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was defaced with pro-Iranian, anti-US messaging. At this time, there is no confirmation that this was the action of Iranian state-sponsored actors. "The website was taken offline and is no longer accessible. CISA is monitoring the situation with FDLP and our federal partners." On Sunday, Mr Trump faced further criticism after threatening to strike 52 targets in Iran, some of cultural importance, which many experts said constituted a war crime. Meanwhile, Iraqi lawmakers voted to start a process of expelling foreign troops from their country, and Iranian politicians opened their parliamentary session with unified chants of "death to America". Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said Home Minister Amit Shah chose to "abuse" him instead of talking about development and pointing out shortcomings of the AAP-led government at a rally here. Addressing a BJP booth-level workers' rally here, Shah accused Kejriwal of "wasting" public money on advertisements and "misleading" people and sought to know whether the AAP government has completed any work in the last five years in the national capital. Reacting to the charges, Kejriwal said Shah said nothing other than to "abuse" him. "I heard the entire speech of the Home Minister, Amit Shah ji. I thought he would point out the shortcomings of our work and talk about the development of Delhi. He did not say anything else except abusing me," he said in a tweet. "If they (BJP) have suggestions for Delhi, then tell and we will implement them in the next five years," Kejriwal said. Atishi, the national spokesperson of the AAP, called out Shah's speech as evidence that the BJP was clearly "floundering" in its election campaign, with no agenda for Delhi or a capable leader to lead its campaign. She called upon Shah to ask the people of Delhi about AAP's performance, when he conducts his 'mohalla sabhas'. The AAP spokesperson said the people of Delhi will share the story of transformation that has occurred in their lives and the benefits that have reached to them in the last five years in education, health, power, water. Atishi, in a statement, said she is surprised at the manner in which Shah "disappointed" the people of Delhi at his 'Jan Sabha', by not being able to announce the BJP's chief ministerial candidate. She said, "It was a clear indication of the sheer confusion and internal strife within the Delhi unit of the BJP that different names would keep popping up but the party could not zero in on one clear face that would lead the party." "This is an absolutely clear pointer to the fact that the BJP does not have any credible face that can stand up to the capability, integrity and vision of Arvind Kejriwal, nor does it have clarity on its vision for the development of Delhi," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Sunday had a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and said India was deeply concerned about the spiralling tension in the region after the killing of top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in an US air strike. Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch, Jaishankar said in a tweet. The external affairs minister had a word with the Iranian leader barely days after Irans top military commander Soleimani was killed in an US air strike as his convoy left the airport at Baghdad. Soleimani was the head of Irans elite Quds military force and one of the most powerful figures in the Islamic world. Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 5, 2020 On Saturday, thousands of mourners marched in a procession to attend his funeral. Also Watch l Thousands gather in Iran for General Qassem Soleimanis funeral US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran that the US would target 52 Iranian sites if Iran retaliates for the air strike that killed the military leader. Iran, on the other hand, has vowed crushing revenge to avenge the killing of Soleimani. In the United States, lawmakers are divided over the air strike with Republicans applauding President Trumps action and the Democrats warning about huge possible repercussions. Major General Soleimani, 62, was the head of Irans elite al-Quds force and the architect of its regional security apparatus. He was killed when a US drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday. The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraqs powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force. New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): Ahead of the Assembly elections in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that full statehood of Delhi would be a part of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) election manifesto. "Full statehood will be a part of AAP election manifesto and the people of Delhi will appeal to the central government that Delhi should be given the status of a state," he told media persons here. "Delhi people want their city to be a state. They have chosen a fair government. We will appeal to the Centre for full statehood," he said. The assembly polls in Delhi is likely to be held in February. In the 2015 election, AAP had secured 67 seats in the 70-member Assembly while the BJP had managed just three seats. The Congress drew a blank in the polls. (ANI) More grace to the elbows of 2020 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates and my colleague teachers relentlessly working around the clock to ensure their success. The Ministry of Education and the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) ought to be commended for the success attained so far in organising final examinations for students. However, in the area of the BECE, my dear reader, you would agree with me that there is bit more they can do to help our children. Considering the fact that this examination (the B.E.C.E.) is the first national or final examination being written by our young candidates, one would expect that they are tested with only one subject within a day. Over the years, candidates are coerced to study and write two (2) different subjects examination in one day. I have noticed that this practice has greatly contributed to the rate of failure and the mass examination malpractices experienced over the years since students, who had no ample time for a subject, would do just anything to pass the same. And the practice of writing examinations on two (2) different subjects within the same day is the major contributing factor to these menaces. When we consider the final examination (WASSCE) organized for the grown up ones in the senior high schools, they write only one subjects papers within a day. Once they are done with that subject, they go home or to their dormitories to prepare for the next paper, which usually comes off after several days or weeks. The practice is the same at the tertiary level too. These matured brains which are capable of handling more stress are tested with only one courses (subjects) examination within a day. The private high school exams, popularly known as Nov-Dec and those of technical and vocational schools (NABTEB) is no different. For both regular and private exams, they write only one subject per day. If things be so, why do we unnecessarily stress our young B.E.C.E. candidates in their first ever final exams to write two different subjects examinations in one day? I have noticed pupils breakdown or fall sick going into the third day of the exams due to stress from staying night-on to study two subjects. It is true candidates are only to revise for their upcoming exam, but revising just one subject is a great deal of work. The average number of topics for subjects in the curriculum is twenty-seven. Only Religious and Moral Education has seventeen; but Integrated Science has as much as forty-six. How does WAEC or the Ministry of Education expect candidates to revise 27 or 46 topics in the few hours left after the days exams which usually closes around 2:45PM (plus additional 27 topics for another subject)? This is impossible! The best thing we can, as a nation, do for our young B.E.C.E. candidates, who are inexperienced with final examinations, is to test them with as much as one subjects examination in one day. This stands to lessen the burden on them and increase their chances of passing for placement into senior high schools. After all, one subject a day would not even occupy two weeks compared to the months spent in organizing WASSCE. Thank You Written by: Rich Akpalu (Author of bestselling book God in Me) Mob. +233547198833 Facebook: Rich Akpalu The first edition of this article was published in the Daily Express Newspaper on Thursday 28 January, 2016 under the name Rich Y. Akpalu. Gulls are not uncommon in this area, sometimes scavenging for food. They are known as opportunistic feeders, consuming a wide range of items. Anecdotes suggest that they may be slow to scatter when approached and are sometimes regarded as pests. Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used for any regional conflict: FM Qureshi International pti-PTI Islamabad, Jan 05: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday told his counterparts from several Muslim countries, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, that Islamabad will not allow its soil to be used for any regional conflict, amidst raging tensions between Tehran and Washington after the killing of top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike in Iraq. Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad on Friday, sparking fears of a new war in the Middle East. The Pakistan Foreign Office said that Qureshi held telephonic conversations with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE and Turkey to discuss the regional situation unfolding in the region. "The Foreign Minister reaffirmed that Pakistan would neither let its soil be used against any other State nor become part of any regional conflict," the Foreign Office (FO) said. Highlighting Pakistan's deep concern over the recent developments, Qureshi underscored the imperative of avoiding conflict, exercise of maximum restraint, and de-escalation of tensions. He called on all parties concerned to abide by the UN Charter and principles of international law to settle differences through peaceful means. Sharing Pakistan's perspective, the foreign minister expressed hope that the progress made in the Afghan peace process would be preserved and advanced further. Iran tension: India highlights its concerns with US He reiterated Pakistan's readiness to continue to play a role in preventing further escalation and maintaining regional peace and stability, the FO said. Hundreds of protesters, including women and children, rallied in Karachi and Islamabad to protest the killing of Soleimani. The rallies organised by Shiite groups - including Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), Jaafria Alliance, Majlis-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), Tanzeem Azadari and Shia Ulema Council - chanted anti-American slogans. The protestor, carrying portraits of Soleimani and chanting slogans like "Down with USA!", were stopped by police from moving toward the US consulate. The protest rally in Islamabad started from the National Press Club and ended at the D-Chowk in front of Parliament. It was led by Shiite leader Allama Syed Ali Rizvi and women and children took part in the protest. Pakistan has the biggest Shiite population after Iran and may face turbulence in case of a war between the US and Iran. The country, in the past, has tried to maintain a balance between Saudi Arabia and Iran which are regional rivals. The US Embassy in Islamabad already on Friday issued a countrywide security alert, warning its employees and US citizens to restrict their movement. "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. US citizens in Pakistan should monitor their surroundings for possible demonstrations and suspicious activity," the embassy said in a statement. Several opposition leaders, like CPI-M chief Sitharam Yechuri and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, criticised the incident. New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) Fresh violence in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), here on Sunday, when several masked persons, both male and female, attacked students and teachers, leaving two JNU Students Union officer-bearers, including JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh injured, has caused an uproar. According to students, the masked persons thrashed them, including girls, and teachers on the campus with wooden and metal rods as the police remained a mute witness. The police said they were investigating the incident. "Masked attackers entered the JNU while law enforcers stood by. This video is what RSS/BJP want to convert India to. They will not be allowed to succeed," Sitaram Yechuri tweeted. Congress leader Chidambaram held the government responsible for the violence. "What we are seeing on live TV is shocking and horrifying. Masked men enter JNU hostels and attack students. What is the police doing? Where is the Police Commissioner? If it is happening on live TV, it is an act of impunity and can only happen with the support of the government. This is beyond belief," said Chidambaram. The Congress also alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government was taking revenge on the students. "Students beaten up in #JNU. Teachers beaten up in #JNU. Goons vandalising women's hotel. Brutality & beatings unleashed. No Police anywhere, No JNU Administration! Is this how Modi Govt seeks revenge against students & youth? #SOSJNU," tweeted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. JNUSU leaders accused the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence on campus. pvn-miz/rt/pcj By PTI LOS ANGELES: Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio says working with Brad Pitt on Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" was an incredible experience. The actor said they both clicked instantly and were on the same page while portraying their respective characters in the film, which was well-received across the globe. DiCaprio played an ageing, out-of-work actor, Rick Dalton, in the film set in 1960s' Hollywood, while Pitt essayed the part of his stunt double and confidante Cliff Booth. ''What was very interesting about working with Brad was this strange inherent comfort and ease that we really both clicked into day one. It didn't need a lot of prep work. We talked about the script, and we instinctively knew that dynamic and relationship, and who these guys were to one another," the actor, 45, told Deadline. Calling Pitt, 56, an incredible professional, DiCaprio said they improvised a lot in the film. "When there is a scene that he has in his head, you hold it as a modern-day type of Shakespeare dialogue. If there's a scene that is in his head that is written a specific way, you say those lines as they're written," he added. Its that time of year again: the time when Australias brightest stars gather in the South African woods to see who will be first to say those immortal words: I have nothing else going on right now. Yep, its Im A CelebrityGet Me Out Of Here, and as always the first-night reveal of the cast was a major event. Myf Warhurst is sure to be a favourite. Of course we already knew that Miguel Maestre would be going into the jungle, and the larger-than-life Spanish chef is surely already a favourite to take out the title, as he brings a relentless positivity and addictive accent to everything he does. Another favourite will be Myf Warhurst, star of TV and radio who has carved out a niche as the nations beloved cool aunt. Her dance routine with Miguel was a highlight of the first episode. Following Miguel and Myf into the jungle and by jungle we mean peaceful clearing near some trees was Tom Williams, who were informed is Australias favourite chippy, and that must be a pretty tough field to come up against. Tom quickly established himself as this years token guy who you always forget is on the show. TikTok logo displayed on a smartphone on the U.S. flag on Nov. 8, 2019. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic) US Military Bans Chinese-Owned TikTok App Over Security Threats The U.S. military has banned its soldiers from using the Chinese video-sharing app TikTok on government-issued phones due to cybersecurity risks, as the companys relations with the Chinese regime come under growing scrutiny. The move came after the Defense Department issued a Cyber Awareness Message on Dec. 16 that identified the potential risk associated with the social media app, Lt. Col. Robin Ochoa, an Army spokeswoman, told The Epoch Times in an email. The message requested those with a government phone to remove the app, and included guidelines for employees on how to protect their personal information. The short-form-video app has grown hugely popular among U.S. teenagers, boasting about 26.5 million monthly active users in the United States, 60 percent of whom are aged between 16 and 24. However, it has attracted heightened scrutiny by U.S. lawmakers in recent months due to surveillance and censorship concerns. The guidance is to be wary of applications you download, monitor your phones for unusual and unsolicited texts, et cetera, and delete them immediately and uninstall TikTok to circumvent any exposure of personal information, Ochoa said. The U.S. Navy also banned the app on government devices of Navy and Marine personnel in December. The U.S. Air Force told the Wall Street Journal on Jan. 3 that it no longer allows TikTok on government devices. Barry Lane, Chief Warrant Officer and a spokesperson for the Coast Guard, told The Epoch Times that TikTok is not an application currently used on any official Coast Guard device, adding that it is always concerned about potential threats. Lane added that all Coast Guard personnel receive annual security and cyber-awareness training, which includes best practices to safeguard sensitive and personal information on social media platforms. Although Army personnel can still use the app on their personal devices, Ochoa said they have asked anyone doing so to use caution and be vigilant when posting personal information. TiktTok didnt respond to a request for comment. TikTok logos on smartphones in front of a ByteDance logo in this illustration taken on Nov. 27, 2019. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters) National Security Concerns The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States recently opened a national security review of TikToks parent company ByteDance over its $1 billion acquisition of Shanghai-headquartered social media app Musical.ly (later merged with TikTok), according to Reuters. Multiple senators have raised alarms over the app in recent weeks, owing to its censorship of politically sensitive content and data privacy concerns. In November, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) expressed concern to U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy about the Armys plans to use TikTok to recruit new members. While I recognize that the Army must adapt its recruiting techniques in order to attract young Americans to serve, I urge you to assess the potential national security risks posed by China-owned technology companies before choosing to utilize certain platforms, he wrote in a letter. Later in November, the Army instructed its cadets not to use the app while representing the military. In an October letter to acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, Schumer and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) asked the agency to probe into the national security risks of TikTok given its China-ties and growing use in the country. Despite ByteDances claims that TikTok doesnt operate in China and that it doesnt store U.S. user data on Chinese servers, the senators noted that the company is still required to adhere to the laws of China. Chinas national intelligence law requires all organizations and individuals to support, assist, and cooperate with national intelligence efforts. China also recently implemented a new encryption law, effective Jan. 1, to regulate cryptography. Critics have warned that the law would allow Chinese authorities to assume further control over the online data of foreign companies. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) recently introduced a security bill to cut off the flow of sensitive U.S. data to China in the wake of a hearing that called to attention TikToks ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Vector for Censorship TikTok ran into controversy in December for suspending the account of a U.S. teenager after she posted videos shedding light on the Chinese regimes suppression of Uyghurs and other Muslim and ethnic minorities in Chinas Xinjiang region. The company also faced a lawsuit from a California college student over alleged transfer of private user data. Misty Hong, who filed the complaint, said that TikTok had created an account under her name without her consent, and collected private information including her biometric data from videos she never posted. In February, TikTok agreed to pay a $5.7 million fine to settle a Federal Trade Commission complaint that it collected personal information from users under 13, which would constitute a violation of federal law. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a Canberra-based think tank, warned in a Nov. 28 report that many Chinese tech firms are not politically neutral actors. The report found ByteDance to be closely collaborating with the Chinese public security apparatus across China as a vector for censorship and surveillance, and has played an active role in disseminating the CCPs narratives on Xinjiang. Tiktok also instructed its moderators to censor videos mentioning sensitive subjects related to Tiananmen Square, Tibet, and the persecuted spiritual discipline Falun Gong, The Guardian reported, citing leaked documents. Beijing has demonstrated a propensity for controlling and shaping overseas Chinese-language media, the report stated. The meteoric growth of TikTok now puts the CCP in a position where it can attempt to do the same on a largely non-Chinese-speaking platformwith the help of an advanced AI-powered algorithm. Frances anti-terrorism prosecutors on Saturday took over the investigation of a fatal knife rampage near Paris, saying they had established that the attacker had been radicalized and had carefully planned an act intended to spread terror, Trend reports citing Reuters. A man identified only as Nathan C. stabbed one person to death on Friday in a park in Villejuif, just outside southern Paris, and wounded two others. The attacker, who had a history of drug and psychiatric problems, was shot dead by police. While the troubling psychiatric problems of the individual have indeed been confirmed, the investigations carried out in the last few hours have allowed us to establish a definite radicalization of the suspect, as well as evidence of planning and preparation carried out before the act, the anti-terrorism prosecutors department said. The steps taken to carry out the murderous act were carefully thought through, and were intended to spread intimidation or terror among the general public. The department said it was also looking into whether or not Nathan C., who was born in 1997 in Lilas, a northeastern suburb of Paris, had any accomplices. Religious texts including a copy of the Koran were found among his belongings. The attacker had been to hospital a few months earlier and was undergoing psychiatric treatment. He also had drug problems. Paris has suffered major attacks by Islamist militants in recent years. Coordinated bombings and shootings in November 2015 at the Bataclan theater and other sites around Paris killed 130 people - the deadliest attacks in France since World War Two. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has on Sunday taken several shots at President Muhammadu Buhari over his statement on medical treatment abroad. The president had on Friday asked Nigerians to stop going to UK, US and other foreign countries for medical treatments. Reacting to the statement, the opposition party via Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity of the party said: Our party describes as ridiculous, a situation where a President, who patronizes foreign hospitals for treatment and even check-ups; whose administration has failed to provide adequate healthcare in his country, could turn around to pontificate to other citizens against foreign treatment. While the PDP does not approve of proliferated foreign medical tourism, especially by leaders and public office holders, our party holds that a leader who has failed to lead by example and whose government has neglected and wrecked our healthcare systems, lacks all rectitude to issue directives against foreign treatment. Consequently, the PDP urges President Buhari to show example by patronizing a Nigerian public hospital on his next medical appointment so that he can experience the healthcare reality that our citizens have been subjected to under his government. Mr President can then discover that our health system has suffered untold neglect under his watch, leading to dilapidated infrastructure, empty drug shelves, decrepit and worn-out equipment, brain drain and a demoralized workforce worse than his 1983 recollections. It is even more disheartening that all the investments and robust programmes of successive PDP administration, including the comprehensive National Strategic Health Development Plan, Saving One Million Lives Initiatives, National Health Insurance Scheme, among others, have been degraded and impaired by the dysfunctional APC administration. Nigerians recall that under the PDP administration, new technologies and modern medical equipment were available in most federal medical institutions where cases such as cancer, kidney, heart and brain ailments for which Nigerians are now mostly seeking overseas treatment were effectively handled in our country. Read Also: We Should Be Concerned With Building Our Party, Not Election, Atiku Tells PDP Our health care would have continued to flourish but for the disruption of PDPs people-based healthcare programs by the Buhari-led APC administration. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has now become the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the corrupt cabal in the Buhari Presidency, which has not been able to account for the looting of billions of naira saved for healthcare needs of Nigerians. Under the PDP administration, the dreaded Ebola outbreak was managed without grave consequences. If such medical emergency, God forbid, breaks out today, it would be devastating to our nation given the poor handling of our healthcare system by the APC administration. The APC administrations neglect for our national health need is reflected in successive budgetary allocations under President Buhari. Even in the 2020 budget, only N427.3bn (4.5% of the budget) is provided for the health need of over 186 million Nigerians. Indeed, this is not the way to go. The PDP, therefore, charges President Buhari to end his rhetoric by taking concrete steps to improve on the nations healthcare system so that Nigerians can have access to adequate and affordable healthcare at all levels. A number of political leaders said Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad must be allowed access to medical care at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. After Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad's physician Harjit Singh Bhatti expressed serious concern about his health inside prison, a number of political leaders said he must be allowed access to medical care at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Azad is lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "The governments policy of oppressing all expressions of dissent and protest has reached the point of cowardice. The lack of basic humanity in their actions is shameful. There are absolutely no grounds to keep Azad in jail, let alone to deny him medical treatment if he is unwell. He should be sent to AIIMS to be treated immediately." The governments policy of oppressing all expressions of dissent and protest has reached the point of cowardice. The lack of basic humanity in their actions is shameful. There are absolutely no grounds to keep Chandrashekhar in jail, let alone to deny him medical treatment..1/2 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) January 5, 2020 Priyanka has been vocal in her support to the demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Uttar Pradesh. On Saturday, she made an unscheduled visit to Muzaffarnagar to meet the families of those who bore the brunt of alleged police actions during the protests. She had visited Lucknow last week and met the kin of those injured or killed during the protests. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, said, "Whatever one's view of an individual's politics, common humanity dictates that even a prisoner be allowed essential medical treatment. I call on the authorities to allow Chandrashekhar Azad to visit AIIMS." In more acerbic words, Independent MLA Jignesh Mevani tweeted: "Brother Chandrashekhar Azad has not only been denied his right to protest and arrested, now the police under tyrant Amit Shah is not allowing him to seek medical treatment! Inhumane and sick behaviour by Delhi Police! He must be put under the care of a medical team at AIIMS or any such well-known hospital. This is just inhumane and should not happen to anyone! It's about morality but Amit Shah has none." Bhatti, Azad's physician, had on Friday flagged major concerns about his health and requested Union home minister Amit Shah to allow him to be admitted to AIIMS for treatment without which he may suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. He (Azad) is suffering from a disease which requires bi-weekly phlebotomy from AIIMS, New Delhi under Haematology Department from where he is under treatment from last 1 years [sic]. If not done, then his blood might get thicker which may results into sudden cardiac arrest or stroke. I was told that Chandrashekar bhai repeatedly told Delhi Police about his medical condition in Tihar jail but the authorities are not allowing him to visit AIIMS, Bhatti said in a series of tweets. A man has died after being attacked by a shark at a diving spot off Australias southwest coast. The victim is believed to have been bitten by a white shark near Cull Island, which lies close to the mainlands Esperance coast. The attack happened as the man was diving from a boat just after 1pm on Sunday. Marine police are still searching for his body. It is not yet known if the man was a local or a tourist. A woman who was on board the boat has been treated in hospital for shock. Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Show all 15 1 /15 Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Campaigners in Australia have today released photographs showing sharks in snared in hooks placed as part of the Queensland governments Shark Control Program HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Operating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the program is intended to reduce the threat of attacks in Queenslands waters by capturing sharks with nets and drumlines, permanent fishing hooks buoyed off coast HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program A diagram showing the drumlines used by the Queensland government to catch sharks Queensland Government Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HIS) are calling for the immediate removal of the drumlines HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Though Queensland has seen a decline in fatal attacks since the program launched in 1962, campaigners argue that control measures are not proportional to the threat posed by sharks and lament the programs devastating effect on certain shark populations HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program For example, nearly 9000 tiger sharks have been caught since the program was launched HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Their numbers have dropped by up to three quarters says Dr Leonardo Guida, senior shark campaigner at Australian Marine Conservation Society HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Citing the findings of the recent official Australian Shark Report Card, Dr Guida continues numbers will keep dropping unless we make major improvements to the way they are managed HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program The government should not be sanctioning the culling of a species in such perilous decline HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program The release of this footage comes weeks before the implementation of a law that would make its capture illegal HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program The Queensland Governments Fisheries Amendment Bill 2018 outlaws being within 20 metres of shark control equipment on the grounds of public safety, but campaigners view it as a way to hide the impact of the Shark Control Program HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Nicola Beynon, head of campaigns at HIS says not only does the Queensland Government insist on slaughtering sharks, but it has recently passed legislation making it illegal to document the horror. The public has a right to see true cost of its Shark Control Program HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program A diagram showing the nets used by the Queensland government to catch sharks Queensland Government Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Tiger sharks are a particular concern for campaigners HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Tiger sharks are a particular concern for campaigners HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development confirmed the attack on Sunday afternoon, saying "a man received fatal injuries after being bitten by a reported white shark." Members of the public are being urged to take additional caution while in the area and report any shark sightings to authorities. Fisheries officers will also be conducting patrols in the area. A police spokesman said: Esperance Police and Marine Rescue WA volunteers deployed to the area on board the marine rescue vessels. They are still searching the ocean for the victim. Australia is known for a large number of shark encounters with humans. The attack on Sunday was the second fatality in the area in less than three years, although there have been fatal attacks elsewhere in the country since then. In April 2017, 17-year-old Laeticia Brouwer died after being attacked by a great white shark while surfing with her father off the Esperance coast. In October, a British man had his foot torn off and another has had his leg badly injured in a shark attack while the pair were snorkelling on Australias Great Barrier Reef. Additional reporting by Reuters and AP ISTANBUL Turkey has started deploying troops to Libya, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday evening in a live television interview, keeping his promise to support the fragile government in Tripoli even as Western states have warned against escalating a conflict between the government and rebel forces. Turkish troops will be part of a combined training and fighting force to support the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj in Tripoli, which has been under attack for months by forces from eastern Libya. Mr. Erdogan told CNN that Turkish troops would set up an operations center headed by a lieutenant general and would focus on coordination and training. The first troops were already gradually heading out, he said, but the larger concentration of forces will follow later. Mr. Erdogans comments came after the Turkish Parliament approved a resolution on Thursday to send troops to Libya. Last month Turkey signed an economic agreement with Tripoli, and Mr. al-Serrajs government requested military assistance. I raq's parliament has voted to expel the US military from the country. Lawmakers voted in favour of a resolution that calls for ending foreign military presence in the country. The resolution's main aim is to get the US to withdraw some 5,000 troops present in different parts of Iraq. The vote comes two days after a US airstrike killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani inside Iraq, dramatically increasing regional tensions. The resolution specifically called for ending an agreement in which Washington sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. Members of the Iraqi parliament are seen at the parliament in Baghdad / REUTERS Iraqi Militia leader Khazali says if US troops do not leave they will be considered an occupying force. Following the resolution, the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group vowed to the US militarys presence in the Middle East, saying American bases, warships and soldiers are all fair targets following the recent killing of an Iranian general. Hassan Nasrallah said the US military will pay the price for the drone strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq on Friday. Late Saturday, a series of rockets launched in Baghdad fell inside or near the Green Zone, which houses government offices and foreign embassies, including the US Embassy. Trump wrote on Twitter afterward that the US had already "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." Iranians gather in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Sunday to pay homage to slain major general Soleimani / TASNIM NEWS/AFP via Getty Images Trump did not identify the targets but added that they would be "HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD." The 1954 Hague Convention, of which the U.S. is a party, bars any military from "direct hostilities against cultural property." However, such sites can be targeted if they have been re-purposed and turned into a legitimate "military objective," according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. After thousands in Baghdad on Saturday mourned Soleimani and others killed in the strike, authorities flew the general's body to the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz. Demonstrators also carried red Shiite flags, which traditionally both symbolize the spilled blood of someone unjustly killed and call for their deaths to be avenged. On Sunday morning, tens of thousands gathered in the northeastern city of Mashhad to mourn the slain general. Solmani is the first single person to be honoured with a multi-city ceremony. Anti-war activists are protesting in front of the White House in Washington and people in the UK are protesting outside the US embassy in London / AFP via Getty Images Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional policy of mobilizing militias across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, including in the war against the Islamic State group. He was also blamed for attacks on U.S. troops and American allies going back decades. Though it's unclear how or when Iran may respond, any retaliation was likely to come after three days of mourning declared in both Iran and Iraq. Meanwhile, the US has dispatched another 3,000 troops to neighbouring Kuwait, the latest in a series of deployments in recent months as the standoff with Iran has worsened. Protesters held demonstrations in dozens of US cities Saturday over Trump's decisions to kill Soleimani and deploy more troops to the Middle East. The US has ordered all citizens to leave Iraq and temporarily closed its embassy in Baghdad, where Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters had recently staged two days of violent protests in which they breached the compound. London US embassy protest 1 /21 London US embassy protest Protesters accused Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab of standing for terrorism PA Protestors help flags and photos of General Qasem Soleimani PA Protesters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in Nine Elms, London PA General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike at Baghdad's international airport PA Protesters waved flags and chanted against Mr Trump's airstrike PA General Qasem Soleiman was the supreme leader of Iran's second in command PA Protesters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in Nine Elms, London PA General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike at Baghdad's international airport PA Protesters waved flags and chanted against Mr Trump's airstrike PA Protesters accused Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab of standing for terrorism PA Protesters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in Nine Elms, London, after the US killed the head of Tehran's elite Quds Force PA Protesters waved flags and chanted against Mr Trump's airstrike PA General Qasem Soleiman was the supreme leader of Iran's second in command PA Protestors help flags and photos of General Qasem Soleimani PA The US Embassy in Nine Elms, London PA Protesters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in Nine Elms, London, after the US killed the head of Tehran's elite Quds Force PA Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has accused Trump of breaking international law with Friday's attack following more threats by the President via Twitter. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today defended the intelligence assessment that led the United States to assassinate the commander. While Democratic lawmakers questioned whether there was an imminent threat. Mr Pompeo told ABC's This Week: "The intelligence assessment made clear that no action - allowing Soleimani to continue his plotting and his planning, his terror campaign - created more risk than taking the action that we took last week." Britain and France have warned their citizens to avoid or strictly limit travel in Iraq, as London said it would begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz. More than 100 people have turned out to protest outside the US embassy in London. Funeral procession takes place for General Soleimani in Iran and Iraq Waving Iranian and Iraqi flags, the protesters chanted: Donald Trump terrorist and labelled the US a terror state. As well as Donald Trump, the chants were aimed at Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who were accused of standing for terrorism. Labour leadership candidate Lisa Nandy said she is really concerned about the situation in the Middle East which she said could escalate into all out war. She told Skys Sophy Ridge On Sunday: I think this is a really dangerous moment for the entire world, and for Britain in particular. What we should see is a Prime Minister who, to be honest, should have already recalled Parliament to explain what his strategy is, how hes going to try and work with our European allies to try and de-escalate the situation." Mr Raab also confirmed that he has a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo next week. He said any de-escalation should include a route through this which allows Iran to come in from the international cold. Mr Raab refused to say if UK troops in the Middle East are in more danger. Bill Montgomery / Hearst Newspapers 2017 A China Airlines cargo jet bound for Taiwan had to return to San Francisco International Airport Saturday afternoon after it struck a bird during takeoff, an airport spokesman said. The flight, China Airlines 5107 destined for the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei, took off from SFO shortly after 1:30 p.m. Saturday, and returned to SFO just before 3 p.m., said Jeff Figone, duty manager at SFO. Experts: Killing of Iranian Commander Sends Message to North Korea By Christy Lee January 03, 2020 U.S. efforts to deal with Iran in the coming days could divert its attention from Pyongyang, meanwhile the killing of Iran's top military general by the U.S. could prompt North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to reassess how willing the U.S. is to use force, experts said. "North Korea may get put on the back burner," said Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, as the Trump administration becomes occupied with possible Iranian retaliations in the Middle East. The U.S. killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani Friday with an airstrike at the Baghdad airport. Soleimani was the commander of Iran's Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and the chief strategist of Iran's military influence in the Middle East and the architect of major operations of Iranian forces over the past two decades. President Donald Trump authorized the attack amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Soleimani "killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more" Trump said via Twitter Friday. The U.S. and Iran have been competing to exert influence in the Middle East and tension between the two has been growing over Iran's nuclear program and U.S. withdrawal from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. On Friday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for retaliations against the United States. Soleimani's death is expected to have an effect across the region. US attention Iran could take the U.S.'s attention away from North Korea as Pyongyang seeks to raise tensions on the Korean Peninsula, said David Maxwell, a former U.S. Special Forces colonel who served on the Combined Forces Command of the U.S and South Korea. "Kim is not going to be happy with all the attention focused on Iran when he was trying to execute a large-scale information and influence campaign against the U.S. and the international community to get sanctions lifted," he said. This week, Kim vowed to "actively push forward the project for developing strategic weapons." North Korea's aim to develop weapons is believed to be for escalating threats on the Korean Peninsula to increase leverage over the U.S. to extract sanctions relief. North Korea has been demanding that the U.S. lift sanctions since Kim met with Trump at their Hanoi Summit last February. The summit broke down when Trump rejected Kim's proposal for partial denuclearization in exchange for sanctions relief. While the talks remained stalled, North Korea has conducted 13 missile tests since May in an effort to pressure the U.S. to lift sanctions. Change of thinking Experts said the U.S. killing of the Iranian general could change North Korea's thinking about the U.S. ability to use force. "The attack tells adversaries like North Korea to reassess [its] assumptions about U.S. actions moving up the escalatory ladder," said Ken Gause, director of the adversary analytics program at CNA. "Trump, more so than previous presidents," he added, "is not averse to doing decapitation strikes and focused assassinations." U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper Thursday said the U.S. could use a military option on North Korea if necessary. "We think the best path forward, with regard to North Korea, is a political agreement that denuclearizes the peninsula," Esper said in an interview with Fox News. "But that said, we remain, from a military perspective, ready to fight tonight, as need be." The Pentagon recently released a photo of U.S. and South Korean special forces conducting drills simulating raids on North Korean facilities aimed at taking out its top officials. "It will be interesting to speculate if [Kim] thinks something like this [the U.S. killing of the Iranian general] could happen to him or if his paranoia would lead him to think that Trump is somehow sending him a message," Maxwell said. "We should look for [North Korea's] responses in the coming days," he added. This story was originated on VOA's Korean Service. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has spoken to the mother of the British teenager who was convicted in Cyprus of lying about being gang-raped by 12 Israeli men and wants to bring her home so she can recover. Speaking on Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Raab said: 'I have conveyed our concerns about her treatment and the case to my Cypriot opposite number. 'I did that on Friday and I have also spoken to the young lady's mother to see what more support we can provide to her.' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has spoken to the mother of the British teenager who was convicted in Cyprus of lying about being gang-raped by 12 Israeli men and wants to bring her home so she can recover Speaking on Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Raab said: 'I have conveyed our concerns about her treatment and the case to my Cypriot opposite number' A confession signed by a British student saying she invented a gang rape is 'highly unlikely' to have been composed by her, a respected linguist said The 19-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, says she retracted her statement about the alleged rape only after pressure from detectives following ten hours of questioning which was not recorded or conducted in front of a lawyer. According to respected linguist, Dr Andrea Nini, the woman's written confession was much more likely to have been the words of a Cypriot policeman dictating what she should write. In July, the 19-year-old, in her summer before university, went to police in party resort Ayia Napa to say she had been raped by up to 12 Israeli youths. She retracted her statement ten days later under duress, she says, after police on the island 'threatened' her. The statement is the crux of a case that has sparked a diplomatic incident, with the teenager dragged to court and convicted of lying Relief: The men accused were whisked back to Israel, arriving at Ben Gurion airport to chants of 'the Brit is a whore' But rather than being allowed home, she was hauled to court and charged with the crime of 'public mischief'. The girl's shambolic trial, which has led to her being stranded on Cyprus, centred around the statement which she says Detective Sergeant Marios Christou forced out of her after eight hours of questioning without a lawyer. Written in the woman's handwriting, the disputed text contains sentences such as 'The report I did...was not the truth,' and 'I discovered them recording me doing sexual intercourse'. The teenager, from Derbyshire, says these are not her words but are 'Greek English' as it was told to her. Dr Nini, who gave evidence to the trial on her behalf, said she would have to be a 'criminal mastermind' to fake the structure of sentences to make him believe they came from a 'non-native English speaker'. Pictured: A diagram illustrating bruising found on the teenager The forensic linguist, who is registered as an expert adviser with the UK's National Crime Agency, said there was 'very compelling linguistic evidence' the retraction was dictated by a non-English person. Mr Raab added: 'We also need to be careful that we don't do anything which aggravates the situation between now (and) the date of sentencing, which is on Tuesday. 'But the concerns that we have and that I have, have been squarely and firmly and categorically registered with the Cypriot authorities.' Asked what he would do if he feels there has been a miscarriage of justice, Mr Raab added: 'We don't control the Cypriot justice system, they're very sensitive in Cyprus about perceived political interference, but there are clear questions around the due process, the fair trial, safeguards that have applied in this case. 'I've raised those with my Cypriot opposite number and will continue to talk about that, but ultimately my first priority, I think the first priority of the family will be to see this young lady released, come home safe and sound to this country to allow her to recover. 'So that's what we're doing and we obviously need to handle this case very sensitively to make sure we don't do anything counter-productive.' The woman found herself in police custody and stranded on the Mediterranean island for five months charged with public mischief. Pictured: Yona Golub, who claimed the 19-year-old student had turned his life into a nightmare During her trial, Judge Michalis Papathanasiou, who reduced the woman to tears on a number of occasions, dismissed evidence put forward by UK experts that supported her claim of being attacked and ruled she 'did not make a good impression, she did not tell the truth, and tried to mislead the court'. He did not hear from any of the woman's alleged attackers and was adamant he would not rule on whether she was raped or not, despite three men admitting they had sex with her. Despite evidence of her body being covered in bruising that was consistent with having suffered a violent sexual assault, the judge said the marks could have been caused by jellyfish stings. Some 35 bruises were found across the 19-year-old's legs, arms and buttocks and marks were also found around her knees and eyes. Bruises on the teenager's torso are missing because, inexplicably, police took no pictures of her without her shirt on. The girl's mother says her daughter is suffering from PTSD caused by the months of her legal ordeal, while Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has voiced his 'serious concerns' over her treatment ahead of her sentencing on Tuesday. Her psychologist, Dr Christine Tizzard, fears the teenager will be at a heightened risk of suicide if she is jailed this week, the Sunday Times reported. Waze has added a new feature to its popular navigation app that allows users to report and be notified of real-time winter road conditions, including snow and icy and unplowed streets. The feature is touted as a tool to help commuters safely navigate winter's hazardous conditions. It also is expected to aid local governments in improving their storm response. Transportation agencies across the United States will have access to reports from Wazers and be able to use the data to identify unplowed roads and more quickly and efficiently deploy crews to clear snow. "Our partners can use this kind of information to help them improve their operations," said Dani Simons, who leads public-sector partnerships at Waze. "It will give them a clear view into what roads have and haven't been plowed." While some cities run snow removal operations in-house and have technology to track where crews are plowing, those that depend on contractors could benefit from the crowdsourced app's insight into real-time road conditions. "Then they can prioritize and deploy their resources better," Simons said. Waze developed the Unplowed Road feature in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation. In preparation for winter, VDOT officials this summer asked Waze if there was a way to report unplowed roads and use the crowdsourced data to aid the state's winter operations. "We wanted to explore this method of information gathering to help improve safety and better assess the conditions of our roads during winter weather," VDOT Chief Deputy Commissioner Rob Cary said in a statement. VDOT plans to monitor the real-time reports on road conditions this winter and determine how best to incorporate the Waze data into future operations, Cary said. The feature could help the state rethink its response resources next year. Virginia sets aside $205 million for winter weather-related expenses, and has more than 2,500 VDOT crew members and additional contractors handy for snow removal statewide. During a busy season, they handle nearly 700,000 tons of salt and nearly 2.4 million gallons of liquid calcium chloride and salt brine. The data is free to about 1,300 government agencies that are part of the Waze for Cities Data program, Simons said. She said the work with VDOT exemplifies "what can be accomplished when we collaborate with public-sector partners to meet community needs." The snow warning feature is live in the more than 185 countries where the app operates, promising to come in handy for millions of Waze users in areas with harsh winter weather. The feature is silenced in areas with no inclement winter weather. Users can report, in real time, icy and unplowed streets they encounter in their travels, and the app keeps them informed when they are approaching a road that has already been identified by other drivers as unplowed. The Unplowed Road feature is the latest road hazard added to the Waze app, a Google company. Users report and are alerted of other issues on their routes, including potholes, water on roadways, crashes and vehicles on shoulders. Wazers globally make more than 60 million reports every month, according to Waze. Through the Waze for Cities program, the company feeds anonymous data from user reports to local governments, and the agencies use it to try to make roads safer. In the nation's capital, for example, Waze a few years ago fed the District Department of Transportation with data about pothole reports. DDOT then used the data to guide its "Potholepalooza" campaign to repave damaged roads. In Maryland, the State Highway Administration announced last week a partnership that will allow the agency to share road closure incidents in real time with Waze users. Through the feature, the state will alert users about road closures and detours, as well as potential delays due to roadwork. "This partnership allows us to share road closure and detour information on the Waze platform instantly, arming our customers with the information they need when planning a trip on our roadways," said Greg Slater, the former SHA administrator who was recently named state transportation secretary. Waze expects many agencies, including those in the District and Maryland, to join in using the winter weather feature. Simons said the reports from users have helped governments monitor traffic patterns, hazards and road conditions and helped them better respond. She said the addition of the winter feature will give agencies insight on where to get work crews in a timely fashion, allowing them to expedite their snow removal operations and make roads safer. "They can't have traffic cameras everywhere," she said. "But we can provide a little bit of data and our partners have a virtual picture of what's going on in the roadway." Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 09:22:19|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LAGOS, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Scores of Boko Haram terrorists have been killed in an airstrike in the Sambisa forest in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, said an Air Force spokesman Saturday. The strike happened on Wednesday when an aircraft of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spotted a Boko Haram gun truck with scores of fighters in the forest, NAF spokesman Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement. He said the forest was a hideout for the terrorists who prepared to attack nearby troops positions and some terrorists were also seen pushing another vehicle to a location in the area. Several NAF jets attacked targeted spots in turn, killing scores of the Boko Haram fighters and destroying their many structures, he said, without revealing the exact number of deaths. Daramola said the air force, in concert with surface forces, would continue to attack the rest of the terrorists in northeastern Nigeria. The northeast region has been destabilized for over a decade by Boko Haram, which most notoriously kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls in 2014. Boko Haram is known for its agenda to maintain a virtual caliphate in the most populous African country. Kindergarten teacher Erin Helfrich teaches students at the Haverford School, whose leaders argue that reading instruction nationwide needs to be more rooted in science. Read more Why arent our children learning to read? At its debut, the Common Core gave hope that we could improve the reading, writing, and math outcomes of American children being outpaced by their international peers. The Common Core State Standards Initiative was introduced in 2009 by a bipartisan group of governors, experts, and philanthropists, and supported by then-Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Originally adopted by more than 40 states, the Common Core aimed to create shared standards, including universal goals for mathematics and English language arts. Ten years into these standards, not a whole lot has changed for our students. The 2018 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) reported that U.S. students have shown no statistically significant changes since 2000, and have improved only in overall global rankings because other countries have declined, not because our scores improved. In Pennsylvania, only 40% of fourth graders are reading at a proficient level, just slightly better than the national average of 35%. While there isnt one single reason why Common Core hasnt affected literacy outcomes as significantly as hoped, a glaring shortcoming is the inefficient way students are taught to read. We have not done enough to educate our teachers, school leaders, and policymakers about what it actually takes for a child to learn to read. Our youngest readers in prekindergarten through second grade need reading instruction rooted in science to build a foundation. By the time students leave third grade they are no longer learning to read, but reading to learn. If they do not have the basic skills to break the code, they will struggle to acquire vocabulary and background knowledge from text, and to comprehend more complex text and ideas. The science of reading has existed for the better part of two decades but has not been consistently incorporated into teacher preparation programs and, therefore, most classrooms. Science-based reading includes instructional approaches found to build the brain pathways, identified through imaging studies, that promote reading skills. In 1986, Philip Gough and William Tunmer offered a simple way to explain the science of reading as a math equation: Decoding x language comprehension = reading comprehension. Lets break this equation down. For people to understand what is being read, they must be able to read the words off the page which is decoding and derive meaning from those words and sentences. If children cannot read through a word or sentence at a basic level, and understand what that language means to say, they will not be able to understand written text. However, what traditionally plays out in classrooms across America is what many educators call a balanced literacy approach: Children learn phonics, or sounding out letters and words, isolated from comprehension. They are encouraged to use separate skills and strategies to understand the meaning, such as finding the main idea of a text and making inferences like identifying words they cannot read by looking at the first letter and making a best guess from context. Teachers often believe they are aligning their instruction with best practices, but have not been educated on the science of reading to determine whether their approaches truly work. These approaches do not actually teach children to comprehend text. Instead, schools should support professional development that builds teachers knowledge of the science of reading. Educators should use a structured literacy approach that integrates direct, explicit, and systematic phonics instruction with language development and building background knowledge, direct vocabulary instruction, and understanding of sentence structure and word choice. Some institutions have figured this out. Mississippi, once the worst state nationwide for fourth-grade reading scores, is now on par with the national average. Since 2013, Mississippis scores for fourth graders have risen by 10%, in part thanks to the state committing to training teachers in science-backed reading strategies. Instead of scratching our heads about why Common Core results arent showing more progress, lets adjust the way we educate our youngest readers, using an approach proven to provide students with a literacy foundation that will serve them throughout their lives. Dr. Pam Greenblatt is head of lower school at the Haverford School, a pre-K-12 boys school, where she developed a structured literacy program and design thinking curriculum. Nichole Pugliese is director of the Enrichment and Learning Center at the Haverford School and a graduate of the School of Health Studies and Education at St. Josephs University. A group claiming to be hackers from Iran breached the website of a little-known US government agency on Saturday and posted messages vowing revenge for Washington's killing of top military commander Qasem Soleimani. The website of the Federal Depository Library Program was replaced with a page titled "Iranian Hackers!" that displayed images of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iranian flag. "Martyrdom was (Soleimani's)... reward for years of implacable efforts," read a graphic depicting US President Donald Trump being punched by a first emanating from Iran as missiles fly by. "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 blood of the other martyrs," it said. "This is only small part of Iran's cyber ability !" another caption on the page read in white text on a black background. The killing of Soleimani in a drone strike in Iraq early Friday brought a furious vow of revenge from Tehran. Described as the second most powerful man in Iran, Soleimani oversaw wide-ranging interventions in regional power struggles. Trump has said Soleimani was planning an "imminent" attack on US personnel in Baghdad. The president has warned that Washington is targeting 52 sites in Iran and will hit them "very fast and very hard" if the Islamic republic attacks American personnel or assets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a support campaign for the Citizenship Amendment Act. The party aims to reach out to 3 crore people in the 10-day campaign. BJP leaders are going from door-to-door to talk about the law. The party is also conducting rallies in different parts of the country to inform people "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. Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to launch his support campaign in Delhi on Sunday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Bhopal MP Pragya Thakur have already launched their campaigns. Rajnath Singh said that the Opposition parties are trying to mislead people. "Our party has decided that we will launch a door-to-door campaign to inform people about CAA. We don't discriminate on the basis of caste and religion... People belonging to the minority community, who are being persecuted in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, will be given citizenship through this Act," Rajnath Singh said. Nirmala Sitharaman who launched her campaign in Jaipur said to a Muslim family, "The CAA is not for taking away anyone's citizenship. The Opposition has no other issue and therefore they are deliberately creating misconception. They are wrong. Confusion is being created by linking CAA with NRC and we have to clear the confusion." BS Yediyurappa met people in Bengaluru and said, "The Congress is creating confusion among the Muslim community. I am telling you that not even a single Muslim will be affected because of the CAA." Pragya Thakur distributed pamphlets to inform people in Bhopal. "Although Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamalnath has announced that the CAA will not be implemented in state, the BJP believes that the MP government will have to implement the Citizenship Act," she said. BJP working president JP Nadda is scheduled to start his campaign in Vaishali at 4:15pm on Sunday, while UP CM Yogi Adityanath would also start his campaign later in the day. Also read: Anti-CAA protests: Thousands take part in 'Million March' in Hyderabad Also read: Anti-CAA protests: PM Modi accuses Congress of being mum on Pakistan's atrocities against minorities A key attraction of the ISC which is ongoing till 7th January, is the Pride of India exhibition The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the 107th Indian Science Congress (ISC) on 3rd January 2020 at University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru. Delivering the inaugural address, the Prime Minister said, The growth story of India depends on its achievements in the Science & Technology sector. There is a need to revolutionise the landscape of Indian Science Technology and Innovation. My motto for the young scientists bourgeoning in this country has been Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper. He said these four steps will lead India towards a faster development. Innovation for the people and by the people is direction of our New India, he added. He said, New India needs technology and also a logical temperament, so that we can give a new direction to our social and economic sectors. He said science and technology provides a level playing field in making opportunities accessible to all and that it also plays a unifying role in the society. A key attraction of the ISC which is ongoing till 7th January, is the Pride of India exhibition. This Expo has emerged as a unique platform for organizations from government, private and public sector to showcase their achievements in the field of Science and Technology. Indias leading research organizations like Department of Science and Technology (DST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Geological Survey of India (GSI), are some of the major exhibitors at the Pride of India Expo. A key attraction of this years Expo at Indian Science Congress is Vigyan Jyot or Flame of Knowledge to popularize science among youth and motivate them to take up science as their career. On 4rth January, Bharat Ratna, Professor C.N.R. Rao addressed the inaugural session of the Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan (Childrens Science Congress), a part of the ongoing 107th Indian Science Congress. He said that the future of the country depended on science and technology and the future of science lay on the children who with their hard work and sincerity can work wonders in science. In addition, the 9th Women Science Congress (WSC) organised as part of the ISC showcased the achievements of women scientists and motivated young women to actively participate in science to identify and find simple solutions to a range of problems through Science and Technology. The company is looking at whether two bundles of critical wiring are too close together and could cause a short circuit. A short in that area could lead to a crash if pilots did not respond correctly, the people said. Boeing is still trying to determine whether that scenario could actually occur on a flight and, if so, whether it will need to separate the wire bundles in the roughly 800 Max jets that have already been built. The company says that the fix, if needed, is relatively simple. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Throughout January, the Arizona State Capitol Dome will be lit blue in recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month. As part of the awareness campaign, Arizona and partnering organizations will provide training to recognize trafficking, support child victims and more. Arizona has made tremendous progress in the fight against human trafficking, but more work remains, said Governor Doug Ducey. With dedicated leaders like Cindy McCain, Arizona will continue to be a national leader in efforts to provide awareness training and support victims. My sincere thanks goes to Cindy, all members of the Arizona Human Trafficking Council and everyone who is working to combat this scourge. We will never stop fighting to end human trafficking in Arizona. Since 2015, the Arizona Human Trafficking Council (the Council) has led targeted statewide human trafficking prevention and awareness efforts and worked to expand victim-centered services and support. Under the leadership of Co-chairs Cindy McCain and Gil Orrantia, Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, Arizona continues to make progress in the fight against human trafficking. Training: The Council has provided training to over 37,000 professionals and community members statewide to help recognize and respond to trafficking, including first responders; school nurses, counselors and administrators; tribal communities; forensic nurses; and juvenile probation officers. STRENGTH Court: The Council has worked collaboratively with the Maricopa County Juvenile Court to implement the STRENGTH (Strength Through Resilience - Empower New Growth Through Hope) Court, a specialized court which focuses on the needs of child victims of trafficking. The Collaborative: Through the efforts of the Maricopa County Juvenile Sex Trafficking Collaborative, sex trafficked youth have received immediate health and trauma-informed care. Im pleased that Governor Ducey is again proclaiming January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Arizona and appreciate the symbolic lighting of the States Capitol and agency buildings blue to help raise awareness of human trafficking," said Cindy McCain. "Im proud of the work that the Arizona Human Trafficking Council has done over the past 5 years to prevent human trafficking, improve trauma-informed services to victims in Arizona and prosecute traffickers to the fullest extent. The Councils targeted efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking, improve the care for victims and offer prevention education to our most vulnerable is working. We have come a long way, and there is much more to do and we are dedicated to continuing the fight. Peshawar, Jan 5 : A Sikh young man was allegedly killed in Peshawar by unidentified persons, following which Twitterati expressed concern and vented anger at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government. #Peshawar trended with 6,709 tweets. One post read: "SSP Operations Peshawar says Parvinder Singh, a 25-year-old Sikh man, was killed by unidentified persons in Peshawar. The body was found under Chamkani police station area today. Investigation is on into the matter." A user posted a clip of a clean-shaven youth's body on a cot with bed sheet splattered with blood. He wrote: "Sikh youth murdered in Pakistan; According to Pakistan police, Parvinder Singh belonged to Shangla and had visited Peshawar to prepare for his wedding." The body was found in the area under the jurisdiction of Chamkani police station on Sunday. One user claimed that deceased Parvinder Singh was shot dead by unidentified attackers. He was working in Malaysia but had come home for wedding in February. In the clip, a youth said to be the dead man's brother demands justice and protection of minorities. One user wrote: "... body pumped with bullets by 'unknown persons'. Usually 'unknown persons' in Pakistan means ISI/ISPR. Parvinder is brother of Pakistan journalist Harmeet Singh. He was in Peshawar to shop for his wedding. More details awaited." A user commented: "WTF! This is what is happening in Peshawar. They're killing a Sikh and (PM) Imran Khan Niazi is obsessed with India and posting fake videos on Twitter." A Twitter user tagged @ImranKhanPTI and wrote: "Shame on you and your provincial PTI government in Peshawar which can't protect a few minorities in your country, whose numbers can be counted on fingertips. Your government is run... to either convert or kill Hindus and Sikhs by Pakistan's ISI." Another Twitterati claimed that the brother of the slain man was a brother of Pakistan journalist Harmeet Singh who alleged that religious minorities continued to be attacked and killed in Pakistan, be it Sikhs, Hindus or Christians. "He says we have to pick up dead bodies almost daily," he claimed. A tweet read: "True colours of Pakistan and relevance of #CAA in India on display." Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Muslim community members in Gorakhpur on Sunday to dispel doubts about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and said the move was in line with India's tradition of giving shelter to persecuted people. Adityanath's deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya, who took part in a similar drive in Moradabad, hit out at the opposition parties, saying they were trying to misguide the public against the citizenship law to create unrest in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday launched a 10-day nationwide campaign in support of the law. In his home turf Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath walked down to the shop Haji Chaudhari Kaif-ul-Wara and handed him a booklet on the law which he said was meant to give citizenship to persecuted people. "This is a booklet about CAA, read it and all doubts will be cleared. I thought of beginning the awareness campaign from here," he told Kaif-ul-Wara. Kaifulwara promised to create awareness about CAA and requested the chief minister to release people with no criminal background who were holding protests against the CAA and the proposed countrywide National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Gorakhpur on December 20, saying children make mistakes. On his way to Kaif-ul-Wara's shop from the Gorakhnath temple, of which he is the head priest, Adityanath met many Muslim community members. He explained to them that it was a law to give citizenship. "Those who did not have citizenship and are living in India, this law gives them citizenship," he said. "It is the tradition of India to give shelter to persecuted people and Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought CAA to give citizenship to such people," Adityanath said. He said it was not meant to take away anyone's citizenship, but the Congress, Samajwadi Party and its allies are "unfortunately" trying to mislead people by spreading confusion and violence. "This people's awareness programme is aimed at clearing confusion and doubts spread against CAA," the chief minister said. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who had arrived in India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh due to religious persecution. Opposition parties have called the law against India's Constitution for making religion a ground for citizenship. In Moradabad, Maurya told reporters that the citizenship of Muslims is fully secure in India and the CAA will help persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. He said the opposition parties who didn't want to see Modi as prime minister are now backing the Popular Front of India which he termed as the new avatar of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Express News Service BENGALURU: Former Chief Justice of India Justice MN Venkatachaliah on Saturday expressed concern over cynical dismissal of dangers that are lurking in the democratic process.Referring to author Alan Bullocks writing on Hitlers Germany, the former CJI said, Bullock had stated that street gangs came into possession of resources of a great modern state and they say the lowly came to power, but Hitler never ceased to boast that it was by popular democratic vote. Popular democratic vote is phantom. He was speaking at a ceremony to release Smruthivahini, a memoir by senior BJP leader S M Krishna as told to Dr Pavagada Prakash Rao and narration by Dr K R Kamalesh.This is the kind of things we see being enacted in this country, he said. In five years from now, the great corporates of this world will find their places in legislatures and parliaments of the world. They will be able to dictate terms to developing nations. Under such circumstances we are discussing about leadership of Krishna -- the kind of leadership we should look forward too. Krishna said influence of money in politics is a cause for concern and asked the younger generation to think about addressing this serious problem. As long as we have influence of money in our politics, we will not have a good democratic system in our state and country. All of us who have studied political science must accept it. But there is no simple solution for it and youngsters must think about, he said. The book release ceremony was a rare occasion wherein politicians from otherwise warring parties came on a common stage to recall Krishnas contribution as chief minister and External Affairs Minister. Several Congress leaders, including D K Shivakumar and B L Shankar, BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwatnarayan, and JDS leaders were present on the occasion. In the book, Krishna recounted his various experiences and developments, including his days in college, study abroad, his political journey, how JDS leader H D Deve Gowda wanted to join Congress, how he had handled a number of complex issues, including the time when forest brigand Veerappan had kidnapped thespian Dr Rajkumar and his appreciation for many Congress leaders. Lakshman Rekha With Krishnas permission, let me mention it. In the book, he (Krishna) mentions that when he was in America, many beautiful girls were going around with him. He also writes that he had never crossed the Lakshman Rekha. However, what Krishna has not mentioned is whether all those beautiful girls crossed the Lakshman Rekha, quipped Venkatachaliah even as the audience burst into laughter. He added that such statements should taken with a pinch of salt, and reiterated that he had great faith in Krishnas self-confidence and restraint. A spree of seven violent robberies in Manchester city centre has left five victims needing treatment in hospital. Police are hunting a gang believed to be responsible. Five people were hospitalised after a gang of 'thugs' committed 'violent robberies' in the Northern Quarter. Police said seven separate robberies occurred in the area between 2am and 4am in the early hours of today. The attacks and robberies took place within the Northern Quarter of Manchester (stock) The victims, who were aged between 20 and 60, were approached by three men before being attacked and having items stolen from them. Following the robberies, five people had to go to hospital for treatment. Some remain in hospital, police said. No arrests have been made and police are appealing for help to track the suspects. Officers say the offenders are three men, aged approximately between 20 and 40. The seven robberies took place within the Northern Quarter of the city General view of the Northern Quarter, Manchester, full of independent bars and cafes Detective Sergeant Kat McKeown of GMP's City of Manchester Division said: 'This was a series of violent robberies during which victims have been set upon by three men intent on causing them harm. 'I'd like to assure the public that we're currently working to identify those responsible and I'd ask that anyone with information contact police. 'We wish those who remain in hospital a speedy recovery from their injuries.' Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester council's city centre spokesman, added: 'These thugs need tracking down and brought to justice. Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester council's city centre spokesman tweeted about the attack 'It's disgraceful that residents and visitors can't be safe at night in Manchester.' Adding: 'The Greater Manchester Police and the council are examining CCTV as are private premises. These thugs must be caught' Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4409 or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. The Northern Quarter is a trendy neighbourhood of the city, full of independent bars, cafes and record shops - it is not yet know what properties or premises were targeted. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated 152 mohalla clinics on Sunday, taking the number of the neighbourhood facilities providing free primary healthcare in Delhi to 450, officials said. Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain was also present at the event in Pitampura, where the Aam Aadmi Party government had built the first mohalla clinic in 2015. The Delhi government, in a statement released after the event, claimed that the inauguration of 152 mohalla clinics has "set a world record". A mohalla clinic is a neighbourhood facility for providing free primary healthcare to the city's residents closer home. A typical mohalla clinic has a doctor, a midwife-cum-nurse, and an array of diagnostic services and essential medicines are provided free of cost to patients there. "Spectacular development initiatives have been possible because the people of Delhi elected a responsible and accountable government in 2015. The development bandwagon should not be stopped, but must be accelerated," the chief minister said, weeks ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. "Today is a very happy day for the people of Delhi as 152 new mohalla clinics at various places have been inaugurated.So far, there were around 300 such clinics. The total number of these clinics has now gone up to 450," Kejriwal said. Since the launch of the facility, mohalla clinics have served two crore OPD patients and 18 lakhs tests have been conducted there until November 2019, he said. Officials said MLAs in their respective areas also inaugurated mohalla clinics simultaneously in 43 Assembly constituencies, along with councillors and aldermen. Kejriwal claimed that for the first time, the expansion of healthcare facilities is happening on such a large scale in the country and probably in the world. "We had targeted to open 1,000 mohalla clinics in Delhi. Due to administrative reasons, work in this regard could resume just three-four months ago, and resumed at an accelerated speed. Within the next three-four months, remaining mohalla clinics shall be inaugurated," Kejriwal said. He said people's faith in healthcare facility in Delhi has increased and now "even the rich visit mohalla clinics". "In the last 70 years, different governments in Delhi built made available 10,000 beds in government hospitals," the chief minister said. He said the government is working to expand the facility to add 15,000 new hospital beds. "The foundation stones for many big hospitals have been laid," the AAP supremo said. "Initially, we constructed around 150 such clinics. Later, we faced so many difficulties and roadblocks to expand this project. As Satyendar Jain told you, files were pending for one to two years. Then the Supreme Court judgment came in between and it eased the process of opening new clinics," Kejriwal added. Sincethe AAP-led government improved city hospitals in terms of infrastructure and cleanliness, and treatment and made medicines free, the turnout of patients has now "doubled to six crore annually", he said. "Just now Satyendar Jain told you that mohalla clinics will find a place in Guinness Book of World Records and Limca Book of Records. If people are happy, I would be happy. It is my Guinness world record, I don't require anything more than that," Kejriwal was quoted as saying in the statement. In five years, the Delhi government could transform education, healthcare, and transport and made electricity and water available free, why such changes are not possible across the country, he asked. "Now you should not stop the development. People of Delhi flagged off a new bandwagon of development in the previous Delhi election. Now it runs at a speed of 100 kmph, don't press the brake, you should accelerate its speed to 200 kmph, Kejriwal said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The foreign secretary has backed Donald Trumps right to assassinate Irans top military general, in a marked shift towards supporting the incendiary attack. Dominic Raab said the UK understands the position the US found themselves in ahead of killing Qasem Soleimani, saying it had a right to self-defence. The shift comes after Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, criticised the UK, France and Germany for failing to be as helpful as I wish that they could be. Mr Raab also declined to criticise the US presidents overnight threat to hit 52 Iranian sites if Tehran retaliates for the assassination in what would appear to hint at looming all-out war in the Gulf. He said he saw it as the Americans trying to send a very clear message to Tehran that it cannot continue its menacing behaviour. Recommended Navy deploys warships to guard British vessels in Gulf However, the foreign secretary again called for both sides to de-escalate, saying a war would benefit no one but Isis, which would exploit the vacuum. Speaking on Sky News, Mr Raab refused to comment on whether UK troops in Iraq were being switched from training local forces to force protection, because of the heightened threat. He also declined to say whether Britons in the Middle East were now at greater risk, but confirmed that military escorts of UK shipping in the Gulf had been restored. Asked whether the US was right to carry out the assassination, Mr Raab replied: The US will take their own operational judgement call, but theyve got the right of self-defence. 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 If you look at what General Soleimani was doing, hes not some victim in this scenario. He was a regional menace, he was in charge of the Quds Force, the wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which is directing militias and proxies in the region, in Iraq, in Lebanon, in Syria which is destabilising those countries, trying to get an Iranian advantage and trying to attacking western countries that are legitimately there. So we understand the position the US were in and I dont think we should be naive about the Iranian Revolutionary Guard or indeed General Soleimani. The comments were fiercely criticised by John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, who tweeted: Raabs craven support for Trumps reckless & potentially disastrous action adds to risk of full scale war. A British government must pursue an independent foreign policy in the best interests of our people and to prevent conflict not act as a supine cheerleader for another power. Lisa Nandy, a Labour leadership contender, suggested the UKs refusal to criticise was because it was begging the US for a trade deal, as Brexit loomed. Meanwhile, Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, accused Boris Johnson of sunning himself, drinking vodka martinis in the Caribbean instead of dealing on the Iran crisis, in a withering attack. She pointed out that Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, had been left to chair three emergency Cobra meetings about the assassination, in Mr Johnsons absence. Mr Raabs shift to backing the case for the killing was in sharp contrast to the statement he issued on Friday, which inflamed Mr Pompeo ahead of a meeting between the pair in Washington on Thursday. Then, he simply 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. UN Security Council members held an intensive round of meetings Friday on the humanitarian crisis in Syria's embattled Idlib province amid calls to reauthorize urgently needed cross-border aid. Humanitarian aid currently flows into northwestern Syria -- a last rebel stronghold -- through UN-designated checkpoints in Turkey and Iraq without Damascus's formal permission. But that arrangement is set to expire on January 10, and with only a week to find a solution, diplomats said Friday they had no progress to report so far. Several also said there had not yet been any discussion of how this week's killing by the US of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani might affect matters in Syria, where Shiite forces under his sway play an outsized role. In a first closed-door meeting Friday, requested by Britain and France, Security Council delegates were briefed by the under- secretaries general for political and humanitarian affairs, respectively Rosemary DiCarlo and Mark Lowcock. The council issued no statement afterward. Two other closed-door sessions were held on the aid question. The first brought together the council's five permanent members -- the US, Britain, France, Russia and China. The second involved the 10 non-permanent members, all of whom support a continuation of cross-border aid even without Damascus's permission, one diplomat said. When the council took up the matter on December 20, Russia and China vetoed a resolution that would have authorized continued aid deliveries for a year through four border points -- two with Turkey, one with Jordan and one with Iraq. Three million people in the Idlib region benefit from the aid, according to the UN. Damascus maintains that only 800,000 people in Idlib are in need of aid. Russia, a key supporter of the Syrian government, has said it would support only a six-month extension, involving only two passage points on the Turkish-Syrian border. An earlier Russian draft proposal to that effect won only nine of the 15 Security Council votes needed for approval. Syria's UN ambassador, Bashar Jaafari, told reporters on Friday that there was "no longer any justification for cross-border delivery of humanitarian aid." He added that all aid must pass through Damascus. Referring to Idlib, he said, "The Syrian government is determined not to give up its rights and duty as a sovereign state to eliminate the last stronghold of terrorism." Despite a truce announced in August, Idlib -- a last rebel stronghold -- has seen a resurgence of violence in the last several weeks, hit by bombardments from Syrian and Russian forces, and with government forces clashing against jihadists and rebels. Kelly Brook has said that she has learned to accept her body, although she said that a recent weight gain was just a nightmare. The presenter and model, 40, said that she is happy with her current figure at a size 10-12, after previously being a size 16, and that she feels it is much more fashionable for people to be kinder to themselves, to embrace their bodies and find an inner happiness and confidence. She told The Mirror: But I was unhappy. And I think if youre unhappy at a certain size its fine to do something about it. I crept up to a size 16 and a lot of my wardrobe didnt fit me any more. My bras didnt fit me and it was just a nightmareKelly Brook Brook said that she accepts her curves more now that she is older, but that ageing has also had an impact on her body. I cant eat what I want, she said. I used to be able to, but I hit 35 and my body completely changed. I was just putting on weight year after year. I think its hormonal, your metabolism, getting older and not moving as much. I crept up to a size 16 and a lot of my wardrobe didnt fit me any more. My bras didnt fit me and it was just a nightmare. I was never used to being that big and I thought, Well, maybe this is just my size now! Video of the Day She said that moving to Kent to live a quiet life with her partner, Jeremy Parisi, was partly why she gained weight, and that moving back to London and having more work helped me lose weight gradually. Brook said she is a happy size 10-12, adding: I think even if I was a bit smaller Id be happy and if I was a bit bigger I would too. I feel better in my clothes and I like to run and exercise. Expand Close Kelly Brook and Jeremy Parisi (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kelly Brook and Jeremy Parisi (Ian West/PA) You accept it for what it is. I always say, Appreciate the body youve got now, because its the body youll want in 10 years. We can be so hard on ourselves, but 10 years from now well be like, What was I worried about? I looked so good then. Brook is best known for being a model and appearing in magazines in her younger days, and she appeared as an actress in US TV sitcom One Big Happy and films including Fishtales, Piranha 3D and Taking Stock. She is currently a presenter for Heart radio. At least 10 seagulls were killed in a Maryland parking lot after a culprit lured them with popcorn and ran over them with a vehicle. Officers from the Laurel Police Department said the incident occurred outside the Laurel Plaza Shopping Center in Laurel, Maryland, on Saturday. Police were called to the area around 10.47am and found 'a group of deceased seagulls all in extremely close proximity to one another'. At least 10 seagulls were killed in a Maryland parking lot after a culprit lured them with popcorn and steamrolled the birds with a vehicle. Officers managed to rescue one seagull (left and right) and transport it to a wildlife rescue center when it had its wing repaired Police were called to the area around 10.47am and found 'a group of deceased seagulls all in extremely close proximity to one another'. An officer is seen holding the bird they managed to rescue from the incident Officers soon learned that a suspect bought a bag of pre-popped popcorn from a nearby Dollar Tree. The suspect then emptied the bag of popcorn in the parking lot, 'intentionally luring the group seagulls' to the area. Police said the person proceeded to run the seagulls over with their vehicle. The suspect then fled the scene. Authorities believe the incident occurred between 9am and 10.30am. On Sunday morning, Laurel police shared photos of one of the seagulls that survived the horrific attack. 'Despite yesterdays senseless act of violence against animals, a glimmer of love and kindness shone through when Cpl Wilson rescued one of the injured birds and was able to get the bird to a wildlife rescue to try and repair its broken wing,' the department wrote on Facebook. Authorities are still searching for the suspect who is wanted for animal cruelty. If you know anything about the incident, the person responsible or the vehicle involved contact the Laurel Police Department at 301-498-0092 or anonymous tips can be sent to LPDtips@laurel.md.us. Authorities believe the incident occurred between 9am and 10.30am outside the Laurel Plaza Shopping Center (pictured) in Laurel, Maryland, on Saturday The Selective Service System maintains contact information for Americans who are eligible to serve in the military. 'Almost all male US citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service,' according to the Selective Service website. The mission for Selective Service is to 'furnish manpower to the Defense Department during a national emergency'. U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, walk toward an awaiting aircraft prior to departing for the Middle East from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S. January 5, 2020 People can face adverse effect if they are seeking student loans or federal employment if they have not registered for Selective Service, as it is illegal. All adult men must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday, and risk losing eligibility for student aid, job training and government jobs if they fail to comply. Under current law, women can volunteer to serve in the military, but aren't required to register for the draft and cannot register for Selective Service. In 1862 during the height of the Civil War, the United States first attempted the requirement for mandatory military service. The draft was reinstated during both of the World Wars, as a modern system was established during the Cold War in 1948. During the Vietnam War, the draft was very unpopular until the end of the United States involvement there in 1973. In 1980, the system was reinstated not long after the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union. GST on textiles will not be increased from 5 to 12 per cent: FM Sitharaman It is not BJP money: Nirmala Sitharaman on IT raids on 'Samajwadi perfume' trader Nirmala Sitharaman launches awareness campaign on CAA in Jaipur India oi-Madhuri Adnal Jaipur, Jan 05:Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday launched a door-to-door awareness campaign on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)) on Sunday. She launched the campaign at Kagzi mohalla, Khudabaksh chowk in Sanganer and accused the opposition of spreading misinformation about the new citizenship law. "The CAA is not for taking away anyone's citizenship. The Opposition has no other issue and therefore they are deliberately creating misconception. They are wrong. Confusion is being created by linking CAA with NRC and we have to clear the confusion," she told a Muslim family. After launching the campaign at Kagzi mohalla, she moved to nearby Laxmi Colony for the campaign. She was accompanied by Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra and other leaders. Later in the day, she will be addressing the BJP workers in the party office on the issue of CAA. The BJP had earlier announced that its leaders will undertake campaigns across the country to spread awareness about CAA and to dispel alleged myths against the amended citizenship law. NEWS AT NOON JAN 5th, 2020 BJP invokes Mahatma Gandhi to defend CAA The Citizenship Amendment Bill (now an Act) was passed by parliament last month, that will give Indian citizenship to "persecuted" minorities - Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians - from India's neighbours Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan, but blocks naturalisation for Muslims. Recently, Modi's government had also approved almost $130bn to conduct a nationwide National Population Register (NPR), which Muslims and activists claim is a precursor to NRC. Declarations of a climate emergency are the latest fad among world governments. Everyone wants to be in the cool crowd of those ready to save the planet with their own bare hands. Few, however, are asking the important question: Can we save the planet without depriving millions of people of a decent life? And before you ask, no, your smartphone and laptop dont fit into this decent life. This is where climate change activists would normally present the argument that it is climate change that is threatening the livelihoods of not millions but hundreds of millions of people. This is a valid argument, but there is an equally valid one a bit far from the climate change activists camp. That argument is that everyone on the planet deserves a decent life, and this decent life is enabled through energy use. So, the question is, ultimately, how much energy do we need for a decent life? Only through this answer will we be able to manage our energy consumption with a view to limiting the adverse effects of climate change on the planet. As to how much energy is required to maintain a decent life, the answer is: less than you might expect, according to a new study. A team of researchers from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Austria recently released a paper that looked into the energy use of three large developing economies to glean insight into how much energy people need to satisfy their basic needs. On the face of it, the conclusions that the IIASA researchers came to were optimistic. What they found was that each of the three countries they focused onBrazil, South Africa, and Indiaproduced a lot more energy than their growing populations needed to satisfy their basic needs. Related: Is This The Future Of Solar? "We didn't expect that the energy needs for a minimally decent life would be so modest, even for countries like India where large gaps exist. It was also a pleasant surprise that the most essential human needs related to health, nutrition, and education, are cheap in terms of energy. Along the way, we also found that measuring poverty in terms of these material deprivations far exceeds the World Bank's definition of income poverty," lead author Narasimha Rao said as quoted by Eurekalert. Naturally, however, these conclusions are based on an assumption about what a minimally decent life consists of, and how many of us would be satisfied with this life. The answer to the latter is: not many. The problem with basic needs such as access to electricity, healthcare, and education is that they are just that: basic. And we humans like to build on basics rather than stay with them. Practicality of this basic lifestyle aside, the research has its detractors. In early 2018, journalist Kris De Decker wrote an extensive piece on the topic of how much energy humans need and whether we can satisfy this need by less polluting, more economical means than we are suing now. It is probably one of the most exhaustive texts on the topic and its not all too optimistic. One of the important facts De Decker notesa fact that casts a shadow over the optimistic conclusions of the IIASA researchersis that so-called energy poverty changes with time. As De Decker puts it, What is sufficient today is not necessarily sufficient tomorrow. For example, several consumer goods which did not exist in the 1980s, such as mobile phones, personal computers, and internet access, were seen as absolute necessities by 40-41% of the UK public in 2012. Chances are, what was true for the UK in 2012 is now true for a lot more countries, including Brazil, South Africa and India. There are also varying basic needs depending on geography: in cold climates people need more energy for heating. In hot climates they need more energy for air conditioning (where they can afford it. Where they cant, they have the siesta). Ultimately, however, the problem is that a lot of things that used to be luxury just a few decades ago we now perceive as a need, and a basic one at that. This makes calculations of exactly how much energy we need to satisfy our basic needs a lot more challenging. Related: Oil Soars Following U.S. Killing Of Irans Top General What all research on the topic of energy use seems to agree on, however, is that its superconsumers of energy that are driving the worlds emissions higher despite the growing deployment of renewables. It is the mistaking of our wants for needs that is causing a lot of emissions that can be avoided. But how? Through energy efficiency, says De Decker, leaning on research. Through governments investing in more public transport to get people out of their cars, building sustainable residential housing, and encouraging people to eat more sustainably, say the IIASA researchers. While energy efficiency has already proved to be a working approach to the management of our energy consumption, the other suggestions are more wishful thinking than anything realistically applicable to any developing economy. The hard truth about humans is that the more we have, the more we want. It may be an evolutionary survival mechanism, or it might be wrong brain wiring but it is a fact and it might become the one insurmountable obstacle on our way out of frying the planet while se satisfy our wants, calling them needs. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: England ended the third day in a commanding position as they gained a 264-run lead over South Africa in the second Test match at Newlands here on Sunday. Resuming their first innings from 215/8, South Africa began poorly as Kagiso Rabada was sent back to the pavilion on the very first ball of the day by James Anderson. Soon after, Anrich Nortje was dismissed by Anderson, which ended South Africa's first innings at 223. England, who gained a 46-run lead, got off to a decent start in the second innings. Rabada handed South Africa their first breakthrough as he got hold of Zak Crawley, who scored 25 runs. Opener Dom Sibley was then joined by Joe Denly. Both the batsmen stitched a 73-run partnership before Denly (31) was caught by Dwaine Pretorius off Nortje's delivery. Joe Root was the next batsman and played cautiously with Sibley, who went on to score his maiden Test half-century. The duo kept the scoreboard ticking and took England's lead to more than 250 runs. Dwaine Pretorius provided South Africa with the much-needed breakthrough as he dismissed the dangerous Root (61). Dom Bess then came out to bat but was sent back to the pavilion in the next over on a duck by Nortje. Sibley is unbeaten at 85 and England will resume their second innings at 218/4 on Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 23:10:29|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MANILA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to prepare for a possible evacuation of 7,600 Filipinos in Iran and Iraq in case security situation worsens in the Middle East following the U.S. assassination of a prominent Iranian general in Baghdad. Arsenio Andolong, spokesperson of the Department of National Defense, said Duterte convened his security team on Sunday afternoon at the presidential palace to discuss about the unfolding security situation gripping the Middle East countries. Among those who attended the top-level meeting were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the AFP chief of staff, the chief of the Philippine National Police, the commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and their principal staffs for an emergency meeting, Andolong said. "The sole agenda was how to insure the safety of our countrymen in the Middle East specially those in Iraq and Iran as the tension between the U.S. and Iran rises," Andolong said in a statement. He said there are 1,600 and 6,000 Filipinos in Iran and Iraq, respectively. "The president has tasked the AFP to prepare its air and naval assets to evacuate and bring home our countrymen if and when open hostilities erupt in the Middle East that may endanger their lives," Andolong added. Tension rose between Tehran and Washington following the assassination of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force, along with an Iraqi militia commander, in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's International Airport early on Friday. On Friday, the Philippine government urged its citizens not to travel to Iraq due to the tension in the Middle East. By Express News Service KAKINADA: A Home Guard, who tried to stop a person from allegedly misbehaving with woman passengers in the Dhanbad-bound Express train, was pushed out of the train leading to his death near Tuni railway station on Sunday. The Home Guard, who was pushed out, hit electric police leading to his instant death. The accused is said to be from Bangladesh and police are verifying whether he entered into the country with valid documents. According to police, the Home Guard Reddy Surya Venkata Siva (35), as attached with Kotananduru police station and he was posted on duty in Samalkot. Siva was a resident of Tuni and was married recently. After completing his duty, Venkata Siva boarded the Bokaro express to reach Tuni. While travelling in the S-7 compartment, he found some passengers having an altercation with a person, who was identified as 50-year-old Habeeb who was on his way to Kolkata after completing his business work in Kerala, for allegedly misbehaving with some women passengers. Venkata Siva, who was in Khaki uniform, intervened and tried to bring the situation under control but Habeen did not budge and picked up an altercation with the Home Guard also. The altercation soon turned into a fight and Habeeb pushed Venkata Siva out of the train. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon talks with The Korea Times reporters during an interview at his office, Nov. 27. In the background is a smart board with real-time city data. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk By Lee Suh-yoon Seoul City's big data administrative technology and products from Korean startups will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week, the city said Sunday. This will be the first time for the city government to open its own showcase venue and for a Seoul mayor to participate in the largest consumer electronics trade show in the U.S. This year's event runs from Jan. 7 to 10. Mayor Park Won-soon will introduce a replica of his big data smart board at the 290-square-meter Seoul Pavilion at Eureka Park, the startups arena at the annual trade show. The original smart board is installed at his office in City Hall. The mayor's smart board gives access to millions of data points collected around Seoul, including real-time CCTV footage of key traffic points and recent information on food prices at grocery stores. The 3-meter wide interface will be recreated on six wide display screens at the entrance to the Seoul Pavilion. "We will replicate the digital smart board in the mayor's office on-site at the CES to introduce Seoul's smart technology and administration to the world," Mayor Park said in a press release. Twenty Korean startups will also set up booths at the pavilion under the theme "Smart city & Smart life." Many fall under the categories of smart healthcare and future mobility, dominant themes at this year's CES. One such startup is Smart Diagnosis, a healthcare services platform that uses smartphones to record a person's pupil dilatations a biomarker for heartbeat intervals to calculate his or her stress resilience and cardiovascular fitness. Dash Company, a mobility systems startup joining the Seoul Pavilion, offers drivers an automated valet parking service with self-driving technology via an app. A facial recognition digital door lock, drone technology and AI systems that sound like real humans will also be featured by the participating startups. On Wednesday, the Seoul Pavilion will host a special "pitching day" for the startups to market their products to potential investors. "We hope participating in the CES will help our firm meet more investors and secure a platform for further growth," Kim Gun-mo, head of Kono Corporation, said. Better known as a watchmaker, Kono will be showcasing a versatile app-controlled LED stick that can create specified letters and images in mid-air. The city will also operate a smaller "Seoul Lounge" at the Tech East venue. Furnished with wooden frames and traditional mulberry paper, the lounge primarily an exhibit for tourist attractions in Seoul will look like a mini version of Mayor Park's City Hall office. Veterans are already accustomed to the lifestyle small-business owners need to get their enterprises up and running: Long hours, hard work and attention to detail are ingrained in the mindset of American vets. Veterans not only operate 10% of U.S. businesses, they generate $41 billion in gross domestic product and employ almost a million Americans, many of them other vets. But even though they tend to be good business leaders, getting a leg up in starting that business is still a good idea. Budding veteran entrepreneurs can start with where they found their businesses -- and a global pandemic wont change that. The PenFed Foundation operates a kind of vet-owned business accelerator called the Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP), which can even help fund veteran start-ups. And as part of the program, the VEIP conducted a study that determined the best places in America for veterans to start their businesses. Related: 5 Reasons Why Employers Are Not Hiring Vets It used four criteria to determine these places: Support for veterans, ability to start a business, economic growth and livability. Support means that the city and surrounding area have a support system in place to fit veterans' unique needs. The ability to start a business was determined by the city's new business development and its residents' previous entrepreneurial successes. Economic growth was determined by looking at the city's key economic indicators, and "livability" measures the key facilities people seek when looking for a place to live. 1. New York City If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. Once again, the greater New York City area tops the list as the place where veterans have the best opportunity to found businesses and live successful lives. New Yorks livability also stretches into more affordable areas, like Newark and Jersey City. So if living in Gotham is a little overwhelming for a new business owner, there are more affordable options within the top spot. 2. Washington, D.C. This should come as no surprise. If a veteran needs a community of other veterans as they join the civilian world, start a business or just decide where to begin, look no further than the National Capital Area. Like New York City, D.C. can be pretty expensive for someone just starting out as a civilian entrepreneur, so the PenFed Foundations research extends to Northern Virginia, including Alexandria and Arlington. 3. Chicago, Illinois Also returning to the list in 2020 is the Greater Chicago Area, which starts from Chicago proper (population: 2.7 million) and extends out to Naperville, Illinois (population 148,000). This means that no matter how ready and knowledgeable a veteran business owner is, anyone needing support can find it in this area. 4. Seattle-Tacoma, Washington Sea-Tac isnt just home to one of America's largest military installations, its home to a lot of veterans of those installations. And why not? The Seattle-Tacoma area isnt just one of the best places for veterans to start a business, its also consistently ranked as one of the top 3 places to live in the U.S. 5. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota Minneapolis made one of the biggest jumps in the ranks this year, moving up nine points due to its scoring on open spaces, parks and health care establishments. It also had one of the best year over year changes in unemployment rate and bankruptcy filings (yes, even considering the COVID-19 pandemic). (Edelman Intelligence/PenFed) (Edelman Intelligence/PenFed) 6. Boston, Massachusetts The Greater Boston Area is one of the top three best places for anyone to start a business, not just veterans. For vets, the opportunity gets even better, considering all the training and resources available to them. Boston is number six on the greater list, but its the strongest place for a veteran business owner. 7. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas Although the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area came in at number seven overall on the list, it's one of the best places in the country for veterans looking for a community to support and to have that support reciprocated. There are a lot of veterans in the DFW area, and as a result, the options and support for vets among other vets is very high, as well as access to the VA and Veterans Affairs benefits. 8. Madison, Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin is number eight, but as far as liveability goes, its tops. Of all the places on this list, Madison offers veterans a high standard of living, which means a lot of opportunity at a good price. More than that, veterans with families will find the best schools, public transit and cost of child care is best when starting their new lives in Madison. 9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The City of Brotherly Love is crawling its way up the list from number 12 in 2019 to nine in 2020, which is a big deal, considering the sheer size and location of the city. Philly offers some of the best institutional support for veterans for a city its size in the United States. And if you attended West Point of the Naval Academy, you might catch the Army-Navy Game here at the end of (almost) every year. 10. Cleveland, Ohio The Factory of Sadness is no more: Cleveland, Ohio is rising on the list, higher and higher every year. Of all the places on this list, no city is friendlier to veterans starting a new business than Believeland. Although Cleveland is hardly as big as some of the other metropolitan areas on this list, the liveability and support for veterans extends to the suburbs of Cleveland. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. Intransigent despite criticism, Khan further raked up his rhetorics on the state of minorities in India, saying that there is a "major difference" between the "condemnable Nankana incident and the ongoing attack across India on Muslims and other minorities.""The major difference between the condemnable Nankana incident & the ongoing attacks across India on Muslims and other minorities is this: the former is against my vision & will find zero tolerance & protection from the govt incl police & judiciary," Khan tweeted."In contrast, Modi's RSS vision supports minorities oppression & the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda. RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi Govt but Indian police lead anti-Muslim attacks," he added.Khan's statement has come two days after he was widely criticised for trying to peddle a seven-year-old video from Bangladesh as a case of police excesses on Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.An angry group of local residents had pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Friday evening. The group was led by the family of a boy who had abducted a Sikh girl, Jagjit Kaur, from her home in August last year. (ANI) The Customs authorities of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have signed an agreement for mutual recognition of the Authorized Economic Operator Program (AEO), a report said. The agreement, signed in Riyadh, aims to enhance the security of the supply chain and the advantages of trade facilitation offered by the AEO, said the Arab News report. The agreement was signed on the Saudi side by Governor of the General Customs Authority Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Haqbani and on the Bahraini side by Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, President of Bahrain Customs. One of the key goals achieved by the agreement is to enhance intra-trade and raise the level of trade exchange and overcome obstacles that limit the flexibility of trade exchange, in addition to strengthening and consolidating the principle of partnership between customs and the private sector, Al-Haqbani said. The agreement would contribute to the growth of the volume of trade exchange and support the economy of the two countries, he was quoted as saying by the report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) Despite having a bloody history with the military, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairperson Nur Misuari was present during the change of command ceremony at the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday. Misuari was seen mingling with military officials, as well as with President Rodrigo Duterte during the event at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. In 2013, the Misuari-led MNLF stormed into the Zamboanga City intending to thwart the peace process then between the government and another separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The standoff between government forces and Misurai's group led to the death of 189 guerrillas, 23 soldiers and police, and 12 civilians. In 2018, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court released 96 members of the MNLF involved in the Zamboanga City siege. The court ruled that they have served all penalties for sedition. They were fined P5,000 each. READ: Pasig court releases over 90 MNLF members Moreover, Misuari also remains a staunch advocate of a federal system. He had been in past discussions with Duterte regarding federalism. READ: Despite favoring federalism, Nur Misuari has 'no choice' but to support BOL Panelo Former Obama housing secretary Julian Castro, the only Latino in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race, ended his campaign Thursday after a yearlong run in which he pushed his rivals on immigration and took big swings in debates but struggled to break through with voters Austin: Former Obama housing secretary Julian Castro, the only Latino in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race, ended his campaign Thursday after a yearlong run in which he pushed his rivals on immigration and took big swings in debates but struggled to break through with voters. Im so proud of the campaign weve run together. Weve shaped the conversation on so many important issues in this race, stood up for the most vulnerable people and given a voice to those who are often forgotten, Castro said in a video announcing his exit. But with only a month until the Iowa caucuses, and given the circumstances of this campaign season, I have determined that it simply isnt our time. Castro, who launched his campaign last January, dropped out after failing to garner enough support in the polls or donations to qualify for recent Democratic debates. A former San Antonio mayor who later became President Barack Obama's secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Castro had stalled for most of his campaign, hovering around 1 percent in polls, and never came close to raising money like his better-known challengers. He had not yet released his end-of-year fundraising numbers, but by October had raised less than $8 million total. As Castro exited the field, Bernie Sanders announced on Thursday that he brought in more than $34.5 million in the previous three months alone. Castro's departure reflects the increasing lack of color in a Democratic field that began as one of the most diverse in history. Between Senator Kamala Harris of California dropping out and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey also lagging, the sixth and final Democratic debate of 2019 had no black or Latino candidates onstage. Last month, Castro said women and candidates of color were being pushed aside in the race because of what he called the medias flawed formula for electability. He also ran an ad in majority-white Iowa, arguing that the state should no longer vote first in Democrats nominating process because it doesnt reflect the diversity of the party. There is a strategic disadvantage when you dont have a very diverse population or electoral base in those states, said Jeronimo Cortina, a political science professor and associate director of the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Houston. You can see that minority candidates have a harder time to run in these primary election seasons." Castro, 45, was among the youngest in the running at a moment when the partys ascendant left wing is demanding generational change. And as the grandson of a Mexican immigrant, Castro said he recognized the meaning of his candidacy in the face of President Donald Trumps inflammatory anti-immigrant rhetoric and hard-line policies on the U.S.-Mexico border. But he labored not to be pigeonholed as a single-issue candidate. He made Puerto Rico his first campaign stop, recited the names of black victims killed in high-profile police shootings and was the first in the field to call for Trumps impeachment. He also was a leading voice in the field on poverty and ending hunger. But his sagging poll numbers never budged. Early on, he was often eclipsed by another Texan in the race who dropped out this fall, former Rep. Beto ORourke, and another young former mayor, Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana. His campaign and supporters, meanwhile, grumbled that he didnt get due credit for taking out-front positions. Castro's former challengers said his voice would be missed. Secretary Castro brought a firm, clear, moral voice to this primary, Elizabeth Warren said during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. "I'm very sorry that he's not part of this, but I know he has an important voice in American politics and that we're going to hear a lot more from him both in 2020 and in years to come." Trying to show he could go toe-to-toe with Trump, Castro swung for big moments on debate stages, and he flirted with a much-needed breakout in June after confronting ORourke over not supporting decriminalization of illegal border crossings. But turning his sights on Joe Biden on a later stage brought swift backlash. During the September debate in Houston, Castro appeared to touch on concerns about Biden's advancing age and added a parting shot at the then-76-year-old former vice president. Im fulfilling the legacy of Barack Obama, and youre not, Castro said. Castro denied taking a personal dig at Biden as others in the field condemned the exchange. Three days later, Castro lost one of his three backers in Congress, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, who switched his endorsement to Biden. In October, Castro had warned supporters in a fundraising appeal that failing to make the November debate stage would spell the end of his campaign. He needed to hit at least 3% polling in four early state or national polls but didnt get even one. What is next for Castro is unclear. Back home in Texas, Democrats had long viewed Castro as their biggest star in waiting, and some have urged him to run for governor as the state trends more diverse and liberal. Castro was pegged as a rising Democratic star after being elected as mayor of the nations seventh-largest city at age 34, and he was on the short list for Hillary Clintons running mate in 2016. In the video announcing his exit, Castro concludes with "Ganaremos un dia! which translates to We will win one day! Founder of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to build a strong post-Buhari legacy facilitated by accurate succession. The cleric, while speaking on Sunday, said that history has placed Buhari the responsibly to institutionalise systems of accurate succession that will build and sustain the Nigeria we desire. Read Also: What Igbos Must Do To Clinch 2023 Presidency: Buharis Associate He said, mustering the apparatus of governmental force against those who criticise the government by the words of their mouths or the strokes of their pens is nothing but a petty path of vengeance that will eventually boomerang. I will not support evil no matter who perpetrates it. I will not support violation of peoples rights. Anything that is against the rule of law, I will not support it. It will never happen to me, that is like attacking my own constituency, it doesnt matter whose ox is gored. 116-year-old Japanese woman Kane Tanaka celebrates during a ceremony to recognise her as the world's oldest person living and world's oldest woman living by the Guinness World Records in Fukuoka TOKYO (Reuters) - Kane Tanaka has extended her record as the world's oldest person by celebrating her 117th birthday at a nursing home in Fukuoka in southern Japan. Tanaka marked her birthday with a party on Sunday along with staff and friends at the nursing home, television footage from local broadcaster TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Co showed. Tanaka, whose birthday was on Jan. 2, took a bite from a slice of her big birthday cake. "Tasty," she said with a smile. "I want some more." Tanaka was last year confirmed as the oldest living person, aged 116 years 66 days old as of March 9, according to Guinness World Records. Tanaka's record age is symbolic of Japan's fast-ageing population, which coupled with its falling birthrate is raising concerns about labour shortages and prospects for future economic growth. The number of babies born in Japan fell an estimated 5.9% last year to fewer than 900,000 for the first time since the government started compiling data in 1899, according to Japan's welfare ministry. Tanaka was born prematurely in 1903 and married Hideo Tanaka in 1922, Guinness World Records said. The couple had four children and adopted a fifth. (Reporting by Akiko Okamoto and Junko Fujita; Editing by David Holmes) Almost 3,000 homeless people around the country use a local post office as their home address to receive mail because of the scale of Ireland's housing crisis. New data reveals the spread of hidden homelessness across the country, with many people unaccounted for in official figures because they stay with friends and family. The statistics show higher volumes of people in rural areas using post offices as an alternative because they have no home address. The figures, released to the Sunday Independent by An Post, show 2,803 homeless adults have registered a post office as their mailing address. The figures have been made available for the first time since the service was created for homeless people last April. Many of the registrations are in towns outside of the major cities, highlighting how homelessness is part of every community in Ireland. The figures show that there are homeless people in every county using a post office as their fixed postal address. More than 1,400 adults in Dublin have registered for An Post's Address Point service, giving them a fixed address to receive post and access essential services. Homeless people in Dublin account for just over half (51pc) of all those using a post office as a permanent mail address. This ratio is out of kilter with the Department of Housing figures which show two-thirds (67pc) of the country's homeless people are concentrated in the capital. Homeless charity Focus Ireland said the anomaly sheds light on the scale of hidden homeless people living in rural communities. The most recent Department of Housing figures, released last Friday, showed there were 6,696 adults and 3,752 children homeless across the country in November. Focus Ireland director of advocacy Mike Allen said: "The fact they [An Post] are getting so many people who are not in Dublin means they are picking up a phenomenon of people who are homeless but not officially homeless outside of Dublin. You would expect a much higher concentration of people in Dublin from the official figures. "People who are hidden homeless aren't officially in emergency services but they are couch-surfing, staying with a friend for a few days and then staying with another friend for a few days. "Because there are fewer homeless services outside of Dublin, people who effectively have no home are more likely to be hidden homeless and couch-surfing in a small town rather than go down to the St Vincent de Paul where there may be a stigma in being seen there. "It indicates a different pattern of homelessness than there is in urban areas." According to An Post's data, 1,367 people outside Dublin are homeless and using a post office as their personal mail address. Almost one in five of the country's 1,100 post offices are being used in this way by homeless people, demonstrating the homeless crisis is affecting communities everywhere. An Post Retail managing director Debbie Byrne said An Post began offering the service last April. Since then, it has been providing a secure mailing address or letter collection point for individuals and families throughout the year. "We are all so pleased to see it making a real difference to people's lives - using our expertise, national reach and a deeply connected, community-conscious body of staff and postmasters as a force for good," Ms Byrne said. The figures show high demand for the service in Cork, where there are 231 users, Galway (194), Kildare (119) and Wexford (104). While every other county has fewer than 100 people using a post office as a mailing address, there are alarming numbers of homeless people accessing the service in rural areas. In 11 counties, there are more homeless people registered for the An Post service than there are staying in emergency accommodation, according to the Department of Housing's most recent figures. In Wexford, 104 people have registered a post office as their mailing address. However, the government data shows 37 people there were linked in with housing services in November. In Wicklow, 89 people are registered with post offices but 28 people were in emergency accommodation. In the north-west (Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo), 79 people have registered to use a post office as their fixed address, 12 more than the number of people in emergency accommodation in November. Carlow, Cavan, Laois, Longford, Mayo and Roscommon also have more homeless people using post offices to access mail than those recorded as being in emergency accommodation. Another homeless charity, Simon Communities in Ireland, said the number of people using a post office to receive mail tallies with what it has seen around the country. It said schemes similar to An Post's initiative could be used to deliver improved access to services for homeless people. "The numbers mirror the experiences of Simon Communities across the country as they show that homelessness is a national problem. Those experiencing homelessness are taking up all useful offers of support and working hard to find their way out of homelessness," a spokesman added. An Post said it works with a number of charities to provide its mail service in post offices for those affected by homelessness and living in emergency accommodation. A spokeswoman for An Post said it is free to register for the service. She added that it "generates a personal address based on the person's choice of local post office to be their mail collection point" to help arrange medical appointments, deal with children's schools, apply for jobs, or to keep in touch with family and friends. "What is surprising is the number of registrations in towns outside the major cities and urban centres, showing the level of hidden homelessness around the country," she said. The Department of Housing said the Government has prioritised addressing homelessness by boosting funding to 166m in the next year. A spokesman said it plans to increase the stock of social housing by 50,000 homes by 2021. "In the first nine months of last year, 4,391 adults and their associated dependants exited homelessness into homes. This is a 17pc increase on the numbers recorded at the same point in 2018," he added. Focus Ireland said the initiative makes it easier for homeless people to access basic services where it is necessary to provide a fixed address in advance. Mr Allen added that he hopes the service will help people register for the upcoming general election. "Up to now, if you don't have a fixed address or live in emergency accommodation it is possible to vote but it is very difficult. Using this service should allow people to register to vote, receive their polling documentation, and participate in an election in a way that has not been possible before," he said. At least four illegal immigrants were killed on Sunday when an inflatable boat carrying them hit a Turkish coast guard control boat on the western coast of Turkey, Trend reports citing Xinhua. The incident occurred in the Aegean Sea near the Dikili district in the province of Izmir early in the morning, the coast guard said in a statement posted on its website. Following the crash, the coast guard rescued 51 illegal immigrants and rushed 18 of them to hospitals nearby, the statement said. The search and rescue operation was continuing to find one missing person, added the statement. Usually, Americans are only aware of our nightmarish copyright laws and the systems that have sprung up to take advantage of them when a corporation decides to no longer make its product available to audiences, like when Disney removes movies from its streaming service, or when Disney removes movies from movie theaters, or when a third party preemptively removes Baby Yoda gifs from their website on the theory that thats what Disney would want. On the other hand, occasionally a corporation decides to freshen up the landscape of artificial scarcity by redistributing some arbitrary piece of film or television thats been locked up in their copyright vault for years, and thats a nice surprise for everyone, so whos to say whats right? For instance, on Oct. 12, 2004, television audiences who tuned into NBCs Late Night with Conan OBrienperhaps curious because of the announcement two weeks earlier that its host would eventually be replacing Jay Leno on The Tonight Showgot to see the late, great Mitch Hedberg perform standup comedy. Now, thanks to Team Coco, TBS, NBC, YouTube, and the promotional needs of Laurie Kilmartins Best of Conan Standup Stitcher Premium podcast, we can all start the year off by watching Hedberg do his thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its kind of hard to believe, but theres no way to purchase the complete episode this set was part of. (Meanwhile, all three episodes of the short-lived CGI sitcom Father of the Pride that NBC aired earlier that night are readily available.) Although OBrien announced back in 2018 that hed be releasing an online archive of full episodes of Late Night with Conan OBrien, so far, thats only meant clipsthough, to be fair, the process of digitally remastering them seems to be pretty complicated: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actual cause of delay here is probably the music featured on the showreplacing the original music is the reason The State took so long to make it to home videowhich means that even if the Oct. 12, 2004 episode of Late Night with Conan OBrien eventually appears online, theres no guarantee that it will match the original broadcast. Still, the part of the show in which Mitch Hedberg performed standup comedy has now resurfaced. Well keep you updated about the rest of the episode, which featured appearances from Tom Green and Brian Williams, as the situation develops. Worst case scenario, this episode of Late Night With Conan OBrien will enter the public domain on Jan. 1, 2100. See you then! Islamabad [Pakistan], Jan 4 (ANI): Pakistan has extended tacit support to the United States over its action against Iran earlier this week in exchange for the resumption of military cooperation with Washington, in a move that led to the latter authorising the reinstatement of a military training and educational program which had remained suspended for two years. Citing Intelligence sources, Asian Lite reported that Islamabad, which blamed Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Major Gen Qassem Soleimani Soleimani for Baloch militant attacks against its forces, found an opportunity to "kill two birds with one stone" when Washington sought its support after the airstrikes near the Baghdad international airport. It may be noted that the Washington's announcement to authorise the resumption of International Military Education and Training (IMET) for strengthening "military to military cooperation on shared priorities and advance US national security" came hours after US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo spoke to Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa in the aftermath of the airstrike. "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 destabilising and our resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities, and partners will not waver," Pompeo had tweeted. Pakistan has remained conspicuous by its silence over the US airstrikes and subsequent escalation of tensions between Washington and Tehran. Citing a leaked letter of Pakistan Foreign Ministry, The Asian Lite report further asserted that as many as 14 members of Pakistan Armed Forces were killed recently by "Baloch militants" based in Iran. It was one of the several attacks sponsored by Iranian intelligence chief Soleimani against Pakistan. The IMET programme was frozen for Pakistan by the Trump Administration two years ago due to Islamabad's lack of action against terror groups. It may be noted that the State Department administers IMET, a programme which offers spaces to foreign military officers at US military education institutions, such as the US Army War College and the US Naval War College. Pakistan-based The News International has reported a State Department spokeswoman as saying that the programme "provides an opportunity to increase bilateral cooperation between our countries on shared priorities... We want to continue to build on this foundation through concrete actions that advance regional security and stability." (ANI) The investor made famous by the Hollywood movie The Big Short is betting on more pain for SoftBank, the Japanese investment giant that bailed out WeWork and bought UK microchip maker Arm Holdings. Steve Eisman, who was played by Steve Carell in the 2015 film about investors cashing in on the collapse of the American housing market and subsequent global financial crisis, is shorting shares in SoftBank for the first time, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Short-selling is a way of profiting from a falling share price. Filings for Eismans Absolute Alpha Fund show the position is worth about 1 million more than 3 per cent of the fund. Steve Eisman was played by Steve Carell in a 2015 film about investors cashing in on the collapse of the American housing market Eismans employer, New York-based Neuberger Berman, declined to comment on reasons for betting against SoftBank, but the Japanese firm has faced mounting scrutiny over its vast web of investments after the near-collapse of WeWork. The office-sharing company failed to entice Wall Street banks to invest in its $47 billion (35 billion) flotation and had to be rescued by SoftBank in October. That raised fears for SoftBanks other investments and strategy for its 100 billion Vision Fund. The company, run by eccentric Japanese-Korean billionaire Masayoshi Son, has spent billions on stakes in high-risk, loss-making technology firms such as Uber. It bought British iPhone chip designer Arm Holdings in 2016 for 24 billion and has since amassed stakes in London-based supply chain finance firm Greensill, video gaming firm Improbable, small business bank Oaknorth, and satellite company OneWeb. A large water tank has burst in a southern NSW town, flooding streets and homes and injuring a woman. Residents of Cooma, south of Canberra, began raising the alarm about 9.15pm on Saturday, with some reporting water had flowed through their homes. Police said a woman suffered minor injuries after water entered her home and knocked her to the ground. Some cars were damaged, including one that was swept 800 metres down a road and into a truck. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-06 02:58:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ZAGREB, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Exit polls showed Croatia's former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic is leading in the country's presidential runoff on Sunday, with 53.25 percent of the votes. The incumbent President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic is behind him with 46.75 percent of the vote, exit polls made by market research company Ipsos Puls showed. Croatian voters began to cast their ballots in the presidential election at 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) on Sunday. Over 3.8 million eligible voters, including some 40,000 overseas Croats, will choose their president for the next five years in the runoff between Grabar-Kitarovic and Milanovic. A total of 11 candidates competed in the first round of the election on Dec. 22, 2019, when Milanovic won with nearly 30 percent of the votes (562,783), while Grabar-Kitarovic came second with almost 27 percent of the votes (507,628). Croatia's president is elected by a majority vote. If none of the candidates obtains over 50 percent of the vote in the first round of voting, a second round will be held. According to the State Electoral Commission, turnout reached 43.52 percent by 4:30 p.m. (1530 GMT) on Sunday, almost five percentage points higher than in the first round in December, but less than in the 2015 runoff when 48.23 percent of voters cast their ballot until mid-afternoon. Grabar-Kitarovic is running for a second five-year term as the candidate of the ruling conservative party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), while Milanovic is the candidate of the largest center-left political party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and is backed by the liberal opposition. Both Milanovic and Grabar-Kitarovic are former diplomats who started their careers at the Foreign Ministry. The president's role in Croatia is largely ceremonial. He or she is formally the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the army. The president cooperates with the government in forming and implementing foreign policy but doesn't hold executive power. New Delhi, Jan 5 : Extending her support to the Dalit leader Chandrashekhar Azad, who is in jail for anti-CAA protest in Delhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Sunday, has demanded his immediate release. Priyanka slammed the government for keeping the Dalit leader in jail. Azad, who hails from Saharanpur, has considerable influnece among the Dalits and is rising in prominence. Priyanka Gandhi tweeted, "The government's policy of oppressing all expressions of dissent and protest has reached the point of cowardice. The lack of basic humanity in their actions is shameful. There are absolutely no grounds to keep Chandrashekhar in jail, let alone deny him medical treatment, if he is unwell. He should be sent to AIIMS to be treated immediately." Congress General Secretary has been touring the state and meeting the victims of police action during anti-CAA protests. "Priyankaji has made considerable impact in the state while taking up the cause of the oppressed and has been meeting the victims, the kind of ill treatment the government has meted out to the Dalits and minorities, the way they have dealt with Chandrashekhar Azad case is unacceptable," said Jitin Prasada, who is trying to woo Brahmins, and meeting the victims kin in the state who have been killed during the BJP regime. Its because of his effort that the government, under pressure, ordered a CBI probe in girl student's death in Navodaya School in Mainpuri, a party leader said. Priyanka Gandhi, on Saturday, met the victims in Muzaffarnagar and Meerut who were brutally beaten by the police in anti-CAA protests including children and elderly people. The way Priyanka Gandhi has reached out to the victims has rattled the opposition and the government in the state. Now Congress is the main opposition which is taking up the people's cause, said spokesperson of the party, Rajiv Tyagi. The Congress which is in the opposition in UP since 1989 is now trying to woo its core support of Dalit Muslim and Brahmins. During a press conference held in Hanoi on January 4 following the meeting, the two PMs expressed delight at the effective and comprehensive development of bilateral ties over the past years. PM Phuc said both sides agreed to realise set agreements and deepen bilateral political, external, national defence - security ties, towards achieving the growth of 10-15% in two-way trade next year. They will enhance connectivity between the two economies, including in transportation, energy, sustainable use and management of water resources and other natural resources. The two sides discussed building a 10-year cooperation strategy, particularly encouraging ministries, agencies, localities, businesses and people to expand ties and offer mutual support. Vietnam and Laos will work closely together at regional and global forums such as ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, among others, he said, adding that nine cooperation agreements in various areas were signed during the meeting. Nine cooperation agreements in areas were signed at the meeting, PM Phuc said, adding that the Vietnamese government will direct ministries, agencies, localities, businesses and units work closely with Lao partners, thus creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms to effectively do business in Laos. The Lao PM, for his part, said the meeting reflects Vietnams appreciation of cooperation with Laos to foster each sides socio-economic development. On the occasion, he asked the two countries ministries and agencies to effectively realise agreements reached by the two governments. Floods and landslides in and around the Indonesian capital of Jakarta killed at least 60 people while rescuers are endeavoring to retrieve people buried under soils, officials said on Sunday, Trend reports citing Xinhua. Torrential rains which triggered rivers to break their banks have resulted in natural disasters in Jakarta and nearby provinces of West Java and Banten. Spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency Agus Wibowo said that the number of displaced persons has decreased but scores remains missing. In Banten province's district of Lebak, two people were reported missing after flash floods struck the district, said Agus Wibowo. In the meantime, Ramli Prasetyo, spokesman of the Jakarta Search and Rescue Office which is also responsible for the city's peripheral areas pointed out that the number of fatalities was likely to rise as rescuers along with soldiers, police personnel and villagers are searching for the missing persons believed to be buried under mud after the landslides in Cigudeg village, Bogor district, West Java province, "Our personnel are now attempting to recover the victims under the soils. We got a report that four people are buried there," he told Xinhua by phone. Poor access to the scene has hampered the efforts, making heavy machinery equipment fail to reach the landslide-impacted areas, so that rescuers are only using water pumps to remove the soils, he said. President Joko Widodo has ordered disaster authorities to reopen access to the isolated six villages in West Java province's Sukajaya sub-district, a statement from the presidential office said on Sunday. Landslides have cut off roads heading to the areas. Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency on Sunday refreshed its warning over the possibility of an extreme weather, it said in a text message. The flooding hitting Jakarta and its surrounding areas during the New Year's Eve is the worst since 2007 which claimed 80 lives in 10 days.